22-year-old Undocumented Woman Deported To Mexico After Being Convicted For Forgery And DUI, ICE Confirms

Yanelli Hernández-Serrano

Hernández-Serrano who tried to commit suicide multiple times was deported to Mexico on Tuesday.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 31, 2012

Columbus, Ohio - On Tuesday, Yanelli Hernández-Serrano, 22, was deported to Mexico, despite thousands of supporters around the U.S. who contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to keep her from being deported. Hernández-Serrano was deported earlier on Tuesday, according to Khaalid Walls, spokesman for ICE.
Last week, Hernández-Serrano's attorney Jorge Martinez received an ICE notice from Rebecca J. Aducci, ICE Detroit field office director confirming that a petition to suspend Hernández-Serrano's deportation was denied. Martinez wanted for Hernández-Serrano to stay in U.S. because she was suffering from mental illness and would suffer severe hardships, if deported. Her state of mental health prompted Hernández-Serrano to attempt suicide multiple times.
Aducci cited, that Hernández-Serrano had been convicted for forgery and driving while under the influence, both considered criminal offenses by ICE. Hernández-Serrano was sentenced to nine months in jail for the state offenses.
Also, that attorney Martinez had failed to submit any type of documentation to prove Hernández-Serrano was actually suffering from a mental illness or she was having any hardships, according to Aducci.
What Aducci failed to mention was that Hernández-Serrano was stopped last year in April by a Fairfield, Ohio police officer on suspicion of driving under the influence. When asked for a license or an ID, she presented a Mexican Consulate ID (Matricula Consular). The officer charged Hernández-Serrano for having a forged document. The Mexican Consular ID is provided to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. by a Mexican Consulate as a form of ID.
She was sent to an ICE detention center in Butler County in Ohio, suffered from depression and had tried to commit suicide three times.
An evaluation was done on Hernández-Serrano by Dr. Michael Newton who diagnosed her with mood disorder and border line personality disorder.
ICE officials allegedly kept legal defense documents from Hernández-Serrano to keep her from defending herself when she appear before an immigration judge on January 25 and was ordered to be deported, according to Drean Activist dot org. A common practice by ICE, keeping or not allowing access to legal defense documents or files from undocumented immigrants assures ICE, that immigrants can't provide a proper defense. Thus, losing any chance for them to stay in the U.S.
Hernández-Serrano first entered the U.S. alone at the age of 13 and had lived in the Columbus, Ohio area for almost ten years.

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MPS Teacher And Student Busted By Officer With Their Underwear Below knees In Rear SUV Seat At Vacant Lot

Tammi L. Monty

Sixth grade teacher suspended from Milwaukee Public School District.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 31, 2012

Milwaukee - On Tuesday, Milwaukee Public School (MPS) sixth grade teacher Tammi L. Monty, 40, was charged with one felony count of child enticement, including sexual contact. Monty and a14-year-old male eight grade student were busted by a Milwaukee police officer inside an SUV in the rear seat with their underwear below the knees, according to the criminal complaint and search warrant affidavit.
The officer patrolling the area saw Monty's SUV parked at a vacant lot at the 3000 block of S. 20th St. around 2:25 a.m. and went to investigate. When the officer looked inside, he saw both the teenager and Monty semi-nude from the waste down.
The teenager told the officer, that Monty had called him earlier in the night and wanted to "hang out" (see him). She picked him up from the south side of Milwaukee at about 1:30 a.m. and drove to the vacant lot near the 6th Police District Station.
Monty wanted to have sex with the teenager and asked him to undress, when he was about to put on a condom, they were busted by the intruding officer.
Apparently, the investigation revealed that Monty had asked the teenager to send her a picture of his genitals. She had previously send him a photo of her breasts, according to the complaint.
Monty was suspended without pay as a teacher over the weekend from Manitoba Elementary School in the south side, according to school officials. She had worked for MPS since 2002 and had taught the teenager in the sixth and seventh grade. He is a former Manitoba student, according to Gregory E. Thornton, Superintendent of Milwaukee Public School District.
Monty is expected back in court for a preliminary hearing on February 8th and a cash bond of $5,000 was set. If convicted, Monty is facing up to 25 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

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Cold Case DNA Identified Homicide Suspect After More Than 32 Years In Bridgewater, Pennsylvania

Gregory Scott Hopkins

Photo: AP

Homicide suspect was boyfriend who admitted to police in 1979 he hadn't had sex with the victim at her apartment for over a month before her death.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 31, 2012

Bridgewater, Pennsylvania - On Monday, Beaver County District Attorney Anthony J. Berosh during a press conference announced the arrest of Pennsylvania builder Gregory Scott Hopkins, 65, on Sunday for the September 1, 1979 murder of Catherine Janet Walsh, 23, of Monaca. Hopkins was Walsh's boyfriend at the time. After more than 32 years ago, police had questioned him just seven hours after Walsh's body was found at her apartment by her father, according to cold-case records.
Police determined Walsh's death as a homicide caused by strangulation, according to an autopsy.
Hopkins told police in 1979, that he hadn't had sex with the victim at her apartment for over a month before her death. Police in 2010, resubmitted DNA evidence found in a light-blue bandana around Walsh's neck, a rope, which was used to bound her hands behind her back, nightgown and bedsheets at the crime scene to a state crime forensic lab for analysis. A break resulted in the cold-case, after the crime scene DNA matched Hopkins. DNA technology didn't exist back then, according to Berosh.
Hopkins has operated a local building and construction business since Walsh's homicide and was elected as a Republican to the Bridgewater City Council in 2010. Hopkins is expected to plead not guilty in the case.

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Cabrera Files Appeal With Arizona Supreme Court To Vacate Lower Court Decision To Keep Her Off The Ballot

Alejandrina Cabrera

Photo: Yuma Sun dot com

Cabrera's lawyers claim state law doesn't provide standards for English proficiency to hold public office and keeping her off the ballot violates her Constitutional rights.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 31, 2012

Phoenix, Arizona - The Yuma Sun reported that lawyers for Alejandrina Cabrera, a San Luis City Council candidate had confirmed, that an appeal was filed with the Arizona Supreme Court challenging a lower court decision to keep their client off the March primary election ballot due to a lack of English proficiency. On Monday during a press conference, Attorneys John Garcia and John Minore repesenting Cabrera said, that last Friday an appeal was filed and they're expecting for the high court to decide by February 7, if it will hear Cabrera's case. They are claiming, the state law requiring English proficiency doesn't provide specific guidelines to determine proficiency to hold public office. The lower court decision to keep Cabrera off the ballot violates her Constitutional rights, according to attorneys.
On January 25, Yuma County Superior Court Judge John Nelson ruled that Cabrera should be taken off the ballot after William Eggington, a sociolinguistics expert determined she lacks English proficiency skills to run for public office as required by state law.
Cabrera, a U.S. citizen graduated from Kofa High School in Yuma. She apparently dominates the Spanish language, but does know enough English to defend her right as an American to run for public office and stand her ground against all odds.
Cabrera's challenge to determine, if she can actually understand, speak and write English to hold public office was first brought up by Mayor Juan Carlos Escamilla. Escamilla filed a complaint in court claiming Cabrera lacks sufficient English skills to hold a four-year San Luis City Council position. All the work such as city ordinances, minutes, public agenda, legal documents, committee and council meetings are done in the English language. Cabrera, if elected could struggle to understand some of the council's work, but could very well represent those who elected her.
At least 90 percent of the population in San Luis City can speak both languages, English and Spanish. But Spanish is the dominent daily life language for a majority of people living in San Luis. Spanish is used and spoken in stores, restaurants, churches, and many other areas of the city due to close proximity to the Mexican border.
Cabrera's plight to run for the city council began after she initiated a recall against Mayor Escamilla for approving a utility price hike and laying off 12 city employees inorder to balance the city budget deficit.
She plans to continue to campaign for office, despite the lower court challenge.

