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Ghislaine Maxwell Willing to Testify Before Congress — But Only With Immunity

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Ghislaine Maxwell Willing to Testify Before Congress — But Only With Immunity

WASHINGTON (BN24) — Ghislaine Maxwell, the jailed former confidante of Jeffrey Epstein, is willing to testify before Congress about her role in the disgraced financier’s sex-trafficking operation — but only under strict conditions, including a full grant of immunity from future prosecution, her lawyers said Tuesday.

In a letter to Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, Maxwell’s attorneys outlined their terms for cooperation, requesting immunity, advance notice of any questions, and a delay in scheduling the interview until after the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether to hear her appeal. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse underage girls.

The Oversight Committee quickly rebuffed the proposal. In a brief statement, a spokesperson said the panel “will respond to Ms. Maxwell’s attorney soon, but it will not consider granting congressional immunity for her testimony.”

Maxwell’s attorneys, however, insist she is prepared to “share the truth” and “dispel the many misconceptions and misstatements that have plagued this case,” so long as she is protected from any additional criminal liability stemming from her testimony.

The letter comes amid a renewed surge of public and political interest in the Epstein case, following the Justice Department’s July announcement that it would not release additional documents related to the investigation. The decision triggered widespread backlash among online activists, conspiracy theorists, and many within President Donald Trump’s base, who have long alleged a cover-up involving high-profile individuals.

Trump administration officials have since sought to reassert their commitment to transparency. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell over two days last week at a Florida courthouse, and the Justice Department has supported efforts to unseal grand jury materials related to the Epstein case.

Maxwell’s lawyers initially considered invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination but said she may be open to cooperation if legal safeguards are in place — including either immunity or a presidential pardon.

The latter is unlikely but not impossible. Maxwell’s legal team noted that President Trump has acknowledged he holds the power to issue a pardon but has not been asked to do so. They say she would testify “openly and honestly, in public” if granted clemency.

Separately, Maxwell continues to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review her conviction, arguing she was denied a fair trial. The Court has not yet announced whether it will take up the case.

Gunmen Kill 17 in Bar Shooting in Ecuador’s Guayas Province Amid Escalating Drug Violence

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Gunmen Kill 17 in Bar Shooting in Ecuador’s Guayas Province Amid Escalating Drug Violence

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador (BN24) — At least 17 people were killed and 11 others wounded when gunmen opened fire at a bar in the town of El Empalme, Ecuadorian authorities said Monday, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country’s recent history as drug-related violence surges.

The attack unfolded Sunday night in El Empalme, located roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the port city of Guayaquil in coastal Guayas province—an epicenter of Ecuador’s intensifying struggle with organized crime. The attorney general’s office confirmed the death toll and said it had recovered more than 40 pieces of ballistic evidence from the scene.

Graphic images circulated by local media showed bodies sprawled across the bar floor, some covered with white sheets, while police and forensic teams worked through the night.

The motive behind the attack has not yet been confirmed, but authorities suspect the involvement of rival criminal groups vying for control over lucrative drug trafficking corridors in the region. Guayas province has become a flashpoint in Ecuador’s broader security crisis, fueled by transnational narco-networks and local gangs.

President Daniel Noboa declared an “internal armed conflict” in early 2024 in an attempt to combat the spiraling violence, deploying military forces and enacting emergency security measures. While the government reported a 15% drop in violent deaths by the end of last year, new figures from the interior ministry show a sharp reversal: homicides have surged by 47% in the first half of 2025, reaching 4,619.

Despite the increased militarization and crackdowns, attacks like Sunday’s massacre underscore the persistent reach of armed criminal networks and the mounting challenge facing Ecuador’s security forces.

Last month, the National Assembly passed a constitutional reform expanding the government’s legal authority to combat criminal organizations, including measures to dismantle their operational and financial infrastructure.

