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8/12/25. 7:15AM FBI Daily News Briefing View in Browser August 12, 2025 Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • President Trump Says He's Placing Washington Police Under Federal Control • Democratic Whistleblower Told FBI That Adam Schiff Approved Classified Leaks to Target Trump COUNTERTERRORISM • California Woman Admits Leading White Supremacist Terrorist Group, DOJ Says • Continued Reporting: FBI on the Case After Fourth Bomb Threat in Boston • Continued Reporting: FBI Reveals Turkey's Role in ISIS Transit to Most Dangerous Country in the World COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Continued Reporting: Texas Soldier With Top Secret Clearance Charged in Attempt to Leak Abrams Tank Data to Russia • Analysis: China Shamelessly Pillages Tech From the West CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Continued Reporting: Atlanta CDC, Emory University Shooting • Dead Baby Found in Alabama Hearse; Mother Arrested for Murder • Continued Reporting: AG Bondi Has a New Probe Into the Handling of 2016 Russian Meddling • Continued Reporting: Judge Will Not Unseal Grand Jury Papers of Maxwell, Epstein's Companion • Former Indianapolis Police Officer Involved in Undercover Cocaine Transaction • South Dakota Highway Patrol Seized Over Two Hundred Pounds of Meth From Non-citizen • Wisconsin Man Indicted on Wire Fraud, Money Laundering Charges • Two Michigan City Council Members Charged With Election Fraud • Virginia Social Worker to Pay $1.2m in Medicaid, Medicare Fraud Cases • Florida Man Charged With Defrauding Virginia Doctor • North Carolina Man Faces Charges After FBI Tip • Animal-Rights Activists Targets Vogue Editors at Their Homes • Utah Resident Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Child and Uploading Video • Son of Missing Indiana Woman Files Lawsuit Against City and Police Department • Houston Gang Member Sentenced for Trafficking Girl Through Family-Run Brothel • Alabama Man Sentenced for Attempted Child Exploitation • Self-Described 'Pervert Teacher' Now Charged Federally for Child Sex Abuse Videos • New Mexico Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Bank Robbery https://sendy.barbaricum.corNW/m1YVI1Mu0A1IDFExeRxfGNBcOc0lyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSg/TYSBMdIBvFsOdCG00ZMNw 1/12 EFTA01655356 8/12/25. 7:15AM FBI Daily News Briefing • Romanian Man Who Overstayed His Visa Stole Food Aid From Thousands of Californians CYBER DIVISION • Group Behind Minnesota Cyberattack Alleges Posting 43 Gigabytes of Stolen Data Online • FBI Warns of New Growing and Evolving Online Threat • CISA and FBI Joint Update on Scattered Spider • DOJ Announces Coordinated Actions to Disrupt the Operations of Blacksuit Ransomware • U.S. Scrambles to Recoup $1M+ Stolen by North Korea INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • Canadian Man Facing Child Sexual Exploitation Charges After Tip From FBI INTERNATIONAL NEWS • China Tariffs Delayed Again, Hours Before Sharp Increase Was to Take Hold • Russia Has High Hopes for Trump-Putin Summit. Peace Isn't One of Them. • Refugees in Africa Fight Over Food as U.S. Aid Cuts Take Hold • U.S. Escalates Human Rights Criticism of South Africa and Brazil • Strike That Killed Five Journalists Was Aimed at One of Them, Israel Says • Foreign Recruits in Ukraine Are Killed in a Strike on a Training Camp • Trump Says Both Sides in Ukraine War Will Need to Cede Territory • For Trump Administration, U.S. Air Drops of Gaza Aid Were Never a Serious Option, Sources Say • Colombian Presidential Hopeful Uribe Dies Two Months After Shooting • Republicans, Democrats Alike Exhort Trump: Keep Security Pact With Australia and UK Alive OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Trump to Nominate Bureau of Labor Statistics Critic to Lead Agency • Gunman Kills Three, Including a Child, at a Target Store in Austin • Explosion at U.S. Steel Plant in Pennsylvania Leaves Two Dead, Ten Injured • Harvard and White House Move Toward Potential Landmark Settlement • How Trump Is Expanding the Role of the American Military on U.S. Soil • Top Democrats Ripped on Social Media Over tonkers' Reactions to Trump's DC Crime Plan: 'Massive Liar' • Pilot, Three Passengers Walk Away From Fiery Plane Crash in Montana • U.S. Military Was Deployed to Los Angeles Protests Despite Low Risk, General Testifies • Trump's Unusual Nvidia Deal Raises New Corporate and National Security Risks • Musk Says He Plans to Sue Apple for Not Featuring X or Grok Among Its Top Apps WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS President Trump Says He's Placing Washington Police Under Federal Control The Associated Press (08/11, Boak, Klepper) and Reuters (08/11, Hunnicutt, Bose) reported that President Trump has announced that he is taking over Washington's police department and activating 800 members of the National Guard in an effort to reduce crime in the nation's capital, despite city officials stating that crime is already falling in the area. As part of Trump's effort to combat crime, about 500 federal law enforcement officers, including more https://sendy.barbaricum.comAv/m1YVI1Mu0A1DFExeRxiGNBcOttlyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSVIVSBMdIBvFsOdCG00ZMIllw 2112 EFTA01655357 8/12t25, 7:15AM FBI Daily News Briefing than 100 FBI agents and approximately 40 agents with the ATF, are being tasked with deploying throughout the nation's capital, with the DEA, ICE, and the Marshals Service also contributing officers. According to the articles, the president declared a public safety emergency and stated that his administration would be removing homeless encampments, with AG Bondi assuming responsibility for Washington's Metropolitan Police Department. The president did not provide a timeline for the control of the police department, but he's limited to 30 days under statute unless he gets approval from Congress. The articles noted that while President Trump has portrayed himself as a friend to law enforcement and enjoyed the political backing from many of their groups, he pardoned or commuted the sentences of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers. Fox News (08/11, Casiano) reported that Director Patel endorsed Trump's plans to take over the Metropolitan Police Department to tackle