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35-year-old Zeta Member Confessed To Have Participated In 75 Bus Passenger Homicides In Nuevo León

Enrique Elizondo Flores

Zeta in charge of the municipalities of Cerralvo and General Treviño implicated in 75 murders.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 30, 2012

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico - On Monday, Jorge Domene Zambrano, spokesman for the state of Nuevo León Security Department announced the arrest of Enrique Elizondo Flores, 35, aka, "El Arabe or El Cuervo," who allegedly confessed to killing at least 75 bus passengers. Flores, originally from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas was arrested on January 20, and is accused of killing, burning the bodies of a mother and her child after kidnapping them on May 2, 2010. He also kidnapped 50 bus passengers traveling through the municipality of Cerralvo and participated in murdering 15 of them with an AR-15 rifle.
In March 2011, Flores also murdered at least 35 bus passengers travelling through Celaya, Guanajuato. The victims were all from the state of Guanajuato.
Flores was in charge of controlling Zeta operations in the municipalities of Cerralvo and General Treviño. He and other Zeta members committed other homicides involving rival cartel members. They stopped buses travelling from Reynosa going through Cerralvo and checked, if suspected rival Gulf Cartel members were trying to take over Flores' Zeta region.
Flores' arrest wasn't  reported earlier, because Mexican state authorities had to confirm the series of homicides committed by the suspect, said Adrián de la Garza, the Nuevo León Attorney General during a press conference.

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Santa Maria Police Officers Banned From Fellow Officer Covarrubias Funeral, Father Says

Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr.

Photo: Family/KSBY dot com

Officer Covarrubias' father told local media that Santa Maria police officers are not welcome at son's funeral later this week.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 30, 2012

Santa Maria, California - On Sunday, Albert Covarrubias Sr., the father of slain Santa Maria Police Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr., 29, told KSBY dot com News that fellow officers and supervisors from the Santa Maria Police Department would not be welcome at his son's funeral. Officer Covarrubias was shot and killed on early Saturday by his best friend Officer Matthew Kline, after Covarrubias allegedly tried to resist arrest for sexual misconduct of a 17-year-old high school girl.
Several police supervisors went to where Officer Covarrubias was working at a DUI sobriety checkpoint just after 1:20 a.m. to take Covarrubias into custody when he allegedly resisted, struggled with the arresting officers and then fired his weapon at them. His best friend, Officer Kline who was working with Covarrubias in the police motorcycle unit fired his weapon at Covarrubias once, striking him in the chest.
Officer Covarrubias was taken to a hospital, but was later pronounced dead at the Marian Medical Center.
Officer Kline, an eight year veteran with the department was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Officer Covarrubias worked for the department for four years and had been married for only three weeks.
Covarrubias Sr. and family members are now left asking questions about how police handled the attempted arrest of Officer Covarrubias. No word, if Covarrubias's family will ask the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office for an inquest concerning Officer Covarrubias death.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is investigating Saturday's shooting incident.

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Santa Maria Police Officer Shot By Fellow Cop After Resisting Arrest For Sexual Assault Of A Minor

Albert Covarrubias Jr.

Photo: Family/KSBY dot com

29-year-old officer became aware of internal investigation about allegations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 29, 2012

Santa Maria, California - On early Saturday, Santa Maria Police Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr., 29, was killed by a fellow officer when he resisted arrest and shot at officers. Several police supervisors with a warrant were sent to take Officer Covarrubias, who was on-duty into custody after the internal affairs unit discovered that Covarrubias became aware of an investigation that raised allegations of sexual misconduct involving a 17-year-old girl and trying to intimidate a witness.
Officer Covarrubias apparently had tried to contact the teenager and investigating officers believed, if Covarrubias left his assigned work area, the public could have been at risk. It became paramount to take Officer Covarrubias into custody as soon as possible, according to a police report.
Officer Covarrubias resisted arrest after 1:08 a.m. and struggled with arresting officers. Covarrubias then fired his weapon at the officers. One of the officers at the scene, Officer Matthew Kline returned fire once and fatally wounded Covarrubias in the chest. Officer Kline, who was working the shift with Covarrubias was put in administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation. Kline has worked for the police department for eight years.
Covarrubias was taken to the Marian Medical Center for treatment, but expired, according to Santa Maria Police Chief Dan R. Macagni. Macagni confirmed, that the internal investigation targeting Officer Covarrubias began on Thursday. By Friday, Covarrubias engaged in "witness intimidation" after he learned of the internal investigation against him, according to Macagni.
Shortly before Covarrubias was shot, it was revealed that he had an "inappropriate" and "very explicit" relationship with a teenager.
Officer Covarrubias was married and worked for the department for four years. He was stationed at a driver's license and sobriety DUI checkpoint when Covarrubias was approached by arresting officers.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting incident.
Covarrubias' family released his named, provided a photo of the officer and granted an interview with KSBY dot com News, according to KSBY.

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Barefoot Bandit Gets Maximum Federal Prison Term For Crimes And Signs Hollywood Movie Rights

Colton A. Harris-Moore

Barefoot Bandit sentenced to more than 6 years in a federal prison, including a Hollywood movie contract by 20th Century Fox.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 28, 2012

Seattle, WA - On Friday, Colton A. Harris-Moore, 20, aka, "Barefoot Bandit" of Camano Island, received a maximum sentence under a plea agreement after pleading guilty to seven federal felony counts for aircraft thefts, including interstate transportation of a stolen aircraft during a two year crime spree. Harris-Moore was sentenced in Seattle by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones to 6 1/2 years in a federal prison and three years supervision. The federal sentence under a plea agreement will be served concurrently with a seven year state sentence, according to courts records.
Harris-Moore in December pleaded guilty to 33 felony counts of theft and other related crimes.
Harris-Moore stole vehicles, boats, and at least five planes. He flew a plane from the U.S. state of Indiana to the Island's off the Florida coast, with no flight training, according to the federal indictment.
The charges stemmed from the theft of an airplane from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, on September 29, 2009. The plane crash landed after running out of fuel 260 miles away near Snohomish, Washington.
Harris-Moore had a $10,000 reward offered by the FBI for information leading to his arrest and was considered armed and dangerous. He was serving a three year sentence for trasspassing while inside a vacant home in 2007. He was first convicted at age 12, after Moore was caught with stolen property and a year later at the age of 13, he was convicted of several other crimes.
Harris-Moore was wanted for escaping from a Renton Washington, group home in April of 2008. He had been ordered to stay there after pleading guilty to three felony charges in Island County, Washington, and being sentenced to three years of confinement. As a result of this escape, on March 12, 2009, a felony warrant was issued for Harris-Moore's arrest on October 2, 2009.
He was arrested in Harbour Island, Bahamas on July 2010 while docking a boat. Harris-Moore was labeled the Barefoot Bandit after leaving chalk marks of bare feet inside a convienent grocery store where he broke in to steal items.
Harris-Moore is now the subject of a movie and has signed movie rights of his life to 20th Century Fox in August, according to ABC.

