Month: July 2023

Posted on

New York Man Sentenced to 17 and a Half Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Children and Distribution of Child Pornography

Source: United States Department of Justice News

    WASHINGTON – Vincent Galarza, 32, of Glendale, New York, was sentenced today to 17 and a half years – or 210 months – in prison for his involvement and participation in the world’s formerly largest darknet child pornography website, Welcome To Video.

    Galarza pleaded guilty on Jan. 17, 2023, to sexual exploitation of children and conspiracy to distribute child pornography.

    Galarza is one of eight prolific users of the website Welcome to Video, charged in the District of Columbia for their participation in a massive darknet advertisement and distribution of child pornography. Welcome To Video operated as a hidden service on the Tor network until March 2018, when it was seized by law enforcement authorities. As of October 2019, when the Department initially announced its indictment of Welcome to Video site administrator Jong Woo Son (a South Korean national, subsequently convicted in South Korea), an additional 337 site users worldwide had been arrested and charged.

    Additional defendants charged and convicted in the District of Columbia include Nicholas Stengel, 47, of Washington, D.C.; Charles Wunderlich, 36, of Hot Springs, California; Ernest Wagner, 72, of Federal Way, Washington; Darryl Miller, 36, of Shawnee, Kansas; Jason DeJournett, 47, of Seal Beach, California; Brian LaPrath, 36, of San Diego, California; and Michael Ezeagbor, 24, of Pflugerville, Texas.

    According to court documents, users of the website created registered accounts with usernames and a password. Only after the user registered an account could the user browse previews of videos available for download and post text to the website. To download videos from the site, users needed “points,” which were allocated to users by the website. A registered user could earn points from the website in several ways, including uploading videos depicting child pornography, referring new users to the website, and paying for a “VIP” account with Bitcoin.

    Court documents show that certain persons joined the conspiracy to distribute child pornography by uploading videos. Those co-conspirators who uploaded videos of child pornography for “points” also earned additional “points” each time a customer of the site downloaded that particular video. Court documents state that the co-conspirators had a shared goal as part of the conspiracy – increasing the number of unique videos on the website to drive additional traffic to it, which in turn led to greater downloads and more points for the co-conspirators.

The following is a summary of the conduct of each defendant charged in the District of Columbia.

Vincent Galarza

    Between approximately May 31, 2017, and February 9, 2018, Galarza downloaded at least 174 videos from the website and uploaded approximately 560 videos, all of which depicted child pornography. A subsequent forensic search of Galarza’s electronic devices revealed that he was in possession of an additional 500 images and 102 videos of child pornography, the majority of which depicted sexually explicit conduct of pre-pubescent children.

    During the search of the electronic devices, court documents say that authorities identified two minor victims that had been secretly recorded by Galarza. Galarza captured at least 20 videos of one of the minor victims that he then edited and clipped to produce over 966 still-shot images that focused on the same minor’s genitalia and pubic area.

    Investigators also determined that Galarza had used images produced of one of the minor victims in an attempt to extort the victim into sending him additional images.

Nicholas Stengel

    Stengel was sentenced to 180 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography and laundering of monetary instruments. Stengel had a previous conviction for possession of child pornography. Stengel had amassed an extensive collection of child pornography from the website, with over 6,000 videos and 600,000 images.

Charles Wunderlich

    Wunderlich was sentenced to 87 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release on June 28, 2022, after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Wunderlich uploaded 13 videos and downloaded four videos of child pornography from the website.

Ernest Wagner

    Wagner was sentenced to 60 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release on June 4, 2021, after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Wagner uploaded 84 videos and downloaded 40 videos depicting child pornography from the website.  A forensic review of his electronic devices identified an additional 92 images and 22 videos depicting child pornography in his possession.

Darryl Miller

    Miller was sentenced to 60 months in prison and five years of supervised release in the District of Kansas on Sept. 22, 2020, after he pleaded guilty to access with intent to view child pornography. Miller downloaded approximately 20 gigabytes of data from the website and had approximately 57 child pornography images on his devices. 

Jason DeJournett

    DeJournett was sentenced to 33 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release on July 30, 2021, after he pleaded guilty to access with intent to view child pornography. DeJournett downloaded 113 videos of child pornography from the website.

Brian LaPrath

    LaPrath was sentenced to 18 months in prison on June 19, 2019, after he pleaded guilty to laundering monetary instruments. LaPrath exchanged funds to obtain Bitcoin and used that Bitcoin to download child pornography from the website

Michael Ezeagbor

    Ezeagbor was sentenced to time served and five years of supervised release on June 25, 2021, in the Western District of Texas after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute child pornography. Ezeagbor uploaded ten videos and downloaded 42 videos depicting child pornography from the website.  A subsequent forensic review of his electronic devices identified an additional 190 images and 14 videos depicting child pornography in his possession.

