EFTA01655861.pdf

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - FBI Daily News Briefing - June 6, 2024 Date: Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:15:02 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser PtFederal Bureau of Investigation June 06, 2024 Seal Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • Continued Reporting: Attorney General, Director Wray Face Congress Amid Rising Political and International Tensions • FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran Speaks at 2024 Boston Conference on Cyber Security • Appeals Court Halts Trump's Georgia Case During Appeal of Order COUNTERTERRORISM • Washington Man Sentenced for 20 'Swatting' Calls of False Threats in U.S., Canada • Counterterrorism Chief to Step Down After Three Years on the Job • California Man Found Convicted for Threatening to 'Unabomb' FBI Field Office in L.A. • Canada Court Upholds Conviction and Life Sentence in Via Rail Terror Plot Case • Opinion: Russian Migrant Terrorist Case Clearly Shows the Danger of Open Borders COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • US, 'Five Eyes' Allies Warn China Recruiting Western Military Trainers CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Hunter Biden's Ex-Wife, Ex-Girlfriend Testify About Drug Use in Gun Trial • Judge Reshuffles Hearings in Trump Documents Case • Detroit Nonprofit CFO Accused of Stealing $40 Million • Continued Reporting: Deliberations Continue in Feeding Our Future Fraud Trial Roiled by Bag of Cash for a Juror in Minneapolis EFTA01655861  • Continued Reporting: FBI Agent Testifies at Menendez Trial About Texts That Allegedly Show How Senator's Wife Got a Mercedes • Arrests Made, Guns and Drugs Seized During Operation Trigger Lock in Florida • FBI Portland Division Warns of Rise in Scammers Impersonating Agents, Others in Government to Get Cash, Gold • FBI Raids Atlanta Corporate Landlord in Probe of Rental Market Price Fixing • Continued Reporting: What Will Become of the Epoch Times With Its Chief Financial Officer Accused of Money Laundering? • Over 850 Murders Linked to Long-Haul Truckers • Another Victim From Suspected Serial Killer's Indiana Farm ID'd as Man Who Went Missing in 1993 • Continued Reporting: Federal Officials Make Arrest in Alleged NBA Betting Scheme Involving Jontay Porter • FBI Warns of Rise in Work-From-Home Scams • Sentencing Handed down After FBI Tip Leads to Arrest in Indiana Child Porn Case CYBER DIVISION • Al Fuels Rise in Attacks From 'Unsophisticated Threat Actors,' Federal Cyber Leaders Say INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • Four Arrested for Allegedly Attempting to Sabotage Interpol Criminal Search System CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS • Retired NASCAR Driver and Son Arrested for Alleged Assaults on Police During Jan. 6 Riot • FBI Reinstates Security Clearance for Former Employee Who Raised Questions About Jan. 6 Attack • Jan. 6 Rioter Caught in a Woman's Bumble Dating App Sting Sentenced to Prison • Three Washington D.C. Cousins Arrested After FBI Investigation Into Jan. 6 Riot • Democrats Blocked Trump's Agent From Refuting Tale About Jan. 6 Limo Battle, Report Says • Inside the Supreme Court Decision That Could Lop Years Off Sentences For Capitol Rioters • 'Racial Resentment' a Factor in Violence of 6 January 2021, Study Says OTHER FBI NEWS • FBI Reveals the 95 ITSSS-2 Winners • House Appropriators Reject GSA's $3.5B Plan for New FBI Headquarters • Republicans Target FBI, Trump Prosecutors Post-Verdict • Chicago Police Claim Mass Arresting DNC Protesters Are 'Last Resort! • 'The Man Who Conned the Pentagon' Can't Pursue Lawsuit Against FBI for Raiding Home, Ninth Circuit Rules • FBI Holds Shooter Response Training in Massachusetts INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Israel Strikes U.N. School and Shelter in Gaza, Says Hamas Was Operating There • U.N. Atomic Agency Censures Iran Over Nuclear Actions Despite Retaliation Threat • Gunman Attacks U.S. Embassy in Lebanon • A Russian American Is Sentenced in Russia Over Social Media Posts EFTA01655862  • Slovak Prime Minister Speaks Publicly for First Time Since Assassination Attempt • Israel Secretly Targets U.S. Lawmakers With Influence Campaign on Gaza War • Israeli Nationalists, Marching in Jerusalem, Balk at U.S. Cease-Fire Push • Putin's Existential Problem: Not Enough Russians • A War on the Nile Pushes Sudan Toward the Abyss • World Leaders, Veterans, Commemorate D-Day's 80th Anniversary in Normandy OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Speaker Johnson Appoints Two Trump Allies to a Committee That Handles Classified Intelligence • Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested at Stanford After Takeover of President's Office • Democratic Contraception Access Bill Fails in U.S. Senate • NYPD Moves to Revoke Trump's License to Carry a Gun • Republicans Vindicated by Reports About Biden's Fitness for Office • Small Shift Toward Biden After Trump Verdict • New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Abruptly Halts Manhattan Congestion Pricing • House Republicans Consider Another Angle to Take on Attorney General Garland • Bankruptcy Judge Spares Alex Jones' Media Empire for Now as Sandy Hook Families Pursue Liquidation • Psychiatrist Henry Jarecki Says Relationship With Epstein Accuser Was Consensual • At Least One Person Seriously Injured, Structures Damaged After Tornadoes and Storms Sweep Through Maryland • Alito's Account of the Upside-Down Flag Doesn't Fully Add Up. Here's Why. • U.S. May Revive Some Shut Nuclear Plants to Help Meet Emissions Goal, Energy Chief Says BIG PICTURE • New York Times • Wall Street Journal • Washington Post • ABC News • CBS News • NBC News • Fox News • CNN WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS Continued Reporting: Attorney General, Director Wray Face Congress Amid Rising Political and International Tensions The New York Post (06/05, Keane) reported that Attorney General Merrick Garland warned of an increased terror threat in the U.S. since October 7, stating