EFTA01655401.pdf

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - FBI Daily News Briefing - September 8, 2025 Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:10:11 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation September 08, 2025 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 • What To Know About A Large-Scale Immigration Raid At A Georgia Manufacturing Plant • Trump Was FBI Informant in Epstein Case, Speaker Johnson Says • DEA Breaks Down International Drug Conspiracy Affecting Ohio Community • Tampa FBI Raid Results in Nine Gang Members Arrested With Links to Sinaloa Cartel COUNTERTERRORISM • Minnesota Men Charged With Funding Cameroon Terror Attacks From U.S. • Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Suspected Mexican Cartel Leader • Feds Want 13 1/2 Years for Ex-Navy Sailor Who Plotted Terror Attack at Naval Station Great Lakes • One of America's Most Wanted Evaded the FBI for 21 Years - Only to Be Found in Wales COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Virginia Man Gets Four Years for Sending National Defense Information to Agents of Chinese Government • FBI Must Combat CCP-Linked Threats Targeting Faith Group on U.S. Soil, Lawmaker Says • Feds Are 'Pretty Confident' They Have a Strong Case Against John Bolton • Disgraced FBI Agent Tipped Off Hunter Biden—Linked Chinese Company About Investigation CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Man Wanted in $78K Ice Building Firebombing May Be Posing as a Woman • Two DC Teens Arrested in Congressional Intern's Fatal Shooting • California Marijuana Deal Ends in Deadly Shooting • Cuban Man Sentenced for Fatal Shooting During Highway Chase EFTA01655401  • Continued Reporting: Zizians Group Member Pleads Not Guilty to Murder and Other Charges in Vermont Border Agent's Death • Hawaii Man Sentenced to Over Twenty Nine Years for Extortion, Drug Trafficking, and Firearm Charges • Drug-Trafficking Leader Who Laundered Money Through Oregon Beauty Salon Sentenced • Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Leading Nationwide Fraud and Drug Distribution Scheme • Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Over Six Years for Fentanyl Distribution • New Mexico Rapper Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking, Gun Offenses • GBI Partners With FBI and Local Forces to Bust Meth Lab • Five Romanians Sentenced for Installing ATM Skimming Devices • Two Pennsylvania Residents Charged Separately With Election Fraud Offenses • FBI Arrests Man Who Allegedly Made Death Threats Against Officials • Federal Inmate Receives Additional Sentence for Stabbing at Penitentiary Canaan • Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Stolen Firearm Possession With Prior Felony Conviction • Ohio Doctor Suspected of 1989 Sexual Assault Pleads Guilty to Lying to Investigators • Federal Prosecutors File Nearly Three Hundred New Immigration Cases in Texas • Career Criminal Kills Two Women, Injures Child in Minneapolis Carjacking Rampage • Twelve Charged in Multinational Alien Smuggling and Asylum Fraud Scheme From Florida to Tennessee • Navy Diver Is Linked to Decades-Old Rape Cases in California, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio • Los Angeles Man Sentenced to Twenty One Months in Prison for Assaulting Federal Corrections Officer • Three Arrested in New York in Computer Sex Probe • Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to an International Child Sex Trafficking Operation • New Jersey Man Repeatedly Sent Obscene Photos to Child • South Carolina Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material • Oregon Couple Arrested and Charged With Sex Trafficking • Pennsylvania Man Jailed Twenty Nine Years for Enticing Teens Into Producing Child Pornography CYBER DIVISION • FBI, Cybersecurity Experts Warns of 3-Phase Scam That Is Draining Bank Accounts • China-Backed Hackers 'Almost Certainly' Targeted Canada During Theft of Millions of Americans' Data • ISP, FBI Investigating Sextortion Case Involving Indiana Rep. Maureen Bauer • Federal Cyber Information-Sharing Bill Renewal Inches Forward • FBI Warning—Major Problem With Apple's iPhone Encryption OTHER FBI NEWS • Russian Criminal's Home in Raleigh Formerly Raided by FBI Sells for $4.4 Million • Book Examines Myths and Political Life of Malcolm X • Opinion: I'm the FBI Special Agent in Charge in OKC. Here's How We're Keeping You Safe • DOJ Task Force Finds 'Numerous Instances' of Anti-Christian Government Bias Under Biden INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Rubio Says U.S. Will 'Blow Up' Foreign Crime Groups if Needed • Undersea Cables Cut In the Red Sea, Disrupting Internet Access in Asia and the Mideast • U.N. Accuses Rwanda-Backed Rebels of Slaughtering Children, Other Civilians in Congo • Russian Strike Breaks Through Most Protected Part of Kyiv EFTA01655402  • Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan Will Step Down, Reports Say • South Korea Negotiates Release of Korean Workers Detained in Georgia Raid • 15 Dead After New Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo • Putin Says Foreign Troops Deployed to Ukraine Would Be Legitimate Targets • Israeli Foreign Minister Says Gaza War Could End if Hostages Released, Hamas Lay Down Arms • Palestinians Begin a Perilous Flight From Gaza City OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • U.S. Judge Blocks Trump From Canceling Legal Status for Venezuelans, Haitians • Clippers Owner Ballmer Welcomes NBA Probe, Tells ESPN He Wasn't Involved in Leonard Endorsement Deal • Ex-Alaska Airlines Pilot Who Tried to Cut a Flight's Engines Pleads Guilty • Dozens Detained in U.S. Immigration Raids in New York State, Governor Says • Trump Administration Sues Boston Over 'Sanctuary' Limits on Immigration Cooperation • Senate Democrats to Investigate Firings of Justice Dept. Employees Who Worked for Special Counsel Jack Smith • Alligator Alcatraz' Operations May Continue, Divided U.S. Appeals Court Rules • Prosecutors Drop Federal