Monthly Archive for February, 2009

Michigan AG says craigslist doesn’t do enough to protect kids

Published on February 28, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Craigslist and Predators. 0 Comments

Officials: Craigslist doesn’t protect kids:

I’m torn on how I feel about Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox. On the one hand he was one of only 10 AGs who didn’t sign the agreement with craigslist about their new safeguards to prevent illegal activity in the erotic services section. He’s also a heavy critic of craigslist having no links to law enforcement websites if their users need to report a crime. On those fronts he has my utmost respect.

But like I’ve said repeatedly over at MyCrimeSpace Attorneys General won’t criticize parents because parents are the voters.

My advice to parents about craigslist is the same about MySpace, educate yourself about your kids’ internet use. Know what sites they frequent.

I do have to add that of course no one from craigslist responded to AG Cox’s office or the Detroit News. Typical for craigslist.

Asperger’s is like being Mr. Spock attorney argues

Published on February 28, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Craigslist and Killers. 0 Comments

Asperger’s defense raised in Craiglist trial:

If you followed the original craigscrimelist you may remember the story of Katherine Ann Olson. She was the 24-year-old woman from Minnesota who answered a craigslist ad for a nanny only to be shot and killed by 20-year-old Michael Anderson.

Previously Anderson’s attorney tried using a mental defect defense stating that Anderson has Asperger’s syndrome. Except mental defect can’t be used as a defense in Minnesota and can only be applied to sentencing. Now Anderson’s attorney, Alan Margoles, is arguing that Andserson’s alleged diagnosis of Asperger’s should be heard during testimony. Check out how Mr. Margoles explains Anderson’s alleged Asperger’s…

Defense attorney Alan Margoles said in an omnibus hearing in November 2008 that Anderson has been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and was “laboring under it” so that he “didn’t know the nature of his actions or that they were wrong.”

Margoles likened Anderson’s mental capacity to that of Mr. Spock in Star Trek.

He said Mr. Spock had analytical reasoning, but no emotion. “He operated on pure logic. He had no sympathy, no empathy, no regret, no remorse. He was civil, but not kind. He was cold, but not bad or evil. He thought differently than others on the ship.”

Anderson is much the same as Mr. Spock; except that his condition is not voluntary, it is genetic, Margoles continued. “But the difference is that Mr. Spock knew of his reliance on logic and that he was different from the others,” he said. “Mr. Anderson does not know that.”

Therefore, Margoles said, the jury will hear statements Anderson made to police that may seem inappropriate to a normal person. Those statements, like: “I didn’t kill her, the bullet did,” or “I thought it would be funny,” cannot be fully understood without allowing the jury to hear information about Asperger’s.

Except Mr. Margoles’ entire outlook on Asperger’s is completely wrong. As I’ve stated before Asperger’s doesn’t make you not know the difference between right and wrong. It’s main symptom is that Asperger’s patients can’t discern subtle social interactions like sarcasm and humor and they may come off as having a complete lack of tact in social situations. It does not turn people into killers. If Anderson couldn’t know the difference between right and wrong he wouldn’t have disposed of Katherine Ann Olson’s body or hid her car.

His answers to police of “I didn’t kill her, the bullet did, or “I thought it would be funny” tell me that he doesn’t have Asperger’s and that he’s just a sociopathic killer.

Paducah shooter asks federal judge to overturn sentence

Published on February 28, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Heath High School. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

Michael Carneal

Ky shooter, Carneal, asks judge to overturn sentence:

Michael Carneal is at it again. After having his plea to have his life sentence overturned by the Kentucky Supreme Court the Heath High school shooter is now appealing to a federal judge to have it overturned.

Carneal was the 14-year-old gunman in the 1997 school shooting at Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky that claimed 3 lives and injured 5 others.

He now conveniently claims that at the time of the shooting he heard voices and that he did not fully understand his guilty plea. Of course he also claimed that he was bullied even though the people he shot were in a prayer circle. Maybe he was bullied by the ‘voices’ in his head.

It’s never about personal responsibility with these shooters. In their mind it’s always someone else’s fault that people are dead.

