Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

Defense News: Alaska Army National Guard rescues overdue snowmachiner

Source: United States Army

BETHEL, Alaska – An Alaska Army National Guard aircrew assigned to Bethel conducted a successful search-and-rescue mission to locate and extract an overdue snowmachiner during a mission coordinated through the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center.

The mission began Feb. 15 in response to a request for assistance from the Alaska State Troopers to search for an overdue snowmachiner who had been riding north of Pilot Station. The Alaska Army National Guard accepted the mission through the AKRCC and launched a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter from Bethel to search the area.

The aircrew searched for approximately three and a half hours, covering more than 100 square miles of terrain before locating the individual about 110 miles north of Bethel, roughly 30 miles east of his last known location.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nick Lime, one of the aircrew members involved in the mission, said the team first located the individual on the evening of Feb. 15 but was unable to immediately extract him because of challenging terrain and fuel limitations.

“We located him that night, and another crew member and I snowshoed about half a mile trying to link up with him,” Lime said. “But with fuel running low and the deep snow conditions, we couldn’t make it all the way in, so we dropped a survival radio and some water to make sure he could stay in contact and had what he needed overnight.”

On the morning of Feb. 16, with a storm approaching, the Army Guard aircrew returned to the area to deliver additional supplies.

“There was a storm coming in, so we flew up to drop supplies,” Lime said. “We were concerned about him being able to hold out in those conditions.”

Using the previously dropped radio, the aircrew reestablished communications with the stranded snowmachiner. He had managed to free his snowmachine but reported that his feet were hurting and freezing.

“We got him to ride it about 100 to 150 yards closer to the trail we had made the night before,” Lime said.

The crew then dropped a set of snowshoes to help him continue moving. When the snowmachine became stuck again, members of the aircrew transitioned to movement on foot.

“Once on the ground, I snowshoed another quarter mile to him,” Lime said. “I was able to link up with him and walk him back to the hawk.”

As Lime made his way toward the stranded snowmachiner, the Black Hawk pilots remained in radio communication with the individual, encouraging him to keep moving and work his way closer to the aircraft.

After reaching the aircraft, the crew brought the individual aboard and transported him to a medical facility in Bethel for evaluation.

The mission highlights the close coordination between the Alaska State Troopers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center and the Alaska Army National Guard, as well as the aircrew’s ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions in remote winter terrain.

National Guard Website – http://www.nationalguard.mil

National Guard Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

National Guard X – https://x.com/USNationalGuard

National Guard Flickr – https//www.flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

National Guard YouTube – https//www.youtube.com/TheNationalGuard

National Guard Instagram – https//instagram.com/us.nationalguard

Posted on

Downey Man Arrested on Federal Complaint Alleging He Groomed Girls into Producing Sexually Explicit Videos that Featured Self-Harm

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A Downey man has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with coercing, inducing, and enticing minor girls to create and send him sexually explicit videos – one of them he groomed to film herself engage in self-harm and self-humiliation, images he shared with others online, the Justice Department announced today. 

Posted on

Nuclear Weapons Engineer Sentenced for Orchestrating 15-Year Kickback Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A Kansas man was sentenced yesterday to 29 months in prison for conspiring to fraudulently steer and award subcontracts by a major engineering firm for work on nuclear weapons manufacturing projects for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC).

“For more than a decade, the defendant exchanged his integrity and his employer’s trust for kickbacks from a dishonest contractor,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “To satisfy his greed, he corruptly steered contracts that were essential to ensuring the integrity of the nation’s nuclear weapons. Yesterday’s sentence reaffirms the Criminal Division’s commitment to rooting out fraud and corruption related to the procurement and manufacture of critically important products and services for the federal government and, ultimately, for United States taxpayers and to holding those accountable who commit these acts.”