Case Against Woman Accused of Threatening to Kill Trump • Trump Administration Threatens North Carolina Cities With Prosecution if They Hand Out $3 Million in Reparations • Trump Administration Drops Defense of Ban on Employee 'Noncompete' Agreements WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS What To Know About A Large-Scale Immigration Raid At A Georgia Manufacturing Plant The Associated Press (09/06, Golden) and Reuters (09/06, lin) reported that federal agents detained 475 workers— most of them South Korean nationals—during a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai manufacturing complex in Georgia, described by officials as the "largest single site enforcement operation" in Homeland Security Investigations' two-decade history. According to the articles, the raid stemmed from a months-long investigation into illegal hiring practices at the $7.6 billion Hyundai site and its adjacent HL-GA Battery Co. plant, a Hyundai—LG Energy Solution joint venture, though prosecutors admitted in court filings they do not yet know which contractor or company hired the undocumented workers. The articles explained that the South Korean government expressed "concern and regret" and is sending diplomats after confirming more than 300 of its citizens were detained, while advocacy groups criticized the raid as "unacceptable," citing families struggling to locate relatives held at a detention center in Folkston, Georgia. Hyundai and LG said they are reviewing their suppliers' compliance with U.S. employment laws, while Georgia officials emphasized that all employers in the state must follow immigration regulations. The articles noted that the raid has sparked mixed reactions locally, with some community members worried about economic fallout and others questioning whether the plant has delivered jobs for area residents as promised. The Times of India (09/07, Staff Writer) highlighted that the raid, code-named "Operation Low Voltage," was the result of months of planning by multiple agencies, including the FBI. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Al Jazeera (09/06, Staff Writer), BBC (09/06, Matza), CNN (09/06, Elassar, Rosales, Alvarado), Daily Mail (09/05, Potter), Fox News (09/05, Arcand), The Guardian (09/05, Staff Writer), Independent (09/06, Jin, Yang, et al.), Los Angeles Times (09/05, Tong-Hyung, Bynum), NBC News (09/05, Acevedo, Strickler, Grumbach), New York Times (09/06, Sang-Hun), USA Today (09/05, Hughes), Wall Street Journal (09/05, Martin, Felton, Sohn), and Washington Post (09/05, LeVine, Gurley). Trump Was FBI Informant in Epstein Case, Speaker Johnson Says EFTA01655403 News Nation Now (09/05, Donovan) reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed President Donald Trump served as an FBI informant in the Jeffrey Epstein case while defending Trump's recent comments referring to the scandal as the "Democrat Epstein Hoax." According to the article, Johnson clarified that Trump was criticizing Democrats' use of the scandal against him politically, saying, "It's been misrepresented. He's not saying that what Epstein did is a hoax. It's a terrible, unspeakable evil; he believes that himself. When he first heard the rumor, he kicked him out of Mar-a-Lago." Johnson added, "He was an FBI informant to try to take this stuff down. The president knows — and has great sympathy for the women who suffered these unspeakable harms. It's detestable to him." The article explained that Trump has not commented on Johnson's remarks, which came as the House Oversight Committee released more than 30,000 documents tied to the Epstein investigation and survivors pushed for full disclosure of all records. The article noted that Epstein accusers are now vowing to compile their own client list, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene pledging to reveal "every damn name" provided to her on the House floor. Additional reporting on the story was provided by The Daily Beast (09/06, Vaillancourt), HuffPost (09/06, O'Connor), The Independent (09/06, Evans), The Intercept (09/05, Aaronson), Fox News (09/06, Miller), NPR (09/06, Rosenbaum), Rolling Stone (09/06, Legaspi, Suebsaeng), and Telegraph (09/06, Millward). MSNBC (09/06, Video) published broadcast coverage of the story. House Speaker Backs Off Claim That Trump Was An 'FBI Informant' in Jeffrey Epstein Case The Washington Post (09/07, Partlow, Alfaro) reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson backed off his claim that President Donald Trump was an FBI informant in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Johnson's office released a statement modifying the claim, saying Trump was willing to help prosecutors expose Epstein as a child predator. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (09/07, Wright), Newsmax (09/07, Fitzgerald), Tampa Free Press (09/07, Shockey), and USA Today (09/07, Bagchi). DEA Breaks Down International Drug Conspiracy Affecting Ohio Community WKEF (ABC-22) (09/05, Burgett) reported that the DEA has revealed an international drug and money laundering conspiracy involving China-based companies that distribute cutting agents to American traffickers. According to the article, the cutting agents, such as xylazine and medetomidine, are used to enhance the potency and yield of fentanyl, which is then distributed on the streets, often laced into other substances. The article noted that the DEA and FBI have made arrests, including three U.S. co-conspirators, and are launching a campus drug prevention awareness campaign to combat drug abuse and misuse among students in Michigan and Ohio. Director Patel stated, "This stuff is lethal, and for too long, there has not been a tact. The priority at the FBI is national security and violent crime, and this case demonstrates the intersection of those two top mission sets that the FBI has." Tampa FBI Raid Results in Nine Gang Members Arrested With Links to Sinaloa Cartel Florida's Voice (09/06, Daugherty) reported that the FBI carried out a raid in Tampa, arresting 9 "Hood Boys" gang members with links to the Sinaloa Cartel. The raid, part of Operation Emerald Stream, resulted in the seizure of firearms, narcotics, and nearly $100,000. "This operation makes clear the FBI's mission: nine federal arrests, firearms and narcotics seized, and criminal cash taken off the streets," Director Patel exclusively told the outlet. "None of this is possible without the strength of our partnerships, from SWAT to local police, working alongside our agents." The FBI reported that all of the arrested subjects are U.S. citizens. "We will not stop until every subject is brought into custody and held accountable under the law," Director Patel added. The article noted that the raid comes as the bureau, under the leadership of Director Patel, has launched a nationwide crackdown on violent crime, illegal drugs, and illegal firearms. Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Minnesota Men Charged With Funding Cameroon Terror Attacks From U.S. Fox News (09/06, Koch) reported that Benedict Nwana Kuah and Pascal Kikishy Wongbi, two naturalized U.S. citizens from Cameroon, have been indicted for orchestrating kidnappings, bombings, and killings in Cameroon. The two men, who held leadership roles in the Ambazonia Defense Forces, allegedly used Minnesota as a base to finance and direct attacks in Cameroon, including the purchase of weapons and explosives. Kuah and Wongbi face charges of conspiracy to kill, kidnap, and maim, and if convicted, they could face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Dallas Express (09/05, Galt) reported that the FBI's Minneapolis Field Office is leading the investigation with assistance from multiple federal agencies. "The defendants were allegedly involved in planning, financing and EFTA01655404 directing violent attacks that harmed numerous civilians and government officials in the Republic of Cameroon, with targets including a market, an annual footrace, and a Youth Day celebration," said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division in the press release. "Although these violent acts occurred outside of U.S. borders, these charges should underscore that criminal actors cannot hide in the United States. The FBI does not condone violence and will work with our partners to ensure those who engage in, or direct criminal acts are held accountable for their actions." Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Suspected Mexican Cartel Leader The Chicago Sun-Times (09/05, Rush) reported that a federal grand jury in Chicago indicted Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe, known as "El Musico," the alleged leader of the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO) faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, on narcoterrorism, drug, and firearms charges. According to the article, prosecutors said Gastelum Iribe oversaw the importation of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl into the United States while directing attacks on rivals, law enforcement, and military personnel to protect cartel operations. The article explained that the indictment designates the Beltran Leyva faction as a foreign terrorist organization and accuses Gastelum Iribe of conspiring to traffic drugs on a massive scale. U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros said, "Today's narcoterrorism indictment of El Musico sends a powerful message that this administration is going to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations and hold their highest-ranking members and associates accountable for poisoning the American public with illegal and harmful drugs." The article noted that Gastelum Iribe remains at large, with a federal arrest warrant issued, and faces mandatory life in prison if convicted. "As a leader of a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, Gastelum Iribe allegedly directed the importation of cocaine, heroine, fentanyl, and other lethal drugs into the United States and oversaw atrocious acts of violence, including kidnappings and murders, in Mexico," said Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal Division in the press release. "The superseding indictment against him is the result of years of collaboration among multiple federal agencies and judicial districts. The FBI and our partners will continue to work toward dismantling the Sinaloa Cartel and bringing its violent leaders — including El Musico — to justice." Feds Want 131/2 Years for Ex-Navy Sailor Who Plotted Terror Attack at Naval Station Great Lakes The Chicago Tribune (09/05, Meisner) reported that federal prosecutors are seeking a 1334-year prison sentence for Xuanyu Harry Pang, a former U.S. Navy sailor who pleaded guilty to plotting a terrorist attack at Naval Station Great Lakes and conspiring with what he believed were Iranian operatives. According to the article, Pang admitted to taking surveillance photos and videos of the base, offering military uniforms and a phone as a detonator, and scouting crowded locations like Michigan Avenue and Chicago's Cloud Gate for "max damage" attacks while expecting millions of dollars in payment. Prosecutors said Pang also discussed smuggling weapons and radioactive material, including polonium, into the United States and quoted his messages with an undercover FBI operative in which he agreed to help avenge the 2020 U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The article explained that FBI investigators uncovered Pang's plans through undercover contacts posing as affiliates of Iran's Quds Force, leading to his arrest before any attack could occur. Prosecutors described Pang's actions as a "monstrous betrayal" of his Navy service and asked for 20 years of supervised release following his prison term to ensure ongoing monitoring of his activities. One of America's Most Wanted Evaded the FBI for 21Years - Only to Be Found in Wales The BBC (09/07, Thomas, Fyfe) reported that Daniel Andreas San Diego, a suspected