List of All Articles with Tag 'crime'

The Rhode Island TF Green International Airport is on lockdown as a possible “security threat” is evaluated. Rhode Island State Police Col Darnell Weaver said that the threat “appears to be unfounded at this time”. The airport wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter on Friday morning: “Rhode Island T.F. Green Airport is currently in lockdown as law enforcement addresses a potential security threat. Travelers are asked to delay arrivals at the airport at this time. More information will be provided when available.” Both state and local police responded to the possible threat at the airport, according to WPRI. “We received a call of a possible threat at the airport, multiple agencies are investigating now and conducting a search of the parking lots,” Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor told the local TV station. Col Weaver added that troopers have established a perimeter surrounding a parking garage, adding that a Warwick SWAT team was clearing that building. “Preliminary, what we have is the call came into Warwick police about a potential suspect with a rifle,” Col Weaver said, according to WPRI. “They responded to the area, it was isolated to the parking garage, not the actual terminal.” Police are telling travellers that the airport is closed and they have blocked the entrances. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation have said that all travel lanes going towards TF Green on the airport connector have also been blocked. More follows...

A possible road rage incident has left eight people hospitalised, after a car crashed into a nearby field north of Fort Collins in Colorado. The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a road rage shooting that happened on Thurdsay afternoon in the area of Owl Canyon Road and US Highway 287. Shots were allegedly fired from a car to another vehicle, which then crashed and caught on fire. Six people inside the car were shot at, but only received minor injuries that resulted from the crash. A ambulance that arrived at the scene to help the injured people also caught fire. After the shooting the suspect vehicle then fled the scene. Read More Inside the notorious Fulton County Jail where Trump and 18 allies were booked over Georgia election plot Louisiana professor asked students to paint their faces to fulfil his ‘clown fetish’ After nearly 30 years, Pennsylvania will end state funding for anti-abortion counseling centers

A Louisiana professor has been accused of using his students to fulfil a self-described “clown fetish” by painting their faces or asking them to paint their own. Joseph Tokosh would regularly post about his fetish on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Reddit and YouTube, while working as an assistant geography professor at Nicholls State University in Louisiana. In March, Mr Tokosh resigned from his position just before student journalists exposed his behaviour in their student-run newspaper, The Nicholls Worth. Sally-Anne Torres, managing editor for the newspaper, reported that six students had come forward to claim Mr Tokosh would offer them bonus points in class if they allowed him to paint their faces. A post on a Reddit forum also surfaced where Mr Tokosh, under the username Joeography, shared photos of several women wearing white face paint. In another Reddit post, seen by USA Today, Mr Tokosh wrote: “I have a facepaint fetish and convince the cute girls in my classes to let me paint their faces.” Before Mr Tokosh resigned from the university in late March, a few students had already reported his behaviour to campus police. Bradley Price, a student who took Mr Tokosh’s East Asia class online, alleged that the professor had set an assignment where all students had to paint their faces and take photos of themselves. “You had to send in multiple pictures of how you did it from multiple angles and also write down the process of it. The relevancy he gave it was that it was a Japanese style of makeup; it was for students to get a better understanding of their culture,” Mr Price said, according to USA Today. Mr Price said he completed the assignment by getting a female friend to help him and submitted it to Mr Tokosh. The professor came back and told Mr Price he would get bonus points if he could convince his friend to also paint her face. After learning about Mr Tokosh’s clown “fetish”, Mr Price said he was “disgusted”. “I feel frankly disgusted and disappointed that Nicholls couldn’t do a proper background check on this professor because this is unacceptable,” he said. “How could this have got past any reasonable check?” Mr Tokosh did have a police report on file before arriving at Nicholls State University, after pleading no contest to a theft charge at Kent State University in 2017 for entering a colleague’s office and taking a USB drive. The police report also detailed another incident of face paint fetishism. A Kent State student, who was 18 at the time, had reported seeing a post by Mr Tokosh on a Facebook group meant for new students to meet each other. In it, he had allegedly made a cash offer to anyone who would agree to let him paint their faces. The student said she agreed as she was in need of more money and had an interest in movie makeup, according to USA Today. Mr Tokosh then allegedly offered to pick her up and take her to the geography department at the university to paint her face. She told police she had stopped responding to his messages after becoming uncomfortable with the situation – which then caused Mr Tokosh to become annoyed and refuse to leave her alone. The student then filed a police report about the professor. “I felt like the school would want to know about it,” she said, according to USA Today. “I thought maybe they could prevent anything bad from happening since other girls would go with him.” However, she said that there was never a follow-up by campus police. Following that incident, the professor tried to defend his actions in a video interview with student-run KNSU TV at Nicholls. He said the face paint assignment was for students to “actually come up with their own face paint and makeup design inspired by a culture, and they implement it”. He left Kent State University following the theft charge. In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Nicholls State University spokesperson said about the latest allegations: “Nicholls State University is proud that our student journalists brought this situation to light. We take the safety and security of our student population very seriously. “Once this was brought to the university’s attention, we acted appropriately to remove Joseph Tokosh from the classroom and did not renew his contract. He is no longer affiliated with Nicholls State University.” Read More UNC shooting updates: Students demand gun control with powerful newspaper front page after Chapel Hill attack Mother convicted of killing malnourished baby by giving him cow’s milk could have life sentence commuted Louisiana woman arrested for stabbing grandfather in face because he asked her to take a shower

