CHIÈVRES AIR BASE, Belgium – Leaders from the American Legion arrived with a clear mission – listen to Soldiers, assess their quality of life and take their needs directly to the Department of State. Dan Wiley, American Legion national commander, Doug Hensley, American Legion aide to the national commander, Sean Counihan, American Legion national security director, and Hans Stockenberger, American Legion national executive committeeman for France met with Soldiers from U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux during a visit on Jun. 2, 2026, at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium.
During the European tour, which included stops in Italy and the United Kingdom, members of the delegation met with Soldiers, Airmen and military Families to gain insight into the opportunities and challenges of overseas assignments. Discussions centered around quality-of-life issues, Family support programs and overall well-being of service members far from home.
1 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –Dan Wiley, American Legion national commander, Doug Hensley, American Legion aide to the national commander, Sean Counihan, American Legion national security director, and Hans Stockenberger, American Legion national executive committeeman for France met with Soldiers from U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux during a visit on Jun. 2, 2026, at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. Wiley and his team were welcomed to the Benelux by Yvette Castro, USAG Benelux deputy to the garrison commander[B(1.1], and enjoyed a luncheon with Soldiers from the Benelux and their Families. The gathering provided an opportunity for open dialogue and personal connection, reinforcing the American Legion’s longstanding mission to support service members, veterans and their Families wherever they serve. (U.S. Army photo by Kristin Savage, USAG Benelux Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Kristin Savage)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –Soldiers and Families from U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux met with a delegation from the American Legion during a luncheon during a visit on Jun. 2, 2026, at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. Discussions centered around quality-of-life issues, Family support programs and overall well-being of service members far from home. (U.S. Army photo by Kristin Savage, USAG Benelux Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Kristin Savage)VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiley and his team were welcomed to the Benelux by Yvette Castro, USAG Benelux deputy to the garrison commander, and enjoyed a luncheon with Soldiers from the Benelux and their Families. The gathering provided an opportunity for open dialogue and personal connection, reinforcing the American Legion’s longstanding mission to support service members, veterans and their Families wherever they serve. The conversations that followed brought valuable perspectives on the importance of maintaining strong support networks, accessible resources and resilient military communities.
In addition to meeting with service members, the delegation participated in several key engagements with senior diplomatic and military leaders. The visit included a meeting with Bill White, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, discussions with Col. Jared Thompson, U.S. National Military Representative to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), and tours of NATO installations that highlighted the critical role U.S. forces play in strengthening the Alliance and advancing collective security.
1 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –Soldiers and Families from U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux met with a delegation from the American Legion at a luncheon during a visit on [B(3.1]Jun. 2, 2026, at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. The conversations that followed brought valuable perspectives on the importance of maintaining strong support networks, accessible resources and resilient military communities. (US Army photo by Kristin Savage, USAG Benelux Public Affairs) (Photo Credit: Kristin Savage)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –Soldiers and Families from U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux met with a delegation from the American Legion during a luncheon during a visit on Jun. 2, 2026, at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. The American Legion’s engagement with Soldiers, Airmen, and Families overseas reflects a shared commitment to service, leadership and the values that unite generations of Americans in uniform. (Photo Credit: Kristin Savage)VIEW ORIGINAL
As U.S. forces continue to support NATO missions and strengthen relationships with Allies throughout Europe, visits such as these demonstrate the enduring bond between America’s military community and the organizations dedicated to serving them. The American Legion’s engagement with Soldiers, Airmen, and Families overseas reflects a shared commitment to service, leadership and the values that unite generations of Americans in uniform.
A Georgia man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to launder the proceeds of drug trafficking.
According to court documents and proceedings, since at least 2021, Puquan Huang, 50, a Chinese national residing in Buford, Georgia, was a member of an international money laundering organization that engaged in a sophisticated trade-based money laundering scheme.
