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Department of Homeland Security

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Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA
Drones In The Sky: NY, NJ Senators Demand Answers From FBI, DHS, FAA The senators representing New York and New Jersey are demanding answers about the drones that have been spotted flying in the skies of New York and New Jersey this past month. New York Senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, all Democrats, wrote a letter on Thursday, Dec. 12 to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FAA Director Michael Whitaker demanding an immediate briefing on what they are doing to address the issue. "We are...especially concerned about how these drones may …

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by Sam Barron
News
Drone Sightings Spark Multi-State Concerns Along East Coast Drone Sightings Spark Multi-State Concerns Along East Coast
Drone Sightings Spark Multi-State Concerns Along East Coast Authorities along the East Coast are grappling with a surge in drone sightings, raising security concerns and prompting high-level responses. In New Jersey, residents have reported numerous drone sightings since mid-November, particularly in Morris and Somerset counties, and more than a dozen mayors are calling for investigations. Gov. Phil Murphy is urging residents to report suspicious drone activity to law enforcement and emphasizing the state's commitment to public safety.  "We are actively monitoring the situation and in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement par…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Trump Expected To Select Marco Rubio As Secretary Of State, Kristi Noem To Head DHS Trump Expected To Select Marco Rubio As Secretary Of State, Kristi Noem To Head DHS
Trump Expected To Select Marco Rubio As Secretary Of State, Kristi Noem To Head DHS President-elect Donald Trump is expected to add two well-known national political figures to his Cabinet this week. According to multiple reports, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will be his choice for secretary of state, and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will lead the Department of Homeland Security. According to The New York Times, which first reported the news, Trump could still change his mind at the last minute about Rubio's selection. The son of Cuban immigrants, the 53-year-old Rubio was elected to the Senate in 2010. He was one of Trump's opponents in the 2016 Republican Presidential prim…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Longtime Senator, Former VP Candidate Joe Lieberman Dies At Age 82 Longtime Senator, Former VP Candidate Joe Lieberman Dies At Age 82
Longtime Senator, Former VP Candidate Joe Lieberman Dies At Age 82 Joe Lieberman, who represented Connecticut in the US Senate for more than two decades and ran alongside Al Gore during his historically unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2000, has died at the age of 82. The Democrat-turned-Independent died Wednesday, March 27, in New York after suffering complications from a fall, according to NBC News. "Senator Lieberman’s love of God, his family, and America endured throughout his life of service in the public interest," the outlet quoted his family as saying. News of his death sparked a flood of tributes from across the political spectrum. A…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
New Extension For REAL ID Deadline Announced By DHS New Extension For REAL ID Deadline Announced By DHS
New Extension For Real ID Deadline Announced By DHS You won't have to rush out to get your REAL ID if you haven't already done so, as officials announced plans to extend the full official enforcement deadline for the new form of identification that will be used to board domestic flights. The Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday, Dec. 5, that it has extended the deadline for the REAL ID by two years, changing it from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. This gives states additional time to make sure their residents have licenses and ID cards that meet security standards established in the REAL ID Act. After the enforcement deadline, f…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
4 Nabbed In Takedown Of 'Vast Drug Network' Operating Throughout Northeast, DA Says 4 Nabbed In Takedown Of 'Vast Drug Network' Operating Throughout Northeast, DA Says
4 Nabbed In Takedown Of 'Vast Drug Network' Operating Throughout Northeast, DA Says Four Long Island men have been arrested for allegedly running a drug ring that sold drugs through the Northeast. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Friday, Oct. 7, that the four Montauk residents had been arrested and charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance.  The four are: Angel Garces-Diaz, age not available Anuedy Garces-Medrano, age 35 Yadaris Baez-Rivera, age 26 Everado Hernandez, age 45 “From Babylon to Montauk and every place in between, every community is unfortunately affected by the scourge of these drugs that are becomi…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Here's When NY Travelers Will Need REAL ID To Fly Domestically Here's When NY Travelers Will Need REAL ID To Fly Domestically
Here's When NY Travelers Will Need Real ID To Fly Domestically Travelers in New York are running out of time to “get real” before needing a new license to board domestic flights in the US. In less than a year, as of May 3, 2023, standard licenses would no longer make the cut for those looking to travel, requiring them to register for a REAL ID to board planes. There are now three different forms of driver’s license or New York State identification, a standard - which will not be enough to board a domestic flight alone come May next year - enhanced, or the REAL ID license, which is in coordination with a new law aimed to increase security to travelers. …

