SANCTUARY INSANITY: DHS Condemns Sanctuary Politicians in Illinois for Releasing a Violent Criminal Rather Than Honoring ICE Detainer

Sanctuary politicians in Illinois RELEASED this violent felon onto the streets 

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after sanctuary politicians in Illinois refused to honor a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer for an illegal alien who had been convicted of aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon.

On May 28, ICE lodged a detainer asking Illinois authorities not to release Shageldi Bashimov, an illegal alien from Turkmenistan, who had been convicted for aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon. He had been sentenced to two years in prison in Chicago.

Illinois sanctuary politicians refused to honor the ICE detainer, RELEASING this violent felon back onto the streets without notifying ICE.

“This illegal alien has been convicted for aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon, yet sanctuary politicians in Illinois refused to honor the ICE detainer and instead chose to release this violent criminal back onto the streets of their state,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. “Sanctuary politicians care so much about illegal aliens that they’d rather release a convicted violent felon than cooperate with federal law enforcement. These reckless sanctuary policies are only going to endanger more innocent Americans. DHS is calling on Illinois and other sanctuary states to end this practice before any more lives are harmed.”

Bashimov was lawfully admitted to the United States in March 2024, but chose to overstay his permitted time. He is currently at large.

Under Governor J.B. Pritzker, Illinois has become a hotbed of illegal alien crime. Some of the recent illegal alien crimes in the sanctuary state include:

• In August, ICE arrested Hamed Mohammed Hamed Alsaidi, an illegal alien from Jordan, after he had been arrested for having EIGHT Molotov cocktails in his possession in Mokena, Illinois. He had been released by sanctuary politicians in Will County who refused to honor ICE’s detainer, and ICE arrested him two days later. 
• In June, ICE lodged a detainer for Janio Gionel Velasquez-Muro, an illegal alien from Venezuela, after he was arrested for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in Kane County, Illinois. 
• In June, ICE arrested Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti, an illegal alien from Venezuela and former teacher, for her involvement in  a Tren de Aragua mass shooting in December 2024 that killed three people and injured several others at a house party in Chicago, Illinois. 
• In March, ICE lodged a detainer for Jose Medina-Medina, an illegal alien from Venezuela, after he was arrested for shooting and killing 18-year-old Loyola College student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago, Illinois. 
• In October 2025, ICE lodged a detainer for Leyter Jeferson Arauz-Medina, an illegal alien from Nicaragua, after his arrest for raping a 54-year-old woman in Chicago, Illinois. 
• In October 2025, ICE arrested Radule Bojovic, an illegal alien from Montenegro, who was working as a sworn police officer with the Hanover Park Police Department. 
• In September 2025, ICE lodged a detainer for Jose Javier Coronado-Meza, an illegal alien from Venezuela, after he was arrested for killing a man execution-style and then burying his body in concrete in Cook County, Illinois. 
• In July 2025, ICE arrested Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, an illegal alien from Mexico, after he was released by sanctuary politicians in Lake County, despite being arrested for hiding the body of 37-year-old Megan Bos on his property. 
• In January 2025, Julio Cucul-Bol, an illegal alien from Guatemala, caused a drunk-driving crash that killed 20-year-old Katie Abraham in Urbana, Illinois. Cucul-Bol now faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death, and reckless homicide. Operation Midway Blitz was launched in September 2025 in Katie’s honor. 

“Sanctuary Insanity” is a new daily series by the Department of Homeland Security highlighting the insanity of sanctuary politicians releasing criminal illegal aliens back onto the streets to terrorize American citizens. 

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Crestview Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Methamphetamine

 

John Martin Elmore, 37, of Crestview, Fla., pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and one count of possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police Department, and DEA are unified in their commitment to eradicating the scourge of meth from our communities, and successful prosecutions like this one ensure the traffickers responsible for flooding our streets with this deadly drug will find themselves locked away in a federal prison cell. The Northern District of Florida has zero-tolerance from criminality, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes to deliver the safe, drug-free communities that our citizens deserve.”

