Month: January 2023

Posted on

Statement Of U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

Source: United States Department of Justice News

NEWARK, N.J. – Philip R. Sellinger, United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, issued the following statement today:

Like so many around the country, we are deeply disturbed by the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Tyre Nichols.  Shortly after his death, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Tennessee and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division opened a criminal civil rights investigation. We express support for our colleagues who are working hand in hand with the FBI and other law enforcement partners.  We have no doubt that their investigation will be thorough and methodical, and they will make decisions based on the facts and the law. In addition to the federal investigation, several officers are now facing prosecution for state charges.

We appreciate the significant public interest in this matter.  We want to make clear that the U.S. Attorney’s Office respects the right of all people to assemble and protest peacefully.  As Tyre Nichols’ family has urged, we urge that any protests remain peaceful and nonviolent.

We will also continue to protect civil rights and work to ensure justice for all in New Jersey.  Where law enforcement officers abuse their authority by violating the constitutional rights of our citizens, it undermines all other law enforcement officers who lawfully perform their duties with dignity and respect.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has prioritized civil rights investigations and prosecutions of any public employee who violates this public trust.

Last year, I created a Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the sole focus of enforcing and protecting federal civil rights.  Individuals who believe they may have been victims of civil rights violations may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office at http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint or call the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339. 

Posted on

Readout of U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr.’s Meeting with Colombian Attorney General Francisco Barbosa Delgado

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

On Jan. 25, Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. met in Washington, D.C. with Colombian Attorney General Francisco Barbosa Delgado.

In the meeting, Assistant Attorney General Polite expressed his deep appreciation for the extraordinary law enforcement partnership between the United States and Colombia and thanked Attorney General Barbosa for his leadership in combating transnational organized crime. 

“The Department of Justice has enjoyed an exceptional relationship with the Colombian Attorney General’s Office and the thousands of men and women that Attorney General Barbosa leads,” said Assistant Attorney General Polite. “Colombia continues to be an indispensable partner to the United States. Attorney General Barbosa’s steadfast support for the rule of law while honoring bilateral commitments has been the cornerstone of our law enforcement efforts with Colombia.”

Both leaders committed to continue strengthening the close law enforcement relationship between the United States and Colombia, which has led to, among others, the successful investigation and prosecution of drug traffickers, transnational organized crime groups, human smugglers, money launderers, and malicious cyber actors.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland dropped by the meeting to personally thank Attorney General Barbosa for the outstanding cooperation between the United States and Colombia.

Posted on

Defense News: U.S. Navy Showcases Operational Readiness, Flexibility in Exercise with Israel

Source: United States Navy

During exercise Juniper Oak 23-2, the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group operated in the Mediterranean Sea in support of U.S. 5th Fleet while still under the operational control of U.S. 6th Fleet. The command-and-control setup demonstrated the inherent flexibility of U.S. naval forces to simultaneously support operations in two regions – Europe and the Middle East.   

“I’m proud of the effort from our team to support Juniper Oak, which showcased a high level of dedication, professionalism and readiness from our Sailors alongside our Israeli partners,” said Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, the strike group commander. “The command-and-control arrangement in Juniper Oak also highlighted the flexibility U.S. Navy carrier strike groups have to operate across multiple theaters of operation, and reflects the value the Navy provides to national security and regional stability anywhere in the world.” 

The strike group coordinated complex, combined military operations with Israel on land, in the air and at sea, involving all elements of the team. Guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) participated in a live-fire drill in addition to a large-scale strike with air assets from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7. 

Aircraft from CVW-7 involved in the strike exercise included 16 F/A-18 Super Hornets, four E/A-18G Growlers and two E-2D Hawkeyes. Four GBU-16 laser-guided bombs were expended on training targets. 

Additionally, strike group ships also sailed in formation with Israeli vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean. Participating ships included George H.W. Bush, Truxtun, guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94), and Israeli Navy Sa’ar corvettes INS Hanit, INS Eliat, INS Oz, and INS Tarshis. The Israeli Navy submarine INS Dolphin also joined. 

During Juniper Oak’s final day, top U.S. and Israeli military leaders flew out to George H.W. Bush to meet and discuss the results of the exercise as well as observe carrier flight operations. 

“Juniper Oak has raised our level of planning and our level of implementation of combined operations,” said Israeli Lt. Gen. Hertzi Halevi, chief of the general staff for Israel Defense Forces. “It is always good to have our best partner here with us to learn from each other. This interoperability strengthens our ability to cope with a range of security challenges over the area.” 

The U.S. 5th Fleet operating area includes 21 countries, the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb and Suez Canal. 

Posted on

Defense News: USS San Jacinto Hosts 35th Commissioning Anniversary Celebration

Source: United States Navy

Named after the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, the San Jacinto was formally commissioned on Jan. 23, 1988 by Vice President George HW Bush.

