Law Enforcement & Intelligence
The latest coverage of the law enforcement community and all aspects of the U.S. intelligence.
Assange supporters hail plea deal, but critics fear ‘dangerous precedent’
Reactions to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s plea deal to effectively end his long incarceration in London are proving as polarizing as the man himself, with supporters hailing the end of a U.S. prosecution that they denounced as misguided and unfair, while others warned the Biden administration had committed a”miscarriage of justice” in failing to pursue the case against a fugitive leaker of vital security secrets.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange stops in Bangkok on his way to a U.S. court and later freedom
A plane carrying Julian Assange landed Tuesday in Bangkok for refueling, as the WikiLeaks founder was on his way to enter a plea deal with the U.S. government that will free him and resolve the legal case that spanned years and continents over the publication of a trove of classified documents.
As ‘swatting’ attacks rise, feds win rare prison sentence
Federal prosecutors have won a three-year prison sentence against a social media “swatter” who gained internet fame by broadcasting himself as he made bogus police reports, tricking departments into sending SWAT teams to terrorize innocent people.
Top AI labs have minimal defense against espionage, researchers say
Some of the nation’s top artificial intelligence labs have pitiful security measures in place to protect them from espionage, leaving potentially dangerous AI models exposed to thieves and spies, according to U.S. government-backed researchers.
Chicago police adjust mass arrests policy ahead of DNC: ‘Make no mistake, we are ready’
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Tuesday touted the nation’s second-largest police department as fully prepared to handle crowds of protesters expected during the Democratic National Convention, including new ways to handle possible mass arrests.
D.C. police chief credits community trust, cameras; arrests increase during first year of leadership
Arrests for shootings, carjackings and robberies are up in the District so far this year thanks to the city’s beefed-up surveillance camera system and the increasing willingness of crime-weary residents to talk to cops.
After two years, FBI relents on whistleblower’s pay, clearance
FBI whistleblower Marcus Allen proclaimed victory Tuesday after the bureau restored his security clearance plus full back pay and benefits Friday.
Arizona proposal to let local police make border-crossing arrests is set for lawmakers’ final vote
Arizona would step directly into immigration enforcement by making it a state crime to cross the Arizona-Mexico border anywhere except a port of entry, under a proposal that’s up for a final vote by lawmakers on Tuesday. If approved, voters would decide in November if the measure becomes law.
Florida sheriff’s office fires deputy who fatally shot airman at home
A Florida Panhandle sheriff on Friday fired a deputy who fatally shot an airman at his home while holding a handgun pointed to the ground, saying the deputy’s life was never in danger and he should not have fired his weapon.
Officer who arrested Scheffler criticizes attorney but holds ‘no ill will’ toward golfer
The Louisville police officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler said he has “no ill will” toward the pro golfer for injuries he said he suffered while directing traffic after a fatal accident during the PGA Championship.
Clerk over Alex Murdaugh trial spent thousands on bonuses, meals and gifts, ethics complaint says
South Carolina officials have filed 76 counts of ethics violations against the court clerk who handled the Alex Murdaugh murder trial.
After nation’s 1st nitrogen gas execution, Alabama set to give man lethal injection for 2 killings
Alabama is set to execute a man Thursday evening who was convicted of bludgeoning an elderly couple to death 20 years ago to steal prescription drugs and $140 from their home.
New Jersey police call for ‘real consequences’ for rowdy teens after boardwalk unrest
New Jersey’s statewide police union said Wednesday there needs to be “real consequences” for drunken, rowdy teens and adults who create mayhem in public places following a series of disturbances at Jersey Shore towns over the Memorial Day weekend that included the stabbing of a teen.
Supreme Court rejects challenge to six-member juries in felony convictions
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up cases out of Florida from felons challenging the state’s use of a six-person jury instead of a 12-member jury, used by most states.
Two Louisiana inmates captured after jailbreak; two more still on the lam
Police in Louisiana said they captured two escaped prisoners Monday morning while two other prisoners remain at large following a Sunday jailbreak.
Body armor designed for men is dangerous for women; bullets ricochet upward
Body armor designed for men could be deadly when women use it because of a design flaw that can send bullets ricocheting off women’s chests and up into their throats.
