Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Child Pornography Arrest

Maryland State Police Press Release

03/26/2015

(Columbia, MD)Members of the Maryland State Police, Computer Crimes Section, Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) arrest Howard County individual on child pornography related charges.

The suspect is identified as Alexander Hart Martin, 26, from Columbia, Maryland. He was arrested without incident. Martin was charged with for Distributing Child Pornography via a file sharing network, Possession of Child Pornography, and Visual Surveillance with Prurient Intent.

As a result of the investigation a search and seizure warrant was executed at Martin's residence during March 2015 by a Maryland State Police Computer Crimes investigator and agents from the Department of Homeland Security. Martin was identified by investigators as the focus of the investigation. Execution of the search warrant resulted in numerous types of digital media seized including computers and external hard drives. These items were found to contain images of child pornography. Martin was transported to the Howard County Detention Center and is awaiting a hearing by the District Court Commissioner.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.

Iran Gains Control of US Intelligence Files in Yemen

A U.S. intelligence network in Yemen has been compromised after files were taken by Iranian-backed militia leaders amid violent protests in the Middle Eastern country.

According to a Los Angeles Times report, officials from the Yemen government have given other files about American intelligence operations in Yemen to Iranian advisers as well.

Houthi militias took over Yemen's capital of Sana last fall and overthrew the government, with President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi being placed under house arrest. He eventually fled to Aden, a city in the southwest corner of the country.

On Wednesday, Hadi evacuated Yemen by boat as militants closed in on him, the New York Times reports. A reported $20 million bounty had been issued for his capture.

The theft of the files deals a significant blow to intelligence activities in the region. The L.A. Times reports the program had been implemented to track down and kill operatives from Al-Qaida. A facet of the terror group, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), is based in Yemen and is considered by the U.S. to be the most dangerous branch of the group.

When Houthi forces recently gained control of Yemen's National Security Bureau office, it became clear the identities of local agents working for the Americans were uncovered, the L.A. Times reports.

More

3 coffins bringing life to early Maryland history

BALTIMORE — Thoughts of colonial Maryland conjure images of dark suits, white-powdered coiffed hair and shiny black leather buckle shoes.

But when a team of workers discovered three lead coffins dating back to the 17th century in the foundation of a long-gone chapel in St. Mary’s City, a remote historical settlement on the southern tip of Maryland and the Chesapeake’s western shore, they were in for a shock.

Expecting to find well-preserved skeletons, Henry Miller, researcher and Maryland heritage scholar with Historic St. Mary’s City and co-director of the project, said he opened the first coffin to find bone that had turned to a white crystal material from the waist up — leading to a burst of perfectly preserved, shoulder-length red hair.

More

Cornell University: ISIS Welcome On Campus

A top administrator at Cornell University has said that the institution would be open to the creation of a group supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) and to hosting a training camp for militants on campus.

Project Veritas sent an undercover reporter posing as a Moroccan student to question Cornell's assistant dean for students, Joseph Scaffido.

Scaffido was open to inviting an ISIS "freedom fighter" to the campus and likened a possible training camp to bringing in a coach to the school for a sports camp.

"You would be allowed to do something like that. It's just like bringing in a coach, to do a training, a sports trainer or something," the Cornell official said.

He also appeared to agree with the suggestion of allowing the group to provide material support for the militant group in the form of "care packages, whether it be food, water, electronics."

When asked whether the group could also support Hamas, Scaffido said it would not be a problem either.

More

ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations arrests 200th criminal alien convicted of sex crime under Sex Offender Registration Initiative

One of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) priorities is arresting child predators and bringing them to a court of law where they face justice, or in some cases, sending them back to their home countries.

But first, convicted child sexual predators, some of whom are in the country illegally, must be located. The Fugitive Operations Support Center (FOSC) and Fugitive Operations Teams (FOT) of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) tracks and targets criminal aliens convicted of sexual crimes against children.

ERO’s Sex Offender Registration (SOR) initiative, which started two years ago, has so far resulted in the arrest of 200 criminal aliens convicted of sex crimes, with the most recent arrest taking place on March 1. On that day, FOT officers from New York City, acting on a lead from the FOSC, located and arrested a 28 year-old criminal alien convicted of felony sexual abuse and sexual contact with a child under the age of 14. The subject is now in ICE custody and awaiting removal from the United States.

