Monday, February 17, 2025

ICE Gives Illegal Immigrant Criminals The Boot

Broad & Liberty ran my piece on ICE deporting illegal immigrant criminals. You can read the piece via the link below or the text below:

Paul Davis: ICE gives illegal immigrant criminals the boot

To protest the recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and operations ordered by President Trump, some businesses in Philadelphia and across the country protested against the president’s deportation of illegal immigrant criminals with a “Day Without Immigrants” on February 3rd. 

The anti-Trumpers urged illegal immigrants to forgo reporting to work, attending classes, and spending money, which they claim will point out dramatically just how vital illegal immigrants are to the American economy.

The protest did not cause a ripple in the economy. And one should note that the illegal immigrants that ICE is deporting are hardly working honest jobs or attending classes. They are mostly hardened criminals who are preying on American citizens, just as they preyed on innocent victims in the counties they fled.

Who are the illegals getting the boot from the United States? 

On January 25th, ICE in Philadelphia removed Raymundo Rojas Bacilio, a Mexican citizen. Rojas is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in Mexico for rape.

“The removal of the criminal alien Raymundo Rojas Bacilio, a sexual predator, underscores the critical importance of our enforcement actions. His repeated illegal entries into the United States and his heinous criminal acts posed a significant threat to the safety and security of our communities,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane. “This removal demonstrates that we will relentlessly pursue and remove those who endanger the American public.”

According to ICE, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Rojas near Nogales, Arizona on January 6, 2012, for entering the United States without admission or parole by an immigration official. The Border Patrol served him with a notice and order of expedited removal, charging inadmissibility, and removed him from the to Mexico.

Border Patrol agents arrested Rojas near Nogales, Arizona, on Jan. 12, 2012, for entering the U.S. without admission by an immigration official. Once again, the Border Patrol served him with a notice and order of expedited removal charging inadmissibility and removed Rojas to Mexico on Jan. 15, 2012.

Mexican authorities in Mexico issued an arrest warrant for Rojas for rape on May 31, 2013. Rojas again entered the U.S. without admission or parole by an immigration official on an unknown date and at an unknown location.

The Kings County Supreme Court in Brooklyn, New York, convicted Rojas for forcible touching of the intimate parts of another person on Nov. 11, 2024. The court sentenced him to incarceration for 60 days, probation for six years, and required him to register as a sex offender.

ICE arrested Rojas in Corona, New York during a targeted enforcement action on Dec. 17, 2024, and served him a notice of intent to reinstate the prior order of removal. He remained in ICE custody pending removal.

On January 31, ICE removed Francisco Javier Melendez Torres, an El Salvador citizen. Melendez is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in El Salvador for aggravated rape of a minor and sexual harassment. 

“The removal of Francisco Javier Melendez Torres, a dangerous criminal alien wanted for aggravated rape of a minor in El Salvador, highlights the dangers individuals like him pose to our communities,” said Brian McShane. “ICE is committed to ensuring that dangerous individuals like Melendez Torres do not find safe harbor in the United States and do not further threaten the American public.”

On February 4th, ICE removed Serafin Leon Rojas, a Mexican citizen. He is a foreign fugitive wanted by law enforcement authorities in Mexico for domestic violence.

“The removal of Serafin Leon Rojas demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that criminal aliens face justice,” said Brian McShane. “By collaborating with our international law enforcement partners and enforcing immigration laws, we protect our communities and support our national security objectives.”

According to ICE, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Leon near Laredo, Texas, for entering the United States without inspection or parole by an immigration official and served him with a notice and order of expedited removal, charging inadmissibility. He was removed to Mexico on July 23, 2016. Leon again entered the U.S. without admission or parole by an immigration official on an unknown date and at an unknown location.

The Philadelphia Police Department in Pennsylvania arrested Leon on August 7, 2024, for driving under the influence, and this charge remains pending. ICE arrested Leon in Philadelphia on December 12, 2024, during a routine enforcement action and served him with a notice of intent to reinstate the prior order from July 21, 2016, charging removability. Leon remained in ICE custody throughout removal proceedings.

On February 10, in Lynn, Massachusetts, ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Eric Dionida German-Pena, 25, a native and citizen of the Dominican Republic, following his apprehension in Lynn for his alleged role in the murder of a Massachusetts sandwich shop owner during an apparent home-invasion robbery.

