TACOMA WA – A Tacoma man was annoyed that a little girl threw a rock at his front door, so he chased her down the street and maced her, according to police and eyewitnesses.

On the afternoon of Sunday, December 13, 2020, our deputies responded to a report of a child being “maced” by an adult at an apartment complex in the 2400 block of S. 96th St. in the Parkland area.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that a 10-year-old girl and her friends were outside throwing rocks and one of the rocks hit the door to an apartment. An adult male reportedly exited the apartment and chased after the children, and then began to yell at the girl after she was cornered against a fence. Witnesses reported that when the child tried to leave, the suspect again chased after her and pepper-sprayed her in the face before returning to his apartment.

The 38-year-old male suspect was placed into custody and booked into the Pierce County Jail for Assault in the 2nd degree, which is a class B felony. The victim did not request any medical care but was still showing symptoms from being pepper-sprayed over an hour after the incident occurred.

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RITTMAN, OHIO – U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announced today that Audrey Ivers Whitworth, 26, of Rittman, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent to 36 months of prison and two years of supervised release after she pleaded guilty to one count of bank embezzlement and one count of aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, from June 23, 2017, to August 5, 2019, while Whitworth was employed as a branch manager of a federally-insured bank, she embezzled approximately $84,000 by making unauthorized withdrawals from the account of an 84-year-old customer with dementia.

“This defendant stole over $80,000 from an 84-year-old woman who was suffering with dementia, said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “This conduct is, quite simply, reprehensible and the severity of the defendant’s actions are reflected in this three-year prison sentence. Since it was founded 150 years ago, the Justice Department has been committed to protecting the most vulnerable among us, and our elderly friends, neighbors and loved ones are no exception.”

“This individual preyed upon and took advantage of an elderly person experiencing age related decline,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge, Eric B. Smith. “We all have people in our lives, many elderly  – family, friends, neighbors, that we care for.  We must pay special attention to our elderly population and hold individuals like Ms. Whitworth accountable for her despicable criminal behavior.”

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Smithville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Canton Resident Agency.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian McDonough.

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of elder fraud and abuse, launched in October 2017 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Elder Justice Initiative marshals federal, state and local resources to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams that target our nation’s seniors. For more information about the Elder Justice Initiative, please visit https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

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NEW CASTLE, DE – On Sunday, December 13, 2020: at 9:57 p.m. New Castle County Paramedics were dispatched to assist the Wilmington Manor Fire Company with a motor vehicle collision on DuPont Highway at Heddington Road. Additional reports indicated the incident involved an overturned vehicle and a tractor-trailer adding ambulances from Good Will Fire Company and Christiana Fire Company. One patient was transported to Christiana Hospital with serious injuries with a second patient suffering minor injuries. Delaware State Police are investigating the incident. Report and photos by New Castle County Paramedics.

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COLUMBUS, OH – A black man is being sought by police in Columbus after he assaulted and robbed a shopper exiting the Smoky Outlet on Parsons Avenue.

According to police, on Monday at 1:10 pm, the victim made a purchase inside the Smoky Outlet at 1635 Parsons Ave. The victim exited the store and was walking to his vehicle when the suspect approached him from behind and threw him to the ground.  The suspect took a bag from the victim containing his wallet & ran westbound on Welch Ave.  The suspect was described as a male, 20-25 years old 6′, 180-200lbs., long dreadlocks, wearing black coat & black pants.

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Mahwah Township, N.J. – The New Jersey State Police have arrested two men after they led a trooper on a vehicle pursuit through two counties. Tyree Newell, 20, of Bridgeport, CT allegedly pointed a gun at the pursuing trooper as Theron Brown, 22, of Bridgeport, CT, sped away after an attempted motor vehicle stop.

On Sunday, December 13, at approximately 11:08 a.m., a New Jersey State Trooper attempted to stop a Jeep Cherokee for a traffic violation on Interstate 287 north in Boonton Township, Morris County in the area of milepost 44. When the trooper activated his emergency lights, the driver refused to stop and continued traveling northbound.

Based on the preliminary investigation, during the pursuit, Newell leaned out of the passenger-side window and pointed a handgun directly at the trooper. The trooper took evasive action, striking the concrete barrier in the center median, but continued to pursue the suspects. In the area of milepost 66.5 in Mahwah Township, Newell threw the weapon from the car. He continued to throw objects form the vehicle as they continued south on State Highway 17.