    Additional investigations into those affiliated with Welcome To Video remain ongoing. 

    These cases were investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The Korean National Police of the Republic of Korea, the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom and the German Federal Criminal Police (the Bundeskriminalamt), provided assistance and coordinated with their parallel investigations.  The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs of the Criminal Division provided significant assistance.   

    These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Lindsay Suttenberg, former AUSA Zia M. Faruqui, and former AUSA Youli Lee, Paralegal Specialists Brian Rickers and Diane Brashears, Legal Assistant Jessica McCormick, and Records Examiner Chad Byron of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney C. Alden Pelker of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. 

    Additional assistance has been provided by Deputy Chief Keith Becker and Trial Attorney James E. Burke IV of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and former U.S. Attorney’s Office Paralegal Specialists Toni Anne Donato and Ty Eaton.

Posted on

Defense News: Nuclear Propulsion School First – Three Royal Australian Navy Officers Graduate the Program

Source: United States Navy

Lt. Cmdr. James Heydon, Lt. Cmdr. Adam Klyne, and Lt. William Hall started NPS in November 2022, becoming the first cadre of RAN personnel to go through one of the Department of Defense’s most rigorous and demanding training programs.

“I knew coming in that this was going to be a challenge, and I was not disappointed,” said Heydon. “That said, being one of the first Australians to graduate from NPS means a lot to me personally and for Australia as we work to build the stewardship needed to safely operate a nuclear reactor. With that as our motivation, my colleagues and I put our heads down and cracked on.”

NPS trains officers and enlisted personnel in the science and engineering principles that are fundamental to the design, operation, and maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants.

“What these graduates learn at NPS prepares them for the next step in becoming a nuclear-qualified officer,” said Adm. James Caldwell Jr., Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. “From here, they will continue their academic and practical studies so that when they go to their aircraft carrier or, in the case of our RAN officers, submarines, they are ready to safely and competently operate the power plant.”

The three RAN officers will next report to Nuclear Prototype Training Unit (NPTU) Charleston to complete Engineering Officer of the Watch training, which will conclude in late 2023 or early 2024. Following NPTU, the officers will go through Submarine Officer Basic Course for approximately 2.5 months in Groton, Connecticut and then be assigned to a Virginia-class SSN to continue their training and qualifications.

“These officers will form the nucleus of the RAN’s nuclear-qualified submariners and, through them, Australia will develop its ability to operate, maintain, and build their own conventionally armed nuclear powered submarines when it receives its first Virginia-class submarine from in the U.S. in the early 2030s,” shared Capt. Lincoln Reifsteck the AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Program Manager.

“Today marks a significant step forward in the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to build its sovereign SSN capability,” said Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, the Australia Submarine Agency’s Director General. “I could not be more proud of these three officers. Today, we have sharpened the tip of our undersea warfighting spear, and we are closer to having a safer and more secure Indo-Pacific region.”

There are six RAN officers enrolled in NPS with more planned to join in the near future. “NPS has the capacity to train RAN officers and enlisted personnel. In doing so, we are able to impart the stewardship and knowledge that has allowed the United States to safely operate nuclear-powered ships for nearly 70 years and steam more than 171 million miles,” said Caldwell.

Initially announced in September 2021, the AUKUS trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States is a strategic endeavor aimed at strengthening the security and defense capabilities of the three nations that also promotes stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia will acquire conventionally armed SSNs for the Royal Australian Navy under Pillar I of AUKUS via the Optimal Pathway announced by the heads of the three partner nations on March 13, 2023.

The Optimal Pathway for Australia’s acquisition of nuclear powered submarines begins this year with an increase in the number of U.S. SSNs visiting HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. As early as 2027, U.S. and U.K. SSNs will begin extended rotations to Australia to accelerate the development of Australia’s workforce, infrastructure, and regulatory system as part of the Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-W). With congressional approval, the United States intends to sell three Virginia-class SSNs to Australia starting in the early 2030s with the potential to sell up to two additional hulls if needed. These efforts will maintain Australia’s submarine capacity as it builds its fleet of SSN-AUKUS, a trilaterally developed nuclear powered submarines based on the U.K.’s next generation design. The Royal Australian Navy intends to take delivery of the first SSN AUKUS in the late 2030s followed by the first Australian-built SSN AUKUS in the early 2040s.

