Interested-Participant

Following Entry Posted 3/31/2007 11:50:00 PM

Women With Troubles - March 2007

Here is the compilation of women with troubles reported in the news during March 2007. Each name is linked to an Interested-Participant blog entry displaying details.

(AR) Loretta Stacy, 23,
neighbor, married - Sentenced to 90 days in jail for sex with boy, 14,

(CA) Sherry Brians, 42,
teacher - Sentenced to probation for lewd acts with boy, 12,

(CA) Judy Graves, 32,
neighbor - Arrested for molesting a child for a period of 7 months,

(CA) Gloria Kleeh, 61,
teacher - Accused of child abuse and injury,

(CA) Michelle Rossi, 36,
teacher/administrator - Arrested for alleged sex with girl, 14,

(CA) Cora Marie Solorio, 24,
teacher - Arrested for sex with male student, 13,

(CA) Anna J. Walker-Vogt, 35,
neighbor mom, 3 kids - Pleaded guilty to engaging in sex with boys and providing alcohol to teens,

(CO) Tani Leigh Firkins, 33,
neighbor - Sentenced to six years prison for child sexual abuse. The sentence is added on to a nine-year sentence from a different jurisdiction for similar crimes,

(CO) Irene Marie Gomez, 38,
neighbor, mother - Arrested for child sex assault for having kids by boy, starting at 13,

(CO) Erin Hutchinson, 31,
prison guard - Accused of sex with inmate, 14,

(CO) Regina Martinez, 25,
mother - Arrested for giving marijuana to son, 6,

(CO) Amanda Tilley,
teacher - Accused of providing alcohol to students,

(CO) Nicole Uribe, 23,
Mexican woman - Arrested for allegedly trading baby for down payment on car,

(CT) Jodi Kress, 31,
teacher - Accused of stealing and selling hundreds of books from school,

(DE) Rachel L. Holt, 35,
teacher - Sentenced to 10 years prison for raping boy, 13,

(FL) Stephanie Kay Allen, 28.
teacher - DUI (2nd) and fleeing charges,

(FL) Kathleen Garrett, 50,
teacher - Sentenced to probation for child abuse,

(FL) Briana Kelsey Hurley, 17,
neighbor - Accused of burglary

(FL) Maryann Long, 44,
married neighbor - Accused of luring 3 boys into hot tub and engaging in sex,

(GA) Angela Coffey, 33,
teacher - Indicted for sex assault for relationship with boy, 17,

(GA) Frances Cook, 42,
teacher - Sentenced to 5 years prison for molesting boy, 15,

(ID) Rayenell Carmona Underwood, 27,
neighbor - Sentenced to 12 years with no parole for at least 3 years for lewd contact with boy, 14,

(IL) Jodi Church, 26,
sp. ed. teacher - Accused in state and federal court of sex crimes against boys, 16,

(IL) Francine Cordova, 32,
teacher - Accused of sex with 17-year-old learning disabled male student,

(IL) Andrea K. Sharos, 37,
mother - Arrested for serving alcohol to minors,

(IN) Andrea Chestnut, 30,
gymnastics coach - Sentenced to probation for liquoring up students,

(KS) Meredith L. Kane, 24,
teacher - Arrested for sex with male student, 15,

(KS) Marsha "Marcy" J. Mote, 37,
teacher - Accused of indecent liberties with girl, 14,

(LA) Jessica Theall,
teacher - Fired for inappropriate behavior with students,

(MA) Mary Jean Armstrong, 38,
mother - Sentenced to 15 to 18 years in prison for conviction of multiple criminal counts related to prostituting her 8-year-old daughter in exchange for drugs,

(MA) Natalie A. Nemeskal, 31,
school secretary - Accused of hosting liquor and sex party for students,

(MD) Michelle Dohm, 41,
teacher - Accused of making bomb threats. Trial starts April 2nd,

(MI) Leslie Judkins, 22,
neighbor - Sentenced to 40 to 60 months prison for sex crimes with boy, 14, and probation violations,

(MO) Teresa Engelbach, 21,
teacher - Accused of rape and sodomy of male student, 14,

(MO) Michelle Slamp, 38,
adolescent care specialist - Accused of sex with boy, 15,

(MS) Carla Hughes, 27,
teacher - Indicted for double murder,

(NC) Janet Briggs, 43,
teacher - Received deferred prosecution in alleged close behavior with boy, 14, case,

(NJ) Denise Ackley, 44,
neighbor - Arrested for sexually abusing boy, 9,

(NJ) Karen Binder, 42,
teacher - Accused of official misconduct for sending sex messages to male students,

(NJ) Amy Burke, 32,
teacher - Sentenced to possible 4 years prison for sex with boy, 13,

(NJ) Amanda E. Francis, 21,
prostitute - Arrested for sex with boy, 12,

(NJ) Michelle Morano, 33,
teacher - Arrested for alleged sex with male student, 17,

(NV) Tracie Nelson, 37,
teacher - Sentenced to 12 to 32 months in prison for sex with boy, 15,

(NV) Kymberly Tamburello, 43,
sp. education teacher - Arrested for possession and trafficking of drugs,

(NY) Marcia Amsterdam, 30,
teacher - Arrested for raping boy, 13,

(NY) Kimberly A. Baker, 23,
neighbor - Charged with rape and endangering for sex with boy, 13,

(NY) Doris Kurick, 54, and daughter Cleo, 21,
sp. ed. teacher - Arrested for marijuana farm in her home,

(NY) Lauren Maggi, 35,
neighbor - Guilty of spitting on soldier,

(NY) Crystal Mittler, 23,
neighbor - Booked for rape of boy, 15,

(NY) Lina Sinha, 40,
teacher - Convicted of sodomy and witness bribery in student sex case,

(NY) Emily Streb, 23,
teacher - Arrested for sex with male student, 15,

(OH) Renata Carter, 26,
neighbor - Pleaded guilty to rape of boy, 12,

(OH) Kelli Mitchell, 30,
neighbor - Arrested for engaging in sex with boy, 13,

(OH) Penny Morrison, 33,
neighbor - Arrested for sex with boy, 15,

(OH) Renee Smith, 36,
teacher - Arrested for sex with two male students, both 17,

(OR) Jamie Tennille Burkhart, 27,
day care operator - Arrested for multiple sex offenses involving young boys,

(PA) Christine Kosik, 56,
teacher - Pleaded guilty to corruption of minors for hosting a teen drinking party,

(SC) Mary Clark, 52, and John Clark, 54,
teachers - Accused of hosting teen party and charging students to drink alcohol,

(SC) Susan L. Lower, 46,
neighbor- Accused of sex with two boys under 16 for ten years,

(SC) Allenna Williams Ward, 23.
teacher, married - Arrested for sex with 5 black schoolboys, ages 14 and 15,

(SD) Kelli Cuperus, 38,
teacher - Pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of male student, 15,

(TN) Erin McLean, 30,
intern teacher - Alleged love triangle led to death of student by Erin's husband Eric,

(TX) Amanda Cornelsen, 24,
teacher - Arrested for drug possession,

(TX) Brenda Etters, 43,
neighbor - Sentenced to 4 years prison for sex assault of boy, 13,

(TX) Candra Dee Payton, 31,
teacher - Accused of having sex with male student, 15,

(TX) Denise Pham, 28,
married mother - Accused of sex with boy, 14, and getting pregnant by him,

(TX) Tamara Ryman, 37,
teacher - Suspended on suspicion of sex crimes against male student, 16,

(TX) Emily S. Willis, 28,
teacher - Arrested for sex with male student,

(VA) Darlene Anna Blagg, 36,
teacher - Accused of sexual exploitation of students, 16 through 18 years old,

(VA) Karen Susan Patton, 42,
teacher - Guilty of sex crimes against male students. Sentencing in June,

(VA) Lacey Phillabaum, 31,
eco-terrorist - Reported to prison for incarceration prior to sentencing on arson conviction,

(VA) Wendy Ellen Wills, 33,
teacher - Accused of indecency and providing alcohol to boy,

(VT) Melanie Hackett, 24,
teacher - Sentenced to one to 10 years in prison for lewd conduct with boy, 13,

(WA) Rebekah M. Todd, 25,
teacher - Sentenced to six months jail for sex assault of male student, 17,

(WI) Racheal M. Graf, 21,
youth counselor - Accused of sex assault of male resident, 17,

(WV) Bobbi Jo Starry, 41,
neighbor - Accused of sex with boy, 14.

As always, thanks to the tipsters.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/31/2007 07:25:00 PM

New Jersey Hooker and Boy

(Monmouth County, New Jersey) A 21-year-old prostitute, Amanda E. Francis, has been accused of sexual assault of a 12-year-old boy during an episode paid for by a 50-year-old Toms River man, James H. Holmberg.

Both Francis and Holmberg have been charged with sexual assault, conspiracy to commit sexual assault, promoting prostitution, conspiracy to promote prostitution and endangering the welfare of a child.

Investigators were alerted to the situation by the boy's mother.

If convicted, Francis and Holmberg each face a possible 20 years in prison.

Following Entry Posted 3/31/2007 03:59:00 PM

Former Teacher Pinched for Lewd Relations

(Aliso Viejo, California) A 36-year-old former middle school teacher, Michelle Rossi, was arrested Thursday for allegedly engaging in a year-long inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old female student nine years ago.

The former student alerted San Bernardino investigators of the inappropriate relationship and Orange County deputies made the arrest. Rossi was placed on leave from her current position as an administrator for the San Bernardino Unified School District.

Rossi was charged Thursday with 12 counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child and booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. On Friday, she was released on $500,000 bail.

A San Bernardino Superior Court appearance is scheduled for May 11.

Tip: John

[Update 05/12/07]

Rossi pleads not guilty.

[Update 10/19/07]

Rossi takes plea deal. Sentencing in November.

Following Entry Posted 3/31/2007 06:10:00 AM

Smugglers Warring Along Border

(Tucson, Arizona) Think about it. Is it really necessary to go all the way down to the bowels of Mexico to obtain enough product to engage in a thriving drug enterprise in the U.S.?

Not in the least. All you have to do is wait for some other people to return from the bowels of Mexico, kill them and hijack their load of drugs. According to this report, that's exactly what's happening.

Law enforcement officials say they are seeing an increase of brazen attacks near the border. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the smuggler-on-smuggler violence is spurred by desire for money, power and turf. Pima County's sheriff says border agencies are overwhelmed by the attacks and the violence is reaching crisis proportion.

Crisis?

Well, maybe so but it's not a top-shelf crisis like global warming or the mainstream media would tell everybody about it. After all, having bodies pile up in the desert and the country flooded with drugs is not nearly as important as the temperature of the planet theoretically being two degrees warmer 100 years from now.

Following Entry Posted 3/31/2007 04:29:00 AM

Teacher Indicted for Sex with Boy

(Norcross, Georgia) In October 2006, a 33-year-old English teacher at Meadowcreek High School, Angela Coffey, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old boy. Police say the relationship lasted from March to August 2006.

Coffey resigned from her teaching position. She was booked and released on $16,000 bail.

This week, Angela Coffey, now 34, was indicted by a Gwinnett County grand jury on a charge of sexual assault. The sex allegedly occurred at a private residence, not the school.

It may be a while before anything new happens in the case since six months transpired between Coffey's arrest and her indictment. The local court system must be backlogged with cases.

Following Entry Posted 3/31/2007 12:36:00 AM

Teacher Amy Burke Gets Prison

(Perth Amboy, New Jersey) In October 2006, 32-year-old teacher at McGinnis School, Amy Burke, was arrested for engaging in a months-long inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old male student. Burke resigned her teaching position after her arrest.

Burke, a married mother of a young child, was charged with official misconduct, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

In November, Burke accepted a deal and pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct. Burke agreed to forfeit her teaching certification and spend up to four years in prison.

Yesterday, Superior Court Judge Barbara Clark Stolte sentenced Burke to serve up to four years in prison.

Under terms of the sentence, Burke, who is married and the mother of a 3-year-old boy, could become eligible for parole in about six months, but could serve as much as 3 1/2 more years in prison. She was credited with already serving about six months in custody since her arrest.

Burke stated in court that she couldn't describe how sorry she is.

Although it makes absolutely no difference in the crimes nor sentence, reports have been inconsistent on the age of Burke's victim. Even so, we can be fairly certain that he was either 12 or 13 years old when the sex offenses were committed.

Following Entry Posted 3/30/2007 11:50:00 PM

Illegal Alien Arrested for Felony Theft

(Jacksonville, Florida) A 33-year-old illegal alien, Francisca Torres Lopez Sanchez (plus unknown aliases), was arrested for free bagging more than $20,000 worth of merchandise from her employer, Bealls Department Store. Free bagging is bagging the merchandise and not charging the customer-accomplice. Sanchez had been under surveillance for some time before her arrest.

During interviews, investigators found that Sanchez used several names and ultimately she admitted to being in the country illegally. Additionally, warrants were found to have been issued in other counties for a woman using one of Sanchez's claimed aliases. Detectives are still trying to determine if the woman wanted is none other than Sanchez.

Sanchez faces third-degree felony theft charges. A federal immigration hold order was also placed on her.

Following Entry Posted 3/30/2007 05:18:00 PM

Sheriff Arpaio Arresting Illegals

(Phoenix, Arizona) Yesterday, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio introduced new enforcement measures to arrest people suspected of being in the United States illegally. Previously, Sheriff Joe only arrested illegals believed to be conspiring with human smugglers. The new approach extends the scope of enforcement, however, deputies will not go "to Home Depot and arrest everybody."

More than three dozen Sheriff's Department officers have completed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training "that gives them the power of federal officers."

"They will now have the authority to put their federal hat on," Arpaio said. "In the course of their duties, when they stop vehicles under probable cause, they are going to take the necessary action."

One opponent of the new law enforcement tactic, activist Danny Ortega, warned of racial profiling and resultant discrimination lawsuits against individual officers. Ortega also believes that illegals will now suffer a paralyzing fear of law enforcers in the county.

Might I suggest that it's entirely normal for criminals to fear the police?

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/30/2007 09:04:00 AM

Party Mom Pleads Guilty to Sex/Alcohol Charges

(Modesto, California) In January, a 35-year-old wife of a policeman, Anna J. Walker-Vogt, was arrested in front of her husband and three children for allegedly buying beer for a teen party and engaging in sex with at least one minor.

