December's End of Watch

Rest in Peace Officers, and thank you for your service.

Deputy Sheriff Adam Michael Mehagan Osage County Sheriff's Office, OK EOW: Thursday, December 3, 2009 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Police Officer Philip Davis Pelham Police Department, AL EOW: Friday, December 4, 2009 Cause of Death: Gunfire

Police Officer Michael Crawshaw Penn Hills Police Department, PA EOW: Sunday, December 6, 2009 Cause of Death: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Charles Douglas (Charlie) Brown Jr. Martin County Sheriff's Office, NC EOW: Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Cause of Death: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Roy Bruce Sutton Jr. Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, IN EOW: Friday, December 11, 2009 Cause of Death: Automobile accident

Captain Dennis Darrell Cagle Henderson Police Department, TN EOW: Sunday, December 13, 2009 Cause of Death: Gunfire

Officer Chris Marano Arizona Department of Public Safety, AZ EOW: Thursday, December 17, 2009 Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit

Trooper Dennis Engelhard Missouri State Highway Patrol, MO EOW: Friday, December 25, 2009 Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle

Deputy Sheriff Kent Mundell Pierce County Sheriff's Department, WA EOW: Monday, December 28, 2009 Cause of Death: Gunfire

FBI - The Year in Review, Part 2

THE YEAR IN REVIEW A Look at FBI Cases, Part 2
12/31/09
Together with our partners in the law enforcement and intelligence communities, the FBI worked thousands of investigations during 2009, everything from cyber crime and espionage to public corruption and billion-dollar fraud schemes. As the year draws to a close, we thought readers would be interested in a look back at some of 2009’s most significant cases. Part 1 focused on terrorism cases. This segment highlights some of the year’s top cases from the FBI’s other investigative priorities: Espionage: In November, a former State Department official and his wife pled guilty to a 30-year conspiracy to provide classified military information to Cuba. (Preventing and exposing intelligence activities—spying—on U.S. soil remains one of the Bureau’s top investigative priorities because it strikes at the heart of national security.) Details Cyber heist: Also in November, four hackers were charged with masterminding the simultaneous theft of $9 million from 2,100 ATMs from around the world. They did it all in 12 hours, illustrating the global reach—and threat—of cyber crime. (The arrests illustrated the importance of global law enforcement partnerships.) Details Public corruption: In August, former Louisiana Congressman William J. Jefferson was convicted of bribery, racketeering, and money laundering. In November, a federal judge sentenced the 62-year-old to 13 years in prison and ordered him to forfeit more than $470,000. Details on Jefferson’s conviction and sentencing. Operation Phish Phry: Nearly 100 people were charged in the U.S. and Egypt in October in one the largest cyber fraud phishing cases to date. The defendants targeted U.S. banks and victimized hundreds and possibly thousands of account holders by stealing their financial information and using it to transfer money to bogus accounts. Details Operation Cross Country: As part of the FBI’s Innocence Lost National Initiative, 100 children victimized through prostitution were recovered in two separate multi-city sweeps. More than 1,200 individuals—including 60 pimps—were arrested on state and local charges. Details on Cross County III and IV. Operation Knock Out: The nation’s largest gang investigation and prosecution underscored the growing gang problem in the U.S. and the negative impact gangs have on communities. The Los Angeles investigation involved more than 1,400 officers from more than 40 federal, state, and local agencies. By October, some 200 defendants had been indicted, and the case continues. Details Pfizer fraud: In the largest health care fraud settlement in Department of Justice history, the pharmaceutical giant agreed in September to pay $2.3 billion to resolve charges of illegal and fraudulent promotion of its products. Details Large-scale corruption: In July, 44 prominent political and religious leaders—including mayors, assemblymen, and rabbis from New Jersey and New York—were arrested in an early morning sweep and charged with political corruption and high-volume international money laundering. Details Bernard Madoff: In March, the financier pled guilty to multiple counts of fraud and money laundering after bilking his clients out of billions of dollars. In June, the 71-year-old was sentenced to 150 years in prison and ordered to forfeit more than $170 billion to the government. Details on Madoff’s guilty plea and sentencing. Mortgage fraud: In April, indictments were announced in connection with the “Dream Homes Program.” The program promised to pay homeowners’ mortgages in return for an up-front fee that would be invested in profitable business ventures but turned into a $70 million nightmare for more than 1,000 investors. Details For further information about the Bureau’s more prominent cases, see the weekly Top Ten News Stories press releases in our press room.

