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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Birmingham Woman Pleads Guilty in Multi-State Identity Theft Conspiracy

FBI Birmingham Division Press Release:


Birmingham Woman Pleads Guilty in Multi-State Identity Theft Conspiracy

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeApril 30, 2013
  • Northern District of Alabama(205) 244-2001
BIRMINGHAM—A Birmingham woman pleaded guilty today to participating in a multi-state identity theft and counterfeit check scheme that included recruiting homeless people to cash the fraudulent checks, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Keith Morris, FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein, Jr., and U.S. Secret Service Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Anderson.
Daphne Collette Tate, 42, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler to conspiring with five other people to defraud more than two dozen banks in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. She also pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, possessing a business check stolen from the U.S. mail, and possessing a counterfeit check.
Tate was arrested and indicted individually in February. A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment in March, charging Tate and five other defendants in the multi-state identity theft conspiracy. Charged along with Tate are her cousin Keith Lamar Reese, 46, also of Birmingham, and four Atlanta-area residents, Colundria Seats, 36; Demario S. Mormon, 27; Cliffton A. Mormon, 31; and Brett E. Falconer, 27. The superseding indictment was unsealed April 23.
“In this age of multi-state fraud schemes, it is more important than ever for federal and state law enforcement agencies to coordinate their efforts to best protect the public,” Vance said. “My office is privileged to be part of such collaborative efforts that result in prosecuting cases where organized criminal rings operate across city, county, and state lines,” she said. “We will continue this mission.”
According to the March indictment, Tate and other conspirators conducted their scheme in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida between September 2011 and February 2013 as follows.
They obtained account and routing information for various businesses’ legitimate checking accounts in at least 25 banks through various means, including stealing checks from the mail and engaging people who had access to account information. Falconer was employed by Regions Bank and accessed the bank’s records for the conspiracy during her employment. Falconer provided co-conspirators with information from Regions’ accounts and from checks presented at Regions Bank. Other conspirators, including Demario and Cliffton, used that genuine account and routing information to manufacture counterfeit business checks.
Tate, Seats, and Reese would locate people, often the homeless, who had government-issued identification cards and would join the conspiracy as check cashers. Tate, Seats, Reese, and other co-conspirators would transport the check cashers to locations where they would cash or attempt to cash the counterfeit checks. Members of the conspiracy would divide the proceeds of the successfully cashed checks among themselves.
Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Each also faces a potential two-year prison term and $250,000 fine for each count of aggravated identity theft. In addition, a conviction for possessing a counterfeit check carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for Tate, who also faces a possible five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of possessing stolen mail.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Pelham, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills Police departments, with assistance from Regions Bank corporate investigators. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa K. Atwood is prosecuting the case.
While Tate has pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy, the remaining defendants are only charged by indictment. The public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation. They are presumed innocent, and it will be the government’s obligation to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

Covington Man Sentenced to More Than 59 Years for Kidnapping, Armed Bank Robbery, and Firearms Offenses

FBI Louisville Division Press Release:


Covington Man Sentenced to More Than 59 Years for Kidnapping, Armed Bank Robbery, and Firearms Offenses

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeApril 30, 2013
  • Eastern District of Kentucky(859) 233-2661
COVINGTON—A Kenton County man convicted last December of kidnapping, armed bank robbery, and firearm offenses was sentenced to 711 months in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves sentenced 40-year-old Joseph Weir on Monday for kidnapping, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of kidnapping, armed bank robbery, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of bank robbery. Judge Reeves also ordered Weir to pay $1,492.75 in restitution. Under federal law, Weir must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence.
Weir was indicted in March 2012 and convicted in two separate trials in December 2012.
Evidence at the first trial showed that on May 31, 2011, Weir kidnapped a 75-year-old patron of the Crestview Town Center by threatening her with a knife and a .357 caliber handgun. After forcing his way into the victim’s car, he took her purse and attempted to access her bank accounts.
Weir eventually transported the victim to a remote area near Cleves, Ohio. He then used his knife to cut the victim’s sweater into pieces and used them to gag and tie her to a tree near the bank of the East Miami River. Weir abandoned the victim there and took her car back to Kentucky, leaving it near his Covington residence. The victim freed herself from the tree and eventually found assistance at a nearby road. She suffered minor injuries.
In the other trial, evidence revealed that Weir robbed the Huntington Bank at Sixth and Madison in Covington of $900 on December 5, 2011. He entered the bank, concealing a .380 caliber handgun in his coat, and passed a note to the teller threatening to shoot. After fleeing the bank with the money, Weir hid the jacket, shoes, and eyeglasses he wore during the robbery. Officers recovered the items near the bank and linked them to Weir using surveillance video and witness statements.
Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Perrye Turner, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Covington Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lakeside Park/Crestview Hills Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tony Bracke and Elaine Leonhard.

