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Defense News: Securing the Pitch: Army Guard Soldiers keep World Cup matches safe

Source: United States Army

FOXBORO, Mass. — Thousands of Soccer fans from around the world have gathered at stadiums throughout North America to view the world’s best soccer players compete in the FIFA World Cup.

In Foxboro, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Gallant from the 972 Military Police Company, along with more than 50 other MPs from the Massachusetts National Guard, has experienced the international soccer fever firsthand.

“It’s been a very good experience so far. We’ve had a wide variety of countries here. All of the fans, the spectators, have been very respectful. They all appreciate what we’re doing here. and we’ve taken countless photos with them, which is very good for us,” said Gallant.

The Mass Guard MPs are part of a larger security presence at the stadium, including police from Foxboro, Attleboro and numerous towns across the Commonwealth, Massachusetts State Police and federal authorities, including the FBI.

“Foxboro PD’s been awesome. They’ve given us the guidelines and the schedule, exactly which points they need manned. We assist with whatever state, local law enforcement and federal agencies that are here need. It’s just a big family of law enforcement here, and we’re all here to help each other out,” said Gallant.

Mass guardsmen aren’t just on the ground during games; they are in Foxboro around the clock during the World Cup.

For the MPs, Soldiers are manning security points around the stadium 24 hours a day. On game days, MPs can be seen around the stadium before and after the game.

MPs aren’t the only Mass. Guardmen assisting with the World Cup in Foxboro. Members of the 1st Weapons of Mass Destruction, Civil Support Team, have also been on the ground in and around the stadium, assisting civil authorities.

The CST provides support to local authorities for many pre-planned events, such as professional football games and the Boston Marathon.

For these events, the CST usually operates as part of a smaller Joint Hazard Assessment Team, where a few members partner with local agencies to fill capability gaps, conducting sweeps for hazardous materials, responding to suspicious packages and enabling a full-scale response if something occurs. For an event of this size, the CST provides additional manning, including members of CSTs from other states near Massachusetts.

Units in the Massachusetts National Guard support events in the Commonwealth every year, but the World Cup raised the bar for large-scale events.

“This is by far the biggest internationally … this is a big mission for our unit, and we’re proud to be the ones to be able to provide that extra security,” said Gallant.

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard

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Upstate New York Woman Arrested, Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department announced today that Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources, namely currency, to designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also known as Al-Quds Brigades. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

According to the criminal complaint, Washburn is a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an extremist organization formed in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. DAMPL rejects the idea of peaceful protests and engages in “direct action” — including acts of sabotage and property destruction — in support of the Palestinian cause and against entities that it associates with Israel. 

“As alleged, Washburn repeatedly voiced support for violence against Israeli civilians and attempted to provide material support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad by sending cryptocurrency to an individual who claimed to participate in its attacks,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Those who aid foreign terrorist groups will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“As alleged in the complaint, this defendant, fueled by her self-described hate of Israel and Jewish people, went to great lengths to attempt to provide financial support to terrorist organizations that use violence to further their agendas, including the Palestine Islamic Jihad,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York. “Despite her alleged attempts, including cryptic communications with a fighter involved in violent attacks in an area thousands of miles away, Catherine Washburn was stopped and so too were her efforts to support violent extremism.”

“This individual, as alleged in the criminal complaint, provided money to a foreign terrorist organization engaged in acts of violence,” said Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI is committed to cutting off funding to terrorist groups and will continue to work side-by-side with our Justice Department partners to make sure anyone who engages in terrorism or provides assistance to such organizations is held fully accountable in our justice system.”

In February and March 2026, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) executed search warrants and recovered electronic messages between Washburn and an individual who identified as a PIJ fighter in Gaza and claimed to have engaged in attacks with PIJ against Israel. In one of the messages, Washburn stated, “[i]f I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance.” Washburn praised his bravery and stated, “I wish every day were October 7th.” Washburn further stated in that message that the individual was not the first fighter she had met, that she hated Jews “very much,” and that she wished Israel “would disappear.” In other messages, Washburn and the individual discussed purported PIJ attacks on Israel, weapons, and ammunition. In one message, Washburn stated, “I feel excited every time I see news of the killing of an occupation soldier.” 

Washburn pictured with two hand grenades in front of Hamas flag.

An analysis of financial records determined that Washburn was sending cryptocurrency to this individual, making approximately 80 transfers of cryptocurrency totaling approximately 30,116 USDC, which is the equivalent of $30,116, to an account he used. In a November 2025 message, Washburn stated, “[b]ased on my passed [sic] fundraising and posting Im [sic] gonna get put away for a few life times,” and included what appears to be a laughing emoji. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey for the Western District of New York and Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Allen D. Davis II.

A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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Houma Man Sentenced for Possessing Over 7 Pounds of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEW ORLEANS, LA – VAN VESSEL, (“VESSEL”), age 50, of Houma, Louisiana was sentenced on June 24, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Lance Africk to 262 months imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to possessing over 500 grams of methamphetamine intended for distribution, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.  