Residents of El Empalme, a farming community once far removed from Ecuador’s narco-violence, expressed fear and disbelief in the aftermath of the shooting. The attack has rattled the town, which has seen an uptick in gang activity over the past year.

Authorities have not announced any arrests and have urged witnesses to come forward. The investigation remains ongoing.

Reuters

Benin Grants Citizenship to Descendants of Enslaved People; U.S. Singer Ciara Among the First to Receive Honor

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Benin Grants Citizenship to Descendants of Enslaved People; U.S. Singer Ciara Among the First to Receive Honor

COTONOU, Benin (BN24) — Grammy-winning American singer Ciara has become one of the first public figures to receive Beninese citizenship under a landmark new law that grants nationality to descendants of enslaved people. The ceremony took place Saturday in the coastal city of Cotonou, marking a symbolic and emotional return to ancestral roots for the acclaimed performer and signaling a broader movement by the West African nation to reconcile with its role in the transatlantic slave trade.

“By legally recognizing these children of Africa, Benin is healing a historical wound,” Justice Minister Yvon Détchénou said during the citizenship ceremony. “It is an act of justice, but also one of belonging and hope.”

Benin’s new Afro-descendant citizenship law, passed in September, extends nationality to anyone over the age of 18 who can trace their lineage to enslaved people taken from sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants must not already hold citizenship in another African country and must provide proof of ancestry through DNA testing, documented testimony, or authenticated family records. A new digital platform, My Afro Origins, was launched last week to facilitate the application process.

While several African nations have offered symbolic citizenship or residency programs for diaspora communities, Benin’s initiative carries unique weight. The country was a major departure point for enslaved people taken from the Bight of Benin—an area that includes present-day Benin, Togo, and parts of Nigeria—and sent across the Atlantic to the Americas. Historians estimate that more than 1.5 million enslaved people were trafficked through this region.

Beninese royalty played an active role in the slave trade, capturing and selling individuals to Portuguese, French, and British traders. The country has since taken public steps to acknowledge and reconcile with this past—steps few African governments have mirrored. In the 1990s, Benin hosted an international conference on the transatlantic slave trade, and in 1999, then-President Mathieu Kérékou issued a formal apology to African Americans during a visit to a church in Baltimore.

In recent years, Benin has also promoted what it calls memorial tourism—encouraging people of African descent to visit historical slave trade sites and connect with their heritage. Most of these landmarks are located in Ouidah, once a major slave port. Among them is the Slave Route, a path tracing the final steps of the enslaved before boarding ships, and the haunting Door of No Return, an arched monument facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Following her naturalization ceremony, Ciara walked the Slave Route to the Door of No Return, reflecting on the experience in a statement.

“Between emotion, reflection and heritage, I experienced a profound return to what truly matters,” she said.

Ciara, known for her chart-topping hits “Goodies” and “Level Up,” as well as her work in fashion and philanthropy, is now among the first to benefit from Benin’s outreach to the African diaspora. Officials say they hope more descendants will follow her lead in reclaiming ties to their ancestral homeland.

Sindé Chekete, director of Benin’s state tourism agency, said the country’s memorial sites are designed to both educate and inspire.

“This initiative gives Afro-descendants the opportunity to learn about and honor the struggles of their ancestors,” he said. “It may inspire some to return to Africa—and to choose Benin—to understand this history.”

The Associated Press

Russian Strikes Kill 21 Civilians in Ukraine as Kremlin Dismisses Trump’s Ultimatum on Ending War

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Russian Strikes Kill 21 Civilians in Ukraine as Kremlin Dismisses Trump’s Ultimatum on Ending War

KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Russian missiles and glide bombs killed at least 21 civilians and injured scores more in fresh overnight attacks across Ukraine, officials said Tuesday, even as the Kremlin dismissed President Donald Trump’s warning to end the war or face U.S. sanctions and tariffs within days.

