After issuing a in September, nonprofit environmental law group Earthjustice filed a against federal agencies involved in the Bitterroot National Forest Plan. The complaint, filed on Tuesday, criticizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and the Bitterroot National Forest for failure to follow guidelines enforced by the Endangered Species Act and seeks to rule the plan as unlawful. The four plaintiffs filing against federal agencies include Friends of the Bitterroot, Friends of Clearwater, Native Ecosystems Council, and the WildEarth Guardians. The lawsuit centers around the Bitterroot Forest Plan amendments’ erasure of road density limitations and how potential new road construction could impact grizzly bear and bull trout population in the Bitterroot. “Plaintiffs thus turn to this Court for relief. To protect grizzly bears and bull trout, Plaintiffs request the Court declare unlawful and vacate the Forest Service’s Programmatic Amendment 40, as well as the 6 underlying Biological Opinion and Environmental Assessment (EA), and remand to the agencies for further analysis,” the complaint reads. Conservation groups took issue with , which allows the Forest Service to, according to the plaintiffs’ (issued on Sep. 10), “open or construct new roads without closing other roads." “Plaintiffs challenge the Forest Service’s 2023 Programmatic Amendment 40 to the Land Management Plan for the Bitterroot National Forest, which eliminated restrictions on road retention and motorized use without adequately considering resulting impacts on grizzly bears and bull trout,” states the complaint. Jim Miller, president of the Friends of the Bitterroot, told the Ravalli Republic in September that road densities in the Bitterroot Forest are “probably the biggest contributor to stream sedimentation, harming trout fisheries.” Besides increasing stream sediment, high road densities could also negatively impact interconnectivity between bear populations, a constant struggle for the state’s already fragmented grizzly population. “Roads displace grizzly bears and degrade bull trout streams” said Ben Scrimshaw, Earthjustice attorney, in a . “The Bitterroot provides crucial connective habitat between grizzly bears in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem and the isolated Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, so allowing for limitless road building and motorized use through this area is a huge step backward in the quest for recovery.” “Grizzly bears require large expanses of intact ecosystem,” Miller told the Ravalli Republic after the lawsuit was filed on Tuesday. “Road densities fragment habitat and compromise the grizzly bear’s ability to inhabit those areas.” Miller mentioned how grizzly bears in Montana have started to trickle back into the Bitterroot and how an increase in road densities could disrupt a gradual reintroduction of the species to the valley. “We see grizzly bears naturally moving into our area,” Miller said. “In order for the Bitterroot ecosystem to be good habitat for grizzly bears, we can’t have too many roads and right now the Bitterroot National Forest has too many roads.” Miller claims that grizzly bears are not recovered enough to be subjected to any kind of human-caused endangerment and that Programmatic Amendment 40 does not adequately analyze the effects of its contents on species like grizzly bears and bull trout. The complaint states that there are two significant ways in which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service failed to analyze Programmatic Amendment 40’s impacts on grizzly bears. “(1) it failed to consider road-density impacts on grizzly bears outside of secure, unroaded habitat; and (2) it allowed the Forest Service to overinflate current and future calculations of secure grizzly bear habitat by including fractions of land as small as one acre in size — approximately .00156 square miles,” reads the complaint. These criticisms were also mentioned in the conservation groups’ letter of intent submitted in September. According to Scrimshaw, the lawsuit was not immediately filed after the 60-day-notice transpired because Earthjustice received “last-minute response letters from the agencies.” “It was two letters responding to our 60-day-notice,” Scrimshaw said. “One letter addressed our concerns about impacts to bull trout and the other one was about impacts to grizzly bears.” These response letters are referenced numerous times in footnotes throughout the complaint. “They (federal agencies) said that they would go back and reinitiate consultation on this problem of unauthorized motorized