Huang and his co-conspirators routinely traveled throughout the United States, including South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, to collect bulk cash generated from the sale of drugs in the United States, including fentanyl and cocaine, from drug traffickers and distributors. Due to the illicit nature of the transactions, Huang and his co-conspirators confirmed their authorization to collect drug cash not by using their names or personal details, but by presenting verification codes, which were oftentimes unique serial numbers taken from U.S. currency notes. To avoid detection by law enforcement, Huang and his co-conspirators met with drug trafficking representatives at odd hours in atypical locations, such as gas stations and parking lots, for very short periods, and refrained from using traditional banking systems, such as wire transfers. Pickups of drug cash were typically coordinated by and occurred at the direction of co-conspirators.
Using aliases, Huang and his co-conspirators primarily communicated on encrypted platforms, such as WeChat, with co-conspirators located in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and other foreign countries to arrange for the laundering of the drug proceeds by purchasing bulk electronics in the United States and exporting them to co-conspirators in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.
Huang conspired to launder several millions of dollars of drug proceeds, with money pickups and exchanges typically ranging between approximately $80,000 and $200,000. As part of the conspiracy, law enforcement stopped Huang transporting approximately $272,000 in drug proceeds in North Carolina.
Huang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina, and Administrator Terrance C. “Terry” Cole of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.
The DEA’s Charleston, South Carolina Resident Office and Atlanta, Georgia Division Office, Homeland Security Task Force/959 Group is investigating the case with assistance from the DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit; DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA’s office in Columbia, South Carolina; the FBI’s offices in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina; the U.S. Air Force, Office of Special Investigations; and state and local law enforcement in South Carolina and North Carolina.
Trial Attorneys Jasmin Salehi Fashami and Stephanie Williamson of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett E. McMillian for the District of South Carolina are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.
MNF’s Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit investigates and prosecutes sophisticated money laundering schemes involving financial facilitators, gatekeepers, and other individuals and entities laundering criminal proceeds, and litigates complex civil forfeiture cases to recover assets on behalf of victims.
Substances were smuggled illegally from China into the U.S.
The Justice Department announced today that Jeffrey McIndoo, of Phoenix, and his company, JeffMac Investments LLC doing business as SARMS Pharm LLC (SARMS Pharm), has pleaded guilty to an information in connection with the illicit sale of potentially dangerous chemical substances known as “SARMs” – selective androgen receptor modulators that mimic the effects of anabolic steroids when ingested into the body. SARMs are not approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
“The Justice Department and its partners will continue to actively pursue companies and individuals who sell smuggled and potentially harmful substances to American consumers,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Smuggled SARMs have no place in the national marketplace, and we will endeavor to keep these substances out of the reach of consumers.”
McIndoo, the owner/operator of SARMS Pharm, admitted to introducing an unapproved drug into interstate commerce, while SARMS Pharm pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to smuggle SARMs from China into the United States. In total, between 2017 and 2022, SARMS Pharm earned gross profits totaling at least $3.5 million from selling SARMs. As part of its plea, SARMS Pharm agreed to forfeit $1.8 million the sum of the proceeds retained by the company.
The defendants pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Boyle for the District of Arizona. McIndoo faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison. As part of the plea agreements, JeffMac Investments LLC will shutter its business and will no longer smuggle or sell SARMS.
This case was investigated by FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel David Sullivan and Assistant Director Patrick Runkle of the Civil Division’s Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch.
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas – This year’s 951 graduates of U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s Command and General Staff Officer Course have jumped tracks on a railroad their careers from direct to organizational leaders.
This year’s class experienced reformed and modernized curriculum that reflected the rapid technological and tactical advancements dictated by the current operational environment.
They navigated unexpected learning environment and academic calendar shifts.
With more than 30 years of military and leadership experience, Lt. Gen. Jim Isenhower, Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Command and Fort Leavenworth, explained to the class, the responsibility placed on them as graduates of CGSOC is to be the conductor of the track, prepared through the academic rigor they conquered over the last 10 months.
“. . .You can influence all the way down to a private every day as a Battalion S3 or XO. And you’ve also got the opportunity and will be expected to influence all the way up to the senior leaders of our Army. You’re at the center. You are the most important demographic in our Army,” Isenhower said.
