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The Edison Motors company is releasing a retrofit kit for pickup trucks. Have you heard about the Pickup Truck Conversion Kit from Edison Motors? This kit is a game-changer for pickup truck owners, allowing them to convert their existing solid-axle pickup truck into an electric drive with a diesel generator. Say goodbye to range anxiety and experience the high-torque electric powertrain with the reliability of a diesel engine. The kit includes a powerful CAT® Diesel with Generator, 60-90KWh LiFePO Battery, CCS1 Port - DC Fast Charging, Disc brakes standard, and 600V HV System. You can choose between a Dually or SRW, and the kit comes in a drop-in box to a bed crate package. By reserving a kit, you can help fund the development of this innovative technology while reserving a place in line to purchase a kit or become a dealer. Plus, you'll receive project-specific merch, and the amount for the reservation will be deducted from the final purchase price. Edison Motors aims to create a dealership network supported by passionate truck enthusiasts who want to restore classic trucks or find something new. To become a certified Edison Dealer, you need to attend Edison Motors training sessions, have the facility and tools adequate for performing pickup truck conversions, purchase a minimum of 1 kit to be trained and certified on conversions, and uphold Edison Quality Standards. The kits will be exclusively distributed in Canada and The United States following production in 2025. Edison Motors anticipates growing its dealership network internationally, driven purely by demand. The best part? The kit is estimated to ideally retail for a third to half the cost of a new pickup, with fuel savings of 30% anticipated. Edison Motors estimates that the first production prototype based on Topsy's power electronics will be completed by September 2024, with testing and kit roll-out beginning afterward. Are you ready to experience the power of the Pickup Truck Conversion Kit from Edison Motors? Reserve your kit today and be a part of the future of pickup trucks! Sources: https://www.edisonmotors.ca/edison-pickup-kit

Grants Will Help Fund Equipment and Training to Enhance Preparedness, Protect Critical Infrastructure and Advance Cybersecurity Capabilities Funding for Hazardous Materials Teams, Bomb Squads, Tactical Teams, Explosive Detection Canine Teams, Technical Rescue Teams, Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Efforts Governor Hochul Announces $13 Million in Federal Homeland Security Grants to Strengthen State Emergency Preparedness Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $13 million in federal grant awards through the State Homeland Security Program. Awards were made to a combination of 78 cities, towns, villages and counties through seven unique grant programs to enhance their preparedness and response capabilities. This funding will be used to support vital training and equipment for first responders including specialized law enforcement and fire emergency response teams. Grants will also be used to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure and the cybersecurity posture across New York State. “Emergency preparedness is critical to our ability to respond to crises and keep New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “Working with federal and local partners, we’re equipping law enforcement across the state with the tools to respond to any threat that may come.” The funding is allocated to New York’s bomb squads, hazardous materials teams, explosive detection canine teams, tactical teams, and technical rescue and urban search and rescue teams. It will be used to protect and secure critical infrastructure, mass gathering events and enhance local governments’ cybersecurity capabilities. The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services manages the targeted grants and has previously distributed approximately $90.9 million to these critical programs. New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “These grants give our most technically expert first responders the latest technology, tools, and training that they need to protect New Yorkers and all of our communities.” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Investing in our emergency preparedness is critical to ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers. This $13 million in federal funding will help equip our first responders with the training and resources needed to respond to any emergency while also strengthening critical infrastructure and cybersecurity across New York State. I am committed to keeping all New Yorkers safe and will continue to fight for federal resources that bolster New York’s emergency preparedness.” Representative Adriano Espaillat said, “I commend Governor Hochul on today’s announcement allocating increased federal funding to strengthen New York state’s emergency preparedness. From tactical teams, canine units, emergency services, and cyberattack prevention, these programs are vital in our collective efforts to respond to ongoing and future threats to ensure the continued safety of all New Yorkers.” Representative Joe Morelle said, “As our digital landscape continues to change, it’s critical we continue taking the actions necessary to protect people from online threats. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership in utilizing federal grant dollars I helped secure in Washington to ensure communities across New York State are well-prepared to respond to these evolving cybersecurity threats. I look forward to continuing my work alongside the Governor to support our local governments and bolster our online infrastructure.” Bomb Squads: This program helps equip and train the state's 12 local FBI-accredited bomb squads to locate and prevent potential emergencies caused by improvised explosive devices or IEDs. More than $29.6 million in dedicated homeland security funding has been awarded to New York communities over 16 consecutive years. 