use, which is just a very, very small component of our grizzly bear claims,” Scrimshaw said. “They went through our other arguments and tried to provide rationale, which I didn’t find particularly compelling.” Scrimshaw said these response letters delayed the litigation process because Earthjustice wanted to carefully analyze their contents before proceeding. Relevant responses provided in the agencies’ letters are addressed individually in the lawsuit. Earthjustice highlights discrepancies in each of the responses and provides reasoning as to their failure to address the conservation groups’ complaint. “In response to Plaintiffs’ 60-day notice letter, the agencies asserted that they ‘will examine this issue to determine if further clarification is warranted.’ The agencies did not commit to making any changes and have provided no timeline for completing consultation,” reads one of the footnotes in the complaint. Scrimshaw said that the next step of the legal process involves federal agencies responding to the complaint. “They will submit an answer and we’ll get together with the agencies and work out a case management plan that sets deadlines,” Scrimshaw said. “We’ll get that sorted out together once the agency attorneys have made their appearances in the case; it will be a little bit of a process.” Jackson Kimball is the local government reporter for the Ravalli Republic. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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It turns out the is pretty underused by Canadians despite its many advantages. I blame the name. Calling it a “savings account” causes some people to treat it like a regular bank account, leaving it to hold cash instead of tapping into its full potential. That’s a missed opportunity because the TFSA is incredibly versatile. Shockingly, according to Advisor.ca, the average fair market value of a TFSA for Canadians aged 30 to 34 is just $15,347. While that might sound decent, it’s far below what you could be building in this account. Consider this: if you were born in 1991, have been a resident of Canada since before 2010, and have never contributed to your TFSA, the maximum contribution room for 2024 is a whopping $95,000, according to Moneysense. By 2025, you’ll get another $7,000 in contribution room. If you’ve been slacking on using your TFSA or aren’t sure how to maximize its growth potential, keep reading. I’ll show you how to make the most of this powerful tool for building your wealth. Why invest in a TFSA? The TFSA offers advantages that neither non-registered accounts nor the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) can match. Unlike a non-registered account, where you need to report and pay tax on interest, dividends, and capital gains, the TFSA lets these grow completely tax-free. You don’t even have to include them on your tax return. Plus, you can withdraw funds whenever you need, with no penalties — though your contributions are capped annually. While RRSPs also allow tax-free growth of interest, dividends, and capital gains, withdrawals are where the differences start. Withdrawing early from an RRSP triggers a penalty, and once it’s converted into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) in retirement, withdrawals are taxed as income. Every dollar you hand over to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is one less for your pocket. If you want to maximize the power of compounding and keep more of your returns, prioritizing contributions to your TFSA is a smart move. How to maximize growth in a TFSA If you’re a fan of Canada’s big bank stocks and looking to amplify your returns within a TFSA, here’s an intriguing strategy: consider investing in them with 1.25 times leverage. This means for every $100 you invest, an additional $25 is borrowed to increase your market exposure. Typically, borrowing to invest (using margin) isn’t allowed within a TFSA; that’s reserved for non-registered accounts. While you could take out a line of credit to fund your TFSA, this approach carries risks and often comes with high interest rates. The solution: ( ), which offers a way to gain leveraged exposure to Canada’s major banks without the complexities of personal borrowing. Here’s how it works: for every $100 in assets, HCAL borrows an additional $25, resulting in $125 of exposure evenly distributed among Canada’s “Big Six” banks. This strategy can lead to higher potential gains and increased yields. As of October 31, 2024, HCAL boasts a yield of 6.37%, with distributions paid monthly. However, it’s important to note that leveraging also amplifies volatility. On days when bank stocks decline, HCAL may experience more significant drops. As with any investment, higher potential rewards come with increased risks.Broadcom Notches Strongest Session In 3 Months: Why Seasonal Trends May Bolster Year-End GainsB.C. man charged over tractor crash with police during 2023 anti-SOGI protest
