EFTA01655437

From: FBI News Briefing To: Subject: EXTERNAL EMAIL - DRAFT: FBI Daily News Briefing - September 22, 2025 Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:00:03 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser Ft Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal September 22, 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 • Director Patel Says Agency Investigating 'Theories and Questions' Surrounding Charlie Kirk's Murder • DOJ Ended Probe of 'Border Czar' Tom Homan for Allegedly Accepting $50K in FBI Sting • President Trump Ramps up Retribution Campaign With Push for AG Bondi to Pursue Cases Against His Foes • Trump Nominates White House Aide to Be Top U.S. Prosecutor for Office Probing Letitia James COUNTERTERRORISM • Conservative Groups Urge FBI to Create 'Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violence' Category Amid Rising Political Violence Concerns • Analysis: How ISIS Could Use Al to Plan Its Next Attack • Opinion: Director Patel Doesn't Know Who Dylann Roof Is, How Can He Stop the Next Dylann Roof? CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Swift FBI-NYPD Response Prevents Potential School Shooting at NYC High School • California Man Arrested After Opening Fire on ABC10 News Station Lobby in Broad Daylight • Three Members of MS-13 Convicted of Two Murders and Multiple Attempted Murders • Man Accused of Trying to Kill Trump Says Prosecutors Haven't Proven Assassination Attempt • High School Student Is Fatally Shot During FBI and ATF Operation in Pennsylvania • South Carolina Man Gets Fourteen Years for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy • FBI Drug Burn Mishap Target of DEQ Investigation • FBI Tech in California Set to Plead Guilty to Role in Bid-Rigging Scheme • Youtubers Aid FBI in Dismantling a $65 Million Scam Ring That Targets Seniors • Alabama Man Arrested by FBI Fugitive Task Force in Connection to Fake Invoice Scheme • Minnesota Officials Alerted to Housing Fraud Two Years Before Indictment EFTA01655437 • Former New York Officer Accused of Leaving Threatening Messages at FBI Agent's Porch • Florida Teen Arrested After FBI Tip About Threats Targeting Transgender Teen • One Hundred Seventy Seven Fugitives Arrested in Massive Georgia Operation • Kansas Man Convicted of Receiving Child Pornography • Arkansas Man Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison for Child Pornography • Man Facing at Least Twenty Years in Prison After Pleading Guilty to Multiple Armed Robberies in Texas • Authorities Investigate Alaska Bank Robbery • FBI Seeks Public's Aid in Identifying Suspect in Florida Bank Robbery • Michigan Man Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison for Robbing Bay County Credit Union CYBER DIVISION • FBI Pushes Back Against Scrutiny Over Cyber Cuts, Vacancies • FBI Hunt Lawyer Accused of Cyberstalking U.S. Partner • FBI Warns of Cybercriminals Using Fake FBI Crime Reporting Portals OTHER FBI NEWS • Former U.S. Attorney Defends Epstein's 2008 Plea Deal in Hours-Long Appearance on Capitol Hill • Could Russia 'Burn Bags' and a 'Mess' in New Jersey Derail Tracci's Bid for U.S. Attorney? • FBI Las Vegas Office Has a New Leader After Reported Firing of Predecessor • Ex-Chicago Cop, Outfit Hitman Steve Mandell Dies in Prison • Funeral for an Ex-FBI and CIA Director, a Remembrance of a Washington of a Distant Age INTERNATIONAL NEWS • MPs to Be Taught by MI5 to Spot Chinese and Russian Spies Trying to Infiltrate Parliament • Thousands Evacuated in Hong Kong After Discovery of Large WWII-Era Bomb • Ukraine's Supply Runs Turn to Nightmares as Drones Menace Roads Far Beyond the Front • NATO Planes Intercept Russian Jet Fighters Over Estonia • Protesters in Manila Accuse Government of Misusing Environmental Funds • Nepal Uprising Is Latest Challenge to India's Backyard Diplomacy • North Korea's Kim Says He Is Open to Talks if U.S. Drops Denuclearisation Demand • South Korea's President Lee Says U.S. Investment Demands Would Spark Financial Crisis • Israeli Drone Strike Kills Five, Including Three Children, in Southern Lebanon • In Historic Shift, U.K., Australia and Canada Recognize a Palestinian State OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Gavin Newsom Press Office Post About Kristi Noem Triggers Secret Service Threat Assessment Referral • Luigi Mangione's Lawyers Urge Judge to Block Death Penalty Over Insurance CEO's Murder • Prosecutors Want 30-Year Sentence for Attempted Brett Kavanaugh Assassin • Judge Tells Meta Not to Share Instagram Users' Information With Trump Admin • Trump Administration Moves to Revoke Permit for Massachusetts Offshore Wind Project • The U.S. Government Is Taking a Second Stab at Breaking up Google • Trump Says U.S. Military Attacked a Third Suspected Drug Boat, Killing Three • Trump Admin Asks Supreme Court to Allow It to Enforce Passport Sex Designation Policy • Trump Administration Places New Restrictions on Harvard, Citing Financial Concerns • Appeals Court Keeps New York's Gun Restrictions in Place, Including Times Square and Subway Ban EFTA01655438 WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS Director Patel Says Agency Investigating 'Theories and Questions' Surrounding Charlie Kirk's Murder Fox News (09/21, Margolis) reported that Director Patel announced the agency is investigating "theories and questions" surrounding the Sept. 10 assassination of Charlie Kirk, pledging a "thorough and exhaustive" probe into the killing. Director Patel said the FBI is examining potential accomplices, the shooter's location, bullet trajectory, Discord chats, text message confessions, visitors to the suspect's residence, weapon transport, and even possible hand signals observed near Kirk before the assassination. According to the article, Director Patel also addressed speculation about a plane allegedly turning off its transponder near the assassination site, clarifying that interviews with the pilot and FAA showed incomplete flight data in rural areas created the apparent gap, not deliberate action. He emphasized that while some details are known, the FBI will not release all information publicly to protect the investigation and any future prosecution. The article noted that Director Patel vowed that the FBI "will not rest until justice is served" and confirmed the agency continues to pursue every lead to fully resolve the case. Just the News (09/21, Ballasy) reported that Deputy Director Bongino said the FBI is going to continue investigating those directly connected to the subject to find out what they knew in advance of the shooting. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (09/21, Forrester), Hindustan Times (09/21, Kukreti), Newsweek (09/21, Silverman), New York Post (09/21, McCormack), Raw Story (09/21, McAfee), The Hill (09/21, Suter), and The Independent (09/21, Bowden). 'No Evidence' Found Yet of Ties Between Kirk's Shooting and Left-Wing Groups, Officials Say NBC News (09/20, Smith, Kosnar, et al.) reported that federal investigators have so far found no evidence linking Robinson to any left-wing groups despite President Trump and his allies vowing to target such organizations. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, said left-wing organizations amounted to a "vast domestic terror movement." He stated: "With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks and make America safe again for the American people. It will happen, and we will do it in Charlie's name." Robinson currently faces state charges, including aggravated murder, with Utah prosecutors seeking the death penalty, while federal prosecutors weigh whether any charges can be brought at the federal level. The article explained that investigators revealed texts between Robinson and a roommate in which Robinson admitted to planning the attack for over a week, citing his anger at Kirk's political views as his motive. The article noted that the FBI, along with the Secret Service, ATF, and DHS, have also issued a joint bulletin warning of "several threats of unknown credibility" tied to Kirk's upcoming memorial, though no specific or credible danger has been identified. Additional reporting on Charlie Kirk was published by The BBC (09/19, Wendling, Sardarizadeh), CNN (09/19, Mascarenhas), The Daily Mail (09/21, Parnaby), NBC News (09/20, Schapiro, Blankstein), New York Post (09/20, Worrell), The New York Times (09/20, Healy), The Wall Street Journal (09/19, Chaffin), and NewsNation (09/19, Bohn, Meyer). AG Bondi Issues Bold Warning to Would-Be Copycats After Kirk, Zarutska Murders Fox News (09/21, Penley) reported that AG Bondi warned would-be copycats that federal authorities will "find you, catch you, and prosecute you" after the murders of Charlie Kirk and Iryna Zarutska. "Look at the work the FBI did with ATF on Charlie's assassination. How quickly the FBI had someone in custody for this murder, so we will find you, we will catch you, and we will prosecute you." She added, "I think that's a huge deterrent because I think a lot of people think they can get away with it, and they can't." Director Pate! Says He's 'Proud' to Lead FBI After Explosive Hearing Fox News (09/21, Pinedo) reported that Director Patel, facing heavy criticism from Senate Democrats during a Judiciary Committee hearing, declared he was "proud" to lead the FBI and highlighted the bureau's historic recruiting numbers, claiming it now has "the most applicants to become FBI agents and intel analysts in the history of the FBI." He defended his earlier social media post about conservative leader Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, admitting he could have worded it better but insisting it was issued in the name of transparency. According to the EFTA01655439 article, Director Patel touted the FBI's record under his leadership, citing tens of thousands of arrests, a crackdown on illicit drugs, and efforts to "crush violent crime and defend the homeland," while challenging critics to "bring it on" if they questioned his 16 years of service. Democratic senators, including Dick Durbin and Mazie Hirono, criticized Director Patel over alleged "loyalty tests," mass firings, physical fitness standards for agents, and what they described as deference to President Trump. The article noted that Director Patel dismissed these attacks, arguing the FBI remains focused on its mission and asserting, "I'm not going anywhere." DOJ Ended Probe of `Border Czar' Tom Homan for Allegedly Accepting $SOK in FBI Sting MSNBC (09/20, Leonnig, Dilanian) reported that Tom Homan, the White House border czar, was investigated by the FBI for accepting $50,000 in cash from undercover agents posing as business executives. According to the article, the investigation, which began in 2024, was shut down by the Trump Justice Department after Homan became border czar, despite evidence of a potential bribery case. The article explained that Homan had promised to help the undercover agents secure government contracts in exchange for the money, once he was in a position of power in a potential second Trump administration. In a statement provided to MSNBC, Director Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "This matter originated under the previous administration and was subjected to a full review by FBI agents and Justice Department prosecutors. They found no credible evidence of any criminal wrongdoing. The Department's resources must remain focused on real threats to the American people, not baseless investigations. As a result, the investigation has been closed." Additional reporting was provided by News Nation (09/21, Dean), Washington Examiner (09/21, Notheis), National Review (09/21, McCarthy), Politico (09/21, Johansen), The Hill (09/21, Fields), UPI (09/21, D'Antonio), USA TODAY (09/21, Chambers), The Independent (09/21, Lubin, Hawkinson), HuffPost (09/21, D'Antonio), The Daily Beast (09/21, Garcia-Lawler), The Guardian (09/20, Yang & Mackey), ABC News (09/21, Faulders, Levine, et al.), Reuters (09/21, Lynch), The New York Times (09/20, Barrett, Thrush, et al.), CNN (09/21, D'Antonio), and The Washington Post (09/21, Stein & Davis). President Trump Ramps up Retribution Campaign With Push for AG Bondi to Pursue Cases Against His Foes The Associated Press (09/21, Kinnard) reported that President Donald Trump has escalated his campaign for retribution against political opponents, publicly urging AG Bondi on social media to advance investigations into his adversaries, including a possible threat case involving former FBI Director James Comey. Trump posted that "nothing is being done" on investigations into some of his foes. "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility," he said. Noting that he was impeached and criminally charged, "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOWIII" He posted that he had "reviewed over 30 statements and posts" that he characterized as criticizing his administration for a lack of action on investigations. "We