California NewsHealth and WellnessPolice Blotter

California in Lockdown as Millions of Californians get “Stay at Home” Order Via Text Message

by Ryan Dickinson
By: Ryan Dickinson

KERN COUNTY, CA – Calls to 9-1-1 were rampant in some areas of California this afternoon after Governor Gavin Newsom’s office sent a statewide text telling residents not to leave their homes.  “New public health stay at home order in your area. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. Stay home except for essential activity. Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Visit covid19.ca.gov,” the text read.

The geographically-targeted text messages will be sent to residents in the San Joaquin Valley Counties of: Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne.  Police and sheriff’s department have asked residents not to call 9-1-1 because of this text.

 

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Monmouth County News

East Gate to Host Holiday Open House This Weekend in Historic Fort Monmouth

by Your News
By: Your News

East Gate in historic Fort Monmouth is set to spread holiday cheer with a special Open House event to be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th. Developer RPM Development Group and CB New Homes, the exclusive marketing and sales agent for the upscale residential community, are inviting the public to “make their spirits bright” and stroll through a neighborhood of festively-decorated homes in Officer’s Row, an acclaimed collection of century-old residences that once housed high ranking officers at the 1,126-acre former U.S. Army post in Oceanport, NJ.

The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and enable attendees to view homes adorned with holiday decorations inside and out. What’s more, hot cocoa will be served as guests take in the majesty and natural beauty of Parkers Creek, a picturesque waterway bordering East Gate, from the warmth of a fire pit in the expansive rear patio of the magnificently merchandised model home. Social distancing guidelines and protocols will be in place to ensure guests can safely enjoy the event.

Highlighted during the Open House will be the perfectly preserved single-family attached homes at East Gate. Less than ten of these ultra-luxurious three-bedroom residences remain available for sale at the community, priced from the $700,000s.

The single-family attached homes boast Federal-style red brick exteriors that date back to the early 1900s, a time when building strength and fine craftsmanship were the norm. Situated on some of the most desirable community locations, the residences offer over 2,500 square feet of living space complimented by expansive yards, large rear patios and vistas of Parker’s Creek, a natural waterway bordering the community. Further amplifying the attraction is the unique opportunity to receive a newly built home in a neighborhood that’s already well-established with 85% of residences occupied.

The single-family attached homes are move-in ready and boast uniquely wide floorplans that feel and live like expansive single-family homes inside and out, without the hassle and headaches of tiresome maintenance. The floorplans offer 2.5 baths, dining/living room, open concept kitchen, expansive master bedroom suite with lavish master bath and sitting room and den that makes for the perfect home office that everyone wants and needs in today’s business climate. Crown molding can be found throughout the main living level and hardwood flooring is included on both the first and second floors. Outside, each home has a large patio to fully enjoy Fort Monmouth’s natural surroundings that are both tranquil and scenic.

East Gate has had significant appeal to buyers scaling down from single-family homes but still seeking residences with spacious and comfortable interiors, roomy, private outdoor areas, and appreciative of the extra leisure time afforded by the neighborhood’s maintenance-free lifestyle.

They’re also quick to take advantage of an extremely affordable cost of ownership created by today’s low interest rates, low monthly maintenance fees and property taxes that are reasonable.
Commutability has also played a significant role in East Gate’s appeal. The community is easily accessible to New Jersey Transit’s Little Silver Train Station, located just two miles away, and express ferry service, both of which provide fast service to Manhattan.

Residents at East Gate enjoy being part of the Jersey Shore’s premier live/play community. An abundance of amenities and services are nearby, including Suneagles Golf Club’s 18-hole golf course, the Marina at Oceanport, parade grounds, open space and walking and biking trails and kayaking around Parker’s Creek. There’s also East Gate Park, a one-acre outdoor space featuring a monument paying homage to Fort Monmouth’s storied past, pedestrian pathways, benches, lawns, seasonal flowers and shrubbery and a modernized lightning/lantern package

East Gate itself is situated just minutes from popular New Jersey beaches and the banks of the Shrewsbury River, and is in proximity to the entertainment, dining and culture of Red Bank and Asbury Park. Major highways, including Routes 35, 36, 18 and the Garden State Parkway, are also nearby.

For additional information on East Gate, please call 732-523-5566 or visit www.EastGateOceanport.com.

