title: Justice Department Recognizes Anniversary of Executive Order 13166: Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Yesterday marked the 24th anniversary of Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency.” At its core, the Order acknowledges the fundamental principle that the federal government must be able to understand and communicate with all people in the United States, including those with limited English proficiency (LEP), to keep our country and communities safe and prosperous. Today, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has released a snapshot of its review to date of federal agency language access plans. We will provide additional information about federal agency progress and trends in the months to come as we continue to work with federal agencies on updating and implementing their language access plans. Communication is critical to our mission. For over two decades, the department has worked in partnership with federal agencies and stakeholders to eliminate language barriers to federal and federally funded programs or services. Misunderstandings can lead to tragic consequences in emergency situations, health care systems, and the justice system. Indeed, communicating with and understanding people with LEP is critical to enforcing the law, protecting the environment, providing housing or food assistance, promoting student achievement, ensuring public health and upholding economic prosperity and justice. When government agencies provide, for example, translations of vital documents or offer an interpreter during important conversations or hearings, we enhance the effectiveness of federal and federally funded programs and services, ensuring they reach and benefit all intended communities. The department remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure that our own programs and the programs we fund remain open to all, regardless of a person’s English proficiency. While agencies across the federal government have made much progress, we understand that challenges lie ahead. For example, through our coordinating role, we conducted a detailed review of 40 updated federal agency language access plans, where we found that increasing numbers of federal agencies have committed to: Establishing dedicated language access personnel and staff training protocols to ensure effective implementation; Improving quality controls to require accurate and quality-assessed language assistance services; and Expanding access to information through multilingual online content and digital communications. Along with our coordinating role, we have prioritized learning about, implementing and disseminating information about effective policies and procedures to eliminate language barriers to our programs or the programs we fund. For example: After the department’s inaugural Language Access Coordinator’s term appointment expired, the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) made the position permanent and filled the role with a senior civil service Language Access Coordinator to ensure the longevity of this critical work. ATJ is also onboarding additional staff to support the Language Access Coordinator’s work and to further develop the Language Access Program. In accordance with the department’s Language Access Plan, the ATJ department-wide Language Access Coordinator is working with department components to develop component-specific language access plans. This will allow components to develop language access policies that are specific to each component’s unique mission and mandates, in line with the overall policies of the department’s Language Access plan. Over the past two years, the ATJ Language Access Program has provided technical assistance and arranged for translation services for over 50 offices across the department, to expand language access across the department’s public facing content. The program has completed more than 75 translation projects involving press releases, outreach materials, digital content, reports and more. As part of the Civil Rights Division’s Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative (LELAI), Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division issued a letter to law enforcement colleagues in December 2023 reiterating their federal civil rights obligations to provide language assistance services to people with LEP, and to provide effective communication to deaf and hard of hearing people. Through LELAI, the Civil Rights Division also partnered with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the National Center for Policing Innovation to launch key resources on the COPS Training Portal to help law enforcement agencies overcome language barriers in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. The division continues to work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country to help law enforcement agencies meet their obligation to provide meaningful language assistance to people with LEP to better serve and protect communities. Examples of work with specific law enforcement agencies include: Settlement Agreement with Sheriff’s Office in King County, Washington State Settlement Agreement and Language Access Plan with Denver Police Department, Colorado The division also posted voting rights materials for the general public in over a dozen languages, including a Know Your Rights brochure and a document explaining the language requirements of Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These documents can be found at Voting | Voting Rights (justice.gov) . In the coming year, the Civil Rights Division will continue to lead meetings of the Federal Language Access Working Group. During these interagency meetings, we learn and share information about conducting effective language access staff training; recruiting, assessing, hiring and retaining multilingual staff; contracting for qualified translators and interpreters; and using technology to deliver accurate and reliable language assistance services. Through this unified approach, we seek to fulfill the promise of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Executive Order 13166 in preventing discrimination and ensuring equal treatment under the law.


title: El Departamento de Justicia reconoce el aniversario de la Orden Ejecutiva 13166: Mejorando el acceso a los servicios para personas con un dominio limitado del inglés

body_text: Ayer marcó el 24º aniversario de la Orden Ejecutiva 13166, “Mejorando el acceso a los servicios para personas con un dominio limitado del inglés”. En esencia, la Orden reconoce el principio fundamental de que el gobierno federal debe ser capaz de comprender y comunicarse con todas las personas en los Estados Unidos, incluidas aquellas con un dominio limitado del inglés (LEP), para mantener a nuestro país y nuestras comunidades seguros y prósperos. Hoy, la División de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Justicia ha publicado un resumen de su revisión hasta la fecha de los planes de acceso lingüístico de las agencias federales. Proporcionaremos información adicional sobre el progreso y las tendencias de las agencias federales en los próximos meses a medida que continuemos trabajando con las agencias federales para actualizar e implementar sus planes de acceso lingüístico. La comunicación es fundamental para nuestra misión. Durante más de dos décadas, el Departamento ha trabajado en asociación con agencias federales y partes interesadas para eliminar las barreras lingüísticas de los programas y servicios federales y los que son financiados a nivel federal. Los malentendidos pueden tener consecuencias trágicas en situaciones de emergencia, sistemas de atención médica y el sistema de justicia. De hecho, la posibilidad de comunicarse con y entender a las personas LEP es primordial a la hora de hacer cumplir la ley, proteger el medio ambiente, proporcionar ayuda para la vivienda o la alimentación, promover el éxito estudiantil, garantizar la salud pública y mantener la prosperidad económica y la justicia. Cuando las agencias gubernamentales proporcionan, por ejemplo, traducciones de documentos vitales u ofrecen a un intérprete durante conversaciones o audiencias importantes, mejoramos la eficacia de los programas y servicios federales y los que son financiados a nivel federal, así garantizando que alcancen y beneficien a todas las comunidades previstas. El departamento se mantiene firme en su compromiso de garantizar que nuestros propios programas y los programas que financiamos permanezcan abiertos a todos, independientemente del dominio del inglés de una persona. Aunque las agencias del gobierno federal han hecho mucho progreso, entendemos que los desafíos están por venir. Por ejemplo, a través de nuestra función de coordinación, llevamos a cabo una revisión detallada de 40 planes de acceso lingüístico actualizados de agencias federales, donde descubrimos que cada vez más agencias federales se han comprometido a: Establecer protocolos dedicados de acceso lingüístico y de formación del personal para garantizar una implementación eficaz; Mejorar los controles de calidad para requerir servicios de apoyo lingüístico precisos y evaluados por la calidad; y Ampliar el acceso a la información a través de comunicaciones digitales y contenido en línea en múltiples idiomas. Junto con nuestra función de coordinación, hemos priorizado el aprendizaje, la implementación y la difusión de información sobre políticas y procedimientos eficaces para eliminar las barreras lingüísticas de nuestros programas o los programas que financiamos. Por ejemplo: Después de que venciera el nombramiento inaugural del Coordinador de Acceso Lingüístico del departamento, la Oficina para el Acceso a la Justicia (ATJ, por sus siglas en inglés) convirtió el puesto en uno permanente y llenó la vacante con un coordinador veterano de Acceso Lingüístico del servicio civil para garantizar la longevidad de este trabajo crítico. La ATJ también está incorporando a personal adicional para apoyar el trabajo del Coordinador de Acceso Lingüístico y para desarrollar aún más el programa de acceso lingüístico. De acuerdo con el Plan de Acceso Lingüístico del Departamento, el Coordinador de Acceso Lingüístico de la ATJ para todo el departamento está trabajando con los componentes del departamento para desarrollar planes de acceso lingüístico específicos para los componentes. Esto permitirá a los componentes desarrollar políticas de acceso lingüístico que sean específicas para la misión y los mandatos únicos de cada componente, de acuerdo con las políticas generales del plan de acceso lingüístico del departamento. Durante los últimos dos años, el Programa de Acceso Lingüístico de la ATJ ha proporcionado asistencia técnica y ha organizado servicios de traducción para más de 50 oficinas en todo el departamento, con el fin de ampliar el acceso lingüístico por todo el contenido del departamento orientado al público. El programa ha completado más de 75 proyectos de traducción que incluyen comunicados de prensa, materiales de difusión, contenido digital, informes y más. Como parte de la Iniciativa de las fuerzas del orden público para el acceso lingüístico (LELAI, por sus siglas en inglés), de la División de Derechos Civiles, la Fiscal General Auxiliar de la División de Derechos Civiles, Kristen Clarke, emitió una carta a los compañeros de las fuerzas del orden público en diciembre del 2023 reiterando sus obligaciones federales de derechos civiles de proporcionar servicios de asistencia lingüística a personas LEP y de proporcionar una comunicación eficaz a personas sordas y con dificultades auditivas. A través de LELAI, la División de Derechos Civiles también ha colaborado con la Oficina de Servicios de Vigilancia Policial Orientados a la Comunidad (COPS, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Centro Nacional para la Innovación Policial para lanzar recursos clave en el Portal de formación de COPS para ayudar a las agencias del orden público a superar las barreras lingüísticas de conformidad con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y la Ley General de Control de la Delincuencia y Calles Seguras de 1968. La división continúa trabajando en asociación con la Fiscalías Federales de todo el país para ayudar a las agencias del orden público a cumplir con su obligación de proporcionar asistencia lingüística significativa a las personas LEP, con el fin de servir y proteger mejor a las comunidades. Algunos ejemplos de trabajo con agencias del orden público específicas incluyen: Acuerdo con la Oficina del Alguacil en el condado King, Estado de Washington Acuerdo y Plan de acceso lingüístico con el Departamento de la Policía de Denver, Colorado Por otra parte, la división también publicó materiales sobre los derechos de voto para el público en general en más de una decena de idiomas, incluyendo un folleto titulado Conozca sus Derechos y un documento que explica los requisitos lingüísticos de la Sección 203 de la ley de Derechos de Voto de 1965. Estos documentos se pueden encontrar en Votación | Derechos de voto (justice.gov) . El año que viene, la División de Derechos Civiles continuará dirigiendo reuniones del Grupo de Trabajo Federal de Acceso Lingüístico. Durante estas reuniones interinstitucionales, aprendemos y compartimos información sobre cómo realizar una formación eficaz del personal de acceso lingüístico; cómo reclutar, evaluar, contratar y retener a personal multilingüe; cómo contratar a traductores e intérpretes cualificados; y cómo utilizar la tecnología para ofrecer servicios de asistencia lingüística precisos y fiables. A través de este enfoque unificado, buscamos cumplir la promesa del Título VI de la ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y la Orden Ejecutiva 13166 para prevenir la discriminación y garantizar el trato igualitario en virtud de la ley.