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Human Smuggler Who Assaulted Aliens Sentenced to 72 Months in Prison

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

TUCSON, Ariz. – Miguel Martinez-Meraz, 56, of Rancho San Felipe, Jalisco, Mexico, was sentenced last week by United States Chief District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 72 months in prison. Martinez-Meraz previously pleaded guilty to Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit and Reentry of a Removed Alien.  

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Eight Charged In International Cargo Theft Conspiracy

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging eight defendants—VAGAN GULIAN, ZHIRAYR GUMRUYAN, SEVAK KOCHARIAN, ARAIK SETRAKIAN, VITALY KOSHELAN, ARKADIY PASTIN, JASHANPREET SINGH, and EDGAR BEZHANIAN—with conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property in connection with an international, organized scheme to steal cargo from commercial shippers.  

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St. Croix Man Sentenced To 10 Years for Discharging a Firearm in a Local Restaurant

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

St. Croix, USVI – United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper of the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Terrell E. Johnson, 31, of St. Croix was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to 10 years imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence while inside the Cruzian Bayou Bistro Restaurant, located in the King’s Alley Walk in Christiansted.

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Two Arrested and Charged in String of T-Mobile Armed Robberies

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Juwan Tyre Hall, 30, and Anthony Burno, 32, of the District of Columbia, were arrested Friday after being indicted on four counts of Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery after allegedly committing a string of armed robberies targeting T-Mobile stores across the District of Columbia and Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

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Lamar Woman Sentenced and Ordered to Pay Over $1.4M for Tax Fraud Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

United States Attorney Scott F. Leary announced today that Patricia Jones, 44, of Lamar, Benton County, Mississippi was sentenced by Senior District Judge Sharion Aycock. After pleading guilty on an earlier date, Jones was sentenced to 50 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and ordered to pay $1,422,022 to her victims. 

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Defense News: Army Heritage Month celebrations span across the service

Source: United States Army

WASHINGTON — From the shores of Honolulu to the German countryside, Soldiers celebrated the Army’s historic legacy during Army Heritage Month with ceremonies, festivals and runs.

The service celebrated the Army’s 251st birthday and the contributions of the Soldiers, whom it strives to treat equally in its mission to bolster lethality and unit cohesion. Under the theme “This We’ll Defend,” the celebration honored the Army’s role in each of the major U.S. conflicts, as well as its steps toward modernization.

In commemoration of the Army’s anniversary, hundreds of Soldiers stationed in the Military District of Washington added their names to the Registry of the American Soldier at the National Museum of the U.S. Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

“It builds esprit de corps throughout the Army,” said Eldeen Daly-Wilson, deputy program manager for MDW’s military equal opportunity program. “We were able to strengthen the units in providing the knowledge and insight during the museum tour. Being able to put their names on the registry was inspiring.”

MDW hosted its annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on June 14. Soldiers and military leaders participated in the annual Army Birthday Run at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, and service members took part in the Virginia and Red, White and Blue Summer Sizzler 5K run at Fort Meade, Maryland, June 27.

On the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, Soldiers from U.S. Army Pacific engaged with residents for its annual Army Community Day at Fort DeRussy on the west side of Honolulu. For the first time, USARPAC invited community leaders to participate, showcasing the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, the Army’s centerpiece for firing long-range, precision fires.

The event also featured the Mana O Ke Koa, or “spirit of the warrior,” award ceremony honoring Gilbert K.T. Tam, a former Army infantry officer, for his contributions to the military community in Hawaii. Members of the explosive ordnance disposal dive team conducted live demonstrations of underwater technology and combat vehicles.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington hosted Freedom Fest 250 on June 27 to connect military members with local communities in the Pacific Northwest. The event celebrated the Army anniversary along with the nation’s 250th birthday. U.S. Army Japan held a 5K run at Camp Zama for U.S. service members, military families and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

“Army Heritage Month gives us a unique opportunity in the Pacific to share our Army’s extraordinary heritage with our partners and communities throughout the region,” said Army Lt. Col. Mary Grace Tomomitsu, USARPAC’s military equal opportunity program manager. “These celebrations are about the people — us coming together, honoring our history and making our partnerships even stronger.”

At Fort Gordon, Georgia, Soldiers and civilians gathered to honor the Army’s legacy in each major war. They also paid tribute to Army Spc. Hilda Ortiz Clayton, a combat photographer who died during a live-fire training exercise in 2013.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa, alongside partner nations and allies, hosted the annual Tank Challenge, a training event designed to foster military partnerships, enhance tactical skills and share operational techniques among allied forces. Soldiers hosted a Freedom 250 celebration at U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Romania, and the USAREUR-AF Field Band and Chorus performed a concert in North Macedonia.