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Morales-Rodriguez Competent To Stand Trial For Double Homicide In Milwaukee

Annette Morales-Rodriguez

Morales-Rodriguez killed pregnant mother to cut out baby.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 28, 2012

Milwaukee - On Friday, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge David Borowski ruled that Annette Morales-Rodriguez, 33, is competent to stand trial. Judge Borowski set a motion hearing for March 8 and a trial date for April 30. Morales-Rodriguez is charged with two felony counts of first-degree intentional homicide, including of unborn in the deaths of Maritza Ramirez-Cruz, 23, and her unborn child on October 6th. If convicted, Morales-Rodriguez is facing a double life sentence without the possibility of parole. She remains at the Milwaukee County jail unable to post a $1 million dollar bail.
She pleaded insanity and was examined by two doctors who confirmed in their medical reports that she does not suffer from mental defect or disability, according to court records.
On Oct. 6, 2011, Morales-Rodriguez met Ramirez-Cruz and offered her a ride. She lured Ramirez-Cruz to her house in Milwaukee's southside. Once inside her residence, Morales-Rodriguez beat Ramirez-Cruz with a baseball bat until she died and then used an exacto knife to extract Cruz' child. The child also died when extracted from Ramirez-Cruz.
Morales-Rodriguez wanted a baby boy to keep her boyfriend, but she couldn't have one.
Both Morales-Rodriguez and Ramirez-Cruz have three other children. Ramirez-Cruz did not know Morales-Rodriguez, according to the criminal complaint.

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Pastor Wanted For Sexually Abusing Up To 13 Minors In Nevada Arrested In Tijuana By State Police

Pastor Otis Vernell Holland

Photo: Baca California State Police

Pastor Holland had fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 27, 2012

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico - On early Thursday, Baja California State Police (BCSP) and the Baja California State Attorney General's Office (PGR) working in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service reported the arrest in Tijuana of fugitive Pastor Otis Vernell Holland, 56, of Las Vegas. A tip by U.S. authorities led BCSP to Holland's residence in Northern Tijuana. He tried to escape from the residence, but was arrested without incident.
Holland is expected to be extradited to the U.S. once he gets processed by Mexican authorities. He is facing multiple felony counts of sexual abuse and assault charges of at least 13 female minors ranging in ages from 13 to 16 in Nevada.
The sexual abuse by Holland began in 1990 and was finally reported to police in December 2010 by one of the victims. By July 2011, at least four more victims came forward and Holland fled the U.S. to avoid prosecution, according to the Henderson Police Department.
Holland was the founder and pastor for the United Faith Church in Henderson, a suburb of Las Vegas, Navada. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

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32-year-old Man Exonerated For A 1993 Murder Is Awarded $25M For Wrongful Conviction

Thaddeus "TJ" Jimenez

Jimenez is currently facing a prison term of three years for a drug possession conviction.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 25, 2012

Chicago - On Tuesday, a federal jury awarded $25 million for damages to Thaddeus "TJ" Jimenez, 32, who was wrongfully convicted for the April 3, 1993 murder of Eric Morro, 19. Jimenez was 13 at the time of his conviction. He was convicted in 1994 and then again in 1997, after an appeal failed and was sentenced to almost 50 years in prison. Jimenez served more than 16 years in prison, before being freed.
He was released on May 1, 2009 from prison, after he was exonerated by a Cook County judge, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Another suspect, Juan Carlos Torres, 30, of Indiana had previously confessed to police for the murder. But police and prosecutors ignored the confession and evidence introduced by Jimenez' defense lawyer.
On a third appeal in 2006, Jimenez sent a letter to the Northwestern Law Center of Wrongful Convictions (NLCWC) to consider his case. They did and the NLCWC was able to convinced the Illinois Attorney General's Office to released Jimenez after evidence showed that three former state witnesses recanted their testimony and no DNA linked Jimenez to the homicide. Which indicated Jimenez was innocent.
The case went back to court and the chief judge in 2009 released Jimenez by granting him a certificate of innocence following the recommendation by the Cook County state attorney general's office. The certificate is equivalent to a governor's pardon, clearing the way for Jimenez to get compensation from the state totaling about $200,000 for the time he served.
He became the first youngest teenager to be convicted for a homicide and later to be exonerated in the U.S., according to Jimenez' attorney.
On December 31, 2009, Jimenez sued a Chicago police detective and other police officers connected to the case in federal court. The defendants named in the lawsuit were the City Of Chicago, Jerome Bogucki, Mark Sanders, Raymond Schalk, F. Montilla, Lawrence Ryan and Robert Whiteman. Jimenez claimed the detective had coerce his confession, manipulated evidence and withheld evidence of his innocence during trial.
A federal jury agreed on Tuesday and awarded Jimenez $25 million in damages.
Torres was arrested in 2009 and charged for Morro's 1993 homicide after Jimenez was released. He was extradited to Illinois from Indiana. Torres is awaiting trial, court records indicate.
Jimenez is currently facing a prison term for drug possession. He was convicted in December of 2011 for a drug (LSD) felony possession charge when he was arrested at his home in early April 2010. He is facing up to three years in prison when he'll be sentence on February 1st.
Jimenez was also charged in a different case in late April 2010 for aggravated assault of a Rosemount public safety officer and possession of marijuana, according to court records.

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U.S. Congresswoman "Gabby" Giffords From Arizona Resigns

Congresswoman Gabielle "Gabby" Giffords from Arizona's 8th Congressional District turned in her letter of resignation on Wednesday.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 25, 2012

Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday, Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords, 41, (D-AZ) submitted her letter of resignation to Speaker John Boehner (R) of The U.S. House of Representatives. Giffords cited that she will concentrate on her recovery and will someday get back into politics.
Giffords also turned in her letter of resignation to Arizona Jan Brewer (R) who will set a special primary and general elections to elect someone to finish Giffords 2012 term.
Giffords was first elected to the U.S. Congress on November 2006 and will not seek re-election.
Her resignation comes more than one year after getting shot at an outdoor political event. Giffords was shot and wounded in the head on January 8, 2011 and 13 people were also wounded and six were reported killed. They were attending an outdoor Giffords' political presentation about "Congress on your Corner" event near Tucson.
The alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, was charged with five federal felony counts, two homicides and three attempted homicides in Giffords' shooting including her staff and a federal judge.
Loughner was charged for the murders of U.S. District Chief Judge John M. Roll, 63, and Gabe Zimmerman, 30, a federal employee and Community Outreach Director for Congresswoman Giffords.
Loughner was also charged with the attempted homicide of Congresswoman Giffords and her two staffers and federal employees Pam Simon and Ron Barber, Giffords Deputy Director.

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Four East Haven Officers, Including Supervisor Indicted For Targeting And Violating The Civil Rights Of Hispanics

East Haven police officers engaged in a pattern of targeting and discriminating members of the Hispanic community by arresting, beating and falsely accusing them of illegal acts.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 25, 2012

East Haven, Connecticut - On Tuesday, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agents arrested four East Haven Police Department (EHPD) officers, including a supervisor. The were charged with with conspiring to violate, and violating the civil rights of multiple Latino residents of the East Haven community.
Assistant Director in Charge, Janice K. Fedarcyk in a news release from the New York Field Office of the FBI stated that, Officers David Cari, Dennis Spaulding, and Jason Zullo, and their supervising sergeant, John Miller were indicted for engaging in one or more of the following blatantly illegal and unethical acts of misconduct.

