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11 arrests and 16 victims safeguarded in operation against sexual exploitation of women

Source: Europol

Headline: 11 arrests and 16 victims safeguarded in operation against sexual exploitation of women

The victims were Nigerian women who were tricked into working as prostitutes by using voodoo threats to control them

The Spanish National Police, supported by Europol, have safeguarded 16 Nigerian women who were forced into prostitution in Zaragoza (Spain), and have arrested 11 members of a criminal network. The organised group operated from Europe, mainly in Spain, Italy, Germany and Denmark.

The women were recruited in the city of Benin in Nigeria, under false promises of a better life in Europe. Once recruited, they were trafficked to Spain, by using land routes to Libya, and from there to Italy by sea. Once on the Spanish territory they were handed over to a madam and forced into prostitution until they paid off their debt.

During an action day in Spain, Europol supported the investigation on the ground by deploying an analyst to Zaragoza equipped with a mobile office and a data extraction device. This allowed for real-time information exchange and cross-checks of the data gathered during the course of the action against Europol’s databases.

Voodoo threats used by human traffickers

The victims were coerced under voodoo threats by which they pledged to pay the debt incurred and not to denounce their exploiters to the police. This method, used by criminal organisations with women from Western Africa, aims to control women under threat of death for them or their family members if they do not comply with that commitment.

Victims can be controlled even through telephone conversations, making it unnecessary for the madams to be in the same physical location where the women are being exploited.

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Victim named – HMP Wormwood Scrubs murder

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Victim named – HMP Wormwood Scrubs murder

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of an inmate at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Shepherd’s Bush, W12.

Police were called to the prison at 15:19hrs on Wednesday, 31 January following reports of a stabbing.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man suffering from stab wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Next of kin are aware.

While formal identification awaits, officers are confident the deceased is 25-year-old Saleh Khader.

A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Four men, all prisoners at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are:

[A] and [B] – both aged 21;
[C] – aged 20;
[D] – aged 23.

All four remain in police custody.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

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IP crime: high-level meeting on a joint strategy at Europol

Source: Europol

Headline: IP crime: high-level meeting on a joint strategy at Europol

Figures from studies produced by the OECD and EUIPO show that counterfeit and pirated products represent up to 5% of all EU imports, worth up to 85 billion. Brands that suffer the most from IP infringements are primarily registered in the EU.

The Europol-EUIPO joint report points out the significant involvement of organised crime in IP infringements.

Considering the above, a high level meeting took place at Europol, with representatives from CEPOL, EUIPO, Europol, Eurojust and the European Commission (OLAF, TAXUD, GROW) to discuss how to step up cooperation to fight IP crime.

During the meeting participants highlighted the importance of data exchange and analysis, as well as of enhanced cooperation between EU and national authorities. Concrete actions to make the fight against IP infringements more efficient and effective were discussed.

Participants expressed the wish to meet on a regular basis and to set up a framework to ensure that progress is made on agreed actions.

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Latham Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Short-Barreled Rifle

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Latham Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Short-Barreled Rifle

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph T. Clemente, Jr., age 34, of Latham, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a short-barreled rifle.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

As part of his plea, Clemente admitted that he intentionally removed the upper receiver of a rifle that he had purchased at a gun store, and replaced it with an upper receiver he purchased on the Internet, which he knew included a 9-inch barrel.  The resulting firearm he possessed was a rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches, also known as a “short-barreled rifle,” which is illegal to possess.

Clemente faces up to 10 years in prison and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on May 31, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors

This case was investigated by ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

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Rensselaer Man Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Rensselaer Man Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Darrell Chapman, also known as “Bishop” and “Sly Foxx,” age 37, of Rensselaer, New York, was indicted today for narcotics and firearms offenses.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II, and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

A four-count superseding indictment charges Chapman with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, from approximately November 2016 until October 18, 2017; possession with intent to distribute the same quantities of cocaine and heroin; possession of four handguns and two rifles in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted of one of the drug offenses, Chapman faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life.  Chapman also faces a consecutive sentence of 5 years in prison if convicted of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Chapman previously appeared before United States Magistrate Judge F. Christian Hummel in Albany, and was detained pending trial.  

This case is being investigated by the New York State Police and the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck. 

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Cohoes Woman Sentenced for Social Security Fraud

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Cohoes Woman Sentenced for Social Security Fraud

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Donna M. Smith, age 58, of Cohoes, New York, was sentenced today to 14 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for fraudulently obtaining disability insurance benefits. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant. C. Jaquith and John F. Grasso, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office.