Virginia Police Officer is First 2009 AMW All-Star Finalist

Published on February 28, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

amw_logoFebruary 25, 2009 – A Roanoke, Virginia police officer who was seriously injured while attempting to apprehend an assault suspect has become the first weekly finalist in the 2009 America’s Most Wanted All-Star Contest, sponsored by Sprint.

On May 10, 2008, Officer Bryan Lawrence was working off-duty to provide security on a Saturday night when he heard on his radio that a woman had been assaulted at a gas station not far from where he was. Officer Lawrence spotted the two suspects and chased them. He was in the process of apprehending one suspect when the other assaulted him, kicking him so hard in the head that a shoe print was still imprinted on him a day later. The attack left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He is currently in intensive physical therapy.

Officer Lawrence is as well known in his community for his good deeds as he is for his police work. For example, every year on Mother’s Day he would buy roses and bring them to a local nursing home. He also organized and ran an annual motorcycle fundraiser for Alzheimer’s patients.

Officer Lawrence is the first of eight weekly finalists to be chosen by the public in the AMW All-Star Contest. Any first responder, such as police, firefighter or EMT, is eligible for the contest, and any member of the public can nominate and vote for their favorite first responder online at AMW.com. The nomination process is simple; all people have to do is fill out a short online form naming their favorite first responder and explaining what makes them an All-Star.

Each weekly finalist will be profiled on America’s Most Wanted (Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX). Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand-prize winner. In May, AMW Host John Walsh will present the 2009 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Nominations are open at AMW.com until noon (ET) on April 4, 2009. Members of the public may vote for their favorite first responder once a day, every day. Finalist voting runs through April 12, and the grand-prize winner voting will run April 16-May 5.

Tonight on America’s Most Wanted 2/28/09

Published on February 28, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

amw_logoDevon Russell: Smuggling drugs, weapons and illegal aliens is big business along U.S. shores. In South Florida, federal, state and local law enforcement are taking on smugglers; since 2005, more than 30 innocent men and women have died at sea near Florida’s coastline as a result of smuggling. Cops are now searching for a key player in the ring, Devon Russell.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=55506

Henry Pierre: Just days after an AMW tipster led the Royal Bahamian Police to suspected smuggler Henry Pierre, reports from the Bahamas say that the accused killer and alien smuggler was set free, but rearrested a short time later. The fugitive’s initial release came as a complete surprise to cops in Florida, as U.S. officials were working vigorously to extradite Pierre to face charges on American soil.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=55595

Rosa’s Story: Rosa is a composite of several real women, just a few of the 50,000 people a year who are smuggled into the U.S. and treated as slaves. These victims of human trafficking are forced into a variety of exploitative situations including prostitution and hard labor. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 was designed to protect these victims as well as to prosecute human traffickers.

http://www.amw.com/features/feature_story_detail.cfm?id=1486

Patricio Sosa: Human trafficking is an awful crime, but for some it’s big business — and the FBI says when the Cadena-Sosa family saw there was money to be made, they jumped right in. Patricio Sosa was one of the ringleaders of an operation that imported women and children from Mexico and forced them into prostitution in Florida, according to agents — and now law enforcement wants to put the brakes on this alleged trafficker.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=43318

Craig Oliver: When AMW last told you about scammer Craig Oliver, nearly a dozen tipsters recognized him as Danny Sullivan, a construction foreman in Phoenix, Ariz. But police say Oliver was able to slip away before the law enforcement dragnet scooped him up, and they need your help to track him down.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=45651

Rafael Cadena-Sosa: Like many young men, FBI agents say Rafael Cadena-Sosa went into the family business. Unfortunately, in his case that business was human trafficking and prostitution, reports the FBI. Sosa-Cadena and his brothers were allegedly part of a ring that imported women and children from Mexico and forced them into prostitution.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=43306

James Reimer: Cops in Oklahoma are looking for 40-year-old James Joseph Reimer, who they say took off with 14-year-old Deborah Kalai Fourzan; detectives believe Deborah is in danger because before they disappeared, Reimer sent text messages to Deborah soliciting sex.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=63272

Carmela Cadena: Imagine being kidnapped from your home country, held captive in the U.S., and forced to work as a prostitute. This is the fate of thousands of women and children who are smuggled into the U.S. every year — and the FBI says they’re kept in line by women like Carmen Cadena, member of a family that’s alleged to run a major human trafficking and prostitution enterprise.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=43302

Deborah Fourzan: Cops in Tecumseh, Okla. are desperately looking for leads that will help them find 14-year-old Deborah Kalai Fourzan, an Oklahoma teenager who went missing on Feb. 2, 2009 and may be in danger.