Lt. Gen. Jim Isenhower, Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Command and Fort Leavenworth, delivers the commencement address at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s Command and General Staff Officer Course graduation May 29, 2026, at the Lewis and Clark Center on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. More than 900 U.S., allied and partner nation service members, and interagency civilians graduated America’s School for War after the 10-month program. (U.S. Army photo by Dan Neal) (Photo Credit: Sarah Hauck)VIEW ORIGINAL
During his commencement address, Isenhower reflected on his leadership transition following his own CGSOC graduation.
Field-grade leadership was something he’d only observed, but quickly learned the impact, good or bad, would have lasting impressions on more than just his career.
A single conversation, and high-performing Soldier’s decision to leave service directly impacted Isenhower’s leadership style and view of field-grade officers.
He challenged each of the graduates to approach their next assignments with courage to challenge the late-night work parties, and missed bedtime stories.
The graduates are at pivotal times not only in their careers, Isenhower explained, but also in their lives.
Early in his own field-grade time Isenhower explained establishing non-negotiable working hours to ensure his teams were home, putting in their second shift of life, on a regular, predictable basis.
“… I realized field grades are stewards of the profession, and they have an obligation to inspire future service, not to discourage it…that shaped how I approached my field grade time,” Isenhower said.
The inspiration of service doesn’t stop within the walls of the unit headquarters, extending to those of the home.
According to Isenhower, nearly 30% of the Army’s volunteer force comes “from the Army”, emphasizing the example being set by graduates of true work-life balance.
Isenhower concluded with a reiteration of expectations of the graduates’ new leaders, which included performing at levels far beyond those of their peers, but also to establish leadership philosophies that focused on work-life balance and implemented through their own unwavering example.
“I’m already proud of what you’re going to do,” he said. “I think you and our families for taking this on and investing in all of our Soldiers and their families.”
The following individuals were recognized for their dedication to stewarding the Army profession:
BIRRER-BROOKES AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MMAS THESIS
Major Prabhat Mishra, India
MAJOR GENERAL HANS SCHLUP AWARD
Lieutenant Colonel Taleh S. F. H. H. Alrashid, Kuwait
MAJOR GENERAL JAMES M. WRIGHT MASTER SUSTAINER AWARD
Major Andrew L. Scholl, TC
GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR. AWARD
Major Jordan J. Downey, FA
HOMELAND SECURITY STUDIES AWARD
Major Shaun A. Kennedy, MS
EXCELLENCE IN JOINT SERVICE WARFARE AWARD
Major Alaina M. Brooks, USMC
BRIGADIER GENERAL BENJAMIN H. GRIERSON AWARD
Major Tara C. Santon, FA
FATHER DONALD W. SMYTHE MILITARY HISTORY AWARD
Major Luke F. Donaldson, FA
SIMONS CENTER INTERAGENCY WRITING AWARD
Major Scott A. Lovejoy, CH
GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL AWARD
Major Andrew L. Scholl, TC
GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER AWARD
Major Aleksander Granberg, Norway
GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR MILITARY LEADERSHIP WRITING AWARD
Major Prabhat Mishra, India
ARTER-DARBY MILITARY HISTORY WRITING AWARD
Major Paul D. Mackey, IN
ARTER-DONIPHAN AWARD
Major Aleksander Granberg, Norway
GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING AWARD
Major Aloysius J. Hunter, EN, USAR
IRON MAJOR AWARDS
Major Andrew W. Stoafer, IN (Male)
Major JaLyssa J. Walker, TC (Female)
AFCEA INFORMATION WARFARE WRITING AWARD
Major Ryan D. Menge, USAF
LIEUTENANT COLONEL BOYD MCCANNA “Mac” HARRIS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet and Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on June 1, 2026.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
The Civil Division issued the following statement on a recent ruling in the District of Rhode Island:
“Department of Justice attorneys are properly held to the highest standards of ethical conduct. In a May 13, 2026 order, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island accused Civil Division attorneys of misrepresenting or withholding information in litigation concerning certain administrative subpoenas.
“Such accusations against Department attorneys are rare and serious. The Department treats them accordingly and is committed to taking all appropriate remedial action where warranted.
