National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice

Federal Grand Jury Indicts 8 Men in Conspiracies Related to Plot to Attack UFC Freedom 250 Event at White House, Kill Government Officials: Eighth alleged coconspirator who was to participate as sniper during attack arrested by FBI in West Virginia this week 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/federal…

Nihilistic Violent Extremist Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison in San Antonio: Officials Urge Parents to Monitor Children’s Online Activity and Communication “Chavez’s crimes reveal the ruthless exploitation and manipulation at the core of NVE groups,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “These organizations target children as part of their broader mission to spread terror. These groups ultimately seek nothing less than the destruction of our society. NSD will use every resource at its disposal to identify and prosecute 764-linked criminality and to protect the most innocent among us from these predators.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/nihilis…

Maryland Man Sentenced for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/marylan…

The Justice Department announced today that Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, was ARRESTED AND CHARGED by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources, namely currency, to designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also known as Al-Quds Brigades. “As alleged, Washburn repeatedly voiced support for violence against Israeli civilians and attempted to provide material support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad by sending cryptocurrency to an individual who claimed to participate in its attacks,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “Those who aid foreign terrorist groups will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/upstate…

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on UNC5792, a malicious cyber group associated with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Border Guards and UNC4221, a malicious group of cyber actors working on behalf of the Russian military services. rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/unc5792 Following that announcement, today, the FBI and CISA issued an updated PSA on the targeting of commercial messaging applications (CMAs) by the Russian Intelligence Services (RIS). Russian FSB officers embedded with the FSB Border Guards and others working on behalf of the Russian military services, publicly tracked as UNC5792 and UNC4221, continue to target current and former U.S. and international government officials, military personnel, political figures, journalists, and key officials located in Ukraine. The threat actors have compromised individual CMA accounts, but not the CMA’s encryption or the application itself. RIS cyber threat actors continue to masquerade as automated CMA support accounts in updated phishing messages but have evolved their tactics to attempt to elicit victims’ Backup Recovery Keys. For more information on the scheme and how you can protect yourself, read the FBI’s #PSA: ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA26… In collaboration with DOJ, the FBI seized 26 internet domains associated with this activity.

A Chicago man has been arrested in connection with the planned violent attack at the UFC event at the White House earlier this month. Seven other individuals from multiple states have been charged in connection with the planning of the violent attack. "The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office will pursue all appropriate charges against those who act to obstruct law enforcement investigations because safeguarding the public depends on the full, unhindered pursuit of the evidence." -U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for @NDILnews. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/chicago…

🚨Former U.S. National Security Advisor John R. Bolton, II PLEADS GUILTY to Violating the Espionage Act: Sent Top Secret Information on Personal Account Allegedly Hacked by Iranians “John Bolton held a position of extraordinary public trust as the country’s top National Security Advisor, and he betrayed that trust, jeopardizing our nation’s security,” said Hayden O’Byrne, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division. “Today’s resolution ought to send a message to other public officials whom the public has entrusted with classified, national defense information. If you willfully mishandle these state secrets, the Department of Justice, led by the National Security Division, will investigate and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/former-…

The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of a five-count complaint charging Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, 38, of San Diego, California, with terrorism, sanctions-evasion, wire fraud, money laundering, and false statement charges in connection with his efforts to divert funds raised through purported charitable campaigns to Hamas and for personal use. “As alleged in the complaint, the defendant exploited the barbaric acts of terror perpetrated on October 7, 2023, to attract donors to his fraudulent ‘humanitarian’ causes,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “He allegedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through this scheme, which he then funneled to Hamas to help finance that group’s terror and violence and to line his own pockets. As demonstrated by today’s charges, NSD will investigate and prosecute those who fund terrorism.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/san-die…

The Justice Department announced today that it has declined the prosecution of Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch), thereby resolving its investigation into an alleged scheme to send products and software manufactured with equipment that was the direct product of U.S. software or technology to an Entity-listed company in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). “This declination reflects the clear benefits for companies that promptly disclose potential violations and fully assist in our investigations,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “Bosch’s cooperation and timely remediation met the high standards set by the Corporate Enforcement Policy, supporting a fair and efficient resolution. This first-of-its-kind decision by NSD highlights the important role of transparency in safeguarding U.S. technology and national security.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/nationa…

