U.K. Resident Extradited on Charges He Traveled to Ohio to Have Sex with a Juvenile

Richard Castle, 46, a resident of the United Kingdom, has been extradited to the United States where he faces charges of coercion of a minor, travelling with intent to engage in illicit sexual contact with a minor, and transferring obscene material to minors. The charges are related to a trip he allegedly made to Ohio from his home in order to have sexual relations with a juvenile in June 2011.

Mythili Raman, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Carter M. Stewart, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and William A. Hayes, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Ohio and Michigan announced the charges today after Castle appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Dayton, Ohio, who ordered him held without bond pending trial.

Members of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Extradition Team and International Assistance Unit, housed within New Scotland Yard, arrested Castle at his home in Northampton, England on Jan. 12, 2012 and seized at least one computer.

The three-count indictment alleges that Castle, posing as a male named Richard Joshua Parker, used the internet between March 2009 and June 2011 to coerce a juvenile to engage in illicit sexual activity. He allegedly flew to Dayton in June 2011 to engage in illicit sexual relations with the juvenile and stayed approximately three weeks. The indictment also accuses Castle of transferring obscene materials to a juvenile.

Coercion and enticement of a minor is punishable by at least ten years in prison and up to life. Travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct is punishable by up to 30 years and transfer of obscene material to minors is punishable by up to 10 years.

Raman and Stewart acknowledged the cooperative investigation by the Englewood Police Department, Vandalia Police Department and HSI special agents, as well as the invaluable support provided by the Miami Valley Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the U.S. Marshals Service, the HSI Attache London Office, and the assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs in Castle’s extradition.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheila Lafferty with the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Mi Yung Claire Park with the Department of Justice’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are representing the United States in the case.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Arizona Businessmen and California Attorney Convicted for Hiding Millions in Secret Foreign Bank Accounts at UBS AG and Pictet & Cie

A jury convicted Stephen M. Kerr and Michael Quiel yesterday on federal tax charges stemming from their failure to disclose secret offshore bank accounts in Switzerland, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced. Kerr and Quiel, prominent Phoenix businessmen, were each convicted of two counts of filing false individual income tax returns for 2007 and 2008 . Kerr was also convicted of two counts of failing to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). San Diego attorney Christopher M. Rusch had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government and failing to file an FBAR on Feb. 6, 2013. 

 

According to the evidence presented at trial, Kerr and Quiel, with the assistance of Rusch and others, including Swiss nationals, established nominee foreign entities and corresponding bank accounts at UBS AG and Pictet & Cie to conceal Kerr and Quiel’s ownership and control of stock and income that were deposited into these accounts. Rusch testified at trial, admitting that he and others caused the sale of the shares of stock through the undeclared accounts . Kerr also hired Rusch to facilitate the domestic sale of 11.4 million shares of stock held in the name of a foreign entity controlled by Kerr and to transfer the proceeds from the sale of the stock to an undeclared foreign account at UBS AG to conceal that the money was income to Kerr that should have been reported on his tax returns. 

 

The evidence established that in order to create a further layer of separation between Kerr and Quiel and the income they concealed in the undeclared foreign accounts, they directed Rusch to transfer some of the money in the undeclared accounts back to the United States through Rusch’s Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Account (IOLTA) before dispersing the money for Kerr and Quiel’s benefit. Rusch transferred approximately $2,000,000 through his IOLTA account so that Kerr could purchase a golf course in Erie, Colo.  Additionally, after transferring approximately $955,000 from Quiel’s undeclared foreign accounts to his IOLTA account, at Quiel’s direction, Rusch wrote checks payable to an Arizona bank account owned and controlled by Quiel. 

 

According to trial evidence, Kerr and Quiel filed false tax returns with the IRS that failed to report the proceeds of stock sales, interest and dividend income earned through the secret accounts, and further failed to report that they had a financial interest in bank accounts located in Switzerland. Kerr also failed to file FBARs in 2007 and 2008 that reported his offshore accounts to the IRS.  Accountants for Kerr and Quiel testified that neither Kerr nor Quiel disclosed the existence of their offshore accounts in Switzerland during the preparation of their tax returns.

 

“Many investigations are underway and focusing upon an ever wider circle of banks worldwide, their clients and others who would help the clients try to hide income and assets offshore,” said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. “The lesson of today’s guilty verdicts is that no hiding place will prove safe enough.”