Court documents reflect that law enforcement discovered and seized over 1,800 grams of methamphetamine in the defendant’s vehicle after a K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics during a traffic stop on April 14, 2026. Pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement reviewed the defendant’s cell phone, which was seized during the stop, and discovered evidence of drug distribution.

“That’s a pretty significant traffic stop seizure, especially for this area,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “Our agents and law enforcement partners will continue to target those who distribute dangerous drugs in our communities.”  

Elmore faces a minimum mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on both counts.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Crestview Police Department, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica S. Etherton and Thomas S.P. Geeker. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Damon Louther

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on the death of Damon Louther, who died on May 13, 2025 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn. After a thorough investigation, which included interviews with involved officers, reviews of footage from body-worn cameras and a security camera, recorded interviews with civilian witnesses, a recorded 911 call and police radio transmission, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI determined that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s actions were justified under New York law.

Shortly before 3 p.m. on May 13, NYPD officers responded to an apartment in Brooklyn after receiving a 911 call from an individual reporting a domestic dispute involving Mr. Louther. When officers arrived, they briefly spoke to the 911 caller outside of the building and learned that Mr. Louther had entered the apartment without being invited. Officers then entered the 911 caller’s apartment.

Upon entering, officers encountered Mr. Louther in the hallway of the apartment. Mr. Louther walked toward the officers, reached into his front waistband, and pulled out a large knife. The officers attempted to back away as Mr. Louther advanced, and one officer deployed his Taser, striking Mr. Louther. Mr. Louther pulled the Taser prongs from his body and continued advancing toward the officers. The second officer fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Louther. Mr. Louther was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a knife at the scene.

Under New York’s justification law, a person may use deadly physical force when the person reasonably believes it to be necessary to defend against the use of deadly physical force by another. In this case, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic dispute involving Mr. Louther. When officers encountered Mr. Louther, he advanced toward them while holding a knife, and when one officer deployed his Taser, it was ineffective and did not stop Mr. Louther from continuing to approach officers with the knife. Under these circumstances, given the law and the evidence, a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s use of deadly physical force against Mr. Louther was justified, and therefore OSI determined that criminal charges would not be pursued in this matter.

Bergen County Orthopedic Surgeon Pleads Guilty to Employment Tax Crime

 

A New Jersey orthopedic surgeon pleaded guilty to failing to pay over trust fund taxes.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Brian Mehling, 61, of Hackensack, New Jersey is an orthopedic surgeon and formed Mehling Office Management LLC, in order to pay himself and other employees of his medical practice. Mehling failed to pay over the full amount of taxes withheld from employees’ paychecks to the Internal Revenue Service for one quarter in 2014, three quarters in 2015, three quarters in 2016, two quarters in 2017, and one quarter in 2018, causing a loss of more than $1.5 million.

To collect Mehling Office Management’s payroll taxes, the IRS initiated a collections action, pursuant to which an IRS revenue officer interviewed Mehling in October 2016. In that interview, Mehling admitted that he was the responsible person for accounting for and paying over payroll taxes at Mehling Office Management and that he had failed to remit taxes for prior quarters and paid other expenses instead, including mortgages on his properties.

As part of his plea agreement, Mehling agreed to pay restitution of $1,526,281 to the IRS.

Mehling pleaded guilty to one count of failing to collect, account for, and pay over payroll taxes, for which he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2027.

Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer for the District of New Jersey made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Likhitha Butchireddygari of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

KRVC - Join The 4Bronx Project's 6th Annual Christmas Toy Drive!

 

Join The 4Bronx Project's 6th Annual Christmas Toy Drive!

We are proud to kick off our annual holiday drive, dedicated this year to Terry Connaughton Sr. and in loving memory of Veteran Bruce E. Levine Sr.

