EFTA Document EFTA01654399

From: NY -1 To: Undisclosed recipients:; Subject: SITREP and Green is the Color of the Day for Thursday August 7, 2025 Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 Importance: Normal Inlinc-Images: Outlook-j3duudgjpg EDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Go to New York Field Ow., News and Information Follow this site to get updates in your newsfeed. NEWLY LISTED EVENTS Nothing to report. ICE ERO OPERATIONS Daily Teams Channel for ICE Operations: 08.07.2025 ICE ERO Operations I M365-NY-OPERATIONS J Microsoft Teams Effective September 1, 2025, all New York Operations Orders will be completed in the FD-888. Mkrosoft will no longer support InfoPath as the software has reached its end of life. FBINET SharePolnt Ops Orders will no longer be supported, all Op Plans will be submitted in the FD-888 for approval. Agents should utilize FACT for FD-888 processing: https://fact.fbi goy/Home asp All approved FO-888's must be submitted to the NYOC: ny opscenter@flitgov COLOR OF TIIE DAY Green AIR QIIALITY INDEX As of 7am (AO) Value of Index = 43 OZONE = 17 Daily AQI Color = Green Reference: AlrNow.gov NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Partly cloudy with a high of 82. SIGNIFICANT NEWS EVENTS Army Sergeant Shot Five Soldiers Before He Was Tackled and Arrested at Fort Stewart Reuters (08/06, McKay, All, Stewart) reported that a U.S. Army sergeant, Quornelius Radford, shot and wounded five soldiers with a personal handgun at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The five victims are in stable condition and expected to recover, with three requiring surgery. The article explained that Radford, 28, was an active-duty sergeant specializing in automated logistics and assigned to a supply unit of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart. Other soldiers in the area who witnessed the shooting tackled and subdued the suspect before law enforcement arrived and took him into custody. Brigadier General John Lubas, the base commander, gave little information about Radford's background except to say he had a prior drunken-driving arrest, which was unknown to the chain of command until "the event occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases!' Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Donald Trump said, The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families!' He called the suspect 'horrible The Guardian (08/06, Marcos) reported that an FBI spokesperson said that their Savannah satellite office "is aware of the incident at Fort Stewart and is coordinating with Army Criminal Investigations Division for any assistance that might be needed". The Associated Press (08/06, Bynum, Catalini) highlighted that Deputy Director Bongino said that the FBI was at the fort to help investigate. Additional reporting on the story was provided by New York Times (08/06, Medina, Hauser, Sassoon), Fox News (08/06, Wehner, Friden), NPR (08/06, Kim), ABC News (08/06, Shapiro, Martinez), NBC News (08/06, Helsel), CNN (08/06, Andone, Morris, et aL), CBS News (08/06, Sundby), Al Jazeera (08/06, Staff Writer), BBC (08/06, Faguy, Joyner, Matta), CNBC (08/06, Breuninger), The Hill (08/06, Mitchell), USA Today (08/06, Winkle, Santucci, et al), Axios (08/06, Falconer), Washington Post (08/06, Wu, Lamothe, et at), New York Post (08/06, Nest), NewsNation (08/06, Whiteside), Military.com (08/06, Beynon, Novelly), WAGA (NBC-5) (08/06, Maielli), and WXIA (NBC-11) (08/06, Raymond). Texas Soldier With Top Security Clearance Charged With Attempting to Pass Sensitive Tank Data to Russia Fox News (08/06, Casiano) reported that Taylor Adam Lee, a 22-year-old US Army soldier with top security clearance, has been charged with attempting to pass sensitive information about the M1A2 Abrams tank to Russia. Lee, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, allegedly transmitted information online and offered assistance to Russia in exchange for Russian citizenship. "Today's arrest is a message to anyone thinking about betraying the U.S. - especially service members who have sworn to protect our homeland: said Assistant Director Roman Rozhaysky of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "The FBI and our partners will do everything in our power to protect Americans and safeguard classified EFTA01654399 information." The press release quoted Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI's Washington Field Office: "Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States in favor of providing national defense information to the Russian government. The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect U.S. national security and bring to Justice those who seek to undermine it." Additional reporting on the story was provided by Washington Examiner (08/06, Deese), CNN (08/06, Blackburn), CBS News (08/06, Walsh), NewsNation (08/06, Taub), Newsweek (08/06, Sundel, Whisnant), Reuters (08/06, Goudsward), UPI (08/06, Cone), Al Jazeera (08/07, Staff Writer), New York Post (08/07, Hussain), and Newsmax (08/06, Reyner). Planned Dinner for Trump Officials to Discuss Epstein Appears to Have Been Moved Amid Media Scrutiny CNN (08/06, Holmes, Treene) and Fox News (08/06, Deppisch, Spunt. Gibson) reported that a dinner scheduled at Vice President JD Vance's residence was seen as an opportunity for Trump administration officials, including AG Bondi and Director Patel, to realign and clear the air amid the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The dinner, which was expected to include White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, was intended to be an informal, low•stakes situation where the administration could discuss its handling of the Epstein case and craft a unified response. The articles explained that the dinner's status was uncertain as of Wednesday afternoon, with administration officials saying it might be called off, moved to another location, or rescheduled due to intense media coverage, despite Vance's office denying that the meeting was ever scheduled. The articles highlighted that the dinner was seen as a chance for AG Bondi and Director Patel to resolve their tense relationship, which had been strained over their differing responses to the Epstein scandal, including a contentious White House meeting last month where Deputy Director Bongino's future with the administration was also questioned. The administration's handling of the Epstein case, including the potential release of an audio recording and transcript of Blanche's conversation with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, was expected to be a main focus of the dinner, with Vance playing a peacemaker role to help the officials present a unified front. The article added that the feud between AG Bondi, Director Patel, and Deputy Director Bongino had been building for months, with FBI officials criticizing AG Bondi for spending more time talking about the Epstein case on Fox News than actually reviewing the files, and Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino facing backlash from the MAGA right after the release of a memo that contradicted conspiracy theories surrounding the investigation. Tulsl Gabbard Declassified Documents Over CIA Objections, Sources Say NBC News (08/06, Luce) reported that National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard declassified a document on Russia's interference in the 2016 election over CIA objections, citing concerns about protecting sensitive spying sources and methods. According to the article, the declassified document included relatively few redactions and revealed details about eavesdropping and human sources with insights into Russian President Vladimir Putin's views. Former intelligence officers, including Michael Van Landingham and Larry Pfeiffer, have expressed alarm that the declassification could put intelligence•gathering efforts at risk and compromise sources. The article highlighted that a bipartisan Senate intelligence report in 2020 endorsed the intelligence community's analysis that the Kremlin sought to help Trump win the election. A special counsel appointed by Trump in his first term, john Durham, reported no evidence of a criminal conspiracy by the Hillary Clinton campaign or the Obama administration to undermine Trump with false information. Additional reporting on the story was provided by The Washington Post (08/06, Strobel), The New Republic (08/06, Houghtaling), Lawfare (08/06, DiResta), Raw Story (08/06, Burris), The Daily Beast (08/06, Ewall•Wice), and MSNBC (08/06, Benen). Former State Correctional Officer Gets Five Years for Drug Smuggling WITN (NBC-7) (08/06, Staff Writer) reported that Dawan McKinzie, a former state correctional officer, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In addition to his prison term, McKinzie will serve four years of supervised release. The case stems from a joint investigation by the FBI and DEA, which began on November 14, 2023, when authorities received information that McKinzie was smuggling contraband into Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro. When confronted, McKinzie admitted to receiving a package from an inmate's wife containing methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, tobacco, suboxone, a cellphone, and nude photographs—all of which he intended to smuggle into the facility. Ghanaian Star Luxury Car Surrendered Over Alleged Link to U.S. Crime BBC (08/06, Mom) reported that Ghanaian authorities have seized a 2019 Lamborghini Urus owned by Ghanaian musician Shatta Wale, in connection with a U.S. fraud case involving Nana Kwabena Amuah. The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) stated the vehicle is expected to be repatriated to the United States as part of Amuah's $4.7 million restitution for a scheme that defrauded nearly 70 organizations. U.S. authorities, including the FBI and the Department of justice, are expected to formally request mutual legal assistance to secure the car's return. Shatta Wale has denied any connection to Amuah and insists he is a "third-party owner," claiming he purchased the Lamborghini for $150,000. Two Arrested After Impersonating FBI Agents Patch (08/06, Edwards) reported that New York State Police have arrested Wei Baoguo, 34, and Yu Sheng Gui, 38, both of Brooklyn, for impersonating FBI agents as part of a scheme to