Memphis Police Arrested And Charged Leimome Cheeks For Transporting Two Girls In Pet Kennels After Video Goes Viral

62-year-old woman arrested and charged for transporting two girls in pet kennels.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 10, 2018

Memphis, TN - On Sunday, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) released the following statement that, "Many have inquired about a viral video from Saturday that shows two children being transported in pet kennels in the 3700 block of Elvis Presley Blvd.
"Leimome Cheeks, 62, was arrested and charged with two counts of Child Endangerment."
The video was share in Facebook by many users, according to the MPD.

Fire and Police Commission Approval Of Pursuit Policy For Nonviolent Offenses Has Inadvertently Cost The Life Of Milwaukee Police Officer Charles G. Irvine Jr.

A high pursuit chase by police of a reckless driver resulted in a roll over crash of a police squad car claiming the life of Milwaukee Police Officer Irvine Jr. who was the passenger (partner) of Officer Schulze who was driving and lost control of their police vehicle.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 9, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Saturday, Milwaukee Police Officer Matthew Schulze, 36, the driver of the police squad that lost control and rolled over in a crash claiming the life of his partner, Milwaukee Police Officer Charles G. Irvine Jr., 23, has been released from the hospital. Officer Schulze and Officer Irvine were in pursuit of a reckless driver on Thursday who failed to stop, when they got into an accident. The reckless driver of the fleeing vehicle was later stopped by other officers and three suspects, two males and one female were taken into custody pending criminal charges.
It is not clear, nor information has been made available, if both Schulze and Irvine were wearing their seatbelts. Police squad cars usually don't come equipped with roll over bars to protect officers involved in such crashes and roll overs.

Last year, the Fire and Police Commission (F&PC) approved for Milwaukee Police officers to engage in pursuits for nonviolent crimes and also in 2017, 13 members of the Milwaukee Common Council including Alderman Robert "Bob" Donovan advocated and supported less restrictions for police pursuits due the high rate of vehicles stolen and carjackings by teenagers and who flee from police to avoid arrests. 

Previously under former Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn, officers could stop pursuing alleged fleeing vehicles that were involved in certain traffic violations, if it would endanger the lives of pedestrian and other motorists. Flynn changed the Milwaukee Police Department's pursuit police in 2010 when 4 people were killed by a fleeing drivers chased by police. In 2015, the restricted pursuit policy included stolen vehicles and carjackings, which officers were limited to engage in a pursuit unless they had probable cause that those in the fleeing vehicle committed a violent crime or felony.

Officer Irvine has become the first police officer to die in the line of duty in 22 years in the City of Milwaukee and the first officer to be killed as a result of a pursuit, since the policy was changed last year to allow officers to continue to pursue drivers who commit certain traffic violations or driving stolen vehicles and fleeing from officers. 

In July 2017, the F&PC directed former Chief Flynn to place less restrictions on pursuits (chases). In September 2017, the F&PC approved a new pursuit policy that allowed officers to chase fleeing drivers for nonviolent offenses.

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales has not taken a position on the current pursuit policy with less restrictions, but faced questions in regards to the current pursuit policy. Did Officer Schulze had an option to stop the pursuit, which could have prevented the deadly crash and death of Officer Irvine?

In an update, Chief Morales during a press conference on Friday released the following information, Around 5:00 p.m. on June 7, the officers were on duty with Officer Schulze driving and Officer Irvine the passenger. They saw a reckless vehicle being driven eastbound on W. Silver Spring Drive near N. 91st Street.

This vehicle was a Volkswagen Passat. The officers attempted to stop this vehicle by activating the squad's lights and sirens. The Passat did not pull over and began to elude officers, at which time a pursuit began. As the Passat approached 76th Street, the squad car lost control and rolled over.
MPD Members located the Passat in the 9400 block of W. Bradley Road. Its driver, a 28-year-old man, was taken into custody. He has a lengthy criminal record dating back to 2006 with several drug-related arrests.
Two associates of the suspect, a 45-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, were also taken into custody and interviews with all three continue. The case will be presented to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office in the coming days for a review of charges.
During the press conference, Chief Morales told reporters that he would take several questions. But when a female reporter asked Morales about the pursuit policy, "Can you tell us if a Sergeant or someone had called off this chase prior to the accident?"
Chief Morales responded, "We have an officer that died yesterday. We are grieving and you all are trying to create controversy. We have an officer that died committed to the community. All he wanted to do was be a police officer and we loved him, could you give us some days to grieve, please."
Morales claimed that the reporter was trying to create some controversy in regards to the pursuit policy. His response has gone viral on the social networks and mainstream media.