that the threat level "has gone up enormously." Garland expressed his concerns during his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, highlighting his daily worries about a possible terrorist attack. He said, "I am worried about the possibility of a terrorist attack in the country after October 7. The threat level for us has gone up enormously. Every morning, we worry about this question. We try to track anyone who might be trying to hurt the country. Of course, this is a major priority for the Justice EFTA01655863 Department." USA TODAY (06/05, Russell) explained that Garland testified for nearly five hours on a variety of topics before the House Judiciary Committee, addressing allegations from former President Donald Trump's Republican allies who questioned the integrity of the Justice Department. Committee chair Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio stated, "Many Americans believe there's now a double standard of our justice system. They believe that because there is." In his defense, Garland emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Justice Department's operations, saying, "I view contempt as a serious matter. But I will not jeopardize the ability of our prosecutors and agents to do their jobs effectively in future investigations. I will not be intimidated." Director Wray Testifies Before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee According to the New York Post article, Director Wray echoed these concerns in his testimony earlier the same day before a subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Director Wray emphasized the elevated nature of current threats, stating, "I'd be hard-pressed to think of a time where so many threats to our public safety and national security were so elevated all at once." He further noted that the ongoing conflict in Gaza has significantly increased the threats against the U.S., bringing them to "a whole 'nother level" and contributing to a rise in antisemitism and hate crimes. The Epoch Times (06/05, Duchamps) noted that Director Wray also made his case on the FBI's budget request totaling $11.3 billion for Fiscal Year 2025, saying the requested resources are crucial for the law enforcement agency to continue "national security, intelligence, criminal law enforcement, and criminal justice services missions." In a statement, Director Wray said, "As described in this threat summary, our adversaries are not scaling back their efforts because of the constrained budget environment. In fact, threat actors may try to take advantage of federal budget reductions to conduct nefarious activities. The FBI cannot afford to be playing catch-up to the People's Republic of China, Hamas, transnational organized criminals coming across the border, and cyber actors. With the requested resources, the FBI will have the talent, tools, and authorities to do more to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution." Director Wray also noted that the FBI has no information to indicate whether Hamas has either the intent or capability to conduct a terrorist attack inside the United States but pointed out that the agency cannot discount that possibility because of the likelihood of "Hamas supporters engaging in violence on the group's behalf." "We are concerned with any FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) that may exploit the attacks in Israel as a tool to mobilize their followers around the world. In recent years, there have been several events and incidents in the United States that were purportedly motivated, at least in part, by the conflict between Israel and Hamas," he said. Another article from The Epoch Times (06/05, Phillips) reported that Director Wray stated that the United States needs "a whole lot more from Mexico" to effectively combat drug cartels and stop the flow of narcotics into the country. Director Wray acknowledged some successes with Mexico but emphasized, "We need a whole lot more from Mexico than we've gotten in terms of shutting down the cartels and stopping the flow of the precursors." He also highlighted a recent FBI raid in New Mexico that uncovered enough fentanyl to kill hundreds of thousands of people, along with "hand grenades, ballistic vests, you know, the whole nine yards." Additionally, Director Wray testified that threats against the Jewish community in the U.S. have risen since the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, noting, "Religiously motivated hate crimes, close to 60 percent of them, are targeted at the Jewish community." Additionally, WABI (CBS-5) (06/05, Whaley) and WGME (CBS-13) (06/05, Murtagh) reported that Director Wray addressed the issue of illegal marijuana grow operations in Maine, following questioning from Sen. Susan Collins. Collins highlighted a recent bust in Somerset County involving 1,500 marijuana plants and other drug-related materials. Director Wray explained, "Our assessment is that it's a combination of the fact that it is activity that can be done relatively cheaply, and by comparison to other drugs in the United States, the consequences that they face from a legal perspective are not as severe as that they might be in other countries where they might also want to operate. So, it makes for an attractive business proposition." He noted the absence of ties to the Chinese government but confirmed links to Chinese organized crime and mentioned that illegal grows are also appearing on tribal lands. " Additional reporting on the story was provided by Strat News Global (06/05, Revi), Algemeiner (06/05, Walker), and Economic Times (06/05, Staff Writer). " CBS News (06/05, Video) and Fox News (06/05, Video) provided video coverage. • MSNBC (06/05, Benen) and the Boston Globe (06/05, Stohr) provided opinion pieces on the story. FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran Speaks at 2024 Boston Conference on Cyber Security EFTA01655864 Bleeping Computer (06/05, Gatlan) and CyberDaily (06/06, Croft) reported that the FBI has recovered over 7,000 decryption keys from the LockBit ransomware and is