FBI - The Year in Review, Part 1

THE YEAR IN REVIEW A Look at FBI Cases, Part 1
12/28/09
Terrorists bent on murder and destruction. Elected officials on the take. Cyber crooks hacking networks and emptying bank accounts. Fraudsters using scams old and new to pilfer billions of dollars from unsuspecting Americans. The FBI worked thousands of investigations during 2009—from art crime to weapons of mass destruction violations, often in close concert with our partners. As the year comes to a close, here is a rundown of some of the Bureau's most significant cases. In this first segment, we'll focus on our top investigative priority: protecting the nation from terrorist attack. The threat posed by extremists is real—and it continues to morph and evolve in new and dangerous ways, like most recently, the Christmas Day incident. Working with a range of local, state, federal, and international partners, we headed off a number of potential plots on U.S. soil. Here are some of the top terror cases of 2009, in chronogical order: Georgia jihadists: With little more than an Internet connection and the radicalizing influences of overseas terrorists, two middle-class young men in Atlanta went from rhetoric to plotting jihad and were sentenced earlier this month. Details David Coleman Headley: The U.S. citizen was arrested in October for planning terrorist attacks against a Danish newspaper and two of its employees. New charges this month in this ongoing case allege he took part in the conspiracy surrounding the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Details Somalia: In February, the FBI reported that young men from Minneapolis were traveling to Somalia to join extremists fighting for control of the country. One of those men became who was believed to be the first U.S. citizen to carry out a terrorist suicide bombing after launching an attack in Somalia. By November, 14 defendants were charged with recruiting people from the U.S. to train or fight on behalf of extremist groups in Somalia. Details Najibullah Zazi: The 24-year-old Colorado resident was arrested in September, along with his father and another man, for conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction against U.S. citizens. Zazi traveled to New York City on September 10, 2009 “in furtherance of his criminal plans,” according to the Department of Justice. Details Attempted bombing of federal building: In September, a U.S. citizen was arrested in connection with a plot to detonate a vehicle bomb at the federal building in Springfield, Illinois. Details Attempted skyscraper bombing: Also in September, a 19-year-old Jordanian citizen who espoused violent jihad was arrested for attempting to blow up a 60-story glass office tower in Dallas, Texas. Details North Carolina takedown: In July, seven men, including a father and two sons, were charged with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and to wage jihad overseas. The heavily armed group trained in the U.S., raised money to support their training, and recruited and radicalized others. Details Synagogue plot: In May, four people were arrested outside a New York synagogue and charged with planning to blow up Jewish targets and shoot down military planes. Details Liberty City Six: In May, a Miami jury convicted five men of providing material support to al Qaeda and planning attacks on U.S. targets, including the Sears Tower in Chicago. Details Ali al-Marri: In May, the al Qaeda “sleeper” operative working in the U.S. pled guilty to charges relating to his role in the 9/11 attacks. Details Next: Fraud, espionage, corruption, and more

Driver Praised By Police For Ramming Cruiser

Story courtesy of policelink.com

The AP via YellowBrix
December 23, 2009

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -A Utah driver rammed a sheriff’s patrol car on purpose and officers aren’t even upset. West Valley City police say a man posted an ad asking for a massage.

When he showed up at the appointed meeting place, instead of finding a woman police said a 21-year-old man hopped into the truck, flashed a gun and told the victim to drive.

Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. Jason Johnson said the driver tried to stay calm but saw an opportunity to escape when he pulled up next to a sheriff’s deputy.

Johnson said the man hit the patrol car, jumped out of the truck and started yelling. Officers quickly arrested the gunman.

Johnson said a little damage to a vehicle that can be repaired is better than anyone getting hurt.

Traveling for the Holidays?

Keep safety in mind by reading tips from the Florida Highway Patrol:

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/christmas/TST.htm

HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS Traveling across country or across town, it is important to keep safety in mind. Getting there could actually be half the fun!

Have a trip plan and let others know when you will leave and intend to arrive at your destination. Have a cellular telephone with you if possible. Keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up. At stop signs or traffic signals, keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. Leave yourself room to get out in case you're boxed in. Don't stop in underpopulated areas to ask directions. Travel well-lighted and busy streets. Do not pick up hitchhikers. Try not to stop if your car is blocked by someone standing in the road. Slow down and proceed slowly around the person. If they refuse to move, back up to safety and proceed to the nearest police station to report the incident. Lock your doors when you leave your car, even if it's for a short time. Don't advertise that you're from out-of-town by pulling over to the curb to read a road map. If you are involved in a minor accident, do not get out of the car. Lower your window slightly and ask the other party to phone the police or follow you to the nearest public area or police station. Some criminals use an accident to get you to stop and get out of the car. If you're suspicious that the accident was staged, drive directly to the nearest law enforcement office to report the accident. When you get out of your car, carry your purse and keep other valuables out of sight. Do not store valuables out in the open inside a parked car. If you have a flat tire or other car problems, pull over to the side of the road out of the way of traffic. Turn on your emergency flashers. If you have emergency roadway flares in your trunk, position them conspicuously. Raise the hood and tie a handkerchief to the aerial or door handle. If a roadside telephone or call-box is handy, use it. If not, sit in your locked car and wait for help. If a motorist stops to render assistance, it's better to remain in the car, and ask him to get help. (Likewise, if you see a stranded motorist, it's better not to stop. Notify the police.) If you think you are being followed, don't drive home. You would only be telling your follower where you live. Stay Calm. As long as you think clearly, you'll be in control of the situation. Flash your lights and sound your horn long enough to attract attention to you, and consequently the person following you. Drive to one of your already identified safe spots, sounding your horn and flashing your lights. Do not leave this safe location until you're sure your follower is gone. Remember, you are your best protection. If you follow these steps, you'll be protecting the most important part of your car - YOU.

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