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California NewsPolice Blotter

Truck thief paints stolen pickup blue to hide from police, it didn’t work

by Ryan Dickinson
By: Ryan Dickinson

LINCOLN, CA –  A Lincoln man was caught with a stolen pickup truck, despite his best effort to hide the evidence this week.  He spraypainted the entire truck with blue spraypaint, but it didn’t fool officers who saw the truck in a parking lot on Monday.

At 7:30 PM on December 7th a Lincoln Police Officer observed a vehicle in a parking lot (100 block of Gateway Drive) that had been entirely painted with blue spray paint. A check of the license plate revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Sacramento. The officer detained the lone occupant, who was in the passenger seat. Officers then contacted and detained 42-year-old Ian Boyea (of Lynwood, WA) inside a business and learned that he had driven the vehicle to its location.

During a search of the vehicle officers located methamphetamine and suspected fentanyl. Boyea was arrested for vehicle theft, felony vandalism (for painting the victim’s car), possession of methamphetamine, possession of narcotics, and possession of a concealed dagger. He was booked at the South Placer Jail.
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Massachusetts NewsPolice Blotter

Belmont meth dealer gets 5 years in federal prison

by Kristen Harrison-Oneal
By: Kristen Harrison-Oneal

 CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Thomas Deware, 56, of Belmont, was sentenced on Monday to 72 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, between June and September, 2019, Deware sold methamphetamine to an individual who was working with law enforcement officers.  During three of these purchases, Deware possessed a handgun in a chest holder.

On October 17, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Deware’s residence and recovered a .45 caliber handgun that was consistent with the firearm he possessed during three of the controlled drug purchases.

“Armed drug traffickers present a very serious threat to public health and safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We are working closely with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the dangerous drug dealers who use guns as part of their illegal activities.  As Mr. Deware has learned, drug traffickers who carry guns in the Granite State will face substantial federal prison sentences.”

“Whether it’s a large-scale drug trafficking organization, or an individual like Thomas Deware distributing methamphetamine while possessing a firearm, rest assured disrupting and dismantling criminal drug trafficking operations is a critical part of our mission,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put drug traffickers like Deware permanently out of business and behind bars, as we fight violent crime and work to make our neighborhoods safer.”

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Belmont Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cam Le and Joachim Barth.

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Massachusetts NewsPolice BlotterSports

Homeless man broke into Tom Brady’s Mass. Mansion, Found Sleeping

by Adam Devine
By: Adam Devine

BROOKLINE, MA – A homeless man was found sleeping inside Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady’s Boston area mansion on Monday.  Police were alerted to a break-in. Brady was not home at the time because he now lives in Derek Jeter’s mansion down in Tampa while playing for the Bucs.

At approximately 5:55 AM, multiple Brookline Police units responded to a radio call for a residential alarm at 112 Woodland Road, the former residence of our forever New England Patriot Tom Brady and his wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Our Public Safety Dispatchers informed responding units that multiple alarms were activated, and that they were monitoring a subject on camera. Dispatch updated police units upon their arrival that the subject was now in the basement, sitting on a couch.

Responding units were given the access code and were able to gain access to the property. Officers immediately went to the basement and located the subject, who was laying on the couch in the middle of the room.
Officers arrested 34-year-old Zanini Cineus, formerly of Brockton, MA but currently homeless. Mr. Cineus is being charged with Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime with Intent to Commit a Felony, Attempted Larceny and Trespassing. He will likely be arraigned in Brookline District Court later today. In addition, Mr. Cineus had several active warrants out of Wrentham District Court stemming from incidents that occurred in Foxboro, MA late last year.
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Police Blotter

Pueblo felon gets 5 years for illegal un possession

by Kristen Harrison-Oneal
By: Kristen Harrison-Oneal

DENVER, COLORADO  – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Maximillian Zeferino Esquibel, age 32 of Pueblo, was sentenced to serve 58 months (nearly 5 years) in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Esquibel was convicted after the first criminal jury trial in the District of Colorado since COVID-19 impacted the court system in March.  The FBI and Southern Colorado Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force joined in this announcement.

According to court documents and facts presented at trial, on August 9, 2019, law enforcement agents and officers executed a search warrant at Esquibel’s residence.  He was present during the execution of the warrant, along with his girlfriend.  There were children present as well.

During the search investigators found four firearms, including an AR-15 style rifle, with the safety switch turned to the “fire” position, loaded with an extended magazine that contained multiple rounds of live ammunition.  Three other firearms and over 100 rounds of ammunition were also seized.  Esquibel had a prior felony conviction in Pueblo County in 2006 for aggravated robbery, making it a crime for him to possess firearms.