urging past victims to come forward to reclaim their data for free. According to the articles, FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran announced at the 2024 Boston Conference on Cyber Security, "From our ongoing disruption of LockBit, we now have over 7,000 decryption keys and can help victims reclaim their data and get back online." He further encouraged victims to visit the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Vorndran's keynote provided an analysis of Operation Cronos and its findings, revealing that "LockBit was set up by a Russian coder named Dmitry Khoroshev," who uses online aliases like 'Putinkrab,"Nerowolfe,' and 'LockBitsupp.' Vorndran stated, "He maintains the image of a shadowy hacker... But, really, he is a criminal, more caught up in the bureaucracy of managing his company than in any covert activities." The articles explained that Khoroshev, who has been sanctioned by the US, UK, and Australia, attempted to mitigate his situation by betraying his competitors. "Khoroshev then tried to get us to go easy on him by turning on his competitors, naming other ransomware-as-a-service operators," said Vorndran. "So, it really is like dealing with organized crime gangs, where the boss rolls over and asks for leniency. We will not go easy on him." The articles noted that the FBI discovered that LockBit and its affiliates were keeping stolen data even after receiving ransom payments, despite assurances to victims that the data had been deleted. Appeals Court Halts Trump's Georgia Case During Appeal of Order The Associated Press (06/05, Brumback) and the Washington Post (06/05, Gardner) reported that an appeals court has paused the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump while it reviews a ruling allowing Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to remain on the case. According to the articles, Trump and eight others had sought to remove Willis, arguing that her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade created a conflict of interest. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee had previously found no conflict of interest but allowed the appeal to proceed. The Court of Appeals has scheduled a tentative hearing for October 4, with a ruling expected by mid-March, delaying any potential trial until after the November general election. The articles noted that this development makes it even more unlikely that the case will go to trial before Trump is expected to be the Republican nominee for president. The story was also reported on by ABC News (06/OS, Rubin), Axios (06/0S, Doherty), BBC (06/OS, Matza), CBS News (06/05, Quinn, Eggleston), CNBC (06/05, Mangan), CNN (06/05, Cohen, Murray, Morris), Fox News (06/05, Herlihy), The Hill (06/05, Lee, Schonfeld), NBC News (06/05, Gile, Gregorian), New York Times (06/OS, Fausset), Politico (06/05, Cheney), and Reuters (06/05, Goudsward). Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Washington Man Sentenced for 20 'Swatting' Calls of False Threats in U.S., Canada The Associated Press (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that Ashton Connor Garcia, a Washington state man, was sentenced to three years in prison for making 20 false reports of bombs and shootings across the U.S. and Canada. According to the article, Garcia pleaded guilty to extortion and threats regarding explosives, admitting he intended to cause the deployment of SWAT teams and bomb squads. The FBI was involved in responding to these false emergencies, which included fake bomb scares for Fox News in Cleveland and a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles. Prosecutors noted that Garcia used voice-over-internet technology to conceal his identity and threatened to send emergency responses to victims' homes unless they provided money, credit card information, or explicit images. Counterterrorism Chief to Step Down After Three Years on the Job CBS News (06/05, Gazis) reported that Christy Abizaid will step down next month as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) after three years in the role. She will be succeeded by Brett Holmgren, the current director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, who will serve as the acting director. The article explained that the NCTC, housed in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, functions as the government's primary counterterrorism analysis hub, coordinating with agencies like the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. In a statement, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said of the moves: "Christy Abizaid is an extraordinary leader who is not only incredibly effective but principled, courageous, and kind. We will miss her, but we are beyond fortunate to have Brett Holmgren taking on the leadership of NCTC — another truly exceptional leader in the counterterrorism field and a distinguished member of the IC leadership team." Additional reporting on the story was provided by UPI (06/05, Heuer), New York Times (06/05, Schmitt), and Reuters (06/OS, Staff Writer). EFTA01655865 California Man Found Convicted for Threatening to 'Unabomb' FBI Field Office in L.A. KTLA (CW-5) (06/05, Schlepp) reported that Mark William Anten, a Los Angeles man, was found guilty of making violent threats, including threatening to "Unabomb" the FBI Field Office in Los Angeles. According to the article, Anten, who has been in custody since his arrest last December, sent multiple threatening emails to the FBI, boasting about his similarities to the Unabomber Ted Kaczynski. Despite being warned by FBI officers, Anten continued his threats, even sending emails about committing mass murder and making a dirty bomb. The article noted that the FBI investigated and arrested Anten, who was found guilty after a three-day trial and faces up to five years in federal prison for each count. "Even after being warned, Mr. Anten double-downed on his threats to murder FBI employees," said Krysti Hawkins, acting assistant director in charge of the FBI Field Office in L.A. "The FBI will not tolerate