From: Michael Quinn
Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request: "In Minecraft" Usage
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
- Any and all documents relating to or mentioning the usage of the term "in Minecraft" to refer to criminal activity
I want **ALL** records identifiable with this request, even though reports based on those records may have been sent to department headquarters or other department offices, and even though there may be duplication between sets of files. Please produce all records with their administrative markings intact, and all reports, memos, and documents to include any and all administrative pages. In any responsive material, please black out rather than white out or cut out material.
I request the administrative case file (including search slips and processing notes, i.e email correspondence and text messages) for this request. When searching email records, please search for any tracking information/identification assigned to this request, including but not limited to appeal number/ID, request number/ID, tracking number/ID, etc.
This part of the request is to be processed only after you have completed processing all of the above parts. This part does not request that you create any new record; rather, it requests the records that you will have created in processing the above parts, and will therefore exist before you conduct the search for this part. See McGehee v. CIA, 697 F. 2d 1095, 1100-05 (D.C. Cir. 1983) (agency must use time-of-search cut-off date, not time-of-request).
BACKGROUND
In United States v. NORDEAN (1:21-cr-00175), the United States of America specifically states "Minecraft is a video game. Based on information provided by the FBI, the government understands that it is common for persons discussing criminal activity online to refer to such activity as occurring “in Minecraft” to conceal the true nature of the activity". This can be found on Page 3 of the attached document (Document #45 on PACER, "REPLY TO OPPOSITION to Motion", filed March 31st 2021). As such, I'm requesting any and all documents the Bureau may have in regards to the usage of the term "in Minecraft" being used to refer to criminal activity.
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 there are fees, 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,
Michael Quinn
