Editorial note: I couldn't fine on the Washington Access any updated news headlines, nor any from our US Congressional web pages, so today we start on the national news headlines.
DOJ Press release
Today, senior law enforcement officials from the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras announced criminal charges in Central America against more than 700 members of transnational criminal organizations, primarily MS-13 and 18th Street gangs, which resulted from a one-week coordinated law enforcement action under Operation Regional Shield (ORS).
ORS began in 2017 and is a Justice Department-led initiative to combat transnational organized crime that brings together gang prosecutors and investigators from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the United States. Through quarterly meetings, this group has coordinated multi-country investigations and simultaneous takedowns throughout the region.
Authorities also announced the arrest of 36 individuals in El Salvador and Honduras involved in human smuggling networks that span Central America and the United States. Among those arrested in Honduras, include one police commissioner, one police deputy inspector, and three law enforcement agents. All arrestees were charged with human smuggling, money laundering and illegal association to commit a crime. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr, Attorney General Raul Melara of El Salvador, Attorney General María Consuelo Porras Argueta of Guatemala, and the Attorney General of Honduras, Oscar Fernando Chinchilla, through the Public Ministry’s Press Office.
“The U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners in Central America are committed to continued collaboration in locating and arresting gang members and associates engaged in transnational crimes,” said U.S. Attorney General Barr. “Our countries are made safer by working together to protect national security and to ensure public safety in our neighborhoods.”
In 2017, the U.S. Attorney General, together with the Attorneys General of the three Central American countries, committed to combatting transnational organized crime and reducing illegal migration to the United States through increased cooperation and capacity building of law enforcement partners. These efforts have led to the following results this week:
Prosecutors in El Salvador filed criminal charges against 1,152 members of organized crime groups in the country, primarily MS-13 and 18th Street Gangs. Within hours, the National Civil Police had captured 572 of the defendants for charges involving terrorism, murder, extortion, kidnapping, vehicle theft, robbery, conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, weapons violations, human trafficking and human smuggling. Prosecutors and the Police also seized assets from these organized crime groups for forfeiture purposes.
In Guatemala, the Anti-Extortions Prosecution Office, the Prosecutor’s Office against Transnational Crimes, the Special Unit against Transnational Gangs, and police officers executed 80 search warrants, arrested 40 individuals, and served 29 arrest warrants against individuals already in custody, all of who are members of the 18th Street gang and MS-13. Authorities seized drugs and a firearm, and filed charges for extortion, illicit association, conspiracy to commit murder, and extortive obstruction. This investigation involves four transportation companies as victims of extortion in the amount of $54,523.
In Honduras, ORS joint operation took place in different phases during a one-week period resulted in the arrest of over 75 MS-13 and 18th Street gang members and five police officers and the execution of over 10 search warrants. Illegal firearms, cellular phones, drugs and money were seized. The arrestees were charged with illicit association, murder and conspiracy to commit murder, extortion and drug trafficking.
On February 9, President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order on Enforcing Federal Law with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking to dismantle and eradicate transnational criminal organizations threatening the safety of our communities. Pursuant to that order, the U.S. Department of Justice has made dismantling transnational human smuggling networks and gangs, including MS-13, a top priority.
Regional Shield anti-gang efforts have led to charges against more than 11,000 gang members since 2017, including gang leaders nationwide. Many of these indictments included the seizure of gang assets including firearms and money. Also, during that time, more than a dozen smuggling/trafficking structures were dismantled. The capacity-building efforts in Central America of the Justice Department’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) have played a key role in bringing together the Attorneys General from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to form the regional operations targeting MS-13, 18th Street, and other gangs, as well as human smuggling transnational organizations. Additionally, as a result of OPDAT’s capacity building efforts, the Justice Department’s partners in Central America have strengthened cooperation and developed the skills, tools, and techniques to maximize results against all forms of transnational organized crime impacting the region and the United States.
“Since 2017, we have taken a joint and coordinated approach as northern triangle countries with our strategic partner, the United States of America,” said Attorney General Raul Melara of El Salvador. “To give our Salvadoran people a response and ensure that criminals face justice, we have strengthened the work of our Specialized Prosecution Units to be more effective in combating organized crime and terrorist organizations. I am committed as Attorney General to continuing this coordinated effort. We will only eradicate transnational organized crime by combining efforts as a region and by continuing to work together.”
