Source: United States Department of Defense
This week in the Defense Department, a hotline for service members experiencing problems with permanent change of station moves went live, a military installation got a new name and changes came to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
Source: United States Airforce
Airmen from Little Rock AFB teamed up with Dyess AFB in DLE 2025, a large-scale training event and includes elements designed to test and refine the U.S. Air Force’s rapid global mobility capabilities.
Source: United States Airforce
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Wing shifted from training operations in northern Japan to deployment for crisis response operations in the Philippines.
Source: United States Spaceforce
In this week’s look around the Air Force, AFSOC hosts Emerald Warrior 25.2 as part of the DLE series, the TOC-Light capability gets an upgrade with the Major Release 2 prototype, and the DAF creates a new AF/A6 DCS office dedicated to warfighter comms. and cyber systems.
Source: United States Airforce
The Department of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management announced new strategic anchors July 30, designed to deliver resilient decision advantage to joint and coalition forces facing evolving challenges.
Source: United States Airforce
The first F-16 Fighting Falcons have relocated from Kunsan Air Base to Osan AB marking a major step in preparation for the continuation of the U.S. Air Force’s Super Squadron test.
Source: United States Airforce
The U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force are jointly operating ground-based command and control systems during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 to enhance military interoperability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Two alleged members of Free Money, a violent Houston-based street gang, were indicted yesterday in the Southern District of Texas for their alleged roles in the murder of one individual and attempted murder of another during a gang-related ambush.
According to court documents, Free Money members and associates engage in robbery, home invasions, drug distribution, and murder. The defendants, Terry Ardoin, 24, and Travonte Ardoin, 27, both of Houston, allegedly committed the murder in connection with an ongoing gang war with a rival group.
On June 24, 2022, in broad daylight, surveillance footage captured the Ardoins following a Chevrolet Equinox into a shopping center parking lot in a Black Nissan Altima. As alleged in court documents, the driver of the Equinox entered a nearby store while the passenger remained in the vehicle. When the driver returned, the Ardoins allegedly exited the Altima wearing masks and opened fire on both individuals.
Witnesses reported hearing numerous gunshots and described the distinct sound of a fully automatic weapon, believed to have been modified with a machine gun conversion device commonly referred to as a “switch.”
Multiple rounds struck the vehicle’s passenger compartment. Houston Police Department officers responded within minutes and found one victim deceased.
Terry and Travonte Ardoin are charged with murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and causing death through the use of a firearm. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of life in prison or a death sentence. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department.
Trial Attorney Ralph Paradiso of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Brown for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Houston. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Defense contractor Aero Turbine Inc., of Stockton, California, and private equity company Gallant Capital Partners LLC, of Los Angeles, have agreed to pay $1.75 million to resolve their liability under the False Claims Act for knowingly failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in an Aero Turbine contract with the Department of the Air Force. In connection with the settlement, the United States acknowledged that Aero Turbine and Gallant took significant steps entitling them to credit for cooperating with the government.
“Government contractors must follow required cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive defense information,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When defense contractors fail to comply with cybersecurity requirements, they can mitigate the consequences by making timely self-disclosures, cooperating with investigations, and taking prompt remedial measures.”
“Every defense contractor must provide adequate security to safeguard covered defense information,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez for the Eastern District of California. “We commend Aero Turbine and Gallant for disclosing the issue and promptly cooperating to address it. We encourage others to follow their example of self-reporting to resolve violations.”
“Protecting the integrity of the Department of Defense (DoD) procurement processes is a top priority for the DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” said Director Kelly Mayo of DCIS. “Failing to comply with DoD contract specifications and cybersecurity requirements puts DoD information and programs at risk of exploitation. DCIS will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate allegations of false claims on DoD contracts.”
“This case serves as a reminder that cybersecurity transcends mission sets. Ensuring companies adhere to robust cybersecurity safeguards is integral to maintaining the Air Force’s operational edge against adversaries,” said Special Agent in Charge Caroline Galinis of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Procurement Fraud Detachment 1. “AFOSI’s Procurement Fraud team, alongside investigative partner agencies and the Department of Justice, played a critical role in protecting U.S. national security interests.”
The settlement resolves the liability of Aero Turbine and Gallant under the False Claims Act for knowingly submitting or causing others to submit false or fraudulent claims for payment on a Department of the Air Force contract, which were allegedly false or fraudulent because they had not complied with the contract’s cybersecurity requirements. From January 2018 to February 2020, Aero Turbine allegedly failed to implement certain cybersecurity controls in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171 that, if not implemented, could lead to significant exploitation of the system or exfiltration of sensitive defense information.
