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June 4, 2026

Defense News: Washington National Guard builds partnerships ahead of World Cup 2026

Source: United States Army

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Representatives from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, multiple National Guards, state defense forces, Washington Emergency Management Division, Civil Air Patrol and active-duty military units gathered June 2 for a counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS, field demonstration day at the Yakima Training Center ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The demonstration marked the latest step in a year-long effort by the Washington Military Department and Washington National Guard to build a comprehensive counter-UAS program ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which will bring millions of visitors to the greater Seattle area. The event showcased emerging technologies and operational tactics designed to detect, track and mitigate drone threats while highlighting the Washington National Guard’s growing role in developing a regional schoolhouse for counter-UAS training and innovation.

Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general and homeland security advisor for the Washington National Guard, said the event represents a milestone not only for Washington, but for the nation.

“When you look at all the FIFA states, all the FIFA cities and all the different challenges that people are dealing with, Washington is the only state that actually brought people together to rehearse and discuss any of this stuff,” Welsh said during the event. “This is the only one-of-a-kind event in the entire country that’s going on.”

As unmanned aerial systems continue to evolve from recreational tools into potential threats to public safety, critical infrastructure and major public events, the Washington National Guard is positioning itself at the forefront of counter-unmanned aerial systems training and readiness. Recognizing the growing threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems, the Washington Military Department hosted a counter-UAS summit in late 2025, bringing together leaders from government, public safety, academia and industry to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving drone environment. The summit laid the groundwork for expanded partnerships and highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to airspace security.

Staff Sgt. Scott Couchman, UAS Maintenance Technician with the 81st Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company, prepares a C100 Defense drone for flight as part of the counter-UAS field day demonstration at the Yakima Training Center, Wash., June 2, 2026. (Photo Credit: Joseph Siemandel) VIEW ORIGINAL

Building on that momentum, the Washington National Guard’s Western Regional Counterdrug Training Center launched a counter-UAS Fundamentals Course to provide military, law enforcement and public safety professionals with foundational training in drone detection, identification, legal authorities and response planning. The program has attracted interest from agencies across the region as organizations prepare for large-scale public events and the increasing presence of drones in everyday life.

“A year ago, we were not in this space,” FBI agent Phil Randolph said. “A year ago, we wouldn’t have thought about drone detection around NFL stadiums. Now we’re leaning forward.”

Welsh emphasized that the challenge extends far beyond a single event such as the FIFA World Cup.

“Don’t just look at this as, ‘Hey, we’ve got to get through FIFA and then we’ll go back to work,’” Welsh said. “We’re going to be dealing with the threat for the rest of our lives.”

Participants of the counter-UAS field demonstration day observed a series of live demonstrations showcasing drone detection systems, swarm operations, interception techniques, radio-frequency mitigation capabilities and render-safe procedures. The event provided attendees with an opportunity to evaluate emerging technologies and discuss how those capabilities could be integrated into real-world operations.

For Washington National Guard leaders, Yakima Training Center also offers an ideal location to expand those efforts.

“This really is the Kevin Costner moment from Field of Dreams,” said Col. Phillip Lamb, senior Army advisor to the Washington National Guard. “We have 327,000 acres of untouched, unobstructed training area right here at Yakima Training Center.”

Lamb, who served as the garrison commander for Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which also covers Yakima Training Center, said the installation’s vast maneuver space provides a unique environment for agencies to train together, test emerging technologies and conduct realistic counter-UAS operations.

That vision extends beyond individual demonstrations and training events.

“We want to build an Army counter-UAS Center of Excellence right here at Yakima Training Center,” said Col. Craig Broyles, director of the Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program, adding that the installation has classroom space for beginner-level instruction and training areas for practical exercises and advanced courses.

Recent organizational changes have further strengthened the state’s ability to address emerging aerial threats, Welsh said.

“Bringing the Civil Air Patrol under the Washington Military Department has elevated our capabilities in the counter-UAS environment,” Welsh said.

As preparations continue for the FIFA World Cup and other major events, leaders believe the partnerships, training opportunities and capabilities developed at the Yakima Training Center will help shape the future of counter-UAS operations not only in Washington, but across the nation.

Defense News: Michigan Army National Guard SRP Supports Soldier Readiness at Camp Grayling, MI

Source: United States Army

GRAYLING, Mich. — Approximately 3,000 Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers participated in a Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Grayling, Michigan, to ensure that they are deployable and fit to serve.

“Medical screens allow us to identify any deficiencies with the Soldiers’ medical readiness,” said Sgt. James Hickey, a noncommissioned officer with the Michigan Army National Guard SRP medical personnel. “Doing large units at a time like this allows us to get a large percentage of the overall force processed so they can rectify those issues before it comes time for them to deploy or separate.”

The Michigan Army National Guard SRP serves as a critical component in maintaining readiness across the force. Soldier Readiness Processing is a comprehensive review of Soldiers’ medical, dental, administrative, and personnel records. The process helps identify and resolve issues before they affect mission readiness, ensuring Soldiers remain prepared to execute the nation’s call when needed.

