U.S. News by State - Shore News Network

Three Edgecombe County Bridges to be Replaced Along Seven Bridges Road

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

ROCKY MOUNT, NC – A trio of Edgecombe County bridges on Seven Bridges Road will be replaced under a nearly $2.2 million contract the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded last month. The bridges are clustered near Swift Creek on the roadway northeast of Rocky Mount. This short stretch will close next spring, when National Bridge Builders LLC of Kernersville will begin the project. The contractor will replace one bridge at a time and not reopen this section of roadway until all three bridges are rebuilt. The detour will send drivers onto Wells, Speights Chapel, Battleboro-Leggett and Morning Star Church roads. The contractor may

Jacksonville Man Gets 20 years For Distributing Fentanyl That Resulted In Overdose Death

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Larry Bouknight (34, Jacksonville) to 20 years in federal prison for distributing a controlled substance that resulted in death. Bouknight had pleaded guilty on July 14, 2020. According to court documents, on September 6, 2018, Bouknight sold a Jacksonville woman and her friend a controlled substance that they believed to be heroin, but actually contained fentanyl. After the friend had ingested the narcotic, a relative found her dead in her home later that day. The Jacksonville Medical Examiner’s office subsequently determined that the victim’s cause of death was fentanyl

Chick-fil-A to open distribution center in North Carolina, Creating 160 New Jobs

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

MEBANE, NC – Chick-fil-A, one of the nation’s leading quick service restaurant companies, will locate a major distribution center in Alamance County, investing an estimated $52 million to build the new facility, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The project, part of Chick-fil-A Supply, the company’s new distribution service focused on supplying food and products to its restaurants, will create 160 jobs at the North Carolina Industrial Center in Mebane. It is scheduled to open in early 2022. “North Carolina attracts the nation’s most well-known brands because of our strong workforce and steady leadership, even in a crisis,” said Governor Cooper.

Physician Gets 7 Years for “Pill Mill” Scheme

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

ALEXANDRIA, VA – A former Fairfax doctor was sentenced today to seven years in prison for leading and organizing an extensive and illegal prescription distribution conspiracy and a related health care fraud scheme. According to court documents, Dr. Felicia Lyn Donald, 65, of Great Falls, organized, led, and operated a prescription “pill mill” from at least April 2016 through April 2020. Donald practiced medicine at For Women OB/GYN Associates and NOVA Addiction Center. Donald distributed over 1.2 million milligrams (mg) of Schedule II opioids at or above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline for dosages that a

Florida Attorney Admits Role in $7.5 Million Bank Extortion Scheme

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

NEWARK, N.J. – A Florida attorney today admitted his role in a scheme to extort $7.5 million from a California bank, Attorney for the United States Rachael A. Honig announced. Richard L. Williams, 73, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton to an information charging him with conspiracy to transmit an interstate communication with the intent to extort. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Beginning in May 2020, Williams and his client (Client-1) conspired to extort $7.5 million from a commercial bank headquartered in California (Bank-1). Williams

Rocky Mountain Man Gets to 10 years for Robberies

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

WILMINGTON, NC – A Rocky Mount man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for several robberies. According to court documents, Antonio Devon Lynch, 34 of Rocky Mount, NC, was named in an Indictment, filed on June 3, 2020 charging him with four counts of interfering with commerce by robbery. On August 27, 2020, Lynch pled guilty to two of those counts. According to the investigation, on September 27, 2019, Lynch robbed the Fuel Doc Citgo gas station located on Cokey Road in Rocky Mount using a knife to threaten the cashier. On September 30, 2019, Lynch robbed

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

Leader of Boston Latin Kings Sentenced for Racketeering and Drug Charges BOSTON, MASS – The former leader of the Boston-based Devon Street Kings Chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (“Latin Kings”) was sentenced today on racketeering charges. Wilson Peguero, a/k/a “King Dubb,” 29, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In July 2020, Peguero pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. Named for its origin on Devon

Illegal Alien, Felon Kicked out 4 Times Arrested in Hanover County

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

RICHMOND, VA – An illegal alien who has been deported from the U.S. at taxpayer expense on four occasions, pleaded guilty yesterday to once again illegally entering the United States. According to court documents, Oscar O. Cabrera, 47, an El Salvadoran citizen, has illegally entered the U.S. at least five times. On each occasion, Cabrera has only come to the attention of law enforcement after committing further crimes while in the U.S. illegally. Cabrera was most recently deported in January 2017, after a felony conviction for illegally possessing a firearm. Cabrera also has seven misdemeanor convictions for various crimes, including