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=63323

Haleigh Cummings: Police in Florida have announced that they do have a sexual predator in custody who lived just a mile from missing 5-year-old Haleigh Cummings. But, investigators say the man had nothing to do with the disappearance.

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=63252

Adji Desir: Adji Desir, a 6-year-old developmentally disabled Florida boy, has been missing since Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. Police need your help to bring him home to his family.

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=62497

Tangena Hussain: On October 2, 2008, 24-year-old Jamrul Hussein was driving to the local mall to pick his girlfriend up. He had her daughter, Tangena Hussain, in the car at the time. On the way to the mall, Jamrul made a quick pit stop at a nearby gas station, but what happened next is a parent’s worst nightmare.

http://www.amw.com/missing_children/brief.cfm?id=59869

Marlon Lopez: Officials say that Marlon Iverzander Lopez has been evading the law for years. With a criminal history involving charges of drug trafficking, fraud, sexual abuse, and molestation, the FBI is looking to put Lopez where he belongs — behind bars.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=45205

Pedro Fajardo: Cops say Pedro Ulloa Fajardo visited his common-law wife on the evening of October 15, 2008 to hash out some differences that had been complicating their relationship. What cops know now is that Fajardo had no intention of mending their relationship — he intended to end it forever. Now,
Fajardo is on the run and police are hot on his trail, but could use your help tracking him down.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=61451

Erica Smith Killer: It’s been six long years since 14-year-old Erica Smith was murdered in Northern Virginia — but questions still plague Erica’s family. Who is responsible for tearing their family apart, and why? And most importantly, when will they be brought to justice? Cops continue to work Erica’s case, hoping a key clue and some old-fashioned detective work may finally bring this case to an end and help Erica’s family find peace.

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=46879

Catch America’s Most Wanted on FOX, Saturdays 9 pm ET/PT, 8 pm CT

Visit us at www.amw.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com/americasmostwanted

craigslist crime blotter 2/25/09

Published on February 25, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Craigslist, Drugs, Prostitution and Human Trafficking, Scams and Stolen Goods. 0 Comments

Thieves target potential victims on Craigslist:

Local Charlotte, NC news station tells story of man who scammers tried the fake check scam on.

Four charged in Craigslist prostitution sting:

Police in Bridgeport, Conn. have arrested 4 in a craigslist hooker sting. Those arrested were Nieda Ponce, Sharlie Rustici, Sabrina Smith and Caitlin Vickers. The suspects range in ages from 19 to 55.

6 accused of trading drugs for ski lift tickets:

Police in Mammoth Lakes, California used craigslist to set up a sting where they arrested 6 people who wanted to trade drugs for ski lift tickets. I never knew ski lift tickets were in that high demand. Pretty ingenious on the police’s part.

Police: Man Tries To Sell Stolen Van On craigslist:

Police in Deerfield Township, Ohio arrested Abduvokhid Ismailov for trying to sell a stolen car on craigslist and for having an unpronounceable name. Ok, I made the last part up.

Wedding dress at center of Des Moines fraud case:

A woman in Des Moines, Iowa who was selling her wedding dress on craigslist fell for the fake check scam and now she’s out a few grand. Remember kids, if the check is more than the asking price it’s probably a fake and if you cash it you’ll be on the hook for the money.

Illinois man charged with cyberstalking

Published on February 25, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Criminals and MySpace. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Wayne County Man Arrested for Cyber-Stalking:

21 year-old Justin Savage of Fairfield, Illinois has been charged with felony counts of cyberstalking, identity theft, and electronic harassment of a witness. It seems that Mr. Savage was involved in a fight and rather than taking his punishment like a man he decided to create a fake MySpace in order to intimidate a witness.

