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Defense News: Lean Six Sigma Course Enhances Operational Readiness

Source: United States Army

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Service members and Department of the Army civilians assigned to the 21st Theater Sustainment Command completed a Lean Six Sigma course at Panzer Kaserne, April 13-17, 2026. During the course, they strengthened their ability to identify inefficiencies and improve mission effectiveness through structured problem-solving techniques.

The course focuses on applying Lean Six Sigma principles through the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control framework, commonly known as DMAIC. This methodology streamlines processes, reduces waste and improves performance. Built on data-driven decision-making, Lean Six Sigma gives participants the tools to evaluate workflows and implement lasting improvements.

Participants are required to identify a problem affecting their section and present it to a sponsor for approval. A sponsor provides oversight and practical support to help ensure a project’s success. Once approved, trainees begin working on their projects before the in-person portion of the course. This process allows them to begin developing solutions to real-world issues within their units, which they continue to analyze and refine throughout the training.

The course uses a pay-it-forward approach in which applicants identify a problem, apply and, if accepted, develop an efficient solution with minimal waste. Upon successful implementation, they receive course credit and certification, expanding problem-solving capability across the Department of the Army with each class.

“Before the in-person portion started, we completed an application that made us really look at what problem we were trying to solve,” said Maj. Shirley Charles, a participant in the Lean Six Sigma course.

Throughout the course, students developed project charters, analyzed processes and worked to identify root causes of inefficiencies under the guidance of certified instructors.

In Lean Six Sigma, multiple certification levels, or “belts,” distinguish roles and responsibilities. Green Belt practitioners typically complete their training requirements within four to five months after coursework. They focus on smaller-scale projects and are authorized to address and resolve issues within their defined areas. In contrast, Black Belt practitioners require approximately six to nine months to complete certification requirements. Their projects involve greater complexity and scope and require the use of more advanced tools and methods.

“The first part of the charter is where they define the problem,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kirk Bucknor, a master Black Belt instructor. “As a black belt, I’m allowed to mentor them, keep them on track and provide them with the tools and context they need to work through their issues.”

Each participant is required to bring a project into the course and is evaluated on the ability to define the problem and identify its root causes.

“With this course, you have to come forward with a project,” Bucknor said.

Instructors also work closely with unit leadership to ensure projects address priority issues and align with operational needs.

“We work with them and their leaders to identify the key issues they face,” said Kyle Buno, a Department of the Army civilian and master Black Belt instructor for the course.

According to Buno, the program maintains a strong certification success rate.

“We do have a 92% success rate from people taking this course to actually getting certified,” Buno said.

The Lean Six Sigma course reflects the Army’s continued investment in professional development and its commitment to improving readiness through data-driven process improvement. Graduates leave equipped with tools to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste and enhance mission effectiveness.

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Pakistani National Pleads Guilty for Leading an International Human Smuggling Organization

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A Pakistani man pleaded guilty yesterday for leading an international human smuggling conspiracy that brought illegal aliens from Pakistan into the United States using sham film production companies.

According to court documents, Abbas Ali Haider, 49, of Sialkot, Pakistan, operated two fake Pakistan-based companies – Diamond TV World Productions and Multimedia Advertising Ltd. – to bring Pakistani nationals illegally into the United States. From approximately September 2019 through September 2023, Haider fraudulently obtained visas for Pakistani nationals to travel to Ecuador, Cuba and Colombia under the cover of legitimate business travel when their real destination was always the southern U.S. border. Posing as employees of Haider’s fake companies traveling to work on films, the Pakistani nationals were admitted to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Haider’s network then guided them to the U.S.-Mexico border where they illegally crossed into California, Texas, and Arizona. For this, Haider charged each person as much as $40,000.

Haider was extradited to the United States from Mexico in July 2025.

Haider pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States for private financial gain and bringing in illegal aliens for profit. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30, and faces a minimum penalty of three years in prison and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 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, U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona, and Acting Special Agent in Charge, Kevin P. Murphy of HSI San Diego, made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations Calexico led U.S. investigative efforts, working in concert with HSI’s Brasilia, Quito, Tijuana, and Caribbean attaché offices and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force; U.S. Border Patrol; the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Miami; and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Detroit provided substantial assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Haider. 

The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont.  JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 455 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 400 U.S. convictions; and more than 350 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.  