Ukraine has opened more than 3,000 criminal cases over Russia's alleged crimes against children in the country, including dozens of torture cases, Ukrainian prosecutors said Thursday.

The number of youth who have been shot is on the rise in the US, especially after the pandemic.

One inmate has been killed in an ongoing mass stabbing at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta where former President Donald Trump was booked and had his mug shot taken earlier this month. More follows...

The former leader of a Philadelphia chapter of the neo-fascist gang the Proud Boys who stormed the halls of Congress on January 6 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Zachary Rehl, the son and grandson of Philadelphia police officers who used pepper spray against law enforcement outside the US Capitol then lied on the witness stand about it, had called for “firing squads” for “traitors” who wanted to “steal” the 2020 election from Donald Trump. He was convicted of seditious conspiracy earlier this year alongside three other members and allies of the group for their roles in an assault that federal prosecutors said “unleashed a force on the Capitol that was calculated to exert their political will on elected officials by force” to “undo the results of a democratic election.” US District Judge Timothy Kelly determined that Rehl committed perjury during the trial when he denied assaulting anyone. Video evidence appeared to show him using a chemical spray against police as the mob broke through barricades and marched to the Capitol. Rehl’s sentence is among the largest against defendants connected to the attack on the US Capitol during a joint session of Congress as lawmakers convened to certify election results. Joe Biggs, a prominent figure within the Proud Boys who marched to the Capitol alongside Rehl, was sentenced to 17 years in prison on 31 August, now the second longest sentence for a January 6 defendant to date. Judge Kelly also issued that sentence. The sentences for Biggs and Rehl are 15 years below sentencing guidelines and roughly half of what prosecutors have asked in their cases. A jury had convicted both Rehl and Biggs on the treason-related charge of seditious conspiracy as well as conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of an official proceeding; conspiracy to use force, intimidation or threats to prevent officers from discharging their duties; interference with law enforcement during civil disorder; and destruction of government property. Sentencing guidelines suggested Rehl could face 30 years to life in prison. Federal prosecutors sought 30 years. Prosecutors also had sought 33 years for Biggs and former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who is scheduled to be sentenced on 5 September. Co-defendants Ethan Nordean and Dominic Pezzola will be sentenced on 1 September. Proud Boys emerged as what one former member called the “foot soldiers of the right” using the guise of male-dominated drinking clubs to wield threats and physical violence against political enemies, particularly antifascist organizers, while rallying against LGBT+ people and employing white nationalist and antisemitic tropes. “They turned that vigilantism from antifa to law enforcement and the government itself,” Assistant US Attorney Erik Kenerson told Judge Kelly. “Mr Rehl embraced that vigilantism, and he eventually used it to try to impose his vision of America by force.” Pennsylvania-area Proud Boys played an outsized role in the attack, from planning in group chats to joining the mob that breached barricades and broke into the Capitol on 6 January, 2021. In messages on social media, Rehl called for “firing squads for the traitors that are trying to steal the election.” “F*** ‘em, storm the Capitol,” Rehl shouted into a video he recorded moments after breaching a police line. Minutes later, video captures him firing what appears to be chemical spray towards officers in his path. Pezzola seized a riot shield from an officer and used it to break a window, through which the first members of the mob entered the Capitol, according to an indictment. Once inside, Rehl posed for selfies with other members of the Philadelphia Proud Boys chapter and smoked cigarettes as rioters broke into the office of Democratic US Senator Jeff Merkley. “Looking back, it sucked,” Rehl wrote in a message to Philadelphia chapter members the day after the attack. “We should have held the Capitol … Everyone shoulda showed up armed and took the country back the right way.” During the trial, Rehl expressed regret for his actions that day, admitting that he felt much differently about the assault in the months that followed than he did in its immediate aftermath as he celebrated with other Proud Boys. At his sentencing hearing, he broke down in tears, pointing to the baseless narrative of election fraud and manipulation that fuelled the attack in the first place, and apologizing to his family who suffered in its wake. “Politicians spread lies about elections,” he said. “I fell for it hook, line and sinker … It cost me everything.” Read More Proud Boy Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in prison for Jan 6 seditious conspiracy Who is Enrique Tarrio? Ex-Proud Boys leader faces longest prison sentence yet for January 6 ‘Donald Trump’s army’: Proud Boys members face decades in prison for January 6 sedition

