MIL Security Engine-1

Source: United States Department of Justice

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, in coordination with the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA‑OIG), today announced a series of significant criminal prosecutions, arrests, indictments and civil recoveries as part of the administration’s expanded efforts to combat COVID‑19 relief fraud.

Source: United States Department of Justice

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced today that the United States has filed a lawsuit on behalf of former Google employee and U.S. Army Reservist Mark Davisson against GOOGLE LLC (“GOOGLE”) under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (“USERRA”).  

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa man was sentenced on October 21, 2026, for Possession of Child Pornography in Indian Country announced U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar.U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Charles Barranco, age 71, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, to 78 months’ imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release. Upon release, Charles Barranco will also be required to register as a sex offender. Further, Charles Barranco was ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution.

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Ocala, Florida – Charlie J. Williams (24, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to one count of possession of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and one count of possession of contraband in a federal prison. He faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison for the drug possession offense and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the contraband offense. The sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Baltimore, Maryland – Bingo remains a classic pastime for many older adults, so the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland recently used the game as an innovative tool to educate seniors about common fraud scams as part of Operation Silver Sentinel.   

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

Ocala, Florida – Andres Arizari Desantiago (24, Apopka) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. 

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department announced today that Attorney General Todd Blanche has selected Stephen V. Falanga to serve as Director of the U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) effective November 2.

“Congress created the U.S. Trustees Program to provide the critical role in ensuring Americans are free from fraud and abuse in our Nation’s federal bankruptcy system,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “Mr. Falanga’s leadership will ensure the program operates accordingly to its statutory commands and is aimed at rooting out bad actors who seek to exploit our Nation’s programs for their own gain.”

Falanga is currently a partner at Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP, a New Jersey-based law firm, where he leads the banking and financial services and bankruptcy, reorganization, and creditors’ rights practice groups. He has more than 30 years of experience representing financial institutions, corporations, insurers, real estate developers, landlords, and individuals in financial services matters, including significant work in all aspects of insolvency law. 

In addition to representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy, Falanga has also served as a chapter 11 trustee managing the debtors’ affairs in several corporate reorganization cases. He has an extensive record of professional and community service, including roles on the Supreme Court of New Jersey’s Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law and the board of trustees of ARC of Essex County Inc., a nonprofit serving the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities. 

Falanga earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Saint Peter’s University, a law degree from Boston College, and a Master of Legal Letters degree from Fordham University.

The USTP’s mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public. The USTP consists of 21 regions with 82 field offices nationwide and an Executive Office in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the USTP at www.justice.gov/ust.  

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced the entry of a preliminary injunction on consent in a civil rights lawsuit against the TOWN OF BEEKMAN (“BEEKMAN”), in Dutchess County, requiring BEEKMAN to allow the opening of a sober home for women in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. 

Source: United States Department of Justice

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

Good morning, and thank you for having me today.

We are here today to collaborate on an issue that is of significant personal importance to me.  As the father of four young children, I am, of course, constantly worried about my children’s safety and wellbeing.  With the rapid emergence of technologies and the rise of super intelligence, the world is changing faster than I can keep up with — so I am indebted to partnerships with organizations like ICAC that can keep up with the evolving environment to keep American’s children safe. 

I am proud to say that the Department and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) program and task forces have been partners since 1998.  ICAC task forces are critical in combatting child exploitation, and the Department is committed to supporting the ICACs in every way it can. 

For the last 28 years, we have worked closely to ensure that you have what you need to support task force operational needs, as well as the tools, training, digital forensics support and other resources most needed and appropriate for each site.

We know there have been concerns regarding access to funding and training resources. Before we get any further into the day’s conversations, I’d like to highlight some of the actions we have and are taking to demonstrate our commitment. 

In recent funding — The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) awarded $40.7 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funding to the ICAC Task Forces and related training and other support resources.

And, just recently, OJJDP awarded $34 million in fiscal year 2026 funding to the ICAC Task Forces, $3.7 million to support ICAC National Training, and $900,000 for ICAC Data System Enhancements. 

While funding was delayed due to adjustments that needed to be made after the transition of the current Administration, we are getting back on track for Fiscal Year 2027, and my team is working expeditiously to get funding into the field. 

The Department also provides comprehensive trainings and technical assistance—

In Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026, OJP supported over 140 in-person ICAC trainings and workshops. 

At these workshops, OJP provides hands-on investigative, forensic, and technical support including expert guidance during complex investigations to digital evidence analysis, investigative tool assistance, and expert courtroom testimony. 

This specialized training helps to strengthen case quality, expedite investigative work, and ensure agencies of all sizes can access advanced technical capabilities they may not have in-house.

ICAC training is available in a variety of formats including virtual and on demand on a variety of topics to address core, entry level training needs as well as more advanced training needs. Topics include:

Essential investigative and operational skills training, including ICAC investigative techniques, CyberTip management, interview methods, undercover chat operations, and online engagement strategies.

Specialized training on digital evidence forensics, tools and technology, such as forensic analysis of computers, mobile devices, wireless networks, gaming systems, and other digital media; encryption; on‑scene investigative tools; peer‑to‑peer file sharing; exploitation via social networks; dark web investigations; cryptocurrency; generative SI; and other emerging technologies.

The Department is committed to continuing in-person training when and where possible on those topics for which a virtual modality would undermine the training’s effectiveness. 

Looking ahead — OJP is currently planning additional trainings and workshops for the remainder of 2026 and 2027 in partnership with the newly awarded FY 2025 ICAC National Training Providers. This planning also includes support for ICAC committees, ICAC task force commander meetings, and individualized technical assistance using the most effective delivery methods.

To that end, we are also in the process of planning for a National Training in 2027. The plan for this training will be to focus on those classes that require computers in an in-person, lab-like setting.

There will be more information to come, but something that I am proud to highlight as further evidence that we are listening and of our commitment to you and your work.