“Reducing gun crime in Pueblo has been a focus of this office and the Safe Streets Task Force for several years now,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “This case is just one example of how, working with the Pueblo Police Department and the District Attorney’s office, we are clearly having a significant impact.”

“The recent sentencing of Maximillian Zeferino Esquibel is a result of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together to remove violent criminals from our neighborhoods,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “The citizens of Colorado deserve this collective effort, and I want to thank our Southern Colorado Safe Streets Task Force for helping to keep our community safe.”

Esquibel was first charged by Criminal Complaint on August 9, 2019.  He was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 12, 2019.  He was found guilty following the first post COVID shutdown trial on September 1, 2020, and was sentenced on December 4, 2020.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Southern Coloarado Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force.  Esquibel was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason St. Julien and Thomas Minser.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. The United States Attorney’s Office has prosecuted this case with support from Project Guardian partners.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.  Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 19-cr-376.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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Police Blotter

Houston Man Arrested for International Money Laundering

by Kristen Harrison-Oneal
By: Kristen Harrison-Oneal

ST. THOMAS, USVI – United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert for the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Marvellous Eghaghe was arrested in Houston, Texas in connection with international wire fraud and money laundering schemes.

According to the indictment filed in the case, Eghaghe created a Texas company and an associated bank account that he used to funnel money fraudulently obtained from victims in the United States Virgin Islands, Alabama, Texas and Colombia.  Part of the scheme involved “spoofing,” in which perpetrators intrude upon victims’ business email communications by setting up an email address similar to that of one of the legitimate participants, thereby diverting money transfers to unknown subjects inside and outside of the United States. The indictment also alleges that in another instance, coconspirators forged over $2 million in checks from the account of an unsuspecting business.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Brooks.

An indictment is merely a formal charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Massachusetts NewsPolice Blotter

Three Hartford drug dealers face federal charges after drug bust

by Kristen Harrison-Oneal
By: Kristen Harrison-Oneal

HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that a federal grand jury, sitting in Rutland, charged three men from the Hartford, Connecticut area with an assortment of heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine offenses. The defendants are: Ralph Mariani (a.k.a. “D”), 27, of East Hartford, Connecticut; Cedano Brownswell, 26, of Hartford, Connecticut; and Rashane Wedderburn, 25, of Hartford, Connecticut. The five-count indictment includes charges that: Mariani and Wedderburn distributed Fentanyl; Mariani possessed, with the intent to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl; and Brownswell possessed cocaine base.

On November 18, 2020 law enforcement executed a federal search warrant for an apartment at 78 Traverse Place in Rutland, Vermont. Mariani, Wedderburn, and Brownswell were present at the time of this search. Law enforcement seized approximately 72 grams of suspected powder cocaine, 45 grams of suspected cocaine base, 69 bags of suspected fentanyl, 52 suspected Oxycodone pills, an amount of suspected marijuana, and four firearms, including a loaded 9mm pistol located on the living room couch. Of those total drug amounts, approximately 29 grams of suspected cocaine base, 44 bags of suspected fentanyl, and 52 suspected Oxycodone pills were located on Mariani’s person.  Law enforcement also seized over six thousand dollars in cash: $2,380 from Mariani, $1,880 from Cedano, and $2,134 from Wedderburn.

At his arraignment, Mariani pled not guilty to the charges. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge John Conroy ordered Mariani detained pending trial and held in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The arraignment for Wedderburn and Brownswell is currently scheduled for December 10.

The maximum penalties for the charged drug offenses range from 20 years of imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine for the drug trafficking offenses to three years of imprisonment and $100,000 fine for the drug possession offense. The actual sentence, however, is informed by the advisory Sentencing Guidelines. The Indictment is an accusation only, the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Vermont State Police (Narcotics Investigation Unit), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Rutland City Police, and Homeland Security Investigations of the Department of Homeland Security.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella. Mariani is represented by Elizabeth Quinn, Esq., of the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Burlington. Wedderburn is represented by Lisa Shelkrot, Esq., of Burlington, and Brownswell is represented by Alan Sullivan, Esq. of Manchester, Vermont.

