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West Milford, NJ

Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford
Air Quality Levels Improve, 3,000-Acre Wildfire Still Raging In West Milford A sprawling wildfire, now covering 3,000 acres, continues to burn through West Milford Monday, Nov. 11, however, air quality levels across the region have improved. The Jennings Creek Wildfire threatens 24 structures across both New Jersey and New York, including two homes in New Jersey, eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, and 14 structures on East Shore Road in Greenwood Lake, NY, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. As of the latest update, the fire is only 10% contained, prompting officials to close East Shore and Beech Roads, along with all tr…
2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained 2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained
2,500-Acre Jennings Creek Wildfire Continues To Burn, Cannonball 3 Wildfire Mostly Contained A massive wildfire spanning 2,500 acres is burning through West Milford, NJ, and into Orange County, NY, threatening homes and historic sites as firefighters battle to contain it.  Known as the Jennings Creek Wildfire, the blaze has put two residential buildings in New Jersey and 14 structures on East Shore Road in New York at risk, along with eight historic buildings in the Long Pond Ironworks Historic District, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in the latest update Sunday morning, Nov. 10. Good Morning West Milford, Today Forest Fire will begin back burn operations in the …
Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford
Dangerous Air Quality Levels Reported, New 1,800-Acre Wildfire Burns In West Milford Three active wildfires in New Jersey are keeping firefighters busy this weekend as the air quality continues to worsen. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service is working to contain fires in West Milford, Pompton Lakes, and Englewood Cliffs (scroll for details on each one). AirNow.gov shows an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 171, or unhealthy, across North Jersey, as of 7:30 p.m., caused by the smoke that blanketed the region. Click here to see an active AQI map or click here to check your town's AQI. Prolonged dry conditions, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong winds have contribut…
NJ High School Wrestler Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Facing Long Road To Recovery: Campaign NJ High School Wrestler Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Facing Long Road To Recovery: Campaign
NJ High School Wrestler Seriously Injured In ATV Crash Facing Long Road To Recovery: Campaign A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for one of two West Milford teenage boys seriously injured in an ATV crash on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Brandon Mroziuk was identified as one of the two boys in a Polaris Sportsman 850 that crossed a center line on Highlander Drive and collided with a 2013 Chevy Malibu. Mroziuk and the other boy in the ATV were both airlifted to St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson. The campaign says Brandon underwent surgery and faces a long road to recovery. " Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference and show Brandon and his f…
Two Teen ATV Riders Airlifted After Crossing Center Line In NJ Crash: Police Two Teen ATV Riders Airlifted After Crossing Center Line In NJ Crash: Police
Two Teen ATV Riders Airlifted After Crossing Center Line In NJ Crash: Police Two teenagers were airlifted with serious injuries in a North Jersey crash with an SUV on Tuesday, Oct. 8, police said. The 14-year-old and 15-year-old boys were in a Polaris Sportsman 850 heading north on Highlander Drive in West Milford, when they crossed the center line into the opposite lane of travel around 4 p.m., Lt. Eric Darnsteadt said. The ATV was struck by a 2013 Chevy Malibu, driven by an 18-year-old man, who was unable to avoid the vehicle, police said. Both vehicles left the roadway and the ATV riders were ejected from the ATV.  West Milford officers arriving o…
Video Shows Rescue In Cliff-Diving Gone Wrong In Passaic County Video Shows Rescue In Cliff-Diving Gone Wrong In Passaic County
Video Shows Rescue In Cliff-Diving Gone Wrong In Passaic County The New Jersey State Police Department has released video footage of an aerial rescue of a cliff-diver who suffered serious injuries in a West Milford accident. The NJSP's aviation unit and TEAMS unit, a special operations unit, responded to an area of West Milford Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 28, for a diver who was seriously injured in rugged terrain. Pilots, hoist operators, and rescuers "undertook a complex and high-risk extraction," NJSP says.  Video shows troopers locating the victim from the air, packaging him into a stokes basket, and then hoisting him up. "Facing challenging weat…
Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies
Former Bridgwater Officer, West Milford Special Officer Thomas Dinan Dies Thomas Dinan, a police officer in West Milford, died on Tuesday, July 30, 10 days after his 66th birthday, the department announced. Dinan joined the West Milford Police Department in June 2018 as a Class II special officer, assisting with traffic details, township events, prisoner watches and transports and court security, police said. Prior to joining West Milford, Dinan spent 27 years in the Bridgewater Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant, before retiring in 2015 after serving as patrol officer, narcotics investigator, bias crimes officer and counterterrorism liaison, pol…
Power Outage Update: Storm Leaves Hundreds Of NJ Residents In The Dark Power Outage Update: Storm Leaves Hundreds Of NJ Residents In The Dark
Power Outage Update: Storm Leaves Hundreds Of NJ Residents In The Dark A storm system that swept through the region Saturday afternoon, Aug. 3 left hundreds of North Jersey residents without power. As of 5:40 p.m., about 950 PSE&G customers in Hackensack did not have power, its website shows. In Closter, 145 Orange & Rockland customers were in the dark. In West Milford, more than 500 residents did not have power. Most of those customers were JCP&L. The storms, which brought temps down to the high-70s, had subsided as of press time.