12 awards were made through this noncompetitive grant opportunity. Hazardous Materials Targeted Grant Program This program serves as a resource for 18 regional HazMat Teams, outside of New York City, to sustain and enhance HazMat capabilities to help New Yorkers respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other emergencies. Regions can use this funding to obtain and maintain essential equipment, implement the HazMat Team Accreditation Program, conduct training and exercises, and develop and update HazMat response plans. 18 awards were made through this noncompetitive grant opportunity. Critical Infrastructure Grant Program: This program promotes a common understanding and approach to risk management as well as providing funding to support local first responders’ efforts to mitigate risk and enhance protection capabilities at mass gatherings/special event sites, and government-owned critical infrastructure sites. 12 awards were made through this competitive grant opportunity: Cybersecurity Grant Program This program provides funding support for eligible counties, cities, towns and villages to enhance their ability to protect, detect, identify, respond to and recover from cyber incidents. Funding may be utilized to mitigate capability gaps for equipment, training, planning and exercise costs. 43 awards were made through this competitive grant opportunity: Explosive Detection Canine Team Grant Program Funding through this program provides local law enforcement agencies with active road patrols aid to develop and enhance their explosive detection canine capabilities. Explosive Detection Canine Teams provide a visible, proactive police presence in areas of mass gathering, transportation centers and critical infrastructure sites. In addition to this deterrence presence, they provide a mobile response capability for detection and identification of potential explosive device type incidents. 30 awards were made through this competitive grant opportunity. Tactical Team Targeted Grant Program This funding supports New York State’s tactical teams and provides them with the adequate skills and capabilities to provide a safe and successful response to high-risk incidents including active shooter events and other counterterrorism missions. Funding must be in support of the team’s attainment/sustainment of New York State accreditation for tactical teams to include supporting necessary equipment, planning and training costs required to meet the rigorous standards. 17 awards were made through this competitive grant opportunity: Technical Rescue & Urban Search and Rescue Grant Program This program focuses on the enhancement of Technical Rescue and USAR teams for local emergency responders who provide services involving structural collapse, trench, confined space, and rope rescue which help New Yorkers respond to and recover from acts of terrorism and other emergencies. Three awards were made through this competitive grant opportunity: Contact the Governor's Press Office Contact us by phone: Albany: (518) 474-8418 New York City: (212) 681-464 Contact us by email: Press.Office@exec.ny.gov

North Country and Western New York Projects Awarded in Round One; Additional Rounds of the Program Will Reach all Regions of New York State in the Coming Years Program Provides a Total of $50 Million Over Five Years to Help Improve Kitchens; Facilitates Preparation of Fresh, Scratch Made Meals for Students Using New York Farm Products Builds on Governor’s 2024 State of the State Priorities to Combat Food Insecurity and Strengthen Local Food Production Across the State Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $10 million has been awarded through round one of New York’s Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program. Projects in the North Country and in Western New York were awarded $5 million each to improve meal preparation and distribution for Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. First announced in the Governor’s 2023 State of the State, the program will provide $50 million over five years to eligible applicants in all ten regions of New York State to facilitate the on-site processing and preparation of fresh, nutritious meals, increase the use of more healthy, local New York food products, and provide a boost to New York farmers. “As Governor, I want to make sure that all New Yorkers have fresh, locally grown, nutritious foods to eat,” Governor Hochul said. “The Regional School Food Infrastructure program tackles this challenge head on by ensuring that our schools have the equipment they need to cook from scratch. This is just one great example of how we’re connecting the dots within our food systems, reducing food insecurity while increasing market opportunities for farmers, and strengthening the resiliency of our state’s food system.” In each round of the program, two regions will be awarded $5 million each. Two additional regions will be awarded $5 million each in subsequent rounds, until all regions are awarded through five rounds. The projects awarded in round one are: Buffalo City School District (Western New York) is being awarded $5,000,000 to assist in equipping a commissary that provides nutritional support to 97 schools. Grant funds will be used to establish a vegetable preparation and processing area, ingredient room, packing system, and additional infrastructure necessary to establish contracted delivery of products prepared and packaged using New York ingredients. This award will also support community engagement through a test kitchen and chef brigade passing on locally sourced cooking recipes. Champlain Valley Educational Services (Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington BOCES) (North Country) is being awarded $5,000,000 to establish a central food hub, two state-of-the-art educational facilities, and retrofit existing school cafeterias in the North Country