Federal - Executive Branch
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from the U.S. Executive Branch, covering all aspects of the Obama administration including cabinet departments, federal agencies, regulatory and independent agencies.
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Release of 2017 Human Rights Report for Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 20 -- The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia issued the following news release:
The 2017 Human Rights Report for Ethiopia reflects serious challenges to the Ethiopian people's ability to exercise their basic rights last year. We believe there is reason for optimism that the 2018 Human Rights Report will tell a different story, one of progress.
Notwithstanding the ongoing state of emergency, about which we have already expressed our views, 2018 has seen positive steps as well, including the release of thousands of prisoners.We are also encouraged by strong and clear statements
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 20 -- The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia issued the following news release:
The 2017 Human Rights Report for Ethiopia reflects serious challenges to the Ethiopian people's ability to exercise their basic rights last year. We believe there is reason for optimism that the 2018 Human Rights Report will tell a different story, one of progress.
Notwithstanding the ongoing state of emergency, about which we have already expressed our views, 2018 has seen positive steps as well, including the release of thousands of prisoners.We are also encouraged by strong and clear statementsby Prime Minister Abiy regarding the need for reforms that would ensure Ethiopian's rights are protected and that they are able to participate in an inclusive political environment.
We stand ready to support the effort of translating those statements into action in the hopes subsequent reports will be able to reflect that progress.
The full 2017 Human Rights Report can be found at http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2017&dlid=276999.
Ohio Resident Admits Role in Business E-Mail Compromise Scheme
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, April 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, John H. Durham, issued the following news release:
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that OLUMUYIWA YAHTRIP ADEJUMO, also known as "Ade," "Slimwaco," "Waco," "Waco Jamon," "Hade" and "Hadey," 32, of Toledo, Ohio, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a fraud offense stemming from his role in a business
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NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, April 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, John H. Durham, issued the following news release:
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that OLUMUYIWA YAHTRIP ADEJUMO, also known as "Ade," "Slimwaco," "Waco," "Waco Jamon," "Hade" and "Hadey," 32, of Toledo, Ohio, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a fraud offense stemming from his role in a businesse-mail compromise scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, ADEJUMO, his co-conspirator Adeyemi Odufuye and others targeted CEOs, CFOs, controllers and others at U.S. businesses using sophisticated cyber techniques to defraud the businesses. ADEJUMO and his co-conspirators sent e-mails addressed to executives that were made to appear to be sent from the legitimate e-mail address of the CEO or other executive from the business. ADEJUMO and his co-conspirators sent the e-mails with the intent of having the recipients send or wire money to bank accounts used by members of the conspiracy.
The investigation revealed that scheme participants controlled multiple e-mail and social media accounts used in the scheme and, in certain instances, sent e-mails and attachments containing malware to the intended recipients.
As a result of this scheme, victimized businesses have suffered more than $2 million in total losses. One company in Torrington, Connecticut, lost more than $500,000.
In pleading guilty, ADEJUMO admitted that his participation in the scheme caused total losses of more than $100,000 to at least three victims in Ohio, Illinois and the District of Columbia.
ADEJUMO pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on July 26, 2018.
ADEJUMO is a citizen of Nigeria and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. He has been detained since his arrest on November 16, 2017.
Odufuye, also known as "Micky," "Micky Bricks," "Yemi," "GMB," "Bawz," and "Jefe," is a citizen of Nigeria. On December 19, 2016, he was arrested in the United Kingdom where he was a student at Sheffield Hallam University in Sheffield, England. Odufuye was extradited from the U.K. to the U.S. and, on January 3, 2018, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is detained while awaiting sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Cyber Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency, and the United Kingdom's Metropolitan Police for their assistance in this case.
To contact the Connecticut Cyber Task Force, please call the FBI in New Haven at 203-777-6311.
Nigerian Sent to Prison for BEC Fraud
HOUSTON, Texas, April 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release:
A 34-year-old Nigerian man who illegally resided in Houston has been ordered to prison for his involvement in numerous Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes. Samson Olugbenga Oyekunle pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud Oct, 6, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon ordered Oyekunle to serve 63 months in federal prison. He initially came to the United States on a student visa, but not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following
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HOUSTON, Texas, April 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas issued the following news release:
A 34-year-old Nigerian man who illegally resided in Houston has been ordered to prison for his involvement in numerous Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes. Samson Olugbenga Oyekunle pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud Oct, 6, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon ordered Oyekunle to serve 63 months in federal prison. He initially came to the United States on a student visa, but not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings followinghis sentence. At the hearing today, a victim spoke before the court as to how this case has devastatingly affected him and his law practice. Judge Harmon further ordered Oyekunle to pay restitution to the victims he defrauded.