• They arrested people and searched premises on false pretenses, and filed false reports to support their illegal actions.
• They used excessive and unnecessary force, including Sgt. Miller striking a compliant and handcuffed arrestee.
• Miller reprimanded an officer who did the right thing by reporting this abuse to his superiors.
• They falsely arrested a religious leader and advocate for the Latino community who witnessed their illegal vehicle search, and unlawfully tried to seize video equipment to expunge evidence of their misconduct.
• They continued to try to intimidate the religious leader and others in a further effort to obstruct justice.
• They attempted to impede the Board of Police Commissioners’ investigation of the arrest of the religious leader.
• They attempted to intimidate and silence other East Haven officers by posting thinly veiled threats in the department station-house.

The officers abused their positions of authority to deprive people of their constitutional rights under color of law. In simple terms, they behaved like bullies with badges.
The indictment outlines a four-year pattern of egregious behavior by men sworn to uphold the law as well as enforce it.
FBI Special Agent Jeremy Bell and Supervisory Special Agent Brian Nadeau of the New York FBI’s Civil Rights/Public Corruption Squad investigated the case involving the East Haven officers, Fedarcyk reported.
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut stated, "Today’s indictment should serve as a powerful message that we in the Department of Justice will not tolerate the abuse of power or victimization of civilians by anyone in law enforcement," said U.S. Attorney Fein. "The serious crimes alleged in the indictment undermine the public’s trust in the fine men and women of law enforcement who serve the people bravely and with integrity every day."
Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Civil Rights Division also stated, "The allegations laid out in the indictment are troubling and the Justice Department is committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting cases where we find allegations of police misconduct," said Assistant Attorney General Perez. "The EHPD has a critical mission—to ensure public safety in East Haven. The Civil Rights Division is committed to helping EHPD fulfil that mission effectively while respecting the rights of the people it serves. As deeply rooted as these problems are, I remain optimistic that we can fix them."
If convicted on all counts, Miller is facing 20 years in a federal prison and up to $500,000 in fines; Zullo is facing 20 years and $500,000 in fines: Spaulding is facing 62 years in prison and $1.2 million in fines and Cari is facing 31 years in prison and up to $600,000 in fines.
Each of the four defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
Miller, Spaulding, and Zullo are also charged with one count of use of unreasonable force by a law enforcement officer, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
Additionally, Spaulding is charged with two counts and Cari with one count of deprivation of rights for making arrests without probable cause. Each of these counts carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000.
Finally, Spaulding is charged with two counts and Cari with one count of obstruction of a federal investigation for preparing false reports to justify the false arrests. Each of these counts carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
Deputy United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly and Assistant United States Attorney Krishna R. Patel are prosecuting the case with assistance from the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division.
On Wednesday, East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. apologized for saying he would eat tacos to help the Latino community after 4 police officers were arrested by the FBI for profiling, stopping, arresting and filing false charges targeting Hispanics. He cited stress over the arrests of the officers accused of discriminating members of the Latino community got the best of him and inflamed the situation even more. His comment was made on Tuesday during an interview with a WPIX news reporter.
When asked by the reporter, what would he do for the Latino community?, Maturo said, "I might have tacos when I go home. I'm not quite sure yet...I may go and have a Latino dinner in the Latino community."

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Lopez Facing Life For Alien-Smuggling Operation Resulting In Five Deaths

Armando García-Lopez

Photo: Brewster County Sheriff's Office

Alien smuggling ring leader who eluded feds for seven years convicted and is facing life in prison.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 24, 2012

Pecos, Texas - A federal jury convicted Armando García-Lopez, 43, formerly of Tornillo, Texas in connection with a 2004 alien smuggling operation, which resulted in five deaths. Lopez was the ring leader of an operation that smuggled undocumented immigrants into the U.S. from Mexico.
Lopez had evaded prosecution for seven years, but was arrested on April 29, 2011 by federal authorities in Alpine, Texas. Lopez was convicted for one count of conspiring to transport aliens resulting in death; three counts of illegally transporting aliens resulting in death; three counts of aiding and abetting the illegal transportation of aliens; and six counts of aiding and abetting the harboring and concealing of an alien.
Lopez will be sentenced on April 16, by U.S. District Judge Robert Junell and is facing life in a federal prison without the possibility of parole.
The indictment states, that on April 5, 2004, a trailer rig driven by Melinda O'Brien, 43, of Floyada crashed head-on with another 18-wheeler rig. The fatal collision occured on Highway 285 about 18 miles south of Pecos, Texas.
Six illegal aliens were travelling inside O'Brien's semi-trailer sleeping cab and three died at the scene, including O'Brien. O'Brien worked for Lopez. Those killed in the crash were identified as, Marie Elena Martinez García, 18, Hermillo Mayen Luna, 44, and Mario Antonio Camacho (age unknown) from Michoacan, Mexico. Three other injured undocumented immigrants also travelling with O'Brien who survived the accident were identified as Jessica Guevara, 16, Marcello Castillo Reyes, 23, and Jose Canizal Padilla, 28. 
Another crash victim, Paul "Wes" Wilkins, 28, of Kermit also died after crashing his 1999 Ford truck into O'Brien's overturned rig.
Evidence presented to the jury established that Lopez recruited stash house operators and drivers to transport illegal aliens. Testimony during the trial also revealed that the six undocumented alien passengers in O'Brien's semi-trailer were part of Lopez's smuggling operation.
Lopez conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in Fort Stockton, Alpine and El Paso, Texas, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Miller, Jr., Western District of Texas, successfully prosecuted the case, according to a news release issued by ICE on Monday.
Seven other members of the Lopez illegal alien smuggling operation were also indicted, convicted and sentenced.

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29-year-old Man Facing Charges For Two Separate Child Abductions And Sexual Assaults In Pueblo, Colorado

Jose Humberto Garcia

Suspect allegedly checked out ex-girlfriend's daughter out of school and fondled her at his residence before returning her to school. He later abducted a second child.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 24, 2012

Pueblo, Colorado - On Monday, Jose Humberto Garcia, 29, appeared at a Pueblo County court preliminary hearing to determine, if their was probable cause to charge him with abduction of a child. He is facing a second-degree felony charge for kidnapping and one felony count for sexual assault of child.
The Pueblo police investigation affidavit says, Garcia on early last Thursday went to the Columbian Elementary School and checked out his ex-girlfriend's 9-year-old daughter from school giving an excuse she had a dentist appointment. Garcia took the child to his residence around 10:00 a.m. and then fondled her. Shortly after, he then returned the child to her school, according to the police affidavit.
His ex-girlfriend lives next door to the Cordova family. Garcia is also facing abduction and sexual assault charges in the abduction of Calysta Cordova, 9.
Later on Thursday afternoon, Garcia allegedly abducted Cordova as she walked home from the Columbian Elementary School. The next day, Cordova managed to escape from Garcia at about 9:00 a.m. on Friday and went into the Circle K convenience store near Colorado Springs and called 9-1-1.
Garcia tried to get Cordova to leave with him, but Cordova told him that she had called police. Garcia fled the scene and was later taken into custody near a bus terminal in Colorado Springs without incident about 7 1/2 miles from the Circle K store.
Garcia's truck had a mechanical breakdown on Friday morning near the Circle K. A man driving by offered Garcia and Cordova a ride to the store. Cordova immediately took advantage of the situation and escaped into the store and called police.
When police and FBI agents arrived, Cordova was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for two black eyes and bruises incurred while accompanied by Garcia.
Garcia remains in jail unable to post a $250,000 bond, according to court records. He remains segregated from the rest of Pueblo County jail inmates and is on a suicide watch.