“The Civil Division has thoroughly reviewed the District Court’s allegations and concluded that they are without merit. Our attorneys did not misrepresent facts, withhold relevant information, or otherwise mislead the Court. The Department stands behind its attorneys without reservation and has appealed the District Court’s erroneous order.”
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
An Alaskan man was sentenced today to 70 months in prison and 20 years of supervised release for trafficking in child pornography, including images of pre-pubescent children.
Anthaney O’Connor, 32, of Anchorage, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2025, to receipt of child pornography, also known as child sexual abuse material or “CSAM.” According to court documents, O’Connor received CSAM from another offender, who was an active-duty Airman stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The CSAM included images depicting prepubescent children. The two of them also planned to view CSAM together using a virtual reality system. In stored messages with this other offender, O’Connor explained that he could use images of real children and make them sexually explicit for use in this system, so that the user could experience a virtual simulation of what the images depicted. O’Connor also distributed CSAM to other individuals and possessed multiple images of obscene visual depictions of child sexual abuse of children that were created by artificial intelligence.
“Anthaney O’Connor not only received, consumed, and distributed depraved images depicting sexual abuse of young children, but actively collaborated to view the material in virtual reality,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He boasted about his ability to generate virtual reality simulations using images of real children. Some of the material he possessed was generated by sophisticated artificial intelligence tools. AI used in this criminal manner adds a new element to child sexual abuse crimes. The Criminal Division is already at the cutting edge to curb this dangerous avenue for child sexual abuse.”
“Possessing and exchanging CSAM, including AI-generated images of children, is an abhorrent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “Protecting children and dismantling this predatory industry is a top priority for my office, and Mr. O’Connor is another example of our aggressive efforts to stop such disgusting conduct. Let this serve as a clear reminder that we will relentlessly pursue anyone who endangers children, period.”
“Protecting our children from the depraved actions of individuals like O’Connor is a top priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schlegel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “O’Connor’s possession of real as well as AI-generated CSAM is alarming, abhorrent and will never be tolerated. The FBI will continue working aggressively with our partners to make sure those who harm our most vulnerable are held accountable for their crimes.”
The FBI and United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) investigated the case.
Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Caille Petursson of the District of Alaska prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A Texas man and woman pleaded guilty on Monday to operating a significant under-the-table cash payroll at their nationwide nail salon business.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Vinh Q. Ho, 53, and Thanh Lan Do, 34, owned and managed a business comprised of over 60 high-end nail salons across the United States, doing business as the Anthony Vince Nail Salons, Prive Nail Spas, and Zen Nail & Spas. Ho was the de-facto CEO and Do oversaw management of the salons.
The salons employed nail technicians, a significant portion of whose compensation was paid in cash. At the end of each year, the business prepared tax forms reporting each nail technician’s compensation. To help the technicians conceal that income and evade taxes, these forms did not include the cash compensation. Ho and Do trained salon managers to operate the under-the-table cash payroll. They also prepared false Forms 1099 and instructed employees to keep the true payroll hidden.
Ho also underreported income on his 2020 and 2021 individual income tax returns.
As part of his plea agreement, Do agreed that between 2016 and 2024, the nail salons paid over $116 million in cash compensation that was not reported to the IRS, which caused an estimated actual tax loss of at least $32 million.
Ho and Do both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, and Ho also pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. They are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Ho faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Do 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.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Community Care Health Network LLC, doing business as Matrix Medical Network (Matrix), DPN USA, doing business as HealthFair (HealthFair), and Shahriah “James” Ekbatani have agreed to pay a total of $56.5 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by causing the submission of false or invalid diagnosis codes to the Medicare Advantage program. Matrix will pay $36.5 million to resolve claims in a qui tam action filed in the Southern District of New York. HealthFair, which was acquired by Matrix, will pay $5 million and Ekbatani will pay $15 million to resolve claims in a qui tam action filed in the Eastern District of Texas.
The reactivation of the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) marked a new chapter in aircraft maintenance operations as the 355th, 365th and 18th Fighter Generation Squadrons (FGS) officially merged and deactivated during a ceremony at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, June 1, 2026.