BEC fraud is a sophisticated fraud targeting businesses that regularly perform wire transfer payments. The fraud is carried out by compromising legitimate business e-mail accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques to conduct unauthorized transfers of funds. The front end fraud of these BEC schemes originates from international locations. The fraudsters will use the method most commonly associated with their victim's normal business practices and make victims believe the emails are coming from a legitimate source. Others, such as Oyekunle, working within the conspiracy open bank accounts with counterfeit passports that are being funded with fraudulent BEC wire transfers. These domestic bank accounts are a crucial component of the fraud scheme being a success.
From on or about Jan. 1, 2016, through February 2, 2017, Samson Oyekunle was involved in numerous BEC schemes. Co-conspirators, working outside the United States, caused funds obtained through a variety of BEC schemes to be wire transferred into the various bank accounts Oyekunle fraudulently opened.
Oyekunle would open bank these bank accounts in or around the Houston area with counterfeit passports in order to facilitate fraud payments into these accounts. Oyekunle opened numerous bank accounts at several financial institutions including Chase Bank, Bank of America, Capital One Bank, First National Bank of Texas, and Wells Fargo Bank.
A total of 30 fraudulent wire transfers totaling $823,765 were taken from victims across the United States under false pretenses and were deposited into these accounts.
Oyekunle has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation along with Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Elmilady is prosecuting the case.
National Park Service Announces 2018 Rural Fire Readiness Grant Recipients
HARRISON, Arkansas, April 20 -- The National Park Service's Buffalo National River issued the following news release:
This year the Arkansas National Parks Fire Management Group is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) grant program. The RFR grant program provides funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service (NPS) Office of Wildland Fire Management, to rural fire departments and fire associations that respond to wildland fire incidents on lands under NPS protection and that have a cooperative wildfire response agreement
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HARRISON, Arkansas, April 20 -- The National Park Service's Buffalo National River issued the following news release:
This year the Arkansas National Parks Fire Management Group is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) grant program. The RFR grant program provides funding from the U.S. Department of the Interior, through the National Park Service (NPS) Office of Wildland Fire Management, to rural fire departments and fire associations that respond to wildland fire incidents on lands under NPS protection and that have a cooperative wildfire response agreementwith the NPS. This grant money may be used to fund needed supplies, trainings, equipment, wildfire prevention, and wildfire mitigation materials and activities.
The Arkansas National Parks Fire Management Group consists of Pea Ridge National Military Park, Buffalo National River, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Post National Memorial, President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site, and Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. Each department included in the grant program was eligible to receive up to $4000 worth of funds to use towards filling their wildland fire program needs.
Tim Fondriest, Wildland Fire Operations Specialist for the Arkansas National Parks Fire Management Group, says, "This is a great way to provide the volunteer fire departments with wildland fire training and the equipment they need to safely engage these wildfires. They (VFDs) do a great job of protecting the NPS lands and the visitors to national park units of Arkansas, we are glad to provide this funding to support them."
Buffalo National River area volunteer fire departments (VFDs):
* Mt. Sherman VFD - Newton County
* Jasper VFD - Newton County
* Parthenon VFD - Newton County
* HA-RA-CO VFD - Searcy County
* Deer VFD - Searcy County
* Western Grove VFD - Newton County
* Rea Valley VFD - Marion County
* Ralph-Caney VFD - Marion County
* Snowball VFD - Searcy County
* Ponca VFD - Newton County
* Mt Judea VFD - Newton County
* Krooked Kreek VFD - Boone & Newton County
* Compton VFD - Newton County
* Hasty VFD - Newton County
* Marshall VFD - Searcy County
* Pindall, Gilbert & St. Joe VFD - Searcy County
Pea Ridge National Military Park area departments:
* Northeast Benton County (NEBCO) Fire Department - Benton County
* Avoca VFD - Benton County
* Pea Ridge VFD - Benton County
Hot Springs National Park area departments:
* Hot Springs FD - City of Hot Springs / Garland County
* Morning Star VFD - Garland County
* Fountain Lake VFD - Garland County
* Piney VFD - Garland County
Arkansas Post National Memorial area department:
* Gillett VFD - Deshea County
According to NPS Fire Management Officer Fenn Wimberly the Rural Fire Departments are often the first units to respond to wildfire because they receive the 911 calls first and are located nearby. "The departments play an invaluable role in supporting NPS efforts to manage wildfires. As the first units on scene they protect structures in wildland urban interface and provide the size up information that allows us to gain valuable information about each wildfire and how to manage it."
