EFTA Document EFTA01655450

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing_Draft' Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - DRAFT: FBI Daily News Briefing - October 2, 2025 Date: Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:55:04 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser PtFederal Bureau of Investigation Seal October 02, 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 • FBI Cuts Ties With Anti-Defamation League, Director Patel Says COUNTERTERRORISM • Trump's Approach to Drug Boats 'Mirrors War on Terror Tactics' • ISIS Supporter Pleads Guilty to Material Support of Terrorism • Man Charged After Incendiary Device Found Under Fox News Vehicle • Opinion: You Can't Designate Antifa.' Banks and Platforms Will Act Like You Did Anyway. COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Pentagon Plans Widespread Random Polygraphs, NDAs to Stanch Leaks • US Appeals Court Rejects Ex-Fox News Reporter Catherine Herridge's Bid to Protect Confidential Sources CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • FBI Offers Reward for Tips on Missing Massachusetts Toddler • Individual Associated With the 5-9 Brims Gang Charged in Connection With August Mass Shooting in New York • ICE Led Raid at Illinois Apartment Complex Follows Venezuelan Gang Murder Inside • Missing California Woman Found Dead in Attic • Ohio Law Enforcement Seizes One Kilogram of Fentanyl • Maryland Police Investigation Ends With Major Drug Arrest • Former FBI Most Wanted Fugitive Arrested in Florida Drug Operation • How One Man Secretly Stole $24M From McDonald's Monopoly Game EFTA01655450 • Several Types of Scams Target Older Adults in Oklahoma • Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge After FBI Investigated Him for Fraud • Texas Man Charged After Threatening to Attack Abilene Pride Parade • Nine Chilean Nationals Arrested by ICE in New Jersey • FBI Surveilled Pennsylvania Congressman as Part of Probe Into 2020 Election • Former South Carolina Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Material • Eleven Arrested in Online Child Predator Bust in South Carolina • Federal Indictment Alleges Kidnapping, Robbery Scheme Operated From Texas Tire Shop • Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to String of Bank and Credit Union Heists CYBER DIVISION • FBI Warns of 'Phantom Hacker' Scam That Has Stolen $542 Million From Seniors This Year • Shutdown Snares Federal Cybersecurity Personnel • West.let Breach Hits 1.2 Million People, Affects Passports, IDs INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • Nigerian National Extradited to Florida on Federal Elder Fraud Charges • Experts Urge Parallel Probe Into Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa's Death in Paris OTHER FBI NEWS • Trump's DC Crime Emergency Is Over. Immigration Officers Are Still Patrolling With DC Police • Commerce Secretary Lutnick Calls Ex-Neighbor Epstein "Greatest Blackmailer Ever" • Government Shutdown Leaves FBI Agents on Duty as Wide Swaths of Services Stall • Opinion: Comey Charges Take Trump's Threats to New Level INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla Intercepted, Boarded by Israeli Navy • Social Media's Changing Narrative of the Israel-Gaza War • U.S. to Provide Ukraine With Intelligence for Missile Strikes Deep Inside Russia • Ukrainian Nuclear Plant's Longest Power Outage Since War Began Is 'Critical' Moment • NATO Allies Clash After Russian Jets Breach Airspace, Testing Alliance Resolve • France Detains Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker Suspected in Drone Attack • How Syria's First Elections Since Autocrat Assad's Ouster Is Expected to Unfold • Belarus Opposition Leader Vanishes After Refusing Deportation in a US-Brokered Prisoner Release • South Korea's President Apologizes Over Poorly Managed Foreign Adoption Programs • In East Timor, U.S. Retreats From Plan to Build 'Lifesaving' Sewage Plant OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • White House, Lawmakers Float Ideas for Ending Government Shutdown • Trump to Withhold $18 Billion for New York-Area Transit Projects • More Pain for US Farmers as Government Shutdown Halts Payments • White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement to Get Funding Advantage • The Supreme Court Just Became the Last Line of Defense for Fed Independence • U.S. Lost 32,000 Jobs in September, Says Payroll Processor EFTA01655451 " The Wall Street Firms That Kept Ties With Jeffrey Epstein Until the End " Drones, Helicopters, Hundreds of Arrests: Trump's Immigration Crackdown in Chicago So Far " Bondi and Hegseth Rally Federal Agents and Troops in Memphis as Part of Crime Task Force " Wildlife Advocate and Primate Expert Jane Goodall Dies at 91 WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS FBI Cuts Ties With Anti-Defamation League, Director Patel Says Reuters (10/01, Zilber) reported that the FBI announced it had cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) after criticism from conservatives over the group's inclusion of Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA in its glossary on extremism. Director Patel stated in a social media post that the bureau "won't partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs," prompting the ADL to respond that it has "deep respect" for the FBI. According to the article, the FBI had historically partnered with the ADL, with records showing collaboration as far back as the 1940s, and former FBI Director James Comey once highlighted the bureau's joint work with the ADL on civil rights and hate crime training for state and local law enforcement. The article explained that Director Patel's