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Virginian Serial Butt Slasher Taken Into Custody In Peru

Photo: Diario Digital Barahona

Johnny D. Guillén Pimentel

Butt slashing suspect fled the U.S. to avoid prosecution.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 23, 2012

Lima, Peru - INTERPOL has confirmed the arrest of Johnny D. Guillén Pimentel, 40, aka, "Corta Nalgas or Butt Slasher" in Lima. Pimentel was taken into custody on January 13, in Peru, according to Jair Quedas, systems operator for INTERPOL in Peru. Pimentel fled the U.S. in December to avoid prosecution and arrived in Peru on December 9th. He moved twice around Lima to avoid detection, but was arrested by police at a commercial mall in the province of Callao.
The U.S. government has requested an extradition order for Pimentel, which could take up to three months to return Pimentel to the U.S. to face multiple felony charges.
The Fairfax Police Department in Virginia charged Pimentel with at least 10 felony counts for slashing the butts of at least 10 women ranging in their teen's to 20's. Six of the victims ranged in ages 15-17.
The butt slashing occured at several retail stores in Fairfax malls where Pimentel was able to distract them and then slashed their butts while bending over to pick up clothes causing severe cuts. One woman, suffered a 1 1/2 inch long cut in her buttocks  at a Forever 21 store on July 25, 2011, according to a police complaint.
The butt slashing assaults by Pimentel took place between February 2011 and July 2011. Victims told police, that they saw a man picking up fallen clothes from a rack and then they felt a pinch believing they were poked by one of the metal hangers. But later, they found that they were slashed in the buttocks.
Pimentel apparently acted on a fetish to inflict injury to young women at retail stores.

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Mexican Zeta Homicide Fugitive Barraza Bocanegra Evades Justice For Killing Activist Escobedo Ortiz In Chihuahua

More than a year has passed and alleged Escobedo Ortiz killers remain at large in the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 23, 2012

Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico - Sergio Rafael Barraza Bocanegra, 25, and a 30-year-old accomplice who allegedly were involved in several homicides remain at large. Bocanegra, an alleged Zeta member previously confessed to murdering Rubí Marisol Frayre Escobedo, 16, and is also implicated in hiring an accomplice to murder her mother, Marisela Escobedo Ortiz, 52, on December 16, 2010.
Last year, the Chihuahua state Attorney General's Office (PGR) recovered a handgun used in the Escobedo Ortiz murder. The handgun used was a semi-automatic 9mm, Sig Saber model P239, which was implicated in 12 other homicides as well. Mexican authorities say, ballistic tests indicated the gun was used in 12 homicides between April to August 2011, including the Escobedo Ortiz murder.
The PGR in Chihuahua released the sketch of the alleged 30-year-old suspect who shot Escobedo Ortiz several times including a fatal shot to the head. The PGR is offering $3 million pesos ($230,770 U.S.) for information leading to the arrest of the 30-year-old suspect. Authorities have identified the suspect, but have yet to release the suspect's name.
The Mexican government is offering $5 million pesos ($384,616 U.S.) for information leading to Bocanegra's arrest. Bocanegra is accused of taking part in the planned killing of Escobedo Ortiz on December 16 and the September 2008 murder of Frayre Escobedo. He had confessed to killing Frayre Escobedo and even led police to a hog farm where her dismembered body was found.
Bocanegra is believed to be leaving with his new girlfriend and several kids in Fresnillo, Zacatecas, Mexico, according to Escobedo Ortiz' family.
The day Escobedo Ortiz was killed, she was outside the Chihuahua state government building in the city of Chihuahua for nine days staging a protest and demanding justice from Governor César Duarte and the Chihuahua Attorney General's Office.

(Building video of chase and murder of Escobedo Ortiz at link: http://goo.gl/DvHPH )

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Gabrielle Giffords To Resign From The U.S. Congress Later This Week

U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords

Photo: NBC

After more than one year of getting shot, Congresswomen Giffords will resign.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 22, 2012

Tucson, Arizona - On Sunday, a news release informed that after more than one year ago of suffering an inflicted gunshot wound to the head, U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords, 41, (D-AZ) representing the 8th District will resign this week. Giffords decided to resign and devote her time to getting well. She has made a remarkable recovery, but is slowly recovering and won't be able to run for re-election.
“I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona, I will step down this week,” the congresswoman said in a video message released today to her constituents.
Giffords, a third-generation Arizonan who served five years in the state Legislature before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2006, will not seek re-election this fall.
Giffords vowed that her career in public service has not come to an end. “I will return and we will work together for Arizona and this great country,” Giffords said.
Giffords is expected to turned her letters of resignation later this week to both Speaker John Boehner of the U.S. House of Representatives and to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. The governor will set the date for a special primary and general elections to determine who will serve the remainder of Giffords’ term in 2012.
She is expected to attend President Barack H. Obama's State of the Union speech at the Capitol on Tuesday night.
Giffords was shot and wounded in the head on January 8, 2011 and 13 people were also wounded and six were reported killed. They were attending an outdoor Giffords' political presentation about "Congress on your Corner" event near Tucson .
The alleged shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, was charged with five federal counts, two homicides and three attempted homicides in Giffords' shooting, including her staff and a federal judge.
Loughner is facing federal homicide charges for the murder of U.S. District Chief Judge John M. Roll, 63, and Gabe Zimmerman, 30, a federal employee and Community Outreach Director for Congresswoman Giffords.
Loughner is also charged with the attempted homicide of Congresswoman Giffords and her two staffers and federal employees Pam Simon and Ron Barber, Giffords Deputy Director.

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Paterno Confirmed Dead On Sunday After False Reports Surfaced on Saturday Night

Legendary former Penn State coach Joe Paterno dies a day after false reports surfaced that he died.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 22, 2012

State College, Pennsylvania - On early Sunday, former Penn State coach Joe Paterno died at the age of 85, after being removed from a life support machine. The Paterno family released a statement on Sunday confirming his death after false reports had spread on Saturday night that he had expired. The family reported, that he was in critical condition at the time.
Paterno on Sunday subcummed to a lung cancer illness and died. A Paterno family released statement read, "It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled."
The anticipated news report of his death on Saturday night was first reported by Onward State, a student newspaper online. The report was than picked up by CBSSports dot com and went viral on the mainstream media.
The Onward State managing editor announced he would resign after the mishap and was surprised CBSSports grabbed the anticipated news of Paterno's death and did not attribute the report to Onward State, eventhough it broke the news without confirmation.
People began gathering outside Penn State on Sunday morning where a statue of former coach Paterno still stands, after it was confirmed that he had expired. Paterno, the legendary coach gained his 409th football career victory at Penn State two weeks before a sex abuse scandal broke at Penn State.
Last year, Paterno was removed as head coach of Penn State in the middle of the football season by the Penn State Board of Directors after a scandal broke about child sex abuses by former Pennsylvania State University football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Paterno and Penn State University president Graham Spanier allegedly didn't report the child sex abuse by Sandusky to police. Spanier was forced to resign and Paterno was fired for not doing enough to report the child sex abuse in 2001.
Sandusky was charged with 42 counts of child molestation dating from 1994 to 2009 involving at least eight boys, according to court records.

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Mexicanbilly Pointy Boots Style Spreading Tribal Fever In The U.S.

(L-R) Gabriel Rodríguez Flores, Saul Nicolás Coronado and Martin Hernández Rodríguez show off the pointy boots.