Trial Attorney Bethany Allen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section on detail from the Office of International Affairs and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Kreamer Hope and Evan Wesley for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

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Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

ABINGDON, Va. – A Tennessee man, whose non-profit had no revenue and no employees when he fraudulently received a CARES Act loan intended to help small businesses, pled guilty yesterday in federal court.Paul Eugene Welborn Jr., 67, of Mountain City, Tenn., pled guilty to wire fraud related to misrepresentations he made on his application for a CARES Act loan.

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This Week in Fraud: DOJ’s New Fraud Division Announces Numerous Fraud Enforcement Actions and a New Strike Force to Investigate and Prosecute Fraud on the West Coast

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division continued to advance its mission to fight fraud and protect taxpayers this week.

Yesterday, Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Fraud Division announced the formation of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force, a multi-district initiative to increase resources dedicated to prosecuting health care fraud in California, Arizona, and Nevada. “Our message today and every day is simple: If you steal from the American taxpayer, the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will do everything possible to award you free housing in a federal prison,” said Assistant Attorney General McDonald at the press conference.  The Strike Force will surge at least 10 additional federal prosecutors to the region who will work in partnership with the HHS Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other law enforcement partners.

In addition to this surge of resources to the West Coast, the Fraud Division is announcing the following fraud enforcement actions taken this week across the country to hold accountable those who defraud the American people.

Benefits Program Fraud

An illegal alien from Mexico was indicted in Albuquerque, New Mexico for allegedly using forged immigration documents and another individual’s Social Security number to fraudulently obtain bank accounts, vehicle financing, and consumer loans while residing illegally in the U.S. The charges include fraud and misuse of a visa, social security fraud, and aggravated identity theft.  If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Two Romanian illegal aliens pleaded guilty for their role in a conspiracy to steal SNAP benefits by using skimming devices to obtain EBT card data and PINs. The defendants used the stolen information to make fraudulent purchases of SNAP‑eligible items, which they later shipped out of state. The defendants agreed to pay full restitution and now face potential federal prison sentences.

A federal judge sentenced Shermeca McCrary, a Johnston County Social Services caseworker, to six months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in a scheme to steal over $100,000 in SNAP benefits. McCrary abused her position to access and divert funds intended for qualified recipients and was ordered to pay $102,000 in forfeiture.

A defendant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa—Joshua Brandon Johnson—was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release for laundering over $20,000 from a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan by withdrawing fraudulently obtained funds to evade child support garnishment. The defendant was ordered to pay $20,208 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.

In Indiana, Joseph M. Merk was sentenced to four and a half years in federal prison for stealing nearly $600,000 through multiple fraud schemes, including PPP loan fraud, identity theft, and tax evasion. He was ordered to pay more than $492,000 in restitution.

Health Care Fraud

A Michigan pharmacy technician pleaded guilty to a $5.6 million health care fraud scheme, admitting he billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers for prescription drugs he never dispensed. He also illegally prescribed oxycodone to drug traffickers in exchange for cash, without regard to whether the prescriptions were actually prescribed by physicians or dispensed in good faith.

The U.S. government seized approximately $2 million from Expert Wound Care PC, a California-based clinic accused of submitting fraudulent Medicare claims for skin graft substitutes and services that were never provided. According to court documents, between September 2025 and April 2026, the clinic submitted over $46.6 million in claims—$34 million of which were approved—despite billing for procedures that didn’t occur. The seizure was authorized by a federal court in Los Angeles.

Scam Centers

DOJ announced the coordinated takedown of scam centers leading to at least 276 arrests.  These centers targeted Americans who have suffered millions of dollars in losses from such schemes.

Tax Fraud

Harry Lamar Curtis III, a Houston business owner and former CPA, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failing to pay more than $1.6 million in payroll taxes due to the IRS. The defendant admitted that he failed to file required business and personal tax returns for many years while withholding taxes that were never remitted to the IRS.

Corporate & Financial Fraud

The Fraud Division announced the sentences of two former CEOs of a non-profit medical organization headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, for defrauding the company of almost $2 million.  The defendants were sentenced to 40 months’ and 24 months’ imprisonment for their crimes.

An Oregon payment processing broker, Jeremy Todd Briley, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for facilitating over $14 million in unauthorized debits and attempted debits from victims’ bank accounts by providing services to sham companies posing as legitimate merchants. Between 2017 and 2023, he maintained payment processor relationships for the sham companies so that they could process fraudulent debits.  Despite repeatedly receiving information that the debits processed on behalf of the sham companies were not authorized by the victims, Briley concealed the fraudulent activities of the sham companies in various ways, and he arranged for a payment processor to deceive banks by manipulating return rates on the fraudulent debits.