More than 9700 pounds of cocaine were seized by the Mexican Navy after a high-speed chase across the Pacific Ocean resulted in a huge drug bust. Footage captured by the Mexican Navy shows two operations taking place off the Pacific coast of Mexico near Oaxaca, chasing down the boats at rapid speed. The Navy then used helicopters to lower down to board and take control of the vessels. After a two-day operation that took place last week on 22 and 23 August, the Navy secured three boats. Eleven people were detained and turned over to the prosecutors. Along with the large quantity of cocaine, 1,300 gallons of fuel was also found on the boats. According to the UN, the global production of cocaine has dramatically increased over the past two years since its downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic. When cocaine is imported into Mexico, it is often trafficked inland toward the United States concealed in vehicles, although maritime vessels have also been used as well. Drug-related violence has increased recently, with convenience stores, trucks and cars being set alight by drug cartels in Michoacan to block roads and enforce extortion demands. Three men and three youths aged 16 and 17 were arrested during the attack. 1,200 troops were sent by the Mexican Government after the weekend to disperse the cartels from blocking the roads. Read More Help us find loved ones missing after decades of violence in Mexico, mothers tell government Mexico sends 1,200 more troops to Michoacan state after weekend of cartel violence Mexican Navy hopes to expand net-snagging hooks to protect endangered vaquita porpoises

