MINNESOTA MADNESS: Minnesota Board of Pardons Unanimously Pardons Criminal Illegal Alien Convicted of Three Assaults

 

The board’s pardon removed his qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after the Minnesota Board of Pardons’ unanimous decision to pardon a criminal illegal alien from Laos who was convicted of three assaults, criminal convictions that made this illegal alien lose his green card and removable from the U.S.

At Xayasounethone Chandee, an illegal alien from Laos, was convicted of assault in 1992. An Immigration Judge issued Chandee a final order of removal in 1995. Chandee was convicted again in 2008 on two felony counts of aggravated assault – weapon.

Now, the Minnesota Board of Pardons’ decision could thwart his removal from the United States.

“The Minnesota Board of Pardons’ unanimous decision pardoning an illegal alien convicted of three violent assaults is absolute INSANITY,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “At Chandee lost his green card following his convictions for aggravated assault with a weapon. Following his criminal convictions, he was placed in removal proceedings and issued a final order of removal by a judge. Minnesota's sanctuary politicians' pardon took away this violent thug’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S.”

Chandee entered the country as a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) when he was a minor.

It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live in the United States of America. When you break our laws, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country.

DISH Wireless LLC to Pay More than $17M to Resolve False Claims Act and Administrative Allegations Related to FCC’s Broadband Benefits Programs

 

DISH Wireless LLC (DISH), located in Englewood, Colorado, has agreed to pay $17,280,240 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA), common law, and the Communications Act of 1934 relating to claims to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Emergency Broadband Benefits Program (EBBP) and its successor program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

“The Justice Department will take action where companies and individuals knowingly violate the rules of federal programs and receive federal funds to which they are not entitled,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement demonstrates our continuing commitment to ensure integrity in the FCC’s programs.”

“DISH and its employees fraudulently signed up ineligible applicants to receive federal monies,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine F. Pirro for the District of Columbia. “By doing so DISH received payments which they were not entitled. This is a shameful act on the part of a large corporation that is rightfully required to pay $17 million.”

“DISH continued seeking FCC program funds for months after its executives learned about its agents’ enrollment fraud and after an FCC OIG advisory warning. FCC OIG is committed to holding accountable bad actors who misuse taxpayers funds,” said FCC Inspector General Fara Damelin.  “We appreciate the dedication and outstanding work of our investigative team, our FCC colleagues, and our law enforcement partners, who together strengthen the integrity of FCC programs and ensure participating providers serve intended recipients.”

The EBBP, created by Congress during the COVID-19 Pandemic pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, provided $3.2 billion in 2021 to assist low-income consumers with discounted broadband services and devices. The follow-on ACP provided an additional $14 billion for the same services between 2022 and 2024. For both programs, consumers could be eligible for discounted broadband services if they met certain income thresholds or participated in one of a number of specified federal, state, or Tribal assistance programs, including but not limited to Medicaid, SNAP (i.e., Food Stamp Program), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the National School Lunch Program.

DISH, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, provides wireless telecommunication services to consumers in the United States through Boost Mobile, a division of DISH. Between May 2021 and February 2022, DISH enrolled more than 130,000 subscribers into EBBP and ACP based on their participation in the free school breakfast and lunch program in which all students who attend a high-poverty school become eligible for these services, known as Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools. For each of these subscribers, DISH received up to $50 per month during EBBP and $30 per month under ACP.

The settlement resolves allegations that DISH received monthly federal payments from EBBP and ACP that it was not entitled to receive because certain CEP subscribers enrolled by DISH agents were ineligible.

The United States alleges DISH engaged in the following FCA covered conduct: (1) DISH submitted claims to the EBBP and ACP from May 12, 2021 through Feb. 28, 2022 for discounted broadband services and devices for subscribers who did not qualify for the programs; (2) DISH failed to implement effective policies and procedures to ensure the eligibility of those subscribers; (3) DISH failed to adequately screen, train, or supervise third-party sales agents by failing to ensure each third-party agent was properly registered in the Universal Service Administrative Company’s  Representative Accountability Database; (4) DISH internal sales employees in Texas, Florida, New York, and West Virginia trained and directed third-party sales agents to submit inaccurate customer applications with incorrect school information; and (5) these third-party sales agents submitted false or incomplete information to the FCC’s National Verifier which was used to determine participant eligibility for the EBBP and ACP. As a result,  DISH enrolled more than 16,000 households on the basis of purported school attendance at a CEP school more than 25 miles from the household address without any verified school attendance, enrolled 130 households on the basis of a purported dependent over the age of 21 attending a CEP school, and for some CEP schools, DISH enrolled more households into EBBP than the actual student enrollment at the CEP school. Moreover, after learning of problems with the company’s CEP enrollments, DISH corporate executives failed to take corrective action from September 2021 through April 2022.  