announcement came after right-wing backlash, including from Elon Musk, leading the ADL to remove the glossary entirely from its website. The article noted that the decision reflects both political pressure following Kirk's assassination and the broader debate over the ADL's role in documenting extremism, antisemitism, and anti-Israel rhetoric. Director Patel posted a statement on X: "James Comey wrote 'love letters' to the ADL and embedded FBI agents with them - a group that ran disgraceful ops spying on Americans. That era is OVER. This FBI won't partner with political fronts masquerading as watchdogs." Additional reporting on the story was provided by Daily Mail (10/01, Lepore), Fox News (10/01, Wolf), Jewish Insider (10/01, Deutch), Just the News (10/01, Severi), National Review (10/01, Lynch), New York Post (10/01, Nava), Newsweek (10/01, Silverman), Politico (10/01, Pellish), Raw Story (10/01, Edwards), and USA Today (10/01, Bagchi). Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Trump's Approach to Drug Boats 'Mirrors War on Terror Tactics' The Independent (10/01, Croft) reported that the Trump administration has launched military strikes in the Caribbean against suspected drug boats after designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, with Director Patel telling the Senate that "we must treat them like the al-Qaeda of the world because that's how they're operating." According to the article, Director Patel defended the use of lethal force, saying the U.S. must "eliminate" the drug trade using war authorities and intelligence agencies, echoing manhunting strategies from the War on Terror. The article noted that experts have warned such strikes may constitute extrajudicial killings since the cartels do not pose the same imminent threat as al-Qaeda, while critics stressed that, unlike past interdictions that focused on arrests and seizures, the new approach kills suspects without due process. ISIS Supporter Pleads Guilty to Material Support of Terrorism BNO News (10/01, Robles) reported that a Minnesota man, Abdisatar Ahmed Hassan, pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS after repeatedly trying to travel overseas to join the group. According to the article, the FBI began investigating after receiving a tip about social media accounts linked to Hassan that praised terrorist attacks, displayed ISIS symbols, and shared propaganda in support of both Al Shabab and ISIS. The article noted that investigators discovered Hassan's communications with an ISIS recruiter, files on sniper training, explosives manuals, and a homemade ISIS flag, with federal agents later seizing his phones, extremist materials, and weapons during his arrest. Hassan admitted to supporting ISIS and believing in the establishment of a caliphate, and prosecutors emphasized that his actions demonstrated a desire to kill Americans. He pleaded guilty to one federal terrorism charge and now awaits sentencing. "Today's guilty plea reflects many hours of hard work by agents and analysts from the FBI," said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr in the press release. "Keeping Minnesota safe from those who support Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations like ISIS and EFTA01655452 Al Shabab is a top priority of the FBI. ISIS and Al Shabab represent a clear threat to all Americans. We will identify and investigate anyone foolish enough to provide support to these terrorists." Man Charged After Incendiary Device Found Under Fox News Vehicle KSTU (Fox-13) (10/01, Staff Writer) reported that Christopher Solomon Proctor was charged in U.S. District Court with Attempted Arson and Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device after a gas can with a lit fuse was found under a FOX 13 News vehicle in Salt Lake City on September 12. According to the article, an FBI Special Agent bomb technician determined the can to be an incendiary destructive device, and FBI surveillance later observed Proctor driving his registered Honda CR-V, searching the area in a different car, and ultimately executing a search warrant on his home where agents recovered items including "black ninja boots," an empty gas can, and a multicolored fuse similar to the one used in the incident. The article noted that the FBI also interviewed an acquaintance who said Proctor admitted to placing and igniting the device under a "fox news" vehicle, though it failed to detonate, and that Proctor remains in custody with a history of burglary convictions. Opinion: You Can't Designate 'Antifal Banks and Platforms Will Act Like You Did Anyway. An opinion piece from Lawfare Media (10/01, Brzozowski) reported that the White House announced an executive order designating "Antifa" as a domestic terrorist organization, with the president declaring that it was a "militarist, anarchist enterprise that calls for the overthrow of the U.S. government!' According to the article, there is no legal authority to designate purely domestic groups as terrorist organizations, and even former FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in 2020 that "Antifa" is "more of an ideology or a movement than an organization." The article noted that the designation is largely symbolic but could still have sweeping real-world effects, such as chilling lawful protest, prompting banks and platforms to cut off individuals linked to "Antifa," and creating investigative risks despite the lack of statutory authority. The author assessed that the true danger lies not in the legal effect of the designation but in its performative power, as government proclamations can shift private and public behavior quickly, eroding constitutional protections and setting dangerous precedents that authoritarian regimes abroad have long exploited. Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Pentagon Plans Widespread Random Polygraphs, NDAs to Stanch Leaks The Washington Post (10/01, Horton, Copp, Nakashima) reported that the Pentagon is considering requiring thousands of officials, including top generals and staff, to sign strict nondisclosure agreements and undergo random polygraph tests as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's campaign against leaks. According to the article, the draft memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg outlines a program that would cover more than 5,000 personnel in the Office of the Defense Secretary and Joint Staff, prohibiting the release of non-public information without approval and subjecting them to random lie detector tests. The article noted that while polygraphs are already standard in the intelligence community, the FBI has recently used them to identify media leak sources, and expanding such measures into the Pentagon would be unprecedented. Former officials and national security lawyers argued the effort is less about countering espionage than intimidating employees and discouraging dissent, with critics calling the measures "scare tactics" designed to stifle leaks to the press. The article also highlighted that these moves come alongside broader restrictions on media access to the Pentagon, signaling a wider push to limit transparency and independent oversight. US Appeals Court Rejects Ex-Fox News Reporter Catherine Herridge's Bid to Protect Confidential Sources New York Post (10/01, Zilber) reported that a US appeals court rejected former Fox News and CBS News reporter Catherine Herridge's bid to protect her confidential sources, upholding a contempt order against her. According to the article, the order was issued after Herridge refused to reveal the source who leaked information about Chinese- American scientist Yanping Chen, who was the subject of an FBI counterintelligence investigation. The article explained that Herridge's reporting revealed that Chen was once subjected to FBI questioning over past alleged misstatements related to her immigration forms, as well as details about her work with the Chinese space program. As part of its counterintelligence investigation that spanned six years, the FBI conducted a search of Chen's home. Chen, who has denied insinuations that she spied for China, was never charged with a crime. In 2018, Chen filed suit against the FBI, claiming that the federal agency leaked details of the probe to Herridge and Fox News in order to damage her reputation. The article noted that the decision has been criticized by Herridge's EFTA01655453 lawyer, Fox News, and the Freedom of the Press Foundation, who argue that it threatens press freedom and investigative reporting. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS FBI Offers Reward for Tips on Missing Massachusetts Toddler WWLP (NBC-22) (10/01, McCorkindale) reported that the FBI is offering a $25,000 reward for information on the disappearance of 4-year-old Andrew Amato. According to the article, Andrew Amato went missing on September 30, 1978, in a wooded area near the Ash Street Trailer Park in Webster, Massachusetts. The article noted that the case has remained unsolved for nearly half a century, and the FBI is renewing efforts to gather information to bring closure to the case. FBI Special Agent Ted Docks said, "Andrew Amato's family has endured enough heartache, and they deserve to know what happened to him, which is why the FBI is offering a substantial reward to incentivize anyone with information to come forward." Docks said any information might be the key to this case. "No amount of information is too small or irrelevant, and it's never too late to step up and do the right thing. Yes, it's been 47 years, but we're not about to give up on bringing Andy home, and anyone involved in his disappearance to justice." Additional reporting was provided by WFXT (Fox-25) (10/01, O'Laughlin), Patch (10/01, Castellano), Boston Herald (10/01, Zokovitch), Boston.com (10/01, Lucchesi), MassLive (10/01, Morrison), KMFFM (10/01, Staff Writer), and Newsmax (10/01, Mishler). Individual Associated With the 5-9 Brims Gang Charged in Connection With August Mass Shooting in New York New York Daily News (10/01, Annese) reported that Elijah Roy, a 25-year-old Bloods member, has been federally charged for his role in a gang-related mass shooting at a Brooklyn lounge. According to the article, the shooting, which occurred on August 17, left three people dead, including Marvin St. Louis, Jamel Childs, and Amadou Diallo, and 10 others wounded. The article noted that Roy is charged with assault in aid of racketeering and felon in possession of ammunition, and is set to be arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court. The FBI blamed a gang turf war for the shooting. "Elijah Roy, a Bloods associate, allegedly participated in a mass shooting in a crowded local restaurant, killing three and significantly injuring another ten in about six seconds," said FBI Assistant Director Chris Raia. "This alleged act of egregious violence harmed bystanders caught in the crosshairs of a gang's territorial dispute." Additional reporting was provided by Gothamist (10/01, Feuerherd), WPIX (CW-11) (10/01, Rahhal), WABC (ABC-7) (10/01, Katersky), and Brooklyn Paper (10/01, Brendlen). ICE Led Raid at Illinois Apartment Complex Follows Venezuelan Gang Murder Inside WBBM (CBS-2) (10/01, Victory) reported that 37 people were arrested in an immigration raid in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. According