Edison International: Pressroom: Edison International Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

Edison International: Pressroom: Edison International Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

Northrop Grumman Selected to Complete JCREW I1B1 Development (NYSE:NOC)

Northrop Grumman Selected to Complete JCREW I1B1 Development (NYSE:NOC)

L-3 Elects Vincent Pagano, Jr. to Its Board of Directors

Press Releases - Media Center - L-3

L-3 Declares Quarterly Dividend

Press Releases - Media Center - L-3

GE’s Power Express Distribution Shelf Improves Installation Process of Distributed Antenna Systems - GE

GE’s Power Express Distribution Shelf Improves Installation Process of Distributed Antenna Systems - GE

General Dynamics Awarded $20 Million for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services IT Support

Press Release Detail

Rockwell Collins is named a 2013 Gold Edison Award Winner for Synthetic Vision on a Head-Up Display

Rockwell Collins is named a 2013 Gold Edison Award Winner for Synthetic Vision on a Head-Up Display

Boeing Rolls Out 1st F-15SA for Royal Saudi Air Force

Boeing Rolls Out 1st F-15SA for Royal Saudi Air Force

Boeing Statement on National Air Cargo Company Accident

Boeing: News Releases

Intuit Names David Williams Chief Tax Officer (NASDAQ:INTU)

Intuit Names David Williams Chief Tax Officer (NASDAQ:INTU)

2013/04/30 New Method Joins Gallium Nitride and Diamond for Better Thermal Management

2013/04/30 New Method Joins Gallium Nitride and Diamond for Better Thermal Management

Armed robbery 1900 block of Burgundy 4/27/13 5:05AM - YouTube

On Saturday, 4/27/13 at or about 5:05AM, the victim was walking in the 1900 block of Burgundy when he was approached by an unknown black male. The subject pointed a shotgun at the victim's face and stated give me your money. The victim disarmed the gunman and then chased him. Moments later the victim was approached by two black males in a black four door sedan (possibly a Honda Accord). The driver of the vehicle said to the victim "give me my gun back and I'll give you your phone that you dropped". The victim then used the shotgun to strike the rear windshield of the vehicle causing it to break. The two subjects then fled on Frenchmen to St. Claude and then unknown. The gunman was described as a black male, approximately 16-20 years of age, 6'00" tall with a thin build wearing a black hat and a black t-shirt. Surveillance video captured the robbery on video/audio and can be viewed on youtube.com at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kagO9D... . A similar incident occurred on Friday, April 26, 2013, at or about 12:30am in the 800 block of Touro Street, right around the corner from the aforementioned robbery. In that incident the victim was walking in the 800 block of Touro when he was approached by two unknown young black males. One of the subjects pointed a shotgun at the victim and demanded his property. The subjects then struck the victim three times. The victim fled the scene without relinquishing his property. The victim sustained minor injuries. The victim described the gunman as a young black males and being approximately 5'8" -5'10" tall with a dark complexion and medium build wearing dark clothing. The victim described the second subject as being a young black male, approximately 5'6" tall with a medium build, bushy hair and wearing a light shirt. Both subjects were said to be in their early twenties. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Det. Michael Flores at (504)658-6707/MFlores@nola.gov and/or CrimeStoppers at (504)822-1111.

