THE GUARDIAN SHIELD
PROTECTING ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY THROUGH INFORMATION EXCHANGE
WORKING TOGETHER ... WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
AUGUST 5, 2021

ANNE ARUNDEL RESIDENTS VACCINATED

FIRST DOSE - 321,764 - 55.5%

SECOND DOSE - 312,836 - 54%

  • As of 08/04/2021
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said that the Delta COVID-19 variant is the most transmissible variant yet. He said "for most people who get this Delta variant, it's going to be the most serious virus that they will get in their lifetime in terms of putting them in the hospital." Estimates say that vaccination rates are still not at the threshold to stop the spread of COVID-19, and most Americans who are unprotected will likely contract the rapidly spreading variant. An increase in cases are now being seen in 48 states.
Delta variant, COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising across Maryland. Given the substantial COVID-19 transmission rate in Anne Arundel County, the following actions are recommended:

  • Wearing face coverings is strongly encouraged in all public indoor settings, regardless of your vaccination status. Follow the link above for an appointment.

  • Now is the time to get vaccinated. Appointments and walk-in vaccinations are available everyday.

  • Everyone who has COVID-19 symptoms should get tested. If you have been around someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, seek testing 3-5 days after exposure even if you are fully-vaccinated and do not have symptoms.
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Al-Quaida has released a video entitled "America Burns." It lists COVID-19, political divisions, racism, a declining economy and strikes by the mujahedeen as the "five pillars" confining the United States. Al-Quaida stated "God is punishing the US for its alleged crimes against Muslims." It points out the events of January 6th at the U.S. Capital "exposed the fragility of the democratic system." Shockingly they pointed out that the fourth plane did not reach its target, the U.S. Capital on 9/11, calling it a shame. The group attempts to portray itself as fighting for all Muslims and non-Muslims and will continue until American oppression ends.
HOMEGROWN VIOLENT EXTREMISTS
The U.S. Attorney in Tampa, FL has unsealed indictments charging 16 individuals with violent crimes in aid of racketeering. The indictment alleges those indicted were members of Unforgiven, a group of white supremacists that engaged in acts of murder, violence, kidnapping, robbery and obstruction of justice. The indictment also alleges the group used "corrupt law enforcement officials and state employees" to gather information on people, investigations, prosecutions and to smuggle contraband to incarcerated inmates.
Frank Perry of Dundalk, MD was sentenced to six months home confinement for illegally possessing a firearm. Perry acknowledged being a member of the anti-Government group "Boogaloo Boys." During a search of Perry's home, FBI agents seized a rifle, ammunition, a plated ballistic vest and gun accessories. Perry, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Two California men, Ian Rogers and Jarrod Copeland, have been charged federally with plotting to attack the Democratic headquarters in Sacramento. It's alleged they began plotting to attack targets they associated with Democrats after the 2020 Presidential election. They hoped their attacks would spark a movement to overthrow the government. The charges allege the pair reached out to an unidentified anti-Government saying "I want to blow up a democratic building bad." In one encrypted message, Rogers told Copeland that he would use Molotov cocktails and gasoline to attack the Democratic Headquarters and the Governor's Mansion. During a search of Rogers's home, 40 to 50 guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition and five pipe bombs were seized.
Matt Heimback, a self-described radical extremist who played an instrumental role in getting white supremists to attend Charlottesville's deadly Unite the Right rally, says he plans to relaunch his old hate group as soon as possible. In an interview, Heimback says he now supports violence and killings in what he says is a revolution against rich corporate executives, global elites, and those who have caused global warming.
Incels in the United States are calling for World War III, so men can "take back society" from "feminism and degeneracy" in social media postings. Incel, meaning involuntary celibacy operates a dark online community of mostly younger virgins who despise women and worship mass murderers. "It's no secret that Western society has been ruined by feminism and all sorts of degeneracy" one incel posted. The incel community tends to be self-reinforcing and self-radicalizing with members believing their looks or personal traits have condemned them to a lifetime of of loneliness.
Cody Griggers, a former deputy with the Wilkinson County, GA Sheriff's Department has been sentenced to 44 months in federal prison for possession of illegal weapons. Griggers came under FBI scrutiny after he posted violent racially motived extremist statements and associated himself with an extremist group. He also bragged about his extensive weapons collection. Agents served a search warrant on Grigger's home and found 11 illegal guns including a machine gun.
HATE CRIMES
The FBI has begun a nationwide effort to build public awareness of hate crimes and encourage reporting to law enforcement agencies. Hate crimes are not only an attack on the victim, they are meant to threaten and intimidate and entire community. The FBI works closely with local and state law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent incidents through law enforcement, public outreach and partnerships with community groups. Victims or witnesses to hate crimes are encouraged to contact the FBI or local law enforcement agencies.
In tribute to Black Lives Matter, a display was painted on the parking lot of the Logan High School in Logan, UT. School authorities discovered racist graffiti and language over the original tribute. The vandal(s) painted out Black and replaced it with White. They also wrote in chalk #NOWHITE GUILT, #AMERICAFIRST, #14 WORDS, 1448 AND WE ARE EVERYWHERE. A cross, swastika and a lighting bolt were also drawn. In a final act vehicle "squeal" tire marks were left over the display.
The NYPD Hate Crimes Unit has entered the investigation after a Jewish man was beaten and robbed on his way to a synagogue to pray. The two individuals then took a bag containing religious items from the man. The man was not seriously injured.
Marcia Bell of Queens, NY is facing hate and grand larceny for a series of unprovoked attacks on Asians starting last May. In each attack Bell is alleged to have confronted, assaulted and robbed the victims.
New York State Police have charged three men who accosted a Jewish man walking in the Village of Fleischmanns and took his shtreimel from his head. They then left in a truck as they yelled anti-Semitic slurs at the man. All three men are being held on a hate crime based theft complaint.
Diplomatic Security authorities are trying to identify the person who carved a "swastika" into the wall of an elevator at the U.S. Department of State. The elevator is near the offices of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism and is a controlled access point only available to employees and vetted contractors.
UNUSUAL INCIDENTS
An alert maid at the Maven Hotel in Denver, CO may have averted a "Las Vegas Style" massacre. The maid alerted law enforcement authorities to a room that contained a "bunch of guns." Police located 16 long guns, body armor and more than a 1,000 rounds of ammunition in the room. Four subjects have been arrested as part of the investigation. One of those individuals posted on Facebook that he wanted to "go out in a big way." The FBI investigation is ongoing.
Eleven individuals who identify with the "Rise of the Moors" were arrested after an nine hour standoff on I-95 in Massachusetts. Three days prior officers had found the individuals parked on the side of the road. They were dressed in military-style tactical gear and armed with long guns and pistols. They told officers they were on their way to Maine from Rhode Island for "training." Moorish citizens adhere to an anti-Government ideology in which its members claim to be part of a sovereign nation and have immunity from federal, state and local authorities. The individuals were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful possession of guns and ammunition. Four were also charged with providing false information.
