Month: October 2022

Posted on

Defense News: Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Completes COMPTUEX

Source: United States Navy

COMPTUEX is designed to fully integrate units of a CSG, while building its ability to carry out sustained combat operations at sea. Ships, squadrons and staffs trained across a spectrum of Sea Control and Power Projection missions.

The exercise was conducted by CSG 15, 3rd Fleet’s executive agent for integrated training, mentorship, and assessment of Pacific Fleet CSGs, Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG), and independently deploying surface warships. With the completion of this exercise CSG 11 is ready for deployment.

Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander, CSG 11, has been in command since April 2021 and led his strike group through the entire work up, training, evaluation and certification period.

“The strike group and the Officers, Chiefs and Sailors assigned to our ships and squadrons worked hard and have now seen it pay off,” said Sweeney. “We’re a ready and capable strike group, looking forward to any challenge ahead of us, and prepared to effectively respond to any contingency.”

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is CSG 11’s flagship – a mobile and lethal airfield equipped with command and control capabilities to support and operate aircraft from CVW 17.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 is composed of embarked Strike Fighter (VFA) squadrons flying F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, an Electronic Attack (VAQ) squadron flying the E/A-18G Growler, a Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) squadron flying the E-2C Hawkeye, a Fleet Logistic Squadron (VRC) flying the C-2A Greyhound, a Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadron flying the MH-60R Sea Hawk, and a Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadron flying the MH-60S Sea Hawk.

Information warfare combined warfighting elements such as meteorology, oceanography, intelligence, communications, cyber operations, electronic warfare and information operations to enable assured command and control, battlespace awareness, and non-kinetic effects.

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) is the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander. Bunker Hill is a multi-mission air warfare (AW), undersea warfare (USW), Naval surface fire support (NSFS), anti-surface warfare (SUW) and strike warfare (STK) warship capable of both offensive and defensive naval operations.

Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 oversaw operations for the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), USS Shoup (DDG 86), and USS John Finn (DDG 113). Increasing combat potential across the maritime environment, DDGs are a multi-mission afloat platform with offensive and defensive capabilities, including anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and strike warfare (STK).

“After a very busy year, we’ve reached our goal – to ready this aircraft carrier for deployment and sail west,” said Capt. Craig Sicola, commanding officer, USS Nimitz. “I can assure you that this ship and crew is ready for whatever lies ahead of us.”

The final training certification falls on the Centennial of the Aircraft Carrier. For 100 years, the United States aircraft carrier has maintained an advantage over adversaries through innovation and the evolutionary character that has underpinned naval aviation since its founding. Despite growing challenges and disruptions to the international rules-based order, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group enables the U.S. to stand by the nation’s commitment to free-and-open sea lanes.

For more information on the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, please visit https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-Nimitz-CVN-68/

Posted on

Security News: Jamaican National Sentenced for Stealing Money from Elderly Americans through Jamaica-Based Lottery Scam

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A Jamaican national was sentenced today to three years in prison for conspiring to run a Jamaica-based lottery scam that targeted elderly American consumers.

According to court documents, Greg Warren Clarke, 30, of Montego Bay conspired to operate a fraudulent lottery scheme. From in or around September 2013, through in or around August 2015, Clarke worked with co-conspirators, including Claude Anthony Shaw, in a scheme to defraud in which victims were called and falsely told that they had won over $1 million dollars in a lottery and needed to pay fees or taxes to claim their winnings. Victims were instructed to send their money through wire transfers or the mail to Shaw and other individuals. As part of the conspiracy, Clarke and Shaw discussed (over the phone and through cell phone text messages) plans to receive victims’ money. At Clarke’s direction, Shaw received money from victims through wire transfers and the mail. Clarke and Shaw discussed arrangements for victims to send money to other individuals with whom Shaw worked. Clarke then instructed Shaw to send the victims’ money to Clarke in Jamaica, usually through wire transfers. Victims who sent money to Clarke and his co-conspirators never received any lottery winnings. Clarke pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in the scam on Aug. 19.

Shaw previously pleaded guilty to mail fraud in the U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale. In June 2017, he was sentenced to three years in prison.

“Today’s sentencing demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to combatting foreign-based lottery fraud schemes targeting American consumers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The perpetrators of these schemes will be prosecuted, regardless of where they live and operate.”

“The Postal Inspection Service will continue to actively investigate fraudulent lottery schemes based in Jamaica directed at fleecing victims in the United States,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division. “We will not allow the fraudsters responsible for these Jamaican lottery scams to use the U.S. mail to commit their crime.”

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Jamaica to secure the arrest and extradition of Clarke.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case.

Senior Trial Attorney Arturo DeCastro of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch prosecuted the case.   

The department’s extensive and broad-based efforts to combat elder fraud seek to halt the widespread losses seniors suffer from fraud schemes. The best method for prevention, however, is by sharing information about the various types of elder fraud schemes with relatives, friends, neighbors and other seniors who can use that information to protect themselves.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

Posted on

Defense News: I MEF, USCG Pacific Area, U.S 3rd Fleet Sign Tri-Service Memorandum of Understanding

Source: United States Navy

The memorandum formalizes the implementation of strategic guidance by developing a predictable framework for integrated exercise design, planning, experimentation and execution, and ensure interoperability between the services and readiness at all levels and across all domains.