Video (0:36)

Armed robbery 1900 block of Burgundy 4/27/13 5:05AM - YouTube

Andrea Chen of Propeller: 5 Tips for Launching a Social Venture - OPEN Forum :: American Express OPEN Forum

Andrea Chen of Propeller: 5 Tips for Launching a Social Venture - OPEN Forum :: American Express OPEN Forum

Duke Energy to help prepare Harnett County, N.C., location for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Duke Energy to help prepare Harnett County, N.C., location for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Duke Energy to help prepare Nash County, N.C., location for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Duke Energy to help prepare Nash County, N.C., location for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Duke Energy to help prepare Randolph County, N.C., farmland for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Duke Energy to help prepare Randolph County, N.C., farmland for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Duke Energy selects 1700-acre Chatham County, N.C., property for Site Readiness Program - Duke Energy

Duke Energy selects 1700-acre Chatham County, N.C., property for Site Readiness Program - Duke Energy

Duke Energy to help prepare Montgomery County, N.C., property for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Duke Energy to help prepare Montgomery County, N.C., property for potential industrial development - Duke Energy

Chromatography Goes Gold: Gold Nanoparticles and Monoliths Make a Perfect Match « Berkeley Lab News Center

Chromatography Goes Gold: Gold Nanoparticles and Monoliths Make a Perfect Match « Berkeley Lab News Center

Does Antimatter Fall Up or Down? « Berkeley Lab News Center

Does Antimatter Fall Up or Down? « Berkeley Lab News Center

Monday, April 29, 2013

Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling into the District of Columbia to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor

FBI Washington Field Office Press Release:


Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling into the District of Columbia to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeApril 29, 2013
  • District of Columbia(202) 514-7566
WASHINGTON—George G. Kahl, 42, of Alexandria, Virginia, pled guilty today to traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen, Jr.; Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Kahl entered the guilty plea in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The Honorable Rosemary M. Collyer is to sentence him on July 26, 2013. Kahl faces a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment as well as a fine of $250,000.
According to the government’s evidence, on February 9, 2013, Kahl contacted a man he believed to be the father of an under-aged female child on a social networking site. That man turned out to be an undercover officer with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. Over the next few days, Kahl engaged in graphic online e-mail and text message conversations with the undercover officer. During these conversations, Kahl arranged with the undercover officer to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with the purported child. On February 22, 2013, Kahl traveled from Alexandria to Washington, D.C., for that purpose and was arrested.
This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative and investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and MPD. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director Parlave, and Chief Lanier praised the MPD detectives and special agents of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. They also commended Assistant U.S. Attorney Ari Redbord, who is prosecuting the case.

Tacoma Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking

FBI Seattle Division Press Release:


Tacoma Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking
Defendant Coerced Women to Work for Him as Prostitutes

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeApril 29, 2013
  • Western District of Washington(206) 553-7970
A 35-year-old Tacoma, Washington resident was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release for interstate transportation of an individual for prostitution and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Reginald Irvin pleaded guilty in October 2012 following an investigation by the Tacoma Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, and the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan ordered Irvin to register as a sex offender as part of his sentence.
According to records filed in the case, Irvin exercised violent control over the women who he coerced to work for him as prostitutes. Irvin controlled the women with a harsh list of rules including requiring the women to give him all money made from prostitution activities and not being allowed to leave the house on their own. When victims broke Irvin’s rules, the punishment included beatings, anal rape, being forced to strip naked and stand in the corner, being tied to the bed, and psychological and emotional abuse. Women working for Irvin witnessed him beating other women and became fearful of leaving him or disobeying his orders.
In asking for a 15-year sentence, prosecutors wrote to the court, “Unquestionably, Irvin is a predator who has a long history of assaulting and exploiting young women....[H]e treated the victims herein like chattel, beating and belittling them into servitude. His history and characteristics demonstrate an individual who is a menace and danger to society.”
The case was investigated by the Tacoma Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, and the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force. The FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force provides a rapid and effective investigative response to reported federal crimes involving the victimization of children. The task force strives to reduce the vulnerability of children to acts of sexual exploitation and abuse and strengthens the capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement through training programs and investigative assistance.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney’s Ye-Ting Woo and Bruce Miyake.
Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.

AU Optronics Corporation Executive Sentenced for Role in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy

FBI San Francisco Division Press Release:


AU Optronics Corporation Executive Sentenced for Role in LCD Price-Fixing Conspiracy