region. The project will consolidate school food processing and preparation at the new food hub, while also reducing staffing pressures faced by schools and increasing the nutritional value and local focus of the foods served at 16 component school districts and at CVES BOCES. Administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program is providing the resources schools need to aggregate, store, process, and prepare farm products, and making it possible to cook fresh, nutritious, scratch made meals for school children. The program also encourages workforce development by providing training to schools, communities, and students for culinary arts, food processing, safe food handling and storage, logistics, delivery, and more, based on community need. State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The Regional School Food Infrastructure program is supporting our farmers while ensuring that our children have enough local, fresh meals to fuel them as they learn. Today’s awarded projects are great examples of how we can collaborate to streamline and strengthen our food system here in New York State. I thank Governor Hochul for her support of this program and congratulate the awardees, and I look forward to seeing the impact that these projects will make in our Western New York and North Country communities.” State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa said, “Connecting local farms to school nutrition is a win-win for our students and New York’s farmers. Consistent, reliable access to nutritious meals is directly linked to improved student performance and to overall health and well-being. We appreciate the ongoing cooperation of the governor and the Department of Agriculture and Markets in ensuring that all students have access to a healthy diet. Through the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program, we will build upon New York’s ongoing efforts to provide all students with access to healthy and nutritious meals made with fresh and local fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.” Assistant Superintendent of Management Services for Champlain Valley Educational Services Dr. Eric Bell said, “We are thrilled to receive this grant, as it allows us to prioritize child nutrition by providing nutritious, locally sourced meals made from scratch. The grant enables us to establish a centralized food hub, addressing staffing shortages while enhancing meal quality for students regionally. Additionally, we'll expand culinary arts training in Clinton and Essex County to meet workforce demands. This grant propels us toward creating healthier communities, and we're grateful for the opportunity.” Buffalo Public School Superintendent Dr. Tonja M. Williams said, “The Buffalo Public Schools provide Buffalo students and those in the community with free locally grown fresh foods while at the same time creating a sustainable new marketplace for local socially-economically disadvantaged farmers and growers. I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul and Agricultural Commissioner Richard Ball for providing this $5 million to help reduce food insecurity and ensure our students continue to receive high-quality nutritious meals that enhance their overall health and improve their readiness for learning. Again, this funding will go a long way towards providing our students with fresh and healthy foods when at school.” The Regional School Food Infrastructure program builds on New York’s many programs that prioritize local foods in schools, including tools to help school districts procure and purchase farm products from local producers, ensuring that New York remains New York’s first and best customer. The FY 2024 Enacted Budget raised the discretionary threshold for food purchasing for schools to $150,000, a significant increase from the previous threshold. Additionally, the successful Farm-to-School program connects schools with local farms and food producers to strengthen local agriculture, improve student health, and promote regional food systems awareness. Through the program, the Department of Agriculture and Markets provides financial, technical, and promotional assistance to schools, farms, distributors, and other supporting organizations to bring more local, nutritious, seasonally varied meals to New York students. The 30 Percent New York State Initiative further facilitates the provision of healthy New York sourced food products to children as part of their lunch meal in school. The initiative increases the reimbursement schools receive for lunches from 5.9 cents per meal to 25 cents per meal for any district that ensures their school lunches are made up of at least 30 percent eligible New York produced and processed products. Since the Department of Agriculture and Markets took over administration of the program as part of Governor Hochul’s 2022 State of the State commitment to better connect farms and schools across New York, the program has seen increased participation from school food authorities, with a total of 59 school food authorities approved to receive enhanced reimbursement during this school year, up from 51 approved for reimbursement last year. In total, more than $8 million was spent on New York agricultural products during the 2022-2023 school year by schools applying for the incentive. Further supporting these programs, Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State laid out a plan for New York’s agricultural industry to become stronger, more resilient, and proactive against future threats spanning the health, environment, labor, and education industries. The Governor announced several major proposals to provide a boost to New York’s dairy and agricultural industries, workforce development programs, and youth leadership and education opportunities, including plans of cross-cutting initiatives that will strengthen the industry and promote a more resilient future for our agriculture, food, and forestry sectors.