This year’s drive proudly honors Terry Connaughton Sr., the beloved owner of Connaughton’s Riverdale Steak House and a pillar of the Bronx community. Known for his deep generosity, warmth, and lifelong dedication to bringing people together, Terry’s spirit of giving lives on through this mission. By dedicating the drive to him, we continue his remarkable tradition of uplifting those around us and caring for our neighbors in need.

No child should experience the holidays without the magic of opening a brand-new gift. Through the collective generosity of our community, local businesses, and partners, our goal is to serve hundreds of Bronx kids living in shelters with a new toy for Christmas. These toys do more than just bring holiday cheer—they provide a vital sense of hope, dignity, and joy to children and families facing difficult circumstances during the holiday season.

In addition, this year we will be supporting 100 kids of local veterans in memory of Bruce E. Levine Sr., a proud Marine and father.

How can YOU donate?

Option 1:

Shop Online: Shop our Amazon Wish List to purchase direct toy donations.

AMAZON LINK: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32SRJN5L4VTMU?ref_=list_c_wl_ys_list_1

Option 2:

You can make a monetary donation and we will purchase the toys on a big shopping run. Please write in the comments "Toy Drive" (All donations made via option 2 are tax-deductible, as we are a 501(c)(3). 

CLICK LINK BELOW: 

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X3EC4LPL689D2

Honor Your Loved One: If you would like to have your loved one remembered on a digital wreath by donating, please email laura4bronx@gmail.com.

Option 3:

Drop Off a New Toy: You can purchase a new toy of your choice on your own and drop it off at any of our participating locations. Over the next week, we will be announcing the amazing local spots joining us this year!

Important Details:

• Deadline: All toys must be dropped off to all locations by Sunday, December 16th to ensure wrapping and delivery can be done on time.

• Late Drop-offs: If you have a toy after the 16th, we are more than happy to take it! Please email laura4bronx@gmail.com to organize drop-off and for any questions or details.

Let’s come together to make this holiday season special for our community, our veterans, and hundreds of children who need it most.

Look forward to seeing you! 505BX.org Follow us:

Join a BRAC x CEC Idea Generation Meeting: Thursday at 6pm

Bronx River Art Center is excited to once again work alongside The People’s Money, a participatory budgeting initiative led by the Civic Engagement Commission (CEC) where New Yorkers come together to decide how public funds are invested in their communities.

We will be holding several sessions throughout the month of November for Bronx residents ages 11 and up to brainstorm ideas for projects they want to see funded in their community, which will then be publicly voted on this Spring.

This week's session will be held today (Thursday, November 12th) from 6pm - 9pm. Participants can attend any session. All sessions will have free snacks and refreshments, as well as a raffle for a free BRAC art workshop or class.

UPCOMING SESSIONS Sunday, November 15th from 12pm - 3pm  (Spanish Language session) Wednesday, November 18th from 6pm - 9pm

Attend an Idea Generation Workshop!

 

Social Adult Day Care Program Director Pleads Guilty to $127M Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Scheme

 

A Queens man pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare and New York State Medicaid of approximately $127 million by billing for medically unnecessary prescription drugs and social adult day care (SADC) services that were not provided.

“For over a decade, Daniel Lee helped run a brazen kickback scheme that stole from Medicare and Medicaid through fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescription drugs and social adult day care services that were never provided,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This guilty plea underscores the Department’s commitment to holding accountable those who exploit federal health care programs for personal gain.”

“This guilty plea marks the end of the defendant’s long running and staggering fraud against the Medicare and Medicaid programs,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Our Office is working diligently to uncover and prosecute social adult day care fraud schemes to protect the vital public benefit programs that so many Americans rely on.”

“Paying kickbacks and billing for services that were never provided is not patient care. It is theft from programs that vulnerable people depend on,” said Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This guilty plea sends a clear warning: HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners are watching, and we will relentlessly pursue those who corrupt these programs for personal gain.”

