Category: Security

Source: US FBI

CLEVELAND, OH—FBI Cleveland announced it is seeking candidates to fill two positions during a mission-critical hiring campaign for its downtown Cleveland field office:

Data Analyst

This on-site role is well suited for the candidate with coding, mathematics, statistics, data analysis, and data visualization experience. Candidates must have the following education or combination of education and work experience, including a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university in:

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Information Science
• Information Systems Management
• Mathematics
• Operations Research
• Statistics – Technology Management

or, a combination of education and experience, to include 24 course hours in one or more of the fields above. Starting at $44k – range to $123,584

Digital Operations Specialist

This role is ideal for the technical expert who will serve on our investigative teams and specialize in criminals’ use of technology. The incumbent will be skilled in computer science and familiarity with different operating systems, physical computer components and architectures, virtual machines, and scripting. Additionally, have knowledge of networking and routing protocols, network securities methodologies, and operations of various communications media, and knowledge of common computer and network methods of infection, and attack methods and techniques.

Candidates must have a combination of education and work experience, including a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college in a related discipline. Starting at $55k – range to $90k.

The FBI offers a full suite of benefits, including annual leave, 11 federal holidays, sick leave starting at 13 days, Military and Parental leave, wellness hours, and free on-site parking. For a complete listing of benefits and FBI employment eligibility requirements, visit FBIjobs.gov.

Interested candidates for these positions can send their resumes directly to the hiring manager at Applicants.cv@fbi.gov with the name of the position in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

The FBI is the nation’s premier law enforcement agency with a worldwide presence and 56 field offices across the United States and serves to uphold the U.S. Constitution and protect the American Public. FBI Cleveland covers the 40 northern-most counties of the state encompassing close to 6 million people and is home to over 300 Special Agents and professional staff among its downtown Cleveland headquarters and eight resident agencies.

Source: US FBI

CLEVELAND – An indictment was unsealed charging two Ohio men with a bribery scheme in which a municipal prosecutor agreed to help a criminal defendant with his pending cases in exchange for auto repair work.

According to the indictment, Nicholas Graham, 52, of Warren, was a prosecutor who represented the City of Warren in Warren Municipal Court. Brian Votino, 52, of Niles, had two criminal cases pending in the same court. The indictment alleges that in October 2019, Graham and Votino agreed that Graham would take action to benefit Votino with respect to Votino’s criminal cases in return for Votino performing repairs to Graham’s truck. To cover up the bribery arrangement, Graham instructed Votino through an intermediary to falsify a bill for the repair services and not to tell Votino’s criminal defense lawyer. According to the indictment, Graham and Votino ultimately carried out their agreement. In exchange for the repair work by Votino, Graham took official action to reduce the charges against Votino and advocated for a lenient sentence.

Graham and Votino are charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of honest services wire fraud, and one count of Hobbs Act extortion. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio; and Special Agent in Charge Gregory D. Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Division made the announcement.

The FBI Cleveland Division is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Blake J. Ellison of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: US FBI

Dustin Michael Joseph was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to coerce a child to engage in prostitution.

Source: US FBI

Over 600 American flags will line the walkway along Edgewater Park during the fifth annual Flags for Honor event sponsored by the FBI Cleveland Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association.

FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen will be among several leaders delivering remarks during the opening ceremony at noon Wednesday, September 11, on the south walking path of the lower level of Edgewater Park.

Earlier in the morning, volunteers will install 600 American flags, creating a stunning display of patriotism. Each flag is complete with a medallion honoring active and fallen FBI agents, military personnel, police, firefighters, medical professionals, teachers, coaches, friends, and family.

The opening ceremony, free and open to the public, will officially begin the five-day Flags for Honor display.

