ICE arrests 13 in Puerto Rico on money laundering charges

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Thirteen individuals charged by a federal grand jury with money laundering were arrested this morning by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents working jointly with officers of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Puerto Rico Police Department, San Juan Municipal Police, Puerto Rico Bureau of Special Investigations, Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda), and Puerto Rico Ports Authority.
On Oct. 14 and Nov. 17, under separate indictments, a federal grand jury charged the defendants with conducting financial transactions affecting interstate and foreign commerce by delivering moneys which involved the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity, that is drug trafficking in violation of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, knowing that the transaction was designed in whole and in part to conceal and disguise the nature, location, the source, the ownership, and the control of the proceeds of such specified unlawful activity, and the laundering of monetary instruments. If convicted, the defendants face a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison.
According to the ICE HSI investigation, the defendants allegedly attempted to launder approximately $8 million of which $4 million were seized by ICE HSI special agents. The investigation also revealed that the defendants utilized a money laundering scheme called the Black Market Peso Exchange to launder the illegal proceeds of drug trafficking organizations through electronic transfers to China, Hong Kong, Colombia, Sweden, Panama, Spain, United Arab Emirates and the United States.
"In recent years ICE has encountered an increasing number of major financial crimes, frequently resulting from the needs of drug trafficking organizations to launder large sums of criminal proceeds through legitimate financial institutions and investment vehicles," said Roberto Escobar-Vargas, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Homeland Security Investigations in San Juan. "We are committed to continue working with our law enforcement partners in our efforts to detect and close down weaknesses within our financial, trade and transportation sectors that can be exploited by criminal networks."

Mexican national sentenced to more than 5 years in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - A convicted criminal alien, who had been previously deported, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on Wednesday to 64 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after being deported.
Mario Ruiz-Toledo, 22, a Mexican national, was arrested on Feb. 2 following an investigation by the Bay County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) into multiple burglaries in Bay County, Fla. BCSO alerted special agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) about Ruiz-Toledo due to their knowledge about his previous deportation.
"This is just one example of the possible thousands of other convicted criminal aliens that are in our country illegally, robbing and stealing from hard-working, law-abiding, legal, American citizens," said Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen.
"Criminal aliens who have been previously deported and then flagrantly disregard our laws by illegally re-entering the United States and continuing to commit crimes here should not be surprised to find themselves facing stiff federal prison sentences," said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Tampa, Fla.
Ruiz-Toledo pled guilty to the burglary charges on May 19 in 14th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida and was sentenced to eight years state in prison. He also has prior conviction on Aug. 27, 2009 in the 14th Judicial Circuit Court for assault with a deadly weapon.
Ruiz-Toledo was previously removed from the country by the ICE Office of Enforcement and Removal (ERO) in September 2009 following his conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.
He will be removed again to Mexico after he completes his prison sentences.
Re-entering the United States after being formally deported is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Love prosecuted the case.

Gates, Mullen Urge Congress to Repeal 'Don't Ask' Law

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2010 - Congress must act soon to repeal the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law to ensure a systematic and orderly implementation of gays being permitted to serve openly in the military, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said this morning.
In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gates and Mullen said now is the time to repeal the law.
"I believe this is a matter of some urgency because, as we have seen this past year, the judicial branch is becoming involved in this issue, and it is only a matter of time before the federal courts are drawn once more into the fray," Gates said.
"Should this happen," he continued, "there is the very real possibility that this change would be imposed immediately by judicial fiat -– by far the most disruptive and damaging scenario I can imagine, and the one most hazardous to military morale, readiness and battlefield performance."
Mullen also expressed concerns about judicial handling of the matter.
"I worry that unpredictable actions in the court could strike down the law at any time, precluding the orderly implementation plan we believe is necessary to mitigate risk," Mullen said.
"I also have no expectation that challenges to our national security are going to diminish in the near future, such that a more convenient time will appear," he added. "War does not stifle change; it demands it."
The House of Representatives passed legislation in May that calls for the president, defense secretary and Joint Chiefs chairman to certify that the military can handle repeal without affecting combat effectiveness before a repeal takes effect. On Nov. 30, Pentagon officials released the report of a working group that reviewed issues associated with a potential repeal of the law.
Gates said the working group reached out to the force to better understand their views. Outreach included a survey sent to hundreds of thousands of troops and their families.
"A strong majority of those who answered the survey –- more than two thirds –- do not object to gays and lesbians serving openly in uniform," Gates said. "The findings suggest that for large segments of the military -– with the exception of some combat specialties -– the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, though potentially disruptive in the short term, would not be the wrenching, traumatic change that many have feared and predicted."
The working group's plan, with a strong emphasis on education, training and leader development, offers a road map for implementing the repeal that will be successful if the military has enough time to prepare for the policy change, the secretary added.
Mullen said the experience of other militaries that allow gays to serve openly is a good indication that the end of the U.S. ban will pass with less turbulence than some predict.
"Our study looked at 35 other militaries that chose to permit open service, including those of our staunchest allies," he said. "In no instance was there widespread panic or mass resignations or wholesale disregard for discipline and restraint."
Many of those troops from other nations "fight alongside us in Afghanistan today and they fought with us in Iraq," Mullen said.
"Gay or straight, their troops patrolled with ours and bled with ours," he said. "They have certainly shared with ours the fear and loneliness and the horror of combat. I don't recall a single instance where the fact that one of them might be openly gay ever led to poor performance on the field of battle."
Gates said that in advance of the potential repeal, the Defense Department already has made several changes to regulations that within existing law "applied more exacting standards to procedures investigating or separating troops for suspected homosexual conduct." The changes, he added, "have added a measure of common sense and decency to a legally and morally fraught process."
Mullen -- who said he believes personally and professionally that repealing the law is the right thing to do -- said the repeal would be the only change the military services would experience as a result.
"Nothing will change about our standards of conduct," the chairman said. "Nothing will change about the dignity and the fairness and the equality with which we treat our people. And nothing will change about the manner in which we deal with those who cannot abide by these standards."
For some, Mullen told the senators, the debate on the issue is all about gray areas.
"There is no gray area here," he said. "We treat each other with respect, or we find another place to work. Period."
 

