Death Threats Forced The Zócalo Saltíllo Newspaper Chain To Censor Narco News

The owners of the Zócalo Satíllo newspaper chain decided to censor all narco and crime news from being published. 

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 20, 2013

Saltíllo, Coahuila, Mexico - Last week, the Zócalo Satíllo newspaper chain, which includes newspapers in Piedras Negras, Monclova and Acuña cities in the state Coahuila announced in a front page editorial that it will longer publish crime news reports. Its editorial decision comes days after 50 narco banners with messages appeared in the area threatening the lives of the owners and operators of the newspaper chain. The Zócalo Saltíllo is taking action to protect the 1,000 employees and their families from death threats. 

In January 7, 2010, Valentin Valdéz, a crime reporter was murdered by members of a criminal organization. 

The Zócalo Saltíllo newspaper is another paper in Mexico that has decided to stop reporting about organized crime, drug cartels, drug trafficking and murders to protect its workers.

Several Killed During Gun Battle In Reynosa

A house was riddled with bullets during gunfight. 

Photos courtesy of Valor por Tamaulipas

Continuous gun battles in Reynosa between drug cartels fighting for control. 

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 20, 2013

Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico - On Tuesday, a gun confrontation among members of a criminal organization (CO) ignited blockades around the Balcones de Alcalá. The blockades were setup around 5:00 p.m. to block traffic flow into the zone. The gun fight began at about 4:30 p.m., according social network reports in the zone.

Armed men attacked and fired into a targeted home, which the outside walls and inside of the residence was riddled with hundreds of bullet holes. 

Authorities found blood on window curtains, clothes and rags on the floor. No information was released, if anyone was found dead or injured inside the home.

The CO's setup street blockades and throw metal spikes on the streets or roads to blow out tires of civilian vehicles in order to stall cars and cause traffic jams to prevent the military and police from reaching the drug cartel battle zones. Armed men and the military were seen in the area.

Multiple injuries and deaths were reported in the area by social network postings on Facebook and Twitter. No official report has been made by the military or federal, local and state police about Tuesday's incident. 

Two Suspects Charged For The Diamaris Gonzalez Homicide

Lenard Terrell Pickett, Joseph Lamont Williams and Diamaris Gonzalez

Pickett is charged for shooting Gonzalez after she struggled to keep her purse in a robbery attempt while waiting for a bus.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 19, 2013

Milwaukee, WI - Police confirmed that a second suspect wanted for the 2011 homicide of Diamaris Gonzalez, 23, had been taken into custody after the suspect happened to be arrested in a southside house break-in. Lenard Terrell Pickett, 23, was charged in early March with two felony counts for felony murder and burglary of a building or dwelling. A cash bond of $250,000 was set for Pickett, if convicted his is facing up to 47 years in prison. The next court hearing for Pickett will be on March 25.

Pickett had eluded police, since 2011, after a witness identified Pickett as one of the suspects that attempted to steal a purse from Gonzalez at a bus stop. Gonzalez had just left her job and was waiting for the bus, when Pickett and his accomplice, Joseph Lamont Williams, 21, tried to rob Gonzalez. Gonzalez struggled to keep her purse and Pickett then fatally shot her.

Williams has been also charged with felony murder for Gonzalez' homicide. Williams bond was set at $100,000 and if convicted, Williams is facing up to 35 years in prison.

Gonzalez had just left work and was waiting for a bus at the 3300 block of N. Holton St. near Lena's Market where she worked.

Williams confessed to police on February 14 after being taken into custody, that he and Pickett decided to rob Gonzalez. When she resisted, Pickett then shot Gonzalez and they fled the scene empty handed. Gonzalez was fatally shot in the chest and died at the scene. Gonzalez had two children, a 1-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy.

A boyfriend had used Gonzalez' car and it was towed. She usually drove to work, but on March 15, she had to ride the bus.

Undocumented Immigrant Gets Four Years In Prison For Robbering Female Joggers

Fermin Ramirez-Chavez

Photo: Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office

Chavez targeted, knocked down female joggers while they were running, then stole their items because he had a lost job and needed money.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 19, 2013

Milwaukee,  WI - On Tuesday, Fermin Ramirez-Chavez, 25, was sentenced to 4-years in prison and 4-years probation after pleading guilty to two felony counts of attempted armed robbery with use of force. Chavez was arrested last year in August when a tip led police to a suspicious man at a park where a victim had been robbed.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on Chavez. Once Chavez completes his sentence, he will be deported to his native country. 

On August 9, Chavez robbed a female jogger at Warnimont Park in Cudahy and on August 24, robbed another woman at the Bay View Park in St. Francis, both robberies occurred in Milwaukee County parks. He told police that he had lost his job and needed money. So, he began to target female joggers by knocking them down while they were running and then stole cellphones, iPods and other items from them.