animal rights extremist and bombing suspect on the FBI's most wanted list, was captured in Wales in November 2024 after evading authorities for 21years following two 2003 bombings in the San Francisco Bay Area. According to the article, former FBI agents recalled "missed opportunities" to arrest him before his disappearance, including a 65-mile chase after which agents found a suspected "bomb-making factory" in his abandoned car but lost track of him when he fled on foot. The article explained that San Diego, indicted in 2004 and considered armed and dangerous, was the first domestic terror suspect added to the FBI's most wanted terrorist list and had a $250,000 bounty on his head. UK counterterrorism police and the National Crime Agency arrested him at a remote cottage in north Wales, where he had been living under the alias Danny Webb. At the time of his arrest, then FBI Director Christopher Wray said: "Daniel San Diego's arrest after more than 20 years as a fugitive for two bombings in the San Francisco area shows that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable." Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE EFTA01655405 Virginia Man Gets Four Years for Sending National Defense Information to Agents of Chinese Government The Associated Press (09/05, Cullum) reported that Michael Charles Schena, a former State Department foreign affairs officer, was sentenced to four years in prison for conspiring to pass national defense information to individuals he believed were agents of the Chinese government. According to the article, Schena admitted upon his arrest, "I'm a traitor," after investigators discovered he had provided classified documents in exchange for payments totaling over $37,000 between 2023 and 2025, including a $10,000 cash handoff at a hotel in Lima, Peru, along with an iPhone for secret communications. The article explained that Schena was caught in February photographing classified materials at his workstation, later confessing he planned to send them to Chinese government contacts. U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert said, "The price of Michael Schena's disgraceful betrayal of his country is far more than the paltry amount for which he traded his honor: while Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg warned the sentence should deter others from "betraying their country." The article noted that FBI Counterintelligence Division Assistant Director Roman Rozhaysky said Schena put American lives at risk: "The Chinese government continues to aggressively target U.S. government employees to steal our classified information, and this sentencing makes clear the FBI and our partners will do everything in our power to defend the Homeland. Anyone thinking of betraying their oath to the United States should consider the severe consequences and know the FBI will work tirelessly to bring them to justice." The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, the FBI Richmond Field Office, the Department of Justice's Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service Office of Counterintelligence. NTD and KATV (ABC-7) (09/05, Domingo) also reported on the story. FBI Must Combat CCP-Linked Threats Targeting Faith Group on U.S. Soil, Lawmaker Says The Epoch Times (09/06, Li) reported that Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) said the FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies must prioritize countering the CCP's transnational repression campaigns, which he described as a direct threat to U.S. interests and even "a form of terrorism." According to the article, Loudermilk cited bomb threats falsely linking Falun Gong practitioners to planned attacks at the Kennedy Center in February and during the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary parade in June, as well as past CCP efforts to intimidate Shen Yun Performing Arts and strip it of nonprofit status through bribery and lawsuits. The article explained that one bribery attempt in New York was foiled after the intermediary turned out to be an FBI informant, leading to a 20-month prison sentence for Chen Jun, a Chinese community leader acting under CCP orders. Loudermilk said, "One of the measures to address this is rebuilding the FBI to get the FBI refocused on looking at issues of domestic terrorism or international terrorism here on our shores. We need to return the FBI to its real job—which is protecting the American people, not being a political arm of one party or the other." The article noted that Loudermilk emphasized expanding executive authority to crack down on CCP infiltration across U.S. institutions, including universities, arts organizations, and technology companies, warning that many Chinese nationals in these sectors may be advancing CCP interests rather than purely academic or professional goals. Feds Are 'Pretty Confident' They Have a Strong Case Against John Bokon The Sun (09/05, Rosen) reported that the August FBI raid at former National Security Advisor John Bolton's Maryland home was part of a federal investigation into potential violations of the Espionage Act and laws on unauthorized retention of classified documents, according to a newly unsealed search warrant. According to the article, FBI investigators recovered computers, phones, hard drives, and folders labeled "Trump I-IV," with a senior law enforcement official telling the Sun that the Trump administration is "pretty confident" it now has a strong case against Bolton. The article explained that the raid was ordered by Director Patel, who described it as the reopening of a "national security probe" launched in 2020 after the Trump White House accused Bolton of mishandling classified information in his memoir The Room Where It Happened, a case later dropped by the Biden administration. The article noted that Trump denied direct involvement in the raid but drew parallels to the 2022 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, which led to now-dismissed Espionage