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Burlington County News

Deborah’s 15th Annual Red Tie Gala – Virtual Style – Raises Funds for Cardiac Care

by Your News
By: Your News

Deborah Hospital Foundation’s 15th Annual Red Tie Gala, held virtual style on Saturday, December 5th, raised nearly $150,000 for cardiac care at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, New Jersey’s only specialty heart, lung, and vascular hospital, and an Alliance Partner of the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. The annual Gala supports Deborah’s nearly 100-year mission of never balance billing a patient for care received at the hospital.

This year’s Gala, originally scheduled to be held on November 14th at the Hilton at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, was rescheduled due to the pandemic, and moved to a virtual format.

Emceed by 6ABC News Anchor Rick Williams, and sponsored by numerous businesses, Gala attendees enjoyed an overview of the Hospital’s 2020 achievements and 2021 goals — including plans for a new hospital expansion project – a silent auction, and a live 3-course cooking demo by Food Network Celebrity Chef and former NFL football player, Eddie Jackson (shown in photo).

“This year our virtual Gala captured the same elements that our guests have come to enjoy over the years,” said Gala Chair Melissa McGrath. “It was a fun way to safely join together from our homes, while still supporting the important work of Deborah Hospital Foundation.”

For more information, or to make a donation, visit, www.DeborahFoundation.org

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Community NewsNew Jersey NewsOcean County NewsPets and AnimalsPolice Blotter

Jersey couple left dog chained up in backyard after moving to Georgia, now facing charges

by Jessica Woods
By: Jessica Woods

ROSELLE PARK, NJ – A man and a woman who left New Jersey for Georgia last month left their beautiful young Husky carter tied up in their backyard, left to die.   Last week, the Union County Prosecutor’s office charged Curtis Swan, 27, and Aaleyah Clay, 29, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, are both charged with third-degree causing serious bodily injury to a domesticated animal via neglect, as well as the abandonment of a domesticated animal, a disorderly persons offense.  The dog suffered a severe neck wound, but is now recovering at the Associated Humane Society’s Popcorn Park shelter where he receives daily laser therapy treatments on his neck wound.  He is also on medications for pain and infection.

“He is recovering nicely and is a sweet, happy, friendly dog,” AHS said in a statement. “We are not at liberty to discuss anything further regarding Carter, as this case will remain under investigation. We will update again on Carter as the case moves forward.”

According to the Union County Prosecutor’s office, the couple are now animal cruelty charges for allegedly leaving their dog tied to a backyard fence for days after they moved out of state, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Roselle Police Chief Brian Barnes jointly announced.

On Friday, November 20, an Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey animal control officer was dispatched to a home on the 300 block of White Street regarding a welfare check for a possibly abandoned dog in need of medical attention, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Patricia Cronin, the Prosecutor’s Office’s designated animal cruelty liaison. There, it was learned that the dog, a young male Husky, had a severe, infected open wound encircling a large portion of his neck, a product of being tied to the backyard fence; the officer then reported the matter to the Roselle Police Department.

An investigation led by Roselle Detective Ivan Romero revealed that the dog’s owners, Swan and Clay, had moved to their new home in Georgia five days earlier, on Sunday, November 15, telling a neighbor that they would eventually return for the dog on an unspecified date.

The dog was taken to the Newark branch of Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey for medical treatment, after which he was transferred to an affiliated shelter in South Jersey for further recovery. Convictions on third-degree crimes can result in terms of 3 to 5 years in state prison.
Photo from AHS/PCP show before and after photos of the dog.

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Ohio NewsPolice Blotter

Man beaten near Wheeling playground

by Dinesh Patel
By: Dinesh Patel

WHEELING, WV – Wheeling Police are investigating a malicious assault that happened Monday morning on the Heritage Trail in downtown. Around 8:25 a.m., officers met with a male victim on Water Street. He said he was walking south on the trail near the playground and was approached by several white males, possibly in their early 20’s wearing dark colored hoodies. He said the suspects assaulted him several before fleeing the area and running south on the trail towards Heritage Port.   The victim received head and facial injuries and did not request medical treatment.
Should the public have any information, they are strongly urged to call police at 304-234-3664, submit a crime tip at wheelingwv.gov/crimetip or call the new Crime Stoppers Upper Ohio Valley tip line at 877-TIPS4US.

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Florida NewsPolice BlotterPolitics

Watch: Guns Drawn, Florida Governor’s Gestapo Raid Home of Scientist Who Developed State’s COVID-19 Tracking System

by Jeff Jones
By: Jeff Jones

Talahassee, FL – Former Florida Health Department Scientist Rebekah Jones was at home with her husband and her children when enforcement officers from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement entered her home with guns drawn, holding a search warrant.  FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said the warrant was issued because they believe Jones had hacked into the state’s emergency alert system.

