Month: September 2023

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Two Illinois Men Sentenced for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON – Two Illinois men were sentenced to prison on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, after they both pleaded guilty to a felony charge related to their actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their 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 2020 presidential election.

            Daniel Leyden, 55, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden to 38 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release. His brother Joseph Leyden, 56, of La Grange, Illinois, was sentenced to six months in prison and 12 months of supervised release by Judge McFadden. Both Leydens pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers on May 24, 2023.

            According to court documents, Daniel and Joseph Leyden were among the rioters who were illegally on the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021. Shortly after 12:50 p.m., Daniel Leyden was at the front of the crowd that confronted law enforcement officers at metal barricades near the Peace Circle. Daniel Leyden and other rioters repeatedly lifted and pushed a metal barricade into the U.S. Capitol Police officers defending the line. Daniel Leyden’s actions caused a U.S. Capitol Police officer to fall backward, injuring the officer’s knee and pinning the officer under the barricade.

            At the same time, several other officers were also assaulted by the rioters with the barricade, including one who was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion. Daniel Leyden’s actions contributed to injuries that these officers sustained and prevented officers from defending themselves and providing aid to one another. Daniel Leyden and other rioters then swarmed past the police.

            Joseph Leyden was among rioters at the West Plaza at the Capitol, where at approximately 1:14 p.m., rioters began to pull other metal barriers into the crowd, compromising the ability of law enforcement officers to re-establish a perimeter. Joseph Leyden advanced and rushed towards an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department. He then lunged at and pushed the officer.

            This case was 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 Illinois.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Chicago Field Office and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Daniel Leyden as #438 and Joseph Leyden as #386 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 32 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,146 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 398 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

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

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Former White House Advisor Convicted of Contempt of Congress

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON – Former White House advisor Peter K. Navarro, 72, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today by a U.S. District Court jury of two counts of contempt of Congress stemming from his failure to comply with a subpoena issued by the United States House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves of the District of Columbia and Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg, of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2024.

            According to evidence presented at trial, on Feb. 9, 2022, the Select Committee issued a subpoena to Navarro. The subpoena required him to appear and produce documents to the Select Committee on Feb. 23, 2022, and to appear for a deposition before the Select Committee on March 2, 2022. Navarro refused to appear to give testimony as required by subpoena and refused to produce documents in compliance with a subpoena.

            In its subpoena, the Select Committee said it had reason to believe that Navarro had information relevant to its investigation. Navarro, formerly an advisor to the President on various trade and manufacturing policies, has been a private citizen since departing the White House on Jan. 20, 2021. He was indicted June 2, 2022.

            Each count of contempt of Congress carries a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year in jail, as well as a fine of up to $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Aloi and John Crabb Jr., supported by Paralegal Specialist Sonalika Chaturvedi.

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California Man Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON – A California man was sentenced in the District of Columbia today on two felony charges related to his actions during 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 2020 presidential election.

            Sean Michael McHugh, 36, of Auburn, California, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates to 78 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. Judge Bates also ordered McHugh to pay $2,000 restitution and a $5,000 fine.  McHugh was found guilty of obstruction and assaulting, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement officers following a stipulated bench trial before Judge Bates in April 2023.

            According to court documents and the stipulated evidence presented in court, prior to his arrival in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, McHugh told others that he was going to Washington, D.C., to “fight” and “storm Congress.” He brought a canister of bear spray with him to Washington, D.C., and he carried it in a holster for ready access. The bear spray is 50 percent stronger than the pepper spray used by police. Before the riot, McHugh urged others to “march on Congress directly after Trump’s speech.”

            McHugh was part of the initial breach of the Capitol grounds at the Peace Circle. Once he arrived at the Capitol, McHugh actively participated in at least four attempts to breach perimeters established by officers during the riot. He was one of the initial rioters to breach a police line and enter the West Plaza. Afterward, McHugh wrestled with an officer for control of a barricade protecting access to the Capitol and assaulted a line of U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers on the West Plaza, hitting them with his bear spray, causing the officers to back away from the line, and preventing them from performing their official duties. Finally, McHugh helped other rioters to push a large metal sign into officers. In between these acts of aggression, McHugh used his megaphone to encourage other rioters to act against law enforcement.

            After the riot, McHugh posted multiple messages on Facebook bragging about his actions during the riot and reveling in the violence against police, boasting, “…we stormed them and we took Congress”

            This case was 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 Eastern District of California.

            This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, with significant assistance provided by the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office.