have to act fast — one way or the other," Trump told reporters later that night at the White House. "They're guilty, they're not guilty — we have to act fast. If they're not guilty, that's fine. If they are guilty or if they should be charged, they should be charged. And we have to do it now." According to the article, critics such as Sen. Chris Murphy argued that Trump's moves risk turning federal law enforcement into a tool for punishing opponents and undermining democratic norms, while Sen. Rand Paul warned against "lawfare in all forms." The article also highlighted new Pentagon restrictions on journalists requiring them to pledge not to report unauthorized information, as well as the FCC chairman's warning to ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk's killing before ABC suspended Kimmel's show. The article noted that these actions have raised broader concerns about free speech, censorship, and the use of federal power to intimidate critics in Trump's second term. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (09/21, Wright), Axios (09/21, Lotz), BBC (09/21, Levinson-King), The Daily Beast (09/21, Revell), The Guardian (09/21, Staff Writer), The Hill (09/21, Fortinsky) (2), HuffPost (09/21, Vera), Newsweek (09/21, Aitken), New York Post (09/21, King), Politico (09/21, Daniels), Rolling Stone (09/21, Suebsaeng, Perez), Washington Examiner (09/21, Parks), and The Washington Times (09/21, McLaughlin). Trump Nominates White House Aide to Be Top U.S. Prosecutor for Office Probing Letitia James The Associated Press (09/20, Richer, Kinnard) reported that President Trump announced he would nominate senior White House aide Lindsey Halligan to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia after the office's top prosecutor, Erik Siebert, resigned amid pressure from Trump administration officials to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a mortgage fraud probe. The article explained that the investigation has so far produced no evidence warranting criminal charges, with James' attorneys denouncing it as political retaliation. According to the article, Halligan previously served as one of Trump's attorneys during the FBI's investigation into his handling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and was recently involved in a White House effort to address EFTA01655440 "improper ideology" at Smithsonian properties. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (09/20, Faulders), The Associated Press (09/20, Richer, Kinnard), The Daily Mail (09/20, Cirrone), Fox News (09/20, Betz), The Guardian (09/20, Staff Writer), The Hill (09/21, Fortinsky), The New York Times (09/20, Thrush, Haberman, et al.), Politico (09/20, Cheney), Reuters (09/20, Lynch), and Washington Examiner (09/20, LaChance). Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Conservative Groups Urge FBI to Create 'Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violence' Category Amid Rising Political Violence Concerns Just the News (09/21, Piper) reported that conservative groups such as the Heritage Foundation and the Oversight Project are urging the FBI to create a new domestic terrorism category called "Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violence and Extremism" (TIVE), modeled after frameworks for radical Islam and antisemitism. It explained that the proposed designation targets individuals who justify violence against opponents on the grounds that opposition to transgender ideology constitutes a threat to their existence, similar to eliminationist rhetoric used in other extremist movements. According to the article, Oversight Project President Mike Howell said the FBI could immediately implement the category to "detect, disrupt, and dismantle TIVE cells," including monitoring online forums like Discord and Reddit, with the Joint Terrorism Task Force translating coded language as it did against terrorist networks. The article described examples cited in the memos, including the Covenant Presbyterian School shooting by Audrey Hale and the alleged assassination of Charlie Kirk by Tyler Robinson, though it noted the documented motives often appeared more complex than solely transgender ideology. The article noted that critics, including journalist Ken Klippenstein, argue the initiative risks labeling all transgender individuals as extremists, while Director Patel, AG Bondi, and President Trump have publicly linked left-wing radicals, including those associated with gender ideology, to rising political violence. Analysis: How ISIS Could Use Al to Plan Its Next Attack An analysis from Newsweek (09/19, O'Connor) reported that ISIS and its affiliates are increasingly exploring artificial intelligence (Al) technologies to enhance propaganda, recruitment, and potentially even operational planning for attacks, marking what experts say is a dangerous turning point in extremist capabilities. It explained that ISIS has already used generative Al (GenAl) to create synthetic propaganda materials, such as AI-generated news anchors and manipulated pop culture clips, while researchers warn that emerging "agentic Al" systems could autonomously gather bomb-making materials or coordinate complex operations. According to the article, U.S. Representative August Pfluger has introduced the Generative Al Terrorism Risk Assessment Act to ensure Al tools are not weaponized by foreign terrorist organizations, citing hearings that revealed groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda are experimenting with Al for recruitment and radicalization. Federal agencies including the FBI, DHS, and the National Counterterrorism Center have issued guidelines addressing AI-enabled threats, while the United Nations has also warned that groups like ISIS and AI-Shabaab are using Al tools to translate propaganda, create deepfakes, and recruit cyber experts. The article noted that experts fear law enforcement and policymakers remain in a constant "catch-up" cycle as extremist groups exploit gaps in regulation, the speed of technological change, and the lack of global consensus on balancing security needs with online freedoms. Opinion: Director Patel Doesn't Know Who Dylann Roof Is, How Can He Stop the Next Dylann Roof? An opinion piece by MSNBC (09/19, DeBerry) reported that Director Patel admitted during a congressional hearing that he did not recognize the name Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who murdered nine Black parishioners at Charleston's Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in 2015. According to the article, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., criticized Director Patel's unfamiliarity with one of the nation's most notorious hate crimes, later saying it raised serious concerns about his ability to protect Americans from violent extremism. The article opined that Director Patel's lack of awareness, combined with the Dal's removal of a report showing far-right extremists as the leading source of domestic terrorism, fueled criticism that the administration is ignoring the threat of right-wing violence. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Swift FBI-NYPD Response Prevents Potential School Shooting at NYC High School EFTA01655441 New York Post (09/19, Narizhnaya, Geiger, et al.) reported that a 16-year-old boy was caught with a loaded gun at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Queens, New York, after posting threatening messages on Instagram about shooting up the school due to his issues with tests. According to the article, the boy was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and making a terroristic threat, and was arraigned with a requested bail of $100,000. The article noted that the gun, a 9-millimeter Taurus GX4, was purchased legally in South Carolina in January 2025, and an investigation is ongoing to determine how it ended up in the boy's possession. "Essentially, he made a post on Instagram...threatening to shoot up the school because tests got him 'tight.' Meta, whose parent company Instagram, took the threat seriously enough to where they informed the FBI, and they provided the FBI with the phone number associated with the account;' said Assistant District Attorney Mirza Hadzic. "The FBI forwarded that information to the NYPD because they also deemed it credible...They responded to the school." Additionally, District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement, "As alleged, a 16-year-old student brought a loaded gun into his high school and threatened to do harm. Thanks to the quick action of our law enforcement partners at the NYPD and the FBI, a tragedy was averted. Gun violence has stolen too many young lives in our communities, and we are extremely grateful that this incident did not result in anyone being hurt or worse." New York City Mayor Eric Adams added, "This year, we removed 4,000 illegal guns off our streets, and one of those guns was removed yesterday with a 16-year-old child that was in possession. Stopping the flow of guns is something that we need our federal partners to help us with, but what the police department is doing every day — zeroing in on illegal guns — the guns that we remove are saving lives. Additional reporting was provided by HSToday (09/20, Norris), Parent Herald (09/20, Ong), WNBC (NBC-4) (09/19, Millman & Shea), ABC News (09/19, Narizhnaya, Geiger, et al.), Spectrum NY1 (09/19, Staff Writer), News 12 (09/19, Staff Writer), and Fox-5 NY (09/10, Shivonne). California Man Arrested After Opening Fire on ABC10 News Station Lobby in Broad Daylight New York Post (09/21, Zilber) reported that Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, was charged with shooting into the lobby of ABC10's headquarters in Sacramento. According to the article, he was initially released on $200,000 bail, but was later rearrested by the FBI on charges of interfering with government-licensed broadcast communications. The article noted that Hernandez Santana is now being held on a federal hold and is set to appear in federal court, with a motive for the shooting still under investigation. Additional reporting was provided by CNN (09/21, Sottile & Wolfe), The Guardian (09/20, Empson), Variety (09/19, Maddaus), The New York Times (09/20, Hippensteel), New York Post (09/20, Olander), NBC News (09/19, Lenthang, Kottke, et al.), Fox News (09/21, Koch, Pritchett, et al.) Three Members of MS-13 Convicted of TWo Murders and Multiple Attempted Murders KBFF (Fox-45) (09/19, Dikos, Ashwell) reported that three MS-13 gang members, Wilson Constanza-Galdomez, Edis Valenzuela-Rodriguez, and Jonathan Pesquera-Puerto, were found guilty of racketeering conspiracy involving murders and attempted murder in Baltimore. According to the article, the guilty verdict includes charges for the murders of 16-year-old Gabriela Ardon and 18-year-old Michelle Elizabeth Tenezaca, who were brutally stabbed to death in separate incidents. "The defendants convicted today engaged in excessive and brutal violence as members of MS-13, a transnational criminal organization that routinely shows contempt for the rule of law," Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division said in the press release. "We are proud of the work that has taken these individuals off the streets so that they can no longer harm the community of the greater Baltimore area, and we will continue our nationwide efforts in thwarting MS-13." Additional reporting was provided by WBAL-FM (09/19, Hein). Man Accused of Trying to Kill Trump Says Prosecutors Haven't Proven Assassination Attempt The Associated Press (09/19, Fischer) reported that Ryan Routh, accused of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump, claims prosecutors haven't proven an assassination attempt occurred. Prosecutors argued that Routh took substantial steps to kill Trump, including aiming a loaded gun at him, and that his actions were not peaceful. The judge denied Routh's motion for acquittal, and the case will proceed with the defense presenting its case, followed by closing arguments and jury deliberation. The article highlighted that FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly McGreevy used cellphone records, location data, text messages, bank records, internet searches, security video and various store receipts to illustrate Routh's actions and movements over the month prior to the attempted attack and to show that he began trying to acquire a gun, despite being a convicted felon, nearly six months before his arrest. News Nation (09/19, Shafer, Noone) detailed that two witnesses who testified on Thursday said that Routh had information about Trump's plane. Gregory Turner — a member of the FBI Honolulu office — while executing a search warrant, collected a document from Routh's home that had Trump's plane tail number, flight plans, and talked about West Palm Beach. USA TODAY (09/19, Cann, Whigham II) added that Jerry Llanes, a digital EFTA01655442 forensic data specialist from the FBI's Miami division, testified about anti-Trump text messages purportedly recovered from cell phones used by Routh. "He needs to go away. He canceled JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) for Iran," Routh allegedly wrote in one message. "What an idiot." Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (09/19, Charalambous) and Fox News (09/19, Joseph, Johnson, et al.) (2). High School Student Is Fatally Shot During FBI and ATF Operation in Pennsylvania The New York Times (09/19, Hauser) reported that an 18-year-old high school student, Kendric Curtis Jr., was fatally shot by an officer during an operation by the FBI and ATF in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. According to the article, the shooting occurred after Curtis opened fire at officers and fled, prompting an officer to return gunfire and strike him. When asked about the shooting, the ATF said in a statement emailed on Friday: "The ATF and FBI agents working in a joint investigation were involved in a shooting incident." A spokesman did not reply to questions about the operation. The article noted that an FBI spokesman, citing the investigation, had no comment on Friday when asked about the type of operation officers had been conducting. Additional reporting was provided by WTAE (ABC- 4) (09/19, Cippa, Rash, et al.). South Carolina Man Gets Fourteen Years for Role in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy WCNC (NBC-36) (09/20, Carroll) reported that Eric Brown, a York County man, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy that trafficked fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit pills across the Rock Hill and Charlotte region. According to the article, Brown distributed both pure fentanyl and fentanyl- laced pills disguised as 30-milligram Oxycodone tablets, which were manufactured by members of the conspiracy at various locations. The investigation was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation targeting high-level traffickers and gangs. The article noted that the case was investigated by a coalition of agencies, including the FBI Columbia Field Office, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, York County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit, Rock Hill Police, York County and Richland County Sheriff's Offices, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and federal partners. FBI Drug Burn Mishap Target of DEQ Investigation Daily Montanan (09/19, Hansen) reported that the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is investigating an incident where a drug burn by the FBI at an incinerator in Billings sickened over a dozen employees at a nearby animal shelter. According to the article, the incinerator, owned by the City of Billings, is primarily used to burn dead animals, but has also been used by the Billings Police Department to burn drugs. The article noted that the DEQ investigation will focus on air quality concerns and the incineration equipment, and will look into whether the City of Billings had the proper permits and approvals to burn methamphetamine at the facility. FBI Tech in California Set to Plead Guilty to Role in Bid-Rigging Scheme My News LA (09/19, Staff Writer) reported that Jeffrey Spencer, a former FBI technician in Los Angeles, is set to plead guilty to a bid-rigging scheme involving his sister's electronic companies. According to the article, Spencer and his sister, Christy Evereklian, conspired to defraud the US by manipulating bids for FBI contracts, with her companies winning at least $350,000. The article noted that according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Spencer and Everekian already had decided which company would submit the lowest — and presumably winning — bid. Evereklian submitted bids from her own companies to the FBI using the names of her relatives to conceal her involvement, and used a random number generator to create the fraudulent bids Youtubers Aid FBI in Dismantling a $65 Million Scam Ring That Targets Seniors Creator Handbook (09/19, Salinas) reported that YouTubers from channels like Scammer Payback and Trilogy Media helped the FBI dismantle a $65 million scam ring targeting seniors. According to the article, the YouTubers conducted sting operations, posed as victims, and submitted video evidence to law enforcement, leading to the indictment of 28 individuals. The article noted that federal agents from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS Criminal Investigations executed search and arrest warrants across California, New York, Texas, and Michigan. Alabama Man Arrested by FBI Fugitive Task Force in Connection to Fake Invoice Scheme WHNT (CBS-19) (09/19, Wright) reported that Christopher Scott King was arrested by the FBI Fugitive Task Force in connection with a fake invoice scheme in Decatur. According to the article, King is accused of presenting over 400 fraudulent invoices to a Decatur business, receiving over $600,000 in payments. The article noted that after a long investigation, probable cause was determined to charge King with Aggravated Theft of Property. EFTA01655443 Minnesota Officials Alerted to Housing Fraud Two Years Before Indictment Minnesota Star Tribune (09/20, Kite) reported that Minnesota officials were alerted to potential housing fraud by Faladcare LLC in September 2023, but the Department of Human Services did not investigate and continued making payments to the company. According to the article, the company's owners, Christopher and Emmanuel Falade, were later indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly defrauding the state of over $2.2 million. The article noted that the state eventually suspended payments to Faladcare in July, after the FBI searched the company's offices, and is now seeking to terminate the Housing Stabilization Services program due to widespread fraud. Former New York Officer Accused of Leaving Threatening Messages at FBI Agent's Porch WHEC (NBC-10) (09/19, Staff Writer) reported that a former Ogden Police officer, Steven Ploof, is facing federal charges for allegedly threatening an FBI agent by leaving posters with threatening messages on the agent's porch. According to the article, Ploof was identified through home security footage and was later detained by Greece Police officers after he ignored commands and attempted to attack them. The article noted that Ploof has a history of threatening behavior, including incidents where he