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by Zak Failla
News
Police Beef Up Patrols At Transportation Venues After NYC Rush-Hour Subway Attack Police Beef Up Patrols At Transportation Venues After NYC Rush-Hour Subway Attack
Police Beef Up Patrols At Transportation Venues After NYC Rush-Hour Subway Attack Law enforcement agencies in the Northeast are ramping up security at transportation hubs as police search for a wanted man who injured more than a dozen people in a shooting at a New York City subway station on Tuesday, April 12. A shooter reportedly sporting a gas mask and construction vest opened fire before fleeing the scene in Brooklyn at Sunset Park in the area of 36th Street and 4th Avenue, striking at least 10 people. Original story - 10 Shot, 16 Injured On NYC Subway By Suspect Possibly Wearing Gas Mask, Vest In response, police agencies in the region announced that they were close…

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by Zak Failla
News
Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme
Six, Including Police Officer In Hudson Valley, Charged In Sex Trafficking, Bribery Scheme A police officer who allegedly protected a prostitution ring in exchange for free sexual favors is among six facing a host of charges for their roles in operating a sex trafficking organization throughout New York, federal officials announced. In Brooklyn federal court, a 14-count indictment has been unsealed for six suspects who ran the operation - which included minors - while the cop protected them from being arrested by law enforcement. Those charged: Wayne Peiffer, age 48, of Highland in Ulster County; Jose Facundo Zarate Morals, age 32, of Queens. Luz Elvira Cardona, age 33, of Que…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Head Of President Biden’s Security Detail Leaving To Take Wall Street Job, Report Says Head Of President Biden’s Security Detail Leaving To Take Wall Street Job, Report Says
Head Of President Biden’s Security Detail Leaving To Take Wall Street Job, Report Says The top person tasked with keeping President Joe Biden safe will be leaving his post for a cushy job on Wall Street, according to multiple reports. David Cho, the head of Biden’s security detail, has been hired by an investment firm after being a part of the Secret Service for more than two decades. The news was first reported by Bloomberg, which cited people close to the situation who are familiar with the matter. It is unclear what firm has plucked Cho away from the White House. Cho was the first Korean American to become a special agent-in-charge of the Secret Service’s Presidential Pr…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
NY Officials Caution About Cannabis Look-Alike Products Before Halloween NY Officials Caution About Cannabis Look-Alike Products Before Halloween
NY Officials Caution About Cannabis Look-Alike Products Before Halloween State officials in New York are cautioning parents to be wary of cannabis edibles to ensure that no children have a bad trip on Halloween. New York Attorney General Letitia James is warning the public about cannabis edibles and hemp derivatives in packaging designed to look like well-known snack foods and candy that could intentionally or accidentally be slipped to trick-or-treaters. In some instances, instead of “Chips Ahoy,” the THC items are dubbed “Trips Ahoy,” while “Oreos” are packaged as “Stoneos.” "These misleading products contain a high concentration of THC, the psychoactive comp…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Ex-MLB Manager Bobby Valentine's Democratic Opponent Reflects On Mayoral Race Like No Other Ex-MLB Manager Bobby Valentine's Democratic Opponent Reflects On Mayoral Race Like No Other
Ex-mlb Manager Bobby Valentine's Democratic Opponent Reflects On Mayoral Race Like No Other To say the 2021 mayoral race in Connecticut's second-largest city, Stamford, has been like no other would be the ultimate of understatements. For starters, the Democratic nominee, State Rep. Caroline Simmons, defeated two-term incumbent David Martin after mounting a rare primary challenge. Then came the bombshell announcement by charismatic and at times flamboyant Major League Baseball legend and lifelong city resident Bobby Valentine that he was entering the race as an "Unaffiliated" candidate - and not as a Republican, Democrat, or even as an Independent. But wait, there's more. The rac…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Deputy Mayor In Hudson Valley Nabbed With 16 Assault Weapons, Fake FBI IDs Deputy Mayor In Hudson Valley Nabbed With 16 Assault Weapons, Fake FBI IDs
Deputy Mayor In Hudson Valley Nabbed With 16 Assault Weapons, Fake FBI IDs A local government official in the Hudson Valley is facing multiple weapons charges after police say they discovered an arsenal of guns in his home. Airmont Deputy Mayor Brian Downey, age 47, was arrested on Friday, Sept. 3, after Rockland County authorities were alerted by the Department of Homeland Security that he had purchased an illegal rifle suppressor over the internet. During a search of his home by investigators from numerous departments, agents found 16 assault weapons and 13 silencers, along with a large stash of fake federal IDs, including FBI credentials, said the Rockland Cou…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: US Extends Mexico, Canada Border Restrictions As Delta Cases Surge Among Unvaccinated COVID-19: US Extends Mexico, Canada Border Restrictions As Delta Cases Surge Among Unvaccinated
Covid-19: US Extends Mexico, Canada Border Restrictions As Delta Cases Surge Among Unvaccinated Restrictions on non-essential travel to neighboring Canada and Mexico have been extended as the nation and world continue to combat the recent rise in new cases largely tied to the now-dominant Delta COVID-19 variant in unvaccinated Americans. The Biden administration announced that it will be extending non-essential travel to neighboring countries through at least Saturday, Aug. 21 as health officials look to prevent further spread of the virus. Since the pandemic began in March last year, the US has been limiting travel at both borders, extending them on a monthly basis. The announcemen…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: 'It Is Personal, Trump's Trying To Kill New York City,' Cuomo Says COVID-19: 'It Is Personal, Trump's Trying To Kill New York City,' Cuomo Says
Covid-19: 'It Is Personal, Trump's Trying To Kill New York City,' Cuomo Says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo continued his crusade against President Donald Trump’s administration, this time accusing him of actively attempting to kill his former home city. During a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Sept. 8, Cuomo cited a famous New York Daily News headline to serve as an analogy for what Trump is doing to New York during the pandemic. "There was a headline in the Daily News once: 'Ford to City: Drop Dead' ... What Ford did pales in comparison to what Trump is doing; not only did he tell New York City to 'drop dead,'” Cuomo said. “Trump is actively trying to kill New York…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
COVID-19: CDC 'Schizophrenic' Over Reversal On Testing, NY Will Ignore New Guidance, Cuomo Says COVID-19: CDC 'Schizophrenic' Over Reversal On Testing, NY Will Ignore New Guidance, Cuomo Says
Covid-19: CDC 'Schizophrenic' Over Reversal On Testing, NY Will Ignore New Guidance, Cuomo Says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is continuing his war of words with federal agencies, this time calling out the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for its new announcement on testing for COVID-19 and mandatory quarantines for some travelers. The CDC reversed course this week, now saying that anyone who comes into close contact with a person with COVID-19 no longer needs to be tested, while also altering guidance on travel quarantines. Instead of mandatory quarantines and testing, the CDC is now saying that it’s only recommending people get tested if they are considered high-risk for the virus or…