title: 법무부, 대통령 행정명령 제13166호 기념일 인지: 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 사람들을 위한 서비스 접근성 개선하기

body_text: 어제는 대통령 행정명령 제13166호의 “제한된 영어 능력을 가진 사람들을 위한 서비스 접근성 개선하기”의 24주년을 기념했습니다. 그 핵심은, 행정 명령은 연방 정부가 우리나라와 지역 사회를 안전하고 번영하게 하기 위해 제한된 영어 능력(LEP)을 가진 사람들을 포함해 미국에 있는 모든 사람들과 반드시 이해하고 소통할 수 있어야 한다는 기본 원칙을 인정합니다. 오늘, 법무부 민권국은 현재까지 검토한 내용을 요약한 연방 기관 언어 접근성 계획을 발표했습니다 . 우리는 계속 연방 기관과 함께 일하면서 그들의 언어 사용 계획을 최신화하고 구현하며 향후 몇 달 간의 연방 정부 기관 진행 상황 및 동향에 대한 추가 정보를 제공할 것입니다. 소통은 우리 임무에 대단히 중요합니다. 20년이 넘는 기간 동안, 법무부는 연방 및 연방에서 자금을 지원한 프로그램 또는 서비스에 대한 언어 장벽을 제거하기 위해 연방 기관 및 이해관계자들과 협력하며 일해왔습니다. 오해는 긴급 상황, 의료 제도, 그리고 사법 제도에서 비극적인 결과로 이어질 수 있습니다. 사실, 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 사람들과 소통하고 그들을 이해하는 일은 법 집행, 환경 보호, 주거 또는 식료품 지원 제공, 학생 성취 도모, 공중보건 보장, 그리고 경제적 번영 및 사법을 유지하는 데 대단히 중요합니다. 정부 기관이, 예를 들어, 중요한 문서 번역을 제공하거나 중요한 대화 중 또는 공판에서 통역사를 제공할 때, 우리는 연방 및 연방에서 자금을 지원한 프로그램 및 서비스의 효율성을 높여 모든 대상 지역 사회에 도달하고 혜택을 보장합니다. 법무부는 개인의 영어 능력과 상관없이 우리 고유의 프로그램들 및 우리가 자금을 지원하는 프로그램들이 모든 이에게 열려 있도록 보장하기 위해 변함없이 헌신하고 있습니다. 기관들이 연방 정부 전반에 걸쳐 많은 진전을 이루었지만, 우리는 앞에 놓인 어려움을 이해합니다. 예를 들어, 우리의 조정 역할을 통해, 우리는 40개의 최신화된 연방 기관 언어 사용 계획들의 세부 검토를 진행했고, 이를 통해 우리는 많은 수의 연방 기관들이 다음에 전념한 것을 발견했습니다: 효과적인 시행을 보장하기 위해 특정 언어 접근직원 및 직원 교육 절차 확립하기; 정확하고 품질 평가된 언어 지원 서비스를 요구하기 위한 품질 관리 개선하기; 및 다국어 온라인 콘텐츠 및 디지털 소통을 통해 정보에 대한 접근을 확대하기입니다. 우리의 조정 역할과 더불어, 우리는 우리 프로그램 또는 우리가 자금을 지원하는 프로그램에 대한 언어 장벽을 제거하기 위해 효과적인 정책 및 절차에 대한 정보를 배우고 구현하며 전달하는 일을 우선시 하였습니다. 예를 들어: 법무부의 첫 언어 사용 조정관의 임기가 만료된 후, 사법제도 접근 관리국(ATJ)은 직급을 정규직으로 만들고, 이렇게 중대한 업무의 기한을 보장하기 위해 역할을 선임 민간 서비스 언어 접근 조정관으로 충원했습니다. 사법제도 접근 관리국은 또한 언어 접근 조정관의 업무를 지원하고 언어 접근 프로그램을 더욱 발전시키기 위해 추가 직원을 합류시킵니다. 법무부의 언어 접근 계획에 따라, 사법제도 접근 관리국의 법무부 전체의 언어 사용 조정관은 각 구성 요소의 특정 언어 사용 계획을 개발하기 위해 법무부 구성 요소들과 함께 일하고 있습니다. 이는 구성 요소들이 법무부의 언어 사용 계획 전반적인 정책과 비슷하게 각 구성 요소의 고유한 임무 및 의무에 특정되는 언어 접근 정책을 개발할 수 있도록 할 것입니다. 지난 2년 동안, 사법제도 접근 관리국 언어 접근 프로그램은 언어 접근을 법무부의 대민 콘텐츠 전체로 확대하기 위해 법무부 전반에 걸쳐 50개 이상의 지국에 기술적 지원을 제공하고 번역 서비스를 마련했습니다. 프로그램은 보도자료, 봉사활동 자료, 디지털 콘텐츠, 보고서 등과 관련된 75개 이상의 번역 프로젝트를 완료했습니다. 민권국의 법 집행 언어 접근 계획 (LELAI)의 일환으로, 민권국의 크리스텐 클라크(Kristen Clarke) 법무차관은 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 사람들에게 언어 지원 서비스를 제공하고 청각 장애자 및 난청인들에게 효율적인 소통을 제공하기 위해 2023년 12월에 법 집행 동료들에게 그들의 연방 민권 보호 의무를 강조하는 서한 을 발행했습니다. 법 집행 언어 접근 계획을 통해 민권국은 또한 1964년 민권법 제6편 및 1968년 각종 범죄 단속 및 길거리 치안법에 따라 법 집행 기관들이 언어 장벽을 극복하는 데 도움이 되도록 지역 사회 중심 치안 서비스국(COPS) 및 전국 치안 혁신 센터와 협업하여 지역 사회 중심 치안 서비스국 교육 포털 에서 핵심 자료를 선보였습니다. 민권국은 법 집행 기관들이 지역 사회를 더 잘 섬기고 보호하도록 제한된 영어 능력을 가진 사람들에게 의미있는 언어 지원을 제공하는 그들의 의무를 충족하는 일을 돕기 위해 전국에 있는 미국 검찰청들과 지속적인 협업을 진행하고 있습니다. 특정 법 집행 기관들과 함께 일하는 사례들은 다음을 포함합니다 법무부, 워싱턴 주 보안관 사무실과 언어 접근성 협약 체결 민권국은 또한 대중을 위해 ‘귀하의 권리를 아십시오’ 책자와 1965년 투표권법 제203조의 언어 요건을 설명하는 문서를 포함한 투표권 자료를 12개 이상의 언어로 게시했습니다. 이러한 문서는 투표 | 투표권(justice.gov)에서 찾을 수 있습니다 . 내년에 민권국은 연방 언어 접근 실무진 회의를 계속 이끌 것입니다. 이러한 기관 간 회의 중, 우리는 효과적인 언어 접근 직원 교육 진행; 다국어 직원을 모집, 평가, 채용 및 유지; 자격 있는 번역가 및 통역사와 계약; 그리고 정확하며 신뢰성 있는 언어 지원 서비스를 전달하기 위해 기술을 이용하는 것에 대한 정보를 배우고 공유합니다. 이 통합된 사용 방식을 통해, 우리는 법에 따라 차별을 방지하고 동등한 대우를 보장하는 1964년 민권법 제6편 및 대통령 행정명령 제13166호의 약속을 이행하려고 합니다.


title: Kinikilala ng Justice Department (kagawaran ng hustisya) ang Anibersaryo ng Executive Order (kautusang pampangasiwa) 13166: Pagpapabuti ng Pag-abot sa Mga Serbisyo para sa Mga Taong may Limited English Proficiency (limitadong kasanayan sa Ingles)

