Six Colombian Nationals Charged With Murder Of DEA Agent

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information on July 18th:

Six Colombian nationals were indicted today by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia for the kidnapping and murder of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent James Terry Watson.

“Special Agent Watson was a brave public servant who dedicated his life to protecting the country he loved.  He was a hero, in every sense of the word, who was taken from us far too suddenly and far too soon," said Attorney General Eric Holder.  “With today's arrests, we take an important step towards ensuring that those allegedly responsible for his senseless murder are brought to justice.  We also send an unmistakable message to all who commit acts of violence against America's law enforcement professionals:  no matter who you are or where you live, we will do everything in our power to hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Gerardo Figueroa Sepulveda, 38; Omar Fabian Valdes Gualtero, 27; Edgar Javier Bello Murillo, 26; Hector Leonardo Lopez, 23; Julio Estiven Gracia Ramierez, 30; and Andrés Alvaro Oviedo-Garcia, 21, were each charged with two counts of second degree murder, one count of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to kidnap.  Oviedo-Garcia was also charged with two counts of assault.
Additionally, the grand jury indicted Wilson Daniel Peralta-Bocachica, 30, also a Colombian national, for his alleged efforts to destroy evidence associated with the murder of Special Agent Watson.

According to the indictment, Figueroa, Valdes, Bello, Lopez, Gracia and Oviedo-Garcia were part of a kidnapping and robbery conspiracy that utilized taxi cabs in Bogota, Colombia, to lure victims into a position where they could be attacked and robbed.  Once an intended victim entered a taxi cab, the driver of the taxi cab would signal other conspirators to commence the robbery and kidnapping operation.

The indictment alleges that on June 20, 2013, while he was working for the U.S. Mission in Colombia, Special Agent Watson entered a taxi cab operated by one of the defendants.  Special Agent Watson was then allegedly attacked by two other defendants – one who stunned Special Agent Watson with a stun gun and another who stabbed Special Agent Watson with a knife, resulting in his death.

The charges were announced by Attorney General Holder; Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride of the Eastern District of Virginia; Assistant Director in Charge Valerie Parlave of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Derek S. Maltz of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Special Operations Division; and Director Gregory B. Starr of the Diplomatic Security Service for the U.S. Department of State.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, DEA and Diplomatic Security Service, in close cooperation with Colombian authorities, and with assistance from INTERPOL and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Ben’Ary from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Counsel Stacey Luck and Trial Attorney Christine Duey from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.  The Department of Justice gratefully acknowledges the Colombian Attorney General’s Office, Colombian National Police, Colombian Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Interpol (DIJIN), DIJIN Special Investigative Unit, Bogota Metropolitan Police and Colombian Technical Investigation Team for their extraordinary efforts, support and professionalism in responding to this incident.

Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Massachusetts Man Charged With Selling Counterfeit Semiconductors Intended For Use On Nuclear Submarines

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information on July 15th:

Peter Picone, 40, of Methuen, Mass., has been charged with importing counterfeit semiconductors from China for sale in the United States.

The charges were announced today by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly; Special Agent in Charge Bruce Foucart of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston; Acting Special Agent in Charge of Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office Craig W. Rupert; and Special Agent in Charge of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Northeast Field Office Cheryl A. DiPrizio.  

The eight-count indictment charges Picone with conspiring to traffic in counterfeit goods, conspiring to traffic in counterfeit military goods, trafficking in counterfeit goods, conspiring to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and conspiring to commit money laundering.  The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in New Haven on June 25, 2013, and was unsealed today.

The indictment charges that from February 2007 through April 2012, Picone, through two companies he owned and operated, Tytronix Inc. and Epic International Electronics, purchased counterfeit semiconductors from sources in Hong Kong and China.  According to the indictment, Picone made false representations about the semiconductors and sold them to customers throughout the United States, including companies believed by Picone to be defense contractors in Connecticut and Florida.  Certain semiconductors sold by Picone were intended for use on nuclear submarines.

“By allegedly purchasing and reselling counterfeit semiconductors for military applications, Peter Picone put personal gain above the safety and well-being of dedicated U.S. servicemen and women,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman.  “As charged in the indictment, Picone went to great lengths to conceal the true origin of counterfeit semiconductors in order to sell the devices as seemingly legitimate and reliable components for use in nuclear submarines and other complex machinery.  The charges unsealed today demonstrate our steadfast commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to prosecute counterfeiters and others who risk the security of the men and women of the U.S. military.”