In the area of Continental Soldier Field at Ramapo College, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, both suspects were apprehended by troopers and officers from the Mahwah Township Police Department. During the foot pursuit, Newell attempted to discard a 9mm handgun. It was later recovered in a wooded area by a trooper and an officer from Mahwah Police Department.

Montville Police recovered a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine at milepost 66.5 on Interstate 287. Troopers recovered two additional 9mm handguns in the area of the Interstate 287 and State Highway 17 south interchange. A total of four 9mm handguns were seized.

Tyree Newell was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (4 counts), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, tampering with evidence (4 counts), hindering (4 counts), possession of hollow-point ammunition, and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

Theron Brown was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon with a prior conviction (4 counts), unlawful possession of a weapon (4 counts), possession of hollow point ammunition, possession of a high-capacity magazine, certain persons not to possess a firearm, and eluding.

Newell and Brown were lodged at the Hudson County Jail pending a bail detention hearing.

The case is being investigated by the New Jersey State Police Major Crimes North Unit and is being prosecuted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

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A vial of fentanyl

BANGOR, MAINE – A New York man pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to possessing cocaine base and fentanyl with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.

According to court records, on November 15, 2019, law enforcement officers encountered Terrence Robinson, aka “Trevor Scott,” 27, in Bangor. Robinson had active warrants for his arrest. Officers searched Robinson and located packages of drugs concealed in his pants. Officers seized a package containing 66.9 grams of a mixture containing cocaine base and a package containing 68.9 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine.

Robinson faces between five and 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million. He also faces between four years and a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine State Police and the Bangor Police Department investigated the case.

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PIERRE , SOUTH DAKOTA – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pierre, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine was sentenced on December 14, 2020, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Tiffany Kay Frazier, n/k/a Tiffany Kay Castiglione, age 27, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, a $1,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Castiglione was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 10, 2019.  She pled guilty on September 28, 2020.

The conviction stemmed from a conspiracy beginning in at least January 2017, continuing to September 10, 2019, wherein Frazier was involved with several others to distribute between 50 and 200 grams of methamphetamine in and around the Gettysburg and Pierre and Ft. Pierre communities in South Dakota.

This case was investigated by the Pierre Police Department, the Mobridge Police Department, and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case.

Frazier will self-report to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on January 5, 2021.

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ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Travis Charles White, of Kerens, West Virginia, has admitted to charges related to taking stolen items across state lines, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

White, 43, pled guilty to one count of “Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property.” White admitted to taking more than $16,000 of stolen U.S. Savings Bonds from West Virginia to Colorado. The crime occurred in February 2017 in Randolph County.

White faces up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The West Virginia State Police investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

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TRENTON, NEW JERSEY  – A Monmouth County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 13 months in prison for participating in a conspiracy to defraud health insurance companies through a multi-state patient brokering scheme in which he bribed drug-addicted individuals to enroll in drug rehabilitation in exchange for referral fees from the rehabilitation centers, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Peter J. Costas, 27, of Red Bank, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty by teleconference before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Judge Sheridan imposed the sentence by videoconference today.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

Costas helped orchestrate a scheme in New Jersey, California, and other states that involved bribing individuals addicted to heroin and other drugs to enter into drug rehabilitation centers so Costas and his conspirators could generate referral fees from those facilities.

Costas worked with several marketing companies to carry out the scheme, but one marketing company in California run by Costas’s conspirators was pivotal. The marketing company maintained contractual relationships with drug treatment facilities around the country. Costas was engaged by the marketing company to recruit potential patients, who were addicted to heroin or other drugs and who had robust private health insurance, from New Jersey and other states.

To convince drug-addicted individuals to travel to and enroll in rehabilitation when they otherwise would not have, Costas offered to bribe them – often as much as several thousand dollars. Once they agreed to enroll in drug rehabilitation in exchange for the offered bribe, Costas and the owners of the marketing company would arrange and pay for cross-country travel to the drug treatment centers in California and other states. Costas would stay in touch with the New Jersey patients at the facilities and specifically instruct them to stay at the facilities long enough to generate referral payments.

