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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 8 CITY VIEWS May 15, 2026 Three Men In New York, Including One Of Pakistani Origin, Charged With Attempted Smuggling Of Firearms U nited States Attorney for the Southern District of NewYork, Jay Clayton, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barna- cle, Jr., and Special Agent in Charge of the NewYork Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), Bryan DiGirolamo, announced to- day the arrest of MALIK BROMFIELD, FAI- ZAN ALI, and KAMAL SALMAN, who are charged with multiple offenses relating to the transporting of 89 firearms, including at least 17 that were reported stolen, and attempting to smuggle those firearms to Canada. BROMFIELD, ALI, and SALMAN were presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy inWhite Plains federal court, and detained. “As alleged, Malik Bromfield, Faizan Ali, and Kamal Salman were caught transporting more than 80 guns, including short-barreled rifles and stolen firearms, to smuggle them out of the country,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “It is critically important to New Yorkers and Americans to keep illegal weapons out of the hands of criminal actors. The trafficking of dangerous weapons will be relent- lessly pursued by this Office.” “These three defendants, includ- ing two foreign nationals, allegedly endangered our communities as they attempted to smuggle 89 firearms—17 of which were stolen—into Canada,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI is committed to working with our federal and state law enforcement partners to take illegal guns off our streets.” “Illegal firearms trafficking threatens the safety of our communities and fuels violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo. “ATF New York’s Hudson Valley personnel were proud to assist the FBI-led investigation alongside the NewYork State Police to help prevent dozens of firearms, includ- ing stolen weapons, from reaching the streets.” As alleged in the Complaint:[1] On or about May 7, 2026, personnel with the NewYork State Police (“NYSP”) initiated a traffic stop of a white Ford Ex- plorer (the “Subject Vehicle”) after observ- ing the vehicle commit traffic violations while driving on or near State Route 90. Upon approaching the Subject Vehicle, troopers encountered BROMFIELD, ALI, and SALMAN. After asking the occupants to exit the vehicle, the troopers observed that the occupants gave inconsistent and evasive accounts in response to NYSP questioning. During the interview, ALI consented to a roadside search of his per- son, during which a trooper recovered an Justice Department Press Release Children’s Rights & You (CRY) Fundraising Gala Held In 5 Cities C RY America’s 2026 Gala Series brought together communities across five major U.S. cities, featur- ing award-winning actor Vikrant Massey, whose advocacy for children’s rights inspired attendees at the events. The galas were hosted in NewYork, Houston, Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, attracting members of the Indian diaspora who came together in strong support of CRY America’s mission. “Guests contributed generously toward initiatives fo- cused on ensuring underprivileged children have access to education, healthcare, and protection from child labor and child marriage,” organizers said in a press release. Each evening offered a cocktail hour, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, dinner, donor appreciation segments, and a pledge session. Bollywood music and dancing added to the celebratory spirit. An online auction featur- ing paintings by Indian artists, designer outfits, and fine jewelry generated additional support. Guest speakers who shared their perspectives on giving back and community responsibility, emphasized that the Indian diaspora holds both the means and the opportunity to drive meaningful change by supporting organizations like CRY America. Speakers included Sree Sreenivasan, CEO of Digimen- tors, co-founder of SAJA, the South Asian Journalists Association and co-host of the annual Nobel Prize Peace Conference spoke in NewYork. Executive Director of Children’s Inc., Sandy Santana, spoke in Houston. Corporate Vice President, HR from Microsoft Priya Priyadarshini, addressed the room in Seattle. Venky Harinarayan, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, philanthropist, and co-founder of the cricket team San Francisco Unicorns spoke in the Bay Area, and in San Di- ego, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, Consul General of India, LA spoke along with Kranti Ponnam, an accomplished business leader in Business, Technology, and Real Estate sectors. KV Ramana, a pioneering social worker, told mov- ing stories from the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. He detailed his work with the Yanadi tribal community, explaining that securing land rights was the essential first step in building the trust necessary to eliminate child labor, halt child marriages, and establish pioneering mini-child centers (Anganwadis). Executive Director of CRY America Sandeep Bathala, thanked the community for continuing to empower sustainable change in children’s lives. She highlighted that every contribution helps expand access to essential services and strengthens long-term impact across under- served regions. Organizers thanked the sponsors and supporters including House of Spices, Dallas Venture Capital and Allstate Foundation among others as well as our Gala Committees, generous donors, project partners, media houses, volunteers & staff for their ongoing commitment. CRY, Child Rights and You America Inc (CRY America) is a 501c3 non-profit, has since its inception, received support frommore than 35,000 donors and 2,000 volun- teers, and estimates it has impacted the lives of 825,000 children living across 5,000 villages and slums through support to 111 Projects in India and the USA. For more information: contact Renuka Ramachandran at 617-981- 2826; visit http://cryamerica.org or write to support@ cryamerica.org By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:CRY AMERICA Actor Vikrant Massey walking on to the stage at the CRY America gala series held in 5 cities. CRY America organizers and supporters pose for a photo. - Continued On Page 9