EFTA01655548.pdf

View in Browser November 21, 2025 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 • FBI Intensifies Crackdown on International '764' Child Exploitation Network • Congresswoman Indicted for Alleged Theft of FEMA Relief Funds for Campaign Use • DOJ, FBI Probing Top Trump Administration Officials Over Investigations of President's Adversaries • Continued Reporting: FBI Fired Veteran Employee for Displaying Pride Flag, Lawsuit Says • Continued Reporting: GOP Senators Warn AG Bondi Not To Slow-Walk Release Of Epstein Files COUNTERTERRORISM • Fifteen Years in Prison for Afghan Who Plotted US Election Day Attack • Five Accused of Supporting Antifa Plead Guilty to Terrorism-Related Offense After Texas Shooting • Texas Launches Criminal Investigation Against Muslim Brotherhood • Congress Takes One Step Closer to Challenging ISIS' Al Revolution • Photos Released of Alleged Tren de Aragua Members Arrested in Texas Immigration Raid • Florida Man Charged With Making Terror-Linked Threats While Residing in Maryland COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Whistleblower Says FBI Top Brass Shielded From Scrutiny of the Bureau's Internal Counterespionage Unit • China Just Escalated Its Al War Against America • Analysis: Five Eyes Become Three Blind Mice CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Continued Reporting: Former GOP Staffer Natalie Greene Charged for Paying Artist $500 to Stage Her Own Assault and Mislead FBI Agents • Continued Reporting: DOJ, Halligan Slam Judge in Comey Case Following Hearing • Continued Reporting: An Ex-Olympian, a Violent Drug Ring and a $15 Million Reward • Continued Reporting: Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison Over Illegal Donations To Obama Campaign • New York Man Businessman Sentenced for $55 Million Fraud and Tax Evasion Scheme • Congressman Says FBI Stonewalled Investigation Into Trump's Attempted Assassin • Louisiana Man Sentenced to Consecutive Life Terms for Kidnapping and Murder Spree • Continued Reporting: CCTV Reveals Anna Kepner's Last Hours Before She Died • California Man Sentenced for Distributing Meth, One Hundred Thousand Fentanyl Pills EFTA01655548  • Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses • Alleged Leader of Maine Drug Ring Convicted of Multiple Federal Crimes • Largest Meth Seizure in Colorado History Leads to Indictment of Fifteen People • Florida Authorities Warn of Surge in Phone Scams Posing as FBI and Bank Officials • Arkansas Psychologist Indicted Over Defrauding Insurers More Than $500K • Prison for Pennsylvania Man Who Defrauded Religious, Political Organization • Missouri Mastermind Sentenced for Medicare Fraud • Samourai Wallet CTO Sentenced to Prison for $28 Bitcoin Laundering Scheme • Twelve Charged in $11 Million Stolen Check Scheme Targeting Pandemic Relief Funds • Court Ultimatum for Cryptoqueen Wanted by FBI • Kansas Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Firearms Into Connecticut • Maine Man Sentenced for Making Interstate Threats • Woman Accused of Assaulting Federal Officer at North Carolina ICE Facility • Judge Sentences Missouri Felon for Firearm Possession • Continued Reporting: Bodycam Shows Passengers Defending Porsha Williams in Delta Flight Dispute • Virginia Man Convicted of Sexually Abusing Teen Foreign Exchange Student • New York Child Predator Sentenced for Attempted Enticement • South Carolina Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Dogfighting • Montana Man Sentenced on Federal Child Pornography Charges • Tennessee Man Indicted on Federal Child Exploitation Charges Involving Six Minors CYBER DIVISION • NSA Releases Guidance for ISPs and Network Defenders to Mitigate Malicious Activity • Top Senate Intel Dem Warns of 'Catastrophic' Cyber Consequences of Trump Admin National Security Firings LABORATORY • DNA Technology Links Jawbone Found in Oxnard to 1978 Boating Accident INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • Russian Hacking Suspect Wanted by the FBI Arrested on Thai Resort Island OTHER FBI NEWS • FBI Cincinnati Invites College Students to Apply for Exclusive Academy Program • Federal Law Enforcement in Indiana Maintains Public Safety Amidst Government Shutdown • Massachusetts Police Explain Relationship With ICE • Opinion: I Saw The Two FBIs up Close. One Protects America, the Other Protects Itself • Continued Reporting: Swalwell Says FBI Gives Director Patel's Girlfriend More Protection Than Democrats INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Israeli Arrested in Espionage Plot, Accused of Carrying Out Missions for Iranian Agents • Nigerian Court Jails Separatist Leader Kanu for Life Over Terrorism • Rubio Says Maduro Is Terrorist-In-Chief of Venezuela's "Cartel de Los Soles." Is It Even a Real Group? • US Banks Shelve $20 Billion Bailout Plan for Argentina • Trump Peace Plan Demands Major Concessions From Ukraine EFTA01655549  • World's Richest Nations Are Pulling Back From Global Development Efforts, Study Shows • China Warns Citizens Risk Becoming 'Mining Slaves' in Central African Republic Gold Rush • Death Toll Reaches 33 in Some of the Deadliest Israeli Strikes in Gaza Since the Ceasefire's Start • Florida Retiree Detained in Saudi Arabia Returns Home Following Prince's Visit to White House • At Least 41Dead as Relentless Rains Flood Vietnam OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • White House Defends Trump Calling a Female Reporter 'Piggy' • Trump Accuses Six Democratic Lawmakers of 'Seditious Behavior, Punishable by Death' • Trump Says He Will Meet With Mamdani Friday at the White House • Judge Criticizes Federal Prosecutors for Relying on Testimony by Officer With Credibility Concerns • Judge Concludes Prosecutors Can Circumvent Federal Grand Juries in D.C. • DOJ Sues Newsom Over California Giving Illegal Immigrants College Tuition Benefits • The Middle Class Is Buckling Under Almost Five Years of Persistent Inflation • Cheney Remembered as 'Highly Disciplined Mind' at Funeral • US Judge Moves to Halt Trump's National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C. • Feud in the Family: Trump Break With Marjorie Taylor Greene Jolts MAGA Heartland WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS FBI Intensifies Crackdown on International 764' Child Exploitation Network The National Desk (11/20, Gaskins) reported that the FBI has intensified its nationwide crackdown on "764," an international child-exploitation network accused of coercing minors into self-harm, sexual abuse, and suicide. Federal officials describe the group as one of the most brutal child-exploitation organizations they have ever encountered, operating in online spaces where predators impersonate peers to manipulate children into violent acts, sometimes livestreamed. According to the article, Director Patel said in September, "What I refer to as modern-day terrorism in America... These are crimes that involve harming our children by going after them online —causing self-mutilation, suicide, sexual abuse." The Hindustan Times (11/20, Sen) quoted a statement from Deputy Director Bongino: "For those who may not know, the 764 Network is a heinous child exploitation ring that often targets children online and coerces them into acts of violence — self harm, animal abuse, suicide, and sexual abuse. At the beginning of the year, our teams redoubled our efforts to go after these networks and eliminate them. We have more than 300 investigations connected to this network going on nationwide, as we speak, and that number is growing. It is a top priority for us." The article noted that the bureau has made recent arrests in Baltimore and Arizona involving suspects accused of targeting minors as young as 11, distributing child pornography, cyberstalking, sharing animal-torture content, and even conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. NTD (11/20, Ozimek) added that Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino urged parents to monitor their children's internet activity to limit opportunities for online predators, with Director Patel stating that the FBI is "fully committed to cracking down" on the network. Director Patel added: "Parents, please check in with your kids and consider your options on monitoring internet usage to limit what these dangerous actors can reach. They often target social media and gaming platforms. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement. It can make all the difference." Additional reporting on the story was provided by Breaking Christian News (11/20, Herd), KTSA-FM (11/20, Pags), and WLUC (NBC-6) (11/20, Worley). Congresswoman Indicted for Alleged Theft of FEMA Relief Funds for Campaign Use Fox News (11/20, Sinkewicz) reported that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted by a Miami grand jury for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds and using a significant portion of the money for her 2021 congressional campaign. Prosecutors alleged that she, her brother Edwin Cherfilus, and several co-defendants routed the funds through multiple accounts to disguise their source and used them for campaign contributions or personal benefit. According to the article, the indictment states that the overpayment of FEMA funds occurred EFTA01655550 through the family healthcare company's FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract, and that Cherfilus- McCormick and Nadege Leblanc allegedly fixed contributions using straw donors. Director Patel posted on X that Cherfilus-McCormick and her family "allegedly stole money from FEMA and then laundered it through friends toward her own personal benefits — including her campaign accounts." The article noted that she could face up to 53 years in prison if convicted and that political figures, including Rep. Greg Steube and the Republican Party of Florida, publicly called for her censure or resignation. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Associated Press (11/20, Payne), Axios (11/20, Solender), BBC (11/20, Faguy), Haitian Times (11/20, Staff Writer), Hindustan Times (11/20, Gupta), IBTimes UK (11/20, Toledo), Independent (11/20, Staff Writer), Miami Herald (11/20, Meddles), Miami New Times (11/20, DeLuca), Newsweek (11/20, Staff Writer), Palm Beach Post (11/20, Coleman), Politico (11/20, Wu), Reuters (11/20, McCaskill), The Hill (11/20, Rego), USA Today (11/20, Alund), Wall Street Journal (11/20, Morphet), Washington Examiner (11/20, Schilke) (2), Washington Post (11/20, Stein, Roebuck), and Washington Times (11/20, Dinan). DOJ, FBI Probing Top Trump Administration Officials Over Investigations of President's Adversaries ABC News (11/20, Faulders, Mallin, Charalambous) reported that the Department of Justice and the FBI are investigating whether senior Trump administration officials, including U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, interfered with ongoing criminal investigations into President Trump's political adversaries. Prosecutors and federal investigators are examining allegations that Martin and Pulte enlisted people outside the DOJ, improperly shared sensitive grand jury information, and usurped FBI agents working on the cases involving Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. According to the article, FBI agents first discovered potential misconduct when a key witness, Christine Bish, told them she had already been speaking with individuals she believed were DOJ investigators — including Robert Bowes and Scott Strauss — even though neither had authorization to conduct interviews or access case materials. FBI mentions include agents uncovering the unauthorized outreach, FBI agents attempting to contact Bowes and Strauss to determine the scope of their actions, and a reference to Martin sending a letter to a lawyer for an FBI agent involved in the Sandy Hook response that falsely implied the agent was under investigation. The article noted that AG Bondi had previously rebuked Martin for inappropriate conduct. The article assessed that the alleged improper involvement by Martin and Pulte may have jeopardized the viability of multiple federal investigations. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Axios (11/20, Lotz), Bloomberg (11/20, O'Donnell, Cook), CBS News (11/20, MacFarlane, Aksoy, et al.), CNN (11/20, Polantz, Rabinowitz, et al.), The Daily Beast (11/20, Esposito), The Guardian (11/20, Levine, Lowell), MSNBC (11/20, Leonnig, Dilanian), NBC News (11/20, Lynch), New York Times (11/20, Thrush, Feuer), Raw Story (11/20, Boggioni), Reuters (11/20, Lynch), The Hill (11/20, Beitsch), Wall Street Journal (11/20, Gurman, Schwartz), and Washington Post (11/20, Stein, Siegel, Mettler). Continued Reporting: FBI Fired Veteran Employee for Displaying Pride Flag, Lawsuit Says The Hill (11/20, Fields) reported that former FBI employee David Maltinsky filed a lawsuit alleging he was "summarily dismissed" for displaying a Progress Pride flag at his workspace. Prosecutors noted that Maltinsky received a letter from Director Patel informing him he was being removed for the "inappropriate display of political signage," and that he had worked at the FBI for 16 years and led diversity efforts within the agency. According to the article, Maltinsky said the Progress Pride flag had previously hung outside the Los Angeles field office and that he was dismissed just three weeks before completing the special agent training program, which he described as a lifelong goal. The article further reported that his attorney argued the case concerns whether the government can punish Americans "simply for saying who they are," and that Maltinsky claims his firing violates his First and Fifth Amendment rights. The article noted that the lawsuit names Director Patel, AG Bondi, and the Justice Department as defendants and comes in the wake of President Trump's executive order outlawing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in federal agencies. The Washington Post (11/20, Bisset) also reported on the story. CBS News (11/20, Video) broadcasted an interview with Maltinsky. Continued Reporting: GOP Senators Warn AG Bondi Not To Slow-Walk Release Of Epstein Files The Hill (11/20, Bolton) reported that Republican senators warned AG Bondi not to delay the release of Jeffrey Epstein—related documents after Congress overwhelmingly passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act requiring their disclosure. According to the article, lawmakers from both parties expressed concern that the Justice Department might cite "ongoing investigations" to justify withholding files, especially after AG Bondi reopened Epstein-related inquiries and President Trump publicly urged DOJ and "our great patriots at the FBI" to investigate Epstein's ties to prominent figures. The article noted that AG Bondi pledged to "follow the law" and release additional files within 30 days while Democrats accused her of planning to conceal information, citing past DOJ-FBI EFTA01655551 claims that no incriminating Epstein "client list" existed, and Republican leaders said they expect DOJ to balance transparency with protecting victims. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (11/20, Brennan), Axios (11/20, Scribner), CBC (11/20, Gollom), and NPR (11/20, Fowler). Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Fifteen Years in Prison for Afghan Who Plotted US Election Day Attack The Epoch Times (11/20, Athrappully) reported that 19-year-old Afghan national and U.S. lawful permanent resident Abdullah Haji Zada was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 15 years in federal prison for receiving and conspiring to receive AK-47-style rifles and ammunition intended for an ISIS-inspired Election Day terror attack in November 2024. Prosecutors stated that Zada and co-conspirator Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi accepted two rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition knowing they would be used on behalf of ISIS, and that both men were arrested in October 2024. According to the article, Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg said Zada "chose to embrace terrorism and plot an ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day," while the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma emphasized that the planned attack was thwarted by "the exceptional work of law enforcement." The article further reported that Zada pleaded guilty as an adult in April 2025, agreed to a judicial order of removal to Afghanistan, and waived nearly all rights to appeal his conviction or deportation, while Tawhedi faces up to 20 years for material support and up to 15 years for firearms offenses at his upcoming sentencing. The article noted that the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office's Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case, and that both men will be permanently removed from the United States after serving their sentences. "With today's sentencing, Zada will pay the price for participating in a plot last year to conduct an ISIS-inspired Election Day terrorist attack," said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division in the press release. "Detecting and preventing acts of terrorism against the American people is an essential part of the FBI's mission. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities." The press release also quoted FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater: "By hatching a violent plot against the United States on behalf of ISIS, the defendant and his co-conspirator shamefully turned their backs on the country that provided them safety and refuge. I'm extremely proud of the swift and coordinated action taken by the Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force as soon as this disturbing plan was uncovered. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will never relent in our fight against terrorism, and in protecting the American people from those who wish them harm." Additional reporting on the story was provided by 24 News HD (11/20, Staff Writer), KOKH (FOX-25) (11/20, Sharfman), and KOTV (CBS-6) (11/20, Dowers). Five Accused of Supporting Antifa Plead Guilty to Terrorism-Related Offense After Texas Shooting Analysis from Talking Points Memo (11/20, Kovensky) reported that the Trump administration's designation of four European anti-fascist groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations appears aimed at expanding its long-running campaign against "Antifa," despite the State Department providing no public evidence that these groups threaten Americans or U.S. national security interests. Prosecutors noted that experts warn the move risks criminalizing ideology and enabling aggressive federal tactics—such as infiltrating domestic groups—while MAGA-aligned influencers celebrate the designations as part of a broader political battle rather than a response to genuine terrorism. The article stated that critics view the designations as an intimidation tool designed to chill political opposition in the United States rather than a targeted counterterrorism measure. Associated Press (11/19, Stengle) reported on Wednesday that five people pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges after federal prosecutors accused them of supporting antifa in a July attack outside a Texas immigration detention center that wounded a police officer, with Director Patel previously noting that the Texas case marked the first time a material-support charge had been applied to antifa. Texas Launches Criminal Investigation Against Muslim Brotherhood KHOU (CBS-11) (11/20, McCord) reported that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch a criminal investigation into the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) after designating both groups as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. Prosecutors noted that Abbott said the goal of the investigation is to "identify, disrupt, and eradicate terrorist organizations" and to target threats involving violence, intimidation, harassment, or attempts to impose Sharia law in violation of Texas statutes. According to the article, Abbott stated that "DPS Special Agents assigned to FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces around the state will gather intelligence and initiate investigations into potential violations of EFTA01655552 state and federal law." The article further reported that CAIR responded by filing a lawsuit against Abbott, arguing that he lacks the authority to declare American civil rights groups as terrorist entities and warning that such unilateral actions threaten free speech and due process. The article noted that CAIR officials characterized Abbott's proclamation as a political stunt tied to criticism of U.S. policy on Gaza and said recent months have seen a surge in hate crimes targeting Muslims. Congress Takes One Step Closer to Challenging ISIS' Al Revolution Newsweek (11/20, O'Connor) reported that the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Generative Al Terrorism Risk Assessment Act, a bill introduced by Rep. August Pfluger to counter ISIS's growing use of artificial intelligence in propaganda, recruitment, and operational planning. Prosecutors noted that experts and intelligence agencies have documented ISIS and its affiliates experimenting with generative Al tools to create jihadi media, automate messaging, and potentially explore more advanced applications, while global security consultant David Wells warned that terrorist misuse of Al could escalate rapidly as barriers to entry continue to fall. According to the article, the bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to regularly brief Congress on AI-based terrorist threats, gather and disseminate related intelligence through fusion centers, and coordinate information sharing across federal agencies as DHS assessments already warn that ISIS-inspired actors have targeted the U.S., including in an FBI-foiled Halloween plot in Detroit. The article further reported that ISIS-linked attacks and plots continue worldwide — including recent large-scale operations by ISIS-K and deadly incidents in Europe and the U.S. — prompting officials like House Speaker Mike Johnson to describe the legislation as critical to preventing terrorist groups from exploiting generative Al to radicalize and incite violence on American soil. The article noted that significant obstacles remain, including the speed of Al development, declining online content-moderation standards, limited government technological capacity, and the need for broader multi-stakeholder cooperation, with experts recommending deeper engagement between law enforcement, Al companies, and tech platforms to anticipate and disrupt emerging AI-enabled terrorist threats. Photos Released of Alleged Tren de Aragua Members Arrested in Texas Immigration Raid KABB (FOX-29) (11/20, Warner) reported that a large immigration raid at a North Side San Antonio nightclub resulted in the arrest of 27 alleged Tren de Aragua gang members, with agents seizing cocaine, firearms, and cash. Prosecutors noted that the operation was carried out by a newly formed Homeland Security Task Force involving the FBI and HSI San Antonio, and that some detainees are under investigation for human smuggling and money laundering. The article stated that two Honduran nationals also appeared in federal court on illegal re-entry charges, each facing up to two years in prison and a potential $250,000 fine. Florida Man Charged With Making Terror-Linked Threats While Residing in Maryland Hoodline (11/20, Robinson) reported that federal authorities detained 27-year-old Arsham Rashidi Dizajgan of Gainesville, Florida, after he was indicted on six counts of transmitting interstate threats while residing in Maryland. Prosecutors stated that the indictment alleges Dizajgan used TikTok between September 2024 and March 2025 to post imagery and language mirroring tactics linked to Hamas, including upside-down red triangles over the heads of Americans, alongside threatening comments. According to the article, he also allegedly posted content condemning Americans and non-Muslims while celebrating acts of violence against them. The article further reported that U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes warned that "threats to the safety and security of American citizens will not be tolerated, particularly when such threats adopt the language and tactics of violent extremists and foreign terrorist organizations," while FBI Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul emphasized that the FBI takes such threats seriously to ensure "swift investigative and prosecutorial actions to prevent online vitriol from manifesting into tangible harm." Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Whistleblower Says FBI Top Brass Shielded From Scrutiny of the Bureau's Internal Counterespionage Unit The Washington Times (11/20, Picket) reported that an FBI employee filed a whistleblower disclosure accusing the bureau's Internal Counterespionage Cell of "gross misconduct, fraud and potentially criminal activities," including shielding Senior Executive Service executives from internal espionage and counterintelligence investigations. Prosecutors noted that the whistleblower alleged an unwritten "executive exemption" that prevented probes of FBI leadership, that the Inspection Division allowed retaliation against the reporting employee after the misconduct EFTA01655553 was raised, and that these practices created a "blind spot" that compromised national security. According to the article, the disclosure detailed multiple instances in which senior FBI counterintelligence officials refused to open investigations into executives—even when provided credible intelligence—including a case involving a retired assistant director suspected of keeping classified material at home and another in which an official blocked the opening of a case in which he was himself a potential anonymous subject. The article further reported that the whistleblower said the FBI had not apprehended any employee involved in espionage since the 2001Robert Hanssen case, that significant portions of former counterintelligence chief Charles McGonigal's activities went unexamined, and that internal failures allowed espionage to continue for years and cost millions due to compromised technology. The article noted that Rep. Thomas Massie called the situation an intentional "blind spot," that the disclosure claimed certain officials involved in the Mar-a-Lago search had also run off-the-books operations against Trump's first campaign, and that the whistleblower and a retired FBI supervisor are willing to provide further testimony to Congress regarding systemic failures in FBI counterintelligence oversight. China Just Escalated Its Al War Against America Daily Signal (11/20, Pavlich) reported that China has escalated its cyber-aggression against the United States by weaponizing artificial intelligence to autonomously carry out sophisticated cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Prosecutors noted that Anthropic detected in September 2025 an unprecedented espionage campaign in which a Chinese state-sponsored group manipulated its Claude Code tool to attempt infiltration of roughly thirty global targets, successfully breaching a small number involving major tech companies, financial institutions, chemical manufacturers, and government agencies. According to the article, Anthropic assessed with high confidence that the attack represented "the first documented case of a large-scale cyberattack executed without substantial human intervention," relying on advanced Al capabilities that did not exist in comparable form just a year earlier. The article further reported that the Chinese Communist Party is simultaneously targeting local infrastructure— including water systems, electric grids, gas plants, ports, communication networks, and transportation systems— thereby "stretching the capacity of the FBI and other federal agencies" as they attempt to thwart these attacks. The article noted that officials warn the U.S. must rapidly strengthen both defensive and offensive Al capabilities, with national security leaders deeming American victory in the Al race "non-negotiable" in order to protect civilians and prevent China from triggering a crisis of its own making. Analysis: Five Eyes Become Three Blind Mice An analysis from the Washington Monthly (11/20, Kounalakis) reported that the longstanding Five Eyes intelligence alliance is now strained because member nations increasingly distrust U.S. intelligence practices under the Trump administration. Prosecutors noted that recent American actions — including tightened NOFORN restrictions after the Discord leaks and British concerns about U.S. legality in Caribbean operations — have eroded confidence, with the U.K. suspending some intelligence sharing after Director Patel allegedly broke promises to MI5 regarding protection of a bureau operative in London. According to the article, this distrust is compounded by global political pressures: Canada's response to Chinese election interference, New Zealand's delicate balance with Beijing, and Australia's AUKUS commitments, as well as Pacific-region complications involving China's security pacts and shifting maritime cooperation. The article further reported that domestic U.S. dynamics mirror these international fractures, as state and local officials increasingly resist federal data-sharing over fears of surveillance or immigration enforcement, generating a "NOFORN-like" reluctance that undermines public services and counter- threat coordination; meanwhile, past successes like the FBI—Australian Federal Police ANOM sting demonstrate what strong trust can achieve. The article noted that restoring the alliance requires limiting excessive classification, strengthening safeguards on shared intelligence, and rebuilding trust so that democratic allies can continue coordinating effectively against authoritarian adversaries who face no such internal constraints. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Continued Reporting: Former GOP Staffer Natalie Greene Charged for Paying Artist $500 to Stage Her Own Assault and Mislead FBI Agents Inquisitr (11/20, Choudhury, Battacharjee) reported that Natalie Greene, a 26-year-old former congressional staffer for Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew, has been charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal investigators. The FBI visited the Pennsylvania studio and obtained documentation, which included a consent form with Greene's signature and a copy of her driver's license, and even the photos of the cuts matched with the ones EFTA01655554 done by that particular artist. Phone records later revealed Greene maintained a Reddit account that followed "bodymods" and "scarification" forums. According to the article, Greene allegedly paid a body modification artist $500 to fake her own assault, which included inflicting cuts and wounds, and she manipulated FBI agents by reporting the incident as a real attack. The article noted that she could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty and has been released on $200,000 bond after her first court appearance. Additional reporting was provided by NBC News (11/20, Kosnar, Richard, et al.), WCAU (NBC-10) (11/20, Chang), The Hill (11/20, Lee), Courier Post (11/20, Smith), The Independent (11/20, Scott), Telegraph UK (11/20, Smith), KGTV (ABC-10) (11/20, Staff Writer), Complex (11/20, McBride), Fox News (11/20, Norman), Unilad (11/20, Roberts), The US Sun (11/20, Bose), TMZ (11/20, Staff Writer), and Daily Caller (11/20, Owens). Continued Reporting: DOJ, Halligan Slam Judge in Comey Case Following Hearing ABC News (11/20, Mallin) reported that the Department of Justice initially stated that the full grand jury did not review the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, but later reversed this claim, saying the grand jury did vote on the two-count indictment. According to the article, the reversal came after Comey's attorney, Michael Dreeben, argued that the issue with the grand jury indictment required the judge to throw out the case. The article noted that the case against Comey, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to Congress, will continue, with the DOJ maintaining that the indictment was properly reviewed by the grand jury. Additional reporting was provided by NPR (11/20, Melton), New York Post (11/20, Christenson), The New York Times (11/20, French), and Bloomberg (11/20, Strohm). Continued Reporting: An Bt-Olympian, a Violent Drug Ring and a $15 Million Reward The Washington Post (11/20, Bieler) reported that Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, is wanted by federal authorities for allegedly leading a violent, transnational drug ring and ordering the murder of a witness. According to the article, a reward of $15 million is being offered for information leading to his arrest and/or prosecution, with Wedding believed to be residing in Mexico. Wedding competed for Canada in the snowboarding parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, where he finished 24th. On Wednesday, Director Patel described Wedding, 44, as "a modern-day iteration" of the notorious drug kingpins Pablo Escobar and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The first person featured on the FBI's list of 10 most wanted fugitives, Wedding has a reward amount at least three times higher than anyone else in that group. "Ryan Wedding's athletic drive snowballed into a life of violence," an official with the FBI's Los Angeles field office said Wednesday in a statement, "and, instead of conquering mountains, he mastered a deadly drug distribution enterprise and will continue to order murders while he enjoys protection by his cartel associates and others. Additional reporting was provided by Timmins Today (11/20, Rinne), Cleveland (11/20, Remington), and The Independent (11/20, Richer). Continued Reporting: Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison Over Illegal Donations To Obama Campaign The Associated Press (11/20, Kunzelman) reported that Grammy-winning Fugees rapper Prakazrel "Pras" Michel was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after being convicted of illegally funneling millions in foreign donations to Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign. According to the article, Michel was found guilty on 10 counts— including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered foreign agent—with prosecutors arguing that he "betrayed his country for money;' while the defense called the sentence disproportionate and vowed to appeal. The article noted that Michel obtained over $120 million from Malaysian financier lho Low, used straw donors to route funds to Obama's campaign, attempted to interfere with a Justice Department investigation, tampered with witnesses, and committed perjury, and that his request for a new trial was denied in 2024. A 2023 press release when Michel was convicted quoted Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division: "The defendant brazenly conspired to help a foreign national launder millions of dollars in illegitimate campaign contributions into the 2012 U.S. presidential election. The FBI and our partners are dedicated to uncovering even the most sophisticated schemes which could undermine our fair and transparent democratic process." Additional reporting on the story was provided by Independent (11/20, Kunzelman), New York Times (11/20, Ziegler), Rolling Stone (11/20, Grow), TMZ (11/20, Staff Writer), Variety (11/20, Horowitz), Vulture (11/20, Squires), and Wall Street Journal (11/20, Lukpat, Pisani). New York Man Businessman Sentenced for $55 Million Fraud and Tax Evasion Scheme Hoodline New York City (11/20, Winslow) reported that David Motovich, a Brooklyn businessman, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a $55 million fraud and tax evasion scheme. According to the EFTA01655555 article, Motovich must forfeit approximately $38 million in ill-gotten assets, including real estate and luxury goods. The investigation, led by the FBI and IRS-CI, brought to light Motovich's sophisticated tactics used to bypass anti-money laundering laws and filing requirements. Motovich's