Month: June 2023

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Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON – An Alabama man pleaded guilty on Monday, June 26, 2023, to a felony charge related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

            Bobby Wayne Russell, 49, of Falkville, Alabama, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to one count of Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers and Aiding and Abetting, a felony offense. U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth scheduled a sentencing hearing for November 17, 2023.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Russell was among rioters confronting officers at a line of bike rack barricades on the southwest side of the Capitol grounds.  Russell resisted officers’ efforts to get him to back away from the barricade.  He held a section of bike rack pressed between his upper arm and side, clinging to it despite being sprayed with OC spray.  When the barricade broke apart due to the involvement of other rioters, Russell grabbed the jacket of a Metropolitan Police Department officer, pulling the officer down with him as he fell headlong down a short flight of stairs.

            Later that day, court documents say that at approximately 4:20 pm, law enforcement officers formed a line and attempted to clear the area near the Senate wing doors. Russell refused orders to leave the area and pushed his back and buttocks into the riot shields of several officers. He then turned around to face one officer and declared, ““There’s more of us than you guys, you’re gonna lose.”

            The charge of Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain Officers and Aiding and Abetting carries a statutory maximum sentence of eight years in prison. A federal court judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering all factors and the U.S. Sentencing guidelines. All charges carry potential financial penalties.

            The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Birmingham Field Office and Washington Field Office, which identified Russell as #492 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 29 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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Defense News: USS Delaware Arrives in Faroe Islands

Source: United States Navy

Delaware’s arrival marks the first port visit by a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine to the Faroe Islands.

“The United States and the Faroe Islands enjoy a close and growing partnership,” said U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark Alan Leventhal.  “The visit of the USS Delaware is an example of this increased cooperation as we work with the Faroese and Danish governments to advance our common security interests.  We thank the Faroes Islands for the warm welcome, and look forward to continuing to expand cooperation in this and other areas of our partnership.” 

U.S. Navy submarines routinely operate around the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans to provide maritime domain awareness and ensure security and stability in the region. Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) conducted a brief stop for personnel (BSP) in Tórshavn in August 2022.

The current port visit also follows shortly after the Icelandic government facilitated the first U.S. submarine BSP off Iceland’s coast in April 2023, and also comes on the heels of multiple exercises and activities involving NATO Ally and Partner nations throughout northern Europe and the High North.

While in port, Delaware’s crew will have the chance to learn about the unique climate and culture of the Faroe Islands while fostering interpersonal relations with the local population.

“This port visit symbolizes the strong and enduring relationships we share with our Faroese and Danish counterparts,” said Rear Adm. Stephen Mack, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF)’s Director of Maritime Operations. “The Faroe Islands and the High North are vital areas for our submarine operations and we thank the Faroese and Danish people for allowing us to conduct this strategically important port visit.”

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

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Defense News: USS Oakland Hosts House Armed Forces Committee Members

Source: United States Navy

Oakland, part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7TH Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. As the U.S. Navy’s destroyer squadron forward-deployed in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements.

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Defense News: USS Manchester Arrives in Guam During Exercise Pacific Griffin 2023

Source: United States Navy

Pacific Griffin is a biennial maritime exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Singapore to enhance combined maritime proficiency and strengthen relationships during two weeks of dynamic training evolutions ashore and at sea. Littoral Combat Ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. Manchester, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7TH Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and
open Indo-Pacific region.