body_text: Kahapon ay minarkahan ang ika-24 na anibersaryo ng Executive Order 13166, “Pagpapabuti ng Pag-abot sa Mga Serbisyo para sa Mga Taong may Limited English Proficiency.” Sa kaibuturan nito, kinikilala ng Order ang pangunahing prinsipyo na ang pederal na pamahalaan ay dapat na maunawaan at makipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng tao sa United States, kabilang ang mga may limited English proficiency (LEP), upang mapanatiling ligtas at maunlad ang ating bansa at mga komunidad. Ngayon, ang Civil Rights Division (dibisyon ng karapatang pangsibil) ng Justice Department ay naglabas ng isang impresyon ng pagsusuri nito hanggang sa kasalukuyan ng mga plano sa pag-abot ng wika ng pederal na ahensya. Magbibigay kami ng karagdagang impormasyon tungkol sa progreso ng pederal na ahensya at mga uso sa mga darating na buwan habang patuloy kaming makikipagtulungan sa mga pederal na ahensya sa pag-update at pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga plano sa pag-abot ng wika. Ang komunikasyon ay kritikal sa aming misyon. Sa loob ng mahigit dalawang dekada, ang departamento ay nagtrabaho sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga pederal na ahensya at mga stakeholder (may interes) upang alisin ang mga hadlang sa wika sa mga pederal at pederal na pinondohan na mga programa o serbisyo. Ang hindi pagkakaunawaan ay maaaring humantong sa mga kalunos-lunos na kahihinatnan sa mga sitwasyong pang-emergency, mga sistema ng pangangalagang pangkalusugan, at sistema ng hustisya. Sa katunayan, ang pakikipag-usap at pag-unawa sa mga taong may LEP ay kritikal sa pagpapatupad ng batas, pagpoprotekta sa kapaligiran, pagbibigay ng tulong sa pabahay o pagkain, pagtataguyod ng tagumpay ng mag-aaral, pagtiyak sa kalusugan ng publiko at pagtataguyod ng kaunlaran at hustisya ng ekonomiya. Kapag ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ay nagbibigay, halimbawa, ng mga pagsasalin ng mahahalagang dokumento o nag-aalok ng isang tagapagsalin sa panahon ng mahahalagang pag-uusap o pagdinig, pinapahusay namin ang bisa ng mga pederal at pederal na pinondohan na mga programa at serbisyo, tinitiyak na naaabot at nakikinabang ang mga ito sa lahat ng nilalayong komunidad. Ang departamento ay nananatiling matatag sa pangako nito na tiyakin na ang aming sariling mga programa at ang mga programang aming pinopondohan ay mananatiling bukas sa lahat, anuman ang kasanayan sa Ingles ng isang tao. Habang ang mga ahensya sa buong pederal na pamahalaan ay nakagawa ng malaking pag-unlad, naiintindihan namin na ang mga hamon ay naghihintay sa hinaharap. Halimbawa, sa pamamagitan ng aming tungkuling pangkoordinasyon, nagsagawa kami ng detalyadong pagsusuri ng 40 na na-update na mga plano sa pag-abot ng wika ng pederal na ahensya, kung saan nalaman namin na dumarami ang bilang ng mga ahensyang pederal na nakatuon sa: Pagtatag ng nakatuon sa pag-abot ng wika na mga tauhan at kawani ng mga protokol sa pagsasanay upang matiyak ang epektibong pagpapatupad; Pagpapabuti ng mga kontrol sa kalidad upang mangailangan ng tumpak at nasusuri na kalidad na mga serbisyo ng tulong sa wika; at Pagpapalawak ng pag-abot sa impormasyon sa pamamagitan ng iba't-ibang wika na nilalaman sa online at mga digital na komunikasyon. Kasama ng aming tungkuling pangkoordinasyon, inuna namin ang pag-aaral tungkol sa, pagpapatupad at pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga epektibong patakaran at pamamaraan upang maalis ang mga hadlang sa wika sa aming mga programa o mga programang aming pinopondohan. Halimbawa: Matapos mag-expire ang termino ng pinakaunang Language Access Coordinator (tagapag-ugnayan sa pag-abot ng wika) ng Departamento, ginawang permanente ng Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) (opisina para sa pag-abot ng hustisya) ang posisyon at pinunan ang tungkulin sa isang nakatataas na pangsibil na serbisyong Language Access Coordinator upang matiyak ang pangmatagalang buhay ng kritikal na gawaing ito. Ang ATJ ay nagpapasok din ng karagdagang kawani upang suportahan ang gawain ng Language Access Coordinator at upang higit pang bumuo ng Language Access Program (programa ng pag-abot ng wika). Alinsunod sa Language Access Plan (plano sa pag-abot ng wika) ng Departamento, ang Language Access Coordinator ng buong departamento ng ATJ ay nakikipagtulungan sa mga bahagi ng departamento upang bumuo ng mga plano na partikular sa bahagi sa pag-abot ng wika. Magbibigay-daan ito sa mga bahagi na bumuo ng mga patakaran sa pag-abot ng wika na partikular sa natatanging misyon at mandato ng bawat bahagi, alinsunod sa pangkalahatang mga patakaran ng plano ng Language Access ng departamento. Sa nakalipas ng dalawang taon, ang Language Access Program ng ATJ ay nagbigay ng teknikal na tulong at nag-ayos ng mga serbisyo sa pagsasalin para sa mahigit 50 na opisina sa buong Departamento, upang palawakin ang pag-abot ng wika sa buong nilalaman ng Departamento na kinakaharap ng publiko. Ang programa ay nakakumpleto ng higit sa 75 na mga proyekto sa pagsasalin na kinabibilangan ng mga press release (pahayag ng press), outreach na materyales, digital na nilalaman, mga ulat at higit pa. Bilang bahagi ng Law Enforcement Language Access Initiative (LELAI) (inisyatiba sa pag-abot ng wika ng tagapagpatupad ng batas) ng Civil Rights Division , si Assistant Attorney General (katulong na pangkalahatang abogado) Kristen Clarke ng Civil Rights Division ay nagbigay ng isang liham sa mga kasamahan sa pagpapatupad ng batas noong December 2023 na idinidiin ang kanilang pederal na obligasyon sa karapatang pangsibil na magbigay ng mga serbisyo ng tulong sa wika sa mga taong may LEP, at magbigay ng epektibong komunikasyon sa mga taong bingi at mahirap makarinig. Sa pamamagitan ng LELAI, ang Civil Rights Division ay nakipagtulungan din sa Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) (opisina ng mga serbisyong pampupulis na nakatuon sa komunidad) at National Center for Policing Innovation (pambansang center para sa makabagong pampupulis) upang ilunsad ang mga pangunahing mapagkukunan sa COPS Training Portal (portal na pagsasanay ng COPS) upang matulungan ang mga ahensyang nagpapatupad ng batas na malampasan ang mga hadlang sa wika bilang pagsunod sa Titulo VI ng Civil Rights Act (batas ng karapatang pangsibil) ng 1964 at ng Omnibus Crime Control (pangkalahatang pagkontrol ng krimen)at Safe Streets Act (batas ng kaligtasan sa kalye) ng 1968. Ang dibisyon ay patuloy na nakikipagtulungan sa mga Opisina ng U.S. Attorney (piskal ng U.S.) sa buong bansa upang tulungan ang mga ahensyang nagpapatupad ng batas na matugunan ang kanilang obligasyon na magbigay ng makabuluhang tulong sa wika sa mga taong may LEP upang mas mahusay ang paglingkod at pagprotekta ng mga komunidad. Kasama sa mga halimbawa ng trabaho sa mga partikular na ahensyang nagpapatupad ng batas: Settlement Agreement sa Sheriff’s Office a King County, Washington State Settlement Agreement at Language Access Plan sa Denver Police Department, Colorado Nagpaskil din ang dibisyon ng mga materyales para sa karapatan ng pagboto para sa pangkalahatang publiko sa mahigit isang dosenang wika, kabilang ang isang Know Your Rights (alamin ang iyong karapatan) na polyeto at isang dokumento na nagpapaliwanag sa mga kinakailangan sa wika ng Seksyon 203 ng Voting Rights Act (batas sa mga karapatang pagboto) ng 1965. Ang mga dokumentong ito ay matatagpuan sa Voting | Voting Rights (justice.gov) . Sa darating na taon, ang Civil Rights Division ay magpapatuloy na mamumuno sa mga pagpupulong ng Federal Language Access Working Group (grupong nagtatrabaho sa pederal na pag-abot ng wika). Sa mga pagpupulong ng magkakasamang ahensya na ito, natututo kami at nagbabahagi ng impormasyon tungkol sa pagsasagawa ng epektibong pagsasanay sa mga kawani sa pag-abot ng wika; pagre-recruit, pagtatasa, pagkuha at pagpapanatili ng kawani sa maraming wika; pangongontrata para sa mga kwalipikadong nagsasalin at tagapagsalin; at paggamit ng teknolohiya upang maghatid ng tumpak at maaasahang mga serbisyo ng tulong sa wika. Sa pamamagitan ng pinag-isang pamamaraang ito, hinahangad naming tuparin ang pangako ng Titulo VI ng Civil Rights Act ng 1964 at Executive Order 13166 sa pagpigil sa diskriminasyon at pagtiyak ng pantay na pagtrato sa ilalim ng batas.


title: Bộ Tư pháp đánh dấu kỷ niệm Sắc lệnh 13166: Cải thiện cách tiếp cận dịch vụ cho người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế

body_text: Hôm qua là ngày đánh dấu kỷ niệm 24 năm Sắc lệnh 13166, "Cải thiện cách tiếp cận dịch vụ cho người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế". Về cốt lõi, Sắc lệnh thừa nhận nguyên tắc cơ bản là chính phủ liên bang phải có khả năng hiểu và giao tiếp với tất cả mọi người ở Hoa Kỳ, kể cả những người có trình độ tiếng Anh hạn chế (LEP), để giữ cho đất nước và cộng đồng được an toàn và thịnh vượng. Hôm nay, Cục Dân quyền của Bộ Tư pháp đã công bố một tóm lược về đánh giá kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ của cơ quan liên bang tính cho đến nay . Trong những tháng tới, chúng tôi sẽ cung cấp thêm thông tin về tiến độ và xu hướng của các cơ quan liên bang khi chúng tôi tiếp tục làm việc với họ để xem họ đã cập nhật và thực hiện các kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ ra sao. Giao tiếp là chuyện rất quan trọng cho nhiệm vụ của chúng tôi. Trong hơn hai thập niên, Bộ Tư pháp đã hợp tác với các cơ quan liên bang và các bên liên quan để loại bỏ rào cản ngôn ngữ trong các chương trình hoặc dịch vụ do liên bang thực hiện hoặc tài trợ. Những hiểu lầm có thể dẫn đến hậu quả bi thảm trong các tình huống khẩn cấp, trong hệ thống chăm sóc sức khỏe và trong hệ thống tư pháp. Thật vậy, giao tiếp và hiểu những người thuộc diện LEP là rất quan trọng để thực thi pháp luật, bảo vệ môi trường, hỗ trợ nhà ở hoặc thực phẩm, thúc đẩy thành tích của học sinh, đảm bảo sức khỏe cộng đồng và duy trì sự thịnh vượng và công bằng kinh tế. Ví dụ, khi các cơ quan chính phủ cung cấp bản dịch các tài liệu quan trọng hoặc cung cấp thông dịch viên trong các cuộc trò chuyện hoặc phiên điều trần quan trọng, chúng tôi sẽ nâng cao hiệu quả của các chương trình và dịch vụ do liên bang thực hiện và tài trợ, đảm bảo các chương trình và dịch vụ này được đến tay và mang lại lợi ích cho tất cả các cộng đồng nhắm tới. Bộ vẫn kiên định với cam kết đảm bảo rằng các chương trình của bộ và các chương trình mà bộ tài trợ vẫn mở rộng cho tất cả mọi người, bất kể trình độ tiếng Anh của họ ra sao. Mặc dù các cơ quan trên toàn chính phủ liên bang đã đạt được nhiều tiến bộ, chúng tôi hiểu rằng những thách thức vẫn còn ở phía trước. Ví dụ, thông qua vai trò điều phối của mình, chúng tôi đã tiến hành xem xét chi tiết 40 kế hoạch tiếp cận ngôn ngữ cập nhật của cơ quan liên bang, kết quả là chúng tôi thấy rằng ngày càng có nhiều cơ quan liên bang đã cam kết: Thiết lập các quy trình để có nhân viên chuyên dụng và đào tạo nhân viên về tiếp cận ngôn ngữ để đảm bảo thực hiện kế hoạch có hiệu quả; Cải thiện kiểm soát chất lượng để yêu cầu các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ phải chính xác và được đánh giá là có chất lượng; và Mở rộng khả năng tiếp cận thông tin bằng cách thực hiện các chương trình có nội dung trực tuyến đa ngôn ngữ và truyền thông kỹ thuật số. Cùng với vai trò điều phối, chúng tôi đã ưu tiên tìm hiểu, thực hiện và phổ biến thông tin về các chính sách và thủ tục hiệu quả để loại bỏ rào cản ngôn ngữ đối với các chương trình do chúng tôi thực hiện hoặc tài trợ. Chẳng hạn: Sau khi nhiệm kỳ Điều phối viên Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ đầu tiên của Bộ chấm dứt, Cục Tiếp cận Tư pháp (ATJ) đã biến vị trí này thành một vị trí thường trực và giao vai trò này cho một Điều phối viên Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ, có ngạch công chức cao cấp, để đảm bảo công việc quan trọng này kéo dài. ATJ cũng đang tuyển dụng thêm nhân viên để hỗ trợ công việc của Điều phối viên Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ và phát triển hơn nữa Chương trình Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ. Theo Kế hoạch Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ của Bộ, Điều phối viên Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ cho cả bộ đang làm việc với các cơ quan của bộ để biên soạn các kế hoạch truy cập ngôn ngữ dành riêng cho từng cơ quan. Điều này sẽ giúp các cơ quan soạn ra các chính sách truy cập ngôn ngữ cụ thể tùy theo nhiệm vụ và chức năng độc đáo của mình, phù hợp với các chính sách chung của kế hoạch Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ của bộ. Trong hai năm qua, Chương trình Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ của ATJ đã hỗ trợ kỹ thuật và thu xếp dịch vụ dịch thuật cho hơn 50 văn phòng ở khắp Bộ, để mở rộng khả năng tiếp cận ngôn ngữ đối với các thông tin công khai của Bộ. Chương trình đã hoàn thành hơn 75 dự án dịch thuật liên quan đến thông cáo báo chí, tài liệu tiếp cận cộng đồng, nội dung kỹ thuật số, báo cáo và các nội dung khác. Là một phần của Sáng kiến Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ Thực thi Pháp luật (LELAI) của Cục Dân quyền, Trợ lý Bộ trưởng Tư pháp Kristen Clarke của Cục Dân quyền đã gửi một lá thư cho các đồng nghiệp thực thi pháp luật vào tháng 12/2023, nhắc lại nghĩa vụ dân quyền liên bang của họ là cung cấp dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ cho những người thuộc diện LEP và cung cấp cách giao tiếp hiệu quả cho những người điếc và khiếm thính. Thông qua LELAI, Cục Dân quyền cũng hợp tác với Phòng Dịch vụ Cảnh sát Hướng tới Cộng đồng (COPS) và Trung tâm Đổi mới Cảnh sát Quốc gia để mở ra các phương tiện quan trọng trên Cổng đào tạo COPS để giúp các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật vượt qua rào cản ngôn ngữ khi tuân thủ Mục VI của Đạo luật Dân quyền năm 1964 và Đạo luật Kiểm soát Tội phạm và Đường phố An toàn Omnibus năm 1968. Cục Dân quyền tiếp tục hợp tác với các Văn phòng Biên lý Liên bang trên toàn nước Mỹ để giúp các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật đáp ứng nghĩa vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ một cách có ý nghĩa cho những người thuộc diện LEP để phục vụ và bảo vệ cộng đồng tốt hơn. Ví dụ về cách làm việc với các cơ quan thực thi pháp luật cụ thể bao gồm Sở Tư Pháp Ký Thỏa Thuận Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ với Văn Phòng Cảnh Sát Trưởng tại Tiểu Bang Washington Bộ Tư Pháp Công Bố Chính Sách Mới Về Việc Cơ Quan Thực Thi Pháp Luật Chủ Động Trong Việc Tiếp Cận Ngôn Ngữ Cục Dân quyền cũng đăng các tài liệu về quyền bầu cử cho công chúng được dịch sang hơn một chục thứ tiếng, trong đó có cẩm nang Bạn Cần Biết Những Quyền Của Mình và một tài liệu giải thích các yêu cầu về ngôn ngữ trong Đoạn 203 của Đạo luật Quyền Bầu cử năm 1965. Những tài liệu này có thể xem tại Bỏ phiếu | Quyền biểu quyết (justice.gov) . Trong năm tới, Cục Dân quyền sẽ tiếp tục chủ tọa các cuộc họp của Nhóm Công tác Tiếp cận Ngôn ngữ Liên bang. Trong các cuộc họp liên ngành này, chúng tôi tìm hiểu và chia sẻ thông tin về cách đào tạo nhân viên tiếp cận ngôn ngữ hiệu quả; tuyển dụng, đánh giá, thuê mướn và giữ chân nhân viên đa ngôn ngữ; hợp đồng với biên dịch viên, phiên dịch viên có trình độ và sử dụng công nghệ để cung cấp các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ chính xác và đáng tin cậy. Thông qua cách tiếp cận thống nhất này, chúng tôi muốn thực hiện mục tiêu của Mục VI trong Đạo luật Dân quyền năm 1964 và Sắc lệnh 13166 nhằm ngăn chặn hiện tượng phân biệt đối xử và đảm bảo mọi người được đối xử bình đẳng theo luật pháp.


title: 司法部关于第 13166 号行政命令周年纪念日的声明：改善英语水平有限人士的服务获取途径

body_text: 昨天是第 13166号行政命令“改善英语水平有限人士获得服务的途径”颁布 24 周年纪念日。该命令的核心是承认下一基本原则：联邦政府必须能够理解美国所有人士，包括英语水平有限人士（LEP）并与其沟通，以保持我们的国家和社区的安全和繁荣。 今天，司法部民权司发布了迄今为止对联邦机构语言访问计划的审查情况 [ 链接 ]。我们将在未来几个月内，继续与各联邦机构合作，更新和实施其语言访问计划，提供有关联邦机构进展和趋势的更多信息。 沟通对于我们的使命至关重要。二十多年来，该部一直与联邦机构和利益相关者合作，致力于消除联邦和联邦资助项目或服务的语言障碍。误解可能会导致紧急情况、医疗保健系统和司法系统中的悲剧性后果。事实上，与英语水平有限人士沟通和了解他们，对于执行法律、保护环境、提供住房或粮食援助、促进学生成就、确保公共健康以及维护经济繁荣和正义至关重要。例如，当政府机构提供重要文件的翻译或在重要对话或听证会期间提供口译员时，我们提高了联邦和联邦资助的项目和服务的有效性，确保它们惠及并造福所有目标社区。 该部始终坚定不移，致力于确保我们自己的项目和我们资助的项目对所有人开放，无论一个人的英语水平如何。虽然联邦政府各机构已经取得了很大进展，但我们知道未来仍面临挑战。例如，通过我们的协调作用，我们对 40 份更新的联邦机构语言访问计划进行了详细审查，发现越来越多的联邦机构承诺： 建立专门的语言访问人员和员工培训协议，以确保有效实施； 改进质量控制，要求提供准确且经过质量评估的语言协助服务；以及 通过多语言在线内容和数字通信扩大信息获取渠道。 除了发挥协调作用外，我们还优先学习、实施和传播有关有效政策和程序的信息，以消除我们项目或我们资助的项目面临的语言障碍。例如： 在该部首任语言访问协调人的任期届满后，司法访问办公室 (ATJ) 将该职位永久化，并指派一名高级公务员语言访问协调人担任该职位，以确保这项关键工作的长期性。ATJ 还在招募更多员工，支持语言访问协调人的工作，并进一步编制语言访问计划。 根据该部的语言访问计划，ATJ 全部门语言访问协调人正在与司法部各部门合作，制定具体部门的语言访问计划。这使得该部门能够针对其独特使命和任务制定语言访问政策，并与部门语言访问计划的总体政策保持一致。 在过去两年中，ATJ 语言访问计划为该部的 50 多个办事处提供了技术援助并安排了翻译服务，以扩大该部面向公众的内容的语言访问范围。该计划已完成 75 多个翻译项目，涉及新闻稿、宣传材料、数字内容、报告等。 作为民权司 执法语言访问倡议 的一部分，民权司助理检察长克里斯汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 于 2023 年 12 月，向执法同仁发 (LELAI) 函 ，重申其有联邦民事义务，为英语能力有限人士提供语言援助服务，并为聋人和听障者提供有效的沟通手段。 通过 LELAI，民权司还与社区警务服务办公室 (COPS) 和国家警务创新中心合作，在 COPS 培训门户 上推出关键资源，帮助执法机构克服语言障碍，从而遵守《1964 年民权法案》第六章和《1968 年综合犯罪控制和安全街道法案》。 该部继续与全国各地的美国检察官办公室合作，帮助执法机构履行其义务，为 英语能力有限人士提供有意义的语言帮助，以更好地服务和保护社区。与特定执法机构合作的范例包括 司法部与华盛顿州警长办公室达成语言协助协议 司法部宣布新的执法机构语言通达倡议 民权司还用十多种语言，向公众发布了投票权利材料，包括《了解你的权利》小册子和一份解释1965年《投票权利法》第203节的语言要求的文件。 这些文件刊载于 投票 | 投票权利 (justice.gov) 。 在即将到来的一年，民权司将继续主导联邦语言访问工作组的会议。在这些跨机构会议期间，我们学习并分享信息，以了解如何开展有效的语言服务人员培训；招募、评估、聘用和挽留多语言员工；签约合格的口笔译人员；及利用科技，提供准确可靠的语言协助服务。通过这种统一的方法，我们寻求履行 1964 年《民权法案》第六章和第 13166 号行政命令的承诺，防止歧视并确保法律面前一律平等。