U.S. Department of JusticeApril 29, 2013
  • Office of Public Affairs(202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888
WASHINGTON—An executive of AU Optronics Corp., a Taiwan-based liquid crystal display (LCD) producer, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in San Francisco for his participation in a worldwide thin-film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) price-fixing conspiracy. Shiu Lung Leung, AU Optronics Corp.’s former senior manager in its Desktop Display Business Group, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison and to pay a $50,000 criminal fine, the Department of Justice announced.
AU Optronics Corp., based in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and its American subsidiary, AU Optronics Corp. America, headquartered in Milpitas, California, were found guilty in March 2012, for their participation in the price-fixing conspiracy, following an eight-week trial. Former AU Optronics Corp. President Hsuan Bin Chen and former AU Optronics Corp. Executive Vice President Hui Hsiung were also found guilty at that time. A mistrial was declared against Leung after that trial. Today’s sentencing took place before Judge Susan Illston and follows a three-week retrial that started in November 2012 and resulted in Leung’s conviction.
“These international price-fixers caused consumers to pay inflated prices for their computer monitors, notebook computers, and televisions,” said Assistant Attorney General Bill Baer in charge of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “Prison sentences for culpable executives, combined with substantial fines against corporate wrongdoers, are the most effective deterrents for protecting consumers from this kind of illegal cartel behavior.”
The indictment charged that AU Optronics Corp. participated in the worldwide price-fixing conspiracy from September 14, 2001 to December 1, 2006, and that its subsidiary joined the conspiracy as early as spring 2003. The indictment further charged that Leung participated in that conspiracy from May 15, 2002 to December 1, 2006. LCD panels affected by the conspiracy were a major component in flat-panel computer monitors, notebook computers, and flat-screen televisions sold in the United States. The conspirators fixed the prices of LCD panels during monthly meetings with their competitors, which were secretly held in hotel conference rooms, karaoke bars, and tea rooms around Taiwan.
Eight companies have been convicted of charges arising from the department’s ongoing investigation and have been sentenced to pay criminal fines totaling $1.39 billion. All together, 22 executives have been charged. Including today’s sentence, 13 executives have been convicted and have been sentenced to serve prison terms ranging from six to 36 months.
Today’s charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division’s San Francisco office and the FBI in San Francisco. Anyone with information concerning illegal conduct in the LCD industry is urged to call the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Office at 415-436-6660 or visit www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.htm.

North Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography

FBI Minneapolis Division Press Release:


North Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Child Pornography

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeApril 29, 2013
  • District of Minnesota(612) 664-5600
MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in Duluth, a 41-year old Wahpeton, North Dakota man pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography. William Robert Upshaw pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography. Upshaw, who was indicted on December 3, 2012, entered his plea before United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis.
In his plea agreement, Upshaw admitted that on August 19, 2011, he distributed one or more items that contained visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In addition, Upshaw admitted that his possessed approximately 75,775 images and 1,880 videos of child pornography, some of which portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.
For his crime, Upshaw faces a potential maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison, with a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years. Judge Davis will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Minnesota Child Exploitation Task Force, sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Moorhead Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino.
Distribution of child pornography is against the law. In addition to prosecuting these cases, the Justice Department is presently funding a study focused on the correlation between involvement in child pornography and hands-on sexual abuse of children. A 2008 study (The Butner Study) published in the Journal of Family Violence found that up to 80 percent of federal inmates incarcerated for possession, receipt, or distribution of child pornography also admitted to hands-on sexual abuse of children, ranging from touching to rape.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identify and rescue victims. For more information about PSC, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/resources.html and click on the tab “Resources.”

Bryan Chiropractic Clinic Owner Convicted in $3 Million Automobile Insurance Fraud

FBI Houston Division Press Release:


Bryan Chiropractic Clinic Owner Convicted in $3 Million Automobile Insurance Fraud

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeApril 29, 2013
  • Southern District of Texas(713) 567-9000
HOUSTON—The owner of a now defunct chiropractic clinic in Bryan has pleaded guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to defraud various automobile insurance companies of more than $3 million, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.
Marion Young, 42, co-owner of Private Chiropractic Care, admitted he participated in a two-year conspiracy to defraud numerous auto insurance companies by recruiting alleged auto accident victims to be represented by a Bryan area law firm. He further admitted he operated Private Chiropractic Care clinic as a front to allow fraudulent chiropractic bills to be created for treatments that were never performed and then used as support for fraudulent settlement demand letters sent to auto insurance companies. During the course of the conspiracy, Young received checks and cash from the firm totaling approximately $112,000.
Once represented by the firm, clients were sent to Private Chiropractic to be evaluated by chiropractor and co-defendant Chase Lindsey, 34. Lindsey pleaded guilty earlier this year, admitting he entered into an agreement with the office manager of that same law firm. Lindsey agreed to provide medical evaluations of and recommend treatment for those patients in exchange for $2,000 in cash per month, which totaled approximately $58,000 during the course of the conspiracy. Lindsey routinely prescribed medically unnecessary treatment which was provided, if at all, by unlicensed, untrained, and unqualified individuals and never supervised the treatments allegedly administered by these unqualified individuals. Lindsey always prescribed the same six treatments, but the patients usually received only two—ice/heat packs and electric stimulation. Lindsey prescribed the treatments be done three to four times per week for five to six weeks, but the patients usually went once a week for three to four weeks.
Young knew the patients were not receiving most of the treatments prescribed and that they were not going for treatments on many of the days reflected on the Private Chiropractic Care bills. Young knew the false Private Chiropractic Care billing was prepared at the law firm and that the fraudulent bills were used as support for settlement demand letters sent to auto insurance companies. The fraudulent demand letters caused the insurance companies to issue settlement checks, which were spilt between Young and others.
Young also participated in the scheme to defraud the insurance companies as an accident client of the law firm. Three separate checks, totaling nearly $5000, were sent and made payable to Young and the law firm to settle an accident claim which was based on fraudulent chiropractic bills produced at the firm. Young never received the treatments reflected on the bills sent to the insurance companies.
The scheme to defraud the automobile insurance companies resulted in the submission of more than $3 million in false billing claims. The insurance companies paid at least $1.2 million in false claims during 2007-2009.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt, who accepted the guilty plea, has set sentencing for September 16, 2013, at which time Young faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, Young also agreed to forfeit the $112,000 he received and to pay restitution of $1.2 million to the insurance companies victimized by the scheme. Young was allowed to remain free on bond pending his sentencing.
Three remaining defendants charged in relation to this case are scheduled for trial on September 24, 2013. They are presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
The criminal charges are the result of a joint investigation by agents of the FBI and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Assistant United States Attorney Al Balboni is prosecuting the case.

Robbery of Bank of America Branch in Norridge

Chicago Division Press Release:


Robbery of Bank of America Branch in Norridge

FBI ChicagoApril 29, 2013
  • Special Agent Joan Hyde(312) 829-1199
FBI agents responded to a bank robbery that occurred today at approximately 11:15 a.m. A lone robber entered the Bank of America branch located at 8422 West Lawrence Avenue in Norridge and approached a teller window. He demanded cash from the teller and fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. No information is available at this time regarding the use or threatened use of a weapon. No injuries were reported in connection with the robbery.
Witnesses described the robber as a white male in his 20s with a goatee. He was wearing eyeglasses, a white White Sox cap, a white hooded jacket with gray sleeves, and blue jeans during the robbery.
A surveillance photo is below. Additional photos and information about today’s robbery will be available at www.bandittrackerchicago.com. Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact the Chicago Field Office of the FBI at 312-421-6700 or local law enforcement.
Chicago bank robbery suspect 4/29

Crownpoint Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Aggravated Child Sexual Abuse Charge

FBI Albuquerque Division Press Release:


Crownpoint Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Aggravated Child Sexual Abuse Charge

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeApril 29, 2013
  • District of New Mexico(505) 346-7274
ALBUQUERQUE—Justin Kenneth, 20, a member and resident of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty last Thursday to an aggravated sexual abuse charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Kenneth will be sentenced to a federal prison term of eight to 10 years, followed by a term of supervised release of five years to life to be determined by the court. Kenneth also will be required to register as a sex offender.
Kenneth was arrested in December 2010 on a criminal complaint alleging that he sexually abused a child under the age of 12 in October 2010 on the Navajo Indian Reservation. During his plea hearing, Kenneth entered a guilty plea to a felony information charging him with aggravated sexual abuse and admitted sexually abusing the child victim by touching the child’s genitals. Kenneth further admitted that he committed this crime on October 6, 2010, at a residence located on the Navajo Indian Reservation.
Kenneth was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after entering his guilty plea. He will remain detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI and the Crownpoint Office of the Navajo Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.