credible death threats to individuals or institutions and, as evidenced during the trial, neither did the jury." Canada Court Upholds Conviction and Life Sentence in Via Rail Terror Plot Case CBC (06/05, Loriggio) reported that Ontario's highest court upheld the conviction and life sentence of Raed Jaser, one of the men convicted in the plot to derail a passenger train between Canada and the U.S. According to the article, laser's appeal argued that the trial judge's refusal to separate his case from co-accused Chiheb Esseghaier's compromised the trial's fairness, but the Court of Appeal found the joint trial decision reasonable. The article noted that Jaser also claimed the trial was influenced by an undercover FBI agent's involvement, but the court rejected this, noting the terrorist plot was already planned. The court confirmed that the trial was fair and dismissed Jaser's appeal. The article explained that this is the second time the Appeal Court has weighed in on Jaser and Esseghaier's case. They were found guilty in 2015 on a total of eight terror-related charges between them. Opinion: Russian Migrant Terrorist Case Clearly Shows the Danger of Open Borders An opinion piece from the New York Post (06/05, Bensman) reported that Russian national Murat Kurashev, who entered the U.S. illegally via the Southwest Border, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for financing terrorism. According to the article, Kurashev, from the terrorism-prone Kabardino-Balkaria region, sent $13,000 to the al- Qaeda-affiliated group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which used the funds to buy combat equipment. "The FBI assesses that, had he not been arrested, he may have become an operational participant in terrorist activities," the investigating FBI agent told the Sacrament court at one point. "Kurashev's behavior firmly places him on the continuum for mobilizing to violence." The article noted that Director Wray, and a variety of former homeland security officials have warned that these circumstances have exposed America to an unprecedented risk of Islamic terrorist infiltration and attack. The author assessed that Kurashev's case exemplifies the dangers of open borders and raises concerns about other potential terrorists entering the U.S. undetected. Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE US, 'Five Eyes' Allies Warn China Recruiting Western Military Trainers Reuters (06/05, Landay, Martina) reported that the U.S. and its "Five Eyes" allies issued a warning about China recruiting current and former Western military pilots to train the Chinese military, which could reduce Western deterrence capabilities. According to the article, the intelligence services of the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand highlighted concerns over Chinese espionage, cyber hacking, and intellectual property theft, with the PLA using private companies to hire Western personnel. The article noted that the Five Eyes agencies asked people to guard against such offers, which they said often entail promises of lucrative salaries or excessive flattery, and to report any attempts to the FBI or military investigators in their countries. The article referenced the case of former U.S. Marine pilot Daniel Duggan, who faces charges in the U.S. for training Chinese military pilots. NBC News (06/05, Luce) added that in March, U.S. Army intelligence analyst Korbein Schultz was arrested and charged with conspiring to sell sensitive defense information to China. He has pleaded not guilty. And in August last year, two Navy sailors were arrested for allegedly relaying sensitive military information to China. Wenheng Zhao pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 months. Jinchao Wei has pleaded not guilty. "These arrests are a reminder of the relentless, aggressive efforts of the People's Republic of China to undermine our democracy and threaten those who defend it," assistant director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division Suzanne Turner said at the time. Additional reporting on the story was provided by VOA News (06/05, Seldin), CNN (06/05, Lillis, Britzky), EFTA01655866 Bloomberg (06/05, Capaccio), Business Insider (06/05, Epstein), Time (06/05, Bennett), and The Epoch Times (06/OS, Morgan). Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Hunter Biden's Ex-Wife, Ex-Girlfriend Testify About Drug Use in Gun Trial The Associated Press (06/OS, Lauer, Chase, Long, Kunzelman) reported that Hunter Biden's ex-wife and a former girlfriend testified Wednesday in his gun trial about finding his crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia, and jurors saw photos of the president's son bare-chested in a bubble bath and heard about his visit to a strip club. The article added that as the first lady sat in the front row, the courtroom grew quiet when Kathleen Buhle, who was married to Hunter for 20 years, walked in. She testified that she discovered her husband was using drugs when she found a crack pipe in an ashtray on their porch on July 3, 2015, a day after their anniversary. When she confronted him, "he acknowledged smoking crack," she said. The trial, about whether he lied on a gun purchase form in 2018 when he said he wasn't using drugs, has quickly become a highly personal and detailed tour of the mistakes and drug use of Hunter Biden, whose struggles have been tabloid fodder for years and were used publicly by Republicans, including in their stalled impeachment effort against the president. CBS News (06/OS, Yilek, Hymes, Brown, MacFarlane, Spady) reported that also on the stand on Wednesday was Gordon Cleveland, who sold Hunter Biden the firearm. Cleveland testified that Hunter Biden did not seem confused by the form, although defense attorney Abbe Lowell pressed him on the condition of the form at the center of the case, and the rules required for any changes made after submission. Lowell sought earlier Wednesday to cast doubt on the authenticity of personal messages allegedly from Hunter Biden's personal devices. Under questioning