to the article, the Department of Homeland Security claims the raid targeted members of the Tren De Aragua gang, as well as individuals with drug trafficking offenses, weapons charges, and immigration violations. The article noted that the FBI confirmed they were assisting in a "targeted immigration enforcement operation" at the apartment building, and DHS now says the targets included members of the infamous Tren De Aragua gang. Additionally, the building raided by the feds was the site of a murder where a migrant was shot dead while pleading for his life, allegedly by a Tren de Aragua gang member. Additional reporting was provided by CWB Chicago (10/01, Hecke). Missing California Woman Found Dead in Attic KPIX (CBS-5) (10/01, Fang) reported that Renia Lewis, a 28-year-old woman from Vallejo, was reported missing and later found dead in the attic of a home on 14th Street. According to the article, Douglas Irwin Shaw, 41, was arrested on suspicion of murder and admitted to being responsible for the homicide. The article noted that Shaw is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in court, with the police investigation still ongoing to determine the motive and connection between Shaw and Lewis. A welfare check was conducted at the home, which included a cursory search of rooms, closets, and potential hiding places, but there were no signs of the woman, police said. On Monday, the California Highway Patrol granted a request by police to issue an Ebony Alert for Lewis, and officers sought assistance from the FBI. "The FBI was helpful in lending expert resources and investigative support to this case," police said in a statement. Additional reporting was provided by New York Post (10/01, Reilly), Los Angeles Times (10/01, Lin), People (10/01, Rockson), Vallejo Sun (10/01, Bridonneau), Times Herald Online (10/01, Gase), Sacramento Bee (10/01, Sweeney), and KRON (CW-4) (10/01, Mense & Tolentino). EFTA01655454 Ohio Law Enforcement Seizes One Kilogram of Fentanyl WOHL (CBS-35) (10/01, Staff Writer) reported that on September 29, 2025, the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force, working with the Allen County Sheriff's Office, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the U.S. Postal Service, seized one kilogram of fentanyl as part of an active investigation. According to the article, indictments are expected to be presented to an Allen County grand jury at a later date. The article noted that this is an ongoing investigation. Maryland Police Investigation Ends With Major Drug Arrest CECIL Daily (10/01, Hamilton) reported that after a yearlong investigation by the Cecil County Drug Task Force culminated on September 23 with the arrest of Eddie Harley and the seizure of nearly three pounds of suspected cocaine during a coordinated traffic stop in Delaware, according to the Cecil County Sheriff's Office. According to the article, authorities said Harley, who had been under surveillance across multiple jurisdictions, was responsible for distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Delaware State Police troopers, assisted by the FBI and law enforcement in Pennsylvania, stopped Harley on Interstate 95 after following him from Philadelphia, where investigators alleged he had picked up drugs. The article noted that a police K-9 alerted officers to the presence of narcotics, leading to the discovery of 1,252 grams of cocaine hidden in an electronically controlled compartment in the vehicle's dashboard. Harley faces charges in Delaware, and officials confirmed federal charges are under consideration. Former FBI Most Wanted Fugitive Arrested in Florida Drug Operation Hoodline Miami (10/01, Mendez) reported that Richard Picariello, a former FBI Most Wanted fugitive, was arrested in Palm Beach Gardens in connection with a drug operation. According to the article, Picariello, now in his seventies, has a radical past involving militant actions in the 1970s, including leading the Fred Hampton Unit of People's Forces. The article noted that he is currently facing charges of tampering with evidence and possession of cocaine, and is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail awaiting court proceedings. How One Man Secretly Stole $24M From McDonald's Monopoly Game KHOU (CBS-11) (10/01, Garz) reported that McDonald's recent revival of its popular Monopoly promotion has renewed attention on the "McMillions" scandal, one of the largest corporate fraud schemes of the early 2000s. At the center was Jerome "Jerry" Jacobson, a security officer for the company that produced the game pieces, who, from 1989 to 2001, secretly stole high-value tickets and distributed them to friends and family. According to the article, the network redeemed prizes ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, ultimately defrauding McDonald's of an estimated $24 million. The scheme unraveled in 2000 after the FBI received an anonymous tip about "Uncle Jerry" and discovered many winners lived near Jacobson's South Carolina home. Investigators even staged a fake commercial to gather evidence, eventually leading to Jacobson's arrest in 2001. The article noted that his trial opened on September 10, 2001, just one day before the 9/11 attacks overshadowed the case. The McMillions scandal is remembered for both the scale of the theft and the remarkable fact that it continued undetected for more than a decade. Additional reporting provided by Geekspin (10/01, Sadao). Several Types of Scams Target Older Adults in Oklahoma The Oklahoman (10/01, Wertz) reported that scams targeting older adults are on the rise, with companion scams, imposter scams, and