Milwaukee Police Officer Charles G. Irvine Jr. Passed Away From Injuries Suffered In Squad Car Crash During Pursuit Of A Reckless Driver

Milwaukee Police Officer Irvine Jr. died after a crash and rollover accident while on duty and his partner, Officer Schulze is in stable condition.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 8, 2018

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Milwaukee Police Officer Charles G. Irvine Jr., 23, lost his life while on duty and as a result of a crash and rollover accident. Both Officer Irvine Jr. and his partner, Officer Matthew Schulze were transported to Froedtert Hospital where Irvine Jr. was later pronounced deceased. Officer Schulze is in stable condition and is expected to be released from the hospital, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.

Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales on Thursday during a press conference released the following statement regarding the June 7 death of fallen Officer Charles G. Irvine Jr., "It is with great sadness that I stand before you today as the Chief of the Milwaukee Police Department and announce the death of one of our own, 23-year-old Police Officer Charles Irvine Junior of District Four.

"This is the information that I have been presented with so far.
"Today at approximately 5:00 p.m., Officer Irvine and his partner were involved in the pursuit of a reckless vehicle at which time the squad crashed near N. 76th  Street and W. Silver Spring Drive. At this time it appears the squad was the only vehicle involved in the crash.  The officers were transported to Froedtert Hospital with serious injuries. Officer Irvine died as a result of his injuries despite the heroic and lifesaving measures of the Milwaukee Fire Department and the medical team at Froedtert.
"Officer Irvine has been with the department for approximately four years.  He began his service with the Milwaukee Police Department at the age of 19 and became a police officer at the age of 21.  The other officer is in stable condition and is a 36-year-old man with four years of service."

Officer Irvine Jr.'s body was escorted by dozens of fellow police officers in squads from the hospital to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.

Officer Irvine Jr. is the first officer to died while on duty in the last 22 years.

At this time, no information has released regarding the vehicle that was being pursued for reckless driving by Officer Irvine Jr. and his partner.

11 Suspects Arrested For Felony Possession & Distribution Of Child Pornography In Polk County, FL

11 suspects taken into custody for child pornography related charges in Polk County.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 7, 2018

Winter Haven, Florida - The Polk County Sheriff's Office released the following press release, throughout the month of May 2018, Polk County Sheriff's Computer Crimes detectives served search warrants and made 11 arrests during "Operation Guardians of Innocence II" which focused on identifying and arresting those involved in the possession, promotion, and distribution of child pornography. A total of 660 felony charges were filed against the suspects, with more charges pending.

Sheriff Grady Judd stated, "As you know, this is just the beginning - once we serve search warrants and seize the devices that these suspects are using to download and distribute pornography, we will do a complete forensic analysis, and in all likelihood we will be adding on more charges related to the felony possession and distribution of images and videos of children being sexually battered. Most of the images we saw during this investigation depicted children being sexually battered, that we have seen before - which means we haven't yet identified any local child victims, but as always, that is also a part of our investigation."

According to Sheriff Judd, a search warrant was executed at 126 Grantham Drive in Davenport, where 48-year-old Edward Zaborowski III lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being advertised by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Zaborowski, who admitted that the computer equipment was his. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 4 to 6 years old. They seized the equipment for further analysis. Zaborowski told detectives he searches for and downloads child pornography, and has done so for the past two years. He told detectives he is a bartender in Osceola County, and a parent helper and driver for his son's Boy Scout Troop. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 64 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

• 1 count promotion of sexual performance by a child (F-2)

A search warrant was executed at 3518 Sutton Hills Drive North in Lakeland, where 64-year-old Richard Cousins lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being downloaded by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and, during an initial preview of the equipment, located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 8 to 10 years old. He told detectives he is married. They seized the equipment for further analysis. Cousins was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 143 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

• 3 counts promotion of sexual performance by a child (F-2)

Cousins is a registered sex offender. He was arrested in 1992 in Maine for sexual assault on two male victims under 13 years of age, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison for each victim (4 years total); his sentence was reduced to one year in prison, and 4 years' probation.