Posted on

Defense News: USS Fort Lauderdale Holds First Change of Command

Source: United States Navy

Quaresimo, a native of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, became Fort Lauderdale’s first commanding officer after assuming command in September 2020. He led USS Fort Lauderdale through the ship’s delivery, commissioning, and post-delivery tests and trials.

“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be the first commanding officer of the Mighty USS Fort Lauderdale.” Quaresimo said.

During the ceremony, Quaresimo thanked the crew for their hard work, dedication and service to their country during his time as commanding officer.

“Made of saltwater and excellence, the Sailors and Marines aboard Fort Lauderdale represent the best our nation has to offer and I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve with them.” said Quaresimo.

Also during Quaresimo’s tenure, he led members of the crew on visits to the ships namesake city on many occasions, working with the civilian commissioning committee to build strong bonds in with the city and its citizens.

“We cannot overstate just how much that means to us to know that we are associated with all of the great citizens of the city of Fort Lauderdale,” Quaresimo said. “The commissioning was amazing due to the hard work of the commissioning committee. Thank you for your dedication to our great Navy and Nation. We truly are forever bonded to all of you.”

McCarthy, a native of Templeton, Massachusetts, completed executive and commanding officer tours aboard USS Russell (DDG 59) prior to assuming duty as USS Fort Lauderdale’s commanding officer.

“It is clear to me what an amazing job Capt. Quaresimo has done cultivating the professionalism of this crew,” said McCarthy. “I am humbled to join a team as proficient and professional as the crew of USS Fort Lauderdale!”

The Honorable Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations, and Environment) and Fort Lauderdale’s ship sponsor, served as the ceremony’s key note speaker and spoke highly of the ship, its crew and Capt. Quaresimo.

“Capt. Quaresimo has displayed exceptional leadership as the first commanding officer of the Mighty USS Fort Lauderdale. His dedication and hard work have been instrumental in the successful delivery, commissioning, and early operations of this remarkable ship,” said Berger. “I am confident that Capt. McCarthy will continue to build upon this strong foundation as he leads the USS Fort Lauderdale. As the ship’s sponsor, I am proud to be associated with such a talented crew and to witness the extraordinary accomplishments of this vessel.”

Fort Lauderdale is the twelfth Flight I San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship of the United States Navy and the first to be named for the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fort Lauderdale is a warship designed to embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions.

LPDs are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft (MV 22). These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.

For more news on USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) visit https://www.facebook.com/FORTLAUDERDALELPD28.

Posted on

Defense News: Combined Task Force 151 Staff Visit Japanese Navy Ship

Source: United States Navy

Personnel from Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 were welcomed aboard Japanese destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD 107) during the ship’s scheduled stop in Bahrain, where Combined Maritime Forces is headquartered. The task force staff briefed crewmembers on multilateral counter-piracy efforts across the region.

“It is good to see so many nations actively involved in suppressing piracy throughout our area of operations ensuring the high seas remain free from piracy,” said Republic of Korea Navy Rear Adm. Ko Seung-bum, the task force commander.

Ikazuchi is operating in the Middle East to support regional counter-piracy patrols.

Established in 2009, CTF 151 conducts maritime security operations to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy and armed robbery at sea, outside the Horn of Africa. The task force consists of 30 staff who regularly collaborate with more than 19 countries on the counter-piracy mission throughout the region.

Posted on

District of Columbia Man Sentenced to 105 Months in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

Source: United States Department of Justice News

    WASHINGTON — Jermaine Dukes, 29, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 105 months in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and unlawful possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing a detectable amount of marijuana.

    According to court documents, on Aug. 4, 2022, two Metropolitan Police Department (“MPD”) Officers observed a man, later identified as Dukes, approach a vehicle parked in a parking lot in the 1400 block of Saratoga Ave. N.E. The officers watched as Dukes approached the vehicle, opened the trunk, and removed a large black bag. Dukes then reached into the black bag and pulled out a large plastic bag of marijuana. Dukes began separating the marijuana into smaller bags consistent with distribution and then watched as he weighed each small bag on a scale.

    Court records say that MDP officers responded to the location for additional investigation. Officers then searched the vehicle and obtained over a pound of marijuana, two loaded firearms, and U.S. currency. Dukes was then arrested and transported in an enforcement vehicle for processing. An investigation into the matter determined that Dukes had possessed the two loaded firearms.    

    Dukes is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to two previous felony convictions in the District of Columbia of felon in possession and possession with intent to distribute while armed.

    Dukes pleaded guilty on April 6, 2023, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and unlawful possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing a detectable amount of marijuana.

    Dukes was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Following completion of his prison term, he will be placed on 36 months of supervised release.

    This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Ashley Pattison and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Joy Jackson.