EFTA Document EFTA01656022

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing_Draft" < Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - DRAFT: FBI Daily News Briefing - June 6, 2025 Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:55:02 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal June 06, 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 • Bodies of Two Israeli-American Hostages Recovered From Gaza in Joint Military Operation • FBI Receives Dozens Of Tips About Doctors, Hospitals Surgically Transitioning Minors • As Ousters Continue, FBI Singles Out Employee Over Friendship With Trump Critic • Continued Reporting: Director Patel, a Longtime Bureau Critic, Begins to Put His Stamp on the Agency COUNTERTERRORISM • FBI Thwarts Teen's Alleged Mall Attack Plot Involving Explosives, Gunfire • FBI, DHS Warn of 'Elevated Threat' to Jewish Communities After Recent Attacks • Federal Jury Convicts Pakistani Weapons Smuggler of Transporting Iranian Advanced Conventional Weapons • Public's Help Requested in Second Kansas Tesla Firebombing • FBI Seeking Public Assistance in Identifying the Person Behind a Bomb Threat on an Allegiant Flight • Continued Reporting: Michigan Man Convicted of Trying to Join ISIS Faces up to 35 Years • Continued Reporting: Ex-Deputy Mayor Accused of Reporting Fake Bomb Threat to LA City Hall Pleads Not Guilty • Continued Reporting: FBI Arrests Man Who Allegedly Aided Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bomber • Continued Reporting: Violent Online Network That Got Its Start in a Small North Texas Town Is Now a Top FBI Threat COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Europe Worries About Its Dependence on U.S. Intelligence Under Trump • Continued Reporting: Chinese Nationals Charged With Conspiracy, Smuggling Dangerous Biological Pathogen • The Trump Administration Revives an Old Intimidation Tactic: The Polygraph Machine EFTA01656022 • Continued Reporting: U.S. Intelligence Worker Arrested for 'Trying to Leak Secrets to Germany' CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • North Carolina Judge Revokes Bond for House Party Shooting Suspect • South Texas BORTAC Team Helping Search for Escaped Inmate • Five Highs Gang Members Convicted by Jury of RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking, and Firearms Offenses • FBI Warns Students and Parents Over Online 'Sextortion' • FBI to Announce Reward Friday for Missing 13-Year-Old Montana Crow Girl • Arizona Teen, 14, Found Dismembered Told Cops She Wanted Out of Group Home Before She Was Found Dead • Washington Sheriff Shares New Photo of Suspected Killer Dad Amid Manhunt in Daughters' Triple Murder • Luigi Mangione's Alleged Diary Entries Released in New Court Filing • FBI Places Warning Signs at Northeast Ohio Crypto ATMs to Stop Would-Be Scam Victims • GirlsDoPorn Owner Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking, Conspiracy Charges in San Diego Court • FBI Jackson, Department of Homeland Security Arrest Seven Illegal Immigrants in Mississippi • FBI at Home in Montclair, New Jersey for 'Ongoing Law Enforcement Activity' • FBI, Local Authorities Arrest Three Wanted Men in South Carolina Raid • FBI Agents Served Warrant at Home of Indiana Theatre Owner as Part of Child Porn Investigation • FBI Arrests Nigerian 'Tech Queen' Over 'Multi-Million Dollar Fraud' • FBI Assisting With Massachusetts Bank Robbery Investigation FINANCIAL CRIME & CORPORATE SCANDALS • Continued Reporting: MLBPA-OneTeam FBI Investigation CYBER DIVISION • Continued Reporting: FBI, CISA Warn Play Ransomware Targeting Critical Infrastructure With Evolving Techniques • FBI Warns Smart TVs, Digital Device May Have Exploit • DOJ Seizes 145 Domains Tied to BidenCash Carding Marketplace in Global Takedown • Senate Homeland Panel Likely to Approve Cairncross, Plankey for Key Cyber Positions OTHER FBI NEWS • Boston's FBI Special Agent in Charge Is Now Working at Headquarters in DC • Texas Led the Nation in Active Shooter Incidents in 2024, FBI Report Says • False Rumors of Minneapolis ICE Raid Spark Protest as Police Decry 'Irresponsible' Info From Elected Officials • Federal Judge Hints at Early Release of MLK Jr Assassination Files Following Trump's Order • ICE Arrests Under Trump Top 100,000 as Officials Expand Aggressive Efforts to Detain Migrants • Continued Reporting: Grassley Criticized Christopher Wray for 'Lying' About Anti-Catholic Intelligence OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • The Day That Trump and Musk Torched Their Partnership EFTA01656023 • Controversial Airport Watchlist Program Terminated by DHS Amid Weaponization Concerns • President's Travel Ban Brings Contradictions and Concerns • Trump's 'Gold Standard Science' Executive Order Addresses COVID Debacle • Biden Only Hand-Signed One Pardon During Final Spree, and It Was His Most Controversial One • Judge Blocks Trump's Ban on Foreign Students at Harvard • ICE Officers Stuck in Djibouti Shipping Container With Deported Migrants • Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move • Dismay and Disbelief as Trump Bans Visitors From a Dozen Countries • In the Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial, an Ex-girlfriend Testifies About Abuse and Control • Chinese Chemical Bust by Border Officials Underscores Multifront Effort by CCP to Undermine U.S. IN THE NEWS Bodies of Two Israeli-American Hostages Recovered From Gaza in Joint Military Operation The Associated Press (06/05, Lidman, Melzer, Shurafa) and Reuters (06/05, Al-Mughrabi, Cornwell) reported that Israel has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages, Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai, from the Gaza Strip. The two hostages, who also held US citizenship, were taken by Hamas militants during the October 7, 2023, attack and were later killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the recovery of the bodies and extended condolences to the families of the victims. CNN (06/05, Yosef, Lilleholm, Liebermann) noted that a statement from the family thanked the U.S. administration, the Israeli government, and the FBI for their "tireless work and ongoing support." Additional reporting on the story was provided by Fox News (06/05, Betz, Rotem- Kuriel), BBC (06/05, Gritten), Washington Post (06/05, Cheesman, Rom), NPR (06/05, Estrin), New York Times (06/05, Rasgon, Solomom), Wall Street Journal (06/05, Lieber), Washington Examiner (06/05, Staff Writer), Washington Times (06/05, Glenn), NBC News (06/05, Silva), ABC News (06/05, Miller, Brennan), The Guardian (06/05, Tondo), Axios (06/05, Ravid), UPI (06/05, Godfrey), NewsNation (06/05, Shelton), The Times (06/05, Weiniger), CBS News (06/05, Video). FBI Receives Dozens Of Tips About Doctors, Hospitals Surgically Transitioning Minors The Daily Wire (06/05, Olohan) reported that the FBI has received over 100 tips regarding surgical transgender procedures on minors after asking Americans to report evidence of medical professionals performing such procedures. According to the article, the move is part of the Trump administration's efforts to scrutinize the transgender medicine industry and protect children from irreversible gender transition procedures. The FBI's call for tips comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order protecting children from these procedures, which he described as "destructive and life-altering". The article added that Erica Knight, an advisor to Director Patel, told The Daily Wire that the bureau will "never stop fighting for our most vulnerable — our children. As a mother, I'm deeply grateful and proud to know the future of America's kids is one rooted in safety, strength, and opportunity." The FBI posted the following on X on Monday: "Help the FBI protect children. As the Attorney General has made clear, we will protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of gender-affirming care." The post encouraged Americans to "report tips of any hospitals, clinics, or practitioners performing these surgical procedures on children." As Ousters Continue, FBI Singles Out Employee Over Friendship With Trump Critic The New York Times (06/05, Goldman) reported that the FBI has forced out two veteran agents, Spencer Evans and Stanley Meador, and punished another, Michael Feinberg, due to their perceived disloyalty to President Trump. The article noted that Michael Feinberg was targeted for his friendship with Peter Strzok, a critic of President Trump, and was threatened with an investigation and demotion. "I was informed that, because I maintain a friendship with a former FBI executive who is a critic and perceived enemy of the current administration, I would not be receiving any of the promotions for which I was currently being considered, and that I should actually steel myself to be demoted," he said. Feinberg added that the FBI had intended to have him take a polygraph, or a lie-detector test, about the nature of his ties to Strzok, which he said are entirely social. The article stated that the moves are seen as part of a larger effort by FBI leadership to remake the agency and mollify Trump's supporters, with critics accusing them of politicizing the FBI and retaliating against employees who disagree with them. Continued Reporting: Director Patel, a Longtime Bureau Critic, Begins to Put His Stamp on the Agency EFTA01656024 NPR (06/05, Lucas) reported that Director Patel, a former critic of the agency, has begun to implement changes since taking the helm over 100 days ago, including redeploying agents and analysts from Washington, D.C. to field offices across the country. The article explained that Director Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, are shifting the FBI's focus from traditional law enforcement work to immigration enforcement, with most field offices now working on immigration cases. A spokesman for the FBI, Ben Williamson, said the agency does not comment on specific personnel decisions. But he added that the bureau's "agents and support staff are dedicated professionals working around the clock to defend the homeland and crush violent crime — a mission which certainly overlaps with the consequences of the previous administration's open border policies for four years." The article added that the new leadership has also disbanded the premier public corruption squad, which investigated public officials, and is instead prioritizing cases such as the pipe bombs found near the Capitol and the leak of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. "We come in in the morning, there's a portfolio of 100 level 10 items. If it's a level nine, which is a pretty big frickin' deal, someone else fixed it," Deputy Director Bongino told Fox's Maria Bartiromo in a joint sit- down interview with Director Patel last month. "The only thing that gets to my desk or his is a level 10. That's the entire day." In that same interview, Director Patel said his priorities for the bureau were crushing violent crime, defending the homeland, rigorous constitutional accountability, and aggressive constitutional oversight with Congress. He also has promised a "wave of transparency," including on the investigation into possible ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia and the death of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The Daily Mail (06/05, Spiering) reported that Deputy Director Bongino claims to have video evidence proving Jeffrey Epstein's death was a suicide in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. Bongino says the video shows Epstein was alone in his cell and that guards checked on him regularly, with no one else entering the area. He conceded the Epstein case was "a hot potato for folks" but also cautioned people against putting too much emphasis on the video he was preparing to release. "It's not the greatest video in the world. I don't want to set expectations on fire." Additional reporting on the story was provided by The Independent (06/05, Bedigan), New York Post (06/05, Norman), The Epoch Times (06/05, Phillips), and Washington Examiner (06/05, Notheis). Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM FBI Thwarts Teen's Alleged Mall Attack Plot Involving Explosives, Gunfire Fox News (06/05, Wehner) reported that the FBI arrested a teenager in Columbia County, Oregon, for allegedly planning a mass shooting involving explosives at a Washington state shopping mall. According to the article, the teen shared nihilistic, violent extremist ideology and detailed plans in online chats, including using a chlorine bomb and shooting mall patrons. The FBI, along with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, thwarted the plot, with Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson stating that the plot was "as serious as it gets" and the community was protected. Additional reporting on the story was provided by KATU (ABC-2) (06/05, Nuttle), KOIN (CBS-6) (06/05, Plante, Vacca), KTVZ (NBC-21) (06/05, Lerten), KPTV (Fox-12) (06/05, Staff Writer), Central Oregon Daily (06/05, Staff Writer), OPB (06/05, Wilson), OregonLive (06/05, Bernstein). FBI, DHS Warn of 'Elevated Threat' to Jewish Communities After Recent Attacks Fox News (06/05, Wehner) reported that the FBI and DHS have issued a joint warning of an "elevated threat" to Jewish and Israeli communities in the US due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. According to the article, recent incidents include a Molotov cocktail attack by Mohamed Sabry Soliman in Boulder, Colorado, and a shooting by Elias Rodriguez that killed two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, in Washington, D.C. The article noted that the FBI and DHS urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement, as the conflict may motivate other violent extremists to conduct attacks against Jewish and Israeli communities. CBS News (06/05, Erblat) added that Soliman has been formally charged with 118 state criminal charges, including 28 counts of attempted murder, in connection with the Boulder attack. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Reuters (06/05, Brooks, Ax), Associated Press (06/05, Video), USA Today (06/05, Trethan, Loria), NBC News (06/05, Lenthang, Chesky), and Axios (06/05, Byars). Federal Jury Convicts Pakistani Weapons Smuggler of Transporting Iranian Advanced Conventional Weapons The New York Times (06/05, Cameron) reported that Muhammad Pahlawan, a 49-year-old Pakistani man, was convicted of smuggling Iranian missile components to Houthi rebels. According to the article, He was caught in a EFTA01656025 military operation off Somalia in January 2024, and prosecutors said he worked with Iranian brothers affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. The article noted that Pahlawan was convicted of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September. The press release noted that Assistant Director Donald M. Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division and Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the FBI Washington Field Office made the announcement. The Washington Examiner (06/05, Deese, Brest) also reported on the story. Public's Help Requested in Second Kansas Tesla Firebombing KCTV (CBS-5) (06/05, Riddell) reported that the FBI is seeking the public's help to locate a suspect who firebombed the Lenexa Tesla Collision Center on April 3. The incident involved two Molotov cocktails being thrown into the parking lot, and the ATF is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. This is the second recent Tesla firebombing in the area, following a similar incident in south Kansas City in March, for which 19-year-old Owen McIntire was arrested and is facing federal charges. FBI Seeking Public Assistance in Identifying the Person Behind a Bomb Threat on an Allegiant Flight WTVT (Fox-13) (06/05, Massarelli) reported that the FBI's Tampa Field Office released a photo of a bomb threat found on an Allegiant Airlines flight's lavatory door on April 25. According to the article, the threat was discovered by a flight attendant before the flight departed from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, prompting an evacuation of the plane. The article noted that the FBI is seeking the public's assistance in finding the person responsible for writing the threat. WFTS (ABC-28) (06/05, Vaughan) also reported on the story. Continued Reporting: Michigan Man Convicted of Trying to Join ISIS Faces up to 35 Years JNS (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that Aws Mohammed Naser, a 37-year-old Michigan man, was convicted of trying to support ISIS and possessing a bomb as a felon. According to the article, He faces up to 35 years in prison for the two charges, after a jury reached a unanimous decision following a five-week trial. The article explained that Naser had attempted to join ISIS overseas, and when that failed, he turned to supporting the group in the U.S., experimenting with explosives and gathering drones, before being caught by the FBI in 2017. Continued Reporting: Ex-Deputy Mayor Accused of Reporting Fake Bomb Threat to LA City Hall Pleads Not Guilty KNBC (NBC-4) (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that Brian K. Williams, a 61-year-old former Los Angeles deputy mayor, pleaded not guilty to a felony charge for reporting a fake bomb threat to City Hall. According to the article, Williams is charged with making threats regarding fire and explosives, which carries a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years. According to his plea agreement, Williams fabricated a bomb threat while serving as Mayor Karen Bass' deputy mayor of public safety, claiming he received a call from an unknown man who threatened to place a bomb in City Hall due to the city's support of Israel. Continued Reporting: FBI Arrests Man Who Allegedly Aided Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bomber NPR (06/05, Aument) reported that the FBI arrested Daniel Park, a 32-year-old American citizen, for allegedly aiding the bomber of a Palm Springs fertility clinic. According to the article, Park is accused of supplying 270 pounds of ammonium nitrate to the primary suspect, Guy Edward Bartkus, who died in the explosion. The article noted that Park is accused of supplying 270 pounds of ammonium nitrate to the primary suspect, Guy Edward Bartkus, who died in the explosion. Continued Reporting: Violent Online Network That Got Its Start in a Small North Texas Town Is Now a Top FBI Threat WFAA (ABC-8) (06/05, Lopez) reported that the FBI is warning parents about the "764" online network, which targets teens, mostly girls, and extorts them into performing violent acts, with over 250 active cases across the U.S. According to the article, the network was started by Bradley Cadenhead, a troubled North Texas teen, who is now serving over 70 years in prison for child pornography and promotion charges. The article noted that the FBI urges parents to be aware of warning signs in teens, such as sudden behavior changes, new online "friends", and unexplained injuries, and to report any suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or other authorities. "We see a lot of bad things... but this is one of the most disturbing things we're seeing," said FBI Assistant Director David Scott, the head of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division in Washington. Back to Top EFTA01656026 COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Europe Worries About Its Dependence on U.S. Intelligence Under Trump The Washington Post (06/05, Miller, Mekhennet, Francis) reported that European security officials are worried about their dependence on U.S. intelligence under President Donald Trump, fearing being cut off from crucial information or facing reduced intelligence gathering on Russia. According to the article, the concerns stem from Trump's history of siding with the Kremlin and perceived purges of U.S. intelligence officers and analysts, which could damage U.S. spy agencies and impact the flow of intelligence to European allies. The article explained that in response, European countries, including Germany and the UK, are trying to preserve their relationship with the U.S. while also exploring ways to reduce their dependence on U.S. intelligence, such as boosting their own spy agencies and deepening continental cooperation. The article highlighted that America's closest ally, the United Kingdom, has cultivated members of Trump's security team with royal treatment. Last month, Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino dined with King Charles III and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Windsor Castle. They were joined by other spy chiefs gathered in London for a summit of the "Five Eyes" partnership, an exclusive intelligence-sharing arrangement involving the United States, the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The article noted that Charles used the occasion to praise the ongoing value of the Five Eyes alliance, officials said, which Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro suggested dismembering earlier this year with a proposal to expel Canada. The FBI declined to comment. Continued Reporting: Chinese Nationals Charged With Conspiracy, Smuggling Dangerous Biological Pathogen The Fence Post (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that Yunqing liar) and Zunyong Liu, Chinese nationals, have been charged with conspiracy and smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, into the U.S. The pathogen is a potential agroterrorism weapon that can cause significant economic losses and harm to humans and livestock. Jian and Liu allegedly smuggled the pathogen into the U.S. through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, intending to conduct research on it at the University of Michigan laboratory where Jian worked. "The federal charges announced today against Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, both residents of the People's Republic of China, signify a crucial advancement in our efforts to safeguard our communities and uphold national security," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. "These individuals exploited their access to laboratory facilities at a local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that posed an imminent threat to public safety. Thanks to the exceptional investigative efforts of the FBI Detroit Counterintelligence Task Force, in close cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations these dangerous activities have been effectively halted. The FBI remains resolutely committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to protect the residents of Michigan and defend the United States against such grave threats." Fox News (06/05, Miller) added that Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, told Fox News after Director Patel announced the arrests, that the arrests should be a wake-up call, as the CCP aims to "kill Americans" and is in a "cold war" with the U.S. An opinion piece from the Washington Times (06/05, Sadler) quoted a statement from Director Patel: "This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences ... putting American lives and our economy at serious risk." The article added that when the China Initiative was launched in 2018, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray testified on the "naivete" of college administrators in admitting CCP agents. "The use of nontraditional collectors, especially in the academic setting — whether it's professors, scientists, students — we see in almost every field office that the FBI has around the country," he said. The Hill (06/05, Taub) and WXYZ (ABC-7) (06/05, Jones) also reported on the story. The Trump Administration Revives an Old Intimidation Tactic: The Polygraph Machine An analysis from CNN (06/05, Wolf) reported that the Trump administration is using polygraph tests as a method of intimidation to ferret out leakers, according to attorney Mark Zaid, who specializes in representing people who work in national security. According to the article, the use of polygraph tests has been reported at various agencies, including the FBI, Pentagon, and Department of Homeland Security, with officials defending the practice as a way to protect government information. The article noted that critics argue that polygraph tests are unreliable and can be used to falsely accuse innocent people, with examples including the failure to detect spies such as Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, who either passed polygraph exams or were never given one. EFTA01656027 Continued Reporting: U.S. Intelligence Worker Arrested for 'Trying to Leak Secrets to Germany' The Times (06/05, Moody) reported that Nathan Vilas Laatsch, a 28-year-old U.S. intelligence worker, has been arrested for allegedly trying to leak state secrets to Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND). According to the article, Laatsch, who had "top secret" clearance, reportedly copied sensitive information onto paper files and a USB drive, and attempted to pass it to the BND via email, citing disagreement with the U.S. administration's values. The article noted that the BND tipped off American intelligence, leading to an FBI investigation, and Laatsch was caught after handing over classified information to an undercover FBI agent posing as a BND contact. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS North Carolina Judge Revokes Bond for House Party Shooting Suspect The Associated Press (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that a North Carolina judge ordered Thursday that a defendant accused in last weekend's shootings at a house party that left one person dead and 11 others injured stay in jail while awaiting trial. The decision came the day after another judge had set a $200,000 bond for Garon Nathaniel Killian, 20, of Lenoir, who is charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder related to the shootings. Prosecutors on Wednesday had asked that no bond be allowed. The article mentioned that Killian had not posted the amount to be released. On Thursday, when Killian had a court date for charges involving a different altercation in April, District Court Judge Scott Conrad revoked the $200,000 bond related to last weekend's violent fracas, according to the Catawba County Clerk of Court's office. Investigators of the shootings that happened early Sunday believe at least 80 shots were fired in a crime scene that spanned several properties along a road in the usually quiet residential neighborhood. FBI agents spent this week at the scene examining bullet trajectories. WLOS (ABC- 13) (06/05, Doty) and WCNC (NBC-36) (06/05, Lee, Pierre) also reported on the story. South Texas BORTAC Team Helping Search for Escaped Inmate Border Report (06/05, Sanchez) reported that the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) from the Rio Grande Valley Sector is heading to Arkansas to help with the manhunt for an escaped inmate, the agency announced Thursday. The BORTAC team's deployment from South Texas will help state and local law enforcement agencies who are looking for convicted murderer Grant Hardin. Hardin, 56, escaped May 25 from the North Central Unit state prison in Calico Rock, Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his capture. Hardin is considered armed and dangerous and the public is urged to call law enforcement and the FBI with information on him, the FBI says. Five Highs Gang Members Convicted by Jury of RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking, and Firearms Offenses KARE (NBC-11) (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that five members of a prominent north Minneapolis street gang were convicted Thursday in the second major federal racketeering (RICO) case involving the gang. Following a three-week trial, a jury found five members of the Highs gang out of north Minneapolis guilty of several federal crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, weapons violations, robberies and assaults. "The Highs have long terrorized north Minneapolis, bringing drugs, violence, and murder into our community," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson in a press release. "This verdict represents yet another step in our fight against gang violence." A DOJ press release noted that the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case. FBI Warns Students and Parents Over Online Sextortiont WBFF (Fox-45) (06/05, Depietro) reported that the FBI is warning students and parents about a growing threat online called 'sextortion, so they know how to avoid risky situations and ask for help if they're being victimized. According to the article, the growing online threat is on the rise this summer, with students home from school for the summer. The outlet spoke with FBI Supervisory Special Agent, Leslie Adamczyk, to discuss those growing concerns. She says there are both sexually motivated predators as well as financially motivated predators. The article quoted Adamczyk, who said, "It's not for large amounts of money; usually, it's for gift cards, $50 or $100, never more than a couple hundred dollars. Those happen really quickly and what is alarming about is we've had a lot of death by suicide in those cases." Adamczyk says that the concern for sextortion ranges from young children all the way to teenagers. She says that as soon as a child is in front of a device, they are subject to sextortion. EFTA01656028 FBI to Announce Reward Friday for Missing 13-Year-Old Montana Crow Girl KTVQ (CBS-2) (06/05, Klepps) reported that the FBI is holding a press conference on Friday and offering an award for any information regarding a 13-year-old girl from Gerryowen who has been missing since October. Sa'wade BirdinGround, an autistic girl, first disappeared from her home in Crow Agency on Oct. 6. Since then, few details have been released on the case. According to the article, the FBI is looking to take the investigation one step further. On Friday, a press conference will be held at Little Big Horn College at 10 a.m. with a reward announced for any possible leads. Arizona Teen, 14, Found Dismembered Told Cops She Wanted Out of Group Home Before She Was Found Dead The New York Post (06/05, Reilly) reported that a 14-year-old girl who was found dismembered on the side of a road in Arizona had previously told police that she hated the group home she had vanished from when she had run away years earlier, new body camera footage shows. Emily Pike was murdered after she disappeared on Jan. 27 from the Mesa group home, run by Sacred Journey Inc., where she was reported missing three different times before in 2023. New bodycam footage of one of the previous incidents, dated Sept. 20, 2023, shows Emily walking along a canal when an officer calls her name repeatedly as he approaches her and asks her to stop. The article mentioned that the teen, whose family lives on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, insists that the facility is not her home, telling the cop she'd rather live with her grandmother instead. The Mesa Police Department, FBI, and Bureau of Indian Affairs have organized a task force to track down Emily's killer. Washington Sheriff Shares New Photo of Suspected Killer Dad Amid Manhunt in Daughters' Triple Murder Fox News (06/05, Ruiz) reported that a Washington state survivalist has been on the run from authorities for nearly a week after allegedly killing his three young daughters, who were found with plastic bags over their heads and bound wrists at a campground in Chelan County Monday. Travis Caleb Decker, 32, did not have custody of the girls — all of whom are believed to have died from asphyxiation. Decker spent time in the military and is an avid outdoorsman, according to authorities. "We're getting more confirmation, that he might have possibly gone through Mountain Survival School," Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told reporters Wednesday. "But we also know, too, that he's been an outdoorsman since he was a kid." On Thursday, he released a new photo showing Decker's tattoos and said search warrants had generated leads. He urged homeowners and people with mountain cabins to lock their doors — including to sheds and outbuildings, leave their blinds open and turn on outdoor lighting. Luigi Mangione's Alleged