In the deadliest assault, a Russian airstrike slammed into a prison facility in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, killing at least 17 inmates and wounding more than 80 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The strike, which used four guided aerial bombs, destroyed the prison dining hall and damaged administrative and quarantine buildings. Authorities said the perimeter remained intact and no escapes occurred, but dozens of people remain hospitalized with severe injuries.

“This is yet another blatant war crime targeting civilian infrastructure,” Ukrainian officials said, condemning the attack on the Bilenkivska Correctional Facility.

In a separate strike, missiles rained down on the Dnipro region, where authorities said four people were killed and at least eight others injured. Among the casualties was a 75-year-old woman in Velykomykhailivska and a pregnant woman critically wounded in Kamianske, where a maternity hospital and other medical facilities sustained heavy damage.

The strikes came just hours after President Trump issued a sharper ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that Russia has until Aug. 7–9 — just 10 to 12 days — to cease its attacks or face new U.S. penalties. Trump had originally given Moscow 50 days to stop the war but accelerated the deadline during a visit to Scotland, expressing dismay over continued civilian casualties.

“I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump said, reiterating his criticism of Moscow’s claims of pursuing peace while launching deadly barrages on Ukrainian towns and cities.

But the Kremlin responded defiantly. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council and former president, warned Trump against issuing ultimatums.

“Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran,” Medvedev wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war — not with Ukraine, but with his own country.”

Moscow continues to frame its war in Ukraine as a confrontation with the West, a narrative analysts say helps bolster domestic support for the conflict. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said Monday that Kremlin officials are leveraging anti-Western rhetoric to justify aggression and prepare for potential clashes with NATO.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, 37 Iranian-made Shahed drones, and decoys in the overnight assault. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 32 of the drones.

The attack on Kamianske destroyed a three-story building, damaged surrounding infrastructure, and left a city hospital ward and maternity center in shambles. In the Synelnykivskyi district, at least one person was killed and two others injured in strikes involving FPV drones and more aerial bombs, according to regional head Serhii Lysak.

As civilian death tolls rise and infrastructure crumbles under the weight of relentless Russian bombardments, international pressure mounts for a resolution to the nearly three-year-old conflict. However, with Moscow unmoved by Trump’s threats and continuing to escalate its offensive, the path to peace remains uncertain.

At Least 34 Dead After Torrential Rains and Flooding Sweep Beijing and Surrounding Regions

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At Least 34 Dead After Torrential Rains and Flooding Sweep Beijing and Surrounding Regions

BEIJING (BN24) — Relentless downpours and flash flooding have killed at least 34 people in Beijing and nearby regions, Chinese state media reported Tuesday, as rescue efforts intensify amid widespread devastation in the capital’s outer districts and neighboring Hebei province.

The latest tally includes 30 confirmed deaths in the Beijing municipality — 28 in the severely affected Miyun district and two in Yanqing — according to state broadcaster CCTV. Both districts lie on the city’s outskirts, far from the urban core, and were pummeled by some of the region’s heaviest rainfall in decades.

Authorities confirmed that more than 80,000 residents have been evacuated from affected parts of Beijing, including over 17,000 from Miyun alone. Additional flooding and overnight rain prompted the government to issue top-level emergency alerts and shut down schools, construction projects, and all outdoor recreational activities across the city.

The extreme weather also triggered a deadly landslide in neighboring Hebei province, where four people were killed and eight others remain missing in rural Luanping county. A local resident told Beijing News that communication lines were down and he was unable to reach family members caught in the disaster zone.

In a bid to manage rising waters, Beijing authorities released water from a reservoir in Miyun, now at its highest level since being constructed in 1959. Downstream residents were warned to stay clear of rivers as water levels surged and additional rain was forecast.

Dramatic scenes unfolded across the flood-hit region: uprooted trees lay strewn across streets in Taishitun, roughly 60 miles northeast of downtown Beijing, while submerged roads and collapsed power poles revealed the storm’s ferocity. In local shops and clinics, residents like Zhuang Zhelin and Wei Zhengming worked to clear thick layers of mud, recounting how floodwaters rushed in with little warning.

