Category: Security

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Italian man sentenced to two years in prison for using unauthorized credit card information to purchase a firearm

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Italian national residing in Woodbridge was sentenced today to two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.

According to court documents, on June 2, 2024, Wilford Amoako Osei, 23, placed a $1,249 online order for a firearm using another person’s name and credit card number without that person’s permission. The victim’s credit card was later reported lost or stolen. Osei received the firearm on June 24, 2024, from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Woodbridge.

In six instances from June 24, 2024, through August 30, 2024, Osei attempted to place online orders for additional firearms using the names and credit card numbers of other victims without their authorization. The attempted orders were blocked or cancelled and were not fulfilled.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel K. Amzallag prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-41.

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USNS Comfort Returns Home After Continuing Promise 2025

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) returned to Naval Station Norfolk (NSN), Aug. 17, 2025, marking the successful completion of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25). Comfort returned to NSN after a 79-day deployment, providing medical care, humanitarian assistance and strengthening relationships with partner nations in the Caribbean and South and Central America.

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Fuerzas Comando 2025

Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

Sixteen special operations teams from across Central and South America and the Caribbean will gather in Ilopango, El Salvador, Aug. 18–29, for Fuerzas Comando 2025, the 19th iteration of the premier special operations skills competition and senior leadership seminar.

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Secretary Noem Delivers $12 Billion in Savings to the American People in 200 Days

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

On average, Secretary Noem saves U.S. taxpayers more than $50 million a day

WASHINGTON — Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, in seven months, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has saved the American people $12 billion through common-sense cost accountability processes across DHS.  

By reducing the size of government and eliminating career bureaucrats, Secretary Noem saved U.S. taxpayers $1.3 billion. All of these savings were achieved without cuts to key law enforcement, border security, national security, immigration enforcement and positions with a public safety responsibility. 

Secretary Noem personally reviews and approves any contract above $100,000. This process saved U.S. taxpayers an additional $10.7 billion.  

For years, unelected bureaucrats rubber-stamped hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts, fueling a culture of waste, fraud, and abuse. Under Secretary Noem, that era is over. 

“It is stunning that for years, career bureaucrats were unilaterally signing off on hundred-million-dollar contracts leading to massive waste, fraud, and abuse of U.S. taxpayer dollars,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “While lobbyists and special interests are fighting for government contracts, Secretary Noem is fighting for the American taxpayer. In less than seven months, she’s saved the U.S. taxpayer $12 billion–that’s more than $50 million a DAY since she took office.” 

These figures don’t even include the additional savings from DHS’s immigration enforcement efforts under President Trump’s leadership.  

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the net cost of illegal immigration at the federal, state, and local levels was at least $150.7 billion annually as of early 2023. This translates to an average cost of $8,776 per illegal immigrant or U.S.-born child of illegal immigrants per year. Removing 1.6 million illegals from the country has resulted in an additional $14 billion in cost savings per year. 

Since taking office, Secretary Noem has reviewed more than 5,000 contracts and reviews all contracts within 24 hours.  

Secretary Noem’s reforms have exposed years of unchecked spending, including infamous examples such as the federal government paying $1,300 for a single reheatable coffee cup.   

Secretary Noem’s leadership has delivered results every American can be proud of including the most secure border in American history, removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our communities, and the $50 million in taxpayer savings every single day since she took office.

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CISA Issues Draft Software Bill of Materials Guide for Public Comment

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a draft Minimum Elements for a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for public comment. Reflecting the growing maturity of SBOM practices, this guide incorporates lessons learned from increased SBOM generation and usage and provides an updated baseline for how software component information is documented and shared. Members of the public may submit public comment on this guidance starting today. 

Software continues to underpin critical systems and services, and transparency into its composition is essential. SBOMs illuminate the software supply chain by providing data about software’s ingredients. Analysis of SBOM data gives organizations insights about their software that can then drive actions to improve software security.  

