Hazleton Drug Dealer Gets 22 Years in Federal Prison

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gimy Rodriguez, a/k/a “Carvo,” age 28, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on October 29, 2020, to 262 months’ imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani, for drug trafficking.

According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, Rodriguez pled guilty in September 2019, to engaging in a conspiracy and other charges involving the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine throughout Luzerne County. Rodriguez was the leader of multiple co-conspirators and maintained hubs of operation in both Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre.

Rodriguez’s co-conspirators were sentenced to:

Andrew J. Danko was sentenced to 68 months’ imprisonment;
Angela Haggerty was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment; and
Hector Delacruz was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the DEA and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

This case was also brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Murphy Touts ‘Lakewood Model’ as COVID-19 Success Story, Called Out By Reporter

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

LAKEWOOD, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Thursday touted the reduction of COVID-19 cases in Lakewood Township as a model of success to be used to combat future virus flareups across the state. Lakewood, Murphy said was an example of his new “scalpel” approach to managing outbreaks as opposed to blunt force closures, restrictions and shutdowns he implemented from March through now. He was called out by Star Ledger reporter Brent Johnson.

“Across the board, we have been aggressive in building our capabilities to fight the second wave that is now starting to crash on our shores,” Murphy said. “All of us collectively on the screen are pledged that we would not be caught unprepared when the second wave arrived. Well, it is here and we are ready. [We] refer to the so-called Lakewood model. When we say scalpel, a big piece of that is testing, tracing, enforcement, public pronouncements, working with our community leaders, with faith leaders, and that combination feels like it is one that is working in the context of what is undeniably a surge.”

Lakewood saw a surge in COVID-19 cases during the September holy holidays celebrated by the Orthodox Jewish community, but those numbers have dropped significantly since.

New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichili said the ‘Lakewood Model’ implemented in Ocean County involved the dispatching of hot spot teams to support the community. Those teams were focused on increasing testing, contact tracing capacity, education and awareness, and ensuring places are available to isolate and quarantine.

“Working together with the Ocean County Health Department and the community and religious leaders in Lakewood, we have developed a plan to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in that area,” Persichili said. “We found sites to stand up testing quickly that are convenient to the community.”

Since the end of September, the state deployed 33 pop-up testing sites in Lakewood. Thoe sites included Blueclaw Stadium, Monmouth Medical Center’s parking lot, a municipal lot, a public school, various yeshiva schools, and two federally qualified health centers, Comed and Ocean Health Initiatives. The department also deployed a nursing team to both the FQHCs to assist and train them on the Binax Now rapid testing process. Comed in Lakewood has performed 33,634 total tests.

The department also sent 21 contact tracers to Ocean County and worked to expand their hours into the evenings and weekends.

“With this support, and the cooperation of the Lakewood residents, we have seen a dramatic decline in the spread of the virus,” Persichili said. “In Lakewood, percent positivity went from a high of 36% in late September to 5.64% as of last Friday. When we all work together, wearing masks, social distancing, washing your hands frequently, staying home when you are sick, getting tested. answering the call, we can do better. We can beat this virus.”

“I wanted to underscore what I’m calling the Lakewood model. I don’t want to pat ourselves – I know you’re not intending to either — on the back that we’ve got all this figured out,” Murphy said. “But it’s pretty clear a combination of working with community leaders, as we are with Mayor Ras Baraka and his team right now in Newark; in Lakewood’s case especially, working with faith leaders, although faith leaders are important not just there, but around the state.”

Like in most cases with the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy kept the raw data from the public and shed little color on the figures behind the claims.

“You hold up Lakewood as a success story, but what data are you using to support that, since there’s no public reporting on rapid test data that has flooded the area as part of the plussing up strategy?” Johnson asked the governor. “How many tests were conducted in Lakewood, PCR, rapid in the weeks after the spike, and how many were positive for both?”

“On Lakewood, I think the evidence, I don’t know the amount of tests, Judy might know that but the evidence is in the spot positivity. Judy, I can’t recall whether — I know you have said this to me privately but we know what the spot positivity is now in Lakewood and what it was at the end of September and it’s dramatically different and better, period. Judy can address that,” Murphy said.

“On Lakewood, you know, the positivity is just one indicator,” Persichili responded. “We obviously look at hospitalizations from the Lakewood area. So it’s new cases, hospitalization, positivity, we keep a close eye on syndromic surveillance in our hospitals, COVID-like illness in our emergency rooms, and track back to Lakewood and Ocean County to determine how effective all of our actions are in Lakewood and Ocean County. So, too soon to tell. Positivity is one thing that we look at and I think with the cooperation that we saw, we’re very hopeful that the virus has slowed down a bit.”

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Government News New Jersey News

Murphy Officially Acknowledges “Second Wave” of COVID-19, Says “We’re Ready for It”

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TRENTON, NJ – For weeks, as New Jersey’s COVID-19 positive numbers have crept up, Governor Phil Murphy and his administration were gunshy when it came to labeling the new uptick as the second wave of the pandemic. On Monday, Murphy officially announced New Jersey was now in a ‘second wave’.

