Arizona Gun Shop Cancels Former Astronaut's Assault Rifle Purchase

Mark Kelly, a former astronaut wanted to purchase assault rifle to prove how easy it was to buy a weapon.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 26, 2013

Tucson, AZ - On Monday, Doug MacKinlay, owner of Diamondback Police Supply, Co. posted on the company's Facebook (FB) account page, that he decided to rescind the March 5, purchase made by Mark Kelly, the husband of former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of an assault AR-15 style rifle. Kelly founded an advocacy group called, American for Responsible Solutions. The intend of purchasing the rifle was to show how easy anyone could by one, according to Kelly, who is pushing for stricker gun control laws.

MacKinlay returned the full amount paid for the rifle to Kelly on Thursday. He decided to donate the rifle to the the Arizona Tactical Officers Association to be raffle off and will donate $1,295 to the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.

Kelly would have had to wait at least 20 days after completing a federal form 4473 and an NICS background check, since the gun shop bought it from a private owner. Tucson has a city ordinance requiring the delay for such purchases, to allow enough time for the city to do a check to determine, if the weapon was used in a crime. Kelly intended to turnover the rifle to local police after the purchase.

Mackinlay wrote in his FB page, "While I support and respect Mark Kelly's 2nd Amendment rights to purchase, possess, and use firearms in a safe and responsible manner, his recent statements to the media made it clear that his intent in purchasing the Sig Sauer M400 5.56mm rifle from us was for reasons other then for his personal use. In light of this fact, I determined that it was in my company's best interest to terminate this transaction prior to his returning to my store to complete the Federal Form 4473 and NICS background check required of Mr. Kelly before he could take possession this firearm. A full refund was sent to Mr. Kelly, via express mail, on Thursday of last week.

The Sig Sauer rifle will be donated to the Arizona Tactical Officers Association where it will be raffled off to generate funds the association can use to purchase much needed tactical equipment for the organization's members. The A.T.O.A. represents the SWAT and Special Response officers of the state's law enforcement community who regularly place their lives on the line to protect the residents of this state.

Additionally, Diamondback Police Supply will make a $1,295.00 contribution (the selling price of the M400 rifle) to the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program that teaches children, in pre-K through 3rd grade, four important steps to take if they find a gun. The emphasis of the program is on child safety, something that is important to all of us and at the core of the current debate on gun control," MacKinlay wrote in FB.

Seven Bodies Found Seated With Narcobanner In Michoacán

Seven men in Michoacán showed signs of being executed by a single gunshot to the head. In Tamaulipas, 50 people were kidnapped on Saturday in a single city by gunmen.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 24, 2013

Uraupan, Michoacán, Mexico - On early Saturday, local police were called around 4:00 a.m. to the neighborhood of La Joyita where they found seven male bodies between the ages of 20 to 40 seated in plastic chairs with a narcobanner. Each of the bodies had a fatal bullet wound to the head and both hands and feet were bound with tape.

The narcobanner mssage said, "This will happen to every extortionist, dwelling and highway robbers, kidnappers and rapists. " No criminal organization, selfdefense community security or vigilante group has claimed responsiblity for the homicides.

In an on related disappearances in Miguel Alemán, in the state of Tamaulipas, at least 50 were kidnapped or picked up by gunmen from their homes on Saturday and taken to a clandestine security warehouse, the Valor por Tamaulipas Facebook page reported.
In the last six years, the Mexican government reported that more than 50,000 people have been killed in relation to the drug cartel wars. More than 26,161 people including children have disappeared without a trace in Mexico. Another 70,000 undocumented immigrants from Central and South American have been reported either lost or have disappeared in Mexico making their way to the U.S. border, according to Ruben Figueroa, from the Mesoamerican Immigrant Movement organization. Figueroa is one of the few who attempts to locate the immigrants, but has only found or located 80 of them. The Mexican government has done almost nothing to locate immigrants. Mexico is under siege by the proliferation of criminal organizations associated with drug cartels whose influence and corruption has reached all levels of the government.
Today, at least one member of a family living in Mexico knows of someone who has been killed, kidnapped, extorted, robbed, raped, disappeared or involved in drug trafficking and smuggling. President Enrique Peña Nieto and his administration have become almost helpless in eliminating the major drug cartels that are gaining control of Mexico.

