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Christopher Shaefer, Who Led Atlanta’s ATF Office, Is Appointed Assistant Deputy Director of Agency
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Christopher Shaefer, who served as special agent in charge of the ATF’s Atlanta office, has been promoted to the position of deputy assistant director of the federal agency, the Manteca Bulletin reports. Shaefer began his law enforcement career as an officer for the Manteca Police Department in California in 1982 before joining…
Lawsuit Claims DEA Informant Improperly Monitored Albuquerque Man Who Snapped
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A man accused of fatally shooting an Albuquerque man last year was an active DEA informant despite his criminal background, according to a lawsuit filed against the agency, the Associated Press reports. The lawsuit claims the DEA did not properly supervise Jason Estrada, who was killed when he confronted a man accused…
Man Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping to Get FBI’s Attention in Salt Lake City
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Robert Joseph Hibbard wanted so much to talk with the FBI about his ex-wife’s death that he took a hostage at the bureau’s Salt Lake City office and demanded to talk to investigators in September 2012. The 43-year-old pleaded guilty but mentally ill Monday to a kidnapping charge, the Salt Lake Tribune…
Man Wanted on Child Sexual Abuse Charges Identified with FBI’s Facial Recognition Technology
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI’s facial recognition technology helped nab a man wanted on child sex abuse charges, Gizmodo reports. Neil Stammer, who speaks more than 10 languages, was wanted for 14 years and seemed to have no problem evading authorities. That was until recently when he submitted a visa application at the U.S. Embassy…
New York Times Editorial: Racial History Behind Protests Over Death of Michael Brown
By New York Times Editorial Board The F.B.I. may be able to answer the many questions surrounding the death of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old black student from Ferguson, Mo., who was a few days from heading off to college when he was shot by a police officer on Saturday. The shooting of Mr. Brown, who…
Two Influential Senators Demand to See Report on Protections for FBI Whistleblowers
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com Two powerful U.S. senators are getting impatient with a long overdue Justice Department report that is supposed to examine the effectiveness of the FBI’s whistleblower protections for bureau employees. The Oregonian reports that Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, expressed frustration that the report has not yet been released, even…
Inspector General: Obama Administration Not Notified of Massive Release of Immigrants
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com More than 2,000 immigrants were released from jail because of budget concerns, but the Homeland Security secretary was never notified, according to a critical report from the inspector general. The Associated Press reports that ICE also poorly planned for the influx of immigrant arrests at the Mexico border and failed to accurately…
FBI Director Comey Says Homegrown Terrorists Pose Urgent Danger But Hard to Track
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com FBI Director James Comey said it’s impossible to gauge how many Americans are joining Islamic insurgents in Syria but emphasized that the threat is urgent, the Associated Press reports. Comey said he’s concerned about what he called “lone wolves,” or people who are connecting online with others interested in jihad. Those people…