AGAIN: Big Purple Bud Bus Guy, Woman Arrested After Series Of Raids Across NJ, NY, Cops Say AGAIN: Big Purple Bud Bus Guy, Woman Arrested After Series Of Raids Across NJ, NY, Cops Say
Again: Big Purple Bud Bus Guy, Woman Arrested After Series Of Raids Across NJ, NY, Cops Say The New York owner of a popular cannabis company known for its fleet of purple buses and vans was taken into custody, as was a woman, on Wednesday, July 10, following a series of raids across New Jersey and New York, authorities said. Searches on Bill Schlette’s Bud Bus Inc. locations Hewitt, Manahawkin, Keyport, and West Nyack, NY turned up $200,000 in cash, according to West Milford Police Capt. Parrello. Back in May, West Milford police executed search warrants at five Bud Bus locations in town where 150 pounds of marijuana were seized, along with $11,000 in cash, police said. A warrant …
Teen Struck By Boat Propeller Airlifted After Saved By Off-Duty Officer On Greenwood Lake Teen Struck By Boat Propeller Airlifted After Saved By Off-Duty Officer On Greenwood Lake
Teen Struck By Boat Propeller Airlifted After Saved By Off-Duty Officer On Greenwood Lake An off-duty police officer came to the aid of an 18-year-old man who was struck by a boat propeller on Greenwood Lake last month. Vernon Cpl. Steve Rovetto was on the lake in West Milford when he saw that the man had been struck around 6 p.m. June 20, and called 9-1-1, West Milford Police Capt. Parrello said. Rovetto went over to the victim, improvised a tourniquet out of rope, and then accompanied him by boat to the South Shore Marina. At the marina, they were met by West Milford Sgt. Bregman who applied a tourniquet and requested a medical helicopter due to the seriousness of the injury.…
'Music Is Our Lifeblood:' Married Couple Bring Record Store, Intimate Venue To North Jersey 'Music Is Our Lifeblood:' Married Couple Bring Record Store, Intimate Venue To North Jersey
'Music Is Our Lifeblood:' Married Couple Bring Record Store, Intimate Venue To North Jersey Music lovers in Morris County will have a place to call home, thanks to a husband and wife. On a recent trip to Boonton Coffee, Shane and Michele Murphy noticed a vacant storefront at 520A Main St. The West Milford couple knew immediately how to use it. Shane, a U.S. Army veteran, and Michele will soon be opening Hidden Tracks Records, a music store and intimate music venue. The grand opening will be held on Saturday, June 1. Click here for tickets. The store, named after Shane's podcast, HiddenTracks, will feature new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, stereo and record equ…
Fast-Moving Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Across North Jersey Fast-Moving Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Across North Jersey
Fast-Moving Storm Knocks Power To Thousands Across North Jersey A fast-moving round of thunderstorm knocked power to thousands of New Jersey residents Thursday morning, May 23. PSEG was reporting approximately 2,000 outages in Bergen County (1,156 in New Milford, 398 in Paramus); 2,341 in Essex County (983 in Caldwell, 448 in West Caldwell); 1,230 in Gloucester County (1,206 in Woodbury City). JCP&L was reporting approximately 1,300 in Franklin Township, where a downed tree closed Route 57. JCP&L also said 1,000 residents in Lebanon were in the dark, as were 1,000 in Bethlehem. Knowlton, Hope, Liberty, and Independence …
Big Purple NJ 'Bud Bus' Owner Arrested For Money Laundering, Deceptive Biz Practices: Cops Big Purple NJ 'Bud Bus' Owner Arrested For Money Laundering, Deceptive Biz Practices: Cops
Big Purple NJ 'Bud Bus' Owner Arrested For Money Laundering, Deceptive Biz Practices: Cops A 46-year-old Rockland County, NY man has been arrested for illegally selling marijuana out of a big purple van in New Jersey, authorities said. Bud Bus Inc. Founder William Schlette, of West Nyack, was charged with deceptive business practices, money laundering, and drug offenses, according to Warren County Prosecutor Anthony Picone. Two search warrants on Schlette's Bud Bus Inc, a van parked at 1077 State Highway 94 in Frelinghuysen Township, on March 7, culminated in the seizure of $1,900, a Ram Promaster van, a 2024 Loom trailer, suspected raw marijuana, and suspected cannabinoid i…
'WTF Man?:' West Milford Councilman Touched Sleeping Man's Genitals, Affidavit Says 'WTF Man?:' West Milford Councilman Touched Sleeping Man's Genitals, Affidavit Says