Photo: Edith Valle/VICE dot com

A growing boot style fashion trend hits the U.S.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 21, 2012

Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico - The Mexicanbilly pointy (exotic) boots originated in Matehuala, nearby municipalities and townships as a passtime and recreational musical dancing hobby by teenagers. Teenagers and adults with the boot making trade skill began to create boots with a stretched point to impress their friends, neighbors and girlfriends. The style took a while to catch, since the traditional boot point was short and stylist for decades and centuries.
The Mexicanbilly boots began to show up at outdoor rodeos and community events, which included dance contests. People at first, laughed at those wearing the strange looking pointy boots and the way it made people walk. Soon after, people from other areas began to pickup the style and competed against each other at rodeo contests and shows.
Today, the length of the pointy boot is limitless, as long as you can walk without sticking the point up someones behind, which would be considered disrespectful. Besides that, wearing the Mexicanbilly boots are an attention grabber and a conversation piece where ever you wear them at or exhibit them.
Tribal music was also created to allow those wearing the Mexicanbilly boots to show off their boots while dancing. The music was composed with a mixture of house, colombian cumbia, flutes and prehispanic culture from the mountainous region. The tribal dance included Aztec steps and other Mexican cultural style of dancing steps. A whole new choreography was born in Matehuala and it soon extended to rodeos around the region and has also been introduced in the U.S., especially in the Texas-Mexican bordertowns.
Since last year, tribal Mexicanbilly pointy boot contests have been flourishing in Texas and other parts of the U.S. where large Mexican populations reside. A mix of a long boot point and tribal music have attracted those with curiosity and those who are seeking a good laugh. Many people have been impressed and conquered by the tribal Mexicanbilly style.
Some who wear the Mexicanbilly pointy boots have even added LED lights to them and have adorn the boots with all types of flashy decorations. Competition, showing off and dancing for enjoyment are the essence of tribal dancing with the Mexicanbilly boots.  

Mexican pointy boots video at following link: http://tinyurl.com/MXPointyBoots

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9-year-old Girl Escapes From Abductor In Colorado Springs And Calls 9-1-1

Jose Humberto Garcia

Suspect arrested without incident in connection with the abduction of a 9-year-old girl.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 21, 2012

Colorado Springs - On Friday, Colorado Springs police arrested Jose Humberto Garcia, 29, in connection with Thursday's abduction of Calysta Cordova, 9, from the City of Pueblo, Colorado. Garcia apparently on occassion stayed with his ex-girlfriend who lives next door to Cordova, according to family members. Cordova disappeared while walking home from the Columbian Elementary School. Her parents reported missing and an Amber Alert was send out throughout the area by the Pueblo Police Department.
The next day, Garcia's truck broke down near the Circle K convenience store. A man driving by noticed Garcia and a young girl stranded on Woodman Road and Orchard Valley. The man offered them a ride to the Circle K convenience store, located at 7055 Commerce Center Drive.
Once at the store, Cordova went into the store and asked to use the phone and called 9-1-1. Garcia came into the store and tried to take Cordova with him. But, she refused and told him she had called police. Garcia fled the scene without Cordova.
Colorado Springs Police received Cordova's call shortly after 9:00 a.m. and police, a K-9 unit, FBI agents and other law enforcement officials responded to the call at the Circle K. They found Cordova safe inside.
Police distributed a photo of Garcia and police began to search for the suspect at all public transportation terminals in the area. An employee at a bus terminal 7 1/2 miles away from the Circle K recognized Garcia and called police. A police officer patrolling the area then spotted Garcia walking near a bus terminal in Colorado Springs and arrested him.
Cordova was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. She had two blackeyes and visible bruises, according to police.
Garcia was also wanted for questioning concerning a previous incident earlier in the week in Pueblo. Garcia's ex-girlfriend called police on Thursday after he took her 9-year-old daughter to his house without her permission and fondled her. She says, Garcia was drunk at the time and had known Garcia for four years.

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Jude Awarded $2 Million Tentative Lawsuit Settlement For 2004 Beating By Off-duty Milwaukee Police Officers

Frank Lee Jude Jr.

The Milwaukee Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett would have to approve the $2 million tentative settlement agreement for Jude.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2012

Milwaukee - On Friday, Frank Lee Jude Jr., 33, who was beaten by 15 off-duty Milwaukee police officers at a party in 2004 was awarded a tentative settlement of $2 million dollars by the city as a result of a civil lawsuit. Jude's attorney Jon Safran confirmed the tentative settlement.
Jude and his wife, Maria filed a $30 million lawsuit for damages on June 19, 2006 and named all the officers involved, including Bartlett's wife, a former officer, Milwaukee Police Department and the City of Milwaukee. Jude received the settlement award figure in mediation when an agreement was reached on early Friday. The agreement was later announced in federal Judge Lynn Adelman's U.S. District Court room in Milwaukee.
The Jude settlement called for the City of Milwaukee to pay a total of $2 million to Jude. The Milwaukee Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett would have to approve the settlement award.
The incident occured when Jude attended a southside Bayview party with two friends Katie Brown and Lovell Harris. During the party, Jude was jumped outside and beaten by Milwaukee police officers on October 24, 2004, while Brown witnessed Jude's assault.
At least 15 Milwaukee officers were involved in the brutal beating of Jude, after the host of the party accused Jude of stealing his police badge and wallet. The badge was never recovered by the department.
Former Police Chief Nannette Hegerty fired eight officers in May 2005. Former officers Jon Bartlett, Daniel L. Masarik and Andrew Spengler were each charged with one felony count for substantial battery. Both Bartlett and Masarik were charged with 2nd-degree reckless endangering safety. Masarik was also accused of perjury in connection with Jude's beating.
Officer Nicole Belmore testified at a Milwaukee County Circuit Court trial that Bartlett and Masarik had kicked Jude while he was handcuffed and then Bartlett put a knife at Jude's neck. But a state jury on April 14, 2006 acquitted Bartlett, Masarik and Spengler. The jury became deadlock on a felony charge of substantial battery and couldn't reach a verdict.
On October 19, 2006, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Bartlett, Spengler, Masarik, Ryan Lemke and Ryan Packard for violating Jude's civil rights. Packard was indicted for violating Jude's and Lovell Harris civil rights under the color of state law and assaulting Jude. Three other officers, Joseph Stromei, Jon Clausing and Joseph Schabel pleaded guilty to related crimes in connection with Jude's beating. Schabel admitted that he stomped on Jude's head several times under a plea agreement and immunity from being charged for perjury, according to court records.
On July 2007, Lemke under a plea agreement pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
On July 26, 2007, a federal jury found Bartlett, Masarik and Spengler guilty on two counts. Packard was aquitted on two counts.
On November 29, 2007, Bartlett was sentenced to 208 months in a federal prison, Masarik was sentenced to 188 months in prison and Spengler was sentenced to 188 months in prison and each of them received 3 years supervision.
On December 6, 2007, Schabel was sentenced to 32 months in prison and Clausing was sentenced to 28 months in prison, according to court records.

