Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Jacksonville, Florida – Jose Adilio Anaya-Alas (36, El Salvador) has been charged by federal indictment with illegal reentry into the United States by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Anaya-Alas faces up to two years in federal prison and subsequent deportation and removal from the United States. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Pensacola, Florida – Dustin Lemmon Carpio, 33, of New York, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, use of a counterfeit access device, possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized access devices, use of a false passport, and aggravated identity theft.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Register sex offender Richard Scott Tyson, 57, of Gum Spring, was convicted yesterday of producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and commission by a registered sex offender of a felony offense involving a minor.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Tallahassee, Florida – Christopher Lamar Daniels, 47, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute multiple controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
The Action Expands Access to Approved Therapies and Supports State-Regulated Medical Marijuana Programs
In accordance with President Trump’s December 18, 2025, Executive Order on Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, the Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today announced the issuance of an order immediately placing both FDA-approved products containing marijuana and marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, as well as the initiation of an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. The new hearing, beginning June 29, 2026, will provide a timely and legally compliant pathway to evaluate broader changes to marijuana’s status under federal law. Together, these actions provide immediate and long-term clarity to researchers, patients, and providers alike while still maintaining strict federal controls against illicit drug trafficking.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is placing both FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana, and medicinal marijuana products subject to a qualifying state-issued license in Schedule III under his authority to reschedule drugs to carry out the United States’ obligations under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This action recognizes the longstanding regulation of medical marijuana by state governments and the need for a common-sense approach to this reality.
“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”
“Under the direction of President Trump and Acting Attorney General Blanche, DEA is expeditiously moving forward with the administrative hearing process — bringing consistency and oversight to an area that has lacked both,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “Our men and women in law enforcement remain committed to fighting drug cartels, the fentanyl epidemic, and protecting American lives.”
Separately, the Department announced procedural updates to expedite the ongoing rulemaking process required to fully remove marijuana from Schedule I and place it into Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
Under the prior administration, a notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024, followed by a notice of hearing on August 29, 2024. Upon further review, the DEA is withdrawing the prior notice of hearing and terminating those proceedings in order to move more efficiently toward the completion of marijuana’s complete redesignation. This action will accelerate the administrative process, include firm deadlines, and allow DEA to proceed in the most expeditious manner consistent with federal law.
DEA will hold a new administrative hearing beginning June 29, 2026, regarding the proposed rescheduling of marijuana. A new notice of hearing is being published in the Federal Register to govern these proceedings and facilitate a timely resolution of the rulemaking.
Today’s order is reflective of the Department of Justice’s continued dedication to common-sense policies and the prioritization of the safety and well-being of all Americans.
Source: United States Army
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AGADIR, Morocco — In a rapidly evolving operational environment where speed, accountability and real-time awareness are critical, military personnel assigned to U.S. Africa Command are leveraging African Lion 26 as a battle lab to test emerging technologies designed to enhance personnel tracking and operational efficiency at Southern Zone Headquarters, April 20-May 8.
At the forefront of that effort is Guardian, a software-based, personnel-tracking proof of concept under evaluation for the first time during this multinational exercise. The tool represents a forward-looking approach to how commanders visualize, manage and safeguard personnel across dispersed and dynamic areas.
AL26 is USAFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan)
VIEW ORIGINAL“This is a proof of concept that allows us to improve personnel accountability in complex operational environments,” said U.S. Army Maj. Lisa Rousseau, USAFRICOM contingency, exercise and personnel planner. “This is a system that we are stress testing in African Lion.”
Guardian is designed to provide near real-time visibility of personnel across a theater of operations. By integrating data inputs, the tool enables planners and commanders to maintain a more accurate and dynamic understanding of where personnel are located and how they are moving.
Traditionally, personnel tracking has relied on manual reporting methods, spreadsheets or fragmented systems that can lag in real-world conditions. Guardian aims to bridge that gap by automating aspects of data collection and visualization.
“It’s about giving leaders a clearer picture, faster,” Rousseau said. “It’s going to give them that decision dominance to have that near or real-time fused picture of personnel and their locations with complete status updates in under 30 seconds per person to scan.”
