EFTA Document EFTA01655417

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - FBI Daily News Briefing - September 4, 2025 Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:10:11 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser Ft Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal September 04, 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 Again Decries 'Hoax' as Epstein Victims Speak Out • FBI's Operation Box Cutter Indicts Twenty Two Chinese Nationals and Companies for Fentanyl Precursors COUNTERTERRORISM • Feds Intercept 1,300 Barrels of Meth Precursor Chemicals Shipped From China to Mexico • U.S. Fugitive Found in Wales to Face Extradition Hearing • New York Man Who Allegedly Threatened to Bomb Hotel Flying Palestinian Flag Sentenced • Ohio Bomb Suspect Reaches Plea Agreement With Feds • Mississippi Walmart Bomb Threat Deemed Hoax, Suspect Being Pursued COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Sen. Tom Cotton Warns Biden-Era Pentagon Official Accused of Spying for Iran Still Has Access to U.S. Intelligence • FBI Spied on Libertarian Sci-Fi Author Vernor Vinge In 'Espionage' Case CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • FBI, Police Investigating After Suspected Armed Person Seen in Video Near UMass Lowell • Oklahoma Man Gets Thirty Years for Fatal Bus Stop Shooting in 2024 Incident • Georgia Man Convicted of Threatening to Kill Federal Employees • FBI Nabs Massachusetts Man With 4K Fentanyl Pills • Honduran National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Possession • Two Sentenced to Prison for Laundering Sinaloa Cartel Drug Proceeds EFTA01655417 • SEC Charges Pennsylvania Resident and His Companies With $770 Million Ponzi Scheme • Five Women Plead Guilty to $31 Million Coupon Scheme Based in Virginia Beach • DOJ Targets $848K in Tether, Part of Effort to Curb Rising Cryptocurrency Scams • Trial Date Set in Louisiana FBI Sweeps Case, Including Police Chiefs • FBI Is Aiding in Seven-Year-Old Michigan Missing Persons Investigation • FBI Mum on Details of Presence at Quality Inn & Suites in Ohio • New Mexico Man Sentenced for Firing Rifle During Assault • Ex-Connecticut Postal Worker Sent Pics of Bags Full of Stolen Mail to Accomplices • FBI Apprehends Suspect in Colorado With Felony Warrant • Connecticut Man Sentenced to Thirty Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography • Virginia Truck Driver Admits to Transporting Minor Victim for Sex • Nevada Man Sentenced to Forty Seven Years for Sexually Exploiting Toddler • Man Sentenced for Filming Minor in Massachusetts Home FINANCIAL CRIME & CORPORATE SCANDALS • TD Bank Reaches 'Major Milestone' in Rebuilding Its Anti-Money Laundering Program CYBER DIVISION • ABA Foundation and FBI Release New Infographic to Help Americans Spot and Avoid Deepfake Scams • CCP-Backed Hacking Operations Breach Hundreds of U.S. Groups • FBI Warns Seniors Are Being Targeted in Three-Phase Phantom Hacker Scams • Opinion: Cutting Cyber Intelligence Undermines National Security INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • New York State Police Arrest Fugitive From the Philippines • EFCC Boss Demands Global Unity Against Cross-Border Economic Crimes OTHER FBI NEWS • Family of Arizona Man Killed in 2016 Oregon Standoff Criticizes Director Patel • Democrats Call for Firing of January 6 Defendant Who Works at Justice Department • Chicago FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas Depodesta on Why Crime Is Dropping in the City • Mississippi Sheriff's Office Certified in Modernized FBI Crime Reporting • House Republicans Form New Subcommittee to Probe Jan. 6 • Feds in LA Launch Animal Abuse Task Force • Police Agencies Lower Education Standards as Staffing Shortages Persist INTERNATIONAL NEWS • At Least 15 Dead After Lisbon Funicular Derails and Crashes, Officials Say • Rubio Reassures Mexico After U.S. Military Strike Jolts Region • In a Hot Mic Moment, Xi and Putin Muse About Living Forever • He Jokes About Trump and Invading Kenya—and May Be Uganda's Next President • In Front-Line Ukrainian Towns, Those Who Stayed Become Moving Targets • Trump Administration Says Boat Strike Is Start of Campaign Against Venezuelan Cartels • As Trump Chills U.S.-India Ties, Modi Warms to China and Russia EFTA01655418 • Guatemalan Document Undercuts U.S. Claims on Child Deportations • Israel Criticized for Dropping Grenades Near UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon • With Israeli Advance Looming, Palestinians in Gaza City Ask When to Leave and Where to Go OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Trump Administration's Cuts to Harvard Funding Are Unconstitutional, Judge Rules • Florida Seeks to End Vaccine Mandates for Schoolchildren • Senator's Visit to Spy Agency Was Canceled After Laura Loomer Complained • Trump Asks Supreme Court to Allow His Sweeping Tariffs • Three Things to Watch for at the Confirmation Hearing for Trump's Fed Nominee Stephen Miran • National Guard Orders in D.C. Expected to Be Extended for Months • Smithsonian Responds to Trump's Demand for a Review of Its Exhibits • California, Oregon and Washington Form Health Alliance Amid Federal Vaccine Tensions • Google Ruling Shows Antitrust Tools Struggle to Keep Up With Tech Markets • CDC Turmoil Intensifies Ahead of RFK Jr. Hearing • House GOP Weighing Bills to Remove Elected D.C. AG, Overhaul Justice Policies • House Panel Advances Bill to Extend Bedrock Cyber Info-Sharing Law • House Votes to Advance a Mining Road Through the Alaskan Wilderness WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS President Trump Again Decries 'Hoax' as Epstein Victims Speak Out The Wall Street Journal (09/03, Safdar, Li) reported that President Trump has labeled efforts to release more details about Jeffrey Epstein as a "hoax", despite victims speaking out about their abuse and calling for transparency. According to the article, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna are collecting signatures to force a vote compelling the Justice Department to turn over its Epstein documents. Epstein's victims, including hared their stories and demanded the release of o c u n l i f f m w v f f P i m a ot .I.Msanes an those who protected him. The article noted that the DOJ informed Trump in May that his name appeared several times in files related to Epstein. Many other high- profile figures also were named, Trump was told. Being mentioned in the files isn't an indication of wrongdoing. The White House called the story "fake news." Reuters (09/03, McCaskill, Cowan) highlighted that the victims said they supported legislation in the House of Representatives called the Epstein Files Transparency Bill, requiring the release of records, including those held by the FBI and U.S. attorneys' offices. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (09/03, Charalambous, Hill) (2), Al Jazeera (09/03, Staff Writer), Associated Press (09/03, Groves), Axios (09/03, Axelrod), BBC (09/03, Ahmadi), CNBC (09/03, Mangan), CNN (09/03, Ferris, Grayer, Raju), The Daily Beast (09/03, Adams) (2), Deadline (09/03, Johnson), Forbes (09/03, Folk), Fox News (09/03, Norman), The Guardian (09/03, Staff Writer), The Hill (09/03, Lillis) (2), HuffPost (09/03, Buchman, Delaney), The Independent (09/03, Feinberg, Garcia) (2), NBC News (09/03, Wong, Zanona, et al.), Newsweek (09/03, Birsel), New York Times (09/03, Kim) (2), NPR (09/03, Schweitzer, Inskeep), Politico (09/03, Fuchs), Reuters (09/03, McCaskill, Erickson, Queen), Rolling Stone (09/03, LaChance), Telegraph (09/03, Coen), Time (09/03, Popli), USA Today (09/03, Jansen), Washington Examiner (09/03, Lim) (2) (3), Washington Post (09/03, Wang, Alfaro, et al.), and Washington Times (09/03, Wilson) (2) (3). Broadcast coverage was published by NBC News (09/03, Video), MSNBC (09/03, Video), ABC News (09/03, Video), CBS News (09/03, Video), USA TODAY (09/03, Video), Associated Press (09/03, Video), Fox News (09/03, Video), and CNN (09/03, Video). FBI's Operation Box Cutter Indicts Twenty TWo Chinese Nationals and Companies for Fentanyl Precursors Fox News (09/03, Arias) reported that the FBI's Operation Box Cutter has indicted 22 Chinese nationals, 4 China- based chemical companies, and 3 Americans for their involvement in supplying fentanyl precursors. According to EFTA01655419 the article, the operation has resulted in the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill approximately 340 million people, and has exposed the bank accounts and cryptocurrency pipelines used to facilitate the trade. The article noted that the indicted Chinese companies include Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Company, Ltd., Guangzhou Wanjiang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hebei Hongjun New Material Technology Co., Ltd., and Hebei Feilaimi Technology Co., Ltd. The article quoted Director Patel as stating, "We're done playing Whack-a-Mole; no other country besides the U.S. has a fentanyl crisis." Director Patel added, "Today's takedown marks the FBI's first-of-its-kind international operation targeting the fentanyl plague that has killed tens of thousands of Americans, indicting the companies and individuals in mainland China that manufacture the precursors fueling the destruction of our communities. We have indicted Chinese precursor companies and exposed their bank accounts and cryptocurrency pipelines, and funding sources that facilitate this deadly trade." Additional reporting was provided by WCPO (ABC-9) (09/03, Welter), WLWT (NBC-5) (09/03, Sanderson), Cincinnati.com (09/03, Ferrara), WKRC (CBS-12) (09/03, Winter), WDTN (CBS-13) (09/03, Brown, Singh, et al.), WCMH (NBC-4) (09/03, Benatar), and WHIO (CBS-7) (09/03, Staff Writer). Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Feds Intercept 1,300 Barrels of Meth Precursor Chemicals Shipped From China to Mexico Fox News (09/03, Sorace) reported that federal officials intercepted 1,300 barrels of meth precursor chemicals, including benzyl alcohol and N-Methylformamide, shipped from China to Mexico. According to the article, the chemicals, weighing over 697,000 pounds, could have produced 420,000 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of at least $569 million. The article noted that the seizure, announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, targeted the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico and is considered the largest ever bust of precursor chemicals being shipped to a foreign terrorist organization. The press release noted that FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the Houston Field Office joined the announcement. "These many barrels of precursor chemicals are directly linked to one of the most dangerous and deadly terrorist networks, the Sinaloa Cartel. It's one of the most violent and brutal terrorist organizations in the world. They are responsible for countless deaths, devastation, and destruction of communities in the U.S. and abroad," said Director of Field Operations Jud Murdock of Customs and Border Protection, Houston. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Boston Herald (09/03, Reynolds), Breitbart (09/03, Clark, Price), Houston Chronicle (09/03, Orozco, Dominguez), KPRC (NBC-2) (09/03, Humble, Saavedra), Tampa Free Press (09/03, Kaminsky), WJLA (ABC-7) (09/03, Guevara), and WOAI (NBC-4) (09/03, Gambert). U.S. Fugitive Found in Wales to Face Extradition Hearing BBC News (09/03, Henderson, Hoskins) reported that Daniel Andreas San Diego, a U.S. fugitive, was arrested in Wales after 21 years on the run for bombings in San Francisco in 2003. He was on the FBI's most wanted terrorist list and is accused of being an "animal rights extremist" for allegedly bombing two office buildings. San Diego will face a full extradition hearing on September 8 to determine if he will be extradited to the U.S. Then-FBI Director Christopher Wray said: "Daniel San Diego's arrest after more than 20 years as a fugitive for two bombings in the San Francisco area shows that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable." Wales Online (09/03, Dalling) also reported on the story. New York Man Who Allegedly Threatened to Bomb Hotel Flying Palestinian Flag Sentenced Boston Globe (09/03, Fonseca) reported that Daniel Freundlich, a 46-year-old man from Brooklyn, was given probation for uttering threats to kill, a misdemeanor, after allegedly making bomb threats to the Iris Hotel in Brookline. According to the article, Freundlich is ordered to stay away from the hotel, remain outside of Brookline except for court appearances, and continue mental health counseling as part of his probation. The incident occurred after the Iris Hotel flew a Palestinian flag, which drew criticism and numerous phone calls, with Freundlich allegedly telling staff that "something would blow up" while he was there, although he disputes this account. The article highlighted that local and state police, along with FBI agents, identified Freundlich and interviewed him in New York. Ohio Bomb Suspect Reaches Plea Agreement With Feds WXIX (Fox-19) (09/03, Baker) reported that James Phillips, a Mason man, has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in a case involving making and detonating bombs. According to the article, Phillips will plead EFTA01655420 guilty to one count of "Transport of Explosive Materials", a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The agreement is not final until a judge approves it, and Phillips will be required to appear in court to officially waive his right to a grand jury review. The article noted that the outlet reached out to the FBI for comment. An April press release quoted FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena latarola: "The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested James River Phillips after he allegedly possessed a dangerous, destructive device. The FBI and our partners worked together to ensure his actions were stopped before there was any risk to public safety." Mississippi Walmart Bomb Threat Deemed Hoax, Suspect Being Pursued The Dark Horse Press (09/03, Matlock) reported that a bomb threat at a Walmart in Meridian was deemed a hoax after no explosive device was found. Police Chief Malachi Sanders stated that charges are pending against the individual responsible for the threat. Investigators have leads on the suspect and are being assisted by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Jackson Police Department, ATF, and FBI. WTOK (ABC-11) (09/03, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Sen. Tom Cotton Warns Biden-Era Pentagon Official Accused of Spying for Iran Still Has Access to U.S. Intelligence The New York Post (09/03, Moore) reported that Sen. Tom Cotton has warned that a Biden-era Pentagon official, Ariane Tabatabai, accused of spying for Iran, still has access to U.S. intelligence. Tabatabai, a senior policy advisor at the Pentagon, was allegedly involved in an influence operation run by Tehran's Foreign Ministry and has been suspected of collaborating with the Islamic regime. Sen. Cotton has urged the FBI and Pentagon to investigate the matter, citing concerns that Iranian government-linked affiliates may be influencing U.S. government operations and posing a significant danger to national security. "While the Biden administration ignored repeated calls from Republicans to remove officials affiliated with IEI and the Iranian government, the FBI and the DoD should now correct this mistake," the letter advised. FBI Spied on Libertarian Sci-Fi Author Vernor Vinge In 'Espionage' Case Reason (09/03, Petti) reported that the FBI investigated science fiction author Vernor Vinge in 1982 due to his potential connection to Karl Amatneek, who was involved in an espionage investigation. According to the article, Vinge had a security clearance from his work with government contractor Tetra Tech, which may have raised suspicions. The article noted that an investigation appears to have been part of a larger effort to monitor individuals associated with TecNICA, an organization that aided Nicaragua during the Sandinista revolution, with the FBI allegedly overplaying its hand and eventually dropping the case. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS FBI, Police Investigating After Suspected Armed Person Seen in Video Near UMass Lowell Fox News (09/03, Koch) reported that the FBI Boston Field Office, Massachusetts State Police, and Lowell Police Department are investigating a video that appears to show a person holding a gun near the University of Massachusetts Lowell campus. According to the article, a campus-wide shelter-in-place order was issued but lifted after law enforcement determined the suspect was no longer in the area. The article noted that all classes and events on campus were canceled for the remainder of the day, with a large police presence remaining in place. The article quoted an FBI Boston X post stating, "FBI Boston is on scene and coordinating with our law enforcement partners. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and avoid the area". Additional reporting was provided by New York Post (09/03, Nesi), WGBX (NBC-10) (09/03, Klein), Boston.com (09/03, Cooney), WCVB (ABC-5) (09/03, Atwater & Tenser), WGGB (ABC-40) (09/03, Trowbrodge), WFXT (Fox-25) (09/03, Thompson & Lambert), The Boston Globe (09/03, Andersen & Fonseca). Oklahoma Man Gets Thirty Years for Fatal Bus Stop Shooting in 2024 Incident KTUL (ABC-8) (09/03, Joslin) reported that Anthony Clay Russell, a 32-year-old man from Sand Springs, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for a fatal bus stop shooting. According to the article, the incident occurred EFTA01655421 on October 22, 2024, and resulted in the death of Tasha Shepard, who was shot in the back of the head. The article noted that Russell admitted to shooting Shepard in an attempt to scare her after he couldn't pay her for sex, as agreed upon in prior text messages. According to a Department of Justice press release, the Tulsa Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Georgia Man Convicted of Threatening to Kill Federal Employees WSAV (NBC-3) (09/03, Dorsch) reported that Alexis Beatles, a 44-year-old man from Hinesville, Georgia, was found guilty of making threatening phone calls to the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to the article, he threatened to kill federal employees and made other violent threats, including crashing his car into the Savannah VA Clinic and using explosives. The article noted that the Savannah Police Department SWAT and EOD Teams assisted the FBI with the arrest. In a Department of Justice press release, Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated, "Threats of violence against federal employees and our communities will never be tolerated. This conviction demonstrates the FBI's commitment to working with our partners to protect those who serve the public and to hold accountable anyone who seeks to cause fear and harm through threats." Additional reporting was provided by WTOC (CBS-11) (09/03, Staff Writer). FBI Nabs Massachusetts Man With 4K Fentanyl Pills Item Live (09/03, Harris) reported that a 29-year-old Peabody man, Missael Disla, was arrested by Peabody Police and the FBI North Shore Gang Task Force on August 28. According to the article, approximately 4,000 pressed fentanyl pills were seized, with 1,000 found on Disla and an additional 3,000 recovered from his living space. The article noted that Disla is facing multiple drug charges, including trafficking, and was scheduled to be arraigned in Peabody District Court on September 4. Honduran National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Possession Hoodline Houston (09/03, Becker) reported that Viljar Eduardo Rosales-Lara, a 35-year-old Honduran national, pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited object in prison. According to the article, he was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone for possessing methamphetamine while serving a sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Beaumont. The article noted that the case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove as part of Operation Take Back America. Two Sentenced to Prison for Laundering Sinaloa Cartel Drug Proceeds KXGL-FM (09/03, Holiday) reported that Carl Von Garrett, 55, and Tobiyyah Israel, 39, have been sentenced to prison for laundering money for a drug cartel in Missouri. According to the article, the two men laundered nearly $1 million for the Sinaloa cartel in