“Eric Dionida German-Pena will have his day in court, but he stands accused of a very serious and disturbing crime against a member of our Massachusetts community. ICE Boston takes its public safety mission extremely seriously — which is why we’ve lodged an immigration detainer against him with Lynn police,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has charged him with murder, and with the cooperation of the Lynn District Court, we intend to take him into ICE custody after he has paid his debt to society. ICE Boston will continue our mission of arresting and removing egregious alien offenders from New England.”

The Lynn Police Department police arrested German February 5 and charged him with the murder. ICE discovered that German illegally entered the United States in September 2022.

These are only some of the illegal immigrant criminals that the Trump administration is sending back to their countries to face justice. If the deported criminals escape justice in their home countries, they will find it much more difficult to reenter the U.S. now that the president has increased border security. 

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes the “On Crime” column for the Washington Times. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com.  

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Phoenix Drug Trafficker Sentenced To 151 Months After Agents Seize Over 90 Pounds Of Fentanyl And Over 40 Pounds Of Cocaine From Stash House

 The DEA released the information below:

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Miguel Angel Gaytan-Ramirez, 34, an undocumented Mexican National living in Phoenix, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 151 months, followed by three years supervised release. Gaytan-Ramirez pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl on November 5, 2024.

According to court documents, on January 25, 2024, an undercover agent working for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agreed to purchase 150,000 fentanyl pills (approximately 15 kilograms) from a member of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Mexico. The individual in Mexico instructed the undercover agent to travel to a parking lot in Phoenix to complete the transaction.

At the parking lot, investigators identified a Dodge Ram pickup truck as the vehicle in which a DTO member was located. A man later identified as Gaytan-Ramirez called the undercover agent and said that he was occupying the Dodge Ram pickup. Thereafter, investigators moved in and detained Gaytan-Ramirez.

After detaining Gaytan-Ramirez, investigators identified a nearby apartment used by Gaytan-Ramirez to store narcotics. Gaytan-Ramirez provided investigators consent to search the apartment. Inside a closet in the apartment investigators seized a black American Tactical Omni Hybrid 5.56 NATO caliber rifle with an AOMEKIE Scope, approximately 34 kilograms (74.9 pounds) of blue pills stamped M30 which contained fentanyl, 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of fentanyl powder, and 19 kilograms (41.9 pounds) of cocaine. Authorities also seized over $18,000 in drug proceeds from Gaytan-Ramirez’s vehicle and the stash house.

Drug Enforcement Administration, Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jospeh K. Nwoga and Stuart J. Zander, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

AG Warns Pennsylvanians To Be Aware Of Online Romance Scams During Valentine’s Day

 HARRISBURG – As Valentine’s Day approaches, Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians to stay alert for potential scammers online targeting people looking for relationships.

Online romance scams, also called “catfishing,” are on the rise in Pennsylvania and across the country, particularly around Valentine’s Day when people may be vulnerable looking for companionship.

“Be aware of scammers who use the holiday to target single people in chat rooms and other online platforms,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Online scammers and other bad actors know no bounds when it comes to bilking Pennsylvanians out of their hard-earned money. This conduct sounds callous and cold, but it happens, so be alert.”

Scammers will often research an individual’s social media to learn personal details about the target before they contact them. That background knowledge helps the scammer build trust in convincing the target to send money or provide personal or financial information.

Attorney General Sunday and the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection have the following tips for people to consider before pursuing relationships online. Be wary if the person you are meeting online:

  • Wants to leave the dating site immediately in favor of emailing or instant messaging. Many scammers are currently trying to move victims to WhatsApp or Signal because these apps offer better protections to scammers.
  • Makes excuses not to video chat or meet up in person.
  • Says they are from the United States, but that they are traveling or working overseas.
  • Contacts you from inconsistent phone numbers, email addresses, or multiple online profiles.
  • Plans a visit, but is prevented from travelling due to a traumatic event or work conflict.
  • Changes their story or history frequently. For example, how many siblings or children they have or what city they live in.
  • Attempts to isolate you from your family or friends. This may look like the scammer asking you not to tell someone about the situation or the scammer asking you to lie about an aspect of your interaction with them.
  • Asks for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
  • Offers to help you invest in cryptocurrency.
  • Seeks personal or financial information, or compromising photos early into the conversation.