 

“This prosecution serves notice that the Department of Justice will not tolerate fraudulent activity designed to undermine the integrity of our income tax system,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona John S. Leonardo.

 

“Clients, as well as promoters, of international tax fraud are under the watchful scrutiny of the IRS.” said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS-Criminal Investigation. “Mr. Kerr and Mr. Quiel disregarded their legal responsibility to file true and accurate tax returns reporting all their income and interest.  They now face substantial monetary penalties and the risk of incarceration.”

 

U.S. citizens who have an interest in, or signature or other authority over, a financial account in a foreign country with assets in excess of $10,000 are required to disclose the existence of such accounts on Schedule B, Part III, of their individual income tax returns. Additionally, U.S. citizens must file an FBAR with the U.S. Treasury disclosing any financial account in a foreign country with assets in excess of $10,000 in which they have a financial interest, or over which they have signature or other authority.  

 

Sentencing for Kerr and Quiel is scheduled for June 25, 2013. Sentencing for Rusch is scheduled for July 17, 2013. 

 

Department of Justice Tax Division Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Keneally thanked special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, who provided valuable assistance in conducting the investigation, and Trial Attorneys Timothy Stockwell and Monica Edelstein who prosecuted the case. 

DEA Continues to Act Against Synthetic Drugs

Agency Targets Four Substances Used to Make So-Called “Fake Pot” and “Bath Salts”

APRIL 12 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a Final Rule to permanently control 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (methylone) and a Notice of Intent to temporarily schedule three synthetic cannabinoids.

The first of two notices published in the Federal Register this morning is a Final Rule permanently placing methylone, a synthetic stimulant drug that has been encountered in falsely marketed “bath salt” products, into Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act,  the most restrictive category that is reserved for unsafe, highly abused substances with no accepted medical use.  Methylone is abused by individuals for its psychoactive effects, and this abuse has had an adverse effect on public health and safety, including death.   DEA temporarily scheduled methylone on October 21, 2011 upon finding it posed an imminent hazard to public safety.  In addition the United States Department of Health and Human Services concluded that it should be controlled.   On October 17, 2012, DEA proposed to make its Schedule I status permanent, taking steps that conclude with today’s Final Rule.

Over the past two years, synthetic stimulants sold under the guise of “bath salts” or “plant food” has become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults, and is sold at a variety of retail outlets and over the Internet.  However, they have not been approved by the FDA for human consumption or for medical use.  Marketed under names such as “Ivory Wave”, “Purple Wave”, “Vanilla Sky” or “Bliss,” these products are comprised of substances perceived as mimics of cocaine, LSD, MDMA, and/or methamphetamine.  Users have reported impaired perception, reduced motor control, disorientation, extreme paranoia, and violent episodes. The long-term physical and psychological effects of these substances and their associated products are unknown but potentially severe.

The second Federal Register Notice published today is a Notice of Intent to temporarily control three synthetic cannabinoids (UR-144, XLR11, and AKB48) often seen in falsely marketed “herbal incense” products.   DEA has taken action upon finding these three substances pose an imminent hazard to public safety.  This action will become effective upon publishing a Final Order to temporarily control these substances as Schedule I substances for up to two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Over the past three years, smoke-able herbal blends are marketed under the guise of being “legal” and have become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults.  These products consist of plant material that has been laced with a substance that mimics THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, and are sold at a variety of retail outlets, in head shops and over the Internet.  These substances have not been approved by the FDA for human consumption or for medical use.   The long-term physical and psychological effects of these substances and their associated products are unknown but potentially severe. 

U.S. Marshals Task Force Takes Down Fugitive Wanted for Multiple Violent Crimes

Cleveland, OH – U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, Cuyahoga County Sheriff Frank Bova and Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath announce the arrest of fugitive John Alexander. This morning, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Alexander, age 23, at a residence near the 14000 block of Lincoln Ave. in Cleveland. Alexander was wanted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a homicide that took place in early March of this year. The incident occurred around E. 151st and Glendale Ave in Cleveland. Alexander was also wanted for attempted homicide, aggravated robbery, and kidnapping stemming from an incident that happened in August of last year when Alexander allegedly shot a man after stealing his money near E. 79th and Kinsman Ave. in Cleveland.

 The NOVFTF developed information recently that Alexander was staying at the residence on Lincoln Ave. in Cleveland. Task force members approached the address this morning and set up a perimeter around the home. Officers knocked on the door and after several minutes Alexander surrendered without incident. Alexander was transported to the Cleveland Police Central Processing Unit after his arrest. 