“After eight months, I understand, we understand, that we are all suffering from pandemic fatigue but this virus has been waiting for us to get lax in our personal responsibilities so that it can come roaring back,” Murphy said. “And in particular, we’re seeing many of the new cases linked to small gatherings in private homes, where folks are more apt to let their guard down, especially in not social distancing. We urge you — please, folks, I urge you — to get back to that level of vigilance that you showed six months ago so that we could beat back this second wave. And in return, I commit to you, as a state, we are ready for it.”

Murphy went on to say how his administration is preparing for the second wave of COVID-19.

“Our focus has been on building our capabilities in three critical areas: personal protective equipment, testing, and contact tracing. Two months ago, we noted that we have used the past months to secure the vital personal protective equipment our essential workers and first responders need,” he added. “We have been continuing with an aggressive program to source the PPE we will need to have a strong three-month inventory supply in our own State Strategic Stockpile. We knew we would need to have PPE at the ready and capable of being deployed when the second wave arrived. Well, here we are.”

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Government News Jersey Shore News Monmouth County News New Jersey News

Governor Murphy “Back on the Field” After Four Negative COVID-19 Tests

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Governor Murphy ended his COVID-19 quarantine after two high-level staffers contracted the virus one week ago. Murphy said on Thursday that he is returning to work, but still limiting his in-person activities. Murphy has scaled back his daily COVID-19 briefing after noting a sharp rise in cases statewide, announcing the briefing will be virtual for the foreseeable future. Meetings will now be hosted just twice weekly instead of each day, he said.

“I think we’re going to be virtual here for the foreseeable future. Not forever and always, but I think this is the format we’re going to stick with, at least for the foreseeable future,” Murphy said. “What we will do is we’ll still stay with the Monday-Thursday reality. I’ve been pretty virtual myself, even though I got back on the field after my fourth negative test in a week on Monday. I’ve done very few things that are what you’d call in-person. I’ll probably do something tomorrow, one item but it will be outdoors. We’ll be with you electronically unless you hear otherwise, for the most part, tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday. We will be back in this format on Monday.”

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Maryland News Police Blotter

Cambridge Man Claims He was Robbed by Three African Americans Walking Down Camelia Stret

by Dinesh Patel October 30, 2020

By: Dinesh Patel

CAMBRIDGE, MD – On 10/27/20 Cambridge Police met with a victim in the lobby at Cambridge headquarters in reference to a robbery that had occurred in the early morning hours of 10/26/20. The victim advised that while he was walking in the 700 block of Camelia Street, he was approached by three unknown African American males. The males removed his backpack containing his laptop. The suspects then went into the victim’s pants pocket and removed his cell phone and cash. The victim advised that he did not believe the suspects showed any weapons. The suspects then entered a white in color four door sedan with tinted windows. The registration is unknown. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cambridge Police Department.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Community News Monmouth County News New Jersey News Police Blotter

Monmouth SPCA Rescues 30 Cats from Feces Covered Abandoned Home

by Dinesh Patel October 30, 2020

By: Dinesh Patel

FREEHOLD, NJ – Last month, 20 male cats were dropped off at the front door of the Monmouth County SPCA office. There was a note with the cats claiming they were from a ‘sanctuary’. Acting on a hunch, after receiving the male cats, investigators with the Monmouth County SPCA felt that where there were 20 male cats, there must have been female cats too. The agency dug around and eventually learned through leads given by the community that the owner of the cats had recently surrendered two large dogs to the agency, so they visited the home and what they found was unbelievable.

“Twenty intact-male cats left outside of our door a month ago with a note stating they were from a sanctuary,” the SPCA said. “The general feedback was that these cats were left in a better place, which we agree with, but what stuck out to us is that if there are intact-male cats somewhere, there are intact-female cats too.”

The home was unoccupied, but officers found 30 more cats living in what was described as “absolutely deplorable conditions”. Every floor, counter, and piece of furniture was covered in urine and feces. The food was left for them on the floor in ripped bags and the water bowls were filthy, the agency reported.

“These poor cats were living in such unimaginable conditions that our Animal Control Officers had to wear full Tyvek suits while recovering them,” the SPCA said. “All 30 of the cats have been transported to the MCSPCA where they’re receiving medical attention along with finally getting clean living quarters, fresh water, and nutritious food. Like the first 20, they are all scared and confused and will take time and patience to adjust.”

Charges are being reviewed as part of an ongoing investigation with the Monmouth County Prosecutors SPCA Law Enforcement Division, but for now, the cats need to be rehabilitated and forever homes found for them.

“In total, we’ve taken in 50 cats from this person, all of who will be spay/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and anything else they may need,” the SPCA said. “This is on top of our already FULL shelter that is bursting with cats and kittens waiting to be adopted. We’re working overtime to make sure every animal in our care is comfortable but now we need the help of our followers. Only 5 of the original 20 have been adopted so please consider donating to help care for these cats as we work tirelessly to get all 45 of them into loving homes.”