'WTF Man?:' West Milford Councilman Touched Sleeping Man's Genitals, Affidavit Says More details have come to light in the arrest of a West Milford councilman. An affidavit for probable cause says Matthew P. Conlon touched the penis of a 20-year-old man after he fell asleep on the sofa the morning after staying the night at a friend's home. The alleged victim told members of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office he was sitting on a sofa next to Conlon early Sunday, Feb. 4 when he felt Conlon touch his thigh at least twice, police papers show. The alleged victim pushed Conlon's hand off and told him to stop, indicating that he made it clear the gesture was unwelcome. That…
West Milford Councilman Charged With Inappropriately Touching Victim At Local Home: Prosecutor West Milford Councilman Charged With Inappropriately Touching Victim At Local Home: Prosecutor
West Milford Councilman Charged With Inappropriately Touching Victim At Local Home: Prosecutor A West Milford councilman is facing charges after authorities said he sexually assaulted an adult. Matthew P. Conlon "touched the intimate part of an adult victim in an unwelcome and inappropriate manner" at a house in the township on Sunday, Feb. 4, a release from Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes' office said on Thursday, Feb. 15. He has been charged via complaint summons with Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact and Harassment, a Petty Disorderly Persons Offense, following an investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the We…
Bloods Leader, Passaic County Man Busted with 28 Lbs Of Coke, 500 Lbs Of Pot At Teterboro: FBI Bloods Leader, Passaic County Man Busted with 28 Lbs Of Coke, 500 Lbs Of Pot At Teterboro: FBI
Bloods Leader, Passaic County Man Busted with 28 Lbs Of Coke, 500 Lbs Of Pot At Teterboro: FBI A high-ranking member of the Bloods with longstanding mob ties and a Passaic County man with a criminal history of his own were seized when they tried to fly to London out of Teterboro Airport with 28 pounds of cocaine and 500 pounds of pot on a private jet, federal authorities said. Leonardo Petrosillo, 45, of West Milford, and Edwin Spears, 49, of Newark brought three companions -- Spears’s girlfriend, an exotic dancer from Maryland and a friend of hers -- as a front for a dozen drug-stuffed bags of luggage, they said. The plane was to fly it all to John Lennon Airport in London, accordin…
Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy
Rite Aid To Close 12 New Jersey Stores After Filing For Bankruptcy Rite Aid, the pharmacy giant that filed for bankruptcy on Sunday, Oct. 15, plans to close 154 underperforming stores nationwide, according to a new filing.  A dozen of the stores closing are located in New Jersey. They are: 431 Haledon Avenue in Haledon 35 Mill Road in Irvington 1636 Route 38 Suite 49 in Lumberton 210 Bridgeton Pike in Mantua 108 Swedesboro Road Suite 20 in Mullica Hill 2370 Route 33 in Robbinsville 773 Hamilton Street in Somerset 4057 Asbury Avenue Suite 8 in Tinton Falls 1726 Route 37 in East Toms River 3 Marshall Hill Road in West Milford 1434 South Black …
Propane To Blame In NJ House Explosion That Injured 5, One Critically, Fire Marshal Says Propane To Blame In NJ House Explosion That Injured 5, One Critically, Fire Marshal Says
Propane To Blame In NJ House Explosion That Injured 5, One Critically, Fire Marshal Says UPDATE: A house explosion last month in West Milford that sent five people to the hospital – one of whom remains in critical condition – apparently was due to a propane leak, the township’s fire marshal said. The other four victims injured when the home in the Upper Greenwood Lake section exploded and collapsed on Sept. 22 have since been released from the hospital, Fire Marshal Michael Moscatello said on Friday, Oct. 13. The fifth remains in the burn unit at the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, he said. Everyone feared the worst at the time. The first unit at the scene, …
NJ House Explosion: Search-And-Rescue Operation Saves Family Members, Friends (UPDATE) NJ House Explosion: Search-And-Rescue Operation Saves Family Members, Friends (UPDATE)
