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Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Arson Charge by Pouring Gasoline on Several Supreme Court Vehicles

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

            WASHINGTON – Cody Tarner, 26, of Hagerstown, Maryland, pleaded guilty on January 9, 2024, in federal court to Arson. U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth scheduled a sentencing hearing for May 14, 2024.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael O’Callaghan of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            According to the government’s evidence, on July 15, 2020, Tarner drove onto the United States Supreme Court’s property located on First Street Northeast, Washington D.C., and parked his vehicle in an employee only parking spot. The defendant got out of his car and walked around the Supreme Court property. Tarner then returned to his car and pulled out a red gas can. At approximately 1:48 p.m., Tarner was observed on security camera footage pouring gasoline onto three Supreme Court Police unmarked vehicles parked in Supreme Court employee only parking spaces. While pouring the gasoline on the vehicles, it was observed that some of the gasoline was splashing onto his person and clothing. The unmarked vehicles had emergency police lights visible from the outside of the vehicles, and one of the vehicles had emergency police lights on the roof of the vehicle. Tarner was then seen lighting one of the vehicles on fire resulting in a violent ignition of the gasoline. This action resulted in Tarner also being engulfed in the fire causing severe burns and injuries to himself. Tarner admitted to starting the fire with 87 octane unleaded gasoline he had purchased in Pennsylvania for that purpose.  The investigation revealed that Tarner had several prior encounters with law enforcement in which he expressed anti-government and militia extremist ideologies.  Tarner also claimed to be the leader of an identified militia group.

            This case was investigated by FBI, Supreme Court of the United States Police – Protective Intelligence Unit, and Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emory V. Cole and DOJ Attorney James Peterson.

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Halifax Regional Municipality — Woman wanted on Province-wide arrest warrant

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division has obtained a warrant for the arrest of a woman wanted in relation to incidents of thefts and fraud that occurred in January of 2023.

Diane Timmer, 33, from Ontario, has been charged with:

  • Theft Over $5,000 (three counts)
  • Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
  • Fraud

Timmer, who is also known as Diane Gray, is described as 5-foot-7, 150 lbs. She has hazel eyes, light coloured hair and a tattoo of purple flowers on her left hand.

At this time, investigators believe that Timmer may be located in the Chester area and could be driving a 2013 black Dodge Ram bearing the Ontario licence plate BT26150.

Police have made several attempts to locate Timmer, however are requesting assistance from the public.

Anyone who sees Diane Timmer is asked to refrain from approaching her and to call police. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File #: 23-10803, 23-10843, 23-29355

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Saint-Léonard — Have you seen this stolen side-by-side?

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Saint-Léonard RCMP is asking for the public’s help to locate a stolen side-by-side from the community.

The theft is believed to have occurred between January 1, 2024, and January 10, 2024, from a residence on Marquis Street, in Saint-Léonard.

The side-by-side is described as a brown-beige 2022 CAN-AM Maverick Sport 1000 with black stripes, New Brunswick licence plate YE4003 and vehicle identification number 3JB1VAX40NK000071. A photo is unavailable.

If you have seen this side-by-side since January 1, or if you have information that could help further the investigation, please contact the Saint-Léonard RCMP at 506-473-3137. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

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Pictou — Pictou County District RCMP seeking information following a stabbing at a motel

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Pictou County District RCMP is investigating a stabbing that occurred at a motel in Pictou.

On January 9, at approximately 5:40 p.m., Pictou County District RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing at a motel on West River Rd in Pictou Town. Upon arrival, RCMP officers located a man inside a hotel room who had been stabbed.

The 28-year-old Nova Scotian suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to hospital by EHS.

Information and evidence gathered indicates that prior to the incident two men and a woman were observed entering the motel room. Moments later, one of the two men was seen fleeing from the area.

At this time, RCMP officers believe that the incident was targeted in nature and that man who fled is responsible for the stabbing.

The Pictou County District RCMP is looking to identify the three persons in the attached photos who may have been involved or witnessed the event.

Anyone with information on this incident or who can identify the three persons is asked to contact the Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. If you would like to remain anonymous you can contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). A secure web tip can be submitted at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or use the P3 Tips App.

File #: 2024-39406

Note to media: Photos of the three persons are attached.

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Unified Command scheduled to begin petroleum removal efforts on Tug Mazapeta

Source: United States Coast Guard

 

01/10/2024 06:09 PM EST

Contractors under the direction of a unified command will begin petroleum removal efforts on the Tug Mazapeta, January 12. The Mazapeta, a 1940s era military tugboat, sunk Sept. 4, 2023, in Little Potato Slough within the San Joaquin Delta, northwest of Stockton with approximately 1,600 gallons of diesel and engine oil were reported onboard at the time of the incident.

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Appeal for witnesses to fatal collision in Edmonton

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

An investigation remains ongoing after a woman and two dogs were killed in a collision in Edmonton.

Police were called at 19:23hrs on Tuesday, 9 January to the A10 Cambridge Road where a car had been in collision with a pedestrian.

Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended.

Despite the efforts of paramedics and police, a 28-year-old woman was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Officers have informed her next of kin and they are being supported by specially trained officers.

The woman is believed to have been out walking two dogs, who were also killed.

A 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision. He has been bailed to return on a date in mid-February pending further enquiries.

Detectives are keen to speak with the driver of a red Audi who was in the vicinity of the collision at the time it happened.

The Serious Collision Investigation Unit are asking anyone with dash cam footage, or who witnessed the incident, to make contact on 020 8597 4874 or via 101/ post @MetCC quoting reference CAD 5858/09Jan.

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Winnipeg — Results of the RCMP / Winnipeg Police Service Holiday Checkstop Program

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On December 1, 2023, the RCMP, along with the Winnipeg Police Service, Manitoba Public Insurance and MADD, announced the start of the annual Holiday Checkstop Program.

