News published on Federal Newswire in December 2024

News from December 2024


Sex offender receives over 11 years for child exploitation offenses

Vanessa Roberts Avery, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Michael Szwarc, 36, from Derby, has been sentenced to 134 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford delivered the sentence...


U.S. Special Envoy visits Middle East amid Houthi tensions

U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, is on a diplomatic mission to Manama, Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; and Djibouti from December 5-12.


FTC issues refunds over Vivint's alleged misuse of credit reports

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing payments amounting to nearly $500,000 to consumers affected by Vivint Smart Homes, Inc.'s alleged misuse of credit reports.


CBP seizes fraudulent shipment of sweetened condensed milk at Texas border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility have seized 34,286 pounds of sweetened condensed milk in an alleged attempt to fraudulently enter the United States.


Former correctional officer sentenced for bribery involving federal funds

Stephen Joseph Crittenden, a former correctional officer at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, has been sentenced to two years and one month in prison.


Hartford man pleads guilty to meth trafficking charges

Godfrey Smith, also known as "Mike" and "Mikey," has pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine trafficking charge in Bridgeport federal court.


EPA mandates stricter wastewater treatment in southeast Alaska

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the re-issuance of wastewater discharge permits for several southeast Alaska communities, including Haines, Sitka, Skagway, and Wrangell.


Brazil mandates Apple change in-app purchase practices

In a recent development, Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) has mandated changes to Apple's in-app purchase practices.


Cape Girardeau man pleads guilty to producing child pornography

A Cape Girardeau man has pleaded guilty to charges related to the production of child pornography.


Magoffin County man receives prison sentence for drug trafficking

A man from Salyersville, Kentucky, Daniel Jackson, aged 57, has been sentenced to 97 months in prison for drug trafficking offenses.


Former EMT sentenced for tampering with medication during duty

A Cordova, Tennessee woman has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for tampering with a vial of Benadryl while on duty as an Emergency Medical Technician.


Shiprock woman faces assault charge after alleged stabbing incident

A Shiprock woman has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after an incident that resulted in another woman being hospitalized with multiple stab wounds.


Vermont man pleads guilty to tax evasion involving $296K underpayment

James Mailhiot, Jr., a resident of Rutland, Vermont, has entered a guilty plea to federal income tax evasion charges.


CASA program expands eligibility criteria for federal defendants seeking rehabilitation

United States Attorney Martin Estrada has announced an expansion of the Conviction and Sentence Alternatives (CASA) program.


NVIDIA opens R&D center in Vietnam to advance artificial intelligence

NVIDIA has announced the opening of its first research and development center in Vietnam, highlighting its commitment to advancing artificial intelligence in the country.


U.S. officials discuss cultural preservation at CECC hearing

Commissioner Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, joined several U.S. Representatives at a hearing focused on cultural preservation and historical memory in China.


Federal court orders over $2 million payment for commodity pool fraud

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has announced that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas has issued a consent order against Marcus Todd Brisco from Hawaii.


Blinken discusses martial law lift with Korean Foreign Minister Cho

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken recently held a conversation with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul to discuss recent events in South Korea.


U.S.-Angola partnership aims for increased trade through new memorandum

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Angolan Minister of Commerce and Industry Rui Miguêns de Oliveira have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to initiate the U.S.-Angola Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP).


Blinken discusses civil society's role with leaders from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken expressed his appreciation for civil society representatives from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Russia during a meeting at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).