“The Department of Energy Office of Inspector General (DOE-OIG) is committed to ensuring the integrity of Departmental contracts and programs,” said Department of Energy Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Lewe Sessions. “We take allegations of fraud and kickbacks very seriously and will aggressively investigate these matters to ensure integrity throughout DOE programs. We appreciate the efforts of the DOJ in pursuing these allegations and will continue our collaboration with the DOJ to investigative those engaged in fraud or corruption in Department programs.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Michael Clinesmith, 70, of Overland Park, Kansas, solicited and received kickbacks and bribes from Richard Mueller, 65, of St. Charles, Missouri, in exchange for steering subcontracts from Clinesmith’s employer to Mueller’s company (Subcontractor 1). Clinesmith, a long-tenured employee of a major engineering firm (Company 1) working at the KCNSC, was responsible for designing and procuring gages that were specially designed and manufactured to measure the components of nuclear weapons.

Mueller paid Clinesmith over $1 million for surreptitiously performing some or all of the work and, in exchange, Clinesmith used his position and authority at Company 1 to steer gage subcontracts to Subcontractor 1. Clinesmith told Mueller how much money he wanted to perform work under the gage subcontracts, and Subcontractor 1 included those amounts in its bids to Company 1. Clinesmith then approved those bids and told his employer, Company 1, that those bids were fair and reasonable without disclosing that, in exchange for the subcontracts, Mueller would secretly funnel to Clinesmith money awarded to Subcontractor 1. In addition, Clinesmith provided Mueller with insider information, like Company 1’s budget for the gage subcontracts, that Subcontractor 1 used to its advantage when bidding on the subcontracts. In total, Clinesmith accepted over $1.2 million in kickbacks over the course of approximately 15 years.

In October 2025, Clinesmith was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud.   

The DOE-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Andrew Jaco and Shy Jackson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

Posted on

Justice Department Files Case to Revoke U.S. Citizenship of Immigration Fraudster and Former Mayor of North Miami

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida announced that it has filed a civil denaturalization complaint in the U.S. District Court in Miami, against Phillipe Bien-Amie, also known as Jean Philippe Janvier, a native of Haiti who used two identities to procure immigration benefits — and eventually acquire U.S. citizenship — after illegally entering the U.S.

Posted on

Notary Sentenced to 57 Months’ Imprisonment for Real Estate Fraud Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Memphis, TN – Shaneika Seymore, 41, of Memphis, has been sentenced to federal prison for her part in a real estate fraud scheme. Seymore previously pleaded guilty on April 16, 2025 to one count of mail fraud, one count of bank fraud, and one count of making a materially false statement. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.According to information presented in Court, Seymore notarized multiple fraudulent quitclaim deeds which purported to transfer ownership from the true homeowners to Seymore and her… 

Posted on

Defense News: “Artist of the Month” is back with a photo exhibit at new location

Source: United States Army

VICENZA, Italy – Five soldiers, who are more accustomed to military exercises, are now displaying their artistic abilities in a new exhibit at the Java Café and 5:01 Bistro on Caserma Ederle. The event marks the return of the “Artist of the Month” program, and it is the first time the work of Soldiers from the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program is being showcased in such a public venue.

“Typically, this event would be to highlight one artist,” said Michelle Sterkowicz, U.S. Army Garrison Italy Program Manager for Morale, Welfare and Recreation Ederle Art Center.

According to her, this time, though, the event was special, “because it is coming back after a pause and the location is the biggest difference, as previous ‘Artist of the Month; exhibits were within the Art Center.”

Sterkowicz envisions that from now on there will be space for a variety of mediums and will give the Java Café and 5:01 Bistro an opportunity to host local artists and have rotating displays.

“Just like you see in bars and cafes in Centro, [downtown Vicenza] we too will have local artists on display within USAG Italy,” she continued.

