Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: US FBI

A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today to sending a communication containing a bomb threat to an election official in the Arizona Secretary of State’s office. 

“Americans who serve the public by administering our voting systems should not have to fear for their lives simply for doing their jobs,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As this case demonstrates, the Justice Department is investigating and prosecuting violations of federal law against election officials and election workers. Only by protecting those who administer the election process can we ensure that the right to vote, itself, is protected.”

According to court documents, on or about Feb. 14, 2021, James W. Clark, 38, of Falmouth, sent a message via the website contact form of the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, Election Division, addressed to the election official, and warned her that she needed to “resign by Tuesday February 16th by 9 am or the explosive device impacted in her personal space will be detonated.”

“Threatening public officials is a serious matter, never warranted by the situation no matter how heated or politically charged,” said U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona. “Cases like this are important in protecting not only the public official victimized by the conduct, but also the integrity of our election processes as a whole.”

Shortly after transmitting the message, Clark conducted online searches that included the full name of the election official in conjunction with the words “how to kill” and “address.” Additionally, on or about Feb. 18, 2021, Clark conducted online searches involving the Boston Marathon bombing.

“Defending the rights of Americans, particularly the right to vote, is a fundamental part of the FBI’s mission to protect the American people and uphold the constitution,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Election workers are dedicated members of our community who have the solemn responsibility of ensuring the integrity of the U.S. voting process. The FBI will fiercely protect election officials from threats of violence and intimidation, and in doing so, protect the fidelity of U.S. elections.”

Clark pleaded guilty to one count of making a threatening interstate communication. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 26 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Phoenix Field Office joined in the announcement.

The FBI Phoenix Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Boston Division.

Trial Attorney Tanya Senanayake of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean K. Lokey for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. A year after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ offices and FBI field offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.

Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Department of Justice, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found here: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

Source: US FBI

FAIRBANKS – An Alaska Wildlife Trooper has entered into an agreement with the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Alaska to resolve investigations into false and misleading statements he made to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2019.

According to the agreement and other court proceedings, Timothy Abbott, 39, of North Pole, Alaska, has agreed to permanently resign from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and to relinquish his law enforcement credentials based on conduct surrounding his personal acquisition and registration of an aircraft.

In November 2019, Abbott, then an Alaska Wildlife Trooper, submitted an application to the FAA to register a Kitfox Series 5 airplane. In the application, Abbott submitted a bill of sale to transfer the title of the aircraft to himself in exchange for $1.00 based on the signature of a previous owner of the aircraft, David Miller. Abbott falsely represented to the FAA that Miller had the authority to sell the aircraft. He did not disclose to the FAA that Miller had previously sold the aircraft to another individual more than 10 years ago and no longer had any personal ownership interest in the airplane. After Abbott removed the aircraft from its location at Clear Airport (PACL) Alaska, the actual owner of the aircraft contacted the Alaska State Troopers and reported the aircraft as stolen. During the investigation into the theft, Abbott contacted the Troopers and returned the aircraft to Clear Airport.

 “Making false statements to a federal agency is against the law no matter who you are or who you work for,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “There is no excuse for those who deceive federal regulators for the sake of personal gain. To anyone contemplating providing false information to a federal agency, know that the Justice Department will pursue the facts and hold you accountable.”

“We take any allegation of criminal wrongdoing by an Alaska Wildlife Trooper very seriously and will take appropriate steps to hold that Trooper accountable through the criminal justice system,” said Colonel Doug Massie, Director of the Alaska Wildlife Troopers. “I would like to thank our partners at the FBI and US Attorney’s Office for their careful review of this case and bringing it to a resolution. We know that the public places a lot of trust in the Troopers that work across our great state. This was a very unfortunate incident, but the Alaska Department of Public Safety maintains a very high standard for our Alaska State and Wildlife Troopers and that includes conduct that takes place both on and off duty. We are committed to restoring any trust that was lost by the actions of this Trooper and working consistently to meet our mission of ensuring public safety and enforcing fish and wildlife laws.”

Abbott appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Scott A. Oravec and agreed to the terms of the agreement. If Abbott violates the agreement, he could face a felony conviction for making a false statement to the FAA, which carries up to three years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. If Abbott abides by the terms of the agreement, the United States has agreed to dismiss the charges against him.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey is prosecuting the case.

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Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – An Anchorage businessman has entered into a global resolution with the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Alaska to resolve federal investigations into his fraudulently obtaining $164,000 in small business loans and advances under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The global resolution includes a criminal non-prosecution agreement and civil settlement agreement.

According to the settlement documents, Robert Gross, 65, submitted fraudulent and misleading information to obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) loans and advances, a source of relief under the CARES Act. While applying for the EIDL program between April 6 and September 3, 2020, Gross made false statements about the revenue, number of employees and related wages of the six entities in which he had ownership interests, specifically:

• Glacier State Services, Inc.
• Bistro IT, LLC
• RB Enterprises, LLC
• Meritage Management Co.
• AK Denali Group, LLC
• 32 Mile Investments, LLC. 

As part of the criminal non-prosecution agreement, Gross admitted making fraudulent statements and agreed to terms in lieu of criminal prosecution. In the civil settlement agreement, Gross agreed to repay the loans in full, plus damages in the amount of $242,990 to the United States.  

“During a global pandemic, the defendant took advantage of aid programs designed as a lifeline providing critical relief for hardworking people in our communities impacted by COVID,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “Our office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable individuals who exploit the CARES Act.”