Kinston Man Arrested for Carjacking and Gun Charges

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Kinston man was arrested today on charges of carjacking and firearm offenses in relation to a shooting that occurred on November 19, 2020 in Kinston, NC. According to court documents, law enforcement officers responded to a domestic violence disturbance call at a residence. When officers arrived, Robert Lee Strother, 30, turned around, opened fire, striking one officer in the neck. The round shot at the officer proceeded through another occupied residence. The following day, Strother shot an individual then carjacked their vehicle at gunpoint. The vehicle was later recovered but Strother remained at large. On November

Oxford Man Gets 3 Years For Attempting to Flee Police With Gun

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Xavier Santonio Bobbitt of Oxford man was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for possessing firearms as a convicted felon. No stranger to federal courts, this was Bobbitt’s third conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 21, 2020, an officer of the Oxford Police Department was traveling along College Street in Oxford, North Carolina, when he observed a silver 2005 Buick LeSabre improperly pass another vehicle at high speed. The LaSabre continued at a high speed as the officer pursued. The vehicle

Myrtle Beach Man Sentenced to Twelve Years for Distributing Heroin

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

Florence, South Carolina – United States Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr., announced today that Marcus Dwayne Grissett, 37, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute and distributing heroin. Evidence presented to the court showed that on March 28, 2019, officers from the Myrtle Beach Police Department Street Crimes Unit used a confidential informant to make a controlled drug purchase from Grissett. After being provided with police funds to make the purchase, the informant traveled to a parking lot and waited for Grissett’s arrival. After a short phone

California Man Pleads Guilty to Driving Heroin, Fentanyl to Kansas

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

WICHITA, KANSAS – A California man pleaded guilty today to federal charges that officers found more than 9 pounds of fentanyl and more than 8 pounds of heroin when they stopped his car in Kansas, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said. Eduardo Arellano-Sanchez, 24, Cathedral City, Calif., pleaded guilty to one count of interstate travel in furtherance of drug trafficking and one count of using a cell phone in furtherance of drug trafficking. In his plea, Arellano-Sanchez admitted that on Aug. 21, 2019, officers stopped his car in Thomas County, Kan. They found the fentanyl and heroin in his car. He was

NYC Restaurateur Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For Tax Evasion Scheme, Feds Say

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

NYC, NY – Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that ADEL KELLEL, owner of Raffles Bistro, formerly a restaurant located in New York City, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court to two years in prison for perpetrating a tax evasion scheme. KELLEL previously pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein to one count of tax evasion for the calendar years 2011 through 2015. U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe, who accepted KELLEL’s guilty plea, imposed today’s sentence. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Adel Kellel cooked his books to

Philadelphia Man Sentenced to Twelve Years For Drug Trafficking

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

PHILADELPHIA, PA – First Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that Malik Martin a/k/a “Leek”, 37, of Philadelphia, PA was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release by United States Senior District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick for his role in an extensive, national drug trafficking conspiracy. Martin was convicted after a four week trial in October 2018 of conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms of more of marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Martin and his co-conspirators were part of a long-running drug-trafficking organization which distributed thousands of kilograms of marijuana, and

Georgia Governor Kemp Extends COVID-19 State of Emergency

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

Atlanta, GA – On November 30, 2020, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Executive Order 11.30.20.01 and Executive Order 11.30.20.02, extending Georgia’s Public Health State of Emergency until January 8, 2021, and extending current COVID-19 restrictions. Executive Order 11.30.20.02 also includes changes that allow nurses and pharmacists to administer the pending COVID-19 vaccine, including in a drive-thru setting, and permits any nurse or pharmacist to observe patients for the requisite 15 minute window after receiving the vaccine. Both Orders take effect on December 1, 2020 at 12:00 AM. Executive Order 11.30.20.02 runs through December 15 at 11:59 PM. The Governor’s executive orders are

Chambersburg Man Sentenced To 20 Years’ Imprisonment For Child Exploitation

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

HARRISBURG, PA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Brian A. Salvado, age 46, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on November 25, 2020, to 20 years’ imprisonment followed by 15 years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, for exploitation of minors. According to United States Attorney David J. Freed, between 2016 and 2107, Salvado used a dating site and his cellular telephone to communicate online and via text message with 11 minor victims for the purpose of producing child [censored]ography. This case was investigated by the