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HALIFAX — Commercial elver fishers in the Maritimes are dismissing new quotas for the 2025 season, saying they would significantly cut their share of the lucrative baby eel fishery. In a letter obtained by The Canadian Press, the federal Fisheries Department said Thursday it wants to hand 50 per cent of the total allowable catch — 4,980 kilograms — to First Nations fishers. However, in a potentially contentious move, the department is proposing that another 28 per cent of the allowable catch — 2,812 kilograms — should go to a new pilot project. The department's plan calls for distributing that 28 per cent among people who are already involved in the fishery, including those who are working for commercial elver fishing enterprises. That means the nine existing commercial licence holders will be left with just under 22 per cent of the total catch, which has been held at 9,960 kilograms since 2005. “The minister of Fisheries and Oceans supports broadening the distribution of benefits of the elver fishery,” wrote Jennifer Ford, director of the federal elver review team for the Maritimes. In the letter, Ford explains that the goal is to increase the participation of First Nations, while also providing licences to people already involved in the industry or are willing to temporarily relinquish eel licences. “When the total allowable catch for a fishery remains stable ... quota redistribution is the only way to bring new entrants into the fishery without putting additional pressures on the stock," the letter says. Meanwhile, commercial licensees stand to lose between 60 per cent and 90 per cent of the quota they fished before 2022. On Friday, commercial licence holder Stanley King said the proposed allocations will cause more chaos in a fishery that was shut down last year because of violence and unauthorized fishing. King said the pilot project makes no sense because it redistributes quota among employees working for companies such as his own. “The government is saying anyone who’s worked for you is now going to have a piece of your business,” said King. “Some of our (nine commercial) licence holders have been cut so much that they will barely have more of the company than their former employees. It’s a slap in the face and it’s completely anti-business.” Under the proposed pilot allocation, the federal department is offering licences to 120 fishers currently employed by commercial licence holders, representing 27 per cent of the overall quota. A further 1.5 per cent would be allocated to licences offered to 30 fishers who currently catch adult eels. King said if the department’s proposal moves forward, it would decimate his company, Atlantic Elver Fishery Limited, without providing any compensation. “Our business is about 20 people and what we’ll be left with will be the owners and managers, who will basically have to fish for themselves,” he said. “We won’t be able to afford to hire anyone.” Michel Samson, a Halifax-based lawyer who represents Wine Harbour Fisheries Ltd., a family-run business on Nova Scotia’s eastern shore, said his clients would go from a pre-2022 quota of 1,200 kilograms to 137 kilograms under the proposed change. “We are at a loss to understand why (the department) has decided to take what has been a successful fishery and somehow completely dismantle it to bring in new entrants,” Samson said. “In our case, it’s even more perverse in that it’s the licence holder’s wife and children who have been offered quota.” Samson said licence holders have accepted the need to increase the participation of First Nations as part of Ottawa's reconciliation efforts. But he says they’ve been left scratching their heads otherwise. “This whole pilot project ... we just can’t understand what the logic is behind this,” Samson said. The federal Fisheries Department was not immediately available for comment on Friday, but in its letter to fishery participants, it said written feedback on the quota redistribution would be accepted until Dec. 16. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press
High school recruiting isn't the only way to build a winner in the transfer portal eraFederal fisheries proposal would slash commercial elver quota in 2025