Costas and the marketing company often directed patients to different rehabilitation facilities month after month to generate multiple referral payments without regard to whether the substance abuse treatment was medically necessary or effective. In a conversation over Facebook, one patient told Costas that if Costas made good on his promise to pay the patient a bribe, the patient would enroll in additional facilities to trigger additional referral payments and bribes: “[J]ust get us [sic] grab the dough and put us in another place. . . . Get paid some more feel me. . . . I’ll keep this up all year wit[h] you. As long as you do us right.” When the patient later expressed doubt that Costas would pay the bribe, Costas responded, “Don’t worry. . . .  I do this with SO MANY PPL [people].”

Costas and the marketing company sent patients to facilities in California and other states that they knew provided ineffective drug treatment or actually fostered drug use on their premises. The facilities typically paid the marketing company a fee of $5,000 to $10,000 per patient referral, and Costas and other brokers received approximately half that amount for each patient they brokered. During the scheme, Costas brokered dozens of patients on behalf of marketing companies around the country, and the conspiracy caused millions of dollars of losses for health insurers.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Sheridan sentenced Costas to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $502,208.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason S. Gould of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.

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TOMS RIVER, NJ – New Jersey Republican State Committeewoman Virginia E. Haines has announced her support for 2018 failed U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin to fill the vacancy left behind by Doug Steinhardt for New Jersey State GOP Chairman.  Steinhardt, who announced he is running for Governor had to resign his position as state GOP chairman in doing so.

Hugin, who has openly criticized President Trump’s policy on immigration, border security, abortion, and countless other cornerstones of the Trump administration is going against former GOP Chairman Michael Lavery.    Hugin is part of the never-Trumper coalition trying to seize power in the state, reportedly headed by former Governor Chris Christie, GOP Committeeman Willliam Palatucci, Ocean County GOP Chairman Frank Holman, and Haines.  Haines’ support for Trump shows her hand as a player in the anti-Trump conspiracy unfolding in New Jersey as Trump’s exit is now apparent.   Haines is also under consideration for Lt. Governor by Jack Ciattarelli, another never-Trumper who is running for Governor against Steinhardt.

Haines’ vote, reported by the New Jersey Globe highlights the growing political rift in the Ocean County Republican Party.  Under the leadership of Frank Holman, Ocean County is a party divided, evidenced by former Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher’s vote for Lavery.  The election between the 41 state GOP takes place virtually on Tuesday.

William Palatucci, former Chris Christie behind-the-scenes power broker also threw his support behind Hugin.   The power move by the Christie-Palatucci-Ciattarelli alliance is painting a clearer picture by the day of the GOP forces in New Jersey rallying for power in the vacuum that will be left when Trump leaves office in January.  Insiders say they are the driving force behind New Jersey’s growing anti-Trump movement in the Republican Party.

Haines serves as an Ocean County Freeholder where she is the eldest Freeholder on the board by age. Her age is unknown.

 

 

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SAN DIEGO , CALIFORNIA – Tijuana resident John Jaimes Torres was sentenced in federal court today to six months in custody for smuggling protected sea cucumbers valued at more than $60,000 into the United States.

In November of 2019, Torres was discovered with 101 undeclared packages of sea cucumbers, totaling 145 kilograms, concealed in, under, and behind toolboxes in the bed of his truck. The sea cucumbers were of the species Isostichopus fuscus, which is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).  In order to lawfully import these sea cucumbers, a CITES import/export permit and CITES certificate of origin was required, as well as an import/export license from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, none of which Torres possessed.

As noted in court proceedings, in addition to the sea cucumbers, Torres possessed four cell phones. A search of these phones revealed evidence of prior smuggling events. For example, in July of 2019, Torres delivered more than 20 bags of sea cucumbers to a storage unit in the San Diego area. He sent a photo of the sea cucumbers in the storage unit to his client.

The search of the phones also indicated that Torres was an all-service smuggler, crossing food products, alcohol, medications and cigarettes in addition to the sea cucumbers, for profit. At the time he crossed the border, Torres was in possession of $1,600 in cash. In addition to the custodial sentence, Torres was also ordered to make restitution of $10,000 to the government of Mexico as compensation for the loss of its natural resources. Torres was ordered to self-surrender to begin serving his sentence on or before February 12, 2021.

“Scientists tell us that sea cucumbers play a critical role in keeping coral reef and other tropical ocean ecosystems healthy,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “Unfortunately the black market for sea cucumbers is thriving, making these cases against smugglers even more important.” Brewer praised prosecutor Melanie Pierson and agents with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection for their excellent work on this case.

