Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Friday, December 4, 2015
Commander Mike Madden, First Responder, San Bernardino
It was something we train for, but you are never prepared for it. I could hear in our dispatcher's voice, this was a real event. We have an active shooter. I was nearby, about a mile, just out of pure luck that I happened to pull in to the right location, just south of the building where this tragedy took place. I was informed this was the right location and I asked for officers to respond.
We wanted to get in there and we wanted to stop any innocent people for being killed. There was an approximate 2-minute time gap until responding officers arrived.
There were victims obviously deceased outside the conference room. I related that to other responding officers.
It was unspeakable, the carnage we were seeing, are seeing, the number of people injured, and unfortunately already dead and the pure panic on the faces of those who needed to be safe.
The officer said it was difficult to pass up people in dire need of medical aid, but it had to be done. Until the threat had been eliminated, it was not wise for any first responder to help victims until the threat was minimized.
The officer did not know Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik had committed unspeakable acts and was now running.
The officer continued:
Probably 50 people responded past us and out the doors. I was very glad to see in a very short period of time there were other responders. We were able to form tactical teams. I was able to fall back in a supervisory role.
We absolutely believe there was another shooter. We were getting information from multiple callers. We were not sure how many shooters we had. We were told 2 shooters may have left in a black vehicle but there was the smell of fresh gun powder and we were told there might be more shooters.
It was a little surreal. Yet, I did the job I was supposed to do. People don't call the police because they are having a good day, they call because there is a tragedy.
How did you calm people down? "You have to be clear in your orders. The initial 50 people did not want to come to us. That heightened my fear the suspects may have been in the hallway holding them hostage. We can't panic in these situations. A few started coming and then all came.
It was extremely loud. There were fire alarms going off. The moans and wails...and the sprinkler system was going off at the same time.
Our team did not find any explosive devices. There was a Christmas tree in there. All of the tables were decorated for a holiday party. It was so senseless.
I have tried to make a point with the officers I knew who were in with us, it was truly overwhelming to see all the agencies that got here. No one hesitated. They knew what their job was, to bring a little calm. I think we will all work through this (the trauma) together.
We have taken a lot of hits lately, some justified, much of it not justified. It takes a toll. It takes a toll on all cops. No cop comes into this job with the thought, now I have total power to be corrupt.
Every officer I am encountering right now is getting the same kind of positive support. There is support of law enforcement.
It was pretty clear when we knew we had an active shooter and the amount of carnage, this was not a rogue individual.
True heroes who rather than act like celebrities, were just doing their jobs, is the best description of the men and women from multiple agencies who went to rescue innocent citizens from the twisted logic of mentally deranged people. People always appreciate their officers, but sometimes it may not seem like it when the officers are intent on writing tickets or enforcing ancient laws. During times like these, everyone is grateful for the hard job agents do to help keep the peace.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Monday, July 14, 2014
Undocumented Immigrant Sentenced For Illegal Re-entry
Mexican national sentenced for illegally reentering US after deportation
Gutierrez allegedly was removed three times. His most recent deportation was in June of 2011, according to an ICE press release. Gutierrez violated U.S. law in several aspects. He has four convictions for DUI, three convictions for possession of narcotics, two convictions for assault against his girlfriend, one conviction for patronizing a prostitute and one conviction for criminal impersonation. He also has two convictions for illegal entry into the U.S. He appears to have an addiction problem and might respond to therapy if he got the chance. It does not appear as if that chance will be forthcoming.
Gutierrez has been in custody since March 3, 2013. In July 2013, he was sentenced in Connecticut state court to three years of incarceration for possession of narcotics and criminal impersonation.
On April 14, 2014, Martinez-Gutierrez pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson sentenced Martinez-Gutierrez to 30 months in federal prison. The judge could have ordered Martinez-Gutierrez to serve consecutive sentences for his state and federal guilty pleas, but instead ordered the undocumented immigrant to serve one sentence, and then the second for a total time in prison of 6 years.
Some advocates for national security encourage immigration reform that would give people like Martinez-Gutierrez one final chance and allow them to remain in the U.S. with family, friends and relatives. This group argues it is better to identify all undocumented people in the U.S., to keep families together (family values), and to not interrupt business activity, while helping to balance the budget through fines.