The British Columbia Hockey League hosted a special board of governors meeting this week to discuss ways to deal with the recent NCAA eligibility change, but one thing they didn't discuss was rejoining Hockey Canada. The league has seen a number of players depart the league this month for the Canadian Hockey League – or other major junior leagues – due to the NCAA's ruling on Nov. 7 that players suiting up in any of the three CHL leagues could continue on at the NCAA level. Prior to that decision, those who played in the CHL were not able to play at the NCAA level due to those leagues being considered semi-professional. The BCHL left Hockey Canada in 2023 and became an independent league. The mission at that time was to create a world-class junior league for players seeking NCAA and U Sports scholarships. It allowed the BCHL to recruit from a larger pool of players, as under Hockey Canada they could not recruit as heavily from other provinces and parts of the world. The BCHL also stated in 2023 that all player fees would be eliminated by the 2024-25 season. The BCHL's Board of Governors met on Wednesday to discuss league strategic planning in the ever-changing junior hockey landscape. "We are committed to providing the best path for young athletes to develop into NCAA Division I hockey players." DETAILS: https://t.co/KcKYcAZKFX pic.twitter.com/hbEASeKNwz According to Jesse Adamson, the director of communications for the BCHL, discussions about linking back with Hockey Canada are not on the table. "Being an independent league puts us in a much better situation to handle this change as it gives our league the autonomy to make regulation changes to adapt to the new landscape," he told Black Press Media. "Our governors are still very happy with the decision to become independent." The BCHL issed a press release on Friday morning (Nov. 22), stating that only a small percentage of players have left the league and other players have been brought in to replace them. They also reiterated that the BCHL has always been about player choice. Unlike the CHL, the BCHL does not hold a draft or tell players where to play. Players are recruited and can choose their own destination from the start of their junior hockey career. "There’s no doubt that this rule change has altered the landscape of junior hockey, but as our league has always done, we will adapt to the new regulations and continue to thrive,” stated BCHL commissioner Steven Cocker. "We will always be in favour of athletes doing what they think is best for their development.” BCHL board chairman Richard Murphy said he believes that, despite the changing landscape, the BCHL is still the best path for players to develop into NCAA Division I hockey players. He added that the league will continue to produce college-bound athletes for years to come. The release stated that the BCHL’s mandate going forward remains: unity and growth, players' choice, academics, independence, and meeting the needs of its athletes and of NCAA Division I programs. The BCHL also posted an FAQ following the meeting with more information. The FAQ states that the league has had multiple meetings with NCAA Division I programs and conferences and they all feel that this decision will not make the BCHL irrelevant. The FAQ added that the BCHL's high academic standards also makes players from the league more easy to recruit into the NCAA. The Chilliwack Chiefs have lost six players since the decision , with the West Kelowna Warriors and Penticton Vees both losing two. The Vees put out a statement on Friday (Nov. 22) after losing forward Casey Brown and defenceman Julien Wasmer to the CHL. “Casey came to us with a personal issue. He felt being closer to his family would be best and we fully support and respect his decision. We wish him all the best in Moose Jaw," said Fred Harbinson, Vees president, general manager and head coach "We are a few weeks away from getting two 20-year-old defencemen back from injury, and coupled with the outstanding play of our two young defencemen, Julien understood his role was going to be reduced. He looked for an opportunity with another team, rather than compete for a more favourable spot on our roster." Our roster now sits at 23 players after the departures of Casey Brown and Julien Wasmer. Click the link below for a statement from President, General Manager & Head Coach Fred Harbinson. Other players who have moved on since the decision include: Lukas McCloskey (Vernon Vipers), Robin Benoit (Sherwood Park Crusaders), Linden Burrett (Cowichan Valley Capitals), Thomas Belzil (Powell River Kings) and Liam Beamish (Salmon Arm Silverbacks).
