MANHATTAN D.A., DOI COMMISS. ANNOUNCE INDICTMENT OF FORMER IBO EMPLOYEE FOR COMPUTER TRESPASS, FILE THEFT

 

Monserate Fernandez, Former Head of IT for Independent Budget Office, Allegedly Illegally Downloaded More Than 4K Files

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., and NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata announced the indictment of MONSERATE FERNANDEZ for allegedly abusing his access as the former Chief Information Officer (“CIO”) for the NYC Independent Budget Office (“IBO”) to illegally download more than 4,000 files after his position was terminated. FERNANDEZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Burglary in the Third Degree, Unauthorized Use of a Computer, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree. [1] “

IT professionals working for city agencies are charged with safeguarding the City’s sensitive information and files. Instead, we allege, the former head of IT for the Independent Budget Office downloaded thousands of files to a USB drive that he took home,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank DOI for its ongoing partnership in rooting out fraud and corruption in our city.” 

DOI Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata said, "As charged, this former City IT manager allegedly abused his position by unlawfully gaining entry to a building he was no longer authorized to be in and downloading more than 4,000 files of sensitive data he had no authority to possess. This alleged conduct is a serious breach of trust and a misappropriation of confidential government information. I thank the City's Independent Budget Office for reporting these serious misconduct allegations to DOI and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for its partnership in helping to protect City data."

FERNANDEZ served as the CIO for IBO until he was terminated on January 17, 2025, after IBO’s IT infrastructure and maintenance was migrated to the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation. He was informed that he was no longer authorized to use any of IBO’s physical or virtual resources, and his account, employee profile, and remote access were deactivated. The physical locks to the server room and the rear entrance of the office space were also changed.

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, on January 24, 2025, at approximately 8 p.m., FERNANDEZ illegally entered the office and used a local administrator account to access two computers. He allegedly downloaded more than 4,000 files from IBO’s server to a USB storage drive, which was later found – pursuant to a court-authorized search warrant – in his home in Queens.

D.A. Bragg thanked DOI Senior Confidential Investigator Farhana Begum and DOI Executive Director for Law Enforcement Technology Erskine Fleming. 

1 The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

Partnerships for Parks - Free Networking Workshop with TD, Job Opportunity, and More

 

Building your Network: Making Connections to Activate Parks

Looking for connections to grow your efforts in local parks? Interested in strategies for networking? There's still time to register for our evening workshop on best practices for building a network with experts from TD!  You’ll have the opportunity to share strategies for overcoming common challenges, learn insights from peers, and be inspired by the breadth of programming taking place across the city. Participants will be entered into a raffle for prizes as well!

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m.

Queens Public Library

37-44 21st St., Long Island City, NY 11101

Register Here

NYC Parks Volunteer Group Directory

Do you lead a community group dedicated to parks? Looking to increase visibility and attract new volunteers? Add your group to NYC Parks’ volunteer group directory! Being listed in the NYC Parks’ volunteer directory shows that you are an active partner with NYC Parks which can help your group leverage more resources and advocate more effectively for your park and community. You will also become part of an online citywide map of NYC Parks' community partners!

The volunteer directory is part of the Vital Parks for All initiative, NYC Parks’ plan to protect existing park facilities, equitably deliver new resources to underserved communities, and equip New Yorkers with information to enjoy, celebrate, and support our parks!  

Add Your Group Now

We're Hiring! 

Partnerships for Parks, a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks, is the largest community engagement program for local parks in New York City. We are currently hiring a Research and Development Fellow for the NYC Green Fund Grassroots grant program, which provides funding support to grassroots organizations dedicated to parks and open spaces in all five boroughs. This is a great opportunity for graduate students and professionals interested in urban placemaking, city planning, education, public administration, management, or related fields.

Learn More and Apply Now

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.