Since the 2021 SBOM Minimum Elements was published by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), SBOM practices have evolved significantly to include expanded tooling and increased stakeholder familiarity and adoption. The advancements of tooling and adoption allow organizations requesting SBOMs to demand more information about their software components and supply chain than they could have in 2021. By incorporating these advancements, the 2025 SBOM Minimum Elements raises expectations for SBOMs to align with current capabilities. 

“CISA remains focused on working with industry, interagency, and international partners to develop resources to increase SBOM adoption across the broader software ecosystem, the U.S. government, and the world. SBOM is a valuable tool that helps software manufacturers with addressing supply chain risks and several best practices have evolved significantly in recent years,” said CISA Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity Chris Butera. “This voluntary guidance will empower federal agencies and other organizations to make risk-informed decisions, strengthen their cybersecurity posture, and support scalable, machine-readable solutions. We encourage members of the public to review this guidance and provide comment on how we can improve this list of minimum elements.”    

Additions introduced in the draft Minimum Elements for a SBOM include component hash, license, tool name, and generation context. Existing elements, such as SBOM author, software producer, component version, and others, have been updated for improved clarity. The public comment period concludes on October 3, 2025. During the comment period, members of the public can provide comments and feedback via Federal Register: Request for Comment on 2025 Minimum Elements for a Software Bill of Materials. Following the public comment period, CISA will issue a revised version of the minimum elements. 

For more information and resources, visit Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) on CISA.gov.  

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About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. 

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Arizona Man Sentenced to Prison Term for Deadly Drunk Driving Crash

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man was sentenced to 40 months in prison for causing a high-speed drunk driving crash on the Navajo Nation that killed two passengers and seriously injured another.

According to court records, on November 14, 2024, Marvin Albert Wauneka, 40, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, drank heavily before reporting to work, where he was too intoxicated to perform his job. Wauneka then went to a Wal-Mart, continued drinking, and later drove and continued to drink with four passengers at speeds of 85 to 100 miles per hour on Navajo Route 54, where he lost control and caused a single-vehicle rollover crash.

The scene of the rollover

Two passengers were killed at the scene, a third suffered serious injuries but was able to escape the wreckage, and a fourth passenger escaped without serious harm. Wauneka’s blood alcohol content was measured at .298 upon arrival at the hospital.

Wauneka, who has a prior DWI conviction, pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He was previously convicted in Navajo Nation Tribal Court and sentenced to 167 days in custody for this offense. Upon his release from prison, Wauneka will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.

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Tulsan Retried and Found Guilty of Sexually and Brutally Assaulting a Nun

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

TULSA, Okla. – A federal jury reconvicted a homeless Tulsa man who kidnapped, sexually abused, and physically assaulted a 72-year-old nun, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Elga Eugene Harper, 43, was found guilty of Kidnapping in Indian Country; Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Threat in Indian Country; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country.

According to court documents, in May 2022, Harper showed up at the victim’s house unannounced. The victim knew Harper, who was homeless, and she would pay him to help fix things around her house. After explaining to Harper that she had no work for him, Harper requested to use the restroom. The victim allowed him to use the restroom.

The victim testified that Harper was gone for a while, and she went to check on him. When she found Harper, he was in her bedroom naked and immediately attacked her. During her testimony, the victim described Harper bound her arms and legs and tied a noose around her neck, all while Harper physically and sexually assaulted her for more than four hours. Before Harper left, he went through her home and took possessions that officers later found.

Harper was found guilty during his federal trial in February and sentenced in July 2023. In August, Harper filed an appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court, and the guilty verdict was overturned in October 2024, causing a retrial. While awaiting retrial, the victim passed away.

The retrial began on Monday, and a new jury was selected. Law enforcement and witnesses retestified to the events that happened in 2022. The jury heard audio from the 911 call where the victim cried for help and described being physically assaulted. The victim could be heard telling the 911 dispatcher, EMSA personnel, and responding officers that “Elga Harper” was the person who attacked her.

A body camera video and photos of the victim’s injuries displayed to the jury showed the brutality of the violence that Harper committed on the victim.