Reigning champion Kansas City edged Carolina and Detroit ripped Indianapolis on Sunday to reach an NFL-best 10-1 while Dallas shocked arch-rival Washington to snap a five-game losing streak. Patrick Mahomes threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns and Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yard field goal on the final play to lift Kansas City over the host Panthers 30-27. Chuba Hubbard's 1-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion run had put Carolina level with 1:46 remaining, setting the stage for the Chiefs' seven-play, 57-yard march to set up the winning kick. Joining the Chiefs with a 10th triumph to keep a conference lead was Detroit, with Jahmyr Gibbs rushing for 90 yards and two touchdowns and David Montgomery running for another score in the Lions' 24-6 triumph at Indianapolis. A wild finish with 38 points in the last 5:16 marked the Dallas Cowboys' 34-26 victory at Washington, where the Commanders appeared to have lost, then made an amazing comeback only to fall in the end. Cooper Rush's second touchdown pass, a 22-yarder to Luke Schoonmaker with 5:16 remaining, gave Dallas a 20-9 edge, but Jayden Daniels threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz and ran for a 2-point conversion to pull Washington within 20-17. KaVontae Turpin answered with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown on the ensuing play, but again the Commanders responded as Austin Seibert kicked a 51-yard field goal and Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on an 86-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds remaining. Seibert, however, shockingly missed the conversion kick to keep Dallas ahead 27-26 and the Cowboys added a Juanyeh Thomas 43-yard kickoff return touchdown on the next play to seal victory. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! At Miami, Tua Tagovailoa threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns to spark the Miami Dolphins over New England 34-15. At Chicago, Minnesota's John Parker Romo kicked a 29-yard field goal with 2:10 remaining in overtime to lift the Vikings over the host Bears 30-27. Sam Darnold threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings improved to 9-2. At Houston, Chig Okonkwo caught a 70-yard go-ahead touchdown pass from Will Levis in the fourth quarter as Tennessee upset the host Texans 32-27. Levis threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns and Tony Pollard ran for 119 yards and a touchdown as the Titans reached 3-8 and Houston fell to 7-5. Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield threw for 294 yards to spark the Buccaneers over the host New York Giants 30-7. js/sev
If your New Year’s resolution is to establish a wellness practice that promotes health from the inside and out or to cut down on in-office aesthetic treatments for glowing skin, now’s the time to purchase the premium tools to help get you started ahead of 2025. One of our favorite skincare and wellness brands LYMA is having a rare early Black Friday sale and we’ve never seen its products marked down so steeply. was founded by former fashion journalist and luxury publicist Lucy Goff after a postpartum septicemia (blood poisoning) diagnosis opened her eyes to a void in the wellness industry. Dr. Paul Clayton, an expert in preventative degenerative disease, introduced Goff to clinically dosed supplements, inspiring a collaboration. Together, they created , a high-grade nutraceutical made with ingredients like turmeric, ashwagandha, saffron, and vitamins D and K to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, enhance focus, and sharpen immunity. It was an instant success. Cut to 2024, and has solidified itself as a pioneer in the industry, with innovations engineered to keep its customers feeling, as well as looking their best. While still known for its supplements, the beauty brand has recently garnered a cult following for its and clinical-grade skincare. All LYMA products are backed by science and patented technology, and have been shown to reduce skin damage without the pain, downtime or a trip to the dermatologist. The is already live and will continue while supplies last. Its products are on sale for up to 30 percent off, and discounts will be applied at checkout. This is a once-annual opportunity, as LYMA does not discount its products any other time of year. In other words, take advantage while you can.
Chiefs edge Panthers, Lions rip Colts as Dallas stuns WashingtonTexas A&M signed the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class three years ago believing it had built a potential national title contender. Plenty of players from that heralded 2022 class could indeed be participating in the first 12-team College Football Playoff this month. They just won’t be doing it for the Aggies, who no longer have nearly half their 2022 signees. The list of 2022 recruits now with playoff contenders elsewhere includes Mississippi defensive lineman Walter Nolen, Oregon wide receiver Evan Stewart, Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton, SMU offensive tackle PJ Williams and injured Boise State receiver Chris Marshall. Texas A&M has done all right without them, going 8-4 as transfers filled about half the starting roles. Texas A&M represents perhaps the clearest example of how recruiting and roster construction have changed in the era of loosened transfer restrictions. Coaches must assemble high school classes without always knowing which of their own players are transferring and what players from other schools could be available through the portal. “It used to be you lost 20 seniors, you signed 20 incoming freshmen,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “You just had your numbers right. Now you might lose 20 seniors, but you might lose 20 underclassmen. You just don’t know.” Coaches emphasize that high school recruiting remains critical, but recent results suggest it isn’t as vital as before. The last two College Football Playoff runners-up – TCU in 2022 and Washington in 2023 – didn’t sign a single top-15 class in any of the four years leading up their postseason