MIL-OSI Publisher – Page 4 – MIL Security Engine-1

April 17, 2026

Grand jury indicts Lockport man on charges of enticement of a minor and production and possession of child pornography

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment charging Damon Singleton-Spencer, 33, of Lockport, NY, with enticement of a minor, three counts of production of child pornography, and seven counts of possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

April 17, 2026

Florida Man Arrested After Traveling to Arizona to Pick Up $600,000 in Gold from Victim in Phantom Hacker Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Gary Christopher, 59, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, was arrested on April 10, and charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to launder money for his role as a courier in a broader fraud scheme that targeted an elderly victim in Phoenix. Christopher made his initial appearance in federal court on April 13.

April 16, 2026

Former Slidell Resident Sentenced for False Statements and Theft of Over $350,000.00 in Covid-19 Benefits

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – RACQUEL PICHON (“PICHON”), age 42, formerly of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 14, 2026, for false statements and theft of government funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1001 and 641, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.

April 16, 2026

Three Defendants Sentenced for Killing a Security Guard and Wounding Three Others During an Armed Robbery Of a Gambling Location in Brooklyn

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Charles Powell, also known as “Payback,” and Musah Coward, also known as “General Mecka,” “Red” and “General Red,” were sentenced by United States District Judge Eric Komitee for the firearm-related murder of Rodney Maxwell, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery. Powell and Coward were sentenced to 42 years’ imprisonment and 45 years’ imprisonment respectively. Co-defendant Brian Castro, also known as “Morenaje,” was previously sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment by Judge Komitee in December 2025. The defendants were convicted in January 2025 following a three-week trial. As part of their sentences, the defendants were also ordered to pay restitution, including in the amount of $26,730 to Maxwell’s daughter.

April 16, 2026

Colombian National Sentenced to Eight Years for Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Source: United States Department of Justice

A Colombian national residing in Virginia was sentenced today to eight years in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, Jorge Antonio Escobar, 50, had downloaded and saved images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including depictions of prepubescent minors. In September of 2022, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began an investigation into those sharing CSAM on the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file sharing network, which identified an IP address traced back to Escobar’s residence in Leesburg, Virginia. Escobar admitted to using BitTorrent to search for images of young girls.

Escobar pleaded guilty to receipt of CSAM on Dec. 30, 2025.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.

The HSI D.C. Field Office investigated the case with the assistance of the Northern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Trial Attorney Nadia Prinz of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndi McVey for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

April 16, 2026

Justice Department Announces Completion of Compliance Review After Illinois Removes Unlawful DEI Criteria from Loan Repayment Program

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Today, the Justice Department announced that it has closed a compliance review of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI). The Department opened this review based on a provision of the Community Behavioral Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Program that required ISAC to set aside at least 30% of funding for applicants who are of “African American or Black, Hispanic or Latinx, Asian, or Native American origin.” After the Department notified ISAC of the compliance review, Illinois removed this DEI criteria from the Program as well as a number of other programs administered by ISAC.

“State agencies may not accept funds from the Department of Justice and then use race, color, or national origin to decide who benefits from them,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department appreciates that the State of Illinois has recognized that ISAC cannot lawfully base its funding decisions on unlawful criteria and has removed them from this program and others administered by ISAC.”

Title VI prohibits race, color, or national origin discrimination by recipients of Federal financial assistance, including the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Additional information about the Civil Rights Divisions is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt.

April 16, 2026

Defense News: Maryland Guard Enhances Response With K-9 MEDEVAC Training

Source: United States Army

EDGEWOOD, Md. – Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers conducted medical evacuation training with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, integrating local law enforcement K-9 units during an exercise at Lauderick Creek Military Reservation, April 1.

The training brought together about 30 participants from Company C, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and Montgomery County Police, along with eight police dogs. The exercise aimed to improve interagency coordination and prepare medics and aviators to treat both handlers and K-9s in complex emergency scenarios — a capability not routinely trained for.