IDB Invest Finances the Achiras Wind Farm in Argentina
WASHINGTON, April 20 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
IDB Invest, the private sector institution of the IDB Group, finances the construction, operation and maintenance of the Achiras 48 MW wind farm located in the southeast region of the province of Cordoba, in Argentina. The project includes a transmission line of 14 kilometers and is developed by the company Central Puerto, S.A.
The financing consists of a $20 million IDB Invest loan and the mobilization of $10 million from the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector of the Americas (C2F), managed
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WASHINGTON, April 20 -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following news release:
IDB Invest, the private sector institution of the IDB Group, finances the construction, operation and maintenance of the Achiras 48 MW wind farm located in the southeast region of the province of Cordoba, in Argentina. The project includes a transmission line of 14 kilometers and is developed by the company Central Puerto, S.A.
The financing consists of a $20 million IDB Invest loan and the mobilization of $10 million from the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector of the Americas (C2F), managedby IDB Invest. The financial package also includes co-financing of $20.7 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). On April 9, 2018, the full disbursement of the loans from IDB Invest and IFC was made for the project.
The tenor of up to 15 years makes the project financially viable as this period is not available in local capital markets.
The objective of the operation is to contribute to the diversification of Argentina's energy matrix and to the sustainability of its power generation capacity. In addition, the Achiras wind farm will displace the equivalent of 2,047 million tons of carbon dioxide in the next 20 years. With the mobilization of capital, the project also increases private participation in the Argentine energy sector.
The intervention of the C2F Fund includes incentives for the project to incorporate an internship program for women. The wind farm will integrate female workforce in disciplines related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, both at the corporate level and in the execution of the project. Also, through IDB Invest, the parties involved agree to increase their commitment to implement best practices in environmental and social matters.
About IDB Invest
IDB Invest, the private sector institution of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to supporting Latin America and the Caribbean businesses. It finances sustainable enterprises and projects to achieve financial results that maximize economic, social and environmental development for the region. With a current portfolio of $11.2 billion under management and 330 clients in 23 countries, IDB Invest works across sectors to provide innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the evolving demands of its clients. As of November 2017, IDB Invest is the trade name of the Inter-American Investment Corporation. http://www.idbinvest.org
About Central Puerto Renovables S.A.
Central Puerto is the largest private shareholder of the companies Vuelta de Obligado S.A., Termoelectrica Jose de San Martin S.A. and Thermoelectric Manuel Belgrano S.A. The mission of Central Puerto S.A. is to produce electricity efficiently and efficiently, contributing to supply electricity demand with quality, and managing business in a way that creates value for the company while creating it for society, in a sustainable way and in harmony with the environment. The objective is to be the leading company in the production of electricity in Argentina, by market share, by operational excellence and profitability, while supporting the technological evolution of the industry at a national, regional and global level, and adapting its portfolio of assets to this evolution. http://www.centralpuerto.com/es/
Central Falls Resident Detained on Child Pornography Production, Possession Charges
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, Stephen G. Dambruch, issued the following news release:
An investigation and arrest by members of the Central Falls Police Department has resulted in the detention of a Central Falls man charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with production and possession of child pornography. Jose A. Cortes, a.k.a. "Jose Cortez," 38, was ordered detained on Thursday following his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
According to information presented
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, April 20 -- The U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, Stephen G. Dambruch, issued the following news release:
An investigation and arrest by members of the Central Falls Police Department has resulted in the detention of a Central Falls man charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with production and possession of child pornography. Jose A. Cortes, a.k.a. "Jose Cortez," 38, was ordered detained on Thursday following his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
According to information presentedto the court, it is alleged that an investigation by Central Falls Police revealed that Cortes allegedly took sexually explicit photographs of a toddler in various stages of undress, involved in a sex act, and a lascivious display of the toddler's genitals. During the investigation, Central Falls Detectives executed five court authorized search warrants and seized several electronic devices and digital storage devices. A preliminary forensic examination of some of the devices by Central Falls detectives, with the assistance of Rhode Island State Police, revealed more than a thousand images and videos of child pornography.