from Lowell, FBI Special Agent Erika Jensen said she could not verify the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop admitted into evidence were not tampered with before law enforcement collected it from the Mac repair shop. The New York Times (06/OS, Draper), New York Post (06/05, King, et al.), Reuters (06/OS, Queen, Hals), NPR (06/05, Lucas), USA TODAY (06/05, Wire, et al.), Axios (06/OS, Thompson), the Hill (06/OS, Suter), Newsweek (06/OS, Holliday, Keller), NEWSNATION (06/OS, Khalil, et al.), Fox News (06/05, Hagstrom, et al.), CNN (06/05, Lybrand, Cohen), Washington Post (06/05, Viser, et al.), NBC News (06/05, Doyle), and BBC (06/05, Yousif, Debusmann) also reported on the story. Judge Reshuffles Hearings in Trump Documents Case The New York Times (06/05, Feuer) reported that the federal judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trump's classified documents case abruptly changed the proceeding's schedule on Wednesday, reshuffling the timing for hearings on an array of important legal issues. According to the article, the move by the judge, Aileen M. Cannon, was unlikely to have much impact on the overall trajectory of the case, but it reflected the substantial number of unresolved legal motions she is juggling. Last month, Judge Cannon scrapped the case's trial date, saying she could not yet pick a new one because of what she described at the time as "the myriad and interconnected" questions she had still not managed to consider. The article added that Judge Cannon kept in place a hearing she had set for June 21to discuss a motion by Trump's lawyers to dismiss the indictment on the grounds that Jack Smith, the special counsel named to oversee the prosecutions of Trump, was illegally appointed to his job. The article stated that Judge Cannon also told the defense and the prosecution to be ready to debate Trump's motion to exclude from the case any evidence — including more than 100 classified documents — that the FBI discovered in August 2022 when agents searched Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club, and residence in Florida. The article mentioned that the parties are expected to discuss Smith's request to Judge Cannon to alter Trump's conditions of release by barring him from making public statements that could endanger FBI agents working on the case. Detroit Nonprofit CFO Accused of Stealing $40 Million The New York Times (06/OS, Fahrenthold) reported that the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, a nonprofit intended to beautify the city's once-industrial waterfront, had more than $100 million in assets, and tens of millions more flowing in annually from government and private donors. One man had near total control of the group's money, according to federal charging documents released Tuesday: its chief financial officer, William A. Smith. According to the article, Smith's grip on the nonprofit's finances was so tight that even the nonprofit's accountant, charged with tracking spending, could not log into one of the group's bank accounts. Only Smith had the password. He gave her the bank statements on paper and met her only four times a year, in the parking lot of a Honey Baked Ham store 40 miles from the office. On Wednesday, federal prosecutors said Smith abused his power to pull off an astonishing fraud: He stole nearly $40 million between 2012 and this March, they said, equal to 39 percent of all the money EFTA01655867 that the group had reported spending in that time, burning through the group's cash reserves. Smith, 51, was charged with bank fraud and wire fraud, both felonies that can come with as much as 30 years of prison time. The article noted that the group has successfully redeveloped a long stretch of the city's Detroit River waterfront and, until recently, had shown no public signs of distress. Local foundations contributed to it annually and it received grants from the Environmental Protection Agency, among others. In 2013, Smith was named a finalist for "C.F.O. of the year" by a local business magazine. But the nonprofit discovered problems with its finances this spring and invited Michigan State Police to investigate. The police then handed the case to the FBI. USA TODAY (06/05, MacDonald, Ikonomova), Axios (06/05, Guillen), Bloomberg (06/05, Heisig), and CBS News (06/05, Powers) also reported on the story. Continued Reporting: Deliberations Continue in Feeding Our Future Fraud Trial Roiled by Bag of Cash for a Juror in Minneapolis The Associated Press (06/05, Karnowski, Goldberg) reported that a jury ended a second day of deliberations Wednesday without reaching a verdict in the trial of seven Minnesotans accused in a scheme to steal more than $40 million from a program meant to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic, while FBI agents try to establish who left a bag with $120,000 in cash for a juror. Federal authorities confiscated the defendants' cellphones to search for clues and took all seven into custody on Monday before deliberations began. The trial judge also sequestered the jury after dismissing the juror who turned over the gift bag, along with another juror who reported hearing about the bribe attempt. The article added that FBI agents searched the home of one of the defendants Wednesday, according to a neighbor who witnessed the search. The home searched is identified in court records as the home of Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, who prosecutors have described as a ringleader of the seven. According to the article, Minneapolis FBI spokesperson Diana Freedman said in emails to the AP that "The FBI was present in Savage, MN conducting court authorized law enforcement activity," but that "I cannot provide or confirm any additional information." KARE (NBC-11) (06/05, Raguse), and KMSP (Fox-9) (06/05, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. Continued Reporting: FBI Agent Testifies at Menendez Trial About Texts That Allegedly Show How Senator's Wife Got a Mercedes CNN (06/05, Souza) reported that Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez's federal corruption trial continued Wednesday with an FBI special agent reading text messages from a New Jersey businessman who is alleged to have made payments on a Mercedes-Benz convertible for the senator's wife. The article added that FBI Special Agent Rachel Graves combed through countless text messages and documents from 2018 and 2019 detailing Jose Uribe's involvement in the bribery scheme. Uribe was indicted alongside Menendez but struck a plea deal with federal prosecutors earlier this year. Under the terms of the deal, he pleaded guilty to seven counts and agreed to testify in the government's case. According to the article, prosecutor Paul Michael Monteleoni spent Wednesday morning in federal court in New York unraveling the complex web of communication that allegedly led to Nadine Menendez's ownership of a Mercedes-Benz C300 convertible car. Prosecutors allege that Uribe made payments for the car in exchange for the senator's help in influencing New Jersey state criminal prosecutions of two Uribe associates. One of them, Elvis Parra, was charged with insurance fraud in New Jersey. The New York Times (06/05, Tully, Weiser) also reported on the story. Arrests Made, Guns and Drugs Seized During Operation Trigger Lock in Florida CBS News (06/05, MacLauchlan, Murray) reported that more than 100 arrests were made in Operation Trigger Lock, spearheaded by the Broward Sheriff's Office, after an uptick in shootings, drug deals, and murders in Pompano Beach. The sheriff's office partnered with the Broward State Attorney's Office, ATF Fort Lauderdale Office, DEA Miami Field Division, FBI Miami, and several police departments, including Davie, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood, for the operation that targeted "violent offenders" and gang members involved in shootings. The article added that the operation ran from April 16 to May 31. As a result of the six-week sweep, investigators conducted 14 residential search warrants, made 132 arrests, and recovered 38 firearms and drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, alpha PVP, oxycodone, and heroin. FBI Portland Division Warns of Rise in Scammers Impersonating Agents, Others in Government to Get Cash, Gold KTVZ (NBC-21) (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI's Portland Division warned Wednesday that it's seen an increase in reports of scammers falsely representing themselves as FBI agents or a representative of another government agency, and sending couriers to pick up cash or gold payments. The article quoted the FBI, which EFTA01655868 said, "Be advised, federal agencies do not call or email individuals threatening arrest or demanding money, scammers often spoof caller ID information, and these phone calls are fraudulent even if they appear to be coming from an agency's legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call." KPTV (Fox- 12) (06/05, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. FBI Raids Atlanta Corporate Landlord in Probe of Rental Market Price Fixing The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (06/05, Reynolds) reported that the federal government's antitrust investigation into price fixing in the rental market appears to have found a fulcrum in Atlanta after a surprise FBI raid of multifamily property developer Cortland Management. The May 22 search comes as the Biden administration's DOJ has reportedly deepened its price-fixing probe into Texas-based tech company RealPage over its rental pricing software and whether it colluded with landlords to raise rents. The article added that in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Cortland Management said that the FBI had executed a limited search warrant at the company's Atlanta office as part of the DOJ's investigation "into potential antitrust violations in the multifamily housing industry." Continued Reporting: What Will Become of the Epoch Times With Its Chief Financial Officer Accused of Money Laundering? The Associated Press (06/05, Bauder) reported that the arrest of an executive at The Epoch Times in a money- laundering scheme this week has drawn attention to a media outlet that has lived largely in the shadows since its founding in 2000 and a transformation during the Trump administration. Federal prosecutors in New York charged Weidong "Bill" Guan of Secaucus, N.J., the chief financial officer of The Epoch Times, of steering at least $67 million in criminal proceeds, much from fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits, to the company, its affiliates and himself. Guan pleaded not guilty but was suspended by The Epoch Times, which agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. The article noted that the case calls into question the future of a company that was a key online supporter of Trump and spreader of conspiracy theories. Over 850 Murders Linked to Long-Haul Truckers NEWSNATION (06/05, Menezes) reported that at least 850 murders across the United States over the past few decades are believed to be connected to long-haul truck drivers, according to the FBI's "Highway Serial Killings Initiative." According to the article, Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence, said Wednesday on NewsNation's "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" that truckers who spend most of their time on the road are often the suspects. The FBI initiative helps link murders that initially seem unrelated but follow a pattern of female victims, many involved in prostitution or sex trafficking, being picked up at truck stops, sexually assaulted, and then killed, with their bodies dumped in different locations. The article noted that the FBI contends that while most truck drivers are hardworking Americans, the inherent isolation and transient nature of the job could draw serial killers or potentially create them. Another Victim From Suspected Serial Killer's Indiana Farm ID'd as Man Who Went Missing in 1993 USA TODAY (06/05, Martin) reported that authorities have identified the remains of a man found on a suspected serial killer's