SRP is classified into two levels: Level I is conducted annually, and Level II is conducted prior to unit mobilization. Level I covers the preparation and completion of personnel, medical, administrative, and readiness records. Level II Soldier Readiness Processing must be conducted prior to movement to ensure Soldiers meet deployment requirements.

“SRP contributes to your unit ratings for deployability,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chelsea Herman, a Michigan Army National Guard SRP administrative noncommissioned officer. “Not only that, but it contributes to your overall capacity for Soldiers going out the door. It helps make sure any issues or problems are addressed so your unit is capable of completing the mission and task at hand.”

Throughout the event, Soldiers moved through multiple stations, each with a packeted checklist in hand. Administrative professionals, medical personnel, and unit leaders worked together to verify requirements, update records, and address any current or past deficiencies. Cadre members directed Soldiers throughout the event, going through multiple buildings; following signs going to and from immunizations, dental and service provider stations to their next requirement.

“NCOs manage the system created. They ensure accountability, proper standard operating procedures are followed, and all resources needed are provided, while also monitoring individuals’ health.” said Staff Sgt. Rebecca Hillman is a noncommissioned officer with the Michigan Army National Guard SRP medical personnel.

At the event, Soldiers went through stations that included medical and administrative support, legal, Family Readiness Resources, and religious support services.

“The providers play a critical role in reviewing all of the Soldiers’ medical readiness indicators,” said Maj. Mark Glotkowski, Michigan Army National Guard medical provider section officer in charge. “Vision, dental, and hearing are evaluated to determine if Soldiers still meet Army standards for duty. We are also identifying any Soldiers who might have a new injury that prevents them from performing their duties.”

For Soldiers, SRP provides a clear picture of individual and unit readiness.

“It prepares me, as well as my unit, to understand what elements we are lacking to be fully mission capable,” said Cadet Cecelia Jacuzzo, Michigan Army National Guard, 1171 MCAS. “It allows each individual to know their faults, as well as receive advice efficiently and effectively.”

The event helped ensure Michigan Army National Guard Soldiers are medically, administratively, and personally prepared to meet mission requirements. Through coordinated support from medical personnel, administrative staff, leaders, and readiness professionals, SRP continues to strengthen the force and prepare Soldiers for future missions.

By bringing Soldiers, leaders, administrative professionals, and medical personnel together in one location, SRP streamlines the readiness process and reinforces the Army’s commitment to maintaining a capable and deployable force.

Maryland Man Convicted of Defrauding Private Jet Customers for $15M

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A federal jury in the District of Maryland convicted a Maryland man yesterday who owned and operated a company which offered charter flights on private jets. He defrauded his victims of approximately $15 million by falsely promising to use their upfront $150,000 payments to help the company buy a plane in exchange for a block of discounted flight hours and a promise that their money would be protected.

“Patrick Britton-Harr stole millions of dollars from his customers by lying to them about how he would use and protect their money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He used his business as a front to fraudulently induce his clients to make down payments for services never provided. Meanwhile, he bought yachts, expensive jewelry, and lined his own pockets. The prosecutors and agents who brought this case vindicated the victims. If you prey on, trick, and defraud people, you will be investigated and prosecuted.”

“This conviction sends a strong message that if you scam and defraud others, we’re coming after you with the full weight of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “We will always seek justice for victims. Through his greed and deceitful actions, Mr. Britton-Harr showed a total disregard for the law and others. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law-enforcement partners, is committed to holding accountable individuals who prey on and take advantage of unsuspecting people.”

“This conviction holds Patrick Britton-Harr accountable for the lies he told and the millions of dollars he stole from customers to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners work tirelessly to protect victims from fraudsters and will go after anyone who takes advantage of investors for personal gain.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Patrick Britton-Harr, 43, of Annapolis, Maryland, owned and controlled AeroVanti and its affiliated entities. AeroVanti was a private air club that offered members access to flights on private jets. Britton-Harr set up a “one-time membership opportunity” that invited “Top Gun” members to pay $150,000 upfront to help the company buy a plane in exchange for a block of discounted flight hours. Britton-Harr promised to use their money to purchase specific aircraft, and he promised to protect their money by delivering the titles of the aircraft to escrow.

The Top Gun members collectively paid approximately $15 million in upfront payments to purchase five aircraft. But instead of buying those aircraft, Britton-Harr misappropriated members’ money for his own personal benefit, including to purchase yachts and jewelry, to pay his living expenses, and to rent a $10,000 per month home near Tampa, Florida. The evidence at trial further established that Britton-Harr then attempted to conceal his fraud by obtaining a $1.5 million loan to purchase one of the aircraft he had already claimed to have purchased with Top Gun member funds by withholding material information from the lender to obtain the loan.

The jury convicted Britton-Harr of six counts of wire fraud. A sentencing date has not been set. Britton-Harr faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

In May 2025, Britton-Harr was separately indicted with multiple counts of health care fraud and one count of money laundering related to his participation in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for expensive respiratory tests. He is scheduled to begin trial on that indictment in October 2026.