“Counterfeit semiconductors pose a serious health and safety risk to consumers and end-users, and an even greater threat to the safety of the men and women of our armed services when they are sold for use in the military,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daly.  “We will prosecute these types of cases to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Today’s charges demonstrate the continued commitment of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and our peer agencies to protect the Department of Defense’s supply chain from being infiltrated and compromised with inferior components,” said DCIS Northeast Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Rupert.  “Safeguarding our warfighters and ensuring their equipment functions at the absolute highest levels is vital to our nation’s defense and readiness.  Detecting and dismantling the operations of suppliers who choose to make a profit by supplying counterfeit or inferior products is a DCIS priority.  I applaud the agents and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to bring about this result.”

“Trafficking in counterfeit sensitive technologies is an extremely dangerous practice on several fronts. Not only are there significant risks associated with the transportation of this faulty equipment, but our own American servicemembers are also put in harm’s way when they encounter substandard equipment,” said ICE-HSI Special Agent in Charge Foucart.  “One of HSI's top enforcement priorities is protecting the integrity of U.S. military products and other sensitive technology.” 

“Counterfeit semiconductors represent a serious threat to the safety of our military service members and raise national security concerns,” said NCIS Special Agent in Charge DiPrizio.  “The introduction of defective equipment into the military supply chain can result in product failure, property damage and even serious bodily injury, including death.  Some of these counterfeit devices can also be preprogrammed with malicious code and enable computer network intrusion.  NCIS has worked closely with our law enforcement partners at DCIS and ICE-HSI in identifying unscrupulous suppliers and bringing them to justice.”

Picone was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez of the District of Connecticut in Hartford, Conn., and was released on bond.  Trial is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford.

If convicted of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, Picone faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  If convicted of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit military goods, Picone faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison.  If convicted of trafficking in counterfeit goods, Picone faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison.  If convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, or wire fraud, Picone faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  If convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, Picone faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison. 

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of proceeds from illicit trafficking in counterfeit goods and wire fraud as well as the seizure of the goods and any property involved in the money laundering conspiracy.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was jointly investigated by HSI, DCIS and NCIS.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang of the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Kendra Ervin and Carol Sipperly of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.  Trial Attorney Kristen M. Warden of the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section is assisting with the forfeiture aspects of the case.

The enforcement action announced today is one of many efforts being undertaken by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force). Attorney General Eric Holder created the IP Task Force to combat the growing number of domestic and international intellectual property crimes, protect the health and safety of American consumers, and safeguard the nation’s economic security against those who seek to profit illegally from American creativity, innovation, and hard work. The IP Task Force seeks to strengthen intellectual property rights protection through heightened criminal and civil enforcement, greater coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and increased focus on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders. To learn more about the IP Task Force, go to www.justice.gov/dag/iptaskforce/.

In Whitey Bulger Trial, It's Down To Rat Vs. Rat

 

Howie Carr, the Boston Herald columnist and author of Rifleman: The Untold Story of Stevie Flemmi, Whitey Bulger's Partner, is covering the Whitey Bulger trial in Boston.

The feds weren’t kidding. Stevie Flemmi is ready, and “The Rifleman” came out swinging yesterday, in his first 10 minutes on the stand at the end of the session.

Stephen Rakes mourned as death probedIf I’m Whitey Bulger, I don’t think I slept very well down in Plymouth last night. This is going to be a very long day in the courtroom for the rat who claims he’s not a rat.

This is going to be the heavyweight championship of rats. Today decides who is the King of Ratville.

The line that Flemmi delivered that got all the play was when he was asked the nature of his relationship with Bulger, and he replied, “Strictly criminal.”

Whitey can live with that. What he can’t abide is the answer Stevie gave when he was asked how many times he and Whitey met with the FBI, specifically Zip Connolly.“Numerous, numerous times. Hundreds of times.”

You can read the rest of the column via the below link:

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/howie_carr/2013/07/in_whitey_trial_its_down_to_rat_vs_rat

The Whitey Bulger Trial: Juror Cries As Steven "The Rifleman" Flemmi Testifies On Girlfriend's Death

 

Laurel J. Sweet is covering the Whitey Bulger trail for the Boston Herald.

Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi testified today he was a man torn apart by the intense jealousy of his partner James “Whitey” Bulger and his needy young lover Debra Davis — a tug-of-war he said Bulger won by throttling Davis in 1981.

“It affected me. It’s going to affect me until the day I die,” Flemmi said of his reluctant decision to help kill the bombshell in a house his mother had just purchased in South Boston next door to Bulger’s brother, former state Senate President William “Billy” Bulger.

“I loved her,” Flemmi said dispassionately of Davis, “but I wasn’t in love with her.”

... At least one juror broke down in tears, no doubt recalling the stomach-turning photographic images from state police of Davis’ skeleton wrapped in rope and her skull, still matted with blond hair, in a plastic bag, as she was found in her crude grave.

The second day of the 79-year-old Flemmi’s testimony against the accused 83-year-old mass murderer with whom he claimed he took multiple lives right under the noses of the FBI they served as secret top-echelon informants was not punctuated by any of the profanity laced fireworks that went off yesterday during their first 10 minutes together.

You can read the rest of the story via the below link:

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/07/juror_cries_as_flemmi_testifies_on_girlfriend_s_death

Note: The above photo shows the cover of Boston Herald columnist and author Howie Carr's book Rifleman: The Untold Story of Stevie Flemmi, Whitey Bulger's Partner.   

Chinese Telecom Company Huawei Spies For China's Communist Government, Says Ex-CIA Chief

Foxnews.com reports that former CIA and NSA director General Michael Hayden stated that Huawei spies for Communist China.

SYDNEY (AFP) –  The former head of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency Michael Hayden said on Friday it "goes without saying" that Chinese telecoms giant Huawei spies for Beijing.

Speaking to the Australian Financial Review, Hayden claimed China was engaged in unrestricted espionage against the West and said it was his belief that Huawei would have shared information with state agencies.

Asked whether Huawei represented an unambiguous national security threat to the US and Australia, Hayden replied: "Yes, I believe it does".

You can read the rest of the story via the below link:

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/19/huawei-spies-for-china-says-ex-cia-chief/

San Antonio To Celebrate Hemingway's Birthday With Music And Daiquiris

Emily Bamforth at the San Antonio Express-News offers a piece on how the city of San Antonio, Texas will be celebrating the late great writer Ernest Hemingway's birthday this Saturday.

Hotel Havana and the San Antonio Public Library Foundation First Edition Society invites attendees to celebrate Ernest Hemingway’s birthday on Saturday the way the author would have enjoyed – with music and daiquiris.

Hemingway, who published seven novels, six short-story collections and two non-fiction works during his lifetime, was born on July 21, 1899. The event will take place the day before his birthday.

"This is our third year,” said Tracey Bennett, president of the S.A. Public Library Foundation. “Hemingway was an incredible writer and a very interesting character in the literary world.”   

You can read the rest of the story via the below link:

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/downtown/2013/07/library-event-to-celebrate-hemingways-birthday/

Philadelphia Cosa Nostra Capo Sentenced To 97 Months In Prison

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

WASHINGTON—Anthony Staino was sentenced today to serve 97 months in prison for his participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving extortion, loan sharking, and illegal gambling, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and Edward J. Hanko, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.

Staino, 57, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In addition to his prison term, Staino was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release.

On April 19, 2013, Staino pleaded guilty to conspiring to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia La Cosa Nostra (LCN) family through a pattern of racketeering activity. Through court documents and statements made in court at the time of the plea, Staino admitted that, as a made member and capo of the Philadelphia LCN family, he gave a usurious loan to an undercover FBI agent and used threats of violence to collect payments on the loan. Staino also admitted that he ran an illegal electronic gambling device business for the mob, providing video poker machines and other gambling devices for bars, restaurants, convenience stores, coffee shops, and other locations in Philadelphia and its suburbs and then collected the illegal gambling proceeds.

A total of 12 leaders, members, and associates of the Philadelphia LCN family have pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury as part of this case. Eight of the defendants, including Staino, have been sentenced, and four are awaiting sentencing.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney John S. Han of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank A. Labor, III and Suzanne B. Ercole of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Valuable prosecutorial assistance was provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, New Jersey State Police, Philadelphia Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, and U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration. Additional assistance was provided by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.