Defense News: US Army, industry partner open new artillery assembly facility

Source: United States Army

PARSONS, Kan. — The U.S. Army and Day & Zimmerman opened a new facility in Parsons dedicated to producing 155mm M795 artillery projectiles. The ribbon cutting ceremony, hosted by Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Agile Sustainment and Ammunition, marked a critical step in expanding 155mm artillery production capacity further enhancing the nation’s Defense Industrial Base.

The Kansas facility is a key component of the Army’s comprehensive strategy to modernize and increase its capacity to produce artillery munitions. The load, assemble and pack process is the final step to deliver 155mm munitions to the warfighter. At full operational capacity, the plant will be able to produce 12,000 M795 projectiles monthly further driving toward the goal of expanding 155mm production capacity to 100,000 rounds per month. This increased capacity is a direct result of a U.S Army investment of $36 million in non-recurring engineering and production establishment activities.

“This facility is a testament to the strength of the partnership between the U.S. Army and American industry. It marks the 13th ribbon cutting in the Army’s ongoing campaign to strengthen the Arsenal of Freedom through munitions production, modernization and expansion of our Defense Industrial Base,” said Reim during the ceremony. “The speed and scale of our response to current global conflicts demand that we increase production capacity of critical munitions like 155mm artillery. The work done here in Parsons is another important step in furthering a credible deterrence with the added industrial capacity to sustain combat operations over time.”

The finished 155mm artillery rounds produced at the plant are a cornerstone of modern ground warfare and are essential for enhancing the readiness of our warfighters and delivering lethal overmatch capabilities. The facility leverages enhanced automation and refined processes to deliver unmatched production efficiency, enabling swift accomplishment of the Army’s mission. This expansion of production capacity directly supports the Army’s commitment to providing lethal capabilities to the joint warfighter and our international partners at speed and scale.

For more information, please contact the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Agile Sustainment & Ammunition Public Affairs Office at usarmy.pica.jpeo-aa.mbx.jpeo-aa-public-affairs@army.mil.

Honduran Illegal Alien Guilty of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DARVIN NECTALI MORADEL-VELASQUEZ (“MORADEL-VELASQUEZ”), age 40, plead guilty on April 9, 2026, to illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. 

Former Loveland, Colorado Police Department Officer Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a Minor Child

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Today, a federal judge in Denver, Colorado, sentenced Dylan Miller, 30, a former Loveland, Colorado Police Department (LPD) officer, to 17 years in prison and five years of supervised release for sexually assaulting a minor while he was on duty.

The sentence comes after a jury returned a guilty verdict on Dec. 2, 2025, on the one-count indictment charging Miller with depriving the victim of her civil rights while acting under color of law.

The evidence presented at trial showed that Miller was on duty as a LPD officer the evening of Aug. 3, 2023, through the early morning of Aug. 4, 2023. Miller contacted the victim and her friend in North Lake Park and told the victim’s friend to leave. Miller then guided the victim to a more secluded area of the park, where he sexually assaulted her.

“Dylan Miller abused his power as a police officer to target, isolate, and sexually assault a minor in his care,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that the Civil Rights Division will continue to hold accountable law enforcement officers who betray their duty to protect and serve.”

“Dylan Miller sexually assaulted a minor while on duty as a sworn law enforcement officer. His abuse of power and betrayal of trust are abhorrent,” said U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly for the District of Colorado. “Today, I think of the victim and hope she takes some solace knowing that a jury unanimously condemned the defendant’s criminal conduct and the court has now expressed how serious that conduct was with this lengthy prison sentence.”

“The actions of Mr. Miller were not only harmful to the individual he swore under oath to protect, but they also undermined public trust and confidence in law enforcement. The FBI will not tolerate those who abuse their positions of authority,” said Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski of the FBI Denver Field Office. “Thank you to Larimer County Sheriff’s Office for their participation in the joint the investigation, as well as to Loveland Police Department for their cooperation.”

The FBI’s Denver Field Office, Loveland Resident Agency and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with cooperation from the Loveland Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia L. Riewerts for the District of Colorado and Trial Attorney Sarah E. Howard of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case. 

North Carolina Man Indicted for Producing Child Sex Abuse Material and Transporting a Minor Across State Lines for Unlawful Purposes

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Jacksonville, Florida – Joshua Lewis Magraff (37, North Carolina) has been charged by indictment with producing child sex abuse material (CSAM) and transporting a child across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual contact. If convicted of the CSAM offense, Magraff faces a minimum of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison. If convicted of the transportation offense, Magraff faces a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Veterinarian Arrested for Sending Threatening Text Message and Transporting Minors in Interstate Commerce with the Intent to Engage in Sexual Acts

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Ocala, Florida – Gregory Ford (53, of Morriston) has been arrested on an indictment charging him with three counts of transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity and one count of sending threatening communications. Each transportation count carries a minimum prison term of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. The threatening communication count carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Ford that the United States intends to forfeit his home in Morriston, which is alleged to have been used in the commission of these crimes. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

Defense News in Brief: Australia, Philippine, U.S. forces conduct multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity

Source: United States Navy

The combined forces of Australia, the Philippines and the United States conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, April 9-12, 2026. This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects Over $9.5 Million in Fiscal Year 2025

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that the District of South Dakota collected $9,516,233.90 through criminal fines, restitution, loan defaults, bankruptcy, forfeiture, and affirmative civil enforcement efforts in FY2025.  Moreover, the District of South Dakota worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $16,747,398.58. Of the total collections, $8.9 million was derived from criminal cases.  A significant portion of this amount—$8,801,058.91—was returned to victims of crime, underscoring the Office’s commitment to ensuring justice and support for those adversely affected by criminal acts.  The remainder was deposited into the Crime Victims Fund, a crucial resource that provides financial assistance to victims across the United States for costs arising from violent crime such as medical expenses, lost wages, mental health counseling, funeral expenses, and more.