Diary Entries Released in New Court Filing NBC News (06/05, Lavietes) reported that Luigi Mangione wrote about plans to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in his diary months before Thompson was gunned down in New York City last year, state prosecutors alleged in a court filing Wednesday. According to the article, Mangione, 27, who has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges in connection with the murder in December, used a red notebook as a diary to document his plans to kill Thompson, the court filing alleges. Authorities confiscated the notebook during Mangione's arrest in Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt for Thompson's killer. In submitting the court filing, state prosecutors were trying to justify the terrorism enhancement added to Mangione's first-degree murder charge. Last month, Mangione's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the state murder charges. FBI Places Warning Signs at Northeast Ohio Crypto ATMs to Stop Would-Be Scam Victims W010 (CBS-19) (06/05, Picciano) reported that the very latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report shows $9.3 billion worth of crime related to cryptocurrency. Every day, the FBI is attempting to find the offenders and put a stop to them, but success rates are low when it comes to getting your money back. According to the article, the FBI has a new method they're using to try and stop people from becoming a crypto scam victim in the first place. The article quoted FBI Special Agent Milan Kosanovich, who said, "So people who don't have bank accounts but still want to transit money to friends and family, whether it be across the country, overseas, whatever it is. It's a way to do that. It's a way to do investments, too, if you prefer to onboard yourself into the crypto ecosystem that way," he said. The Cleveland FBI office is now sending out signs to all of the bitcoin operators in the area to serve as a warning sign for those using crypto atms for the first time. "If you're using the crypto ATM because somebody that you don't know has told you you have to do this in order to avoid arrest, prosecution, or to escrow your money or something, we want to give you that chance to take a second thought and say, "hey, look, I should really think about this before I hit send, because once I hit send, I can't do anything to get this back," said Agent Kosanovich. EFTA01656029 GirlsDoPorn Owner Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking, Conspiracy Charges in San Diego Court KFMB (CBS-8) (06/05, Hargrove) reported that the ringleader of a San Diego-based adult website accused of coercing young women to appear in adult videos pleaded guilty in federal court to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Michael Pratt, who founded Girls Do Porn and ran the website from his downtown San Diego penthouse, is now asking a federal judge to sentence him to less than 22 years for the long-running scheme that involved dozens of young women. From 2012 through 2019, Pratt set up an elaborate plan to lure and entice young women to travel to San Diego and appear in the illicit videos. Pratt set up a fake modeling agency and posted ads on Craigslist and other sites seeking models aged 23 and younger. When women responded to ads, Pratt and his cohorts would tell the women that the modeling jobs included having sex on video. The article noted that Pratt was added to the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list and remained a fugitive for three years until he was arrested in Spain in December 2022 and extradited to San Diego in March 2024. FBI Jackson, Department of Homeland Security Arrest Seven Illegal Immigrants in Mississippi WLOX (ABC-13) (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that Thursday afternoon, officials with the FBI Jackson, along with the Department of Homeland Security, arrested seven illegal immigrants in Long Beach. The arrests come as US Representative Bennie Thompson led 84 House Democrats today, sending an oversight letter to DHS regarding the rise in what they say are "questionable" ICE tactics, adding that recent arrests are not targeting criminals, but rather those who are "doing it the right way." FBI at Home in Montclair, New Jersey for 'Ongoing Law Enforcement Activity' The Montclair Local (06/05, Kadosh) reported that FBI agents were at a home on Central Avenue in Montclair early Thursday morning, but few details were immediately available on the investigation. According to the article, a spokesperson for the FBI Newark Field Office also declined to offer specifics. "I'm unable to provide specific details, but I can confirm we were there. If/when anything is made public, I can let you know," said the spokesperson, Amyl. Thoreson. FBI, Local Authorities Arrest Three Wanted Men in South Carolina Raid WJCL (ABC-22) (06/05, Cawthon) reported that an indictment indicates law enforcement arrested William Omar Heyward Jr. aka "O," Christopher Andrew Copeland and Ishmael Allen Rivers aka "Ish." The case spans from November 2023 to May 2024. The primary defendant, Heyward, faces enhanced sentencing due to prior federal convictions. According to the article, the charges include drug conspiracy, multiple counts of methamphetamine distribution, firearms possession by a felon, possession of weapons with obliterated serial numbers, and illegal machine gun possession/transfer. The FBI confirmed that agents were looking for wanted individuals on Thursday in Beaufort County. WSAV (NBC-3) (06/05, Hummer, Young, Cobb) also reported on the story. FBI Agents Served Warrant at Home of Indiana Theatre Owner as Part of Child Porn Investigation WXIN (Fox-59) (06/05, Gay) reported that agents with the FBI served warrants at a home on Thursday morning belonging to David Finkel, the owner of the Strand Theatre and the vice president of the Shelbyville Central Schools Board. This comes after the Strand Theatre resumed operations in early May after an initial announcement that the venue would close because of issues with insurance coverage. FBI Arrests Nigerian 'Tech Queen' Over 'Multi-Million Dollar Fraud' The Peoples Gazette (06/05, Olorunfemi) reported that Nigerian 'tech queen' Sapphire Egemasi is facing more than 20 years in prison after the FBI arrested her for defrauding several U.S. government agencies of millions of dollars. Egemasi, a programmer who operates a Devpost account, was arrested around April 10, 2025, in Bronx, New