Phares, A Popular Waiter Gets Rehired By Applebee's Corporate CEO

Timothy Phares and Rien L. Hendricks

Hendricks photo courtesy of the Barron County Sheriff's Department

Former Applebee employee agrees to return to work at the Rice Lake Applebee's burger restaurant after experiencing discriminatory and degoratory outburst by a customer.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 23, 2013

Rice Lake, WI - On Saturday, Timothy "Tim" Phares, a well known waiter at the Rice Lake Applebee's Burger Restaurant decided to return to work after Apple American Group franchise CEO, Greg Flynn assured "his safety and welfare" and "zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind" at Applebee's restaurants. Phares had given his two weeks notice after a customer made an out burst remark targeted at him pertaining to his sexual orientation. The management apparently failed to take adequate action at the time to stop the harassment or tell the customer that the restaurant has a zero tolerance policy and won't tolerate any kind of discrimination towards any employee. 

Days later at another location (near a Perkins Restaurant), Phares was beaten with a 2x4 by Rien L. Hendricks, 35, whose wife worked at Applebee's. His wife drove Hendricks to where Phares was and after the battery assault attack left the scene. Phares' sister witnessed the beating and was able to identify Hendricks and his wife as the suspects involed in the incident to police.
Phares was attacked from behind, just after exiting a vehicle and heading to a late night breakfast at Perkins with his sister. His sister, Krista Kathrine wrote in a FB posting, "I saw my brother laying in a pool of blood on the pavement and literally thought he was dead...we need to pray for justice to be served. Whether Shannon (Rien's wife) and Rien had gay friends before or not, I don't give a s--t. There's no logical f--king reason to smash someone's face with a GD 2x4 unless they felt they were in harms way... Which they were not, he was attacked from behind while we were going to try to have some late night breakfast at a different restaurant. They made the choice to attack him, they need to pay the price."

Phares posted on March 19 in FB, "Rien Hendricks is the one that assaulted me with the 2x4, his wife was the driver. He broke my jaw and fractured my cheek bones!"

The incident was posted on Facebook (FB) and it went viral. People began posting comments on both the corporate and the Rice Lake Applebee's franchise FB accounts despite some minimal attempt to delete the comments. FB users just kept on posting them back and vowed to stop eating at Applebee's.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. broke the story on the Internet. Applebee's Corporate executives finally responded to their customer base outcry to rehire Phares who is described as a "good," "excellent waiter" and "very nice person." 

Applebee's released the following statement on Saturday, "Thank you for your concern about the recent events involving a team member at our Rice Lake, WI location. Our local Operations leadership as well as our Apple American Group franchise CEO, Greg Flynn, have spoken with our Team Member to personally assure him that, as with all our Team Members, his safety and welfare are our primary concerns and that there is zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind in our restaurants. We are pleased that he has agreed to continue his employment at the Rice Lake restaurant. 

We will continue to look into this incident and cooperate with local law enforcement to provide them with any information requested to assist their investigation."
In a statement posted in the Applebee's Rice Lake FB account, Phares wrote, "Out of support for my family and the great TEAM that I work with I will not comment !! ( well I guess Im commenting lol ) I love my family and friends to much!! ♥ Peace & Harmony STOP VIOLENCE ITS NOT THE ANSWER!!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ OH AND COME SEE US WE ALL ROCK IT AT BEES !!!!"

On March 20, Hendricks appeared at the Barron County Court and was charged with one felony count of sustainable battery with intend of bodily harm in connection with Phares assault. A $10,000 signature bond was set for Hendricks. A preliminary hearing for Hendricks is set for March 25. 

Hendricks was taken into custody on March 17. Rice Lake police continue to investigate whether an additional suspect will be charged.