title: 司法部關於第 13166 號行政命令周年紀念日的聲明：改善英語水準有限人士的服務獲取途徑

body_text: 昨天是第 13166號行政命令“改善英語水準有限人士獲得服務的途徑”頒佈 24 周年紀念日。該命令的核心是承認下一基本原則：聯邦政府必須能夠理解美國所有人士，包括英語水準有限人士 ，（LEP）並與其溝通，以保持我們的國家和社區的安全和繁榮。 今天，司法部民權司發佈了迄今為止對聯邦機構語言訪問計畫的審查情況 [ 鏈結 ]。我們將在未來幾個月內，繼續與各聯邦機構合作，更新和實施其語言訪問計畫，提供有關聯邦機構進展和趨勢的更多資訊。 溝通對於我們的使命至關重要。二十多年來，該部一直與聯邦機構和利益相關者合作，致力於消除聯邦和聯邦資助專案或服務的語言障礙。誤解可能會導致緊急情況、醫療保健系統和司法系統中的悲劇性後果。事實上，與英語水準有限人士溝通和瞭解他們，對於執行法律、保護環境、提供住房或糧食援助、促進學生成就、確保公共健康以及維護經濟繁榮和正義至關重要。例如，當政府機構提供重要文件的翻譯或在重要對話或聽證會期間提供口譯員時，我們提高了聯邦和聯邦資助的專案和服務的有效性，確保它們惠及並造福所有目標社區。 該部始終堅定不移，致力於確保我們自己的項目和我們資助的項目對所有人開放，無論一個人的英語水準如何。雖然聯邦政府各機構已經取得了很大進展，但我們知道未來仍面臨挑戰。例如，通過我們的協調作用，我們對 40 份更新的聯邦機構語言訪問計畫進行了詳細審查，發現越來越多的聯邦機構承諾： 建立專門的語言訪問人員和員工培訓協議，以確保有效實施； 改進品質控制，要求提供準確且經過品質評估的語言協助服務；以及 通過多語言線上內容和數碼通信擴大資訊獲取管道。 除了發揮協調作用外，我們還優先學習、實施和傳播有關有效政策和程序的資訊，以消除我們專案或我們資助的專案面臨的語言障礙。例如： 在該部首任語言訪問協調人的任期屆滿後，司法訪問辦公室 (ATJ) 將該職位永久化，並指派一名高級公務員語言訪問協調人擔任該職位，以確保這項關鍵工作的長期性。ATJ 還在招募更多員工，支援語言訪問協調人的工作，並進一步編制語言訪問計畫。 根據該部的語言訪問計畫，ATJ 全部門語言訪問協調人正在與司法部各部門合作，制定具體部門的語言訪問計畫。這使得該部門能夠針對其獨特使命和任務制定語言訪問政策，並與部門語言訪問計畫的總體政策保持一致。 在過去兩年中，ATJ 語言訪問計畫為該部的 50 多個辦事處提供了技術援助並安排了翻譯服務，以擴大該部面向公眾的內容的語言訪問範圍。該計畫已完成 75 多個翻譯專案，涉及新聞稿、宣傳材料、數碼內容、報告等。 作為民權司 執法語言訪問倡議 的一部分，民權司助理檢察長克莉絲汀·克拉克 (Kristen Clarke) 於 2023 年 12 月，向執法同仁發 (LELAI) 函 ，重申其有聯邦民事義務，為英語能力有限人士提供語言援助服務，並為聾人和聽障者提供有效的溝通手段。 通過 LELAI，民權司還與社區警務服務辦公室 (COPS) 和國家警務創新中心合作，在 COPS 培訓門戶 上推出關鍵資源，幫助執法機構克服語言障礙，從而遵守《1964 年民權法案》第六章和《1968 年綜合犯罪控制和安全街道法案》。 該部繼續與全國各地的美國檢察官辦公室合作，幫助執法機構履行其義務，為 英語能力有限人士提供有意義的語言幫助，以更好地服務和保護社區。與特定執法機構合作的範例包括 司法部与华盛顿州警长办公室达成语言协助协议 司法部宣佈新的執法機構語言通達倡議 民權司還用十多種語言，向公眾發佈了投票權利材料，包括《瞭解你的權利》小冊子和一份解釋1965年《投票權利法》第203節的語言要求的文件。 這些文件刊載於 投票 | 投票權利 (justice.gov) 。 在即將到來的一年，民權司將繼續主導聯邦語言訪問工作組的會議。在這些跨機構會議期間，我們學習並分享資訊，以瞭解如何開展有效的語言服務人員培訓；招募、評估、聘用和挽留多語言員工；簽約合格的口筆譯人員；及利用科技，提供準確可靠的語言協助服務。通過這種統一的方法，我們尋求履行 1964 年《民權法案》第六章和第 13166 號行政命令的承諾，防止歧視並確保法律面前一律平等。


title: Springfield Man Admits Travelling to Have Sex with Minor

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: ST. LOUIS – A man from Springfield, Missouri on Monday admitted being intercepted by police while trying to have sex with a teen from Lincoln County. Jonathan Mauser-Campbell, 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to a felony charge of possession of child pornography. He admitted that on Dec. 2, 2022, he drove from Springfield to Lincoln County, Missouri, to pick up an underage girl from her home. Mauser-Campbell planned to take her to a campground to engage in sex acts with her. During a traffic stop, however, officers with the Hawk Point Police Department rescued her after realizing the girl was underage and had run away from home to be with Mauser-Campbell. A later analysis of Mauser-Campbell’s cell phone uncovered over 300 images/videos containing child pornography. The Hawk Point Police Department, the FBI and the St. Charles Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc .


title: Seven Men Arrested in Multi-Agency Sex Trafficking Operation

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Ellsworth AFB Office of Special Investigations, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rapid City Police Department conducted a joint sex-trafficking operation during the 2024 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally designed to apprehend persons attempting to arrange sexual encounters with underage children. The operation began on August 2, 2024, and continued through August 8, 2024. As a result, the following seven men were arrested and charged: Brockton Dominquez , 26, Rapid City – Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet Eli Poorman , 20, Rapid City – Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor Dustin Day , 20, Piedmont – Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor Vance Coats , 25, Box Elder – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet Brandon Bishop , 36, Rapid City – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet Corey Simon , 36, Rapid City – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet Aaron Ray Williams, Jr. , 23, Rapid City – Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet “Once again, this operation demonstrates the sad reality that there are individuals in our communities who are using the Internet to target young girls for sex,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “We are grateful to our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, who regularly collaborate to safeguard children across South Dakota. Because of their work, the Rapid City community is a little safer this week.” The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Minor under the age of fourteen is 15 years up to 30 years in federal prison; and any term of years, not less than five, up to lifetime supervised release. The mandatory minimum penalty upon conviction for Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet is 10 years up to life in federal prison; and any term of years, not less than five, up to lifetime supervised release. The charges are merely accusations, and all seven defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . The cases are being federally prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox.


title: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Statement on Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Survey

component: Office of the Attorney General

body_text: The Justice Department issued the following statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on the release of the Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Survey , which shows a decrease in violent crime in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same time period last year: “This data offers yet another indicator of a substantial reduction in violent crime in major cities across the country. In nearly 70 major cities across the country, violent crime has continued to drop during the first six months of this year compared to the same time period last year, including a 17% decrease in homicides. This updated data comes in the wake of last year’s historic drop in homicides nationwide and one of the lowest levels of violent crime in 50 years. Three and a half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime rooted in investing in our partnerships with other federal law enforcement agencies, with state and local law enforcement who risk their lives to keep their communities safe every day, and with the communities we all serve. The Justice Department’s work together with our partners to drive down violent crime is paying off. But our message remains clear: we will not rest until every person and every community is safe from violent crime. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to arrest violent felons, seize and trace guns used in crimes, disrupt violent drug trafficking, and make critical investments in police departments to hire more officers. And we will continue to work with our community partners to support life-saving initiatives aimed at preventing and disrupting violence before it occurs.”


title: Rochester woman arrested, charged with defrauding Social Security and identity theft

component: USAO - New York, Western

body_text: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Wendy Stone, 63, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, and making a false statement to obtain social security benefits. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Stone’s boyfriend, Kenneth Crisman, died on December 28, 2022. Stone lived with Crisman, who received Social Security benefits prior to his death. However, Stone failed to notify anyone of Crisman’s death, instead, moving his body to the basement of their residence and continuing to collect his benefits. Stone wrapped Crisman’s body, and placed it into a plastic recycling bin, periodically pouring bleach on his body to prevent foul odor. Prior to his death, Crisman requested a replacement debit card for his benefits. On January 6, 2023, the card was successfully activated with a new PIN number. The next day, the first debits to Crisman’s new card began. The card was depleted by January 15, 2023, with charges at The Peppermill Restaurant, Walmart, BJs Wholesalers, The Home Depot, Staples, as well as ATM withdrawals. The card was also used to open a Rent-A-Center account on March 7, 2023, for a $1,815.05 purchase. Between January and September 2023, $7,902.00 of benefits intended for Crisman were deposited into his account and depleted by Stone. On January 3, 2024, the Social Security Administration conducted a redetermination for continuing eligibility for Stone’s benefits, who falsely reported that since December 2021, no one has moved into or out of her residence, to include births or deaths, and that nobody helped pay her bills or rent since December 2021. The use of Crisman’s benefits rendered Stone ineligible for her own benefits from December 28, 2022, through September 2023. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Bradley Parker and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. # # # #


title: Co-Owner of Mattapan Plumbing and Heating Supply Company Sentenced for Filing False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Massachusetts

body_text: BOSTON – The co-owner of a Mattapan plumbing and heating supply company was sentenced for filing false tax returns in connection with a scheme to use millions of dollars of unreported business receipts to buy gold and silver bars. Claudio Poles, 78, of Dorchester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to four months in prison and one year of supervised release. Poles was also ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 and $2,961,261 in restitution. In May 2024, Poles pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false tax returns. Poles failed to accurately disclose the company’s gross business receipts to its tax preparer, who prepared the company’s tax returns using the false information Poles provided. Poles then used some of the unreported gross receipts to purchase more than $10 million of gold and silver bars for himself from bullion dealers. To conceal the nature of the purchases he made from the company’s bank accounts, Poles described the purchases in the memo section of the checks, as being for boilers, materials and other plumbing and heating supplies. Between 2019 and 2022, Poles falsely reported losses on his individual tax returns and omitted personal income that he received from the business by purchasing the gold and silver bars. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.