On April 24th, 2024, Utica Police officers were alerted to an individual who was making threatening statements about shooting people with an AK-47. The male in question had sent messages to other parties, threatening the use of the firearm and even shared pictures of the weapon. It was also reported that he had shown rifle magazines to others and made similar threats. Based on the seriousness of the situation, the police decided to file for an Extreme Risk Protection Order. Once the order was granted, they went to the individual’s address on the 1400 block of Taylor Ave, found him, and conducted a search of his premises. They were able to locate the rifle mentioned, rifle magazines, as well as several associated parts of other firearms. Following the search, the male, Edward Reesh, who is 42 years old and from Utica, was taken into custody as the weapon he had was illegal to possess. He was then transported to the Utica Police Department and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, four times. This included a previous conviction, an assault rifle, and two large capacity ammunition devices. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02nACnBQMyXwJTYbDe9tkKuvYWs9mE9fkphB2YwRKNRspRWfiQ6ZvP76GM9tPrWU7Nl&id=100064802073577

On April 23, 2024, at approximately 8:00 AM Utica Police and Utica Fire units were dispatched to 2 Kennedy Pl regarding a possible arson complaint. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an individual who stated that during the course of an argument with his girlfriend, she lit multiple pieces of paper on fire and slid them under the door attempting to burn the apartment. The victim stated he was able to douse the papers without major damage. Based on the circumstances, the case was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, and later that day the suspect, Kaylen Schloop age 22 of Rome was charged with: Arson in the third-degree

On April 18, 2024, the State Police of Princetown arrested Daquan C. Watkins, a 31-year-old resident of Albany, NY. Watkins was arrested for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fourth degree, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the third degree, Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree, Resisting Arrest, and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. Troopers attempted to stop a vehicle on Albany Street in Schenectady, NY, on April 18, 2024, at around 8:45 p.m. for breaking Vehicle and Traffic Law. Watkins was driving the vehicle and failed to comply with the trooper's request. As a result, a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit was discontinued in the Hamburg Street area in Rotterdam, NY, due to safety concerns. Later, Troopers found the vehicle on South Brandywine Avenue in Schenectady, NY, where Watkins again fled in the vehicle. During the pursuit, Watkins collided with and damaged a marked Troop car. The vehicle became disabled due to the damage caused by the contact, and Watkins attempted to flee on foot. However, after a brief foot pursuit, he was apprehended. Upon investigation, it was found that Watkins was wanted on a Felony Arrest Warrant issued by the East Greenbush Town Court. Additionally, the vehicle Watkins was driving had been reported as stolen from Columbia Avenue in East Greenbush, NY, on March 29, 2024. Watkins was taken to SP Princetown for processing and subsequently transported to the Schenectady County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Jocelyn E. Strauber, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today that BRANDON SANTANOO, an employee of the New York City Law Department (the “Law Department”), pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection with his participation in a scheme to steal checks mailed to the Law Department and then to deposit or attempt to deposit forged, altered, and fraudulently endorsed versions of those checks into bank accounts not associated with the Law Department.  SANTANOO pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Brandon Santanoo abused his position of trust as a city employee.  As he admitted today in federal court, he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of checks made payable to the Law Department and passed them along to others to fraudulently deposit.  We will not tolerate any breach of trust or corruption within city agencies.” DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said: “Brandon Santanoo used his position at the City Law Department to steal approximately 40 checks payable to the City – and valued at approximately $600,000 – and then handed them out to acquaintances to forge, alter, or fraudulently endorse the checks and then deposit into private bank accounts.  I thank the Law Department for the referral to DOI that prompted this investigation and our law enforcement partners in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their commitment to hold accountable City employees who exploit their access to engage in criminal conduct, and to protect valuable City resources from theft.” According to the allegations in the Information and the Complaint, the plea agreement, and statements made in court: Beginning in 2017, SANTANOO worked as a clerk in the mail room at the Law Department’s office in Brooklyn.  By virtue of his position, SANTANOO had access to mail that was sent to the Law Department. From at least in or about June 2021 through at least in or about May 2023, SANTANOO stole checks that had been mailed to the Law Department, including checks made payable to the Law Department’s Worker’s Compensation Division, which is responsible for administering claims of city employees who are injured on the job.  SANTANOO then passed those checks onto other people, who deposited or attempted to deposit forged, altered, and fraudulently endorsed versions of those checks into third parties’ bank accounts.  Approximately 40 checks, totaling approximately $600,000, were stolen and deposited or attempted to be deposited as part of the scheme. * SANTANOO, 27, of Queens Village, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 30 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.  Sentencing is scheduled for September 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DOI.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their assistance on this matter. The case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Simon is in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated April 22, 2024 Sources: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/city-employee-pleads-guilty-check-theft-scheme