runs, according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports. This year’s contenders have shown there’s more than one way to build a championship-caliber roster. About half of No. 1 Oregon’s usual starters began their college careers elsewhere. No. 5 Georgia, which annually signs one of the nation’s top high school classes, has only a few transfers making major contributions. Colorado’s rise under Deion Sanders exemplifies how a team can win without elite high school recruiting. None of Colorado’s last four classes have ranked higher than 30th in the 247Sports Composite. Three ranked 47th or lower. “If anybody ever did the homework and the statistics of these young men – people have a class that they say is the No. 1 class in the nation – then five of those guys play, or four of those guys play, then the rest go through the spring and then they jump in the portal,” Sanders said. “Don’t give me the number of where you rank (in recruiting standings), because it’s like an NFL team," he added. "You always say who won the draft, then the team gets killed all year (and) you don’t say nothing else about it. Who won the draft last year in the NFL? Nobody cares right now, right?” Wisconsin's Christian Alliegro tries to stop Oregon's Evan Stewart, right, during the first half of a Nov. 16 game in Madison, Wis. Star quarterback Shedeur Sanders followed his father from Jackson State to Colorado in 2023, and Heisman Trophy front-runner Travis Hunter accompanied them. According to Colorado, this year’s Buffaloes team has 50 transfer newcomers, trailing only North Texas’ 54 among Bowl Subdivision programs. Relying on transfers comes with caveats. Consider Florida State's rise and fall. Florida State posted an unbeaten regular-season record last year with transfers playing leading roles. When those transfers departed and Florida State's portal additions this year didn't work out, the Seminoles went 2-10. “There has to be some type of balance between the transfer portal and high school recruiting,” said Andrew Ivins, the director of scouting for 247Sports. “I compare it to the NFL. The players from the transfer portal are your free agents and high school recruiting is your NFL draft picks.” A look at the composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports for the 2020-22 classes shows at least 40 of the top 100 prospects each of those years ended up leaving their original school. Coaches must decide which positions they’re better off building with high school prospects and which spots might be easier to fill through the portal. “The ones that have a ton of learning to do - tight end, quarterback, interior offensive line, inside linebacker, safety, where they are the communicators - they are the guys that are processing a lot of information,” Florida’s Billy Napier said. “Those are the ones in a perfect world you have around for a while. “It’s easier to play defensive line, edge, corner, receiver, running back, tackle, specialists. Those are a little bit more plug-and-play I’d say, in my opinion," Napier said. "Either way, it’s not necessarily about that. It’s just about we need a certain number at each spot, and we do the best we can to fill those roles.” Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, right, congratulates place kicker Cristiano Palazzo after he kicked an extra point during the second half of Friday's game against Oklahoma Stat in Boulder, Colo. Power Four programs aren’t the only ones facing a balancing act between recruiting high schools and mining the transfer portal. Group of Five schools encounter similar challenges. “We’re recruiting every position and bringing in a high school class,” Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said. “That’s not going to be maybe 24 scholarship guys like it used to be. It might be more like 16. It’s not four d-linemen necessarily, right? It might be three. It might not be three receivers. It might be two. And it might not be five offensive linemen. It’s two to three.” The extra hurdle Group of Five schools face is the possibility their top performers might leave for a power-conference program with more lucrative name, image and likeness financial opportunities. They sometimes don’t know which players they’ll lose. “We know who they’re trying to steal,” Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin quipped. “We just don’t know who they’re going to steal.” The obstacles facing coaches are only getting steeper as FBS teams prepare for a 105-man roster limit as part of the fallout from a pending $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement. While having 105 players on scholarship seems like an upgrade from the current 85-man scholarship limit, many rosters have about 125 players once walk-ons are included. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said last week his program would probably end up with about 30-50 players in the portal due to the new roster restrictions. All the added dimensions to roster construction in the college game have drawn parallels to the NFL, but Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck believes those comparisons are misleading. “When people talk about college football right now, they’re saying, ‘Oh, we have an NFL model,’ or it’s kind of moving toward the NFL,” Fleck said. “First of all, it’s nothing like the NFL. There’s a collective bargaining agreement (in the NFL). There’s a true salary cap for everybody. It’s designed for all 32 fan bases to win the Super Bowl maybe once every 32 years – and I know other people are winning that a lot more than others – but that’s how it’s designed. In college football, it’s not that way.” There does seem to be a bit more competitive balance than before. The emergence of TCU and Washington the last couple of postseasons indicates this new era of college football has produced more unpredictability. Yet it’s also created many more challenges as coaches try to figure out how to put together their rosters. “It’s difficult because we’re just kind of inventing it on the fly, right?” Diaz said. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Get local news delivered to your inbox!