A more popular version of immigration reform denies the benefit of identification of all persons and would favor the deportation of people found guilty of most crimes, like Martinez-Gutierrez. Still others, including Speaker of the House (U.S. House of Representatives) John Boehner, wish to forgo the opportunity to identify at least 40% of the people in the country by blocking immigration reform all together.
Presumably, ICE says they are focusing on deporting violent criminals. However, what ICE says they plan to do and what they are actually doing often varies. However, if ICE only deports violent criminals, they destabilize Mexico by dumping these persons on the border, where they are forced to join gangs. Their presence has made the border a very dangerous place.
Presumably, ICE says they are focusing on deporting violent criminals. However, what ICE says they plan to do and what they are actually doing often varies. However, if ICE only deports violent criminals, they destabilize Mexico by dumping these persons on the border, where they are forced to join gangs. Their presence has made the border a very dangerous place.
Most people are convinced, if a person must be incarcerated, that person would be better guarded in the U.S. Most criminal aliens adopted their criminal ways in the U.S. hence are a U.S. problem. That problem should not be deported to another country where the person is placed in high risk situations for re-offending, and causing destabilization in their native country, and eventually, in the U.S. American lives come into play when soldiers are sent to guard the border, with the border patrol and for those Americans who are sent to countries made less stable though the U.S. deportation policy.
The Secure Communities program has caused friction between ICE and local law enforcement. ICE often makes promises it later refuses to keep in order to convince governors to enter into the secure communities program. Local governments pay for the time inmates are held for ICE pick-up, a cost that belongs to the federal government. ICE initially agrees to only use the program for serious criminal offenders, but then uses the program to deport people who are not guilty of any crime, or only minor crimes.
Every country has a right to protect itself. Deportation policy becomes sticky in this regard. Agencies charged with protecting national security seek to identify and remove immigrants who break the law. However, that removal leaves a family without a provider, a child without a parent, and the inevitable cycle of school yard to prison yard a sure path for repetition. It is not that children of immigrants are more likely to be offenders. Rather, 70% of all males incarcerated come from single parent families.
The Secure Communities program has caused friction between ICE and local law enforcement. ICE often makes promises it later refuses to keep in order to convince governors to enter into the secure communities program. Local governments pay for the time inmates are held for ICE pick-up, a cost that belongs to the federal government. ICE initially agrees to only use the program for serious criminal offenders, but then uses the program to deport people who are not guilty of any crime, or only minor crimes.
Every country has a right to protect itself. Deportation policy becomes sticky in this regard. Agencies charged with protecting national security seek to identify and remove immigrants who break the law. However, that removal leaves a family without a provider, a child without a parent, and the inevitable cycle of school yard to prison yard a sure path for repetition. It is not that children of immigrants are more likely to be offenders. Rather, 70% of all males incarcerated come from single parent families.
Even those charged with enforcing immigration law sometimes get caught in dead end jobs in the deportation industry, like some who become private guards in for-profit prisons, including Aurora, Colorado's GEO Group. At the end of the rainbow, there are no winners, including the American people.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krishna R. Patel and Carolyn A. Ikari.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krishna R. Patel and Carolyn A. Ikari.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Denver Civil Rights Groups Furious Over House Immigration Disaster
No More Words and Empty Promises
CIRC Calls for Immediate End to Deportations and Maximum Relief and Protection for Immigrant Families
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| Senator Micheal Bennet |
Washington, D.C. / Denver, CO: Today, President Obama announced that the House Republican leadership informed him directly that they will not pursue a vote on comprehensive immigration reform legislation in 2014. The President stated that he has asked his administration to deliver proposals for executive actions on immigration by the end of summer.
The President said:
"If Congress will not do their job, at least we can do ours. I expect the recommendations before the end of the summer, and I intend to adopt those recommendations without further delay."
The following is a statement by Caroline Casteel, Board President of the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC):
After years of struggle to defend against unjust deportations and to keep our families together, we welcome the President's public commitment to pursue executive and administrative immigration reforms. However, the time for more announcements and declarations has long past. Our families and communities are deeply disillusioned and angry by the many promises broken by Congress and the Obama Administration.
#not1more .@bennet.senate.gov #NotOneMore http://t.co/897ZROQQnz
— Tim Paynter (@immigrants2bfre) June 30, 2014
Immigration reform has failed again, and unjust deportations and family separations have reached deplorable record numbers.
Meanwhile, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet called on the President to "use His Legal Authority to Ease the Burden on Businesses, Workers, Families".
We call on the President to follow today's announcement with swift, bold, and aggressive executive action to provide the most immediate and beneficial relief and protections possible. For our communities, this is the test through which we will remember and judge President Obama and his administration. We expect him to act on the right side of history and move forward to take the moral and urgent step of ending terrible family separations.
"The Colorado immigrant rights movement will not stop working and fighting until we win permanent relief and protections, both through the strongest immediate executive actions possible, and through more comprehensive legislation in the future" a CIRC spokesperson said.
"We pledge to continue to work to mobilize our communities to the voting polls this November to hold Congress accountable for their failure to pass immigration reform and to demonstrate the pro-immigrant values that define Colorado's electorate," CIRC continued.
Meanwhile, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet called on the President to "use His Legal Authority to Ease the Burden on Businesses, Workers, Families".
We call on the President to follow today's announcement with swift, bold, and aggressive executive action to provide the most immediate and beneficial relief and protections possible. For our communities, this is the test through which we will remember and judge President Obama and his administration. We expect him to act on the right side of history and move forward to take the moral and urgent step of ending terrible family separations.
"The Colorado immigrant rights movement will not stop working and fighting until we win permanent relief and protections, both through the strongest immediate executive actions possible, and through more comprehensive legislation in the future" a CIRC spokesperson said.
"We pledge to continue to work to mobilize our communities to the voting polls this November to hold Congress accountable for their failure to pass immigration reform and to demonstrate the pro-immigrant values that define Colorado's electorate," CIRC continued.
Frankly, this appears to be an example of polarization which cost Republicans heavily in the last election. While many pundits blamed the Republican loss on the failure of immigration reform, voters were really expressing their rage at the refusal of both parties, but especially the Republican party, to come to the table with rational compromises. Meanwhile, tax payers and citizens continue to pay a huge price for the vitriol expressed through a representative system that appears to be failing to represent the greatest minority, a hallowed goal of democracy.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Ft. Hood Shooting Not First, Authorities Hope It Is The Last
Heroic Efforts By Base Law Enforcement Stopped Further Loss
The shooter has been named as Ivan Lopez. An investigation has been launched. The shooter self reported asking for help with likely depression and PTSD or a traumatic brain injury. He has served as active duty in a war zone. The evaluation was "in process".
Once news of the shooting reached base police, a female base police officer found and confronted the shooter. At that time, the shooter took his own life. Up to 16 victims were injured, according to reports.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Colorado Western Slope Leaders Support Immigration Reform
Grand Junction, CO – A few years ago, an article ran in the Denver Post about prison inmates who loved to work in the fields with their bare hands at centavos each hour. The article, clearly a farce on our broken immigration system, suggested the arrangement was a solution to getting rotting crops out of the ground. Legal migrant workers, as well as undocumented workers, were avoiding Colorado after reports of aggressive enforcement. Farm owners suffered huge losses because they could not find enough labor to salvage their crops. Perhaps forced labor worked in Russia after the second world war. Using prison labor to prop up a workforce is not a hallmark of a democratic society because it encourages the creation of more criminal laws in order to incarcerate more people for the sole purposes of building a workforce.
CLUB 20, a business advocacy group for Colorado’s 22 Western Counties where the shortage of this labor was prominent, passed a resolution supporting the “bipartisan nature” and “broad coalition” of the Senate’s immigration overhaul bill. The bill was written by the bipartisan “Gang of 8” Senators that included Colorado U. S. Senator Michael Bennet.
The CLUB 20 resolution, which was passed by unanimous consent at today’s fall meeting of the CLUB 20 Board, encouraged the Colorado Congressional delegation to support the principles of the bill.
That immigration bill, which passed the Senate in June, makes important fixes to an outdated visa system, provides significantly more tools and resources to secure the border, establishes a sensible system for the future flow of immigration, and creates a tough but fair path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. The immigration bill passed the Senate in June with a bipartisan 68-32 vote. The House of Representatives at first proposed a conservative form of immigration reform that leaves over 50% of immigrants out reform. However, even the conservative proposals have not been allowed to move forward in the House.
“There’s no place more affected by our broken immigration system than the West Slope,” Bennet said. “From peach growers to tourism companies to local businesses, our Western Slope communities are hurt by our country’s immigration policies. The rest of our state is also suffering – ranchers on the Eastern Plains, high-tech companies along the Front Range, and ski resorts in our mountain towns. Colorado needs an immigration system that works for us, not against us, and CLUB 20, by virtue of its vote today, recognizes this salient fact.”
“CLUB 20 represents the interests of Colorado’s western counties. Those counties are hurt by our country’s broken immigration system,” Steve Reynolds, Chair of Club 20, said. “Something needs to be done. Some fix needs to be made, and while the Senate’s immigration bill might not be perfect, it’s a good compromise that will help Western Colorado. The alternative – doing nothing and maintaining the status quo – is not acceptable.”
Senator Michael Bennet has been at the forefront of immigration reform. In personal conversations and sometime publicly, he speaks about his own family history in immigrating to the U.S. Immigrants have made America what it is, including Alexander Graham Bell, and in more recent times, Google through it's co-founder, Sergey Brin. Reform would pass in the U.S. House with strong bi-partisan support if it could get to the floor for a vote. A few conservative Republicans are holding up the reform bill.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Border Patrol Arrests Resident Alien For Smuggling Undocumented Immigrant
U.S. Patrol Alleged Human Smuggling Attempt
(Thursday, March 06, 2014)
Brownsville, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge detained a resident alien female for alleged violations of immigration law. The resident alien, a citizen of Mexico, allegedly attempted to smuggle a 42-year-old man into the United States without valid entry documents.
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| ICE Photo |
“This alleged smuggling attempt of a man from Mexico into the country was stopped by our CBP officers working on enforcing immigration laws at our country’s borders. This man will not be allowed to enter the country and the alleged smuggler will face federal charges thanks to the work on the front line by our CBP officers,” said Michael Freeman, CBP Port Director, Brownsville.
On March 4, a vehicle with two women and their children pulled up to the port and presented documents for themselves and their children. Suspicious for reasons unstated, the inspection officer signaled the driver to pull into the area designated for secondary inspections. Shortly, an undocumented male, aged 42, was found hiding in the vehicle.
CBP officers took the driver and the undocumented man into custody for alleged violations of immigration law. The 42-year-old man was processed as an undocumented alien and both will face federal charges. The adult female passenger and her children were released. The driver’s minor children were turned over to a family member.
Incidents of this nature transpire at the border frequently. CBP remains quiet about why they chose to publicize this particular event. Resident aliens who participate in illegal activity are subject to loss of their residency along with other penalties if found guilty.
Information for this story was obtained from CBP.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Free Tax Help From IRS In Spanish and English
Best Ways to Get Free Tax Help from the IRS
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| Photo credit tom copeland Blog |
Many of us need information when preparing our federal tax returns. We have questions about dependents, which forms to use and how to claim a credit.
Here are the best ways to get free help from the IRS:
• Visit the IRS on the Web. The IRS.gov website is your one-stop tax shop. Start at ‘1040 Central.’ Before you go anywhere else, look here for tips and information that will help you file your federal tax return. This page has links to information about filing options, the latest news and frequently asked questions.
You will also find links to a number of online tools like the Interactive Tax Assistant and the IRS Tax Map for answers to your tax questions. Use’Where’s My Refund?’ to check on your refund or use the EITC Assistantto see if you’re eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. You can also get all the forms and publications you need 24x7.
• Use IRS Free File to do your taxes. Everyone can use IRS Free Fileto prepare and electronically file their federal tax return for free. IRS Free File is available exclusively on IRS.gov. The fastest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit.
If you made $58,000 or less, you can use Free File tax software to e-file your tax return. The software is easy to use and will guide you through the steps of filing your taxes. If your income is more than $58,000 and you’re comfortable doing your own taxes, you can use Free File Fillable Forms. This program is the electronic version of IRS paper forms.
• Get tax help in your community. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helps people who make $52,000 or less prepare and file their tax returns for free. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program offers help mainly to people 60 or older. AARP is part of the TCE program and helps taxpayers with low-to-moderate incomes.
VITA sites are located in neighborhoods all over the USA. Visit IRS.gov and enter ‘VITA’ in the search box. Then click ‘Free Tax Return Preparation for You’ to locate a VITA or TCE site near you.
If you don't have Internet access you can call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to order IRS forms and publications. You can check the status of your refund by calling 800-829-4477. Call the same number to hear taped messages on more than 150 tax topics. You can find the closest VITA site by calling the IRS at 800-906-9887.
IRS YouTube Videos:
- All About IRS.gov – English | Spanish | ASL
- Welcome to Free File – English
- Help Yourself - English | Spanish
IRS Podcasts:
Credit, Internal Revenue Service Media
Monday, February 24, 2014
First Responder Pays Ultimate Price Bruce Britt
USA Firefighter Loses Life Trying To Save Others
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI A veteran of the Columbia, Missouri, fire fighting team was killed during a rescue on Saturday, February 22nd, 2014.
According to the incident report, "while working to evacuate students from a university residence apartment building, Lieutenant Britt died of injuries sustained when he became entangled in debris after the collapse of a portion of the building's elevated walkway."
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| Another walkway decays at University Village Apartments Photo credit Andrew Schriver, the Missourian |
Bruce Britt, a 23 year veteran fire fighter paid the ultimate price while trying to save lives. According to reports, the walkway collapsed at a University of Missouri apartment building around 4:45 a.m. Britt was attempting rescue of residents trapped after a portion of the second story walkway collapsed. Britt was on a dangling piece of the structure that remained when it, too, fell to the ground. Britt was declared dead at the scene.
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| University Village Apartments Photo Credit Andrew Schriver, the Missourian |
The University has been considering repairs and renovation of the University Village Apartments since 2008. However, funding has not been available. The apartments provided inexpensive student housing close to campus classrooms. According to University of Missouri information, a two bedroom can be rented for as little as $504 per month.
After the accident, engineers inspected other walkways and placed wooden support beams as a precautionary measure. Residents may be allowed to return to gather things from their apartments located at 601 South Providence Road, Columbia, Missouri, depending on whether the building is considered safe enough to enter.
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| University Village Apartments Credit University of Missouri |
Fire Department: Columbia Fire Department
Address: 201 Orr ST, Columbia, MO 65201
Fire Department Chief: Charles P. Witt, Jr.
US Fire Fighters Memorial
Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Bruce Britt at http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/
To date, 18 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/fatalityData/statistics.
Sources in reports from the U.S. Fire Administration, the AP and the Missourian were relied upon in writing this story.
Friday, February 21, 2014
What Is Happening In The Central African Republic?
In a word, genocide.
While nearly everyone has heard about the holocaust, few people know, in the last ten years, roughly 7.5 million people have been slaughtered on the African continent. In Rwanda, for example, 800,000 people were hacked to death over a 100 day period while the world stood by and watched.
According to Reuters, the number of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) has sharply increased this month. Violence continues to rip through the country as refugees pour into Cameroon. Since the beginning of February a total of 19,565 refugees from CAR have crossed into Cameroon to escape violence perpetrated by the former Seleka and anti-Balaka militiamen in Bangui and other towns in north-western CAR.
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| Al Jazeera photo |
The Seleka are Muslims, many from Chad, who convinced local Muslim tribal members to cooperate in terrorizing the primarily Christian population. A long time defense force called the anti-Balaka, or anit-machete, militia formed ranks and ousted the Muslim leader. It is tit for tat, now, with anti-Balaka and Seleka militants attacking each other.
It is naive and erroneous to see the disputes in Africa as "tribal". At the heart of nearly every dispute is something more sinister, and the symbol of nearly every loving relationship: Diamonds. Minerals from many African countries including diamonds are used to pay for weapons. Outside interests are able to gain control of some of the rich resources in Africa. A continent that should be full of wealthy people is full of casualties of war.
The United Nations was set up specifically to address the matter of genocide after the Holocaust. However, when aid was requested in Rwanda, the U.N. failed to act, and along with it, U.N. member nations including the United States of America. After the truth came out about the massacre, the U.N. became more pro-active. French troops have been recently deployed in the C.A.R. which is a former French protectorate with the blessing of the U.N. However, Muslim refugees claim the French are terrorizing them.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
In Cameroon, Djerassem Mbaiorem on mobile +237 90 16 06 08 In Geneva, Babar Baloch on mobile +41 79 557 9106
Sources for this story include Reuters, Al Jazeera, VICE TV.
How To Put A Pedophile Over Bubba's Knee
HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is seeking the public’s help to identify possible victims of a man charged with transporting a minor for commercial sex acts.
According to HSI special agents, Jason Daniel Gandy, 37, frequently traveled to the Texas cities of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio; he also traveled overseas to the Philippines and Bali, Indonesia. ICE believes there may be additional unidentified victims involved in this case. Anyone with knowledge of the man’s unsupervised contact with minors should contact HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
Gandy was stopped by immigration officers in the United Kingdom during the London Olympics in 2012, after he and a boy arrived on a flight originating in Houston. According to the complaint, London officials’ suspicions arose regarding a 35-year-old man traveling with an unrelated 15-year-old boy. Both individuals were returned to Houston on separate flights.
Upon return to Houston, they were met by HSI special agents. The investigation revealed that Gandy allegedly ran a massage business out of his home and was using the 15-year-old boy to give massages. The individuals paying for the massages were allegedly allowed to fondle the child during the massage, and the boy was required to sexually gratify the customers, including masturbate them, according to evidence presented in court.
Gandy paid for the boy’s trip to London and his passport fees so the boy could perform massages in London, according to the information presented in court. The investigation also revealed that Gandy molested the child on more than one occasion, and he intended to continue.
On July 25, 2012, U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks Jr. ordered Gandy to remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
According to HSI special agents, Jason Daniel Gandy, 37, frequently traveled to the Texas cities of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio; he also traveled overseas to the Philippines and Bali, Indonesia. ICE believes there may be additional unidentified victims involved in this case. Anyone with knowledge of the man’s unsupervised contact with minors should contact HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.
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Upon return to Houston, they were met by HSI special agents. The investigation revealed that Gandy allegedly ran a massage business out of his home and was using the 15-year-old boy to give massages. The individuals paying for the massages were allegedly allowed to fondle the child during the massage, and the boy was required to sexually gratify the customers, including masturbate them, according to evidence presented in court.
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| Heathrow Airport |
Gandy paid for the boy’s trip to London and his passport fees so the boy could perform massages in London, according to the information presented in court. The investigation also revealed that Gandy molested the child on more than one occasion, and he intended to continue.
On July 25, 2012, U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks Jr. ordered Gandy to remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.
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| Gandy's Web Site |
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including producing and distributing online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.
Neighbors were shocked to hear what was going on in the nearby home. An attorney had his office close to the alleged child sex for hire business. However, no one intervened.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse
Idaho Wolf Harvest Leaves Some Howling
Jamie Rappaport Clark stands up for wolves. Should you?
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| Jamie Rappaport Clark |
In a chilling forecast of what could happen elsewhere if federal protections are stripped and anti-wolf politicians reign over wolf management, Idaho has released their latest plan: To kill 60 percent of wolves in the pristine Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness in an effort to increase elk populations for trophy hunting.
Idaho has become ground zero in the war against wolves. We’re fighting back with all we’ve got. Our lawyers are continuing to fight this matter in federal court to make sure that this sort of outrageous abuse never happens again. Our staff is organizing our activists and other pro-wolf forces, both inside Idaho – home to a majority of western gray wolves – and nationwide.
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| Associated Press |
Lawmakers in Idaho are latching onto wolves as a scapegoat to pass irresponsible legislation. Politicians are trading the lives of wolves for political votes. With a seemingly endless supply of anti-wolf propaganda, Idaho state officials are working to kill as many wolves as possible in their state.
The Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness is the largest forested wilderness in the lower 48 states. One of our country’s last wild and untouched expanses, the beauty of this national treasure is embodied by the tranquility of the landscape and the wildness of its animal inhabitants. If America’s wolves can’t roam safely in one of the most remote wilderness areas in the Lower 48 – where can they?
By issuing a kill order on 60 percent of wolves living in the wilderness, Idaho is solidifying itself as a gruesome cautionary tale of what happens when states with anti-wolf politicians take over “wildlife management.”
A professional hunter was brought in and was successful in eliminating two packs of wolves in the wilderness area. Idaho Department of Fish and Game spokesman Mike Keckler said that the hunter killed eight wolves with traps and a ninth by hunting.
Nearly twenty years ago, the first reintroduced wolf in America stepped out onto Idaho soil. What once held such promise for these remarkable creatures has now become the site of an all-out war for their lives.
Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.
Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at:
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Attorneys Fight For Piece of Lucrative Bankruptcy Market
By Jim Rausch
Bankruptcy_filings_into Fourth quarter 2013 U.S. bankruptcy filings statistics, recently released on uscourts.gov, show total filings down 13% from the same period in 2012, and down 24% from Q4 of 2011. From June through December, total filings dropped significantly in all 11 Districts, signaling a continued slide in bankruptcy filings going into 2014.
Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Last 5 QuartersIn some states the decline in filings was even more dramatic. Arizona and California, for example, saw a decrease in total bankruptcy filings of 40% and 38% between June and December 2013.
Bankruptcy_filings_into_Fourth quarter 2013 U.S. bankruptcy filings statistics, recently released on uscourts.gov, show total filings down 13% from the same period in 2012, and down 24% from Q4 of 2011. From June through December, total filings dropped significantly in all 11 Districts, signaling a continued slide in bankruptcy filings going into 2014.
Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Q4 Year-Over-Year
Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Last 5 Quarters In some states the decline in filings was even more dramatic. Arizona and California, for example, saw a decrease in total bankruptcy filings of 40% and 38% between June and December 2013.
Total US Bankruptcy Filings - by Selected State
While many bankruptcy attorneys have left the field to pursue other categories, the competitive environment has continued to strengthen among those attorneys remaining in the field. And even among these firms, most attorneys are filing fewer cases than they did just a year or two ago.
Other attorneys, however, are seeking out new methods of generating clients. Advanced digital techniques, such as LeadQ’s pay-per-qualified-inquiry bankruptcy lead generation program, are helping bankruptcy attorneys across the U.S. grow their caseloads. On average, attorneys using LeadQ’s custom lead generation program have increased their caseloads by 14% just since June 2013.
To learn more about how to utilize online lead generation to generate new clients for your firm, read our whitepaper, Guide to Generating New Clients for Consumer Law Firms, or contact LeadQ directly.
While many bankruptcy attorneys have left the field to pursue other categories, the competitive environment has continued to strengthen among those attorneys remaining in the field. And even among these firms, most attorneys are filing fewer cases than they did just a year or two ago.
Other attorneys, however, are seeking out new methods of generating clients. Advanced digital techniques, such as LeadQ’s pay-per-qualified-inquiry bankruptcy lead generation program, are helping bankruptcy attorneys across the U.S. grow their caseloads. On average, attorneys using LeadQ’s custom lead generation program have increased their caseloads by 14% just since June 2013.
To learn more about how to utilize online lead generation to generate new clients for your firm, read our whitepaper, Guide to Generating New Clients for Consumer Law Firms, or contact LeadQ directly.
Bankruptcy_filings_into Fourth quarter 2013 U.S. bankruptcy filings statistics, recently released on uscourts.gov, show total filings down 13% from the same period in 2012, and down 24% from Q4 of 2011. From June through December, total filings dropped significantly in all 11 Districts, signaling a continued slide in bankruptcy filings going into 2014.
Bankruptcy_filings_into_Fourth quarter 2013 U.S. bankruptcy filings statistics, recently released on uscourts.gov, show total filings down 13% from the same period in 2012, and down 24% from Q4 of 2011. From June through December, total filings dropped significantly in all 11 Districts, signaling a continued slide in bankruptcy filings going into 2014.
Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Q4 Year-Over-Year
Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Last 5 Quarters In some states the decline in filings was even more dramatic. Arizona and California, for example, saw a decrease in total bankruptcy filings of 40% and 38% between June and December 2013.
Total US Bankruptcy Filings - by Selected State
While many bankruptcy attorneys have left the field to pursue other categories, the competitive environment has continued to strengthen among those attorneys remaining in the field. And even among these firms, most attorneys are filing fewer cases than they did just a year or two ago.
Other attorneys, however, are seeking out new methods of generating clients. Advanced digital techniques, such as LeadQ’s pay-per-qualified-inquiry bankruptcy lead generation program, are helping bankruptcy attorneys across the U.S. grow their caseloads. On average, attorneys using LeadQ’s custom lead generation program have increased their caseloads by 14% just since June 2013.
Qualified Bankruptcy Inquiries Generated by LeadQ
To learn more about how to utilize online lead generation to generate new clients for your firm, read our whitepaper, Guide to Generating New Clients for Consumer Law Firms, or contact LeadQ directly.
Other attorneys, however, are seeking out new methods of generating clients. Advanced digital techniques, such as LeadQ’s pay-per-qualified-inquiry bankruptcy lead generation program, are helping bankruptcy attorneys across the U.S. grow their caseloads. On average, attorneys using LeadQ’s custom lead generation program have increased their caseloads by 14% just since June 2013.
To learn more about how to utilize online lead generation to generate new clients for your firm, read our whitepaper, Guide to Generating New Clients for Consumer Law Firms, or contact LeadQ directly.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
GEO Group, Inc. Breaks Inmates With Phone Calls
GEO Group, a private, for profit, prison company, refused to decline charging inmates for phone calls. While the prison for hire company does not provide phone services directly, it receives a portion of every collect call made from behind iron bars from the phone service providers.
As it is, GEO Group generates nearly 1.4 billion dollars a year, mostly paid by tax payer dollars. The government pays GEO Group for every inmate so governments don't have to foot the bill for more prisons. The reality is, at over $130 a day, which rivals the price of a luxury hotel room, the tax payers foot a larger bill for private prisons than they would if they were built and staffed by government employees.
Not satisfied with the tax payer revenues, GEO takes a cut for every collect call made. Securus, Global Tel Link and Century Link compete for the telephone contracts. In order to gain exclusive access to the GEO market, the cell companies cut GEO in on the lucrative contracts. While GEO can shop the telephone market to it's competitors, the unfortunate inmates have no choice about what company to use in making a call or what that company decides to charge. Most families who find the bread winner locked up behind bars have their hands full with legal fees, bonding and the emotional roller coaster that goes with the disruption of the family unit.
Securus offers "family plans" with "unlimited minutes" just like other telephone providers. The companies make a profit at the expense of mostly the poorest of the poor.
Many GEO Group inmates are immigrants who find themselves locked up for improper lane changes and other minor traffic charges. Opponents say these people pose no risk to society and could be allowed to go home to their families wearing ankle monitors rather than being housed at tax payer expense in for-profit institutions. The nearly 1.4 billion dollars tax payers give to GEO could be used to reduce the federal debt or to build schools and parks, opponents say.
GEO is a publicly traded company. Respectable banks, like Wells Fargo, invest their client's money through subsidiaries in GEO Group, Inc. because they like the returns on investment. We interviewed a former Wells Fargo Bank employee who was told to deny the Wells Fargo/Geo Group connection when customers asked. Wells Fargo says they are not directly involved in GEO Group, they only invest customer money for a better return.
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| Photo from the Pulp |
As it is, GEO Group generates nearly 1.4 billion dollars a year, mostly paid by tax payer dollars. The government pays GEO Group for every inmate so governments don't have to foot the bill for more prisons. The reality is, at over $130 a day, which rivals the price of a luxury hotel room, the tax payers foot a larger bill for private prisons than they would if they were built and staffed by government employees.
Not satisfied with the tax payer revenues, GEO takes a cut for every collect call made. Securus, Global Tel Link and Century Link compete for the telephone contracts. In order to gain exclusive access to the GEO market, the cell companies cut GEO in on the lucrative contracts. While GEO can shop the telephone market to it's competitors, the unfortunate inmates have no choice about what company to use in making a call or what that company decides to charge. Most families who find the bread winner locked up behind bars have their hands full with legal fees, bonding and the emotional roller coaster that goes with the disruption of the family unit.
Securus offers "family plans" with "unlimited minutes" just like other telephone providers. The companies make a profit at the expense of mostly the poorest of the poor.
Many GEO Group inmates are immigrants who find themselves locked up for improper lane changes and other minor traffic charges. Opponents say these people pose no risk to society and could be allowed to go home to their families wearing ankle monitors rather than being housed at tax payer expense in for-profit institutions. The nearly 1.4 billion dollars tax payers give to GEO could be used to reduce the federal debt or to build schools and parks, opponents say.
GEO is a publicly traded company. Respectable banks, like Wells Fargo, invest their client's money through subsidiaries in GEO Group, Inc. because they like the returns on investment. We interviewed a former Wells Fargo Bank employee who was told to deny the Wells Fargo/Geo Group connection when customers asked. Wells Fargo says they are not directly involved in GEO Group, they only invest customer money for a better return.
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