crime in Washington D.C., amid heavy criticism from Democrats and local officials who say the move is part of a power grab. "Proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who keep our nation's capital safe," Director Patel said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. "When you let good cops be cops, give them the tools they need, and back them every step of the way, they deliver - every time." The articles explained that Trump's opponents have cited crime statistics showing that crime in Washington is on the decline. Crime in Washington is down 26% this year compared to the same timeframe in 2024, according to the MPD. Assaults with a dangerous weapon are down 20%, and homicides are down by 12%, according to police data. In January, the Justice Department said violent crime in 2024 in the district was down 35% from 2023, the lowest it has been in over 30 years. The articles noted that Trump disagrees. Metropolitan Police Department data shows that while the homicide rate is falling, the last five years saw the greatest number of murders since 2008. "The murder rate in Washington today is higher than that of Bogota, Colombia, Mexico City, some of the places that you hear about as being the worst places on Earth, much higher," Trump said Monday. "This is much higher. The number of car thefts has doubled over the past five years, and the number of carjackings has more than tripled. Murders in 2023 reached the highest rate, probably ever. They say 25 years, but they don't know what that means because it just goes back 25 years, can't be worse." Just the News (08/11, Whedon) reported that Director Patel on Monday stated that the U.S. was on track to reach its lowest murder rate in modem American history as the president moved to deploy the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and to assume control of the city police. "And the murder rates are plummeting. We are now able to report that the murder rate is on track to be the lowest in US history, in modern reported U.S. history, thanks to this team behind me and President Trump's priorities," Director Patel stated at a press conference. "This year alone, under President Trump's administration, we've had over 4,000 child victims identified and found that's a 33% increase from the same time period last year, 33% increase," he added. "We've had a seizure of 1500 kilograms of fentanyl up to this date, which is a 25% increase since the same time period last year. And just to put it in perspective, 1500 kilograms of fentanyl is enough to kill 115 million Americans. Cops are getting after it. The FBI has arrested 19,000 people this year alone, thanks to President Trump's administration. That's double what we were this time last year," Director Patel went on. "And we have also arrested 1,600 people who have committed violent acts against children. 270 of them are human traffickers of children. "Mr. President, this is what happens when you have great leadership-- the Attorney General with Pam Bondi, your administration's priority of protecting the homeland and protecting American citizens and protecting our children," he insisted. Additional reporting on the story was provided by BBC (08/11, Faguy), Courthouse News Service (08/11, Weiss), Newsweek (08/11, Castro, Parry), New York Magazine (08/11, Staff Writer), USA Today (08/11, Garrison, Brook, et al.), Washington Post (08/11, Birnbaum, Stein), Fox News (08/11, Stancy), Time (08/11, Bennett, Popli), CNN (08/11, Lybrand, Holmes, et al.), CBS News (08/11, Hubbard), ABC News (08/11, Stoddart, Walsh), New York Times (08/11, Schmitt), Washington Examiner (08/11, Lim, Datoc), Washington Times (08/11, Mal-dock), The Hill (08/11, Mitchell), The Independent (08/11, Garcia), and Patch (08/11, O'Connell). Democratic Whistleblower Told FBI That Adam Schiff Approved Classified Leaks to Target Trump Fox News (08/11, Margolis) and Just the News (08/11, Solomon, Dunleavy) reported that a Democratic whistleblower reported to the FBI that Adam Schiff approved leaking classified information to target President Donald Trump. According to the article, the whistleblower, a staffer on the House Intelligence Committee, claimed to have attended a meeting where Schiff gave the green light to leak the information. The leaked information was allegedly intended to be used to indict President Trump, with the whistleblower describing the action as "treasonous" and "illegal". Director Patel posted a statement about the story on X: "We found it. We declassified it. Now Congress can see how classified info was leaked to shape political narratives - and decide if our institutions were weaponized against the American people." hlips://sengly.barbarlcum.cornAv/m1YVI1Mu0A1fDFExeR4GAScocOlyWauuGYOFh5UuKSgfrYSBMcIONFsOdCGOOZMMw 3112 EFTA01655358 8/12/25, 7:15AM FBI Daily News Briefing FBI Agents Association Denounces Firings as Unlawful Amid Democratic Accusations of DOJ Weaponization' MSNBC (08/11, Benen) and The Hill (08/11, Beitsch) reported that Democrats are criticizing the DOJ and the intelligence community for actions they see as abuses of power and threats to independence, including the FBI's involvement in tracking down Democratic Texas lawmakers. According to the article, the DOJ has subpoenaed New York Attorney General Letitia James and launched a grand jury investigation into Obama-era officials, prompting accusations of politicization and retaliation. The FBI has fired several agents who worked on controversial cases, including those related to President Trump, sparking claims of retribution and abuse of power, with Democrats arguing that these moves are part of a broader pattern of "weaponization" of the DOJ and intelligence community. The FBI Agents Association criticized the firings as unlawful. "The FBI Agents Association strongly condemns today's unlawful firing of FBI Special Agents. These Agents were carrying out the assignments given to them and did their jobs professionally and with integrity," the group said in a Friday statement. "This action sets a dangerous precedent. It increases our vulnerability to criminal and national security threats at home and abroad. It prioritizes division over unity, stokes anger instead of solidarity within our ranks, and threatens to chill the work of agents rather than support it." The group