North Chicago Cop Charged With Wrong-way Fatal Crash Along LSD

Joaquin Garcia, Fabian Torres and Terrell Garrett

Photos: Facebook

Off-duty North Chicago cop was driving while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of twice the legal limit when he drove the wrong-way along Lake Shore Drive and crashed into two vehicles, killing two people.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 19, 2013

Chicago, IL - On Saturday, off-duty North Chicago Police Officer Terrell Garrett, 35, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence and two felony counts of reckless homicide for the deaths of Fabian Torres, 27, and Joaquin Garcia, 25, on March 15. On Sunday, a Cook County judge set a bail of $500,000 for Garrett. He posted $50,000 (10%) and remains free on bail. He must wear an electronic monitoring device, prohibited from consuming alcohol and having a weapon. 

Garrett's blood-alcohol content results tested .184, twice the legal limit of .08, according to the criminal complaint.

Officer Garrett has been suspended and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case. On March 15, around 4:00 a.m., Garrett left a party celebrating his birthday and drove northbound into the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive the wrong-way. He then crashed into a Toyota Scion injuring a woman and crashed head-on into a black Jeep killing both Torres and Garcia near the LaSalle exit.

Garrett suffered a fractured hip and was hospitalised for his injuires.  

Garcia was scheduled to graduate in May from the Malcolm X surgical technician program, according to his mother. Torres was a freshman at DePaul University and was an insurance broker.

Both Torres and Garcia are being mourn by family, relatives, friends and members of the gay (LGBT) community in Chicago.

Local Zetas In Tabasco Vowed To Decapitate Franciscan Priest From "La 72" Immigrant Refuge Shelter

Father Tomás González Castillo and Ruben Figueroa

Photos: Facebook

Lives at stake for Franciscan Father Castillo and Figueroa, an immigrant rights activist at the Immigrant Refuge Shelter "La 72" in Tenosique, Tabasco. Local criminals associated with Los Zetas vowed to invade La 72 to kill both of them before sunrise on Monday.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 18, 2013

Tenosique, Tabasco, Mexico - On Sunday, Ruben Figueroa, an immigrant rights activist for Mesoamerican Migrant Movement (MMM) posted on the MMM org website that they were alerted of a death threat by the local criminal organization affiliated with Los Zetas (COZ) that vowed to invade "La 72" Immigrant Refuge Shelter in Tenosique to kill both Figueroa and Franciscan Father Tomás González Castillo, La 72 shelter operator before sunrise. The death threat came hours after three members of COZ in the area were arrested by the military around 2:00 p.m. The COZ controls freight train quota passenger payments and exploit undocumented immigrants trying to get on the train between Tenosique, Tabasco to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. One of its leaders managed to elude arrest and apparently leaked word later on Sunday that his men would engage in an armed assault to takeover La 72  later at night. The COZ leader has ordered his men to kill Father Castillo and wanted him decapitated (his head), including Figueroa and others at the shelter for exposing their criminal activities to local and federal authorities. About 60 to 80 unarmed immigrants, including shelter volunteers are currently staying at the shelter.

The COZ operates a multimillion dollar transportation and smuggling routes of undocumented immigrants (human trafficking) who often become victims of violence, rape, murder, kidnappings, prostitution rings, drug trafficking and armed robbery.

Figueroa has requested authorities for 24 hour protection around La 72 compound. He notified the Federal Ministry Police, the Tabasco state Attorney General's Office (PGJ), Mexican Federal Police and the zone military about Sunday's death threats. They launched an operation by the train route that led to the arrest of three suspects.
Figueroa also sent out a news release from MMM org to alert other immigrant shelters in Mexico and request for solidarity, including support or reinforcements. La 72 shelter Facebook last posting was made just before 11:00 p.m. concerning the death threats.

Last Monday, Franciscan Father Castillo announced that a complaint was filed (PGR/TAB/TEN/206/D/2013) with the Mexican Federal Attorney General's Office (PGRF) by the Immigrant Refuge Shelter "La 72" in Tenosique. Father Castillo in the complaint is holding the federal, state and local governments and authorities responsible for the safety or deaths of anyone associated with La 72 and undocumented immigrants. Father Castillo, an immigrant and human rights activist says, they have requested protection and assistance from the Mexican military, federal, state and local authorities for La 72 workers, volunteers and immigrants using the refuge house during their journey to the U.S. 

Mexican government officials have been made aware of the dangerous situation and criminal activity in Tenosique for years and yet very little has been done by the authorities and the current Mexican President Peña Nieto administration. The government and its officials have done very little to provide security in the area and their lack of action can only mean that they might be involved or in collusion with the criminal organizations in control of the area. "We can not continue or get accustom to living in constant threat and criminal activity," Castillo stated in a news release. The elected officials and government must be held accountable too, according to Father Castillo. Castillo also called for public solidarity to help confront the insecurity Tenosique is facing today.  

