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

The San Francisco Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is announcing a new strategy to identify and investigate hate crimes in Northern California.

A hate crime is defined as a violent criminal act against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. Hate crimes are often underreported to both federal and local law enforcement.

“We understand that some individuals may be afraid to come forward to law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair. “I want to assure the community that the FBI works to protect all victims of crimes, regardless of their country of national origin or immigration status. Acts of hate and racism have no place here and will not be tolerated.”

“FBI San Francisco is surging our resources to combat hate crimes, and we will use all authority granted to us by federal law to investigate civil rights violations,” said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “I urge members of our community to report any hate incidents to local or federal law enforcement so we can bring offenders to justice.” “The FBI’s robust strategy to identify and investigate hate crimes in Northern California demonstrates, once again, the agency’s longstanding commitment to civil rights enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds. “We applaud and support these efforts and will continue to coordinate closely with the FBI in this vital enforcement area. In addition, we will do our part to ensure all federal law enforcement components are using the available tools to prosecute and bring to justice anyone who violates the hate crime statutes, and will vigorously enforce the federal civil rights laws.”

The FBI San Francisco Division’s strategy to combat hate crimes includes federal investigative activity, law enforcement partner coordination, community outreach, and public awareness:

Increase FBI Investigative Activity

• FBI San Francisco is actively enhancing its existing investigative resources to investigate federal hate crimes. The division has experienced, specialized FBI special agent hate crime coordinators who are training more special agents to conduct hate crime and civil rights investigations. These special agents will also conduct outreach to community groups to spread awareness, build trust, and encourage additional reporting of hate crimes to the FBI.

Improve Law Enforcement Coordination

• FBI special agents are actively working with local and state law enforcement partners and tribal authorities throughout Northern California to offer assistance and training on federal hate crime statutes. FBI San Francisco is encouraging law enforcement partners to refer possible federal hate crime cases to the FBI. In many instances, federal investigations may run parallel to and in coordination with local law enforcement investigations of violations of California state hate crime laws.
• The FBI works closely with state, local, and tribal authorities on investigations, even when federal charges are not brought. FBI resources, forensic expertise, and experience in identification and proof of hate-based motivations often provide an invaluable complement to local law enforcement hate crime cases. Many cases are also prosecuted under other state statutes such as murder, arson, or more recent local ethnic intimidation laws.

Increase Community Outreach

• FBI San Francisco has been rapidly increasing outreach efforts to minority associations, religious organizations, and community groups to promote cooperation and reduce civil rights abuses. Transparency and trust are fundamental to increase the reporting of hate crime incidents to law enforcement.

Launch Public Awareness Campaign

• The FBI is encouraging the reporting of all incidents of bias and hate by expanding public education and outreach. FBI San Francisco has launched a social media awareness campaign and currently is running an advertisement on a San Francisco Muni train to encourage the public to report hate crimes to the FBI. Members of the public can report information on tips.fbi.gov in any language.

The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes. The Bureau works closely with its local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners around the country in many of these cases. Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. The Bureau investigates hundreds of these cases every year, and we work to detect and prevent incidents through law enforcement training, public outreach, and partnerships with community groups.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911. If you believe you’ve been the target or victim of a hate crime or other violation of your civil rights, please contact the FBI San Francisco Division by calling (415) 553-7400 or submitting a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Tips can remain anonymous and can be made in an individual’s native language. If you are a member of an impacted community and would like to engage with us in this critical work, our FBI community outreach team can be contacted at Outreach.SF@fbi.gov.

For media inquiries, please contact the FBI San Francisco Media Office at media.sf@fbi.gov

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

The San Diego Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is pleased to announce Reverend Dr. Gerald W. Brown as the 2020 recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner presented the award to Reverend Brown during a ceremony held today at the San Diego Field Office.

Director’s Community Leadership Award

The FBI can only conduct investigations and protect the American people if it has the support and understanding of the American people. That’s why the special agents-in-charge of each of our 56 field offices work so closely with their communities and community organizations. What happens when these special agents-in-charge get such tremendous support from people in their communities that they want to specially recognize them? They nominate these remarkable individuals for a prestigious award. This award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.