NJ House Explosion: Search-And-Rescue Operation Saves Family Members, Friends (Update) HEROES: Everyone feared the worst. Yet if there’s a silver lining to be found in a devastating house explosion in West Milford on Friday, it’s that rescuers got those involved out alive. That includes a victim who was trapped for nearly an hour as firefighters tunneled their way into the leveled single-story ranch house. Five of those injured were airlifted to area hospitals following the dramatic search and rescue operation. A sixth declined further medical attention at the scene. Investigations continued combing through the wreckage well past daybreak as they try to determine what cause…
Unconscious Teen Pulled From Greenwood Lake, Airlifted To Hospital Unconscious Teen Pulled From Greenwood Lake, Airlifted To Hospital
Unconscious Teen Pulled From Greenwood Lake, Airlifted To Hospital A young college student was airlifted to the hospital after he was seriously injured in Greenwood Lake over the weekend, authorities said. West Milford police responding to the noon call found Yilin Choi, 18, of Bellevue, Washington, unconscious but breathing on the dock at Lake Park Terrace on Saturday, Detective Sgt. Matthew Kloo said. Choi, who attends NYU, apparently was unfamiliar with the area. He dove into shallow water and didn’t resurface, according to Kloo. West Milford police and EMS tended to Choi, who was taken by ambulance to Greenwood Lake Airport, the sergeant said. Atlant…
It’s Over: Burglars Who Stole $1M In World Series Rings, More From Berra Museum Busted By Feds It’s Over: Burglars Who Stole $1M In World Series Rings, More From Berra Museum Busted By Feds
It’s Over: Burglars Who Stole $1M In World Series Rings, More From Berra Museum Busted By Feds The local cops suspected it was an inside job, but federal authorities on Thursday said otherwise. It seems the burglars who broke into the Yogi Berra Museum at Montclair State University nearly a decade ago and stole several of his World Series rings, two of his MVP plaques and the glove the Yankee legend used to catch Don Larsen’s perfect game were actually part of a multi-state ring. Eight people in all were charged with a series of heists of priceless artwork and one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia from museums and cultural centers in several states and Washington, D.C. from 1999 through …
YOUNG HEROES: Neighborhood Kids Save Bedridden Woman After Dog Starts West Milford House Fire YOUNG HEROES: Neighborhood Kids Save Bedridden Woman After Dog Starts West Milford House Fire
Young Heroes: Neighborhood Kids Save Bedridden Woman After Dog Starts West Milford House Fire A bedridden West Milford woman's home had quickly begun filling with smoke after her dog accidentally ignited a fire on her kitchen stove. "This was close to being a fatal," one responder said. It wasn't, authorities said, because four neighborhood youngsters who heard alarms quickly ran to get help. Township Police Officers Randy Yevchak and Bill Pittelko and Company 3 Fire Chief Keith Weber forced open the door and found the Ridge Road home at the corner of Juanita Street filled with smoke shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Fire Public Information Officer Rich Poplaski said. The wo…
THAT'S ALL, FOLKS: Threat From Largest North Jersey Wildfire In 13 Years Is Over, Officials Say THAT'S ALL, FOLKS: Threat From Largest North Jersey Wildfire In 13 Years Is Over, Officials Say
That'S ALL, Folks: Threat From Largest North Jersey Wildfire In 13 Years Is Over, Officials Say THE WORST IS OVER: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to the supp…
IN CONTROL: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Gone, Officials Say IN CONTROL: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Gone, Officials Say
IN Control: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Gone, Officials Say UPDATE: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to the support of fire…
DONE AND DONE: North Jersey Wildfire Is 100% Contained, No More Updates, Authorities Say DONE AND DONE: North Jersey Wildfire Is 100% Contained, No More Updates, Authorities Say
Done AND Done: North Jersey Wildfire Is 100% Contained, No More Updates, Authorities Say The worst is over: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to the supp…
FINITO: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Over, Officials Say FINITO: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Over, Officials Say
Finito: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Threat Is Over, Officials Say The worst is over: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to the supp…