defraud a Hudson Valley resident According to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the suspects posed as federal agents and coerced a 27•year•old victim into paying $15,000 under threat of arrest. The pair was charged with felony third• degree grand larceny. Baoguo and Gui were arraigned and released on their own recognizance. They are scheduled to appear in court on September 4. Back•To-School Advice From FBI: Make a Hoax Threat, Pay the Price UPI (08/06, Benson) reported that the FBI is warning students that making hoax threats, whether in person or online, can result in "serious consequences," including suspension, expulsion, arrest, and imprisonment. "The FBI takes every threat seriously - regardless of intent," said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. "Hoax threats not only disrupt the community and divert law enforcement resources, but they can also ruin the perpetrator's life. Making a threat, whether spoken, texted, or posted online, is a federal crime with serious consequences. What may seem like a joke can quickly become a life•altering mistake. Think before you act" The article noted that over the last EFTA01654400 few years there was an uptick in threats in America's schools following school shooting events. During the 2023.2024 school year, nearly 2,000 threats were reported nationally against U.S. schools, according to a report from Educator's School Safety Network Irish National Charged With Child Exploitation Faces Life Sentence KZTV (CBS•10) (08/07, Rackley) reported that a 36•year•old Irish national has been charged with multiple counts related to child exploitation. U.S. Attorney Nicholas I. Calle( announced that Matthew Liam Johnstone faces four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and four counts of coercion and enticement of a child. The charges allege that in September 2022, Johnstone coerced a minor into filming and photographing herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including acts of sadism. If convicted, Johnstone faces up to life in prison. According to the article, the FBI's Child Exploitation Operational Unit • Criminal Investigative Division conducted the investigation. The article highlighted that Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman and Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case. Federal Court Filing System Hit in Sweeping Hack Politico (08/06, Sakellarladis, Gerstein) reported that the federal court filing system, including CM/ECF and Pacer, has been hit by a sweeping hack, highlighting its struggle to keep pace with cybersecurity threats. According to the article, Michael Scudder, who chairs the Committee on Information Technology, has stated that the current system is "outdated, unsustainable due to cyber risks, and requires replacement". The article explained that the federal Judiciary holds sensitive information, which makes it a target for "unrelenting security threats of extraordinary gravity", and as of July 2022, the Justice Department was investigating another hack of the federal court system that involved three foreign hacking groups and dated back to early 2020. The article highlighted that the FBI referred POLITICO to the Justice Department, which did not immediately reply to a request for comment. New National Cyber Director Cairncross Faces Challenges on Policy, Bureaucracy, Threats CyberScoop (08/06, Starks) reported that Sean Cairncross has taken office as the national cyber director, a pivotal moment for the role, and will need to shape the office's future, tackle policy issues, and address key threats. According to the article, Cairncross faces challenges such as harmonizing federal cybersecurity regulations, renewing the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, and strengthening public•private partnerships. He will also need to confront evolving cyber threats, including those from Chinese hackers and attacks on critical infrastructure, while navigating the office's standing within the federal government despite having less cybersecurity experience than his predecessors. The article quoted an email from Brian Harrell, a former infrastructure protection official at the DHS and the CISA in Trump's first term: "ONCD must be seen as the air traffic controller on all things cyber moving forward. Given the agency rebuild happening at CISA, and new leadership at the FBI and NSA cyber, now is the time to build influence and patch struggling relationships. Add to this a private sector that is unsure where to turn to during a crisis. Sean must be seen as a convener and facilitator to get the President the right information to make key decisions." TRAFFIC ALERT Nothing to report. 26 Federal Plaza 23rd Floor Gym Closure Schedule: Facilities will close the 23rd floor Gym every Tuesday evening from 3:30 pm•12:00 am for cleaning. Men's and Women's locker room will be cleaned out the first Tuesday of the month and all items leR in the locker room will be disposed of. Please direct any questions to Facilities at extension x3900. Federal Bureau of Investigation New York Division 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10276 Phone: Email: - IN/KR EFTA01654401