Other Red Flags to Watch Out For:

  • Scammers often create fake profiles on dating apps.
  • Scammers may send an enticing text message to target potential victims’ like “hey we have not talked for a while-hope you are ok.”
  • Scammers may use Facebook to send a friend request. The request may appear to be from someone you may know or someone new to you.

Consumers who feel that they may have been victimized by this or another scam may submit a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting the website, by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling the office at 1-800-441-2555. Victims may also report scammers to the online dating website where you met, the Federal Trade Commission, or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

No Way To Celebrate The Eagles' Win: Suspects Wanted By Philadelphia Police For Vandalism In The 9th District [VIDEO]

 The Philadelphia Police released the below information:

Central Detective Division is seeking the public’s help identifying the individuals seen in the following video clips and still photos.

On Sunday February 10, 2025, the traffic lights located at Juniper and Market Street were torn down by a large group of people during the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl celebration. Three traffic light poles were damaged beyond repair. No injuries reported.

·         To view this video and more, visit The Philadelphia Police YouTube Channel or https://phillypolice.com/news

·          

Note: This video has no audio.

·         If you see these suspects, do not approach, contact 911 immediately.

·         To submit a tip via telephone, dial 215.686.TIPS (8477)

·         Use this electronic form to submit a tip anonymously.

·         All tips will be confidential.

·          

If you have any information about this crime or these suspects, please contact:
Central Detective Division:
215-686-3093/3094
Det. Lyons
Det. Winward
DC 25-09-017242

Pennsylvania Attorney General Sunday Warns Consumers To Be Aware Of Trending PayPal Scam

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday issued an advisory to Pennsylvanians to be on the lookout for a trending cyber scam that involves the scammer sending “invoices” through PayPal.

As part of the ruse, the scammers use PayPal to send requests for payment to a target’s email inbox, sometimes repeatedly, making the matter appear urgent. The messages attached to the requests often contain a toll-free number and a directive to call — that call line goes to the scammer, who will try to obtain personal information.

“Scammers are well aware that many Pennsylvanians rely on PayPal to send and receive money to their friends and family, or as part of a small business,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “This is another example of the sophistication of cyber scams, and a reminder to pause and be vigilant before offering personal information or sending money online. Our Bureau of Consumer Protection is standing by to assist Pennsylvanians who are harmed.”

Consumers are advised to take two steps: first, check the email address. If the email is not from “service@paypal.com” email address, ignore it. Second, check the request. Even if the invoice appears to be coming from a legitimate address, if you do not recognize the payment being requested, it is always safest to ignore it. 

If you receive a concerning invoice from PayPal, contact PayPal customer service at PayPal.com. Consumers may also file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General, as spreading the word about cyberfraud can help stop your fellow Pennsylvanians from falling victim to similar scams. 

Monday, February 10, 2025

Lockheed Martin Corporation Agrees To Settle False Claims Act Allegations Of Defective Pricing

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information:

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) has agreed to pay $29.74 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations of defective pricing on contracts for F-35 military aircraft. This payment is in addition to $11.3 million that LMC previously paid to the Department of Defense (DOD) for the same undisclosed cost and pricing data on some of the same contracts. LMC, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the world’s largest defense contractors.

According to court documents, between 2013 and 2015, LMC inflated pricing proposals it submitted to obtain contracts for the F-35 by failing to provide to DOD’s F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) accurate, complete, and current cost and pricing data during the negotiations leading to the award of five contracts for the production or sustainment of the F-35. The United States alleged that LMC had knowledge of suppliers’ cost or pricing data that it did not disclose to the JPO in violation of the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA). Congress enacted TINA in 1962 to help level the playing field in sole source contracts — where there is no price competition — by making sure that government negotiators have access to the cost or pricing data that the offeror used when developing its proposal. The United States alleged that had LMC provided accurate, complete, and current cost and pricing data, JPO would have awarded the contracts in lower amounts.

“Those who do business with the government must do so fairly and honestly,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will pursue contractors that knowingly misuse taxpayer funds.”

“The United States relies on contractors such as Lockheed Martin to provide accurate, complete, and current information, including pricing data, when negotiating contracts with the government,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr, for the Eastern District of Texas. “If a contractor fails to do so, and that failure affects the value of its contract with the government, the Eastern District of Texas will take steps to ensure that the contractor is held accountable.”