You can donate the care of these cats right on Facebook or through the SPCA website here: bit.ly/31zpR8D. They have also made a special wishlist here: amzn.to/3kAmZA1

October 30, 2020 0 comments

New Jersey News Police Blotter

Pregnant Woman Shot in Paterson, Delivers Baby, Dies

by Dinesh Patel October 30, 2020

By: Dinesh Patel

PATERSON, NJ – Police in Paterson have reported that a pregnant 31-year-old woman was shot and killed in her apartment, but not before delivering her baby at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. Police said they arrived after the report of gunshots at around 1:37 pm on Thursday to find the woman who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to the hospital for treatment where she later died after delivering the child. The baby is in stable condition and police are investigating the murder.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Massachusetts News Police Blotter

Woman Posed as Prosecutor Attempted to Dismiss Her Own Charges

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

A New Hampshire woman who had three cases before prosecutors in Hillsborough County has been arrested and charged for impersonating a prosecutor and falsifying documents after she was caught trying to dismiss her own charges. Lisa Landon, 33, of Littleton was facing charges of drug possession and stalking before she came up with the plan to attempt to trick the courts into dropping the charges. You can read the full story here.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter Viral News

Illegal Alien in Devil Mask Kills Girlfriend, Sister with Machete, Wore Innards Around Neck

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

LaPlace, LA – A grisly double murder unfolded Sunday afternoon in LaPlace, Louisiana. A 23-year-old man was arrested after killing his 31-year-old girlfriend and her 15-year-old sister in a brutal assault. Oscar Urias, 23, was arrested after he killed his 31-year-old girlfriend, and her 15-year-old sister and attacked his 17-year-old sister and 15-year-old brother with two knives.

Police said the attacks occurred October 25, 2020, about 4:30 p.m., at a residence on Fairway Drive in LaPlace. Urias, an illegal alien from El Salvador was renting the home with his girlfriend and at a residence on North Sugar Ridge in LaPlace. Urias, his girlfriend and her sister had lived at the Fairway Drive house for about a month.

Urias’ girlfriend, Elizabeth Tornabene, 31, was attacked at the residence in the 1800 block of Fairway Drive. She died at University Hospital.

After killing his girlfriend, Urias chased Elizabeth’s 15-year-old sister who fled from the house. He caught up with her and she was killed at a residence in the 2400 block of North Sugar Drive.

A witness said as Urias chased the young girl, he had his girlfriends “innards” around his neck as the young girl shouted, “He’s going to kill me.”

Urias also attacked his own sister in the Fairway Drive residence. She is in serious condition at University Hospital. Urias’ 15-year-old brother who also fled the Fairway residence and attempted to save the 15-year-old girl, was treated and released.

Urias’ sister and brother, residents of Baton Rouge, were visiting Urias for the weekend.

“Through the investigation, officers learned Urias and the family members were talking in the living room, then Urias went into the bedroom,” the Sheriff’s department said. “Elizabeth followed him. Shortly after, Urias, wearing a mask and wielding two knives, exited the bedroom with Elizabeth. Suddenly, he attacked Elizabeth and killed her. Urias then began stabbing his sister.”

Police said as Elizabeth’s sister and Urias’ brother fled the house, Urias chased them and managed to capture Elizabeth’s sister, stabbing her in an open garage at a residence in the 2400 block of North Sugar Ridge.

Officers located Urias in the garage, ordered him to drop the knives, and he surrendered to police. Urias was charged with two counts of first degree murder (felony) and two counts of attempted first degree murder. No bond has been set yet. No motive is known at this time.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter

Drunk Who Assaulted Ambulance Crew Doing Welfare Check gets 18 Weeks Behind Bars

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

PENTRAETH, WALES – A man who assaulted ambulance crew while intoxicated at Bangor railway station has been jailed for 18 weeks, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

David Cator, 72, and of Helens Crescent, Pentraeth, was found guilty of being drunk and disorderly in a public place and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). At around 10 am on 10 September, a BTP officer noticed Cator at Bangor railway station who appeared to be heavily intoxicated. The officer requested an ambulance to attend the station to check his welfare.

On arrival of the ambulance, Cator became extremely aggressive towards the ambulance crew, swearing and shouting at them. BTP officers arrested Cator for being drunk and disorderly in a public place. Officers escorted Cator to custody, where they later learned he was also in breach of a CBO.

Cator pleaded not guilty at his first hearing on 11 September and was remanded in custody until his trial, where he was found guilty at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court on 26 October. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, ordered to pay £128 to fund victim services, and £100 in court costs.

BTP Investigating Officer Chris Rowlands said: “Threatening behavior towards emergency services will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“I am grateful to the courts for the sentence imposed on the defendant and hope it serves as a reminder that this type of behavior will not be tolerated on the railway.

