EFTA00148578.pdf

From: "Bulletin Intelligence" <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - FBI Public Affairs News Briefing Wednesday, January 06, 2021 Date: Wed, 06 Jan 2021 11:29:18 +0000 Importan c Normal e: Mobile version and searchable archives available at fbi.bulletinintelligence.com. 2IFBI News Briefing TO: THE DIRECTOR AND SENIOR STAFF DATE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2021 6:30 AM EST TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING THE NEWS • Intel Agencies Say Russia Was Likely Behind Hacking Of Government Departments. OPERATION LEGEND • Operation LeGend Resulted In More Than 6,000 Arrests. COUNTER-TERRORISM • Sources: FBI Won't Classify Nashville Bombing As Terrorism. • FBI, FAA Investigate Threat To US Capitol To Avenge Soleimani. • Arizona Man Sentenced To Over 3 Years In Bomb-making Case. • Police To Bring Charges In New York City Bomb Hoax. • FBI Terrorism Task Force Aiding Bomb Threat Investigation. • Continuing Coverage: Guilty Plea In DC Private School Bomb Threat. • Islamic State Support Trial Pushed Back. COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE • Bail Hearing For Assange Set For Wednesday. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Officials, Law Enforcement Prepare For Possible Violence As Trump Supports Flock To DC For Protests. • Kenosha DA Will Not Bring Charges In Police Shooting Of Jacob Blake. • FBI Says It Was Unaware Agent Was Interrogating Legislative Staffer About Conversation On Legislation. • Continuing Coverage: Wray Urged To Investigate Trump Over Georgia Call. • Attorneys For Woman On Death Row Ask Trump To Commute Sentence. • Pro-Trump Website Targeting "Enemies," Attributed To Iran, Reappears. • Sharpton: Firing Not Enough For Officer Who Killed Andre Hill. • Denver Police Seized Guns Over Threats To Colorado's Attorney General. • Police Officer Chicago's Latest Carjacking Victim. • Man Arrested Over Concerns About Disrupting Vermont COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution. • Continuing Coverage: FBI Traced Ghislaine Maxwell Using Cell Phone Data. • Continuing Coverage: Barr Questioned Jeffrey Epstein's Cellmate. EFTA00148578 • Undercover Police Sought To Buy A Gun From Dolal Idd Prior To Fatal Shooting. • Man Held On Bail For Attempted Arson Of Historically Black Church. • Videos Show Chicago Police Pinned A Woman Under Their SUV For Eight Minutes. • Indiana Woman Arrested In Connection To Murder. • Florida Man Sentenced Over Bank Fraud. • US Embassy Staffer Charged With Serial Rape. • Cliven Bundy's Son Arrested. • Human Trafficking Organization Profiled. • Drug Case Defendant Sentenced To More Than 20 Years In Prison. • Tennessee FBI Agent Interviewed Over Human Trafficking Prevention Month. • Investigators Searching For FBI Most Wanted Fugitive In Arizona. • Michigan Residents Arrested In Connection To Bank Robberies. • Washington State Minor Located. • FBI Searching For Texas Bank Robber. • FBI Investigating Illinois Bank Robbery. • Memphis Police Department Warns Of Growing Gang Violence. FINANCIAL CRIME & CORPORATE SCANDALS • FBI Warns Of COVID-19 Related Fraud Schemes. • Appeals Court Upholds Corruption Conviction Of Former Texas State Judge. • Pharmacist Who Tried To Spoil COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Released. CYBER DIVISION • Trump Order Bans Eight Chinese Apps. • NYSE Reconsidering Plan To Allow Three Chinese Telecom Companies To Remain Listed. • San Francisco Cybersecurity Company Moves Headquarters To Florida. • Report: Ransomware Attacks To Worsen In 2021. • Government IGs Launch Cyber-Threat Interagency Report. • Cybersecurity Stocks On The Rise After Recent Hacking Attacks. • Iboss Among Cybersecurity Firms Taking Advantage Of Cloud Market Boom. LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES • Continuing Coverage: Gun Background Checks, Violence Rose In 2020. OTHER FBI NEWS • US Attorney For The Eastern District of Virginia Resigns. • Trump Names New US Attorney For Atlanta. • Senators Urge Biden To Chose Doug Jones For Attorney General. OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • GOP Senators Remain Divided On Electoral Vote Certification. • US Passes 21M COVID Cases. • NIH Scientists Work With Moderna To Study Benefit Of Smaller Doses. • Congress Using Curative COVID Test Despite FDA Warning Of False Hits. • Some California Hospitals Activate Crisis Care Standards. • Mississippi Says 108 Inmates Died In 2020 But Does Not Disclose Cause Of Death. • Florida Nursing Home Vaccinated Wealthy Donors. INTERNATIONAL NEWS • WHO Director-General Criticizes China For Blocking Researchers' Access. • EU Confronts Problems With Vaccine Rollout. • Germany Lengthens Lockdown, Toughens Restrictions. EFTA00148579 • UK Says One Out Of Every 50 People In England Has COVID. • Israel Leading World In Coronavirus Vaccination. • Palau Would Owe Vaccination Effort To Operation Warp Speed. • US Accuses Iran Of Seizing South Korean Tanker In Response To Sanctions. • Treasury Sanctions Chinese Firm Tied Iran's Steel Industry. • AP Analysis: Trump Moves Make It Harder For Biden To Engage With Iran. • Afghan Peace Talks Resume In Qatar. • Countries Along Former Soviet Borders Rebuilding Their Defenses. • At Start Of North Korean Party Congress, Kim Says Five-Year Economic Plan Failed. • Pro-Democracy Figures Arrested In Hong Kong. • Former Chief Of Major Chinese State Bank Sentenced To Death. • Saudis End Three-Year Rift With Qatar At Urging Of Trump Administration. • Socialists Take Control Of Venezuela's Congress. • Vietnam Sentences Three Journalists To Prison. • Ethiopian Police Release Reuters Cameraman. THE BIG PICTURE • Headlines From Today's Front Pages. WASHINGTON'S SCHEDULE • Today's Events In Washington. LEADING THE NEWS Intel Agencies Say Russia Was Likely Behind Hacking Of Government Departments. The CBS Evening NewsVi (1/5, story 4, 0:25, O'Donnell, 4.65M) reported "the FBI and three other national security agencies" issued "a rare joint statement saying Russia was likely behind the cyber hacking of