added, "The aim, it seems, is to transform the FBI from a respected, constitutionally grounded investigative service into a personal enforcement arm of a political figure. We have seen these dynamics abroad — leaders who demand loyalty from security services not to the law, but to themselves. These regimes do not end well." They highlighted, "FBI Agents—the rank-and-file men and women who protect this country every day—asked only for Bureau leadership to follow the law by providing Agents with fair treatment and due process. Director Patel committed to providing that—to Agents, to Congress, and to the American people. Today, he failed to honor that commitment." The articles noted that the Trump administration has broadly defended such moves, consistently arguing the FBI and the Justice Department were political tools of previous administrations while arguing their own actions help confront those abuses. "President Trump is restoring integrity to the Department of Justice after four years of weaponization, hoaxes, and attempts to imprison him. The DOJ is upholding Lady Justice and working to execute President Trump's Make America Safe Again agenda, which is lowering crime, holding criminals accountable, and empowering our law enforcement community," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement. Newsmax (08/11, Weatherholtz) also reported on the story. Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM California Woman Admits Leading White Supremacist Terrorist Group, DOJ Says The Jerusalem Post (08/11, Sadikman) reported that Dallas Humber, the leader of the Terrorgram Collective, has pleaded guilty to charges including soliciting hate crimes and orchestrating murders of federal officials. Humber admitted to leading the white supremacist terror group from July 2022 until her arrest in September 2024, and is facing 2S-30 years in federal prison. Under her leadership, the Terrorgram Collective carried out violent acts in the U.S. and internationally, including assassination attempts, murders, and terror attacks in countries such as Australia, Slovakia, Brazil, and Turkey. The article highlighted that the FBI Sacramento Field Office investigated this case in collaboration with various other foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies. "The leader of the Terrorgram Collective influenced hate and violence across the globe while living in a quiet suburb," said Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office in the press release. "Through close collaboration with our domestic and international partners, we defended the homeland and dismantled a dangerous network intent on inciting violence to advance its extremist ideology. Those who direct or commit acts of terror in our communities will face justice." KTXL (Fox-40) (08/11, Ayoubgoulan) also reported on the story. Continued Reporting: FBI on the Case After Fourth Bomb Threat in Boston Boston.com (08/11, Lucchesi) reported that the FBI has joined the Nantucket Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the Massachusetts Bomb Squad in investigating four false bomb threats made over three nights, all targeting 16 Main Street, home to a Ralph Lauren store. The threats—reported on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday —varied in details, with claims of improvised explosive devices placed in a vehicle, a box, or to be planted in the store, and one caller also claimed to be armed. Each incident prompted perimeter security and searches, but no explosives were found. The store had previously been shut down following a false bomb report in March 2024, and the current investigation remains ongoing. Additional reporting was provided by WFXT (Fox-25) (08/11, Lambert), Boston Globe (08/11, Thomton) and WETS (NBC-10) (08/11, Fortier). Continued Reporting: FBI Reveals Turkey's Role in ISIS Transit to Most Dangerous Country in the World hlips://sendy.barbadcum.com/w/m1YVI1Mu0A1fDFExeR4GA/BcOcOlyWauuGYOFh5UuKSg/TYSBMellBvFsOcICGOOZMMw 4112 EFTA01655359 8/12/25. 7:15AM FBI Daily News Briefing Aviation A27 (08/11, Derby) reported that the FBI has revealed that Turkey served as a transit hub for foreign fighters attempting to join ISIS, with many traveling from Istanbul to cities near the Syrian border. According to the article, a U.S. citizen, Mohamed Fathy Suliman, used this route in 2014, flying from Orlando to Istanbul and then to Gaziantep, before attempting to cross into Syria with the help of smugglers. The article highlighted that FBI Special Agent R. David Collins stated that Kilis was a key overland route for ISIS travel both into and out of Syria. The agent noted that the methods used by Suliman were consistent with similar cases of foreign fighters who exploited Turkey's geography and infrastructure. The article explained that the FBI's investigation found that Turkish authorities often released detained fighters, allowing them to continue toward Syria, and that Turkey's National Intelligence Organization facilitated the movement of foreign fighters into Syria during the early years of the Syrian conflict. Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Continued Reporting: Texas Soldier With Top Secret Clearance Charged in Attempt to Leak Abrams Tank Data to Russia Clearance Jobs (08/11, Burgess) reported that Taylor A. Lee, a 22-year-old US Army specialist with Top Secret clearance, was arrested for attempting to leak sensitive information about the M1A2 Abrams tank to Russia. According to the article, Lee faces charges under the Espionage Act and the Arms Export Control Act for trying to transmit national defense information and export-controlled technical data without authorization. The arrest was the result of a sting operation in which Lee believed he was communicating with a Russian government representative, but was actually interacting with an undercover FBI agent roleplaying as a foreign intelligence officer. KFOX (FOX-14) (08/11, Burgess) noted that Lee was arrested on August 6 and is facing charges, with the case ongoing after his first hearing in federal court, where an FBI agent testified about the investigation and evidence against him. Analysis: China Shamelessly Pillages Tech From the West An analysis piece published by Tribune India (08/11, Staff Writer) reported that China has been accused of shamelessly pillaging technology from the West, with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) encouraging private companies to partner with Western firms, learn from them, and eventually go solo. According to Zang Qichao, a Chinese equity capital expert, China has been copying Western technology and intellectual property for decades, with the government introducing plans like the Made in China 2025 Plan to transition China into a high-tech economy. The article noted that the U.S. has taken measures to restrict China's access to advanced technologies, but China continues to exploit Western institutions and companies, with the FBI warning that China's goal is to become a comprehensive national power and surpass the U.S. as a global superpower. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Continued Reporting: Atlanta CDC, Emory University Shooting The New York Times (08/11, McFadden, Mandavilli, Keenan) reported that on August 8, 2025, a shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta left DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, 33, and the suspected gunman, 30-year- old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia, dead. The incident began with a 911 call about an active shooter at a CVS across from the CDC, during which bullets struck at least four CDC buildings but caused no injuries to employees or civilians. White, armed with five guns, had reportedly become fixated on the belief that COVID-19 vaccines caused his health problems, a conviction influenced by personal struggles and prior suicide attempts. By Saturday, local, state, and federal investigators were working to piece together the motive and sequence of events, as the targeted attack fueled broader concerns about rising threats to public health workers amid supposed persistent vaccine misinformation, with CDC staff voicing frustration over anti-vaccine rhetoric from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Director Patel posted the following statement on X: "Pray for the family, friends, and colleagues of this hero who acted quickly to defend others and made the ultimate sacrifice. The FBI will offer them our full support." Additional reporting was provided by Atlanta Journal-Constitution (08/11, Jacobson, Hughes), WANF (CBS-46) (08/11, Peer), Fox News (08/11, Sorace), Georgia Recorder (08/11, Homan), NBC News (08/11, https://sendy.barbadcum.corNW/m1YVI1Mu0A1fDFExeRxIGNBcOc0lyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSgiTYSBMdIBvFsOdCG00ZMNw 5112 EFTA01655360 8/12/25, 7:15AM FBI Daily News Briefing Lovelace Jr., Sridhar, Hernandez), Newsweek (08/11, Staff Writer), USA Today (08/11, Khan), and WSB (ABC-2) (08/11, Newell). Dead Baby Found in Alabama Hearse; Mother Arrested for Murder New York Daily News (08/11, Braine) reported that on August 9, 2025, 21-month-old Blessence Pearl was found dead in a hearse at the West Gadsden Funeral Home in Gadsden, Alabama, where her mother, 29-year-old Terica (also reported as Terrica) Pearl, was employed. A groundskeeper discovered the child around 11:45 a.m., initially mistaking her for a doll before realizing the grim truth. The Gadsden Police Department, with assistance from the FBI and other agencies, launched an intensive 12-hour homicide investigation that led to Pearl's arrest early the next morning; she is being held without bond in Etowah County Jail. The cause of death is pending autopsy results. Additional reporting provided by AL.com (08/11, Robinson), Daily Mail (08/11, White), Independent (08/11, Graziosi), Law & Crime (08/11, Perez), WKRC (CBS-12) (08/11, Staff Writer), People (08/11, Walcott), USA Today (08/11, Martin), WSB (ABC-2) (08/11, Staff Writer), and WVTM (NBC-13) (08/11, Keenum, Lovell, Blair). Continued Reporting: AG Bondi Has a New Probe Into the Handling of 2016 Russian Meddling CNN (08/11, Herb, Lybrand) reported that AG Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into accusations that the Obama administration manufactured intelligence about Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. According to the article, this investigation bears similarities to a previous four-year probe led by John Durham, which found no criminal charges or significant wrongdoing related to the CIA and the intelligence community's role in concluding Russia interfered in the 2016 election. The article noted that the new probe was sparked by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who claims to have evidence of a "seditious conspiracy" and alleges that Obama officials should be prosecuted for manufacturing intelligence that Russia interfered in the election. The article highlighted that while Durham's investigation focused primarily on FBI missteps that had been documented by the Justice Department inspector general, Gabbard's allegations are now directed at the CIA and the intelligence community. The article added that Trump's allies have made much hay over the release last month of a redacted classified "annex" from Durham's report, which they say shows evidence the Clinton campaign plotted to tie Trump to Russia and push the FBI to investigate the matter. The annex was declassified by AG Bondi and Director Patel at the request of Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, who released the document. Director Patel posted on social media that he found the annex while uncovering "burn bags/room filled with hidden Russia Gate files." Grassley said in a statement that the annex "exposes a reported Hillary Clinton campaign plan to falsely tie President Donald Trump to Russia." But the emails cited by Trump's allies appear to have been faked, according to Durham's report. Continued Reporting: Judge Will Not Unseal Grand Jury Papers of Maxwell, Epstein's Companion The New York Times (08/11, Meko) reported that a Manhattan federal judge denied the government's request to unseal grand jury transcripts from the investigation into Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's companion. According to the article, the judge stated that unsealing the transcripts would erode confidence in people called to testify before future grand juries and that the information would not reveal anything new. The article explained that the decision comes amid ongoing controversy and speculation surrounding Epstein's death and the government's investigation, with