“Making false statements to fraudulently gain access to SBA program funds is deplorable,” said SBA Office of Inspector General’s Western Region Special Agent in Charge Weston King. “SBA OIG will relentlessly pursue evidence of fraud against SBA’s programs aimed at assisting the nation’s small businesses struggling with the pandemic challenges. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its leadership and dedication to pursuing justice.”

“While small businesses across the nation, including here in Alaska, continue to suffer due to the ongoing pandemic, the defendant chose to exploit the relief programs designed to help businesses in time of need,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI and our federal partners will continue to work closely to detect and hold accountable those who take advantage of public health emergencies.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Inspector General, Western Regional Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Fonstad and Michael Heyman prosecuted the case.

Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-Relief can report it to the Department of Justice by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or filing an online complaint form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. 

The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that are experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL program funds can be used to cover a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses. The CARES Act was enacted on March 27, 2020, to provide emergency assistance to individuals, families and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Among other things the CARES Act simplified the EIDL program application process and allocated additional funding to the EIDL program.

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Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE, AK—At approximately 3:18 p.m., on October 14, 2021, an unknown suspect entered a First National Bank Alaska branch located at 1210 West Northern Lights Boulevard in Anchorage, and presented a note demanding money from a bank employee. The suspect then fled the scene on a bicycle.

Witnesses have described the suspect as a slim male individual, approximately 5’5” to 5’7” in height. A vehicle of interest was also seen in the area, which can be described as a dark-colored Dodge Durango with a white decal on the back window, and possibly a spare tire on the rear driver’s side of the vehicle.

If the public has any information concerning the bank robbery, please contact the FBI at 907-276-4441 or online at tips.fbi.gov.

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – An Anchorage man was sentenced today to 35 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release by Senior U. S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline on five counts of sex trafficking minors, three counts of production of child pornography and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. In handing down the sentence, Judge Beistline noted the defendant’s complete lack of respect for the law as well as the absence of any remorse or empathy for the victims whom he controlled and were significantly damaged by his conduct.

According to court documents, between October and December 2018, Tristan Jamal Grant, aka “Goo,” 35, conspired with another person to traffic two minors, a 15-year-old female and a 17-year-old female. Both minors were runaways who stayed with Grant at his co-conspirator’s apartment. While at the apartment, they created online advertisements that were used to market the minors. Grant then trafficked his victims by persuading them to perform sex acts for money; serving as protection for the minors; and driving one of the minors to a date to perform commercial sex acts. Additionally, Grant produced child pornography with one of the minors on two separate occasions.

Grant was arrested by Anchorage Police Department following a shooting on December 12, 2018. When arrested Grant was in possession of two weapons. Because Grant had previously been convicted of a felony, possession of those guns was illegal.

Grant remained in custody and was indicted by a federal grand jury. He escaped from custody during a court ordered release to meet with his attorney at the attorney’s office. Grant was captured and later sentenced to three years of imprisonment for charges relating to his escape, which he will serve consecutively to the above sentence. Grant was convicted of the charges following a bench trial in April 2021.

“The sex trafficking of minors is a horrific crime, often wreaking terrible physical and emotional harm upon vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. of the District of Alaska. “The facts in this case reflect an unfathomable disregard for the welfare of the minors involved.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to bring to justice anyone who exploits children, and we will seek fitting punishments to deter this tragic crime and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.”

“Tristan Grant used violent, manipulative means to force minors into performing commercial sex acts, while at the same time producing CSAM online and terrorizing our communities with other egregious acts of violence,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shawn Peters of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “His conduct caused immeasurable harm to the survivors and to the community of Anchorage, and for that, he will now spend over 35 years in federal prison. The FBI is grateful for our collaborative partnerships across the state as we continue to combat violent crime and crimes against Alaska’s youth.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Anchorage Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, working together through the FBI’s Safe Streets/Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children through sex trafficking, as well as to identify and recover victims.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines 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, please visitwww.justice.gov/psc.

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Source: US FBI

FAIRBANKS – A Delta Junction, Alaska, man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to two counts of threatening to murder a U.S. official, specifically Alaska’s two U.S. Senators.

According to court documents, Jay Allen Johnson, 65, left a voicemail message on September 2, 2021, at the Washington D.C. office of Senator Lisa Murkowski containing several threats, including a threat to “burn” the Senator’s properties. The investigation revealed that the call originated in Delta Junction from a cellular telephone number linked to Johnson. On September 29, Johnson left another voicemail threatening to hire an assassin to kill the U.S. Senator. Johnson also left threatening voicemail messages for Senator Dan Sullivan between April 2021 and September 2021, including one in which he threatened to get his “.50 caliber out,” hold a “GoFundMe page for the …shells,” and to come “with a vengeance mother*cker.” In total, Johnson admitted to leaving 17 threatening voicemails for the two Senators over a five-month period and said that the messages were intended to retaliate against the Senators for performing their official duties.

As part of the plea agreement, Johnson has agreed to the issuance of a three-year federal protective order following his release from federal prison. The protective order will prohibit Johnson from contacting either U.S. Senator, their family or staff members. Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for each charge as well as forfeiture of seven firearms, which the FBI discovered in Johnson’s residence during execution of a search warrant. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

“Threatening public officials in an attempt to interfere with the performance of their duties is antithetical to our democratic system of governance,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. of the District of Alaska. “To protect the functions of our government institutions and our public officials themselves, the Department of Justice will work to ensure our elected officials can serve without fear of harm.

“The FBI remains steadfast in addressing threats in our communities, including violent threats made against those who are performing their official duties,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shawn Peters of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This case underscores the swift efforts by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners as we worked together to address these threats before any potential acts of violence occurred.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Capitol Police are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey is prosecuting the case.

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