As part of her October 19, 2017 guilty plea, Smith admitted to submitting two false statements in which she claimed to have not worked between 2006 and 2015, when in fact she had worked for a total of eight Capital Region employers during this time.  Disability insurance benefits are designed to replace, in part, the loss of income due to a disability.

Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered Smith to pay $108,866.20 in restitution to the SSA.

This case was investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jason White.

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Murder investigation launched after inmate fatally stabbed in Wormwood Scrubs

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Murder investigation launched after inmate fatally stabbed in Wormwood Scrubs

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of an inmate at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Shepherd’s Bush W12.

Police were called to the prison at approximately 15:19hrs on Wednesday, 31 January following reports of a stabbing.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man aged in his 20s suffering from stab wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Next of kin are aware.

A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course. Formal identification awaits.

Four men, all prisoners at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are:

[A] and [B] – both aged 21
[C] – aged 20
[D] – aged 23

All four remain in police custody.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

Further enquiries into the incident continue.

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Reward offered in Dawood Robinson murder investigation

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Reward offered in Dawood Robinson murder investigation

Detectives investigating the murder of an Islington man in 2016 have announced a reward of £20,000 has been made available.

David Robinson, also known as Dawood, died after being shot in Sunnyside Road, N19 on Saturday, 20 August 2016.

The reward is on offer to anyone who can provide information which leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Whellams of the Homicide and Major Crime Command leads the investigation and said:

“A significant reward is being offered for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for Dawood’ s murder. It has now been nearly 18 months since Dawood was fatally wounded and his family are still waiting for answers.

“Over this period of time, people’s allegiances may have changed and those who were initially not comfortable speaking to police may now feel in a position to do so.

“I would urge anyone with information who could help us catch Dawood’s killers to contact police immediately.”

An investigation was launched after police were called shortly before 21:00hrs to reports of gunshots heard in Sunnyside Road, N19.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found 25-year-old Dawood inside the Big House 101 music studio suffering gunshot wounds. He was taken to an east London hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 00:10hrs on 21 August.

Dawood had attended the studio to read and spend time with friends. However, he became involved in an altercation inside the studio which resulted in Dawood being shot.

DCI Whellams added: “We know there were people in the area at the time, both inside and outside the venue, and we have spoken with many of them.

“However, I am sure that some of these people may have more to tell us – they need to be brave and speak to us in confidence about what occurred that evening.

“Anyone that has information that could assist this enquiry is urged to make contact with my officers at the incident room number below. A reward of £20,000 has been authorised that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for this murder.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that may assist police is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 3775. To give information anonymously, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

+ Four men, all aged in their 20s, have been arrested in connection with the investigation. They have since been released without further action.

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DNI Coats Directs Intelligence Agencies To Review Tet Offensive-related Documents for Declassification, Release

Source: United States Director of National Intelligence

Headline: DNI Coats Directs Intelligence Agencies To Review Tet Offensive-related Documents for Declassification, Release

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ODNI News Release No. 6-18 
January 31, 2018


DNI Coats Directs Intelligence Agencies
To Review Tet Offensive-related Documents
for Declassification, Release

First in Series of Releases Expected in July, New Transparency Effort To Share Historical Information of Current Relevance

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Tet Offensive—which took place on January 30, 1968—Director of National Intelligence Daniel R. Coats directed intelligence agencies to review their holdings to reveal previously classified details to the public.

In December 2016, former DNI James R. Clapper instructed the Intelligence Community Senior Historians Panel to identify topics of historical interest for declassification and release, as a part of the IC’s continuing efforts to enhance public understanding of IC activities.

For the first release of this initiative, the panel recommended documents relating to the Tet Offensive be reviewed for declassification and release in commemoration of the Vietnam War.

The Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive was a series of surprise attacks launched by the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong on January 30,1968 throughout South Vietnam that targeted multiple prominent sites, including the Presidential Palace and the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.

While the attacks initially took the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces by surprise, they eventually recovered to repel the Viet Cong.  The dramatic nature of the Tet Offensive began to turn U.S. public opinion against the war and precipitated the U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam.

Review & Declassification

Based on the recommendation of the Historians Panel, DNI Coats has directed that IC elements review their record holdings to identify classified records pertaining to the Tet Offensive and review them for declassification and release.

The declassified documents will be released over a period of 15 months, in three installments, beginning in July 2018. Subsequent releases will take place in January 2019 and April 2019.

How to Learn More

Intelligence.gov will serve as the hub for information on the progress of the Tet Offensive document declassification throughout the process and will provide access to materials sourced from across the IC upon their release. Efforts to declassify historical information of current relevance are rooted in the 2015 transparency implementation plan that led to semi-annual meetings of the IC Historian Panel.  Follow @inteldotgov #TetDeclassified for updates.

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