fbi

In a significant development, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has stepped into a high-profile police corruption investigation in the Bahamas, a case that has gripped the nation since voice notes allegedly detailing corrupt practices surfaced in July, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander confirmed.

As reported by the Tribune, the FBI’s involvement adds another layer to the probe initially expected to be overseen by senior members from the United Kingdom National Crime Agency.

Why this matters

It touches on the integrity of law enforcement agencies and the safety of citizens. The leaked voice notes suggest a type of exchange involving high-ranking officials and alleged criminals; and have been linked to a major crime—the $1.5 million airport bank car heist last November.

The families of the individuals who have been killed, and implicated in the voice notes, have come forward with narratives. Michael Fox Sr. revealed that his son, one of the suspects in the heist, entrusted him with the voice notes, instructing its release if anything happened to him. Similarly, Sandra Smith, mother of the other suspect, claimed her son made her aware of the recordings.

The big picture

Besides corruption, this case is a test for the justice system’s ability to police its own and maintain public trust. With international agencies now involved, the outcome of this investigation could impact the fight against corruption.

What Commissioner Fernander says

Commissioner Fernander has been vocal about the investigation’s progress, emphasizing the role of the Security and Intelligence Branch (SIB) and the oversight by the Police Complaints Inspectorate.

However, last week, he advised the police would no longer comment on the matter as it’s being investigated.

“It is announced for general public information that, upon advice and in order not to compromise the investigation into the voice notes with regard to the former Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, there will be no further public statements about the investigation until the investigation is complete, except to confirm from time to time that the investigation is still ongoing.

“The public is assured that the investigation is proceeding with integrity and dispatch.”

US authorities charged Brandon Russel, a Bahamian-American, and his girlfriend with plotting to attack Baltimore’s power grid.

Russel, 27, and Sara Beth Clendial, 34, considered domestic terrorists, were conspiring to shoot at five energy substations in Maryland, court documents show, in an effort to “completely destroy the city” and to “permanently completely lay this city to waste.”

Thomas Sobocinski, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore field office said, “The accused were not just talking, but taking steps to fulfill their threats and further their extremist goals.”

The pair is charged with conspiracy to destroy an energy facility and could face 20 years in prison.

Who is Brandon Russell?

1. Brandon Russell has dual citizenship—Bahamian and American– and was a former student of St Andrew’s School in the Bahamas where he was hailed as “an amazing student” in the school’s weekly newsletter.
2. His mother, Chantalle Russell-Hilts, operated The Athlete’s Foot franchise stores in Nassau and Freeport, and his grandparents William and Molly Russell are business owners of Park n’ Shop.
3. In 2016, he enlisted in the US Army National Guard where he worked as a systems operator maintainer. He was never deployed.
4. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison for possession of unregistered destructive devices and illegal storage of explosives found in his bedroom.
5. Brandon Russell is the founder of the notorious neo-Nazi group, Atomwaffen Division which has been linked to murders, bombings, and plots in the United States, Canada and Australia. The group, though small, became known for its extreme violence.
6. He is considered an extremist with far-right ideologies with the belief that “the modern, post-industrial society cannot be redeemed. Instead, they believe it ought to be driven into apocalyptic collapse so a white ethnostate or whites-only utopia can be constructed in its wake,” according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
7. A friend said Russel’s family “was not happy with his views and kicked him out of his home”.
8. Russel first met his accomplice, Clendaniel when she served a prison sentence for armed robbery. He was released from prison in 2021.

After former FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried signed extradition papers to face criminal charges in the United States, he will be handed over to US Marshalls.

The Bahamas judge Shaka Serville has approved all of the legal requirements for the extradition and was satisfied that Bankman-Fried was not “forced, coerced or threatened” into making the decision.

The 30-year-old  will be handcuffed and placed on board a plane with an escort from the FBI and the United States Marshals Service which have already arrived in the Bahamas. They will then carry him to La Guardia or JFK Airport.

He will either go to the federal detention facility or a Manhattan courtroom in the Southern District of New York. If he is sent to court, there will be an initial hearing and arraignment before a judge and he will enter a plea to the 8 charges against him.

Following a tumultuous week since his arrest in the Bahamas,  he is expected to arrive in the United States on Wednesday evening and will contest allegations that he funneled billions of dollars from his fallen exchange FTX, to his trading fund company, Alameda Research.

“Yes, I do wish to waive my right to such formal extradition proceedings,” he told the court on Wednesday morning.

His defense lawyer Jerone Roberts said his client was “anxious to leave” the Bahamas and requested that the “rule of specialty” be imposed which based on the Bahamas and US extradition treaty, states that a person can only be tried on the charges for which they are extradited.

Photo credit: Reuters

A man who bears a striking resemblance to Brian Laundrie wants to make it clear that he is not the Florida fugitive.

Following a report by CSJ Report, many people in Freeport have been on the lookout for Laundrie.

The doppelganger who wanted to remain anonymous told CSJ Report, “… all the sightings have been of people driving past in the street. And at least once, that person was me. I could easily be mistaken in those circumstances, especially wearing my hat and sunglasses.”

The search for Laundrie has become a widespread hunt since John Walsh, a popular criminal investigator and host of In Pursuit, said it is possible Laundrie could be in the Bahamas, considering Freeport is less than 70 miles from Florida’s coast, and a few tips of possible sightings.

Laundrie returned from a cross-country camping trip without his fiance Gabby Petito on September 14 and disappeared days later. His parents reported him “missing” a few days after they last saw him.

Gabby’s body was later found on campgrounds in Wyoming.

The man said, he has been stopped and questioned by the Grand Bahama police on one occasion.

“Up close I’m obviously not him, but I can see how there could be confusion. I’m worried the police may be wasting resources searching Freeport, and meanwhile, the guy has moved elsewhere.”

The man said he does not believe Laundrie is walking the streets of Freeport.

“That’s an easy way to get caught as neither Bahamians nor Americans walk anywhere, so it’s bound to draw attention.

“If he has any sense he’s probably paid a fishing boat to take him to Cuba by now.”

Reports reached CSJ Report that a man resembling Laundrie was seen near the area of Sunland School and on another occasion near St George’s School, walking with only a backpack.

The man appeared “confused,” according to eyewitnesses. A woman who wanted to remain anonymous said, “It looked just like him.”

The unusual sighting of a caucasian man in various areas on Freeport has raised the alarm.

FBI agents have scoured a preserve area near Laundrie’s home  in Florida and have now extended the search to remote Florida islands and cays.

The reward leading to the capture and arrest of Laundrie now stands at $180,000.