“As Attorney General of the Republic and Chief of the Public Ministry, I reaffirm my commitment to the fight against transnational organized crime, one of the main goals of my administration,” said Attorney General María Consuelo Porras Argueta of Guatemala. “To this end, we have increased efforts to provide an effective response to the population through the creation of the Prosecutor’s Office against Transnational Crimes, the Special Unit against Transnational Gangs, the Special Unit against Crimes in Airports and Airfields, the signing of the statement of the Advisory Group of General Prosecutors of the Northern Triangle, which I have the honor to preside; among other strategic actions to combat transnational organized crime with frontal actions against drug trafficking, gangs, organized crime and smuggling of migrants.”
“I consider that, due to the regional threat posed by these transnational crimes, equal interagency and regional efforts should come into effect,” said Attorney General Oscar Fernando Chinchilla of Honduras. “Only by joining forces, the damaging consequences produced by these criminal organizations could be neutralized.”
In El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the investigations into transnational criminal organizations is being handled by regional gang prosecutors who receive State Department-funded training and mentoring from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and OPDAT. With support from State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, prosecutors from OPDAT helped establish task forces in the region and work with FBI’s local Transnational Anti-Gang (TAG) units, as well as HSI’s Transnational Criminal Investigative Units (TCIUs). These efforts have helped Central American partners convict thousands of criminals, seize over $1 billion in illicit assets, and coordinate dozens of transnational investigations with their U.S. counterparts.
Law enforcement agencies involved in this latest sixth ORS operation included El Salvador’s Fiscalia General de la Republica (FGR) and the Policia Nacional Civil (PNC); Honduras Policía Nacional, la Dirección Nacional de Servicios Especiales de Investigación (DNSEI), Agencia Técnica de Investigaciones Criminales (ATIC), and Fuerza Nacional Anti Maras y Pandillas (FNAMP) and Guatemala’s Prosecutor’s Office against Transnational Crimes, National Civil Police, Special National Division of Criminal Investigation, National Civil Police’s Anti-Gang Unit, Public Ministry, Anti-Extortions Prosecution Office, and the Special Unit against Transnational Gangs.
EPA awards nearly $660,000 in Environmental Funding to Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in Virginia.
EPA PRESS RELEASE
PHILADELPHIA – (Nov. 27, 2020) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today awards of nearly $660,000 to federally recognized Indian Tribes in Virginia as part of the Tribal Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP).
The announcement coincides with Native American Heritage Day. Five Mid-Atlantic Region federally recognized tribes received their first GAP Grants of approximately $110,000 each for 2020. The Chickahominy Indians Eastern Division, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond Indian Nation, Rappahannock Tribe and Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe were awarded GAP Grant funds to assist in environmental capacity building. The Chickahominy Indian Tribe, in their second year of GAP Grant funding, received approximately $110,000 to continue to develop their environmental department.
Each year tribes are eligible to submit applications for the non-competitive GAP grants, but there is no requirement for tribes to apply for the assistance. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe received GAP Grant funds in 2018 and 2019.
“We are glad to provide these funds to the tribal nations within the Mid-Atlantic region to protect the environment and educate the surrounding community to the land’s importance,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “The EPA is committed to working with the tribes. Tribes across the nation have been able to use these grants since 1993 to provide recycling, clean water and air programs. We are excited to see what is ahead for the seven tribes within our region.”
“This grant will enable the Upper Mattaponi Tribe to prepare and establish a much-needed protection plan for an environment that our tribe has cherished for many generations,” said W. Frank Adams, Chief Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe. “These funds will offer us the opportunity to protect our environment moving forward and to hopefully provide better awareness of environmental issues to our tribal citizens as well as other people that live, work and do business in or near our tribal territories.”
EPA funding assists tribes in building environmental capacity. The recipient tribes will use these funds to establish their own tribal environmental departments. The Departments will sponsor community events, develop environmental plans and establish priorities. The tribes will also use these funds to raise tribal awareness about environmental concerns and to improve environmental conditions.
Specifically, the tribes will work toward these objectives by:
Conducting environmental outreach and education with the tribal communities through community meetings and events;
Developing and adopting an EPA/Tribal Environmental Plans to begin assessing the tribe’s environmental priorities and goals in coordination with EPA;
Establishing the Tribe’s Environmental Departments, enabling staff to maintain a professional environmental presence by attending environmental trainings and meetings to further their environmental education.