This year’s speakers include:

• Father Doug Brown, Cleveland Police chaplain
• Greg Nelsen, special agent in charge, FBI Cleveland
• Anthony Luke, chief, Cleveland Fire Department
• Captain Mitch Houser, Euclid Police Department
• Dawn Derbin, mother of Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin
• Captain Tim Maffo-Judd, Cleveland Police Department, Jamieson Ritter

“As today marks 23 years since the tragic events of 9/11, we have since found heroes are among us all: Those who lost their lives because of the terrorist attacks in NYC, the Pentagon, and Shanksville; the 610 names on each flag you’ll see; and the many names you’ll hear during today’s honor call that represent fallen Northeastern Ohio veterans. Countless people. Many sacrifices. One common bond. Giving selflessly. Each year, I’m also amazed at the outpouring of commitment and dedication of the many volunteers who make this event happen so that you—and I will truly, never forget,” said Nelsen.

Flags for Honor will be on display through Saturday night, September 14.

For more information, go to flagsforhonor.org or contact John C KikolPresident of the FBICLECAAA at 440-263-8121.

About the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association

The mission of the FBI Cleveland Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association (FBICLECAAA) is to support the law enforcement community at the federal, state, and local levels. The funds raised from Flags for Honor support scholarships to students attending Tri-C Police Academy, donations to seriously injured Cleveland Safety Forces in Line of Duty incidents, and initiatives with Camp Forbes in an effort to encourage conversation between the students and law enforcement. 

The FBICLECAAA is a branch of the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association, separate and apart from the FBI.

Source: US FBI

TOLEDO, Ohio – Aron McKillips, 30, of Sandusky, Ohio, was sentenced to 41 months in prison by Judge James G. Carr, after pleading guilty to interstate communication of threats and unlawful possession of a machine gun.

McKillips pleaded guilty to the offenses in court on April 9, 2024. According to court documents, from September 2021 to July 2022, McKillips made at least five online threats to harm or kill law enforcement officers. In one such threat, he submitted a photo he took from his residence while aiming a semi-automatic rifle at an officer who was parked in a police vehicle further down the street who was there to assist residents on an unrelated matter.

 Additionally, McKillips unlawfully possessed a machine gun, specifically, a drop-in auto sear that could convert an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle into a fully automatic machinegun. Expert testing confirmed that the sear allowed multiple rounds to be fired with a single pull of the trigger.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division-Toledo Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford for the Northern District of Ohio.

If you witness threatening behavior toward members of law enforcement, visit tips.fbi.gov/home to submit a tip.

Source: US FBI

AKRON, Ohio – Soumya Rudra, 41, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and to possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography.

According to court documents, Rudra met the 14-year victim on a dating game app called “Kiss Kiss.” He then messaged her via Snapchat text and video calls throughout several months. Rudra drove more than 400 miles from Pennsylvania to Ohio in November 2023 to meet the victim. He transported her to a hotel where he proceeded to engage in criminal sexual activities. Investigators also discovered CSAM involving other minors on his electronic devices which were recovered at the hotel room.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 11, 2024. Rudra faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Canton Field Office and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.

To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS—Spencer L. Evans, Special Agent in Charge of the Las Vegas Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is warning the public that criminals are soliciting fake humanitarian donations during the Israel-HAMAS conflict. The FBI has received complaints of legitimate e-mail addresses of Israel-based individuals being hacked or possibly spoofed to solicit donations.

Charity scams are especially prevalent during times of increased conflict such as war, natural disasters, or epidemics. Criminals use these tragedies to exploit members of the public looking to support humanitarian efforts. This fraud, also known as “disaster fraud,” comes in many forms. Perpetrators may claim to be associated with established charities or creators of new charities associated with emergent conflicts.

Some perpetrators may prey on their own local communities by claiming to collect funds for victimized families abroad while actually using collected funds for their own personal expenses or in support of criminal enterprises domestically or internationally. Foreign terrorist organizations often establish fake charities using social media platforms to subsidize their operations. Solicitations may begin as a social media post, an e-mail, a cold call, or a crowdfunding website request.