“We will continue to deal with anti-social behavior robustly and ensure offenders are brought to justice.”

October 30, 2020 0 comments

New York News Police Blotter Politics

Police Capture Vandal Who Spray Painted “AOC” and “BLM” on Cars

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

QUEENS, NY – Detectives from the New York City Police Department’s 114th and 115th precincts quickly apprehended a suspect who was spray painting “BLM” and “AOC” on cars around Queens. Police said the individual was responsible for numerous acts of vandalism in the borough. Police did not release the suspect’s name. U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortex (AOC) has been riling up voters in her district and escalating tensions between her Republican and Democrat constituents of late.

“These are the same people that say we can’t have tuition-free public colleges because there’s no money…when these mother[expletive]ers are only paying $750 a year in taxes,” AOC said in an interview this week.

AOC has been pushing for radical change in America, led by her socialist doctrine.

“Republicans do this because they don’t believe Dems have the stones to play hardball like they do. And for a long time they’ve been correct. But do not let them bully the public into thinking their bulldozing is normal but a response isn’t. There is a legal process for expansion,” she said in a tweet this week.

Many in AOC’s circle have been calling for more decisive measures and actions from their constituents as the election is just days away.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter

Man Sought as Suspect After Hitting Victims in Head with Hammer

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

LONDON, UK – Officers investigating a serious assault at Seven Sisters London Underground station are today releasing CCTV images in connection. Just after 8 pm yesterday evening (Thursday 29 October), two victims were approached by an unknown man and each struck on the head with a hammer in an unprovoked attack. Both victims received medical attention and thankfully did not suffer life-changing or life-threatening injuries.

Officers believe the man in the images may have information which could assist their investigation.

BTP Inspector, Gary Pinner, said, “This is a concerning, unprovoked attack in a busy Underground station. We are really keen to trace and speak to the individual in the images. Thankfully, incidents like this are rare on the railway network and we have deployed reassurance patrols in the area. I’d ask anyone who recognizes him to please text us on 61016, or call 999 if you see him.”

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter

Sexual Predator Banned from Entering Pubs, Nightclubs for One Year

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

LONDON, UK – A predator that sexually assaulted a 17-year-old woman in KFC has been banned from entering all pubs, bars, and night-clubs situated within the M25 motorway for one year.

Gavrilla Hotica, 23, and of Bristow Road, London, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 26 August where he pleaded guilty to sexual assault by touching.

On Monday 23 September, a judge sentenced him to a community order stating that he is not to enter any public houses, bars, or night-clubs until 22 September 2022. He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation, a £95 victim surcharge, and £85 in compensation to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Hotica was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

At around 10 pm on Friday 8 November 2019, a 17-year-old woman was queuing for a meal in KFC, located within West London’s Victoria railway station. Hotica approached her from behind uninvited and pressed his chest against her back while peering over her shoulder to read a text she was sending a friend.

Hotica then moved so he was side-by-side with the woman and proceeded to touch her in a sexual manner and asked her where she was from. The woman managed to move away from Hotica to order her meal before he approached her for a second time as she waited to collect it.

Hotica proceeded to engage her in conversation before sexually assaulting her a second time. The victim, who was intimidated and angry, shook Hotica off, collected her meal, and went to sit with friends at a table in KFC.

After the victim told her friends what had just occurred, they left KFC and reported the incident to a security guard within Victoria station who duly called BTP.

Officers arrived and Hotica was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault by touching. He was heard to say “I just touch” by the arresting officers while under caution.

BTP Detective Constable, Rabindra Singh, said: “Hotica’s acts on that evening were wholly unacceptable, brazen and caused significant emotional distress to his victim.

He targeted a young woman and molested her publicly. We have absolutely zero tolerance for unwanted sexual behavior on the railway and we will always do everything in our power to thoroughly investigate.

I would like to thank the victim for her support throughout the investigation, and wish her well for the future.”

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter

Man Severely Beaten for Asking Riders on Train to “Mask Up”

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

LONDON, UK – A London healthcare worker suffered serious head injuries after being beaten on a train simply for asking a group of unmasked men to wear face coverings. British Transport Police Officers investigating a serious assault on-board a London Underground service are today releasing an image in connection. At around 10 pm on Saturday 3 October, an NHS worker was travelling on a London Underground Circle line service when he noticed a group of two men and one woman on-board not wearing face coverings.

The man approached the group and challenged them on why they were traveling without face coverings, which led to an argument between the man and the group. One of the men from the group has then punched the victim several times in the side of the head before throwing him off the train onto the platform at High Street Kensington station. The group stayed on the service as it left the station.

