News published on Federal Newswire in February 2021

News from February 2021


Secretary Antony J. Blinken Introductory Remarks for President Biden

Release: SECRETARY BLINKEN: Good afternoon. Today I get to say something that brings me tremendous happiness: President Biden, Vice President Harris, welcome to the State Department.


U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Support Business Growth and Resiliency in Victoria, Texas

News Release: WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Victoria County Navigation District, Victoria, Texas, to make railway infrastructure improvements needed to spur business and job growth at the...


Yassein Said Found Guilty of Concealing‘10 Most Wanted’ Suspect Yaser Said from Arrest

News Release: A federal jury has found the brother of capital murder suspect Yaser Said guilty of helping the “10 Most Wanted" suspect evade capture for more than 12 years, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.


Murray Urges Quick Confirmation for Labor Nominee Walsh to Protect Workers During the Pandemic, Build Back a Strong, Inclusive Economy

News Release: (Washington, D.C.) - Today, during the hearing to consider the nomination of Mayor Marty Walsh to serve as Secretary of Labor, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, stressed that immediately confirming Mayor Marty Walsh is critical to our nation’s ability to respond to and recover from COVID-19, and to building back an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.


Waterbury Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Fentanyl and Heroin Trafficking Ring

News Release: John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JEFFREY TAVAREZ, 22, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin and fentanyl trafficking ring.


New Orleans Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

News Release: NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that GERARD LAWLESS, age 41, of New Orleans, was sentenced on Feb. 3, 2021 by United States District Judge Lance M. Africk after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).


News Release: The 2020 Annual Historical Summary documents more than 100 of the most significant projects and activities completed by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management (LM) during calendar year 2020. These accomplishments demonstrate LM’s commitment to its mission of protecting public health and the environment.


CISA Announces Extension of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force

News Release: WASHINGTON - Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced a six-month extension of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Supply Chain Risk Management Task Force.


Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced To Over 24 Years In Federal Prison For Transporting Child Sex Abuse Videos

News Release: Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced Michael David Harrison (52, Sparks, NV) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for transportation of child pornography.


La Crosse Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Distributing Methamphetamine

News Release: MADISON, WIS. - Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Lucas Carpenter, 36, La Crosse, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 84 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. Carpenter pleaded guilty to this charge on Oct. 23, 2020.



Ex-oil exec who stole more than $2 million sent to prison

News Release: HOUSTON - A 46-year-old Katy man has been ordered to federal prison after he admitted to embezzling over $2 million from a local oil services company, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan. K. Patrick.


Risch, Rubio, Young, Cruz, Paul Introduce Bill to Expand Prohibitions on Use of Foreign Assistance Funding for Abortions

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), today introduced the American Values Act, legislation to permanently enact and expand existing prohibitions on the use of U.S. foreign assistance to pay for the performance or promotion of abortion services overseas.


Comer Announces Subcommittee Ranking Members and Membership for the 117th Congress

News Release: WASHINGTON-House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) today announced the ranking members and membership of the panel’s five subcommittees for the 117th Congress.


Rockford Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack Cocaine

News Release: ROCKFORD - A Rockford man has been sentenced to eleven years in federal prison on a drug trafficking charge.


Pinellas County Doctor Pleads Guilty To Illegal Drug Distribution And Tax Evasion

News Release: Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that Alina Pollan (56, Pinellas County) has pleaded guilty to one count of distributing oxycodone for no legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice, and to one count of tax evasion. Pollan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the illegal drug distribution and 5 years’ imprisonment for the tax evasion count.


Former Controller of Lancaster County Oil & Gas Company Sentenced to Three Years for Participating in $65 Million Bank Fraud

News Release: PHILADELPHIA - Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Judith Avilez, 60, of Elizabethtown, PA, was sentenced to three years in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $15 million in restitution ­by Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl for participating in a massive bank fraud scheme over many years.


Black History Month Programs - Alabama Justice:  The Cases and Faces that Changed a Nation

News Release: HAYNEVILLE, AL - In observance of Black History Month 2021, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail will feature special posts and recorded ranger programs on its Facebook page throughout the month of February.


McCaul Statement on Assassination of Lebanese Activist Lokman Slim

News Release: Washington, DC - Following the tragic murder of Lebanese activist Lokman Slim, House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul released a statement condemning his assassination.


Arkansas Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Felon and Drug User

News Release: Lomax, a convicted felon, was caught with 55 bags of cocaine and a handgun.