“Our investigation began last month following a complaint by the Florida Department of Health that a person illegally hacked into their emergency alert system. As part of our investigation, FDLE agents served a search warrant this morning at the Centerville Court residence where Ms. Jones lives after determining the home was the location that the unauthorized message was sent from.
Agents knocked and called Ms. Jones both announcing the search warrant and encouraging her to cooperate,” Swearingen said of the raid which was captured on video by Jones. “Ms. Jones refused to come to the door for 20 minutes and hung-up on agents.”
After gaining entry, agents entered the home with their guns drawn at Jones and her family memberss and seized several devices that will be forensically analyzed.
“At no time were weapons pointed at anyone in the home,” Swearingen said, despite video showing officers holding and point their guns inside the home. “Any evidence will be referred to the State Attorney for prosecution as appropriate.”
One officer is seen holding and pointing his gun in the direction of Jones’ husband who was upstairs when agents entered the home.
Jones said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis targeted her because of her online writings and the armed raid will not deter her from continuing reporting data to the public.  Jones said police took her children’s laptops, her cell phone, laptop and her work computers.  She claims DeSantis will use her phone and phone history to crack down on whistleblowers who were speaking to her about the governor’s handling of COVID-19.  She denied sending messages through the DOH system and said she has no access to the system.

“At 8:30 am this morning, the state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech. They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint. They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids,” Jones said.  “Imagine if the camera wasn’t recording…Imagine if I wasn’t white…Imagine if this were you because one day it might be.”

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Police Blotter

Canal Winchester drug dealer gets 5 years in prison

by Kristen Harrison-Oneal
By: Kristen Harrison-Oneal

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kenyatta Banks, Jr., of Canal Winchester, Ohio was sentenced today to 57 months of incarceration for his role in a drug conspiracy that spanned several states, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Banks, also known as “Yatta,” age 30, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Distribute and to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances” in August 2020.  Banks admitted to working with others to traffic methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin in Wetzel County, Ohio, Georgia, as well as into the southern district of West Virginia.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert H. McWilliams, Jr. and Shawn M. Adkins prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Martinsville Police Department investigated.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

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Police Blotter

2 men who raped other men in national park get 19 years in federal prison

by Kristen Harrison-Oneal
By: Kristen Harrison-Oneal

KNOXVILLE  TENNESSEE – On December 7, 2020, Dusty William Oliver, 41, and Richard Graham, 49, both from Blaine, were sentenced by the Honorable Judge Thomas A. Varlan, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville, for raping two men in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

Oliver and Graham pleaded guilty to an indictment charging them with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2241(a) and 2. Oliver was sentenced to 300 months in prison, followed by 15 years’ supervised release. Graham was sentenced to 230 months in prison, followed by 15 years’ supervised release. Both Oliver and Graham will be required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions during their supervised release.

In June 2012 and again in November 2015, Oliver and Graham raped two different male victims in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The defendants preyed on homeless, drug-addicted, heterosexual males, who they believed were unlikely to report their attacks to law enforcement. After quickly befriending their victims on the roadside in Knoxville, they took the victims to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each victim was tricked into hiking unfamiliar trails in pitch darkness, whereon they were raped by both defendants at once.

The defendants escaped prosecution for their crimes until a tenacious investigation by special agents with the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park developed prosecutable cases against them. “The defendants exploited vulnerable victims; however, the victims were brave enough to come forward and report their attacks. The victims’ cooperation throughout the investigation and prosecution was necessary, and I commend them for seeing it through. The hefty sentences should serve as a warning to others that one will pay heavily for committing violent crimes in our national parks,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey.

“I want to express my thanks to ISB investigators, park rangers, and the Blount County Sheriff’s Office for their perseverance and hard work that led to the conviction and sentencing of these two men responsible for heinous crimes within the park,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “To ensure that we’ve heard the voices of all victims, investigators continue to welcome any information about additional assaults that may be associated with Graham and Oliver.”

The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Interior National Park Service for the GSMNP.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States.

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Entertainment News

Dirty Jobs’ Mike Rowe is back with a new series on Discovery Channel Plus

by Breaking Local News Report
By: Breaking Local News Report

HOLLYWOOD, CA –  Mike Rowe, a true American patriot who understands what makes America tick is coming back to cable television with a brand new show called “Six Degrees with Mike Rowe”.   The show will uncover how so much in world history was interconnected in order to get to where we are today…wherever that might be.  The new series airs on Monday, January 4th on Discovery Channel Plus.

