U.S. Department of Justice

The Justice Department announced today the unsealing of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges relate to the defendants’ central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 (the October 7 Hamas Massacres), involving the murders and kidnappings of countless innocent civilians, including American citizens, which was the culmination of Hamas’s decades-long campaign of terrorism and violence against Israel and its allies, including American citizens. The defendants are either deceased or remain at large. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ggMEYahH For closed captions: https://lnkd.in/gmtW6zWe

United States Seizes Aircraft Used by Nicolás Maduro Moros in Violation of U.S. Export Control and Sanctions Laws The Dassault Falcon 900EX Aircraft Was Illegally Exported from the United States and Used for the Benefit of Maduro and His Representatives The Justice Department today announced the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros and persons affiliated with him in Venezuela. The aircraft was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. “This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gvRi9qgk

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 DOJ Data Challenge, Bailey Sutton and Jessica Spayd! Their team delivered a compelling presentation focused on creating community-based outcome metrics that truly combine law enforcement and public health data that extend beyond individual-based metrics. Thank you to all participants of the 2024 DOJ Data Challenge -- DOJ received thoughtful insights on how to better serve the American public and save lives. The conclusion of the DOJ Data Challenge coincides with International Overdose Awareness Day. Learn more about the 2024 DOJ Data Challenge: https://lnkd.in/eSd9dwSS

An Army soldier stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, was arrested last week on criminal charges related to his alleged transportation, receipt and possession of files depicting child sexual abuse, and use of AI to generate sexually explicit images of children. “The misuse of cutting-edge generative AI is accelerating the proliferation of dangerous content, including child sexual abuse material — so the Department of Justice is accelerating its enforcement efforts,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As alleged, the defendant used AI tools to morph images of real kids into horrific child sexual abuse material. Criminals considering the use of AI to perpetuate their crimes should stop and think twice — because the Department of Justice is prosecuting AI-enabled criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law and will seek increased sentences wherever warranted.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gM98mXPc

A Colorado man will make his initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Durango, Colorado, today on federal charges in connection with a series of online threats he made toward election officials in Colorado and Arizona, a Colorado state judge, and federal law enforcement agents. Teak Brockbank, 45, of Cortez, was arrested on Friday in Cortez. “We allege that the defendant made detailed death threats against election officials, judges, and law enforcement officers,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Violent threats against public servants are a danger to our democracy, and the arrest and charges announced today make clear that the Justice Department will see to it that perpetrators answer for their actions.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gDMGXdjU

Law Students and Eligible Law School Graduates: Apply now for the Attorney General’s Honors Program (HP) and Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)! The application deadline is Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility information for both programs is online at https://lnkd.in/geXUEQ2 and the application is at https://lnkd.in/ewbXfR48.

Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Detonating an Explosive Device Outside of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, of Irondale, Alabama, pleaded guilty in federal court to the malicious use of an explosive device. “This defendant built a bomb using nails and screws as shrapnel and detonated it outside the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, endangering a public institution and members of the community,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Public servants should never be targeted for doing their jobs. The Justice Department will not tolerate such conduct, and we will use every resource at our disposal to prevent these attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/geithKS2

Second Former Memphis Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights and Conspiracy Charges Tied to Death of Tyre Nichols A former Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department (MPD) officer facing federal civil rights charges for the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols pleaded guilty in federal court today. Emmitt Martin III, pleaded guilty to civil rights and conspiracy charges arising out of the Jan. 7, 2023, incident. Martin is the second MPD officer to plead guilty in this case. On Sept. 12, 2023, a federal jury returned a four-count indictment against Martin and four co-defendants. The charges included using excessive force resulting in the death of Nichols; aiding and abetting each other in using that excessive force; failing to intervene to stop the excessive force; failing to render medical aid; and conspiring or taking action to cover up their misconduct. On Nov. 2, 2023, co-defendant Desmond Mills entered a guilty plea to civil rights and conspiracy charges. The remaining three defendants will face a federal trial scheduled for Sept. 9. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gv87P4EV

#ThisWeekatJustice, the Department: ▶️ Sued RealPage for Algorithmic Pricing Scheme that Harms Millions of American Renters ▶️ Announced a major #HumanSmuggling update from Joint Task Force Alpha with ties to a 2022 mass casualty event in Texas ▶️ Launched a #CivilRights investigation into conditions at Tennessee’s Trousdale Turner Correctional Center ▶️ Announced that Former Congressman George Santos has pleaded guilty to #Fraud and identity theft ▶️ Ten additional states joined Justice Department’s suit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster for monopolizing markets across the live concert industry ▶️ Deputy AG Monaco and DHS Secretary Canegallo joined #WomenInLawEnforcement at the Washington Nationals game Keep up with the latest news from the Justice Department at justice.gov/news For closed captions: https://lnkd.in/gcAKrZQh

Today, the Justice Department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit today against RealPage Inc. for its unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing & to monopolize the market for commercial revenue management software that landlords use to price apartments. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gSNdUKpm