Two Convicted Felons Charged With Possession of Ammunition in Connection With Broad Daylight Shooting in Brooklyn

Defendants Allegedly Engaged in a Midday Shootout in a Brooklyn Bodega 

A criminal complaint was unsealed charging Jonathan Arboleda and Wilson Martinez with being felons in possession of ammunition relating to a July 21, 2026 gunfight in the East New York section of Brooklyn.  Martinez was arrested and made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.  Arboleda is currently in state custody at Rikers Island and will be arraigned at a later date.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged, these defendants are convicted felons who engaged in a dangerous gunfight in a Brooklyn bodega in broad daylight, endangering the lives of numerous citizens,” said United States Attorney Nocella.  “Both defendants have multiple prior felony convictions.  Despite repeated encounters with our criminal justice system, each defendant chose to return to the streets to engage in a brazen act of violence.  This arrests demonstrate our continued commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to combat gun violence and hold accountable those who illegally possess firearms and ammunition and endanger our communities.”

“The shootout at the Brooklyn bodega was a blatant act of violence allegedly carried out by two convicted felons whose actions created an immediate and unacceptable threat to the community.  This kind of violent criminal behavior is exactly why the FBI remains firmly committed to removing dangerous offenders from our streets and protecting the American public,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“As alleged in the complaint, Jonathan Arboleda and Wilson Martinez recklessly put countless lives at risk when they opened fire on each other in broad daylight inside a Brooklyn bodega,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “The NYPD remains focused on working with our law enforcement partners to go after guns and hold the perpetrators of gun violence accountable. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and our NYPD officers for their diligent work to take these criminals off our streets.”

As alleged in the criminal complaint and other court filings, on July 21, 2026, at approximately 1:30pm, Martinez entered a bodega store in East New York and immediately pulled out a firearm and started shooting at Arboleda from close range.  Surveillance video footage shows Martinez pulling a gun from his waistband and opening fire while bodega employees were within feet of him and in the line of fire of his 9mm bullets.  Arboleda then fired shots back at Martinez from the back area of the bodega and ran into the middle of a crowded street while raising his firearm and pointing it at Martinez’s car as it drove away.  Arboleda was apprehended at the scene bleeding from gunshot wounds to his right arm and abdomen.  

Law enforcement recovered multiple spent shell casings and a live round of ammunition on the floor of the bodega.  Both defendants have prior felony convictions that prohibit them from possessing firearms or ammunition.  

The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, each defendant faces up to 15 years in prison.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  As part of the program, U.S. Attorney’s Offices work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and their local communities to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Old Dutch Mustard to Implement Comprehensive Compliance Program to Stop Illegal Discharges into Souhegan River Streams in New Hampshire

 

Old Dutch Mustard, a mustard and vinegar manufacturing company, has entered into a consent decree, lodged with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, requiring it to implement a comprehensive water pollution compliance program to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Water Act at its facility in Greenville, New Hampshire.

The United States’ complaint, filed on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the same time as the consent decree, alleged that Old Dutch Mustard violated the Clean Water Act on more than 1,700 days between November 2019 and February 2026 by discharging acidic pollutants into a tributary to the Souhegan River. The complaint also alleges that Old Dutch Mustard failed to comply with its stormwater discharge permit and failed to timely provide compliance information upon EPA’s request. Old Dutch Mustard has been the subject of repeated enforcement efforts over the last two decades, including most recently for separate criminal violations of the Clean Water Act, for which the company and its President were sentenced in April.

“This consent decree will ensure that this company comes into compliance with the Clean Water Act, leveling the playing field for American businesses,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “We are committed to upholding the rule of law, including the Clean Water Act.”

“This action demonstrates that EPA will pursue repeat violators and hold them accountable through formal enforcement in court,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “This consent decree finally resolves decades of noncompliance with the Clean Water Act by ensuring that the company will comprehensively identify and address all sources of pollution into the tributary that runs through the facility. EPA will achieve compliance with the law.”

“Old Dutch Mustard spent years polluting the Souhegan River,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan for the District of New Hampshire. “State and federal government agencies repeatedly attempted to secure the company’s cooperation in keeping the river clean, and those efforts were met with schemes and deception that resulted in both a criminal prosecution and the civil violations set forth in this action. Enough is enough. Today’s consent decree will mean close monitoring of the Old Dutch Mustard Company so that we can protect a treasured New Hampshire waterway, and the public, from further pollution.”