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said, “This individual was wanted for multiple acts of violence within our communities over a long period of time and we are thankful to now have him in custody. We are hopeful that this arrest will bring some peace to the victims and their families.”

 Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tip to TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.

 

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Village Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service and the Westlake Police Department.

Fifty-Seven Charged with Operating Illegal Online Sports Gaming Business

Indictment Seeks Forfeiture Money Judgment of $1 Billion

 

Thirty-four individuals and 23 entities have been indicted and accused of operating an illegal sports bookmaking business that solicited more than $1 billion in illegal bets, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma Sanford C. Coats.

“These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. “Today’s charges demonstrate that we are as determined as ever to hold accountable those involved in facilitating illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates, or where the defendants reside.”

“The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries,” said U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats.  “I thank the IRS and FBI for their diligent work over several years to investigate this billion dollar international gambling enterprise.”

According to the indictment, Bartice Alan King, aka “Luke” and “Cool,” 42, of Spring, Texas, conspired with others to operate internet and telephone gambling services first from San Jose, Costa Rica and then from Panama City, which took wagers almost exclusively from gamblers in the United States seeking to place bets on sports. Known since 2003 as Legendz Sports, the enterprise allegedly used bookies located in the United States to illegally solicit and accept sports wagers as well as settle gambling debts.

The 34 defendants are alleged to have been employees, members and associates of the ongoing Legendz Sports enterprise.  The 23 corporate defendants are alleged to have been used by Legendz Sports to facilitate gambling operations, operate as payment processors, own websites and domain names used in the enterprise, launder gambling funds and make payouts to gamblers.

The indictment alleges that Legendz Sports sought to maximize the number of gamblers who opened wagering accounts by offering both “post-up” betting, which requires a bettor to first set up and fund an account before placing bets and “credit” betting, which allowed the bettor to place a wager without depositing money in advance through face-to-face meetings with bookies or agents.

The indictment alleges that Legendz Sports solicited millions of illegal bets totaling over $1 billion.
“These defendants allegedly participated in an illegal sports gambling business, lining their pockets with profits from over a billion dollars in illegal gambling proceeds,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman. “Today’s charges demonstrate that we are as determined as ever to hold accountable those involved in facilitating illegal online gambling by U.S. citizens, regardless of where the business operates, or where the defendants reside.”

“The defendants cannot hide the allegedly illegal sports gambling operation behind corporate veils or state and international boundaries,” said U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats.  “I thank the IRS and FBI for their diligent work over several years to investigate this billion dollar international gambling enterprise.”

“Individuals cannot skirt the laws of the United States by setting up illegal internet gambling operations in a foreign country, while living in the United States and enjoying all the benefits of U.S. citizens,” said Jim Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office.  “The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to be diligent in investigating such violations of federal law.”

“Combining the financial investigative expertise of the IRS with the skills and resources of the FBI makes a formidable team for combating major, greed-driven crimes,” said Andrea D. Whelan, Internal Revenue Service Special Agent in Charge.  “This massive indictment is the result of our highly effective law enforcement partnership.”

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for racketeering, up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering, up to 10 years in prison for money laundering and up to five years in prison for operating an illegal gambling business.

In addition, the indictment seeks a forfeiture money judgment of at least $1 billion traceable to numerous specific assets that include real estate, bank accounts, brokerage and investment accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, domain names, a Sabreliner aircraft, a gas lease and vehicles.

The public is reminded that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendants are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan Dickerson Cox and William Lee Borden Jr., from the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorney John S. Han with the Department of Justice Criminal Division Organized Crime and Gang Section.

