Category: FBI

Posted on

Cyber Agent Returns to the FBI with Renewed Focus

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

Yeager entered the FBI in 2009. As a military veteran with a degree in electrical engineering, he saw the FBI as a way to continue to serve his country and a great opportunity to combine law enforcement and complex problem solving.

Assigned to a cyber squad within the FBI’s Newark Field Office, he was working on some of the Bureau’s most sophisticated and sensitive investigations into nation-state cyber actors. As part of those investigations, he spent time embedded within another intelligence agency, which added yet another valuable perspective. “Whenever we are working a cyber investigation, we have our priorities as the FBI and other agencies have their priorities,” Yeager said. “When we are looking at the same set of cyber actors, the ability to deconflict real-time and share information is really important.”

A few years after he moved into a supervisory role with the FBI, Yeager was approached by a private company to take a position overseeing the operations side of cyber incident response. “It felt like a good opportunity to see what a cyber incident looks like as you help a company navigate it from day one,” Yeager said. He also hoped to be an advocate for law enforcement reporting in these situations.

In his new role, he saw companies work toward two primary goals after an attack: assessing the damage and getting business back up and operational. The other concern was any legal considerations. If it was a data breach, for example, what kind of notifications are required?

“It’s a little bit chaotic for a company, especially if they are getting hit with ransomware or something that has really crippled their systems,” Yeager explained. In a lot of cases, the last thing to cross a company’s mind is to call in law enforcement—especially if they don’t have a pre-established contact. “Even me,” he admitted. “I would be completely consumed in the incident itself.”

Special Agent Brett Yeager returned to the FBI from the private sector with a clearer understanding of the FBI’s cyber mission.

Posted on

FBI Offers up to $25,000 for Information in Mass Shooting Event: 18-Year-Old Makayla Maree Harris Killed; Six Others Injured

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Makayla Maree Harris. This is in addition to the previously offered reward of up to $2,500 from Crime Stoppers of Oregon.

At approximately 2:00 a.m., on July 17, 2021, Portland Police officers responded to reports of a mass shooting in the 300 block of SW Third Avenue between Harvey Milk and Washington streets in Portland. When they arrived, they found seven people wounded by gunfire. Ms. Harris, 18 years old, died after being transported to the hospital. It is believed that Makayla was an unintended target in a gang-related shooting.

The shooters fired from a car in the street before it sped away. It is also believed that many potential witnesses ran off after the shooting and may not have provided information to investigators.

“Innocent people pay a heavy price when violent criminal gangs battle on our streets. Those clashes—facilitated by the constant buying, selling, trading, and stealing of weapons—have helped to drive the homicide rate in Portland to near-record highs,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Despite this, law enforcement often finds that those who have information about these cases are reluctant to come forward. Whether it is distrust of law enforcement or fear of retaliation, the result is the same—the killings continue. We need help to stop this cycle of violence, and we ask anyone with information to find the will to come forward.”

If anyone has information, witnessed any part of what happened, or has video of anything that happened prior to, during, or after the shooting, they are asked to contact PPB by emailing crimetips@portlandoregon.gov or contacting the FBI at 1 (800) CALL-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov.

The FBI “Seeking Information” and reward poster for the Makayla Harris case can be downloaded from here: www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/makayla-maree-harris

Posted on

$15,000 Offered in Reward Money for Information in the Murder of Nykeria Simmons

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Tampa Division is offering a reward up to $10,000 and Central Florida Crimeline is offering up to $5,000 to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the subject(s) responsible for the murder of 15-year-old Nykeria Simmons in Apopka, Florida.

Simmons was shot and killed on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at approximately 12:20 a.m. at the Circle-K gas station located at 277 East Main Street. The Apopka Police Department investigation has revealed Simmons was not the intended target and this incident was not a random act of violence. It is believed this shooting was the result of an ongoing dispute between two parties. The suspect(s) shot the victim from a white Lincoln MKZ vehicle that had been reported stolen.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is urged to contact the FBI Tampa Field Office at (813) 253-1000, call Central Florida Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477) www.crimeline.org , or email the Apopka Police Department at APDTIPS@apopka.net You can remain anonymous.

Link to FBI Seeking Information poster: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/nykeria-simmons

Posted on

FBI Seeking Public’s Assistance to Locate Michael James Pratt, Wanted for Sex Trafficking and Production of Child Pornography

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

All of Pratt’s co-conspirators have been arrested and have either pleaded guilty or are awaiting trial. Pratt is the lone outstanding fugitive in this case.

“The defendant lied and tricked these women, made millions along the way, and left his co-conspirators to face justice while he fled,” said Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner. “Michael James Pratt is a danger to society, regardless of where he is, and is likely still victimizing people while on the run with his continued lies and false promises.”

Pratt has ties to multiple countries and has the financial means to be anywhere around the world.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Michael James Pratt is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI, go to tips.fbi.gov, or contact your local FBI field office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.

Posted on

$50,000 Reward in Michael James Pratt Case

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

Garcia admitted that he and Pratt were the lead recruiters for two pornographic websites: GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys. Their target market was 18- to 20-year-old women. The pair created Craigslist advertisements, along with fake websites and email addresses, to convince victims they were applying to work as models. Only after the victims responded to the advertisements would Garcia and Pratt disclose that they were actually seeking women for pornographic video shoots, according to charging documents. 

The FBI recently raised the reward to $50,000 in hopes that someone will come forward with tips and information to help advance the case. 

“We know there are people that are helping Pratt,” said McNamara. “The hope for this campaign is somebody sees him, knows him, recognizes him, and contacts law enforcement.”

If you have information concerning this case, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. You can also submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.