Authorities say she also paid one boy $50 to drive 11 other teens home in his sport utility vehicle which he crashed, injuring everyone in the vehicle.

Walker-Vogt was charged with multiple counts of unlawful sex with a minor, child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Yesterday, Anna Walker-Vogt reportedly surprised the court and pleaded guilty to engaging in sex with boys and providing alcohol during a teen party. Through an agreement with the prosecution, a sentence of one year in jail and probation will be recommended. She will also avoid having to register as a sex offender.

A sentencing date of May 31 has been scheduled.

By the way, Walker-Vogt's husband filed for divorce.

[Update 06/01/07]

Walker-Vogt sentenced to jail.

Following Entry Posted 3/30/2007 04:16:00 AM

Lina Sinha "Nasty in Manhattan" Convicted

(New York City) Lina Sinha, the 40-year-old Manhattan Montessori School teacher, was charged with 80 total counts of rape, sodomy and tampering with witnesses and evidence in a teacher-student sex case which began back in October 2005.

Last year, Sinha rejected a plea bargain which would have sent her to prison for six years, opting for a trial instead.

Last month, the trial of Lina Sinha got underway in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, Justice Carol Berkman presiding.

Yesterday, Lina Sinha was convicted by a jury of five men and seven women on felony counts of sodomy and witness bribery.

A headmistress and teacher at an exclusive Manhattan Montessori school, accused of sex liaisons with two barely pubescent students, was convicted Thursday of sodomizing one of them when he was 13.

Lina Sinha, 40, also was convicted of sodomizing the student when he was older, a crime with a lesser penalty than the same act with a 13-year-old, and of trying to bribe a second boy to get him to lie about their sexual relationship.

Punishment for the convictions could total almost two decades in prison, seven years each for sodomy and witness bribery, four years for a lesser sodomy charge, and a possible year for each of several misdemeanor counts of criminal impersonation and false reporting. Prosecutor Rachel L. Hochhauser asked the court to sentence Sinha to consecutive terms although consecutive sentences are infrequent.

Two accusers led to the charges against Sinha and the jury doubted the credibility of one, leading to a deadlock on six counts of statutory rape. Ms. Hochhauser indicated that the district attorney would likely retry Sinha on the rape charges.

Judge Berkman scheduled sentencing for April 19th while also raising Sinha's bail to $3.5 million from $50,000 because of her potential long-term incarceration and prominent family links with India.

After her conviction, Lina Sinha was escorted away in handcuffs as her large family quietly watched. Her attorney, Gerald L. Shargel, said there would be an appeal.

Previous:

02/27/07 - Lina Sinha Trial Underway
10/20/06 - 'Nasty in Manhattan' Going to Trial
09/06/06 - Teacher Lina Sinha Offered Plea Deal
05/31/06 - Teacher Lina Sinha - Nasty in Manhattan
10/30/05 - Female Teacher Charged with Rape of Student

[Update 04/02/07]

Parents put up bail for Sinha.

[Update 04/19/07]

Sinha sentenced to prison.

Following Entry Posted 3/29/2007 09:14:00 PM

Man Arrested, Woman Prosecuted

(Hamilton County, Tennessee) A Hamilton County man, Alexander Cross, was arrested for molesting a 15-year-old girl. While awaiting trial, someone casually noticed Alexander in the shower and he had female parts.

Further research revealed that Alexander was actually born as Elaine and had a name change. With her factory-installed equipment being a dead giveaway, Alexander was relocated to female isolation.

In court, being a man or woman didn't make much difference. Alexander pleaded guilty to statutory rape and received a suspended sentence. She will also have to register as a sex offender. Judge Rebecca Stern also ordered Alexander to have her driver's license changed to reflect that she is female, not male.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/29/2007 06:42:00 PM

Alimony Continues Despite Sex Change

(Clearwater, Florida) Lawrence Roach, 48, tried to get alimony payments to his ex-wife, 55-year-old Julia, discontinued since she had a sex change and became a man named Julio Roberto Silverwolf. Roach contended that his divorce papers specified he pay alimony to a woman and he cannot legally pay alimony to a man.

Circuit Judge Jack R. St. Arnold disagreed and ruled that Roach must continue with the alimony payments. Roach vowed to pursue the issue further while likely hiding the penetrating agony resulting from a chronic case of severely-frosted coconuts. Ironically, his wife gets a pair and his hurt more.

Although Julio, formerly Julia, won the case and guaranteed future payments of $1,250 per month, the transgender crowd was slapped down by affirmation that Florida law doesn't recognize sex changes in people because, by law, gender is identified and documented at birth.

Thanks to several tipsters on this story.

Following Entry Posted 3/29/2007 03:20:00 PM

Embryo Transfer Ponzi Scheme

(Topeka, Kansas) Anyone who knows what a Ponzi scheme is doesn't have to have a regulator identify it. Unfortunately, the writer of this report appears to think that a regulator must call a scam a Ponzi scheme before it actually is one.

A Topeka area man pleaded no contest to 36 felony charges stemming from a fictitious $1.3 million cattle embryo transfer program that regulators called a Ponzi scheme.

State officials said Donald G. Atteberry, 52 of Berryton, Kan., had promised investors 5 percent to 15 percent returns in six months. Their money was supposed to be used to freeze cattle embryos that would be shipped to Europe.

Instead, Atteberry paid some investors returns by using money from new investors, which regulators describe as a Ponzi scheme. The money also financed Atteberry's personal expenses, including gambling at casinos, the state said.

Therefore, we have a fraudulent investment scheme involving payout of high returns to investors out of the money paid in by subsequent investors. That's the definition of a Ponzi scheme, whether a regulator deems it so or not.

Atteberry faces a possible 86 months in prison, hundreds of thousands in fines and almost $1 million in restitution.

Following Entry Posted 3/29/2007 02:26:00 PM

Blogger Code of Conduct

The BBC is pushing the idea of a blogger code of conduct, citing the words of Tim O'Reilly, identified as one of the web's most influential thinkers. I've never heard of him but apparently he's big news in the UK.

The impetus for the blogger code appears to be death threats sent to one female blogger named Kathy Sierra, also someone I'm not familiar with. The BBC article has a survey form at the link for readers to weigh in.

I think it would be unwise to impose government controls on blogger conduct. Of course, I'm customarily against government control on most everything since it seems to regularly result in aggravating existing problems and creating new problems while spending wheelbarrows of taxpayer funds.

Following Entry Posted 3/29/2007 01:59:00 PM

Toledo Woman Accused of Sex with Boy, 12

(Toledo, Ohio) A 26-year-old Toledo woman, Renata Carter, is on trial in Lucas County Common Pleas Court for allegedly having sex with a 12-year-old boy in December 2005.

During opening statements, assistant county prosecutor Rob Miller stated he intends to offer in evidence a videotaped interview in which Carter confesses to the alleged incident. Defense attorney Mark Berling stated that family members came forward with allegations when Carter refused to give them money for a party.

Judge Stacy Cook is presiding. Carter faces a possible 10 years in prison if convicted.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 03/31/07]

After two days of testimony, Carter entered court yesterday and pleaded guilty to first-degree rape. Interestingly, she was offered a plea deal prior to the trial where she could have pleaded to second-degree rape which carries a lighter sentence.

A sentencing date of August 27th has been scheduled.

[Update 04/28/07]

Carter sentenced.

Following Entry Posted 3/29/2007 08:28:00 AM

Freed Gitmo Prisoners Beaten in Russia

Gitmo prisoners freed and sent to their homeland of Russia were greeted with harsh treatment and, of course, Human Rights Watch blamed the U.S. According to Carroll Bogert, associate director at Human Rights Watch, "The US government knew these men would likely be tortured and sent them back to Russia anyway."

Boy, you just can't satisfy the leftists. First, they say that prisoners are tortured at Gitmo and the place should be shut down. Yet, when action is taken to depopulate Gitmo to satisfy the concerns, the U.S. gets blamed because Russia beats the prisoners. The people at Human Rights Watch are being unrealistic if they believe that Russia is going to comply with conditions the U.S. has established regarding how to treat prisoners.

Obviously, the U.S. is the fall guy for anything the utopian human rights crowd doesn't like, regardless of whether it makes any sense. And, in those cases where released terrorist prisoners returned to the battlefield to kill American soldiers and innocent civilians, which has happened, Human Rights Watch utters not one peep.

Sheesh!

Following Entry Posted 3/29/2007 06:19:00 AM

EU Pushing for Environmental Taxes

Being a firm believer that the global warming movement is entirely political, the EU yesterday bolstered my belief system by making the imposition of environmental taxes on member states a primary goal.

I remember when I was a little kid listening to the adults complain about taxes and always chuckled when someone thanked God that politicians hadn't been able to figure out how to tax air. Well, thanks to the global warming scammers and their compliant minions, they have.

Get ready for the greatest redistribution and pissing away of wealth the world has ever seen.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 11:05:00 PM

Intruder Killed With Own Gun

(Everett, Washington) Last night, an intruder in a house near downtown Everett was shot and killed with his own gun.

Everett police detained and then released a man they described as an acquaintance of a man who rented the upstairs portion of the house in the 2300 block of Wetmore Avenue. The shooting happened in the interior stairwell leading from the front door to the resident's living quarters, said Gretchen Galstad, who rents the lower unit.

Galstad said the intruder, who police have not identified, kicked in the door and then encountered the acquaintance on the stairs. The intruder fired at least two shots before the other man wrestled the gun away and shot the intruder with it, she said.

I'm confused. It appears that the man who lived upstairs was the intruder. Doesn't make sense. Nonetheless, he's dead and no charges have been filed.

[Update 03/30/07]

The deceased intruder has been identified as Leonard Hunter, 18, a student at Franklin High School in Seattle. Hunter apparently had trouble with the law on several occasions in the past.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 10:06:00 PM

Twin Sisters in Sheboygan

(Sheboygan, Wisconsin) Supposedly, this whole episode was for the benefit of a boyfriend.

Twin sisters were charged with disorderly conduct on Tuesday after taking topless photos in front of a 5-year-old boy.

Pam and Penny Crane, 29, are accused of snapping naked pictures in front of the child, a relative of the sisters.

The women were wearing thong underwear and hosiery, while the 5-year-old appeared in some of the photos and may have snapped one of the two sisters topless, Lt. Jeff Johnston said.

"Why they would take those pictures, I have no idea," said Sheboygan County district attorney Joe DeCecco, who called the case creepy. "But then to go one step further and to be exposing their breasts to the child and buttocks to the child."

A drug store turned the photos into police after developing the film from a disposable camera.

The pictures were taken for a boyfriend currently in Las Vegas. According to police, the sisters didn't force the child to touch them inappropriately and they wouldn't have been charged if not for the pictures.

As a reminder to the unnamed boyfriend in Las Vegas, the hubba-hubba twins in Sheboygan are waiting for you.

[Update 07/19/07]

Crane sisters convicted and fined.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 07:22:00 PM

California Crusade Bans Lead Ammunition

Environmental groups and the California Department of Fish and Game are on a crusade to ban lead ammunition for hunting anywhere the "highly" endangered California condor roams. The contention is that lead is being ingested by the condors as they eat carrion and killing them. Dale Steele, a conservation manager for the Fish and Game Department said the science supporting the contention is "... still not very well understood," but the agency is still going to recommend the ban.

The California Fish and Game Commission, appointed by the governor, is scheduled to vote on the issue on April 13th.

In opposition, President Sam Paredes of the Gun Owners of California said, "These guys just want to ban all hunting. It's a foothold."

I agree with Sam.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 05:30:00 PM

Woman Gives Sex For Flattery

(Melbourne, Australia) A 28-year-old woman, Diana Nicole Bennett, pleaded guilty to engaging in a six-week sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy. Bennett claims she was flattered that the boy found her sexually attractive.

Excuse me, Ms. Bennett, for the sake of future reference, 15-year-old boys find the photos in National Geographic sexually attractive.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 05/02/07]

Bennett given 12 month suspended sentence.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 04:57:00 PM

White Teachers, Black Students

This is interesting. In two previously-reported stories of South Carolina teacher-student sexual relations, Allenna Ward and Wendie Schweikert, it appears that the mainstream media failed to mention that the teachers are white and all the victims are black boys. How odd?

Nevertheless, this simple unreported fact is known locally and it has stirred up some racial tension.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 06/02/07]

Schweikert sentenced to 10 years prison.

[Update 02/19/08]

Allenna Ward sentenced to six years in prison.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 05:55:00 AM

Working Without Being Hired

(Linn County, Oregon) On Monday of this week, a 20-year-old man started working at the A & W restaurant on Highway 34 without being hired. He went into the office and found an employee's shirt, put it on, wrote his name and phone number on an employee roster and then went to the counter to work.

The Sheriff's Department is investigating.

Usually the complaint is that someone gets hired and then doesn't do any work. This case is the exact opposite.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 01:01:00 AM

Animal Lover Gets Probation

(Superior, Wisconsin) A 20-year-old Superior man, Bryan James Hathaway, pleaded no contest to engaging in sex with a dead deer and was sentenced to probation -- to be served concurrent with a nine-month jail sentence received from a different offense. In his defense, Hathaway is quoted as saying, "What do you expect me to do, have sex with a live deer?"

Hathaway was also ordered to complete sex offender evaluation and treatment. It's not known whether Hathaway faces charges from the Fish and Wildlife Department for bagging a deer out of season.

A previous conviction in April 2005 involved Hathaway killing a horse for purposes of having sex with it. For felony mistreatment of an animal, he received 18 months in jail and two years extended supervision. It's not clear what constitutes the crime of felony mistreatment, killing the horse or having sex with it. His nine-month sentence was received for violating the conditions of his extended supervision which he apparently did by doing a dead doe.

Douglas County Circuit Court Judge Michael Lucci termed Hathaway's behavior as "disturbing." Left unanswered, however, was the question of where are the women in Wisconsin.

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 12:59:00 AM

Smoking Ban Makes Odors Noticeable

(Dunfermline, Scotland) An unintended consequence of banning smoking in Scottish pubs is that now people can be offended by other substances in the air -- uh, like flatulence. However, instead of banning the act of breaking wind, proprietors are banning the perpetrators.

