Saturday, January 1, 2011

Former Indiana middle school teacher sentenced to 30 years for child pornography


HAMMOND, Ind. - A former band teacher at a local middle school was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 years in federal prison for enticing a minor and manufacturing child pornography. The sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Hammond Police Department.
James Allen Ciammetti, 43, of Oak Lawn, Ill., was sentenced Dec. 28 by U.S. District Judge James Moody, Northern District of Indiana, to 30 years imprisonment and 20 years of supervised release. Ciammetti pleaded guilty to coercing and enticing a minor and manufacturing child pornography. As part of the plea agreement, Ciammetti also relinquished the balance of his teacher's retirement account, to be paid as restitution in this case. Ciammetti was a band teacher at George Rogers Clark Middle School in Hammond.
"Today's sentencing should put all types of child predators on notice that serious consequences await those who sexually exploit innocent children," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Chicago. "This case was particularly troubling because of Mr. Ciammetti's position of public trust as an educator. HSI will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners to protect our children and ensure that sexual predators feel the full weight of the law."
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Indiana Philip Benson and Jill Trumbull Harris.
This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.
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OSDBU Conferences

OSDBU Conferences

January

January 26, 27, 2011, National Small Business Contracting Summit
Orlando, Fla.
Sponsor: U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce

February

February 22-24, 2011, GRO-Biz Conference & Expo
Evanston, Wyo.
Sponsor: Senator Enzi & PTAC
February 24, 2011, Business Matchmaking 2011
Miami, Fla.
Sponsor: Business Matchmaking

March

March 14-17, 2011, RES2011
Las Vegas, Nev.
Sponsor: National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

April

April 21, 2011, OSDBU Procurement Conference
Chantilly, Va.
Sponsor: OSDBU Offices

May

May 10-12, 2011, 12th Annual DOE Small Business Conference
Kansas City, Mo.
Sponsor: Department of Energy
May 23-25, 2011, CelebrAsian 2011
Los Angeles, Calif.
Sponsor: U.S. Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce




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Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is an effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. With much at stake, the Act provides for unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability so that you will be able to know how, when, and where your tax dollars are being spent. Spearheaded by a new Recovery Board, this Act contains built-in measures to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending. See more at recovery.gov.

Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Projects supported by these funds will not only make the country safer and more secure, but they also will create new jobs, and in some cases, save the jobs of men and women who do the work of staying ahead of those who would seek to do us harm.

St. Elizabeths/DHS Headquarters Consolidation:

  • $650 million ($200 million to DHS; $450 million to GSA)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP):

  • $720 million for construction at land ports of entry ($300 million GSA; $420 million CBP)
  • $100 million for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology
  • $100 million for border technology on the southwest border
  • $60 million for tactical communications equipment and radios

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):

  • $20 million for ICE automation modernization and tactical communications

Transportation Security Administration:

  • $1 billion for explosives detection systems and checkpoint screening equipment

U.S. Coast Guard:

  • $142 million for Alteration of Bridges program
  • $98 million for construction, which may include the following:
    • Shore facilities and aids to navigation facilities
    • Vessel repair/acquisition (includes High Endurance Cutter)

Federal Emergency Management Agency:

  • $100 million for Emergency Food and Shelter Program
  • $150 million for transit and rail security grants
  • $150 million for port security grants, no non-federal match required
  • $210 million for Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) grants for firehouse construction; maximum grant is $15.0M
  • $5 million expansion in authority for FEMA Community Disaster Loans
  • Requires the establishment of an arbitration panel to resolve Katrina/Rita public assistance disputes
  • All non-federal matching requirements for SAFER grants waived for FY 2009-2010

DHS Office of Inspector General:

  • $5 million to conduct related oversight and audit




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Family Matters Blog: Families Invited to Dial Into Helping Webinars


By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2010 - The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury has released its monthly webinar series schedule for 2011, and officials there hope the topics will interest everyone from servicemembers and their families to medical professionals.
The webinar series  presents resources and best practices regarding TBI and psychological health care and offers participants an interactive environment to ask questions or comment. This past year, the series featured topics such as family support techniques, combating stigma, suicide prevention and reintegration programs.
In 2011, topics will range from the impact of war on children to post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of a natural disaster. Webinars are scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. EST.
Here's the complete schedule:
Jan. 27: Peer-to-Peer Support Model Program
Feb. 24: Compassion Fatigue
March 24: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Co-occurring Psychological Health Disorders:
Focus on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury with Co-occurring Psychological Health
Disorders Toolkit
April 28: Indirect Neurotrauma: The Impact of War on Children
May 26: Operational Stress and In Theater Care
June 23: Anatomical/Physiological Changes Secondary to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
July 28: Reintegrative Medicine: Focusing on Family and Clinical Perspective, and
Adaptation Following Incident
Aug. 25: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Natural Disasters
Sept. 22: Neuropathophysiology of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Oct. 27: Generational Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Growth
Nov. 17: Holidays Apart from Family
December: No event due to the holidays
For more on the webinar series, visit the DcOE blog . To be added to the DCoE Monthly Webinar Series listserv or to sign up for upcoming webinars, e-mail DCoE.MonthlyWebinar@tma.osd.mil.
To comment on this blog, use the comment feature below. To read other Family Matters posts, visit the Family Matters website. Comments posted here may be re-posted to the Family Matters Website.