“I’m super excited to have a new show on Discovery+, and delighted to announce that it doesn’t take place in a sewer. If I can remember half of what I learned while filming this remarkable series, I’ll be twice as smart as I ever was. And if viewers have as much fun watching it, as I did making it, we’ll be announcing Season 2 in no time!” Mike Rowe said.

In each of the six episodes, launching all at once on Discovery+, Mike transports himself back in time to some of the most major moments in history and connects the dots between these events – revealing incredible stories along the way. With his wry sense of humor and candid, no-nonsense take, Mike links society’s most taken-for-granted moments to their surprising origins and connects them to the modern world of today. To help him out, he’s roped in his pal Chuck who (reluctantly) acts out some of the historical events, demonstrating how everything in our wonderfully weird world came to be related.

Can a mousetrap really cure your hangover? Did a garbage man give us a glimpse into the big bang? And how can a horseshoe help you find the perfect soulmate? Mike leaves no stone left unturned as he discovers the unexpected and uncovers some amazing answers.

One thing is certain – Mike’s wild travel back through time will show that truth is oftentimes stranger than fiction and reveal how interconnected we are in a time when everyone and everything feels so distant.

 

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Featured NewsNew Jersey NewsPolitics

74% of New Jerseyans Not Cooperating with Contact Tracers, Murphy Upset

by Conservative Times
By: Conservative Times

TRENTON, NJ – Hello, we are here from the government and we’re here to help you.  That’s what’s happening in New Jersey as Governor Phil Murphy has assembled an ever growing army of contact tracers and investigators tasked with finding out how you got COVID-19 and who else you might have been in contact with.  In New Jersey, calling random people and asking them, “Where were you last night?” isn’t exactly the best course of action for anyone looking to get information out of somebody.

In fact, 74% of New Jerseyans are not cooperating with Murphy’s contact tracing corps and Governor Murphy, well, he’s a bit upset over it.

“Quite frankly, this is unacceptable and we need folks to turn that around. It is extremely critical for contact tracers to get in touch with the close contacts of those who test positive to help us stop the spread of this virus,” Murphy said.  “You may think you’ll just call your contacts yourself, but this is a task that is best left to a trained public health professional, a contact tracer in fact, who can answer questions about access to testing or social supports that they may need to safely quarantine or isolate.”

Murphy said his contact tracers aren’t there to rat on you.  They won’t tell your wife if you were at a hotel room with another woman last night.  They won’t tell your parents if you were smoking pot at Billy’s house party this weekend.  They won’t even tell your parents you quit college two semesters ago and have been having out at a flophouse in New Brunswick instead for the past six months.  No, they’re here for you and the information you give them is their secret.

“The huge bulk of the balance are folks who continue to believe that we’re trying to uncover something that we’re not trying to uncover,” Murphy said.  “That’s the evidence that I have, that they don’t want to feel guilty themselves that they did something in their own home or that their kid hosted a party that they shouldn’t have. It’s just really, really frustrating.”

It’s clearly evident that the millions of dollars of taxpayer funding used for the training and deployment of contract tracers isn’t working for Governor Murphy.  Murphy also blames politics, and likened not answering the contact tracer calls to not wearing a mask.  The Governor shouldn’t get too upset over this.  His contact tracers are achieving great success if you think about it.  They are able to get 26% of New Jerseyans to answer an unknown caller that comes across most mobile phones as a spam caller.   Statewide, the average outside of contact tracing is probably in the high 90’s when it comes to how many unknown phone calls are not answered in New Jersey…just ask any telemarketer, they can confirm that estimate.

Still, Murphy insists.  When that strange number calls your phone and a strange voice is heard on the other end asking you where you were last night and who you were with, by all means, comply …they are from the government and here to help you…scout’s honor.