Management at the bar say Stewart Laidlaw "revels" in his bouts of flatulence and other punters have almost been sick after exposure to the foul smells.

Mr Laidlaw (35), who is furious at the ban by Thirsty Kirsty's, is thought to be the first person in West Fife to be barred for breaking wind.

The James Street pub's owner says the stench has become unbearable since Scotland's smoking ban came in last year but suspects drinkers could have been breathing in the waft for years before without noticing it.

Note that, in this story, we have an entirely new definition of "reveler." I also suspect that the Dunfermline Press might be confronted with a scarcity of newsworthy local stories since it devoted about 2,500 words to this farts in a bar piece. Nevertheless, it is interesting to know that lighting up a smoke makes everybody's farts smell okay.

Tip: Charlie Nestor

Following Entry Posted 3/28/2007 12:58:00 AM

Monstrous Cane Toad

Due to recent media interest, I decided to reproduce my February 2006 post on the cane toad.

Originally introduced in Australia during the 1930s to control sugar cane beetles, cane toads are now marching across Australia, poisoning millions of animals - from lizards to crocodiles to family pets. It has become a menace due to its poisonous toxins.

To control them, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is urging the use of hemorrhoid cream. Applying a dollop of cream on a toad's back will put it to sleep, allowing it to be picked up, bagged and frozen.

Cane Toad
Hemorrhoid cream makes them sleepy
Currently, people are using golf clubs and cricket bats to control them. When one is seen, it's whacked. Unfortunately, a problem is created by having rotting toad carcasses drawing flies and littering the environment, not at all unlike Congress. The RSPCA promotes levying fines for toad whacking.

A suggested method of cleaning the mess is to collect the toad carcasses, and mix them with an alkaline solution to create a decomposed toad soup which can be used as fertilizer. An environmental group of "frog conscious" members called FrogWatch hopes the fertilizer will be ultimately sold to the public. It's said to be great for pawpaws.

With the appointment of a frog guru as regional coordinator among various toad fighting groups in northern Australia, hopefully the war against the pest will be more organized and effective.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/27/2007 09:49:00 PM

School Secretary Accused of Boozing with Students

(Hamilton, Massachusetts) A 31-year-old former secretary at North Shore High School, Natalie A. Nemeskal, faces charges resulting from having a liquor and sex party with students at her home.

Nemeskal has been charged with nine counts of providing alcohol to minors and one count of witness intimidation for allegedly pressuring a student to recant an earlier statement to police.

From WHDH.com:

The police report also detailed a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old-student named Brian, who admitted to going out into a hot tub and having sex with Ms. Nemeskal.

The report also said, "Brian admitted to having a relationship with Ms. Nemeskal over the past two months, both inside and outside of school."

According to police, the drinking and sex was going on while Nemeskal's 12-year-old daughter was home.

She also allegedly attempted to get a witness to lie about her partying ways.

Nemeskal is now currently unemployed.

Another report indicates that Nemeskal had sex with a 17-year-old Gloucester boy.

All in all, indications are that Nemeskal was a serious party animal with underage students and she didn't seem to care that her young daughter was present.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 07/21/07]

Nemeskal sentenced.

Following Entry Posted 3/27/2007 05:09:00 PM

Strickland: Ohio May See $400 Million Investment

From DDN:

A "major pharmaceutical company" may soon announce a $400 million investment between Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland said Tuesday.

Strickland declined to identify the company or say how many new jobs the investment might entail.

But he said the company's chief financial officer recently visited his residence to say that an other state, Arizona, was no longer competing with Ohio for the project.

"They told me an announcement would have to wait until certain due diligence" work was complete, Strickland said.

While the unnamed company's CFO was visiting Strickland, do you think the governor mentioned his plans to jack up taxes? I don't.

Following Entry Posted 3/27/2007 04:48:00 PM

Internet Love Affair

(Houston, Texas) Get out your hankies, readers. Here's the story of the lonely schoolteacher named Dee Dee who looked for and found love on the Internet. His name was Thomas Green, a Texan doing contract work in Nigeria.

Finally, the day arrived when Thomas was coming home.

"[I] was waiting in the airport for two hours in a red spaghetti-strapped dress, all dolled up," Dee Dee said.

Except her boyfriend never showed up.

"I come back here, I'm devastated, and he's waiting for me online," she said.

He told her he was mugged while on his way to the airport and needed money. Without any hesitation, she complied.

"He wooed me, I'm walking on the clouds, so I sent him money," she said.

She sent $900 via Western Union, then another $900, then $1,400 and so on and so on.

Sad, isn't it? On a positive note, though, Dee Dee is lobbying for Match.com and Yahoo Personals to put a disclaimer on the bottom of their website pages saying something like (I'm guessing here), "Don't be dumb! It's the Internet, Stupid!"

In the meantime, Dee Dee continues to keystroke for Mr. Right.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/27/2007 02:55:00 PM

Teacher Gets Probation in Child Abuse Case

(Sanford, Florida) Last January, a 50-year-old teacher of disabled children for Seminole Public Schools, Kathleen Garrett, was found guilty of child abuse for being physically heavy-handed with the disabled boys and girls, occasionally causing injury.

Today, Circuit Judge Clayton Simmons sentenced Garrett to three years probation.

The judge today said there was no evidence Garrett ever abused anyone -- child or adult -- outside her classroom.

Her Florida teaching certificate is no longer valid, and the judge forbid her to apply for a new one.

She has no prior criminal record, the judge said, is not a hardened criminal, and so, he opted to withhold adjudication, meaning that although a jury found her guilty of a felony, he did not formally declare her one.

That means she will not lose her voting rights or suffer any other consequences for having been convicted of a felony.

Before her trial began, Garrett rejected a plea deal that would have placed her on probation for five years.

Okay.

Following Entry Posted 3/27/2007 07:48:00 AM

Mystery Rash in Georgia, Plus OH and FLA

Last week, it was reported that a mysterious rash had surfaced among students at schools in NE Ohio and residents in Duval County, Florida. Now, there's a report that a mysterious rash among students has also emerged at the Forest Park Middle School in Forest Park, Georgia.

In Ohio and Georgia, school officials sent the students home. Also, it's worth noting that the rashes persisted even after the Ohio schools were sanitized/decontaminated.

In all cases, health department and EPA investigators have taken swipe samples to try and determine if a foreign substance is causing the skin irritation. Results of their investigations are expected soon.

Following Entry Posted 3/26/2007 02:44:00 PM

John Edwards Opposes Family Leave

Simple question:

If John Edwards doesn't need family leave from work (that he isn't even obligated to do) because his wife has terminal cancer, why do we have laws forcing employers to give time off for workers with sick family members?

If John Edwards can continue working while his wife is ill, it seems unnecessarily intrusive for the government to force employers to suffer the absence of their workers.

Following Entry Posted 3/26/2007 02:29:00 PM

Accused Kills Girlfriend, Incinerates Parts on Grill

(Houston, Texas) A 27-year-old man, Timothy Wayne Shepherd, allegedly murdered his girlfriend and attempted to incinerate her parts on the BBQ grill.

According to law enforcement officials, Shepherd dismembered, and then burned the body of his former girlfriend, Tynesha Stewart, a 19-year-old Texas A&M University student. Nothing remains of Stewart's body, Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thomas said at a press conference Saturday.

"I just don't know what to think about it," said Louis Evans, whose balcony faces Shepherd's in the quiet tree-lined enclave in northern Houston. "I thought he was a nice normal person. I guess you never know what your neighbors are doing."

Authorities said Shepherd has confessed to strangling and dismembering Stewart, a college freshman who was home on spring break, because he was angry that she had started a new relationship.

Sick, absolutely sick.

Following Entry Posted 3/26/2007 01:20:00 PM

Christian Teacher Murdered by Muslim Students

(Gombe, Nigeria) According to this report, a Christian teacher allegedly desecrated the Koran and Muslim students began shouting "Allahu Akbar" and beat her to death.

Reportedly, she had collected books from a student she suspected of cheating on exams and tossed the books outside the classroom. She was unaware that one of the books was a Koran.

Muslim students at Government Day secondary school in the northeastern state of Gombe killed Christian teacher Oluwatoyin Olusase who was supervising an Islamic Religious Knowledge exam on Wednesday, according to the Nigerian newspaper This Day.

The newspaper, which described the killing as "gruesome," said that she was beaten to death and then set on fire. Students also burned the teacher's car and three blocks of the school containing classes, the school clinic, administrative offices and the library.

The principal of the school, Mohammed Sadiq, tried to protect Olusase and was also beaten. Afterward, authorities arrested 12 students and commenced an investigation.

Condolences to the family and friends of Oluwatoyin Olusase who unknowingly aggravated the religion of peace and paid with her life.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/26/2007 12:45:00 PM

Teacher Arrested for DUI, Fleeing Accident Scene

(Okaloosa County, Florida) It's all about character.

From EmeraldCoast.com:

A school teacher was arrested for her second DUI after she hit a motorcyclist Wednesday night, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Stephanie Kay Allen, 28, of Fort Walton Beach, is a third-grade teacher at St. Mary's Catholic School.

She was charged with DUI and fleeing a uniformed law enforcement officer, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

It's reported that Allen's car had to be pinned by witnesses. Apparently, she was serious about trying to get away. She refused a breath test.

Following Entry Posted 3/26/2007 10:54:00 AM

Teacher, Daughter Busted for Drug Operation

(Troy, New York) A 54-year-old special education teacher at Carroll Hill Elementary School, Doris Kurick, and her daughter, 21-year-old Cleo, were arrested last week for drug possession.

From WTEN.com:

Police say an anonymous tip sparked a month-long investigation centered around the Troy home Kurick shares with her 21-year-old daughter, Cleo, who was also arrested and charged with possession.

"It was a very successful, very sophisticated operation that the defendant had going here," says Troy Police Detective Sergeant John Cooney.

Police say it was a very elaborate process. They say every room in the basement of the teacher's home, located at 2426 Lavin Court, housed a different component of growing and processing marijuana.

"The officers located several rooms, each one specifically devoted to a specific function of the growth, drying, and cutting of marijuana," Det. Sgt. Cooney says.

Kurick was booked into the Rensselaer County Jail and released on $5,000 bail.

So, what do you think? Female teacher apparently dealing in marijuana which, of course, is used for medical purposes. Really, some people say that marijuana isn't nearly the problem that alcohol is. Not only that, but some lawmakers are trying their hardest to legalize dope.

Consequently, I'll boldly predict that Kurick walks away from this entire situation with a small fine and fully prepared to continue giving elementary school students a special education. I hope my prediction is wrong.

Following Entry Posted 3/26/2007 09:42:00 AM

Teacher - Boy Case Evaporates

(Durham, NC) In February 2006, a 43-year-old teacher at Chewning Middle School, Janet Briggs, was arrested for allegedly allowing a 14-year-old student to spend the night at her home more than once. After the first occasion, the boy's father alerted police.

Briggs was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was released on the misdemeanor charge without bond and ordered to have no contact with the boy and his family. She also resigned her teaching position.

Since last year, there has been little information provided regarding the case. That is, until I found the following report.

A former eighth-grade teacher at Chewning Middle School was arrested a year ago last month and charged with allowing a male student to spend the night with her.

But in a quiet September plea deal that escaped media attention, Janet K. Briggs received deferred prosecution on two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, court records indicate.

With deferred prosecution, she received no punishment and will have a clean record if she behaves for the foreseeable future.

The incident came to light when the boy's father launched a complaint against Briggs. She then resigned as a teacher.

Briggs and the boy both denied that any sexual activity occurred.

No media attention, no punishment and a clean record are not ways to preclude recurrence of the situation. On a positive note, however, Briggs' lawyer, James D. "Butch" Williams, said she is not teaching anymore.

Following Entry Posted 3/25/2007 12:12:00 PM

Quebec Bans Veils at Polls

(Montreal, Quebec) Every time I have gone to cast a ballot, usually more than one of the election workers makes sure that my face looks like the photo on my driver's license. It's inconceivable that I would be allowed to vote with a mask on my face.

Nevertheless, that's what the Muslims in Quebec have attempted to do.

Muslim women will have to remove their face coverings if they want to vote in upcoming elections in Quebec, a government official said Friday, reversing his earlier decision to allow the veils.

Marcel Blanchet, the French-speaking province's election chief, had been criticized by Quebec's three main political leaders for allowing voters to wear the niqab, which covers the entire face except for the eyes, if they signed a sworn statement and showed identification when they vote.

But Blanchet reversed his earlier decision Friday, saying it was necessary to avoid disruptions when residents go to the polls.

Heh. Expect the Muslim community to claim religious intolerance, discrimination and violation of human rights.

Following Entry Posted 3/25/2007 01:27:00 AM

Illegal Alien Attacks Female Tourist

(Orange County, Florida) An 18-year-old Mexican employee of the Marriott Grande Vista Resorts, Pedro Ramirez, was arrested for threatening a female tourist with a knife and then groping her. In the U.S. illegally, Ramirez (if that's his real name), carried three fake identification cards.

Ramirez was booked into the Orange County Jail.

Following Entry Posted 3/25/2007 12:41:00 AM

Woman Accused of Raping Boy

(Columbus, Ohio) A 30-year-old Columbus woman, Kelli Mitchell, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 13-year-old boy in her bedroom on March 12th.

It's reported that Mitchell has a rap sheet listing previous crimes, including possession of cocaine and carrying a concealed weapon.

Mitchell was booked into the Franklin County Jail.

It's worth noting that Mitchell's reported age of 30 doesn't seem to be consistent with her appearance. She looks to be at least 32.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/25/2007 12:12:00 AM

African Refugees in Yemen

Here's a report about the Horn of Africa and the Middle East in which it's difficult to figure out who the good guys are. The UN estimates that 30,000 refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia and other places have been smuggled into Yemen since January 2006.

The UN refugee agency announced Friday that over the past six days, Yemen has again received more than 1,100 Somalis and Ethiopians who arrived on smuggling boats from Bosaso, Somalia, across the Gulf of Aden.

The refugee agency added that according to information received so far at least 28 people died during these recent voyages -- from asphyxiation, beating or drowning -- and many were badly injured by the smugglers.

Others are suffering from various skin problems from prolonged contact with sea water, human waste, diesel and other chemicals. They are not allowed to move during the voyage.