Act charges against him, while expressing rare sympathy for Bolton despite their personal feud. The article added that the raid has not silenced Bolton's criticism of Trump, as he continues to accuse the former president of strategic failures benefiting U.S. adversaries like China and Russia. Disgraced FBI Agent Tipped Off Hunter Biden—Linked Chinese Company About Investigation National Review (09/05, Lynch) reported that former FBI official Charles McGonigal, who once led the bureau's counterintelligence division in New York, leaked confidential information about an FBI investigation into Chinese conglomerate CEFC to an employee tied to Hunter Biden, according to a Justice Department inspector general EFTA01655406 report. Investigators found McGonigal informed the CEFC associate about the FBI's probe multiple times in 2017, including during a Florida trip and in a later phone call where he said, "we are ready for them," before CEFC executive Patrick Ho was arrested on bribery charges. According to the article, McGonigal initially downplayed his relationship with Ho but admitted to the leaks after agents presented text messages contradicting his claims, saying his motivation was "bravado" rather than a desire to harm the investigation. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office considered obstruction charges for the leaks but declined, while McGonigal was later convicted in separate cases for taking funds from sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and an Albanian national, receiving overlapping prison sentences of 50 months and 28 months. The article noted that neither Hunter nor James Biden was implicated in the CEFC investigation despite their business ties to the company, which included multimillion-dollar payments and a failed joint venture before CEFC executives' legal troubles collapsed the deal. The New York Post (09/05, Nava) and The Bureau (09/06, Cooper) also reported on the story. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Man Wanted in $78K Ice Building Firebombing May Be Posing as a Woman Fox News (09/05, Koch) reported that Ronald Scott Watson, 28, is wanted by the FBI for arson and destruction of government property in relation to a 2020 attack on an ICE building in Atlanta, which caused over $78,000 in damage. According to the article, Watson, who has multiple aliases, may be disguising himself in women's clothing and is considered armed and dangerous. The article noted that the FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Watson's arrest, who has ties to Portland, Oregon, and Atlanta, Georgia. "The First Amendment does not allow individuals to commit arson or destroy property. The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our communities while respecting individuals' First Amendment rights." FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said in the article. Additional reporting was provided by WSB (ABC-2) (09/05, Staff Writer), KDRV (ABC-12) (09/05, Hunt), KPTV (Fox-12) (09/05, Staff Writer), KATU (ABC-2) (09/05, Staff Writer). Two DC Teens Arrested in Congressional Intern's Fatal Shooting Associated Press (09/05, Kunzelman) reported that two 17-year-old teenagers, Kelvin Thomas Jr. and Jailen Lucas, were arrested and charged as adults with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21- year-old congressional intern. According to the article, Tarpinian-Jachym was an innocent bystander struck by stray bullets on June 30 near Washington's Mount Vernon Square. A third suspect is still being searched for by the police in connection with the killing. The article quoted Attorney General Pam Bondi as stating, "They made an arrest, thanks to the FBI. Kash Patel did incredible work since June 30, when this happened, and arrested two juveniles. They're 17. They will be charged as adults." Attorney General Bondi added, "This was horrific, and that's why we had to make D.C. safe again. That was President Trump's directive. There have been over 1900 arrests since we started taking D.C. back and making it safe. Over 198 guns have been taken off the street. Just last night, 10 more guns and 73 arrests were made in D.C. That shows how prevalent it has been and what a difference that's being made right now in our nation's capital. And not only that, President Trump wants to make it beautiful again, and especially make it safe. That's what's been so important. These families should never have to go through what Eric's family is going through." Additional reporting was provided by the Daily Caller (09/05, Angela). California Marijuana Deal Ends in Deadly Shooting KTLA (CW-S) (09/06, Brenes) reported that Leandrew Raglin, 22, was found guilty of fatally shooting a man during a 2021 marijuana deal in Inglewood. According to the article, Raglin and his co-defendants, Mateo Paul and lysis Elanore Smith, had planned to rob the marijuana dealer at gunpoint. According to a Department of Justice press release, the FBI and the Inglewood Police Department investigated this matter. Cuban Man Sentenced for Fatal Shooting During Highway Chase Rio Rancho Observer (09/05, Helean) reported that on September 5 that Rodgerick Tsosie, 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for voluntary manslaughter and brandishing a firearm during a highway shooting that killed his 14-year-old nephew in May 2022. According to the article, Tsosie admitted firing a shot intended for another man during a vehicle chase on New Mexico Highway 197 near Torreon, but instead struck the teenager, who later died at a Santa Fe hospital. Witnesses immediately identified Tsosie as EFTA01655407 the shooter, and he later confessed, telling authorities, "I guess I'll take the fall for it." The article noted that the investigation involved the FBI, Navajo Nation Police Department, and Sandoval County Sheriff's Office. Continued Reporting: Zizians Group Member Pleads Not Guilty to Murder and Other Charges in Vermont Border Agent's Death Associated Press (09/05, Ramer, Swinhart) reported