Richard Engel Records

Mr. J.K. Trotter,

Thank you for your request. USCENTCOM received your FOIA request, dated 14 October 2015. We are processing your request; however, additional information is required to perfect your FOIA request. The Department of Defense Freedom of Information Act Program, 5400.7-R, require requesters to state a fee amount they are willing to pay in the event processing fees are incurred. Though in a majority of cases fees are not assessed to the requester, it is necessary to request that you please reply to this e-mail with said willingness and amount. We’ve placed you in the "Media" category for fee purposes. This means you will be obligated to pay duplication cost ($.15 per page) after the first 100 pages.

Example statement:

I am willing to pay all reasonable costs incurred for this request up to $00. Please contact me if costs will exceed this amount.

Once we receive your reply we will forward you a formal letter acknowledging receipt for your FOIA request.

Respectfully,

FOIA Team

FOIA Requester Service Center
USCENTCOM/J6-RDF
(813) 529-6285

Mr. Trotter,

Please note that an error was made in referencing your assigned case number in our first correspondence to you. Case numbers are prefixed with the fiscal year in which they are received; hence your assigned case number is actually 16-0023. Please find attached USCENTCOM's formal acknowledgement of receipt for FOIA request 16-0023

Respectfully,

FOIA Team

FOIA Requester Service Center
USCENTCOM/J6-RDF
(813) 529-6285

Mr. Trotter,

Please find attached USCENTCOM's formal closure response for FOIA case 16-0023.

Respectfully,

FOIA Team

FOIA Requester Service Center
USCENTCOM/J6-RDF
(813) 529-6285

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On Oct. 14, 2015:
To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

All internal records pertaining to the widely-reported kidnapping of an American journalist named Richard Engel in December 2012. The kidnapping took place in Syria. Requested records include copies of any investigations conducted by the agency, and correspondence between any agency employees and Engel’s employer, NBC News.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

J.K. Trotter

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock
DEPT MR 21811
PO Box 55819
Boston, MA 02205-5819

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share, and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.