During AL26, users are employing Guardian in a large-scale, multinational environment, allowing planners to stress-test its capabilities across multiple locations, units and partner forces.
As USAFRICOM’s largest annual military exercise in Africa, AL26 provides a unique opportunity to evaluate new technologies in realistic conditions. With thousands of participants from multiple nations operating across vast distances, the exercise serves as an ideal battle lab for innovation.
“This exercise gives us the scale we need to truly understand how this capability performs,” Rousseau said. “We knew African Lion afforded us the opportunity to not only test the sheer magnitude of personnel coming through, but also to work with foreign partners and civilians who do not have common access cards.”
AL26 is USAFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan)
VIEW ORIGINALThe integration of emerging tools like Guardian reflects a broader emphasis on innovation that drives readiness, which not only prepares forces for today’s missions, but also equips them for tomorrow’s challenges.
“Guardian has the potential to transform how we maintain accountability in a dynamic environment,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian Hancock, operations and training officer assigned to the 79th Theater Sustainment Command. “By consolidating personnel data into one accessible platform, it strengthens situational awareness while reducing reporting redundancies and discrepancies. The ability to deliver real-time updates enables commanders to make faster, more informed decisions, and its automated processes ease the administrative burden on units, allowing Soldiers and planners to stay focused on mission execution.”
As a proof of concept, Guardian is still undergoing evaluation, and exercise participants are actively identifying limitations and its strengths.
“It’s important to recognize that this is not a finished product,” Rousseau said. “We are not yet fully at operational capability yet. As we continue operational testing during the exercise, we are simultaneously making updates and improvements.”
AL26 is USAFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan)
VIEW ORIGINALThese insights are critical to refining the system and determining areas of improvement before any potential broader implementation.
Its use during AL26 also opens the door for joint and multinational integration. Tools like Guardian could potentially support a more unified operational picture since personnel tracking is a shared requirement across services and partner nations.
Guardian’s testing during AL26 underscores USAFRICOM’s role as a leader in operational innovation. By using the exercise as a battle lab, planners can experiment with new technologies in realistic conditions, accelerating the development process and informing future capabilities.
AL26 is USAFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Roldan)
VIEW ORIGINALAs the U.S. Army continues to prioritize innovation that drives readiness, efforts like this demonstrate how emerging technologies can integrate into operations to enhance effectiveness, accountability and mission success.
“We’re learning in real time,” Rousseau said. “We’re already making in-stride improvements every day that we’re here.”
The results of this proof of concept will help shape the future of personnel tracking across the force, ensuring that Soldiers and leaders have the tools they need in increasingly complex operational environments.
AL26 is USAFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, AL26 involves over 5,600 civilian and military personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
About African Lion
African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
African Lion content can be found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
About SETAF-AF
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.
Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS
Source: United States Airforce
These strategies provide a strategic roadmap for the department to become an AI-first force, operationalizing data and AI as decisive force multipliers and strategic assets to maintain air and space dominance from the boardroom to the battlefield.
Source: United States Navy
When asked about the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) role in the development of autonomous and unmanned systems, Chief of Naval Research (CNR) Dr. Rachel Riley highlighted some of the command’s most successful investments: REMUS underwater vehicles in the 1990s and early 2000s, swarmboats in 2014, LOCUST aerial vehicles in 2015, and the Sea Hunter and Sea Hawk surface vehicles in 2017.
“I don’t say all this to brag but rather to let you all see really great examples of how ONR does its mission,” said Riley. “We start with basic research and partner with industry to educate them on what the Navy and Marine Corps need in terms of readiness and lethality.
“As technologists, we’re futurists,” she continued. “That gives us a unique opportunity to share a slightly different demand signal than some of our partner organizations. We not only think about near-term capabilities but also the naval needs of the future. We think in decades.”
Riley gave her remarks during an April 21 panel discussion held at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space (SAS) Exposition at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
Source: United States Army
LANDSTUHL, Germany – Public Health Command Europe Environmental Engineer was recently selected to attend the Army Medical Department’s prestigious Iron Major Week in San Antonio, Texas. This highly competitive, annual course brings together outstanding military officers and civilians who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and potential.