*              *              *              *

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. 

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Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Over $8 Million of Dangerous Recreational Drugs Known as “Poppers” That Were Mislabeled as Tape Cleaner

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

A Texas man pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of criminal conspiracy related to misbranding volatile alkyl nitrites, known by their street name as “poppers,” and selling them as inhalants in violation of federal law. Although the labeling for poppers products often misleadingly claims they are sold as cleaning agents, poppers are commonly misused for recreational purposes by being inhaled through the nose. Critically, misuse of volatile alkyl nitrates can cause serious adverse health effects, including irregular heartbeat, vision loss, and death.

“The defendant helped sell more than $8 million of dangerous drugs misbranded as cleaning agents, while concealing their true intended use as recreational inhalants,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Volatile alkyl nitrites, or poppers, can cause serious and sometimes fatal health effects. Yesterday’s plea reflects the Department’s commitment to keep Americans safe by prosecuting those who participate in the distribution of illegal substances in our communities, particularly when false and misleading labels are involved.”

“Yesterday’s guilty plea demonstrates The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who distribute falsely labeled products that endanger public health,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “Nitrite ‘poppers’ can cause serious adverse health effects, including death, when ingested or inhaled, and the FDA will continue to take appropriate actions to protect the public health.”

“Misrepresenting hazardous products to evade federal safety requirements is illegal,” said Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). “To protect the safety of the American public, CPSC will work with our federal law enforcement partners to identify violations, shut down criminal operations, and hold offenders accountable.”

According to court documents, Brett Sandy, 41, of Austin, Texas, worked for an Austin-based poppers manufacturer from January 2019 until in or around February 2025. Sandy oversaw the bookkeeping for the company and spoke with customers seeking to purchase poppers to misuse as a drug. Sandy admitted that the poppers shipped from his employer, with names such as “love potion” or “pumpkin spice latte,” were falsely labeled as “tape cleaner” to defraud the FDA and the CPSC about the intended purpose of the substances. Sandy also admitted that he facilitated the sale of hundreds of bottles of poppers from his company to an individual with the understanding that the individual intended to distribute them as a drug at a “sexy singles party.” In pleading guilty, Sandy agreed that the evidence shows that, while he worked for the company, it sold more than $8.4 million in unlawful poppers products.

Sandy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and one count of conspiracy to violate the Consumer Product Safety Act. He faces a statutory maximum term of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing date has not been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Max J. Goldman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

Consumers who have experienced an adverse event (illness or injury) after using nitrite “poppers” should consult their healthcare providers. To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), visit Industry and Consumer Assistance and Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet.

The Health and Safety Unit within the Department’s Criminal Division works with law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute violations of federal laws designed to protect public health and safety. The unit focuses on corporations and individuals who make and sell dangerous drugs, food, and other consumer products that could cause significant harm to Americans. For more information, see https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/health-safety-unit.

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Department of Justice Seeks to Enforce Subpoena Against Hospital that Performs Sex-Rejecting Procedures on Minors

Source: United States Department of Justice

Note: View petition for enforcement here.

Yesterday, the Department of Justice’s Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to enforce a subpoena issued to Rhode Island Hospital demanding records related to pediatric sex-rejecting procedures.

According to the filed petition, the Department of Justice served a subpoena under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act on Rhode Island Hospital as part of its investigation into the distribution of certain prescription drugs to minors with gender dysphoria and related disorders, including puberty blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones. To date, Rhode Island Hospital has not complied with the subpoena.

“The Department of Justice expects and demands full compliance with validly issued subpoenas like the one at issue here,” said Brett A. Shumate, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. “Non-compliance with lawful process is never an option.”

Additional information about the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/enforcement-affirmative-litigation-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx.

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Celebrating Law Day 2026: The Foundation of Justice and Democracy

Source: United States Department of Justice

On May 1, we observe Law Day, a uniquely American tradition that recognizes the vital role the rule of law plays in our democracy. Established by Proclamation 3221 in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and later designated by Congress under Public Law 87-20 in 1961, Law Day serves as an annual reminder that our freedoms depend on a legal system grounded on the U.S. Constitution, which is the nation’s fundamental law.