The United States further alleges that DISH engaged in the following common law covered conduct: (1) submitting claims for more than 66,000 subscribers who did not identify a school-aged student as part of their applications; and (2) enrolling more than 2,400 subscribers using duplicate beneficiaries as the basis for their eligibility.

The Civil Settlement also resolves an administrative order by the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC against DISH for similar allegations. See In the Matter of Request for Review of the Decision of the Universal Service Administrator by DISH Wireless LLC, et al., WC Docket Nos. 21-450, 20-445, Order, DA 25-72 (released Jan. 17, 2025).

This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.

The civil False Claims Act resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from the FCC’s Office of the Inspector General and the FCC’s Office of General Counsel.

The civil False Claims Act investigation was handled by Trial Attorney Jennifer Chorpening, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Johnson for the District of Columbia, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hair for the District of Columbia.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of civil liability.

Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking After Possessing 86 Pounds of 100% Pure Meth and 4,700 Carfentanil Pills

Jose Tobias Jimenez-Martinez, 36, a Mexican national residing in Madera, pleaded guilty today to trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob Beris announced.

According to court documents, on March 4, 2025, police officers searched Jimenez’s Madera apartment and seized 39.28 kilograms (86.5 pounds) of actual “ice” methamphetamine with a 100% purity. Jimenez later admitted to transporting the methamphetamine from San Diego and was planning to distribute it in Reno, Nevada. The methamphetamine was packaged in 90 plastic bags of different sizes. Officers also seized approximately 4,700 counterfeit M30 pills that tested positive for carfentanil. According to the DEA, carfentanil is a synthetic opioid estimated to be 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Madera Police Department; the Fresno High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT), which is composed of personnel from the California Department of Justice, the Fresno Police Department, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Madera County Narcotics Enforcement Team (MADNET); the Madera County District Attorney’s Office; and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting the case.

Jimenez is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff on July 27, 2026. Jimenez faces a minimum statutory penalty of 10 years, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 

Partnerships for Parks - Green Workshops and Grant Awards

 

American elm street tree on 55th Ave. in Elmhurst, Queens. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks.

Greening Elmhurst: Tree Planting Demonstration

Do you love our city’s street trees? Are you interested in learning how to plant them? Join our hands-on workshop to plant young trees along a block in Elmhurst, Queens. Genevieve Moralez, Greening Central Queens stewardship coordinator at NYC Parks, along with other Parks team members, will demonstrate planting, mulching, and watering. You will then work in small groups to plant trees. During this workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded community members and leave equipped with the ability to care for local street trees. Coffee, water, and light snacks will be provided.

This workshop is hosted in collaboration with NYC Parks’ Stewarding Canopy and Community in Central Queens (SCCCQ) project. Questions? Reach out to academy@cityparksfoundation.org.

Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
S. Railroad Ave and Cornish Ave
Queens, NY 11373

NYC Green Fund Grassroots grantee Stewards of Ewen Park in the Bronx, 2024.

Spring 2026 NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grantees Announced

We’re thrilled to announce we've awarded $397,000 in grants to 60 community groups across our city through the NYC Green Fund Grassroots grant program! With New York City in a budget crisis, the Green Fund is more important than ever to support the care of local green spaces, many in underserved neighborhoods more vulnerable to environmental harms.

This round of NYC Green Fund Grassroots awardees will receive grants of $1,000 to $30,000 to tackle growing environmental crises such as pollution, flooding, and extreme heat with innovative, community-led solutions.

Some highlights from the coming season:

• We Are Southern Brooklyn, Inc. will engage young people through environmental stewardship including a public awareness campaign creating stencil art near storm drains with messages like: Don’t Dump, This Drains into the Creek!

• Earth Stewards NYC in Brooklyn will improve stormwater management systems in and around Canarsie Park through routine tree care, rain garden installation, and trail maintenance.

• Bee U NYC will continue the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship for ages 16-24, expanding from Brooklyn into the Bronx.

• Ujamaa Garden in the Bronx will finish the multi-year transformation of an abandoned lot into a thriving community space for local mothers and children to grow their own food.