“The F-35 program is at the heart of our nation’s defense,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, Director and Program Executive Officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. “The F-35 Joint Program Office will continue to insist on integrity and honesty in all business transactions. We demand 100% accountability for every dollar spent on this program on behalf of U.S. taxpayers and international customers and taxpayers.”

“The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) will methodically pursue all alleged violations of the False Claims Act and Truth in Negotiations Act,” said Principal Deputy Director James R. Ives of DCIS. “Today’s outcome reflects the unwavering commitment of DCIS and our investigative partners to hold accountable those who bilk the American taxpayer by perpetrating fraud against the DOD.”

“Overinflation of production and sustainment costs for an aircraft critical to our national defense undermines operational readiness and erodes the trust placed in the Department of Defense by the American people,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS and our investigative partners remain steadfast in our commitment to investigating entities that compromise the integrity of government contracts.”

The settlement derives from allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties, known as relators, to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned U.S. ex rel. Patrick Girard v. Lockheed Martin Corp., No. 4:17-CV-147 (EDTX). The relator’s share of the settlement has not yet been determined.

This settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section of the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas with assistance from JPO, DCIS, NCIS, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

Trial Attorney Arnold M. Auerhan of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Gillingham for the Eastern District of Texas handled the matter.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability 

Sunday, February 9, 2025

On This Date 55 Years Ago, I Enlisted In The U.S. Navy


On this date 55 years ago, I enlisted in the United States Navy.

I was 17 years old.

On February 9, 1970, I raised my hand and swore an oath to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia, PA. 

I boarded a train to Chicago and then took a bus to the Naval Recruit Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois.

After graduating from Boot Camp three months later, I received orders to report to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, which was undergoing a major overhaul in Bremerton, Washington.

A few months later, the carrier sailed from Bremerton to San Diego. The carrier and crew began sea trials and training for our combat cruise to Southeast Asia.

The Kitty Hawk later shoved off to take our place on "Yankee Station" in the Tonkin Gulf in the South China Sea off the coast of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. 

We also made port of calls in Hawaii, the Philippines, Japan and Hong Kong.   

I was separated from the Navy in December of 1971. I attended Penn State and worked for the Defense Department, but I was bored, so I decided to reenlist in the Navy in 1974.


I was assigned to the USS Saugus YTB 780, a Navy harbor tugboat stationed at the floating nuclear submarine base in Holy Loch, Scotland. 


On leave, I traveled all over the British Isles and Europe.   


I was discharged from the U.S. Navy in January of 1976 at the Philadelphia Navy Base, which was a dozen city blocks from my childhood home.   

Looking back after all these years, it was quite an adventure for a young man.

I remain proud of my service in the U.S. Navy. 

Note: The above photo is of me in 1987 next to the USS Kitty Hawk at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. 

The old aircraft carrier came to Philadelphia for a service overhaul. I was then the civilian administrative officer of a Defense Department command that oversaw defense contractors in the tri-state area, including those working on the Kitty Hawk overhaul. 

As the admin officer, I managed security, safety and other support programs for the command, including public affairs. I arranged tours of the Kitty Hawk for the command's military and civilian employees when the carrier first came to Philadelphia in 1987. 

I attended the USS Kitty Hawk's commissioning in 1961 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard with my late father. And in 1987, I went aboard once again.

It was a grand reunion for me.   

U.S. Navy Admiral Pleads Guilty To Lying To Federal Investigators About His Relationship With Foreign Defense Contractor In Massive Navy Bribery And Fraud Investigation

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information:

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau (seen in the above photo) pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he lied to federal investigators to conceal his illicit years-long relationship with Leonard Glenn Francis, owner of Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), the foreign defense contractor at the center of a massive bribery and fraud scandal.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy of the Southern District of California, Acting Director Dermot O’Reilly of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Director Andrew Traver of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and Director Anita Bales of Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) made the announcement.

Gilbeau, 55, of Burke, Virginia, pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement.  He was charged by information today and is the highest-ranking U.S. Navy officer to be charged in the investigation so far.  Gilbeau is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26, 2016, before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino of the Southern District of California. 