Police in Sidney, NY, in partnership with the Homeland Security Agents, executed a search warrant on the home of Jordan O'Neill. Seized during the search were six handguns, 18 rifles and shotguns. Also recovered were 41 high capacity magazines, several of which were drum magazines capable of holding up to 100 rounds of ammunition. A large assortment of parts to manufacture AR-15 style rifles and 18,000 rounds of ammunition. O'Neill has a previous felony conviction which prevents him from owning firearms. He has been charged with over 40 firearms violations and is being held on a $250,000 bond. Authorities are trying to determine O'Neill's motives.
A federal grand jury has indicted Tres Genco of Hillsboro, OH for plotting to shoot women at an unidentified Ohio university. Genco identifies as an "incel" or involuntary celibate. Genco maintained profiles in a popular Incel website. Genco posted an manifesto stated he would "slaughter" women "out of hatred, jealousy and revenge." In 2019 Genco purchased tactical gloves, cargo pants, a bowie knife, a skull facemask, two Glock magazines. In a search of his vehicle in 2020, investigators found a firearm with a bump stock, several loaded magazines, body armor, and boxes of ammunition, Inside of his home searchers found a modified 9mm pistol hidden in a heating vent. The indictment alleges Genco conducted surveillance at the University and searched on-line for topics including "planning a shooting crime" and "when does preparing for a crime become an attempt." He is charged with attempting to commit a hate crime and possession of a machinegun. He faces up to ten years federal incarceration.
Cole Carini of Richlands, VA has been sentenced to seven years federal incarceration for possessing and manufacturing an explosive device. In 2020 Carini came to a local hospital missing a hand and fingers on the other hand. He also suffered from shrapnel wounds. He told investigators he had injured his hands in a lawn mower accident. A search of Carini's bedroom revealed drawings of improvised explosives devices and significant quantities of an explosive compound. Also found were exploded and unexploded pipe bombs, fusing and a partially built pressure cooker bomb. Carini, a self-described Incel, fantasized about blowing up a shopping mall and killing "hot cheerleaders" according to testimony.
Firefighters in Amarillo, TX responded to the home of Erfan Salmanzadeh, a naturalized citizen from Iran, in response to an explosion at the residence. Examination of the property revealed bomb making materials in the home and in the alleyway behind the home. Federal authorities are actively investigating and trying to determine Salmanzadeh's motives. He is initially charged with possession of a destructive device.
ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENTS
Eduardo Morales was asked to leave the 278 South Bar in Hiram, Ga because he was intoxicated. Morales left but returned a short time later and pulled up in front of the business in his pickup truck. He began to fire a gun through the front window of his truck and into the bar. When he ran out of ammunition, Morales drove his truck through the front doors striking several patrons. He then attempted to back out of the building but got stuck. Morales then attempted to reload his gun but was subdued by other bar patrons. One person received a minor graze wound and several others received minor injuries from being struck by the truck. Morales is currently charged with aggravated assault and battery.
Robert Long has plead guilty to murdering four people in a shooting spree at three Atlanta area spas. His actions highlighted the fear and intimidation felt by Asian-Americans. It is expected that Long will be transferred from Cherokee County to Atlanta where he will face four additional murder charges. The Atlanta District Attorney is trying the murders as hate crimes and will seek the death penalty. In Cherokee County he received four life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Brandon Hole, a former FedEx worker killed eight people at the FedEx in Indianapolis, IN in April, 2021 before killing himself. Investigators have concluded that the shooting was "an act of suicidal murder" intended to "demonstrate his masculinity." Half of the victims were members of the Sikh community, however no evidence was uncovered to suggest Hole struck out at Sikhs specifically. The FBI concluded "Only the shooter knows all the reasons why he committed this horrific act of violence" and "did not appear to have been motivated by bias or desire to advance an ideology."
Authorities are trying to determine why Antonio King opened fire at the Smile Direct Club in Nashville, TN. King, a former employee, shot and wounded three current employees. He was subsequently confronted by responding officers and fatally wounded. A video of the incident is attached...
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
The U.S. Marshall's Service announced the arrest of Eric and Tangela Parker who were wanted for the murder of Phelifia Marlow, a co-worker of Tangela Parker. It's alleged that in January, Tangela shot Marlow during an ongoing dispute between the two at a furniture factory in Hickory, NC. The couple had been on the run since and were arrested in Phoenix, AZ.
Antoine Thomas has been charged with threating to blow up an automotive plant in Detroit, MI. It is alleged Thomas began texting a supervisor and said that he was having suicidal thoughts and was "at the end of his rope" and if anyone intervened he "would just do a mass shooting." "This is revenge for the two guys that work in your factory who bullied me." He concluded "Now I'm going to end it all." Thomas is charged federally with communicating the threats.
Eric Deshields turned himself into law enforcement authorities after he allegedly shot and killed Jimmy Webb, a co-worker at Material Handling Systems in Louisville, KY. A dispute occurred between the two men in the workplace prior to shots being fired. Deshields is charged with murder.
Robert Barringer of Charlotte, NC with assault with the intent to kill, robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A man entered and robbed the Fish House North, a game room and arcade. During the robbery, three employees were shot. Their injuries were not life threatening. Investigation led investigators to arrest Barringer, a former employee who had been terminated.
DRUG AWARENESS
SCAMS AND MALWARE
The U.S. Government has launched a new website, StopRandomware.gov, to help public and private organizations to defend in the rise in ransomware attacks. The site is an interagency resource that provides partners and stakeholders with ransomware protection, detection, response guidance from the FBI, CISA and other federal agencies. Ransomware incidents have become more destructive and impactful in both nature and scope. In 2020 there was a 300% increase in the amount of ransom paid compared to 2019. The new website will enable organizations to enhance their network defense while helping them to be more aware and prepared to deal with malicious actors.
Microsoft cybersecurity researchers are on the hunt for BazarCall, a criminal group that's using call centers to infect PCs with malware called BazarLoader, a malware loader that's being used to distribute ransomware. Usually the attack starts with phishing emails advising the victim that a trial subscription has expired and they will be automatically charged a monthly fee unless they call a provided number to cancel the service. The victim calls and are directed to a website and told to download an Excel file in order to cancel the service. The Excel file contains a malicious macro that downloads the malware and total access to your computer or computer system.
"Hello my name is Susie. I'm with your vehicle service department and I'm calling about your vehicle's warranty." Do not engage these people. They may start by telling you that you haven't extended your car's warranty and they sent you several reminders in the mail. They tell you that you can extend your warranty past the factory warranty and if you don't act you will be without and they will be forced to close your warranty file. STOP IMMEDIATELY. This is most likely an illegal scam phone call. They are trying to sell you a service contract and not a warranty extension. They often sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars and often do not cover normal repair needs as defined in the small print.