“The unlawful commercialization of living marine faunae, such as CITES-protected sea cucumbers, not only harms the individual species, but it promotes the destruction of ocean ecosystems that other wildlife depend on for survival,” said special agent in charge Dan Crum.  “Today’s sentencing sends a message that our law enforcement agents and prosecutors will continue to investigate, prosecute and bring to justice any violators who illegally exploit wildlife for profit.”

“The illegal sea cumber trade is a real problem, and illicit trafficking in protected species fuels crime and decimates protected wildlife populations,” said Cardell T. Morant, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations.  “This arrest and conviction demonstrates our commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to protect threatened and endangered species and bring justice to the criminals that seek to profit from their exploitation.”

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 19cr4848-W                                      

John Jaimes Torres                                          Age: 52                                   Tijuana, Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Count 1

Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 371

Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine

Counts 2-5

Smuggling/Importation Contrary to Law – Title 18, U.S.C., Sec.545

Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine

AGENCY

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement

Homeland Security Investigations

Customs and Border Protection

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[TOMS RIVER, NJ] — This is the moment the Ocean County community has been waiting for. After many months of being shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ocean County YMCA has announced that it will begin to safely reopen its doors in mid-January 2021.

“The Ocean County YMCA will be reopening slowly and cautiously as the health and safety of our members will always be our top priority,” shared Peter T. Rosario, President & CEO of the Ocean County YMCA. “While hours and classes will be limited, we are excited to have our members back inside the Y. We are committed to following CDC guidelines to make the Ocean County YMCA safe for everyone.”

When the Ocean County YMCA was forced to temporarily close its physical doors in March, the nonprofit did whatever was necessary to help meet the needs of its neighbors. “Despite the devastating impact that this pandemic had on our programs, members and staff, the Ocean County YMCA has continued to step up to serve our community’s most compelling needs,” said Rosario.

Throughout the shutdown, the Ocean County YMCA continued to honor its promise that social distancing would not become social isolation. “We served thousands of meals, created virtual content for people of all ages, including a weekly Zoom meeting that provided a personal connection. Telephone outreach initiatives were put into action to protect our most vulnerable members, we implemented online learning opportunities, and remained connected with our followers on social media,” added Rosario.

Over the summer, programming began to shift from online to outdoors, serving 131 summer campers and 62 swim team members (which has now grown to 194 during the fall). The Ocean County YMCA also provided a total of 80,505 meals to those in need throughout Toms River. Most recently, the Ocean County YMCA opened its facilities during school hours to provide children with supervised space to attend virtual classes as parents returned to work.

“At this most critical time, we need all past and present members of our Y family to come together and support the Ocean County YMCA as we safely reopen our doors,” said Rosario. “With your help, we know the Y will come back stronger than ever.”

For updates regarding the Ocean County YMCA’s reopening or to make a donation, visit ocymca.org.

###

About the Ocean County YMCA
At the Y, we take immense pride in our work to strengthen communities and help all of us be our best selves. We provide a place to play, to learn, to be healthy, and to give back. We believe that everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. Everything the Y does is in service of making sure people and communities thrive. The Ocean County YMCA in Toms River features the following onsite amenities: 6,800 sq. ft. functional wellness arena, cardiovascular center, 12 lane competitive size pool with access to adult and family locker rooms, and child watch room. To learn more, visit ocymca.org.

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VENTNOR CITY, NJ –  Joker, a K-9 working with the Ventnor City Police Department helped the department find a man who was breaking into cars citywide.

At 11:04 pm, a resident of South Block of Baton Rouge Avenue contacted the Ventnor Police Department reporting a male burglarizing their vehicle. Ventnor City Police Officers responded into the area and confirmed that a burglary to a vehicle had just occurred. K9 Officer Marc Franco Jr. and his K9 partner, Joker, responded to the area and conducted a track searching for the accused. The track by K9 Joker led officers to the South Block of Vassar Square where officers encountered the accused, Malcom Newton, who was actively burglarizing another motor vehicle.

Newton, 34 years of age, from Pleasantville, was taken into custody. Newton was found to be in possession of additional property that was later determined to be proceeds from several other motor vehicle burglaries in Ventnor. The investigation by Officer Alec Fendrick determined that all the vehicles that were entered by Newton were left unlocked. Newton was charged on a warrant with 8 counts of burglary, 6 counts of theft, and possession of burglar tools. He was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Residents are reminded to please lock their vehicles.