Common red flags indicating possible fraudulent activity may include:

• Unsolicited e-mails seeking donations. If looking to fund a charity, visit the website directly rather than clicking on links in e-mails.
• “Charities” asking you to pay with cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Criminals will often encourage payment by methods that make it difficult to track or seek reimbursement.

To avoid charity frauds:

• Research new charities online and verify phone numbers or e-mail addresses before donating.
• If giving to a well-known, established charity, ensure that you are using the correct website. Criminals have been known to engage in “domain spoofing” or “URL hijacking” to create look-alike websites with URLs similar in appearance to those of known organizations. For more information on domain spoofing: https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2020/PSA201123
• Use the Internal Revenue Service’s website (https://www.irs.gov) to see if the charity you are using is registered.

Charity scams prey on both local communities and vulnerable populations devastated by life-altering catastrophes. FBI Las Vegas reminds the public that these scams are serious crimes with very real consequences and encourages the public to report violations of federal law via the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) or 1-800-CALL-FBI.

For additional resources:

Source: US FBI

The Las Vegas Division of the FBI is launching an advertising campaign across Nevada to raise awareness about federal hate crimes and to encourage the public to report them to the FBI. The campaign, which begins this week, includes television and radio public service announcements raising awareness of Hate Crimes throughout Nevada. The announcements, which will be aired in English and Spanish, highlight the need for us all to work collaboratively to ensure no crime goes unreported.

A hate crime is a traditional offense like murder, arson, or vandalism with an added element of bias. The FBI defines a hate crime as a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.”

“Launching our local public awareness campaign represents an investment in the communities we serve and enhances our continuing outreach and education efforts throughout Nevada,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Division. “We understand that some individuals may be afraid to come forward to law enforcement, but I want to assure the community that the FBI works to protect all victims of crimes, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity, country of national origin, or immigration status. Acts of hate and racism have no place here and will not be tolerated.”

Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. Hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim—they are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community.

The FBI works closely with its local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement partners in many hate crime investigations. To learn more about federal hate crime statutes and state hate crime laws, visit the United States Department of Justice website:  justice.gov/hatecrimes/laws-and-policies.

If you believe you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime, we encourage you to report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

Source: US FBI

CINCINNATI – A 44-year-old Cincinnati man, Mark A. Altherr, was arrested by FBI agents on Friday, July 26, and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint and arrest warrant alleges that investigators found more than 262 posts Altherr made on a child pornography website over the past three years. Some of the posts included images that appeared to be minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The victims were alleged to be between the ages of five and 12. Altherr is a fitness education teacher in the Oak Hills Local School District.

“Investigators are now working to identify all of the victims in this case,” said Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. “Our office and the FBI encourage anyone who might have information about victims to report it to the FBI’s victim resource page listed below.”

“The FBI is always working to protect children in our community,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “As we continue to investigate this matter, we appreciate the support of the public in coming forward with any information they may have about potentially inappropriate actions of Mr. Altherr.” 

Anyone who may have information about this case or who believes they may be a victim is encouraged to visit www.fbi.gov/MarkAltherrVictims and complete the short online form.

Altherr appeared in federal court in Cincinnati on July 29, 2024. He was temporarily detained. A detention hearing is set for August 1, 2024.

Distribution of child pornography is punishable by at least five years and up to 20 years in prison. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Assistant United States Attorneys Danielle Margeaux and Kyle Healey are representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 97 months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release for receiving over 125 images of child exploitation on his cell phone.

According to court documents, on March 14, 2022, Joshua Kenneth Eshe (34) visited a website known for prostitution advertisements and contacted the poster of an advertisement entitled “Young and Tight.” He solicited who he believed was a 15-year-old child to have sex with him and agreed to pay $100 for sex with the child. Eshe arranged to meet the child at a hotel and he was arrested by law enforcement upon arriving at the room. During a search of Eshe’s cell phone, investigators discovered that Eshe had received 126 images and four videos of child pornography.

Eshe pleaded guilty in June 2023 to one count of receipt of child pornography. He is required to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or https://report.cybertip.org.

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