some critics accusing the government of hiding information about Epstein's crimes and associates. The article highlighted that the DOJ announced last month that it had closed an "exhaustive review of investigative holdings relating to Jeffrey Epstein." In a memo, the FBI and DOJ said a review "revealed no incriminating 'client list'" or evidence that "Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals?' It indicated that there would be no more disclosures about Epstein. Former Indianapolis Police Officer Involved in Undercover Cocaine Transaction WXIN (Fox-59) (08/11, Gay) reported that former Anderson Police Department officer Ty'Ray Wilson has been federally charged with selling cocaine and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime following an undercover FBI investigation. Court documents allege that a confidential source, who had previously purchased cocaine from Wilson, conducted two controlled buys in July 2025—one directly from Wilson and another involving his alleged co-conspirator, Duncan Harmon. During one transaction, video allegedly showed Wilson with a handgun on the table as he sold cocaine; in another, firearms were reportedly present in the garage. Wilson, who resigned from the department after his arrest, and Harmon are both charged with two counts of distribution of controlled substances and aiding and abetting, as well as firearm-related charges, and remain in U.S. Marshals custody pending detention hearings. Additional reporting provided by 93.1 FM WIBC (08/11, Herrick), WRTV (ABC-6) (08/11, Staff Writer), and WTHR (NBC-13) (08/11, Potter). hlips://sengly.barbaricum.comAy/m1W11Mu0A1IDFExeR4GA/Bcoc0lyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSgfrYSBM018vEsOdCG00ZMMw 8/12 EFTA01655361 8/12/25. 7:15 AM FBI Daily News Briefing South Dakota Highway Patrol Seized Over Two Hundred Pounds of Meth From Non-citizen South Dakota Public Broadcasting (08/11, Dircks) reported that South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers seized 207 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at $12 million, during a traffic stop on 1-90 in Sturgis after a police dog detected the drugs in a speeding vehicle. The driver, a 42-year-old non-U.S. citizen, was arrested on felony drug distribution and possession charges, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, and was later transferred to federal custody. Officials say it is the largest drug seizure in the agency's history and part of Operation: Prairie Thunder, a state initiative led by Governor Larry Rhoden to combat crime and drug trafficking. The bust involved multiple agencies, including the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Meade County Sheriff's Office, and the Rapid City Police Department. Additional reporting was provided by KELO (CBS-11) (08/11, Engelkes) and The Dakota Scout (08/11, Staff Writer). Wisconsin Man Indicted on Wire Fraud, Money Laundering Charges 99.9 FM WSAU (08/11, Leischner) reported that Stanley Pophal, a 63-year-old Wausau man, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on 10 counts, including wire fraud and money laundering. He is accused of taking money from investors for business ventures, but instead used it to maintain his lifestyle, including buying over 300 snowmobiles. Pophal faces decades in prison if found guilty, with the FBI, IRS, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney involved in the investigation and prosecution. Additional reporting provided by The 715 Newsroom (08/11, McCarthy). Two Michigan City Council Members Charged With Election Fraud WJBK (Fox-2) (08/11, Nissen) reported that two Hamtramck City Council members, Mohammed Hassan and Muhtasin Sadman, have been charged with multiple felonies, including forging signatures on absentee ballot applications and election law forgery, after a two-month probe by a special prosecutor. The investigation, launched at the request of suspended City Manager Max Garbarino, alleges the council members conspired to obtain unvoted absentee ballots from newly naturalized citizens and fill them out for preferred candidates. The case unfolds amid broader political turmoil in Hamtramck, including Garbarino's lawsuit against the council and separate allegations reported to the FBI by a suspended police officer about the city's police chief. The scandal has intensified tensions within the city government, leading to a series of high-profile suspensions involving the city manager and police chief. Additional reporting provided by The Detroit News (08/11, Hunter), News from the States (08/11, Davidson), WDIV (NBC-4) (08/11, Jones), and WXYZ (ABC-7) (08/11, Staff Writer) Virginia Social Worker to Pay $1.2m in Medicaid, Medicare Fraud Cases Augusta Free Press (08/11, Graham) reported that Daniel Jacobsen, a 72-year-old psychotherapist from Richmond, was convicted of criminal healthcare fraud and ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution, forfeiture, fines, and civil settlements. He pleaded guilty in October 2020 to knowingly submitting fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims, including billing for services not provided and falsifying progress notes. The scheme included charging for more than 16 hours of services in a single day and inflating service complexity to receive higher reimbursements. The case was investigated by the FBI and Virginia's Medicaid fraud control unit. Florida Man Charged With Defrauding Virginia Doctor WSLS (NBC-10) (08/11, Staff Writer) reported that Tommie Lee Nelson, a 65-year-old Florida man, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Roanoke on six counts of wire fraud for allegedly defrauding a Lynchburg doctor out of nearly $500,000. Between 2020 and 2021, Nelson posed as a hard money lender for a commercial building purchase in Danville, but prosecutors say he instead spent the victim's funds at casinos and for personal expenses. The victim later won a civil judgment, and the case was referred for criminal investigation, leading to Nelson's July arrest by FBI agents at his Miami-area home. Additional reporting provided by Augusta Free Press (08/11, Graham) and WDBJ (CBS-7) (08/11, Johnson). North Carolina Man Faces Charges After FBI Tip WCTI (ABC-12) (08/11, Staff Writer) reported that Jeffrey A. Rouse Jr., 28, of Greenville, North Carolina, has been arrested on 29 charges stemming from allegations of elderly exploitation and identity theft. The charges include one count of felony elder exploitation, 27 counts of felony identity theft, and one count of attempted obtaining property by false pretenses. The Pitt County Sheriff's Office began its investigation after receiving a tip from the FBI about the possible unlawful taking of funds from an elderly victim. Rouse was booked into the Pitt County Detention Center on a $100,000 secured bond, and investigators say additional charges are possible as the case develops. https://sendy.barbaricum.comAWm1YVI1Mu0A1fOFExeRxfGNBakelyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSVIYSBMdSvFsOdCG002Mttlw 7112 EFTA01655362 8/12/25. 