Army Enhances Border Security Through Partnership, Unique Capabilities

Sept. 19, 2025 | By Army Capt. Samuel DeWerth-Jaffe, Joint Task Force Southern Border |

Joint Task Force Southern Border demonstrates an unprecedented level of interoperability with partner agencies as part of their whole-of-government approach to secure the southern border. 

From the headquarters down to squad-sized elements directly on the border, task force personnel are working alongside U.S. Border Patrol every day, ensuring synchronized efforts to deter illicit activities. 

"My experiences in past deployments and working in Europe have reinforced the importance of partner collaboration — a principle directly applicable to our current mission with Border Patrol," said Army Lt. Col. Cris Gasperini, commander of the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, assigned to JTF-SB. "The integration of our organic assets with those of Border Patrol has been exceptionally effective, demonstrating the necessity of a whole-of-government approach to border security." 

The task force's integration has proven critical to operations across the southern border's diverse terrain. Along the 1,954 miles of the border lie cities, deserts, thick vegetation, rivers and rural communities. 

The varied terrain along the border presents distinct security challenges. These are addressed through both the organic assets of JTF-SB and the complementary capabilities of interagency partners. 

The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar is one of the unique capabilities that the task force uses to address these security challenges at the border and enable U.S. Border Patrol's law enforcement role while also providing defensive capabilities against small unmanned aerial systems. 

The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector, which oversees 268 miles of the southern border in Texas and New Mexico, is one of nine sectors that has seen the benefits of an integrated approach with the task force. 

"The Border Patrol in El Paso focuses on collaboration with various agencies and the Department of War's JTF-SB to enhance border security to target hostile drones and the challenges they pose," said Walter N. Slosar, chief patrol agent with the El Paso Sector. "Enhanced detection capabilities between JTF-SB and U.S. Border Patrol give us full spectrum capabilities to track, identify and mitigate aerial threats." 

JTF-SB and U.S. Border Patrol remain committed to strengthening this vital partnership and continued innovation in the face of evolving threats with a broad range of capabilities. This collaboration serves as a model for future interagency cooperation and underscores the importance of a unified approach to national security. 

Sikes Man Convicted of Firing Shots at Louisiana National Guard Helicopter

SHREVEPORT, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that James Lamar Kelly, age 61, of Sikes, Louisiana, was found guilty of three felony counts by a jury last night in federal court in Alexandria of three counts which charged Kelly with endangering the safety of the pilot of a Louisiana Army National Guard helicopter in flight, committing an act of violence against the pilot, and using a deadly and dangerous weapon to forcibly assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with the pilot.

Testimony at the two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Dee Drell showed that on August 2, 2010, the Louisiana State Police and the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office were conducting a marijuana eradication program detail in Winn Parish. Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) Counter-Drug Task Force helicopters based at Camp Beauregard in Pineville were assisting in this program by providing pilots and helicopters for the Louisiana State Police to use to conduct aerial surveillance. The LANG Counter Drug Task Force is funded and staffed by the U.S. Department of Defense. This case began when a Louisiana State Trooper was in each helicopter making observations of areas where it was suspected marijuana was being cultivated. At about 3:00 p.m., on Shell Road near Sikes, Louisiana, one of these helicopters was fired upon by a person on the ground. The pilot took action and immediately left the area. He landed at the airport in Natchitoches and inspected the helicopter for damage. No bullet holes were found, and neither the pilot nor the trooper on board were injured. Soon thereafter, Louisiana State Police troopers, Winn Parish Sheriff’s deputies, and a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agent located and arrested James Lamar Kelly without incident. They also recovered the 9 mm semiautomatic handgun that Kelly used to shoot at the helicopter.

While at Kelly’s house, Troopers noted a large amount of undelivered mail in various vehicles parked in Kelly’s yard. Kelly was working for a private contractor who had a contract to deliver mail to over 250 U.S. Postal Service customers on a rural route in Winn Parish. Kelly admitted that instead of delivering the mail on his route, he brought it back to his house where he kept it until he either placed it in a dumpster or burned it. Kelly also admitted that he had not been delivering the mail for approximately four years.

Kelly was indicted for the three charges concerning his firing shots at the helicopter and an additional charge of theft of mail. Kelly entered a guilty plea to the theft of mail charge on August 23, 2012, and pled not guilty to the charges related to the helicopter.