seven transactions in the spring of 2021. The article noted that this case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI, the St. Louis County Police, the Bridgeton Police Department, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the St. Charles County Police Department. This was part of an operation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States. SEC Charges Pennsylvania Resident and His Companies With $770 Million Ponzi Scheme Trading View (09/03, Staff Writer) reported that Daryl Heller, a 55-year-old Lancaster County businessman, is facing federal charges of securities fraud and wire fraud. According to the article, the charges allege that Heller used money from new investors to fund payments to existing investors in a Lancaster-based ATM network that drew $770 million in investments. In a Department of Justice press release, Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Field Office, stated, "Complex financial fraud cases like this demand close coordination, because no single agency can see the entire picture alone. Together, we brought the combined resources of federal, state, and local law enforcement—pairing the FBI's investigative reach, the SEC's regulatory expertise, and the insights of our local partners on the ground. That collective effort, strengthened by persistence and information- sharing, allowed us to peel back the layers of deception and uncover the full scope of this alleged scheme." Five Women Plead Guilty to $31 Million Coupon Scheme Based in Virginia Beach WTKR (CBS-3) (09/03, Kavanagh) reported that five women have pleaded guilty to their roles in a $31 million coupon scheme based in Virginia Beach, led by Lori Ann Talens. According to the article, the scheme involved creating and selling counterfeit coupons for various products, resulting in significant losses for businesses. The article noted that the investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI. D01 Targets $848K in Tether, Part of Effort to Curb Rising Cryptocurrency Scams EFTA01655422 Reg Tech Times (09/03, Deshmukh) reported that the U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil forfeiture complaint against $848k in Tether (USDT) gained through a series of cryptocurrency scams that targeted victims across the U.S. According to the article, the scams, which ran from September 2022 to February 2025. involved criminals using online tricks to gain trust and the guiding victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The article noted that the complaint is part of a larger effort to curb rising cryptocurrency scam losses, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reporting around $5.8 billion in losses from cryptocurrency investment fraud in 2024 alone. Trial Date Set in Louisiana FBI Sweeps Case, Including Police Chiefs KALB (NBC-5) (09/03, Vedros) reported that a trial date of March 30, 2026, has been set for Chandrakant "Lala" Patel and others, including former police chiefs Chad Doyle, Michael "Freck" Slaney, Glynn Dixon, and Tebo Onishea, in a Louisiana money laundering and immigration fraud case. This case resulted in FBI sweeps across Louisiana. According to the article, the defendants are accused of fabricating police reports to help foreign nationals obtain U-Visas, with around 300 direct petitioners and over 650 applications involved in the scheme. The article noted that Chandrakant Patel, who pleaded not guilty to 34 counts, is being held behind bars pending trial due to being considered a flight risk, and the defendants could face years in federal prison and financial penalties if convicted. FBI Is Aiding in Seven-Year-Old Michigan Missing Persons Investigation WWMT (CBS-3) (09/03, Fowler) reported that the FBI is aiding in the investigation of Brittany Shank, a 23-year-old mother of four who disappeared on November 30, 2018, near Sturgis, Michigan. According to the article, the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Chad Spence, is working with the FBI and Michigan State Police to utilize all resources and bring Shank home. The article noted that the FBI is assisting with name searches through their databases and audio/video enhancements to help solve the seven-year-old missing persons case. FBI Mum on Details of Presence at Quality Inn & Suites in Ohio Mansfield News Journal (09/03, Whitmire) reported that the FBI was present at the Quality Inn & Suites on Trimble Road in Mansfield on Wednesday, conducting a court-authorized law enforcement activity. According to the article, the FBI is mum on details surrounding why their agents were at the location. The article quoted Public Affairs Officer, Susan Licate of the FBI's Cleveland office, as saying, "I can confirm the FBI was conducting a court- authorized law enforcement activity in the area of Trimble Road, Mansfield, earlier today (Wednesday), and there is no threat to public safety. As in any given matter, if charges are filed, they will eventually become a matter of public record." New Mexico Man Sentenced for Firing Rifle During Assault Gallup Sun (09/03, Staff Writer) reported that Perris Jeremiah Arthur, a 36-year-old man from Vanderwagen, N.M., was sentenced to 85 months in prison. According to the article, he pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence after firing a rifle at a victim's residence on the Navajo Nation. The article noted that the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Ex-Connecticut Postal Worker Sent Pics of Bags Full of Stolen Mail to Accomplices Stamford Advocate (09/03, Yankowski) reported that Kierra Blount, a 35-year-old former US Postal Service employee, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and unlawful possession of stolen mail. According to the article, Blount stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in checks from the mail and discussed the scheme with accomplices on Telegram, sharing pictures and videos of stolen mail. The article noted that she admitted to working with others to alter checks, deposit them into bank accounts, and split the proceeds, with approximately $81,975 in actual losses from the deposits. "Often these checks are written for smaller amounts, which can go undetected for longer periods of time by escaping the scrutiny or visibility of a larger check amount," the FBI and USPIS said. Additional reporting was provided by Miami Herald (09/03, Lloyd) and Patch (09/03, Kaufman). FBI Apprehends Suspect in Colorado With Felony Warrant The Gazette (09/03, Westin) reported that the FBI Denver office announced the arrest of Lawrence Romero, 49, on August 22 in Pueblo, Colorado, where he was wanted on a felony menacing warrant. According to the article, Romero, who has a criminal history including battery and child abuse in New Mexico and theft and fraud in Colorado, was taken into custody by the FBI