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Day 10: Coast Guard Video of the Year

Thursday, December 30, 2010
Written by: LT Connie Braesch
Video of the Year contest
Welcome to day ten of voting for Coast Guard Video of the Year!
Last week, we offered you a sampling of the top 11 Coast Guard videos of 2010. Now, it is time for you to vote on your favorites and help us select your top three videos.
Our tenth video features Aids to Navigation Team Kodiak, Alaska, personnel building a 15-foot tower near Point Hope to help mariners navigate through the Bering Strait.  The aid is only one of two permanent Coast Guard aids north of the Arctic Circle.  Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Thomasson, a damage controlman, narrates the b-roll video.
Click on the image to watch the video on YouTube (click here to watch the CGVI video accessible from a Coast Guard computer).
Video of the Year nominee 10
POINT HOPE, Alaska – In this 2010 Coast Guard Video of the Year nominee, four Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Kodiak personnel completed a build of the 15-foot aid to navigation tower four miles south of Point Hope Aug. 2, 2010, which is only of two permanent Coast Guard aids to navigation north of the Arctic Circle. The aid will help vessels navigate through the Bering Strait. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Walter Shinn.
To cast your vote for your favorite, use any (or all) of the following ways:
1. Choose to “like” your favorite video on our YouTube 2010 Video of the Year playlist.
2. Choose to “like” your favorite video on our Facebook fan page.
3. Leave a positive comment on the Compass blog post for that video.
*Please note, YouTube and Facebook will require you to sign in using your personal account to vote
Each method will be weighted equally, worth 1/3 of the total vote. Voting will stay open until January 10, 2011 with the top three videos announced on the Compass January 11. Although you can vote for multiple videos, keep in mind you can only “like” the video once on YouTube and Facebook so you might want to save your vote for your favorite.

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Afghan, Coalition Forces Capture Haqqani Leader


Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2010 - Afghan and coalition forces yesterday captured a Haqqani network leader during a security operation conducted in Khost province, military officials reported.
Intelligence reports indicate that the insurgent leader facilitated movement of improvised explosive device-making materials from Pakistan into Khost province. He also was responsible for IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. The security force followed intelligence tips to a compound in Terayzai district to search for the leader.
Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit peacefully before the combined security force cleared and secured the building. The Haqqani leader identified himself to authorities during questioning at which time he was detained. Two other suspected insurgents also were detained.
A search of the insurgent's house resulted in finding a mortar round and military-style equipment. The operation was conducted during hours of darkness to minimize risk to local residents. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. Security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.
In other Afghanistan news yesterday:
-- Afghan and coalition forces conducted three operations against Taliban insurgents in northern and southern parts of the country resulting in several suspected insurgents being detained.
In Kunduz province, Afghan and coalition forces conducted a deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the Taliban's freedom of movement in northern Afghanistan, detaining two suspected insurgents. The combined security force is continuing efforts to disrupt enemy safe havens, where Taliban leaders use villages throughout the area to conduct operational planning and facilitate their attacks. This operation focused on an area near Chem Tepa village in Chahar Darah district. Afghan and coalition forces cleared five compounds suspected of insurgent activity in the area. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compounds peacefully before the security force cleared and secured the areas. After initial questioning, two suspected insurgents were detained.
In Zabul province, combined forces detained a man suspected of conducting IED attacks on a major southern thoroughfare. Forces conducted the operation in search of a Taliban facilitator operating in the province's Shah Joy district. He is known for conducting IED attacks against coalition forces along Highway 1, as well as coordinating command and control over terrorist operations in the district. Security forces made it a priority to secure Highway 1 in an effort to further the safety of local Afghans and coalition forces as well as provide a conduit to further stabilization in the southern provinces. This operation is one of a dozen conducted over a five-week period in the province. The major thoroughfare extends from Kabul, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, through the southern provinces and terminates on the Iranian border. Southern forces killed four insurgents including a significant Taliban leader, Amarat, and have detained more than 50 suspects in the district since Nov. 18.
In Nimroz province's Khash Rod district, Afghan and coalition forces detained two suspects during an operation targeting another Taliban leader. Forces conducted the operations in search of the leader who is involved in the facilitation of IED materials and weapons. He also directs attacks and is involved with attack coordination against coalition forces. The targeted individual conducts visual observations of coalition forces within the area to provide Taliban associates with reports of friendly forces' movements and locations. Forces followed leads to a series of targeted buildings where they questioned the occupants at the locations and conducted a search. The two suspects were detained based on initial questioning at the scenes. The combined security team conducted these operations during hours of darkness to minimize risk to local civilians. No women or children were injured or detained during these operations. The security forces conducted these operations without firing their weapons.
-- Afghan and coalition forces detained a Taliban leader and a Taliban facilitator during a combined security operation in Nangarhar province. Combined forces have detained six Taliban leaders and 18 suspected insurgents in the province since Dec. 1. The Taliban leader operated within Pachir wa Agam district, facilitating foreign fighters and suicide bombers to attack coalition forces and government officials in Jalalabad, Behsud and Pachir wa Agam districts. The Taliban facilitator was involved in facilitating weapons and suicide bombers as well as planning attacks in the Pachir wa Agam district. Recent reporting indicates he and several associates were acquiring compounds necessary to make suicide bombs south of Jalalabad City. Forces detained the two Taliban leaders at a targeted location in Chaparhar district. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call occupants out of the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The men were detained after initial questioning. The joint security team conducted the operation during hours of darkness to minimize risk to local civilians. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. Security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.
-- Afghan and coalition forces targeted and detained a Taliban attack leader during a combined security operation in Kandahar province. Forces conducted the operation in search of the leader, who bears the title "doctor" due to his intricate knowledge of IEDs. The leader trained Taliban members on how to build, emplace and detonate IEDs. In addition, he gave tactical guidance on where and how to conduct such attacks. He is associated with the Dec. 12 suicide vehicle-borne IED attack in Sangisar and was involved in moving money and supplies in support of suicide vehicle-borne IED operations in Kandahar City. The now-detained individual also was in direct contact with an array of suicide vehicle-borne IED cell leaders and suicide-attack facilitators.
Forces followed leads to the target location in Kandahar City, where Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The security team determined the targeted individual and one suspected insurgent would be detained based on initial questioning at the scene. The security team conducted the operation in the hours of darkness to minimize the risk to local civilians. No women or children were injured or detained during this operation. The security forces conducted the operation without firing their weapons.
 
