Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury in Dayton returned charges against six Chinese nationals and two Chinese pharmaceutical companies in narcotics and money laundering conspiracies involving chemical agents used to manufacture and cut fentanyl. Three defendants are also charged with attempting to provide material support to a Mexican drug cartel.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
CHARLESTON, S.C. — A federal grand jury in Florence returned a three-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charging Demondre Laquari Wright, 26, of Orangeburg, for robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and felon in possession of ammunition.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Task Force Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Christopher Roberts, and the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ARISTIDES CABRERA, a/k/a “Buddha,” with drug crimes resulting in the fatal poisoning of a 12‑year-old child in the Bronx on June 28, 2022.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
BOSTON – United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced today that the District of Massachusetts entered settlements with defendants for more than $900 million and collected more than $70 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2025. Of this amount, $30.5 million was collected in criminal actions and $39.6 million was collected in civil actions. The Office also recovered more than $48 million in forfeited assets.
Source: United States Department of Justice
Today, the Office of Information Policy (OIP) announces new dates for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) training for April through July. As part of its responsibility to encourage agency compliance with the FOIA, OIP offers numerous training opportunities throughout the year for agency FOIA professionals and individuals with FOIA responsibilities.
These courses are designed to offer training opportunities for personnel from all stages of the FOIA workforce, from new hires to the experienced FOIA professionals or FOIA managers. OIP will continue to offer virtual training sessions that will be taught in real-time by OIP instructors. As we move into the Spring of Fiscal Year 2026, we are pleased to announce these virtual training courses, which are also listed on OIP’s Training page.
The courses and dates scheduled for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026 are:
Introduction to the Freedom of Information Act
April 8, 2026
Processing a Request from Start to Finish
April 22, 2026
Procedural Requirements, and Fee and Fee Waivers Training
May 6, 2026
Litigation Training
May 13, 2026
Administrative Appeals, FOIA Compliance, and Customer Service Training
May 20, 2026
Exemption 1 and Exemption 7 Training
June 3, 2026
Exemption 4 and Exemption 5 Training
June 17, 2026
Privacy Considerations Training
July 8, 2026
Continuing FOIA Education Training
July 22, 2026
Training courses are open to all federal government employees. Descriptions of each course and registration links are available on the Training page of OIP’s site. OIP manages all training registration through WebEx. Registration will open one month prior to the date of the training. Once the registration period begins, you may register by providing your name and email address on WebEx for that course. Each attendee must register separately using their own government email address. Please note that these training sessions are open to government personnel and contractors only. Once you are registered, you will be sent a confirmation email from WebEx.
OIP is also always available to provide individualized training sessions to any interested agency, which can be tailored to fit training needs.
For questions or more information regarding any of OIP’s training opportunities, please contact OIP’s Training Coordinator at DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Orlando, Florida – Henry Baker (30, Winter Park) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie Sneed to 14 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Baker pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tampa, Florida – Benjamin Rubin (79, New Port Richey) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charlene Honeywell to one year in federal prison for interstate transmission of threats to kill multiple federal officials. Rubin pleaded guilty on December 22, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
OAKLAND – In 2023 and 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California charged ten current and former officers and employees from the Antioch and Pittsburg police departments with crimes ranging from conspiracy to violate civil rights through excessive use of force to fraud. The last of the ten defendants, Eric Allen Rombough, 46, of Fairfield, was sentenced today to 50 months of imprisonment
Source: United States Army
ASSISI, Italy – From the hilly streets of Assisi to the historic Basilica of St. Francis, U.S. Army Garrison Italy community members are finding that Outdoor Recreation (ODR) trips offer a bridge to Italian culture. A Feb.-28 excursion there allowed participants to witness a special event linked to the history of the Italy’s patron saint.
The trip was part of a broader MWR effort to connect Soldiers with Italian historical heritage, and the chance for participants to build community outside the gates.
“I had such great experiences that I continued to join their cultural events,” said Anna Demeter, a dental clinic employee, who began joining the ODR day trips because she was nervous about traveling alone.
“The guides are welcoming, the trips unique, and I found it to be a great way to meet people and develop friendships.”
This time, ODR picked Assisi, renowned as the birthplace of St. Francis and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, just during the period matching the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s death, when thousands of pilgrims from all over the world had the opportunity to visit the basilica where his remains were on display to the public for the first time since his death.
Demeter explained that the town was quite crowded, “but the good weather and camaraderie between people helped make it a great experience.”
Even though some of the religious sites were not all accessible due to the high influx of visitors, the trip still gave the chance to explore historical places from Roman and medieval periods with a local tour guide, followed by a lunch break for tasting food specialties and some free time to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.
Beyond the history, the convenience of the trip stood out to Spc. Kelvin Rios, from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. He highlighted that ODR coordinates transportation and takes people to places that are hard to reach, while they can relax, enjoy the views and interact with others.
“At ODR trips I have been able to meet and connect with members of the community and, most importantly, feel part of it,” said Rios.
“This is a good way to take your family on a day trip, whether it be in Italy or surrounding countries, cultural or adventurous, everything is taken care for you, while you get to laugh and have a great time with your loved ones, especially your children,” he added.
“Thanks to ODR, I have been able to see not only Cinque Terre, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Lago di Braies, Nice and today, Assisi, but also be certified as a ProfessionalBaristain Italy.”
For the warmer seasons, Vicenza Outdoor Recreation is planning to reach many sightseeing locations from coasts to mountain peaks, beaches and unique hamlets.
“There are more upcoming trips, like Cinque Terre, the five villages on the Ligurian Riviera, Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, and the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps,” said Lucia Savio, one of the ODR tour leaders, who assisted the Assisi day trip.
For joining trips like this and more, register with ODR in person or by calling 0444-71-4900.
Source: United States Army
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HONOLULU —The Honorable Jordan Gillis, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy, and environment, participated in the Hawai‘i Military Lands Discussion hosted by the Hawai‘i Coordination Cell (HCC) on March 23, 2026, at the Ala Moana Hotel.
The event brought together 150 participants, including community advocates, activists, military officials, business leaders, and policymakers, to discuss military land use in Hawai‘i. Topics ranged from land return and restoration to unexploded ordnance and environmental impact processes.
Gillis emphasized the Army’s commitment to transparency, responsible land management, and sustained dialogue with the people of Hawai‘i. He highlighted the importance of balancing military readiness in the Indo-Pacific with community priorities and environmental stewardship.
Representatives from U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and U.S. Army Garrison Hawai‘i (USAG-HI) also participated, including Col. Rachel Sullivan, garrison commander for Hawai‘i, and Lt. Col. Tim Alvarado, commander of U.S. Army Garrison – Pōhakuloa Training Area. Army leaders engaged actively during breakout sessions and on breaks, discussing matters like the Army’s active-duty and National Guard support during the recent Kona Storm flooding and explaining the process for officially requesting such support in the future.
The event featured plenary sessions, breakout discussions, and an information exchange with military departments and community organizations. Participants provided feedback that will help shape future discussions on military land leases across the state.
The Hawai‘i Coordination Cell, established within the Department of War, convened the event to foster community engagement as long-standing military land leases approach expiration.