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Security News in Brief: Louisiana Doctor Indicted for Illegally Dispensing Over One Million Doses of Opioids and for $5.1 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A federal grand jury in New Orleans, Louisiana, returned an indictment today charging a Louisiana physician for his role in distributing over 1,200,000 doses of Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone and morphine, outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, and for maintaining his clinic for the purpose of illegally distributing controlled substances. Today’s indictment also charges the physician with defrauding health care benefit programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, of more than $5,100,000, given that the opioid prescriptions were filled using health insurance benefits.

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Defense News in Brief: Sailor Among Those Killed in Kabul Attack

Source: United States Navy

WASHINGTON – One Sailor was killed during the August 26 attack at the Abbey gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.  We mourn the loss of this Sailor and we offer our deepest condolences to the loved ones of our fallen shipmate. The name of the Sailor will be released 24 hours after notification of next of kin.

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Biloxi Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter Following Vehicle Accident at Keesler Air Force Base

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

JACKSON, MS—Emmett J. Bennett, 24, of Biloxi, was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter and operation of a vehicle while impaired causing death following a motor vehicle accident that resulted in the death of an Airman and the injury of three others on Wednesday at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.

“The FBI extends our deepest condolences to the family of the Airman who was killed in this tragedy,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Division, Paul Brown. “Our thoughts are also with the three Airmen that were injured and the entire Keesler community.”

According to the criminal complaint, Bennett was driving south of Ploesti Drive on Keesler Air Force Base shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Bennett was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed and narrowly avoided an accident with another vehicle. After avoiding the accident, Bennett allegedly crossed the northbound lane of Ploesti Drive and struck a light pole. The vehicle then struck four Airmen while they were walking on a walking track, killing one and injuring the others.

Prior to the accident, witnesses reported Bennett acting in an erratic manner. The investigation into all factors leading up to the accident is ongoing.

Bennett made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Robert Myers in Gulfport on Thursday.

The FBI Jackson Division’s Gulfport Resident Agency is investigating this incident with assistance from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Air Force Security Forces, and Biloxi Police Department.

All charges are merely an accusation, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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The FBI Announces the Recipient of the 2021 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith is pleased to announce Sheryl Harris, Director for the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs, as the recipient of the 2021 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for the Cleveland Field Division.

The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer affairs is a civil enforcement agency that protects county residents from unfair and deceptive sales practices. Consumer Affairs founded and coordinate Scam Squad, a senior financial fraud task force that unites county-based local, state, and federal law enforcement, consumer protection, and social service agencies in the fight against fraud.

Even though 2020 has been a difficult year to navigate, Harris, one of the leaders on the Scam Squad, was creative in finding ways to have a positive impact in the lives of Northeast Ohio residents. While all in-person meetings were initially cancelled, Harris immediately adapted and put on virtual monthly meetings. These meetings were vital to law enforcement and community partners exposing the latest trends in scams, especially related to the COVID-19 national pandemic. Harris continued to provide law enforcement and community partners material to pass out to consumers on how they could protect themselves from the latest scams.

Harris is also one of the members of the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative (EJI) for the Northern District of Ohio. Harris has been an EJI member for nearly three years and is one of the leaders the FBI and DOJ continually count on to assist in their community outreach.

This has helped FBI and DOJ become more involved in the community by putting on presentations for the most at-risk demographics when it comes to being a victim of fraud. Harris has set up multiple speaking engagements for the FBI and DOJ over the years, to include her integral part of planning and participating in the “Fighting Against Elder Fraud” conference. This conference was held in November of 2019, and united numerous agencies and was an information sharing event that educated social workers, attorneys, and caregivers for the elderly about resources available to help recognize and prevent fraud. Prior to COVID-19, Harris was working with the FBI and DOJ to set up a presentation for our law enforcement partners on how to respond to elderly victims of fraud.

Sheryl Harris joins the ranks of former Cleveland recipients: The Foundry, Anita Gray, The Fatima Family Center, Robby’s Voice, Dr. Tom Collins, Yvonne Pointer, Fred Szabo, Jimmy Malone, the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and Toledo’s Second Chance organization.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith said, “It is a privilege to honor Sheryl Harris with the 2021 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. Harris shows compassion and persistence in helping every community member she comes across. In a year where others may have taken the time to focus on their personal wellbeing, Harris has been and continues to be willing to stand on the frontlines in order to assist the most vulnerable among us. The FBI looks forward to our continued working relationship with Sheryl.”

For any questions regarding the FBI’s Community Outreach Program, visit www.fbi.gov or contact Cleveland FBI’s Community Outreach Program at 216.522.1400.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.