EFTA00162733.pdf

From: ' To:' Subject: Fwd: OPA Horizon - 01-21-20 Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2020 23:19:52 +0000 Importance: Normal Forwarded message From: Date: Jan 21, 2020 6:16 PM Subject: OPA Horizon - 01-21-20 To: Cc: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FBI Office of Public Affairs The Horizon Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020 National Issues • iCloud Encryption: OPA - Received several inquiries requesting confirmation that the FBI advised Apple that encrypting 'Cloud data would hinder investigations causing Apple to abandon its plans two years ago. OPA declined comment. • Balfour Beattie Of cesainker AFB: OPA/OC - CBS News asked for comment about the FBI's alleged involvement in searches of the Balfour Beattie offices at Tinker Air Force Base last week. OPA, in coordination with Oklahoma City Division, declined comment on the record, but in keeping with previous responses to inquiries, advised off the record that the FBI was not present at the base. • Jeffreapsteln: OPA/NY - 60 Minutes Australia requested an interview with case agents about Jeffrey Epstein, sex trafficking and circumstances surrounding his death. OPA, in coordination with New York Division, declined. • Preliminary UCR Released, fbi.00v: OPA - Preliminary statistics show overall declines in both violent and property crime in the first half of 2019 compared to the same time frame the previous year, according to FBI crime statistics released today. Full story: SI tps://www.fbi.govinews/stories/2019-preliminary-semiannual- uniform-crime-report-released-012120 • FBI Radio: OPA - "FBI, This Week" showcased the results of the Preliminary Semiannual Report, 2019. Unit Chief Blasher detailed the results of the report and explained the upcoming change in the frequency of data releases. https://www.fbi.gov/audio-repository/ftw-podcast-preliminary-semianuual-ucr-2019- 012120.mp3/view • FBI Radio en Espanol: OPA - The Spanish version of the "FBI, This Week: Trafficking Victims Protection Act 20th Anniversary," was released. Local Stories • Albuquerque - The local CBS outlet asked if the FBI was Investigating a case involving a minor who was shown being assaulted near Espanola, N.M., in a video sent to the station by a tipster. Division provided the following statement: "The FBI, New Mexico State Police, and Espanola Police Department are Investigating a EFTA00162733 report that a Native American female Juvenile was assaulted on or about New Year's Day. The girl is recovering from her Injuries. No arrests have been made at this time, but the case remains under investigation. This Is all the information that will be released at this time." • Detroit - ASAC Hauxhurst was interviewed by the local ABC affiliate about how the Division investigates counterterrorism cases. The interview focused on the JTTF and how the FBI works with local, state and federal partners to address any threats to the community. ASAC Hauxhurst also discussed how overseas incidents can affect the FBI locally but emphasized that the Division has always been extremely proactive in addressing threats to the community and recent events have not changed that. ASAC Hauxhurst also noted there are no current threats to the Detroit area and discussed the importance of the public coming forward to report suspicious activity to the FBI. • Honolulu - SAC Miranda participated in a news conference yesterday with Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard about the shooting deaths of two HPD police officers. Division received numerous inquiries from local and national media about the incident. Division confirmed the assistance of SWAT, ERT, and Victim Services and has pledged the full scope of FBI resources to assist in this investigation. • Indianapolis - In partnership with a local law enforcement agency, Division announced the weekend arrest of a 34-year-old man for allegedly robbing a local bank at gunpoint. Arrest followed a high speed chase. Several media outlets ran the story. • Jacksonville - ASAC Ryan participated in a news conference to discuss the efforts of the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Coalition. The event was hosted by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in recognition of Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. ASAC Ryan discussed the myths surrounding human trafficking and shared how the community can support law enforcement efforts. • Jacksonville - PAO provided confirmation that the Division began searching a landfill in Folkston, Ga. on Tuesday in support of the Clay County Sheriff's Office investigation Into the disappearance of Susan Mauldin. Mauldin, whose family lives in England, was reported missing by friends in October. A person of interest in her disappearance is currently in custody in Jacksonville on forgery charges. • Los Angeles - Received multiple press inquiries throughout the weekend about comments made by family members of the victim in the cold case of missing Kristen Smart, who has not been seen for 24 years and is suspected to have met with foul play. Division is attempting to clarify what may have been misstatements and is confirming its ongoing assistance to the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Department. Local and national news outlets are covering the story. • Los Angeles - Division received multiple inquiries about the disappearance of a couple from West Covina that traveled to the Zacatecas area of Mexico in early January. Division is referring inquiries to Mexican authorities. In an unrelated case, a couple from Garden Grove was found dead in Mexico. Division confirmed it is assisting the Garden Grove PD and the Mexican authorities who are leading the homicide investigation. • Los Angeles - A Univision reporter interviewed SSA Luna about the vulnerabilities associated with online gaming by minors, who could be targets of online sexual predators and others who pose a threat. SSA Luna discussed how minors, parents and guardians can avoid being victimized as well as the upcoming Diversity Agent Recruiting event next month. • Los Angeles - Division provided the following statement to two media outlets which inquired about the FBI's role in security preparations for the upcoming Academy Awards: "The FBI provides assistance to local police partners who have the lead for security during various national events, including the Academy Awards. An organized and multi-faceted security approach is taken in advance of awards events, sporting events and various other high profile events in many cities, including in Los Angeles, and the FBI routinely provides resources. While the Los Angeles Police Department is leading the security planning and implementation for the Academy Awards, the FBI shares intelligence and maintains a presence each year at the event, and is prepared to assist our partners to address security concerns and potential criminal activity. There is currently no known threat posed to this event." • Philadelphia - The Harrisburg CBS affiliate asked for comment about a civil lawsuit filed against the city of Harrisburg, and for confirmation of a related FBI investigation. PAO neither confirmed nor denied the existence of an investigation and declined comment on the suit. • Seattle - The CBS affiliate interviewed SSRA Reese and SA Postma about Top Ten fugitive Santiago Mederos. They provided details of the case and stressed the importance of the public's cooperation in apprehending EFTA00162734 fugitives. • Washington Field - Received inquiries about whether the FBI is responding to a suspicious package near FBI Headquarters. WF0 advised that the FBI responded in support of the Metropolitan Police Department, which cleared a suspicious package at the DO) building. Please send all Horizon submissions to with "Horizon" in the Subject line, and press releases to All correspondence contained in this email, to include all names and associated contact information, may be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552. UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY EFTA00162735