Denver Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force. The article noted that the task force included members of the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Jefferson County Sheriff's EFTA01655423 Office, with support from the Pueblo Police Department. Following the arrest, the FBI stated that Romero's capture makes the community safer. Connecticut Man Sentenced to Thirty Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography Greenwich Time (09/03, Chumney) reported that Michael W. Landon, 39, of Groton, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for producing and possessing child sex abuse material. According to the article, Landon pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of production of child pornography and one count of possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography. The article noted that Landon was arrested by FBI officials after learning he was distributing child pornography on Wickr, a secure messaging and collaboration service that provides end-to-end encryption for messages, calls, and file sharing. Virginia Truck Driver Admits to Transporting Minor Victim for Sex WLNE (ABC-6) (09/03, Hanewich) reported that David Romero Reyes, a 55-year-old Virginia truck driver, pleaded guilty to transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to the article, Reyes admitted to having sexual contact with the minor girl in multiple states and was found with her in his truck during a routine inspection. The article noted that the victim, who was reported missing from Virginia in 2020 at the age of 14, was found to be five months pregnant, and Reyes is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2nd. The case was investigated by the Naval Station Newport Police, the FBI, and the Rhode Island State Police, according to a Department of Justice press release. Additional reporting was provided by WPRI (CBS-12) (09/03, Bawden). Nevada Man Sentenced to Forty Seven Years for Sexually Exploiting Toddler KOLO (ABC-8) (09/03, Sheridan) reported that Damian Amalfitano, a Las Vegas man, has been sentenced to 47 years in prison for sexually exploiting a toddler and possessing child pornography. According to the article, Amalfitano pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography and will also serve a lifetime term of supervised release. The article quoted Acting Special Agent in Charge Nathaniel Holland for the FBI Las Vegas Division, stating, "Damian Amalfitano posed a significant threat to children as demonstrated by his repeated perverse and sick exploitation. Even in the darkest corners of the internet, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will exert every effort to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. Today's sentencing reflects our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for our most vulnerable victims." Additional reporting was provided by KSNV (NBC-3) (09/03, Staff Writer) and Hoodline Las Vegas (09/03, Rivera). Man Sentenced for Filming Minor in Massachusetts Home WWLP (NBC-22) (09/03, Shook) reported that Jacob Guerrero, a 27-year-old California man, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for child exploitation offenses. According to the article, Guerrero pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child and transporting child pornography after filming an 11-year-old girl in her Massachusetts home. He was found to have conducted surveillance on his victims, used disguises, and hidden cameras to secretly videotape young girls in various locations. The article quoted Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, as saying, "Jacob Guerrero is a deeply disturbed and dangerous man who devised a twisted plan to prey upon children, specifically to abuse and exploit them. With these hideous crimes, this predator has forfeited his right to walk among us and will be kept behind bars and away from children for quite some time. My sincere thanks to the Wrentham Police Department for their hard work and partnership on this case." Back to Top FINANCIAL CRIME & CORPORATE SCANDALS TD Bank Reaches 'Major Milestone' in Rebuilding Its Anti-Money Laundering Program The Sarnia Observer (09/03, Karim) reported that Toronto-Dominion Bank has assembled a group of 40 executives from top law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security and the FBI, to rebuild its anti-money laundering program after being fined by U.S. regulators. According to the article, the bank has made significant progress, including the start of its "next-generation transaction monitoring platform" and the implementation of a new customer risk rating platform, according to Leo Salom, chief executive of TD Bank in the U.S. The article noted that the bank will spend close to $500 million on its AML remediation program this year and a comparable amount next year, with the majority of management's actions to be completed by the end of 2025. Back to Top EFTA01655424 CYBER DIVISION ABA Foundation and FBI Release New Infographic to Help Americans Spot and Avoid Deepfake Scams American Bankers Association (09/03, Staff Writer) reported that the American Bankers Association Foundation and the FBI have released a new infographic to educate the public about deepfake scams. The article noted that according to the FBI, over 4.2 million fraud reports have been filed since 2020, resulting in over $50.5 billion in losses, with a growing portion stemming from deepfake scams. According to the article, the infographic provides tips to help consumers recognize and avoid deepfake scams, including verifying identities, stopping and thinking before responding to urgent requests, and reporting scams to the FBI. Quoted in the article, FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Jose A. Perez stated, "The FBI continues to see a troubling rise in fraud reports involving deepfake media. Educating the public about this emerging threat is key to preventing these scams and minimizing their impact. We encourage consumers to stay informed and share what they learn with friends and family so they can spot deepfakes before they do any harm. Our partnership with the ABA Foundation reflects a shared commitment to protecting consumers and advancing this important public awareness effort." CCP-Backed Hacking Operations Breach Hundreds of U.S. Groups The Epoch Times (09/03, Thornebrooke) reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been backing hacking operations against the U.S. and other nations since at least 2019, with the group known as Salt Typhoon breaching hundreds of organizations. According to the article, the hacking attempts have targeted various sectors, including telecommunications, government, transportation, and military infrastructure networks, with over 200 U.S.