A federal grand jury has returned a 147-count superseding indictment against 40 defendants across South Carolina in the largest federal racketeering conspiracy in South Carolina history. The indictment alleges a sprawling criminal enterprise whereby inmates with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, often through the use of contraband cell phones, orchestrated murder, kidnapping, firearms distribution, […]
Category: National News
Arkansas project manager sentenced to two years in prison in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud
A project manager employed by a major retailer was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for fraudulently seeking more than $8 million in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. […]
Former DeSales University priest indicted on three counts of child pornography offenses
A former DeSales University priest was charged by indictment with three counts of child pornography offenses. William McCandless, 56, of Wilmington, Delaware, was charged with possessing child pornography for importation into the United States, transporting child pornography in interstate and foreign commerce, and attempting to access with intent to view child pornography. During his initial […]
34-year-old man pleads guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS
Thirty-four-year-old Kristopher Sean Matthews (aka Ali Jibreel) admitted to conspiring to provide material support to the designated foreign terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham/Syria (aka ISIS), announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer for the Western District of Texas, and FBI Special Agent in Charge […]
Attorney General directs Federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule executions for inmates convicted of brutal murders
The United States Attorney General has directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule the executions of three federal-death row inmates sentenced to death for brutal murders, including the murder of a child and, with respect to two inmates, the murder of multiple victims. Alfred Bourgeois abused, tortured, and beat to death his young daughter. […]
Five members of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang charged with murder
Five members of the violent Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) international street gang are set to appear in court following charges of conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Wilson Jose Ventura-Mejia, 24; Jimmy Villalobos-Gomez, 23; Angel […]
Deportation of German citizen who was Nazi concentration camp guard upheld by Board of Immigration appeals
The Board of Immigration Appeals has dismissed the appeal of Tennessee resident Friedrich Karl Berger, a German citizen who was ordered removed from the United States earlier this year on the basis of his service in Nazi Germany in 1945 as an armed guard of concentration camp prisoners in the Neuengamme Concentration Camp system (Neuengamme). […]
Seven charged in connection with COVID-relief fraud scheme involving at least 80 fraudulent loan applications
Seven individuals across two states were charged in an indictment unsealed for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain approximately $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of […]
FBI releases 2019 Hate Crime Statistics
The FBI released Hate Crime Statistics, 2019, the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program’s latest compilation about bias-motivated incidents throughout the nation. The 2019 data, submitted by 15,588 law enforcement agencies, provide information about the offenses, victims, offenders, and locations of hate crimes. Law enforcement agencies submitted incident reports involving 7,314 criminal incidents and 8,559 related […]
President Trump signs Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
President Trump, at the White House, signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. The bill, which unanimously passed the Senate on Tuesday, provides additional coronavirus relief funding for small businesses, agriculture producers, and hospitals and health care providers. “More help is on the way for Missouri small businesses and the health care […]
Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive automatic Economic Impact Payments
The Internal Revenue Service, working in partnership with the Treasury Department and the Social Security Administration, announced today that recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will automatically receive automatic Economic Impact Payments. SSI recipients will receive a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment with no further action needed on their part. The IRS projects the payments for […]
Treasury, IRS unveil online application to help with Economic Impact Payments
Working with the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service today unveiled the new Get My Payment with features to let taxpayers check on their Economic Impact Payment date and update direct deposit information. With an initial round of more than 80 million Economic Impact Payments starting to hit bank accounts over the weekend and throughout […]
Midwest Trotting Horse Sale near Seymour, Iowa takes place despite social distancing guidelines
Several hundred people attended the Midwest Trotting Horse Sale near Seymour, Iowa on Thursday despite social distancing guidelines. The show was to be held on March 18th but was postponed due to state guidelines prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more people. The Wayne County Health Department set up checkpoints to pre-screen attendees before going on […]
FBI seeking individual who may have information regarding the identity of a child sexual assault victim
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance with obtaining identifying information regarding an unknown female who may have critical information pertaining to the identity of a child victim in an ongoing sexual exploitation investigation. Photographs and an informational poster depicting the unknown individual, known only as Jane Doe 37, are being […]
Preparations underway for National FFA Convention
In a few weeks, the city of Indianapolis will transform into a sea of blue jackets when the National FFA Convention & Expo kicks off for the 92nd time. This time-honored tradition will be held in the Circle City on October 30- November 2, 2019. More than 67,000 FFA members from across the U.S., representing […]
Net neutrality battle reignites in Washington D.C.
The battle over net neutrality is heating up again – as supporters in Congress have just introduced a bill to reinstate Obama-era consumer protections that were lost after the Federal Communications Commission repealed them in 2017. The “Save the Internet Act” would bring back rules that prevent Internet Service Providers from slowing down or blocking […]
‘Where’s My Refund?’ remains easiest way to check tax refund status
The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that the easiest way to check on a tax refund is “Where’s My Refund?,” an online tool available at IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app. The fastest way to get a refund is to use IRS e-file and direct deposit. The Tax Time Guide, a resource to help taxpayers […]
Despite government shutdown, IRS confirms tax filing season to begin January 28
Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning January 28, 2019, and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled. “We are committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds notwithstanding the government shutdown. I appreciate the hard work of the employees and their commitment to the taxpayers […]