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P&H Mining Shovel Blocks S. Layton Blvd. For Several Hours In Milwaukee

Photos: HNG

Mining electric shovel shell blocks traffic on snowy conditions.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2012

Milwaukee - On early afternoon Friday, transport workers for P&H Mining Equipment Manufacturing were faced with a temperary dilema when a flatbed trailer carrying a large mining shovel got stuck while making a turn on S. Layton Blvd. The driver of the trailer going eastbound on W. National Ave. made a wide right turn going south on S. Layton (S. 27th) and became stuck.
Milwaukee police had to block off southbound traffic on Layton and eastbound traffic on National for more than several hours. Tow trucks were called to help move and manuver the flat bed to get it lineup with the street.
No heavy damage was reported by police or P&H Mining Equipment Manufacturing who manufactured the huge electric mining shovel at the 4000 block of W. National Ave.

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New York Rival Gang Members Bragged About Murder On Twitter Which Led To Their Arrest

Gangs bragged about crimes on the social media.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2012

Brooklyn, New York - On Thursday, New York Police and other law enforcement agencies arrested 43 gang members from two rival gangs, the Waves and the Hood Starz. The gang members ranging from the age of 17 and older bragged about their murders, shootings and other crimes, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly announced.
They used Twitter to brag about their criminal acts by posting slang comments referring to their criminal acts. They were involved in 6 homicides, 32 robberies, 36 shootings and other crimes, according to Kelly.
Some of the gang members remained at large and those taken into custody are facing murder, assault, robbery and conspiracy charges.
The investigation began in 2010, when police began to notice the postings on Twitter and the rise of criminal acts by both groups.

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Obama Administration Recommending Closure For 1,600 Deportation Cases Reviewed By ICE

Pilot program by ICE initiated since August to review 300,000 pending deportation cases yield recommendations by the Obama administration to close 1,600 of those cases in two cities.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 20, 2012

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that the Obama administration was recommending the closure of 1,600 deportation pending cases from 300,000 cases being reviewed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an unidentified official with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) informed. A new pilot program implemented in Denver and Baltimore yield results, which recommended deportation case closures for 1,600 undocumented immigrants. The program screened 7,923 pending cases for deportation and recommended closure for 1,301 of those cases in Denver.
In Baltimore, 3,759 cases pending deportation proceedings were reviewed and 366 of those cases were recommended to be close as well, according to the DHS official. Those effected by the case closures would be allowed to remain in the U.S.
In December, most of the immigration court dockets were cleared in Denver and Baltimore for those facing deportation with no criminal record.
The undocumented immigrants screened were not held in federal facilities (jails) and were not considered a threat to national security or the public. The final stage for granting a stay would be determine through an extensive background check, including biometric data screening, which fingerprints are used to identify individuals being processed.
If all of the undocumented immigrants screened so far pass the final stage, they would most likely be granted stays, according to the DHS official. The preliminary information has not yet been confirmed by ICE, DHS or made public.
Pilot programs were also in effect in other states, but information hasn't been released.
In August, the Obama administration announced that 300,000 cases marked for deportation proceedings would be reviewed by ICE and DHS. In June, John Morton sent out a memo for field agents, supervisors and ICE attorneys to use discretion in arresting and implementing deportation proceedings for those not considered a threat to national security.

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Brunn Commits Suicide In Georgia Prison Just Days After Getting Life For Killing 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera

Ryan McCabe Brunn

Brunn found unresponsive in Jackson state prison cell and Canton's Police Chief Jeff Lance resigned in wake of independent critical report that claimed, the Canton Police Department violated policies, procedures and mishandled Jorelys Rivera's disappearance case.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 19, 2012

Jackson, Georgia - On Thursday, convicted child killer Ryan McCabe Brunn, 20, was found unresponsive at 4:15 p.m. in his cell at the Jackson state prison. He was later pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m. at a local hospital. Brunn pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without the possiblity of parole on Tuesday for the abduction, enticement, molestation and murder of Jorelys Rivera, 7, on December 2.
Brunn was sent to the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson located in Butts County to begin serving his life term sentence. Brunn's death was confirmed by Kristen Stancil, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Corrections. Stancil did not say how Brunn died, but prison sources say he apparently hanged himself. A prison guard found Brunn hanging in his cell and showed no signs of life after attempts were made to resuscitate Brunn.
Brunn was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to Stancil. Stancil did not say, if Brunn was put under a suicide watch monitoring when he first arrived at the Jackson prison.
Also on Thursday, Canton Police Chief Jeff Lance resigned after a independent investigative report by the LaGrange Police Department found that the Canton Police Department violated their own policies, procedures and handling of the case during the initial investigation into Jorelys Rivera's disappearance. The 19-page report stated, the Canton Police Department lacked leadership in the initial hours of Rivera's disappearance, citing former Chief Lance could not be found during the first 17 hours of Rivera's disappearance making it seem that Rivera's disappearance was a routine run away investigation.
Lance later showed up and then watched a Georgia football game at the police command center. The good thing the report indicated that police presence in the area where Rivera disappeared kept Brunn from getting rid of the body, according to Scott Woods, Canton City Manager.
Brunn having second thoughts added a note to a dumpster where he hid and compressed Rivera's body several times with the garbage. The note led police to find Rivera's body in the dumpster on December 7, next to the apartment building where she was last seen playing near a playground. Brunn worked as a maintence man at the building.
Woods told reporters, that Wednesday's Canton Police Department report led to Lance's resignation and that it was a mutual decision by both Lance and Woods. Woods wished Lance well in his future endeavers and said, that Canton's Assistant Police Chief Todd Vande Zande will serve as interim chief until a permanent chief is hired.
The City of Canton in Georgia is reviewing the police report and policy changes will be made in the Canton Police Department, according to Woods.

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ICE Deports 40-year-old British Man For Sexual Assault Of A Child In The UK

Man facing a charge for sexual assault of a child in the UK

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 19, 2012

Newark, New Jersey - On Thursday,  John William Perring, 40, a British national was deported to the United Kingdom (UK) in connection with a sexual assault of a 5-year-old child in Essex. The Essex police from the UK had requested an extradition order with the U.S. accusing Perring of sexual assault in his home country.
Perring was arrested in December 2011 by special agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) outside his residence in Orange, N.J., and was subsequently turned over to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations for deportation from the country, according to an ICE news release.

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Seven Chicago Teenagers Charged In Videotape Beating And Robbery Of A 17-year-old Asian Student

Photos: YouTube

Raymond Palomino

Teens attacked Asian teen while videotaping aggravated assault.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 18, 2012