multiple government departments." NBC Nightly NewsVi (1/5, story 7, 0:15, Holt, 6.11M) said the agencies' "assessment is a rebuke of President Trump's suggestion that China might have been behind it." Likewise, Bloomberg (1/5, Sebenius, 3.57M) says the statement "is the latest contradiction of Trump's assessment of the hack," and the New York Times (1/5, Sanger, Barnes, 20.6M) that it is "a clear rebuke of President Trump's efforts" to cast blame on China. Politico (1/5, Geller, 6.73M) says the statement "had been approved two weeks ago but was delayed at the White House's insistence, a person familiar with the matter told Politico." The AP (1/5, Tucker) says Trump, "in a series of tweets late last month, sought to downplay the severity of the hack and raised the unsubstantiated idea that China could be responsible. Tuesday's statement makes clear that that is not the case, saying the intrusions are likely 'Russian in origin." Reuters (1/5, Menn) says the statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI, the National Security Agency, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said that the hacker, "likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non- governmental networks." The Washington Post (1/5, Nakashima, 10.52M) reports the statement "said that fewer than 10 federal entities had their networks breached, though that list includes major agencies such as the Departments of State, Treasury, Homeland Security, Energy and Commerce. U.S. officials have told The Washington Post that they think that as many as 300 government and private-sector entities at most have been compromised, though investigators are working to ascertain the scope of the hacks and to notify nongovernment entities affected." USA Today (1/5, Johnson, 12.7M) says the statement is "the most definitive accounting yet after separate statements last month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then-Attorney EFTA00148580 General William Barr who both pointed to the Kremlin." CNN (1/5, Cohen, 89.21M) reports, "While top US officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have previously suggested that the hacking campaign was carried out by a Russian-backed group, Tuesday's joint statement offers the most definitive and concrete assessment about the attack's origins from agencies investigating the incident. In short, the statement issued by the Cyber Unified Coordination Group (UCG) clearly acknowledges what US officials and experts have suspected since the data breach was first disclosed last month: the Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor responsible is 'likely Russian in origin." The Washington Times (1/5, Gertz, 626K) reports, "The Russian government has denied any involvement in the attack, which has raised serious questions about the security of public and private computer networks in both the U.S. and abroad. The cyberattack affected about 18,000 government and private networks, including computers at key federal agencies such as the Energy, Treasury and Commerce departments." Yahoo! News (1/5, McLaughlin, 10.87M), The Hill (1/5, 5.69M), CNBC (1/5, Haselton, 7.34M), Forbes (1/5, Beer, 10.33M), the Financial Times (1/5, Subscription Publication, 1.48M), ABC News (1/5, Barr, 2.44M), TechCrunch (1/5, Whittaker, 502K), the Telegraph (UK) (1/5, Murphy, 249K), US News & World Report (1/5, Shinkman, 1.91M), Fox News (1/5, Betz, 23.99M), NBC News (1/5, Dilanian, 4.91M), NPR (1/5, Myre, 3.69M), NextGov (1/5, Baksh), Bloomberg (1/5, Korte, Sebenius, 3.57M), the Washington Examiner (1/5, Dunleavy, 888K), the Wall Street Journal (1/5, Volz, Subscription Publication, 8.41M), BBC News (1/5, 876K), Axios (1/5, Rummler, 1.26M) and The Daily Caller (1/5, Datoc, 375K) provide similar coverage. In an editorial, the Washington Post (1/5, 10.52M) says protecting the government from the next cyber attack and developing a "strategy for speedy recovery from infiltration" must be "an urgent priority for the Biden administration." Top Admiral Says SolarWinds Hack Did Not Harm US-Based Nukes. The Washington Times (1/5, Glenn, 626K) reports, "America's nuclear arsenal wasn't compromised by a recent cyber attack that targeted thousands of sensitive computer networks used by government agencies and private companies, the Navy admiral in charge of the U.S. Strategic Command said." According to the Times, "The hack exploited a flaw in network monitoring software produced by Texas-based SolarWinds that allowed an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor - most likely Russia - to covertly install back door access points in computer networks, officials said. 'We believe this was, and continues to be, an intelligence gathering effort; according to a joint statement from the FBI, the National Security Agency, the Director of National Intelligence and other federal officials." OPERATION LEGEND Operation LeGend Resulted In More Than 6,000 Arrests. Voice of America (1/5, Farivar, 85K) reports, "Before he stepped down last month, Attorney General William Barr touted" the results of Operation LeGend, an anti-violent crime initiative that was implemented in nine US cities last year, in which "the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other federal law enforcement agencies teamed up with local police in these cities to crack down on violent criminals, make arrests and get firearms off the streets." However, Voice of America reports its own police data compilation shows "homicides during 2020 were up by an average of about 40% over the previous year across the nine cities: Kansas City, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; and Indianapolis, Indiana." The Daily Memphian (TN) (1/5, Jones) reports Operation LeGend resulted in more than 6,000 arrests, "more than 2,600 firearms seized, along with 32 kilos of heroin, more than 17 kilos of fentanyl, more than 300 kilos of methamphetamine, more than 135 kilos of cocaine and more than $11 million in drug proceeds." EFTA00148581  The Memphis (TN) Flyer (1/5, Sells, 94K) reports US Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "We will continue our targeted enforcement actions and coordination in the future with the federal agents permanently reassigned to Memphis, as well as our LeGend Task Force model." COUNTER-TERRORISM Sources: FBI Won't Classify Nashville Bombing As Terrorism. WSMV-TV Nashville, TN (1/5, Finley, 230K) reports, "An FBI source close to the Christmas day bombing investigation tells News4 Investigates that evidence indicates it was not an act of domestic terrorism." Such a declaration would "come as a relief to many businesses, who feared their lack of terrorism coverage means they would be shut out of insurance money." The Nashville (TN) Business Journal (1/5, Hutchinson, Subscription Publication, 859K) reports Nashville Chief of Police John Drake, during a question and answer session with Metro Council, "said the federal bureau's decision had to do with the ideology of Anthony Warner, who on Christmas Day detonated a bomb on Second Avenue." However, in a statement the FBI said, "We continue to assess the evidence collected and this remains an active investigation. At the appropriate time, we will make a final determination when we have been able to review the maximum amount of information." The AP (1/6, Kruesi, Tucker) reports, "The FBI investigation into whether the Nashville bombing was a terrorist act has sparked criticism about a possible racial double standard," as the agency "has resisted labeling it an act of terrorism." Doug Korneski, the FBI agent in charge of the agency's Memphis office, told reporters, "When we assess an event for domestic terrorism nexus, it has to be tied to an ideology. It's the use of force or violence in the furtherance of a political or social ideology or event. We haven't tied that yet." However, a handful of state and city leaders argue "that authorities would have acted differently if the 63- year-old Warner had not been a white man." Experts: License Not Needed To Obtain Materials To Build Bomb. WBIR-TV Knoxville, TN (1/5, 269K) reports that former federal investigators say that Warner "could have obtained all the materials needed to make the bomb" without a license to handle explosives. Mural Honors Police Who First Responded To Bombing. The Hill (1/5, 5.69M) reports a mural posted Sunday in Nashville on the window of a Hard Rock Café honors the six police officers who responded first to the bombing. It was organized by the group I Believe in Nashville. FBI, FAA Investigate Threat To US Capitol To Avenge Soleimani. The CBS Evening NewsVi (1/5, story 3, 1:55, O'Donnell, 4.65M) reported that "the FBI and FAA are looking into a breach of the air traffic control system tonight after someone broadcast a threat to attack the US Capitol over the radio frequencies used by pilots." CBS' Jeff Pegues added that a "chilling threat obtained exclusively by CBS News was heard by multiple air traffic controllers Monday afternoon in New York." Unidentified Speaker: "We are flying a plane into is it Capitol Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged." CBS cited "sources" who said "the Pentagon and other agencies were briefed today about the digitized voice recording and believe it was designed to suggest hitting the Capitol on the same day Congress is set to count the electoral college results." On its website, CBS News (1/5, Pegues, 5.39M) reports, "While the government does not believe the warning of an attack is credible, it is being investigated as a breach of aviation frequencies." CBS adds, "The FBI is not commenting but said it takes 'all threats of violence to public safety seriously." The Hill (1/5, Budryk, 5.69M) reports, "The message was received on Jan. 3, the first anniversary of the U.S.' killing of Soleimani at a Baghdad airport." Additional coverage includes Fox News (1/5, Singman, 23.99M). EFTA00148582 Arizona Man Sentenced To Over 3 Years In Bomb-making Case. The AP (1/5, Billeaud) reports Ahmad Suhad Ahmad "was sentenced to three years and five months in prison on convictions for heroin possession and distributing information related to explosives." His attorney argued that Ahmad "used his Middle Eastern background to trick people into thinking he could build bombs, when none of the devices he made actually worked," but as part of his guilty plea Ahmed "admitted that he, the confidential source and an undercover FBI agent traveled from Tucson in April 2017 to a condominium in Las Vegas, where Ahmad made two bombs and explained to the agent how to the explosive devices worked." Police To Bring Charges In New York City Bomb Hoax. The AP (1/5, Sisak) reports that Louis Shenker, "a self-described American nationalist" who is "suspected of leaving a hoax explosive device in a car at" the Queens Place Mall in New York City, will face "criminal charges after turning himself in to police, authorities said Tuesday." New York police spokesperson Detective Denise Moroney said Shenker will be charged for placing a false bomb, possession of stolen property, and abandonment of a disabled animal. The mall was evacuated Monday after the device "was found in a black Tesla parked on a ramp in a parking garage," along with a dog. The vehicle "had a Nevada license plate and has been reported stolen in that state." Shenker "surrendered to officers" on Tuesday, but "claimed that the suspicious device was actually a rig to charge the Tesla's dead battery." Additional coverage includes Fox News (1/5, Pagones, 23.99M). FBI Terrorism Task Force Aiding Bomb Threat Investigation. The Wenatchee (WA) World (1/4, O'Cain, 57K) reports, "Investigators are working with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in Western Washington to identify" a man who called the RiverCom Dispatch business line and said there was a bomb in downtown Leavenworth. Continuing Coverage: Guilty Plea In DC Private School Bomb Threat. In continuing coverage, the Washington Patch (1/5, 1.44M) reports that Sonia Tabizada "pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to intentionally obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threatening to