So, refugees are being smuggled into Yemen and the trip comes with a very real chance of death, injury or sickness. And, then there's this:

When spotted by the Yemeni armed forces the smugglers on one boat in an attempt to distract the forces threw 35 Somalis into the water and took the remaining 215 passengers, many with their hands bound by ropes, closer to the shore where they were forced to disembark.

I find it hard to believe that "refugees" being smuggled into Yemen would have to have their hands bound by ropes. "I'm escaping, tie me up," is rarely said in my estimation.

Prisoners or slaves are bound, yes, but not refugees. Therefore, I suggest that the smugglers are dealing in human cargo consisting of prisoners or slaves who, presumably, have to be coerced or conned onto the boats. That's thirty-thousand prisoners/slaves in a little over a year!

Uh -- so where are they going? Some person or group in Yemen must be waiting to take the thousands of prisoners/slaves to their ultimate destination. Where, I don't know.

Nevertheless, despite what the human cargo consists of, the people pipeline is interrupted when Yemeni security forces get involved and chase down the smugglers. It's at that point, the prisoners/slaves (my contention) appear to become refugees and a problem for the government of Yemen to resolve. Furthermore, according to the UN, Yemen is patiently awaiting payment for the hospitality it shows to the "refugees."

Yemen has kept its doors open for refugees and migrants who have been arriving for several years from war-torn Somalia and other places.

Yemen has also been very patient in awaiting more support in recognition of its generosity and in the spirit of burden-sharing.

Isn't that innovative? The UN is Yemen's shill.

In summary, the reported influx of "refugees" to Yemen appears to be a forced illegal migration of humans for some unknown purpose. How else could it be explained? If the Somalians and others were true refugees, they would not need to be bound and beaten. And, if Yemen was such a generous nation, security forces wouldn't be sent out to impede the pipeline of refugees crossing the Gulf of Aden.

[Update 03/26/07]

From Jane Novak of Armies of Liberation and The Jawa Report, we get additional insight on the subject.

Things in Somalia are so bad that many people willingly make the trip to Yemen in hopes of improving their lot. After that the refugees often migrate to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States.Some stay in Yemen in squalid refugee camps, others are disbursed through the nation, and they form a second class in Yemen. Normally what happens is the smugglers let them off near shore and they swim in. They come in at various points along the coast. So unless there was someone there to recieve them, Im not sure how they would retain custody. The fact that they are tied up may be a mechanism of maintaining control during the voyage, as this is a regular business for the smugglers. Its my impression most come willingly and retain their freedom once in Yemen but I am going to check the slavery thing. What does dovetail with your thinking is the smuggling of Yemeni children to Saudi Arabia, often with their parents consent. These kids come from extremely poor families and are often as young as four. Once in SA, some beg, some face sexual abuse and some become slaves. Some who beg may be disfigured by their handlers to draw more sympathy and thus more money.

Thanks, Jane.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/24/2007 03:08:00 PM

ACLU Quotes Bible in Lozano vs. City of Hazleton

It is with keen interest that I've been following the Hazleton case. I would argue that it represents a 21st Century version of the famous Scopes trial but instead of discussing evolution and religion, the Hazleton trial is about the rights of American citizens versus illegal aliens.

There has been drama, humor and abject ridiculousness thus far in the trial argued between the open-borders crowd (ACLU and others) and the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Ringleading the proceedings is an Ito-style judge (as a reminder, Judge Ito presided over the O.J. Simpson trial). And demonstrating how bizarre the trial is, the case even has an ACLU lawyer quoting the Bible and an "expert" witness stating that "illegal" doesn't mean illegal.

It's disappointing that the mainstream media isn't giving the story the coverage it deserves. But it's not surprising. As cheerleaders for foreigners invading the U.S., the NYT, WaPo and the broadcast media have given the story scant attention. In fact, if one relies on the MSM, one likely doesn't even know about the trial much less its significance.

Thankfully, we've got the Internet and the blogosphere so information is not completely hidden from the public. And, in my opinion, nobody is following the Hazleton story better than Diggers Realm.

The case was brought by the ACLU, Puerto Rican Defense and Education Fund and illegal aliens on the constitutionality of the Illegal Immigration Relief Act and is being held at the William J. Nealon Federal Building in Scranton, Pennsylvania with US District Judge James Munley on the bench. The act would fine landlords who rent to illegal aliens and yank the business licenses of those who hire them.

Hazleton has received $200,000 from people across the country to defend itself in court against the larger national groups. Plaintiffs have 25 attorneys, Hazleton has 5. Over eight days, 21 witnesses and 8 city officials testified.

A massive amount of information has been filed in the case including 30 page "briefs", expert reports, resumes, government publications, statistics, laws cited and other documents that fill 10 half-foot thick notebooks. Over 50 volumes in all. In addition, a 3 1/2 hour presentation on DVD from University of California at Irvine sociology professor Ruben Rumbaut wherein he states that "National studies show that illegal immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than other groups.", which was conveniently released around the time the trial started.

Interestingly, concurrent with the Rumbaut assertion that illegal aliens are not the worst criminals, the police reported that a Hazleton man was assaulted on a city street by 17 or 18 Hispanic males.

The Hazleton story needs exposure. For those who can, pass it along. I would recommend Digger as a valuable source. He's got it covered.

I've also included this post as a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join, please email Jay@stoptheaclu.com or GribbitR@gmail.com. You will be added to the mailing list and blogroll. Over 200 blogs already on-board.

Following Entry Posted 3/24/2007 12:51:00 PM

Youth Worker Accused of Sex with Boy

(St. Louis, Missouri) A 38-year-old adolescent-care specialist at the Lakeside Center for troubled teens, Michelle Slamp, has been accused of engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. Slamp faces three counts of statutory rape. According to St. Louis County Counselor Patricia Redington, Slamp was fired on March 8th.

Slamp reportedly admitted to engaging in sex with the boy on three occasions. She was booked and released on $2,500 bond.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/24/2007 12:21:00 AM

Couple Accused of Sexually Abusing Boy, 9

(Hardyston, New Jersey) A 44-year-old woman, Denise Ackley, and her 52-year-old boyfriend, Mark Olsen, were arrested this past Wednesday for alleged sexual abuse of a 9-year-old boy.

Both Ackley and Olsen have been charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

They were booked into the Sussex County Jail with bail set at $100,000 each.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/23/2007 11:42:00 PM

Child Molester Gets 6 More Years

(Denver, Colorado) In August 2005, 31-year-old Tani Leigh Firkins was sentenced in Jefferson County to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a boy, starting at age 14, for three years and having a child by him.

At the time, the parents of the boy vowed to pursue charges in Denver where, they contended, Firkins committed 50 to 100 more sexual assaults.

Yesterday in Denver District Court, Tani Firkins, now 33, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of the boy in accordance with an agreement with the prosecution. In return, four counts of sexual assault were dropped and she was sentenced to six years in prison.

Presumably, the six-year sentence will be served after completion of her nine-year sentence. Denver District Judge William Robbins also ordered Firkins to register as a sex offender when she is released from prison.

A girl born to the boy and Firkins is being raised by the victim's parents. In court, Firkins apologized to the parents.

Following Entry Posted 3/23/2007 09:54:00 PM

Intruder Shot in Head and Chest

(Hamilton, Ohio) About 1:30 AM this morning, 31-year-old Millard Brandenburg, carrying a sledgehammer, broke into the home of Jamie Buck and demanded valuables. In the midst of a struggle, Buck grabbed his gun and shot Brandenburg, once in the head and three times in the chest. Brandenburg expired.

According to County Prosecutor Robin Piper, available evidence indicates that Buck was appropriately defending himself.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/23/2007 06:02:00 PM

The Access Project

According to this source, a group called The Access Project conducted a survey which found that people with medical insurance still have problems paying health care bills. The scope of the problem was described by one health care expert as "... a national crisis of enormous proportions."

Now, being sensitive to national crises that I've never heard of in addition to being skeptical of most surveys, I looked at the originators of the survey to see what political persuasion they might call home.

From this document, I learned that two leaders of The Access Project, Robert Seifert and Jeffrey Prottas, are trying to link health care to home ownership. In other words, without adequate health insurance, the public's "ability to secure or maintain housing" is impeded. As I gather, the conclusion is that America's health insurance system is placing the public at risk of becoming homeless.

Being helpful, Seifert offers solutions.

- First, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers can cut their prices.

- Second, make employers and insurers guarantee that health bills will present no struggle for families.

- Third, pass a law which prohibits credit agencies from knowing anything about people's medical bills. This would allow people to incur mortgage debt that they would otherwise not qualify for.

As far as solutions to the newly created (I contend) medical debt and homelessness problem, Seifert's ideas are simply utopian.

- Doctors and hospitals are in business and their prices reflect the costs of supporting their businesses. They can't simply cut prices and not expect their businesses to suffer.

- Okay, Seifert says the employers and insurers will be responsible for adequate public health care, not the individual. This assumes that employers and insurers have infinite resources. They don't.

- Seifert's third idea borders on ludicrous. Hide information from credit agencies! Just so people can incur additional debt? Absolutely bizarre!

Further research indicates that the current President of The Access Project, Cathy Dunham, has been described as the "Boston health justice maven" by fellow political activists. Note that when "justice" is used with a qualifier such as environmental, racial, ecological, nutritional, educational or health, it's a code word for socialism.

Given that The Access Project has created a complicated argument that links medical costs to housing costs with an alarmist "national crisis" description attached to it, one might not realize that the argument is disingenuous because one could just as easily link medical costs to food costs or the cost of shoes with the same logic. People have to make judgments every day regarding where they are going to spend their money. And if the medical debt is high, then people will have to forego buying something else in order to pay their bills.

I'm not naive enough to think that The Access Project doesn't have an agenda to push for socialized medicine in the U.S. How else could you explain the creation of a bogus crisis and the presentation of ludicrous solutions? Consequently, if you see The Access Project's name attached to any survey or study, realize that the results were likely established prior to any research being conducted.

By the way, the conclusions drawn in The Access Project's report were based on interviews with 45 people. Out of a population of 300,000,000, only 45 were interviewed to conclude that the entire health insurance system is an illusion and failing the people when they get sick.

Following Entry Posted 3/23/2007 02:37:00 PM

Intruder Shot During Morning Coffee

(Miami, Florida) Enjoying his morning coffee, 59-year-old John James was bothered by 27-year-old Bobby Lee Whipple, who threatened assault and a break-in of James' home. After putting down his coffee cup, James picked up his .22 Magnum handgun and opened fire. Whipple was rewarded with multiple gunshot wounds.

Whipple will apparently survive. He's currently hospitalized.

James, presumably, finished his coffee. Having a permit for his gun, he won't be charged with any crime.

Following Entry Posted 3/23/2007 01:05:00 PM

Wal-Mart Opens Urban DC Store

(Landover Hills, Maryland) Some time ago, Wal-Mart announced it would open stores in depressed areas to help revitalize jobs and small businesses for blighted communities. True to its word, yesterday a 144,000 square-foot Wal-Mart store opened at the neglected Capital Plaza Mall, largely abandoned since the departure of Montgomery Ward and Hechinger in the 1990s.

On the northeastern outskirts of the District of Columbia on Route 450 off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, the new store will draw customers from the immediate area and from inside the nation's capital. Staffing for the store created 330 jobs with hired workers being selected from 11,000 applicants.

Frankly, I can't see a downside.

Following Entry Posted 3/23/2007 12:59:00 AM

DVD-Sniffing Dogs Attract Bounty

(Johor Baru, Malaysia) Two disc-sniffing Labrador Retrievers, Lucky and Flo, recently alerted on a cache of pirated CDs and DVDs worth approximately $3 million. In retaliation, crime bosses have put undisclosed bounties on the dogs' heads.

From New Straits Times:

"Following the successful raid at a shopping complex in Johor Baru on Tuesday, sources informed the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs that syndicate members are looking for the dogs," the ministry's enforcement assistant director, Firdaus Zakaria, said yesterday.

"The dogs are a genuine threat to the pirated disc syndicates, thus the instruction to eliminate them."

The ministry has stepped up security for the canines, Lucky and Flo. They have also been moved to different safe houses.

The raid by the ministry's officers netted more than one million fake discs, 20 computers, 12 CD burners and fax machines. The discs were intended for Singapore, Britain, Hong Kong and Japan.

Interesting enough, however, I was more struck by the fact that disc-sniffing dogs even exist. Apparently, Lucky and Flo are the first dogs ever to be trained to sniff the polycarbonate in the discs and they were provided to the authorities in Johor Baru with the help of the Motion Picture Association of Malaysia. Who did the training was not reported.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 08:52:00 PM

Woman, 38, Births Two Kids Fathered by Kid

(Louisville, Colorado) A 38-year-old woman, Irene Marie Gomez, was arrested last week on suspicion of child sexual assault after allegations that she gave birth to two children fathered by a boy.

From Denver Post:

Gomez said she first met the teen "on the street" in 2001 and said the boy told her he was 18. She said he always held a full-time job, looked and acted mature and had multiple identification cards listing different ages.

She said she resisted the teen's advances, but he was persistent, writing her love letters and waiting outside her house for her to come home after work.

Gomez said the relationship with the teen began shortly after her mother died.

"I was not in the right frame of mind at all," Gomez said. "I was considering not staying on this earth myself after my mom died. I just feel that he helped me through a really bad situation. There was nobody else there for me."

Police issued an arrest warrant for Gomez in late February. Gomez turned herself in last week, then bonded out.

The "mature" father of Gomez's children, ages 4 and 1, was 13 when their relationship started. He was "there" for her.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 7/2/08]

Gomez pleads guilty, gets probation.

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 07:47:00 PM

Principal Resigns Amid Sex Allegations

(Plymouth, Ohio) According to an announcement by the Plymouth-Shiloh school board's lawyer, Shiloh Elementary School Principal Fayette Adams is resigning.

From The News Journal:

Speaking to cheers, some residents called on Superintendent Jim Metcalf to resign because of his role in the investigation of an incident, allegedly sexual in nature, between Adams and another district employee that happened more than two years ago on a day when school was not in session. Reports conflict on whether students were in the building that day.

It appears that inappropriate behavior is migrating up the food chain. It's not just the teachers anymore.