            In the 32 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,146 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 398 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

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

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Defense News: USS Shiloh Departs Yokosuka, Japan After 17 Years of Forward-Deployed Service

Source: United States Navy

U.S. Navy Sailors and members of Ship Repair Facility (SRF) Yokosuka bow to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) in Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 5, 2023. Shiloh departed Yokosuka on Sept. 5 to transit to its new homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of a planned rotation of forces in the Pacific. Shiloh is attached to Commander, Carrier Strike Group 5 forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Askia Collins)

Shiloh arrived on station at Yokosuka Naval Base in August 2006 to fulfill the obligations of the U.S.-Japanese ballistic missile defense program and to support operations within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations (AOO).

“For nearly two decades, USS Shiloh provided our Forward-Deployed Naval Forces the agility and firepower to support our carrier operations, protect sea lanes, deter aggression, and reassure allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Adam Cheatham, commanding officer of Shiloh. “We’ve built long-lasting personal and professional relationships here in Japan that will stay with us forever. Shiloh’s contributions were significant, reinforcing valuable connections over shared visions of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“It’s sad to be leaving this place that means so much to us, but we believe USS Shiloh made a difference during her time forward-deployed to Yokosuka, and we are proud of that,” he continued. “On behalf of the crew, I want to offer my deep gratitude to the people of Japan and this community for their friendship over the years. It will never be forgotten.”

In addition to serving in the 7th Fleet AOO, Shiloh deployed to the 5th Fleet AOO in support of operations Allies Refuge and Freedom Sentinel in 2021.

U.S. 7th Fleet exercises operational control of its units through designated Task Forces or Task Groups. These groups are organized along domain and functional lines. Shiloh is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, the theater strike warfare commander and theater air and missile defense commander.

CTF 70 is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet in the world, and with the help of and network of alliances and partners from 35 other maritime nations, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years; providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

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Defense News: USNA Civilian Professors Participate in DV Embark aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Source: United States Navy

During their underway visit, the embarked guests visited more than 20 spaces, met with the Eisenhower’s leadership, as well as members of the ship’s crew.

The faculty at USNA fill a unique position in molding future Navy and Marine Corps officers. Throughout a midshipmen’s time at the academy, about half of their professors and mentors are civilian faculty. By providing a brief exposure to life at sea, the professors gain a first-hand look at life aboard an aircraft carrier while gaining an understanding of what the fleet will be like for their students.

Karyn Sproles, Dean of Faculty Development and Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning, USNA, was one of the 12 embarked guests.

“So many of our professors just really don’t have a deep understanding of what our students will go on to do after they graduate from the Academy,” Sproles said, who has served as the dean of faculty development for the past eight years.

“Experiences like this really help them connect with the students that they are teaching because they can see what they are educating our students for,” Sproles said. “They basically see their futures when they take a trip like this. It gives them a real connection with the students.”

Scott Hottovy, Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics, was another participant who gained first-hand experiences of aircraft operations at sea.

“It is important to see what my students will do after they graduate, it is also important to see the people that they will be in charge of,” Hottovy said. “It is good to talk with the enlisted and their needs and best communicate to my students.”

Hottovy’s father served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and was stationed on an aircraft carrier. He had always wanted to gain an understanding of what his father experienced during his naval service.

“My father lit up when I told him that I had an opportunity to embark aboard an aircraft carrier,” Hottovy added.

Participating in an embark opportunity also helped the professors to better understand their role and how they fit into the larger mission of educating the next generation of leaders.

“Every once in a while there are moments in a faculty member’s life where you get this deep understanding of what it is that we are educating our students to do,” Sproles said. “You gain that inspiration because of moments like this. This embark really helps us all understand how we fit into the larger mission. USNA has a powerful sense of purpose beyond anything I have experienced at other institutions, and the embark shows us that mission in action.”

Another embarked guest, Craig Whitaker, professor in the Chemistry department, arrived at the USNA in 1997 and has wanted to embark aboard an aircraft carrier.

“I have been trying to embark on a carrier for 23 years,” Whitaker said. “There are so many subjects that we teach in chemistry that overlap and our students are later exposed to in the fleet. Just to see what we are teaching in the class relates to the fleet, everything from corrosion to nuclear reactors, boiler water.”

As an added bonus to the embark experience, and as luck would have it, Whitaker had the opportunity to catch up with one of his former research students who graduated from the USNA in 2019.

“He was eating dinner in the officer’s mess when we went in there. Very fun to see him in his professional life after the Academy as a helicopter pilot assigned to the Eisenhower,” Whitaker added. “He was a great researcher.”

Naval Air Force Atlantic is responsible for six nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, 54 aircraft squadrons, 1,200 aircraft and 43,000 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel based on the East Coast of the United States. It provides combat ready, sustainable naval air forces with the right personnel, properly trained and equipped, with a focus on readiness, operational excellence, interoperability, safety, and efficient resourcing.