The victim suffered serious injuries, including a chipped jaw and three breaks to his eye socket. Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could assist their investigation.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

New Jersey News New York News Police Blotter

New York Cabbie Sexually Assaulted Two Women in Cab, Possibly More

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

New York City Police have announced the arrest of Muhammad Wasim, 36 for targeting women inside a taxi cab which he operates in New York City. Police said Wasim picked up a 28-year-old who hailed his cab, then offered her a shot of alcohol, which she accepted. Shen she tried to get out of the cab, Wasim shut the door and began groping her breasts, police said. She was able to escape the cab and call police. Later that morning, he jumped a 36-year-old woman in the West Village, grabbing and groping the victim. He was arrested on Tuesday. Police are asking any other possible victims to come forward and contact them.

“On 10/27, Manhattan Special Victims arrested Muhammad Wasim for a sex abuse pattern that occurred in the confines of the NYPD 6 Precinct & NYPD 10th Precinct. We are asking any other victims to please come forward by calling or DMing NYPD Crimestoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS,” the department said.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter South Carolina News

Roebuck, SC Man Who Bought Teenage Sex Slave Charged with Human Trafficking

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

ROEBUCK, SC – The men who bought and sold a 19-year-old woman as a “sex slave” have been charged with human trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

Following an intensive investigation, Alfonso Orozco Juarez, 35, and Robert Hubert, 66, were charged via criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. Mr. Juarez was arrested at his home in Dallas and made his initial appearance in court in Dallas on Wednesday; Mr. Hubert was arrested at his home in Roebuck, SC, and made his initial appearance in court in Greenville, SC last week.

“This victim endured horrific abuse at the hands of these defendants. It’s unthinkable and frankly, difficult to learn that this type of thing is happening in our District,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “I am grateful that our North Texas Human Trafficking Task Force was able to act swiftly and aggressively. The Northern District of Texas and its partners in the District of New Mexico are committed to ending the scourge of human trafficking, one brutal case at a time.”

“Anyone that is involved in human trafficking activities – either as a member of a transnational criminal organization, a business owner exploiting his/her employees, or a street level pimp – should be viewed as a vicious predator. These despicable people who enrich themselves by exploiting the innocent have no place amongst law-abiding citizens and HSI will always combat it with every resource at our disposal. We will continue to collaborate with any law enforcement agency at any level of government in our shared efforts to bring human traffickers to justice,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Dallas.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed yesterday afternoon, Mr. Juarez contacted the Santa Fe-based victim via a dating app in 2019. In September 2019, they met in person inside a Dallas motel room, where Mr. Juarez pistol whipped the victim, bruising her hand and jaw. He later gave her a “slave name” and threatened to kill her and her family if she did not consent to being sold for sex. At one point, Mr. Juarez pointed an unloaded gun at her head and pulled the trigger.

After repeatedly selling the victim for commercial sex, Mr. Juarez advertised her as a “slave” on a fetishism website, where he offered to sell her to the highest bidder. Mr. Hubert, screen name “The Darkest Lord,” offered $5,000.

In text messages with Mr. Hubert, Mr. Juarez referred to the victim as “the property” and bragged that she “submitted fully” after he “pistol whip[ped]” her.

“She’s totally dependent on me,” he wrote.

“SWEET,” Mr. Hubert responded. “I will take the slave.”

The men met up at a gas station in Dallas, where Mr. Hubert put the victim in his car to drive her to his home in South Carolina. After Mr. Hubert clamped a metal collar around her neck, threatened to brand her, and provided her with a list of “fetishes he likes,” the victim texted Mr. Juarez, pleading for help:

“I’m afraid if I don’t do something, he’s going to hurt me,” she said.

“Endure what you have to,” he responded. “He’ll punish you whip you . . . but not kill you.”

When they reached Mr. Hubert’s residence — where there was a room he described as a “dungeon”—Mr. Hubert required the victim to remove her clothes and “be naked all the time.” Terrified, the victim persuaded Mr. Hubert to let her call her parents.

The victim’s father begged Mr. Hubert to let his daughter go, but Mr. Hubert informed him that he had purchased the victim for $5,000 and demanded $5,000 back in exchange for her safe return. He even sent the victim’s father a “contract,” signed by both Mr. Juarez and Mr. Hubert, as proof of the “sale.” Eventually, Mr. Hubert relented, and the victim was able to escape by bus.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of wrongdoing, not evidence. Like all defendants, Mr. Juarez and Mr. Hubert are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If convicted, both face up to life in federal prison.

