Source: United States Navy
AT SEA — Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet hosted the second trilateral meeting in 2023 with Fleet commanders from the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Oct. 8.
Source: United States Navy
Wow. Good evening. And welcome everyone!
It’s wonderful to have you here, and I am so grateful that you could join us for tonight’s Navy birthday celebration. It’s my distinct honor to host you for tonight’s celebration.
I want to give a big “thank you” to Capt. Ken Collins and our amazing United States Navy Band!
If you haven’t heard the Navy Band before – except for what you just heard – you are in for a real treat!
Our band is made up of some of the nation’s most talented musicians, and they serve our Navy all over the world by connecting and inspiring people through the gift of music. From traditional marches and ceremonial music to rock, jazz, and hip hop –– they can do it all. I may be biased, but I think it’s the best show in town and we are in for a real treat tonight.
So tonight’s concert is really an opportunity for us to commemorate, to honor, and to celebrate.
First, we’ll commemorate several historic milestones in our Navy and our nation:
It’s the 130th anniversary of the Navy’s Chief Petty Officer, and of course, one week ago, we welcomed our newest Chiefs into the Mess.
It’s the 125th anniversary of the Hospital Corps.
The 100th anniversary of Navy Research Lab.
The 75th anniversary of the naval nuclear propulsion program.
The 75th anniversary of racial integration of the armed forces.
And the 75th anniversary of [the 1948] Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.
It’s 50th anniversary of our all-volunteer force, the 50th anniversary of women flying in naval aviation, and the 45th anniversary of women serving aboard U.S. Navy ships.
Second, this evening we will honor all those who serve, and all those who have served.
Specifically, this year marks the 50th anniversary of when the last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam in 1973, and tonight we’re going to pay special tribute to our Vietnam veterans … and their families.
Please join me in thanking all of our Vietnam veterans with a round of applause?
And, finally, tonight we are going to celebrate the 248th birthday of our Navy.
For 248 years, your U.S. Navy has stood the watch. From the Arctic to the South Pacific, and everywhere in between, your Navy operates around the world and around the clock to defend our homeland, to promote American prosperity, to support allies and partners – in missions like Pacific Partnership – which you’ll see highlighted later tonight – and to uphold our democratic values.
Always on patrol, “America’s Away Team” never takes a day off.
Right now, our Sailors are deployed all around the world, operating in all domains, from seabed to space, doing the work of our nation.
So to our Navy service members, our veterans, and families here tonight, thank you for your service and sacrifice … and thank you for leading with our Navy core values of honor, courage, and commitment.
Again, I’m really thrilled to be here with you tonight, and without further ado … I’m incredibly proud to present … your United States Navy Band.
Thank you.
Source: United States Department of Justice News
Opened Fire on Innocent Bystanders
WASHINGTON – Two members of the Wellington Park Crew were sentenced today in connection with the murder of 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson, an innocent bystander gunned down on July 16, 2018, in the courtyard of a Washington, D.C., apartment complex that also left multiple people wounded.
The sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Acting Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Isaiah Murchison, 23, was sentenced to 60 years in prison today by D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun after being found guilty on June 13 of first-degree murder while armed, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, participation in a criminal street gang, multiple counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and related firearms offenses.
Marquell Cobbs, 21, was sentenced to 72 months in prison and three years of supervised release today after being found guilty on June 13 of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence. Previously, the jury found Cobbs not guilty of the charges related to the murder of Makiyah Wilson. However, it did find him guilty of his membership in the Wellington Park Crew.
According to the government’s evidence, on July 16, 2018, Murchison, Gregory Taylor, Qujuan Thomas, and two others drove to the Clay Terrace neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C., armed with guns. The four men stepped out of the car and opened fire on the Clay Terrace courtyard, indiscriminately firing more than 50 shots.
Makiyah Wilson, sitting on the front stoop of her home, was killed. Several other people were wounded. Fellow gang members Quentin Michals and Darrise Jeffers assisted the shooters by obtaining the weapons and vehicle used in the shooting. Despite having watched the defendants preparing for the shooting, no witnesses were willing to provide information regarding the gunmen’s identity. The government presented forensic evidence, statements the defendants made over social media, and motive evidence in presenting its case.