“While I was deployed to Kosovo in 2021, there was a K-9 unit there, and I had been tasked with creating a K-9 medical bag. I remember feeling that the training I had up to that point was inadequate for what I would need if there was an actual emergency involving a K-9,” said Maryland Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joanna Adams, flight medic noncommissioned officer assigned to Company C, 1-169th Aviation Regiment. “After I came back from deployment, I started looking into getting training for my unit with K-9s.”

Two scenarios were conducted simultaneously, exposing participants to a range of operational and medical challenges.

One scenario focused on familiarizing K-9s with helicopter operations, including noise, rotor wash and environmental stressors. Guardsmen executed hoist operations with Montgomery County officers using a rescue seat and a plastic stretcher for non-ambulatory patients, while ground crews controlled a tagline to stabilize the load.

The second scenario introduced a complex tactical medical situation involving Cecil County officers and their K-9s. In the simulation, a K-9 and its handler were injured by a hostile drone strike, while a detained suspect sustained a bite wound during an escape attempt. Medics assessed and triaged patients under stress before evacuating them by air. During the flight, crews treated the handler’s injuries and dressed the K-9’s simulated wounds.

“Our medics and crew chiefs enjoyed being able to use skills that we do not get to use very often, and we thoroughly enjoyed working with these civilian units,” said Adams. “The most rewarding thing I learned was that even when things were not going 100% the way I had planned, everyone was still learning, and sometimes the deviations were better than what the original plan was in the first place.”

The event built on previous collaboration with the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office last summer, when K-9 teams received initial aircraft familiarization and practiced hoist operations using a basket lift.

During the training, law enforcement officers also shared techniques for safely disengaging a K-9 from a bite and responding if a medic is accidentally bitten while rendering aid.

“Not only do we have the fortune of building strong foundations in the units we serve in and are able to effect change over many years, but we also directly impact the community we live in,” said Maryland Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Colin Winand, flight paramedic noncommissioned officer assigned to Company C, 1-169th Aviation Regiment. “Knowing that I can assist my neighbors while completing missions makes the desired outcome that more important.”

Treating both K-9s and their handlers requires specialized knowledge, including assessing vital signs and understanding the effectiveness of medications for working dogs. The training gave medics and aviators a rare opportunity to practice those skills in realistic conditions.

“It was really great to work with the police dogs and their handlers before a real-world emergency,” said Adams. “Knowing what works and what doesn’t is really important when working with animals before a bad day happens. I was really impressed with the dogs and the officers. They are very well-trained, so it makes it easy to work with them and determine best practices so we can be ready to respond for our state and nation when we are needed.”

Defense News: Washington Guard builds readiness with new Executive Officer Course

Source: United States Army

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. — The Washington Army National Guard launched its inaugural Executive Officer Course April 11–12, equipping junior officers with the skills and clarity needed to strengthen company-level operations across the force.

Designed to prepare company executive officers for their critical role within the command team, the two-day course focused on practical training, standardized processes and the tools needed to execute a commander’s intent — addressing a long-standing gap in how new XOs transition into the position.

The training brought together primarily new lieutenants from across the state, many arriving eager to support their units but unsure how to fully integrate into company-level operations. By the end of the course, that uncertainty had largely been replaced with clarity and confidence.

“Students came in wanting to help but not always understanding where they fit,” said Capt. Brandon Roth, XO course officer in charge. “They left with a clear understanding that the XO is not just a supporting role, but a pivotal leader responsible for resourcing operations and enabling mission success.”

The curriculum covered key XO responsibilities, including logistics, legal processes, command discipline programs and administrative requirements. Instruction came from a mix of field-grade officers, noncommissioned officers and warrant officers who shared practical, real-world experience.

The course also gave junior officers a rare opportunity to connect across units and specialties, allowing them to exchange challenges, solutions and best practices while building a network that extends beyond the classroom.

“The networking alone was huge,” said Roth. “You don’t often get the chance to sit down with other XOs and talk through how things actually work in the units.”

Participant feedback indicated the course met its intent of improving confidence and readiness. Attendees also recommended adding more hands-on training and practical exercises, expanding access to key systems, and opening the course to platoon leaders and officers projected to serve as XOs.