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FRESNO, CA – The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office has caught the men responsible for the killing of 23-year-old Bradley Smith COVIS on Sunday.

Deputies have arrested 30-year-old Elvis Hernandez of Reedley for shooting and killing Smith. Hernandez has been booked into the Fresno County Jail. He is facing a charge of involuntary manslaughter. His bail is set at $10,000. He has since posted bond and been released from custody.

Shortly before 10:30 pm on Sunday, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding a person being shot and seriously injured. Deputies were dispatched to a home on the 28000 block of Burrough Valley Road in Tollhouse. EMS gave the caller instructions on CPR and he began to perform the procedure on the victim while deputies were on their way. Deputies and EMS personnel arrived and took over medical care, however, the victim died a short time later. Deputies detained the two men at the scene and requested homicide detectives respond to begin an investigation.

Homicide detectives interviewed the two men at the home, 30-year-old Elvis Hernandez and for privacy purposes in this story, the other man will be referred to by a fake name of Tim. Both Elvis and Tim fully cooperated during the investigation and gave the same account of what took place.

The three men, who are friends, were hanging out at a house drinking alcohol. They later started handling firearms that a relative was storing at the home. Tim eventually went to bed. Elvis and Bradly discovered some rubber bullets and thought it would be funny to use a shotgun to shoot Tim while he was sleeping. They threw a mattress on top of Tim and shot the mattress. This startled Tim, causing him to wake up. He was not seriously injured. Bradly agreed that as payback, Tim could shoot him. Bradly put on a military-style helmet and protective vest. Tim pointed a shotgun and fired a rubber bullet at Elvis, striking him. Bradly then told Elvis he could shoot him as well. Elvis picked up a different shotgun than the one Tim used and fired it at Bradly, hitting him in the upper body. They quickly realized Bradly was bleeding and seriously hurt, so they dialed 911.

Detectives discovered Bradly had not been struck by a rubber bullet, but by a round of buckshot (#00 buck). It appears the men mistakenly loaded this type of lethal shell into the shotgun.

This is a tragedy, but it is one that was completely preventable. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of the importance of firearms safety. No one should ever point a gun at another person unless they or another person’s life is in danger. Regardless of whether the gun is real or fake, loaded or unloaded, everyone should treat firearms with respect and never handle them in a negligent manner. For more information on gun safety, visit https://gunsafetyrules.nra.org/

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William Barr, the Attorney General of the United States has been at odds with President Trump in recent weeks after disputing the President’s claims about election fraud and for keeping his investigation into Hunter Biden silent before the 2020 election.

Today, Trump said Barr tendered his resignation effective as of December 23rd.

“Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House. Our relationship has been a very good one, he has done an outstanding job! As per letter, Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family,” Trump said. “Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General. Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all.”

Barr commended Trump for his accomplishments despite the non-stop barrage he endured during his four years from the liberal media, the Democrat party, and America’s far left.

“Your record is all the more historic because you accomplished it in the face of relentless and implacable resistance,” Barr said. “Your 2016 victory speech in which you reached out to your opponent and called for working together for the benefit of the American people was immediately met by a partisan onslaught against you in which know tactic no matter how abusive and deceitful was out of bounds.”

“Few could have weathered these attacks much less forge ahead with a positive program for the country,” Barr said. “You built the strongest and most resilient economy in American history one that has brought unprecedented progress to those previously left out.”

“During your administration, the Department of Justice has worked tirelessly to protect the public from violent crime, worked closely with leaders in Mexico to fight the dangerous drug cartels and supported the men and women of law enforcement,” Barr added.

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ALBURGH, VERMONT – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Randy Sheltra, 58, of Alburgh, Vermont, was convicted on December 11, 2020, in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, following a six-day trial by jury, of two counts of attempting to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, and one count of attempted receipt of child [censored]ography.  U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss ordered Sheltra to remain in custody after the jury returned its verdict.

United States Attorney Christina E. Nolan stated: “I applaud those who worked tirelessly to secure the conviction of Sheltra, a man who preyed on children.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize prosecution of child exploitation crimes and we will continue to do all we can to protect the innocent and vulnerable, working with our law enforcement partners.  Thank you to our talented, hardworking Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara Masterson and Andrew Gilman, who prosecuted the case, to our office staff who supported them, and to our outstanding law enforcement partners in Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for investigating the case in strong collaboration.”