The EPA continues to engage with the tribal communities within the Mid-Atlantic Region. The EPA and the seven Federally Recognized Indian Tribes have worked together to constitute a Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) – a tribal and EPA partnership to assist regional tribal environmental objectives and public health programs and to improve tribal health and environmental conditions.
Next month, the groups will hold an inaugural Mid-Atlantic RTOC meeting and sign a historic charter which outlines the structure, roles and rules of the agreement. In addition, the RTOC will conduct regular meetings with the Tribes providing information regarding resources and training opportunities. All the tribes have representation on the RTOC.
In January 2018, the U.S. government recognized the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indians Eastern Division, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond Indian Nation, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Rappahannock Tribe and Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe through the Thomasina E. Jordan Indian Tribes of Virginia Federal Recognition Act of 2018. All these tribes are in Virginia.
In other NATIONAL & Business headlines
Statement from HHS Chief of Staff Brian Harrison on Efforts to Increase Transparency at HHS--press release dated 11.24.20
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES WIOA GUIDANCE ON PRIORITY OF SERVICE FOR AMERICANS IN NEED
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor released a Training and Employment Guidance Letter today announcing its vision for a priority of service in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult program and explaining how the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) expects states to implement the priority requirement.
https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20201127
Uber and Lyft Go Beyond Rides to Help Communities Through the Pandemic--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations Recommends Suspending Consultative Status of 187 Entities, Reinstating 56, in Exceptional Resumed Session
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) held an exceptional one‑day 2020 resumed session today owing to the COVID‑19 pandemic, during which it recommended suspending the consultative status of 187 organizations with the Economic and Social Council due to their failure to provided quadrennial reports for a specified period.--UN PRESS RELEASE
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/ngo909.doc.htm
Second Committee Approves Three Resolutions, including One on Protecting Global Climate for Present, Future Generations
The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today approved three draft resolutions, including one urging Member States and other stakeholders to bolster collective action in tackling negative impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic on agriculture development, food security and nutrition.--UN PRESS RELEASE
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/gaef3544.doc.htm
Israeli, Palestinian Leaders Must Uphold Responsibility in Realizing Two-State Solution, Secretary-General Says, Calling for Solidarity on International Day--UN PRESS RELEASE
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sgsm20454.doc.htm
Collective Action Needed Now More than Ever to End Gender-Based Violence, as Rates Rise amid COVID-19, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Papua New Guinea Summit--UN PRESS RELEASE
https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/dsgsm1507.doc.htm
MORE COVERAGE OF THE VOTER FRAUD CASE:
Fraud Prevention: A Voting Prerequisite
It is THE issue, if voting is to matter.---American Spectator
https://spectator.org/voting-fraud-prevention/
Pennsylvania Bombshell: Biden 99.4% vs. Trump 0.6%
Stunning testimony that the media has dutifully ignored.--American Spectator
https://spectator.org/pennsylvania-bombshell-biden-99-4-vs-trump-0-6/
Giuliani: Team Trump Looking Past Election Suits to State Houses--NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/giuliani-state-legislatures-lawsuits/2020/11/27/id/999063/
Affidavit in Sidney Powell's Suit Claims Evidence Ties Vote Machines to Iran, China--NEWS MAX
https://www.newsmax.com/us/vote-machines/2020/11/27/id/999055/
LOCAL MEETINGS & AGENDAS
Clallam County meetings:
Clallam County Commission work session for 11. 30. 20
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1239
CLALLAM COUNTY REGLURE SESSION for 12. 1. 20
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7241
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 12.1.20
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/8964/Final-Packet-12012020
OMC Meeting for 12.2.20
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/AGENDA-December-2-2020.pdf
PASD Board Meeting
When: Thu, December 10, 7pm – 9pm
Where: 905 W 9th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA, Lincoln Center
Description: Regular Meeting
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
PORT TOWNSEND COUNCIL AD HOC COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENDA for 11.30.20
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=2042
Nov. 30 – PTMTA General Membership Meeting
November 30 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
https://portofpt.com/event/nov-30-ptmta-general-membership-meeting/
TODAY'S VIDEO
Pennsylvania State Legislature Holds Public Hearing on 2020 Election
WATCH LIVE: Pennsylvania State Legislature Holds Public Hearing on 2020 Election--Right Side media
https://www.facebook.com/414280728767306/videos/1891921244291773