York, alongside other co-conspirators, including Samuel Kwadwo Osei, who appeared to have led the syndicate. PM News (06/05, Staff Writer), Pulse (06/05, Adeyemi), and Ghana Web (06/05, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. FBI Assisting With Massachusetts Bank Robbery Investigation The Haverhill Gazette (06/05, Tauscher) reported that police are investigating a robbery at the Pentucket Bank in Haverhill, Massachusetts. According to a press release from the Haverhill Police Department, the suspect handed a note to a teller demanding money and then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police responded to the scene at about 12:43 p.m. Massachusetts State Police and the FBI are assisting with the investigation, according to Deputy Police Chief Stephen Doherty. Back to Top EFTA01656030 FINANCIAL CRIME & CORPORATE SCANDALS Continued Reporting: MLBPA-OneTeam FBI Investigation Front Office Sports (06/05, Fleming) reported that the FBI is looking into the business dealings of the biggest unions in sports. According to the article, following an anonymous whistleblower's complaints late last year about Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark, federal investigators have begun tracing money that came from OneTeam Partners, the group licensing arm founded by the MLBPA and NFLPA that also represents other major unions. Athletes in union leadership have been called by federal investigators, according to multiple reports. OneTeam said in a statement that it is "not the subject of the investigation and has not been accused of any wrongdoing in any way." Back to Top CYBER DIVISION Continued Reporting: FBI, CISA Warn Play Ransomware Targeting Critical Infrastructure With Evolving Techniques CyberSecurityDive (06/05, Jones) reported that the FBI and the CISA have warned that the Play ransomware gang is targeting U.S. critical infrastructure using evolving techniques. According to the article, the group has breached approximately 900 organizations in multiple countries since June 2022 and has been exploiting vulnerabilities in a remote support tool called SimpleHelp. The article noted that the FBI and CISA are advising organizations to take the threat seriously and follow recommendations to protect themselves from the Play ransomware attacks. Additional reporting on the story was provided by The Record (06/05, Greig), American Hospital Association (06/05, Staff Writer), Forbes (06/05, Winder), Bitdefender (06/05, Constantinescu), SecurityWeek (06/05, Arghire), TechRadar (06/05, Fadilpasic), Cyberinsider (06/05, Cemanovic), Tech Monitor (06/05, Bairaboina). FBI Warns Smart TVs, Digital Device May Have Exploit WAGA (Fox-5) (06/05, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI has issued a public alert about the BADBOX 2.0 botnet, which exploits internet-connected devices in homes, including smart TVs and loT devices. According to the article, the botnet compromises devices, often manufactured in China, by pre-loading them with malicious software or infecting them through apps with hidden backdoors, and uses them for illegal online activities. The article noted that the FBI advises the public to assess their loT devices, avoid downloading apps from unofficial sources, keep software updated, and monitor network activity to prevent exploitation by the BADBOX 2.0 botnet. Bleeping Computer (06/05, Abrams) also reported on the story. DOJ Seizes 145 Domains Tied to BidenCash Carding Marketplace in Global Takedown The Hacker News (06/05, Lakshmanan) reported that the DOJ seized 145 domains tied to the BidenCash carding marketplace. According to the article, BidenCash is estimated to have supported over 117,000 customers, facilitated the trafficking of 15 million payment card numbers, and generated at least $17 million in revenue. The article noted that the crackdown on BidenCash is part of an international effort led by the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI, in partnership with other agencies. SC World (06/05, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. Senate Homeland Panel Likely to Approve Cairncross, Plankey for Key Cyber Positions NextGov (06/05, Dimolfetta) reported that the Senate Homeland Security Committee is likely to approve Sean Cairncross as National Cyber Director and Sean Plankey to lead the CISA. Cairncross appeared before the committee and faced questions about his lack of direct cybersecurity policy experience, but received support from a group of former cybersecurity and national security officials. Plankey's nomination was delayed due to his FBI clearance process, and Senator Ron Wyden intends to block his nomination until CISA releases a report on telecom industry security vulnerabilities. GovinfoSecurity (06/05, Riotta) also reported on the story. Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Boston's FBI Special Agent in Charge Is Now Working at Headquarters in DC EFTA01656031 GBH (06/05, Martin) reported that Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field office of the FBI, has been promoted to an agency job in D.C., an agency spokesperson said. Boston FBI spokesperson Kristen Setera told GBH News that Cohen, the first woman to run the Boston office, "has been promoted to an executive leadership position at FBI HQ." Texas Led the Nation in Active Shooter Incidents in 2024, FBI Report Says KERA News (06/05, Vasquez) reported that Texas saw more active shooter incidents than any other state in 2024, according to a new report from the FBI. The annual FBI report found that four active shooter incidents occurred in Texas last year — more than any other state. The shootings left 11 people either dead or wounded. California and North Carolina followed with two incidents each. Overall, the FBI recorded 24 active shooter incidents nationwide in 2024. Campus Safety (06/05, Rock) also reported on the story. False Rumors of Minneapolis ICE Raid Spark Protest as Police Decry 'Irresponsible' Info From Elected Officials Fox News (06/05, Norman) reported that a chaotic protest in Minneapolis during which federal agents were seen getting physical with demonstrators unfolded as elected officials posted "highly irresponsible" information online suggesting a criminal search warrant was an ICE operation, police say. Tense moments were captured on video Tuesday as federal agents and the public clashed in the streets of the major city, with Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh claiming