7:15 AM FBI Daily News Briefing Animal-Rights Activists Targets Vogue Editors at Their Homes New York Post (08/11, Settembre) reported that the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT USA), an animal-rights group co-founded by longtime activist Tyler Lang, has been staging aggressive protests outside the homes of Vogue editors in Manhattan and Brooklyn, accusing them of promoting fur and labeling them "killers" through megaphones. Protest tactics have included chalking editors' names and social media handles on sidewalks with messages like "Leave our city," slipping flyers under residents' doors, and even entering apartment buildings— actions neighbors have described as invasive and intimidating. CAFT USA is demanding that Conde Nast, Vogue's publisher, pledge to eliminate all fur content, citing a resurgence of fur in fashion worn by celebrities such as Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Kendall Jenner, and claiming Vogue is "singlehandedly responsible" for reviving the fur industry. According to the FBI, in 2013, Tyler Lang attacked a family-owned mink farm in Morris, Illinois, releasing 2,000 minks from their cages, pouring an acidic substance over two trucks on the property, and spray-painting "Liberation is Love" on a barn. Utah Resident Arrested for Allegedly Abusing Child and Uploading Video KSTU (Fox-13) (08/11, Martin) reported that Jodee Davis, a 31-year-old Salt Lake County resident, has been arrested by West Valley City police on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. The FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, acting on a lead from its Jacksonville office, traced the online upload of child sexual abuse material to Davis' home. A search warrant executed at the residence led to Davis' arrest and an alleged confession, with Davis admitting the video had been uploaded and distributed over 200 times online. Davis is being held without bail as federal and local authorities continue their coordinated investigation into the case. Additional reporting provided by Gephardt Daily (08/11, Staff Writer). Son of Missing Indiana Woman Files Lawsuit Against City and Police Department WFIE (NBC-14) (08/11, Calvert) reported that Thomas Rainey Jr., whose mother Donna Hatfield has been missing since 2019, has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Boonville, its police department, and several officers, alleging they violated his constitutional rights by wrongfully targeting him as a suspect and arresting him on fraud and forgery charges later dismissed. Rainey claims the arrest was an attempt to coerce a confession, asserting he had legal authority to sell his mother's car under a notarized power of attorney, which police allegedly ignored. The lawsuit accuses the city of failing to train officers on constitutional protections and seeks compensatory and punitive damages. While the case moves forward in U.S. District Court, Hatfield's disappearance remains unsolved, with the FBI renewing public appeals and officials continuing to name Rainey as a person of interest. Additional reporting provided by Courier & Press (08/11, Harwood). Houston Gang Member Sentenced for Trafficking Girl Through Family-Run Brothel Houston Chronicle (08/11, Ferguson) reported that Hector "Pantera" Reyna, a 34-year-old senior member of the Southwest Cholos gang, was sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a sex trafficking operation that exploited at least 13 women, including a 14-year-old runaway. As the leader of the gang's Bellaire set, Reyna manipulated one victim into a relationship at age 22 and later forced her into prostitution using fabricated debts, threats, and by branding her with a tattoo of his name. The trafficking network operated across six apartment complexes in Houston and a brothel in Cancun, which served as a recruitment and training site before victims were transported to Texas. The case originated in 2015 when the victim disclosed the abuse to a school administrator at Jane Long Middle School, triggering a multi-agency investigation involving the FBI, DEA, and Harris County Sheriff's Office. Alabama Man Sentenced for Attempted Child Exploitation WBMA (ABC-33/40) (08/11, Staff Writer) reported that Justin Warren Lindstrom, 43, of Shelby County, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty in April and will be required to register as a sex offender, followed by a lifetime of supervised release after his prison term. The case was investigated with assistance from the FBI in Birmingham, as part of a collaborative effort to protect children from exploitation. "This sentencing confirms that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to protect our children from predators who seek to exploit them. Together, we have ensured one less predator is victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community," added FBI Special Agent David R. Fitzgibbons. Additional reporting provided by WIAT (CBS-42) (08/11, Goffin) and Trussville Tribune (08/11, Gurley). https://sendy.barbancum.comAv/m1YVI1Mu0A1OFExeRxIGNBcOttlyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSg/TYSBMdl8vEsOdCG00ZMIt 8112 EFTA01655363 8/12t25, 7:15AM FBI Daily News Briefing Self-Described 'Pervert Teacher' Now Charged Federally for Child Sex Abuse Videos Local 10 (08/11, Gothner) reported that Craig Rogers, 60, a former PE teacher at Westchester Elementary in Broward County, has been federally charged with distributing child sexual abuse material across state lines, in addition to existing state charges for possession of such material. The case