Related Sites:
NATO International Security Assistance Force

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Guardian of the Week – AST3 Christopher Austin

Guardian of the Week – AST3 Christopher Austin

Friday, December 31, 2010
Written by: LTJG Stephanie Young
With contributions from PA3 Kelly Parker.
AST3 Christopher Austin
AST3 Christopher Austin saved the life of a fisherman on his first rescue as a qualified Coast Guard rescue swimmer. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Kelly Parker.
The Coast Guard trains its people to be Always Ready and that training is never more important than on your first search and rescue case. On Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Austin’s first duty day as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer there was no time for uncertainty – a vessel had capsized in the Pacific northwest’s icy waters and he was being called upon to save lives.
Austin and an aircrew from Air Station Astoria were airborne when the report came in that a fishing vessel had capsized with two people aboard.
With only two miles of visibility, the aircrew diverted to the opening of Willapa Bay, Wash. and spotted a debris field. The aircraft commander, Lt. Benjamin Schluckebier, turned the helicopter around to follow the debris field. That’s when despite the fact neither fisherman was wearing a life jacket, the aircraft flight mechanic, Petty Officer 2nd Class Andre Altavilla, noticed a person in the water.
“The boater rapidly deteriorated from swimming, to barely keeping his head out of the water, to being under for 10 seconds at a time when getting hit by waves, to face down in the water and not moving,” recalls Schluckebier.
Austin was lowered into the 45-degree water, and although he was on his first case on his first day of duty, the agitated waters showed no mercy as he attempted to reach the now unresponsive fisherman.
“Everything that was going through my head was all the training that I’ve had in the past two years and especially throughout A-school,” recalls Austin. “As soon as I grabbed him, I put my arms up underneath him, and a wave hit me with so much force my goggles came up off my face. I kept working, kept trying to get this guy’s head above the water.”
Austin was pummeled by waves, but with support from Altavilla who was paying out his cable, he was able to shelter the fisherman. After the ready signal was given, Austin and the unconscious fisherman were hoisted into the helicopter.
Once safely inside the cabin, Altavilla and Austin administered CPR and the man began to breathe once again.
Although Austin was the one deployed in the water, he credits the rescue to the teamwork of his aircrew.
“I didn’t see this guy – the flight mechanic found him. I didn’t jump out of the plane – I got hoisted down by the decision of the pilot. I didn’t do CPR by myself – I was gassed after getting hit by all those waves,” said Austin. “My biggest thing is that you’re not the hero, you’re not the one saving people. It’s the guys that you’re with who have your back and you have to have their back just as much to get the job done.”
Despite saving a life his first day on the job, Austin learned a hard lesson; after an extensive six-hour search for the second fisherman, by both air and surface rescue crews, the search was suspended.
“We couldn’t get the other guy and I was kind of beating myself up about that. We did everything we could to get there,” said Austin.
Thinking about the lost fisherman, it was Austin’s family who put things in perspective for the young rescue swimmer.
“When I got off the phone with my dad on Christmas my fiancé said to me, ‘You know that he [the fisherman] gets to be at home with his family for Christmas.’”
 
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