At the Department of Justice, we are deeply aware that the rule of law is not simply an abstract principle, but the living foundation upon which our society is built. It ensures that no one is above the law, that rights are protected, and that justice is accessible to every American, regardless of background or circumstance.

This Law Day, we reflect on the dedicated public servants, legal professionals, judges, and law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to uphold these principles. Their commitment strengthens our institutions and reinforces our justice system.

We also recognize that the work of justice is never complete. Each generation must renew its commitment to the Constitution and to a nation of laws. From combating fraud and corruption and from safeguarding national security to overseeing the federal prison system, the Department of Justice remains steadfast in its mission.

As we commemorate Law Day 2026, we encourage all Americans to engage with our legal system, whether by learning about your rights, serving on a jury, or simply taking time to understand the laws and the Constitution that govern our country. Democracy requires active participation, and the rule of law depends on an informed and engaged citizenry.

Together, we continue the essential work of enforcing the laws of the United States.

Happy Law Day.

The U.S. Department of Justice Museum 
Preserving the past. Informing the present. Inspiring the future.

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Defense News: U.S. Army Europe and Africa Customs Agency News Release: Staying in Germany after loss of status

Source: United States Army

WIESBADEN, Germany – Many U.S. service members and civilians consider staying in Germany after their time with the military is over. Whether you are retiring or finishing a contract, the rules for living in Germany change the moment your job ends.

U.S. civilians and contractors who retire, resign or are terminated from a U.S. government job with Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) status, lose their SOFA status and their right to tax and customs privileges on the date their employment ends.

Understanding these changes is the best way to make sure you are in Germany legally.

Before your special military status in Germany ends, you must finish your paperwork correctly and return all your official documents. You are required to give back items like your ID card, ration card, SOFA certificates, vehicle registration and fuel cards. You must also return any unused value-added tax (VAT) forms. Once your status is gone, you cannot use these cards to shop on base or buy gas.

Status in Germany also ends for dependent children when they turn 21 years old. If they are in college, they can keep their status until they turn 23. Spouses lose their status if they get a divorce unless they have their own job with the U.S. military. The 90-day “grace period” allows families to stay in Germany after a service member or civilian sponsor moves. However, contractors are not eligible for this extra time.

If you travel back to the U.S. or out of Europe, you should keep your retirement papers or old status cards with you. This helps you show the German border guards why you were in the country and prevents any travel problems.

If you want to live in Germany as a permanent resident, you and your family must follow German residency laws. You need to visit the local city hall and the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde)to sign up before your military job ends. You must also show furniture, cars and any weapons to German customs around the time your status changes.

If you want to move your car from the military vehicle registration system to the German system, you will need a “certificate of non-objection” from German customs to show that your vehicle is cleared for the German registration process. Also, if you plan to stay and live in Germany permanently, you are required to get a standard German driver’s license.

For more information on how to stay in Germany after your SOFA agreement ends, visit USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’ Customs Office on Kleber Kaserne, building 3245, Room 111 or call +49 (0)631 411 7383 or DSN 483-7383.

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Defense News: USAG Rheinland-Pfalz forges bonds on the pitch at Spring Cup

Source: United States Army

MEHLINGEN, Germany – A team from U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz took part in the German-American Spring Cup on April 25, a soccer tournament and festival featuring 10 German and American teams battling it out on the soccer pitch for the top spot. More than 500 people took part in the event, aimed at fostering strong friendships and a sense of community between U.S. and German citizens.

While the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz team came in seventh overall, its players helped lead the U.S. Army team to victory over the U.S. Air Force team during the All-Stars Game, taking back the title of best in the Kaiserslautern Military Community for 2026. The Army’s 519th Hospital Center team took second place overall, with the top spot going to Germany’s Spielvereinigung Neukirchen-Mehlingen-Baalborn e.V.

Aside from the soccer tournament, the Spring Cup was an opportunity for various civic clubs to present collaborative displays. USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’ Sembach Fire Department and the Enkenbach-Alsenborn youth fire department displayed and demonstrated their equipment and offered water activities for children, and students from the Kaiserslautern BurgGymnasium operated food stands selling American-style baked goods.

The tournament was organized jointly by the Municipality of Mehlingen, the Welcome to Rheinland-Pfalz program, the Neukirchen-Mehlingen-Baalborn Soccer Club, Kaiserslautern BurgGymnasium, and the U.S. Army’s Sergeant Morales Club.

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz sets, serves, and secures the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater.

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp