EFTA00160570.pdf

From: FBI News Briefing cza To: "FBINewsBriefing" cza Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - FBI Daily News Briefing - September 14, 2023 Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:10:03 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation September 14, 2023 Seal Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • Escaped Convict Cavalcante Captured After Weekslong Pennsylvania Manhunt • Judge Appears to Reject Trump Bid to Talk Classified Info at Mar-A-Lago • FBI Agent Undercuts Claims of Political Interference in Hunter Biden Inquiry • Trump Waives Right to Speedy Trial as Georgia Prosecutor Seeks to Try Him With 18 Others Next Month COUNTERTERRORISM • Continued Reporting: Jury Urged to Convict Three in Last Trial Tied to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Kidnapping Plot • Bridge Reopens Following FBI Investigation into Bomb Threat • Antisemitism Is Rising in New Jersey and Across the U.S. • Disarm Hate: A Summary of Key Challenges and Solutions • Opinion: What Does America Owe the Victims of Racial Terrorism? COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Ex-FBI Official in Trump-Russia Probe Who Admitted to Russian Oligarch Scheme Nearing Plea Deal in 2nd DC Case • Spyware Is Found on Phone of Prominent Russian Journalist CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Defense Set to Begin in Impeachment Trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton • Former Alabama Department of Corrections Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights and Obstruction Offenses EFTA00160570  • Nashville Police, FBI Investigating Hoax Calls at Airport, Schools & Businesses • Extortion Trial Against loran Van Der Sloot, Suspect in Natalee Holloway Disappearance, Is Delayed • Federal Grand Jury Indicts Illinois Postal Workers in COVID Relief Fraud Scheme • Woman Admits to Faking Car Trouble, Killing Florida College Student Who Stopped to Help Her • Idaho Murder Victims' Families Plea for Transparency in Courtroom • Pennsylvania Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Charges • Delta Worker Accused of Stealing 5258K in Bag From JFK • 'Cryptoqueen' Ruja Ignatova Remains a Fugitive as Her Partner in MB Onecoin Fraud Gets 20 Years • Rep. George Santos Denies Reports He's Working on a Plea Deal With Prosecutors • Maine Man Arrested for Racially-Motivated Death Threats Against Black Neighbor • Dethroned Pageant Queen Alleges She Was Raped, Forced Into Explicit Video in Lawsuit Against Pornhub • FEC Tosses Complaint Claiming Gaetz Used Campaign Funds for Trafficking Probe Defense • Parents Say American Airlines Flight Attendant Put Hidden Camera in Bathroom to Record Daughter CYBER DIVISION • MGM Resorts Breached by 'Scattered Spider' Hackers LABORATORY • U.S. Federal Agencies Urge Firms to Prepare for Deepfakes CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS • Appeals Court Restricts DOJ Access to Rep. Scott Perry's Phone in 2020 Election Probe • Trump, January 6 and a Conspiracy to Overturn the 2020 Election: The Federal Investigation, Explained • McConnell Didn't Reply to Romney's Text Warning About Jan. 6 • FBI Investigating Threats Made Against Local Officials After Former Pres. Trump's Arrest • Infowars Host Wants Help From Supreme Court in Capitol Riot Case • Why the FBI Is Still Searching for Hundreds of Capitol Rioters • Illinois Woman, Recent U.S. Citizen Arrested by FBI for Allegedly Storming U.S. Capitol on January 6 • One Key Group Is Stopping the Push to Ban Trump From 2024 Ballot — Democrats • Majority Call 'Harsh' Jan. 6 Sentences a Biden Warning to Foes • First Cases From Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Reach U.S. Supreme Court • UK Ex-Premier Theresa May Says Capitol Riot Was a Wake-Up Call for West OTHER FBI NEWS • Vivek Ramaswamy Proposes Mass Federal Layoffs as More GOP Hopefuls Look To Slash U.S. Government • Youngkin Set to Approve New Oversight Measure for State Prisons • Liberty Safe Facing Investigation After Customer Code Sharing Backlash • Opinion: Missouri v. Biden and the Crossroads of Politics, Censorship and Free Speech INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Bodies 'Everywhere' in Libyan City After Floods; Thousands Still Missing EFTA00160571  • Russian Navy Shipyard Targeted by Missile Strikes in Sevastopol; Two Vessels I-lit • After Morocco Earthquake, Wiped-Out Villages Lose I-lope of Rebuilding • Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin Meet at Russia's Main Spaceport • Russia's Offensive to Reverse Ukraine's Gains Is Stalling • Russia Overcomes Sanctions to Expand Missile Production, Officials Say • Russia Ramps up Drone, Guided Bomb Attacks to Thwart Counteroffensive • Evan Gershkovich's Family, U.S. Official Demand WSJ Reporter's Release in U.N. Appeal • China Denies Banning iPhones, but Cites Unspecified Security Concerns • U.S. Deepens Security Pledge to Bahrain, an Adversary of Iran • El Chapo's Wife Released From US Custody After Completing 3-Year Prison Sentence • Mexican Congress Holds Hearing on UFOs Featuring Purported 'Alien' Bodies • EU Chief Calls for More Engagement With Africa • People-Smuggling Should Be Treated 'On a Par' With Terrorism, Starmer Says • Congress Heads to Wall Street to Urge Curbs on Investments in China OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Hunter Biden Sues Former Trump Aide Over Publication of Laptop Emails, Images • Sen. Mitt Romney Says He Won't Seek Re-Election • Facing Fire, McCarthy Lays Out Plan to Avoid Government Shutdown • Federal Judge Again Declares That DACA Is Illegal With Issue Likely to Be Decided by Supreme Court • Few Specifics on Next Steps as GOP Moves Forward on Impeachment Inquiry • Biden Administration Will Track Civilian Deaths From U.S.-Supplied Arms • Husband of U.S. Lawmaker Dies in Plane Crash • NASA to Unveil UFO Report Thursday • Musk Warns Senators About Al Threat, While Gates Says the Technology Could Target World Hunger • U.S. Judge Freezes New Mexico Governor's Gun Ban BIG PICTURE • New York Times • Wall Street Journal • Washington Post • Financial Times • ABC News • CBS News • NBC News • Fox News WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS Escaped Convict Cavalcante Captured After Weekslong Pennsylvania Manhunt The Associated Press (09/13, Dale, Levy, Rubinkam) and the Wall Street Journal (09/13, Lukpat, Magalhaes, Otis) reported that Pennsylvania State Police announced that they captured Danelo Cavalcante, an escaped prisoner on the run for two weeks, following a massive manhunt involving hundreds of officers in the Philadelphia suburbs on Wednesday. According to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens, a police dog from a highly trained U.S. EFTA00160572 Border Patrol unit apprehended Cavalcante in a wooded area at approximately 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Despite resistance from Cavalcante, officers successfully took him into custody. The reports mention that the convicted murderer had been on the run since Aug. 31, when he broke out of the Chester County Prison in a brazen daylight escape. According to the reports, an aircraft equipped with infrared technology had detected a heat source overnight that led authorities to close in on Cavalcante, Bivens said. The aircraft had to leave during a storm but returned in the morning to an area where a burglar alarm had been tripped at a home. Officers surprised Cavalcante in the morning by quietly surrounding him as he lay prone, Bivens said. Cavalcante tried to crawl away with a rifle he had stolen this week until the dog reached him and bit his scalp, causing a minor injury. No shots were fired, and nobody else was injured. The Washington Post (09/13, McDaniel, Brasch, Ables) noted that the FBI sent resources to help in the search for Cavalcante. The story was also reported on by ABC News (09/13, Castano, Winsor), Axias (09/12, Avilucea), BBC News (09/13, Cabral), CBS News (09/13, Smith, Czachor), CNN (09/13, Freeman, Mascarenhas), Fox News (09/13, Sorace), The Guardian (09/13, Luscombe), The Hill (09/13, Fortinsky), NBC News (09/13, Lenthang, Li), New York Times (09/13, Robertson), NPR (09/13, Cooper), Reuters (09/13, O'Brien), and USA TODAY (09/13, Santucci, Ortiz, Cann). Judge Appears to Reject Trump Bid to Talk Classified Info at Mar-A-Lago The Washington Post (09/13, Barrett) reported that former President Donald Trump, charged with mishandling national security papers, requested permission to discuss classified evidence at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon issued a protective order that sets guidelines on how to handle classified information in the case, aligning with general federal court practices and essentially denying Trump's request. According to the article, the judge's ruling indicates that Trump's lawyers possess interim security clearances and will have access to some classified evidence, but specified conditions on what can be shared with Trump and his co- defendants, Waltine "Walt" Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira. The article noted that Nauta is accused of concealing classified documents for Trump and De Oliveira of aiding in covering up the mishandling of national security papers. Both co-defendants have pleaded not guilty, and any future sharing of classified information with them will be determined by specific court orders. CNN (09/13, Polantz, Sneed, Rabinowitz), The Hill (09/13, Beitsch), CNBC (09/13, Mangan), Bloomberg (09/13, Tillman), The Daily Beast (09/13, Ramirez), Independent (09/13, O'Connell), Law360 (09/13, Minsky), The Messenger (09/13, Klasfeld), New York Times (09/13, Feuer), Lawfare Media (09/13, McBrien), New York Daily News (09/13, Goldiner), Reuters (09/13, Queen), The Center Square (09/13, Rowland), Courthouse News (09/13, Garrison), Axios (09/13, Knutson), NBC News (09/13, Gregorian, Doyle), CBS News (09/13, Quinn), UPI (09/13, Fisher), Newsweek (09/13, Mordowanec), and Daily Mail (09/13, Goodin) also reported on the story. FBI Agent Undercuts Claims of Political Interference in Hunter Biden Inquiry The New York Times (09/13, Broadwater) reported that a high-ranking FBI agent, Thomas Sobocinski, contradicted claims made by I.R.S. agent Gary Shapley, who alleged that political interference impacted the investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes. Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, Sobocinski, who oversees the Baltimore Field Office of the FBI, stated that David C. Weiss, the U.S. attorney investigating Hunter Biden, never claimed he lacked authority to charge the president's son. According to the article, this counters Shapley's assertions that Weiss expressed not being the "deciding person on whether charges are filed." Sobocinski, who was present at the meeting in question, told Congress that Weiss never made such a statement. The article noted that when asked if he believed President Biden interfered in the investigation, Sobocinski responded, "No." Washington Post (09/13, Alemany, Barrett), NBC News (09/13, Kaplan), The Hill (09/13, Beitsch), CNN (09/13, Grayer, Herb), New York Post (09/13, Nava, Nelson), The Messenger (09/13, Gallagher), Politico (09/13, Swan), The Federalist (09/13, Cleveland), The Blaze (09/13, Enloe), Daily Caller (09/13, Lynch), and Daily Mail (09/13, Laco) also reported on the story. Trump Waives Right to Speedy Trial as Georgia Prosecutor Seeks to Try Him With 18 Others Next Month The Associated Press (09/13, Brumback) reported that former President Donald Trump and other defendants are foregoing their right to a speedy trial in a Georgia case where they're accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. According to the article, the Fulton County District Attorney, Fani Willis, plans to try all 19 defendants simultaneously next month. However, many of the defendants, including Trump, have expressed a desire for separate trials. According to Georgia law, a speedy trial demand requires the trial to begin either in the court term when the demand is made or in the next term. The article noted that while Trump has waived this right, two lawyers, Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, have not, and their trial is set to commence on October 23. EFTA00160573 CNBC (09/13, Staff Writer), The Hill (09/13, Lee, Schonfeld), USA TODAY (09/13, Jansen), U.S. News (09/13, Milligan), Atlanta Journal-Constitution (09/13, Hallerman), and MSNBC (09/13, Rubin) also reported on the story. Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Continued Reporting: Jury Urged to Convict Three in Last Trial Tied to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Kidnapping Plot The Associated Press (09/13, White) reported that three men, William Null, Michael Null, and Eric Molitor, are facing charges for assisting in a 2020 plan to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, driven by their anti- government sentiments. According to the article, while not the primary conspirators in the kidnapping plot, they were accused of roles such as participating in military drills and surveilling Whitmer's vacation home. The article noted that the investigation heavily relied on the testimonies of informant Dan Chappel and undercover FBI agents who infiltrated the group for months, capturing secretly recorded conversations and messages exposing the group's disdain for the government. WPBN (ABC-7) (09/13, Zivian) added that the Court is back in session at 9 a.m. on Thursday when the jury will get instructions and begin deliberations. Bridge Reopens Following FBI Investigation into Bomb Threat Daily Mail (09/13, James) reported that a man threatened to detonate pipe bombs on the Roebling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River, demanding $400,000 and warning against police intervention. According to the article, the threat prompted authorities to shut down the bridge, impacting over 9,000 daily commuters and causing the evacuation of nearby businesses. The article noted that while local police determined the threat was not credible, the FBI has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation, with support from multiple agencies including Homeland Security, bomb squads, and drone teams. WLWT (NBC-5) (09/13, Keel), WXIX (Fox-19) (09/13, Baker, Baker, Davis), and WCPO (ABC-9) (09/13, LeDuc) also reported on the story. Antisemitism Is Rising in New Jersey and Across the U.S. northjersey.com (09/13, Yellin) reported that Omar Alkattoul, a teenager from Sayreville, was influenced by antisemitic videos and acquaintances with claimed ties to al-Qaida. He pled guilty in July for an online threat towards synagogues in New Jersey. The article explained that he was introduced to the al-Qaida-produced magazine "Inspire" by his online contacts, and he was urged to attack Jews. Alkattoul pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and researched mass shootings and weapon acquisition. His online manifesto led to an FBI warning, stating, "I am the attacker and I would like to introduce myself... but I can assure you this attack is not one of them." The article noted that the FBI reported that Jews, constituting less than 3% of the U.S. population, were the primary victims of religiously motivated hate crimes in 2022, accounting for 63% of such attacks. Disarm Hate: A Summary of Key Challenges and Solutions American Progress (09/13, Jordan) reported that on August 26, 2023, a hate-motivated individual targeted and killed three Black people at a Dollar General store in Jacksonville, Florida, leading the Department of Justice to investigate the act as a hate crime. The article explained that recent FBI data highlights that hate crime incidents in 2021 reached 10,840, the highest ever reported in a single year, marking a concerning upward trend in such incidents. The article noted that in response to this rise in violent hate crimes, on September 13, 2023, Sen. Bob Casey and Reps. Veronica Escobar and Maxwell Frost reintroduced the Disarm Hate Act, aiming to prohibit those convicted of violent misdemeanor hate crimes from accessing firearms. Opinion: What Does America Owe the Victims of Racial Terrorism? An opinion piece from the New York Times (09/13, Blow) reported that in 1963, Sarah Collins Rudolph survived the Ku Klux Klan bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, an act of racial terror that claimed the lives of four young girls, including her sister. According to the article, the attack was one of many in a city so frequently bombed by white terrorists opposing integration that it was nicknamed "Bombingham." The article explained that years later, comparing the aftermath to the compensations given to 9/11, Mother Emanuel church in Charleston, and Boston Marathon bombing victims, Rudolph and her husband seek restitution from the State of Alabama for the trauma and medical bills endured, noting discrepancies in how victims of racial terror are compensated in the U.S. The article also touched upon the FBI's role in the Charleston church shooting, where the background check system's failure allowed the terrorist shooter to purchase a gun, resulting in a $88 million settlement. EFTA00160574 Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Ex-FBI Official in Trump-Russia Probe Who Admitted to Russian Oligarch Scheme Nearing Plea Deal in 2nd DC Case Fox News (09/13, Wallace) reported that Charles McGonigal, the former head of the FBI's counterintelligence division in New York, who previously pled guilty to conspiring with Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, is seeking additional time to formulate a plea deal for a second, more severe indictment. According to the article, the indictment alleges that McGonigal concealed payments of at least $225,000 he received from a former Albanian intelligence official and misled the FBI about international travels to meet with foreign nationals. The article noted that McGonigal served as the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's counterintelligence division in New York from 2016 to 2018, overseeing investigations into Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska. Spyware Is Found on Phone