In his plea agreement, Gilbeau admitted that he lied when he told agents from DCIS and NCIS that he had never received any gifts from Francis, the owner of Singapore-based GDMA.  Gilbeau also admitted that he lied when he told investigators that he “always paid for half of the dinner” when he and Francis met about three times a year.  Gilbeau further admitted that when he became aware that Francis and others had been arrested in connection with the fraud and bribery offenses in September 2013, he destroyed documents and deleted computer files.  Francis previously pleaded guilty to plying scores of other U.S. Navy officials with gifts such as luxury travel, meals, cash, electronics, parties and prostitutes.

According to his plea, in 2003 and 2004, Gilbeau was the supply officer on the USS Nimitz, where he was responsible for procuring all goods and services necessary for operation of the ship.  He later served as head of the Tsunami Relief Crisis Action Team in Singapore, heading the Navy’s logistics response to the Southeast Asia tsunami in December 2004, and in June 2005, Gilbeau was assigned to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations as the head of aviation material support, establishing policies and requirements for budgeting and acquisitions for the Navy’s air forces, according to the plea agreement.

In August 2010, after he was promoted to admiral, Gilbeau assumed command of the Defense Contract Management Agency International, where he was responsible for the global administration of DOD’s most critical contracts performed outside the United States, according to admissions made in connection with his plea.

“As a flag level officer in the U.S. Navy, Admiral Gilbeau understood his duty to be honest with the federal agents investigating this sprawling bribery scheme,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell.  “By destroying documents and lying about the gifts that he received, Admiral Gilbeau broke the law and dishonored his uniform.”

“Of those who wear our nation’s uniform in the service of our country, only a select few have been honored to hold the rank of Admiral – and not a single one is above the law,” said U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy.  “Admiral Gilbeau lied to federal agents investigating corruption and fraud, and then tried to cover up his deception by destroying documents and files.  Whether the evidence leads us to a civilian, to an enlisted service member or to an admiral, as this investigation expands we will continue to hold responsible all those who lied or who corruptly betrayed their public duties for personal gain.”

“The guilty plea of Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau is an unfortunate example of a dishonorable naval flag officer who has betrayed his shipmates, the U.S. Navy and his country,” said Acting Director O’Reilly.  “Admiral Gilbeau's guilty plea should be a resounding message that DCIS, Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Justice will continue to investigate and seek to prosecute any individual, regardless of position or rank, who would put our mission of ‘Protecting America’s Warfighters’ at risk.”

“This investigation demonstrates that corruption, conspiracy and the release of sensitive information puts Department of the Navy personnel and resources at risk,” said Director Traver.  “And in concert with our partner agencies, NCIS remains resolved to follow the evidence, to help hold accountable those who make personal reward a higher priority than professional responsibility.”

“DCAA is proud to stand in partnership with our law enforcement allies and make a meaningful contribution to the outcome in this egregious case,” said Director Bales.  “It is very disappointing that this high-ranking individual lost sight of his responsibility as a government official.  We look forward to continuing our support of this significant investigation.”

Including Gilbeau, 14 individuals have been charged in connection with this scheme; of those, nine have pleaded guilty, including U.S. Navy Captain (Select) Michael Misiewicz, U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Dusek, Lieutenant Commander Todd Malaki, NCIS Special Agent John Beliveau, Commander Jose Luis Sanchez and U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Dan Layug.  Former Department of Defense Senior Executive Paul Simpkins awaits trial.  On Jan. 21, 2016, Layug was sentenced to 27 months in prison and a $15,000 fine; on Jan. 29, 2016, Malaki was sentenced to 40 months in prison and to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Navy and a $15,000 fine; on March 18, 2016, Alex Wisidagama, a former GDMA employee, was sentenced to 63 months and to pay $34.8 million in restitution to the Navy; on March 25, 2016, Dusek was sentenced to 46 months in prison and to pay $30,000 in restitution to the Navy and a $70,000 fine; and on April 29, 2016, Misiewicz was sentenced to 78 months in prison and to pay a fine of $100,000 and to forfeit $95,000 in proceeds for the scheme.  Retired Navy Captain Michael Brooks, Commander Bobby Pitts and Lieutenant Commander Gentry Debord were charged by a federal grand jury on May 25, 2016, and their cases remain pending.  GDMA, the corporate entity, was also charged and has pleaded guilty.  Francis and Ed Aruffo, a former GDMA employee, have both pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

NCIS, DCIS and DCAA are conducting the investigation.  Assistant Chief Brian R. Young of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark W. Pletcher and Patrick Hovakimian of the Southern District of California are prosecuting the case. 