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of any pollutant into navigable waters of the United States without a permit. According to the complaint, Old Dutch Mustard has a two-decade long history of unlawfully discharging its acidic wastewater and stormwater into a stream that flows underneath and in front of the company’s facility in Greenville, New Hampshire. As a result, the company has been subject to enforcement actions by the EPA, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES), and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The EPA and NH DES have required Old Dutch Mustard to continually monitor the stream at their facility, which flows into the Souhegan River. The Souhegan River is one of 19 New Hampshire rivers that the State of New Hampshire has designated as an important natural resource.

According to the complaint, the company’s monitoring results show that, on 1,728 days between November 2019 and February 2026, the stream had high levels of acidity, indicating unauthorized waste- and/or stormwater discharges from the facility. To resolve these violations and ensure that the facility does not continue to unlawfully discharge acidic material from its facility, the consent decree requires Old Dutch Mustard to improve its monitoring to provide for real-time data, thoroughly investigate any future discharges to determine their cause, and implement corrective measures to stop them. 

The proposed consent decree was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire and is subject to a 30-day public comment period. The complaint and the proposed consent decree are available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

EPA’s Region 1 investigated this case.

Illegal Alien from Mexico with Ties to the Sinaloa Cartel Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking more than 133,000 Counterfeit Pills Containing Fentanyl

 

Omar Antonio Jaramillo-Meza, 24, an illegal alien from Mexico with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for trafficking more than 133,000 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Following his prison sentence, Jaramillo-Meza will be deported.

“As an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, Jaramillo-Meza coordinated the trafficking of thousands of fentanyl pills and other deadly drugs across the border and into western North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Transnational criminal organizations that fuel the devastation caused by fentanyl may operate beyond our borders, but their deadly consequences are felt in our communities. That is why we will not stop at the border to put an end to the fentanyl epidemic.”

“This seizure of more than 100,000 fentanyl pills demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together with a shared mission,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “We are disrupting the supply of illicit fentanyl and holding those responsible accountable. We will continue working tirelessly toward a Fentanyl Free America.”

According to court documents and court proceedings, a DEA confidential source (CS) was introduced to “El Moro,” who was affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel and later identified as Jaramillo-Meza, and had access to large quantities of narcotics, including fentanyl. During the investigation, the CS used a messaging app to arrange multiple drug buys with Jaramillo-Meza. In April 2022, law enforcement seized 3,000 pills that Jaramillo-Meza had sent to the CS. The pills were marked with “M-30,” a marking used on prescription oxycodone pills. An analysis by the DEA laboratory confirmed the seized pills contained fentanyl.

During a subsequent meeting between the CS and Jaramillo-Meza, the defendant discussed future fentanyl shipments to the CS and explained that he had drugs sent by plane from Colombia to Mexico. In February 2023, Jaramillo-Meza sent a message to the CS, letting him know that fentanyl pills were in a package on the way to Charlotte and provided a tracking number. Investigators intercepted the package and seized 80,000 blue “M-30” pills that contained fentanyl. In June 2023, law enforcement also intercepted another drug delivery arranged by Jaramillo-Meza, seizing approximately 20,000 fentanyl pills in Cleveland County. 

In addition, investigators determined that Jaramillo-Meza supervised a network of couriers that arranged drug deliveries throughout the United States, including a delivery of 30,000 fentanyl seized by law enforcement in New York City. Court documents show that Jaramillo-Meza was responsible for trafficking more than 15 kilograms of fentanyl pills during the investigation.

In September 2024, Jaramillo-Meza pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl and one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing fentanyl and cocaine. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation to a federal facility.

In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the DEA for its work investigating the case.

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.

Mayor Mamdani Announces City Will Cover All Out-of-Pocket Child Care Costs for Families Receiving Child Care Subsidies

Mamdani administration will make child care completely free for all families currently receiving child care assistance through contracts and vouchers 

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced today that the City will make child care completely free for all families receiving child care assistance through vouchers and contracts across New York City. The policy will benefit approximately 22,000 low-income families who currently receive subsidized child care through the Child Care Assistance Program and pay a sliding-scale fee. Beginning in September, the Mamdani Administration will cover the $5.2 million in annual out-of-pocket costs those families currently pay for care. Funding has been baselined in the budget at $6.24M beginning in FY28.