threatened to kill people, and was previously employed as a police officer from 2005 to 2021 before resigning in 2023. Additional reporting was provided by WHAM (ABC-13) (09/19, Staff Writer). Florida Teen Arrested After FBI Tip About Threats Targeting Transgender Teen WPEC (CBS-12) (09/20, Bellinghausen) reported that a 17-year-old, Edwin Pride III, was arrested after making threats in a Roblox group chat. According to the article, the threats targeted an openly transgender teen, with Pride allegedly saying he would put a "hit" out on the victim. The article noted that Pride was booked on felony counts, including written threats to bodily harm and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, following an FBI tip and investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. One Hundred Seventy Seven Fugitives Arrested in Massive Georgia Operation Patch (09/19, Lumpkin) reported that a large-scale federal operation in Georgia, named Operation No Escape, resulted in the arrest of 177 fugitives. According to the article, the operation, which lasted six weeks, targeted individuals with violent criminal warrants and was conducted by the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and local authorities. The article noted that arrests were made across 58 jurisdictions in Georgia, with charges including homicide, assault, crimes against children, drug-related offenses, and other violent crimes. "Here in Georgia, we aren't standing idly by," FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said Thursday. "We are addressing violent crime head-on through intelligence and partnerships. We promise to continue our work to disrupt violent crimes, drug organizations, and human traffickers whose criminal acts devastate families and communities." Additional reporting was provided by WZQZ-FM (09/20, Staff Writer) and Here Augusta (09/19, Staff Writer). Kansas Man Convicted of Receiving Child Pornography KSNW (NBC-3) (09/19, Day) reported that Frank Castro, a 50-year-old Kansas man, was convicted of receiving child pornography. According to the article, the conviction stems from a 2020 incident where Castro downloaded and watched a video of child sexual abuse sent by Antonio Galicia. The FBI is investigating the case, according to a Department of Justice press release. Arkansas Man Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison for Child Pornography KTBS (ABC-3) (09/19, Staff Writer) reported that Bradley Hunter Cox, a 36-year-old man from Hope, Ark., was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography. According to the article, Cox pleaded guilty in January after being indicted by a grand jury in July 2024 for using social media platforms to distribute child pornography. The article noted that the crime was discovered after FBI agents in Washington, D.C. found that Cox was distributing child pornography to a recipient in their area. Local FBI agents then conducted a search warrant at Cox's residence and confirmed that he had, in fact, distributed child pornography. Additional reporting was provided by KLAX (ABC-31) (09/19, Staff Writer). Man Facing at Least Twenty Years in Prison After Pleading Guilty to Multiple Armed Robberies in Texas KVUE (ABC-24) (09/19, Castro) reported that Christian Lopez-Burgos, a 27-year-old man from Honduras, pleaded guilty to multiple armed robberies in Austin. According to the article, the robberies occurred between December 31, 2023, and February 2024, with Lopez-Burgos using a firearm to commit the crimes. A Department of Justice press release noted that the FBI, along with the Austin, San Marcos, and Houston Police Departments, is investigating the case. EFTA01655444 Authorities Investigate Alaska Bank Robbery Anchorage Daily News (09/19, Staff Writer) reported that the Anchorage Police Department and the FBI are investigating a robbery at a Wells Fargo bank located at 745 E. Dimond Blvd. According to the article, the robbery prompted a "large police presence in the area" that was cleared by Thursday evening, according to police. The article noted that the FBI also responded to the scene and is conducting an "ongoing" investigation with the Anchorage Police Department, FBI spokesperson Chloe Martin said in a Friday statement. FBI Seeks Public's Aid in Identifying Suspect in Florida Bank Robbery Hoodline Miami (09/19, Miller) reported that the FBI is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in a bank robbery at an Amerant Bank branch in Coral Springs. According to the article, the robbery occurred on August 25 at around 11:45 a.m., and no one was injured. The article noted that the FBI has released a photo of the suspect and is urging anyone with information to contact the FBI. Michigan Man Sentenced to Twelve Years in Prison for Robbing Bay County Credit Union WWJ (CBS-62) (09/20, Buczek) reported that Tony McGillen, a 45-year-old Bay City man, was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison. According to the article, he pleaded guilty to robbing the Sunrise Family Credit Union in Essexville, Michigan, and brandishing a firearm. The article noted that McGillen robbed the credit union of $7,901 in cash at gunpoint on April 9, 2024, and was arrested two weeks later after being identified by the FBI through community tips. "The sentencing of Tony McGillen, who was convicted of bank robbery and brandishing a firearm, demonstrates that tough consequences follow such crimes, including multiple years in federal prison," said Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, in a statement. "Thanks to the hardworking members of the FBI Bay City Resident Agency, in partnership with the Hampton Township Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the successful prosecution of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mr. McGillen will be off the streets. I also want to extend my gratitude to the members of the community, including local businesses, whose cooperation was instrumental in bringing justice to those affected by this offender." Back to Top CYBER DIVISION FBI Pushes Back Against Scrutiny Over Cyber Cuts, Vacancies Bank Info Security (09/19, Riotta) reported that Director Patel defended the bureau's handling of cybercrime investigations amid criticism over staffing cuts, leadership changes, and low morale during a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Director Patel told senators that cybercrime arrests had increased by "40, 50, 60%" despite top cyber officials