Course leaders agreed.

“The most significant takeaway is the clear and urgent need for this course,” said Roth. “Attendees consistently expressed that this knowledge is essential and that without it, new XOs are not fully prepared for the scope of their duties.”

Washington Army National Guard leadership is considering making the XO Course a mandatory requirement for all newly assigned company executive officers, with potential expansion to include all newly commissioned lieutenants. As the program evolves, future iterations are expected to incorporate more interactive training, enhanced resource guides, and expanded networking opportunities, further strengthening the next generation of leaders and ensuring units across the state remain ready, capable, and mission-focused.

Defense News: Increased airspace enhances Wisconsin National Guard training

Source: United States Army

ARCADIA, Wis. – Soldiers assigned to the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operating Facility at Camp Douglas conducted small UAS training at the Arcadia Armory April 1.

The training marked the organization’s first use of statewide Class G airspace recently authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, for small UAS training operations.

In addition to the FAA authorization, the National Guard Bureau issued an amendment to the Wisconsin National Guard Airborne Imagery Proper Use Memorandum. The memo requires intelligence oversight to protect the constitutional and privacy rights of Wisconsin citizens and states that all UAS activities must comply with U.S. executive orders, laws, statutes, directives and policies.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jonathan Olson, UAS operations technician for NGB’s Air and Space Division, relayed that the bureau’s role in Wisconsin’s expanded small UAS airspace was primarily providing the coordination and support necessary for the successful approval of the authorization.

“Wisconsin demonstrated that broad, multi‑airspace UAS authority could be safely granted, responsibly managed and effectively executed at the state level,” said Olson. “As similar authorizations are pursued across other states, we anticipate improved training flexibility, reduced administrative burden and a more consistent operating framework for National Guard small UAS activities nationwide.”

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lucas Gordon, the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s UAS operating facility commander, emphasized the importance of securing the expanded training airspace, given the significant role commercial drones have played in both domestic operations and modern warfare.

“The infantry company here in Arcadia could utilize an asset like that for force protection or reconnaissance of an area that they might traverse,” said Gordon. “The ability to see over distant terrain features directly contributes to the safety of our Soldiers.”

Prior to the new FAA authorization, Wisconsin National Guard UAS training was restricted to the airspace over Fort McCoy, Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center and Hardwood Air-to-Ground Weapons Range. Under the new allocation, training can be accomplished at 24 locations throughout the state, with an additional eight currently undergoing the authorization process.

“For units as far away as Spooner, Wisconsin, for example, how many hours away is the closest of those three places to allow soldiers to train to this critical skill set?” said Gordon.

According to Gordon, maintaining proficiency for traditional Guardsmen requires considerable preplanning and highly efficient use of limited training time.

“Maintaining individual currency with small UAS operations requires a flight evaluation twice annually,” he said. “The goal is to train instructors who can conduct those evaluations at home-station armories.”

Sgt. Skylor Olson, UAS instructor-operator, and Staff Sgt. Jesus Rivera, UAS squad leader, is assigned to the UAS operating facility at Camp Douglas. Both accompanied Gordon to the Arcadia Armory to conduct small UAS training in the newly authorized airspace for the first time.

Rivera explained that the Army recently merged two UAS positions into the combined Tactical UAS Operator/Maintainer military occupational specialty. He believed that the additional training airspace would significantly benefit the growing career field.

“Whether for commercial, law enforcement or military applications, I believe the use of small UAS will continue to grow,” said Rivera. “They represent the future of our career field, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Baltimore Man Sentenced for Armed Robberies, Carjacking, Assaulting Federal Officer

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man is headed to federal prison for his role in robbing multiple local commercial businesses and then later assaulting a Deputy U.S. Marshal while at the U.S. Courthouse in Baltimore. U.S. District Court Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Sharif Northington, 23, of Baltimore, to 10 years in prison and one year in prison, consecutive to the 10-year sentence, for intentionally assaulting an officer and employee of the United States.