The 200 criminal aliens arrested were convicted of crimes such as sexual assault and battery, rape and indecent exposure. A 39-year-old Iraqi national was convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor via telecommunications; a 31-year-old Salvadoran national was convicted of 3rd degree rape of a victim under the age of 17 and a 22-year-old national of Thailand was convicted of lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under the age of 14.

More

Republican-Controlled House OKs Balanced Budget Plan

The Republican-controlled House has approved a budget blueprint that projects balance by the end of the decade and includes trillions of dollars in savings from benefit programs.

The vote in favor of the plan was 228-199.

The blueprint itself is non-binding, but sets Republicans on a path to pass legislation that repeals the health care law, remakes Medicare and overhauls the tax code, in addition to other steps to implement their plan.

The GOP-controlled Senate is at work on a slightly different budget plan, with a vote expected by week's end.

More

100 YEARS AND TICKING

They were dubbed the greatest generation, and after spending an hour or so with Linwood Thumm, known more affectionately as "Tick," it's easy to understand why. Two weeks shy of his 100th birthday, his recollection of his service in the Coast Guard during
WWII are as vivid as if he just left the battle. Humble about his service yet excited to share his memories, this is just a brief glimpse into the story of Tick Thumm.

Thumm’s military service began in 1942 with the U.S. Navy, when he answered America's call after WWII broke out. His service in the Navy, however, didn't extend any further than the entrance process when, according to Thumm, he was turned down because he didn't have three matching molars. Not willing to take no for an answer, Thumm turned to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Having grown up on the water, Thumm figured he would take to the Coast Guard like the Wright brothers took to flying. After joining the Coast Guard and becoming a seaman 1st class, he tested for the Coast Guard Academy. Thumm’s proficiency in math paid off on the exam when he achieved a near perfect score on the celestial navigation portion. Having entered and successfully completed the program, he became an officer and was given command of an 83-foot cutter crew stationed at Naval Base Little Creek in what is now Virginia Beach, Virginia.

More

Dershowitz: Obama, McDonough Acting Like 'Petulant Children'

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough's contention this week that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing an about-face on his remarks on the eve of the Israeli elections that he opposed a Palestinian state is ludicrous, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz said Wednesday on Newsmax TV's "America's Forum."

"Both the president and his chief of staff are acting like petulant children rather than statesmen," said Dershowitz. "A statesman takes two statements – one by Netanyahu saying he opposes the two-state solution and then the second one saying he doesn't – and always the statesman will focus on the positive and say thank you so much for clarifying, let's move forward, let's emphasize what you said most recently."

"Even Israel's staunchest enemies now think that the Obama administration, and particularly President Obama, is overplaying its hand, it's acting immaturely and is not producing anything that would lead in the right direction.

"Republicans are correct in pointing that out and holding the president's feet to the fire."

Netanyahu has also not changed his tune on a deal with Iran or a two-state solution with the Palestinians, but rather shown that he is an astute negotiator, according to Dershowitz.

More

CLEAN-UP BERLIN DAY

CLEAN-UP BERLIN DAY

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Spring is in the air and it’s time for spring-cleaning! For more than a decade volunteers have dedicated a few hours on an April Saturday to help give Berlin’s Parks and Downtown an after-winter spruce up. This year Clean-Up Day will be Saturday, April 11, 2015. Individuals and teams are needed to help with planting, weeding, raking, mulching and whatever else needs attention.

Sign-up begins at 8:30 AM in both Stephen Decatur and Henry Parks, or you can pre-register by clicking here, or via FaceBook at “Take Pride in Berlin Week” (click on the Sign-Up link under our cover photo). Some supplies will be available for use, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible.

Lunch will be provided by SonRise Church at Henry Park for all volunteers.

Keep an eye out for more information about Take Pride in Berlin Week, which will be April 18, 2015 to April 25, 2015. For more information, please call 410-641-4314 or email mbohlen@berlinmd.gov.

Source

Man With Concealed Carry Stops Slaughter

An armed passerby, carrying his permitted pistol, is being credited with saving the lives of several people when he stepped in off the street and killed a gunman shooting at occupants of a Philadelphia barbershop.

The incident Sunday began when a man, identified by police only by his age, 40, pulled out a gun and opened fire on barbers and customers inside Falah Barber Shop.

While the gunman was shooting, a passerby responded to the gunfire, running into the shop and pulling his own gun. He opened fire and struck the gunman in the chest.

More here

Dem Rep. Tries to Park Car, Fails Miserably. How She Left It Suggests She Had No Idea She Was on Video.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) was captured on video trying — and failing miserably — to park her vehicle in a wide open parking space between two House office buildings on Wednesday.