• Forgotten Foods on Staten Island will train youth aged 15-24 in urban agriculture and community organizing to lead stewardship programs at community gardens and NYCHA campuses.

• Kew Kids Kindness Krew in Queens will host open skate days and rollerblading lessons as well as stewardship activities at Forest Park. 

• Green Oasis Community Garden in Manhattan will host monthly woodworking and clothes repair workshops and create a new artist-in-residency program at the garden.

For more information about the awardees, click here.

Partnerships for Parks is a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people and organizations with the skills and tools needed to ensure these spaces are dynamic community assets.

D.A. Bragg Announces Prison Sentence Of Kamal Semrade For Subway Shoving On The Upper East Side

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the prison sentence of KAMAL SEMRADE, 42, to 20 years in state prison for pushing a woman into a departing train at the Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street station in May 2023, leaving her paralyzed from the shoulders down. On March 9, 2026, a New York State Supreme Court jury convicted SEMRADE of one count each of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree.

“Kamal Semarde violently pushed a woman into a moving train, uprooting her life and leaving her with catastrophic, permanent injuries, including paralysis,” said District Attorney Bragg. “After the attack, Semrade callously fled, leaving the victim helpless on the platform. While nothing can undo the profound harm caused, I hope this sentence brings a measure of justice as the victim continues her recovery and works to rebuild her life.”

As proven at trial, on May 21, 2023, SEMRADE boarded the same train as the 35-year-old woman, who was commuting to work, at the Roosevelt Avenue stop in Queens. He then got off at the same subway stop as her at 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue before the unprovoked attack. At approximately 6:05 a.m., SEMRADE walked right behind the woman, who was adjacent to the train, then to her left side. He used both his hands to shove the woman by the head and neck, with all his force, into the moving subway car, which was accelerating to leave the station.

The victim’s face and head hit the train and she was flung back onto the platform, fracturing her spine. Following spinal surgery, the victim remains paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Immediately after the attack, SEMRADE travelled down the stairs to another platform and eventually fled the station. Upon returning to his shelter in Queens later that evening, SEMRADE placed the clothing he was wearing out for laundry service. He was identified by shelter employees based on an NYPD CrimeStoppers post and arrested two days after the attack.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly the Detective Eric Close (Manhattan Transit Squad); Sergeant Thomas Gerding of the 32nd Precinct (formerly of the Manhattan Transit Squad; Officer George Cintron (Transit Division District 1); and Detective Michael Rivera of the 40th Precinct Detective Squad (formerly Transit Division District 1). He also thanked the two Good Samaritans, who stayed and helped the victim until officers arrived.

TEENAGER INDICTED FOR MURDER OF 15-YEAR JADEN PIERRE IN ROY WILKINS PARK

 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that two defendants have been indicted on charges related to the shooting death and assault of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre during a large gathering of teens in Roy Wilkins Park last month. A group of teenagers allegedly set upon Jaden and beat him before one teen took out a gun and shot him in the chest.

Alleged shooter, 18-year-old Zahir Davis, was indicted on charges of murder in the second degree, gang assault in the first degree and weapon possession. A 16-year-old defendant was apprehended and arraigned on charges of attempted gang assault in the first degree and assault in the third degree in connection with the assault of Jaden before the shooting.

District Attorney Katz said: “The events in a residential park that day grabbed the attention of this City. As alleged, a 15-year-old teen who was ganged up on by multiple teenagers while others watched and took video, was then shot and killed by 18-year-old Zahir Davis. Davis shot and killed Jaden Pierre directly after the 16-year-old – indicted but unnamed because of his age – acting with others repeatedly punched, kicked and berated him. That 16-year-old was arraigned today on attempted gang assault in the first degree and his bail was set at $750,000. Jaden Pierre, the victim, was unarmed and allegedly did not fight back. We are actively investigating and searching for the other aggressors.”

The 16-year-old defendant, of Brooklyn, was arraigned on the indictment charging him with attempted gang assault in the first degree and assault in the third degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Bruna DiBiase ordered him to return to court June 4. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

Davis, 18, of Springfield Gardens, was charged in an indictment with two counts of murder in the second degree, gang assault in the first degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Supreme Court on May 20. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on April 16, at approximately 6:15 p.m., a large group of teenagers gathered in Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans for a water gun fight advertised on social media.

During the gathering a group of boys, including the 16-year-old defendant, attacked Jaden and punched and kicked him repeatedly with several other attackers. Jaden was dragged to the ground and returned to his feet with his back against a fence. The 16-year-old allegedly punched Jaden again in the face.