identity theft being the most common types of fraud. According to the article, companion scams involve a scammer building an emotional connection with a victim to manipulate them into sending money, often by inventing an emergency or situation requiring funds. The article noted that Joy McGill recalled speaking with an elderly Oklahoma woman who had fallen victim to what authorities describe as a "companion scam," a growing form of fraud targeting older adults. The woman developed an online friendship with a man claiming to be an oil rig worker, who said he was isolated and in need of someone to talk to. After building trust, he suggested visiting her in Oklahoma but asked to borrow $1,000 to make the trip, followed by repeated requests for additional money. Ultimately, he vanished, leaving the woman defrauded and heartbroken. McGill said such scams—non- romantic but emotionally manipulative—are among the most common fraud schemes reported against seniors in recent years, according to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge After FBI Investigated Him for Fraud North West Arkansas Democrat Gazette (10/01, Ellis) reported that Casiprin Charles Gibson, a 44-year-old man from Jonesboro, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the article, Gibson, 44, of Jonesboro, was being investigated for fraud by the FBI when, on April 9, 2023, court records said, information was received that Gibson was returning to Jonesboro after a trip to Chicago. The article noted that Gibson, who has an EFTA01655455 extensive criminal history, faces up to 15 years in prison for the charge related to a pistol found during a search of his storage unit. Texas Man Charged After Threatening to Attack Abilene Pride Parade Out Smart Magazine (10/01, Staff Writer) reported that Joshua Cole, a 42-year-old Texas man, was arrested and charged after making threatening social media comments about attacking the Abilene Pride Parade. According to the article, Cole's threats were allegedly made in retaliation for the assassination of anti-LBGTQ activist Charlie Kirk, and he posted comments calling for armed retaliation against parade attendees. The FBI's investigation began immediately after Cole posted threatening comments on Facebook. Special Agent Sam Venuti attempted to speak with Cole at his workplace, only to learn that Cole had recently quit in anger. He was arrested later that day during a traffic stop. According to the FBI affidavit, Cole did not appear surprised when told that the visit was related to his "online activity." Additional reporting was provided by Pink News (10/01, Billson) and Hot Spot Magazine (10/01, Staff Writer). Nine Chilean Nationals Arrested by ICE in New Jersey NJ.com (10/01, Heath) reported that nine Chilean nationals connected to South American Theft Groups were arrested in New Jersey by ICE and the FBI. According to the article, the individuals had entered the US legally but overstayed their visas, and some have an "extensive criminal history", including theft. The article noted that the arrests were made as part of an effort to dismantle South American Theft Groups, with officials like Ruben Perez and FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy committed to stopping transient criminal aliens. "FBI Newark's Criminal Enterprise Branch and its Joint Organized Crime Task Force remains steadfast in its effort to identify and disrupt South American Theft Groups targeting New Jersey communities," said FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. FBI Surveilled Pennsylvania Congressman as Part of Probe Into 2020 Election The National News Desk (10/01, Lewis) reported that the FBI surveilled Rep. Scott Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican congressman, in 2022 as part of a probe into the 2020 election. According to the article, the surveillance aimed to understand Perry's "pattern of life" and potentially serve him with a seizure warrant, which was executed to take his phone. The article noted that the investigation is related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, including a plot to install electors who would cast ballots for President Donald Trump. Russell Dye, a spokesman for Rep. Jordan, called the FBI's alleged surveillance a "glaring separation-of-powers concern," according to the New York Post. "Was this something approved by Speaker Pelosi?" Dye reportedly questioned, referring to California Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker. "Was it approved by the Democrats' [sic) sham January 6th Committee? Should other Members be concerned that they were being watched for carrying out their constitutional duties?" Former South Carolina Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Material Here Columbia (10/01, Staff Writer) reported that Thomas McCraw, a 55-year-old former South Carolina state representative, has pleaded guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. According to the article, the guilty plea was entered on October 1, 2025, after an FBI investigation prompted by tips from online platforms, and McCraw faces up to 20 years in federal prison. The article noted that the case has sparked calls for stricter vetting of lawmakers and improved oversight, highlighting the need for stronger safeguards and support for victims of child exploitation. Eleven Arrested in Online Child Predator Bust in South Carolina WCNC (NBC-36) (10/01, Korynta) reported that the York County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 11 men in August and September during Operation Huntsman, a multi-agency child exploitation sting targeting online predators. The