-based organizations and foreign organizations in 80 nations affected. The article noted that the breached data has likely enabled the CCP to track the movements and communications of its targets in real time, with three China-based companies providing cyber-related products and services to China's intelligence services. "Active since at least 2019, these actors conducted a significant cyber-espionage campaign, breaching global telecommunications privacy and security norms," Brett Leatherman, head of the FBI's Cyber Division, said in a pre- recorded statement. "Beijing's indiscriminate targeting of private communications demands our stronger collaboration with partners to identify and counter this activity at the earliest stages." The American Hospital Association (09/03, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. FBI Warns Seniors Are Being Targeted in Three-Phase Phantom Hacker Scams FORTRA (09/03, Cluley) reported that the FBI warned that seniors are being targeted in a three-phase "Phantom Hacker" scam, which combines social engineering and technology to steal funds. According to the article, the scam involves three phases: a tech support imposter, a financial institution imposter, and a U.S. government imposter, aiming to gain the victim's trust and access to their funds. The FBI advised seniors to be cautious and never click on unsolicited links, download software from unknown parties, or allow remote access to their devices, and to report any incidents to their local FBI field office and the IC3. Opinion: Cutting Cyber Intelligence Undermines National Security An opinion piece published by The Cipher Brief (09/03, McDowall, Montgomery) reported that the U.S. is undermining its national security by cutting its cyber intelligence capabilities, despite increasing threats from Russia, China, and Iran. According to the article, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is planning to slash its intelligence processing and information sharing services, including the termination of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC) and the Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC). The cuts, part of the "ODNI 2.0" plan announced by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, will reduce the U.S.'s ability to protect itself against cyber threats and foreign influence operations, and may send the nation back to pre-9/11 dysfunction. The article explained that FMIC played a critical role in uncovering online influence operations against the United States from Iranian, Russian, and Chinese threats throughout the 2024 election cycle. It worked with the FBI and the CISA to release regular public updates debunking malign content circulated by adversaries. The author assessed that Gabbard falsely equates FMIC's work with the censorship of American citizens. Instead, cuts to the center will reduce Washington's ability to protect American citizens from the state-sponsored influence operations running rampant on the internet. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EFTA01655425 New York State Police Arrest Fugitive From the Philippines Mid Hudson Times (09/03, Staff Writer) reported that Dominic Mamaat, 46, a fugitive wanted on multiple sex crime charges, was arrested at John F. Kennedy Airport following a multi-agency investigation involving the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, after being deported from the Philippines. Mamaat was originally arrested in 2020 but fled to the Philippines using his twin brother's passport, prompting an INTERPOL Red Notice. He is being held in Orange County Jail pending arraignment, with authorities crediting a multi-agency investigation for his capture. The article explained that Mamaat was first arrested in May 2020 by New Windsor police and later indicted on charges including first-degree rape, multiple counts of criminal sexual acts, sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, forcible touching, and attempted assault. EFCC Boss Demands Global Unity Against Cross-Border Economic Crimes The Sun (09/03, Staff Writer) reported that EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede calls for global unity among law enforcement agencies to fight cross-border economic crimes. He warns that no nation is immune to the threat of these crimes, which exploit weak regulations and technology. The article highlighted that Olukoyede cited successful joint operations with agencies like the FBI and Interpol as proof that international cooperation can deliver results. Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Family of Arizona Man Killed in 2016 Oregon Standoff Criticizes Director Patel AZ Central (09/03, Ruelas) reported that the family of LaVoy Finicum, an Arizona man killed in the 2016 Oregon standoff, is criticizing Director Patel for awarding medals to the agents involved in the operation. The family claims the citations for the medals contain factual errors, contradicting court testimony and official accounts of the shooting, including the claim that Finicum rammed his vehicle into an FBI vehicle. The article noted that Finicum's widow, Jeannette Finicum, plans to meet with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to ask for a correction of the official record, but not the return of the medals, seeking to have the facts set straight about her husband's death. Democrats Call for Firing of January 6 Defendant Who Works at Justice Department The Guardian (09/03, Levine) reported that three Senate Democrats (Dick Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Adam Schiff) are calling for the firing of former FBI Agent Jared Wise, a January 6 defendant who works at the Justice Department. According to the article, Wise was charged with felonies for his role in the January 6 riot, where he urged fellow rioters to kill police officers. Still, his case was dismissed after Donald Trump issued sweeping pardons. The article noted that the Democrats have written a letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting Wise's immediate termination and seeking details about his role at the Justice Department, including his security clearance and job description. Chicago FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas Depodesta on Why Crime Is Dropping in the City CBS News (09/03, Tye) reported that Chicago FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas DePodesta stated that crime in the city is dropping due to law enforcement partnerships among the FBI, Chicago police, and the Cook County Sheriff's Office. According to the article, Special Agent DePodesta stated, violent crime statistics show a significant decrease, with homicides down 32%, robberies down 38%, and shootings down 36%. The article noted that DePodesta emphasizes that the partnership between law enforcement agencies remains strong, despite tough rhetoric from leaders, and that any help to reduce violent crime is