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by Zak Failla
News
Four Hudson Valley Brothers Accused Of $19M Scam To Defraud Amazon Four Hudson Valley Brothers Accused Of $19M Scam To Defraud Amazon
Four Hudson Valley Brothers Accused Of $19M Scam To Defraud Amazon Four brothers from the Hudson Valley have been charged for allegedly engaging in a scheme to systematically defraud Amazon.com of millions. "Through the course of the scheme, they manipulated Amazon’s vendor system in attempts to fraudulently induce Amazon to pay for goods that Amazon had not ordered," Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said. In executing the scheme, they fraudulently attempted to obtain at least approximately $32 million and successfully obtained at least approximately $19 million, Strauss said. The four are:…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: CDC Issues Domestic Travel Advisory For New York, New Jersey, Connecticut COVID-19: CDC Issues Domestic Travel Advisory For New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
Covid-19: CDC Issues Domestic Travel Advisory For New York, New Jersey, Connecticut The Centers for Disease Control is urging New York, New Jersey and Connecticut residents to avoid out-of-state travel for 14 days due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Earlier report: Trump Backs Off NY/NJ/CT Quarantine After Legality Issues, But Asks For CDC Advisory The travel advisory was issued Saturday evening, March 28 after President Donald Trump said a two-week quarantine for parts of the tristate area most affected by the pandemic will not be necessary after floating the idea earlier in the day. The CDC advisory is effective immediately. "This Domestic Trave…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
COVID-19: REAL ID Deadline For Boarding Domestic Flights Extended COVID-19: REAL ID Deadline For Boarding Domestic Flights Extended
Covid-19: Real ID Deadline For Boarding Domestic Flights Extended Travelers will have an extra year to “get real” before needing a new license to board domestic flights due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Originally, beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, standard licenses would no longer make the cut for those looking to travel, requiring them to register for a REAL ID to board planes. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced most to stay inside, practice social distancing and closed DMV offices, the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to push that date a year, to Oct. 1, 2021. There are now three different forms of driver’s license or Ne…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: More Than 1,000 Have Now Died In US With 280 In NYC Where Morgues Are Near Capacity COVID-19: More Than 1,000 Have Now Died In US With 280 In NYC Where Morgues Are Near Capacity
Covid-19: More Than 1,000 Have Now Died In US With 280 In NYC Where Morgues Are Near Capacity With 223 deaths related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours in the United States, the number of people who have died from the disease in the nation is now more than 1,000. A total of 1,001 fatalities have been reported as of Thursday morning, March 26. New York State's number of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 32,741 with 334 fatalities. Of those deaths, 280 happened in New York City, accounting for 85 percent of the state's fatalities. The number of deaths in New York City increased 110 percent since Tuesday night, March 24.  Interactive local COVID-19 case tracke…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Two More Patients Being Tested In New York City For Coronavirus Two More Patients Being Tested In New York City For Coronavirus
Two More Patients Being Tested In New York City For Coronavirus Two more New Yorkers are being tested for the coronavirus after returning from trips to China and displaying symptoms of the deadly disease. The latest patients - both under the age of 40 - recently returned from a trip to China and developed “fever and cough or shortness of breath without another common cause,” according to the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The patients are the fourth and fifth reported patients to be tested in New York City. Only one of the new patients has been hospitalized because “the other did not have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization…

