Allied Universal®, a leading security and facility services company in North America which was recognized in the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for the last Two Consecutive Years, is in receipt of a letter of appreciation from the Justice Department’s United States Marshals Service, for assistance in the apprehension of Gerald Fitzgerald Hunter, 54, who was #1 on the Most Wanted list of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) St. Louis Strike Force’s West Central Region.
Hunter was sought due to his suspected role in the illegal trafficking of Fentanyl, and Allied Universal’s security team provided crucial intelligence to the U.S. Marshals, which was recognized in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, which led to the successful capture of the fugitive.
An arrest warrant had been issued for Gerald Hunter, charging him with “conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute Fentanyl” in 2017.
Hunters successfully evaded arrest since April 20, 2017, being described by the DEA and his con-conspirators as a ‘ghost” who was proficient in separating his name from everything he touched, often being three levels removed.
Over the course of the investigation, DEA agents seized more than 27 kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine, cash, firearms and hydraulic drug presses.
“Fentanyl drug trafficking organizations based on the West Coast pose a great public safety threat to our community through the distribution of deadly drugs and the associated drug violence in the St. Louis Metro,” explained Special Agent in Charge William J. Callahan, head of the DEA St. Louis Division.
“This investigation revealed a sophisticated drug trafficking and money laundering network with tentacles stretching from Los Angeles to the streets of St. Louis.”
“I believe these violators felt they could safely avoid being held accountable for their activity.”
“However, for the past three years, the DEA, along with our partners at the United States Marshals Service and with the support of the United States Attorney, pursued this defendant in an effort to make St. Louis safer.”
In concert with information provided by Allied Universal, Gerald Hunter was apprehended by the U.S. Marshalls at an apartment building in Los Angeles, where Allied Universal is the security service provider.
Allied Universal personnel provided the U.S. Marshals with the tactical advantage they needed, allowing them to execute their plan and successfully apprehend Hunter.
“This team represents Allied Universal’s Be Phenomenal™ culture which strives for excellence and connects us closer the communities in which we serve,” said Steve Jones, Chairman & CEO of Allied Universal.
“The team’s dedication and commitment to safeguarding our communities, as well as the people of our nation, is extremely honorable and courageous.”
“The United States Marshals Service is a proud member of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces,” said John Jordan, the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri.
“The fugitive case regarding Gerald Hunter, who has been on the run since 2017, exemplifies the bloodhound mentality of the men and women of the United States Marshals Service.”
“We will always pursue fugitives like Hunter who do their best to become ghosts to avoid justice.”
“I am especially proud of the U.S. Marshals Service personnel in this case for their relentless pursuit of this fugitive and am proud of our longstanding partnerships in the law enforcement community.”
In addition to Allied Universal, this investigation was assisted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Border Patrol, which was also recognized in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.
Deputy Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Chief Erin Granger and Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Casey are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri.
Allied Universal Takes Home Platinum in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program for VPAR
Valero Port Arthur Refinery (VPAR)
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Best Maritime/Seaport Security Program
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Allied Universal
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The Valero Port Arthur Refinery (VPAR) is a large waterfront facility that is a part of infrastructure that is critical to the national defense and economy of the United States.
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It is also the fastest growing port complex in the nation and almost all of the vessel traffic on this waterway passes in front of the VAPR dock facilities, a characteristic known by adversaries (both domestic and foreign based) and represents security challenges that are unique to this area.
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Allied Universal is the largest provider of security services in North America, and in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area. It is recognized locally as the premier service provider in this market.
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The regulations that Allied Universal staff need to understand, and possess a working knowledge of, include the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard Marine Transportation Security Act requirements for port facilities and the Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Transportation regulations.
Allied Universal was also recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program with Multiple Award Wins.
United States Marshals Service Honored in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program
United States Marshals Service
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Excellence in Public Safety
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Fugitive Task Forces
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The U.S. Marshals Service currently leads 60 Regional fugitive task forces which combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the most dangerous fugitives and assist in high profile investigations.