In the years following, thousands of Sailors solidified the ship’s place in history by conducting missions for operations including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Most notably, the ship launched the first Tomahawk Cruise missiles ever in battle during Desert Storm. In addition to combat operations, San Jacinto also served in many presence operations, to include the most recent deployment to U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, sailing more than 60,000 miles.

“While the Sailors of San Jacinto have changed over the last three and a half decades, the impact of their hard work, here and abroad, will never be taken for granted,” said Capt. Christopher Marvin, San Jacinto’s commanding officer. “The sense of pride ‘Gunslingers’ have for this ship and what she has accomplished for our nation will be a part of them forever. This reunion gives us a chance to remember all that the ship and collective crew has accomplished over the years.”

The commissioning anniversary events were an opportunity for current and former crew members, colloquially known as “Gunslingers,” to share stories, reconnect, and celebrate the legacy of the ship. Activities included tours for former crew and their families and a formal dinner. The tours allowed former crew members to reflect on their time aboard and share their memories with family members.

“The 35th Anniversary marked a major milestone in San Jacinto’s storied service history,” said Cmdr. Glenn Atherton, San Jacinto’s executive officer. “(The) celebration was unique and also allowed for ‘Gunslingers’ past and present to share sea stories, learn about each other, and see how the ship has changed over her venerable career. For many, this might have been their last opportunity to board San Jacinto while she’s in active service.”

Guests included Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, Rear Adm. (Ret.) Rob Katz, and four former commanding officers.

“Working with the crew of San Jacinto shaped me and my experience in the Navy,” said Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

San Jacinto is scheduled to decommission at the end of the fiscal year and currently serves under Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8.

For more news from CSG 8 and USS San Jacinto, visit:
www.facebook.com/CSG8
https://www.facebook.com/USSSanJacinto,
https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/cg56

Posted on

Defense News: The Honorable Sean Coffey Speaks at the Fourth NCIS Special Agent Basic Training Academy – Class 2204

Source: United States Navy

Mr. Coffey praised NCIS for its versatility and support to the warfighter.

“No other agency has so broad and important a mandate. NCIS must ensure that our Sailors, Marines, Department of the Navy civilians and their families are safe from harm,” said Mr. Coffey. “They have to ensure that our classified systems are secure, that our technology does not fall into the hands of those who mean us harm, and that our military justice system has the trust of those same Sailors and Marines, and so much more.”

In 2022, NCIS led training efforts at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center by initiating the NCIS Special Agent Basic Training Integrated Program (SABTIP). The NCIS SABTIP is an accredited program that uniquely combines Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) basic Special Agent training – common to all federal law enforcement agencies – with advanced skills development in areas like cyber, crime scene management, tactics, family and sexual violence, counterintelligence, and complex interviewing.

Women made up 42% of the graduates in Class 2204. Since the launch of SABTIP, NCIS has seen an average of 40% female students in each class, which is a positive increase from previous years.

“NCIS is the most elite, best led and most critically important law enforcement and intelligence agency in our country, “said Mr. Coffey. “I’ve learned that you have approached the many challenges here at FLETC with enthusiasm, grit, and professionalism. You have embraced every challenge thrown in your way, and you fought tenaciously not only to succeed, but to thrive.”

NCIS relies on a diverse workforce that brings a breadth of skills, backgrounds and experiences to fulfill its vast agency mission. To attract such highly capable talents, such as those represented in Class 2204, the agency has focused its recruiting efforts on creating equitable pathways of opportunity for employment with NCIS.

During his keynote speech, Mr. Coffey echoed NCIS motto of “People First, Mission Always” is not just a slogan, but an ethos.

“I meet with Director Lopez and the senior staff every week, and I had to come to see firsthand how they lead this storied agency,” said Mr. Coffey. “When he says people first mission always – he means that. I have been in the room, where he politely but firmly fights for more resources, protects the prerogatives of NCIS, and fights to maintain the independence of the premier Military Criminal Investigative Organization in the Pentagon. To our new agents, let me tell you: he’s going to have your back.”

NCIS missions are critical to advancing the priorities of the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro.

“His three key principles are maintaining maritime dominance, empowering our people with a culture of warfighting excellence, and strengthening our partnerships both with each other and with our allies. NCIS plays an outsized role in all of these areas,” said Mr. Coffey.

Mr. Coffey closed out his keynote speech with inspiring words to the new agents as they prepare to move on to the next phase of their NCIS adventure.

“I look forward to being your colleague and to the collective mission of protecting our way of life,” said Mr. Coffey. “God bless you and God bless the United States of America. Thank you.”

As General Counsel, Mr. Coffey is the Department of the Navy’s (DON) Chief Legal Officer and head of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). He leads more than 1,100 attorneys and professional support staff in 140 offices worldwide. DON OGC provides legal advice to the Secretary of the Navy, the Under Secretary of the Navy, the Assistant Secretaries of the Navy, their staffs, and the multiple components of the Department, including the Navy and the Marine Corps.