USDA Blog » Open Data for Agriculture Offers Lift-Off for Global Food Security

USDA Blog » Open Data for Agriculture Offers Lift-Off for Global Food Security

Project From Hell? 6 Tips to Motivate Your Team - OPEN Forum :: American Express OPEN Forum

Project From Hell? 6 Tips to Motivate Your Team - OPEN Forum :: American Express OPEN Forum

Two Steps to Creating a Business Strategy that Really Works - OPEN Forum :: American Express OPEN Forum

Two Steps to Creating a Business Strategy that Really Works - OPEN Forum :: American Express OPEN Forum

Governor Quinn Launches Flood Damage Assessments in Chicago

Illinois.gov - Illinois Government News Network (IGNN) - Search the News Results

Raytheon completes second launch exercise for next generation GPS satellites

Raytheon News Release:


Capability remains on schedule for launch availability

AURORA, Colo., April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully completed the second launch readiness exercise for the U.S. Air Force's next generation Global Positioning System (GPS) operational control system (OCX). Successful completion of Exercise 2 is a key milestone demonstrating that Raytheon's OCX software meets mission requirements and is on track to support the first GPS III satellite launch.
Completed over a three-day period in late February, the joint industry and government exercise demonstrated OCX mission software capability. The exercise, building on the functionality tested in Exercise 1, simulated a liquid apogee engine burn to insert the GPS III vehicle into transfer orbit and evaluated vehicle telemetry, maneuver planning and execution.
The Lockheed Martin-built GPS III satellites and Raytheon's OCX are critical elements of the Air Force's plan to affordably replace aging GPS satellites while improving capabilities to meet the evolving demands of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide.
"Successful completion of Exercise 2 is a clear indicator that the solid design and strong command and control and mission planning capability meet the requirements to support the GPS III launch," stated Ray Kolibaba, a vice president of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business and GPS OCX program manager. "The entire government-industry team is working hand-in-hand to successfully deliver the OCX ground system and GPS III space vehicles for a successful first launch."
About RaytheonRaytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 91 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems; as well as a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.
Media ContactKim Warth
+1.303.344.6161
iispr@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company

Boeing Board Approves Quarterly Dividend - Apr 29, 2013

Boeing Board Approves Quarterly Dividend - Apr 29, 2013

Noble Energy Announces Organizational And Executive Leadership Changes In Support Of Multi-Year Growth Agenda (NYSE:NBL)

Noble Energy Announces Organizational And Executive Leadership Changes In Support Of Multi-Year Growth Agenda (NYSE:NBL)

Sandia National Laboratories: News Releases : White House honors nurse for helping women veterans, children

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Michelle Racicot, a contract family nurse practitioner at Sandia National Laboratories, was one of 14 women recognized by first lady Michelle Obama at the White House asChampions of Change. The event during Women’s History Month honored women veterans who have made a major impact on the nation’s communities, businesses and schools. Hundreds were nominated for the award.

For more, follow the link below:

Sandia National Laboratories: News Releases : White House honors nurse for helping women veterans, children

Sen. Portman and INSIGHT Founder J.C. Watts' Cleveland Plain Dealer Op-Ed: Reauthorize Second Chance Act - Rob Portman

Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, be sure to read Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and former-Congressman J.C. Watts (R-OK)’s Cleveland Plain Dealer op-ed on the importance of reauthorizing the Second Chance Act, which Portman originally sponsored with the late Cleveland Democrat Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.  Today, when it is more important than ever to strengthen our work force, rejuvenate communities and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely, improving prisoner re-entry remains critically important.

For more, follow the link below:

Sen. Portman and INSIGHT Founder J.C. Watts' Cleveland Plain Dealer Op-Ed: Reauthorize Second Chance Act - Rob Portman

Four Berkeley Lab Researchers Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences « Berkeley Lab News Center


Four Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) scientists have been elected to the 2013 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society founded in 1780 to recognize leading “thinkers and doers.”

The new members affiliated with Berkeley Lab are Frances Hellman and Don Tilley of the Materials Sciences Division, Susan Marqusee of the Physical Biosciences Division, and Hitoshi Murayama of the Physics Division. All four also hold joint appointments as professors at the University of California, Berkeley.