of Prominent Russian Journalist The Washington Post (09/13, Starks) reported that prominent Russian journalist Galina Timchenko's iPhone was infected with Pegasus spyware while she was in Germany, making it the first known use of this spyware against a significant Russian figure. According to the article, the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, developed by the NSO Group, can remotely access a device without the user's knowledge, capturing data and enabling the microphone and camera. While researchers from Access Now and the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab could not identify who was responsible for the hack, possible suspects range from Russia and its allies to Germany. The article noted that the Biden administration had previously criticized the NSO Group, with Apple even alerting users about potential spyware threats and filing a lawsuit against NSO in 2021. The FBI was mentioned in the context of criticism it received for considering an NSO Group contract, leading to the Biden administration issuing an executive order to limit the federal government's use of spyware. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Defense Set to Begin in Impeachment Trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton The Associated Press (09/14, Weber, Bleiberg) reported that lawyers for impeached Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton were set to begin presenting their defense Thursday as the trial that will determine whether the Republican is removed from office winds down. The article added that attorneys for the bipartisan group of lawmakers prosecuting Paxton's impeachment rested their case Wednesday after a woman who was expected to testify about an extramarital affair with Paxton made a sudden appearance at the trial, but never took the stand. The article noted that the affair is central to the historic proceedings and accusations that Paxton misused his power to help Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who was under FBI investigation and employed the woman, Laura Olson. One of the 16 articles of impeachment against Paxton alleges that Paul's hiring of Olson amounted to a bribe. According to the article, Paxton's former executive aide, Drew Wicker, testified Wednesday, describing Paxton as a friend and saying he met Paul three times, including once to deliver him a manila envelope and another to pick up Paxton's phone that he had left at Paul's house. The article stated that on cross-examination, Paxton's lawyer Buzbee showed Wicker bank statements that Wicker affirmed appeared to show Paxton paying for the renovations to his home. At a June news conference, Buzbee displayed bank records that showed Paxton making that payment to a company run by an associate of Paul one day after the attorney general's deputies reported him to the FBI. The FBI investigation of Paxton and Paul's dealings also scrutinized the renovations, with at least one Austin contractor receiving a grand jury subpoena in 2021 for records related to the work. The New York Times (09/13, Goodman), and AlJazeera (09/13, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. Former Alabama Department of Corrections Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights and Obstruction Offenses WBRC (Fox-6) (09/13, Staff Writer) reported that a former lieutenant with the Alabama Department of Corrections has pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate and lying afterward to cover up the incident. Mohammad Shahid Jenkins, a former William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility Lieutenant and Shift Commander, is accused of using excessive force against two inmates on two separate occasions including hitting and using chemical spray against an inmate while he was handcuffed. A DOJ press release quoted Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples of the EFTA00160575 FBI Birmingham Field Office, who said, "The civil rights of all must be protected, including those who are in the trusted custody of law enforcement officials, to willfully deprive any individual without due process or subject the same to cruel and unusual punishment can't be tolerated or perceived to be so commonplace it's considered normal inside of our institutions. The FBI will remain committed to holding those who swore an oath to protect and serve, but instead willfully abused their privileges and abandon their responsibilities as law enforcement officers, accountable." Nashville Police, FBI Investigating Hoax Calls at Airport, Schools & Businesses WSMV (NBC-4) (09/13, Wethington) reported that the Metro Nashville Police Department and the FBI are working together to investigate several false threats made throughout the city recently. The article added that recent hoax calls were made against the Nashville International Airport, a police precinct, the Hard Rock Cafe downtown, the AT&T building, and two Metro schools, police said. The two schools that received threats were MLK Jr. High School and Hunter's Lane High School. The article noted that police believe these phone call threats are coming from somewhere outside of the state. Hundreds of similar threats in other U.S. cities have been made recently as well. WZTV (Fox-17) (09/13, Mojica), and WKRN (ABC-2) (09/13, Guerry) also reported on the story. Extortion Trial Against Joran Van Der Sloot, Suspect in Natalee Holloway Disappearance, Is Delayed The Associated Press (09/13, Staff Writer) reported that a federal judge agreed to delay Joran van der Sloot's trial on extortion charges until later this year in order to give his defense more time to prepare. The article added that Van der Sloot, the chief suspect in the 2005 disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway, is charged with trying to extort money from the missing teen's mother in exchange for revealing where to find her daughter's remains. U.S. Magistrate Judge Gray Borden on Tuesday granted van der Sloot's request to postpone the trial, which will now occur sometime after Dec. 4. The article noted