Monday, November 1, 2010
Orange County man charged with illegally importing prized muscle cars Federal probe involves Nissan model made famous by 'Fast and Furious' movies
SANTA ANA, Calif. - A former Orange County sheriff's deputy, who operated several now-defunct auto businesses, made his initial court appearance Monday morning on federal charges for illegally importing models of the Japanese muscle car made famous by the "Fast & Furious" movies into the United States and selling them to sports car enthusiasts and collectors.
Daryl R. Alison, 45, of San Clemente, Calif., is accused in a criminal information with removing the markings from an imported vehicle, a misdemeanor. Kaizo Industries, Alison's former Costa Mesa, Calif., company, is charged with a felony for failing to file the required paperwork on the imported vehicles in violation of the Clean Air Act. Both Alison and his now defunct company have agreed to plead guilty to the charges.
According to the court documents, Kaizo Industries imported disassembled Nissan Skylines and other Japanese right-hand drive cars into California and sold them, though they did not comply with U.S. environmental and safety regulations. Alison also operated two websites, Jspecconnect.com and JustDriven.com, that advertised the sought-after cars online.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigations Division, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the California Air Resources Board.
HSI investigators say as part of the scheme the Skylines were imported in two shipments - the car body in one container and the vehicle drive-train in another. Despite Kaizo's public claims, the bodies themselves had not been modified to comply with Department of Transportation regulations. After arriving at Kaizo's warehouse, several of the car bodies were then mated back with their original drive-trains and sold to the public. So the vehicles could be registered in the United States, the defendants allegedly put bogus 17-digit Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) on the cars in place of the actual Nissan VIN plate. To avoid California's stricter registration and emission requirements, many of the cars were registered out of the state and sold to California residents with Florida and Arizona plates.
In June 2009, federal and state investigators executed a search warrant at Kaizo Industries in Costa Mesa. During the search, agents located and seized three Nissan Skylines that did not meet U.S. environmental and safety standards. Additionally, authorities have seized nine other vehicles in connection with the probe, including the "hero" car from fourth installment of the "Fast & Furious" movie series. Collectively, the vehicles seized by ICE and CBP to date have an estimated valued of more than $450,000.
"While many car buffs scoff at enforcement of vehicle import laws - to be clear, these are not just technical violations," said Claude Arnold, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Los Angeles. "Vehicles that don't meet U.S. environmental and safety standards are outlawed because they can pose a real threat to public health and driver safety."
Long admired by racing and "drifting" buffs, Skyline's popularity soared after the cars were tapped for starring roles in the "Fast and Furious" movies. While the Skyline has been produced since 1955, most of the earlier models were not manufactured for the U.S. auto market and did not meet domestic safety and environmental regulations. One of the newest Skyline production models, the R35, does comply with those requirements, but it was not imported by Nissan until July 2008.
Canadian citizen sentenced to 5 years for possession of child pornography
SAN JOSE, Calif. - A Canadian citizen has been sentenced to five years in prison for possession of child pornography in connection with an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
John Michael Nagy, 50, formerly of Ben Lomand, Calif., was sentenced here Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel. In addition, Judge Fogel sentenced the defendant to a seven-year period of supervised release following his prison term. Upon release, Nagy will be required to register as a sex offender.
Nagy pleaded guilty Aug. 5 to one count of possessing child pornography. According to the plea agreement, Nagy admitted to possessing more than 600 images containing visual depictions of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including images of prepubescent minors and images portraying sadistic or masochistic conduct. Nagy admitted he had obtained those images by downloading them from e-mails onto his computer at his Ben Lomand residence. Nagy has been in custody since his initial appearance in federal court on that charge.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Fazioli with support from legal assistant Kamille Singh.
John Michael Nagy, 50, formerly of Ben Lomand, Calif., was sentenced here Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel. In addition, Judge Fogel sentenced the defendant to a seven-year period of supervised release following his prison term. Upon release, Nagy will be required to register as a sex offender.
Nagy pleaded guilty Aug. 5 to one count of possessing child pornography. According to the plea agreement, Nagy admitted to possessing more than 600 images containing visual depictions of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including images of prepubescent minors and images portraying sadistic or masochistic conduct. Nagy admitted he had obtained those images by downloading them from e-mails onto his computer at his Ben Lomand residence. Nagy has been in custody since his initial appearance in federal court on that charge.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Fazioli with support from legal assistant Kamille Singh.
Hybred Buses are here NFTA
Source NFTA Metro Release on website.
Metro’s hybrid buses are the cutting-edge, representing a commitment to improving our environment. New advancements in engine and transmission technology mean clean-running, more efficient vehicles, with no decrease in Metro’s ability to get you where you need to go.
Metro’s hybrid buses are the same size and shape as its other 40-foot buses. They all carry 38 comfortably seated passengers, with a few more standing if needed. The engine and transmission - the drivetrain - are the big distinctions.