“For thousands of families, a weekly child care fee means another bill they simply can’t afford. Making that care truly free can make all the difference,” said Mayor Mamdani. “As part of our promise to deliver universal child care, we are eliminating these fees for families receiving child care assistance across the city. No family should have to choose between staying in the city they love and affording care for their child. This is another step toward making affordable child care something every New York family can count on.”

“The rising cost of child care is one of the single largest expenses facing families across New York,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “That's why I was proud to stand with Mayor Mamdani in January to announce that we would put New York on a path to universal child care. The State has since allocated $1.2 billion to support and expand the City's child care infrastructure, an investment that is already paying dividends for working families. This commitment is one more way we are putting money back in New Yorkers' pockets, putting families first and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive.”

“The Child Care Assistance Program has been a lifeline to thousands of families, but they still shoulder millions of dollars in out-of-pocket costs,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “Thanks to Mayor Mamdani, we’re putting money directly back into the pockets of New Yorkers. Child care costs should never be a barrier to a family’s stability, and the Mayor has made delivering on that promise central to his administration. As we prepare to launch free 2-K this fall, we are making all publicly-funded care free for families.”

“Making child care free for the thousands of families with ACS child care vouchers is another crucial investment the Mamdani Administration is making to support families and make New York City more affordable,” said Rebecca Jones Gaston, Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services. “With this child care truly free, families have one less worry, one less bill, and opportunities to invest in the futures of their children.”

The Child Care Assistance Program provides subsidized child care for eligible children ages 6 weeks through 13 years old and through age 19 for children with disabilities. Funded through the State’s Child Care Assistance Program, more than 100,000 children currently receive vouchers in New York City, while several thousand more infants, toddlers, and preschoolers access extended-day care through City contracts. The City is required to charge eligible families a fee on a sliding scale, which approximately 22,000 families currently pay. Beginning in September, the Mamdani Administration will cover these costs for all families, making their care completely free. Families who currently receive subsidized care will not need to take any additional action.

Today’s announcement follows the submission of more than 5,700 applications for the City’s first-ever free 2-K program, which will provide universal child care to families regardless of income or immigration status. Demand for 2-K was nearly three times the number of available seats, underscoring the need to expand access to affordable, high-quality care. Mayor Mamdani has made expanding child care access a priority of his first year in office.

In April, Mayor Mamdani announced that the City’s 2-K programming would be full-day and full-year. The administration has also advanced work on the City’s first free child care pilot program and opened seven previously vacant provider sites to create 240 additional 3-K seats, as part of a broader rollout of 2,000 new 3-K seats across all five boroughs.

Trump Administration Delivers 15 Straight Months of Zero Releases at the Border

 

Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced 15 consecutive months of zero releases at the border, continuing the unprecedented trend of historically low border crossings.

“Again this month, the results are clear: President Trump’s border security agenda is restoring order and putting the safety of the American people first,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “DHS remains focused on enforcing our immigration laws, securing the border, and ensuring those who enter our country illegally are removed swiftly. Thanks to the strong leadership of President Trump, we have the most secure border in history.”

The sustained decline in illegal border crossings and apprehensions—now at levels not seen in over three decades—shows the profound impact of robust enforcement policies. With daily apprehensions down 94% from the previous administration, the border remains more secure than at any point in history.

“Clear policy, strong enforcement, and dedicated frontline personnel are delivering results at our borders,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. “With the support of President Trump and Secretary Mullin, CBP is securing our nation against illegal crossings, dangerous individuals, and illicit drugs while keeping lawful trade and travel moving. These results show what is possible when border security is treated as a national priority.”

Below is a snapshot of July’s key figures. Full monthly reporting can be viewed on CBP’s Stats and Summaries webpage.