According to court records and proceedings, on September 7, 2017, Sheltra began communicating with whom he thought was the mother of a 10-year-old girl after she responded to an ad he posted on Craigslist.  In reality, the woman was an undercover law enforcement officer.  During communications between Sheltra and the undercover officer over the following three days, Sheltra attempted to persuade the woman to permit her 10-year-old daughter to engage in sexual activity with her and Sheltra.  On September 10, 2017, when Sheltra showed up at a park in South Burlington to meet with whom he thought was the woman and her daughter for sexual activity, he was arrested by law enforcement.  During a search of his person at the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered Sheltra’s cell phone.  In it, law enforcement discovered that in August 2017, Sheltra had attempted to persuade a real 15-year-old girl who lived in Vermont to engage in sexual activity with him.  In fact, Sheltra met this 15-year-old girl and engaged in sexual activity with her.  Sheltra also asked the 15-year-old girl on two separate occasions to send sexually explicit photos of her genitalia to him.

U.S. Attorney Nolan commended the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in the investigation and prosecution of Sheltra.  The prosecution of Sheltra was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara A. Masterson and Andrew C. Gilman.  Sheltra was represented by Mark Kaplan of Kaplan & Kaplan.

Sheltra faces a sentence of not less than 10 years, and up to a lifetime term of incarceration, followed by not less than five (5) years, and up to a lifetime term, of supervised release, restitution, a possible fine, and a $300 mandatory special assessment.  Sheltra’s sentence will be determined by the sentencing judge after consultation with the United States Sentencing Guidelines and the factors set forth in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).

U.S. Attorney Nolan noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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CASPER, WYOMING – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Casper, Wyoming, man convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet following a federal jury trial was sentenced on November 20, 2020, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Japher Rajab, age 43, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, followed by  5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Rajab also will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Rajab was one of eleven men who were arrested and federally indicted as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally targeting internet predators.  The conviction stemmed from Rajab communicating with someone he believed to be a 15 year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent.  Following multiple chats and text messages Rajab proceeded to negotiate a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts.

The undercover operation and arrests were a joint effort between the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Collins prosecuted the case.

Rajab was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Arthur Jay Traxler, Jr. (55, Michigan) with one count of attempted online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and one count of attempted production of child sexual exploitation materials. If convicted, Traxler faces a minimum mandatory term of 25 years, and up to life, in federal prison. Traxler was arrested on November 9, 2020, in Monroe, Michigan and was ordered detained pending trial.

According to the indictment, between July 21 and August 4, 2020, Traxler attempted to entice an individual, whom he believed was under the age of 18, to engage in sexual activity. Traxler also attempted to entice a minor to engage to produce child exploitation materials during this same time period.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY  – Seven defendants have been charged in a conspiracy to deal a large quantity of methamphetamine in the Bowling Green area, announced United States Attorney Russell Coleman.

“Relationships matter especially in law enforcement, when collaboration is needed to defend our families from the volume of poison that traffickers are pouring into West Kentucky,” said U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman. “That is exactly why we opened a fully-staffed office of federal prosecutors in Bowling Green earlier this year, to work with some of the finest lawmen and women in our Commonwealth to better protect Southcentral Kentucky.”

“This case resulted in the largest crystal meth seizure in Warren County history.  These cases are not possible without a team effort of our state, local and federal partners,” said Tommy Loving, the Executive Director of the Bowling Green/Warren County Dug Task Force.  “Our local detectives partnering with the FBI shut down a major supplier of crystal meth and his drug trafficking organization.  The US Attorney’s office worked with us from the early stages of this case to help bring it to fruition. The Bowling Green Police, Kentucky State Police, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and WKU Police all participated in the joint investigation with the FBI.”

According to the indictment, beginning June 11, 2020, and continuing to on or about August 30, 2020, the seven defendants: Tyrecus J. Crowe, George Sanchez, Andre M. Graham, Michael D. Padilla, Raymond Derouse Jr., Jeremy Quezada, and Brandon Cherry, conspired to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Derouse, Quezada, and Cherry all face additional counts for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: methamphetamine.