Online Enlisted Course Graduates First International Students

By Rebecca Coleman Joint Staff Hampton Roads NORFOLK, Va., April 8, 2013 – National Defense University’s Joint Forces Staff College here has graduated its first two international students from the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course. Coalition and multinational senior enlisted members have an opportunity to learn more about the U.S. military through the online course, known as SEJPME. John Lipps, course program manager, said he’s been working to include international students since the online course launched in 2007. The process involved submitting the course to the Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity, he explained, and it was put on the Military Articles and Service List, or MASL, in 2008 and reviewed in 2010 and this year. The MASL is a catalog of descriptive codes and text used to identify material and services available to foreign governments and international organizations. The first two international students were from Slovakia and Canada. Regimental Operations Warrant Officer Scott Howell, Canadian Special Operations Regiment, was the first of the two to complete the course. "Overall, it was a great experience, and I'm proud to be the first international graduate of the Senior Enlisted Joint PME Course," said Howell, a soldier based in Petawawa, Ont. Howell said he first heard about the course while attending U.S. Special Operations Command’s Joint Special Operations University. "The SEJPME course is a mandatory prerequisite for the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy," he said. Geraldine Wilson, chief of the school’s international military student’s office, said her office coordinated with security cooperation officers, the Navy’s education training security assistance officers and the Joint Special Operations University to program and include the SEJPME course as a pipeline prerequisite to their course. “I think this is a great opportunity for international students to participate in the course, and it benefits both the student and the JFSC,” Wilson said. Howell said he expected the U.S. course to be challenging. "I was concerned that being Canadian, I would have to learn material that was not intuitive,” he added. “The material, though challenging, was actually very straightforward. The manner of presentation made it quite easy for me to learn." Lipps said the curriculum is a stand-alone, Web-based course that also uses multimedia instruction. "The course contains a pre-test, section knowledge checks or quizzes, and a final examination," he said. The course delivers a precise and complete curriculum incorporating the latest in joint doctrine and service information into the online learning experience, Lipps said. "The lessons vary in topic areas ranging from the National Military Command Structure, Interagency Operations, and Multinational Operations to Service Roles and Mission, to name a few," he added. Students log 45 hours of instruction on a self-paced, asynchronous schedule. Lipps said he hopes to increase the number of international students enrolled in the course. "We are especially interested in international enlisted members who engage with U.S. forces," he said. "This course will better prepare them to work more closely with and within U.S. and multinational or coalition commands. The course will increase the students' knowledge about our national military command structure [and] our services, and introduce them to other relevant topics." The program manager pointed out that the SEJPME course is not intended to replace or substitute for their own nation’s instruction for international students. Rather, he said, it is meant as a supplemental, stand-alone, U.S.-focused joint curriculum. Howell said the most significant thing he learned was the U.S. national command structure and how it applies to operations and planning on a strategic level. "This was truly great information that will allow me to work more seamlessly in a joint capacity with U.S. forces in the future," he said. "The only real challenge was contextualizing the material and drawing comparisons to the Canadian military, but this was easily overcome." The Canadian soldier said he would recommend the course without hesitation, which is a sentiment Lipps hopes to convey to the international audience. "Our immediate goals are to expand the student body to include more international senior enlisted students,” he said. “We would like to see more enrollments from our allies and partners working directly with U.S. forces, no matter where that interaction takes place, whether at combatant commands, joint task forces or NATO." Today's complex global operating environment requires a solid network of senior enlisted leaders who can communicate with each other to accomplish the mission, share ideas, learn lessons from one another and much more, Lipps noted. “Our SEJPME course can lay the educational groundwork for operating in this environment," he added. Since SEJPME instruction is offered online, it benefits those who cannot travel to the United States. The course is intended for senior enlisted members, and is offered in English. It requires high-speed Internet access. For more information on course prerequisites, potential students can contact the Joint Forces Staff College's international military student office at imso@ndu.edu or visit the JFSC website.

Child Abducted from Robertson County Recovered in New Mexico

Waco, TX – The United States Marshals Service’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force is pleased to announce that on April 2, 2013, an abducted child from Robertson County, TX, was found near Silver City, New Mexico.

In August 2012, Brian Keith Moore, 29, and Madeline McCartney-Moore, 26, abducted their biological child, 6, during a court ordered week long visitation. When the Moore’s failed to return the child to the legal guardians, Timothy and Tracey Moore, the guardians contacted the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation by the Sheriff’s Office revealed that the Brian and Madeline Moore had moved out of their home near Hearne, TX; turned their livestock loose on the streets; turned off utilities and closed bank accounts. It was suspected that the family was being assisted by Michael McCartney, Madeline McCartney-Moore’s father and grandfather to the child.

The Robertson County Sheriff’s Office sought and received felony arrest warrants for Brian Moore and Madeline McCartney-Moore for Violation of Court Order. The Sheriff’s Office also requested the assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service because it was believed that the Moore’s had left the state. The Sheriff’s Office also registered the child as an abducted child with NCMEC, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In February 2013, the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office received information that Michael McCartney had contacted a friend or family member by phone. The person passed on the information to the investigator. This break allowed investigators to focus on the western New Mexico and eastern Arizona area. On February 1, 2013, the investigators discovered that the family had shopped at a local grocery store in Show Low, Arizona. Video surveillance footage showed that Michael McCartney and the abducted child were together along with all the other family members. With that information, the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office sought and received a felony arrest warrant for Michael McCartney charging him with Interference with Child Custody.

