From March 23 to March 27, ICITAP delivered a Financial Investigative Techniques for Transnational Crime and Money Laundering training course in Budva, in partnership with U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation specialists. The course convened twenty-eight participants from police, prosecution, tax, and anti-corruption institutions, strengthening their capacity to detect, analyze, and prosecute complex financial crimes tied to transnational networks. Building on earlier foundational and corruption-focused trainings, this advanced instruction emphasized tracing illicit financial flows, identifying money laundering patterns, and calculating criminal proceeds with evidentiary rigor. By elevating technical expertise and interagency coordination, ICITAP plays a central role in aligning partner capabilities with U.S. law enforcement standards, enabling joint efforts to disrupt criminal enterprises that exploit global financial systems. Strengthened investigative capacity in Montenegro directly advances U.S. national security by reducing safe havens for organized crime and limiting illicit financial flows that can support corruption, sanctions evasion, and other destabilizing activities affecting American citizens and businesses abroad. Enhanced cooperation between police and prosecutors improves case development, increasing accountability and deterrence against actors who threaten international stability and legitimate commerce. Through sustained mentoring and training, ICITAP fosters durable partnerships and intelligence sharing that help identify and dismantle networks targeting U.S. interests and investments. These efforts protect the integrity of the international financial system while reinforcing rule of law institutions abroad, delivering tangible security benefits at home and overseas, with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Jerry Lee Anderson of Spring, and Orlin Wilfredo Padilla-Murillo, an illegal alien from Honduras, were sentenced to a total of over 29 years in federal prison this week for their roles in a smuggling operation that resulted in the deaths of two illegal aliens
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Ludwin Borgen (49, Apollo Beach) guilty of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Borgen faces a minimum penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 16, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A previously removed illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced today to five years’ imprisonment after he possessed and intended to distribute approximately 17 pounds of methamphetamine and illegally reentered the United States after being removed in 2020.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Billy Wayne Williams, age 47, of Wister, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to charges relating to the shooting of a Webbers Falls police officer in March of 2025.On April 1, 2026, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, punishable by no less than 10 years consecutive to any other sentence imposed and a $250,000 fine.The Indictment alleged that on or about March 16, 2025, Williams assaulted the victim with intent to commit murder.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN DIEGO – Ziyue Zhao, aka “Chris Zhao,” pleaded guilty in federal court today and admitted he participated in a $65 million fraud and money laundering scheme targeting elderly victims across the United States, including in San Diego. Zhao, a Chinese national, is the first defendant to plead guilty following a nationwide takedown in August 2025 of 28 alleged members of a Chinese organized crime ring.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN DIEGO – Jiandong Chen, aka “Little Tiger,” pleaded guilty in federal court today and admitted he participated in a $27 million fraud and money laundering scheme targeting approximately 2,000 elderly victims across the United States. Chen, a Chinese national, is the second defendant charged in a five-defendant indictment unsealed in 2024. According to public documents, members of the conspiracy operated a series of technical support, bank impersonation, government impersonation and refund scams targeting elderly victims. Victims received unsolicited phone calls, emails, and pop-up ads directing victims to call a phone number. Unbeknownst to the victims, those phone numbers belonged to India-based scam call centers.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
ERIC D. COX, 43, of Southington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 29 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for firearm and narcotics offenses stemming from a shooting in Hartford in 2020.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
HUACHUN ZHENG, also known as “Ri Yuan,” 43, a citizen of China last residing in Queens, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment for offenses related to a series of vehicle thefts from dealerships utilizing personal information from identity theft victims.
VICENZA, Italy — U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) placed innovation at the center of this year’s African Land Forces Summit, held in Rome, Italy, March 22–24. With more than 30 African partner nations represented, the summit served as a strategic platform for discussing shared security challenges, strengthening land force cooperation and accelerating modernization across the continent.
The event highlighted SETAF-AF’s three most forward-leaning organizations: the Advanced Capabilities Directorate, the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s Bayonet Innovation Team, as well as the Joint Theater Forensics Analysis Center. Together, these teams demonstrated how emerging technologies, rapid experimentation and applied science are shaping the future of land operations in Africa.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), thanks the SETAF-AF command and staff after the closing ceremony of African Land Forces Summit 2026, Rome, Italy, March 24, 2026. SETAF-AF, on behalf of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, hosted ALFS26 in Rome from March 22–24. The event brings together senior African military leaders, global industry innovators, and investors to strengthen regional security through new partnerships and technologies. Under the theme “Empowering shared security through intelligence, innovation, and industry,” the summit is designed to bridge the gap between defense institutions and the private sector, moving beyond traditional procurement to emphasize dual-use technologies and non-traditional partnerships. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone)VIEW ORIGINAL
“ALFS is an annual summit where land force commanders from Africa meet with U.S. senior military leaders and multinational partners to discuss shared security concerns,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Smolucha, lead planner of ALFS 2026, Security Cooperation Directorate, SETAF-AF. “This year was different because we brought private industry, innovators, academia and investors, all with the intent to engage defense economics in Africa.”
Throughout the summit, SETAF-AF’s ACD, BIT and JTFAC personnel demonstrated their forward-leaning capabilities to summit participants, industry leaders and African partners.