Those with information relating to fraud, corruption or waste in government contracting should contact the NCIS anonymous tip line at www.ncis.navy.mil or the DOD Hotline at www.dodig.mil/hotline or call (800) 424-9098.

Note: You can also read my Q&A with investigative reporter Craig Whitlock, author of Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked and Seduced the U.S. Navy via the blink below:

  Paul Davis On Crime: My Counterterrorism Magazine Q&A With Craig Whitlock, The Author Of “Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked and Seduced the U.S. Navy”  

Friday, February 7, 2025

A Retired Sergeant's Unofficial History Of The Philadelphia Police Department

Broad & Liberty ran my piece today on a book about the history of the Philadelphia Police Department. You can read the piece via the link below or the below text:

Paul Davis: A retired sergeant’s unauthorized history of the Philadelphia Police Department

In my more than 30 years of covering crime and the cops in Philadelphia, I’ve come to know a good number of police officers; from patrolmen to detectives, from narcotics officers to bomb squad officers, and from sergeants to chief inspectors, deputy commissioners, and commissioners.

One recently retired sergeant that I’ve come to know is Gary Capuano (seen in the above photo). A lifelong South Philadelphia resident and decorated police veteran, he has often offered his take on crime and police issues here in my Broad + Liberty pieces. 

Capuano has recently published a book called The Unofficial History of the PPDwhich covers the pivotal moments of the Philadelphia Police Department. I reached out to him and asked him why he wrote the book.

“I began compiling stories that I felt may be of interest to the public early on in my career,” Capuano replied. “While out of work due to an injury in 2016, I decided to write a history of the Philadelphia Police Department and self-publish. I didn’t see any books out there that took a stab at trying to chronicle the department’s history other than one book written way back in 1887 by Howard O. Sprogle, called The Philadelphia Police: Past and Present. The police department put together a book in 2012 for the 215th Anniversary, which was published by Acclaim Press. 

“In my opinion, the book was more of a yearbook that had many photos with few facts. Being injured, I had a lot of time on my hands and wanted to put the time to good use. Even though compiling all of the information was a task in and of itself, it was a challenge that I gladly accepted because I wanted to learn more about the organization that I chose to join and be part of almost twenty years prior.” 

Capuano said he utilized some books as well as old newspapers articles to accomplish his goal. He chose items he believed were interesting and would pique the reader's interest. He also said he learned quite a few things himself. He noted that there were days he wanted to quit, and then there were days that he worked all night and into the morning.

“The book consists of twelve chapters and touches on what I believe is the history of policing, local riots and infamous murderers as well as a chapter specifically dedicated to honoring the fallen officers,” Capuano said. “The one thing that truly intrigued me was the department’s influence in voting during the late 19th Century and how politics and policing go hand in hand. The Dick Anderson Squad (an elite African American squad) was also intriguing. The most surprising find for me during the writing of the book was a man by the name of William “Squire” McMullen. He was involved with the Volunteer Fire Department, and he was a war hero who would go on to become a successful business owner as well as an alderman. He was very influential in politics. 

“The one thing that troubled me during the writing of this book was how former Mayor and Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo is viewed by many as a racist. He was the one who helped fund the African American Museum. During Rizzo’s term as police commissioner, he started what is known as Operation Thanksgiving, which is still in effect as of today. Many of its recipients are African Americans. Rizzo surrounded himself with African American bodyguards that he trusted with his life, such as police officers James Turner and Tony Fulwood. I’m not sure exactly when Mayor Rizzo’s statue and mural became a target for the ill-informed, but if they conducted their own investigation and thought for themselves, they would learn that he was not a racist. Rizzo had a dislike for criminals of any race, color or creed.” 

Capuano said he tried to keep his personal opinions out of the book, but he will offer them in his soon to be released memoir, Behind the Badge: Policing, Politics and Pandering in Philly-A Sergeant’s Memoir. 

“My memoir chronicles my childhood growing up in South Philadelphia, my career in the police department, and my untimely retirement.” 

