News published on Federal Newswire in February 2023

News from February 2023


Former Active-Duty Soldier sentenced to 22 years in prison for child sex trafficking, producing child pornography, and traveling to the Philippines to sexually assault young children

A former Staff Sergeant stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 22 years in prison for sex trafficking children, producing images of child sexual abuse, and traveling to sexually abuse children. Moeun Yoeun, 40, of Steilacoom, Washington, pleaded guilty in August 2022, admitting that young girls in the Philippines were threatened with death if they refused his sexual assaults. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle called the crimes “vicious, heinous, and cruel.”


Chicopee Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Offenses

A Chicopee man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield to creating and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).


Admitted Child Rapist Sentenced to 50 Years for Child Pornography

A Dallas man who repeatedly raped a 7-year-old child was sentenced Wednesday to 50 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.


St. Charles County Man Who Hid Camera in Bathroom Sentenced to 16 ½ Years for Child Pornography

U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark on Thursday sentenced a St. Charles County, Missouri man who received and distributed child pornography via social media and placed a hidden camera in a bathroom to record nude minors to 16 and one-half years in federal prison.


Phoenix Man Sentenced To 30 Years in Federal Prison For Sexual Exploitation Of 12-Year-Old From Spokane Area

On February 16, 2023, United States District Court Judge Thomas O.Rice sentenced Miguel Antonio Mondaca, 25, of Phoenix, Arizona, to 360 months in federalprison following a jury’s guilty verdicts on charges of Child Sex Trafficking, Online Enticement,and Child Pornography Production and Receipt.


Man Who Posed as Teenager Online Sentenced to 30 Years in Child Pornography Case

A 24-year-old man who posed as a high school student to recruit victims on social media was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in federal prison for child sexual exploitation, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton


USDOJ-OJP-COPS offers new grant application process starting Feb. 21

FY 23 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) National Level Resources, Training and Technical Assistance grant opened on Feb. 21.


News Release: The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price


Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Turkish President Erdogan

News Release: The following is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price


News Release: ATLANTA - Homeowners and renters in Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding and Troup counties who had damage to their properties after last month’s storms and tornadoes have until Monday, March 20, to apply for federal disaster assistance.


U.S. Department of Energy Announces $10 Million in Funding to Projects Studying Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions

News Release: WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $10 million in funding for eight projects working to determine whether low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR) could be the basis for a potentially transformative carbon-free energy source. The teams selected today-from universities, a national laboratory, and small business-aim to break the stalemate of research in this space.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Before Their Meeting

News Release: PRIME MINISTER MITSOTAKIS: Secretary, welcome to Athens. You’re coming at a very, very challenging time. It’s been a year since Russia has invaded Ukraine, and if anything, this unprovoked war has tested our alliance, but I think we’ve been able to respond. As was actually appropriate, (inaudible) Greece ...


Temporary TSA PreCheck application center set for Feb. 27 to March 3 in Norfolk

Release: NORFOLK, Va. Residents of Norfolk and the surrounding area will be able to enroll in the Transportation Security Administrations (TSA) popular TSA PreCheck program at the Norfolk AAA offices from Feb. 27 to March 3, where officials will host a temporary pop-up enrollment center at 330 W. 22nd Street, Suite 101, Norfolk, Va. 23517.


News Release: QUESTION: Secretary Blinken, first of all, welcome to Türkiye.


DOI-BLM offers new grant application process starting Feb. 21

FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Nevada Youth and Conservation Corps. grant opened on Feb. 21.


Under Secretary Fernandez’s Travel to the United Arab Emirates and Oman

News Release: Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez will travel to Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 21-22, and Muscat, Oman, February 23-24. During his trip, Under Secretary Fernandez will meet with government, business, and other stakeholders to discuss supply chain resilience, ...


USDOJ-OJP-OVW grant application closes on April 12

OVW Fiscal Year 2023 Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program - Solicitation grant opened on Feb. 21.


Staff Spotlight: Mykel King

News Release: Recipient: Louisiana State Parks and Recreation Commission.


TSA officers prevent local man from bringing loaded gun onto flight at Norfolk International Airport

Release: NORFOLK, Va. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Norfolk International Airport prevented a Virginia Beach, Va., resident from bringing his loaded handgun onto his flight yesterday (Feb. 20). The 9mm gun was loaded with seven bullets, including one in the chamber.


Secretary Antony J. Blinken  With Deniz Kilislioglu of NTV

Release: QUESTION: Secretary Blinken, first of all, welcome to Türkiye.