On April 2, 2013, investigators received information that the Moore’s may be staying in an area between Silver City, NM and Santa Clara, NM. Investigators located vehicles owned and utilized by the family on Camino Oro Road in rural Grant County, NM. After hours of surveillance, Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies and U.S. Marshal’s Service deputies approached the trailer where Brian Moore was seen coming and going earlier in the evening. When investigators made entry into the trailer, investigators found the abducted child along with Brian Moore, Madeline McCartney-Moore and Michael McCartney. The child was unharmed and was taken into protective custody. Brian, Madeline and Michael were all arrested and taken to the Grant County Jail, Silver City, NM, where they await extradition back to Central Texas. Brian and Madeline Moore’s two other children were turned over to Child Protective Services.

“Crimes against children will not be tolerated at any level, and we will continue to utilize our state, local and federal partners and all of our national resources to protect our children”, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas, Robert Almonte said.

U.S. Marshals Catch One of Durham's Most Wanted

Durham, NC – This afternoon, Terrance J. Butler, a 21 year old, Black Male, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force (JFTF) and the Durham Police Department. A true bill of indictment was returned and a warrant was issued for Butler for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, felony possession schedule VI controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture sell and deliver a schedule VI controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Butler is also associated with the Bloods gang in the Durham area.

This indictment stemmed from an incident that occurred on January 21, 2013, when Durham Police Officers responded to a call regarding a subject with a gunshot wound at the 1000 block of Drew Street. The wounded subject was transported to Duke Hospital for medical treatment and allegedly received severe bodily damage. The condition of the wounded subject is unknown at this time.

Through extensive surveillance and interviews, members of the JFTF conducted a knock and talk at the residence and located Butler in the apartment. Butler was taken into custody at the Featherstone Village Apartments at 4916 Old Page Road without incident. Butler was transported to the Durham County Jail.

The U.S. Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force for the Middle District of North Carolina is comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, Chapel Hill Police Department, Durham Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, High Point Police Department, Winston Salem Police Department, Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Probation and Parole Division and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Airmen tour agencies that help victims of sexual assault

by Staff Sgt. Maria Bowman
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

4/4/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the base began providing tours to First Term Airman Classes so they can meet with and know the locations of the agencies that are available to assist a victim after a sexual assault has occurred.

The first class tour March 28 visited the Office of Special Investigations, chapel, 375th Medical Group and legal offices, and met with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Pamela Dorsey. She explained that these agencies are considered first responders for sexual assault-related incidents and would provide direct assistance through investigation, counseling, advocacy or emotional and spiritual support.

"I want our Airmen to have a better understanding of the services that are available to them and what they offer," said Dorsey. "I've received a lot of positive feedback from the Airmen who said they feel better prepared to respond and now know where to go. We'd ike to offer this to all our first-term Airmen throughout the year."

During the tour, OSI's Special Agent Steve Houghton briefed on the investigative process and how they conduct interviews with sexual assault victims. He also discussed OSI's relationship with the SARC and victim advocates.

"These young Airmen are our target group as well as all Airmen who've been in the service for less than three years. I want them to understand early on the Air Force stance on sexual assault."

Next, the 375th AMW deputy chaplain, Maj. Ken Johnson, discussed the chapel's role in working through the trauma with the victim.

"We provide 100 percent confidentiality for the victim. We build rapport with the victim and provide a safe environment. We can also refer them to the SARC, VA or a health care provider," he said.

At the 375th MDG, Capt. Connie Burnette, chief of mental health, described how seeing a mental health professional is no different than seeing a doctor when people are sick.

"Going to mental health is a sign of strength," Burnette said. "Doctors work to heal you--to get you better and return to work ... we provide the same service."

The legal office's Capt. Erin Dixon talked about evidence required to have a court martial. She explained the Victim Witness Assistance Program and how they keep the victim informed throughout the legal process. She also explained the newly-formed Special Victims Council, which provides a lawyer with specialized training in handling sexual assault cases to better assist the victim.

At the SARC's office, Dorsey not only explained her role, but also shared information on how the VA provides support throughout the entire process.