Capuano became a police officer in December 1997 and was assigned to the 4th District. In October 2000, he was chosen to work in the District’s 5 Squad’s stolen auto detail, in which officers worked directly for the District’s captain and were believed to need little to no supervision. In June of 2003, he was assigned to plainclothes duty and worked a burglary detail until September 2005. He was then promoted to detective and was assigned to Southwest Detective Division. He worked there from December 2005 until December 2007. 

“I resigned from the PPD for a short time and went to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office as a county detective from July 2007 until September 2007,” Capuano said. “My position there in the Felony Unit wasn’t as it was described to me, and I returned to the PPD. I was then chosen to lead the Southwest Detectives’ Fugitive Task Force as its Officer in Charge. I worked at that unit from December 2007 until January 2014. The majority of the time, I was the ‘breacher.’” 

Capuano was later promoted to sergeant, and he was assigned to the 3rd District, where he led the District’s “Dropback Squad,” which consisted of approximately twenty officers who supplemented the District’s 5 Squad officers. 

“I hope The Unofficial History of the PPD” will help people better understand the origins of the police department along with the heroes who sacrificed and gave their all for their city.”

You can purchase Gary Capuano’s Unofficial History of the PPD at Amazon and elsewhere.

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes the “On Crime” column for the Washington Times. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com.   

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

My Crime Beat Column: A Look Back At The James Bond Film 'You Only Live Twice'

After watching the great Scot actor Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr No and From Russia With Love as a pre-teen in the 1960s, I went on to read all of Ian Fleming’s James Bond thrillers and I became a life-long Ian Fleming aficionado. 

As an introductory offer, the Mystery Book Club in the 1960s sent me nine hardback Ian Fleming James Bond novels. These were the first nine books in my now considerable library. The first Ian Fleming novel I read was his 1964 thriller, You Only Live Twice.

I loved the novel. I loved the exotic Japanese background and the fascinating characters, Bond, of course, and Tiger Tanaka, Dikko Henderson and Kissy Suzuki, all based on real people Fleming met in Japan. 

I also loved the plot. Fleming offered a criminal madman with a Japanese castle surrounded by a garden full of deadly plants that enticed Japanese people to come and commit suicide. 

Above the castle floated a balloon with a scull’s face, which was officially meant to be a warning, but was in fact an advertisement. (Which was later featured on the paperback book cover).   

I was thrilled to later visit Japan when I was a young sailor on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War. Prior to embarking the ship in Sasebo, I reread Fleming’s You Only Live Twice, as well as Fleming’s journalism piece on Japan in Thrilling Cities.  

I recently re-watched the film based on Fleming’s You Only Live Twice for perhaps the twentieth time. 

The 1967 film remains watchable due to Sean Connery’s portrayal of James Bond, the exotic locale of Japan, and the wonderful musical soundtrack by John Barry, who combined traditional Japanese music with luscious Western orchestration. Barry’s romantic and suspenseful music was an integral part of the Bond films. 

Having said that, I have many complaints about the film. 

First off, the producers, the director and screenwriter Ronald Dahl failed to utilize the plot of the great Ian Fleming novel, opting only to use the James Bond character, the names of other characters in the novel, and the Japanese location.        

The film You Only Live Twice misuses the novel’s title in Fleming's novel. You Only Live Twice comes from an attempt by Bond to write a Japanese Haiku poem during a tea ceremony with the head of Japanese intelligence, Tiger Tanaka.    

You only live twice:

Once when you are born

And once when you look death in the face. 

Tanaka said the poem was a good effort, but it didn’t work in Japanese. 

The film has Bond faking his death to throw off his enemies, and later in the film when the villain says he heard Bond was dead, Bond replies, “I was. This is my second life.” The villain then said, “You only live twice, Mr. Bond.” 

The theme song, written by John Barry and sung by Nancy Sinatra, has another meaning:

You only live twice. One life for yourself and one for your dreams. 

I much prefer Fleming’s Haiku poem. 

In the film, after Bond fakes his death, he is buried at sea, with Bond actually in the canvas burial bag (Why?) The body bag is taken by frogmen to a submerged British submarine. The body bag is opened and Bond, in a naval uniform, quips, “Permission to come aboard, Sir.” 

That got a laugh in the theater when I first saw the film. 