Metro’s hybrids have a combination of traditional diesel engines and electric motors. By using each to its best advantage, the system consumes less fuel, puts out fewer pollutants and still works in the real world. Metro’s hybrids also have regenerative braking. Every time the brakes are applied, energy from the wheels is converted to electricity, recharging the bus’s batteries. Braking wastes energy in normal vehicles, and generates energy in hybrids.
Even before hybrid drivetrains Metro buses were one of the most economical and environmentally friendly modes of transportation available. For every mile traveled, public transportation uses about one half of the fuel consumed by automobiles, and about a third of that used by sport utility vehicles and light trucks*.
So, if feel like taking a ride on one of the most sophisticated, socially responsible vehicles on the road – hop on a Metro hybrid bus. You will not notice a big difference, but that is the point. Metro is public transportation that’s good for the whole public . . . even those that are not riding just yet.
*courtesy of the American Public Transit Association
What is the savings?
Metro estimates a 25% to 30% reduction in fuel based on the efficiencies of the hybrid drivetrain. Savings are also anticipated from decreased maintenance costs associated with brakes, engines and transmissions.
How clean are they?
Particulates, 90% less
Hydrocarbons, 90% less
Carbon Monoxide, 90% less
Nitrogen Oxides, 50% less
Metro’s hybrid buses are the cutting-edge, representing a commitment to improving our environment. New advancements in engine and transmission technology mean clean-running, more efficient vehicles, with no decrease in Metro’s ability to get you where you need to go.
Metro’s hybrid buses are the same size and shape as its other 40-foot buses. They all carry 38 comfortably seated passengers, with a few more standing if needed. The engine and transmission - the drivetrain - are the big distinctions.
Metro’s hybrids have a combination of traditional diesel engines and electric motors. By using each to its best advantage, the system consumes less fuel, puts out fewer pollutants and still works in the real world. Metro’s hybrids also have regenerative braking. Every time the brakes are applied, energy from the wheels is converted to electricity, recharging the bus’s batteries. Braking wastes energy in normal vehicles, and generates energy in hybrids.Even before hybrid drivetrains Metro buses were one of the most economical and environmentally friendly modes of transportation available. For every mile traveled, public transportation uses about one half of the fuel consumed by automobiles, and about a third of that used by sport utility vehicles and light trucks*.
So, if feel like taking a ride on one of the most sophisticated, socially responsible vehicles on the road – hop on a Metro hybrid bus. You will not notice a big difference, but that is the point. Metro is public transportation that’s good for the whole public . . . even those that are not riding just yet.*courtesy of the American Public Transit Association
What is the savings?
Metro estimates a 25% to 30% reduction in fuel based on the efficiencies of the hybrid drivetrain. Savings are also anticipated from decreased maintenance costs associated with brakes, engines and transmissions.
How clean are they?
Particulates, 90% less
Hydrocarbons, 90% less
Carbon Monoxide, 90% less
Nitrogen Oxides, 50% less
'Stop Loss' Special Pay Application Deadline Approaches
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2010 - Defense Department officials are working to remind veterans and current servicemembers who were involuntarily retained in the military under the so-called "Stop Loss" program to apply for special pay before the Dec. 3 deadline.
Military members whose service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to a retroactive payment of $500 for each month of extension.
By law, servicemembers who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service are not eligible for the special pay, officials said, but they added that they strongly urge people who even think they may be eligible to submit an application before the deadline.
Information on the special pay and links to the application are available at http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.
About 65,000 of 145,000 eligible claims have been paid, and $243 million has been disbursed of the $534 million appropriated, officials said.
President Barack Obama released a video message Sept. 15 urging eligible servicemembers and veterans to apply.
"You served with honor. You did your duty. And when your country called on you again, you did your duty again," he said in the message. "Now, it's time to collect the special pay that you deserve."
The services are promoting the retroactive pay through national and regional media, direct mail, veteran and service organizations, websites and phone lines. Information about the special pay also has been included on civilian and retiree pay stubs.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2010 - Defense Department officials are working to remind veterans and current servicemembers who were involuntarily retained in the military under the so-called "Stop Loss" program to apply for special pay before the Dec. 3 deadline.
Military members whose service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to a retroactive payment of $500 for each month of extension.
By law, servicemembers who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service are not eligible for the special pay, officials said, but they added that they strongly urge people who even think they may be eligible to submit an application before the deadline.
Information on the special pay and links to the application are available at http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.
About 65,000 of 145,000 eligible claims have been paid, and $243 million has been disbursed of the $534 million appropriated, officials said.
President Barack Obama released a video message Sept. 15 urging eligible servicemembers and veterans to apply.
"You served with honor. You did your duty. And when your country called on you again, you did your duty again," he said in the message. "Now, it's time to collect the special pay that you deserve."
The services are promoting the retroactive pay through national and regional media, direct mail, veteran and service organizations, websites and phone lines. Information about the special pay also has been included on civilian and retiree pay stubs.
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