Judge Okun will sentence the four other defendants on October 20.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Graves and Acting Chief Smith commended the work of the detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department who investigated the case as well as members of the prosecution team. The team included paralegal specialists Sharon Newman and Grazy Rivera and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Barker and Melissa Jackson, along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Timmer, who investigated the case. Finally, they thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Lindsey Merikas, who prosecuted the case.
Source: United States Department of Justice News
WASHINGTON – A Florida man was found guilty in the District of Columbia today of two felony charges for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. 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.
Gilbert Fonticoba, 49, of Hialeah, Fl., was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder, both felonies, following a stipulated bench trial before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Judge Kelly scheduled a sentencing hearing for Jan. 11, 2024.
According to the government’s stipulated evidence, Fonticoba – a member of the “Vice City” chapter of the Proud Boys in Miami since 2019 – was among rioters in a mob that illegally entered the Capitol grounds and Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. He helped destroy a black metal fence holding back the mob, and interfered with officers who were trying to stop the crowd’s advance because he wanted to stop the certification of the Electoral College vote. Many of his actions were documented on video by fellow members of the Proud Boys.
On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Fonticoba met a group of approximately 100 members of the Proud Boys near the Washington Monument at 10 a.m. As instructed, Fonticoba did not wear any Proud Boys colors, but underneath his black jacket, Fonticoba wore a distinctive t-shirt that read “ENRIQUE TARRIO DID NOTHING WRONG!”
Shortly after 10 a.m., the group of Proud Boys left the rally and began to march east to the Capitol. Fonticoba remained at or near the front of the marching group with senior Proud Boys leaders. Eventually, the group mustered into a column and surged forward towards a police barricade. Fonticoba was among the first wave of rioters to advance onto the Capitol grounds.
At approximately 12:54 p.m., after crossing trampled police barricades, Fonticoba walked up the Pennsylvania walkway on the restricted grounds of the Capitol with several co-defendants. Joe Biggs, a leader of the Proud Boys, recorded himself and Fonticoba as they advanced toward the Capitol and formed a stack formation to advance to the front of the mob.
Fonticoba and the others were stopped at a waist-high black metal fence that had been bolted into the ground. Law enforcement officers had reformed a police line on the other side of the fence. Law enforcement officers commanded the members of the crowd to stop advancing on the Capitol and disperse. Fonticoba helped pull the fence down. Then, defying officers’ commands to disperse, he continued to advance with the mob to the West Plaza.
As law enforcement struggled to repel the mob, at about 1:21 p.m. Fonticoba and his associates moved from the police line and regrouped on the west lawn. He was among a surge of rioters to move up a flight of concrete stairs. Fonticoba entered the Capitol building with his Proud Boys co-defendants about 2:14 p.m.—less than 90 seconds after the initial breach of the Capitol— through the windows at the Senate Wing Door. Five minutes later, Fonticoba posted on Telegram: “We just stormed the capital [sic].”
Following the riot, Fonticoba regrouped with senior Proud Boys leaders, including Enrique Tarrio, in a Baltimore hotel room.
The FBI arrested Fonticoba on Oct. 26, 2021, in Miami.
The felony obstruction charge carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This 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 Southern District of Florida.
The case was investigated by the FBI’s Miami and Washington Field Offices. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.
In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Source: United States Department of Justice News
WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty today to a felony offense related to his conduct 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.
Cameron Edward Hess, 27, of Cleona, Pa., pleaded guilty to the felony offense of obstructing, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth in the District of Columbia.
Judge Lamberth scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 26, 2024.
According to court documents, Hess was identified via closed-circuit television (CCTV) and open-source video as among the crowd of rioters who illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, via the East Rotunda doors. A short time later, police pushed Hess out of the Capitol building. Hess again pushed into the Capitol building at approximately 3:24 p.m. while law enforcement officials attempted to direct the rioters out of the Rotunda door.
Later, Hess was seen assaulting a police officer to regain access to the Capitol building. Hess had returned to the Rotunda doors as the police were attempting to close the doors and physically engaged with a Metropolitan Police Officer. During the confrontation, Hess attempted to hold the door open as the officer working to close it ordered Hess to stop. The police then successfully pushed Hess out of the Rotunda doors.
Hess was arrested on March 1, 2023.
The Court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This 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 Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Field Office’s Capital Area Resident Agency and the Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 33 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,100 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.