investigation, part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force led by the South Carolina Attorney General's Office, deployed 20 to 40 officers at a time to monitor social media platforms and lure "travelers" who believed they were meeting minors aged 10 to 16 for sexual encounters. According to the article, authorities said many of the suspects had prior histories as hands-on offenders. Those arrested came from South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and Honduras, and included 38-year-old Jonni Osman Pineda, who had been deported at least three times and was released to federal custody. Charges ranged from criminal sexual conduct with minors to solicitation, participation in the prostitution of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and narcotics possession. The article, quoting Sheriff Tony Breeden, emphasized the operation's importance, calling it "a battle of good versus evil." He praised the partnerships with federal agencies, particularly the FBI, and thanked officers who EFTA01655456 worked extensive hours on the operation. YCSO Criminal Intelligence/Homeland Security Unit Director Robert Hamilton, who is also a task force officer with the FBI, noted suspects ranged from 18 to 63 years old, calling child exploitation "an epidemic in this country." One suspect brought methamphetamine, possibly intending to give it to a minor. Additional reporting was provided by WCCB Charlotte (10/01, Little) and WJZY (Fox-46) (10/01, Lankford). Federal Indictment Alleges Kidnapping, Robbery Scheme Operated From Texas Tire Shop KRIS (NBC-6) (10/01, Jenkins) reported that a federal indictment alleges a kidnapping and robbery scheme operated from Danny's Tire Service in Corpus Christi, with Victor Daniel Almaguer-Cantu, Robert Luis Saldan, and another co-conspirator involved. According to the article, the scheme used a fake Facebook Marketplace post to lure a victim to the tire shop, where they were locked in an office, beaten, and threatened, then forced to withdraw cash and make a jewelry purchase. The defendants allegedly stole the jewelry, used the victim's private information to apply for loans, and threatened to kill the victim and their family if they did not cooperate. The article noted that KRIS 6 reached out to CCPD for comment, who tells us they are not involved, as this is a case for the FBI. Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to String of Bank and Credit Union Heists Hoodline Detroit (10/01, McAllister) reported that Dorian Trevor Sykes, a 42-year-old Detroit man, pleaded guilty to robbing banks and credit unions. According to the article, the heists took place between March 6 and 12, during which Sykes stole over $20,000 from financial institutions. The article noted that the manhunt and subsequent investigation were a collective effort, assisted by the FBI. Additional reporting was provided by Macomb Daily (10/01, Cook). Back to Top CYBER DIVISION FBI Warns of 'Phantom Hacker' Scam That Has Stolen $542 Million From Seniors This Year WFTX (Fox-4) (10/01, Kruger) reported that the FBI has issued a warning about a sophisticated "phantom hacker" scam that has stolen more than $542 million this year, with nearly half of the victims being seniors over 60. According to the article, the scam unfolds in three phases: fake tech support convinces victims their computer is hacked, scammers posing as bank representatives direct them to move money to supposed safe accounts, and impersonators of government officials pressure them to wire funds overseas or buy cryptocurrency. The article noted that the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 19,000 tech support scam complaints between January and June 2023, with seniors making up nearly 50% of reports and 66% of total losses, and the FBI stressed that legitimate agencies never request money transfers via wire, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Shutdown Snares Federal Cybersecurity Personnel Bank Info Security (10/01, Riotta) reported that the federal government shutdown has severely impacted the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which furloughed about 65% of its workforce, leaving fewer than 900 staff on duty since its creation in 2018. According to the article, the cuts have stalled grants to state and local governments, frozen many CISA programs, and ended funding for the Center for Internet Security's MS-ISAC, which previously provided no-cost cyber hygiene and incident response support to municipalities. The article noted that while the Department of Justice has kept nearly 90% of its workforce, including all FBI cyber agents and support staff, investigators may face slower intelligence feeds and fewer analytic products due to diminished support from agencies like CISA. It further highlighted that the Department of Defense's U.S. Cyber Command and NSA operations remain fully exempt from furloughs, but coordination with civilian cyber agencies and public-private partnerships may suffer as the shutdown continues. NextGov (10/01, Dimolfetta) quoted Cynthia Kaiser, a former deputy assistant director in the FBI's Cyber Division: "As a new solution is formalized, information sharing needs to continue to be a top priority across the private sector. Our hope is that a renewal of CISA 2015 — whether or not the name of the statute stays the same — will be part of a bill to reopen the federal government." WestJet Breach Hits 1.2 Million People, Affects Passports, IDs SC World (10/01, French) reported that Canadian airline WestJet confirmed a June 2025 cybersecurity breach affecting the personal data of 1.2 million people, including names, dates of birth, addresses, passports, government IDs, and travel-related details. According to the article, the company said no passwords or credit card numbers were exposed, though Rewards members may have had account IDs and balances compromised, raising concerns EFTA01655457 about targeted phishing attempts. The article noted that WestJet reported the incident to law enforcement and government agencies, including the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Transport Canada, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, and the FBI. It also stated that WestJet is offering affected customers two years of identity monitoring and reimbursement insurance, while experts warned the breach highlights broader cybersecurity risks facing the airline industry. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Nigerian National Extradited to Florida on Federal Elder Fraud Charges Tampa Free Press (10/01, Grissom) reported that Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, a 43-year-old Nigerian national, has been extradited to Florida to face federal elder fraud charges. According to the article, Nnebocha is accused of being part of a transnational criminal organization that defrauded American seniors through an inheritance fraud scheme and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The article noted that critical assistance for the extradition was provided by the Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, the FBI Legal Attache in Poland, INTERPOL, and Polish Authorities. Additional reporting was provided by Vanguard (10/01, Staff Writer). Experts Urge Parallel Probe Into Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa's Death In Pads Saturday Star (10/01, Mahlangu, Phungula) reported that experts, including criminologist Thabang Bogopa, are urging a parallel investigation into the death of South African Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa, who died after allegedly falling from a hotel in Paris. According to the article, South African authorities can use the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act to request cooperation from French authorities and conduct a parallel inquiry at home. Criminologist Thabang Bogopa told IOL that Interpol should take over the investigation. "However, they should tie up with the investigation units of France but also go further and include the FBI because it is a high- priority offence to have a diplomat dying suspiciously in another country," Bogopa said. The article noted that parliament also has the power to demand accountability and oversight into Mthethwa's death, including summoning officials to testify and reviewing evidence collected from French authorities. Additional reporting was provided by Magic 828-AM (10/01, Staff Writer). Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Trump's DC Crime Emergency Is Over. Immigration Officers Are Still Patrolling With DC Police The Washington Post (10/01, Uber, Armus) reported that weeks after President Trump's crime emergency order expired, immigration authorities have continued patrolling with D.C. police, raising concerns among residents and city leaders about local officers' role in immigration enforcement. According to the article, court filings, videos, and eyewitness accounts show D.C. police working alongside Homeland Security agents, with at least two men ending up in ICE custody, and in one incident near a charter school, parents and children witnessed officers from Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the FBI alongside D.C. police. The article noted that Mayor Muriel Bowser initially denied the collaboration but later acknowledged it, while school officials and community leaden warned that such joint operations threaten trust in D.C. police and violate the city's Sanctuary Values Act. Commerce Secretary Lutnick Calls Ex-Neighbor Epstein "Greatest Blackmailer Ever" Axios (10/01, Falconer) reported that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, speaking in a new interview, called Jeffrey Epstein the "greatest blackmailer ever" and claimed Epstein gained wealth through blackmail tied to his massage room activities. According to the article, Lutnick's comments contrasted with the Justice Department's and FBI's July findings, which stated there is "no credible evidence" that Epstein blackmailed powerful individuals or kept a "client list;' and Director Patel testified last month that there was "no credible information" Epstein trafficked young women to others besides himself. The article noted that Lutnick described leaving Epstein's home immediately after seeing a massage table, speculated his activities were recorded, and questioned the leniency of Epstein's 2008 plea deal, while the FBI and DOJ did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on whether they would investigate Lutnick's claims. EFTA01655458 Government Shutdown Leaves FBI Agents on Duty as Wide Swaths of Services Stall Reuters (10/01, Rozen, Sullivan) reported that the US government shut down on September 30 after lawmakers failed to pass a spending extension, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed while essential personnel continue working without pay. According to the article, critical services such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, food aid programs (SNAP and WIC), and mail delivery will continue, while the IRS, courts, and small business loan programs face disruptions if the shutdown persists. The article noted that FBI agents, along with other federal law enforcement such as the DEA and Coast Guard, will remain on duty, while the military and air traffic controllers also continue working without pay, highlighting that wide swaths of