downfall was precipitated by his own designs, as he moved large sums while evading the bureaucratic eyes that guard against such deceit. Giving details about the case, an FBI official highlighted Motovich's unscrupulous operations. "David Motovich allegedly deposited more than $55 million into accounts he opened in the names of other individuals to selfishly fund an unearned lavish lifestyle, by swindling unsuspecting victims and companies," said Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI New York Field Office. Additional reporting was provided by BK Reader (11/20, Staff Writer). Congressman Says FBI Stonewalled Investigation Into Trump's Attempted Assassin The Baltimore Sun (11/20, Harris) reported that Rep. Pat Fallon is calling for further investigation into the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump by Thomas Crooks, citing that the FBI withheld information from his task force. According to the article, the FBI had previously stated that there was limited information available on Crooks, but it was later discovered that he had made over 700 antisemitic and anti-immigrant social media comments. Fallon said he would speak with House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., about calling former FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate back to testify on the investigation. In July 2024, Abbate said the agency discovered more than 700 social media comments they believe were made by Crooks around 2019 and 2020 that he described as antisemitic and anti-immigrant. Last week, political commentator Tucker Carlson said he thinks members of the Trump administration are covering up facts about Crooks. "The FBI lied, and we can prove it because we have his posts. The question is why?" Carlson wrote on X. Carlson was referencing Crook's digital footprint. He called out current Director Patel, as well as former Director Christopher Wray, and Deputy Director Bongino. Former FBI Special Agent in Charge Jody Weis said the bureau has incredible capabilities to look deep into someone's digital footprint, and Crooks should have been flagged. The article noted that for them to come out and say that we just didn't see much there, we couldn't identify a motive. I can't understand why," Weis said, adding that if flagged, the FBI would then dig deeper. Louisiana Man Sentenced to Consecutive Life Terms for Kidnapping and Murder Spree Hoodline New Orleans (11/20, Davenport) reported that Daniel Wayne Callihan, a 38-year-old man from Amite, Louisiana, has been sentenced to consecutive life terms for kidnapping and murder. According to the article, Callihan pleaded guilty to charges including kidnapping resulting in death and transporting a minor across state lines for criminal sexual activity. The article noted that Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, including the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service, in investigating this matter. Continued Reporting: CCTV Reveals Anna Kepner's Last Hours Before She Died CBS News (11/20, Benavides, Milton) reported that the FBI is investigating the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was found dead on a Carnival cruise ship. According to the article, Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother, referred to as "T.H.", is being investigated for possible involvement in her death, according to her family and law enforcement sources. The FBI has not named anyone as a suspect in this case, and in a statement, the FBI said it does not provide operational updates on its investigations except in rare circumstances. The FBI and ship security are also conducting interviews with other passengers, crewmembers, and Kepner's family. In a statement, Carnival Cruise Line said it is cooperating with the federal investigation. The FBI has jurisdiction because Kepner is a U.S. citizen and the death occurred in international waters. The Miami FBI office is working closely with Carnival security. The article noted that Carnival also said the FBI has told it there is no related threat to safety aboard the ship on its current voyage. Additional reporting was provided by The US Sun (11/20, Staff Writer), INKL (11/20, Pathak), New York Post (11/20, Blair), ABC News (11/20, Shapiro), and WOFL (FOX-35) (11/20, Staff Writer). California Man Sentenced for Distributing Meth, One Hundred Thousand Fentanyl Pills KELO (CW-11) (11/20, Johnson) reported that Michael Thomas, a 51-year-old California man, has been sentenced to 21years in prison for conspiring to distribute meth and fentanyl. According to the article, Thomas pleaded guilty and was found responsible for shipping 300-400 pounds of meth and over 100,000 fentanyl pills to various areas. The article noted that the FBI and the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office uncovered a large group of people selling meth and fentanyl around Sioux Falls in 2021and 2022. Louisiana Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses Hoodline New Orleans (11/20, Campos) reported that Bryan Turner, a 20-year-old New Orleans man, has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearms offenses. According to the article, the charges include conspiracy to distribute EFTA01655556 controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The article noted the case was investigated by the FBI and the New Orleans Police Department; this cooperative approach to crime prevention continues to shape the way illegal activities are fought on the streets of New Orleans. Alleged Leader of Maine Drug Ring Convicted of Multiple Federal Crimes WMTW (ABC-8) (11/20, Bartow) reported that Lucas Sirois, 45, and his father, Robert Sirois, 71, have been convicted of multiple federal crimes related to an illegal marijuana operation in Maine. According to the article, the operation, which involved several others, including a prosecutor and a member of law enforcement, brought in over $13 million from 2016 to 2020 and distributed over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. A Department of