Recently, a caravan or group of mothers representing missing undocumented immigrants from Central and South America visited La 72 refuge house to seek help in trying to locate their reported missing sons, husbands and daughters.

So far between March 2-4, the lives of the workers,, volunteers at La 72 refuge home and Rubén Figueroa from the MesoAmerican Migrant Movement were threaten by known members of a criminal organization (COZ) associated with Los Zetas. Figueroa, Father Castillo and a handful of La 72 volunteers have been providing food and temporary shelter for undocumented immigrants traveling through Tenosique. Figueroa can be found at La 72 helping immigrants during several seasons of the year.

Tenosique in a major travel point where thousands of immigrants catch a freight train to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz on their way (route) through Mexico and the U.S. border. The train (bestia/beast) is known as the "Death Train or Tren de la Muerte." 

COZ have taken over the immigrant travel routes around Tenosique and charge an equivalent $100 to $300 U.S. dollars to jump on the freight train. Once the immigrants reach Coatzacoalcos in the state of Veracruz, they must pay the quota. The COZ's are based in Veracruz.

Some immigrants have been thrown from the moving train by criminals, if they fail or have no money to pay the quota. Once they reach Veracruz, most likely there is a good chance the immigrants can reach the U.S. border.

Members of COZ manage the travel arrangements and secure protection for the immigrants and constantly give updated reports to their criminal organization. It's become a multimillion dollar operation for the COZ.

The Tenosique area and routes has become a lawless territory where the COZ members kidnap immigrants for ransom, armed robberies occur, women get violated and raped, extortion is prevalent, where hundreds of immigrants have disappeared and murdered. Tenosique is also close to the Petén jungle region on the Guatemala border where legal and illegal merchandise, including drugs get smuggled into Mexico.

La 72 immigrant refuge house had to ban known members of the COZ from infiltrating the refuge home in order to keep the undocumented immigrants from falling victims of organized crime. The COZ has stationed lookouts (halcones) to spy on La 72 human rights activities, according to Father Castillo.

In early January, a complete file of information and testimony by victims of the illicit organized criminal activity was made available to authorities to expose what is taking place at the Tenosique immigrant travel routes. The Tenosique criminal activity information was provided to the State of Tabasco Attorney General's Office, including the PGRF; Tabasco's Governor Arturo Núñez; Carlos Alberto Vega Celorio, Mayor of Tenosique;  Mexican military zone 38 General Rígoberto García and his staff; members of the Tobasco South Frontier Commission and to Federal Senators, Layda Sanores and Ana Gabriela.

Father Castillo and human rights activists are also expected to meet with Raúl Ojeda Zubieta, the Secretary of Government in Tabasco about the current situation involving criminal activity and the risk to public safety that is taking place in the area.

Father Castillo also stated, that in July 2011, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) made recommendations about security measures to be undertaken, but nothing was ever implemented and the human rights case was closed. Information about the NCHR recommendations was also requested from the InterAmerican Commission of Human Rights and no action has been taken either.

The Mexican Secretary of Government (Segob) was also requested to provide protection and security for human rights activists and journalists in the area, but no action has been taken by the Segob.

Wisconsin Governor Walker Not Ruling Out 2016 Presidential Bid

Scott Walker

Governor Walker considers moving in to White House.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

March 17, 2013

Washington, D.C. - On Friday,  Governor Scott Walker (R) who won reelection in a recall bid last year indicated he will most likely be one of the early candidates to declare his bid for president in 2016. During the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, Walker admitted he is not ruling out a bid for the White House.

In an interview with Politico about his ambition to run for president, Walker said, "Would I ever be (interested)? Possibly. I guess the only thing I'd say is I'm not ruling it out...For me, it's really a measure of what I've accomplished and what more I could accomplish if I was in a different position."

Walker also couldn't determine, if elected governor in 2014 for a second term, he would actually finish his term.

The GOP conservative convention highlight is that attendees were overwhelming divided on issues, but most support the core principles of the Republican Party. 

Most voters see the GOP conservatives as anti-everything, according to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (R). "We're associated with being anti-everything," Bush said. "Way too many people believe that Republicans are anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-science, anti-gay, anti-worker. Many voters are simply unwilling to choose our candidates because those voters feel unloved, unwanted, and unwelcome in our party."

U.S.Senator Marco Antonio Rubio (R-FL) another potential 2016 presidential candidate failed to address immigration reform at the convention. Most GOP conservatives oppose a path to citizenship for nearly 13 million undocumented immigrants and an additional 6 million immigrants composed of family members who would like to immigrate to the U.S. 

Immigrants seeking a better life would like to escape poverty from a lack of jobs in Mexico, including insecurity, 10's of thousands of homicides resulting from feuding drug cartels around the country and President Enrique Peña Nieto's government corruption at the local, state and federal level.