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Matthew R. Talamo, age 38, of New Haven, New York, was sentenced today in federal court in Syracuse to 4 years of probation and a $50,000.00 fine, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act related to his operation of Southern Diesel Truck Co. and Southern Diesel and Off-Road LLC (collectively “Southern Diesel”), in Oswego, New York. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) in New York, made the announcement. In pleading guilty previously, Talamo admitted that he is the owner and operator of Southern Diesel, which specializes in buying and reselling diesel vehicles and performing after-market modifications to diesel vehicles, particularly pickup trucks. In pleading guilty, Talamo admitted that he conspired and agreed with others to violate the Clean Air Act at Southern Diesel by tampering with emission control monitoring devices and methods on diesel pickup trucks, including both software and hardware modifications. The illegal software modifications involved “tuning” or “deleting” the trucks by tampering with the “on board diagnostic” (OBD) systems and disabling emission controls, which allowed the trucks to emit substantially more pollutants into the atmosphere. Talamo and his employees also made hardware modifications to diesel vehicles, including by removing tailpipes, mufflers, and other exhaust components and replacing them with so-called straight pipes that lacked diesel particulate filters and other systems designed to reduce harmful emissions. Between January 2018 and November 2022, Southern Diesel tampered with the emission control monitoring devices and systems of approximately 244 diesel vehicles, often charging thousands of dollars per vehicle for the modifications. Despite the harm to the environment, diesel vehicle owners sometimes seek such illegal modifications to avoid the costs of maintaining and repairing emission control components and to increase speed and fuel efficiency. Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, who presided over the case, ordered Talamo to complete 150 hours of community service during his term of probation and ordered him to abide by terms of a compliance program agreed to as part of his plea agreement, including that Southern Diesel is subject to inspection at any time for potential Clean Air Act violations. EPA-CID investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted the case. For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York Sources: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/oswego-vehicle-dealership-sentenced-conspiracy-violate-clean-air-act

Press Release On the morning of April 15, 2024, a call came through to Seneca County's 911 dispatch center, alerting them to an urgent situation at the Lowe's store in the town of Waterloo. A woman was in active labor and needed immediate assistance. Without hesitation, Trooper Joseph Vinci and Trooper Alexander Mullen were dispatched to the location to provide critical aid to the expectant mother. Upon arrival, they found the woman in the backseat of a car, her labor progressing rapidly. With great care and expertise, they helped to deliver a beautiful baby girl, ensuring that the mother and newborn received the best possible care in a challenging situation. North Seneca Ambulance arrived on the scene shortly after and took both mother and child to F.F. Thompson Hospital where they were examined and found to be in good health. Thanks to the swift actions of Trooper Vinci and Trooper Mullen, this miraculous event had a happy ending. Contact Troop E Public Information Officer: Trooper Lynnea Crane Troop E Commander: Major Miklos S. Szoczei

On Sunday night, two police officers, Syracuse police officer Michael E. Jensen and sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock, were shot and killed outside Christopher R. Murphy's home on Darien Drive. It was revealed by Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick that Murphy had been doing cocaine that day with his friend, Shawn Kinsella. The two of them had been long-time friends, and Kinsella told investigators that they had spent some time doing lines of cocaine earlier that day. There is also speculation that the cocaine may have played a role in the shooting, and any remaining cocaine found inside Murphy's house will be collected by officers and analyzed to see if it was laced with anything. It is unclear whether Murphy was legally allowed to possess the Springfield AR-15 gun that he used to shoot the officers. The trouble started with a traffic stop at 7 p.m. in the city's Tipp Hill neighborhood, where Syracuse police tried to pull over a car, but the driver refused and sped off. The police took the plate number, which led them to Murphy's home. There, police saw guns in the back of the car, and then heard the sound of a gun being readied to fire from inside the home. After that, gunfire filled the neighborhood as the officers and the suspect exchanged shots. It's still not clear how many total shots were fired, but on a recording from a nearby home, the gunshots lasted about nine seconds, with shots firing off so fast that it was impossible to count how many were fired. Murphy also died from gunshot injuries from officers. Kinsella, who was with Murphy earlier that day, was caught trying to jump over a fence, but he has not been charged with any crime at this point. Murphy's only prior interaction with the police was a 2014 drunken driving arrest, which also included a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest. It's unclear why Murphy decided to ambush the officers, but Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile said there was something in Murphy's past which "may be some indicator" as to why he shot two officers. However, Cecile declined to provide specifics. Fitzpatrick said that he hopes Kinsella will remain cooperative with law enforcement, and no charges are contemplated against him at this time unless new evidence emerges.