bomb Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School" after the school announced it would begin publishing same-sex wedding announcements in its alumni magazine. Islamic State Support Trial Pushed Back. The AP (1/5, Selsky) reports Judge Marco Hernandez moved back the trial of Hawazen Sameer Mothafar, whose trial on allegedly producing and disseminating "Islamic State propaganda and recruiting material through social media platforms" had been scheduled to begin Tuesday, to November 1. Mothafar's attorney, Mark Ahlemeyer, ", told the judge he needed time to determine what evidence will be presented, what pretrial motions he would file and how much investigating his team needs to do, adding that he assumed it would involve international travel." Judge Hernandez "noted the case is complicated because of its international aspects, the requirements of classified discovery and other issues." COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE Bail Hearing For Assange Set For Wednesday. Reuters (1/5, Holden) reports that Julian Assange, "who is currently being held in the top- security Belmarsh Prison in east London, will seek to be freed on bail at a hearing on Wednesday." On Monday, a UK judge "rejected a request from U.S. authorities for Assange" to be extradited to the US "to face 18 criminal charges of breaking an espionage law and conspiring to hack government computers." Judge Vanessa Baraitser "said Assange's mental EFTA00148583 health issues meant he would be at risk of suicide if he were extradited." If Assange's request is granted, "he will be able to enjoy freedom for the first time in more than eight years." The Washington Times (1/5, Blake, 626K) reports, "Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday that Mr. Assange, an Aussie by birth, is free to return once the appeals process is finished and his extradition case is completely over." Meanwhile, "Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday that he is prepared to offer asylum to Mr. Assange." DO) "subsequently said it plans to challenge the judge's ruling. In the meantime, she is slated to decide Wednesday whether to release Mr. Assange pending appeal." Also reporting is The Hill (1/5, 5.69M). CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Officials, Law Enforcement Prepare For Possible Violence As Trump Supports Flock To DC For Protests. The AP (1/5, Khalil, Balsamo) reports hundreds of supporters of President Trump gather in Washington, DC, "to cheer his baseless claims of election fraud a day before a congressional vote to affirm Joe Biden's victory." Local officials and law enforcement have been "bracing for potential violent street clashes" and many businesses boarded up their windows in case the protest devolves "into the unrest seen in May and June when dozens of businesses were vandalized." Both the National Guard and federal agents "were on standby, in case they were quickly needed in the city this week." Meanwhile, Trump expressed support on Twitter for the protesters and "president was expected to personally address his supporters in Washington on Wednesday during a rally on the Ellipse." The New York Times (1/5, 20.6M) reports, "Local authorities have enhanced security and warned residents in and around the city to steer clear of potentially violent agitators." The Times says that protestors' "vitriol had already begun on a rainy Tuesday," and, "after dark, groups of men wearing body armor and helmets began showing up," some armed. Additional coverage includes the Wall Street Journal (1/5, Levy, Subscription Publication, 8.41M) and the Washington Post (1/5, 10.52M). Proud Boys Leader Tarrio Barred From DC. The AP (1/5, Balsamo, Long) reports, "A judge has banned the leader of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, from the nation's capital after he was accused of vandalizing a Black Lives Matter banner at a historic Black church and found with high-capacity firearm magazines when he was arrested." Enrique Tarrio is barred "from entering the District of Columbia, with very limited exceptions to meet with his attorney or appear in court." He was arrested in Washington a the day before as he was arriving ahead of protests. He is "accused of burning a Black Lives Matter banner that was torn down from a historic Black church in downtown Washington last month." Police say he "posted a confession on the right-wing site Parler that he had set fire to the sign." The Washington Post (1/5, 10.52M) reports that in charging Tarrio "police relied on his statement to the news media and videos that show him crouched with others near the banner as it was being set on fire." The Post adds, "The FBI's Washington Field Office enhanced some of the videos to obtain a clearer look." District police "said they also charged Tarrio with two felony counts of possessing high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, which is a legal term for a magazine that allows guns to hold additional bullets." Additional coverage includes WTOP-FM Washington (1/5, Moore, 164K). Far-Right Forums Urge Violence During Protests. The Washington Post (1/5, Harwell, 10.52M) reports, "Far-right online forums are seething with references to potential violence and urging supporters of President Trump to bring guns to Wednesday's protests in Washington." Trump's tweet promoting his baseless electoral fraud claims and promoting the January 6 protest "has become a central rallying cry," and "talk of guns and potential violence is rife on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, the conservative social media site Parler and on EFTA00148584 thedonald.win, an online forum that previously operated on Reddit before the company banned it in June after years of racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism and calls for violence." Pentagon Seeks To Avoid Political Entanglements. The Washington Post (1/5, Ryan, 10.52M) reports, "Pentagon leaders are bracing for any renewed presidential attempts to employ the military for political ends." President Trump's effort "to use expansive military force to put down widespread protests over police violence against Black citizens" in June "served as a wake-up call to many top officials at the Pentagon and in Congress about Trump's willingness to reach for the military to advance his personal and political interests." As part of the careful posture and "the Pentagon's wariness in the final days of" Trump's presidency, it emphasized that National Guard units deployed at DC Mayor Muriel Bowser's request "wouldn't carry firearms, use armored vehicles or helicopters, or receive backup from units in other states." David Ignatius, in a column in the Washington Post (1/5, 10.52M), writes that "senior government officials appear confident that the chaotic situation can be handled by the D.C. police, federal law-enforcement agencies and the National Guard - without requiring any use of regular-duty military troops." Police officers, joined by the guard, will establish control points near the main march sites. Officials' assessment is "based partly on experience," but officials also anticipate that left-wing counterprotesters will mostly not attend, lessening "the likelihood of confrontations that could escalate into bloodshed and serious disorder." While there are concerns that after dark on Wednesday "small bands of Proud Boys and other extremists" may "go looking for trouble," but "officials expect that the planned force would be adequate." DC Mayor Urges Against Deployment Of "Unidentifiable Personnel." The Washington Times (1/5, Zantow, 626K) reports that in a letter to federal officials, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser urged against deploying "unidentifiable personnel" at pro-Trump rallies, writing, "Unidentifiable personnel - in many cases, armed - caused confusion among residents and visitors and could become a national security threat with no way for [D.C. police] and federal law enforcement to decipher armed groups." Legislators Advised To Use Tunnels Amid Protests. The AP (1/5) reports the House sergeant-at-arm, in a memo to members of Congress, advised that, with "potential violence in Washington tied to protests," they should "use underground tunnels while traveling between chambers in the Capitol and to nearby office buildings during the day." Kenosha DA Will Not Bring Charges In Police Shooting Of Jacob Blake. In the lead story, NBC Nightly NewsVi (1/5, lead story, 2:25, Holt, 6.11M) reported, "There's breaking news tonight from Wisconsin, where a prosecutor has announced there will be no charges filed against" Rusten Sheskey, "a white Kenosha police officer who shot" Jacob Blake "in the back as he leaned into a car last August." Blake "was left paralyzed after the shooting that was captured on video and led to angry protests and even deadly violence on the streets." NBC's Gabe Gutierrez added that Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley "says Blake was armed with a knife, and the officer could have successfully argued self-defense." Graveley said the officers were "called to the scene on a designated domestic abuse call" with the knowledge that there was an arrest warrant for Blake at the time. On ABC World News TonightVi (1/5, story 3, 2:00, Muir, 7.66M), Alex Perez reported that Kenosha is "bracing for more protests after" Graveley's decision. The August 23 shooting took place "after police responded to a call about a domestic dispute," and cell phone footage of the incident "shows 29-year-old Blake struggling with Officer Rusten Sheskey and another officer," who "both deployed their tasers, but...were unsuccessful." Perez reported that Blake then "appears to lean into the driver's side of the car," and Sheskey "opens fire" with "Blake's three young boys in the backseat." Graveley said, "We say with confidence, based on Blake's admission, based on all the officers saying it, and this video evidence, he clearly is armed with a knife." The CBS Evening NewsVi (1/5, story 6, 1:50, O'Donnell, 4.65M) reported, "Tonight Kenosha, Wisconsin is on edge after prosecutors announced the police officer who shot Jacob EFTA00148585 Blake will not face criminal charges, nor will any other officers." The August shooting "sparked unrest in Kenosha, and the National Guard is on patrol tonight." Graveley said, "This case is really all about self-defense and can it be proven that it does not exist. It is really evidence about the perspective of Officer Sheskey." Blake's father, Jacob Blake, Sr., said, "We'll find federal ways that justice will find for my son. We're not done yet." The AP (1/5, Richmond) reports that Graveley "announced Tuesday that he will not file criminal charges against" Sheskey, the white police officer who shot Blake "in the back in Kenosha last summer, leaving him paralyzed and setting off sometimes violent protests in the city." The August 23 shooting, "captured on bystander video, turned the nation's spotlight on Wisconsin during a summer marked by protests over police brutality and racism." Over 250 arrests were made "in the days that followed, including 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse." Reuters (1/5) reports that Graveley "found police officer Rusten Sheskey acted in self- defense while shooting Blake seven times at close range, saying Blake was armed with a knife and had resisted arrest, withstanding multiple Taser shots." The decision, which also clears two other officers, "could incite more demonstrations, which have frequently broken out in the United States in recent years after police have been cleared of wrongdoing in shootings of African Americans." Ben Crump, an attorney for Blake, tweeted, "We are immensely disappointed and feel this decision failed not only Jacob and his family but the community that protested and demanded justice." The Washington Post (1/5, Guarino, Berman, Bellware, 10.52M) reports that witness accounts differ from Graveley's depiction, describing Blake "trying to break up an argument between two women" and unarmed when he was shot while walking "back toward his vehicle." The Wall Street Journal (1/5, Ailworth, Subscription Publication, 8.41M) reports that Graveley also said that no charges will be brought against Blake following a review of the incident. Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband said that a separate investigation being carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in cooperation with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation is ongoing. Bloomberg (1/5, Joyce, 3.57M) reports that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) "activated about 500 National Guard soldiers and airmen in an effort to ensure public safety" on Monday, ahead of the announcement. The New York Times (1/5, Al, Chiarito, Bosman, Eligon, 20.6M) reports, Evers said after the announcement, "Today's decision is further evidence that our work is not done — we must work each day in earnest toward a more just, more fair, and more equitable state and country, and to combat the racism experienced by Black Wisconsinites." The Kenosha City Council had "unanimously passed an emergency declaration Monday that would allow the mayor to implement a curfew" after the announcement, while the Kenosha County sheriff "declared a state of emergency" ahead of expected protests. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1/5, Barton, Spicuzza, Linnane, 844K) reports that Graveley "said he relied both on an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and on an outside assessment of that investigation, conducted by former Madison Police Chief Noble Wray," who "served as a federal police reform specialist during the Obama administration after his retirement in 2013." The Daily Caller (1/5, Dima, 375K) reports that Graveley said he made the decision "independent of political forces or outside winds that swirl about." Breitbart (1/5, Pollak, 1.26M) has more on the decision. Rittenhouse Pleads Not Guilty To All Charges. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (1/5, Vielmetti, 844K) reports, "More than four months after he was charged with killing two protesters and wounding a third during civil unrest in Kenosha, Kyle Rittenhouse formally entered not guilty pleas Tuesday, triggering the next phases of what is still expected to be a very drawn-out case." The Sentinel says, "Rittenhouse has become a symbol to both sides in the national debate over race and justice, law and order, and guns." Rittenhouse "is charged with five felonies: first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Joseph Rosenbaum, 36; first-degree reckless homicide of Anthony Huber, 26; attempted first-degree intentional EFTA00148586 homicide of Gaige Grosskreutz, 26; and two counts of recklessly endangering safety, for shots fired at others." Fox News (1/5, Ruiz, 23.99M) reports that Rittenhouse "and his legal team have argued self-defense, maintaining that he only fired his rifle after being attacked from behind." Prosecutors allege that Rittenhouse traveled "from his home in Antioch, Ill., across state lines to nearby Kenosha, after learning of a call for militia to protect businesses during protests on Aug. 25." The case is set to go to trial "on March 29, but the start date could be delayed. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for March 10." FBI Says It Was Unaware Agent Was Interrogating Legislative Staffer About Conversation On Legislation. The Detroit Free Press (1/5, Boucher, 2.16M) reports that in a statement, the FBI said that while it interrogated Michigan state Sen. Rosemary Bayer's chief of staff Katie Reiter about a conversation Bayer and her staff had about discussing draft legislation on tear gas, it was unaware of "Reiter's job before coming to her home to question her." While "Bayer suggested the FBI may have eavesdropped on the call," Special Agent Mara Schneider, a spokeswoman for the FBI in Detroit, wrote in an email that the agency "received a complaint from a concerned citizen who overheard comments about the use of tear gas during the upcoming election." She added, "At no time prior to that interview did the citizen or the FBI know the reported comments were made in the context of proposed legislation." Continuing Coverage: Wray Urged To Investigate Trump Over Georgia Call. In continuing coverage, the Washington Examiner (1/5, Doyle, 888K) reports Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Kathleen Rice (D-NY) "urged FBI Director Christopher Wray to open a criminal investigation" over President Trump's instructions to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger "to 'find' votes sufficient to alter the results of the election in the state." However, "legal observers are split on whether Trump's call offers sufficient basis for a federal investigation." The Hill (1/5, Kruzel, 5.69M) reports, "It's not clear yet if federal or state officials will heed the calls for investigations," and such decisions "would likely involve weighing the interests of justice against the explosive political impact of prosecuting a current or recently sitting president." The Washington Examiner (1/5, Brest, 888K) reports, "Nearly 100 Democratic members of the House have signaled their support for censuring President Trump for his phone call with the Georgia secretary of state." Michelle Goldberg, in a column in the New York Times (1/4, Goldberg, 20.6M), writes that demanding accountability from President Trump "feels like smashing one's head into a brick wall, but our democracy might not be able to stagger along much longer without it." While "most excuses for not investigating or prosecuting Trump make at least some sense," if "there is no penalty for Republican cheating, there will be more of it," as the structure of our politics means the party doesn't need substantial majorities to wield national power, and so Republicans "feel free to openly scheme against the majority." Goldberg warns, "Trump and his Republican enablers have set a precedent for pressuring state officials to discard the will of their voters, and if that fails, for getting their allies in Congress to reject the results." It shows "that you can't rely on elections to punish