A “tipster” who caught the stunning incident on video claimed Norton grazed the vehicle parked next to her several times but didn’t even leave a note, which Norton’s office later disputed.

More

Ben Carson: Obama Is A 'Psychopath'

Ben Carson, an emerging presidential candidate for the Republican Party, was captured in an unguarded moment by a GQ reporter calling President Obama a “psychopath” for the seeming ease with which he lies to the American public.

GQ reports that Carson “had come to the Capitol Hill home of Armstrong Williams, a conservative media impresario who officially serves as Carson’s business manager,” for the president’s State of the Union speech. Shortly after, the two began discussing the speech and Obama.

Williams said, GQ reported: “He looks good. He looks clean. Shirt’s white. The tie. He looks elegant.”

And Carson’s quick reply?

“Like most psychopaths,” Carson said, the news site said. “That’s why they’re successful. That’s the way they look. They all look great.”

More here

CONGRESSMAN HARRIS APPLAUDS VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM CHANGE

Harris has been outspoken advocate for this change

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., a Navy veteran and physician who worked in both the military and veteran health systems, applauded the Department of Veterans’ Affairs announcement that will change the formula to determine eligibility in the Veterans Choice Program. Congressman Harris has repeatedly urged the VA to reconsider how they measure the 40 mile distance necessary to take part in the Veterans Choice Program and seek care from a private medical facility. The VA will now determine eligibility based on driving distance, instead of a straight line distance.

“Our veterans put their lives on the line for our nation; they deserve the best possible care, whether they seek it at the VA or a private facility. The change in policy for the Veterans Choice Program is great news for our veterans who have suffered long distances to get routine care. Many veterans will now have a choice in their health care,” said Congressman Harris.

The Veterans Choice Program was created by the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA), which was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President last August. Many of the veterans in Maryland’s First District that live on the Eastern Shore are separated from VA facilities in Baltimore by the Chesapeake Bay and must travel long distances to receive care.

“During my training, I worked in a VA hospital and I understand the bureaucratic mess that has done a disservice to those who have fought to protect our freedom. I will continue to fight for our veterans to ensure that they receive the care they need and deserve,” added Congressman Harris.

Congressman Harris has been a vocal leader in the fight to reform the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

For more information on the policy change, visit the VA’s website.

Watch this raw video of the building fire in New York's East Village

Watch this raw video of the building fire in New York's East Village. For the latest details and to watch live video: http://bit.ly/1byns1A

Posted by ABC 7 News - WJLA on Thursday, March 26, 2015

SU Men’s Lacrosse v Stevenson – It Was Not to Be!

Stevenson men's lacrosse junior Pat Candon scored his third game-winning goal of the season with just 1:22 remaining in overtime to lift the No. 7 Mustangs to a 9-8 road victory over rival and 12th-ranked Salisbury Wednesday at Sea Gull Stadium. It was the Seagulls second overtime loss this year.

Wednesday marked just the second overtime game out of 18 in the Salisbury-Stevenson series and the first since May 23, 2010. Stevenson (5-3) has now won three of the last four in the series. Salisbury is the leader overall, however.

After three-straight goals to start the fourth quarter by seniors Paul Danko and Tony Rossi and junior Stephen Banick, the Mustangs held an 8-6 lead with just 2:55 remaining. The Sea Gulls (6-4) scored two goals in the final 1:10, tying the game on a 6-on-4 extra-man opportunity with just 11 seconds remaining.

Salisbury then had a chance to win the game with 2:46 left in overtime after a Stevenson penalty gave the Sea Gulls their seventh extra-man opportunity of the night which led to a one-on-none opportunity for Mike Kane that was saved by junior Ben Richards.

On the ensuing possession, the Mustangs called a timeout while waiting for the penalty to expire before Candon beat his man one-on-one and scored in front of the crease to give Stevenson back-to-back wins over Cortland and Salisbury.

Richards, who finished with a season-high 13 saves, totaled seven in the fourth quarter and overtime, including the one on Kane to extend the game for the Mustangs. He highlighted a defensive effort that held the Sea Gulls without a shot for a span of 16:03 over the third and fourth quarters while holding Salisbury to just 1-for-7 on the extra-man.

Senior Josh Rufolo also added four caused turnovers while freshman Dom DeFazio had five ground balls in his first career start, filling in for senior Taylor Morgan.