A search warrant was executed at 103 Brighton Way in Auburndale, where 51-year-old Bruce Nopper lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being advertised by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Nopper, who admitted that the computer equipment was his and that he is addicted to viewing child pornography. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 4 to 6 years old. His girlfriend told detectives she previously found disturbing images on his computer, and destroyed the hard drive with bleach and a sledgehammer. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 12 counts possession of child pornography (F-3)

• 1 count promotion of sexual performance by a child (F-2)

A search warrant was executed at 335 Madison Circle in Davenport, where 30-year-old Rickie Vargas-Garcia lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being downloaded by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Vargas-Garcia, who admitted that the computer equipment was his and that he trades and views child pornography, and solicits female juveniles online to send him nude photos and videos of themselves. He said he tells juveniles online that he is 18 years old. He said the youngest female he communicated and shared nude photos with was 11 years old. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 3 to 5 years old. He told detectives he's a Lego builder for Merlin Entertainment. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 10 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

Vargas-Garcia was arrested in 2008 in Virginia for DUI.

A search warrant was executed at 388 Toledo Road in Davenport, where 84-year-old Don Carrier lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being advertised by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Carrier, who admitted that the computer equipment was his and that he has been viewing child pornography for several years - he waits for his wife to leave the house and then watches it. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 3 years old. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 200 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

A search warrant was executed at 821 Corvina Drive in Davenport, where 53-year-old Roger Catey lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being downloaded by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Catey, who admitted that the computer equipment was his and that he has been viewing child pornography for approximately one year. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 3 years old. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He told detectives he is employed at Walt Disney World as a project manager in the costumes department. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 24 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

• 2 counts promotion of sexual performance by a child (F-2)

A search warrant was executed at 3218 Crystal Hills Drive in Lakeland, where 35-year-old Mathew Sentz lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being downloaded by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Sentz, who admitted that the computer equipment was his and that he has been viewing child pornography for approximately one year. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 2 to 4 years old. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 100 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

Sentz is a registered sex offender. He was arrested in Illinois 2000 for possession of child pornography when he was 17 years old, and he was sentenced to & spent 3 years in prison, 30 months' worth of probation and 200 hours of public service. He was arrested by Lakeland P.D. in 2009 for failure to register as a sex offender.

A search warrant was executed at 512 Fawn Place in Lakeland, where 24-year-old Jarrod Whiting lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being downloaded by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Whiting, who admitted that the computer equipment was his and that he has been viewing child pornography for "a while." He admitted to viewing images depicting children as young as infants. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 4 years old. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 14 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

A search warrant was executed at 4110 Poinsettia Drive in Mulberry, where 20-year-old Alejandro Baltazar II lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being downloaded by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Baltazar, who told detectives he's been viewing child pornography for the past two years. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 2 years old. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He told detectives he's a Hillsborough Community College student. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 55 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

A search warrant was executed at 838 Lake Cummings Blvd in Lake Alfred, where 69-year-old Donald Marich lives. Detectives received a tip that child pornography files were being downloaded by a computer user at that address. Detectives responded to the home and talked with Marich, who denied downloading child pornography. During an initial preview of the equipment, detectives located files depicting child pornography. He told detectives he is a retired schoolteacher from Maricopa County, Arizona, and that he lives alone but is a Disney annual pass holder and frequently attends the theme park alone. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 16 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2)

• 3 counts promotion of child pornography (F-2)

And, a search warrant was executed at 602 Musrkat Drive in Kissimmee, where 16-year-old Zachary Ramirez lives. Detectives received a NCMEC tip that child pornography files were being downloaded to a Dropbox account. Detectives responded to the home and talked with his parents, and then responded to Haines City High School to talk to the suspect. He admitted to viewing images depicting children as young as infants. During an initial preview of his cell phone, detectives located files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 12-24 months old. They seized the equipment for further analysis. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:

• 12 counts possession of child pornography - enhanced (F-2).

Tejano Singer Jimmy González, Founder Of El Grupo Mazz Passed Away In San Antonio

González died after being hospitalized with heart problems in San Antonio.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 6, 2018

San Antonio, Texas - On Wednesday, Tejano singer Jimmy González, 67, originally from Brownsville, the founder of El Grupo Mazz died at around 9:57 a.m. at a San Antonio hospital, according Eloy Leija, the promotions managet from Freddie Records who González recorded his Tejano style songs and hits in the last 20 years with more than 36 years in the music career. González was suffering from medical issues.