“The summit sought to first define the security threat, and how intelligence gathering can address that threat,” Smolucha said. “From there, we deliberately focused on innovation, drone usage and counter drones, which heavily involves the industrial base.”
The JTFAC team emphasized that intelligence gathering requires adaptability above all else.
Burundi Maj. Gen. Jean Claude Niyiburana, Burundi National Defence Force, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Eric Haas, commander at the National Ground Intelligence Center, demo tech at industry booths during the African Land Forces Summit in the African Land Forces Summit 2026 (ALFS26), Rome, Italy, March 23, 2026. The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, will host the African Land Forces Summit 2026 in Rome from March 22–24. The event brings together senior African military leaders, global industry innovators, and investors to strengthen regional security through new partnerships and technologies. Under the theme “Empowering shared security through intelligence, innovation, and industry,” the summit is designed to bridge the gap between defense institutions and the private sector, moving beyond traditional procurement to emphasize dual-use technologies and non-traditional partnerships. (U.S. Army Spc. John Garcia) (Photo Credit: Spc. John Garcia)VIEW ORIGINAL
“All of the captured exploitable material that we analyze can be used in prosecutions, for law enforcement support,” said Lydia Benyam, JTFAC’s laboratory manager. “We use a customizable ‘fly-away’ kit, which teams utilize to collect forensic material, whether on land, air or sea. This feeds directly into the intelligence cycle through databases and information sharing, and assists with force protection of U.S. personnel and partner forces.”
The lab’s job is to interpret forensic material precisely and quickly. As the only deployable forensic laboratory supporting U.S. Africa Command, JTFAC provides rapid, expeditionary analysis that helps the joint force identify threat networks, track illicit activity and strengthen rule-of-law outcomes.
Whether it’s DNA or biometrics, electronic exploitation or material analysis, Benyam said the JTFAC brings scientific tools to the tactical edge.
Joining Benyam at the summit, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Ethan Burdette, a member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s BIT, also discussed his team’s role in providing innovative solutions to security challenges.
“I received a degree in unmanned aircraft systems science,” Burdette said. “The brigade was looking for what I could bring to the table in developing first-person-view drone technology, and commercial off-the-shelf intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms as well.”
The 173rd has procured the materials and manufactured in-house drones since March 2025, making history with the U.S. Army’s first drone-on-drone kill at a live-fire event in August 2025.
U.S. Army Col. Scot Tebo, command surgeon, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), trys on tech at the industry booths during the African Land Forces Summit 2026 in Rome, Italy, March 23, 2026. SETAF-AF, on behalf of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, will host the ALFS 2026 in Rome from March 22–24. The event brings together senior African military leaders, global industry innovators, and investors to strengthen regional security through new partnerships and technologies. Under the theme “Empowering shared security through intelligence, innovation, and industry,” the summit is designed to bridge the gap between defense institutions and the private sector, moving beyond traditional procurement to emphasize dual-use technologies and non-traditional partnerships. (U.S. Army Spc. John Garcia) (Photo Credit: Spc. John Garcia)VIEW ORIGINAL
“Engaging with African partners and industry professionals at ALFS 2026 gives us a chance to show the world that we are ready, empowered and disciplined,” Burdette said.
ALFS participants conducted many bilateral discussions with industry and partner nations seeking to expand their own modernization pathways. Many of these conversations focused on how small, incremental advancements, such as improved data-sharing mechanisms or modular communications kits, can have significant impact on operational readiness.
“Along with the JTFAC and BIT, the Advanced Capabilities Directorate focused on the future innovations that SETAF-AF will need to address security challenges,” Smolucha said.
This year’s summit theme, “Empowering shared security through intelligence, innovation and industry,” aligns closely with SETAF-AF’s strategic priorities. The ACD emphasized that technology alone cannot solve complex security challenges. Instead, progress depends on trust, interoperability and shared understanding.
“This year’s ALFS represents a fundamental shift from aid to trade,” Smolucha said. “We want independent partners who are strong, well equipped and well trained. This doesn’t come without trust and ongoing communication.”
Benyam echoed this sentiment, highlighting the human dimension of scientific cooperation.
“Forensics is ultimately about people — protecting them, empowering them and helping them pursue justice,” Benyam said. “Our partnerships in Africa are built on mutual trust and respect. It’s a shared commitment to stability.”
As ALFS 2026 concluded, SETAF-AF leaders emphasized that the summit is not an endpoint but a catalyst. The engagements, demonstrations and technical exchanges that took place in Rome will inform future exercises, experimentation events and capacity-building initiatives across the continent.
“What we achieved here at ALFS was a demonstration of our commitment,” Smolucha said. “We also facilitated a change in our partners’ mindset, especially in bringing industry and investors to the summit.”
The next visible proof of this ongoing commitment comes this spring at Exercise African Lion, held in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, where the capabilities of SETAF-AF’s ACD, BIT and JTFAC teams will be on full display, honing their skills together with partner nations.
“ALFS can be seen as a springboard for innovation through defense economics, one that starts here at the summit and flows right into our military exercises in Africa throughout the year,” Smolucha said.
For SETAF-AF, the summit’s message was clear: Innovation is not a buzzword — it is a responsibility. ALFS 2026 showcased that SETAF-AF continues to ensure U.S. and African land forces are equipped, informed and connected for the future battlefield.
U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.