Chicago - On Wednesday, Chicago police confirmed the arrest of seven teenagers, three 15-year-old boys, two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old girl in connection with last Sunday's robbery and beating of a 17-year-old Asian student from Curie Metropolitan High School in an alley. The brutal attack by a gang of teens took place in the suburb of Bridgeport behind the James Ward Elementary School at the 2800 block of S. Princeton Ave. around 4:00 p.m., according to the police.
All of the teenagers wore masks and hoodies during the attack. The 15-year-old girl was able to lure the victim into the alley, in what police suspect was a planned attack. She videotaped the assault and then posted it on YouTube.
Six suspects, which five are Chinese were charged in a juvenile delinquency petition for one count each of aggravated assault (battery) and robbery, They were in juvenile court for a hearing, Judge Terrence Sharkey poseponed the hearing until next Tuesday to allow time to get Cantonese translators for the parents. The juveniles were released to their parents and Sharkey set a curfew of 8:00 p.m. and must maintain a C average grade.
The father of a 17-year-old teenager involved is a Cook County Sheriff deputy, Michael Palomino, 51, turned his son into police when he discovered his son's participation in the beating, according to Mike Sullivan, spokesman for the Chicago Police Department.
The alleged suspect, Raymond Palomino, 17, who was seen in the video without a mask or hoodie during the assault was charged as an adult. Palomino was charged with one count each of aggravated battery and robbery. Palomino appeared in court for a bond hearing on Wednesday. Judge Israel Desierto set a $100,000 bond for Palomino. Palomino unable to post bail remains at the Cook County Jail.
The criminal complaint states, that Palomino told the rest of the attackers to get the victim, once he was lured into the alley by the 15-year-old girl. Palomino is seen repeatedly beating the victim in the face with the victim's shoe. He took the victim's backpack and wallet. He then stole $180 dollars and disposed of the wallet in a nearby sewer. Palomino attends Kelly High School.
The video gang style attack, which went viral on the Internet showed the attackers body slam the victim several times to the ground in the snow, repeatedly kicked him on the face, held him in a chokehold several times and continued to punched him while saying profanities and calling the Asian teenager, "Nigger" as they brutally beat him. The victim is shown bleeding from the face.
Police don't believe the attack was racially motivated, eventhough the attackers were calling out the "N" word throughout the assault.
After more than several minutes of being beaten, the Asian teen was able to break away and flee. He was chased down the alley and the videotaping stops. They caught up with the victim after he ran as shown in the video. When they saw an adult in the area, they let the victim leave, according to the criminal complaint.
The Asian teenager was later treated at a local hospital for lacerations to the mouth and face, according to police.
The videotape was posted on YouTube and some comments from the attackers were also posted. Others who viewed the video posted comments and identified the attackers by name, which led Chicago police to identify and arrest all of the attackers, according to Sullivan.
Police say, the beating of the victim resulted from a prior unreported incident in October when the victim and other friends got into an altercation with Palomino and one of his friends. The aggravated assault happened in retaliation after months of ongoing negative comments between the two groups on the social network, according to investigators.

Full version assault video on Youtube at link: http://bit.ly/y2ywR3

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Brunn Sentenced To Life In Prison For Killing 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera In Georgia

Ryan McCabe Brunn

Rivera was savagely murdered by Brunn.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 17, 2012

Canton, Georgia - On Tuesday, Ryan McCabe Brunn, 20, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the abduction, enticement, molestation and murder of Jorelys Rivera, 7, on December 2. During sentencing, Brunn admitted to luring Rivera into an empty apartment and then seducing her by making her undress and then killed her.
Once she complied, Brunn tied her up with tape and then cut her with a razor. While she was still alive, he took her to the bathroom and savagely beat Rivera with her own skate until she died. Brunn took her body to a nearby dumpster and compressed her body along with the garbage. Later, Brunn posted a note outside the dumpster leading police to the body.
Rivera showed signs of being bludgeoned, stabbed multiple times and sexually assaulted, according to the criminal complaint.
He told the judge that he never had sex with Rivera. Brunn had been charged with 13 felony counts in Rivera's homicide.
Brunn is from Brooklyn, New York, moved into Canton around November 5 and speaks both English and Spanish, according to his Facebook profile.

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Over 1.9 Million Petition Signatures Filed With GAB To Recall Governor Scott Walker And Lt. Gov. Kleefisch In Wisconsin

Statewide volunteers collected more than 1 million signatures to recall Republican Governor Scott Walker and more than 845,000 to recall Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch (R). Another 86,600 signatures were filed to recall four Republican state senators, including the Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 17, 2012

Madison - On Tuesday, organizers filed more than 1.9 million petition signatures with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) to Recall Governor Scott Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and four Republican state senators. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin, United Wisconsin, grassroots organizations and more than 25,000 volunteers throughout 72 counties in the state gathered enough petition signatures to force a recall election against Governor Scott Walker and Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, both Republicans.
A minimum of the required 540,208 signatures were needed to force a recall election against Governor Walker and Lt. Governor Kleefisch before the January 17, 2012 dateline expired.
Recall Scott Walker organizers had thousands of volunteers screen petitions at an undisclosed location in Madison. They went through line-by-line, name-by-name to screen out errors and mistakes before officially turning over the signatures to the GAB on Tuesday, according to Mike Tate, Chair, Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Tate in a news release says, since Julie Wells of Jefferson County first launched the Recall Walker campaign, volunteers have collected 105,000 signatures in the first 96 hours, 300,000 in the first 12 days and 507,000 in the first month.
The GAB will take about eight or more weeks to sort out and remove duplicate names or names deemed invalid with the aid of a computer program specialized to recognize duplicate names. The recall Walker petitions will be posted online in the GAB website.
Republican Governor Walker supporters who are expected to challenge the recall, will also get a chance to challenge suspected petitions with duplicate names, invalid names or addresses.
The GAB will make the final certification of the recall petitions once they complete their inspection and challenges are exhausted. The recall election will then be scheduled and Governor Walker becomes the first Wisconsin governor to face a recall. The recall Walker and Kleefisch election is expected to cost at least $9 million, according to the GAB.
Governor Walker was in New York City at a Park Avenue $2,500 per person fundraiser when the signatures were filed with the GAB in Wisconsin. The recall election allows Governor Walker to raise an unlimited amount of funds for his re-election campaign.
Walker will be the third U.S. governor to be recall in the nation's history. Only two governors have successfully been recalled, Governor Lynn Frazier from North Dakota in 1921 and Governor Gray Davis from California in 2003.
Petition signatures to recall three Republican state senators were also filed by Democrats with the GAB on Tuesday. They are Senators, Terry Moulton (21,000 signatures), Pam Galloway (21,000 signatures) and Van Wanguard (24,000 signatures). A separate recall committee (non-Democrat) filed 20,600 petition signatures to recall Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald from the 13 Senate District.
The Public Policy Polling (PPP) Democratic firm released a survey on Tuesday, which polled 522 likely Democrat primary voters with a margin of error plus or minus of 4.3 percentage points  showed poll results for four potential Democratic candidates that might challenge Governor Walker in a primary recall election. The potential Democratic candidates were, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who showed a lead with 27 percent of those surveyed compared to Kathleen Falk, former Dane County Executive with 22 percent, Dave Obey, former U.S. Congressman with 21 percent and state Senator Tim Cullen with a mere 11 percent, the PPP reported.

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21-year-old Suspect Indicted By Federal Grand Jury For Attempting To Kill President Obama

Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernández

Ortega-Hernández allegedly shot at the White House trying to shoot at President Obama who wasn't home.

By H. Nelson Goodson
January 17, 2012

Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a news release reported that Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernández, 21, of Idaho Falls, Idaho was indicted by a federal grand jury for attempting to assassinate U.S. President Barack H. Obama. The indictment stems from the November 11, 2011 shooting near the White House.
The federal grand jury in the District of Columbia on Tuesday returned a 17-count indictment against Ortega-Hernández, who has been in custody since his arrest on November 16, 2011. In addition to the attempted assassination charge, Ortega-Hernández was charged with assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, injuring property of the United States, and related firearms charges. The grand jury returned criminal charges against Ortega-Hernández for violating District of Columbia law as well. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Ortega-Hernández, if convicted on all charges is facing a possible prison term of life imprisonment.
According to the government’s evidence, on November 11, 2011, at about 9 p.m., the defendant, Ortega-Hernández drove his Honda Accord westbound in the 1600 block of Constitution Avenue NW. He stopped the vehicle just past the entrance to the Ellipse, and fired several rounds at the White House. No one was reported injured.
FBI investigators examined the building and located several confirmed bullet impact points on the south side of the building on or above the second story residence area. Several bullets and fragments also were collected in the area near the impact points, the FBI reported.

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