that Van der Sloot's attorney Kevin Butler had asked for the continuance from the October trial docket to give more time to "review the discovery, investigate this case, and prepare for trial." Federal prosecutors did not oppose the request. The trial date will be set by a separate order by a district judge. Federal Grand Jury Indicts Illinois Postal Workers in COVID Relief Fraud Scheme The Washington Examiner (09/13, Knox) reported that a federal grand jury indicted Illinois postal workers for allegedly stealing COVID-19 relief funds. A release from the United States attorney's office named 19 defendants involved in the scheme, ranging in age from 25-47. The fraud was related to the Paycheck Protection Program, enacted through the March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was administered through the Small Business Administration. The article noted that the release said that the 19 named defendants have all been arraigned or issued a summons to appear in federal court. They each face a maximum of 30 years in prison. The individuals were caught after an extensive investigation by a number of agencies, including the Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service, and FBI. The article mentioned that fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds has reached worrying heights, according to some analyses. An investigation from the Government Accountability Office found that $100-135 billion in unemployment insurance issued during the pandemic was stolen. Woman Admits to Faking Car Trouble, Killing Florida College Student Who Stopped to Help Her Fox News (09/13, Rosenberg) reported that a con woman agreed to a plea deal Monday in exchange for three decades in prison for fatally shooting a Florida college student in front of his horrified girlfriend after they stopped to help her. The article added that Yasmine Hider, 21, will be required to plead guilty to murder, robbery, and kidnapping in Alabama federal court for the August 14, 2022, attack on Adam Simjee and Mikayla Paulus. A judge still has to approve the agreement. Shortly before Hider made the deal, Paulus wrote a heart-wrenching tribute to Simjee, 22, on the anniversary of his murder. The article noted that the tragic shooting unfolded after Hider flagged down the University of Central Florida students, who had been driving through Alabama's Cheaha State Park looking for waterfalls. Hider told the couple that her XB Scion had broken down about an eighth of a mile away and asked for their help. The article mentioned that the students followed her to her car and tried to use jumper cables to get it started, as Hider sat in the driver's seat. Paulus even called her dad, who is a mechanic, for advice. Little did the couple know that the Scion had actually broken down weeks earlier and that this was a ruse to rob them. The article included information garnered by the FBI when interviewing the suspects. Idaho Murder Victims' Families Plea for Transparency in Courtroom EFTA00160576 Newsweek (09/13, Lewis) reported that family members of two of the four students killed in the quadruple murder near the University of Idaho last year argue that it's "vitally important" for cameras to be allowed in the courtroom to ensure a transparent trial. The article added that attorneys representing Bryan Kohberger, the lone suspect in the case, have requested that cameras be banned from covering the criminal proceedings on the grounds that news coverage may interfere with the defendant's right to a fair trial. The article noted that a hearing on arguments over camera access is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Attorneys representing a coalition of more than 30 news organizations, including the Associated Press, have also argued in favor of having news coverage during Kohberger's trial. Pennsylvania Resident Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Charges WKBN (CBS-27) (09/13, Simeon) reported that a former Sharon resident pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. Alphonse Johnson, 41, pleaded guilty to trafficking fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced Tuesday. The article added that Johnson conspired to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and quantities of cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine, between June 2020 and June 2021, according to prosecutors. Johnson also had cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine to distribute on April 20, 2021, prosecutors said. A DOJ press release noted that the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, the Mercer County Drug Task Force, the New Castle Police Department, the Sharon Police Department, the Hermitage Police Department, and the Farrell Police Department led the investigation resulting in the conviction in this case. Delta Worker Accused of Stealing $258K in Bag From JFK The New York Post (09/13, Schnitzer, DeGregory) reported that a former Delta Airlines worker and his crony accused of stealing a bag containing more than $258,000 from JFK Airport "made a tremendous mistake" — leaving receipts behind in their getaway car that led to their arrests, prosecutors said as their trial kicked off Wednesday. The article noted that the FBI found the car with the incriminating receipts five days after the Sept. 24, 2019 heist and arrested then-Delta ground services worker Quincy Thorpe and his pal, Emanuel Asuquo Okon, who are now on trial in Brooklyn federal court for the theft of the Miami-bound cash — which has not been recovered. The article mentioned that the FBI found Okon's car five days later and, "In the backseat of the car behind the driver's seat were receipts from the armored car company and Delta cargo tags for the shipment for eight bags to Miami," prosecutor John Vagelatos told the jury. 