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ATF Agent, Whistleblower Criticizes Agency for Blocking His Book from Being Published
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The ATF’s reason for blocking his book about the botched and deadly Operation Fast and Furious is “absurd,” the author said, the Dallas Morning News reports. John Dodson, an ATF special agent who blew the whistle on the operation, said the book reveals important information about missteps in the agency. “I think…
Hate Group Files Suit for Permission to Post Controversial Anti-Muslim Ads on Buses
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com An anti-Muslim group is suing King County for refusing to let it post controversial FBI advertisements on Metro buses, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. The anti-terrorism ads previously ran until the FBI pulled them following complaints that the image, which depicts mostly non-white, Muslim terrorism suspects, perpetuated a negative stereotype of Muslims. The…
Civil Rights Group Gets Access to Phone Secret Surveillance Unit Information
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com New documents reveal more about the FBI’s cell phone surveillance group, which has the technology to listen to anyone’s calls, Slate reports. The surveillance method was revealed in new documents received by the civil rights group, Electronic Privacy Information Center, using the Freedom of Information Act. The technology, most commonly referred to…
Government Shut Down Leaves Justice Department Understaffed
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The government shutdown has made life difficult for the U.S. Department of Justice. With just a fraction of the staff working, attorneys said they are overwhelmed by work, ABC News reports. The shutdown forced so-called nonessential employees to stay home “What bothers me the most about the entire situation is this whole…
Air Force Staffer in Illinois Possessed Pipe Bombs Intended for Sex Offenders
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A 24-year-old Air Force staffer in Illinois is accused of having pipe bombs that he intended to use to attack sex offenders, the Associated Press reports. Justin Vangilder, who also said he was feeling suicidal, was charged Friday with three felony counts. Authorities said they found three pipe bombs, which he said…
FBI, ATF Probe Attacks on Arkansas’ Power Grid
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI and ATF are investigating what appears to be three attacks on Arkansas’ power grid over the past six weeks, THV 11 reports. “We believe that anyone that intentionally brings down power lines could potentially put themselves at risk and certainly the public at risk,” said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Kimberly…
Furious Bitcoin Users Prank FBI Following Silk Road Shutdown
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI has received more than 200 complaints from pro-drug advocates after agents raided Silk Road, an online marketplace for drugs, guns and other illicit goods, the Guardian reports. While attempting to access $80 million worth of Bitcoins accumulated by Silk Road founder, the FBI seized $3.2 million worth of Bitcoins that…
Amber Alert Website Restored After Outrage Expressed Over Shutdown
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The federal government’s Amber Alert website was restored Monday morning after people expressed outrage. The site, www.AmberAlert.gov, was temporarily taken offline because of the government shutdown. “The Amber Alert system was never interrupted, but to eliminate any confusion, the informational site maintained by the Justice Department has been restored,” Justice Department spokesman…