Winnipeg Police Service Patrol Sergeant Stephane Fontaine had a simple message for drivers, “If you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, DON’T DRIVE”.

The program, which took place from December 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024, saw numerous officers conducting checkstops and regular traffic patrols throughout the City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba. These are the results of this year’s program.

RCMP –

  • 5223 vehicles checked
  • 853 Provincial Offences Act notices issued
  • 3436 Mandatory Alcohol Screenings administered
  • 46 Criminal Code alcohol impaired charges
  • 2 Criminal Code drug impaired charges
  • 4 Criminal Code failure or refusal to comply impaired charges
  • 88 alcohol immediate roadside prohibitions
  • 12 drug immediate roadside prohibitions
  • 290mg% was the highest blood alcohol content reported

WPS –

  • 4023 vehicles checked
  • 111 Provincial Offences Act notices issued
  • 2050 Mandatory Alcohol Screenings administered
  • 13 Criminal Code alcohol impaired charges
  • 11 Criminal Code failure or refusal to comply impaired charges
  • 62 alcohol immediate roadside prohibitions
  • 5 drug immediate roadside prohibitions
  • 260mg% was the highest blood alcohol content reported

“It’s clear from these results that many people chose to disregard our message,” said Inspector Michael Gagliardi, Officer in Charge of RCMP Traffic Services. “We need to further drive that message home, that the number of collisions, the number of fatalities, and the number of people truly affected by impaired driving is just too high”.

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Department of the Air Force’s Office of Special Trial Counsel fully operational

Source: United States Air Force

Arlington, VA (AFNS) —  

On Dec. 28, the Department of the Air Force’s Office of Special Trial Counsel became fully operational, providing expert, independent and ethical representation of the United States in matters primarily involving victim-based offenses.  

Pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, each service established an OSTC to represent the United States in the investigation and prosecution of 14 categories of offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. These offenses are primarily victim-based offenses, including sex-related crimes, incidents of interpersonal violence, sexual harassment and some violent offenses. 

OSTC will integrate with commanders, law enforcement and installation legal offices to ensure accountability for perpetrators of sexual assault, domestic violence and other violent crimes, and will make determinations about whether a covered offense will be tried by a general or special court-martial.  

From the initial report of a criminal allegation to final disposition, OSTC operations will integrate with local law enforcement and legal professionals across the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. 

“I am committed to the success of this path forward,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. “That success depends on the willingness of victims of these crimes and others to report offenses when they do occur. We know this can be an extremely difficult decision. We will do everything we can to ensure victims are supported and justice is done.” 

In December 2022, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Brown was confirmed by the Senate as the Lead Special Trial Counsel, directly reporting to the Secretary of the Air Force. He is supported by a team of specialized prosecutors and paralegals.  

“Every OSTC litigator is personally selected, specially trained and qualified, and vetted from nomination through certification. This process ensures our counsel are experts in the execution, management and supervision of complex litigation,” said Brown. 

The STC Qualification Course includes practical exercises and an objective final exam, testing each candidate’s knowledge and ability to manage the investigation and prosecution of covered offenses. 

The OSTC headquarters is located on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C., and there are six command-aligned field operations:  

  • District 1: Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Force District of Washington 
  • Located on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virgina  
  • District 2: Air Mobility Command and Air Force Materiel Command 
  • Located on Travis Air Force Base, California 
  • District 3: Space Operations Command, Space System Command, Space Training and Readiness Command, Air Force Global Strike Command, and U.S. Air Force Academy 
  • Located on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas 
  • District 4: Air Education and Training Command  
  • Located on Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas 
  •  District 5: U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa 
  • Located on Ramstein Air Base, Germany 
  • District 6: Pacific Air Forces 
  • Located on Kadena Air Base, Japan 

“Notwithstanding OSTC’s independent authority, commanders remain a crucial stakeholder in the military justice system with the ultimate responsibility for command climate and good order and discipline within their units,” Brown said. “Commanders of victims and accused are uniquely suited to provide input to OSTC disposition decisions, and we welcome their perspective.” 

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Whitehorse — Whitehorse RCMP Detachment to participate in RCMP Race-Based Data Collection pilot project

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Addressing systemic racism and discrimination is an organizational priority for the RCMP.

After two years of extensive consultations in communities across Canada, the RCMP’s Race-Based Data Collection Initiative will be piloted in select detachments across the country starting in January 2024. The Whitehorse RCMP Detachment is one of the pilot communities for this project. The Race-Based Data Collection Initiative aims to collect, analyse and report race-based data to better understand the experiences of Indigenous, Black and other racialized individuals and communities in their interactions with RCMP frontline officers.

Learn more at the link about the RCMP’s Race-Based Data Collection Initiative: RCMP launches Race-Based Data Collection pilot project

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What are Radioactive Sources?

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Radioactive sources contain radioactive material of a particular radionuclide (an unstable form of an element emitting radiation), which can vary based on the application for which the source was manufactured. These sources emit ionizing radiation, typically in the form of alpha and beta particles, gamma rays or neutron radiation. Click here to learn more about radiation.

Until the 1950s, only radionuclides of natural origin, such as Radium-226 – an isotope of radium used to treat some types of cancers – were available for use. Today, radionuclides artificially produced in nuclear facilities and accelerators, including Caesium-137, Colbalt-60, and Iridium-192, are extensively used. Around the world, these radioactive sources are used for medical, industrial, agricultural, research and educational purposes.

Some examples of the application of radioactive sources include killing bacteria in food, sterilizing medical supplies and equipment, treating cancer and other diseases, mapping underground sources of water, integrity testing of mechanical structures and measuring soil density for construction projects.

Read about the use of ionizing radiation for pest control and sterilization.