title: Frackville Man Sentenced For Influencing A Federal Official By Threat

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joshua Frisch, age 42, of Frackville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 7, 2024, to time served (six months) and three years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Julia K. Munley for one count of Influencing a Federal Official by Threat. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Frisch previously pled guilty to threatening federal law enforcement officers, namely FBI Agents, with the intent to interfere with those officers in the performance of their official duties. Frisch further admitted that between November 12, 2022, and November 13, 2022, he posted a series of threatening communications on multiple social media accounts, including Truth Social and X, formerly known as Twitter, which were designed to interfere with federal law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duties. The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James Buchanan prosecuted the case. # # #


title: Ex-Law Enforcement and Former Military Officers Charged in Alleged  Sham Raid to Extort O.C. Man at Behest of Chinese National

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: LOS ANGELES – Four ex-law enforcement and military officers are scheduled to be arraigned today on a four-count superseding indictment that alleges they acted as a sham law enforcement team that entered an Irvine man’s home and threatened him and his family with violence and deportation unless he turned over nearly $37 million and signed away his rights in a business – worth tens of millions of dollars – that he shared with a wealthy Chinese national who secretly financed the bogus raid. The superseding indictment filed on August 1, charges the following defendants with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, one count of attempted extortion, one count of conspiracy against rights, and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law: Steven Arthur Lankford, 68, of Canyon Country, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy who stopped working for LASD in 2020 and owns a Santa Clarita-based process service company; Glen Louis Cozart, 63, of Upland, a former LASD deputy who owns and operates a San Bernardino County-based private investigation and security services company; Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, 39, of Australia, a United Kingdom citizen and former member of the British military who owns an Australia-based private investigation and asset recovery business; and Matthew Phillip Hart, 41, of Australia, an Australian citizen and former member of the Australian military who owns an Australia-based risk management services business. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. “It is critical that we hold public officials, including law enforcement officers, to the same standards as the rest of us,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is unacceptable and a serious civil rights violation for a sworn police officer to take the law into his own hands and abuse the authority of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.” “The defendants in this case allegedly believed they could carry out vigilante justice by using official police powers to enter the home of vulnerable victims and extorting them out of millions of dollars,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate civil rights violations by anyone who takes the law into their own hands for personal gain or otherwise.” According to the superseding indictment, the Irvine businessman – identified as “Victim 1” – had an ongoing business dispute with an unindicted co-conspirator – the wealthy Chinese national – regarding their respective ownership interests in Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co. Ltd., a China-based rubber chemical manufacturer. Their dispute led to at least three lawsuits in China and one in Atlanta. In October 2013, the Chinese national alleged in a civil court filing that China had issued a “red notice” for Victim 1, which Victim 1 understood was linked to his business dispute with the unindicted co-conspirator. In December 2018, the unindicted co-conspirator allegedly contacted Turbett to help locate and recover assets from Victim 1. She said that the long and costly litigation had not been “the smart way” to handle her dispute with Victim 1 and asked Turbett to find a different “solution to finish the problem.” She promised Turbett that if he helped her, “we can both retire.” In June 2019, Turbett and the unindicted co-conspirator drafted purported settlement agreements calling for Victim 1 to transfer assets – including approximately $36,972,386 in cash as well as lucrative shares in Jiangsu Sinorgchem – to the unindicted co-conspirator. Turbett allegedly hired Cozart to locate Victim 1 and assemble a team to obtain Victim 1’s signature on the settlement agreements. Cozart, in turn, hired Lankford, then an LASD deputy, who searched Victim 1’s name and date of birth in the National Crime Information Center database using his Justice Data Interface Controller terminal at LASD, in violation of LASD policy that law enforcement databases only be used for law enforcement purposes and not for personal use. Turbett and Hart flew from Australia to Los Angeles, where they met with Cozart and Lankford to discuss plans for the sham raid. On June 17, 2019, Lankford – in violation of LASD policy – drove an unmarked LASD vehicle to Victim 1’s home with Cozart, Hart and Turbett, the superseding indictment alleges. Lankford and Cozart then approached Victim 1 outside his home. Lankford allegedly identified himself as a police officer and showed his badge, while Cozart falsely identified himself as an “Immigration” officer. Under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation, the defendants allegedly entered the home, where they forced Victim 1, his wife, and their two children into one room, took their phones, and prevented them from leaving for hours. Victim 1 was slammed against a wall and choked, the superseding indictment states. Defendants allegedly also threatened to deport Victim 1 and his wife and permanently separate them from their 4-year-old son unless Victim 1 complied with their demands. Fearing for his and his family’s safety, the superseding indictment alleges that Victim 1 ultimately signed the documents, thereby relinquishing his multimillion-dollar interest in Jiangsu Sinorgchem. Although Lankford told Victim 1 that he would be arrested and deported if he reported the incident to police, Victim 1 immediately contacted the Irvine Police Department (IPD) after defendants left his home. Lankford thereafter spoke with an IPD officer and falsely claimed that he had been at Victim 1’s home for a legitimate law enforcement purpose, that Victim 1 consented to all parties being in his home, and that no force was used. By November 2019, all the defendants had been paid for their efforts. The unindicted co-conspirator paid Turbett’s company approximately $419,813 for services rendered and emailed Turbett to thank him for a “very good job,” the superseding indictment alleges. An indictment is merely an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each extortion-related count and up to 10 years in federal prison for each deprivation of rights-related count. The FBI is investigating this matter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Irvine Police Department provided substantial assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Cassie D. Palmer of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section is prosecuting this case.


title: St. Tammany Parish Man and Georgia Man Indicted for Scheme to Defraud Former Political Candidate and Four Other Louisiana Residents

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that, on August 9, 2024, JOSEPH HAROLD WEST, JR. (“WEST”) , a resident of St. Tammany Parish, and CHASE DUNCAN CAMPBELL (“CAMPBELL”) , a resident of Cobb County, Georgia, were indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343. WEST was also charged with three counts of wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. According to the indictment, from as early as November 2020, and continuing through at least May 2024, WEST and CAMPBELL conspired to: defraud Candidate 1 with fake campaign services; defraud Victim 1 out of approximately $236,867 in fake real estate purchases and associated costs; defraud Victim 2 out of approximately $83,268.05 in fraudulent claims of real estate and title work; and defraud Victims 3 and 4 out of approximately $112,328.18 in connection with a fake legal defense scheme. Among other things, WEST and CAMPBELL utilized numerous fake aliases and occupations, “burner” numbers for text messages and calls, and fraudulent invoices to defraud their victims. If convicted of conspiracy (Count 1), WEST and CAMPBELL each face a maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to the defendant or twice the gross loss to the victim, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. If convicted of wire fraud (Counts 2 through 4), for each count WEST faces a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years in prison, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney, Andre J. Lagarde of the Public Integrity Unit.


title: Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

component: USAO - Virginia, Western

body_text: HARRISONBURG, Va. – A Maryland man, who used the drug dependency of at least three adult women to compel them to engage in commercial sex work, pled guilty today to federal charges. William O’Neil Murray III, 36, pled guilty today to one count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. According to court documents, beginning in December 2021 and continuing through July 2022, Murray engaged in a multistate sex trafficking operation involving at least three adult female victims. Murray recruited and coerced his victims into sex work using their drug dependency as his primary method of control. Murray controlled his victims’ narcotics use, not allowing them to obtain drugs from anyone but himself, therefore taking complete control of each victim’s drug dependency. Murray would withhold drugs from his victims if they did not follow his directions or engage in commercial sex. Many of the victims described becoming “dopesick” when Murray withheld drugs from them. Thus, Murray stood between them and the threat of withdrawal. Murray knew that withholding drugs from the victims would have a coercive effect and incentivize them to obey him. Murray managed every aspect of the commercial sex transactions. The defendant used various commercial sex websites, such as Skipthegames.com to set up dates with commercial sex customers, set the prices, booked the hotel rooms, and transported his victims to the dates. Murray received all the proceeds from the commercial sex acts. Murray maintained strict control over his victims’ activities including requiring them to stay in communication with him while they completed their commercial sex “dates.” Victims were not allowed to go anywhere without Murray’s permission and were punished if they did so. The criminal behavior occurred in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Office and Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s I-81 Human Trafficking Task Force (I-81 HTTF) and the Virginia State Police are investigating the case. The I-81 HTTF is a collaborative effort of law enforcement and community partners focused on identifying instances of human trafficking along the I-81 corridor in the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland; prosecuting those responsible; and providing assistance to the victims impacted by these crimes. The I-81 HTTF includes law enforcement from the counties of Frederick, Clarke, and Shenandoah as well as the cities and towns of Front Royal, Hagerstown, and Frederick, Maryland, and Lord Fairfax Community College. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melanie Smith, Sally Sullivan and Trial Attorney Christina Randall-James with the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the Department of Justice are prosecuting the case for the United States.