The US Army has charged a military doctor with alleged sexual assault in a case with at least 23 victims that could be the service’s largest abuse case in years. Major Michael Stockin, 37, was charged following a year-long Army investigation, reported The Washington Post. Military officials say that Maj Stockin, an anesthesiologist working at a pain clinic at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, was barred from treating patients in February 2022. Charges against the doctor “include abusive sexual contact and indecent viewing” in violation of military law, Army spokesperson Cynthia Smith said in a statement. The Army has not yet released the specific charges, with Ms Smith calling it “inappropriate” at this time. One soldier told The Post last week that he had reported the doctor after being treated by him at the pain management clinic in January 2022. He alleged that he was seeking treatment for a back injury, but was asked by Major Stocking to drop his trousers while he allegedly touched his ankles and legs. The doctor is also accused of holding the soldier’s genitals. The Post says that a charge sheet it obtained shows Maj Stocking has been charged with one count of sexual assault in that case Maj Stockin’s lawyer, Robert Capovilla, said that the Army was in the process of scheduling a hearing in the case. “The Government and the Defense are in the process of scheduling the Article 32 Preliminary Hearing in Major Stockin’s case. Our sincere hope is that the Army prioritizes Major Stockin’s privacy and his Constitutional right to a fair trial moving forward,” he said in a statement to The Independent. “It’s no secret that the Army has faced immense pressure from Congress and the Media on how they’ve handled sexual assault cases in the past. From my view, much of that criticism is exaggerated. The Army is far more aggressive in pursuing sexual assault allegations than nearly any other legal jurisdiction that I’ve worked with.” And he added: “That being said, the Army cannot forget that Major Stockin is cloaked in the presumption of innocence and my sincere hope is that the Army does everything in its power to ensure a fair process for Major Stockin and not just the alleged victims. “The Army has been investigating this case for more than a year and the Defense must be given adequate time and resources to properly prepare our defense.” Ryan Guilds, a lawyer representing alleged victims in the case, told The Post that he was “deeply concerned” about a lack of communication from the Army. Read More Thousands of Afghans still in limbo as ministers miss own deadline to slash resettlement backlog US, Indonesia and 5 other nations hold war drills amid China concerns Grant Shapps replaces Ben Wallace as defence secretary – but top military brass ask if he’s up to the job

Students at the University of North Carolina are demanding action on gun control in the wake of Monday’s deadly Chapel Hill campus shooting. Around 600 students took part in a rally on Wednesday calling for stricter state gun laws and holding a moment of silence for slain professor Zijie Yan. The student newspaper The Daily Tar Heel marked the tragedy with a powerful front page on Wednesday, featuring the terrified text messages sent by loved ones to its editor-in-chief during the active situation. The page has gone viral. Many questions still remain about suspect Tailei Qi’s motive for the attack as the search for the gun continues. Mr Qi, a PhD student majoring in applied physical sciences, had complained about the victim online in the lead-up to the attack and railed against hard work, “girls and tattletales” and bullies in the US. He was arrested and booked into Orange County Sheriff’s Office jail on a first-degree murder charge for fatally shooting Yan, the head of the Department of Applied Sciences. Read More Who was UNC Chapel Hill shooting victim Zijie Yan? Student who survived Parkland shooting ‘forced to relive grief’ five years later in UNC attack The shooting in Chapel Hill took away the magic of a place I love UNC shooting suspect will not face death penalty, DA says

A factory worker from Indiana has been charged with attempted murder for repeatedly smashing his colleague over the head with a hammer, before walking calmly out of the workplace and telling another colleague: “S*** happens”. Austin Hahn, 27, allegedly attacked the unidentified victim at their workplace, the Bright Sheet Metal Co. in Indianapolis, on the morning of Sunday 20 August, according to court records obtained by Law & Crime. Witnesses told law enforcement that Mr Hahn attacked his coworker from behind with a tinner hammer, using the sharp edge to strike the victim at least six times. He then allegedly threw the hammer in the bin as he calmly went to leave the warehouse. Before he left, Mr Hahn approached another colleague who was outside at the time and was not aware of the attack that had just taken place. According to court records, Mr Hahn patted the colleague on the chest and simply said: “S*** happens”. After the attack, Mr Hahn proceeded to get into his car and reportedly drove to his mother’s home. Officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to a report of a possible battery at the warehouse at around 7.30am, according to the arrest report. The victim was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital in a serious but stable condition. He was found to have suffered skull fractures, brain bleeds, a broken jaw and missing teeth. Mr Hahn’s mother called Anderson Police Department to turn her son into authorities later that morning. He was then arrested at his mother’s house. Police were told by Mr Hahn’s colleagues that he and the victim were “the best of friends” until an argument took place several weeks before, according to court records. Mr Hahn’s roommate told the police that the two were not on good terms because lately, Hahn had been using cannabis “a lot”, WXIN reported. Yet Mr Hahn allegedly apologised, and their dispute was thought to have been forgotten. The unnamed victim, who was at his workstation at the time of the attack, told police he did not know who struck him from behind, but said his colleagues would have witnessed the attack. Mr Hahn is being held without bond on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery and battery by means of a deadly weapon. He is due to appear in court for his next hearing on 19 October. Read More Lady of the Dunes’ late husband has been linked to two other deaths - now his friend speaks out Texas family of four found dead in apparent murder-suicide weeks after daughter drowned Rachel Morin – updates: Maryland police warn Bel Air suspect could be a serial killer