that Teresa Youngblut, a 21-year-old member of the Zizians group, was charged by the FBI in connection with the shooting death of US Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont. She pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in the death of U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland in Vermont. According to the article, Youngblut is accused of fatally shooting agent Maland and faces the death penalty, with prosecutors seeking capital punishment in the case. The article noted that the Zizians group has been linked to six killings in three states, with other members facing various charges, including weapons and drug charges, and additional federal charges. Additional reporting was provided by Fox News (09/06, Compton), WPTZ (NBC-5) (09/05, Guber & Hancox), Times Union (09/05, Munson), and VTDigger (09/05, Keays & Oliver). Hawaii Man Sentenced to Over Twenty Nine Years for Extortion, Drug Trafficking, and Firearm Charges Hoodline Honolulu (09/07, Liu) reported that David Borges, a 43-year-old man from Kauai, has been sentenced to over 29 years in federal prison for extortion, drug trafficking, and firearm charges. According to the article, the charges include trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl, and carrying a firearm in connection with his drug trafficking activities. The article noted that Borges's sentence is the result of a collaborative effort by law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and Kauai Police Department, to combat drug distribution and gun violence on the island. "Mr. Borges led a violent narcotics trafficking organization; his crimes significantly contributed to the ongoing drug epidemic facing America and plaguing our island communities. This sentencing marks a crucial victory in the ongoing fight to protect our citizens from deadly drugs and violence," said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter in a Department of Justice press release. "The FBI—standing in resolve with our local, state, and federal partners—will continue to use every available resource to dismantle these dangerous criminal organizations and bring their members to justice." Drug-Trafficking Leader Who Laundered Money Through Oregon Beauty Salon Sentenced The Oregonian (09/05, Bernstein) reported that Luis Antonio Beltran Arredondo, a 35-year-old former Portland man, was sentenced to 11years and 3 months in prison for leading a large-scale drug-trafficking organization. According to the article, the organization distributed over 100,000 counterfeit prescription pills with fentanyl across Oregon and Washington, and laundered millions of dollars through a beauty salon in Tualatin. This case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS-CI, Tigard Police Department, and Oregon State Police, according to a Department of Justice press release. Additional reporting was provided by KOIN (CBS-6) (09/05, Rhoades). Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Leading Nationwide Fraud and Drug Distribution Scheme Hoodline Los Angeles (09/06, Rodriguez) reported that Benjamin Jamal Washington, a 25-year-old man from Hyattsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to the article, the scheme involved exploiting personal identifying information of dozens of doctors to create fraudulent e-prescribing accounts for illegal narcotic prescription fulfillment, resulting in at least 5,600 fraudulent prescriptions. The article noted that the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation that exposed Washington's scheme. Additional reporting was provided by My News LA (09/05, Staff Writer) and My California News (09/05, Richards). Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Over Six Years for Fentanyl Distribution KLAS (O35-8) (09/05, Overton) reported that Michael Anthony Rivas, a Las Vegas man, was sentenced to 80 months in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. According to the article, Rivas and his co-defendant, Crystal Fawn Hoag, distributed approximately 8,500 fentanyl pills in the Las Vegas area. The article noted that the sting operation that led to Rivas and Hoag's conviction was a cooperative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additional reporting was provided by Hoodline Las Vegas (09/06, Rivera). New Mexico Rapper Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking, Gun Offenses KRQE (O3S-13) (09/05, Fischer) reported that Jerry Bezie, a 36-year-old Albuquerque rapper, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking and gun offenses. According to the article, Bezie pled guilty to charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm as a felon. The article noted that the FBI's Violent Gang Task Force began investigating Jerry Bezie, 36, after he openly flaunted EFTA01655408 gang affiliation, guns, and money on social media. On March 23, 2023, FBI SWAT executed a search warrant at Bezie's home in the South Valley and found multiple guns, various drugs, including Xanax, crystal methamphetamine, and fentanyl pills. GBI Partners With FBI and Local Forces to Bust Meth Lab Hoodline (09/07, Mehta) reported that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) partnered with the FBI and local forces to bust a meth lab in Norcross, GA, and arrest two suspects, Arturo Perez-Huizache and Carla Michelle Abarca-Jiminez. According to the article, the suspects were charged with trafficking methamphetamine, and the raid seized approximately four kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, as well as other drugs and a firearm. The article noted that the operation is part of a larger effort to dismantle a criminal drug trafficking organization, led by Kevin Lee Daniel Mashburn, which has resulted in over a dozen arrests and the confiscation of more than 35 kilograms of methamphetamine. Five Romanians Sentenced for Installing ATM Skimming Devices STL Today (09/05, Schrappen) reported that five Romanian nationals, including Mihai Vlaicu and Mihai