welcome, while also noting that the decision to send the National Guard is made in D.C. Mississippi Sheriff's Office Certified in Modernized FBI Crime Reporting Dark Horse Press (09/03, Staff Writer) reported that the Hinds County Sheriff's Office has been certified as a National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) agency by the FBI, effective August 29, 2025. According to the article, this certification marks a shift towards data-driven policing, transparency, and accountability, allowing for more detailed crime reporting. The article noted that Sheriff Tyree Jones stated that NIBRS certification reflects the office's dedication to integrity, innovation, and service, and will help guide public safety strategies and community engagement. House Republicans Form New Subcommittee to Probe Jan. 6 EFTA01655426 The Washington Post (09/03, Goba, Kane) reported that House Republicans have formed a new subcommittee to reinvestigate the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. According to the article, the subcommittee, likely to be headed by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Georgia), will have subpoena power and aims to uncover the "full truth" about the attack. The article explained that Democrats have criticized the move, saying it's an attempt to reopen a polarizing chapter in American politics and undermine the work of the original January 6 select committee, which was led by Democrats. The article highlighted that the Jan. 6 clash — which spawned the largest domestic investigation in the FBI's history — left Congress, especially the House, cleaved in a bitter partisan divide. Feds in LA Launch Animal Abuse Task Force MynewsLA (09/03, Staff Writer) reported that federal officials in Los Angeles have launched a new task force to prosecute animal abuse cases, including "animal crush" videos. According to the article, the task force will be led by federal prosecutors and will work in partnership with agencies such as the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department. "Animal abuse is among the most heartbreaking and despicable types of crimes that law enforcement sees," Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. "Together with our federal and local partners, my office intends to root out and punish those who profit from hurting animals." Police Agencies Lower Education Standards as Staffing Shortages Persist The Ohio Capital Journal (09/04, Ruelas) reported that police agencies in the U.S., including the New York Police Department and the Dallas Police Department, are lowering education standards for new recruits to address staffing shortages. According to the article, the FBI will no longer require a four-year degree for new recruits starting in October, and other federal agencies like ICE are also loosening their standards. The article explained that experts say that while a college education can be beneficial for police officers, it's not the only factor in determining what makes a good officer, and agencies should consider other characteristics like work history, maturity, and judgment. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS At Least 15 Dead After Lisbon Funicular Derails and Crashes, Officials Say New York Times, Reuters, New York Post, ABC News, Washington Post Rubio Reassures Mexico After U.S. Military Strike Jolts Region Wall Street Journal, Reuters, New York Times In a Hot Mic Moment, Xi and Putin Muse About Living Forever New York Times, Reuters He Jokes About Trump and Invading Kenya—and May Be Uganda's Next President Wall Street Journal In Front-Line Ukrainian Towns, Those Who Stayed Become Moving Targets Wall Street Journal Trump Administration Says Boat Strike Is Start of Campaign Against Venezuelan Cartels New York Times As Trump Chills U.S.-India Ties, Modi Warms to China and Russia Reuters Guatemalan Document Undercuts U.S. Claims on Child Deportations Reuters Israel Criticized for Dropping Grenades Near UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon Associated Press With Israeli Advance Looming, Palestinians in Gaza City Ask When to Leave and Where to Go Associated Press Back to Top EFTA01655427 OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Trump Administration's Cuts to Harvard Funding Are Unconstitutional, Judge Rules Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Washington Post, CNN, Fox News Florida Seeks to End Vaccine Mandates for Schoolchildren Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC News, New York Times Senator's Visit to Spy Agency Was Canceled After Laura Loomer Complained New York Times, Reuters, The Independent, The Guardian, Washington Post Trump Asks Supreme Court to Allow His Sweeping Tariffs New York Times, CNN, NBC News, Reuters, Fox News Three Things to Watch for at the Confirmation Hearing for Trump's Fed Nominee Stephen Miran Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CNBC, Bloomberg National Guard Orders in D.C. Expected to Be Extended for Months Washington Post, Associated Press, Washington Examiner Smithsonian Responds to Trump's Demand for a Review of Its Exhibits New York Times, USA TODAY, Politico California, Oregon and Washington Form Health Alliance Amid Federal Vaccine Tensions Reuters, Associated Press, The Guardian Google Ruling Shows Antitrust Tools Struggle to Keep Up With Tech Markets Wall Street Journal CDC Turmoil Intensifies Ahead of RFK Jr. Hearing Wall Street Journal House GOP Weighing Bills to Remove Elected D.C. AG, Overhaul Justice Policies Washington Post House Panel Advances Bill to Extend Bedrock Cyber Info-Sharing Law NextGov House Votes to Advance a Mining Road Through the Alaskan Wilderness New York Times Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Trump • 9:O0 AM: In-Town Pool Call Time • 7:30 PM: The President hosts a dinner Vice President Vance • No official presidential schedule has been released or announced. US Senate • Business meeting to consider the nominations of Bryan Switzer of Virginia to be a Deputy United States Trade Representative (Asia Textiles Investment Services and Intellectual Property) with the rank of EFTA01655428 Ambassador and Gustav Chiarello III of Virginia to be an Assistant Secretary and Michael Stuart of West Virginia to be General Counsel both of the Department of Health and Human Services. — 9:30 AM — Host: Finance • Hearings to examine the nominations of Laura Swett of Virginia and David LaCerte of Louisiana both to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. — 9:30 AM — Host: Energy and Natural Resources • Hearings to examine the President's 2026 health care agenda. — 10:00 AM — Host: Finance • Hearings to examine the nominations of Benjamin Hobbs of Ohio and Ronald Kurtz of Georgia both to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Chris Pilkerton of Maryland to be Assistant Secretary for