Attorney Arellano Reprimanded By State Supreme Court For Lying During Misconduct Investigation

Victor Arellano

Photo courtesy of Capitol Times

Arellano gets reprimand for lying, must pay $10,240.13 for OLR proceeding costs in the professional misconduct case filed by four women, but he will continue to practice law.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 22, 2013

Madison, WI - On Thursday, the Office of Lawyers Regulation (OLR) confirmed that Attorney Victor Arellano, 67, was disciplined by the State Supreme Court judge for two counts, misrepresenting information (lying) to investigators and for soliciting to represent one of the complainants when she didn't request representation. The OLR case lasted almost 6-years to conclude. Twelve counts against Arellano were dismissed because Statues of Limitations ran out and for other reasons.

Arellano received a public reprimand, must pay $10,240.13 for OLR proceeding costs to be paid within 60 days. The reprimand won't keep Arellano from practicing law.

Arellano was also reprimanded in 2008 for private matter not in relation with this case. He began his law practice on September 27, 1985.

The decision to discipline Arellano stems from his intent to "obstruct the investigation by his misleading and false statements" and "chose to lie and to mislead the investigation by the OLR and the (nine member) district committee," the State Supreme Court decided. 

On February 28, 2011, the OLR filed a 14 count misconduct case seeking to revoke Arellano's law license. Arellano was accused by four women, including Marilyn Figueroa who testified that in 2000 he solicited to represent her and then staring up a sexual relationship in violation of attorney's rules of conduct. He also was accused of starting sexual relationships with three other women while representing them in various cases. 

Figueroa exposed a relationship with former Mayor John Norquist resulting in his abrupt resignation in 2002. Figueroa sued Norquist for sexual harassment and Arellano represented Figueroa in the case. She was later awarded $375,000 in the case after a settlement was reached. 

A second complainant, Natialia Santamaria released the following exclusive statement to Hispanic News Network U.S.A., "I want to acknowledge and thank the hard work of the Office of Lawyer Regulation and District 9 committee for their diligent and hard work on this serious and very complex  matter. From beginning to end this process took about 5 years and many pain staking hours of research and investigation on the part of the OLR, I am thankful for their work.

"Although the end result was not the one that I had envisioned, I am aware of how complex this case was; I do feel that the Referee missed some very relevant and important points or downplayed their significance, for that I am disappointed. It is a matter of public record how Arellano stalked and harassed me and members of my family, and made accusations against me that I have always maintained were untruthful. Although the Referee did state that Arellano's actions were "inappropriate and mean spirited" they did not give rise to the level of misconduct, as the victim of these acts, I gravely disagree.  I am very pleased, however, that if there was one act to be found in the grievant's favor, it was that Arellano lied to the investigators, a branch of the Supreme Court, and attempted to mislead the process. This significant finding gives credibility to my claims stemming to 2006 that Arellano lied to the authorities when he made false accusations against me and my person.  As the complaints stated, "Victor Arellano has had a life long pattern of lying and abusing the process", which included victimizing some of his female clients (all Latinas).  The fact that the Referee ruled that there was a Statute of Limitations on these claims does not invalidate the fact that they happened and speaks volumes to his nature and character of Arellano as a man and as an attorney; as a matter of public record, Arellano finally admitted he had a sexual relationship with the 4th grievant, E.W.

"The legal process failed many times in this lengthy drama between Arellano and myself, beginning in 2006 when I couldn't get a Restraining Order against Arellano and found myself instead lectured by the Judge that he "has know Mr. Arellano and his impeccable reputation ... for many years." In the same manner, I found myself hearing the same words by the Madison Police Department and District Attorney's office when they refused to consider that Arellano was lying about his accusations against me, it was always, Arellano's reputation that spoke louder than mine ... a single working mother. It is an interesting note that Arellano had the restraining order removed from CCAP, to this date, no attorney has been able to explain to me how he had that done.

"I am pleased that finally there is a record that clearly states that Arellano lied to authorities and I am pleased that this chapter is finally closed.