An accompanying affidavit in support of a federal criminal complaint gives more details surrounding the alleged conduct. According to the document, on July 24, 2020, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) stopped a white Chevrolet Tahoe for speeding. A driver and two passengers occupied the Tahoe. The driver consented to have the DPS search the vehicle. That consent search uncovered approximately 40 pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine hidden in a black bag. The search also revealed a rental agreement between the rental company and Tyrecus Crowe. The DPS detained the driver and.contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A special agent with the DEA met the driver and advised the driver of his rights. After receiving his Miranda warnings, the driver agreed to speak with the DEA special agent. The driver explained he was driving the rented car from California to Bowling Green, Kentucky to deliver the crystal methamphetamine to Tyrecus Crowe. The driver stated Crowe rented the vehicle and let the driver use it for this trip. The driver further stated this was his second trip to California to pick up crystal methamphetamine for Crowe. The first trip occurred approximately one week prior. At the end of that trip, the driver successfully delivered approximately 25 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to Crowe’s residence in Bowling Green.

During a July 26, 2020 interview, the driver stated that during both trips, Crowe provided the driver with cash to deliver in California. Once in California, the driver met George Sanchez at a pre-determined location in Los Angeles, California. Sanchez met the driver, then the two traveled together in Sanchez’s vehicle to a residence relatively close to the initial meeting location. Sanchez and the driver hand counted the money, then Sanchez weighed the money on a scale. The driver did not remember how much money he transported the first trip, but Crowe gave the driver $105,000 in cash during this second trip. The driver gave Sanchez the $105,000 and Sanchez then gave the driver the crystal methamphetamine and drove him back to the driver’s vehicle.

If convicted at trial, the defendants face no less than 10 years and no more than life in federal custody. The United States has also filed notice to seek forfeiture from the defendants named to include:$57,000 in cash, a residence in Bowling Green, 2008 Ford Mustang, 2012 Nissan Altima, 2001 Impala, and a 2015 Maserati Ghibli.

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offense charged and must be made under oath before a United States Magistrate Judge.  The charge set forth in a complaint is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Yurchisin of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office. The case is being investigated by the Warren County Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville Field Office.

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PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA – United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Pine Ridge South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for seven counts of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, seven counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, four counts of Maiming, one count of Health Care Fraud, and one count of Obtaining Controlled Substances by Fraud.

Frenchone One Horn, a/k/a Frenchone Kills In Water, age 40, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on December 2, 2020, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years in prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund for each of the Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Maiming charges.  The maximum penalty upon conviction for the Health Care Fraud charge is 5 years in prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  The maximum penalty upon conviction for the Obtaining Controlled Substances by Fraud charge is 4 years in prison, and/or a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to One Horn assaulting five individuals with rocks in 2018 and 2019 at Pine Ridge for the purpose of committing health care fraud.  These assaults resulted in serious bodily injury and required three of the victims to suffer finger amputations.  One Horn also committed health care fraud by giving fraudulent information concerning the intentional assaults in order to obtain services and controlled substances, namely Hydrocodone.

The charges are merely accusations and One Horn is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen is prosecuting the case.

One Horn was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has been set for February 9, 2021.

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NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT – John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANK CARR, also known as “FL,” 53, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 126 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a prior federal narcotics conviction.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department that targeted drug trafficking and related acts of violence by members, former members and associates of the “Island Brothers” street gang in New Haven.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, also revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established a base of operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin.

Investigators developed information that, in March 2019, while Carr was on federal supervised release, he provided a kilogram of cocaine to the leader of one of the drug trafficking networks.  In May and June 2019, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of cocaine and crack from Carr, including a purchase of approximately 78 grams of crack from Carr in exchange for $3,000 on May 23, 2019.

On July 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging Carr and 24 other individuals with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin.  Two defendants were added in a superseding indictment that was returned on November 25, 2019.  In a subsequent superseding indictment, Carr was charged with attempted obstruction of justice for allegedly asking a potential witness in this case to provide false exculpatory information about Carr.

Carr has been detained since his arrest on July 10, 2019.  On October 28, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

This is Carr’s third federal conviction in the District of Connecticut.  In December 1996, he was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  In January 2013, he was sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment for distributing heroin.  Carr’s criminal history also includes state convictions for manslaughter with a firearm, weapons possession and drug offenses.