The FBI Baltimore Field Office and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Ariel Glasner of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Evans for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. Fraud Section Trial Attorney Tara Shinnick provided significant assistance.

June 4, 2026

Maryland Man Indicted for Assaulting TSA Security Officers at Baltimore/Washington International Airport

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Baltimore, Maryland – A Charles County, Maryland, man faces indictment in connection with an attack on two federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at the Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Airport. Cornelius Queen, 32, is charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers and interfering with security screening personnel at the airport.

June 4, 2026

American Citizen Pleads Guilty to Working as an Agent for the People’s Republic of China

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Thomas Weir Pauken II, 50, an American citizen who lived and worked in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), pleaded guilty today to acting as an agent of a foreign government within the United States.

“Pauken admitted to being part of a conspiracy to obtain sensitive information from the U.S. government for the PRC,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “His actions are a betrayal of this Nation and pose an unacceptable risk to our national security. NSD remains committed to safeguarding information essential to our national security, including through appropriate prosecution.”

“By his own admission, not only did Thomas Pauken attempt to infiltrate U.S. political circles at the direction of China’s Ministry of State Security, but he gathered intelligence on his American targets and reported it back to his Chinese intelligence handlers,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “This case illustrates the lengths to which the Chinese Communist Party will go to undermine our democratic institutions and degrade our political freedoms, but it also demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to defend the homeland from threats to our national security. Let this plea serve as a clear warning: If you attempt to help a foreign adversary as an unregistered agent in the U.S., the FBI will find you and bring you to justice.”

According to court documents, from at least 2019 until February 2026, Pauken worked at the direction and control of people he knew worked for the PRC, including a person he met in 2017 identified as “Cathy.” Cathy provided Pauken with taskings, including meeting with potential intelligence assets, providing them with devices such as a laptop and cellphone to communicate with Cathy, providing taskings for the assets on what information was required, and providing Cathy with reports from the assets.

Pauken received at least $100,000 for his work with Cathy. Cathy also paid for Pauken to travel several times between 2019 through 2025 from China to meet with individuals in the United States who could provide Pauken, and ultimately Cathy and the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS), with information.

Pauken worked for two other people in China whom he met in 2017 and knew as “Richard” and “William.” They told Pauken that reports he wrote for them went to Japan, but Pauken believed they worked for the PRC government.

Pauken also sold reports to a group of Chinese individuals from Wuhan who sought information about technology and the U.S. Department of Justice. The Wuhan clients wanted Pauken to find an expert to help them engage in cyber espionage.

Pauken is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Philadelphia Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

Trial Attorney Eli Ross of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin R. Tisdale for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

June 4, 2026

Dealers In Fentanyl Deal In Death—Bronx Man Charged With Trafficking Fentanyl That Caused The Deaths Of Three Victims

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 Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced today the unsealing of a Complaint charging ELVIN VILA with drug-trafficking crimes that led to three fatal overdoses.

June 4, 2026

Defense News in Brief: 99th FTS leaders become first AETC pilots qualified on T-7A Red Hawk

Source: United States Airforce

In a historic milestone for future fifth- and sixth-generation fighter pilot production, two leaders from the 99th Flying Training Squadron have unlocked the unit’s operational independence by becoming the first Air Education and Training Command pilots qualified on the T-7A Red Hawk.

June 4, 2026

Defense News in Brief: From Classroom to Combat Advantage: NPS and RTX Partner to Advance Education, Research, and Mission Impact

Source: United States Navy

In an era of rapidly evolving threats and accelerating technological change, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and RTX have partnered for years focused on one objective: delivering operational advantage for the warfighter. Through sustained collaboration in education, research, and experimentation, the nearly decade-long relationship connects operational experience, academic rigor, and defense-industry expertise to address complex national-security challenges.

June 4, 2026

Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Make and Distribute Animal Crush Videos Involving Monkeys

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty in federal court in Cincinnati today to conspiring to create and distribute “animal crush” videos through his active participation in certain online groups. The videos depicted extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.

According to court documents, Hugh T. Campbell conspired with others to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against monkeys. Making and sharing such videos violates the federal anti-animal crush law.

Campbell and his co-conspirators used encrypted chat applications to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to carry out requested acts of torture on camera. As stated in a court document, Campbell sent chats commenting on torture videos including “That video was awesome. Nice and gruesome,” and “It’s just so unsatisfying to see a live monkey at the end.”

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gercace II for the Southern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie for the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office made the announcement.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the FBI investigated the case.

Senior Trial Attorney Adam C. Cullman of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section is prosecuting the case.

June 4, 2026

One of Atlanta Police Department’s Top 5 Most Wanted Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Charge

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Marcus Lydell Molden, Jr, who was recently listed on the Atlanta Police Department’s top five fugitives list, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition to the federal charges, Molden also faces charges in Fulton County for various violent crimes and gang-related offenses.