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that SHAKEEB AHMED was sentenced today to three years in prison by U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero for hacking two separate decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges and stealing cryptocurrency worth over $12 million.  AHMED previously pled guilty to computer fraud. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Today, Shakeeb Ahmed was sentenced to prison in the first ever conviction for the hack of a smart contract and ordered to forfeit all of the stolen crypto.  No matter how novel or sophisticated the hack, this Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to following the money and bringing hackers to justice.  And as today’s sentence shows, time in prison — and forfeiture of all the stolen crypto — is the inevitable consequence of such destructive hacks.” According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court: On or about July 2 and 3, 2022, AHMED carried out an attack on a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange (the “Crypto Exchange”), in which he used fake pricing data to generate approximately $9 million worth of inflated fees, then withdrew those fees in the form of cryptocurrency.  After he stole the fees, AHMED had communications with the Crypto Exchange in which he agreed to return all of the stolen funds except for $1.5 million if the Crypto Exchange agreed not to refer the attack to law enforcement. On or about July 28, 2022, a few weeks after the hack of the Crypto Exchange, AHMED carried out an attack on a second decentralized cryptocurrency exchange called Nirvana Finance (“Nirvana”).  AHMED used an exploit he discovered in Nirvana’s smart contracts to allow him to purchase cryptocurrency from Nirvana at a lower price than the contract was designed to allow.  He then immediately resold that cryptocurrency to Nirvana at a higher price.  Nirvana offered AHMED a “bug bounty” of as much as $600,000 to return the stolen funds, but AHMED instead demanded $1.4 million, did not reach agreement with Nirvana, and kept all the stolen funds.  The $3.6 million AHMED stole represented approximately all the funds possessed by Nirvana, which as a result shut down shortly after AHMED’s attack. AHMED laundered the millions that he stole from the Crypto Exchange and from Nirvana to conceal their source and ownership, using sophisticated techniques including token-swap transactions; “bridging” fraud proceeds from the Solana blockchain over to the Ethereum blockchain; exchanging fraud proceeds into Monero, an anonymized cryptocurrency that is particularly difficult to trace; using overseas cryptocurrency exchanges; and using cryptocurrency mixers, such as Samourai Whirlpool. At the time of both attacks, AHMED, a U.S. citizen, was a senior security engineer for an international technology company, whose resume reflected skills in, among other things, reverse engineering smart contracts and blockchain audits, which are some of the specialized skills AHMED used to execute the hacks. * In addition to the prison term, AHMED, 34, of New York, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.  AHMED was also ordered to forfeit approximately $12.3 million and a significant quantity of cryptocurrency and pay restitution to the Crypto Exchange and Nirvana in the amount of over $5 million. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit and Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys David R. Felton and Kevin Mead are in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated April 12, 2024 Sources: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-security-engineer-sentenced-three-years-prison-hacking-two-decentralized

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GRACE ROSA BAEZ pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluoro-fentanyl.  BAEZ pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Fentanyl and heroin are driving this nation’s deadly opioid crisis and are responsible for thousands of tragic deaths in this city and around the nation.  Rather than protect and serve the people of New York City, former NYPD officer Grace Rosa Baez peddled deadly poison for personal gain.  Today, Baez is held accountable for her selfish and reckless betrayal.” According to the filings and statements made in Manhattan federal court: In 2012, BAEZ became an active member of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).  In 2020, due to alleged misconduct, BAEZ was placed on modified duty and was under departmental investigation.  On three occasions in October 2023, while on modified desk duty at a particular NYPD facility, BAEZ sold a confidential source working with law enforcement (the “CS”) packages containing over one kilogram of heroin, over 400 grams of fentanyl, and over 100 grams of fentanyl analogue.  BAEZ negotiated the price and quantity of the narcotics and arranged to deliver the narcotics to the CS while she was on duty with the NYPD.  BAEZ sold the narcotics to the CS outside of her homes in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York.  Upon her arrest, BAEZ resigned from the NYPD. * BAEZ, 38, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin, fentanyl, and para-fluoro-fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  BAEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Cote on July 18, 2024. The maximum potential sentence, in this case, is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the exceptional investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the NYPD. This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda C. Weingarten is in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Lauren Scarff, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated April 16, 2024 Sources: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/former-nypd-officer-pleads-guilty-distributing-fentanyl-and-heroin