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by Zak Failla
News
Three Now Being Tested For Coronavirus In NYC, Health Department Says Three Now Being Tested For Coronavirus In NYC, Health Department Says
Three Now Being Tested For Coronavirus In NYC, Health Department Says Three people in New York City are being tested for coronavirus, the state’s Department of Health announced. The latest patients in New York - one of whom is under 40 and two over the age of 60 - recently returned from a trip to China and developed “fever and cough or shortness of breath without another common cause,” according to the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Tests for a common cold or flu reportedly came back negative. The tests for potential coronavirus, which are being handled by the Centers for Disease Control, are expected to return in the coming days. “With the b…

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by Zak Failla
News
Here's When NYers Need To Have REAL ID To Take Domestic Flights Here's When NYers Need To Have REAL ID To Take Domestic Flights
Here's When NYers Need To Have Real ID To Take Domestic Flights New Yorkers planning to take a domestic flight are going to have to “get real" within the next 10 months if they hope to board their plane. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, a standard New York State driver’s license won’t be enough to get on even a domestic flight, and although that is months away, the DMV is encouraging residents to get ahead of the game. There are now three different forms of driver’s license or New York State identification, a standard - which will not be enough to board a domestic flight alone come October next year - enhanced, or the REAL ID license, which is in coordination…

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by Zak Failla
News
Here's When NYers Need To Have Real ID To Take Domestic Flights Here's When NYers Need To Have Real ID To Take Domestic Flights
Here's When NYers Need To Have Real ID To Take Domestic Flights New Yorkers planning to take a domestic flight are going to have to “get real" if they hope to board their plane. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, a standard New York State driver’s license won’t be enough to get on even a domestic flight, and although that is a year away, the DMV is encouraging residents to get ahead of the game. There are now three different forms of driver’s license or New York State identification, a standard - which will not be enough to board a domestic flight alone come October next year - enhanced, or the REAL ID license, which is in coordination with a new law aimed to i…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Seven Now Reported Dead After Vintage WWII Bomber Plane Crashes At Bradley Airport Seven Now Reported Dead After Vintage WWII Bomber Plane Crashes At Bradley Airport
Seven Now Reported Dead After Vintage WWII Bomber Plane Crashes At Bradley Airport Seven people are now reported dead following the crash of a vintage World War II plane at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, that was carrying 13 people. Connecticut State Police said they can not confirm the exact number of people who perished in the crash that took place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, while attempting to land. Three people on the plane were crew members, ten were passengers, state police said. The vintage World War II airplane was in the air for approximately five minutes when it experienced problems and crashed into a de-icing facility at Bradley, burst…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Seven Now Reported Dead After Vintage WWII Bomber Plane Crashes At Bradley Airport Seven Now Reported Dead After Vintage WWII Bomber Plane Crashes At Bradley Airport
Seven Now Reported Dead After Vintage WWII Bomber Plane Crashes At Bradley Airport Seven people are now reported dead following the crash of a vintage World War II bomber plane at Bradley Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, that was carrying 13 people. Connecticut State Police said they can not confirm the exact number of people who perished in the crash that took place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, while attempting to land. Three people on the plane were crew members, ten were passengers, state police said. The vintage World War II airplane was in the air for approximately five minutes when it experienced problems and crashed into a de-icing facility at Bradley, bur…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
Here's How Many Robocalls New Yorkers Were Bombarded With In April Here's How Many Robocalls New Yorkers Were Bombarded With In April
Here's How Many Robocalls New Yorkers Were Bombarded With In April Robocalls continue to be a scourge for New Yorkers, with millions of callers being flooded by calls “at all hours of the day and night.” In April, New Yorkers received 290.3 million robocalls, which is an average of 112 calls per second and 11 calls per New Yorker. In April, there were 176 million robocalls made to numbers in New York City and Long Island, and there have been more than 720 million robocalls reported since the year started, according to Sen. Chuck Schumer. In response, Schumer is backing legislation that would give federal investigators the tools to trace, prosecute and fi…