attempts to subvert elections," only the law. Attorneys For Woman On Death Row Ask Trump To Commute Sentence. USA Today (1/5, Timms, 12.7M) reports that lawyers for Lisa Montgomery, "the only woman on federal death row," filed a clemency petition on Tuesday asking the President to commute her sentence to life without parole. Montgomery "was convicted of killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in December 2004." Her attorneys, Kelley Henry and Amy Harwell, have argued that congenital brain damage and multiple traumatic EFTA00148587 brain injuries "have resulted in incurable and significant psychiatric disabilities." Montgomery, who is set to be executed on January 12, "would be the ninth federal inmate put to death since the Justice Department resumed executions in July after a nearly 20-year hiatus," and the first woman since 1953. Pro-Trump Website Targeting "Enemies," Attributed To Iran, Reappears. The Washington Times (1/5, Blake, 626K) reports the pro-Trump website "Enemies of the People" reappeared, listing the addresses of purported "traitors" along with images of their faces in crosshairs. "The FBI and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, CISA, ultimately determined Iranian were responsible for the original 'Enemies' site and related web addresses and accounts." Sharpton: Firing Not Enough For Officer Who Killed Andre Hill. The AP (1/5, Amiri, Welsh) reports, "Dozens gathered at the First Church of God" in Columbus, Ohio to commemorate Andre Hill, "as family and lawmakers called for justice to be brought against the white Columbus police officer who fatally shot" Hill. The Rev. Al Sharpton said, when delivering Hill's eulogy, "We don't want your sympathy. We want justice." He added that firing the officer, Adam Coy, was not enough, saying, "We cannot have a precedent that if you kill us, you just lose your job and keep living your life as you were." Meanwhile, "Ohio's attorney general, the U.S. attorney for central Ohio and the FBI have begun their own probes into the shooting." Denver Police Seized Guns Over Threats To Colorado's Attorney General. The AP (1/5, Slevin) reports Denver police seized the guns of Bryce Shelby, who "was under investigation by the FBI when he made plans with an undercover agent to shoot Attorney General Phil Weiser in the head after planning to obtain a getaway vehicle." According to court records, the police used the state's new extreme risk protection order law. The Daily Caller (1/5, Greenlee, 375K) reports, "Shelby allegedly told an undercover FBI agent what he was planning on shooting Weiser and that he didn't mind having 'blood on his hands." Police Officer Chicago's Latest Carjacking Victim. The AP (1/5, Babwin) reports a Chicago police office suffered a carjacking while off duty on Monday. The city has seen carjackings more than double in 2020 compared to the year before. Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan "attributes much of the spike in carjackings and other violent crimes to the pandemic and the social unrest following" the police killing of George Floyd. Man Arrested Over Concerns About Disrupting Vermont COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution. VTDigger (VT). (1/5, Keays, 9K) reports Aaron Loucks was arrested "after a source turned over notes to law enforcement that 'suggested' a threat to vaccine distribution in Vermont." Notes reportedly belonging to Loucks and information from a source "indicated Loucks believes the Covid-19 vaccination effort is part of a government conspiracy to control the population." The investigation involved the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and other law enforcement agencies. Continuing Coverage: FBI Traced Ghislaine Maxwell Using Cell Phone Data. In continuing coverage, Newsweek (1/5, Royston, 2.67M) reports an affidavit indicates that the FBI's Jeffrey Epstein investigation traced Ghislaine Maxwell "using her cell phone data and a fake mobile phone mast." Newsweek adds, "The FBI had already obtained a warrant for her GPS and location data on the mobile phone but applied for an additional warrant because they had still been unable to pinpoint her exact location." EFTA00148588  Additional coverage includes The Guardian (UK) (1/5, Milman, 5.53M) and the Independent (UK). (1/5, 1.19M). Continuing Coverage: Barr Questioned Jeffrey Epstein's Cellmate. In continuing coverage, the Daily Mail (UK) (1/5, Gordon, 4.11M) reports, "Attorney General William Barr personally questioned" Efrain "Stone" Reyes, the last inmate to share a cell with Jeffrey Epstein before his suicide. Undercover Police Sought To Buy A Gun From Dolal Idd Prior To Fatal Shooting. The Daily Mail (UK) (1/5, Mulraney, 4.11M) reports that prior to shooting and killing Dolal Idd, "Minneapolis police was trying to buy a handgun" from him in an undercover operation, according to search warrant documents. "After the shooting, cops carried out a raid on his father's home where the informant had also told them that they would find further firearms that Idd planned to sell illegally," but no guns were found there. Man Held On Bail For Attempted Arson Of Historically Black Church. The Boston Globe (1/5, Andersen, 1.04M) reports Dushko V. Vulchev of Maine "was held on $25,000 bail Tuesday for allegedly trying to set fire to" Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church, a predominantly Black church in Springfield. Vulchev's public defender, Nicholas J. Raring, said in an email that Vulchev "vehemently denies setting fire to the church" and the other crimes he's accused of. He was arraigned on three felony counts of attempting to burn a building, three counts of malicious damage to a motor vehicle and one count of taking and stealing parts from a vehicle Videos Show Chicago Police Pinned A Woman Under Their SUV For Eight Minutes. USA Today (1/5, Hauck, 12.7M) reports Bodycam videos show how on Nov. 13, 2019 a Chicago police officer drove into Martina Standley, "knocking her to the ground and crushing her leg beneath the SUV for more than eight minutes