Florin Marinescu, were sentenced in federal court for installing skimming devices on ATMs in the St. Louis area. According to the article, the scheme involved using cloned credit cards and stolen PINs to withdraw cash from bank customers' accounts, resulting in approximately $5,200 stolen from almost a dozen victims. The FBI, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Webster Groves Police Department, the Clayton Police Department, and the Frontenac Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the St. Louis County Police Department, according to a Department of Justice press release. Additional reporting was provided by Two Pennsylvania Residents Charged Separately With Election Fraud Offenses WFMZ (CW-69) (09/05, Kise) reported that Matthew Laiss, 31, has been charged with voting twice in the 2020 election, once in Pennsylvania and once in Florida. According to the article, Laiss had moved to Florida and registered to vote there, but still received and submitted a mail-in ballot from his former address in Pennsylvania. The case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of State, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Dubnoff, according to a Department of Justice press release. Additional reporting was provided by MCall.com (09/05, Staff Writer) and WHTM (ABC-27) (09/05, Stockburger). FBI Arrests Man Who Allegedly Made Death Threats Against Officials WMAQ (NBC-5) (09/05, Stroobandt) reported that Michael D. Stover, a 33-year-old from Downers Grove, was arrested by the FBI for allegedly making death threats against federal law enforcement and elected officials on social media. According to the article, the threats were made between February and July 2025. They included posts with images of ammunition and firearms, as well as statements targeting specific individuals and groups, such as ICE agents. FBI Chicago Field Office said in a statement, "The FBI has zero tolerance for anyone who makes the criminal decision to compromise the safety of those who serve and protect our communities." Additional reporting was provided by Fox 32 Chicago (09/05, Chronis & Flosi), Chicago Tribune (09/05, Meisner), WGN (CW-9) (09/05, Spinelli), and WLS (ABC-7) (09/05, Rivera, Nagy, et al.). Federal Inmate Receives Additional Sentence for Stabbing at Penitentiary Canaan Keystone Today (09/05, Hall) reported that Zachary O'Meara, a 28-year-old inmate at USP Canaan, has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon. According to the article, the incident occurred on September 24, 2024, when O'Meara stabbed another inmate multiple times in the head using an inmate-manufactured weapon. The article noted that the case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson. Additional reporting was provided by Radio Free Hub City (09/05, Melanara). Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Stolen Firearm Possession With Prior Felony Conviction WBFF (Fox-45) (09/05, Buckheit) reported that Dalonte RayJones, a 21-year-old man from Annapolis, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition with a prior felony conviction. According to the article, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Jones's apartment on November 11, 2024, and found a stolen Glock 17 semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine loaded with 17 live rounds, which was reported stolen in 2023 and had Jones' DNA as well as three other individuals on it. The investigation also found several videos on Jones' phone showing him holding various firearms, including the one he possessed on EFTA01655409 November 11th. A Department of Justice press release stated that the FBI was commended for their assistance in this investigation. Ohio Doctor Suspected of 1989 Sexual Assault Pleads Guilty to Lying to Investigators WCPO (ABC-9) (09/05, Weiter) reported that Frederick Louis Tanzer, a 66-year-old doctor from Sycamore Township, has pleaded guilty to making false statements in connection with a 1989 rape. According to the article, Tanzer was accused of violently raping a woman in her Cincinnati condo, and his DNA was matched to evidence found at the crime scene. The article noted that FBI agents said Tanzer lied to them when he was brought in for questioning. "When approached about the rape, the defendant made several materially false statements to a federal agent and a Cincinnati Police Department detective, including denying having seen or interacted with the victim on the date she was raped," the office said. Additional reporting was provided by WHIO (CBS-7) (09/05, Staff Writer), Hoodline (09/06, Bishop), and Cincinnati.com (09/06, Valdez & Grasha). Federal Prosecutors File Nearly Three Hundred New Immigration Cases in Texas KFOX (Fox-14) (09/05, Staff Writer) reported that Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas have filed 294 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from August 29 through September 4. According to the article, the cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. The article noted that among the cases are four individuals, including Susana Guadian, Daniel Guadian, Dianne Guadian, and Manuel Valenzuela, charged with smuggling children from Mexico into the United States using THC-laced candy to sedate them. These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the DEA, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the ATF, with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners, according to a Department of Justice press release. Career Criminal Kills Two Women, Injures Child in Minneapolis Carjacking Rampage Fox News (09/06, Dorgan) reported that Edward Tiki Arrington, 45, is facing federal charges for a carjacking spree in Minneapolis that killed two women, Marisa Ardys Casebolt and Liberty Borg, and seriously injured a 6-year-old boy. According to the article, Arrington, a "career criminal" with a lengthy criminal history, allegedly carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and sped through the city, triggering a police pursuit before crashing into another car. The article quoted FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. as stating, "Two innocent young women died yesterday, and a young child was hospitalized, due to the reckless and senseless actions of Edward Tiki Arrington, aka Troy Mike Payton. Violent carjackings have permeated Minneapolis for far too long; these federal charges represent the commitment by the FBI, our law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney's Office to reduce violent crime in Minnesota. The FBI will bring every resource available to ensure a safe community where its residents can thrive. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families." Additional reporting was provided by KMSP (Fox-9) (09/05, Fitzgerald), WCCO (CBS-4) (09/06, Staff Writer), KSTP (ABC-5) (09/07, Brown & Henry), and KARE (NBC-11) (09/05, Thiede). Twelve Charged in Multinational Alien Smuggling and Asylum Fraud Scheme From Florida to Tennessee Tampa Free Press (09/05, Hernandez) reported that 12 individuals from Florida, Texas, and Tennessee have been charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering in a massive human smuggling scheme. According to the article, the defendants allegedly smuggled thousands of people into the US, mostly Cuban nationals, and laundered over $18 million by charging clients between $1,500 and $40,000 for fraudulent visa services. A Department of Justice press release noted that the investigation and superseding indictment were coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, and the DEA. Additional reporting was provided by Hoodline (09/05, Chen), My Florida News (09/05, Daugherty), The Epoch Times (09/05, Hulsey-Pointer), WOFL (Fox-35) (09/05, Sikes), and WISP (CBS-12) (09/07, Shepard). Navy Diver Is Linked to Decades-Old Rape Cases in California, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio NBC News (09/05, Lavietes) reported that former Navy diver Sean Patrick McNulty has been linked to six rapes across four states (California, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) from 1982 to 1997 through DNA evidence. A crime analyst with the FBI's Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, who was working with state investigators, was then able to locate a 1993 rape case from Bloomington, Indiana, where McNulty was the named suspect. According to the article, McNulty was identified as the perpetrator after his DNA was matched to evidence from the crimes, although he died by suicide in 1997. The article noted that an investigation into other potential crimes committed EFTA01655410 by McNulty is ongoing, with authorities looking into cases in Ventura County and other locations where he lived. Additional reporting was provided by CBS News (09/05, Breen) and Miami Herald (09/05, Segura). Los Angeles Man Sentenced to Twenty One Months in Prison for Assaulting Federal Corrections Officer Action News Now (09/05, Anderson) reported that Hewer Berlany Santos, a 30-year-old Los Angeles man, was sentenced to 21months in prison for assaulting a federal corrections officer. According to the article, the assault occurred on August 21, 2023, at a federal prison in Herlong, Lassen County, where Santos struck the officer in the face. The article noted that the case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the FBI, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid. Additional reporting was provided by KTXL (Fox-40) (09/05, Kidger). Three Arrested in New York in Computer Sex Probe Press Connects (09/05, McCarthy) reported that a joint investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the FBI, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has resulted in charges against three men from Broome County, including a pastor from Harpursville. According to the article, announced on September 4, the investigation targeted individuals who used social media platforms to lure children for sexual acts. The three suspects are now facing attempted rape charges. The article noted that authorities said the collaborative operation was designed to identify and apprehend those exploiting social media to commit crimes against minors, underscoring the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling child exploitation. Additional reporting was provided by 607 News Now (09/05, Salzone). Indiana Man Pleads Guilty to an International Child Sex Trafficking Operation WTHR (NBC-13) (09/05, Potter) reported that Austin Ryan Lauless pleaded guilty to 21counts related to an international child sex trafficking operation, including sexual exploitation of a child and sex trafficking of a minor. According to the article, Lauless used social media and threats to force at least 68 children to produce child pornography, which he sold online, with at least 5 victims being forced to have sex with adult men for money. The article quoted FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy O'Malley, stating, "Protecting children from online predators is a responsibility we all share. Crimes that target and exploit children are among the most egregious we investigate, and they too often remain unseen until it is too late. We urge parents to stay engaged, talk with their children, and remain vigilant. The FBI's mission is clear: we will relentlessly pursue those who prey on children, hold them accountable, and stand with victims every step of the way." New Jersey Man Repeatedly Sent Obscene Photos to Child NJ.com (09/05, Fernandes) reported that Mahir Chaudhry, a 21-year-old man from Piscataway, New Jersey, was arrested by federal agents for sending obscene photos to a child. According to the article, he is accused of sending at least six obscene photos to a minor under the age of 16 between March and May 2023. The article quoted FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy as stating, "Chaudhry's arrest is impactful on many fronts. He can no longer cause harm to minor victims, as the complaint alleges, and his arres