Harper is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He will continue to remain in custody until his sentencing is scheduled.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melody Nelson, Valeria Luster, and Kenneth Elmore prosecuted the case.

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Former California Superior Court Judge Charged with Sexual Assault and Obstruction Offenses

Source: United States Attorneys General 1

The Justice Department announced that a federal grand jury in Fresno, California, returned a five-count indictment yesterday charging former California Superior Court Judge Adolfo Corona, 66, with federal offenses for sexually assaulting a 33-year-old court employee (Victim 1), making false statements to cover up the assault, and with obstructing the investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted a 43-year-old court employee (Victim 2) in his chambers.

The indictment alleges that on March 14, 2024, Corona, while serving as a California Superior Court Judge, led Victim 1 into a courthouse stairwell where he sexually assaulted her. The indictment further alleges that Corona, during separate interviews with the FBI and court administrators, made false statements about the circumstances of his assault on Victim 1. Additionally, the indictment alleges that Corona obstructed the investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted Victim 2. Corona was alone with Victim 2 in his chambers for approximately two hours on Dec. 5, 2023, and she was later found alone in the judge’s chambers after being passed out. The indictment charges that Corona falsely told the FBI that he left Victim 2 alone in his chambers while he drove to pick up a motorcycle. It also charges that Corona attempted to persuade a motorcycle dealership employee to change company records to falsely reflect that he had picked up his motorcycle in order to corroborate his alibi.

If convicted, Corona faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison on the sexual assault charge and 20 years on each of the obstruction charges. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California, and Special Agent in Charge Siddhartha Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office made the announcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar for the Eastern District of California and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Allentown Man Sentenced to Fifteen Years for March 2023 Armed Robbery Spree in Lehigh County

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Rubiel Perez, 31, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for carrying out an armed robbery spree in Lehigh County, Pa., in March of 2023.

Perez was charged by indictment in November 2023 and pleaded guilty in March of this year to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

As detailed in the indictment and admitted to by the defendant, on March 28, 2023, Perez entered a 7-Eleven convenience store on Union Boulevard in Allentown, pointed a handgun at a store employee, and stole $937 before fleeing.

The next night, the defendant targeted a 7-Eleven convenience store on South 4th Street in Allentown. He pointed a handgun at a store employee and threatened him, before stealing $150 from the store. Later that same night, the defendant entered a 7-Eleven on West Tilghman Street in South Whitehall Township and attempted to rob the store by pointing a firearm at the store employee and threatening him.

“Three times in two days, Rubiel Perez pointed his gun at store clerks and made them fear for their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Prosecuting violent offenders is a priority for my office. We will not permit criminals to prey on the people in our communities.”

“In 25 hours, Rubiel Perez robbed three 7-Eleven stores, threatening the employees’ lives at gunpoint,” said Shannon Hamm, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Stopping violent criminals who terrorize our communities like Perez is a primary ATF mission. Thanks to our agents’, detectives’, and prosecutors’ combined efforts, he is now going to federal prison where he will no longer endanger this town. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to make Pennsylvania’s communities safer for all.”

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Allentown Police Department, and the South Whitehall Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Schopf.

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PENSACOLA FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO DRUG AND FIREARM CHARGES

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – John Cody Hawthorne, 32, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of firearms and ammunition by convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud the excellent work of Sheriff Chip Simmons and our federal law enforcement partners to make our community safer by getting this dangerous individual off the streets.  My office remains fully committed to fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting violent criminals with the full force of the law.”

Court documents reflect that Hawthorne, who was on state probation at the time, was in possession of multiple firearms as well as illegal narcotics.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hawthorne’s residence and located seven firearms in his bedroom, one of which was a short-barreled rifle, as well as over 400 live rounds of ammunition, marijuana, methamphetamine, ballistic body armor, and several thousand dollars.

Hawthorne faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment on the possession of firearm by convicted felon count, up to ten years imprisonment on the possession of short-barreled rifle count, and up to twenty years imprisonment on the drug possession charge.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.