"Again I want to thank the OLR investigators and District 9 Committee for their work in their investigations and the  putting together of this case.  I want to thank Attorney Paul Schwarzenbart for his hard work in presenting our case to the Referee."

The third women, M. Isabel Garcia claimed the same scenario, that Arellano represented her in a divorced case and started up a sexual relationship with her in the Fall of 2005. On July 2006, she became pregnant and had a child with Arellano. Arellano denied the allegation in a court case, but DNA proved he was the actual father.

Garcia was also in the process of getting her legal status under a I-360 petition with the INS (U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services) and Arellano filed the paperwork with the INS. She claimed that Arellano misrepresented information on the I-360 petition filing allowed under an abusive relationship with her husband, a U.S. Citizen. Apparently, Arellano failed to claim that he was the father of their child in the Garcia's INS filing. Garcia didn't realized the information was omitted. When she asked Arellano, he told her that he didn't want to add his child, so that he wouldn't have to pay child support, according to the OLR complaint.  

When their relationship went sour, he filed for custody of the child.

Arellano was awarded custody of his son. Garcia is now living in Texas.

2x4 Assault Of An Applebee's Employee Goes Viral On Facebook

Timothy Phares

Posting on Facebook about an incident at the Rice Lake Applebee's burger restaurant and the 2x4 beating of an employee at a different location goes viral.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 23, 2013

Rice Lake, WI - On Thursday, a Facebook (FB) friend of Timothy "Tim" Phares posted and wanted to share a photo of him exhibiting a facial injury and a brief detailed account of several incidents that have circulated and gone viral on Facebook. Phares who worked as a waiter at the Rice Lake Applebee's burger restaurant apparently was called out loud a "faggot" by a customer last week. The manager on duty failed to take action or to ask the customer to leave the restaurant. Phares became very upset that the management failed to act and gave his two weeks notice. According to a majority of posted comments from customers who Phares had served said, he was a "good," "excellent waiter" and "very nice person." 

Phares hasn't actually admitted to his sexual preference and his FB account page is private. The recent posting appears to have been posted by Kaisa Witkowski who forwarded the link to both Phares FB page and to the Applebee's Rice Lake FB pg.

The FB posting stated, "Tim was upset about this, so he decided to put in his 2 weeks notice. That same weekend, on the 16th, he was attacked at another eating establishment by a women he works with at applebees.

Although she did not physically attack Tim, she drove her husband to where Tim was, and her husband hit Tim in the face with a 2x4... after yelling "faggot". He left it there, and he and his wife drove off."

Phares' sister was at the scene and managed to call police. She was able to identify the suspects who were later located.

Phares suffered fractured bones to his cheek and a broken jaw, according to the FB posting.
On March 20, Rien L. Hendricks, 35, appeared at the Barron County Court and was charged with one felony count of sustainable battery with intend of bodily harm in connection with Phares assault. A $10,000 signature bond was set for Hendricks. A preliminary hearing for Hendricks is set for March 25.
Hendricks was taken into custody on March 17. Rice Lake police continue to investigate whether an additional suspect will be charged.
People who heard about the beating called Applebee's where he worked to ask about his welfare. The district manager then called Phares "and basically told him that he didn't appreciate it because Applebees has "nothing" to do with the incident. Tim tried to take back his 2 week notice, and the managers would not let him," according to the FB posting. The manager at the Rice Lake Applebee's is Tara Steinburg. Attempts to reach Steinburg and Phares were unsuccessful. 

Applebee's released the following statement,  "While this horrible incident did not take place at or near an Applebee's restaurant, we will provide any assistance we can to local law enforcement and continue to look in to the incident internally."

As of early Friday, comments condemning the lack of alleged actions by the manager and not rehiring Phares have been posted in the FB Rice Lake Applebee's page.

Other comments by FB users that have been posted indicate that they can't believe it actually happened. 

Three Suspects Charged For Extorting Immigrants Broading Tenosique Freight Train

Transient Immigrant Mauro Rodriguez from Tela, Atlantida, Honduras stands outside of La 72 Immigrant Refuge Shelter. 