Judge Chatigny sentenced Carr to 120 months of imprisonment for distributing crack, and 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.  Six months of the 24-month supervised release sentence were imposed consecutively with the 120-month sentence in the underlying case.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Peter D. Markle, Elena L. Coronado and Tara E. Levens through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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CONCORD , NEW HAMPSHIRE – Nicholas Snow, 26, of Merrimack, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 1, 2020, Hudson patrol officers stopped a car in which Snow was a passenger. Both the driver and Snow had suspended licenses.  An officer later determined that Snow was in possession of a pouch containing fentanyl, a scale, packaging materials, and $655 in cash. In his post-arrest interview, Snow admitted to drug distribution activities in Hudson.  Snow’s cell phone also revealed communications about drug deals.

Snow is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2021.

“In order to protect public health and safety, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute fentanyl traffickers,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will not hesitate to pursue federal prosecutions of the fentanyl dealers who are endangering our communities by selling this deadly substance.”

This matter was investigated by the Hudson Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).  In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts.  The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.   In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK –  This Oklahoma City porch pirate appears to be having a Jesus moment in this ring door bell video capture, but nah…he took the packages anyway.  Now, the Oklahoma City Police Department is looking to I.D. this God loving man who robbed a home of its Amazon packages while wearing a crucifixion around his neck.  According to police, he struck at a residence near I-240 & Sooner Rd. If you know who he is, call Crime Stoppers at 405/235-7300 or leave a tip online at www.okccrimetips.com. You can remain anonymous and may earn a cash reward. 

Do you know this Oklahoma porch pirate? Police are looking for him

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Daytona Police once again raided a motel known as a haven for drugs and violent criminals.  For the second time this month, the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit of the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) makes arrests following a raid on a motel that has become a haven for drug dealers and users.

After securing a search warrant, members of the POP and Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) units rolled onto the Best Southern Sun Plaza Motel (1011 South Ridgewood Avenue) around 12:45 p.m. Sunday (December 13, 2020), taking three people away in handcuffs along with two firearms and various kinds of narcotics found inside one of the rooms.

Those guns and the drugs – including marijuana, methamphetamine and MDMA – were found alongside fake currency, real currency, ammunition and various kinds of drug paraphernalia inside a room at the Sun Plaza which was rented out to 28-year-old Erica M. Mulcahy.

Daytona Police raid drug motel for second time

Mulcahy was also found in the room during the raid and taken into custody on four felony and two misdemeanor charges, according to DBPD Patrol Captain Scott Lee.

“This motel has been a popular spot for drug users looking to purchase narcotics,” Lee, who oversees the POP Unit, added. “We’ve received all kinds of complaints about the Sun Plaza for quite some time from people who live in the area. It was time to do something about it.”

Daytona Police raid drug motel for second time

Two others were also led away in handcuffs by DBPD following the raid. 69-year-old Frederick J. Hoffman is the owner of the Sun Plaza and had recently hired 63-year-old Dennis Kindziera to manage the property.

“It’s clear that both Hoffman and Kindziera knew about the Sun Plaza being a haven for drugs and neither one of them did anything about it,” Lee noted. “We won’t tolerate property owners or managers who let this kind of behavior slide.”

Hoffman and Kindziera each face a felony charge of keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity. Mulcahy faces that same charge along with three counts of drug possession, including one with intent to sell. She’s also charged with resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sunday’s raid came just over a week after the POP Unit and SWAT raided the Camellia Motel on 1055 North Atlantic Avenue, taking seven people into custody.

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WYTHE COUNTY, VA – Two Virginia State Police troopers are recovering from minor injuries after their patrol vehicle was struck on Interstate 81 in Wythe County Monday morning, December 14th.

“Motorists are reminded no matter where they’re traveling in Virginia today, to please be mindful of and drive for the wet, slick conditions,” the VSP said.

At 7:40 a.m. Monday (Dec. 14), Virginia State Police Trooper J.G. Carico and Trooper K.D. Nelson responded to a single-vehicle crash (no injury reported) that had occurred when a vehicle traveling north on I-81 ran off the right side of the interstate at the 68 mile marker. Both troopers were seated in their marked Virginia State Police Ford Taurus finishing up on the crash investigation when a 2005 Toyota Camry traveling north on I-81 ran off the road and struck the rear of their vehicle. The state police vehicle was parked on the right shoulder and had its emergency lights activated at the time of the crash.

The two troopers were transported to Wythe County Community Hospital to be checked out for minor injuries.

The driver of the Camry, a 25-year-old Rural Retreat man., was charged with reckless driving for failure to maintain control of his vehicle and was cited for a defective equipment violation. He was not injured in the crash.

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