title: Two New York City Police Department Detectives and Two Others Charged in Paycheck Protection Program Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - New York, Eastern

body_text: A criminal complaint was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging John Bolden and Anthony Carreira, who are detectives employed by the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Jacqueline Johnson and Christian McKenzie with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The defendants were charged with engaging in a scheme to submit fraudulent applications for loans under the United States Small Business Administration’s (the “SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which Congress created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Bolden, Johnson and McKenzie were arrested today, and their initial appearances are scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Judge Lois Bloom. Carreira has agreed to surrender at a later date. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests and charge. “As alleged, the defendants, including members of law enforcement responsible for upholding the law, defrauded the United States government out of relief funds meant for businesses struggling to survive the pandemic,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “These arrests are a powerful reminder of this Office’s resolve to prosecute anyone who violated the public trust and took advantage of the COVID crisis by stealing from relief programs.” Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Suffolk County Police Department; the SBA’s Office of the Inspector General; the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Office of the Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General; and the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau for their assistance on the case. "John Bolden, an NYPD detective, and two other defendants allegedly crafted a scheme to submit fraudulent applications to receive PPP loans. For over two years, this conspiracy allowed more than 65 individuals to obtain unlawfully granted funds, exploiting a system designed to protect small businesses during a global pandemic. While the overwhelming majority of law enforcement serves with honor, it remains the FBI’s responsibility to apprehend all individuals who intend to manipulate government aid programs, even those entrusted with maintaining a higher standard of integrity," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Curtis. As set forth in court filings, NYPD Detectives Bolden and Carreira owned partnership interests in a franchise location for a tax preparation business. Between May 2020 and October 2022, Bolden engaged in a scheme to defraud the SBA by working with his clients and co-defendants, including Carreira, Johnson and McKenzie, to fraudulently obtain PPP funds. Bolden sought to obtain, and in many cases did obtain, PPP funds for himself, his co-defendants and more than 65 individuals by helping submit online loan applications that contained materially false and fraudulent information. As part of the scheme, Bolden prepared fictitious Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form Schedule C documentation, which accompanied the loan applications, containing false information about his, his co-defendants’ and his clients’ places of employment, gross income and net income. The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 30 years. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew D. Grubin and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Rachel Friedman. The Defendants : JOHN BOLDEN Age: 46 Valley Stream, NY ANTHONY CARREIRA Age: 42 Staten Island, NY JACQUELINE JOHNSON Age: 78 Valley Stream, NY CHRISTIAN MCKENZIE Age: 46 Wheatley Heights, NY E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-MJ-487


title: Drug-Dealing Gun Trafficker Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison – Highlighting Arizona-to-San Diego Illegal Gun Pipeline

component: USAO - California, Southern

body_text: NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 9, 2024 SAN DIEGO – Jarez Roberts, a felon and known gang member, was sentenced in federal court today to nine years in prison for committing various drug and gun-related crimes, including dealing methamphetamine while armed, being a felon in possession of firearms, and unlawfully transporting illegally-acquired firearms from Arizona to San Diego. The case against Roberts was initiated in August 2022, after the San Diego Police Department recovered a loaded handgun from a dumpster in the College Grove Area. ATF investigators were then able to trace the firearm to a sale at Randall’s Sporting Goods in Glendale, Arizona. The handgun had been purchased only two days prior to its recovery in San Diego. According to his plea agreement, in 2022 Roberts repeatedly coordinated the illegal purchase of handguns from an Arizona resident, later identified as Lillian Shingleton. Roberts then drove to Arizona on multiple occasions to acquire the handguns and transport them back to San Diego. Once in San Diego, Roberts used one of the firearms to protect himself while he dealt methamphetamine. On June 6, 2024, Shingleton pleaded guilty to being Roberts’ source of firearms in Arizona. Shingleton was arrested in Arizona and removed to San Diego to face federal charges for aiding and abetting Roberts. According to her plea agreement, Shingleton knew that Roberts was unable to lawfully purchase firearms for himself and that she was paid a commission for each gun she acquired for him. As part of her plea, Shingleton also agreed that federal prosecutors could prove that Roberts was a felon and a gang member. The Roberts-Shingleton connection is just one example of recent federal prosecutions involving firearms unlawfully obtained in Arizona and trafficked to San Diego. Just last month, on July 29, 2024, Jacob Gall-Carrizosa pleaded guilty to transporting firearms without a federal license. According to his plea agreement, Gall-Carrizosa traveled from San Diego to Arizona on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2022, to unlawfully buy eleven different firearms. To complete each purchase, Gall-Carrizosa used an Arizona Identification Card that falsely claimed he was an Arizona resident. After purchasing the firearms in Yuma, he brought them back to San Diego for illegal resale. One of the firearms illegally sold by Gall-Carrizosa was then recovered by law enforcement in Tijuana, Mexico. “Trafficking firearms across state lines creates a dangerous pipeline for illegal weapons,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “By bringing cases like these to justice, we are keeping guns out of the wrong hands.” “The primary goal of ATF’s firearms trafficking strategy is to prevent violent crime by disrupting and dismantling the firearms trafficking organizations and networks responsible for supplying violent offenders with crime guns,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge of Los Angeles Field Division Christopher Bombardiere. “ATF’s strategy is multi-faceted and includes the inspection of licensed gun dealers, targeting and arresting straw purchasers, and a greater intelligence-driven emphasis by identifying and targeting these individuals responsible for organizing and directing firearms trafficking operations. ATF remains committed to arresting those who illegally supply firearms to prohibited individuals, and by deterring the diversion of firearms from lawful commerce into the illegal market.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office has recently fortified efforts to address gun violence though increased prosecutions. The office has so far charted a 40 percent increase in gun-related prosecutions in 2024 versus 2023, with five months still remaining in the year. Given the proliferation of ghost guns, the office has also emphasized prosecutions involving these homemade weapons that are very difficult to trace. Prosecutors have charged more than 30 ghost gun-related cases since the beginning of the year. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Haden and Allison B. Rogge. DEFENDANTS Case Number 22cr2488-TWR Jarez Roberts Age: 44 San Diego, CA Case Number 24cr249-TWR Lillian Shingleton Age: 38 Phoenix, Arizona Case Number 24cr1252-AGS Jacob Gall-Carrizosa Age: 39 San Diego, CA SUMMARY OF CHARGES Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute – Title 21, U.S.C. Section 841 Maximum penalty: Forty years in prison and $5 million fine Possession of a Firearm in the Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Activity – Title 18, U.S.C. Section 924(c) Maximum penalty: Life in Prison, mandatory five years and $250,000 fine Felon in Possession of Firearms – Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922(g)(1) Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine Unlicensed Transportation of Firearms – Title 18, U.S.C. Section 922(a)(3) Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine INVESTIGATING AGENCY Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.


title: Harrisburg Man Charged With Narcotics Distribution And Firearms Offenses

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Frederick G. Guider, age 41, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted on August 7, 2024, by a federal grand jury for possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances and three firearms offenses. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on October 27, 2023, in Dauphin County, Guider possessed the following controlled substances with the intent to distribute: fentanyl; psilocybin; cocaine; marijuana; and 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Additionally, it is alleged that Guider possessed more than twenty firearms of varying style and caliber in furtherance of his drug trafficking. The firearms listed on the indictment include, among others, 9mm semi-automatic pistols, a 20-gauge short-barreled shotgun, 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifles, and two machinegun conversion devices. It is further alleged that Guider possessed these firearms and accompanying ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Lastly, Guider is charged directly for possessing two machineguns. This matter was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police, Dauphin County Drug Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Dukes is prosecuting the case. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is a life term of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy Welcomes 41st Annual National Black Prosecutors Association Conference to Boston

body_text: BOSTON – Last week, Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy welcomed over 400 prosecutors from around the nation to the 41st Annual National Black Prosecutors Association (NBPA) Conference. “It was an honor for our office to co-host the NBPA this year, and welcome so many talented prosecutors from around the nation to Boston,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “Boston is steeped in history, culture and diversity with black lawyers playing a critical role in our criminal justice system at the federal and state level. The week-long conference focused on learning, networking and training opportunities, and it was also wonderful to see the NBPA and our counterparts from across the country embrace all that Boston has to offer. I want to thank the NBPA and the many partners who made this conference a reality.” Chaired by Rilwan Adeduntan, Chief of the Office’s Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit, the conference serves as a platform for advancing dialogue on key topics such as justice reform, community engagement and the promotion of diversity within the legal profession. Throughout the week, attendees engaged in a series of workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions guided by this year’s conference theme “ Educate, Advocate, Innovate: Inspiring the Future of Prosecution .” The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to supporting the NBPA’s mission and contributing to its ongoing efforts to achieve justice and equity for all. The NBPA is the only professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of Blacks as prosecutors. Founded in 1983, NBPA’s membership is comprised of over 800 prosecutors in the continental United States, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada, including both chief and line prosecutors from local, state and federal offices, as well as law students, former prosecutors and law enforcement personnel. The NBPA is emerging as the international association of Black law enforcement professionals with a reputation for providing education and leadership in the legal profession through its intensive training sessions and multi-disciplined networking.


title: Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Federal Prison for Targeting and Robbing Victims Selling Apple Products on OfferUp

component: USAO - Florida, Southern

body_text: MIAMI - Last month, Jordan Denzel Lewis, 24, was sentenced to 336 months in federal prison for conspiring to rob and robbing several people who had various types of Apple products for sale on the online marketplace application OfferUp. His co-defendants Tyrell Brion Bouie, Anthony Christopher Diggs Jr., and Johntaevious Henry Johnson were sentenced to 126, 108, and 47 months, respectively, in federal prison. Each defendant previously pled guilty for his respective involvement in the conspiracy and was ordered to serve five years of supervised release following the prison sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal. From September to October 2022, Lewis, Bouie, Diggs, and Johnson contacted victims who had posted electronics for sale online through OfferUp. After contacting the victims and pretending to be interested in purchasing the electronics, Lewis and his co-defendants would meet the victims at an agreed public location such as a parking lot or restaurant, and instead of purchasing the items, Lewis, Bouie, Diggs, and Johnson would rob the victims. On some occasions, they brandished guns or used violence during the robberies. U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, and Chief W. Howard Harrison of the Plantation Police Department made the announcement. FBI Miami and Plantation Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deric Zacca and Vanessa Bonhomme prosecuted it. This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN. You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov , under case number 23-cr-60138. ###


title: Nashville Couple Pleads Guilty to COVID Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - North Carolina, Eastern

body_text: RALEIGH, N.C. – Joe Lewis Jefferson, 49, of Nashville, North Carolina, pled guilty for executing a scheme to defraud a program designed to help struggling North Carolinians stay in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. He faces up to 31 years in prison. On March 27, 2024, Jefferson’s wife, Danyael Davis Jefferson, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud for her role in the scheme. According to information presented in court, Jefferson recruited others to falsely pose as landlords for properties located in Eastern North Carolina. In the names of these nominee landlords, Jefferson prepared and submitted fraudulent North Carolina Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (NC HOPE) loan applications for emergency rental assistance. When the applications were approved, NC HOPE mailed checks to addresses controlled by Jefferson. Jefferson traveled with the nominee landlords to area banks to negotiate the checks and split the proceeds. Jefferson and his co-conspirators were responsible for the submission of at least 44 fraudulent applications for rental assistance, resulting in the disbursement of approximately $279,000. The NC HOPE Program administered federal COVID-19 relief funds and provided emergency rental assistance to North Carolina renters who faced eviction and homelessness during the pandemic. The Program allowed renters to submit an online application to apply for rental assistance. If approved, the Program paid the tenant’s rent, in checks sent directly to the landlord, for up to 15 months of overdue or future rent payments. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after United States Magistrate Judge Robert T. Numbers, II accepted the plea. Sentencing will occur before United States District Judge James C. Dever, II, later this year. The investigation is being conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan is prosecuting the case. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-00493.