Davis, who was holding a backpack and standing next to the 16-year-old, allegedly pulled out a silver firearm from his bag and shot Jaden in the upper chest.

Jaden fell to the ground and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Davis then fled to the island of Jamaica after the shooting and returned to the United States on April 24. He was apprehended by members of the NYPD’s 113th Precinct at JFK Airport upon his return.

The 16-year-old defendant, the subject of an arrest warrant on the indictment, surrendered today to members of the 113 Detective Squad.

The investigation into other participants in the gang assault remains ongoing.

**Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

DURING NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, DEC LAUNCHES NEW SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NAVIGATOR PROGRAM

 

Provides Free Cost-Cutting and Sustainability Advice to Small Businesses

Advances Governor Hochul’s Affordability Agenda by Helping Small Businesses Reduce Costs 

In recognition of National Small Business Week, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the launch of the Sustainable Business Navigator program to provide free advice to small businesses so they can cut costs while also helping the environment. Small businesses participating in the Sustainable Business Navigator program receive free one-hour consultations with DEC sustainability experts on ways to reduce waste, increase energy efficiency, and take additional steps to reduce their environmental footprint and operating costs. The program focuses on low-cost, high-impact actions that small businesses can take along with providing referrals to project funding sources and additional resources. For example, switching to LED light bulbs can reduce lighting related energy costs by up to 90%. 

“I encourage all New York State small businesses to participate in Sustainable Business Navigator consultations and partner with DEC in helping cut energy and other operational costs, reduce waste, and protect our environment,” Commissioner Lefton said. “There are so many ways that businesses can find value in operating more sustainably, and this new program is a great starting point for businesses ready to take the next step towards more affordable and sustainable practices that benefit their bottom lines, New York’s natural resources, and our communities.” 

The Sustainable Business Navigator is open to all businesses in New York State with 100 or fewer employees. Small businesses interested in participating in the program can fill out a registration form on DEC’s website. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "At Empire State Development, we know that when small businesses succeed, New York succeeds. DEC's Sustainable Business Navigator gives small business owners free, practical guidance to cut costs and operate more efficiently — a benefit to the entrepreneurs who employ nearly half of New York's private sector workforce. Sustainability and affordability go hand in hand, and we applaud DEC for giving small businesses a powerful new tool to strengthen their bottom lines and their communities." 

DEC’s Consultations are focused on providing businesses with information tailored to their specific needs on ways that they can reduce costs, such as:

• Becoming more energy efficient,
• Reducing water use,
• Reducing waste generation; and
• Proper inventory management. 

In addition, the program can cover ways to learn where to find technical assistance and funding for future projects. DEC experts will also provide guidance to help market a business’s sustainability achievements to strengthen relationships with existing customers and attract new ones.   

Consultations can take place in person at the business or virtually.  

Small businesses make up 98% of New York State businesses and employ 40% of New York’s private sector workforce. DEC’s new program builds on other State actions to support small businesses.   

Small businesses and organizations providing services to them can sign up to learn more about DEC’s program during an informational webinar taking place on Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m.  

More information about the program is available on DEC’s website.

Man from the Republic of Congo Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl That Caused an Overdose Death in Idaho

 

Boniface Binene, "Bones", 25, a citizen of the Republic of Congo, Brazzaville, and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for distributing fentany; to another person that resulted in death.

According to court records, Binene pleaded guilty to the offense on November 19, 2025. Binene admitted to selling a tenth of a gram of fentanyl powder to Andrew (Connor) Doyle, on May 3, 2024, in Meridian, Idaho. Mr. Doyle, age 31, of Boise, Idaho, used the fentanyl powder and died in his parked vehicle in front of Binene’s residence. The Ada County Coroner’s Office preformed an autopsy and determined the victim died from acute fentanyl intoxication. The victim’s mother, Kari Bryant, spoke at the sentencing hearing and advised the Court that the victim was participating actively in drug treatment and had 355 days clean, but had recently relapsed. She advised the Court that she is committed to raising awareness about the devastating impact “this weapon of mass destruction called fentanyl” has on families.

Chief U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Binene serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Binene was ordered to pay $1,773.08 in restitution for the family’s funeral expenses. Because Binene was convicted of a crime which resulted in the death of the victim, Binene will likely be deported after serving his prison sentence.

U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Meridian Police Department, Caldwell Police Department, and the Ada County Coroner’s Office, which led to the charges.