departing, and he claimed those positions were replaced by "supremely qualified individuals," though he refused to name them when pressed. According to the article, Democratic senators accused Director Patel of overseeing retaliatory firings tied to Trump-focused investigations, while multiple former FBI officials warned of a "real loss of institutional knowledge" and growing fear within the bureau as experienced cyber agents left. The article noted that the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report showed $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses, a 33% increase from the previous year, and that the bureau recently warned about hackers spoofing its own Internet Crime Complaint Center site to steal data. Director Patel also pushed back against claims that election interference investigations had been limited, insisting that no FBI resources had been diverted from those operations. The article highlighted that Director Patel has replaced the FBI's former assistant director for cyber operations, Brian Vorndran, who left the public sector and joined Microsoft as the firm's deputy CISO in May. Veteran FBI official Brett Leatherman announced in a Linkedln post that he was selected to take over the role in June, writing that "FBI Cyber sits at the intersection of law enforcement, intelligence, and national defense" and is "uniquely positioned to impose cost on our cyber adversaries while supporting victims of cybercrime." FBI Hunt Lawyer Accused of Cyberstalking U.S. Partner Roll on Friday (09/19, Hamilton) reported that the FBI has issued a warrant for Texas lawyer Amber Chen, who is accused of cyberstalking a New York law firm partner, identified as V1, and an associate, V2, after allegedly posting online threats and sending emails demanding V1 leave the United States. Authorities said Chen was already known to the FBI for submitting roughly 25 false crime tips, including allegations of terrorism and murder-for-hire, all of which were found to be unsubstantiated. According to the article, the FBI obtained screenshots showing Chen allegedly posting what appeared to be instructions for an assassin to target V1 and V2, along with emails in which EFTA01655445 she gave Vl a countdown to flee the country, warning he would be "eliminated on the spot" if seen near his law firm after June 20, 2025. The Chief Security Officer at the firm, identified in U.S. reports as Latham & Watkins, reported the threats to the FBI, while the firm provided private security for V1's family and began monitoring Chen's social media. The article noted that V1 told the FBI he had never met or communicated with Chen, despite her alleged harassment beginning in October 2024. FBI Warns of Cybercriminals Using Fake FBI Crime Reporting Portals Bleeping Computer (09/19, Gatlan) reported that the FBI issued a warning about cybercriminals creating spoofed versions of its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting visitors. The FBI explained that attackers often make small alterations to legitimate domains, such as using alternate spellings or top-level domains, to trick people into entering sensitive data like names, addresses, and banking information. According to the article, the FBI cited examples of spoofed domains and emphasized that IC3 or FBI employees will never contact victims directly to recover stolen funds or request payment. The bureau also recommended typing the address directly into web browsers rather than using search engines or sponsored links, which scammers frequently exploit to redirect victims to fraudulent sites. The article noted that the FBI previously issued similar alerts after receiving over 100 reports of such scams and reminded the public to avoid sharing personal information or sending money to unknown individuals online. Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Former U.S. Attorney Defends Epstein's 2008 Plea Deal in Hours-Long Appearance on Capitol Hill CNN (09/21, Grayer) reported that former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta defended his 2008 plea deal with Jeffrey Epstein during a six-hour closed-door session with the House Oversight Committee, arguing the decision was based on concerns about losing at trial and whether the case should be handled federally or locally. Democrats on the panel criticized Acosta as "not credible," noting he refused to call the arrangement a "sweetheart deal" despite testimony that about 40 women had come forward with abuse allegations. According to the article, Acosta insisted he never met Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell and denied ever seeing President Donald Trump's name in any related documents, while committee chairman Rep. James Comer said Acosta was cooperative and provided information to advance the probe. The article explained that Director Patel also referenced Acosta in recent testimony as the Trump administration faces pressure to release all Epstein files, with the committee subpoenaing figures from both parties and reviewing documents from Epstein's estate and the Justice Department. The article noted that the House panel continues to investigate the federal government's handling of Epstein's case, including financial records and survivor testimony, as lawmakers push for full transparency. Could Russia 'Burn Bags' and a 'Mess' in New Jersey Derail Tracci's Bid for U.S. Attorney? Daily Progress (09/21, Spencer) reported that Republican Robert Tracci, serving as interim U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia, faces potential hurdles to permanent appointment amid legal questions over interim term limits and an FBI investigation into so-called "burn bags" tied to Russia-related documents. It explained that law professor Carl Tobias believes Tracci's low-profile approach and bipartisan support from Virginia's U.S. senators make it unlikely that these issues will derail his nomination. According to the article, FBI Director Kash Patel announced in July that thousands of documents linked to the Russia probe were nearly destroyed, prompting a federal investigation centered at the Charlottesville courthouse near the FBI's Winchester document facility. The article described competing theories for choosing Charlottesville, including proximity to the FBI site and speculation that a rural Virginia jury might be more favorable to indicting Obama-era officials than one in Washington, D.C. The article noted that prosecutors from Virginia's Eastern