“Our contact tracers are our fellow New Jerseyans and we are committed to continuing to hire New Jerseyans for this important work. These are people from within our own communities, stepping forward to protect their very neighbor,” Murphy said. . Through their commitment, we are beating our benchmarks. We’re holding up our end of this battle. We urge you folks to please work with us. Remember, our contact tracers are not on a witch hunt. They are only concerned with stopping the spread of this virus. We urge you, please work with our contact tracers, and do your part to end this pandemic. The more people who cooperate, the sooner we can slow the spread and crush the curve, the sooner we can emerge from this pandemic. We cannot thank enough those of you who have answered the call and cooperated in providing our contact tracers the information they need to protect your loved ones, your neighbors, your family, your friends, your community. While you’re at it, if you have not yet done so, please download the COVID alert NJ app to your smartphone and add your phone to the more than 440,000, which are now part of our fight to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

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Business NewsCalifornia NewsPolice Blotter

Lincoln officials take heat for “shutting down” Awful Annie’s but is restaurant actually closed down?

by Ryan Dickinson
By: Ryan Dickinson
LINCOLN, CA – After receiving numerous complaints from the city of Lincoln, the downtown restaurant Awful Annie’s was closed on Monday, leading residents to speculate what happened.  Rumors online persisted that the business had been shut down by the city for numerous COVID-19 violation complaints and serving food indoors while the state of California is on an indoor dining lockdown, issued by Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Lincoln Police Department said that’s not true.
“There have been many rumors regarding the City shutting down Awful Annie’s. This is in no way true,” the department said in a statement last night. “The city received numerous complaints, from both residents and different restaurant owners, that Awful Annie’s was open and serving customers inside, in violation of the Governor’s current health orders. This was causing an issue relative to unfair business practices because the complaining businesses felt punished for following the order.”
Prior to sending any warning of the violation, the city made contact with the business owner to offer education and support to assist the business owner with getting into compliance. In fact, during the week before Thanksgiving, the city officials offered to close roads, purchase tents, heaters, and tables/chairs to allow the restaurant to provide service outside. The city extended an invitation to come up with a plan until after Thanksgiving.
“The owner of Awful Annie’s indicated they were grateful for this support and would be providing the City with the brand of tent they would like the City to purchase for them. This never occurred because the owners of the restaurant did not provide the information to the City,” the department said. ”  It is the City’s understanding that unfortunately one of the restaurant’s staff members was determined to be positive, so the restaurant had to close under the Cal/OSHA COVID regulations, and that the restaurant should be re-opening.”
The City has not fined or required any restaurant or business to close for violating Newsom’s lockdown orders.
“The city certainly understands that there are multiple views regarding the current situation,” the department said.  “There are residents that demand harsh enforcement of the current state regulations and there are residents that demand no enforcement. The City receives complaints from both sides of the issue multiple times per day. Based on all of these concerns and points of view, the City treads very lightly and primarily focuses on providing education and support through fi nding ways in which the City can assist businesses with developing solutions for the challenges they face.”
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Police Blotter

Woman shot in Portland as gun violence continues in city looking to defund police

by Ryan Dickinson
By: Ryan Dickinson

PORTNALD, OR – On December 6, 2020, at approximately 7:23 p.m., North Precinct officers responded to the 3800 block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard on reports of a possible shooting. When officers arrived at the location they found an adult female victim with a wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital by ambulance. The victim’s injury appeared to be minor.  There is no suspect description at this time. If anyone has information about the shooting and has not been contacted by investigators, they are asked to call the non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

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Police Blotter

Since Friday night, Portland has sounded like a warzone from gunshots fired across city

by Ryan Dickinson
By: Ryan Dickinson

PORTLAND, OR – Portland residents have been complaining to police about frequent gunshots each night throughout the city since Friday night.  Portland this weekend sounded more like Al Raqqa, Syria this weekend than a Pacific Northwest city in America.

On December 7, 2020 at about 12:34 a.m., Portland Police responded to reports of shots fired in the area of the 600 block of Northeast Morgan Street. Many people called to report hearing gunfire.  Police responded and found shell casings on the ground and discovered that a residence and a vehicle had been struck by gunfire. Police counted at least 83 shell casings at the scene. A residence had evidence of over 50 bullet strikes.

There did not appear to be any injuries, and none have been reported connected to this incident.   In addition, Portland Police have responded to the following shooting incidents since Friday night at midnight:

Saturday, December 5 at about 1:43 a.m., there were three incidents in separate locations;
Northeast 15th Avenue and Northeast Dekum Street, Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Northeast Lombard Street, North Albina Avenue and North Rosa Parks Way.

Sunday, December 6, 2020, at 2:11 a.m., near Southeast 170th Avenue and Southeast Division Street

Sunday, December 6, 2020, at 1:17 p.m., near North Columbia Boulevard and North Bank Street

Sunday, December 6, 2020, at 9:05 p.m., near the 3100 Block of Southeast 136th Avenue

Monday, December 7, 2020 at 1:07 a.m., near the 13100 Block of East Burnside Street

As of now no injuries have been reported in connection with these incidents.
Information about shooting statistics is available on the Portland Police Bureau website Gun Violence Statistics | The City of Portland, Oregon.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 cash for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous.

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Police Blotter

Watch: Patriots’ Message to Visiting Antifa Mob, F’ With Our Flag, We F’ You Up

by Ryan Dickinson
By: Ryan Dickinson

OLYMPIA, WA – Residents of Olympia faced off against ANTIFA aggressors who attempted to burn an American flag.  The Patriots moved in to rescue the flag and a large scuffle ensued.  The residents were able to rescue the American flag and gave the armed and armored thugs a message, ‘F— with our flag, we f— you up’ and told the protesters to leave town.

 

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Police Blotter

West Virginia man gets 3 years for dealing heroin 

by Kristen Harrison-Oneal
By: Kristen Harrison-Oneal

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA –Karl Justin Dunn, III, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 37 months of incarceration for distributing heroin, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Dunn, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Heroin” in February 2020. Dunn admitted to selling heroin in July 2018 in Berkeley County.

This charge is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep.  This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

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Florida NewsPolice Blotter

Dirty Alabama cop arrested trafficking meth into Pensacola area

by Jeff Jones
By: Jeff Jones

PENSACOLA, FL –  On December 7th, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, SWAT Team and Patrol Division arrested Isaac Lopez for attempting to purchase methamphetamine to sell.  The ECSO received information that Lopez was trafficking methamphetamines and set up an operation to catch him in the act. Lopez, a Lieutenant with the Flomaton Police Department in Alabama, was taken into custody without incident.

He was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.  The ECSO partnered with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office (Alabama), the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Flomaton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration during this investigation.  Lopez is being held in the Escambia County Jail (FL) on a $105,000 bond.
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Police Blotter

Madison Police find stolen handgun in diaper bag at traffic stop

by Dinesh Patel
By: Dinesh Patel

MADISON, WI – Police in Madison initiated a traffic stop after a vehicle was spotted driving 21 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.  Officers were shocked to find an 18 year old driver with an infant in the car and a stolen handgun in the baby’s diaper bag.  A stolen handgun was found in a diaper bag this morning after officers, working traffic enforcement, stopped a car going 21 mph over the speed limit on N. Whitney Way. The driver, Kevin L. Canady, Jr., age 18, Madison, had two passengers with him, including an infant. Canady will be facing numerous tentative charges after officers confiscated the stolen handgun, 22 packages containing nearly 74 grams of marijuana, a scale, and $2,000. Canady was also cited for the speeding violation.

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Massachusetts NewsPolice Blotter

Man involved in Friday night New Haven shootout that left one hospitalized captured by police

by Adam Devine
By: Adam Devine
NEW HAVEN, CT – One gunman involved in Friday’s shootout on Sargent Drive has been arrested, another is still at large.  The New Haven Police Department has charged 22-year-old Nicholas Nathaniel Osario for his role in a shooting incident on Friday, December 4, 2020. At the press event, the incident was described as Osario exchanging gunfire with an unknown gunman. The victim of the Sargent Drive shooting remains hospitalized. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.
Osario is charged with the following:
• Criminal attempt at assault first degree
• Criminal possession of a firearm
• Unlawful discharge of a firearm
• Weapon in a motor vehicle
• Reckless endangerment first degree
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Health and WellnessNorth Carolina News

North Carolina sees 20% increase in COVID-19 cases in one week

by Charlie Dwyer
By: Charlie Dwyer

RALEIGH, NC – The State of North Carolina has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases in the past week since Thanksgiving.  The number of COVID-19 positive cases increased by 20% in the 7 day period after Thanksgving according to state health officials

“In less than a week, we went from exceeding 5,000 new cases reported in one day to exceeding 6,000. This is very worrisome. We are seeing our highest rates of tests that come back positive despite the fact we are doing a lot of testing,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D.  “This indicates we have even more viral spread across our state right now. We have record numbers of hospitalizations and people in the ICU. I am asking each North Carolinian to take personal responsibility for their actions and slowing the spread of this virus. Always wear a mask when with people you don’t live with, keep your distance from other people and wash your hands often. We are looking at what further actions we can take as a state to protect North Carolinians and save lives.”

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