If you get one of these calls:

  • Hang up - Don't engage them

  • Use an app to block unwanted calls

  • Report the robocall to DoNotCall.gov
The Federal Trade Commission reports that the number of identify theft reports has doubled in 2020 to a record 1.4 million reports. After the government expanded unemployment benefits to people left jobless by the COVID pandemic, cybercriminals filed unemployment claims using other people's personal identification. They recorded 394,280 reports of fraudulent benefit attempts, the vast majority for unemployment benefits. The Internal Revenue Service is urging taxpayers who receive 1099-G forms for unemployment they did not receive, to contact their appropriate state agency for a corrected form.
HOMICIDE - INFORMATION NEEDED - $10,000 REWARD
IN OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY
BECOME A RESERVE OFFICER
We are now accepting applications for Reserve Officer positions. For more information and to submit an application, visit the link below
911 POSITIONS AVAILABLE
CIVIC READY
The Anne Arundel County of Emergency Management utilizes CivicReady to contact citizens and businesses quickly in case of an emergency. This free service will alert you via your cell phone or text message. Citizens also have the option to receive NOAA Weather Alerts and other Anne Arundel County Department notifications. A link to register and further information is below:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEE SOMETHING … SAY SOMETHING
VIGILANCE BEGINS WITH YOU
1 (800) 492- TIPS (8477)
www.aapdguardianshield.org