Tip: Mark Sapp

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 07:00:00 PM

Ohio Woman Accused of Sex with Boy

(Belmont County, Ohio) A 33-year-old local woman, Penny Morrison, was arrested for having sexual contact with a 15-year-old boy. Morrison faces a felony charge of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Morrison has also been accused of providing marijuana to several teenagers. She was booked into jail.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 06:49:00 PM

Teacher's Aide Gets Prison

(Fernley, Nevada) In October 2006, a 37-year-old teacher's aide at Fernley Intermediate School, Tracie Nelson, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old boy. Reportedly, Nelson had sex with the boy in a car while his teen buddies watched.

Nelson was charged with counts of sexual seduction, supplying alcohol to a minor, and gross lewdness. In accordance with an agreement late last year, Nelson pleaded guilty to the sexual seduction charge in return for the prosecution dropping the other charges.

On Monday of this week, Nelson was sentenced by Third Judicial District Court Judge Robert Estes to 12 to 32 months in the Nevada State Prison.

It's worth noting that Tracie Nelson appears to suffer from some substantive psychological problems. While experiencing all her legal troubles, she allegedly attempted suicide and had to be hospitalized. Additionally, after being released on bail, she was re-arrested for associating with juveniles which violated the terms of her release. Public defender Jesse Kalter even disclosed that Nelson suffers from bipolar disorder after an evaluation by a private therapist. Poor thing.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 05:56:00 PM

Teacher Dissed for Inappropriate Behavior

(Lafayette, Louisiana) A Spanish teacher at Comeaux High School, Jessica Theall, was suspended with pay last month for inappropriate behavior with students. Thus far, the only concern to be reported has been a series of handwritten notes, e-mails and text messages from Theall to some male students.

Lafayette Parish School officials have been contemplating termination of Theall because she does not enjoy tenure. It's unclear what is going to happen next.

[Update 03/24/07]

Theall was fired from her teaching position only months away from tenure.

Reportedly, the police investigating her case ran into significant lack of cooperation so they closed the file. Theall, therefore, retains her teaching certification despite the fact that she was fired.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 03:30:00 PM

Wal-Mart Workers Get Bonuses

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. declared today as "Associate Celebration Day" and announced a new program of bonuses for hourly workers to reward performance and service.

The company said it has awarded more than $529.8 million in bonuses to a total of 813,759 Wal-Mart store and Sam's Club hourly workers in the U.S.

The new program will provide bonuses quarterly.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 02:21:00 PM

Verbal Child Abuse

(Tallahassee, Florida) The Florida legislature is contemplating a measure to define verbal child abuse as criminal.

From The Ledger:

A separate appeals court in Florida has ruled that speech could be abuse, but the state Supreme Court recently declined to take up the case to settle the issue.

A bill (HB 1169) that expands the legal definition of child abuse to include abuse that results in 'mental injury' was approved unanimously Wednesday by the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. It has two more committee hearings before it can go before the full House for a vote.

A similar bill (SB 2736) is filed in the Senate.

Boy, it looks like a gold mine for the psychologists who have to provide evaluation and expert testimony on the level of mental injury suffered by, as an example, the noisy kids outside after someone shouts, "Hey, shut up! You dumbass hyenas!"

It appears to me that the measures are simply more nanny-state political correctness. Additional elements of speech are being made criminal.

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 12:38:00 PM

Intruder Shot Dead

(North Platte, Nebraska) A 19-year-old woman shot and killed a 37-year-old man, David Allen, as he attempted to break into her home about 2 AM this morning.

From Nebraska.tv:

North Platte Police Lieutenant Rick Ryan said the shooting was being investigated as a homicide, saying -- quote -- "We investigate all deaths like this as a homicide."

He says Allen apparently came to the door looking for they woman's boyfriend. She was home alone, and asked him to leave, but says he pushed the door open and barged in.

Police say she was holding the rifle and he -- quote -- "went after her."

That's when she fired several shots at him.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 11:23:00 AM

Teacher Aide Indicted for Indecency With Students

(Wise, Virginia) A 36-year-old teacher’s aide at Powell Valley High School, Darlene Anna Blagg, has been indicted by a Wise County grand jury for alleged sexual exploitation of high school students. Blagg, of Big Stone Gap, faces nine counts of indecent liberties with a juvenile by a person in a supervisory position.

A mother alerted Wise County Sheriff's Department investigators last week after finding inappropriate text messages sent to her son by Blagg. According to Wise County Commonwealth Attorney Ron Elkins, Blagg apparently had dealt with 16, 17, and 18-year-old students.

A warrant was issued for Blagg's arrest.

[Update 06/09/07]

Blagg accepts plea deal and is sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 01:33:00 AM

Teacher Accused of Providing Booze to Kids

(Pueblo, Colorado) A language arts teacher at Pueblo South High School, Amanda Tilley, has been placed on paid administrative leave for allegedly providing alcohol to students.

A school security guard, name withheld, has also been placed on administrative leave with pay.

The Pueblo Police Department and the city school system are investigating the alleged offense.

[Update 05/02/07]

Tilley arrested.

Following Entry Posted 3/22/2007 01:01:00 AM

Illegal Nabbed for Fake Social Security Cards

(Charlotte, North Carolina) For selling fake and forged Social Security cards, Pedro Calderon, an illegal alien since arriving in the U.S. in 1998, was arrested by federal agents. According to official records, Calderon allegedly sold the cards on the street.

Obviously, he was doing a job that regular American citizens won't do.

Following Entry Posted 3/21/2007 11:46:00 PM

Eight Women in One Family Killed

Here's a report from Israel regarding family honor. The following excerpt is most telling.

In the past seven years, eight Abu-Ganem family women have been murdered in the context of "family honor."

Sickening!

Following Entry Posted 3/21/2007 10:11:00 PM

Woman, Boy, Sex, Husband & Videotape

(Baxter County, Arkansas) In March 2006, 23-year-old Loretta Stacy was charged with engaging in sex repeatedly with a 14-year-old boy between July and December 2005. The sexual episodes were videotaped by Loretta's husband, 31-year-old Cody Stacy.

On Monday, Loretta Stacy pleaded guilty to sexual assault in accordance with a plea agreement with the prosecutor. In return, Judge John Putman sentenced Loretta to 90 days in jail and 10 years' probation. She must also undergo state sex offender screening and risk assessment.

In September 2006, Cody Stacy pleaded guilty to sexual assault, engaging children in sexual explicit conduct for use in visual or print medium and employing or consenting the use of a child in sexual performance. He was sentenced to three and one-half years in prison. Interestingly, Cody is eligible for parole next month which means he will be released after serving a mere eight months of his sentence.

The disparity in sentences between Loretta and Cody is noteworthy. Loretta actually engaged in sex with the boy and received 90 days. Cody took pictures and received years. Since both were involved about equally in the criminal behavior, it would have seemed reasonable to have assumed that their sentences would be comparable. Wrong.

Following Entry Posted 3/21/2007 05:54:00 PM

Benzylpiperazine (BZP)

(United Kingdom) The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warns the public about benzylpiperazine (BZP), also called Pep Love, Cosmic Kelly and The Good Stuff. Drug dealers are selling the stuff in pill form with promises of an "herbal high."

In actuality, the drug is an anti-worming agent which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms and there is an outside chance of death.

Following Entry Posted 3/21/2007 05:02:00 PM

Kilt-Lifting in Poland

Under the influence, Scottish men are lifting their kilts to unwary Poles.

Poland has become a major destination for UK tourists mainly attracted by the cheap beer.

Authorities in major towns like Warsaw and Krakow have already complained about the drunken British tourists often coming for stag parties, but now they say the kilted Scots have added an extra dimension.

In the city of Wroclaw, officials are exploring a kilt ban after being horrified by groups of drunk Scottish men who lifted their kilts to strangers.

Local police who have born the brunt of the complaints say a kilt ban would not be possible, but have promised to crack down on the partying Scots and make sure they keep their kilts down at all times.

Back home, some Scots are troubled by the continental kilt-lifting. According to Hamish Husband, a member of the Scots of the Tartan Army, "This seems to go back to the warriors showing their bottoms in Braveheart. I think the danger is that this behaviour becomes associated with us."

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/21/2007 04:08:00 PM

Illegal Alien Arrested for Sex Crime

(Meshoppen, Pennsylvania) A 26-year-old illegal alien Mexican, Edwardo Valenzuela, was arrested Monday for allegedly engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl. Wyoming County authorities, along with the Scranton Police Department and the FBI, are investigating the case.

It's reported that authorities are also reviewing the citizenship status of other individuals found at Valenzuela's home. Based upon everything I've read, this will probably end up being just another case of catch and release for any individuals found to be in the U.S. illegally. One wonders why they even bother.

With regard to Valenzuela, he'll probably be released on bail and never be seen again. That is, unless he gets caught again.

Following Entry Posted 3/21/2007 09:29:00 AM

Lauren Maggi Guilty in "Spit On Soldier" Case

(Syracuse, New York) Last November, 35-year-old Lauren Maggi was charged with harassment for spitting in a soldier's face at Hancock Airport. Reportedly, out of the clear blue, Maggi walked up to 21-year-old Jason Jones, a Ft. Drum soldier, and spit at him without provocation.

Yesterday, Maggi pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and explained her actions.

Lauren Maggi had been verbally abused on the phone by a male acquaintance who is in the military at Fort Drum, and she "displaced her anger" when she encountered the victim as she walked through the airport, defense lawyer Louis Mannara said.

"I was crushed that people saw this as an anti-uniform, anti-war gesture," Maggi said. Maggi said she is a registered Republican who twice voted for President George W. Bush and supports the administration's war effort and the soldiers who are carrying out that mission.

Her punishment for the offense wasn't reported.

Frankly, I'm skeptical regarding her "displaced anger" explanation and her stated loyalty to the troops because it just doesn't make much sense. It's not logical that someone with a healthy regard for the United States military would arbitrarily show such base disrespect for the uniform. Leftists, on the other hand, have repeatedly shown their disrespect by hawking lugies at soldiers and others they disagree with.

One has to wonder what would have happened if Maggi were to have a "displaced anger" moment with a Muslim imam by spitting on him in the airport.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 11:44:00 PM

Texas House Passes Self-Defense Bill

(Austin) By a vote of 133-13, the Texas House today approved legislation which allows citizens to defend themselves using deadly force. Existing law has provisions specifying retreat if threatened by an intruder or aggressor.

Dubbed the "Castle Doctrine" (from the notion that a man's home is his castle and he has the right to defend it), the legislation had already been approved by the Texas Senate last week. It now goes to Gov. Perry.

It's ironic that Texas, land of horses and cowboys, would be a state with laws preventing self-defense. Vermont? Sure! But Texas? Who would have thunk it?

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 10:28:00 PM

Coach Gets No Jail in Liquor Case

(New Palestine, Indiana) Former gymnastics coach at New Palestine High School, Andrea Chestnut, was accused earlier this month of providing alcohol to her gymnastics team members and later charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Subsequently, Chestnut pleaded guilty to the charges and, in a related action, the Southern Hancock School Board dismissed her from her coaching position.

In the latest development, Chestnut has been sentenced. Fortunately for her child, Chestnut avoided jail.

Andrea Chestnut, 30, received a year's probation, 100 hours community service and an order to participate in a drug and alcohol awareness program when she was sentenced Friday. She also must undergo mental health testing and agree to participate in any treatment that is recommended, under the sentence handed down by Hancock Superior Court Judge Dan Marshall.

The prosecutor had urged for 60 days in jail but Judge Marshall ruled otherwise.

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 06:40:00 PM

Female Intruder Pummeled

(Altamonte Springs, Florida) A 17-year-old girl, Briana Kelsey Hurley, was arrested by Altamonte Springs Police officers for burglary early Sunday.

Hurley broke into a residence and was pummeled by the homeowner, Dean Heinrich. Not possessing a gun, Heinrich tackled Hurley, punched her in the face and then hog-tied her with shoelaces and a belt.

According to Officer Kristin Kelting, Hurley was "extremely lucky that she was not shot and killed." Stupid, criminal, but lucky.

Hurley is charged with seven felony charges, including armed burglary (she carried a knife), and four misdemeanors, including theft and drug possession.

Hurley told police officers that she attempted the burglary because she was bored.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 04:07:00 PM

Kentucky Homeowner Kills Intruder

(Covington, Kentucky) An intruder (name not released) broke into the home of and assaulted 44-year-old Jerry Setzer about 3:30 AM this morning. Setzer grabbed his handgun and shot the intruder. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

According to Covington Police Lt. Col. Spike Jones, Setzer and another occupant "were in fear of their lives" and "fending off a continuing assault."

Sounds like a clear case of self-defense to me.

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 01:23:00 PM

Math Teacher and Naked Boy

(Houston, Texas) A 37-year-old algebra teacher at Bellaire High School, Tamara Ryman, is suspected of sex crimes against a 16-year-old former male student. Due to a recent burglary deputies were called and reported that Ryman and the student were found Sunday parked in a van with blacked-out windows and the boy was naked from the waist down. And by the way, Ryman is the boy's legal guardian.

Ryman has been charged with criminal trespass while the investigation continues. The 16-year-old is in the custody of the state Child Protective Services.

The Houston Independent School District has reassigned Ryman to administrative duties away from students pending the outcome of the investigation.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 08:21:00 AM

Rash Outbreak in NE Ohio Schools

(Beloit, Ohio) At Beloit Elementary and West Branch Middle Schools, 35 students and two adults were found to be afflicted with unexplained rashes causing the school district officials to send students home last Friday. Yesterday, schools reopened, having been sanitized over the weekend.

Unfortunately, the rash problem resurfaced and officials decided to close the schools again today. No cause for the rashes has been identified. Health officials are calling it non-contagious dermatitis.

A report from Florida indicates that a similar unexplained outbreak of rashes has afflicted residents in the Fairway Oaks community of Duval County. In Florida and Ohio, health department officials are scratching their heads.

[Update 03/27/07]

It's now reported that a mysterious rash has emerged in Forest Park, Georgia.

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 06:30:00 AM

Remember Tokyo's Subway Terror Attacks

Today is the 12th anniversary of the terrorist sarin gas attacks in the Tokyo subway system by members of the doomsday cult known as Aum Shinrikyo, or the Aum Supreme Truth Sect.