Anti-abortion activist Lauren Handy was convicted of illegally blocking a reproductive health clinic in Washington, DC after she kept five foetuses in her home. Handy and five other defendants were accused of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) — which prohibits intimidation or obstruction of someone seeking reproductive health services — when they blocked access to the Washington Surgi-Clinic in October 2020 using chains and ropes, according to a Justice Department release. A US District Court jury in DC found Handy and four co-defendants —John Hinshaw, Heather Idoni, William Goodman, Herb Geraghty — guilty on all counts. Each defendant was convicted of a felony conspiracy against rights and a FACE Act offence, the release stated, specifying that each face up to a maximum of 11 years in prison and a fine of up to $350,000. The Washington Post noted that a second group of defendants involved in the same blockade have a trial that is set to begin next week. The Justice Department wrote that Handy, Hinshaw, Idoni, Goodman, and Geraghty engaged in the conspiracy when they came from all over the country to Washington, DC “to meet with Handy and participate in a clinic blockade that was directed by Handy and was broadcast on Facebook.” Prosecutors said that Handy called the clinic while under the guise of a prospective patient to book an appointment to figure out when the clinic performed abortions — in order to plan when she and others could arrive to stop patients from getting inside. The Justice Department wrote that Handy, Hinshaw, Idoni, and Goodman “forcefully entered the clinic and set about blockading two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains and ropes.” That’s when they began livestreaming their blockade. In terms of violating the FACE Act, the Justice Department wrote that the defendants used “physical obstruction to injure, intimidate and interfere” with the clinic’s employees as well as a patient who was seeking reproductive health services. “They planned their crime carefully, to take over that clinic, block access to reproductive services and interfere with others’ rights,” Assistant US Attorney John Crabb said last week. “The idea of deliberately breaking the law, to them, was sexy.” The group responsible for the blockade were reportedly members of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising (PAAU); Handy is the director of activism. The group’s website says its mission is to “achieve socio-political justice for the preborn by mobilizing anti-abortion activists for direct action and opposing elective abortion through a progressive lens.” PAAU wrote on X in the wake of the verdict: “This is a gross miscarriage of justice, and while this is painful for all of those who understand that the unborn have a right to be Rescued, this is not the end!” The group added, “Rescue CANNOT and will not be stopped. This case was an effort by the US government to isolate and intimidate Rescuers and anti abortion people into believing they will face significant jail time for living in alignment with their pro-life values.” The case was brought against Handy and the other defendants in February 2022; one month later, police found five fetuses in a house in Southeast Washington where she was staying. Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said at the time that officers were investigating a tip regarding “potential bio-hazard material” at a property in Capitol Hill, adding later that they located “five fetuses inside a residence at the location.” Shortly after that news broke, PAAU held a press conference announcing that Handy had 115 more foetuses that she helped baptise and bury in a private cemetery. Handy said at the press conference, “During the five days they were under my stewardship, the 115 victims of abortion violence were given funeral mass for unbaptised children and 110… were given a proper burial in a private cemetery.” Read More Everything we know about Lauren Handy, anti-abortion activist who says she ‘blessed and buried’ 110 foetuses Anti-abortion activists, including one who kept fetuses, convicted of illegally blocking DC clinic Abortion rights protests planned across Poland after death of pregnant woman