Central Islip Man Pleads Guilty in Long Island Federal Court to Transnational Fraud Scheme

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

LONG ISLAND, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Ajay Sharma, a citizen of India and the director and owner of APS Technology, a telemarketing call center located in New Delhi, pleaded guilty via videoconference to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a fraudulent scheme directed at thousands of individuals in the United States. Today’s proceeding took place before United States Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson. When sentenced, Sharma faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as forfeiture of $1,005,421 and a fine of up to $2,500,000. Sharma has been detained since his

4,714 new COVID-19 cases in Connecticut Since Friday

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

HARTFORD, CT – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2020: Data updates on testing in Connecticut The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new

Ohio sees record number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations as second wave continues

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have hit an all-time high at 5,060 people hospitalized with the coronavirus across Ohio as compared to just under 1,700 COVID-19 patients on November 1. Of Ohio’s currently hospitalized COVID-19 patients, there are 1,180 individuals in intensive care units and 682 people are on ventilators. According to Dr. Andy Thomas, Chief Clinical Officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, one-third of ICU patients across Ohio have COVID and one-third of individuals on ventilators have COVID. “COVID patients are going to start crowding out other people who need that level of care as

Delaware Emergency Management Director Tests Positive for COVID-19

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Saturday released the following statement on Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director AJ Schall’s positive COVID-19 test result: “A core member of our COVID-19 response team – AJ Schall, the Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency – tested positive for the virus yesterday. He’s currently at home with mild, cold-like symptoms and we’re all wishing AJ a speedy recovery. I spent time around AJ this past Tuesday but I have not been identified as a close contact by the Division of Public Health, based on mask-wearing and social distancing precautions. Out of an abundance of caution,

Here’s where you can get tested for COVID-19 in Delaware

Jessica WoodsDecember 1, 20200

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced the list of community testing sites throughout Delaware this week. Testing locations listed below include pop-up and Curative trailer sites. “Getting tested after you’ve been with others outside of your household will help us track the spread of COVID-19, but it’s also necessary to follow basic prevention measures that we know work,” said Governor Carney. “Wear a mask. Avoid social gatherings with folks outside of your household. Stay home if you’re sick. We need everyone to double down on their efforts

Rochester Police warn motorists to watch for pedestrians during downtown holiday season, light show

Charlie DwyerDecember 1, 20200

ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Police Department is warning motorists to drive safely during the holiday season. Motorcycle units will be watching to see who is naughty and nice on the roads as the holiday shopping season kicks off. This motor unit was downtown Monday night doing selective enforcement. “During this time of year there are a lot of pedestrians out and on the sidewalks enjoying the light show,” police said. “Please use extra caution and obey all traffic and safety laws. Do not block the intersections or crosswalks and remember to continue maintaining social distancing.”

Pennsylvania Attorney Sentenced for Role in $2.7 Million Ponzi Scheme

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

ALLENTOWN, PA – An Allentown, Pennsylvania, attorney was sentenced today to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a $2.7 million investment fraud scheme that victimized his law clients. Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Driscoll of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office made the announcement. Todd H. Lahr, 60, of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania who

Stockton Man Pleads Guilty to Using Brother’s Identity to Steal Social Security Benefits

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

SACRAMENTO, CA — William Frances Stevens, 53, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to theft of government property and aggravated identity theft and has agreed to pay full restitution, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, in 2015, Stevens applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits in California under his true identity. The Social Security Administration (SSA) ultimately denied his application because it did not find him disabled. In 2017, Stevens then stole his brother’s identity and used it unlawfully to apply for SSI benefits again. In his application, Stevens used a fraudulent California driver’s license that

Police capture Woman who robbed Gates Walgreens

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 1, 20200

ROCHESTER, NY – Last Tuesday 11/24/2020 at around 10:25 am the Gates Police responded to the Walgreens on Spencerport Road for the report of a robbery that had just occurred. The suspect in the incident had fled on foot from the Walgreens after obtaining money from the register drawer. Multiple Gates Police Officers, Monroe County Sheriffs Deputies and New York State Troopers responded to the area to conduct a canvass. Unfortunately, the suspect was able to get away prior to resources arriving to the area. On Wednesday 11/25/2020, through our investigation, Gates Police arrested Kassandra Combs (21 years old from