LOS ANGELES — Although Shenghua Wen entered the United States on a student visa, eventually settling in San Bernardino County, law enforcement officials say he had a more nefarious purpose: exporting shipments of firearms, ammunition and other military items to North Korea. Federal authorities on Tuesday arrested Wen, 41, at his Ontario home, alleging he acted as an operative for the North Korean government, smuggling illicit goods concealed inside shipping containers from Long Beach. Wen, who authorities said is a Chinese national living illegally in the U.S. after overstaying his visa, has been charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which deals with sanctions and frozen foreign assets. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Wen's federal public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is illegal to supply North Korea with certain technologies and military supplies without U.S. government approval, according to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. "North Korea engaged in a scheme to circumvent and evade those restrictions," Estrada said at a news conference Tuesday morning. "It's essential we keep sensitive materials, including military equipment, outside the hands of our adversaries where they can harm us or our allies." Wen, who arrived in the U.S. in 2012, was "key to this scheme and central to this plot" by North Korea, Estrada said. Before leaving China, Wen met with North Korean officials at two consulates, where they allegedly directed him to procure goods in the U.S., according to a Nov. 26 criminal complaint. In an interview with federal authorities, Wen said he was probably chosen for this role because he was good at smuggling, according to prosecutors. Wen told authorities that while he was in the U.S. two North Koreans living in China, who he identified as Jin Yong Nan and Cui, reached out to him. Wen kept in contact with Cui via an encrypted messaging platform, according to the complaint. In his interview with federal authorities, Wen admitted he shipped two containers of firearms and other items to North Korea via Hong Kong in October 2023 and December 2023. One shipment was labeled as a refrigerator, another as camera parts, according to Estrada. Wen allegedly received money for the containers and shipping fees — totaling at least $2 million — from North Korean government officials. To obtain the weapons, Wen bought Super Armory, a business with a federal firearms license that he later registered in Texas, for $150,000. Wen allegedly used both the company and other people known as straw purchasers to assemble shipments, according to the complaint. Authorities said he would then drive the guns and ammo from Texas to California. Federal authorities said they also found emails and text messages from January 2024 to April 2024, between Wen and a U.S.-based broker about obtaining a civilian airplane engine. During a September interview with authorities, Wen said North Korean officials told him to purchase plane engines, which would be used to help develop the North Korean military drone program, according to the complaint. At Wen's home on Aug. 14, law enforcement officials seized two devices that he allegedly intended to send to North Korea for military use: a chemical threat identification device and a hand-held countersurveillance gadget that detects electronic eavesdropping, according to the complaint. On Sept. 6, law enforcement seized approximately 50,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition — which Wen was storing in his white Ford van — that he'd allegedly obtained to send to North Korea. Wen told authorities he believed the North Korean government wanted the items he sent to prepare for an attack against South Korea, according to the complaint. Wen allegedly told authorities that the government wanted him to obtain military uniforms to be used the North Korean military to disguise their soldiers during a surprise offensive. Wen's student visa was valid from Dec. 5, 2012, to Dec. 3, 2013, according to the complaint. Estrada said it's unclear whether that was legitimate and if he was actually studying. Wen was ordered removed from the U.S. in 2018 and, following a 2021 arrest, he signed a form acknowledging his overstay status, according to the U.S. attorney's office. It's unclear how he was able to stay in the country. Estrada said authorities learned about Wen through multiple tips, including some individuals he tried to purchase items from. "We can't say how long he was operating this, the investigation continues," Estrada said. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.