Investment Security and Jonathan Burke of Georgia to be Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing both of the Department of the Treasury and Stephen Miran of New York to be a Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. — 10:00 AM — Host: Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs • To receive a briefing on the impact on Central Asia of Russia's war on Ukraine focusing on opportunities for United States engagement. — 2:00 PM — Host: Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe US House of Representatives • No events scheduled. Cabinet Members • Secretary of Defense Hegseth will travel to Fort Benning, Georgia, to deliver remarks at the Army Officer Candidate School graduation. While there, he will also speak with U.S. Army Drill Sergeants, engage with Soldiers attending the Basic Airborne School, and visit with Soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment. • Secretary of State Rubio is on travel to Florida, Mexico, and Ecuador from September 2-4, 2025. • Secretary of State Rubio meets with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in Quito, Ecuador at 9:00 AM (LOCAL). • Secretary of State Rubio meets with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and Ecuadorian cabinet members in Quito, Ecuador at 9:30 AM (LOCAL). • Secretary of State Rubio participates in a joint press availability with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld in Quito, Ecuador at 10:35 AM (LOCAL). • Secretary of State Rubio holds a meet and greet with employees and families of U.S. Embassy Quito in Quito, Ecuador at 11:50 AM (LOCAL). Visitors • No events scheduled. General Events • CSIS: China's Military on Parade — Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 9:00 AM. On September 3, 2025, China will hold a victory day parade in Beijing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The parade comes during major modernization efforts across China's strategic forces. The event is expected to reveal new capabilities, including hypersonic missiles, directed energy weapons, nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, and air and missile defenses. Several heads of state are expected to attend, including those from several ASEAN states, Serbia, and Russia. • CSIS: The Future of U.S. Economic Statecraft featuring former National Security Advisor General HR McMaster - Betting on America — Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. LTG (ret.) H.R. McMaster, former U.S. National Security Advisor and a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, joins Navin Girishankar for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of U.S. economic security policy. They discuss the economic and technology competition with China, the U.S. offer to the Global South, and the EFTA01655429 role of 'patriot investors' in driving American innovation across advanced technologies. They also consider the challenge that political polarization poses to American economic statecraft. • CSIS: CommonHealth Livel with PAHO's Dr. Jarbas Barbosa —Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. In the fifteenth episode of the Common Health Livel, Katherine E. Bliss talks with Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), about challenges related to health security in the Americas, the importance of regional cooperation in building resilient health systems and strengthening preparedness for future health emergencies, and opportunities for advancing efforts to improve the health of the region's population through the upcoming UN High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and the 10th Summit of the Americas, scheduled to take place in the Dominican Republic in December. • CSIS: The National Energy Dominance Council: A Conversation with Jarrod Agen — Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 4:00 PM. Please join the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program for a fireside discussion with Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the White House's National Energy Dominance Council, and Joseph Majkut, Director of the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program. Jarrod will share key insights into the National Energy Dominance Council's goals and the future of energy dominance in the U.S. • Carnegie: What Americans Really Think About the United Nations — Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. President Donald Trump is dramatically reshaping U.S. relations with international institutions. He has withdrawn the United States from WHO, UNESCO, the Human Rights Council, and the Paris Climate Agreement; ordered a review of all international treaties and organizations of which the United States is a member; and proposed slashing U.S. funding for the United Nations by more than eighty percent. However, these "America First" moves appear to be out of step with actual U.S. public attitudes. Indeed, recent polling from the Program for Public Consultation shows strong bipartisan domestic support for sustained multilateral cooperation, UN agencies, and even the International Criminal Court. • Atlantic Council: Private sector perspectives on the future of US-Brazil trade relations — Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 4:00 PM. Private sector leaders from Brazil and the United States share their perspectives on how to build a more mutually beneficial trade relationship, highlighting opportunities for collaboration, pathways to resolve current tensions, and practical steps to unlock growth in a shifting global economy. • Hudson Institute: Freeing China's Political Prisoners — Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:30 AM. Given the scope and scale of the political prisoner crisis across China, the United States needs to do more to secure political prisoners' release. The Chinese Communist Party holds at least 1.8 million Uyghurs in political prison camps and nearly 1,000 political prisoners in Hong Kong. In addition, the CCP extrajudicially detains many Tibetans, Christians (including pastors), and political dissidents. This is largely because the CCP sees political prisoners as an essential method of quashing dissent and retaining its power. • Hudson Institute: The Digital Front Line: Building a Cyber-Resilient Taiwan — Thursday, September 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 2:00 PM. Taiwan sits at the intersection of geopolitics and global supply chains, and its democracy, technological prowess, and strategic location make it both a symbol and a target. As tensions with China grow, the island faces not only the threat of a potential economic blockade or military invasion, but also the danger of cyberattacks. Cyber resilience is a vital component of deterring Chinese aggression against Taiwan. Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. EFTA01655430