2020 San Diego FBI—DCLA Recipient – Reverend Dr. Gerald W. Brown

Based on his leadership, commitment to unity, and passion for community service, FBI San Diego honors Reverend Brown as the 13th Annual FBI DCLA recipient and extends profound appreciation for the significant contributions and service he provides to the community of San Diego.

Reverend Brown serves as the Executive Director of the United African American Ministerial Action Council; Executive Director for the City of San Diego Citizens Advisory Board on Community Relations; and a member of the San Diego Regional Anti-Hate Crimes Coalition. These roles highlight Reverend Brown’s passion and tenacity to bridge real and perceived divisions between law enforcement and the community. His work is centered on building trust and respect for all.

A significant component of the mission of the FBI Civil Rights Program is outreach and liaison efforts with federal, state, local, and tribal governmental agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, and potential victim communities to ensure the civil rights of all persons are protected. Reverend Brown has assisted the FBI and law enforcement partners to establish critical relationships which were particularly important in addressing community concerns during the civil unrest and heightened tensions of 2020.

Through his extensive community involvement, Reverend Brown serves as a voice for the community which allows him to provide an important and insightful perspective regarding civil rights matters for law enforcement, civic, community, and interfaith leaders. Reverend Brown also serves as a liaison back to the community by raising awareness of anti-hate crime initiatives, prevention programs, crime reporting, and law enforcement resources available for the community.

For example, as Executive Director of the Citizens Advisory Board, Reverend Brown spearheads a team which consults and advises the San Diego Mayor, City Council, and City Manager on community and police relations and crime prevention efforts. He also serves as a lecturer at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Regional Leadership Institute on the history of the relationship between the African American community and law enforcement.

Furthermore, this past year, Reverend Brown participated in various civil rights events and community discussions hosted by the FBI focused on educating the community about the FBI’s role in investigating hate-related incidents, civil rights protections, and encouraging opening lines of communications with the FBI.

As a graduate of the 2019 FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Program, Reverend Brown serves as an ambassador of the FBI through his leadership in the community as he continues to help build understanding, trust, and respect between the community and law enforcement. Reverend Brown truly embodies the FBI’s core values of respect, integrity, compassion, fairness, and leadership. For his contributions and leadership, Reverend Brown is awarded the 2020 DCLA.

Traditionally, DCLA recipients across the nation attend an awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C., where they are recognized and honored by FBI Director Christopher Wray. Due to current COVID-19 related restrictions, this year’s ceremony was cancelled, and awards were provided to the recipients by the local special agent in charge.

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

On behalf of the Los Angeles Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in the San Gabriel Valley, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, Kristi K. Johnson, and Chief Michael Ellis of the Pomona Police Department, announced the results of last week’s multi-day operation, which included the recovery of three children.

During the week of April 19 – 23, members of the Los Angeles Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in the San Gabriel Valley conducted an operation along the East Holt Avenue corridor in Pomona, a known “track,” a term commonly used to describe a location for commercial sex trafficking. The Task Force is comprised of members from the Pomona Police Department’s SET Team (Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Team), the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI. The operation focused on the identification, location, and recovery of human trafficking victims with an emphasis on those suspected of having been trafficked.

On Monday April 19, 2021, two females who appeared to be very young were observed as they engaged with vehicles occupied by lone males. Both were contacted by members of the Task Force. One of the females was identified as a 14 year old who had been reported missing; she is six months pregnant. The second female was identified as a 16 year old. A third juvenile female whom investigators determined had been reported missing, is 17 years old. In one case, the victim told investigators she had been working as a prostitute since the age of 12. All three juveniles were reported missing from cities outside of Pomona. All juveniles were turned over to the care of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

The Pomona Police Department Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking Team (SET Team) conducts enforcement and investigates cases of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. SET Team Officers initiated the First Responder Protocol (FRP) to activate the multi-agency response team, which ensures that resources and services are provided to victims.

The First Responder Protocol is an agreement between the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), The Department of Probation, and local law enforcement, all of whom work cooperatively to provide a victim-centered approach to juvenile victims of human trafficking. Three DCFS employees and three victim advocates responded during last week’s operation.

Throughout the remainder of the week, enforcement operations were conducted along Holt Avenue. In total, seven females and four males were arrested for commercial sex trafficking-related crimes, in addition to the recovery of the three juveniles. Five of the seven females accepted services from victim advocates.