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Vice Adm. Micheal E. Boyle, Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force Lt. Gen. George W. Smith Jr., and Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Vice Adm. Andrew J. Tiongson sign a tri-service maritime strategy memorandum of understanding, Oct. 26, at U.S. 3rd Fleet Headquarters. The memorandum formalizes the implementation of strategic guidance by developing a predictable framework for integrated exercise design, planning, experimentation and execution, and ensure interoperability between the services and readiness at all levels and across all domains. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maria G. Llanos)

“This memorandum solidifies our commitment to training, learning, and adapting as a collective team to meet current and future challenges,” said Lt. Gen. George W. Smith Jr., commanding general, I MEF. “As the largest Marine Air-Ground Task Force assigned to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, I Marine Expeditionary Force is inextricability linked to the maritime domain. Our work with U.S. 3rd Fleet and U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Command is critical to generating, employing, and modernizing a true tri-maritime force capable of responding across the spectrum of contingencies at home and abroad.”

Leveraging the complementary capabilities of the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy has the ability to generate integrated all-domain maritime power. By expanding the memorandum of understanding to include U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area of Command further solidifies the full maritime approach at the operational and tactical levels.

“Bringing to bear unique capabilities and broad authorities as both a military, maritime service and a federal law enforcement and regulatory agency, the Coast Guard strives to remain a trusted partner in bolstering safety and security in a free and open, connected, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Adm. Andrew J. Tiongson, commander, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area. “We look forward to joining together with U.S. 3rd Fleet and the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force as we campaign to enhance readiness and exercise shared operational capabilities in response to common threats and challenges.”

In addition to integrating live, virtual and constructive training capabilities inside of a predictable framework, the memorandum also outlines information-sharing practices and allows for the development of options for staffs to engage in cross-training opportunities and other coordination forums between the services.

“Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard; we each bring unique capabilities to the fight and we have a longstanding history of working together,” said Vice Adm. Michael E. Boyle, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. “Formalizing the integration of our services increases our ability to overcome any conflict, issue, or adversary across the maritime domain; whether its command and control of maritime forces, maritime homeland defense, or defense support to civil authorities. We are strongest as a Tri-service team.”

An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.

Posted on

Security News: Federal Jury Convicts Oregon Man of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor

Source: United States Department of Justice News

BOISE – After a four-day trial, a federal jury sitting in Boise found Brett Michael Malone, 30, of Adrian, Oregon, guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye presided over the trial, which began on October 24, and concluded with a guilty verdict on October 27. Following the jury’s verdict, Malone admitted a sentencing enhancement for committing the enticement crime while having a duty under state law to register as a sex offender. In 2013, Malone was convicted of rape in the third degree in Malheur County, Oregon.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Malone used Facebook to communicate with a 15-year-old girl in Idaho. During the communications, Malone sent the victim sexually explicit images and videos and enticed her to meet him for sexual contact. The victim’s mom located messages between Malone and the victim on the victim’s cellphone and reported the messages to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). HSI assumed the victim’s online identity and began communicating with Malone in an undercover capacity. During the communications, Malone continued to engage in sexually explicit conversation with the undercover agent posing as the victim and arranged to meet the victim for sexual contact. When Malone traveled to meet the victim, he was apprehended by law enforcement.

“Law enforcement did a great job in this case of responding quickly and effectively to a parent’s concern,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “Because of that, this offender is unable to victimize anyone else.”

The charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor carries a minimum of ten years and up to life in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and at least five years and up to lifetime of supervised release. The sentencing enhancement carries a minimum of ten years in prison to run consecutively to the enticement count. Malone will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction.

Sentencing is set for February 6, 2023, before Judge Nye at the federal courthouse in Boise.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit, of the District of Idaho commended the cooperative efforts of HSI, Idaho State Police, and Boise Police Department, which led to charges.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

###

Posted on

Security News: Claremore Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Abusing an Infant

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A Claremore man who abused a 5-month-old infant at a home in Vinita was sentenced Friday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Keldon Keith Summers, 28, to 12 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.

“My office will vigorously prosecute criminals who cause harm to the most innocent in our communities- our children,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Keldon Summers’ violent abuse of an infant left the child with permanent injuries and the need for continued care. This child abuser will spend 12 years in federal prison to account for his despicable crime.”

Summers previously pleaded guilty to child abuse in Indian Country. In his plea agreement, Summers admitted that in the early morning hours of Nov. 8, 2020, he was taking care of a 5-month-old while the infant’s mother was at work and during that time, he abused the infant. The child suffered bruising on his cheek down to his chin that resembled a bite mark, and bruising on his arm, his buttocks, and on his back and chest. He further suffered a swollen penis and left testicle, a fracture of his upper tibia, and extensive retinal hemorrhaging.

Additionally, the child tested positive for methamphetamine. The child had multiple seizures after being life flighted to the hospital that day. He remained in the hospital for three weeks and today requires medication, therapy, and continued care as a result of his injuries.

The FBI and Vinita Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey P. Todd and Vani Singhal prosecuted the case.