“The flood came rushing in so fast. In no time at all, the place was filling up,” Zhuang said as he shoveled sludge from his family’s building supply store. Wei, a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, described climbing upstairs to escape the rising water. “I remember thinking, if no one came to get us, we’d be in real trouble.”

The central government responded by dispatching emergency teams and allocating 50 million yuan (about $7 million) to aid relief operations in Hebei. The cities of Chengde, Baoding and Zhangjiakou were among the hardest hit. In Tianjin’s Jizhou district, more than 10,000 people were also evacuated as rivers swelled and roads disappeared beneath muddy torrents.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang called the disaster in Miyun “serious” and demanded accelerated rescue and recovery operations. The capital, still recovering from historic flooding in 2023, is once again grappling with the lethal consequences of extreme weather.

AP

3 Killed, 10 Injured in Turks and Caicos Mass Shooting as Authorities Blame Gang Violence

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3 Killed, 10 Injured in Turks and Caicos Mass Shooting as Authorities Blame Gang Violence

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (BN24) — Three young men were killed and 10 others wounded in a mass shooting early Sunday at a popular nightspot on the island of Providenciales, marking what officials are calling the worst gun violence incident in recent memory for the British territory.

Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey said at least four suspects were involved in the shooting, though no arrests had been made as of Monday. The motive remains under investigation, but authorities strongly suspect gang-related activity.

“This is deeply disturbing,” Bailey said. “It’s a level of violence we are not accustomed to.”

Premier Charles Washington Misick condemned the violence, describing it as a “gangland-type slaying” and pointing to what he said was a troubling trend of gang activity concentrated in the territory’s Haitian community. He urged members of that community to cooperate with investigators.

“There are people who know how these illegal weapons are being brought into our country,” Misick said during a press conference. “What is happening here is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. This is not a situation we should accept.”

The shooting erupted at a local venue frequented by young residents and tourists. Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or the suspects.

The violence comes as the Turks and Caicos Islands steps up enforcement efforts against illegal immigration. The United Nations estimates that more than 10,000 Haitians live in the territory — roughly a third of its total population — with the majority residing in Providenciales. Only about 20% of them have permanent legal residency, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Acting Gov. Anya Williams said the main hospital on the island was placed on lockdown to protect victims and staff. She confirmed that two of the injured were in critical condition and had to be flown abroad for specialized medical treatment.

The government said additional security measures would be introduced across the island, including increased police patrols and intelligence-gathering operations.

The deadly shooting has left the small island nation rattled as officials grapple with the implications of rising gang violence and its ties to illegal weapons trafficking and immigration challenges.

Associated Press

2 Children Killed, 2 Critically Injured After Barge Collides With Boat at Miami Sailing Camp

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2 Children Killed, 2 Critically Injured After Barge Collides With Boat at Miami Sailing Camp

MIAMI (BN24) — Two children were killed and two others critically injured Monday when a barge collided with their small sailboat during a youth sailing camp in Biscayne Bay, authorities said. The tragic incident unfolded as six people, including five children and one adult instructor, were participating in their final week of the camp organized by the Miami Yacht Club.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the barge struck the group’s sailboat around midday, capsizing it and tossing all six occupants into the water. Emergency responders quickly pulled everyone from the bay and rushed four children to a nearby hospital, where two were pronounced dead. The two others remain in critical condition, while the remaining two individuals were reported to be in stable condition, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg.

“The entire MYC family is devastated by this terrible tragedy,” said Commodore Emily Copeland of the Miami Yacht Club in a statement.

The sailboat remains submerged beneath the barge in Biscayne Bay, a popular recreational waterway situated between Miami and Miami Beach, surrounded by small islands and luxury waterfront homes.