on Facebook, "On scene are DHS, ICE, FBI, Sheriffs, and MPD" in what he described as "blatant fascism on display." The article stated that in a follow-up post, Fateh said, "While the Mayor has told us ICE is not welcome in our city, what residents saw was their deployment assisted by his MPD." However, the federal operation focusing on a Mexican restaurant actually "was related to a criminal search warrant for drugs and money laundering and was not related to immigration enforcement" and "No arrests were made," according to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "The information that came out on social media from elected officials was highly irresponsible," Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said Wednesday. "There were ways for them to have accurate information and instead of getting accurate information, being impulsive and putting out things that could potentially incite riots is senseless." CBS News (06/05, Wanger) also reported on the story. Federal Judge Hints at Early Release of MLK Jr Assassination Files Following Trump's Order The Independent (06/05, Sommerlad) reported that the government's secret files on the assassination of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could be released ahead of schedule after a federal judge in Washington indicated he was open to doing so. In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, demanding the release of all government documents pertaining to the shootings of MLK, as well as both President John F Kennedy and his brother, Robert F Kennedy, in the 1960s. According to the article, at Wednesday's hearing in Washington, Judge Richard Leon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia suggested he was prepared to bring the release date forward to comply with Trump's wishes, although he also emphasized the importance of sensitivity. Judge Leon said the first step would be for the National Archives and Records Administration to show him the complete inventory of files it has in its possession on the MLK assassination and the FBI investigation that followed, so as to establish the size of the processing task ahead. ICE Arrests Under Trump Top 100,000 as Officials Expand Aggressive Efforts to Detain Migrants CBS News (06/05, Galvez) reported that arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during President Trump's second term topped 100,000 this week, as federal agents intensified efforts to detain unauthorized immigrants in courthouses, worksites and communities across the U.S., internal government data shows. On Tuesday and Wednesday, ICE recorded more than 2,000 arrests each day, a dramatic increase from the daily average of 660 arrests reported by the agency during Trump's first 100 days back at the White House, the federal statistics show. During President Biden's last year in office, ICE averaged roughly 300 daily arrests, according to agency data. The article noted that the federal agencies now helping ICE arrest unauthorized immigrants include Customs and Border Protection; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI; and the Internal Revenue Service. The Trump administration has also enlisted local and state law enforcement officials in friendly jurisdictions like Florida to support ICE operations. Continued Reporting: Grassley Criticized Christopher Wray for 'Lying' About Anti-Catholic Intelligence The Washington Examiner (06/05, Goldsberry) reported that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) slammed former FBI Director Christopher Wray for "lying" to Congress two years ago about widely circulating a memo warning about "Radical Traditionalist Catholics." According to the article, as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, EFTA01656032 Grassley obtained documents that confirmed the memo was not solely circulated within the Richmond, Virginia, office, as Wray testified to the committee on two occasions. While on Fox News's America's Newsroom, Grassley responded to a clip of Wray's testimony in December 2023. "He is lying, and he ought to be followed up. Because if people that lie to Congress aren't held accountable, it encourages more people to lie," Grassley said on Thursday. "The fact is, we have had whistleblowers come to us since this famous Richmond memo was made public. We found out that 13 other documents went out, and at least 1,000 people had access to information that presumably was following up on some things that the Southern Poverty Law Center was telling people that the Catholic church needed to be watched because it could be considered a terrorist organization." Back in 2023, Grassley took time during the hearing to point out "portions of the memo that revealed involvement from at least two other FBI field offices, conflicting with Wray's prior testimony," as characterized by a press release from the time. Grassley is now demanding answers on the FBI's internal efforts to erase records related to the memo. In a letter written to Director Patel, Grassley insisted on knowing the name of the official who headed such efforts. The Daily Signal (06/05, O'Neil), Just the News (06/05, Richards), and the Blaze (06/05, Bedford) also reported on the story. Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS The Day That Trump and Musk Torched Their Partnership NBC News, CNN, BBC, ABC News, NPR, Reuters, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fox News Controversial Airport Watchlist Program Terminated by DHS Amid Weaponization Concerns Fox News, New York Post, CNN, USA Today, New York Times President's Travel Ban Brings Contradictions and Concerns New York Times Trump's 'Gold Standard Science' Executive Order Addresses COVID Debacle Washington Examiner Biden Only Hand-Signed One Pardon During Final Spree, and It Was His Most Controversial One Fox News Judge Blocks Trump's Ban on Foreign Students at Harvard Wall Street Journal ICE Officers Stuck in Djibouti Shipping Container With Deported Migrants Washington Post Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move Reuters Dismay and Disbelief as Trump Bans Visitors From a Dozen Countries Reuters In the Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial, an Ex-girlfriend Testifies About Abuse and Control Associated Press Chinese Chemical Bust by Border Officials Underscores Multifront Effort by CCP to Undermine U.S. Fox News Back to Top Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. 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