FBI - Buffalo

Victims of human trafficking endure unimaginable suffering. On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, help the raise awareness of this exploitation and hold criminals accountable. Learn the signs of trafficking and how to report it at fbi.gov/humantrafficking.

🚨FOUND GUILTY: Federal Jury Convicts New Jersey Man of Terrorism Offenses Relating to His Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie

🚨FBI BUFFALO CASE UPDATE:
A federal jury convicted Hadi Matar of attempting to provide material support to Hizbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, engaging in an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, and providing material support to terrorists. In August 2022, Matar attempted to murder author Salman Rushdie in an effort to carry out a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s ex*****on because of a novel published by Rushdie in 1988.

More Info: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/federal-jury-convicts-new-jersey-man-terrorism-offenses-relating-his-attempted-murder

: Buffalo was proud to join the Buffalo Police Department D-District Community Day on Saturday, where we shared hands-on STEM activities with local youth, provided crime prevention and community resources, and enjoyed spending time out in the community we serve. A special thanks to our FBI Buffalo Citizens Academy Alumni Association for helping out at the event! To learn more about the FBI's Citizens Academy and Community Outreach Program visit https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/outreach

NEW: FBI Buffalo Arrests Priest on Administrative Leave; Charged with Receipt and Possession of Child Po*******hy.

Buffalo SAC Davis, joined by USAO-WDNY USA DiGiacomo held a press conference after Jeffrey Nowak, 46, of Lackawanna, NY, was arrested and appeared in court.

According to the criminal complaint, in August 2019, the defendant, a priest in the Diocese of Buffalo, was placed on administrative leave as an investigation was conducted following allegations of inappropriate contact with children and harassment of a seminarian. In December 2019, an email address linked to Nowak, 'pigboybuffalo', was identified as an address that accessed a New Zealand cloud-based digital storage and file-hosting website/application, which contained photos and videos files of sexually exploited children. In May 2021, the FBI conducted an investigation, executing a search warrant for the email address 'pigboybuffalo' however, no child po*******hy was found, and the investigation was closed in July 2023.

Full Story: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/priest-administrative-leave-arrested-charged-receipt-and-possession-child-po*******hy

🚨NEWS ALERT: FBI Buffalo Arrests Irondequoit, NY Woman Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad, a Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization

Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources, namely currency, to the designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), also known as Al-Quds Brigades. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, Washburn is a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an extremist organization formed in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. DAMPL rejects peaceful protest and engages in “direct action,” including acts of sabotage and property destruction, in support of the Palestinian cause and against entities it associates with Israel.

More Information:
DOJ Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/upstate-new-york-woman-arrested-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-palestine
USAO-WDNY press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/irondequoit-woman-arrested-charged-attempting-provide-material-support-palestine

Buffalo, InfraGard Buffalo Members Alliance, and NY Power Authority hosted InfraGard members at the scenic Niagara Power Vista. FBI Buffalo SAC Davis kicked off the event to discuss drones, weapons of mass destruction, and their impact on critical infrastructure. This year, InfraGard celebrates it's 30th anniversary of unique partnership between the FBI and members of the private sector for the protection of U.S. critical infrastructure and the American people. This two-way exchange of information equips InfraGard members with the knowledge, information, and resources to protect their organizations. To learn more visit https://infragard.fbi.gov/.

🚨 FBI Buffalo Safe Streets Task Force Arrests 13 Individuals Charged in Two Separate Indictments for Narcotics Conspiracy

Buffalo SAC Davis, joined by USAO-WDNY USA DiGiacomo and our federal, state, and law enforcement partners, announced 13 arrests in a large narcotics takedown by the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force.

Approximately 200 FBI agents and law enforcement officers worked together to execute 13 search warrants and 13 arrest warrants-- to takedown violent criminals responsible for trafficking drugs, guns, and instilling fear in neighborhoods across the Buffalo area.

“This operation highlights FBI Buffalo’s unwavering commitment to protecting Western New York communities,” said Allen D. Davis II, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “Working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, FBI Buffalo removed guns, drugs, and violent criminals from Buffalo neighborhoods. Our work; however, is not over. As part of Operation Summer Heat, FBI Buffalo is surging resources across Western New York to identify, investigate, and hold accountable violent criminals who threaten the safety of our communities.”

More on investigation & arrests: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/13-defendants-charged-two-separate-indictments-narcotics-conspiracy

The is committed to holding drug dealers and traffickers accountable for the damage they inflict on our communities.
On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we are focused on crushing violent crime and eradicating dangerous drugs from our streets.

We urge you to help us by reporting any criminal activity you witness in your neighborhood. Contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit tips.fbi.gov to make a difference today.

Yesterday, as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Buffalo Community Outreach Team was recognized by the Council on Elder Abuse with the Community Exemplary Service Award for their outstanding efforts to prevent financial elder . Through education, awareness, and community partnerships, the team works to help protect older adults from and financial exploitation. FBI Buffalo is honored to receive this recognition and remains committed to safeguarding our seniors and empowering our communities through prevention and outreach.

Visit fbi.gov/elderfraud to learn more about common elder schemes, and how you can help protect your loved ones.