Homeland Security Investigations and the North Texas Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation with substantial support from the Crime Strategies Unit with the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque, NM. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Briggs and Rebekah Ricketts of the Northern District of Texas are prosecuting the case, with significant assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Letitia Simms of the District of New Mexico.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

New York News Police Blotter

Man Who Threw Molotov Cocktail at NYPD Vehicle During George Floyd “Peaceful Protest” Charged with Arson

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

BRONX, NY – Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John B. DeVito, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), and Daniel A. Nigro, the Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”), announced today the arrest of SHAWN JENKINS in connection with his attempted arson of police vehicles in the Bronx, New York. JENKINS was arrested on October 28, 2020, and will be presented in the Manhattan federal court later today before U.S. Magistrate Ona T. Wang.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss stated: “Shawn Jenkins allegedly threw a glass bottle containing a lit wick with gas accelerant at an NYPD vehicle in the Bronx. Jenkins’s alleged actions – causing an adjacent vehicle to be damaged – are as reckless as they are misguided. There is never an acceptable time or situation to attempt to damage the property of law enforcement professionals who serve to protect the public, and this case is emblematic of our resolve to bring anyone who does so to justice.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito said: “As alleged, Jenkins brazenly and deliberately fire-bombed a marked NYPD vehicle without regard for human life or property. The New York Arson and Explosives Task Force will be relentless in bringing to justice those who use fire as a weapon in order to ensure a safer community for all New Yorkers.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “Peaceful assembly and speech are protected and valued by the NYPD. But the kind of violence alleged in this case endangers lives and threatens everyone’s constitutional right to peacefully protest and we commend our federal partners for bringing justice for acts society can never tolerate.”

NYFD Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said: “Arson is a dangerous, potentially deadly act that needlessly puts lives in danger and destroys property. Any act of arson will be vigorously investigated by our Fire Marshals and their partners in law enforcement. Thanks to the excellent teamwork by our Bureau of Fire Investigation, the NYPD and the ATF, a suspect has been arrested for this senseless crime.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint^[1]:

On June 1, 2020, at approximately 11:30 p.m., JENKINS approached two NYPD vehicles located in front of the NYPD 42nd Precinct in the Bronx, New York. JENKINS threw a glass bottle containing a wick that was lit with a gas accelerant at the NYPD vehicles. The incendiary device hit the ground short of its intended target and spread a fire, damaging an adjoining vehicle, which is privately owned by an NYPD officer.

* * *

JENKINS, 33, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of attempted arson, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the Strategic Explosive and Arson Response Task Force of the ATF, the NYPD, and the FDNY.

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Mitzi Steiner is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter US and World News

Man Involved in Motel Shootout in Independence Pleads Guilty to Firearms Charge

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Wellington, Missouri, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm following a shootout at an Independence, Mo., motel.

Randy K. McGaugh, 54, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

By pleading guilty today, McGaugh admitted that he was in possession of a Canik TP9 9mm semi-automatic handgun on Aug. 25, 2020. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. McGaugh has two prior felony convictions for resisting arrest, two prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, and prior felony convictions for domestic assault, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance.

According to court documents, the investigation began on Aug. 8, 2020, when Independence police officers responded to a shooting at the Truman Inn, 4048 S. Lynn Court Drive in Independence. McGaugh had been involved in a shootout with another person at the motel, identified in court documents as “R.C.,” witnesses told police officers. McGaugh had fired nine shots through the door of R.C.’s motel room, and R.C. had fired three shots through the door at McGaugh. McGaugh was no longer at the scene of the shooting when officers arrived.

A confidential source provided information to law enforcement to locate McGaugh. On Aug. 25, 2020, police officers moved to apprehend McGaugh as he was getting out of a vehicle at an Independence residence. He ran toward a wooded area behind the house with officers in pursuit. After he ran into the wooded area, officers utilized a police service dog, which found McGaugh on the ledge of a creek bed under heavy, thick brush. Directly below the ledge where McGaugh was found, officers found the 9mm handgun, loaded with 18 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber.

Under federal statutes, McGaugh is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Caleb J. Aponte, who is a cross-designated prosecutor from the Missouri Attorney General’s office as part of the Safer Streets Initiative to combat violent crime. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Florida News Police Blotter

Largo Pervert Asked 10-Year-Old For Sex, Facing Life in Prison

by Dinesh Patel October 30, 2020

By: Dinesh Patel

LARGO, FL – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury has found Asa Nall (50, Largo) guilty of attempted enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity. Nall faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2021.

Nall had been indicted on October 22, 2019.

According to evidence presented at trial, Nall communicated online and via text messages with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. In reality, he was talking to an undercover agent. For more than a month, Nall repeatedly asked the child to produce sexually explicit images for him, specifying that he wanted to see her fully nude, including close up photos of her genitalia. Nall also repeatedly requested to meet the child for sex, asking her to “sneak away” and “skip school” to meet with him. In the conversations, Nall discussed in graphic detail the sex acts he would engage in when they met.

On October 16, 2019, Nall traveled to a location to meet the child for sex, and he was subsequently arrested. Law enforcement agents recovered two condoms from Nall’s pocket and the cellphone he had used to communicate with the child. A search of the phone revealed that Nall had also saved the child’s name to his contact list.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Largo Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and Erin C. Favorit.