title: Wetzel County Man Admits to Methamphetamine Charge

component: USAO - West Virginia, Northern

body_text: WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael E. Stout, 63, of Smithfield, West Virginia, has admitted to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents and statements made in court, during a traffic stop in Bridgeport, West Virginia, an officer observed a suspicious substance in Stout’s shirt pocket. A search of the vehicle yielded 578 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl, a firearm, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and $1,904. Stout faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the Bridgeport Police Department investigated. U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.


title: Laguna Beach Businessman Who Served as Executor of Wealthy Clients’ Estates Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Nearly $6 Million

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man, who ran a business in which he served as the executor of the estates of wealthy people, pleaded guilty today to embezzling nearly $6 million from his clients over a period of several years. David Robert McDonnell, 74, of Laguna Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. According to his plea agreement, from 2018 to January 2024, McDonnell ran a Laguna Beach-based company, McDonnell Business Services. Through his company, high-net-worth individuals hired McDonnell to be the executor of their trusts. As an executor, McDonnell’s job was to manage the trusts’ assets and – when the individuals died – to sell the assets and distribute the proceeds to the trusts’ beneficiaries. Instead of doing this, McDonnell liquidated the assets and diverted funds to his personal bank accounts. McDonnell admitted in his plea agreement to misappropriating approximately $5.9 million from approximately four trusts. For example, in August 2020, McDonnell wrote a check for $300,000 from the account of a victim trust located in Capistrano Beach to his own personal bank account. These funds were processed by Bank of America through computer servers in Texas. United States District Judge James V. Selna scheduled a December 9 sentencing hearing, at which time McDonnell will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The FBI and the Laguna Beach Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.


title: Buffalo man pleads guilty to receipt of child pornography

body_text: BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Odilio A. Gonzalez, 29, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between July 8 and August 2020, Gonzalez engaged in sexual communications with an 11-year-old minor female (Victim) using Instagram. During these communications, Gonzalez persuaded the Victim to create sexually explicit images and videos of herself and send them to him. Gonzalez also received child pornography using the internet, which he saved on his cellular telephone, and in social media accounts. In total, 30 images and 89 videos of child pornography were recovered. Some of the images and videos contained depictions of violence against children. The plea is the result of an investigation the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger. Sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Arcara. # # # #


title: Henderson Kentucky Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Child-Related Sex Offenses

component: USAO - Kentucky, Western

body_text: Owensboro, KY – A Henderson, Kentucky, man was sentenced last week to 30 years in federal prison for numerous child-related sex offenses. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, and Special Agent in Charge Robert Holman of the United States Secret Service, made the announcement. “I commend the work of the prosecutors assigned to this case as well the outstanding investigative effort conducted by Kentucky Attorney General Coleman’s Department of Criminal Investigations and the Secret Service,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. “The collaboration between our federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel in this case is indicative of the ongoing work of our Western District law enforcement personnel and absolutely crucial as we identify and prosecute individuals who exploit our most vulnerable citizens.” “The zealous collaboration among local, state and federal partners put this predator behind bars, where he belongs,” said Attorney General Coleman. “I’m grateful to everyone who played a role in protecting Kentucky’s children from horrific exploitation.” According to court documents, Collin Marshall Newton, 25, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by a 30-year period of supervised release, for one count of sex trafficking of children, two counts of online enticement of a minor, three counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of attempted online enticement of a minor, and one count of distribution of child pornography. Newton was also ordered to pay $3,042.14 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the Kentucky State Police and the St. Matthews Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jo Lawless and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.” ###


title: Brockton Woman Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Gun Charges

body_text: BOSTON – Member of a nationwide drug trafficking ring was sentenced today in federal court in Boston. Throughout the investigation over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized. An illegal marijuana grow operation with hundreds of marijuana plants was also dismantled. Robyn Costa, 39, of Brockton, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 102 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In November 2022, Costa pleaded guilty to three counts of a superseding indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The superseding indictment also charged 10 other defendants with controlled substance offenses, firearm offenses and money laundering offenses. In approximately October 2020, investigators received information about drug trafficking activities of a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in the Boston area. In late 2020, investigators identified Reshat Alkayisi as a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker, who distributed multi-pound quantities to multiple co-conspirators throughout the New England area. Costa was identified as one of Alkayisi’s methamphetamine distributors. In April 2021, Alkayisi distributed approximately five pounds (or 2.1 kilograms) of pure methamphetamine to Costa. Investigators arrested Costa following that meeting and seized the methamphetamine, as well as a loaded Smith & Wesson semi-automatic firearm, from Costa’s vehicle. Costa is the second defendant to be sentenced. All other defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; and Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown and Waltham Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: Attorney General Garland, Secretary Haaland of the Department of the Interior Highlight Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human Trafficking Crises in New Mexico Visit

body_text: Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland were in New Mexico today to highlight the work of the Biden-Harris Administration in helping address public safety, including the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crises throughout Indian Country. The leaders were briefed by representatives of both Departments at the headquarters of the Interior Department’s Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU), and held a listening session with the Eight Northern Pueblos, which include the Nambé, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos and Tesuque Pueblos. “The Justice Department is committed to working with the Department of the Interior and with our Tribal partners to confront the crisis of missing or murdered Indigenous persons and the scourge of human trafficking,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am grateful to Secretary Haaland for her extraordinary leadership and for her partnership in our urgent shared work to advance safety and security in Tribal communities and to pursue justice for Native victims of crime.” “It was my honor to be home in New Mexico with Attorney General Garland today to share, listen and learn about how the federal government can continue to be an active partner in the fight to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human Trafficking crises that have plagued Indian Country since colonization began,” said Secretary Haaland. “Together, the Interior and Justice Departments have made significant progress during the Biden-Harris administration, but we must continue to do everything we can to ensure that investments, resources and attention are paid to this critical issue.” Under Attorney General Garland and Secretary Haaland’s leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration has worked to address the high rates of violent crime in Indian Country: Law Enforcement Collaboration: At the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and FBI announced an agreement to provide for the effective and efficient administration of criminal investigations in Indian Country. The agreement specified that BIA’s Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) and the FBI would cooperate on investigations and share information and investigative reports as well as establish written guidelines outlining jurisdiction and investigative roles and responsibilities. The agreement also requires that all BIA, FBI and Tribal law enforcement officers receive training regarding trauma-informed, culturally responsive investigative approaches. Access to Justice Department Resources: Since 2021, the Justice Department has provided over $732 million in funding awards, including $268 million this past year, to help enhance Tribal justice systems and strengthen law enforcement responses. These awards have gone toward improving the handling of child abuse cases, combating domestic and sexual violence, supporting Tribal youth programs, and strengthening victim services in Tribal communities. Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU): As one of her first acts as Secretary, Secretary Haaland created a new MMU within BIA-OJS to pursue justice for missing or murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU, headquartered in Albuquerque, provides leadership and direction for cross-Departmental and interagency work involving missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU has enabled the Interior Department to expand its collaborative efforts with other agencies, such as working to enhance the Justice Department’s National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and working through strategic partnerships with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Units (BAUs), the FBI Forensic Laboratory, the USMS’ Missing Child Unit (MCU) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). MMIP Regional Outreach Program: Since the start of this Administration, the Justice Department has made strides in implementing systems aimed at preventing new instances of MMIP, locating individuals who are reported missing, and, where a crime has occurred, investigating and prosecuting those responsible. In Summer 2023, the Department launched an MMIP Regional Outreach Program . This program places attorneys and coordinators at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people. Not Invisible Act Commission: The Departments worked collaboratively to stand up the Not Invisible Act Commission , which was created by legislation the Secretary led in Congress, to develop recommendations on how the federal government can combat crimes against American Indian and Alaska Native people. The Commission included federal, state, and Tribal law enforcement, Tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors. In 2023, the Commission held seven field hearings across the country as well as a virtual national hearing to hear directly from individuals affected by the MMIP crisis. In March 2024, the Departments released their response to the Commission’s recommendations, which they are in the process of implementing in collaboration with Congress. Operation Not Forgotten: The FBI established this operation to focus resources on seeking justice for Tribal community members who have been victims of unresolved crimes. Operation Not Forgotten first surged resources to Tribal communities in 2023 with the mission of examining cases that have gone unresolved. The goal was to move those cases closer to resolution, provide services for victims, and to bring offenders to justice, who had so far escaped it. Due to the success of the 2023 operation, the FBI is currently partnering with the BIA-MMU to surge resources in 2024. BIA-MMU is providing significant intelligence and investigative support for the duration of the operation. Over 45 special agents and five intelligence personnel have deployed in support of the 2024 operation. White House Council on Native American Affairs: At the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Biden signed Executive Order 14053 on Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People directing the Departments of Justice, the Interior, and Health and Human Services to work with Tribal Nations and partners to build safe and healthy Tribal communities and to support comprehensive law enforcement, prevention, intervention and support services. President Biden signed the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 into law, which built on advancements from previous reauthorizations and included new provisions to address the crisis of MMIP across the country and re-enforced Tribal sovereignty by providing means for Tribes to address the epidemic of violence within their lands and communities. The White House Council on Native American Affairs is continuing to implement this work through its Public Safety and Justice committee, which is co-chaired by the Departments of Justice and the Interior, as part of an all of government approach to address public safety and the MMIP crisis. International Collaboration: The United States is also working with its international counterparts from Canada and Mexico to address public safety issues on a larger scale. In September 2023, Canada chaired the Fifth Convening of the Trilateral Working Group on Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and government officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico and global subject-matter experts. Discussions at this year’s convening focused on human trafficking and access to justice. Officials from the three countries agreed to continue to protect and uphold the rights of Indigenous women, learn from and implement Indigenous-led approaches, provide accessible and culturally safe services, and support the preservation of Indigenous cultures and languages. A sixth gathering is expected later this year.