Border Enforcement at Historic Levels

Illegal crossings in July remained historically low:

• Border Patrol apprehensions decreased in July 
  • The U.S. Border Patrol’s apprehensions along the southwest border in July (9,295) were 6% lower than June. Nationwide, the Border Patrol’s apprehensions in July (11,298) were 1% lower than last month.
• Southwest border apprehensions were 94% lower than under Biden 
  • The U.S. Border Patrol’s apprehensions along the southwest border in July were 94% lower than the monthly average of the Biden administration; 96% below the peak of the Biden administration (December 2023); and less than what was apprehended in 6 days in July 2024.
• Fiscal year to date apprehensions historically low 
  • Total U.S. Border Patrol apprehensions along the southwest border this fiscal year through July are lower than just one month on average from FYs 1992 through 2024.

Drug Interdictions That Save Lives

CBP remains on the frontline against drug smuggling, seizing dangerous narcotics before they reach American communities.

• July seizures 26% higher than under Biden: Nationwide in July, seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana (combined, by weight) increased 26% from July 2024. 
• Fiscal year drug seizures 54% higher than under Biden: CBP has seized 54% more drugs this fiscal year through July than it seized during the same period of FY 2024.
• Fentanyl seizures up: Fentanyl seizures increased 3% from June 2026, with 1,054 pounds seized in July 2026.
• Heroin seizures up: Heroin seizures increased 20% from June 2026, with 79 pounds seized in July 2026.

Trade and Tariff Enforcement

CBP plays a central role in enforcing U.S. trade law and supporting economic security.

• $342 billion in imports processed in July 2026.
• $23 billion in duties identified for collection in July 2026.

Protecting Consumers and Supply Chains

CBP continues to safeguard the American economy by targeting forced labor and counterfeit goods.

• In July, CBP stopped 300 shipments valued at more than $83 million for potential forced labor violations.
• CBP seized a quantity of 2.9 million counterfeit goods valued at over $2 billion.

Agriculture Stats/Seizures – Securing American Agriculture

In July, CBP agriculture specialists helped protect America’s agriculture, natural resources, and economic prosperity.

• CBP issued 6,554 emergency action notifications for restricted and prohibited plant and animal products.
• CBP conducted 114,147 positive passenger inspections and issued 704 civil penalties and/or violations to the traveling public for failing to declare prohibited agriculture items.

Violent Drug Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Kilograms of Fentanyl Hidden in Car Batteries, Fentanyl Pills, and Meth

Gabriel Ojeda Murguia, a violent criminal with a history of hurting other people, was sentenced today to nine years in prison after his conviction for trafficking over 25 kilograms of fentanyl and other drugs in the Atlanta area.

“The obscene amount of fentanyl Murguia possessed posed a significant threat to public health and public safety. If law enforcement had not stopped it from hitting the street, this poison could have ended tens of thousands of lives,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The success of this operation came from the coordinated teamwork of multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in our Homeland Security Task Force.”

“Murguia was moving an extraordinary amount of fentanyl into our communities, putting countless lives at risk for profit,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This investigation and sentencing demonstrate the impact we can have when federal, state, and local law enforcement work together to stop dangerous drugs before they reach the streets.”

“This sentence demonstrates what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together with a common goal, which is protecting our communities from the deadly threat of fentanyl,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Our joint law enforcement efforts with the Homeland Security Task Force will continue to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those responsible for trafficking these dangerous drugs. Together, we are working toward safer communities and a Fentanyl-Free America.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Between April 2024 and April 2025, Gabriel Ojeda Murguia, a/k/a “Taliban,” sold fentanyl and methamphetamine on several occasions in Gwinnett County. Over two transactions, Murguia sold more than 100 grams of fentanyl powder. In another, he sold over 2,000 fentanyl pills. He had previously sold a kilogram of methamphetamine for $2,700 and offered to sell cocaine for $18,000 per kilogram.

On April 17, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on a Lilburn, Georgia residence after observing Murguia enter the home. During the search, agents found approximately 25 kilograms of fentanyl and cocaine, including at least 15 kilograms of fentanyl hidden inside vehicle batteries. Murguia and another man were both arrested that same day. Murguia was previously convicted of battery and family violence battery.

Today, United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. sentenced Gabriel Ojeda Murguia, a/k/a Taliban, 46, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, to nine years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Murguia was convicted on May 4, 2026, after he pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and conspiring to possess fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with substantial assistance from the Gwinnett County Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol.

Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas M. Forsyth III and Sara Lim prosecuted the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Atlanta comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.