The investigation into Cortes' alleged criminal activity began in November 2017, after the toddler's mother reported to police that she had become aware of the photos from a friend of Cortes.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jose Cortes' arrest and detention are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Central Falls Police Chief Colonel James J. Mendonca, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Michael S. Shea.
This Project Safe Childhood case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General for their assistance in the prosecution of this matter.
Alpha Warrior Tour Returns to Air Force Installations
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, April 20 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news:
The Air Force is continuing its rollout of the Alpha Warrior program with the launch of the 2018 Alpha Warrior Meet and Greet Tour this month.
Alpha Warrior, built around a unique apparatus, challenges Airmen as they tackle the various obstacles or stations.
"We launched the service-wide Alpha Warrior Program last year as a new, dynamic way for our Airmen to build on their Comprehensive Airman Fitness," said Col. Donna Turner, Air Force Services Activity commander, "and we're excited that more installations
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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, April 20 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news:
The Air Force is continuing its rollout of the Alpha Warrior program with the launch of the 2018 Alpha Warrior Meet and Greet Tour this month.
Alpha Warrior, built around a unique apparatus, challenges Airmen as they tackle the various obstacles or stations.
"We launched the service-wide Alpha Warrior Program last year as a new, dynamic way for our Airmen to build on their Comprehensive Airman Fitness," said Col. Donna Turner, Air Force Services Activity commander, "and we're excited that more installationswill have the equipment in 2018 and discover the benefits of this type of fitness regimen."
The program is designed to enhance functional fitness training by incorporating the four pillars of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness -- physical, spiritual, mental and social - to help Airmen build and maintain resiliency at home station and while deployed.
"Functional fitness focuses on improving overall core stability and muscular development by incorporating exercises that replicate typical muscular-skeletal movements and contributes to daily functions rather than specific muscle groups," said Jim Anderson, AFSVA Alpha Warrior program manager.
First Lt. Nicole Mitchell, currently stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, was introduced to Alpha Warrior last year and walked away with a first place trophy at the service-wide 2017 Final Battle competition in San Antonio.
"I had never done this type of training before Alpha Warrior came to the bases," Mitchell said. "It was really fun and is a great way to help people get into a different workout routine."
The Alpha Warrior obstacles are demanding but attainable, Anderson said.
"They build physical strength, provide a sense of personal accomplishment, challenge Airmen to overcome stress, and promote individual and group fitness goals to achieve optimal performance," he added.
Mitchell said the Alpha Warrior equipment may seem a little daunting for some but encouraged people to not "let your physical ability, strength or lack of physical ability sway you...it's a mindset and just like any other new activity or task, go after it full force...don't let it psych you out."
"It wasn't smooth sailing for me the first time," she added, "but I kept practicing."
This year's meet and greet tour, managed by the AFSVA, introduces the fitness initiative to Airmen at 27 Air Force installations around the world. It follows the 2017 tour that delivered equipment and information to 41 installations.
Tour stops are typically two days - day one is focused on setting up equipment and familiarization and day two features an installation competition.
Installations are receiving either a battle rig (a 27-foot competition rig) or battle station (a 12-foot by 12-foot training rig) based on the desires of local leadership.
In addition to individual fitness, Alpha Warrior offers Airmen a new way to hone their skills, build confidence and improve unit cohesion.
"When Airmen are at their peak performance across the four pillars of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness, they are combat-ready and resilient. The lethality of our Air Force is improved," Turner said.
In conjunction with the 2018 meet and greet tour, AFSVA is also conducting a newly developed fitness training course, specifically for the battle rig and battle station.
The course, conducted by Alpha Warrior coaches, will teach unit physical training leaders and fitness center staffs how to use Alpha Warrior equipment in concert with their routine squadron physical training programs.
The training is expected to launch next month and take place at 35 installations.
At the end of the meet and greet tour, the annual Air Force Final Battle will be held in November 2018 at the Alpha Warrior Proving Ground at Retama Park, Selma, Texas.