Local news footage showed a large emergency response at the scene, with boats circling the area and divers working to recover the vessel and investigate the scene. The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released, but the camp was open to children between 7 and 15 years old.

Coast Guard Sector Miami Commander Capt. Frank Florio vowed a thorough investigation into the crash. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to accountability, improvement, and the shared responsibility of ensuring safety at sea,” Florio said.

Though boating fatalities are a persistent risk nationwide — with over 550 recorded deaths in recreational boating accidents last year — only 43 were caused by vessel collisions, according to the Coast Guard.

The accident has cast a dark cloud over what was meant to be a week of fun and learning for young sailors. Community members and yacht club officials have expressed shock and sorrow as families wait for answers in the wake of the devastating crash.

2 Shot, Including Off-Duty Officer, in Midtown Manhattan Office Building; Suspect Found Dead

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2 Shot, Including Off-Duty Officer, in Midtown Manhattan Office Building; Suspect Found Dead

NEW YORK (BN24) — An off-duty police officer and a civilian were shot outside a high-rise office tower in Midtown Manhattan on Monday in a daytime shooting that prompted a massive police response and temporarily locked down a building that houses major corporate headquarters, including Blackstone and the NFL. The suspect was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the building, according to law enforcement sources.

The shooting erupted outside 345 Park Avenue near East 52nd Street just after 9 a.m., police sources said. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the shooter outside the building wielding a long gun. The off-duty officer, who was working security at the building, and a bystander were both struck by gunfire.

After the initial shots, the suspect fled into the building and took refuge on the 33rd floor, where he appeared to have barricaded himself. He was later found dead from what investigators believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

The conditions of the two shooting victims have not yet been disclosed. Emergency services responded quickly, placing the building on lockdown and warning nearby pedestrians and workers to avoid the area.

City and federal authorities stressed that the threat was no longer active but cautioned employees inside the building to remain sheltered in place until they could be escorted out safely. A message sent to some workers in 345 Park Avenue indicated the immediate danger had passed but advised continued caution under police supervision.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams urged the public to steer clear of the area during what he called an “active shooter investigation,” while the NYPD closed off several surrounding streets. “Expect emergency vehicles and delays,” the department posted on social media.

The FBI’s New York Field Office dispatched agents and command staff to assist the NYPD at the scene. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino confirmed the agency’s involvement and said the motive behind the shooting was under investigation.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also said she had been briefed on the incident and was monitoring the situation closely.

Though the building houses high-profile tenants including investment giant Blackstone and the National Football League, authorities have not confirmed any connection between the gunman and the building’s occupants.

The incident shook a busy part of Midtown during the Monday morning rush and reignited fears about gun violence even in New York’s business core.

Gunman Kills 3, Injures Several in Shooting Outside Reno’s Grand Sierra Casino Before Arrest

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Gunman Kills 3, Injures Several in Shooting Outside Reno’s Grand Sierra Casino Before Arrest

RENO, Nev. (BN24) — A gunman opened fire outside the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, early Monday morning, killing three people and wounding several others in a violent outburst that ended with the suspect being shot and arrested by police, authorities said.

The shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the valet area of the resort, one of Reno’s most prominent entertainment venues and the largest casino in northern Nevada. The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, reportedly acted alone and had no known ties to the victims or the property.

According to officials, the suspect approached a group outside the casino, pulled a handgun, and attempted to fire. The weapon initially malfunctioned, but he quickly cleared it and opened fire. He then fled through the parking lot, where he exchanged gunfire with an armed casino security guard before continuing to flee.

Moments later, the suspect shot and killed a passing motorist. Officers from the Reno Police Department arrived on the scene within three minutes and engaged the shooter, who fired at them, striking a patrol vehicle. Police returned fire, critically wounding the suspect and taking him into custody. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.

“This could have been much worse,” Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said, praising the rapid police response that prevented the gunman from entering the casino itself. “There was incredible, swift action that took place.”