In addition, from June to July 2019, Aero Turbine and Gallant allegedly failed to control the flow of, and limit unauthorized access to, sensitive defense information by providing a software company based in Egypt with files containing such information, even though the software company and its foreign citizen personnel were not authorized to receive sensitive defense information under the Air Force contract. After learning of the issues, Aero Turbine and Gallant provided the government with multiple written self-disclosures, cooperated with the government’s investigation of the issues, and took prompt remedial action.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, DCIS, AFOSI, and the Air Force Materiel Command Law Office Procurement Fraud Division. The matter was handled by Fraud Section attorneys Robin Overby and Christopher Terranova and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Thiess.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Note: Read the Settlement here.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Today, the Department of Justice announced the launch of the Backpage remission process to compensate victims whose trafficking was facilitated through the Backpage.com website. This marks the largest remission process to date to compensate victims of human trafficking.
“Backpage.com facilitated the exploitation of women and children as one of the largest online advertisers for commercial sex and sex trafficking over its 14-year existence,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Backpage and its executives made millions off the trafficking of victims. Today’s announcement underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to use forfeiture to take the profit out of crime and to compensate victims.”
“Backpage used its position as the leading commercial sex advertisement website to make millions of dollars through their corrupt and heinous peddling of people,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona. “The District of Arizona was proud to hold its executives accountable though criminal convictions and is proud to continue our efforts by forfeiting those ill-gotten gains to compensate real victims.”
“Today’s announcement shows the FBI’s commitment to ensuring that those who profit from human trafficking face the consequences of their actions,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “We will continue to work alongside partners to thwart this industry by decimating its capacity for monetary gain while seeking safeguards for its victims.”
“Sex trafficking is one of the most horrific crimes we confront as a society,” said Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation. “While traffickers try to operate in the shadows, the money always leaves a trail—and that’s where we come in. IRS-CI is committed to following that financial trail to expose criminal networks and help bring justice to survivors. We’re proud to work with our federal partners to dismantle those who profit from exploitation. Victims in this case should file their petitions by Feb. 2, 2026, to access the compensation they rightfully deserve.”
From 2004 to April 2018, criminals used Backpage.com as an online platform to facilitate commercial sex and sex trafficking, including trafficking of minors. In April 2018, the government seized Backpage.com. To date, Backpage.com, its owners, and key executives and businesses related to the platform have been found guilty of criminal offenses, including conspiring to facilitate unlawful commercial sex using a facility in interstate or foreign commerce and money laundering, and have been sentenced to federal terms of imprisonment.
In December 2024, the Department of Justice forfeited over $200 million in assets traceable to Backpage’s profits. These funds are now available to compensate victims for eligible losses. The Department of Justice has retained Epiq Global Inc. (Epiq) to serve as the Remission Administrator for this matter.
Victims whose sex trafficking was facilitated through advertisements posted on Backpage.com between Jan. 1, 2004, and April 6, 2018, and who incurred financial losses related to their trafficking may be eligible for remission. Individuals, their representatives, or estates of deceased victims may file a petition online or may obtain a Petition Form online at https://www.backpageremission.com/. Victims may also call, email, or write to the Remission Administrator to request that a Petition Form be sent to them.
The deadline to file a petition for remission is Feb, 2, 2026. For more information about the remission process – including eligibility requirements, updates, and frequently asked questions – please visit the official website at https://www.backpageremission.com/ or contact Epiq at 1-888-859-9206 toll-free, or 1-971-316-5053 for international calls, charges may apply. The Remission Administrator and the Justice Department will not ask for any payment to participate in this remission process.
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the FBI, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) investigated this matter.
Senior Trial Attorney Austin Berry of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rapp with assistance on forfeiture from Joseph Bozdech of the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Galatzan, Chief of the Central District of California’s Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section, handled the asset forfeiture aspects of the related civil cases. Special Agent Richard Robinson of IRS-CI, Special Agent Desirae Tolhurst of the FBI, USPIS Inspectors Lyndon Versoza and Quoc Thai, and Analyst Jane Chung with the Joint Regional Intelligence Center, spearheaded the investigation.
The Department of Justice, through the Asset Forfeiture Program, works diligently to compensate victims of crime. Since 2000, the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), which oversees the Asset Forfeiture Program’s victim compensation program, has successfully used its specialized expertise to return more than $12 billion in forfeited assets to victims of crime. MLARS Senior Attorney Advisor Jane K. Lee and Attorney Advisor Brittany R. Van Camp with the section’s Program Management and Training Unit are leading the remission process.