District are overseeing the case, while Tracci and the White House have declined to comment on his role or whether the probe could affect his nomination. FBI Las Vegas Office Has a New Leader After Reported Firing of Predecessor Las Vegas Review-Journal (09/19, Brigham) reported that Christopher Delzotto is the new special agent in charge of the FBI's Las Vegas office. According to the article, he replaces Spencer Evans, whose attorney claims he was terminated in August. The article noted that Delzotto's appointment follows multiple management changes in the Las Vegas office since the start of President Donald Trump's administration. EFTA01655446 Ex-Chicago Cop, Outfit Hitman Steve Mandell Dies in Prison Chicago Tribune (09/20, Meisner) reported that Steve Mandell, a former Chicago police officer who became one of the city's most notorious criminals, has died at the age of 74 in a North Carolina federal medical prison after a decade in high-security custody. According to the article, his life was marked by a violent criminal career that included robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, and suspected murders, with investigators linking him to the deaths of a suspected informant, a trucking company owner, and even his own father. Mandell, once sentenced to Illinois' Death Row and later briefly hailed as an exoneree after a court found FBI agents fabricated evidence in a 1990 case, returned to infamy in 2012 when the FBI foiled his plot to kidnap and extort wealthy businessmen in a torture chamber he called "Club Med." The article noted that his arrest in 2012, carried out with the help of an informant, stopped what the FBI believed could have been a string of kidnappings and murders. Funeral for an Ex-FBI and CIA Director, a Remembrance of a Washington of a Distant Age CNN (09/19, Lybrand, Perez) reported that a memorial service was held for William Webster, the former FBI and CIA director, who died at the age of 101, with eulogies from former FBI Director Christopher Wray and others praising his leadership and dedication to the rule of law. According to the article, the service was attended by notable figures such as former Attorney General Merrick Garland and Chief Justice John Roberts, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the tribute to Webster. The article noted that Director Patel did not attend, but sent a personal note to Webster's family, amid controversy surrounding his leadership and accusations of politicization within the FBI. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS MPs to Be Taught by MI5 to Spot Chinese and Russian Spies Trying to Infiltrate Parliament Daily Mail Thousands Evacuated in Hong Kong After Discovery of Large WWII-Era Bomb Associated Press Ukraine's Supply Runs Turn to Nightmares as Drones Menace Roads Far Beyond the Front Wall Street Journal NATO Planes Intercept Russian Jet Fighters Over Estonia Wall Street Journal Protesters in Manila Accuse Government of Misusing Environmental Funds New York Times Nepal Uprising Is Latest Challenge to India's Backyard Diplomacy New York Times North Korea's Kim Says He Is Open to Talks if U.S. Drops Denuclearisation Demand Reuters South Korea's President Lee Says U.S. Investment Demands Would Spark Financial Crisis Reuters Israeli Drone Strike Kills Five, Including Three Children, in Southern Lebanon Associated Press In Historic Shift, U.K., Australia and Canada Recognize a Palestinian State Wall Street Journal Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Gavin Newsom Press Office Post About Kristi Noem Triggers Secret Service Threat Assessment Referral Fox News EFTA01655447 Luigi Mangione's Lawyers Urge Judge to Block Death Penalty Over Insurance CEO's Murder Reuters Prosecutors Want 30-Year Sentence for Attempted Brett Kavanaugh Assassin Politico Judge Tells Meta Not to Share Instagram Users' Information With Trump Admin Politico Trump Administration Moves to Revoke Permit for Massachusetts Offshore Wind Project Associated Press The U.S. Government Is Taking a Second Stab at Breaking up Google The Verge Trump Says U.S. Military Attacked a Third Suspected Drug Boat, Killing Three New York Times Trump Admin Asks Supreme Court to Allow It to Enforce Passport Sex Designation Policy Fox News Trump Administration Places New Restrictions on Harvard, Citing Financial Concerns Reuters Appeals Court Keeps New York's Gun Restrictions in Place, Including Times Square and Subway Ban 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 • 4:00 PM: The President makes an announcement on Significant Medical and Scientific Findings for America's Children • 5:30 PM: The President departs the White House en route to New York, New York • 5:45 PM: The President arrives in New York, New York Vice President Vance • No official presidential schedule released or announced. US Senate • No events scheduled. US House of Representatives • No events scheduled. Cabinet Members EFTA01655448 • Secretary of Defense Hegseth hosts an enhanced honor cordon and meeting welcoming The Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, Canada, to the Pentagon at 4 PM. • Secretary of State Rubio meets with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New York City, New York at 11:00 AM. • Secretary of State Rubio meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in New York City, New York at 12:45 PM. • Secretary of State Rubio meets with Japanese Foreign Minister lwaya Takeshi and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in New York City, New York at 3:45 PM. • Secretary of State Rubio participates in a G7 Foreign Ministers working dinner in New York City, New York at 7:30 PM. Visitors • No events scheduled. General Events • Brookings: Alberto Musalem: The outlook for the US economy and monetary policy — Monday, September 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 10:00 AM. On September 22 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Alberto Musalem, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will share his outlook for the U.S. economy and monetary policy. Following his remarks, he will be interviewed by David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal & Monetary Policy at Brookings, and take questions from the audience. Musalem is among the five regional Fed bank presidents with a vote on interest rates this year. His remarks will come a few days after the September 16-17 meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. EFTA01655449