began on May 22 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that Rogers was sharing child pornography on the Kik app, calling himself a "pervert teacher" while distributing abuse videos. Investigators say he also sent clothed images of his students during PE classes and explicit photos of himself taken in his school office. His July 1 arrest by Coral Springs police came after a Middlesex County, New Jersey detective—who had arrested another suspect—shared evidence that Rogers had messaged about taking pictures of "favorite students" and "trading" content. Coral Springs police contacted the FBI, leading to the federal complaint. New Mexico Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Bank Robbery Los Alamos Daily Post (08/11, Clark) reported that Michael Cobb, 42, of Espanola, New Mexico, was sentenced to federal prison for robbing an ATM technician at gunpoint outside a Century Bank in Espanola on January 15, 2022. Armed with a handgun, Cobb stole cash canisters, fired a round near the ATM, and fled in a red Chevrolet Sonic. Police identified the vehicle through license plate reader technology and linked it to Cobb's family home, with surveillance footage confirming his involvement. He was arrested on January 19, 2022, by Pojoaque Tribal Police after a brief pursuit, with cash matching the stolen denominations found on him. Cobb pleaded guilty to bank robbery with a dangerous weapon and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI's Albuquerque Field Office, Espanola Police, and Pueblo of Pojoaque Police investigated the case. Romanian Man Who Overstayed His Visa Stole Food Aid From Thousands of Californians The LA Times (08/11, Goodykoontz) reported that Catalin-Marius Graur, a 43-year-old Romanian national, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a large-scale EBT card skimming scheme targeting low-income recipients in California and New York. Graur, in the U.S. illegally after overstaying a tourist visa, used skimming devices on ATMs and point-of-sale machines to steal card data, creating counterfeit cards to withdraw funds; authorities seized over $37,000 in cash and nearly 1,500 stolen account numbers. The Los Angeles FBI, which led the investigation, noted the scheme's organized nature and links to other Romanian fraud operations, including accomplices who stole tens of thousands of account numbers and co-conspirator Mihai-Adrian Humoiu, sentenced to over seven years in May. California's rollout of microchipped EBT cards has reduced such scams, while a streamlined reimbursement process now allows victims to recover stolen benefits more quickly. Additional reporting provided by Sierra Sun Times (08/11, Staff Writer). Back to Top CYBER DIVISION Group Behind Minnesota Cyberattack Alleges Posting 43 Gigabytes of Stolen Data Online WCCO (CBS-4) (08/11, Lentz) reported that the group behind the St. Paul cyberattack claims to have posted 43 gigabytes of stolen data online, according to Mayor Melvin Carter. According to the article, the city did not pay a ransom demanded by the group, and is now offering 12 months of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection to its employees. The city has declared a state of emergency and is working with the FBI, the National Guard's cyber team, and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to respond to the attack. The Pioneer Press (08/11, Derosier) also reported on the story. FBI Warns of New Growing and Evolving Online Threat AL.com (08/11, Gore) reported that the FBI has issued a warning about "The Com" or "The Community", a growing and evolving online threat group made up of young, technically sophisticated cyber criminals aged 11-25. According to the article, the group is involved in various illegal activities, including cyber-attacks, theft, phishing, ransomware, and exploitation of children, with cryptocurrency theft being a main goal. The article noted that the group has subsets, such as "Hacker Com" and "Extortion Com", which engage in specific activities like selling technical services, stealing cryptocurrency, and exploiting minors through threats of dozing, swatting, and real-life violence. "The sophistication of The Com criminal activity has grown over the last four years, with subjects employing increasingly complex methods to mask their identities, hide financial transactions, and launder money," the FBI said. 'An underlying theme within the entirety of The Com is its members' interest in and proficiency with cyber related tactics, techniques, and procedures!' htlps://sengly.barbarlcum.cornAvfm1YVI1Mu0A1fDFExeR4GAScoc0lyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSgfrYSBM0IBWsOdCG00ZMIllw 9/12 EFTA01655364 8/12125. 7:15 AM FBI Daily News Briefing CISA and FBI Joint Update on Scattered Spider Alston & Bird (08/11, Peretti, Austin) reported that the CISA and FBI issued an updated advisory on the evolving threats of the cybercriminal group Scattered Spider. According to the article, Scattered Spider continues to target large enterprises using advanced social engineering techniques, including phishing and SIM swap attacks, and has recently deployed DragonForce ransomware to target VMware ESXi servers. The article noted that to mitigate the risk, CISA and FBI recommend implementing phishing-resistant MFA, maintaining offline backups, and enhancing monitoring against unauthorized account misuse, among other key recommendations. DOJ Announces Coordinated Actions to Disrupt the Operations of Blacksuit Ransomware CyberSecurityDive (08/11, Jones) reported that the Dal and international partners have taken down the BlackSuit ransomware group's infrastructure, seizing servers and over $1 million in cryptocurrency. According to the article, the operation was a collaborative effort between U.S. agencies, including the FBI, and authorities in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, the UK, and Ukraine. The article noted that BlackSuit, also known as Royal, has targeted over 450 organizations since 2022, collecting more than $370 million in ransom payments, and has been linked to attacks on government agencies, healthcare firms, and manufacturing companies. U.S. Scrambles to Recoup $1M+ Stolen by North Korea The Register (08/11, Jones) reported that the U.S. Department of Justice is attempting to recover over $1 million in stolen cryptocurrency from a New York company, allegedly taken by three IT specialists working for the North Korean government. According to the article, the three individuals were fired from the company in May 2024 and later found to have stolen approximately $1.35 million in crypto assets. The article noted that the FBI has seized the stolen funds, currently worth $1,008,564.72, and the Dal is now seeking to recover them for the affected company. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Canadian Man Facing Child Sexual Exploitation Charges After Tip From FBI Global News (08/11, MacGillivray) reported that Cordell Campbell, 32, of Edmonton, has been charged with 15 offenses related to online child sexual exploitation after an international investigation involving Alberta's Internet Child Exploitation team, the RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre, the FBI, and Europol. Authorities allege that Campbell sent sexually explicit images and videos to an 11-year-old girl in Kansas City, Missouri, in June 2024, and to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl in May 2023. The ICE team launched its investigation in December 2024, leading to his arrest and charges, which include luring a child, making sexually explicit material available to a child, and multiple counts involving child pornography. Police believe Campbell has engaged in similar activity across various online platforms since 2023 and are urging anyone with information to contact local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers. Additional reporting provided by Edmonton City News (08/11, Staff Writer), Edmonton Journal (08/11, Hills), and CTV News (08/11, Ellingson). Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS China Tariffs Delayed Again, Hours Before Sharp Increase Was to Take Hold Washington Post, New York Times, Reuters, Associated Press Russia Has High Hopes for Trump-Putin Summit. Peace Isn't One of Them. Wall Street Journal, New York Times Refugees in Africa Fight Over Food as U.S. Aid Cuts Take Hold Wall Street Journal U.S. Escalates Human Rights Criticism of South Africa and Brazil Washington Post Strike That Killed Five Journalists Was Aimed at One of Them, Israel Says New York Times https://sencly.barbadcum.corNW/m1YVI1Mu0A1IDFExeRxIGNBcOc0lyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSg/TYSBMclIBvFsOdCG00ZMNw 10/12 EFTA01655365 8112/25. 7:15 AM FBI Daily News Briefing Foreign Recruits in Ukraine Are Killed in a Strike on a Training Camp New York Times Trump Says Both Sides in Ukraine War Will Need to Cede Territory Reuters For Trump Administration, U.S. Air Drops of Gaza Aid Were Never a Serious Option, Sources Say Reuters Colombian Presidential Hopeful Uribe Dies Two Months After Shooting Reuters Republicans, Democrats Alike Exhort Trump: Keep Security Pact With Australia and UK Alive Associated Press Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Trump to Nominate Bureau of Labor Statistics Critic to Lead Agency Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, CNN, NPR, BBC, New York Times Gunman Kills Three, Including a Child, at a Target Store in Austin New York Times, Associated Press, Fox News, CNN, CBS News Explosion at U.S. Steel Plant in Pennsylvania Leaves Two Dead, Ten Injured Associated Press, BBC, Wall Street Journal, ABC News Harvard and White House Move Toward Potential Landmark Settlement New York Times How Trump Is Expanding the Role of the American Military on U.S. Soil Wall Street Journal Top Democrats Ripped on Social Media Over 'Bonkers' Reactions to Trump's DC Crime Plan: 'Massive Liar' Fox News Pilot, Three Passengers Walk Away From Fiery Plane Crash in Montana Fox News U.S. Military Was Deployed to Los Angeles Protests Despite Low Risk, General Testifies Reuters Trump's Unusual Nvidia Deal Raises New Corporate and National Security Risks Reuters Musk Says He Plans to Sue Apple for Not Featuring X or Grok Among Its Top Apps Associated Press Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Trump • 9:00 AM: In-Town Pool Call Time • 1:00 PM: Press Briefing by the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Vice President Vance https://sendy.barbancum.corNW/m1YVI1Mu0A1IDFExeRxfGNBcOc0lyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSg/TYSBMdlBvFsOdCG00ZMNw 11/12 EFTA01655366 8/12125.7:15 AM FBI Daily News Briefing • No official presidential schedule has been released or announced. US Senate • No events scheduled. US House of Representatives • No events scheduled. Cabinet Members • Secretary of State Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the Department of State. Visitors • No events scheduled. General Events • The Heritage Foundation: The Future of Farming: Exploring a Pro-Health Pro-Farmer Agenda — Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Location: Online event, 10:00 AM. As chronic disease continues to rise, policymakers and advocates are reexamining the connection between how we farm and how we feel. This event will explore the role of agriculture in shaping public health and whether regenerative and sustainable practices can be scaled affordably and reliably. Expert panels will discuss the impacts of industrial farming, the promise and limitations of regenerative models, and the role of innovation and policy in shaping the future of food. • CSIS: Nukes in Space: Myths Realities and Consequences — Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Location: Online event, 2:15 PM. In February 2024, it was revealed that Russia is developing a space-based antisatellite capability, suspected of being a space-based nuclear weapon. The weapon, if deployed, would violate the Outer Space Treaty and pose serious challenges to space security. This revelation has also renewed focus on nuclear detonations in space more broadly, including high-altitude nuclear explosions (HANEs), which could degrade modern communications, remote sensing, and affect the many government, commercial, and scientific users of space capabilities. With increasing dependence on satellite infrastructure, these developments represent a reemerging frontier in the strategic threat landscape. Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. hgps://sently.barbaticum.cornAv/m1YVI1Mu0A1fDFExeRxIGNBcOc0lyWauuGY0Fh5UuKSVIYSBMdIBvFsOdCG00ZMNw 12/12 EFTA01655367