In total, three people were killed and three others hospitalized. Two victims were reported in critical condition, while one was treated and released. Additionally, three others at the resort were treated for minor injuries — including a bullet graze, anxiety, and a fall while fleeing. One police officer was also injured by what is believed to be shattered glass.

Authorities have not yet determined a motive, though the suspect was found with multiple loaded magazines, indicating he may have planned a more prolonged attack.

The Grand Sierra Resort, which boasts the largest casino floor in northern Nevada and nearly 2,000 hotel rooms, has hosted numerous high-profile events — including a 2024 campaign rally by President Donald Trump. The resort is located just blocks from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport and northeast of Lake Tahoe, drawing summer tourists and gamblers alike.

Guests described scenes of chaos and fear as the shots rang out. Michael Sisco, 60, said he was moments away from heading to the valet when he heard the gunfire and looked out his hotel room window.

“I saw people running and screaming. Then I saw a man stagger and collapse next to a car,” Sisco said. “A half hour after the incident, I started shaking. I realized I could’ve been there — that’s exactly where I was going.”

Christina Martinez said she had just stepped onto the elevator when the shooting began. By the time she reached the 18th floor, guests were warning each other that the shooter had been just outside the main entrance — where she had been minutes earlier.

“I feel very blessed, but that’s kind of why I had a panic attack,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God. I was just there.’”

Following the incident, police cordoned off the area leading to the valet zone inside the casino, and privacy screens were erected to block the view of the crime scene. Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and review surveillance footage.

“This is a tragedy that no community should have to endure,” said Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”

Just over a year ago, the Grand Sierra was the scene of another deadly shooting when two men were charged in connection with the murder of a guest in January 2024.

Illegal Jamaican Immigrant Working as Police Officer Arrested by ICE After Attempt to Buy Firearm in Maine

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Illegal Jamaican Immigrant Working as Police Officer Arrested by ICE After Attempt to Buy Firearm in Maine

BIDDEFORD, Maine (BN24) — A Jamaican national illegally residing in the United States was arrested Thursday after allegedly attempting to unlawfully purchase a firearm while serving as a reserve police officer in Maine, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said.

Jon Luke Evans, who had been working for the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, was taken into custody on July 25 in Biddeford by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston, in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Evans, 33, entered the U.S. legally on a visa through Miami International Airport on Sept. 24, 2023, according to ICE. However, he overstayed his visa and failed to leave the country as required on Oct. 1 of the same year, making him unlawfully present in the country.

Authorities say Evans attempted to purchase a firearm for use in his capacity as a police officer. That attempt triggered an alert to ATF agents, who then partnered with ICE to investigate further and carry out the arrest. During questioning, Evans admitted to ICE officers that he had attempted to obtain the firearm specifically for his police work.

ICE officials expressed outrage that a local law enforcement agency had hired someone who was in the country illegally and allowed him to carry a firearm while on duty.

“Jon Luke Evans not only broke U.S. immigration law, but he also illegally attempted to purchase a firearm,” said ICE ERO Boston Acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “Shockingly, Evans was employed as a local law enforcement officer. The fact that a police department would hire an illegal alien and unlawfully issue him a firearm while on duty would be comical if it weren’t so tragic.”

Hyde added that ICE Boston would continue prioritizing public safety by identifying and removing individuals in violation of immigration law, particularly those working in sensitive roles like law enforcement.

This arrest follows a similar incident in April when ICE officers in Falmouth detained Gratien Milandou Wamba, a Congolese national who was also unlawfully present in the U.S. and employed as a corrections officer. Like Evans, Wamba had also allegedly attempted to illegally purchase a firearm.

Evans’ case has raised concerns about law enforcement hiring practices and oversight. As of Monday, the Old Orchard Beach Police Department has not issued a public statement.

ICE officials say Evans is in federal custody and is expected to face immigration proceedings.

Source: ice.gov

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