Photos courtesy of Ruben Figueroa

Suspects part of an organized criminal ring associated with Los Zetas who have vowed to kill several immigrant rights activists, including a priest who operates La 72 Immigrant Refuge Shelter in Tenosique.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 21, 2013

Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico - Three Central Americans have been charged with extortion for forcing undocumented immigrants to pay $100 dollars to broad a freight train, according to the Federal Public Ministry in Tenosique. The suspects charged were identified as José Alberto González, Jorge Alberto Alvarado, both from Honduras and José Osmaro Cruz Gálvez of El Salvador.

The suspects were taken into custody on Sunday, after state, federal and local authorities were alerted to death threats made to local immigrant rights activists who have reported for several months the criminal activities and extortion of immigrants in the train route.

A criminal organization (CO) composed of Central Americans and Mexican nationals operate in the Tenosique, Tabasco zone and its leaders who eluded arrest have vowed to kill and decapitate both Franciscan Father Tómas González Castillo and Ruben Figueroa, an immigrant rights activist for the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement who help immigrants crossing into Mexico on their way to central and northern Mexico. Father Castillo operates La 72 Immigrant Refuge Shelter in Tenosique, which offers complimentary food donated by supporters, spiritual support to immigrants, temporary shelter and a safe house from criminals. 

The CO controls freight train quota passenger payments and exploit undocumented immigrants trying to get on the train between Tenosique, Tabasco to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. The CO 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 or forced servitude.

Recently, CO's have engaged in kidnapping hundreds of immigrants at a time and then attempt to collect ransom. Thousands of immigrants have disappeared between Tabasco and the state of Veracruz, which the CO is based. The missing undocumented immigrants are believed to have fallen victims of drug cartels, criminal organizations and corrupt law enforcement officials. There bodies are then buried in clandestine graves along the train route or disposed in acid drums. 

The drug cartels have recently evolved into mafias and their influence has reached epidemic proportions in every municipality and state in Mexico resulting in the proliferation of daily criminal activity that includes kidnapping, extortion and mass murder. 

Father Castillo says, they have requested for local, state and federal protection for La 72 Immigrant Shelter to prevent another San Fernando, Tamaulipas massacre where 72 immigrants were killed because they refused to join the local Zetas in their feud with the Gulf Cartel. Castillo believes a massacre is waiting to happen, especially when authorities have failed to provide adequate security around the shelter until Thursday. In a given day, about 60 to 90 immigrants spent the night at the shelter. 

With the recent dead threats to Father Castillo, the shelter volunteers and workers have raised their awareness to their surroundings. Only a squad car from the municipal police has been station near the shelter, since Sunday and additional lighting has been provided by the local government.

The Federal Police and municipal  police were assigned to provide security at La 72 shelter on Thursday,  Figueroa confirmed. The military in the region on occasion patrols the train route, which ensures the CO to continue operating in the zone with impunity.

Cartels are trying to take control of the multimillion dollar drug routes heading into the U.S. border.

Federal and local governments have assigned municipal and federal police officers to permanently patrol and secure La 72 Immigrant Refuge Shelter vicinity due to public, government officials, human rights organizations and mainstream, including blogger media coverage pressure to provide security.

Photo by Ruben Figueroa

30 People Help Collect Money To Free Bank Cashier From Kidnappers

Dozens of people, including family members hit the streets to collect enough money to pay ransom and free local Banamex cashier.

By H. Nelson Goodson

March 20, 2013

Tecpan de Galeana, Guerrero - The family and friends of Iris Nataly García, 23, a cashier for Banamex hit the streets hours after she was kidnapped on March 9, according to the Milenio newspaper. Garcia's car was found in the community of Tetítlan. The ransom amount for Garcia was not disclosed.

Those volunteering to collect money say, Garcia's family can't afford to pay the ransom. So, they are asking people to donate money. 

No information has been released, if Garcia has been released.