'Cryptoqueen' Ruja Ignatova Remains a Fugitive as Her Partner in $48 Onecoin Fraud Gets 20 Years The New York Post (09/13, Barrabi) reported that the infamous "Cryptoqueen," the mastermind of a $4 billion Ponzi scheme, remained on the loose six years after her arrest in the massive OneCoin fraud — as her wingman was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The article added that Ruja Ignatova, an Oxford-educated Bulgarian national, dropped off the grid in 2017 after the feds charged her in one of the largest cryptocurrency frauds in history. Her partner in crime, Swedish national Karl Greenwood, was hit with the 20-year sentence in a Manhattan federal court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges last December. The article noted that Ignatova, 43, was last seen publicly on Oct. 25, 2017, when she took a commercial flight from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece. She was featured on the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list since last June but continues to evade authorities. The article mentioned that the FBI is offering a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading to her arrest, according to her "most wanted" page. The FBI's description notes that she is "believed to travel with armed guards and/or associates" and "may have had plastic surgery or otherwise altered her appearance" since she was last seen. Rep. George Santos Denies Reports He's Working on a Plea Deal With Prosecutors WCBS (CBS-2) (09/13, Zanger) reported that New York Rep. George Santos is denying reports he's talking to federal prosecutors about a plea deal in his money laundering case. Santos was indicted in May, accused of using political contributions for his personal expenses and lying on financial disclosure forms. The article noted that last week, the DOJ requested a hearing be pushed to October, saying the parties are discussing possible paths forward. The article added that Santos said there is no talk of negotiations. He pleaded not guilty to the 13 charges he faces. Maine Man Arrested for Racially-Motivated Death Threats Against Black Neighbor Law and Crime (09/13, Naham) reported that a 47-year-old Maine man has been federally indicted after allegedly recording a racist message in August 2022. The article noted that Charles Allen Barnes of Lewiston was indicted last EFTA00160577 Thursday for using an "internet-based multimedia message service" to send the voicemail to D.F., who was identified as an acquaintance of the defendant's and a close friend of K.T., a Black woman who was Barnes' neighbor. The article mentioned that according to the indictment, Barnes used the messaging service to send D.F. the recording that forms the basis of the threat to injure charge. A DOJ press release stated that the FBI Boston Division investigated the case. Dethroned Pageant Queen Alleges She Was Raped, Forced Into Explicit Video in Lawsuit Against Pornhub Fox News (09/13, Conklin) reported that a former pageant queen is alleging she was raped and forced to film pornography in a new lawsuit against Pornhub and its parent company, MindGeek, which changed its name to Aylo in August. The article added that Kristy Althaus, runner-up in the 2021 Miss Teen Colorado pageant before her crown was revoked due to a leaked pornography video, is suing the porn giants for allowing videos from GirlsDoPorn.com, a dismantled pornography website founded by former FBI Most Wanted fugitive Michael James Pratt, to circulate online. The article stated that Pratt is accused of participating in a conspiracy to recruit young women and girls to engage in commercial sex acts by use of force, fraud and coercion. He allegedly did so by telling the women and girls that they would be paid $3,000 to $5,000 for a one-day pornographic video shoot. In some instances, however, Pratt and his assistants allegedly locked women in rooms until the explicit videos were filmed and forced some women to commit sex acts that they initially declined to do, according to the FBI. FEC Tosses Complaint Claiming Gaetz Used Campaign Funds for Trafficking Probe Defense Politico (09/13, Fineout) reported that federal election authorities have thrown out a complaint against Rep. Matt Gaetz that contended he was improperly using campaign funds to pay attorneys who were helping him during a long-running federal investigation. The article added that in February ended its probe of the firebrand congressmember that began in late 2020 during the Trump administration and centered on allegations of sex trafficking. Gaetz (R-FL) steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the probe. The article stated that while that investigation was still underway, a political rival filed a complaint that alleged that his campaign paid various law firms to help with an investigation into Gaetz's personal activities. Gaetz's campaign paid nearly $200,000 in legal fees between November 2020 and October 2021, including payments to an attorney who primarily handles criminal cases. According to the article, Federal Election Commission records recently released show that the commission voted 5-0 last month to toss the complaint filed against Gaetz by Cris Dosev, who has run twice against Gaetz in the GOP primary for the northwest Florida congressional seat. The article mentioned that federal prosecutors and the FBI began investigating Gaetz over potential sex trafficking crimes related to allegations he'd paid women for sex and traveled overseas on at least one occasion to parties attended by teenagers who were not yet 18. Federal authorities also looked into whether Gaetz had obstructed justice due to a call Gaetz and the lawmaker's girlfriend had with a witness. Parents Say American Airlines Flight Attendant Put Hidden Camera in Bathroom to Record Daughter Fox News (09/13, Sabes) reported that the parents of a teenage girl say that a flight attendant placed a hidden camera in the first-class bathroom in order to record their daughter. The article added that Massachusetts State Police initially said that a "potential criminal act" happened on an American Airlines flight that landed at Boston Logan International Airport from Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 2, involving a "juvenile, a flight attendant, and a cell phone," The article noted