Condolences to all the victims of the murderous Aum Shimrikyo. Notably, the cult changed its name to Aleph in an effort to distance itself from the deadly terror acts. Aum Shinrikyo, however, remains as its most recognizable name.

From Mainichi:

Tokyo Metro workers and bereaved family members gathered at six stations on Tuesday, the 12th anniversary of the AUM Shinrikyo cult's deadly gas attacks on the Tokyo subway, to remember the 12 people who died and more than 5,500 who were injured in the attacks.

At Kasumigaseki Station in Tokyo's Chiyoda-ku, 17 station workers held a moment of silence at 8 a.m. and laid down white lilies and chrysanthemums for the victims.

Unfortunately, the Aum Shinrikyo cult is still in existence although the leader and founder, guru Shoko Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, was sentenced to death for masterminding the attack on the subway. He is currently on death row.

A source last year quoted the head of the Public Security Investigation Agency as stating that Aum Shinrikyo operated with about 650 full-time members and 1,000 lay members in Japan. Russia had about 300 members.

Ominously, a spinoff group was announced earlier this year by the former second-in-command of Aum Shinrikyo, 44-year-old Fumihiro Joyu. It's believed that about one-fourth of the Aum Shinrikyo membership will follow Joyu into the new and as yet unnamed cult. Sadly, the handsome Joyu has appeared on television regularly attempting to deny Aum involvement in terror and, as a result, has won admirers, particularly among young women and girls.

Authorities contend that the doomsday Aum cult and its spinoff continue to pose a grave threat to society.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 04:10:00 AM

Rookie Teacher Arrested for Sex with Boy

(Lawrence, Kansas) A 24-year-old first-year teacher at Lawrence High School, Meredith L. Kane, was arrested last Friday for allegedly engaging in sex with a 15-year-old male student. Kane faces two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and two counts of sodomy.

The sexual episodes with the boy are reported to date back to August 2006 indicating that Kane started mixing it up with the boy at about the exact same time she started her teaching career.

It hasn't been reported whether the boy was Kane's student.

Kane has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. A court appearance has been scheduled for April 10th.

[Update 07/02/07]

Kane pleads guilty. Sentencing in Oct.

[Update 12/20/07]

Meredith Kane sentenced to 59 months in prison.

Following Entry Posted 3/20/2007 01:24:00 AM

Woman Shoots, Kills Intruder

(Des Moines, Iowa) A 44-year-old woman, Shasta Bell, reacted to an intruder at her apartment early Saturday morning by getting her shotgun from under the mattress. On the fire escape outside Bell's bedroom was 45-year-old Terri Burgess, allegedly preparing to bust through the window. From three feet, Bell fired and the shotgun blast hit Burgess in the head. Burgess did not survive.

Des Moines Police Sgt. Todd Dykstra said investigators concluded that the shooting was an act of self-defense and no charges will be filed.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/19/2007 11:50:00 PM

School Bus Terror?

I liked this reasoning.

"Suspected terrorists sign up to drive school buses. I don't know about your kids, but my kids ride on school buses. FBI says nothing to fear. OK. Same agency that missed the boat on 9/11. My kids' driver doesn't look like al-Qaeda, but what does al-Qaeda look like, anyway? Same agency that can't figure out where Whitey Bulger is, either, although same agency was up to its eyeballs in Bulger murder and helped him escape. Same agency that couldn't read the rules on the Patriot Act, while we're at it."

The FBI has choked grievously on occasion and I'd blame the sloth-like, feudal bureaucracy. Nonetheless, FBI warnings should be heeded even when taken with a grain of salt.

Following Entry Posted 3/19/2007 10:43:00 PM

Jeffersons Mean Nudists

If a demographic group wants to highlight its economic clout in a community, an innovative method is to require its members to make all purchases with two-dollar bills. Don't smirk, nudists are doing it.

Of course, if a couple spends even reasonably, a sack will likely be replacing the usual wallet. Carrying around sufficient $2 bills for every expense would require wads.

Following Entry Posted 3/19/2007 05:32:00 PM

Teacher Accused of Bomb Threats

(Thurmont, Maryland) In an enduring case going back to 2005, 41-year-old former sixth-grade teacher at Thurmont Middle School, Michelle Dohm, is accused of leaving threatening notes to students in lockers and bathrooms at the school.

Dohm is specifically charged with making bomb threats and stalking students. Dohm claims she was framed.

However, according to the prosecution, Dohm wrote notes to four boys, including one message that read, "Tick-tock, tick-tock, is it a bomb or is it a clock?" Court documents also indicate that Dohm's computer was used in creating some of the messages.

Dohm has decided against a jury trial so the case will be ruled on by a judge alone. Her trial is scheduled to start on April 2nd.

[Update 06/27/07]

Dohm sentenced to jail.

Following Entry Posted 3/19/2007 03:33:00 PM

Florida's Nasty Teachers

Here are the results of a review of more then 14,000 teacher investigations in Florida from 1997 forward.

The analysis shows that more than 300 teachers have been punished in recent years for sexual misconduct - molesting students, seducing them, having them pose nude or lavishing them with unwanted attention. Nearly 450 more physically attacked or verbally terrorized their students.

More than half of those teachers kept their license to teach.

They must be really good teachers, eh?

I don't think so and, as I recall, Florida is the state that also lost track of thousands of foster children not long ago. Apparently, protecting kids in Florida is not given much priority.

Following Entry Posted 3/19/2007 10:33:00 AM

Doing the Jobs Americans Won't Do

(Statesville, North Carolina) This is not surprising to me.

According to sheriff's deputies in Iredell County, about one third of the suspects arrested for drug trafficking in that area are illegal immigrants.

"What we've got is probably just the tip of the iceberg so to speak," said an undercover deputy, who asked not to be identified.

Obviously, these illegals are not doing jobs Americans won't do. They are involved in a criminal network with foreign links which has been allowed to increase its scope throughout the U.S. because of a porous border. This conflicts with the usual argument that illegals are needed to perform productive work which U.S. citizens shun.

My take is that the U.S. already has far too many homegrown drug traffickers as it is. We don't need more from foreign nations.

Following Entry Posted 3/19/2007 08:56:00 AM

The Versatile Air-Sickness Bag

The air-sickness bag is capable of accommodating virtually every body effluent. Therefore, if the bathroom on an airplane is out of order due to a burned-out light bulb (?), by all means passengers, don't soil yourselves, use the air-sickness bag.

That's what James Whipple did on a SkyWest Airlines flight even though he surmised that his flight attendant would rather that he had urinated in his pants. Nevertheless, the captain was informed and he notified airport police. After being questioned by the cops, Whipple was allowed to leave. Later, the airline apologized and fixed the light in the bathroom.

Heh.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/18/2007 08:13:00 PM

Ohio Teacher Accused of Sex with 2 Boys

(Akron, Ohio) A 36-year-old special-education teacher at Springfield High School, Renee Smith, was arrested Friday for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with two 17-year-old male students of which at least one was a special-needs student in her class.

Smith faces two felony counts of sexual battery. Although without formal charges filed, Smith has also been accused of providing alcohol to the students.

From Beacon Journal:

The investigation of Smith began Sept. 26, when a female student told another teacher about second-hand information she heard concerning "sexually explicit behavior" by Smith with one male student, according to Superintendent Jerry Pecko.

School administrators notified Springfield Township police and the Summit County Children Services Board that same day, he said.

Smith was placed on administrative leave the following day and never returned to the classroom, he said.

By Dec. 1, Pecko said the Children Services Board informed the school district that "the sexual abuse report was substantiated." Smith resigned, effective Dec. 4.

Smith was booked into the Summit County Jail and released on $2,500 bond.

[Update 07/11/07]

Smith pleads guilty.

Following Entry Posted 3/18/2007 11:02:00 AM

AZ Legislature Fires Illegal Alien

This incident should help motivate employers, in particular the government, to complete background checks before hiring workers, not afterward.

From AZCentral:

Leaders in the Arizona House of Representatives discovered that a housekeeping employee hired in December had a Social Security number that did not match federal records.

Gilberto Melendez, 17, was fired Thursday, hours after the House approved a bill that imposes penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal workers. As of Friday evening, he was not in custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

House Speaker Jim Weiers pointed to the incident as proof that federal worker-verification programs do work.

I would dispute the House Speaker's contention. Melendez was hired and working for three months, presumably with access to the entire House of Representatives, prior to being identified as a foreign national. If Melendez were an arsonist, a burglar, or a fanatical terrorist, three months would have been plenty of time to commit grievous harm.

Although Melendez wasn't apprehended, the Sheriff's office was notified of the situation and is investigating. Unknown, however, is how the House of Representatives will penalize themselves for hiring an illegal alien since it approved tougher legislation the same day that the Melendez mendacity surfaced. I suggest nothing will happen since lawmakers can usually get around complying with laws they pass.

Following Entry Posted 3/18/2007 01:56:00 AM

Russia/China: Darfur Report Not Legal

(Geneva, Switzerland) China and Russia are backing their Arab and Muslim friends on the Darfur issue.

China and Russia joined Arab and Muslim states on Friday in urging the U.N.'s human rights watchdog to ignore a report from a mission to Darfur that blamed Sudan for continuing war crimes against civilians there.

The two permanent United Nations Security Council members argued the mission, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jody Williams, last month failed to gain access to the vast western region of Sudan and had not fulfilled its mandate.

Despite warnings from Western and some African states that failure to act would undermine the credibility of the newly formed Human Rights Council, Muslim and Arab states and their allies backed Sudan's line that the report had no legal basis.

No surprise here. The Muslims thinks the situation in Darfur is just ducky and the Russians and Chinese sure don't want to anger their allies.

Following Entry Posted 3/18/2007 01:50:00 AM

Global Shortage of Women

Gender selection has become increasingly prevalent in the last few decades and, as a result, there is a global shortage of women in relation to the number of men.

Sex selection in countries such as China and India is now achieved mainly through ultrasound, followed by an abortion if the fetus is female. While the natural sex ratio is about 105 boys per 100 girls, in India it has climbed to 113 boys per 100 girls, and up to 156 boys per 100 girls in some regions.

The current sex ratio in China is about 120 boys per 100 girls, and in the more prosperous provinces it's even higher. Although both countries have banned sex selective abortion, India back in 1994 and China more recently, it is still widely practised.

It's ironic that the Planned Parenthood devotees of abortion, the same people who viscerally support women's rights, are at least partially responsible for fewer women being born and the resultant diminution of female voters and accompanying political strength. Democratic elections in India will never likely see a female majority casting ballots. Much more at the link.

Be careful what you wish for.

Following Entry Posted 3/18/2007 12:38:00 AM

Decorated Soldier Attacked in Hometown

(Morrisburg, Ontario) A 21-year-old hockey player, Travis Baldwin, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after sneaking up on Master Cpl. Collin Fitzgerald and striking him from behind without provocation.

Master Cpl. Fitzgerald was decorated for combat service in Afghanistan and, apparently, his status as a soldier honored for valor upset Baldwin and three other men who joined in the beating.

Bystanders pulled the attackers off Fitzgerald and his friends drove him to hospital.

The weapons instructor at CFB Trenton had his foot broken in three places and needed 10 stitches to close a cut above his right eye. Fitzgerald, 27, also suffered a broken nose and two black eyes in the Friday night attack.

"Whatever he hit me with, he could have easily taken out an eye," the soldier said. "What if he hit me in the throat? It could have been an artery."

Baldwin may be the only person prosecuted in the case. His buddies haven't been charged. Baldwin goes to court on May 1st.

What a jerk.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/17/2007 11:50:00 PM

Value of Belly Dancer's Butt

A German belly dancer can no longer perform or go swimming because "a plastic surgeon accidentally sucked away one of her buttocks." As a result, she sued and was awarded $24,000.

Julia 'Cleopatra' Meyer, 38, from Munich, wanted slimmer thighs and instead ended up with half her bum missing.

The court heard that during the liposuction the plastic surgeon, not named, from a private clinic, had removed fat from her right buttock instead of her thighs.

She said: "I had been unhappy with my saddlebags, the fat stored in the outer thigh area. Because of the local anaesthesia I did not realise what he was doing.

"When I saw afterwards that half of my bum was missing I almost fainted. It had been completely sucked away."

Interestingly, this case establishes a general precedent for the value of your average belly dancer's hurdies -- approximately $48,000. Regarding the actual incident, however, I find it hard to believe that a doctor could remove half of someone's caboose accidentally.

Following Entry Posted 3/17/2007 11:43:00 PM

Castaway - The Deaf Dolphin

(Key Largo, Florida) Poor Castaway is stranded, pregnant and deaf. She cannot be released into the ocean.

Castaway will remain at the Marine Mammal Conservancy in the Florida Keys for at least nine months, before being relocated to a permanent care facility.

The permanent care facility for deaf dolphins wasn't specified.

Following Entry Posted 3/17/2007 07:02:00 PM

Bruising for Chiquita's Top Bananas

(Cincinnati, Ohio) Fruit behemoth Chiquita Brands paid protection money to illegal right-wing paramilitary groups in Colombia and, as a consequence, the company has agreed to pay a fine of $25 million.

Although it hasn't made a difference thus far, Chiquita claims that left-wing rebel groups were also paid.

Payment of a fine, however, doesn't completely satisfy the Columbians who also want Chiquita's top bananas.

Many aspects of the case remain unresolved in Colombia, where the chief prosecutor's office was preparing to ask the administration of President Bush for details.

The U.S. Justice Department said Chiquita's payments to the paramilitaries "were reviewed and approved by senior executives of the corporation, to include high-ranking officers, directors and employees," but didn't name names.

Jaime Bernal Cuellar, a former Colombian attorney general, joined opposition lawmakers in calling for the extradition to Colombia of all those involved.

"A criminal investigation of the people who financed these illegal groups should begin immediately," he said.

So, the Colombians are not going to let the issue rest. They apparently want heads to roll.

Following Entry Posted 3/17/2007 05:05:00 PM

Teacher Allegedly Rapes Male Student, 14

(Jefferson County, Missouri) A 21-year-old substitute teacher at Senn-Thomas Middle School in Herculaneum, Teresa Engelbach, was charged yesterday with rape for allegedly having sexual relations with a 14-year-old male student. Engelbach is currently hospitalized with an unknown ailment and is expected to turn herself in to police when released.