government activity remain stalled until a funding deal is reached. Opinion: Comey Charges Take Trump's Threats to New Level An opinion piece published by USA TODAY (10/01, Bagchi) reported that former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on charges of lying to Congress and obstruction just days after President Donald Trump replaced a prosecutor who declined to pursue charges with a trusted aide lacking prosecutorial experience, raising concerns of Justice Department politicization. According to the article, Trump had publicly declared Comey "guilty as hell" before the indictment, while critics such as former Bush White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter and state attorneys general warned that the Justice Department was being used to target political opponents, citing the FBI raids of John Bolton and investigations into Letitia James and Adam Schiff as examples. The article noted that Trump's administration has also dropped investigations into political allies like New York City Mayor Eric Adams and border czar Tom Homan, while loosening communication boundaries between the White House and DOJ, eroding safeguards against political interference. The article further noted that California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that the president should never involve himself in using the DOJ or the FBI for political prosecutions, comparing the actions to McCarthy-era tactics. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla Intercepted, Boarded by Israeli Navy Wall Street Journal Social Media's Changing Narrative of the Israel-Gaza War New York Times U.S. to Provide Ukraine With Intelligence for Missile Strikes Deep Inside Russia The Wall Street Journal Ukrainian Nuclear Plant's Longest Power Outage Since War Began Is 'Critical' Moment Associated Press NATO Allies Clash After Russian Jets Breach Airspace, Testing Alliance Resolve Fox News France Detains Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker Suspected in Drone Attack The Wall Street Journal How Syria's First Elections Since Autocrat Assad's Ouster Is Expected to Unfold Associated Press Belarus Opposition Leader Vanishes After Refusing Deportation in a US-Brokered Prisoner Release Associated Press South Korea's President Apologizes Over Poorly Managed Foreign Adoption Programs Associated Press In East Timor, U.S. Retreats From Plan to Build 'Lifesaving' Sewage Plant New York Times Back to Top EFTA01655459 OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS White House, Lawmakers Float Ideas for Ending Government Shutdown Wall Street Journal Trump to Withhold $18 Billion for New York-Area Transit Projects New York Times More Pain for US Farmers as Government Shutdown Halts Payments Reuters White House Asks Colleges to Sign Sweeping Agreement to Get Funding Advantage Wall Street Journal The Supreme Court Just Became the Last Line of Defense for Fed Independence Wall Street Journal U.S. Lost 32,000 Jobs in September, Says Payroll Processor Wall Street Journal The Wall Street Firms That Kept Ties With Jeffrey Epstein Until the End Wall Street Journal Drones, Helicopters, Hundreds of Arrests: Trump's Immigration Crackdown in Chicago So Far New York Times Bondi and Hegseth Rally Federal Agents and Troops in Memphis as Part of Crime Task Force Associated Press Wildlife Advocate and Primate Expert Jane Goodall Dies at 91 Reuters Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Trump • 9:00 AM: In-Town Pool Call Time • 11:00 AM: The President receives his Intelligence Briefing Vice President Vance • No official presidential schedule has been released or announced. US Senate • No events scheduled. US House of Representatives • No events scheduled. Cabinet Members • Secretary of State Rubio attends meetings and briefings at the White House. Visitors EFTA01655460 • No events scheduled. General Events • The Heritage Foundation: October 2 2025 Supreme Court Preview of the 2025-2026 Term — Thursday, October 2, 2025. Location: Online event, 12:00 PM. Following a dramatic conclusion to its last term, the United States Supreme Court reconvenes on October 6 for the start of the 2025-2026 term. The Court is poised to address several pivotal issues, including participation of biological males in girls' sports, campaign finance laws, race-based redistricting, election day ballot deadlines, and much more. • CATO Institute: Trade in War: Economic Cooperation across Enemy Lines — Thursday, October 2, 2025. Location: Online event, 4:00 PM. Trade between belligerents during wartime should not occur. After all, exchanged goods might help enemies secure the upper hand on the battlefield. Yet as history shows, states rarely choose either war or trade. In fact, they frequently engage in both at the same time. • AEI: The War on Science: A Book Event with Lawrence M. Krauss— Thursday, October 2, 2025. Location: AEI Auditorium, 5:15 PM. Among assaults on merit-based hiring, the policing of language, the denial of empirical data in medicine and science, and the replacement of well-established standards with ideological mantras, rigorous scholarship is under threat throughout Western institutions. To make matters worse, many who have spoken up against this threat have faced professional consequences, creating a climate of fear that undermines the very foundation of modern research. In The War on Science, the Origins Project Foundation's Lawrence M. Krauss assembles a group of prominent scholars from wide-ranging disciplines to detail ongoing efforts to impose ideological restrictions on scholarship—and issue a clarion call for change. Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. EFTA01655461