Shawn Krishendat Premsook, 26, of Clermont, Florida, has pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. According to the government’s factual basis, Premsook was a member of “764” and other Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) groups for approximately two years. During that time, Premsook joined these groups in extorting minors to engage in self-harm. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/member-…

Avtandil Kalandadze, 47, the former ship master of a shadow fleet tanker that historically transported Iran- and Venezuela-origin oil for the ultimate benefit of U.S. adversaries, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court for refusing to obey orders from the U.S. Coast Guard during a multi-week pursuit from the Caribbean Sea through to the North Atlantic Ocean. “Kalandadze’s guilty plea today should serve as a warning to ghost fleet owners and operators and all those who man or otherwise support these dangerous, decrepit vessels,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/master-…

13 internet domains used to target U.S. persons, including current and former security clearance holders with access to classified and sensitive U.S. government information, were seized today by federal authorities. “These domain seizures offer a glimpse at how foreign actors can use promises of easy money to lure Americans into revealing sensitive or classified information that they are duty‑bound to protect,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “Anyone approached online with offers of easy income for vague ‘consulting’ work should treat those overtures with extreme caution and remain vigilant for warning signs of malicious targeting.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

“Najibullah commanded Taliban fighters responsible for enforcing the Taliban’s ruthless reign of terror, including fighters who carried out the 2008 attack that killed three U.S. servicemembers and their interpreter,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “However incomplete, today’s sentence delivers long‑awaited accountability and a measure of justice to the families of the victims.”

Passaic Man Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS Mohamed Sagha, 22, of Wayne, New Jersey was charged by complaint with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/passaic…

Thomas Weir Pauken II, 50, an American citizen who lived and worked in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), pleaded guilty today to acting as an agent of a foreign government within the U.S. “Pauken admitted to being part of a conspiracy to obtain sensitive information from the U.S. government for the PRC,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “His actions are a betrayal of this Nation and pose an unacceptable risk to our national security. NSD remains committed to safeguarding information essential to our national security, including through appropriate prosecution.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/america…

CEO of Iran Tech Company Arrested on Federal Charge of Supplying U.S. Equipment to Iran’s Nuclear and Military Establishment “As alleged, Ghomi enriched himself by supplying U.S. technology to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and other sanctioned entities responsible for the Iran’s nuclear program,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will hold accountable those who violate our laws to further Iran’s nuclear ambitions.” Ghomi funded the construction of his Orange County, California, mansion with the proceeds of his sanctions-evasion scheme. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/ceo-ira…

ICYMI: Jonathan Loadholt, 37, of Staten Island, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for his participation in a plot directed by the Government of Iran targeting Masih Alinejad, a journalist, author, and human rights activist. “Tehran attempted to murder a U.S. journalist in the United States simply because she exposed a few of that regime’s many abuses,” said Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg. “The defendant now stands convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence for his role in this plot. The Department and its colleagues will work tirelessly to protect Americans and to seek justice when our laws are broken.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/staten-…

🚨 Iraqi National Arrested and Charged with Providing Material Support to Iranian-Backed Terrorist Organizations and Directing Attacks Targeting U.S. Citizens and Interests “Thanks to the dedication and vigilance of law enforcement, this alleged terrorist commander is now in U.S. custody,” said Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche. “As alleged in the complaint, Al-Saadi directed and urged others to attack U.S. and Israeli interests and to kill Americans and Jews in the U.S. and abroad, and in doing so advance the terrorist goals of Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. These charges show American law enforcement will never let such evil go unchecked and will use all tools to disrupt and dismantle foreign terrorist organizations and their leaders.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/iraqi-n…

“Chkhikvishvili, a leader of the ‘Maniacs Murder Cult,’ repeatedly called for the murder of innocent civilians, including children, and schemed to attack and terrorize Jewish communities and racial minorities in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Chkhikvishvili, for example, tried to recruit a supposed associate to dress up as Santa Claus and pass out poisoned candy to minority children. Today’s sentence takes a monster off our streets and protects our communities at least for a time.”

The defendant facilitated entry into the U.S. by other Iranian Nationals, including an individual affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “Gohari made a business of smuggling aliens into the United States, at least one of whom had ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization. I applaud the investigators and prosecutors who made possible today’s plea, taking this defendant off our streets.” -Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/new-yor…