Bond then heads to M’s office aboard the submarine. M’s secretary, Moneypenny, like M and Bond, is in a naval uniform. M informs Bond of the plot to hijack American spacecraft and instructs him to find out who is behind the plot. 

My objection to this scene is that although M is a retired admiral and Bond served as an R.N.V.R. commander in WWII, neither of them, including Moneypenny, were active-duty sailors and should not have been in uniform. (Although Connery, who was an enlisted sailor in the Royal Navy when he was a teenager, does look good in a Royal Navy officer's uniform).

Then Bond informs Moneypenny that he studied Asian languages at Oxford. 

No, he didn’t. 

In the novel, M believes Bond was killed in Japan and he wrote an obituary that appeared in the London Times. M writes that Bond attended Eton, although his time there was brief and undistinguished, as he was kicked out due to an issue with one of the maids. Like Ian Fleming, who also attended Eton, Bond went on to study at Fettes and learned French and German, not Asian languages. 

In the film, Bond later meets “Our Man in Japan,” Dikko Henderson. Henderson offers Bond a vodka martini, “Stirred, not shaken.” 

Every Bond fan knows Bond likes his martini’s shaken and not stirred. Had Dahl ever read a Fleming novel or watched a Bond film? (Dahl was an intelligence officer in WWII and knew Fleming as well as Ernest Hemingway and other notables in the war). Why didn’t the producers, director or editor correct this?  

But I liked Henderson’s line after Bond complements him on the Russian vodka. 

“Yes. I get it from the doorman at the Russian embassy – among certain other things.” 

British actor Charles Gray portrayed Henderson in the film, and although I like Gray, who would later portray Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever, Dikko Henderson in Fleming’s novel was a big, booming Australian. Henderson was based on the late Richard Hughes, a foreign correspondent for the British Sunday Times.

“He is a giant Australian with a European mind and a quixotic view of the world,” the late Ian Fleming said of Hughes. 

In 1959, Fleming, then the foreign manager of the Sunday Times, was asked by the newspaper’s editor to travel to foreign cities and write about them, as Fleming notes, “through a thriller-writer’s eye.” The newspaper articles were compiled into a book called Thrilling Cities in 1963. While visiting Hong Kong and Tokyo, Fleming’s guide was Richard Hughes, whom Fleming called “Our Man in the Orient.”   

Ian Fleming later wrote You Only Live Twice, which featured a character named Richard Lovelace Henderson. Henderson was the British intelligence chief in Japan. He was a big, boisterous and profane Australian who understood the way of the Japanese. Fleming described him as looking like a middle-aged prize-fighter who retired and had taken to the bottle.

(John le Carre visited Hong Kong in the late 1970s while doing research for his novel The Honorable Schoolboy, the sequel to his novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. John le Carre met Hughes, and like Ian Fleming, he based a character on him. “Libel me to the hilt,” Hughes told le Carre.)                

The character “Tiger” Tanaka, the head of the Japanese secret service, was also based on a man Fleming met in Japan. The character was elderly, and he was a former Kamikaze pilot in WWII. How can one be a former Kamikaze pilot? Read the novel. 

I thought the actor who portrayed Tanaka, Tetsuro Tamba, was too young to be Tanaka. Teru Shima, who portrayed Mr. Osato, would have been a better Tanaka, in my view. 

The character of Aki did not appear in the novel, but I thought the Japanese actress Akiko Wakabayashi was a beautiful woman, and the character was endearing. Mie Hama, another beautiful Japanese actress, portrayed Kissy, who was the love interest in the novel. 

Donald Pleasence, a fine actor, portrayed Blofeld as a scarred and quite mad criminal mastermind. I was not fond of the portrayal. (Telly Savalas was a much better Blofeld in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, in my view. He was a more commanding presence and more of a madman).  

Why, I wondered, did Blofeld, who could build a rocket launching center in a volcano, not have surgery to repair his scarred face? 

I read the producers passed on Fleming’s idea of a Japanese castle with the poison garden, as they could not find a suitable castle in Japan. But they built a volcano rocket center, so I don’t see why they could not build a castle. (The poison garden was featured in No Time to Die, for no apparent reason). 

As I noted above, the film’s saving grace was Sean Connery as Bond, the exotic Japanese background, and John Barry’s wonderful soundtrack.

But I liked the book better.