Justice press release noted that the US Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI, and local and state partners investigated the case. Largest Meth Seizure in Colorado History Leads to Indictment of Fifteen People KMGH (ABC-7) (11/20, Contreras) reported that a two-year investigation led to the indictment of 15 people, including Marco Antonio De Silva Lara, in connection with the largest meth seizure in Colorado history. According to the article, the operation, involving agencies like the DEA, FBI, and ICE, resulted in the seizure of over 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately $156,000 in U.S. currency. "It is not every day the FBI is able to stand together with our partners to announce the indictment of an alleged drug kingpin and 14 of his associates," said Mary Massey, a special agent with the FBI. "This is one supply chain that needed to be broken." The article noted that the suspects face drug charges, with potential sentences of up to life in federal prison, and at least four also face money laundering charges with potential sentences of up to 20 years. Additional reporting was provided by KRDO (ABC-13) (11/20, Buggle) and K2-FM (11/20, Fedore). Florida Authorities Warn of Surge in Phone Scams Posing as FBI and Bank Officials Hoodline Miami (11/20, Miller) reported that the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office is warning of a surge in phone scams where scammers pose as FBI agents or bank officials to dupe victims. According to the article, legitimate FBI agents or bank representatives will never ask customers to withdraw cash, surrender debit cards and PINs, or provide sensitive banking information. The article noted that authorities advise victims to hang up on fraudulent callers, verify account queries directly with their banks, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement. Arkansas Psychologist Indicted Over Defrauding Insurers More Than $500K Arkansas Business (11/20, Staff Writer) reported that Krameelah Banks, a 48-year-old Little Rock psychologist, has been indicted for defrauding Medicare and Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield out of over $500,000. According to the article, the indictment alleges that Banks billed for thousands of hours of psychology services that never took place, including services for deceased patients and while she was on vacation. When questioned about the claims, Banks created fake records, the news release said. Banks also allegedly misled the FBI by blaming any overbilling on her online calendaring software, the news release said. The article noted that she is facing 23 counts of wire fraud, seven counts of making false statements in connection with health care, one count of lying to the FBI, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Prison for Pennsylvania Man Who Defrauded Religious, Political Organization Patch (11/20, Bennett) reported that Willie Jordan, a 68-year-old Delaware County man, was sentenced to 1 year in prison for wire fraud. According to the article, Jordan defrauded a Philadelphia religious organization and a political organization of approximately $142,991 for his personal benefit. A Department of Justice press release noted that this case was investigated by the FBI. Missouri Mastermind Sentenced for Medicare Fraud Hoodline New Orleans (11/20, Reed) reported that Jamie P. McNamara, a 50-year-old Missouri man, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for masterminding a $174 million Medicare scam involving genetic testing. According to the article, the scheme, which operated out of labs in Louisiana and Texas, submitted false claims to Medicare totaling over $174 million and wrongly extracted upwards of $55 million. The investigation led by HHS- OIG and the FBI culminated in the punishment of a man who flagrantly disregarded his moral and legal obligations. The article noted that the joined forces of the US Department of Health and Human Services, FBI, and other parties involved, including the healthcare fraud coordinators and numerous law enforcement agencies, embody a steadfast dedication to upholding the sanctity of the nation's health care systems. Samourai Wallet CTO Sentenced to Prison for $2B Bitcoin Laundering Scheme EFTA01655557 Crypto News (11/20, Shittu) reported that William Lonergan Hill, Samourai Wallet's CTO, was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for his role in operating a Bitcoin mixing platform that processed over $237 million in known criminal proceeds. According to the article, Hill and Samourai CEO Keonne Rodriguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business, with Rodriguez receiving a 5-year prison sentence. A Department of Justice press release noted that US Attorney Nicholas Roos praised the investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the FBI. He also acknowledged the assistance of the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs, Europol, the Portuguese Judicial Police, the Procuradoria-Geral da RepUblica, the Icelandic Police, and the FBI Field Office in Pittsburgh for their assistance in the investigation of this case. Twelve Charged in $11Million Stolen Check Scheme Targeting Pandemic Relief Funds RLS Media (11/20, Smith) reported that twelve individuals, including Wayne Bessant, Britany Brown, and others, have been charged in a bank fraud conspiracy targeting COVID-19 business relief programs. According to the article, the scheme, which ran from March 2023 to May 2025, involved stealing over 100 checks, including US Treasury checks, totaling over $11 million. "Just as the twelve subjects schemed and conspired to cheat the system by depositing stolen checks meant for COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts, the FBI and our federal partners worked together to follow the facts and evidence that would lead to this charge. This case is a textbook example of the partnerships we build to prevent fraud against the Government and protect taxpayers from fraud in any form," said FBI Newark Special Agent in Char