Indiana farm nearly 30 years ago. The remains were among more than 10,000 found in 1996, authorities say. Some of the remains were identified as those of Jeffrey A. Jones, who last lived in Fillmore, Indiana, and was reported missing in August 1993, the Hamilton County Coroner's Office announced on Facebook on May 21. The article added that Jones is the third person to be identified from the office's "renewed" investigation into the remains found on Fox Hollow Farm, located in Westfield, about 30 miles north of Indianapolis. The farm was once home to suspected serial killer Herb Baumeister, the coroner's office said. The first two victims identified in the renewed probe were 27-year-old Allen Livingston and 34-year-old Manuel Resendez. The most recently- identified remains belonging to Jones were found in 1996. The article noted that the coroner's office and the FBI conducted an "extensive forensic genetic genealogy investigation" to identify the remains, the release said. The office still has four more DNA profiles to identify, bringing the total number of victims to 12, the coroner's office said. Those four DNA profiles will also be sent to the FBI for a genetic genealogy investigation. Continued Reporting: Federal Officials Make Arrest in Alleged NBA Betting Scheme Involving Jontay Porter USA TODAY (06/05, Gardner) reported that a Brooklyn man authorities say assisted former Toronto Raptors guard Jontay Porter in an illegal sports betting scheme has been arrested and detained pending trial. Long Phi Pham, 38, also known as "Bruce," was apprehended at John F. Kennedy airport on Monday holding a one-way EFTA01655869 ticket to Australia, according to a criminal complaint filed in Brooklyn federal court. The article added that Pham is accused of working with Porter and three other suspects who remain at large to defraud sports betting sites by placing bets on Porter's performance. Federal authorities say Porter had racked up large gambling debts to the co- conspirators and was encouraged to underperform in certain games so that their "prop bets" on his performance would cash. A Dal press release noted that the FBI investigated the case. FBI Warns of Rise in Work-From-Home Scams Info Security Magazine (06/05, Mascellino) reported that the FBI issued a public service announcement on Tuesday cautioning individuals about a surge in fraudulent work-from-home schemes. These scams, masquerading as legitimate job opportunities, lure victims with promises of easy tasks like rating restaurants or performing so-called "optimization" duties. The article added that according to the advisory, scammers typically impersonate reputable businesses or recruiting agencies, reaching out to potential victims via unsolicited calls or messages. One key tactic these scammers employ is a convoluted payment structure, often requiring victims to make cryptocurrency payments to purported employers to access additional earnings or unlock their supposed work. Despite indications of accumulating income on a fake interface, victims find themselves unable to withdraw any funds. The article noted that to safeguard against such schemes, the FBI advised individuals to exercise caution when encountering unsolicited job offers, refrain from sending money to unfamiliar entities and avoid divulging personal or financial information. Sentencing Handed down After FBI Tip Leads to Arrest in Indiana Child Porn Case WFIE (NBC-14) (06/05, Lyman) reported that 41-year old Kazuhiro Iwamoto has been sentenced after pleading guilty to 10 counts of possession of child pornography. Police say they were notified after an online tip was sent to the FBI's Threat Operation Center. According to officers, they found sexually explicit material involving minors on a USB storage device. Back to Top CYBER DIVISION Al Fuels Rise in Attacks From 'Unsophisticated Threat Actors,' Federal Cyber Leaders Say FEDSCOOP (06/05, Bracken) reported that at a GDIT event in Washington on Tuesday, federal cyber officials spoke of the proliferation of AI-fueled cyberattacks and how much more critical coordination and information-sharing has become as the use of the technology among amateur hackers has surged. The article noted that Cynthia Kaiser, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI's Cyber Division, said she's seen "a crop of adversaries who are becoming at least mildly better" at their craft due to Al. The technology eases hackers' ability to perform basic scripting tasks and identify coding errors, Kaiser said, while deepfakes are leveraged in social engineering campaigns and increasingly refined spearphishing messages. The article quoted Kaiser, who said, "A beginner hacker can go to the intermediate level, and even the most sophisticated adversaries can be more efficient." An additional FEDSCCOP (06/05, Alder) article and Meritalk (06/05, Burgan) also reported on the GDIT conference. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Four Arrested for Allegedly Attempting to Sabotage Interpol Criminal Search System The Record (06/05, Antoniuk) reported that international law enforcement has uncovered a criminal organization operating in Moldova suspected of attempting to sabotage a system that helps Interpol members locate and arrest wanted criminals worldwide. The article added that Moldovan authorities, with help from French prosecutors and the FBI, said they conducted over 30 searches on Monday and detained four suspects linked to Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. The suspects allegedly attempted to misuse the Red Notice system, the international police agency's tool for alerting its 195 member countries about individuals who are wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence based on an arrest warrant or court decision. The article stated that the suspected criminals "paid intermediaries and public figures in Moldova to inform wanted criminals of their Red Notice status," said Moldova's anticorruption chief Veronica Dragalin. Interpol also detected attempts to "block and delete" the notices. The detained