He created a fake profile under the name of a former friend of his whose nickname is ‘Sabetya’. Savage then allegedly put threatening statements about the witness on the fake MySpace.

No word on what the possible sentence could be for these felonies.

And if you take a look at his mugshot he doesn’t look so Savage now.

Ex-prison guard may be having con’s baby

Published on February 25, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Former Prison Guard Says She’s Not Carrying Inmate’s Baby:

Former corrections officer Tameka Mebane of the Bertie Correctional Institution in Windsor, North Carolina has been charged with having a sexual relationship with one of the male prisoners. Mebane is also four months pregnant. Police say that she admitted to them that the inmate is the father even though she denies it to the media.

Call me sexist but this is one of the reasons I believe female officers should not be allowed to guard male inmates. The main reason is for their own safety since I would imagine the potential for rape would be incredibly high.

So am I sexist or should this just be common sense?

Philly woman shot 10 times by ex

Published on February 25, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Pennsylvania

Woman shot more than 10 times in the head in front of 4-year-old daughter:

Reason to Blow Up the World…

Police say a man shot his ex-girlfriend to death in front of their 4-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old friend in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant Saturday night.

LaRosa Gonzalez, 24, was at the KFC-Taco Bell on Hunting Park Avenue near North Clarissa Street in the city’s Tioga section to get some food and told her ex-boyfriend, Willie Scott, of her location by cell phone, Homicide Sgt. Bob Wilkins said.

About 8:42 p.m., as Gonzalez sat in the car with the estranged couple’s daughter and a 16-year-old unidentified friend, Scott, 29, allegedly approached Gonzalez’s vehicle and opened fire on her, according to police.

Gonzalez was shot more than 10 times in the head, neck and torso, Wilkins said. She was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:52 p.m.

Both the teen and the 4-year-old child escaped unharmed, Wilkins said.

Scott, of North Philadelphia, turned himself in to authorities as they were searching the area, Wilkins said.

The motive for the shooting was an argument, Wilkins said, although he would not disclose the nature of the dispute.

Along with her 4-year-old daughter, she leaves behind an 8-year-old son who was not with her at the time of the shooting, Wilkins said.

What could the argument possibly have been about that caused you to shoot her over 10 times? Or are you just another Philly jackass who can’t solve problems without resorting to violence? Sorry Phiily but I’ve lived there and witnessed too many douchebags like this.

One point for each bullet you put into the mother of your child (10) and two more points for taking a mother away from her children. That’s 12.

Miami murder-suicide claims 4

Published on February 25, 2009 by Trench Reynolds in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Florida

4 Family Members Shot Dead In Miami-Dade Home:

Reason to Blow Up the World…

SW MIAMI DADE (CBS4) ―A father killed his two daughters, wife and himself in Southwest Miami-Dade early Wednesday morning, leaving friends and neighbors who described them as a perfect family in disbelief.

The tragedy occurred at about 5 a.m. Wednesday at a single-family home in the area of 160th Street and SW 98th Court, where piano teacher Pablo Amador lived with his family.

Det. Alvaro Zabaleta, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade police department said a “father shot himself after shooting his wife and two daughters.” The two girls were identified as 13-year-old Rosa and 14-year-old Priscila. His wife, 45-year-old Maria Amador was also killed.

He added that a 16-year-old son, Javier, escaped the shooting by fleeing into a nearby home, where he called 911 operators.

A fourth daughter, 19-year-old Beula, was attending classes at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, where she’s a music student.

Maria worked at The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis, a research center dedicated to studies in the field of paralysis and spinal cord injury.

Pablo, according to neighbors, gave piano lessons to students of all ages at the home. He’s also reported to have been a former tenor with the Greater Miami Opera chorus.

Whatever the motive was I’m sure it was something selfish.

One point for each murder (3), another point for taking the coward’s way out, and one more point for each child you’ve selfishly left parentless (2). That’s six.

As the saying goes around here if you’re going to off yourself be a man and go alone.