Month: April 2023

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Two Wichita Residents Charged with Drug Trafficking

Source: United States Department of Justice News

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a woman and a man from Kansas with drug trafficking crimes. 

According to court documents, Regan Viner, 29, and Abram Velo, 41, both of Wichita, are charged with one count of possession of methamphetamine with intention to distribute and one count of possession of fentanyl with intention to distribute. Velo is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Andrusak are prosecuting the case.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Jomarion E. Nelson, 19, and Dornayja D. Acon, 19, both of Wichita were indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Goddard Police Department, and the Mesa, Arizona Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deb Barnett and Ola Odeyemi are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Ardmore Man Convicted of Second-Degree Murder in Indian Country

Source: United States Department of Justice News

OKLAHOMA CITY – KEVIN BRUCE McGUIRE, 60, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty today to second-degree murder in Indian Country, announced United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.

On November 15, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against McGuire alleging that he committed second-degree murder while illegally driving under the influence of alcohol.

Today, McGuire pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot to second-degree murder in Indian Country.  According to public record, McGuire was driving under the influence of alcohol going the wrong direction on Highway I-35.  He collided head-on into another vehicle, killing its driver.  Public records further reflect that McGuire has six prior felony DUI convictions.

At sentencing, McGuire faces up to life in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to five years supervised release.  In determining McGuire’s sentence, the Court will consider the nature and circumstances of the offense, McGuire’s history and characteristics, and the need to protect the public from further crimes of McGuire. Sentencing will take place in approximately 120 days.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck.

Reference is made to court filings for further information.

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Defense News: Navy Week Program flies into Billings

Source: United States Navy

Billings Navy Week will bring between 50 and 75 Sailors from across the nation to volunteer throughout the community and discuss why the Navy matters to Billings. This will be the first Navy Week hosted by Billings, and the program last visited Montana in 2017. 

Billings Navy Week will feature in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements throughout the week that will include:

  • Senior Navy Leaders – Flag officer and senior civilian Navy leaders.
  • Blue Angels – Flight demonstration squadron.
  • Namesake Sailors – Sailors serving on USS Montana (SSN 794), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine and USS Billings (LCS 15), a Freedom-class littoral combat ship.
  • U.S. Navy Parachute Team (Leap Frogs) – Tactical Parachute demonstration team.
  • Navy Band Northwest – Performances and masterclasses with Navy Musicians.
  • Naval History and Heritage Command – Educational presentations and lesson plans about the deep ties between Billings and the Navy. 
  • Navy Expeditionary Combat Command – Educational STEM presentations and fitness demonstrations by technicians, medics, and divers. 
  • U.S. Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command – Educational presentation on the importance of atmospheric and oceanographic science and the overall value of STEM education to the Navy.

Navy Weeks are the service’s signature outreach program, designed to allow the citizens of Billings to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) coordinates Navy Weeks.

“We are excited to bring Navy Week to Billings,” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. “Seapower and America’s Navy are more important now than ever before. The U.S. Navy remains our nation’s most powerful instrument of military influence and Navy Weeks allow us to showcase how the Navy serves America at sea, in the air, and ashore.”

Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort to regions without a significant Navy presence, with over 250 Navy Weeks held in more than 80 different U.S. markets.

“We coordinate about 75 outreach events during a Navy Week through corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, and community service engagements,” said NAVCO Navy Week program manager Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Chambers. “We are looking forward to another great year of engagements and bringing the Navy to every corner of the United States.”

For more information on Billings Navy Week, contact Lt. Caroline Ready at (910) 915-6386 or caroline.e.ready.mil@us.navy.mil. 

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Defense News: CLDJ Annual Iftar Brings Together Deployed Service Members, Local Community Members

Source: United States Navy

An Iftar is the breaking of the fast after sunset during Ramadan and serves as a significant point in the day.

“We are gathered as friends and neighbors to celebrate,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Brian Iber, Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, commanding officer. “This event and meal are meant to be shared as a community.”

CLDJ’s Iftar meal serves as an act of solidarity and support for Muslim service members and the larger local Djiboutian community, and allows CLDJ residents the opportunity to learn, observe, and participate, said Iber.

“Being here in Djibouti, we feel the community aspect, not just here on camp, but as we interact daily and build upon our relationships,” said Iber.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed as a time for fasting, prayer, and service. This year Ramadan in Djibouti is held from March 22 to April 20.

“Ramadan is a time for introspection, devotion, and charity,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general Combine Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. “For all of us, especially in uniform, whatever our faiths, or no faith at all, Ramadan is a reminder of our common humanity. The values of tranquility and charity, and the importance of family, community, tribe, and nationhood are universal.”

The Iftar served as more than a meal, but as an example of our values, including acceptance of others, strength in diversity, and religious freedoms, said Shawley.

CLDJ enables maritime and combat operations in the Horn of Africa, and by supporting the rights, beliefs, and religious practices of our Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Soldiers, we gain a strategic advantage by leveraging the diversity of all members.

“I am very proud to host this event, and thank you to our Muslim service members and Djiboutian community members who are open to sharing your faith with me and our team here,” said Iber.