individuals are also suspected of committing cybercrimes that caused millions of dollars in damages. Moldova's branch of Radio Free Europe reported that the alleged sums paid by the perpetrators of this scheme amount to several EFTA01655870 million dollars. The U.K. National Crime Agency (NCA) also said that it uncovered the identities of key individuals in Moldova who received bribes from members of the criminal network. CBS News (06/05, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. Back to Top CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS Retired NASCAR Driver and Son Arrested for Alleged Assaults on Police During Jan. 6 Riot ABC News (06/05, Mallin) reported that retired NASCAR driver Tighe Scott and his son Jarret Scott were arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting police during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Charging documents indicated that the FBI confirmed Tighe Scott's identity with the help of a witness who recognized him as a retired NASCAR driver. The article noted that both Scotts, along with two other Pennsylvania men, are accused of using objects like flagpoles and golf clubs to assault law enforcement, with video footage showing them confronting police and engaging in aggressive behavior during the riot. Additional reporting on the story was provided by The Daily Beast (06/05, McDougall), The Hill (06/05, Sforza), Law & Crime (06/05, Kandel), UPI (06/05, Benson), and New York Daily News (06/05, Wilkinson). FBI Reinstates Security Clearance for Former Employee Who Raised Questions About Jan. 6 Attack CNN (06/05, McDougall) reported that former FBI employee Marcus Allen, who raised questions about the January 6 Capitol attack, had his security clearance reinstated and was awarded 27 months of back pay after being suspended since February 2022. According to the article, the FBI had initially suspended Allen over concerns about his "allegiance to the United States" and his judgment regarding the events of January 6. After a congressional hearing and subsequent investigation, the FBI reinstated Allen's security clearance, leading to his resignation and his lawyer declaring the outcome a vindication. "While we can't comment on the specifics of any settlement, both parties agreed to resolve this matter without either admitting wrongdoing. Any allegation that the Director lied to Congress is false. The FBI takes seriously its responsibility to FBI employees who make protected disclosures under whistleblower regulations, and we are committed to ensuring they are protected from retaliation," the FBI said. Newsmax (06/05, Morley III) also reported on the story. Jan. 6 Rioter Caught in a Woman's Bumble Dating App Sting Sentenced to Prison NBC News (06/05, Reilly) reported that Andrew Taake, a Jan. 6 rioter who attacked law enforcement officers with bear spray and a metal whip, was sentenced to over six years in prison. According to the article, Taake was identified and arrested through a sting operation on the dating app Bumble, where he disclosed his participation in the Capitol attack. The article explained that an FBI affidavit mentioned that a woman, referred to as "Witness 1," used the app to gather information from Taake and other rioters, which she then provided to the FBI. Judge Carl Nichols emphasized the seriousness of Taake's actions, noting the extreme pain experienced by an officer who was temporarily blinded by bear spray and highlighting the need to deter similar conduct in the future. KHOU (CBS-11) (06/05, Villarreal) also reported on the story. Three Washington D.C. Cousins Arrested After FBI Investigation Into Jan. 6 Riot WPMT (FOX-43) (06/05, Keelyl) reported that three cousins from York County were arrested on May 30 for their alleged involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot following an FBI investigation. According to the article, Tyler Henson, Stephen Oseen, and Jamie Charlesworth were charged with entering or remaining in a restricted building, disorderly conduct, and picketing in a Capitol Building, based on surveillance footage and a tip about a video on Henson's Facebook page. The article noted that former Federal Judge John E. Jones described the ongoing investigation as typical of the FBI's thorough approach, utilizing enhanced videos and cooperation from other protestors. The three men were released on supervision and are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Democrats Blocked Trump's Agent From Refuting Tale About Jan. 6 Limo Battle, Report Says The Washington Times (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that Democrats allegedly blocked former President Donald Trump's Secret Service driver from quickly refuting claims made by White House staffer Cassidy Hutchinson about a struggle in the presidential limousine during the January 6 Capitol riot. According to Rep. Barry Loudermilk, the Democrat-led Jan. 6 committee delayed the driver's testimony for months, only bringing him in to testify in November 2022. The article noted that the Secret Service driver eventually testified that Trump never tried to grab EFTA01655871 the wheel of the SUV, contradicting Hutchinson's account, but his testimony was not solicited until just before the November election, despite earlier offers to testify. Inside the Supreme Court Decision That Could Lop Years Off Sentences For Capitol Rioters Newsweek (06/05, Bond) reported that the U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide on Fischer v. United States, a case that could significantly impact the sentences of roughly 350 people charged with obstruction during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The case centers around the use of Section 1512(c)(2), a statute originally enacted to address evidence tampering and witness intimidation in the aftermath of the Enron scandal. According to the article, the statute's broad language makes it a crime to "obstruct, influence, or impede any official proceeding," which has been applied to many Capitol rioters. Joseph Fischer, a Pennsylvania police