GREAT NEWS: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Authorities Report GREAT NEWS: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Authorities Report
Great NEWS: North Jersey Wildfire 100% Contained, Authorities Report UPDATE: The worst is over: The wildfire that marched through West Milford the past three days is 100% contained, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported on Saturday. The blaze, which was beaten back at first but then grew steadily over the previous 48 hours, finally topped out at 972 acres on April 15 – and that was it, the service said. Fire officials also said this would be the last of the updates from the “Kanouse Wildfire," the largest blaze in North Jersey since 2010. Ten structures in all were threatened – half of which were evacuated – yet none were seriously damaged thanks to …
Homeowner Charged With Arson, Aggravated Assault In Destructive Fire Overlooking Greenwood Lake Homeowner Charged With Arson, Aggravated Assault In Destructive Fire Overlooking Greenwood Lake
Homeowner Charged With Arson, Aggravated Assault In Destructive Fire Overlooking Greenwood Lake UPDATE: A West Milford man was charged with conducting an illegal backyard burn that ignited a rapidly-spreading weekend blaze that sent two firefighters to the hospital while destroying one home and damaging two others on a hill overlooking Greenwood Lake. Keith Scherer, 45, of Hewitt, was burning wood and debris in a fire pit behind his Lakeside Road home when the brush caught fire and flames spread up the hill in the Hewitt section of West Milford, a little over a half-mile from the New York State border, shortly before 12:30 p.m., March 18, responders had told Daily Voice. Scherer was …
Judge Refuses Release Of West Milford Security Salesman Charged With Sexually Assaulting Woman Judge Refuses Release Of West Milford Security Salesman Charged With Sexually Assaulting Woman
Judge Refuses Release Of West Milford Security Salesman Charged With Sexually Assaulting Woman A judge refused to release a security company salesman from West Milford who’s charged with sexually assaulting a township woman. Austin Hopler sexually assaulted the woman -- who, like him, is 25 -- following an event at a local home last June 6, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and West Milford Township Police Chief James Devore alleged in a joint release. Hopler was arrested last Monday, Jan. 9, following an investigation by township police and members of the prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit, they said. The six-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran – who’d been stationed at Fort Di…
Ex-Trump Stalker Gets 6 Years, No Parole, For Threatening Secret Service Agent, Vets Officer Ex-Trump Stalker Gets 6 Years, No Parole, For Threatening Secret Service Agent, Vets Officer
Ex-Trump Stalker Gets 6 Years, No Parole, For Threatening Secret Service Agent, Vets Officer UPDATE: A former longtime stalker of former President Trump must spend nearly six years in federal prison for threatening to assault a Secret Service agent and "shoot up" an officer at a VA hospital in New Jersey. Frank Monte, 52, of Passaic County, NJ, must serve out just about all of the sentence because there's no parole in the federal court system. Monte, of the Oak Ridge section of West Milford, "repeatedly called the emergency line of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Police at the VA Lyons hospital campus" in Somerset County, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said on Tuesd…
Tri-State Tour Company Founder Gets 7 Years, No Parole, In Child Porn Case Tri-State Tour Company Founder Gets 7 Years, No Parole, In Child Porn Case
Tri-State Tour Company Founder Gets 7 Years, No Parole, In Child Porn Case A tri-state nature tour company founder from North Jersey was sentenced to a plea-bargained seven years in federal prison for collecting hundreds of child porn images. Vaughn Tiedeman -- whose Living Adventure Tours operates in the Garden State, New York and Pennsylvania -- must serve out the entire term because there's no parole in the federal prison system. He'll also remain under supervised release for 10 years under the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark on Thursday, Sept. 21. Special agents of the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Inv…