Christopher Veis was one of only 50 individuals selected for the Fiscal Year 2026 cohort from across the entire Medical Command and one of just four civilians to receive this honor. The selection process is rigorous, with each leader being nominated by their supervisor, endorsed by their commander and ultimately chosen by a senior board.
The Iron Major program is designed to recognize and develop future leaders within Army Medicine.
The week-long course provides attendees with valuable insights into the strategic direction of the Army and Army Medicine through direct interaction with senior leaders.
Veis’s selection for this program is a testament to his dedication and leadership qualities. His achievements also include being chosen for the Defense Civilian Emerging Leaders Program, where he is one of 72 selected from across the Department of War and one of 21 selected by the Army for the FY26 cohort.This program is designed for entry-level and emerging federal leaders, immersing them in experiential activities that enhance self-awareness, communication, and team-building skills.
Reflecting on his time in San Antonio, Veis expressed that he thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the vital role Army Medicine plays and its vision for the future.
“It was an amazing experience to basically get a 30,000-foot view of what Army medicine is. It was enlightening.” said Veis.
Looking ahead, Mr. Veis is eager to apply the knowledge and insights he gained to his work at Public Health Command Europe. He plans to share his experience with his colleagues to help enhance the unit’s mission.
“I truly enjoyed the briefs about holistic fitness and what the next steps are,” said Veis. “Integrating better nutrition, fitness and sleep is something each of us can do.”
Source: United States Army
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. –With the ongoing transformation of the 81st Brigade from a Stryker to a Mobile Brigade, the Washington National Guard transferred eight Strykers to the Bulgarian Land Forces through the Foreign Military Sales office.
Brig. Gen. Paul Sellars, commanding general, Washington National Guard, and his team visited key leaders in Bulgaria as part of the sale to ensure the success of the transaction and to discuss the importance of working together between the U.S. military and the Bulgarian Army, April 15-17.
“The first machines that are on the ground here arrived from Washington state, so we came to see for ourselves that the project is underway and being successfully implemented. We currently have eight machines here that we are working with. We have a team on site that helps with the introduction of the equipment, initial training, and maintenance,” said Sellars during an interview with the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense.
In Nov. 2023, the Bulgarian parliament approved the purchase of the Stryker Fighting Vehicles from the U.S. The first batch of Strykers arrived in February 2026 and marks the initial phase of a broader procurement effort conducted through international defense agreements to upgrade the Bulgarian Army’s combat capabilities.
“The interactions between the Bulgarian and American military personnel will be aimed at supporting training and gaining operational understanding of the platform,” said Sellars. “We spent ten years with these machines and we appreciate the opportunity to find them a suitable new home, as well as to see the motivation and desire of the people to train.”
Bulgaria’s acquisition of Stryker armored vehicles from the United States is one of the most significant modernization efforts in its land forces since joining NATO. This also reflects a broader regional trend of Eastern European militaries upgrading capabilities in response to evolving security threats.
The Stryker deal was also aided by the Tennessee National Guard, which has been Bulgaria’s State Partnership Program partner since 1993. The Tennessee National Guard did not have knowledge of the Stryker platform but had connections in Washington.
“Tennessee approached Washington and said, ’Look, we have a great program to modernize the Bulgarian Land Forces with Strykers. Can you help us with the introduction of these machines?’ And we said of course,” said Sellars. “The first Strykers here are ours, so we feel a sense of pride, especially when Tennessee approached us with a request to assist in this project.”
The Bulgarian Stryker Program includes the acquisition of 183 Strykers, which will eventually form a new brigade-level capability for the Bulgarian Land Forces.
“The level of enthusiasm that we see in the 61st Brigade around receiving the machines is truly impressive – the servicemen are highly motivated and extremely engaged,” said Sellar. “With such a team, the process of training and mastering the equipment will develop quickly and effectively.”
Related Links
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard
The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard
The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard
The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard