WNBA STAR ARRESTED!
Oct. 11, 2007 18:00 PDT
by: Pat Walsh: Arrested Sports Director
Sacramento Monarch's forward Rebekkah Brunson was arrested early thursday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Monarch's General Manager John Whisenant expressed "deep disappointment" about Brunson's "poor personal judgement" in a statement from the team.
Brunson apologized to the team and the fans, saying "I am very embarrassed and ashamed, and I am well aware of the seriousness of the situation."
A California Highway Patrol officer stopped Brunson while driving in downtown Sacramento about 2 a.m. She had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 percent. Brunson, who has been with the Monarchs for four seasons, also said, "It's not representative of how I live my life, and I recognize what a huge mistake this is, I am deeply sorry." More information and a mugshot on the way. ©2007 arrested.com
LisaNowak-Astronaut ARRESTED
Astronaut Update: (Original story follows) 3-2-1-FIRED! 2007-March 07-Former Astronaut Lisa Nowak was fired today by NASA as a result of her attempted kidnapping charges...
MIAMI - 2007 Feb.07- A U.S. astronaut out on bail! Charged with attempted murder!
NASA mission specialist arrested for allegedly attacking and trying to kidnap her love rival in the parking lot of Orlando International Airport early Monday!
Astronaut, Lisa Nowak was initially granted $15,000 bail early Tuesday on charges of attempted kidnapping and battery, but before she could be released Orlando police decided to add an additional charge of attempted first degree murder.
Nowak's lawyer, Donald Lykkebak, argued that the police officers' facts are "imaginary" and "can't be supported," said Lykkebak. The judge for a second time on Tuesday, ordered Astronaut Nowak released on an additional $10,000 bond and a condition.
She must wear a global positioning satellite device, (GPS).
Mission specialist Lisa Nowak, 43, trained for two years as an astronaut at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, from 1996.
She worked in Mission Control as prime communicator with orbiting crews and flew on the shuttle Discovery's July 2006 mission to the International Space Station.
During that time, Nowak (a married mother of three) was "involved in a relationship" with a male astronaut Comdr. Bill Oefelein
who served as pilot on the December, 2006 space shuttle mission. Nowak says that she and astronaut Oefelein had "more than a working relationship but less than a romantic relationship,".
Navy Cmdr. Bill Oefelein served as pilot on the December, 2006 shuttle mission.
When Nowak was arrested on Monday, she told police she only wanted to "talk to the woman" she is accused of attacking,
Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman, 30, also a "friend" of Cmdr. Oefelein.
Nowak, had just doused Shipman with pepper spray
in the parking lot of Orlando International Airport, and according to police, intended to kidnap Capt. Shipman and murder her.
As a result of these charges, NASA has grounded Astronaut Lisa Nowak and relieved her of active duty for at least 30 days.The Count-Down Begins!
Ray Liotta ARRESTED-DUI Pacific Palisades: 2007 February 17 -
"Who put those cars there?"Actor Ray Liotta arrested early Saturday night after hitting two parked cars near his home in Pacific Palisades, near Los Angeles. According to Los Angeles Police spokesman, Liotta was booked on a misdemeanor DUI charge around 8:30 p.m. There were NO reported injuries. When asked what happened, Liotta was heard to say, “Who put those cars … there? ... they jumped out … My names Ray … i’ve been in movies!
Liotta's lattest blockbuster, "Smokin' Aces" was written and directed by Sacramentoan Joe Carnahan and is still playing in theaters.
Wesley Snipes-ARRESTED!
US COURTHOUSE, OCALA, FLORIDA-WESLEY SNIPES ARRESTED: Dec. 08, 2006 - Actor Wesley Snipes appeared today in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary R. Jones and charged with multiple counts of tax-evasion and tax-fraud which if convicted, could put the "Demolition Man" behind bars for up to 16 years.
Snipes is best known for playing rough-edged characters in blockbuster films such as "Major League", "Money Train" and "Jungle Fever". The IRS reported that Wesley Snipes surrendered to authorities Friday morning (12/08/06), exactly two months after his indictement on November 7, 2006.
Sources at the U.S. Marshalls office in Ocala, Fla. told Arrested.Com that Snipes was "never really a fugitive" from the U.S. Federal Government. The IRS has "been aware of Snipes location" in the African nation of Namibia for the past two months. Snipes "was never considered" to be running from the law while filming "Gallow Walker", the title of his latest wild-west action adventure film.
Snipes traveled from Africa and arrived in Florida friday morning on a private jet to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary R. Jones. Snipes' attorney (Donald Bierman, Daniel Meachum, William Martin) spoke for the silenced actor while in court, they also posted his $1 million dollars bond. About an hour later, Snipes re-boarded the private jet and headed for Africa to continue working on his film.
At one time Snipes reportedly stated that he is being made a "scapegoat" for publicity purposes. There is one thing for sure... as of Jan. 10, 2007 Snipes has no choice but to put an end to all his work outside of the United States. Snipes is under orders by Magistrate Judge Jones to return to his private home in Marina Del Rey, California on or before Jan. 10, and surrender his U.S. passport. A status conference is schedueled for Feb. 22.
According to the Federal indictment charges, Snipes, 44 fraudeulently claimed nearly $12 million dollars in tax refunds for the years 1996 and 1997. Additionally, for the tax years 1999 through 2004, Snipes is charged with failure to file his tax returns.
If the actor is convicted, future movie goers might see film titles such as "New Tax City", "Ft. Leavenworth Man", or "Major League Tax Shelter" . written by: tony cox - arrested .com
ASHLEY GARAMENDI: ARRESTED FOR DUI!
Sacramento, Ca. December 19, 2006: California State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi says his 20 year old daughter Ashely Garamendi suffered only minor injuries in her Saturday morning fiery roll-over crash.
The under-aged Garamendi was arrested for DUI on the morning of December 16 around 10 AM. If not for help of a passing motorist, Garamendi's injuries could have been fatal. Officials reported her vehicle flipped and caught fire.
The unidentified motorist pulled the unconscious Garamendi from the burning vehicle. No one else was reported injured in the single-vehicle accident.
The CHP plans to file a criminal complaint with the Yolo County DA's Office. If Ashley is convicted, she could face a fine and a suspended license.
As the daughter of the State Insurance Commissioner, Ashley's toughest challenge may be how to explain her upcomming insurance rate increase to her Commissioner Father!
Feb. 8, 2005
Dear Arrested.com
You probably won't be introduced to any murderers, rapists, or child
molesters at a federal prison camp, though you will meet your share of
pathological liars, con-artists and (in my opinion) sociopaths. Not
unlike myself however, there are also several very decent people who
just so happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, got
sucked in, caught up, or simply just made a stupid mistake.
On the basis of this premise, I have committed to abstain from
judgment and supposition, directing my focus to the potential inmate's
current state of mind. A range of emotions can come into play when
someone is faced with incarceration and the perception of
helplessness or vulnerability is often the result.
Again, the role of this website is not to judge nor is it to defend. The
objective is purely to inform, increase preparedness while
strengthening coping skills and hopefully, set the stage for a more
constructive experience.
When I eventually made it to the camp, I was told by several individuals
to "stay below the radar". I had no problem with that but unfortunately,
I had already been in the dreaded "hole" for 16 days while waiting for a
bed to become available at the camp. Time spent in the hole is a very
unpleasant experience.
To add salt to the wound, nobody had explained to me that a form
needed to be filled out in order to get phone numbers approved prior to
making any calls (be sure to ask for this form the day you arrive). So for
16 days, while everyone at home worried and wondered why they were
not hearing from me, I lied awake in the hole wishing that I had been
better informed. Unfortunately, there was nothing that could be done at
that point.
I have taken the time to identify the most common areas of question
and curiosity concerning life at the camp, and compiled the information
into a unique and one of a kind resource. Informative, compassionate
and everything you should Know before you go.
Visit Federal Prison Camps.com
Diana Fairechild Answers Questions About Health-conscious Air Travel
January 28, 2005 -- A question from one of my readers: "On a
no-smoking flight from Shanghai, I sat in business class and smelled
cigarette smoke. I informed the attendant and guess what? The pilots
were smoking! What's a nonsmoker to do?" -Josie
Yes, it's true. Some airlines still allow their pilots to smoke. Since air
from the cockpit is recirculated into passenger cabins (never vice
versa), flights where pilots smoke are never smoke free. And smoking
pilots often fly together as "smoker-friendly" crews, increasing the
impact on passengers.
But today most pilots are on the no-smoking bandwagon. A curious
incident involved a British Airways captain in Milan, Italy, who was so
outraged to hear that a passenger had smoked in a lavatory on his
no-smoking flight that he kept all 148 passengers onboard after landing
waiting for the smoker to confess. There was no confession, but after
forty minutes the airport police put a stop to the so-called "jet
detention."
Smoking in lavatories is more common than you would imagine;
smokers simply deactivate the smoke detectors (with condoms!). If
caught, fines are $1,000 for smoking plus $2,000 for tampering with the
smoke detector.
For the addicted, no-smoking flights can create withdrawal problems.
So in 1990, the FAA initially exempted nicotine-addicted pilots on U.S.
no-smoking flights, saying, "withdrawal symptoms might pose a risk to
the pilots' performance."
This 1990 FAA report also said, "The flight deck of an aircraft is better
ventilated than the passenger cabin and has a separate air circulation
system that does not mix with that of the cabin," which settled once
and for all the controversy about pilots breathing better air.
Smoking of International Flights:
Passengers beware. Smoking flights may turn up anywhere around the
world (not U.S. domestic, though) due to an airline practice called
"code-sharing," an arrangement where one airline flies part of a route
for another.
From a reader: "I suffer quite badly from smoke and work for a
multinational corporation in Angola. We fly Angola Airlines (TAAG), a
code-share with Air France. Though Air France is no smoking, TAAG is
not, so there is smoking on these flights even though the ticket shows
Air France."
In addition, on many international flights today, passengers are
permitted to smoke. On a smoking flight between Athens and New York,
an asthmatic passenger actually died. Seated three rows in front of the
smoking section, the flight attendants had repeatedly ignored his pleas
for a seat further away from the smokers. I testified as an expert
witness in this landmark case, decided in the plaintiff's favor by the
U.S. Supreme Court (02-1348) in 2004.
What Smart Passangers Do:
- On board, no one may smoke within three rows of medical oxygen. So
if someone is smoking near you and you can't change seats, tell an
attendant you're having trouble breathing and ask for an oxygen bottle.
- Adjust your air blower so the smoke-filled air is pushed back towards
passengers who smoke.
- For reservations on smoking flights, say: I am asthmatic (or allergic to
smoke) and must sit as far away from smoke as possible. Get names of
all airline employees you speak with.
- Code-share agreements are common in the industry and, though they
may not always lead to smoking flights, you may fly on an airline you
have not chosen. For example, in December 2004 Southwest signed a
code share that sends some passengers to ATA. No two airlines have
identical amenities and safety records.
No Smoking on Planes has Taken More than 30 Years and the Work of
Many Volunteers:
1973: No-smoking sections introduced.
1979: Cigars and pipes banned on planes.
1987: Air Canada offers no-smoking flights between New York and
Montreal, and reports a reduction in aircraft cleaning costs.
1988: No-smoking on all U.S. domestic flights under 2 hours.
1990: No-smoking on all U.S. domestic flights under 6 hours.
1994: Nonsmoking flight attendants with lung diseases sue seven
tobacco companies.
1997: Flight attendant class action suit settles: lawyers for attendants
get $49 million; tobacco companies get a shelter from future class
actions by attendants; nonsmoking flight attendants with lung diseases
get nothing.
1998: No-smoking on all U.S. domestic flights; some airlines voluntarily
ban smoking on selected international routes.
1999: Japan Airlines bans smoking and offers passengers little plastic
tubes to suck on to "help suppress the urge."
2000: U.S. Federal Law 106-181 sec. 252.3, passed on 4/5/00, took
effect in June 2000. It simply says, "All carriers shall prohibit smoking
on all scheduled passenger flights."
Health-conscious Air Travel:
The 30-year struggle to ban smoking on planes is an excellent example
of a successful consumer activist movement and a great model for
changing other egregious airline policies.
Today I am still fighting to ban recirculated air (which pollutes the
cabin with germs, viruses, and toxins) and pesticides (which damage
the immune system in passengers and in their offspring).
The Nicotine Dark Ages had only one advantage in aviation. Fuselage
cracks and leaking door seals were easy to spot after landing thanks
to the brown streak of nicotine residue trailing along the fuselage. (The
dangers of aging aircraft are still another opportunity for the public to
get involved and make a difference.)
Successful Drug Rehab Celebrates 39 Years of Saving Lives
February 20, 2005 -- February 19th marks the official anniversary of the
Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program. Thirty-nine
years ago an inmate in Arizona State Prison named William Benitez
received permission from prison officials to start a program to help
fellow inmates as well as himself to get off drugs. It worked.
Mr. Benitez persisted with officials for six months and assured them
that the program was needed and would not pose a threat to the
operation of the prison. His efforts became the NARCONON program
(NARCOtics-NONe) and in February of 1966 the continuing trend of
saving lives began.
The idea and inspiration for the program came when Benitez, who had
tried several times before to beat his heroin addiction unsuccessfully,
came across a book by American author and humanitarian L. Ron
Hubbard. Benitez found some of the principles in the book to work
when he applied them to himself, and he found it worked with others
too.
Mr. Benitez passed away in 1999, but a fellow graduate of his program
in the 60’s and long-time friend of Willie still contributes to this day. His
name is Gordy Weinand and he was recently honored at an anniversary
celebration for Narconon Arrowhead, which is the largest program of
the network and also the international training center. He now helps
with the program in Georgia.
"It was the knowledge I learned in the beginning that showed me that I
had a lot of ability,” says Weinand. “I could confront any problem
instead of running away from myself and getting high. I could deal with
anything. Things began to change for the better.”
When Benitez, Weinand and others were released from prison they
moved to Los Angeles, where they decided to set up a residential
program and continue to help addicts recover. Mr. Hubbard’s research
and developments in the field of drug rehabilitation is now the basis for
the overall program, which has expanded and evolved from that prison
cell so long ago. Today there are more than 120 Narconon® Drug
Rehabilitation and Education centers around the world in 40 countries,
and it continues to grow because of its effectiveness.
"From those humble beginnings,” Gordy continues, “I learned what a
great feeling it was to be able to help someone else. I have dedicated
my life to being able to help others. I look into the eyes of children and
tell them what great people they are.”
"If you're asking 'Does Narconon work?', I say, 'Ask Gordy Weinand.
He's living proof!'
Weinand has been joined by many thousands of people whose lives
have been changed for the better because of this program and who are
now living drug free or who never started using drugs in the first place.
To learn more about the program or to get help for a loved one in need,
contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to
www.stopaddiction.com.
Avoid Scholarship Scams
(ARA) - Kanan Singh wants to become a pediatrician. But like most
college students, she wonders how she'll pay for her education.
Walking across campus at Modesto Junior College, in Modesto, Calif.,
she thought she'd been handed the answer: a flyer for a financial aid
seminar that promised to help students find scholarships.
Singh and her father drove to the advertised hotel in nearby Salida,
Calif. They sat in a conference room with 30 other people while two
women and one man, all well-dressed and articulate, gave their
presentation. They "guaranteed you will be able to get at least $5,000
dollars from the scholarship packet they provide," Singh says. "And if
you don't, they'll give your money back."
Everything about the presentation seemed legitimate. "One of the
women claimed she was a high school counselor," Singh says. The
presenters even discussed how to avoid fraud. Convinced, Singh's
father spent $300 for three scholarship packets, one for her, one for
her brother and one for her sister.
But when the packets arrived in the mail "the letter said there was
nothing that fit my qualifications in order for me to receive
scholarships," Singh says. The money-back guarantee was impossible
to collect because the presenters had disappeared.
Singh's story is not unusual. In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission
received 594 complaints of financial aid fraud and took legal action
against two companies suspected of operating these types of scams.
Combined, the two companies allegedly defrauded approximately
52,000 consumers out of $23 million.
Con artists are eager to prey on a student's need for financial
assistance. Here are ten warning signs that can help you avoid a scam:
1. Fees: You shouldn't have to pay to search for or apply for
scholarships. You can find scholarships for free online by using
reputable Web sites like FastWeb (www.fastweb.com).
2. Credit card or bank account information needed: You should never
have to give credit card or bank account information to award
providers.
3. Scholarship guarantee: No one can guarantee that you'll win a
scholarship because no one can control scholarship judges' decisions.
Also, be wary of "high success rates" -- they usually do not refer to
actual award winners.
4. No work involved: You can't avoid putting in time to fill out a
scholarship application.
5. No contact information: Legitimate sponsors should provide contact
information upon request. If the sponsor does not supply a valid e-mail
address, phone number and mailing address (not a PO box), that could
be a sign of a scam.
6. Unsolicited scholarships: If you are called to receive an award for
which you never applied, be alert -- it's most likely a scam.
7. Pressure tactics: Don't allow yourself to be pressured into applying
for a scholarship, especially if the sponsor is asking for money up front.
8. Claims of "exclusive" scholarships: Sponsors don't make their
scholarships available through only one service.
9. Sponsor goes out of their way to sound "official": Scammers
sometimes use official-sounding words like "national," "education" or
"federal" or they display an official-looking seal to fool you into
thinking they are legit. Check with your school if you question a
scholarship provider's legitimacy.
10. Your questions aren't answered directly: If you can't get a straight
answer from a sponsor regarding their application, what will be done
with your information or other questions, proceed with caution.
Courtesy of ARA Content
Martha is Must Not See TV
February 10, 2005 -- NBC casting directors have begun conducting a
country-wide search for “Apprentice: Martha Stewart.” The new reality
television show, based on the Donald Trump ratings winner, is rushing
into production so that Stewart can begin filming when she is released
from prison next month. According to the casting search, “candidates
…should be creative, entrepreneurial, versatile, media savvy, and
articulate. They also should have expertise in technology, design,
television, publishing or merchandising and possess good business
acumen.” In other words, applicants should demonstrate those
qualities that Martha Stewart has ostensibly demonstrated on her road
to success.
However, the ethical reality is this: What lessons can Martha Stewart
truly teach these people? After having lied, repeatedly, to federal
investigators, what “good things” can she impart to potential
entrepreneurs wanting to make their own mark in the business world?
“Prospective applicants,” the release says, “should: be able to take
risks, bounce back after failing, succeed in a cutthroat environment, go
against the tide, remain focused, think creatively and be a leader.”
When did lying become a quality of leadership?
How did we reach a point where people who, after being convicted and
sentenced to prison, are rewarded with their own television show
where they actually “teach” people the wrong skills to use in business
as well as life? What’s next: “Apprentice: Jason Giambi” where he
teaches potential baseball stars how to use steroids, or “Apprentice:
Merck,” where you learn how to deceive people for years about the
problems relating to a prescription drug your company has on the
market?
Ethics specialist Jim Lichtman, author of the new book, "What Do You
Stand For?" cautions, “Every time we hear about some new
wrongdoing, our level of trust in institutions and individuals declines.
People need to be able to trust that those in authority, involved in
every area of our lives, are acting responsibly and telling us the truth.
Despite movie euphemism, most people can handle the truth. What they
won’t tolerate is being misled, deceived or lied to.”
“The real question in all of this,” Lichtman contends, “is how do we get
back America’s integrity?”
One way is by learning from the positive examples of others. "What Do
You Stand For?" is a collection of stories about real people who faced
real problems and made real decisions using ethical values. For
instance, in 1982 Johnson & Johnson chief James Burke pulled ALL
forms of Tylenol off the market nationwide after seven people died from
ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules in Chicago. Although the cost
to the company was more than $100 million, Burke felt that public trust
was more important than profit. Faced with a crucial deadline, Carl
Prude resisted pressure from his boss to forge a client’s signature on a
contract that only had verbal approval. At the end of the day, Prude’s
integrity was more important to him than following the boss’s orders.
Another way Americans can stem the tide of ethical erosion is by not
rewarding wrongdoers. Don’t apply to be a candidate on “Apprentice:
Martha Stewart.” Why would you want to work for someone who has
shown a lack of integrity in business? And don’t watch. Show NBC that
there must be better programming options than giving convicted felons
their own television show by boycotting that hour of “must see tv.”
“In these ethically challenged times,” Lichtman argues, “we need to
promote true leadership over salesmanship, and we ought to elevate a
reputation for honor more than we honor elevating the bottom line.” If
we’re ever going to return to the level of trust we once had in our
institutions and each other, we need to take a good look in the mirror
and ask ourselves, “What do we stand for?”
"What Do You Stand For?" Stories About Principles That Matter by Jim
Lichtman; Published by Scribbler’s Ink, October 2004; ISBN #:
0-9648591-1-4
IRS Alert: “Tax Payers Need to be on the Look out for Fraud"
March 28, 2005 – Arrested.Com and Tax-Definition.org
(http://www.tax-definition.org) is reporting on the second part of the tax
scam alert from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Manipulation of Tax
Codes and Laws in Tax Scams
Tax Forms for E-filers:
http://www.tax-definition.org/tax-forms
With the IRS bringing out its annual listings for the numerous tax scams
that are taking place, the debate on the misuse of tax laws has become
hotter. The “Dirty Dozen” looks at different kinds of tax scams that
have taken place in a year, to keep the people of United States aware
of the fraud agencies and their owners who move around in the guise of
tax professionals.
The modus operandi of the so-called tax agencies and tax counselors
is to manipulate the established rules and laws in order to get tax
reduction. They catch hold of people who are most prone to falling for
their false claims. Following the tax-deduction techniques given by
them can land you in prison. The IRS keeps a strict tab on the
numerous agencies and takes legal action against the fraudulent ones.
The different clauses and doctrines that are twisted and used for
getting tax reduction are:
Evasion of employment tax: There are times when the tax agencies
instruct the tax filers not to withhold the employment taxes from their
wages. This is a wrong interpretation of the Section 861. Following
anything like this can lead to criminal convictions and injunctions.
Penalties and extra taxes can be charged from the people found guilty
by the IRS.
Corporation sole: There are many people, who apply for incorporation
by claiming to be a part of some religious organization, or other phony
institution in the hope that they may be exempted from federal income
tax. The corporation sole statute gives the benefit of tax exemption to
the to religious leaders, thereby separating them from the ownership of
church and other assets, legally. The tax agencies ask people to use
this statute to escape taxes, other debts, and child support.
Increasing offshore transactions: Most of the people are advised to
hide their income in offshore banks and accounts by the tax agencies.
Such people tend to use offshore credit cards, life insurance, leasing
schemes, wire transfers, and foreign trusts to evade paying huge
taxes. The IRS and other U.S. agencies are on a look out for such
people who approve of and promote such illegal transactions.
Cases of Identity thefts: The IRS has received information about some
identity thefts where impostors have stolen valuable information from
people guising themselves as officers from the IRS. The stolen data has
then been used for credit card and loan application. Some people have
also received fictitious correspondence from different agencies posing
as the IRS. People tend to disclose very important information to them
like their social security and checking account numbers, and many
other things.
Deductions for charitable institutions: Different charitable institutions
and non-profit organizations have the benefit of tax deductions. The
tax agencies advise their customers to transfer all their assets and
other properties to any such institution, on paper. The person still
maintains actual control or hold of that property. This helps the
individual to get tax exemption and other deductions. IRS discourages
such practices and takes legal action against the guilty.
The best thing to do is to avoid getting duped by fraud tax agencies,
and contacting the IRS directly for any sort of information, or
clarification.
Learn more about electronic filing (e-filing):
http://www.tax-definition.org/Define-Electronic-filing.html
http://www.tax-definition.org
February 16, 2005 -- Police agencies are expected by its community to
have some type of a web presence. The pressure put on police
administrators by council members, citizens, police unions, and civic
organizations to develop a web presence is often tremendous. Failure
to do so gives the appearance of a department that is not progressive
and responsive to the community it serves.
The combination of these pressures has resulted in the development of
thousands of law enforcement sites of vastly different degrees of
design and sophistication. Some agencies attempt to fulfill their
perceived mandate of having an Internet presence by creating a site
showing only a picture of the police building and listing emergency
numbers. Other agencies provide crime statistics, or may use the site
as a bulletin board for messages.
The goal of CrimeWeb is for law enforcement to take advantage of the
potential of the Internet, as well as the move toward in-vehicle and
field based wireless computer applications.
CrimeWeb's website can be used to disseminate emergency and non-
emergency information directly from the police vehicle as it happens or
from a computer workstation. Its uniquely designed (patented) zip code
algorithm, allows law enforcement agencies to send alerts to citizens
using a variety of distribution options. Alerts can be sent to numerous
zip codes, up to 99 miles around a specific zip code, and/or to all users
located geographically between two zip codes. The CrimeWeb site
provides six basic components or types of information to subscribers:
1. Missing Child Alerts
2. Missing Adult Alerts
3. Major Crime Alerts
4. Homeland Security Alerts
5. School Information Alerts
6. Community Information Alerts
The alerts are delivered directly to the email address of a subscriber,
based upon the agencies involved with CrimeWeb as well as specific
criteria such as crime type or zip code that a subscriber may desire.
To learn more about the CrimeWeb Network, call 1-888-33-CRIME or
visit http://www.crimeweb.net.
TAG UAV Helicopter Featured in CBS Network Hit Series "CSI New York"
March 25, 2005 -- In another first for UAV’s and for Tactical Aerospace
Group (TAG), this week's episode of the hit CBS network series, CSI:NY
featured a supporting cast member in the form of a TAG UAV helicopter.
The one hour feature episode entitled "The Dove Commission" stars
Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes and was directed by Emilio
Estevez. The show used a variation of a TAG "C" type UAV helicopter as
a member of the elite NYPD TARU unit to perform on-camera maneuvers
integral to the story line. The weaponized helicopter represented in the
show was fitted out with dual .30 caliber guns, video and thermal vision
as well as a laser target acquisition system. The UAV was shown flying
through the New York skyline culminating in a firing sequence from the
outside of a 65th floor of a high rise building.
Use of the TAG UAV in media productions allows for the size, scale and
payload capabilities to portray or represent any rotary aircraft with
realistic flight characteristics and detailed visual representation.
Although fictionalized in this episode with the NYPD, it indicates the
very near future as these and other major departments move to
integrate the strategic advantages offered by TAG UAVs into their
arsenal of tools to avert crime and assist in surveillance, patrols,
incident response and homeland defense capabilities. The remote
unmanned helicopter enhances law enforcement aerial capabilities by
acting as a force multiplier for their existing airborne assets. This frees
the department's existing helicopters, along with their pilots and flight
crews, to concentrate on incidents where human intervention and
intelligence is needed on site. The TAG helicopter is also a welcome
and viable solution to provide aerial capabilities to departments that
could not otherwise afford to acquire and maintain an aircraft
contingent.
Sized to be transportable by SUV, trailer or van, the TAG UAV can be
deployed in minutes to loiter over an incident or crime scene providing
crucial video or thermal imaging intelligence. The helicopter can also
act as either a communications repeater or a local WiFi hub to provide
full multimedia coverage to all law enforcement personnel in the
vicinity by providing a downlink to the local command center and to
their vehicles or portable hand-held PDAs carried by each officer.
Tactical Aerospace Group (TAG) manufacturers autonomous and
remotely piloted unmanned aerial helicopters and develops or
integrates flight control systems, instrumentation and various payload
technologies for military, civil, media, surveillance, scientific and
research applications.
For Further Information Contact:
Erin McNally, Public Relations Dir., 310-388-0234 or e-mail protected
from spam bots
NOTES:
1. Further information and photographs can be viewed or downloaded
from the company web site at www.tacticalaerospacegroup.com
2. Media kit and video footage can be requested at e-mail protected
from spam bots
RIAA Platinum Record Awarded Artist Brian Larsen of Famed Band
Twilight's Moon Obtains Emergency Restraining Order Against
Trespassing Stalker
March 30, 2005 -- Brian Larsen, the musician also known as "Twilight's
Moon," obtained a permanent restraining order Monday, March 28, 2005
against a stalker who broke into his Maryland home and threatened to
kill the young artist.
Larsen, just one of a long line of celebrities who have had chronic
issues with stalkers in the last year, obtained a temporary restraining
order on Monday, March 21, 2005, the evening after a stalker broke into
his Maryland home.
At 9p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2005, a 43 year-old woman, identified by
police as "Laura," broke into Brian Larsen's residence in Maryland and
stormed around his house looking for Larsen's bedroom. The woman, a
drug addict, claimed that she needed to speak with Larsen in person.
Although Larsen's telephone number and address were unpublished,
the stalker claimed to have obtained them by tracing his whereabouts,
following him and hiring an investigator. Starting on February 26, the
woman began calling Larsen on his private cellular phone and leaving
threatening messages, including personal information about his
activities that day and threatening that she would "regret what she
would do next."
After the woman entered his home, Larsen immediately called 9-1-1 and
members of the musician's family demanded that she leave. The woman
continued threatening Larsen and began crying hysterically,
threatening to kill him. She remained in his home until police arrived
nearly twenty minutes later.
Upon their arrival, the woman was detained, and described by police as
"clearly intoxicated and inebriated, but possessing a valid drivers'
license." She was immediately forced to leave the area.
The following morning, upon advice from his attorney, Larsen obtained
a temporary restraining order against the woman in a Maryland District
Court.
At 10:45a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2005, a judge, after hearing nearly
an hour of testimony from Brian Larsen, including transcripts of
telephone messages threatening Larsen's life, issued a permanent
restraining order against the woman. In addition, the judge ordered
that she not come within 1,000 yards of Larsen, his home, or any
location where he may appear, both in public and private. The judge
further demanded that the stalker pay all court fees and attend
counseling. The 43 year-old woman was also served with a warrant for
her arrest after failing to appear for the trial. "This is the cost of having
a public persona," Brian Larsen said in a March 29 statement. "I'm just
thankful that the authorities responded as quickly and with as much
force as they could so as to protect my safety and privacy."
Brian Larsen is a musician best known for his work with the
million-selling band "The All-American Rejects," for which he received
two gold records and a Record Industry Association of America
"Platinum Record" award in March, 2005. On his own, Larsen has
released nine albums under the name "Twilight's Moon," and has
received a gold record for a 2002 single titled "Electric." Larsen is also
known for having worked with members of The Cure, Fleetwood Mac,
and famed independent musician Lisa Loeb.
The restraining order granted against his stalker comes the day before
the release of Larsen's new single, "In The Fall," his first release under
the Twilight's Moon name in more than a year and a half.
StunGun.com’s President Criticizes U.S. Department Of Homeland
Security Bureaus’ Decisions Not To Sanction Stun Gun Use
March 30, 2005 -- As stun guns have gained acceptance at police
departments in the U.S. and elsewhere, the use of these weapons has
encountered resistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security’s (DHS) two largest law enforcement divisions. The policy
decision at DHS not to allow about 20,000 of its agents to use stun
guns concerns a nationally recognized security expert.
“This is a shame,” said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. An
expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of
“The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News,
MSNBC, and CNBC. “A stun gun should be a perfectly reasonable
alternative to a traditional firearm, especially for DHS.”
On March 24, The Associated Press reported the approval of Taser
International's stun gun for use by British law enforcement. Meanwhile,
a few days earlier USA Today’s Kevin Johnson reported that the
bureaus of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs
and Border Protection (CBP), two law enforcement branches of DHS,
have disallowed the use of stun guns over the past two years. Johnson
reports bureau spokespeople attributing the bans to questions
regarding the safety of stun guns.
“A stun gun will not shoot a hole in an airplane flying at 15,000 feet,”
Siciliano said. “A traditional firearm will. Stun guns are the perfect
alternative to traditional firearms. Even the British government’s
gun-less police departments now believe so. America, however, loves
its guns. We have more guns than people. Thousands upon thousands
of people die every year from firearms. The DHS would rather shoot to
kill than shoot to stun.”
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned StunGun.com in
its business pages. KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano on
March 8 about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to
the industry. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of
the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano's
commentary about law enforcement's use of stun guns.
Various public interest groups have voiced concerns over stun gun use.
Claims by Amnesty International and others have been at the forefront
of a national debate over the weapons.
“A bullet has an excellent chance of killing the person whose body it
enters,” said Siciliano. “On the national level, a very small risk, if any,
of death by stun has sparked an unmerited controversy over stun guns’
relationship to everyday citizens. Now we’re hesitant to use stun guns
against people who enter the country illegally and may very well be
terrorists. This is by far the single most hypocritical, politically correct
action taken in the war on terrorism”
“The irrationality needs to stop,” Siciliano added. “For far too long, we
have entertained specious hyperbole from those who imagine that a
stun gun is highly lethal. It is not. To this day it is still unclear whether
a handful of people have actually died after being shocked by stun
guns, less-than-lethal weapons that law enforcement officers and
others have used safely against countless people over many years.”
Arizona-based Taser International is the largest manufacturer of stun
guns. Another stun gun manufacturer is North Carolina–based Law
Enforcement Associates Corporation. Stinger Systems, a second North
Carolina stun gun firm, has commenced production of its own stun gun,
according to a March 21 company press release. As reported by the
Boston Business Journal, Stinger Systems has nixed plans to relocate
to Springfield, Mass., home of the venerable firearms manufacturer
Smith and Wesson. According to another recent Stinger Systems press
release, former Smith and Wesson executives who had joined Stinger
earlier this year are now leaving the company, and Stinger System's
co-founder, Robert Gruder, will continue in his role as CEO.
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about stun gun
technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement.
Featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam
Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse
Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical
praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.
Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state
governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape
assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs
to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in
Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping,
Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The
Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science
Monitor, and elsewhere.
Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL
www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. His blog is located at
www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.
Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1(800) STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: (877)2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
e-mail protected from spam bots
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They
may also contact:
STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: (617)875-4859
fax: (866)663-6557
e-mail protected from spam bots
High School Senior Shot and Killed at Graduation Party
March 25, 2005 -- On June 3, 2001, plaintiffs' descendent Christopher
Easter, 18, attended a party for graduation seniors that had been
advertised by posters at several south Dallas high schools. The party
was in a commercial building located at 214 S. Main St. in Duncanville
that was managed by Mote & Associates Inc. and owned by Franklin
Hunter and Mary Carter. The party was hosted by Royce and Diane
Carpenter. Easter arrived at the party around 11:15 and left around
midnight. The students in attendance included member of various local
gangs. When Eater and some friends left, there were walking off the
property when some gang members confronted them. According to
allegations made in court documents, Fern Robertson III shot Easter in
the head in the course of the melee, killing him. Roberson, who was
standing off the premises when he allegedly shot Easter, had been at
the party for a time and was asked to leave.
Christopher's parents, George and Sandra Easter, sued Mote &
Associates, the Carpenters, Carter, Hunter and other individuals for
wrongful death and negligent security. The Easters alleged that the
defendants were responsible for failing to provide security for the
premises. The Easters argued that the defendants should have both
screened entrants and provided security, but failed to do either
effectively. Although, the shooter had been asked to leave and was off
the property, the plaintiffs argued that the defendants had created an
environment where criminal acts were unimpeded. They also argued
that the course of events showed that the hosts knew that the shooter
might be a danger, and that they should have called the police.
Kevin Carpenter, Darrell Carpenter, John Pierce, Alicia Pierce and
Joyce Johnson, operating as Special Events II, were non-suited
following discovery after the plaintiffs concluded that they had not
been present or otherwise responsible for security at the premises.
The remaining defendants all denied negligence. They contended that
they could not be held not be held liable because the shooting incident
was unforeseeable, and because the shooter was not standing on the
property when he fired the weapon. They also argued that Easter was
also off the premises, and that he and his friends had partly instigated
the confrontational fistfight. The plaintiffs contended that, while
Easter’s body was a few inches from the property line, nevertheless the
fight started partially on the property, and his body could have fallen
over the line when he was shot.
Hunter and Carter also filed a third-party suit against Roberson and two
of his friends who were present, Nicholas Lee Brown and Deandre
Riden. Hunter and Carter alleged that they, along with the parents
responsible for arranging for the party, were responsible for creating
the dangerous situation. They contended that the parents represented
to them that the party was a private affair, not open to the public.
Plaintiffs attorney E. Michael Grossman may be contacted at
http://www.injuryrelief.com
Damages/Injuries:
The plaintiffs claimed damages for loss of consortium plus survival
damages on behalf of the estate.
Result:
paid $95,000 between them, and they settled prior to summary
judgment. The Carpenters paid $100,000, which was their policy limit,
after their motion for summary judgment was denied.
The plaintiffs' firm commented that the settlement may have been
clinched after one of the defendants stated that they did not call the
police because they did not want to ruin the kids fun.
Plaintiffs attorney E. Michael Grossman may be contacted at
http://www.injuryrelief.com
March 19, 2005 -- According to federal officials, suicide bombers are
likely to attack in the US. A successful suicide bombing could inflict
grave physical and psychological damage to the target population.
Emergency responders must train to protect their communities against
such vicious acts, as well as to prepare themselves to respond to
potential suicide bombings. Emergency Film Group of Edgartown, MA,
has collaborated with terrorism experts around the country to produce
a training program for responders that addresses this difficult subject.
The program, titled "Suicide Bomber,” is now in the final stages of
production and includes a video or DVD and a Leader's Guide. This
program is a resource for local emergency personnel such as fire
fighters, law enforcement, bomb squads, EMS, and emergency
management who can use the program to understand the complex
issues involved in a terrorist suicide threat and begin to set up a plan
that will work for their jurisdiction.
"Suicide Bomber" outlines trends in suicide terrorism, examines how
different types of suicide bombs are constructed and concealed, and
identifies common bomb targets. Both pre-detonation and
post-detonation responses are portrayed. For pre-detonation situations,
the program shows dispatchers taking warning calls, mobilizing local
and federal response teams, and dealing with the bomber, including the
use of deadly force. For post detonation situations, the program
depicts responders identifying WMD agents, checking for secondary
devices, and managing victims.
To film the program, Gordon Massingham, president of Emergency Film
Group, traveled with his film crew to California where he worked with
Ventura County emergency response agencies as they conducted an
exercise in a suicide response. The film crew was able to get up close
and personal, and get many hours of realistic action footage. That
footage has been combined with actual news footage of suicide
bombings, and edited into an accurate, exciting training program of
broadcast quality.
Emergency Film Group uses leading professionals in emergency
response and film production to create authoritative and accurate
training programs for fire departments, hazmat teams, emergency
management, police, EMS, the military, and other emergency
responders. Winner of more than 125 awards in national and
international competition, the company addresses such timely topics
as terrorism response, homeland security, hazardous chemicals,
incident command, protective clothing, air monitoring, and more.
For more information, or for a free color catalog describing all
programs available from the Emergency Film Group, call 800 842-0999
or 508 627-8844. Program descriptions are available on-line at
http://www.efilmgroup.com
Color action photos and product shots are available to accompany this
release.
For information, call Shirley Pye, Marketing Manager, 508-627-8844 or
800-842-0999
Contact:
Shirley Pye, Marketing Manager
Contact Phone: 800-842-0999 or 508-627-8844
Web Address: http://www.efilmgroup.com
March 29, 2005 -- The recent murders by Jeff Weise, a sixteen year old
who killed nine people before killing himself has left the country in
shock and wondering whether Prozac, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Zoloft or
any drug for ADHD is safe for our children.
Weise was raised on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. He
was a quiet boy who had suffered tremendous family loss after his
father was killed in a police standoff and his mother was seriously
injured in an auto accident. But what happened after Jeff was
prescribed Prozac?
We have heard many theories as to the cause – trauma, guns, poverty,
goth culture, even video games. And yet, the question many parents
are quietly asking is whether the drugs so readily prescribed to our
children are increasing the risk of school shootings. Could such a
tragedy have been avoided?
These are the questions that are addressed by Label Me Sane, a
California organization dedicated to raising awareness regarding the
dangers of both illegal and prescription drugs. Since the shootings in
Minnesota they have been inundated with requests from parents
seeking safe solutions to withdraw their children safely off behavioral
drugs using The Road Back – How To Get Off Drugs Safely written and
developed by James L. Harper. The program has successfully tapered
thousands of individuals off behavioral drugs with little to no side
effects and is available at www.labelmesane.com.
Recent statistics show that 40-50% of the American public is on
anti-depressants. This does not include the use of anti-psychotics,
stimulants and anti-anxiety drugs, such as sleeping pills – making the
total number of drugged Americans into the tens of millions. What
happens when someone tries to withdraw off a behavioral drug?
Many describe the withdrawals as excruciating, terrifying and worse
than the depression they were trying to treat. This is certainly nothing
we want our children to suffer through. The Road Back – How To Get Off
Drugs Safely is a vital solution so that parents do not have to endure
watching their children undergo the horrors of withdrawal. Contact
www.labelmesane.com for more information. Protect your loved ones.
April 1, 2005 -- Sentencing consultants or specialists work with the
sentencing guidelines on a day-to-day basis. In doing this they have
developed the technical expertise needed to be most effective in
dealing with sentencing issues in either the federal court or state court
system.
Through their extensive research and expertise, the successful
sentencing consultant or specialist knows how to interpret the
sentencing guidelines depending on the jurisdiction. The federal court
system is broken up into circuits and each circuit court develops their
own interpretation of the federal sentencing guidelines based on
established case law of that particular circuit. Some states model the
federal system and function similarly. They also develop their own
interpretation through established case law.
Sentencing consultants or specialists are becoming more and more
popular in light of the federal sentencing guidelines becoming
discretionary or advisory, rather than pre Booker and FanFan when
they were mandatory. Judges now have more options and should take
into consideration that each case is different and apply the appropriate
sentence.
Alternative methods of incarceration will be more established in both
federal and state courts. Judges have the authority to downward
depart from the guidelines to sentence a convicted felon to treatment
programs, half-way houses and home confinement for their full
sentence, rather than a term of imprisonment.
To find out more how a sentencing consultant or specialist, along with
a prison consultant can assist a defendant or criminal defense
attorney, please refer to the web site of Federal Prison Consultants,
Inc. located on the Internet at www.FederalPrisonConsultants.com or
call the offices at toll-free 800.431.6258.
American Inmate Population Continues to Grow
May 3, 2005 -- There are now more than 2.1 million people behind bars
in the United States according to the Department of Justice, which is
an increase of more than 400 percent over the last 25 years. According
to The Sentencing Project the number of arrests for drug offenses rose
from 580,000 in 1980 to over 1.5 million in the year 2000.
Sixty percent of the growth in the federal prison population over the
last twenty years has been due to drug offender commitments, and
approximately 80 percent of inmates have substance abuse issues,
according to sources such as the Sentencing Project and the Bureau of
Justice Statistics.
Many states are continuing to review and revise their sentencing laws
for nonviolent drug offenders to curb the costs of the nation’s fastest
growing population segment. While limiting the number of new inmates
with drug addiction treatment alternatives is a positive step, there are
still hundreds of thousands that need rehabilitation within the walls of
the prisons.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics cites that only 10-15 percent of
inmates with drug problems actually receive some form of treatment
while incarcerated.
A recent study released by the Substance Abuse Policy Research
Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examined addiction
treatment practices and outcomes in Connecticut prisons. The study
found that recidivism rates are greatly reduced when inmates receive
some form of rehabilitation services during their prison sentences.
The cost to re-incarcerate offenders (at well over $20,000 per year) is
much higher than it is to provide drug treatment services in the prisons
or to divert offenders to inpatient drug rehabilitation programs. It cost
Americans $25.96 billion to imprison 1.3 million non-violent offenders in
the year 2000, meaning our nation spent 50% more than the entire
$16.6 billion the federal government spent on welfare programs to
serve 8.5 million people.
One organization that is continually producing long-term results
throughout the world for rehabilitating nonviolent alcohol and other
drug offenders is the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education
Program.
Narconon Arrowhead is the largest center in the international network,
producing a phenomenal success rate for rehabilitating addicts using
the effective drug-free methodology developed by American author and
humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.
Narconon literally means "narcotics-none" and was founded by a former
heroin addict named William Benitez in Arizona State Prison in 1966.
Thirty-nine years later, Narconon is still considered a new, proven
approach to successfully ending drug addiction.
The program consists of communication and confrontation exercises,
sauna detoxification to rid the body of the old drug residues and a
series of courses that empower former addicts through learning life
skills to raise their responsibility for themselves and others to become
productive members of society.
The overwhelming issue of substance abuse affects nearly every
individual in one way or another. If you would like to seek help for a
loved or are interested in learning more about the program, contact
Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933
NBC NIGHTLINE: Amway Quixtar Kingpin Settles Lawsuit to Avoid
Multi-Million Dollar Charges of Fraud, Copyright Infringement and Theft
of Trade Secrets
March 29, 2005 -- In what looked to be a damaging courtroom battle
between one of Amway Quixtar's top distributors and a small internet
development company based in Arizona, parties reached a settlement
this week ending a three year lawsuit. Originally filed in July of 2002 as
a federal case CIVIL DOCKET#: 02-CV-367 in U.S. District Court of
Arizona (Tucson) and later amended in April 2004, this multiple count
complaint alleges behind the scene business deceptions of the highest
order.
This comes on the heels of a Dateline NBC undercover investigation
that revealed a "hidden tools business" operated by some of the same
high ranking distributors or independent business owners (IBOs) as
cited in this federal case. It seems that while professing to the public
that riches can be made selling Amway or Quixtar products, a select
few high ranking and wealthy IBOs rake in millions selling "tools" like
books, tapes, seminars and web sites to their downline members.
One of these tools, according to the complaint, was a member web site
(called an IBO site) that was sold to thousands of members for
anywhere from $10.50 to $14.95 a month. Such IBO sites are supposed
to serve as an "online business card" helping existing members recruit
new members into the Quixtar business opportunity. The technology
behind this web site replication system was developed by an Arizona
based company who held a federal copyright on the proprietary web
software.
In a plot that could easily serve as the basis of a high-tech crime novel,
court documents reveal a well orchestrated plan to steal the profitable
IBO web site system, rake in millions of dollars in profit, and drive the
rightful owner out of business. "In the world of multi-level marketing
(MLM)" states former federal auditor, Eric Scheibeler who has reviewed
the public records, "you just don't see these type cases make it into
the public eye. We have allegations here of high-tech theft, fraud,
millions of dollars, and even a clandestine affair. I'm not surprised
there was a settlement."
In the end, one wonders who the losers are in such a case. The
kingpins are still selling the tools, Amway and Quixtar are still selling
their products, the attorneys got their fees and an unknown settlement
amount goes to the plaintiff. Did the plaintiffs fight the good battle until
they ran out of money and finally succumb?
A jury will never get to hear this case and a settlement agreement will
likely silence the parties involved. It's the public that's left scratching
their head as they wonder why such greed flourishes in a business
touted as the "best business in the world". If Amway Quixtar is such a
good opportunity, why all the fuss over these "tools"?
Maybe Dateline NBC got it right? It's a "dirty little secret" and once
again, it's the public that's left in the dark.
Drowning Victim Recovered by St. Louis County, MN, Sheriff's Office
Rescue Squad
June 10, 2005 -- The body of Andrew Lovell was recovered on Saturday,
May 28th, with the assistance of cutting edge underwater technology.
The 30 year old Wisconsin resident had been fishing in Butternut Lake
on May 23rd when his unoccupied fishing boat was spotted by his
fiancé during the evening hours.
Several agencies responded and were faced with searching an area
several acres in size. Divers made 30 separate dives but the large
search area and poor visibility made this work difficult. The Price
County Sheriff's Office contacted the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office in
Duluth, Minnesota for assistance.
"We had recently received a new side scan sonar and were planning on
utilizing it with our drowning recoveries", said Dave Phillips, St. Louis
County Undersheriff. "We have had success with body recovery and
scene investigation with our VideoRay Remotely Operated Vehicle, and
were looking to integrate side-scan sonar into our operations." The City
of Duluth, Minnesota, had recently assisted the St. Louis County
Rescue Squad in obtaining the Side Scan Sonar by utilizing funds from
a Homeland Security grant.
Members of the St. Louis County Sheriff's Volunteer Rescue Squad and
Sheriff's office staff worked with the Price County Sheriff's Office,
Butternut Fire Department and Dive Team in the recovery effort. One
boat was set up with the Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
(http://www.marinesonic.com/ ) side scan sonar, while another boat was
equipped with the VideoRay, LLC (http://www.videoray.com ) Remotely
Operated Vehicle (ROV); a small 8 pound underwater robot equipped
with a scanning sonar and video capability. The two boats worked
together in the recovery effort: First, the side scan sonar was deployed
and operators identified suspicious "hits" on the bottom and relayed
this information to the squad members on the ROV boat.
One image collected by the Sea Scan PC with a 900kHz tow-fish left
little doubt that the victim had been located. The VideoRay ROV
confirmed this, provided video forensic evidence, and led divers to the
victim so they could recover Mr. Lovell. After 4 ½ hours, the body of
Andrew Lovell was located.
"We were glad to have helped on this operation. This was an agonizing,
difficult time for the family and emergency responders", Phillips stated.
Numerous agencies had participated in the efforts over the past week
including the Price County Sheriff, Ashland County Sheriff, Butternut
Fire and Rescue, Butternut Dive Team, Park Falls Fire and Police.
For more information, contact: Dave Phillips, Undersheriff, St. Louis
County Sheriff's Office, Duluth, MN, Phone: 218.726.2339, e-mail: e-mail
protected from spam bots.
Chris Gibson e-mail protected from spam bots, VideoRay LLC, Director,
Marketing, Phone: 610.458.3000.
SEX.COM Owner Arrested for Child Molestation and Possession of
Heroin in San Francisco, California
June 4, 2005 -- A police source familiar with the incident stated that
Kremen is a well known user of drugs such as speed and heroin and
has admitted to being bi sexual during a police interview. Dr. Adrian
Copeland, a psychiatrist who works with sexual offenders at the Peters
Institute in Philadelphia, said that, from his experience, pedophiles
tend to be homosexual and "40% to 45%" of child molesters have had
"significant homosexual experiences." Police are currently
investigating other unspecified criminal charges against Kremen.
Kremen who became famous for his court victory against Stephen
Cohen over the sex.com domain name has had his problems according
to the police source since winning back the sex.com domain name.
The sex.com web site produces a small amount of money for Kremen
who has been forced to endure large continuing legal expenses
because of Kremen’s failure to collect from Cohen. Kremen’s prior
attorney Charles Carreon was forced to sue Kremen over proceeds from
the victorious lawsuit to win back the domain sex.com. Carreon
claimed Kremen promised him 15% ownership in Sex.com. Kremen
denied any such deal. Kremen settled his obligation to Carreon for an
undisclosed amount of money.
Last year Kremen for unknown reasons settled his action with VeriSign
for $150,000.00 according to a VeriSign public filing with the Security
Exchange Commission.
In phone interview with Kremen today he stated he was not a child
molester and the charges are false. Kremen admitted that he does have
a problem with drugs and that he does supported groups that protect
the rights of children.
Mandy Howard of "Parents United Against Child Sexual Abuse” stated
that people like Gary Kremen should be incarcerated for life since
there is no cure for these people. We should start to think about
protecting the rights of our children over the rights of child predators
like Kremen.
Contact:
Nancy Howard
1415 377-0001
e-mail protected from spam bots
January 8, 2005 -- After a trial that spanned six days, Tulsa County
Jurors needed a little over an hour to clear Anthony Eric Kirby of both
First and Second Degree Murder. At the conclusion of the trial jurors,
lined up to greet Mr. Kirby. Some of the female jurors even hugged him.
Kirby, 33, had been featured in news accounts as “Tulsa Most Wanted”
because of the murder that he was found not guilty of.
Anthony Kirby was on trial for the November 12, 2003 shooting death of
Lester Orlando Lewis, A/K/A Cornbread. The shooting occurred at the
Trapeze Lounge, located at 3313 S. 101st East Ave. Tulsa, OK.
Numerous witnesses were present at the time of the shooting and
several witnesses identified Anthony Kirby as the shooter.
Prosecutors from the Tulsa County District Attorney's office called 5
eyewitnesses to the stand. Prosecution witnesses indicated that Kirby
approached Lewis and shot him without provocation.
Kirby maintained that he was the intended victim, not Lewis. According
to Mr. Kirby, Lester Lewis was attempting to shoot him when he was
able to twist Lewis's wrist so that the gun was held in a position where
it was pointed at Lewis when it discharged.
Tulsa Criminal Defense Lawyer, Kevin Adams, maintained throughout
the trial that “Anthony was not the aggressor, that he was the intended
victim.”
“This case was about credibility,” Defense Lawyer, Kevin Adams stated
after the verdict. “The defense had it and the state did not.” Adams
said. “The state had 5 eyewitnesses and 10 different stories.”
according to Adams.
This victory was Kevin Adams' 7th trial victory in 2½ years. Kevin
Adams is presently the President of the Tulsa Criminal Defense
Lawyers Association and serves as a board member of the Oklahoma
Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Mr. Adams is the 2003 recipient
of the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association's Clarence
Darrow Award, given annually to an Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer
who exemplifies outstanding criminal defense in the preceding year.
Comments:
Dear Arrested.Com,
While walking my rather large rot-lab mix dog around 10PM in a
neighborhood park, a County Sherrifs helicopter began circling the park
with spotlight on full blast. They were searching the perimeter for
someone (I still have no idea who,)while I was in the middle of the
park's field. This went on for about ten minutes when I decided I had
had enough. I mooned the helicopter for about a minute...bare-assed
pointed to the heavens. Now the spot light never focused on my butt so
I kept on walking. They didn't get the message so I did it again. Again
no response. As I approached the line of trees surrounding the park, all
of a sudden..BOOM!!...the searchlight began looking for me. Ah..it's like
a real life Nintendo game! I went from tree to tree dodging the
searchlight each time the helicopter circled, I moved. What a
rush!...tree to tree, back to the same tree...after about three minutes
they lost me! As I ran across the street I raised my arms in my best
Rocky pose (with my dog), about 4 patrol cars and a Park Ranger
vehicle spotted me and confronted me. I was arrested (for what charge
was never explained to me) and thrown to the ground sat on by the fat
out of shape park ranger, handcuffed and thrown in the back of the
Ranger's Jeep. I was then driven to booking at the County jail
downtown. About two blocks from the jail I feigned a heart attack...I
held my breath for a few minutes pretended to black out and fell out of
the Jeep on to the pavement. The park Rangers freaked...called the
EMT's and I was put in an ambulance and brought to Memorial
Hospital. Given tests and released two hours later with all charges
dropped. I went home that night bruised sore but happy...I beat the
helicopter!!
Thanks for Listening to my story
M.D.
January 22, 2005 -- A would-be thief was nabbed before he could get
away with a Segway i Series model rented from Segway of Oakland on a
stolen credit card.
The alleged thief was caught thanks to the work of the Teaneck, N.J.
Police Department, Steve Steinberg of Segway of Oakland and the
powerful Internet search engine, Google.
“We had a Segway stolen just before Christmas,” explained Steinberg,
co-owner of Segway of Oakland. “We took a reservation for a weekly
Segway rental to New Jersey. The person identified himself as living in
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