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Coast Guard cutters begin Operation Aiga in Oceania

Source: United States Coast Guard

Coast Guard cutters begin Operation Aiga in Oceania

 

Editors’ Note: Click on Coast Guard stock images to download a high-resolution version.

HONOLULU — The crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Juniper (WLB 201) and Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) will aim to extend the Coast Guard’s at-sea enforcement presence in the region through a 40-day patrol. 

“Aiga,” the Samoan word for family, is designed to integrate Coast Guard capabilities and operations with Pacific Island Country (PIC) partners in order to protect shared national interests, combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and strengthen maritime governance in Oceania.  

“Responsible fisheries management is vital to the Pacific’s well-being, prosperity, and security,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Conway, the 14th District’s current operations officer . “The Coast Guard is an adaptable, responsive military force of maritime professionals whose broad legal authorities, capable assets, and expansive partnerships provide a persistent presence throughout our exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and on the high seas.”

IUU fishing operates outside the rules adopted at the national and international level. It threatens the ocean’s ecosystem, food security, and economic growth around the world by undercutting law-abiding fishermen and communities that depend on fish and fish products.

“An essential protein source for more than 40% of the world’s population, fish stocks are critical to maritime sovereignty and resource security of many nations,” said Cmdr. Christopher Jasnoch, the Juniper’s commanding officer. 

As part of Operation Blue Pacific 2022, the crews of the Juniper and Joseph Gerczak will conduct information sharing activities to advance the U.S.’s bilateral and cultural relationships with Melanesia and Polynesia.

The Coast Guard regularly exercises bilateral shiprider agreements with partner nations. These agreements help to host foriegn law enforcement personnel to better exercise their authority; closing any global maritime law enforcement gaps, improve cooperation, coordination, and interoperability. 

Operation Blue Pacific is an overarching multi-mission Coast Guard endeavor seeking to promote maritime security, safety, sovereignty, and economic prosperity in Oceania while also strengthening relationships with our partners in the region. 

“To ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, the U.S. remains committed to strengthening regional alliances and enhancing emerging partnerships,” said Lt. Joseph Blinsky, Joseph Gerczak’s commanding officer. “Leading global deterrence efforts, the Coast Guard likewise remains committed to combating IUU fishing and our crews look forward to collaborating with PICs to better address this growing national security concern.”  

 

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San Diego FBI Seeking Assistance to Identify Kearny Mesa Bank Robber

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

The San Diego FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the San Diego Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the individual believed to be responsible for a bank robbery in the Kearny Mesa area.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, at approximately 3:00 p.m., an unknown male entered the Chase Bank located at 5303 Ruffin Road, San Diego, California, and made a verbal demand to the victim teller. The robber received a sum of cash and fled the bank on foot.

Description of Robber:

  • Sex: Male
  • Race: Black, light complexion
  • Hair: Short, dark hair or bald
  • Eyes: Brown
  • Height: Approximately 5’6” to 5’7”
  • Build: Thin
  • Clothing: Green camouflage jacket, pants, and hat, and wearing a face covering.

If you have information regarding this robber, please contact:

  • San Diego FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI; or tips.fbi.gov
  • San Diego Crime Stoppers: (888) 580-8477; or sdcrimestoppers.org
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San Diego FBI Seeking Assistance to Identify Mission Valley Area Credit Union Robber

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

The San Diego FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the San Diego Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the individual believed to be responsible for the robbery of a credit union in the Mission Valley area.

On Friday, January 14, 2022, at approximately 10:24 a.m., an unknown male entered the San Diego County Credit Union, located at 2245 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, California, and presented a note to the victim teller demanding money. The robber received a sum of cash and fled on foot.

Description of Robber:

  • Sex: Male
  • Race: White or Hispanic
  • Hair: Brown
  • Age: Late 20s to early 30s
  • Height: Approximately 5’11”
  • Build: Slender
  • Clothing: Black jacket, black hat, black neck gaiter over face, and wearing a black Nike backpack with a white swoosh.

If you have information regarding this robber, please contact:

  • San Diego FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI; or tips.fbi.gov
  • San Diego Crime Stoppers: (888) 580-8477; or sdcrimestoppers.org
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Defendant Who Stole Veteran and Social Security Benefits Sentenced to Federal Prison

Source: United States Department of Justice

A 27-year-old Georgia man who redirected the benefits of veterans and Social Security Administration beneficiaries to accounts that his co-conspirators set up and controlled has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution to his victims.

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Ijamsville Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child Pornography

Source: United States Department of Justice

U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher today sentenced David William Jai Herder, age 41, of Ijamsville, Maryland, to seven years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for distribution of child pornography. Judge Gallagher also ordered Herder to pay restitution totaling $45,000 to identified victims abused by others to produce the child pornography that Herder subsequently distributed, received, and/or possessed.

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Former Federal Background Investigator Sentenced for Falsifying Background Investigation Reports

Source: United States Attorneys General 4

WASHINGTON – Michelle Layton, 57, a former background investigator for the National Background Investigations Bureau, now the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, was sentenced today to three years of probation and ordered to pay more than $100,000 in restitution for falsifying reports of investigation she submitted as part of background investigations of individuals seeking national security clearances.

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Lynn Man Indicted for Drug and Firearms Conspiracy Involving Over 400 Grams of Fentanyl and Multiple Machine Guns

Source: United States Attorneys General 8

BOSTON – A Lynn man was indicted by a federal grand jury today in connection with operating a drug trafficking organization in which he allegedly used pill presses to produce thousands of counterfeit pills per hour and distributed the counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl to suppliers on the North Shore.

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Agile Patriot grows AFMC leaders of tomorrow

Source: United States Air Force

Air Force Materiel Command held its 2021 Agile Patriot professional development conference, Jan. 10-13, providing both mid-tier military and civilian Airmen with the tools and training to be successful leaders in the future. Airmen attended virtually via Microsoft Teams.