VICENZA, Italy – A member of the Vicenza Military Community attends the opening night Feb. 4, 2026, of the “Artist of the Month” at the Java Café and 5:01 Bistro on Caserma Ederle.
Five Soldiers from the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program have the opportunity to display their artistic abilities in a new exhibit that marks the return of the “Artist of the Month” program,
The event is part of collaboration between the BOSS program and the Ederle Art Center. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider) VIEW ORIGINAL

The collaboration between the BOSS program and the Ederle Art Center created a supportive outlet for Soldiers and the VMC to display their art to the local community, explained Cathy Towers, USAG Italy MWR Special Events & BOSS advisor.

“This initiative provides a non-verbal medium for self-expression and encourages the development of new skills and personal interests,” she said. Towers also highlighted that the Soldier community on post is incredibly talented. “We encourage all Soldiers to display their artwork and connect with the community.”

VICENZA, Italy – The collaboration between the U.S. Army Garrison Italy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Art Center on Caserma Ederle and the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) brought back the “Artist of the Month” program at a new location Feb. 4, 2026. In the upcoming months, there will be space to host local artists and have rotating displays at the Java Café and 5:01 Bistro on Caserma Ederle. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider) VIEW ORIGINAL

Participants in this first event included: Spc. Harry J. Burgos Santiago, 3rd Platoon, 108th Military Police Company; Spc. Alex Smith and Spc. Jacob Commodari, MOD, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade; Pfc. Josue Martinez, C Company MOD, 173rd Abn. Bde.; and Maj. Jon Vandeveer, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa.

All of them share an interest in photography, while exploring local areas, such as the Dolomites, Lake Garda or Vicenza.

“I got into photography as a way to slow time down, capturing details, emotions and stories that might otherwise be overlooked,” said Martinez, one of the participants. “What started as curiosity became a way of seeing the world more clearly and intentionally through my lens.”

While explaining his image “Sforza Castle” to attendants at the Feb. 4 opening night, Vandeveer, another participant, said that he has pursued photography for many years as a creative outlet, focusing on nature and architecture. His image was taken in Milan, during an Outdoor Recreation trip.

“I am drawn to capturing unique perspectives that encourage others to see familiar places in new ways,” said Vandeveer.

“Living in Vicenza has strongly influenced my work, particularly the city’s historic architecture and the moments discovered while exploring on foot.”

For those interested in participating in the upcoming “Artist of the Month” events, reach out to the Art Center at EderleArtCenter@gmail.com

The next “Artist of the Month”:

*March will be focusing on “National Crafting Month,” so anyone who has a craft to share is welcome to participate (as space allows).

*April will be focusing on “Month of the Military Child” with a youth and teen exhibit. (instead of the first Wednesday, the meet & greet for April will be on the second Wednesday due to spring break)

*June will be dedicated to the annual “Gallery at the Garrison.”

**May TBD

Posted on

Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office and Other U.S. Victims

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Yesterday, a Romanian national pleaded guilty in connection with an online intrusion into an Oregon state government office in 2021 and other cyber attacks on U.S. victims.

According to court documents, Catalin Dragomir, 45, formerly of Constanta, Romania, sold access to a computer on the network of an Oregon state government office after obtaining unauthorized access to it in June of 2021. During the sale of access to the computer, Dragomir provided the prospective buyer with samples of personal identifying information from the computer. He also sold access to the computer networks of numerous other victims in the U.S., causing losses of at least $250,000.

Dragomir was arrested in Romania in Nov. 2024 and extradited to the United States in Jan. 2025.

Dragomir pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining information from a protected computer and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for obtaining information from a protected computer, to be followed by a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Portland Field Office is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Alison M. Zitron of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken for the District of Oregon are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, and the Romanian judiciary to secure the arrest and extradition of Dragomir. The Department of Justice also thanks Darkweb IQ for its assistance with the investigation.

CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.

Posted on

Former NFL Player and Laboratory Owner Convicted in $328M Genetic Testing Fraud Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A federal jury in Dallas convicted a Texas laboratory owner and former NFL player yesterday for his role in a $328 million cardiovascular genetic testing fraud scheme.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Keith J. Gray, 39, of McKinney, Texas, orchestrated a scheme to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic tests designed to evaluate the risk of various cardiovascular diseases and conditions. Gray, the owner and operator of two clinical laboratories, Axis Professional Labs LLC (Axis), and Kingdom Health Laboratory LLC (Kingdom), offered and paid kickbacks to marketers in exchange for their referral of Medicare beneficiaries’ DNA samples, personally identifiable information (including Medicare numbers) and signed test orders from medical providers authorizing the medically unnecessary genetic tests. As part of the scheme, the marketers engaged other companies to solicit Medicare beneficiaries through telemarketing and to engage in “doctor chase,” i.e., to obtain the identity of beneficiaries’ primary care physicians and pressure them into approving genetic testing orders for patients who purportedly had already been “qualified” for the testing during telephone calls conducted by non-medical personnel at one of the companies retained by the marketers — not by their physicians.

In an effort to conceal the kickback payments, Gray used sham contracts and invoices that purported to charge for “marketing” hours but that in reality were reverse-engineered to match the amounts agreed to under the illegal per-sample kickback arrangement. Gray also sought to conceal the scheme by, among other things, referring to the payments as being for “software” and loans that never existed. Evidence at trial included text messages between Gray and his co-conspirator becoming giddy over the amount of money they were making from Medicare. For example, Gray’s co-conspirator stated, “$ent, you should have it any minute if you don’t already. Get it?” Gray responded, “Sorry I was filling my bathtub with ones. Yes lol.”

Axis and Kingdom billed Medicare approximately $328 million for the false, fraudulent and kickback-tainted genetic testing claims, of which Medicare paid approximately $54 million. Gray laundered some of the proceeds by purchasing expensive luxury vehicles, including a Dodge Ram truck worth more than $142,000 and a Mercedes Benz SUV worth more than $145,000.

The jury convicted Gray of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks, five counts of violating the Anti-Kickback Statute and three counts of money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Gray faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count. 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; Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI Dallas Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) Dallas Region; Chief William Marlowe of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU); and Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), South Central Field Office, made the announcement.

The FBI, HHS-OIG, MFCU and VA-OIG investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Ethan Womble and Adam Tisdall of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Posted on

Justice Department Sues OhioHealth for Anticompetitive Healthcare Contracts That Increase Costs for Ohio Patients

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Lawsuit Seeks to Reduce Healthcare Costs in Ohio by Allowing Patients, Employers, and Health Insurers to Choose Lower Cost Healthcare Options

The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, together with the Attorney General of Ohio, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today challenging OhioHealth Corporation’s (OhioHealth) anticompetitive contract restrictions that force Ohio patients to pay higher prices for healthcare.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, seeks to enjoin OhioHealth, the largest healthcare system in central Ohio, from enforcing its anticompetitive contractual terms and continuing to suppress healthcare competition.

“Americans deserve low-cost, high-quality healthcare – not anticompetitive hospital system contracts that make healthcare less affordable,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice will continue taking legal action to protect consumers and drive down healthcare costs across America.”

“Competition for healthcare is vital to all Americans,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “This lawsuit challenges anticompetitive contract restrictions that prevent consumers from choosing lower-cost health plans and severely limit consumers’ access to price information. These restrictions cause many Columbus residents to pay more for lower-quality healthcare. American families and consumers deserve better. I appreciate the partnership with Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to challenge these restrictions as we work together to open this important market to the very real benefits of open competition.”

As alleged in the complaint, OhioHealth uses its market power to impose contractual restrictions that impede or completely prevent insurers from offering innovative and money-saving health-insurance plans or plan features. OhioHealth generally forces insurers to include OhioHealth in all of the networks for the commercial insurance products they offer, regardless of how OhioHealth’s prices compare to its competitors, preventing the development of budget-conscious plans in the Columbus area. Without these lower cost and innovative plan options that empower patients to save money by selecting lower-cost providers who still provide high-quality care, patients and employers are faced with fewer health plan choices and higher costs.

OhioHealth owns or manages 16 hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout the State of Ohio.