For more, follow the link below:


Four Berkeley Lab Researchers Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences « Berkeley Lab News Center

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Hardin Valley Academy's Meredith Graves wins UT-Battelle Scholarship

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Hardin Valley Academy's Meredith Graves wins UT-Battelle Scholarship

Bangladesh: Cheap clothes lead to danger and tragedy - Apr. 29, 2013

Bangladesh: Cheap clothes lead to danger and tragedy - Apr. 29, 2013

BrickHouse Security Blog: Tech News, Hidden Cameras, GPS Trackers and more | Questioning Surveillance's Role in a Post-Boston Bombing World

BrickHouse Security Blog: Tech News, Hidden Cameras, GPS Trackers and more | Questioning Surveillance's Role in a Post-Boston Bombing World

ATK Solid Rocket Boosters Complete Major Space Launch System Program Milestone - Apr 29, 2013

ATK Solid Rocket Boosters Complete Major Space Launch System Program Milestone - Apr 29, 2013

Merck & Co., Inc. and Pfizer Enter Worldwide Collaboration Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Ertugliflozin, an Investigational Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes | Pfizer Pharmaceutical News and Media | Pfizer: the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company

Merck & Co., Inc. and Pfizer Enter Worldwide Collaboration Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Ertugliflozin, an Investigational Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes | Pfizer Pharmaceutical News and Media | Pfizer: the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company

Comparing Proteins at a Glance « Berkeley Lab News Center

Comparing Proteins at a Glance « Berkeley Lab News Center

TNT: Trading Conditions Continue to Be Challenging

Bernard Bot, interim CEO and CFO at parcel delivery provider, TNT Express, talks to CNBC about how tough things are in the current market.

Video (2:58)

TNT: Trading Conditions Continue to Be Challenging

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Options Action Web Extra: Gambling Less on Procter

It's been a terrible week for Procter & Gamble. So if you still own the stock, how can you protect yourself from more potential downside? Scott Nations helps a fan with a clever trade on the consumer giant.

Video (2:12)

Options Action Web Extra: Gambling Less on Procter

Las Vegas Sands' Audit Company Quits

PricewaterhouseCoopers will no longer audit Las Vegas Sands, reports CNBC's Jane Wells. Las Vegas Sands makes it clear there is no dispute between the 2 companies.

Video (1:25)

Las Vegas Sands' Audit Company Quits

Your Retirement & Rising Rates

Worried about the prospect that rising rates will hurt your retirement savings? CNBC's Bob Pisani talks about an ETF that could provide some protection. 

Videeo (2:14)

Your Retirement & Rising Rates

Commodities Next Week

CNBC's Jackie DeAngelis discusses the day's activity in the commodities markets and looks ahead to where oil and precious metals are likely headed next week.

Video (1:07)

Commodities Next Week

Why Lasry Said 'Non Merci'

CNBC's Kayla Tausche reports that the sticking point between Marc Lasry and the White House is said to be French investments.

Video (1:21)

Why Lasry Said 'Non Merci'

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Rare Nickel Sells For $3.17 Million

The 1913 Liberty Head nickel sold at auction for more than expected. The winning buyer said it is "one of the greatest coins at that price range."

Video (0:34)

Rare Nickel Sells For $3.17 Million

McDonald's Recipe For Success

CNBC's Carl Quintanilla takes an exclusive tour of McDonald's innovation center, where the happens to be a Steve Jobs room to promote innovation.

Video (2:58)

McDonald's Recipe For Success

Friday, April 26, 2013

Chief Money Launderer for National Drug Organization Sentenced

FBI Norfolk Division Press Release:


Chief Money Launderer for National Drug Organization Sentenced

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeMarch 26, 2013
  • Eastern District of Virginia(757) 441-6331
NORFOLK, VA—Alano Christobo Blanco, 46, of Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced today to 235 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a complex drug trafficking organization operating between New York, California, and the Virginia Peninsula.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Mythili Raman, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge Mark S. Davis.
Blanco was found guilty by a federal jury on November 7, 2012, and convicted of drug conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
Blanco was charged, along with several co-defendants, in a superseding indictment returned on August 15, 2012. According to court documents and evidence presented in court, suppliers of multi-kilogram quantities of illegal drugs in New York, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas distributed cocaine and marijuana to leaders of the long-running organization for further distribution on the Virginia Peninsula. Blanco was part of a sophisticated drug network that supplied the Thug Relations street gang, which was located primarily in the Aqueduct Apartments and Warwick Lawn Apartments in the Denbigh area of Newport News. From approximately 2004 until 2009, Blanco helped launder money from the drug sales in seemingly legitimate ventures and served as one of several couriers who would transport kilograms of cocaine and large bulk cash payments between New York and the Virginia Peninsula.
This case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Virginia State Police, the Newport News Police Department, the Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Hurt and Trial Attorney Louis Crisostomo of the Organized Crime and Gang Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.justice.gov/usao/vae.