Photo via FBI

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

A brazen New Orleans man was arrested after stealing copper from a construction project at the FBI New Orleans Field Office.

FBI security cameras and guard spotted Michael Bailey, 39, stealing copper from the construction site of the new visitor center built at the field office, the Times-Picayune reports. 

Bailey was charged with a felony count of theft on Wednesday.

Video surveillance shows Bailey scavenging the site for copper wire. He was able to flee in his truck.

He was arrested Wednesday after investigated interviewed him.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Darrin Jones, a 20-year FBI veteran, has been appointed to lead the bureau’s Kansas City office.

Jones will replace Eric Jackson, who will head the FBI office in Dallas, the Kanas City Star reports. 

A native of Nebraska, Jones joined the FBI in 1997.

Most recently, Jones was an executive within the Technical Collection Branch of the FBI’s Operation Technology Division in Quantico, Va.

Before that, he served in the Salt Lake City office, helping leader counterterrorism efforts ahead of the 2002 Olympics.

Jones also served in leadership positions the FBI’s Office of Congressional Affairs, Operational Technology Division and the field offices in Anchorage, Alaska, and Albuquerque, N.M.

Thomas Ross

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The Ohio man who rammed a dump truck through a security gate at the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office over the summer was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday.

Thomas Ross is charged with willfully injuring or committing degradation again property of the U.S., the Associated Press reports. 

The Ohio man damaged property but fortunately didn’t injure anyone.

Ross claimed he had a bomb in the truck, but police didn’t find one.

Martin Culbreth

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The FBI’s Hampton Roads region has a new leader, the bureau announced Monday.

The new special agent-in-charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office is Martin Culbreth, who recently served at FBI headquarters as the section chief for the bureau’s strategic information and operations center.

Culbreth will take the helm at the end of October and will replace John S. Adams, who led the Hampton Roads operations since February 2015.

Adams was promoted to the position of assistant director of the directorate of intelligent in Washington, D.C.

Culbreth’s career with the FBI began in 1995, when he was assigned to the Washington Field Office.

“He worked primarily counterintelligence and public corruption matters,” the FBI said in a statement announcing Culbreth’s appointment.

Amy Hess/fbi photo

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Amy Hess, a 26-year veteran of the FBI, will be the new special agent in charge of the Louisville office beginning in October.

The Lexington Herald Leader reports she will be replacing the current head of the office, Howard S. Marshall, who is headed to FBI headquarters to become deputy assistant director of the Cyber Division.

Hess’ most recent assignment was executive assistant director of the Science and Technology Branch of the FBI. She has worked with the bureau since 1991.

Hess is originally from Jeffersonville, Indiana.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The FBI field office in White Plains, New York, is moving to a larger space in nearby Rye to make room for more personnel.

The Journal News reports the move is expected between mid-November and early December.

The office will continue to cover Westchester and Putnam counties, while maintaining it focus on counter-terrorism, white collar and criminal investigation squads.

The office is moving to 600 Midland Ave.

The FBI said it plans to have more employees in the new office, but didn’t specify how many.

“It gives us easier access to the FBI if we need them, which isn’t much, but even so, the police commissioner and the city are happy to have them in our community,” said Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The FBI is getting a new field office in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution report that a developer has been tapped to build a 151,000-square-foot building beginning in 2016 and lease it to the bureau at a yet-to-be disclosed location.

The building is expected to be open in 2017

The newspaper was unable to get detailed information.

“Our team is thrilled to be awarded this monumental lease,” FD Stonewater executive Claiborne Williams said in the release. “GSA and FBI are going to be great partners in this endeavor and we are truly excited about the opportunity to deliver a new field office which will meet FBI’s mission for the next 20 years and beyond.”

The bureau’s office is currently housed in Century Center office park in DeKalb County.

Adam Cohen/FBI

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Adam S. Cohen, an 18-year veteran of the FBI with expertise in terrorism, is taking over the bureau’s Buffalo office.

Cohen will replace Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig, who will be working outside of the country, the Buffalo News reports. 

Cohen takes the helm in October, FBI Director James Comey announced Thursday.

Cohen began his career with the bureau in the New York City office, dealing with international terrorism cases. Most recently, he served as section chief of the bureau’s Counterterrorism Internet Operations Section.

Cohen graduated from Brandeis University with a bachelor of arts degree in American studies and Dowling College, where he earned a master’s degree in business administration.