An emergency first responders crew was dispatched to where González had a seizure and his heart had stopped. Emergency personnel were able to revived González and was taken to a hospital in San Antonio where he later passed away.
González's low blood sugar level on early Wednesday might have triggered heart failure.
The Gonzalez family released the following statement, "On behalf of The Gonzalez Family, we would like to thank everyone for their condolences and prayers. We do ask for privacy as we gather and mourn the loss of our beloved Jimmy Gonzalez.
"We would also like to ask that no one set up or donate to any Gofundme accounts as we have not authorized any at this time.
"Thank you for all of your thoughts and continued prayers."

In early February, González, the lead singer and 8 Time Grammy Award Winner for the Tejano style Grupo Mazz was also hospitalized after coming severely ill and was having a hard time breathing due to a bad case of the flu.

González was scheduled to perform at the Outta Town Dance Hall in Mission at a pre-Super Bowl Dance when he got sick with the flu. The management at the dance hall says that González became ill during the performance and could not perform as programmed. 

In 1998, both Joe Lopez and Jimmy González, the other co-founder Mazz split and two Tejano bands continued to perform Tejano style music venue as Jimmy González y Grupo Mazz and Joe Lopez y La Nueva Imagen Mazz. La Nueva Imagen Mazz band later phased out.
González from the Grupo Mazz has three of his sons in the group. Grupo Mazz is credited for modernizing the Tejano style of music.

Funeral Services for Jimmy González

Visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2018 at the Brownsville Event Center.
1 Event Ctr, Brownsville, Texas 78526

The funeral mass is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville, Texas 78520.

Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial park. 

Volcán del Fuego Eruption Aftermath In Guatemala Leaves Destruction And Death

The death toll continues to rise as rescue workers continue efforts to reach areas that were devastated by the Volcán del Fuego eruption on Sunday.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 6, 2018

El Rodeo, Guatemala - Dozens of bodies have been recovered from the villages and townships near the eruption of the Volcán del Fuego (Fire Volcano). The deadly volcano erupted on Sunday leaving no time for residents near the area to escape. It was the second eruption, since 1974 and the most deadliest, according to authorities.

Scores of families were found deceased in village homes and open spaces as some attempted to escape the deadly volcanic gases and hot asses including dust that claimed dozens of lives including children. Hundreds of surviving victims have sought shelter in areas that escaped the devastation. Preliminary reports indicated that at least 72 have been killed and the dead toll is rising, more than 300 reported injured with severe burns and about 192 people have been reported missing. A state of emergency has been declared in the area by the Guatemalan government.

According to Guatemalan authorities, a deadly mixture of volcanic gases, pumice, ash, and hot lava flow came down from the volcano in speeds up to 430 miles per hour on nearby villages catching people by surprised and no time to escape.

Rescue workers found dead children hugging each other in rooms at village homes still standing, but full of volcanic ash.

The hot lava flow came down the volcano slopes and covered houses as it destroyed properties and everything on its path. Rescue workers are facing a difficult time in the affected area due to hot grounds and ash that melt the soles of their boots and the gases including the mixture of rain and ash turning into acid rain.

CNN reported that at least 17 deceased victims have been identified, according to Guatemala's National Forensic Sciences and that most of the victims were from the city of Hunapu in the State of Escuintla.

More than 3,100 people have been evacuated from the affected area and more than 1.7 million people have been affected in the region, according to CONRED, the Guatemalan disaster relief agency.

The burial rituals and funerals continued on Wednesday as survivors cope with the loss of family members, homes and lands.

Disaster relief is beginning to arrive in Guatemala from neighboring nations.

Three Deceased Undocumented Immigrants Abandoned By Smugglers Found In The Rio Grande Valley Sector

Three alleged undocumented immigrants were found dead within 24 hours in separated areas along the Rio Grande Valley sector, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

June 6, 2018

Edinburg, Texas - On Tuesday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that within 24 hours since Monday at least 3 bodies were found in three separate areas along the Rio Grande Valley sector. Apparently, the deceased undocumented immigrants were abandoned by smugglers, according to U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley sector.

On Monday, Border Patrol agents responded to a report of a lost individual in the Falfurrias, Texas area and a body was located by the Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) operators and an Air and Marine Operations helicopter.

The Brooks County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) also responded and the body was taken to local coroner's office. According to the BCSO, at least 80 bodies of undocumented immigrants are found in area per year and many are never identified.

A second decease undocumented immigrant was also later located on Monday near Brownsville, Texas. The third deceased undocumented immigrant was located in Mission, Texas and the Mission Police Department responded to the scene including the local Justice of the Peace who declared the person deceased. The body was taken to the local morgue.