Justice Department Files to Transfer 45,000 Acres from Arizona to Hopi Tribe: Filing is Second in a Series of Filings to Ultimately Bring Over 270,000 Acres of Land Into United Ownership to Benefit the Tribe “Today’s filing is another example of the executive branch faithfully carrying out the laws that Congress enacted,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-d…

“Applied Partners knowingly disregarded asbestos work practice standards designed to protect human health,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that public health is among our highest priorities, and we will prosecute those who violate environmental laws.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/company-o…

A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty in federal court in Cincinnati today to conspiring to create and distribute “animal crush” videos through his active participation in certain online groups. The videos depicted extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/pennsylva…

Justice Department Leads Counter-Timber Trafficking Workshop in Gabon “The United States has a strong commercial interest in addressing illegal timber in global supply chains and preventing illegal wood products from entering the U.S. market in violation of the Lacey Act. Illegally imported wood undercuts our domestic producers,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “Cooperation with our foreign trading partners enhances our collective ability to interdict the trade of illegal timber while supporting legitimate commerce.” Read more about the workshop: justice.gov/opa/blog/justice…

“Antimony is among the minerals most vital to our national defense, and for too long the United States has relied on foreign adversaries to supply it,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “This decision allows construction to move forward on the most significant domestic source of antimony, and it reflects the Department’s commitment to defending projects critical to America’s national security.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-d…

“The Environment and Natural Resources Division is successfully combating efforts to weaponize procedural statutes against the responsible use of America’s vast natural resources. The District Court rightly held that the Forest Service’s assessment of environmental effects for a forest can apply to a particular project within that forest.” -Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-d…

Florida Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Biofuel Fraud Conspiracy: Defendant Also Ordered to Pay More than $2.8 Million in Restitution 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/florida-m…

A California man was sentenced yesterday to 65 months in prison for smuggling at least 1,700 reptiles into the United States from Mexico, Hong Kong, and elsewhere over a six-year period. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/californi…

“The production and distribution of obscene animal crush videos is a felony,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “In passing the Animal Crushing statute, Congress recognized that cruelty to animals desensitizes participants to the suffering of human beings. This sentence is a warning to all future would-be creators and consumers of animal crushing that they risk federal prosecution and imprisonment for these crimes.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/miami-are…

Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Dog Fighting and Drug Distribution justice.gov/opa/pr/ohio-man-…

Former Managers of Waste Pre-Treatment Facility Plead Guilty to Illegally Discharging Waste into Nashville Sewer System “The defendants repeatedly and intentionally violated the Clean Water Act by discharging untreated wastes into the Nashville sewer system,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “This prosecution sends the message that those who purposely undermine federal environmental laws and endanger public infrastructure will face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/former-ma…

Challenge Dropped to Air Force’s Fighter Jet Training Operations in Eastern Oregon justice.gov/opa/pr/challenge…

California Man Arrested for Violating Lacey Act for Plot to Illegally Export Trafficked Turtles justice.gov/opa/pr/californi…

ICYMI: Yesterday, U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for @USAO_MD and head of ENRD Adam Gustafson announced the indictment of Foreign Operators and Technical Superintendent of M/V Dali for their roles in the vessel crash that knocked down the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland and caused the death of six construction workers. Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/foreign-o…

Sunseeker International Limited and Sunseeker USA Sales Co. Inc. (Sunseeker) pleaded guilty this week to two violations of the Lacey Act for using illegally obtained Burmese Teak on yachts that it imported into the United States. "Timber trafficking is the third most lucrative form of transnational crime, so enforcing the law keeps money from flowing into criminal enterprises.” -Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/luxury-ya…

Two corporate entities and a shoreside superintendent face criminal charges in connection with the vessel crash that knocked down the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland. “The indictment alleges criminal conduct that not only destroyed the Key Bridge but brought the regional economy to its knees and claimed the lives of six Maryland residents,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson. “Adherence to laws governing safe operation of commercial vessels is essential to doing business in our nation’s ports. We enforce these laws to protect the public from future disasters like this fatal crash.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/foreign-o…

Foreign Operators and Technical Superintendent of M/V Dali Indicted for Roles in Key Bridge Crash Indian and Singapore Corporations and Company Official Charged with Conspiring to Defraud the United States and Causing the Death of Six Construction Workers “The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence,” said Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche. “This indictment is a critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard for maritime safety regulations caused this disaster. Six construction workers lost their lives, critical infrastructure was destroyed, pollutants were released into the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay, and the economic damage now exceeds five billion dollars. This Department is committed to securing justice for the victims and ensuring those responsible are held to account.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/foreign-o…

Watch Live Today at 10:00 a.m. ET: Justice Department to Make Significant Announcement in Baltimore Regarding Investigation of Key Bridge Allision Incident youtube.com/live/ds8d1xc3Z3g

Louisiana Man Detained on Turtle Trafficking Charges justice.gov/opa/pr/louisiana…

“President Trump promised to unleash American energy dominance, and Minnesota officials cannot undermine his directive by mandating that their woke climate preferences become the uniform policy of our Nation.” -Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-d…