Engelbach faces three counts of statutory rape and one count of statutory sodomy.

No incidents of the alleged sex are believed to have occurred on school grounds nor are any other students believed involved. Engelbach is a substitute teacher variously assigned to all schools within the Dunklin R-5 School District and recently applied to become a track coach. Obviously, her ambitions have been placed on hold pending the outcome of the rape case. She has been banned from school property according to Assistant Superintendent Stan Stratton.

After Engelbach surrenders to police, her bond will be $25,000.

[Update 10/20/07]

Engelbach pleads not guilty.

[Update 03/05/08]

Engelbach pleads guilty to reduced charges. Sentencing in April.

Following Entry Posted 3/17/2007 04:50:00 PM

Anti-War Rally at the Pentagon

On C-Span, I watched today's anti-war rally outside the Pentagon, catching the event after it started. The initial group of speakers included Cynthia McKinney, Cindy Sheehan, Michael Berg, a couple of Muslims and several others who all complained of the cold outside. Red plastic pails were passed around for donations.

From various camera shots, I'd estimate no more than 10 thousand in attendance at the peak. The content was mostly bumper-sticker leftist sloganeering addressing impeachment of Bush and Cheney with AG Gonzalez's name thrown in as an occasional afterthought.

Then there were these people:

- A woman named Gloria LaRiva wants to free the Cuban five and keep the U.S. out of Cuba.

- Giuliana Sgrena, Italian journalist and activist -- Said there is no security, no water, and no work in Iraq. Indicates that she wants U.S. bases out of Italy but the Italian government won't comply so the Americans must leave Iraq first.

- Rocky Anderson, Mayor of Salt Lake City -- Very energetic calls for impeachment of Bush. "We will not tolerate abuse of treaties, kidnapping and disappearance of citizens."

- Melida Arredondo, Gold Star Mothers for Peace, step-mom of soldier killed in Iraq -- Said the Bush administration is at war with immigrants. The Iraq War is being fought by immigrants who are not citizens. Discussed last week's ICE raid in Massachusetts, including the story of the baby torn from a nursing mother's arms. Said they weren't even illegal, they were just undocumented.

- Carlos Arredondo, son killed in Iraq, part of hip-hop caucus traveling the U.S. -- Said he's protecting his son's honor. "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!"

- Debra Sweet, World Can't Wait National Coordinator -- "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! Drive out the Bush regime!" Need more protests. We need to resist and have shipments blocked at ports. We need George Bush in handcuffs.

- Efia Nwangaza, Not In Our Name -- Demanded Bush be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Calls for tax protest on April 15th.

- Brian Becker, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coordinator -- Said U.S. exploits land, labor and resources of countries throughout the world. Military recruiters will be confronted in schools and communities.

- Imam Mahdi Bray, Muslim American Society -- End the war today! "Bush lied and put wounded soldiers in rat-infested housing." Poverty, health care, Katrina mentioned. By the way, Katrina was mentioned by many speakers.

- Leah Obias, Alliance for Justice Not War in the Philippines -- "U.S. Imperialists! No. 1 Terrorists!" U.S, imperialists are destroying the Philippines causing immigration to America. "We, Filipino women refuse to join this war on terror." U.S. military is back in Philippines oppressing progressives. "Long live international solidarity!"

- Ben Depuy, National Popular Party of Haiti -- Wants more American dollars for Latin America, South America. Quoted Hugo Chavez throughout. We need socialism for the 21st century.. "Down with capitalism!"

- Chuck Kauffman, Nicaraugua Network National Coordinator -- 700 military bases unneeded, school of assassins at Ft. Benning, we need to turn from protest to resistance - Stop business as usual in cities and towns - Spend money on schools, health care - "Hands off Cuba, Venezuela, and Columbia!"

- Maria Magallanes, Mexico Solidarity Network Education Coordinator -- "No war in Palestine, no war on the border!"

- Larry Holmes, Troops Out Now Coalition -- "Imperialism abroad is not all we are fighting, we have police brutality at home, Katrina, racism against immigrant workers, deportations, ..."

- Jihan Hafiz, Youth for Truth -- Demand end to military-industrial complex. Need to resist, can't count on politicians. "Resist, Resist, Raise up your fist!"

- Unnamed, Party for Socialism spokesgirl -- Said all the problems are from capitalism. We need socialism. Credited with confronting the "fascist Minutemen" on a campus somewhere.

- Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, National Lawyers Guild, Partnership for Civil Justice Co-founder -- Bush is buiding an empire for himself which only helps Hallibuton, corporate sponsors. We want our kids to have their lives back.

Mahdi Bray closes by telling everyone to resist. Protest and resist!

At about 4 pm, the event concluded with Eugene Puryear, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coordinator, announcing website addresses and pleading for people to get involved and contribute.

At the end, the shivering crowd had dwindled to, I'd guess, 2,000-2,500 people and they dispersed quickly. There were announcements about busses leaving for Boston. I saw three. One, I think I saw twice.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/17/2007 11:43:00 AM

Meningitis Deaths in Africa

Worrisome is the outbreak along the "meningitis belt" running from East to West Africa.

GENEVA - Meningitis has infected nearly 16,000 people and killed 1,670 in sub-Saharan Africa in the last two months, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.

The United Nations agency said it was working with Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) to contain the outbreak with vaccinations in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Uganda.

Update your itineraries accordingly and, after returning, don't cough on anyone.

For comparison, consider the public and professional attention customarily directed to even a few cases of meningitis in the U.S. Just imagining over 1,600 Americans dying from the disease is inconceivable.

Following Entry Posted 3/16/2007 10:32:00 PM

Deadly Student-Teacher-Husband Love Triangle

(Knoxville, Tennessee) A 31-year-old man, Eric McLean, is in jail without bond for the alleged murder of 18-year-old Sean Powell, a student reported to have had a sexual relationship with West High School teacher Erin McLean, Eric's wife. Authorities indicated that Powell was sitting in a car last Saturday night in front of the McLean residence when Eric shot him in the head.

According to Knoxville Police Department Investigator Andrew Boatman, McLean called 911 to report an intruder and told Powell that he didn't want him on the property.

"The (911) dispatcher asked him why he was having a conversation with the intruder," Boatman said. "He said, 'I believe this kid has been stalking my wife.'

"He told the dispatcher it was all right, that the guy was leaving."

Seven minutes later, at 9:22 p.m., Erin McLean called E-911 to report her husband had just shot a man, Boatman said. Police found Powell shot once in the head sitting in the older model Mercedes his adoptive parents had bought him on his 18th birthday.

"At this point, I don't believe there was any kind of struggle in the house," Boatman said.

Eric McLean's attorney, Bruce Poston, acknowledged that McLean killed Powell. All that needs to be determined are the circumstances of the slaying.

Erin McLean, 30, has been silent about the situation and has hired an attorney. She has not been charged in the case thus far. Police are continuing to investigate. The University of Tennessee put her on indefinite leave from her teaching internship and told her to stay away from West High School.

Sean Powell was buried yesterday. Over 150 friends and acquaintances attended his funeral.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 03/21/07]

Sources today report that Erin McLean took a possible overdose of medication last Thursday and had to be hospitalized. Officially, the case has been classified as a suicide attempt.

Erin McLean has since been released from the hospital.

[Update 09/27/07]

Erin McLean fired from new teaching position for "inappropriate contact" with male teen.

Following Entry Posted 3/16/2007 08:32:00 PM

Teacher Holt Gets 10 Years for Rape

(Wilmington, Delaware) In April 2006, science teacher at Claymont Elementary School, Rachel L. Holt, was charged with 21 counts of rape for allegedly engaging in sex with a 13-year-old boy on 28 occasions in a seven-day period. Do the math. She was indicted in August.

In January 2007, 35-year-old Holt pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree rape. All other charges had been dismissed after case review.

Today, Superior Court Judge Calvin L. Scott sentenced Holt to the minimum mandatory prison term -- ten years -- followed by six months of home confinement and approximately two years probation. Holt was also given a no contact order regarding her victim and his family and she must register as a sex offender.

To no avail, Prosecutor Jim Kriner and the victim's family had sought the maximum for Holt, 25 years.

In court today Kriner said Holt blamed her young victim but that she was the one who pursued him, calling him more than 200 times over the two months before her arrest. "This was a premeditated and calculated affair," he said, adding that she had showed no remorse when interviewed by pre-sentence officials.

It's astonishing. Holt blamed the boy. Also in her defense:

Holt's attorney John Malik, said his client was not a sexual predator, but a victim of years of abuse by her ex-husband who suffered from low self-esteem and made poor choices that week at a moment of weakness.

The expected and customary excuse-making for female sex offenders led me to earlier predict that she wouldn't be given a reasonable sentence. I was mistaken. A ten-year prison term will enable her to work on her self-esteem problem, the putative underlying cause of her criminal behavior. Maybe, during her stretch, she'll also develop a sexual attraction for adult individuals instead of pubescent boys.

Following Entry Posted 3/16/2007 01:51:00 PM

Group Guilty of Felony Castrations

(Waynesville, North Carolina) Three men pleaded guilty to felony castration for removing the naughty parts from six men who asked for it. Richard Peter "Master Rick" Sciara, 62, Michael Mendez, 61, and Danny Carroll Reeves, 50, all admitted to charges of felony castration without malice and felony maiming without malice.

Although home removal of the male chubby and its neighbors is a crime, Judge Dennis Winner recognized that there were essentially no victims due to the sadomasochistic proclivities of everyone involved. Consequently, the sentences imposed yesterday for all three largely equal their time already served in jail. Only Sciara remains to be released, on March 29th.

It's not clear how the authorities became aware of the bizarre group, however, a search of the facilities set up in an enclosed residential carport was ultimately conducted and police "found evidence including a scrotum and a testicle kept in a freezer." Why is a mystery.

In court, Assistant District Attorney Jim Moore disclosed that Sciara and his team performed the surgeries while in the nude. And although disputed by the defense, on one occasion "Sciara was drinking a beer and smoking while castrating a man."

Odd behavior, by any measure, however, some explanation was provided by Anthony Sciara, Richard's brother and the only witness to testify during yesterday's proceedings. Anthony Sciara defended his brother by saying he only did the surgeries to be helpful to others, implying that Richard viewed himself as charitable, compassionate and kind.

Sciara's attorney, Roy Patton, explained that two individuals who desired extreme body modification sought out Sciara.

They wanted Sciara to amputate their legs above the knees and had already each cut a finger off with garden shears to show their love for one another.

Sciara would not perform the amputation, he said.

The other men who had the procedures complained of testicular pain.

They included a computer programmer, a truck driver and an Army Reserve soldier, Patton said.

Some of the men had fake testicles called "nuteciles" implanted, and one had his penis removed entirely. Another man had the head of his penis cut off.

"(Sciara) felt like the medical system was not addressing the needs of this not-small group who had these needs, whether they were imagined or just emotional," Patton said, likening the operations to abortions and breast enhancements.

As part of their sentences, Sciara, Mendez and Reeves will be on probation for three years. I'd recommend that they be watched very closely.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/16/2007 08:13:00 AM

About 300, the Movie

Given that the general theme of the movie 300 is the conflict of freedom and democracy versus totalitarianism and slavery, European journalists have expressed hostility, mostly because of one widely-held belief:

"If you mention democracy or freedom, you're an imperialist or a fascist."

Historically, the Europeans haven't been able to shed their love for the socialist ideas of Karl Marx, despite repeated ruinous results. Of course, the hostile attitude almost exclusively applies to "old Europe."

The citizens of the former Soviet-bloc countries of "new Europe" think much differently about freedom and democracy. They survived one Marxist utopia and I think that at least a few generations must evolve before they're dumb enough to allow another.

Following Entry Posted 3/16/2007 07:42:00 AM

Greenpeace: GMO Corn Causes Liver Problems

(Paris) This report should come as no surprise. Arguably, Greenpeace activists have an agenda and use tactics that are frequently extreme so it's logical that the results of their own study would support their radicalism.

Environmental group Greenpeace launched a fresh attack on genetically modified maize developed by U.S. biotech giant Monsanto, saying on Tuesday that rats fed on one version developed liver and kidney problems.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) technology has been targeted by Greenpeace for years since the products fly in the face of the leftist, organic Mother Earth agenda. I recommend skeptism.

You watch though, the mainstream media will likely pick up the story and report it as gospel. The elite media can be relied upon to be irresponsible in their failure to question politically-motivated "research studies."

Following Entry Posted 3/16/2007 06:25:00 AM

NY Woman Nets Child Rape Charges

(Warrensburg, New York) In October 2006, Kimberly A. Baker was charged with rape after she went to County Court seeking child support from a boy who was 13 when he impregnated her.

Subsequently, another boy came forward and reported that he had sex with Baker when he was 13 years old.

On Wednesday of this week, Baker, now 23, was arraigned before Warren County Judge John Hall and pleaded not guilty to eight counts of rape and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Baker is free pending further proceedings.

Baker's lawyer, Walter Law, indicated that she has a serious alcohol problem which may be a factor included in the defense's strategy.

Alcohol may be a factor in making irrational decisions, however, alcohol doesn't explain why she can't count. Remember, she exposed herself to prosecution by asking for child support for a 3-year-old from the father, a 16-year-old.

[Update 02/12/08]

Baker pleaded guilty to second-degree rape in August 2007 and was sentenced to probation. Last week, Baker pleaded guilty to violating her probation and was sentenced to two to six years in prison.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/15/2007 08:36:00 PM

Feds Arrest 12 Immigrant Sex Criminals

(Salt Lake City, Utah) Here's a report about 12 sex criminals who are foreign nationals from Mexico, the Congo, Germany, Sudan, Croatia, Samoa and Guatemala. They completed their jail sentences so agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) decided to mosey out and round them up.

The 12 people were arrested by ICE on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Salt Lake City area. The agency and local authorities used sexual predator databases to identify them, according to Kurt Fitz-Randolph, assistant special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Utah.

The suspects were on parole or probation, Fitz-Randolph said. All of them, including some who are legal permanent residents, can be deported based on their criminal convictions, he said.

Ideally, the immigrants would have gone straight from jail into ICE custody, but their cases fell through the cracks, he said.

Falling through the cracks, eh? Some might say "sucked into the gaping chasm."