This 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 Ch

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Health and Wellness New Jersey News Police Blotter

Fairlawn Doctor Admits to Helping “Disabled” Postal Workers Scam the Government by Faking Treatment

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County, New Jersey, doctor today admitted participating in a conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Mark A. Filippone, 72, of Wallington, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with conspiring to violate the anti-kickback statute with three individuals: Joseph Vangelas, a/k/a “Joseph Miller,” 34, of Fort Lee, New Jersey; Marlene Vangelas, 59, of River Vale, New Jersey; and Zachary Ohebshalom, 34, of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Criminal charges against Miller and Marlene Vangelas remain pending. Ohebshalom previously pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy, and Estela Blaustein, 55 of Mahwah, New Jersey, also previously pleaded guilty for her role in a related conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

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

Beginning in May 2016, Filippone participated in a kickback conspiracy scheme to obtain millions of dollars in health benefits from the federal workers’ compensation program by prescribing and dispensing expensive, but medically unnecessary, pain creams. Filippone treated hundreds of now-former U.S. Postal Service employees for injuries they purportedly suffered on the job. He allegedly facilitated their disability claims by submitting forms and medical reports to the Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Program, for patients who were not, in fact, disabled.

Filippone also prescribed expensive topical pain creams, which were not needed or wanted by many of his patients. Filippone steered these prescriptions to a pharmacy in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, which was owned and operated by Miller and Marlene Vangelas. Miller and Marlene Vangelas, along with Ohebshalom, directed pharmacy employees to mine reimbursement rates within the federal workers’ compensation program for the ingredients of the pain creams in order to determine the most lucrative formulations. Miller, Marlene Vangelas, and Ohebshalom also directed pharmacy employees to print prescription labels for Filippone to use with his patients. Filippone used the pre-printed labels and sent the prescriptions back to the Fair Lawn Pharmacy. In order to induce Filippone to prescribe the medically unnecessary pain creams in the exact formulations they wished to obtain, Miller and Marlene Vangelas orchestrated the purchase of Filippone’s medical office and then permitted Filippone to continue to use the premises, for which he routinely failed to pay rent. Miller, Marlene Vangelas, and Ohebshalom conspired to leverage the property to force Filippone to continue to send prescriptions to their pharmacy. Filippone continued to feed prescriptions to the pharmacy, so long as Miller and Vangelas permitted him to remain rent-free in the property.

The count of conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss derived from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for March 3, 2021.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch Jr. in Newark; the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office Matthew M. Modafferi; the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael C. Mikulka; and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Montanez in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua L. Haber and Nicole F. Mastropieri of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division, Newark.

The charges and allegations in the information pertaining to Miller and Marlene Vangelas are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Pennsylvania News Police Blotter

Pittsburgh Man Sought to Have Sex with 10-Year-Old, Finds Out He Was Talking to FBI Agent Instead

by Dinesh Patel October 30, 2020

By: Dinesh Patel

PITTSBURGH, PA – A Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty today to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. According to court documents, in November 2019, Brian Kosanovich, 58, a firefighter living in Pittsburgh, responded to a profile posted by an FBI undercover employee on Alt.com, which is a website that hosts a network of members interested in alternative forms of sexual relationships, including a variety of fetishes, kinks, BDSM, etc. The undercover officer’s profile indicated that she was a single mother with a 10-year-old daughter. After establishing contact on Alt.com, Kosanovich and the undercover officer began communicating via the Kik messaging application. Kosanovich and the undercover officer engaged in extensive conversations of a sexually explicit nature for several months, much of which focused on Kosanovich having sex with the 10-year-old as well as the mother. At several points, Kosanovich engaged in sexually explicit chats with the undercover officer who at the time was posing as the 10-year-old girl herself. Over the period of the investigation, Kosanovich sent the undercover officer nude “selfies” pictures, and a prepaid Visa card so that the mother could buy sex toys to use with the daughter. Ultimately, on February 18, Kosanovich traveled from Pittsburgh to Richmond for the stated purpose of having sex with the mother and daughter, and was arrested by FBI officials upon his arrival.

Kosanovich faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, and a maximum possible sentence of life in prison when sentenced on March 3, 2021. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was 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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David W. Archey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian R. Hood is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:20-cr-103.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

California News Police Blotter

Pasadena Man Kidnapped Chinese Man, Dumped His Body in Mojave Desert

by Dinesh Patel October 30, 2020

By: Dinesh Patel

LOS ANGELES – A Pasadena man pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of conspiring to kidnap a Chinese national who was violently abducted from a San Gabriel parking lot, and whose parents were extorted for $2 million in ransom before the victim died from his injuries.

Anthony Valladares, 28, pleaded guilty to a single-count information charging him with conspiracy to kidnap. He has been in federal custody since July 14, when he was arrested on a criminal complaint in this case.

According to his plea agreement, Valladares admitted to conspiring with others, including Chinese nationals Guangyao Yang, 27, and Peicheng Shen, 34, to kidnap Ruochen “Tony” Liao, of Santa Ana. Valladares was the “muscle” hired to intimidate, beat, and subdue Liao during the kidnapping. Valladares agreed to accept cash for the job, court papers state.