For 19 year-old Airman Joseph Martin, 375th MDG logistics technician, the tour opened "his eyes to all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes when dealing with a sexual assault victim."

He added, "It helped me get a better understanding of how the operational side works, and what I would need to do if I or a Wingman became a victim of sexual assault."

Alaska Trooper gains, gives at Air Force NCO academy

by Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
I.G. Brown Training and Education Center

4/4/2013 - MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. -- Tech. Sgt. Brian Zeisel with the Alaska Air National Guard is modest about the recognition he gets from leading his Alaska State Trooper K9, "Argo," through some dangerous law enforcement dispatches.

As a full time State Trooper with more than 10 years' service, thousands see Zeisel's patrols in Fairbanks, Alaska, on cable TV.

That's because he is on the television show, "Alaska State Troopers," with the National Geographic Channel. He appeared in at least four episodes since 2009.

Before heading out on his next patrol, Zeisel decided to attend Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy here through the Paul H. Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center. He graduated from the Academy today, April 4, with the Commandant's Award and as a Distinguished Graduate.

"I benefit from both of my experiences," said Zeisel. "I use a lot of my Trooper experience with the Guard, and vice versa. They really complement each other."

Zeisel serves part time as a citizen-Airman for the 168th Security Forces Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard at Eielson Air Force Base. He has more than 22 years' of combined service in the active duty Army and the Air National Guard.

Completing the Academy is a requirement for his promotion to Master Sergeant in the Air Force, and Zeisel said he hopes to make that leadership rank soon. First he had to share his experiences with his classmates.

"When he said he worked as a Trooper in Alaska during our classroom introductions, I asked jokingly, 'are you on the show?' and he said, 'yes, yes I am,'" said Tech Sgt. Drew Carson, flight instructor.

It was a funny situation, but Carson said National Guard students often provide serious affirmation of the communication and leadership skills discussed during the six-week Academy when sharing their stories.

"One reason that I love instructing so much here is hearing the different experiences Guard members bring to class," said Carson. "I'm active duty, so I love to hear Guard students' different expertise and viewpoints in our guided discussions."

"I'm actually on the show because of my dog," replied Zeisel, giving credit to his six-year-old shepherd-mix partner.

Zeisel said he wanted to attend the Academy to understand the Air Force better and considering he initially served in the Army and went to Army basic training. He added that he likes the networking that comes from in-resident training.

"I am certainly going to use the experience here, not just back at Eielson, but in my job as a Trooper," said Zeisel.

When asked what lesson he liked best, Zeisel said "the four lenses," which clarifies personality traits and their effect on communication and understanding.

"I have to talk to people in my role as a Trooper and as an Air Force Flight Leader," said Zeisel. "I want to know how to communicate better and recognize things using these concepts taught in class, like the Four Lenses, which teaches us how to understand where people are coming from and how to relate to them."

Carson agreed, adding that Academy students experience a course packed with many more similar and valuable communication tools.

"He shows that these are not just lesson principles we teach for the Air Force here, they are also life lessons that we learn from each other," said Carson. "In Sergeant Zeisel's case, we jokingly say he is 'Netflixable.'"

U.S. Marshals Led Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force Uncover Marijuana Laboratory

San Juan, PR - Recently, the U.S. Marshals Service led Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force uncovered a substantial marijuana laboratory while following-up on a lead pertaining to federal and state fugitive Jose Cosme-Rios aka "Pocholo".

Cosme-Rios, has a state warrant out of Puerto Rico for an alleged murder and a federal warrant for allegedly violating his conditions of release from a prior federal criminal case. Upon executing the warrant of arrest and making entry into the residence located in the Caimito Ward, Task Force Officers and Deputies immediately encountered the strong odder of marijuana. In an adjacent room they found more than 20 adult size marijuana plants, 5 smaller plants, a substantial amount of marijuana individually packaged for street level sale, an undetermined amount of U.S. currency and the lamps, chemicals, and other equipment needed to maintain a hydroponic laboratory. The evidence was transferred to the Puerto Rico Police Department Drug Division for further processing. The fugitive was not at the residence

"Although the fugitive was not arrested, this seizure and dismantling of a hydroponic marijuana laboratory of this size, continues the efforts of combating the illicit narcotics production and sale on the island. This definitely hampers the fugitive's means of sustaining himself financially and places us closer to apprehending him," said Orlando Rivera, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico.