Former Washburn Athlete, Topeka Woman Sentenced to 30 Months for Bank Robbery

TOPEKA, KS—A former Washburn University football player and a Topeka woman have been sentenced for bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Vershon Moore, 21, Topeka, Kansas, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. Co-defendant Tracie Bacon, 22, Topeka, also was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. She pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.

In their pleas, Moore admitted that on August 9, 2011, he robbed the Envista Credit Union at 2015 SW 10th in Topeka. Bacon, who was an employee of the bank, admitted she helped Moore plan the robbery.

Moore admitted he held up two bank employees when they stepped outside the bank carrying cash to refill the ATM. He pulled up to them driving a white SUV, wearing a mask to cover his face, and brandishing a handgun. Investigators learned that Bacon provided Moore with information about the schedule for putting cash in the ATM, and she sent a text to Moore shortly before the robbery. Investigators recovered the stolen money and a gun from the basement of Bacon’s home.

Grissom commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.

Secretary Napolitano Announces "If You See Something, Say Something™" Partnership with NFL for Super Bowl XLVI

INDIANAPOLIS—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today traveled to Indianapolis to highlight the Department’s “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign’s continued partnership with the National Football League (NFL) to help ensure the safety and security of employees, players and fans during the regular season, and Super Bowl XLVI.

“At a major national event like the Super Bowl, security is a shared responsibility and everybody has a role to play in identifying and reporting suspicious activities and threats,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Our partnership with the NFL on the “If You See Something, Say Something™” public awareness campaign during the Super Bowl is a critical part of our efforts to ensure the safety of every employee, player and fan.”

As part of the Department's “If You See Something, Say Something™” partnership with Super Bowl XLVI, campaign graphics will appear on the videoboard and televisions throughout Lucas Oil Stadium on game day. Safety messaging will also be printed in game programs and fan guides for staff, players, and volunteers. Indiana and the City of Indianapolis have continued to expand and support the campaign over the past year since initially partnering with DHS. In addition, "If You See Something, Say Something™" advertisements will be seen throughout Indianapolis at the airport, hotels, restaurants, bars, and on buses, magazines and visitor guides.

While Secretary Napolitano was in Indianapolis, she toured the security operations at Lucas Oil Stadium and saw how the Department of Homeland Security is working with state and local law enforcement partners and the NFL to provide additional security assets to screen cargo, secure the air space and provide personnel security screening training to event security officers.

Secretary Napolitano also participated in a roundtable discussion with representatives from the NCAA, National Federation of High Schools, Indiana Sports Corporation, USA Track & Field, USA Gymnastics, USA Synchronized Swimming and USA Diving, to discuss DHS’ collaboration with amateur sports organizations.

The “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign—originally implemented by New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and now licensed to DHS for a nationwide campaign—is a simple and effective program to engage the public and key frontline employees to identify and report indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities.

The Department launched the “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative—an administration effort to train state and local law enforcement to recognize behaviors and indicators related to terrorism and terrorism-related crime; standardize how those observations are documented and analyzed; and ensure the sharing of those reports with the Federal Bureau of Investigation-led Joint Terrorism Task Forces for further investigation.

Recent expansions of the “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign include partnerships with numerous sports teams and leagues, transportation agencies, private sector partners, states, municipalities, and colleges and universities. DHS also unveiled new Public Service Announcements which have been distributed to television and radio stations across the country.

DHS will continue to expand the “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign nationally to ensure America’s businesses, communities, and citizens remain vigilant and play an active role in keeping the country safe.

For more information, visit DHS.gov.

Michigan Man Charged with Making Threats to Superdome

NEW ORLEANS—SHAWN H. PAYTON, age 34, a resident of Jackson, Michigan, who was recently charged by criminal complaint in the Eastern District of Louisiana with sending threatening communications through interstate commerce, was arrested today by the FBI in Michigan announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to public court documents, on January 7, 2012, at approximately 9:15 p.m., during the nationally televised National Football League (NFL) playoff game between the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions, a threatening phone call was received by the Superdome reception desk. A male caller called the reception desk and asked the receptionist if this was the arena where the New Orleans Saints play. The receptionist stated that it was, and the caller responded that there was a bomb in the building. At this time, the Superdome was filled with over 70,000 people attending the game. A second call came into the Gate F reception desk at approximately 10:00 p.m. The receptionist noticed “7000‑3” on the caller identification, indicating a blocked call. The recorded call obtained from Superdome Information Technology Department confirmed a male caller stated, “Hi, I want you to relay a message to the sideline, if your stupid Southern team keeps winning, there will be reper...severe consequences, okay?” Subsequent investigation by the FBI revealed the caller to be SHAWN H. PAYTON of Jackson, Michigan.

PAYTON made his initial appearance before a United States Magistrate in Detroit today. He was released on bond and ordered to appear in the Eastern District of Louisiana on February 14, 2012.

If convicted, PAYTON faces a maximum term of five years’ imprisonment, and a $250,000.00 fine.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Kennedy.

World Cup Biathlon Concludes in Maine

CBP and Partners Keep Border, Athletes and Spectators Safe

Fort Kent, Maine - Today, Customs and Border Protection officers and agents at the Fort Kent Port of Entry, Van Buren Border Patrol Station and Houlton Air Branch thank their partners on both sides of the border for their assistance with logistics and border security during the World Cup Biathlon which was held in Fort Kent Feb. 10-13.

The World Cup Biathlon was compared to the followership of the Super Bowl and was expected to have more than 120 million spectators viewing events from Europe. With also 300 athletes, coaches and support staff from 22 nations around the world, and thousands of spectators focusing their attention to the physical and mentally demanding endurance sport of marksmanship and cross-country ski racing, it was up to CBP and their partners to ensure the safety of the participants and the spectators and secure the border during this high profile event.

CBP officer working with Canadian officials in Clair, New Brunswick, Canada aligning parade participants and checking for proper documentation for participation in the International Lights Parade.

Over the last couple of months, CBP worked with their local, state, federal and international partners with logistics and border security as they prepared for increased cross-border activity due to the events of the World Cup Biathlon and the International Lights Parade.

Agents and officers maintained high visibility during the four-day operation, in an effort to deter illegal cross-border activity and prevent any potential acts of terrorism. To assist CBP with border security, law enforcement agencies in Canada conducted enhanced patrol and worked with U.S. agencies with timely intelligence which greatly enhanced the effectiveness of border security during this high profile event.

Enhanced land and frozen water boundary line watch operations were conducted by agents from the Van Buren Border Patrol Station, Houlton Office Homeland Security Investigations, constables from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Integrated Border Enforcement Team Division (U.S. and Canada law enforcement agencies), CBP officers from Fort Kent, Madawaska and Van Buren ports of entries, as well as their Canada Border Services Agency counterparts. Aerial support and surveillance was conducted by agents from the Houlton Air Branch.

CBP officers in the Fort Kent area also worked with the World Cup committee and law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, implementing a vetting procedure for participants involved with the International parade. Pre-vetting included filling out an application form with a digital photo, and having a passport or WHTI-compliant document. Once the pre-vetting process was completed, participants were given a float number and passes. This assisted the CBP officer’s inspection process, allowing the participants to cross the international border seamlessly during the parade. On the day of the event, CBP officers were allowed to enter Canada to work with their Canadian partners to ensure each float met the height and width requirements to traverse the Port’s inspection processing equipment and participant had the necessary documentation for the parade.

The International Lights Parade, which took place on Feb. 11, joined two countries for one spectacular event. With 72 floats and approximately 600 participants, the parade started in Clair, New Brunswick, Canada, with participants then walking across the International Bridge, spanning the St. John River, and through Fort Kent, Maine.

To kick off the parade, Maine’s CBP Honor Guard Unit walked to the center of the bridge with Maine Governor Paul LePage and his wife, from the U.S. side, to the boundary line to meet with Canadian officials. Once at the boundary line, the CBP Honor Guard rendered salute to the Canadian flag, performing a pinwheel about face and took over the lead of the parade, leading participants into the United States. CBP Field Operations and Border Patrol each had a lead vehicle and an end of parade vehicle. Both Canada and the United States took turns with a fireworks display at the conclusion of the parade. Also in attendance was celebrity Scottie Pippen, former NBA player and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

Officers also increased manpower to assist with higher than normal cross-border traffic. CBP officers from Van Buren and Madawaska assisted with security and crowd control during the International Lights Parade at the port of entry and in town.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

United States Marshals Service Canine Team Helps Arlington Prepare For Super Bowl XLV

Albuquerque NM - Super Bowl brings together the best teams in football, and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has brought its best K-9 teams to North Texas. Deputy United States Marshal Todd Kozuszko and K-9 Hope, one of 25 K9 teams, are there to provide security for Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6.

Kozuszko and Hope are based in Albuquerque with the United States Marshals Service and will conduct security sweeps at this year’s Super Bowl to locate any type of explosive, firearm or ammunition that may be in close proximity to the stadium or other venue relating to the big game.

Hope is a Labrador retriever, and came from the program Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Kozusko and Hope, attended a 10-week training program conducted at the ATF National Canine Training and Operations Center in Front Royal, Va. ATF trains canines for numerous federal agencies, including the United States Marshals Service. After successfully completing the course, K9 Hope is now able to detect a variety of explosive compounds and materials that could be used in an explosive device. Hope can also detect firearms and ammunition and conduct protective search and sweep operations.

More information on the United States Marshals Service District of New Mexico can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov and more information on ATF and its programs can be located at www.atf.gov.

ATF Explosives Detection Canines Play Major Role at Super Bowl XLV

Shreveport Handler-Canine Team Helps Arlington Prepare For Game day

DALLAS — Super Bowl brings together the best teams in football, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has brought its best K-9 teams to North Texas. Special Agent Dudley Salmon and K-9 Molly, one of 25 K9 teams, are here to provide security for Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6.

“Everything’s bigger in Texas and this Super Bowl is no exception. With more than 100 specially trained personnel, ATF has more resources dedicated to this Super Bowl than in previous years, said Dallas ATF Special Agent in Charge Robert Champion.” “No one agency can secure the hundreds of thousands of fans who will be in the Dallas area this week. The ATF canines are just one of the many tools law enforcement has in place to assure public safety.”

Hood and Jude are based at the Shreveport Fire Department and will conduct security sweeps at this year's Super Bowl to locate any type of explosive, firearm or ammunition that may be in close proximity to the stadium or other venue relating to the big game.

ATF certified K9s are paired with special agents or local law enforcement officer handlers who are working side-by-side with other public safety officers to keep the football teams and fans safe. ATF has used its explosives detecting canines at other special events including the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, the Presidential Inauguration, the G-8, the World Series, NASCAR, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and of course, previous Super Bowls.

ATF’s program, which began in 1986, uses only Labrador retrievers. The dogs are supplied by the Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Guide Dog Foundation, and Canine Companions for Independence. These specialty canines, with their handlers, attend a 10-week training program conducted at the ATF National Canine Training and Operations Center in Front Royal, Va. Upon completion of this course, the canines will be able to detect a variety of explosive compounds and materials that could be used in an explosive device. The canines can also detect firearms and ammunition and are used in the more traditional protective search and sweep operations. Once the canine and the handler complete the ATF basic training course, they begin their field work and continue to train on a daily basis.

More information on ATF and its programs can be located at www.atf.gov.