During the summer of 2018, Shen, using an alias, met the victim several times under the pretense that Shen would help the victim collect a debt from another individual, the plea agreement states. During their third meeting, at a San Gabriel shopping center on July 16, 2018, Shen lured the victim to a minivan, where Valladares was hiding, and whose driver was Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, 24, of Azusa, whom Valladares recruited for the conspiracy.

Liao entered the minivan and spoke in Chinese with Shen, who used a specific word to signal Valladares to begin attacking the victim. Once Shen uttered the word, Valladares and Shen violently assaulted Liao, used a taser to subdue him, and ultimately bound and restrained him with a black hood and ties. Valladares admitted to helping Yang acquire the taser used in the kidnapping, and also admitted to acquiring a revolver and bullets for the kidnapping. Romero then drove the minivan to a location in Rosemead, where Liao was moved into a different car, the plea agreement states.

Shen and Yang then took the victim to a house in Corona, where they confined him by binding his legs together, taping his eyes shut, restraining his arms behind him, and confining him in a closet, court papers state.

The day after the kidnapping, the victim’s father received a demand for a $2 million ransom in exchange for the victim’s life, with the money to be deposited into three Chinese bank accounts within three hours, court documents allege. The victim’s father also received photographs of the victim, who was physically restrained in a closet, according to court documents.

Valladares was not physically present for Liao’s death, which occurred when Shen and Yang held him captive, the plea agreement states.

Shen and Yang allegedly drove to the area of Mojave, California, to bury or otherwise dispose of the victim’s body and other physical evidence involved in the crime. Further, Shen allegedly had the closet of the Corona house re-carpeted. Yang also performed internet searches to determine, in effect, how fast a corpse decomposes in soil, court papers state. Liao’s remains were discovered in Mojave late last year.

United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin has scheduled a February 18, 2021 sentencing hearing, at which time Valladares will face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison. The parties have agreed that a prison sentence of at least 12 years but no more than 25 years represents a reasonable and appropriate sentence in this case. Judge Olguin will make the final determination as to the sentence.

Yang and Shen, whose last known U.S. residences were in West Covina, are currently in custody in China on charges filed there related to the kidnapping. Last month, Romero pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kidnap. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2021.

The FBI conducted this investigation, with significant assistance provided by members of the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force, which includes the Pasadena Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julia Choe of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section and Frances Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Massachusetts News Police Blotter

Maine Woman Gets 3 Years for Sending “Anthrax” to U.S. Senator Sue Collins

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

BANGOR, Maine – A Burlington, Maine woman was sentenced in federal court in Bangor today for mailing a threatening communication to Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.

U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Suzanne Muscara, 38, to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On November 4, 2019, following a one-day trial, a jury convicted Muscara of mailing a threatening communication.

According to evidence presented at trial, Muscara mailed a letter containing a white powder to Collins’ Bangor address in October 2018. The letter also contained a handwritten note indicating that the powder was anthrax. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted the letter at a mail sorting facility in Hampden, Maine. The FBI tested the white powder and found that it did not contain toxic substances. The FBI also matched a fingerprint found on the envelope with one of Muscara’s prints. When interviewed, Muscara made clear that she sent the note because she was upset with Collins because of one of her votes.

“American politics is premised on free speech and vigorous debate,” U.S. Attorney, District of Maine, Halsey Frank said. “True threats are not protected speech. They are a crime. Anthrax is a deadly substance that has been used to kill and terrorize. There is nothing funny about it, and the jury in this case rejected the defendant’s claim that her letter was intended as a joke. My thanks to the federal, state and local investigators who worked together as a team to identify this defendant and bring her to justice.”

The FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal, the Maine State Police and the Old Town Police Department investigated the case.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

Police Blotter US and World News

Madison Heroin Dealer Gets 10 Years in Prison

by Breaking Local News Report October 30, 2020

By: Breaking Local News Report

MADISON, WIS. – Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Michael Carroll, 50, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William H. Conley to 10 years in prison for conspiring to distribute heroin.

In September 2019, Carroll arranged to expand his drug-distribution operation from Milwaukee to Madison, Wisconsin. He drove large quantities of heroin, some of which tested positive for fentanyl, from Milwaukee to Madison where he used another person to sell the heroin and collect his money. Between September 13 and November 15, 2019, Carroll conspired to sell heroin to an undercover police officer on multiple occasions. His relevant conduct included over 400 grams of heroin. During the execution of search warrants where he stayed in Milwaukee, law enforcement agents located several hidden firearms.

Carroll has a lengthy criminal history dating back over 30 years, including gun crimes, drug crimes, and a reckless homicide where he shot an innocent person after pointing a gun at someone else. At the time of his arrest, Carroll was on state supervision for three criminal cases, including the reckless homicide. Judge Conley remarked that at age 50, Carroll had yet to make any meaningful deviation from a criminal lifestyle.

The charge against Carroll was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and North Central HIDTA. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.

October 30, 2020 0 comments

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