Biographies:
Robert M. Gates
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen
Related Sites:
Special Report: Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Congressional leaders receive prestigious award

Written by: CDR Glynn Smith

Adm. Bob Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard, speaks with Congressman Elijah Cummings (left) and Senator Frank Lautenberg, who were each presented the Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf Award at the Capitol. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)

Post written by Ademide Adedokun
Coast Guard Commandant ADM Bob Papp honored two members of Congress in a ceremony held in the United States Capitol Building on Dec. 1.  Senator Frank Lautenberg and Representative Elijah Cummings were both presented the Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf award for their support of the United States Coast Guard.

Adm. Bob Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard, presents the 2008 Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf Award to Senator Frank Lautenberg. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)

The Award is presented those Members of Congress who exemplify the spirit of Commodore Bertholf by making substantial contributions in support of the men and women of the United States Coast Guard and enhance the ability of the Service to carry out its missions.
Senator Frank Lautenberg is the only member of Congress to serve on both the Coast Guard Authorizing and Appropriation subcommittees.  Senator Lautenberg hails from New Jersey, the home of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May and the Port of New York and New Jersey, the second-largest port in the United States.
While presenting him with the award, Admiral Papp gave special attention to Senator Lautenberg’s introduction of legislation that criminalized the operation of self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessels.  Describing it as a “game-changer,” he spoke of how the legislation drastically reduced the number of attempts to bring drugs into the United States with SPSS vessels.
During the ceremony, Admiral Papp explained his use of the term “Shipmates” as a term of endearment for members of the Coast Guard and their extended family.  He then bestowed the title of “Shipmates” on Senator Lautenberg and Representative Cummings for their support of the Coast Guard.
“It’s not lost on me that it’s the noble efforts of our Congress that ensure we get the basic support for our Coast Guard men and women who perform our challenging maritime missions – the type of support that is the embodiment of what it means to be Shipmates,” said Papp.

Adm. Bob Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard, presents the 2009 Commodore Ellsworth P. Bertholf Award to Congressman Elijah Cummings. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)

Representative Elijah Cummings represents the 7^th Congressional District of Maryland.  As Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, he co-sponsored a resolution recognizing the loss of flight crews aboard CG-1705 and a Marine Corps helicopter following a tragic mid-air collision.  Rep. Cummings also supported a resolution recognizing the centennial of the Coast Guard Academy.
“One of Rep. Cummings signature achievements for our Service has been his collaboration on our efforts to increase diversity.  He helped fuel a three-fold increase in our College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI), encouraged the development of the Coast Guard’s capstone Diversity Strategic Plan, and spurred the Coast Guard Academy on to recruit an increasingly diverse pool of cadets,” said Papp.
Admiral Papp concluded by expressing his appreciation for all the Members of Congress who ensure continual Congressional support for the Coast Guard.

If a 2 hour delay on the Thruway isn't covered, did it happen?

November 1, 2010 Wednesday Night. Local media have their news cruisers "driving all over" Cat. County..
Okay, they got a great story about a rescue from a van, okay. But, at approx. 9:20 PM that night there was a tractor trailer accident on the thruway.causing a two hour delay. According to a caller to one of the stations ":drivers turned off their cars and started making snowmen."

No crawl warning people - so they don't leave and get into a parking lot on the thruway. One of the television station's suggested " t was a minor incident".

ONE OF THESE THINGS ISN'T LIKE THE OTHERS:

A. Tractor Trailer Accident on Thruway
B. Two Hour Delay
C. Motorists turning off cars and making snowmen (That would have been awesome to see)
D. Minor Incident.

Answer D. You don't send all your staff out 88.6 miles south (1 hour 39 minutes) away from base then not have anyone to cover the thruway when something goes bad at home.

Another station at the end of the program, got someone from the Thruway on the phone to discuss the matter. (They had to see it reported on the other station, apparently and make frantic phone calls. This is communications 101 - News starts at home. This is what happens when you staff news rooms with people who are not locals.

- Oh Well, Traffic Command was closed. They (that one guy) walk at 6:00 PM ?

- WLVL 1340 Newsroom closed at 11:00 AM nearly 10 hours earlier.

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