that the family said they were escorted off the plane first and then gave statements to state police and the FBI. Back to Top CYBER DIVISION MGM Resorts Breached by 'Scattered Spider' Hackers Reuters (09/13, Siddiqui, Bing) reported that a hacking group named Scattered Spider brought down the systems of the $14 billion gaming giant MGM Resorts International this week, as U.S. law enforcement officials started a probe into the breach. The article noted that several MGM systems remained paralyzed for a third straight day after it said on Monday it had shut some of them to contain a "cybersecurity issue." The company, which operates over 30 hotel and gaming venues around the world including in Macau and Las Vegas, said it was investigating the incident. The article added that the FBI said on Wednesday it was investigating the incident but did not elaborate. Such attacks are typical hallmarks of ransomware incidents in which extortionists encrypt victims' computer systems and demand ransoms in digital currency. The Wall Street Journal (09/13, Gilbertson, Avila), Forbes (09/13, Kelleher), EFTA00160578 CNBC (09/13, Goswami), USA TODAY (09/13, Encinas), and BloombeT, (09/13, Palmeri, Manson) also reported on the story. Back to Top LABORATORY U.S. Federal Agencies Urge Firms to Prepare for Deepfakes Bank Info Security (09/13, Ramesh) reported that U.S. federal agencies are advising organizations to hone their real-time verification capabilities and passive detection techniques to alleviate the impact of artificial intelligence- generated deepfakes. The article added that hackers can use the highly realistic and "particularly concerning" type of synthetic media to threaten an organization's brand, impersonate its leaders for financial gain, and use fraudulent communications to access the organization's network to steal personal, financial, and internal security information, according to the National Security Agency, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The article mentioned that malicious state-sponsored actors may not be using deepfakes to a significant extent yet, but fake images generated by Al will become a challenge as the technology's easy accessibility means less capable malicious actors can make use of its mounting verisimilitude. A sophisticated fake previously constructed over a period of weeks by a professional using specialized software can now be produced in a fraction of that time with someone with limited or no technical expertise. Back to Top CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS Appeals Court Restricts DOJ Access to Rep. Scott Perry's Phone in 2020 Election Probe USA TODAY (09/13, Jansen) reported that a federal appeals court decided that Rep. Scott Perry's communications with fellow lawmakers are immune from scrutiny by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. However, a judge will need to assess whether prosecutors can access hundreds of records relating to people outside Congress. According to the article, this ruling stems from Smith's subpoena of Perry's phone records in his investigation of former President Donald Trump, who was indicted for attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack found that Perry had tried to aid Trump in overturning the election. The article explained that Perry had also been in communication with figures like Jeffrey Clark, an assistant attorney general at the time, and Mark Meadows, the then White House chief of staff, discussing topics such as Clark's potential elevation within the department. The article noted that in December 2020, Perry had contacted Acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue to criticize the FBI and mention that Clark "would do something about this." Reuters (09/13, Lynch), Washington Post (09/13, Hsu), New York Post (09/13, Christenson), The Guardian (09/13, Lowell), and The Hill (09/13, Beitsch) also reported on the story. -frump, January 6 and a Conspiracy to Overturn the 2020 Election: The Federal Investigation, Explained Independent (09/13, Woodward) reported that former President Donald Trump has been indicted on four charges relating to attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. The article explained that stemming from a federal investigation, a 45-page indictment outlines three criminal conspiracies and an obstruction of Joe Biden's victory. Concurrently, a separate House select committee investigation into the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot concluded with an 845-page report detailing Trump's refusal to concede and his role in promoting the "stolen election" narrative, which incited the riot. The article noted that in December, the committee recommended charging Trump with crimes, including aiding an insurrection against the U.S. government. The article also noted that the committee unanimously suggested Trump should be charged with inciting an insurrection, although this specific charge isn't included in the current indictment. McConnell Didn't Reply to Romney's Text Warning About Jan. 6 The Hill (09/13, Robertson) reported that in the days leading up to the January 6 Capitol riot, Senator Mitt Romney received a warning about potential violence, including threats specifically against him, from Senator Angus King who cited information from a high-ranking Pentagon official. According to the article, Romney then texted then- Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell about the threats, saying, "In case you have not heard this, I just got a call from Angus King, who said that he had spoken with a senior official at the Pentagon who reports that they are seeing very disturbing social media traffic regarding the protests planned on the 6th," and warned McConnell of EFTA00160579 the dangerous intentions some had towards the Capitol and even McConnell's home. The article noted that Romney's warning went unacknowledged by McConnell, and the Capitol attack occurred four days after this exchange. Business Insider (09/13, Griffiths) also reported on the story. FBI Investigating Threats Made Against Local Officials After Former Pres. Trump's Arrest WSB (ABC-2) (09/13, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI is investigating threats of violence directed at several Fulton County officials, including District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Pat Labat, following the booking of former President Donald Trump into Fulton County Jail. Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Aaron Seres, speaking with Channel 2, emphasized the FBI's determination to trace individuals behind online threats, stating: "The message we wanna send is if you're behind your computer threatening individuals in our country and you think you have anonymity, you do not. The FBI has tools to find you and we're actively pursuing those leads and we will." He also highlighted the importance of distinguishing between genuine threats and constitutionally protected free speech. Infowars Host Wants Help From Supreme Court in Capitol Riot Case Newsweek (09/13, Fung) reported that Infowars host Owen Shroyer was sentenced to 60 days in prison for his role in amplifying the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, despite never entering the Capitol building. According to the article, Shroyer intends to appeal, hoping the case reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, framing it as a significant free speech issue. Prosecutors highlighted that Shroyer, who agreed in 2019 not to use "loud, threatening or abusive language" on Capitol Grounds, incited many attendees who did enter the Capitol with his chants, violating his prior agreement. The article noted that the sentencing has sparked debates on free speech, with some arguing his sentence is too lenient, while others view it as an infringement on his First Amendment rights. Why the FBI Is Still Searching for Hundreds of Capitol Rioters BBC News (09/13, Wendling) reported that former Proud Boy leader Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years for his role in the Capitol riot, yet the investigation is still ongoing with many suspects at large. According to the article, Evan Neumann, involved in assaulting police officers, fled the US and found political asylum in Belarus. The article explained that Neumann is on the FBI's list of most-wanted riot suspects, along with six others, including the Pollocks and Christopher John Worrell. The article noted that the FBI has yet to identify 312 other riot participants, including 15 who assaulted officers or media members. Joshua Skule, an ex-FBI executive, emphasized the importance of public cooperation and highlighted the challenges and advantages posed by smartphones and encrypted communications. The article also added that critics believe the FBI's investigation pace is too slow, with some rioters even continuing active roles in far-right politics despite being pursued by the FBI, which claims the investigation remains a priority. Illinois Woman, Recent U.S. Citizen Arrested by FBI for Allegedly Storming U.S. Capitol on January 6 WLS (ABC-7) (09/13, Goudie, Markoff, Tressel, Jones) reported that Nhi Ngoc Mai Le, an Illinois woman who claims she recently became a U.S. citizen, was arrested by Chicago FBI agents for allegedly participating in the Capitol breach on January 6. According to the article, FBI investigations, using Capitol security footage and Le's social media posts, allege she was actively involved in the riot. The article explained that agents obtained posts from Le's Facebook detailing her intentions, videos from the scene, and group chat records where Le described her actions on that day. The article noted that following an anonymous tip about her posts, the FBI interviewed her twice — in April 2021 when she denied entering the Capitol, and in February 2022 when she admitted involvement. One Key Group Is Stopping the Push to Ban Trump From 2024 Ballot — Democrats The Washington Examiner (09/13, Villalovas) reported that officials in several states are examining the possibility of barring former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, referencing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which disqualifies individuals from holding certain offices if they engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" after taking an oath to the Constitution. According to the article, while some Democratic lawmakers see this as a valid argument, top Democratic election officials from states like Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, and New Mexico have expressed that such decisions should be addressed by the courts rather than state officials. Majority Call 'Harsh' Jan. 6 Sentences a Biden Warning to Foes The Washington Examiner (09/13, Bedard) reported that a Rasmussen Reports survey revealed that many voters perceive the prison sentences given to participants of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot as "too harsh". According to the article, the majority of the respondents view the FBI's round-up of the individuals involved in the riot as a political move by EFTA00160580 President Joe Biden to intimidate his critics. The article noted that the poll highlights a divided nation, with 49% believing the protest was "mostly peaceful", 45% calling it an "illegal insurrection", and 55% agreeing with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's statement that the sentences were meant to send a message to those opposing Biden's administration. First Cases From Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Reach U.S. Supreme Court Bloomberg (09/13, Robinson) reported that two men, Edward Lang and Garrett Miller, have appealed to the US Supreme Court to dismiss the Capitol breach obstruction charges they face related to the January 6 riot. According to the article, they are contesting the application of a provision from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, originally designed for corporate malfeasance, against Capitol rioters who disrupted congressional proceedings. Critics argue that using this statute, which punishes anyone obstructing an official pro