as she bled in the street." Community organizer William Calloway released the videos after a judge ordered the department to satisfy a Freedom of Information Act request for them. An investigation of the incident by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the police department's civilian oversight agency, is ongoing and "the officers involved in the incident remain on full-duty status." Indiana Woman Arrested In Connection To Murder. The What's New LaPorte (IN) (1/5) reports Lynn Ware has been arrested in connection to the disappearance of Laura Wolfe, who was reported missing last July. The FBI joined the investigation last October, when a farmer located human remains on his property in Springfield Township. WKVI-FM Knox, IN (1/5) reports Ware "was arrested New Year's Eve." Florida Man Sentenced Over Bank Fraud. The Miami Herald (1/5, 647K) reports Yasmani Granja Quijada "was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft last year." He "was arrested in June 2019 after investigators spotted him at several Harris Teeter stores in Virginia." US Embassy Staffer Charged With Serial Rape. The Daily Beast (1/5, 933K) reports US Embassy staffer Brian Jeffrey Raymond is "accused of drugging and sexually assaulting at least 23 women over the past 10 years," and he "lured at least one of his victims across international borders to Mexico from the United States for a night of abuse she barely remembers." He "was arrested Oct. 9 in La Mesa, California, where he had been staying with his parents after abruptly quitting his job." EFTA00148589 Cliven Bundy's Son Arrested. The AP (1/6) reports Cliven Lance Bundy, one of "rancher and states' rights advocate" Cliven Bundy's sons, has been arrested and jailed in Nevada. The arrest comes years after Cliven Lance Bundy "was sentenced to prison for 2013 felony convictions." At that time, "he apologized for missing court dates, failing to keep in contact with probation officers and failing...to complete a one-year court-run drug diversion program." A similar Las Vegas Sun (1/5, Torres- Cortez, 165K) article says "warrants for violating a domestic violence restraining order and resisting a public officer" led to Cliven Lance Bundy's recent arrest. The Sun adds, "The Bundy family shot into prominence in 2014 over an armed standoff with federal agents after the Bureau of Land Management tried to round up" Cliven Bundy's "cattle on public land near the family's home." Human Trafficking Organization Profiled. WFLX-TV West Palm Beach, FL (1/5) profiles No More Tears, which was founded by child sex abuse survivor Somy Ali. She said of her organization's mission, "Our mission is to rescue and empower victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, victims in the LGTBQ community, animals that are abused, children that are sexually and physically abused." Drug Case Defendant Sentenced To More Than 20 Years In Prison. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (1/5, Ellis, 55K) reports Danny Ray Williams, Jr., a resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas, was recently "sentenced to nearly 23 years in federal prison" for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. The drug trafficking investigation that led to Williams' arrest was "conducted by the FBI in conjunction with state and local authorities." Tennessee FBI Agent Interviewed Over Human Trafficking Prevention Month. WATE-TV Knoxville, TN (1/5, 157K) reports about its interview with Supervisory Special Agent Neal Gruhn, who discussed the FBI's human trafficking team. He said, "Here in the United States, both U.S. residents and foreign nationals are being bought and sold like modern day slaves. Traffickers use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to exploit victims. Victims are forced to work as prostitutes or to take jobs as migrant, domestic, restaurant, or factory workers with little or no pay. Human trafficking is a heinous crime that exploits the most vulnerable in society." Investigators Searching For FBI Most Wanted Fugitive In Arizona. My Local News (AZ) (1/5) reports about the ongoing search for FBI's Ten Most Wanted list fugitive Robert William Fisher, who "is wanted for the murder of his wife and two children in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2001." Retired Arizona police sergeant Christine Burke "launched HelpSolveTheCase.com in 2010 to assist in resolving cold cases and wrongful convictions by uncovering new clues and utilizing new tools like genetic genealogy." Michigan Residents Arrested In Connection To Bank Robberies. WZZM-TV Grand Rapids, MI (1/5, 232K) reports Kimathi R. Smith and Dennis L. Burger "are facing 20 years for robberies" committed last year. Washington State Minor Located. KHQ-TV Spokane, WA (1/5, 164K) reports that the FBI successfully located 15-year-old Angeles Revueleta-Buenrostro, who "was reported missing from her Yakima home Monday morning." She "was located during a traffic stop on a highway near Wells," and Eric Landeros "was arrested and charged with kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor." KTVK-TV Phoenix (1/5, 390K) reports that Arizona police "are also looking for 36-year-old Daniel Ovante, who is suspected of having arranged for Revueleta-Buenrostro to be taken from EFTA00148590 Yakima to Phoenix." FBI Searching For Texas Bank Robber. KTRK-TV Houston (1/5, 314K) reports that the FBI Violent Crime Task Force "is seeking Houstonians' help in identifying the 'Dynamite Desperado,' responsible for a bank robbery in the Galleria area Monday." The suspect "gave the teller a 'threatening note' demanding money." FBI Investigating Illinois Bank Robbery. The Naperville (IL) Patch (1/5, 1.44M) reports that the FBI is investigating the January 4 robbery of the Fifth Third Bank in Naperville. The suspect's vehicle "was pursued on eastbound I-88, where it was last seen approaching 1-294." The Chicago Sun-Times (1/5, 970K) reports that the FBI "hasn't released photos of the suspects." The Chicago Daily Herald (1/5, Rohr, 360K) also reports. Memphis Police Department