Led by three goals from Carson Kalama, the Sea Gulls jumped out to a 3-1 lead until Danko scored with just five seconds left in the first quarter to key a 3-0 run for the Mustangs who took a 4-3 advantage with 13:14 remaining in the second.

After man-up goals by junior Matt Tompkins and senior Colin Dabney just 24 seconds apart, Kalama scored his fourth goal of the game to tie the game at 4-4 with 8:28 to play in the half. Candon put Stevenson back in front with a third-straight man-up goal before Sean Fitzgerald scored at 1:55 to tie the game at 5-5 at halftime.

The Mustangs outshot Salisbury 40-33, but won just 5-of-19 faceoffs. Candon finished with two goals and now leads the team with 14 this season while Banick totaled four points on two goals and two assists.

Kalama totaled four goals for the Sea Gulls while Fitzgerald had one goal and four assists. Connor Anderson made 11 saves.

There were numerous penalties, including one of three minutes against Salisbury for an illegal stick.

This loss probably means that the Seagull’s only chance to make the NCAA tournament field is to win the Capital Conference championship.

BRIDGING THE GAP: Connecting Community, Education and Success.

SEVP releases 2015 international student data, launches interactive mapping tool

STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM

14.18 percent increase in international students since January 2014

 WASHINGTON — "SEVIS by the Numbers," a quarterly report on international students studying in the United States, was released Wednesday by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The report highlights February 2015 data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a Web-based system that includes information about international students, exchange visitors and their dependents while they are in the United States. New this edition, users can also visit the Study in the States website to review international student data from "SEVIS by the Numbers" via an interactive mapping tool.

Based on data extracted from SEVIS Feb. 6, 1.13 million international students, using an F (academic) or M (vocational) visa, were enrolled at nearly 8,979 U.S. schools. This marked a 14.18 percent increase in international students when compared to January 2014 data. The number of certified schools remained relatively static, increasing just more than one percent, during the same time period.

Seventy-six percent of all international students were from Asia. The top 10 countries of citizenship for international students included: China, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico and Brazil.

More

The Medal of Honor Recipient Used to Look Like This, But See Just How Far He’s Come…

Maybe you’ve heard of Kyle Carpenter, who dove in front of an incoming grenade in Afghanistan in 2010 to protect a fellow Marine.

 
In 2014, he became the 8th and youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor.
More

Statement From Governor Larry Hogan On Unanimous Passage Of Budget In Senate

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today released the following statement in response to the unanimous vote in the Maryland Senate on the FY 2016 budget:

“I want to thank President Miller, Chairman Kasemeyer and every member of the Maryland Senate for their hard work on this budget and for the unanimous vote. Putting Maryland on sound financial footing is a shared responsibility and today’s vote shows leadership as we work together in a bi-partisan fashion toward a common goal.

“The foundation of the budget introduced by my administration in January was structural balance and record investment in education, without the burden of increased taxes or growth in state debt. Throughout the budget process we have asked both Democratic and Republican legislators for their input on how to further expand our increased investments in education while still adhering to our basic principles of fiscal responsibly.

“While I believe we are headed in the right direction overall, I do remain concerned about the General Assembly’s reallocation of funding originally intended to address shortfalls in the State pension system. As the budget process moves to conference committee, my administration will be seeking assurances from leadership in the legislature to ensure that pension funding will be addressed in a responsible way. We cannot ignore our responsibility to current and retired state employees.

“Finally, the budget will not be completed without meaningful discussion on the many tax relief measures our administration has introduced for struggling Maryland families, small businesses, retirees, and veterans.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the leaders of the House and Senate over the next 18 days as the work of the General Assembly comes to a conclusion.”

Capitol Police beg lawmakers to end their out-of-control parties

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Congressional law enforcement officials want to rein in the growing number of parties in the Capitol during the annual Memorial Day and July Fourth concerts, according to a letter from the U.S. Capitol Police Board that was sent to top congressional leaders earlier this month.

The letter cites security concerns, mounting overtime costs and an abundance of "coolers containing liquids" as prompting the need for action. It says the changes are needed "in light of the current heightened threat environment" and "to reduce the potential for a breach of decorum or conduct that could prove embarrassing to the Congress."

Authorities are concerned the parties, hosted by lawmakers, their staffs and organizers of a nationally televised concert and fireworks display, have grown out of control and potentially dangerous in recent years. During July Fourth celebrations last year the U.S. Capitol was overrun with heavy drinking party-goers. And it wasn't the first time the building was filled with drunken revelers wandering the historic hallways during patriotic celebrations.

More