It is not uncommon for victims who are rescued to return to commercial sex trafficking either voluntarily or by force, fraud, or coercion. This harmful cycle highlights the challenges victims face and those faced by law enforcement when attempting to keep victims from returning to an abusive situation. Victims may not self-identify as being trafficked or may not even realize they’re being trafficked. It is not uncommon to locate victims who were considered vulnerable missing children prior to their recovery.

Since January 1st 2021, the Pomona Police Department SET Team has recovered 11 juvenile victims of human trafficking. The Pomona Police Department and the FBI proactively address human trafficking and also utilize the assistance of other agencies to provide a victim centered approach.

The FBI caseload for both sex and labor trafficking-related crimes has increased significantly in the past several years. As of November 2020, there were more than 1,800 pending trafficking investigations including those involving minors exploited through commercial sex trafficking. Today, the FBI leads 86 Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Forces around the nation and participates in Anti-Trafficking Coordination (ATC) Teams in 12 offices, including in Los Angeles. The ATC Teams are intended to streamline coordination on the front lines of federal human trafficking investigations and prosecutions.

In fiscal year 2020, the FBI initiated 664 human trafficking investigations nationwide, resulting in the arrests of 473 traffickers. The FBI also collects and posts human trafficking statistics through its annual crime report.

In addition to recovering child victims who are missing or engaged in commercial sex trafficking or who are otherwise being exploited, much needed resources are provided to victims to ensure that their short- and long-term needs are met. Resources may include immediate medical requirements; legal services; housing; employment; education; job training; and childcare, among others.

Task Force Investigators believe there may be other unidentified victims related to the Holt Avenue operation and urge anyone with information to contact the Pomona Police Department at (909) 620-2085 or the FBI. In Los Angeles, the FBI can be reached 24 hours a day at 310 477-6565. Information about human trafficking victims can also be reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, via text message to 233733, or by visiting visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/ The NHTRC is a national, confidential, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls at all times.

For more information about the FBI’s Human Trafficking investigations, please visit: Human Trafficking FBI.gov.

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

ARIZONA—On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the FBI and members of the Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force executed three federal arrest warrants, two in Tucson and one in Phoenix, in connection with drug charges.

The three subjects were arrested and charged with the following violations:

• Ivan Aljandro Gastelum, 29 – Conspiracy and Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. 841 & 846)
• Serafin Jimenez, 28 – Conspiracy and Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. 841 & 846)
• Roy Guadalupe Marquez Quezada, 30 – Conspiracy and Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine (21 U.S.C. 841 & 846)

This case was investigated by the FBI Phoenix Field Office, Tucson Resident Agency and the FBI San Antonio Field Office, Laredo Resident Agency. The FBI would like to thank the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Tucson Police Department, Glendale Police Department, Pascua Yaqui Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), for their work on this case.

The Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ATF, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Tucson Police Department, and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Criminal Complaints are only accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for Arizona at http://www.azd.uscourts.gov/ or on PACER https://www.pacer.gov/ , magistrate number: 4:21-mj-00269

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking to identify the person(s) responsible for illegally flying a drone near a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter. On February 9, 2021, at 10:30 p.m., employees of CBP informed the Tucson Police Department that a drone was flying dangerously close to their helicopter. Over the next few hours, multiple law enforcement agencies worked to locate the drone’s operator but were unsuccessful. The drone appeared to launch from an area about 5 miles south of Tucson and flew across Tucson and north over Marana. No one was injured and no other similar incidents have been reported involving this specific drone.

In 2018, The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act included 18 USC 39B, which federally criminalizes “Unsafe Operation of Unmanned Aircraft.” Specifically, knowing or reckless interference or disruption of a manned aircraft, and the operation of unmanned aircraft in close proximity to airports. While the drone(s) did not come into direct contact with an airplane or cause a pilot to make an evasive maneuver, the actions are illegal and extremely dangerous.

Anyone flying a drone as prohibited by law can face federal criminal charges, fines, and imprisonment. It is possible the drone operator(s) are not aware they are violating the law. We encourage anyone with information to assist in this investigation to contact the FBI at 623-466-1999. Tips can also be reported to tips.fbi.gov.

When operating a drone, the FBI encourages the public to abide by federal and state laws. You can learn more at faa.gov/uas/.