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by Zak Failla
News
Here's When New Yorkers Must Have REAL ID In Order To Board Domestic Flights Here's When New Yorkers Must Have REAL ID In Order To Board Domestic Flights
Here's When New Yorkers Must Have Real ID In Order To Board Domestic Flights New Yorkers planning to take a domestic flight are going to have to “get real" if they hope to board their plane. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, a standard New York State driver’s license won’t be enough to get on even a domestic flight, and although that is more than two years away, the DMV is encouraging residents to get ahead of the game. There are now three different forms of driver’s license or New York State identification, a standard - which will not be enough to board a domestic flight alone come October next year - enhanced, or the REAL ID license, which is in coordination with a new l…

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by Zak Failla
News
Port Chester Man Sentenced, Ordered To Pay $1.7M For Fraud Scheme Port Chester Man Sentenced, Ordered To Pay $1.7M For Fraud Scheme
Port Chester Man Sentenced, Ordered To Pay $1.7M For Fraud Scheme A 32-year-old Westchester resident was one of eight men from three states sentenced to prison in connection with a telemarketing fraud scheme targeting the elderly. Joseph Gowan of Port Chester, who was among those convicted following a 12-day trial before United States District Judge Sidney H. Stein, was sentenced by Stein to 72 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit $1,763,582.05 and to pay $1,705,586.05 in restitution.  “Motivated by greed and the possibility of a quick payday, these defendants aggressively targeted the elderly …

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Feds Charge Tri-State Area Tour Company Founder With Trafficking Child Porn Feds Charge Tri-State Area Tour Company Founder With Trafficking Child Porn
Feds Charge Tri-State Area Tour Company Founder With Trafficking Child Porn The North Jersey founder of a nature tour company operating from the Jersey Shore north to Poughkeepsie and southern Connecticut was arrested by federal Homeland Security agents on charges of trafficking child porn. Vaughn Tiedeman, 46, of Living Adventure Tours, was ordered held without bail by a federal judge in Newark Monday afternoon on a charge of distributing child pornography. Between July 2018 and January 2019, Tiedeman, of West Milford, “distributed at least 50 videos and 100 images depicting the sexual abuse of children via the BitTorrent peer-to-peer network,” U.S. Attorney Craig…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Duo Sentenced, Order To Pay Restitution For Identity Theft, Auto Theft Scheme In Westchester Duo Sentenced, Order To Pay Restitution For Identity Theft, Auto Theft Scheme In Westchester
Duo Sentenced, Order To Pay Restitution For Identity Theft, Auto Theft Scheme In Westchester Two men are facing years in prison and have each been ordered to pay restitution after being sentencing for an elaborate identity theft/auto theft scheme in Westchester. The duo was involved in a complex identity fraud scheme that allowed them to fraudulently “purchase” and take possession of vehicles, mostly high-end, at car dealerships throughout Westchester by using the personal identifying information and credit of their victims, Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said. Jankely Hidalgo and Jonathan Sevilla, both of the Bronx, will each spend two to six years i…

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by Joe Lombardi