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2019 ‘ASTORS’ EXCELLENCE AND GOVERNMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS ALSO INCLUDED:
Commissioner William Bratton, Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk, the ‘2019 ‘ASTORS’ Person of the Year’
John F. Clark, CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
DHS S&T Next Generation First Responder (NGFR) Program
Dean C. Alexander, Director, Homeland Security Research Program & Professor at Western Illinois University
Federal Protective Services
United States Postal Inspection Service
DHS S&T National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL)
DHS S&T Office of Mission and Capability Support (Forensic Video Exploitation and Analysis) Tool Suite
Grant Coffey, Portland Fire & Rescue Hazmat Team Coordinator (Ret), CBRNE Industry Expert
United States Marshals Service
Sheriff Tom Knight, Sarasota County Sheriff (FL)
Dr. Sean Lawler
United States Border Patrol, Border Patrol, Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR)
Dr. Konstantinos Papazoglou and Dr. Daniel M. Blumberg, Co Authors of ‘Power: Police Officer Wellness, Ethics, and Resilience’
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipLine
United States Marine Corps, U.S. Marine Corps 1700 Cyberspace Operations
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA)
DOJ OPM Federal Risk Management Process Training Program
NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services UAS/Drone Training Program
Ewart Williams, New Jersey City University National Security and Intelligence Adjunct Professor
Stanley I. White, International Association for Counterterrorism & Security Professionals (IACSP)
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
American Security Today is pleased to announce that Deann Criswell, the NYC Emergency Management Commissioner will deliver the keynote address at the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon Banquet in New York City.
90% of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners return to compete in the Annual ‘ASTORS‘ Homeland Security Awards Program, and 100% of ‘ASTORS’ Sponsors have returned year to year to reap the benefits of their participation in the industry’s largest and most comprehensive Annual Awards Program.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.
As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.
The event featured an impassioned and compelling keynote address by William J. Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD) twice, the Boston Police Department (BPD), and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as he walked attendees through 50 years of American policing history, the impacts on the communities, and the evolution of critical communication capabilities in our post 9/11 landscape.
Commissioner Bratton, one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues and Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk a global advisory firm, was recognized as the ‘2019 ‘ASTORS’ Person of the Year’ for his Lifetime of Dedication and Extraordinary Leadership in Homeland Security and Public Safety.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, and SWORD Technologies, every one a returning Sponsor from 2018.
Why the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- United States Marine Corps
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- United States Postal Inspection Service
- DHS S&T
- United States Marshals Service (USMS)
- The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police (PAPD)
- The Department of Justice (DOJ)
- The New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (NYS DHSES)
- United States Border Patrol
- AlertMedia, Ameristar Perimeter Security, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Bellevue University, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., CornellCookson, Drone Aviation, FLIR Systems, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global, IPVideo Corp., Konica Minolta Business Solutions, LenelS2, ManTech, Regroup Mass Notifications, SafeLogic, SolarWinds, Senstar, ShotSpotter, Smiths Detection, TCOM LP, Trackforce, Verint, and More!
From innovative Military Cyber Programs, to Local, State and Federal Public Safety and Emergency Management Initiatives, New Physical and IT Products and Services, and Security Professional, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Education and Training Opportunities – Join your ‘ASTORS’ Award-Winning Peers and Receive the Recognition You Deserve!
Excellence in Public Safety and Government Security Award Nominations are also encouraged, such as those 2019 Honored Winners which includes the DEA, U.S. Marine Corps, DHS S&T, Federal Protective Service, DHS S&T NUSTL, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, The Port Authority of NY/NJ, and the NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services.
Individuals are also encouraged to be nominated for Government Excellence in Public Safety and Homeland Security such as last years widely respected recipients.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please go to the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Championship Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2019 ‘A Year in Review’.
The ‘ASTORS’ Champion Edition is published annually and includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2019 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitgate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
Allied Universal provides unparalleled security services and technology solutions. With offices located throughout the nation as well as internationally (Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom), Allied Universal is responsible for protecting client sites covering multiple specialty sectors such as higher education, healthcare, retail, commercial real estate, government and corporate campuses, etc.
Supported by vast experience gained from being in business for over 60 years, Allied Universal provides proactive security services and cutting-edge smart technology to deliver evolving, tailored solutions that allow clients to focus on their core business.
Through world-class customer service, highly advanced systems and cohesive technology solutions… Allied Universal is There for you™. For more information, please visit www.aus.com.
To learn about advertising opportunities with American Security Today, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
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- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
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