Kelly is on bond and scheduled to be sentenced on December 14, 2012, for four offenses of conviction. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on each count concerning the shots fired at the helicopter. The maximum sentence for theft of mail is five years’ imprisonment. Additionally, Kelly can be sentenced a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release on each charge and forfeiture of his firearm.

U.S. Attorney Finley stated, “Firing shots at any aircraft is a serious crime which endangers both those on the aircraft and those below. This Army National Guard helicopter pilot was performing an important mission in assisting the state trooper on board and state police troopers and Winn Parish Sheriff’s deputies on the ground in their drug eradication program. Luckily, no one was hurt by the defendant’s illegal conduct.”

This case was investigated by the Louisiana State Police, Region II in Alexandria, the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General Office, and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert W. Gillespie, Jr.

Justice Department Files Complaint Against Forsyth County, North Carolina, Sheriff for Violating the Employment Rights of Army National Guard Soldier

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today the filing of a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina against Forsyth County, N.C., and the county sheriff, William T. Schatzman, for violating the employment rights of North Carolina Army National Guard soldier Michael Russell under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA).

 The department’s complaint alleges that Sheriff Schatzman and Forsyth County violated USERRA by terminating Russell’s employment with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) without cause and without notice within one year after his reemployment following his return from active military duty.  Russell, an Iraq War veteran who is currently serving with the Army National Guard in Afghanistan, had worked as a deputy sheriff and sergeant deputy sheriff with FCSO since 1989.  In February 2010, Russell completed a one-year deployment to Iraq with the North Carolina Army National Guard and returned to his position with Forsyth County as a sergeant deputy sheriff.  On Nov. 29, 2010, less than one year following Russell’s reinstatement to his position, Sheriff Schatzman and Forsyth County discharged Russell from his employment without cause.

 According to the Justice Department’s complaint, Russell’s employment was terminated because of Sheriff Schatzman’s belief that Russell had supported the election campaign of another candidate for Forsyth County sheriff, Dave Griffith.  Russell did not support Griffith’s campaign for Forsyth County Sheriff.  With the objective of winning a motorcycle rather than the purpose of supporting Griffith’s campaign, Russell purchased raffle tickets, at total cost of $100, for a motorcycle raffle whose proceeds went to Griffith’s campaign.  Sheriff Schatzman and Forsyth County failed to provide notice to Russell that purchase of tickets for a raffle sponsored by a campaign would constitute cause for discharge.

 “The men and women who wear our nation’s uniform need to know that they will be protected from unjust terminations when they return from significant periods of military service,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  “The Civil Rights Division is committed to aggressive enforcement of USERRA to protect our brave service members, whose rights do not end with their first day back on the job.”

 Russell initially filed a complaint with the Labor Department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which investigated the matter, determined that the complaint had merit and referred the matter to the Justice Department.  The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division subsequently decided to represent Russell in this matter and filed this lawsuit on his behalf.

 USERRA prohibits employers from discriminating against service members with respect to employment opportunities based on their past, current or future uniformed service obligations.  USERRA also provides service members, such as Russell, special protection from discharge from civilian employment after returning from uniformed service, such as a deployment.  Under USERRA, if an individual served over 180 days before returning to civilian employment, then he or she may not be discharged from the civilian employment position within one year, except for cause.  In order to discharge an individual for conduct during this protected period, an employer must show that it was reasonable to discharge the employee for that conduct, and that the employee had notice that the conduct would constitute cause for discharge.

 Among other things, the suit seeks compensation for Russell’s lost wages and benefits and reinstatement of Russell’s employment with FCSO.

 This case is being handled by the Employment Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Army Master Sergeant Arrested by AFOSI and the FBI

TAMPA—On Wednesday, May 30, 2012, special agents from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and the FBI Innocent Images Task Force (IITF) arrested Army Master Sergeant Thomas Meyer, age 42, at his residence this morning without incident. A federal search warrant was also executed at Meyer’s residence today.

The law enforcement activity was the culmination of investigative efforts by the AFOSI; Largo Police Department; Kenton County Police Department, Kentucky; Pennsylvania State Police; United States Postal Inspection Service; and the FBI.

Meyer will be facing federal charges, including attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, and transfer of obscene material to an individual under the age of 16. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years in federal prison for the production charge; a mandatory minimum penalty of five years, up to 20 years in federal prison for the transportation charge; and up to 10 years in federal prison for the transfer of obscene matter charge.

The FBI’s IITF is an intelligence-driven, proactive investigative initiative that combats the proliferation of child pornography and child sexual exploitation facilitated by the Internet. The mission of the IITF is to reduce the vulnerability of children to acts of sexual exploitation and abuse facilitated through computers; to identify and rescue witting and unwitting child victims; and to investigate and prosecute sexual predators who use the Internet to sexually exploit children for personal and financial gain.

The charges in the complaint are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent, unless, and until proven guilty.

Federal Grand Jury Returns Multiple Indictments in Tyler

TYLER, TX—A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments on May 2, 2012, charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

David Anthony, 51, of Texarkana, Arkansas, was indicted on charges of theft of government property. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on March 18, 2012, Anthony is alleged to have stolen brass, which belonged to the Department of the Army, from the Red River Army Depot. The resulting loss to the government was more than $1,000. This case is being investigated by the Red River Army Depot and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

Thomas Rochelle, III, 34, of Texarkana, Texas, was indicted on charges of theft of personal property within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. If convicted, he faces up to one year in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Mar. 19, 2012, Rochelle is alleged to have stolen an iPhone which belonged to another person while he was in the jurisdiction of the United States at the Red River Army Depot. This case is being investigated by the Red River Army Depot and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

Santos Silva-Hernandez, 43, an inmate at the Texarkana Federal Correctional Institution, was charged with possession of contraband in a prison. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Nov. 26, 2011, Silva-Hernandez is alleged to have been in possession of marijuana while incarcerated in a federal correctional facility. This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Texarkana FCI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise O. Simpson.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Army Recruiter from Midland, Texas Arrested on Federal Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

ALBUQUERQUE—This morning, Arnold Gonzales made his initial appearance in federal court in Albuquerque on a criminal complaint charging him with (1) interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and (2) using communication facilities to coerce and entice a minor to engage in a criminal sexual act. Gonzales, 26, is a military recruiter employed by the U.S. Army who is stationed in the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Midland, Texas. If convicted of the charges in the complaint, Gonzales faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and a lifetime of supervised release. Gonzales also will be required to register as a sex offender, if convicted.

Gonzales was arrested in Clovis on May 2, 2012, and is temporarily detained pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for May 4, 2012.

According to the criminal complaint, between April 24, 2012 and May 2, 2012, Gonzales allegedly used a computer and cellular phone to entice an individual whom he believed to be under 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity. The complaint also alleges that Gonzales traveled from Oklahoma, Oklahoma to Clovis, New Mexico for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with a person whom he believed to be a 12-year-old girl.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Gonzales was charged as the result of an undercover investigation by the Curry County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). The complaint alleges that, on April 24, 2012, Gonzales responded to an online advertisement placed by a CCSO undercover agent that was entitled, “CUTE/YOUNG IF AGE DOESN’T MATTER HIT ME UP,” in an e-mail that included two photos of himself, including one in his military uniform. Gonzales’ e-mail initiated a stream of e-mail and texting communication during which the CCSO agent represented himself as a 12-year-old girl whose family would be relocating to Germany in two weeks, and Gonzales asked the “girl” to send him nude photos of herself in sexually explicit positions and discussed the sexual acts that he wanted to engage in with the “girl.”

The complaint alleges that on May 1, 2012, Gonzales sent a text to the CCSO agent indicating that he would be traveling to Clovis the following day for the purpose of having sex with the “girl.” On May 2, 2012, Gonzales allegedly arrived at a location in Clovis provided to him by the CCSO agent and was arrested by the CCSO. According to the complaint, Gonzales allegedly arrived in a vehicle with a government license plate and was “on duty” when he was arrested.

The case was investigated by the CCSO and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlyn E. Rees. It 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case also was brought as part of the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose mission it is to locate, track, and capture Internet child sexual predators and Internet child pornographers in New Mexico. There are 61 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies associated with the task force, which is funded by a grant administered by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. Anyone with information relating to suspected child predators and suspected child abuse is encouraged to contact federal or local law enforcement.

Charges in criminal complaints are only accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.