“The FBI New York Health Care Fraud Task Force is working aggressively alongside our federal, state, and local partners to expose, disrupt, and dismantle multimillion-dollar healthcare fraud schemes like the one alleged yesterday,” said Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “New Yorkers deserve to know their hard-earned tax dollars are funding legitimate medical care - not lining the pockets of criminals. To those who believe they can defraud Medicare and Medicaid undetected, let this serve as a warning: You can hide your schemes, but justice will find you.”

“Healthcare fraud is a serious crime that harms patients, burdens taxpayers, and weakens the integrity of our healthcare system,” said Chief Jarod Koopman of the IRS Criminal Investigation. “These schemes drive up costs, threaten patient care, and siphon resources away from individuals and communities that depend on them. The defendant’s admissions Yesterday should serve as a warning to anyone seeking to profit through fraud: IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly follow the money, dismantle criminal operations, and hold offenders accountable.”

According to court documents, Daniel Lee, 57, of Flushing, New York, was a program director at two Flushing SADC centers, Happy Life Inc. (Happy Life) and Z&W Empire Enterprise, Inc. doing business as Royal Adult Day Care Center (Royal). Over approximately ten years, Happy Life and Royal paid illegal cash kickbacks and bribes to Medicaid recipients to induce them to enroll with the businesses and billed Medicaid for services that were never provided.

Some claims were submitted for SADC services when the Medicaid recipients could not possibly have received the services because they were hospitalized at the time. During the same over ten-year period, Lee and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes to Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid recipients at a related pharmacy that submitted claims for medically unnecessary prescription drugs. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Happy Life, they recovered over $100,000 in cash. Law enforcement also seized approximately $900,000 in fraud proceeds held in bank accounts.

Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2027, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

HHS-OIG, FBI, IRS-CI, and OSC are investigating the case.

Deputy Chief Patrick J. Campbell of the Fraud Division’s Health Care Fraud Section is prosecuting the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire Kedeshian for the Eastern District of New York, who is assisting with forfeiture matters.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/fraud/health-care-fraud-section.

GrowNYC - Empowering NYC kids from Seed to Plate 🌱 | Your year-end gift makes it possible

 

Growing the Next Generation

When a child learns where their food comes from, everything changes.

For many students, a Seed to Plate field trip is their very first opportunity to meet the farmer who grew their food, taste a seasonal fruit picked at peak ripeness, and choose fresh produce for their families using Greenmarket Bucks.

NYC students visit their local Greenmarket and purchase fresh fruits and veggies using Greenmarket Bucks.

The big picture: This year, through GrowNYC’s Seed to Plate program, thousands of New York City public school students discovered the vital connection between what they eat, personal health, and the environment. With generous support from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, students even had a blast learning about fresh food and healthy eating alongside Mr. Met himself, adding unforgettable energy to the experience.

Designed for 3rd through 6th graders, Seed to Plate brings food systems to life through hands-on curriculum, virtual lessons, classroom cooking materials, and trips to local Greenmarkets. Over the past year, the program delivered real impacts across our city:

• 16 NYC Public Schools partnered with our Education Team

• 2,035 students in 98 classrooms engaged in hands-on food and environmental education

• $14,746 in Greenmarket Bucks placed directly into the hands of NYC youth, allowed them to purchase fresh, locally grown produce from regional farmers

What they’re saying:

“I want to thank you for a great year, chockful of positive learning experiences for our students. We so much enjoyed the trip to the Greenmarket! The kids came home with amazingly delicious, healthy treats!”

— Mackenzie Hernandez, Teacher, PS 201Q

As we look toward the new year, your support is essential to keep this programming thriving.

I want to plant a seed of support

Every dollar you give helps provide:

• Classroom food kits

• Student transit

• Learning materials

• Greenmarket Bucks

Your support will help public school students across all five boroughs can build lifelong habits of health and environmental stewardship.

Give today to invest in our future generations, regional farmers, and a healthier New York City.