Following Entry Posted 3/15/2007 08:53:00 AM

Teacher's Aide Accused of Sex with Boy

(Paso Robles, California) Last month, a 24-year-old teacher's aide at Flamson Middle School, Cora Marie Solorio, was arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old male student.

Solorio was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and oral copulation with a child under 14 years of age. She was booked and later released on $100,000 bond.

In the latest development, investigators learned that Flamson Middle School Principal Frank Galicia had warned Solorio not to talk to students about sex a full three months before her arrest. Consequently, it appears the school officials were suspicious of Solorio's proclivities early on and failed to act effectively.

Solorio is scheduled to appear in court on March 26th.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 06/13/07]

Solorio pleads no contest. Sentencing on July 18th.

[Update 07/30/07]

Solorio sentenced.

Following Entry Posted 3/15/2007 05:57:00 AM

Homeless Paradox - Aid Increases Numbers of Homeless

Check out this story from Kansas.

There were at least 52 homeless people in Hutchinson or Reno County on Jan. 29, including 20 children, a "point-in-time" count found.

The real number of homeless here, however, may be closer to 200, state homeless experts say, based on a formula developed from national homelessness studies.

So, apparently the national formula is "multiply actual count by four."

Recognizing that vagrants are difficult to tally completely, it's understandable that advocates would want to adjust the actual numbers upward to reflect people not found. Nonetheless, I question the justification for a blanket multiplier of four.

More troubling, though, is the fact that the census of homeless people is performed largely by the people who benefit from having higher numbers -- the homeless advocates. I don't mean to impugn any one individual nor any group. But evidence indicates that the number of homeless people is likely to be grossly exaggerated when the homeless advocates do the counting.

To digress a moment, imagine candidates for political office being allowed without oversight to count votes cast in their elections. Now, imagine that the winning candidates are pledged part of a billion-dollar windfall from American taxpayers. Okay, see if you can conjure up a dream sequence where none of the candidates attempted to stuff the ballot box. And it would be a dream. With a billion-dollar carrot dangling in front of them, many candidates would be more than tempted to cheat.

Logically, homeless advocates want their own counts to be as high as possible since billions of dollars are in play. About $1.4 billion is allocated for homeless programs this year alone. All that money is distributed based on counts (read: estimates) of homeless.

Furthermore, according to the 2000 Census, there were about 171,000 homeless in the United States. Since that time, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development "has awarded approximately $9 billion in funding to state and local communities to support the housing and service needs of homeless persons and families." Not surprisingly, the latest numbers of homeless are estimated to total at least 800,000.

One might conclude that throwing money at homeless populations increases the size of homeless populations. Alternatively, if one were to recalculate the 2000 Census with the aforementioned multiplication factor of four, the total would be approximately the latest numbers cited above -- i.e. 171,000, rounded off, times four equals about 800,000. This would give some validity to the seemingly arbitrary homeless multiplication factor, however, it would also seem to indicate that the numbers of homeless haven't changed between 2000 and 2007, despite spending $9 billion.

Therefore, simple arithmetic demonstrates that throwing money at the homeless problem has either 1) no impact on the actual number of homeless if the homeless multiplication factor is used, or 2) it actually causes increases in the numbers of homeless. A statistician could easily calculate the rate of homeless population growth per dollar spent on the various homeless programs.

In any event, the methodology being employed to end chronic homelessness ain't cuttin' it. By all appearances, the government is merely sudsidizing the indigent lifestyle.

Following Entry Posted 3/14/2007 11:59:00 PM

Learn Islam From A Rapist

Meet 23-year-old Rashid Musa, the imam at Zakariyya Central Mosque in Britain where he teaches people about Islam at interfaith meetings. Oh, and he's also a convicted rapist.

Musa previously was sentenced to five life terms in prison for raping a 46-year-old woman and a 16-year-old schoolboy. On another occasion, he was imprisoned for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl and for burglary.

Apparently, the British government inadvertently released a large number of serious criminals when they should have been deported.

[As an aside, it's dumb stuff like this that provides a strong argument for the death penalty. All too often, criminals condemned to life are accidentally let go and more victims pile up. It's disgusting.]

So, now Musa teaches Islam with his background ostensibly qualifying him to be elevated to the position of imam.

Markedmanner has chased down Musa's history. Go visit.

Following Entry Posted 3/14/2007 11:06:00 PM

Teacher Indicted for Indecency with Student

(Stafford County, Virginia) A 33-year-old former chorus teacher at Brooke Point High School, Wendy Ellen Wills, was indicted by a Stafford grand jury for engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with an underage student.

Wills faces one count of taking indecent liberties with a minor and one count of providing alcohol to an underage person.

Wills worked for Stafford schools from 1995 until December 2006 when she resigned.

Stafford authorities said the investigation is ongoing and agreed to allow Wills to turn herself in on March 27th.

[Update 08/15/07]

Wills sentenced.

Following Entry Posted 3/14/2007 10:23:00 PM

Teacher Gets 5 Years for Molesting Boy

(Whitfield County, Georgia) Last December, 42-year-old math teacher at Whitfield County Career Academy, Frances Cook, was booked for molestation of a 15-year-old boy. Cook had been caught in a compromising position with the boy in a parked car behind the elementary school.

Today, Frances Cook pleaded guilty to charges of sexual battery and aggravated child molestation. A judge sentenced her to five years in prison and 15 years probation. Cook was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and, under Georgia law, must serve at least 65 percent of her sentence before being eligible for parole.

In her defense, Cook said she was abandoned and sexually abused as a child. Deputies hauled her to jail immediately after the proceedings.

Following Entry Posted 3/14/2007 08:17:00 PM

Educators Accused of Throwing Kegger for Kids

(Laurens, South Carolina) A married educator team, John Clark, 54, and Mary Clark, 52, surrendered to police today to face charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. It's alleged that they held a keg party for boys and girls last summer, charging the students $5 each to drink beer and spiked punch.

John Clark is the assistant principal at Newberry High School. Mary Clark is a teacher at Newberry Middle School. Each has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Following Entry Posted 3/14/2007 12:08:00 PM

PETA and the Wrestling Bear

Somehow, within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is purview over wrestling bears and other animals used in entertainment. Why? You got me. If my dog does tricks, I really don't think the federal government should care, the local government -- maybe, but not the bureaucrats in Washington.

Nonetheless, a 1,000-pound wrestling bear named Caesar the Wrestling Bear is tentatively scheduled to perform today in the Cleveland Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show, assuming that licensing concerns of the USDA are satisfied. The primary concern is that one of the two owners, Sam Mazzola, of World Animal Studios and Wildlife Adventures of Ohio had his license to exhibit exotic animals suspended because he allegedly provided false information. However, the other owner, Larry Wallach, does have a valid license so the show should go on as scheduled. Maybe.

Unfortunately, USDA spokesman Darby Holladay said, "His mere act of exhibiting is a violation." Violation of what wasn't indicated.

What is indicated, however, is that the USDA has come out against Caesar the Wrestlng Bear due to complaints received. An unidentified "administrator" in the USDA's animal and plant health inspection service stated that, "The gravity of the violations alleged in this complaint is great."

Notice it says "the gravity" of the "alleged" violations. Well, guess who alleged? Right. It was the cabal of animal-rights extremists at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. That's correct. The PETA crowd poked some compliant federal bureaucrat with cries of wolf -- allegations, if you will -- about Caesar the Wrestling Bear and the full force of the U.S. government has entered the fray. And it's all based on allegations.

There are many things wrong with this entire scenario. In particular, Sam Mazzola and his business should not be impeded based solely on allegations which, by the way, are under investigation. Until it's proven that some regulation has been violated, the USDA should butt out.

Additionally, if investigations are to be conducted by the federal government, rather than worry about animals doing tricks, the PETA crowd should be looked at with a microscope. They are ideologues who have strongly alleged ties to the Animal Liberation Front, a known domestic terrorism group.

I don't mean to impugn the tens of thousands of people on the membership roles of PETA because the group's leadership is jiving you too. PETA is extremist. The organization is more about radical veganism than furry kittens and cute little puppies. Any federal bureaucrat thinking differently should be given alternative employment.

Following Entry Posted 3/14/2007 12:28:00 AM

Female Teacher and Female Student

(Independence, Kansas) A 37-year-old teacher at Tyro Community Christian School, Marsha J. Mote, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in sex with one of her students, a 14-year-old girl. Mote faces a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Mote was booked into custody and later released on $20,000 bond. A court appearance is scheduled for March 29th.

[Update 06/27/07]

Mote pleads no contest.

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 11:33:00 PM

Rayenell Carmona Gets Prison for Sex with Boy

(Pocatello, Idaho) In May 2006, 27-year-old neighborhood woman, Rayenell Carmona Underwood, was arrested for having sex with a 14-year-old boy on numerous occasions and, subsequently, rearrested for violating a no-contact order. She claimed that she couldn't help herself because she loved the boy.

In October, Carmona pleaded guilty to lewd contact with a minor before Sixth District Judge Ronald Bush. Sentencing was originally scheduled for December but was delayed.

Yesterday, Judge Bush sentenced Carmona to 12 years in prison with no possibility of parole until she has served three years. The sentence was contrary to the "retained jurisdiction program" recommended by the prosecution.

The sentence was, however, consistent with my recommendation in a previous post. It makes me wonder if Judge Bush reads my blog. Nah! I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 09:14:00 PM

Intruder Catches Bullet and Dies

(Gary, Indiana) The 82-year-old owner of the Zanzibar Lounge, Bosco Jones, confronted an intruder to the bar about 7:20 am Sunday. The intruder failed to heed Jones' calls for him to stop.

Out of options, Jones grabbed his .38 caliber handgun and shot Maurice Henderson, 44. Henderson died at the scene.

Detective Lorenzo Davis stated that a ruling of justifiable homicide is expected. The Zanzibar Lounge was open for business on Monday.

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 07:20:00 PM

Police: Man Horse Whips Woman

(Benton, Louisiana) Breaking news from the trailer park.

A Benton man has been arrested for striking the sister of his live-in girlfriend with a horse whip during a domestic fight that also involved the girlfriend.

Juan Antonio Palomo, 20, was booked by Bossier Parish sheriff's deputies on charges of aggravated battery, domestic abuse and resisting arrest.

Deputies said Palomo was arrested early Sunday after hitting the sister with the whip and hitting his girlfriend with his fist.

The only thing I can figure is that Palomo pulls his trailer around with horses. Otherwise, why would he even own a horse whip?

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 05:59:00 PM

Woman Found Nasty With Boy in Pickup Truck

(Katy, Texas) A 28-year-old married mother, Denise Pham, is pregnant and accused of engaging in sex with a 14-year-old boy. Her husband, Daniel Pham, was so shocked, he immediately filed for divorce and asked the court for custody of his children, ages 9 and 4.

Denise Pham is expected to be charged with sexual assault of a child after allegedly being caught by a deputy having sex with the boy inside a pickup truck. She has confessed and indicated that she wants to have an abortion.

In response, the court ordered a wait of at least 48 hours so that DNA testing could be performed to determine who the father is and to support possible criminal charges.

Daniel Pham was given temporary custody of his children after Denise agreed.

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 02:22:00 PM

Teacher Karen Patton Guilty in Sex Case

(Wytheville, Virginia) In January 2006, an English teacher at Scott Memorial Middle School, Karen Susan Patton, was arrested for engaging in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old student. The following month, Patton was charged with molesting two other boys. Patton, a married mother of two, resigned her teaching position.

In October 2006, Patton, 42, was indicted by a Wythe County grand jury on four counts of unlawful carnal knowledge and one count of non-forcible sodomy.

Yesterday, Patton pleaded no contest to two counts of carnal knowledge and one count of non-forcible sodomy in accordance with a plea agreement. Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Mabe dropped two carnal knowledge charges and two contributing charges, including all charges related to the alleged molestation of one of the boys.

Sentencing has been scheduled for June. Patton faces a possible 25 years in prison and a fine of more than $200,000.

Sure she does but, to be realistic, watch for little prison time since Patton is raising two kids and the court must have some compassion for their future. Even so, the court should make her register as a sex offender because it solidly appears that she fits the mold.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 06/26/07]

Patton sentenced.

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 12:20:00 PM

Election Workers Sentenced to Prison

(Cleveland, Ohio) Two Cuyahoga County election workers were sentenced today to 18 months in prison for Improper Conduct in Recount during the 2004 Presidential Election.

From Ohio.com:

Jacqueline Maiden, 60, an election coordinator who was the board's third-highest ranking employee when she was indicted last March, and ballot manager Kathleen Dreamer, 40, each were convicted of a felony count of negligent misconduct of an elections employee.

Maiden and Dreamer also were convicted of one misdemeanor count each of failure of elections employees to perform their duty.

Common Pleas Court Judge Peter Corrigan allowed the two to remain free on bail to allow for appeal of the case.

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 11:30:00 AM

Teacher Jumps Off Bridge

(San Francisco, California) A 57-year-old former teacher at Hogan High School, James Wu, died after jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge on Sunday, March 4th.

Mr. Wu's presumed suicide came just two days after he was arrested on campus for allegedly engaging in three or more sexual acts with a 15-year-old child. Cause of death could probably be listed as fatal self-loathing.

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 10:56:00 AM

Teacher Accused of Theft

(Wethersfield, Connecticut) A 31-year-old special education teacher at Hanmer and Charles Wright Elementary Schools, Jodi Kress, was arrested last Friday for allegedly stealing hundreds of books from the schools and selling them on eBay. She faces a charge of first-degree larceny.

A search of Kress' home found more than 600 books. It's not known how many had already been sold.

Kress was booked and released after posting $10,000 bond. A New Britain Superior Court appearance is scheduled for March 16th.

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 12:32:00 AM

Ignorant Fecundation

(Cincinnati, Ohio) A 25-year-old music producer, Ricky Lackey, went to court on a fraud charge and nonchalantly mentioned to the judge that he has six children on the way. Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Melba Marsh gulped.

"Are you marrying a woman with six children?" she asked.

"No, I be concubining," he said. A concubine is a woman who cohabitates with a man to whom she is not married.

Prosecutors said Lackey is expectant father of six children with six different women. The women all are expected to deliver between August and October.

Well, since he was concubining and not consequencing, he's sure to see some irksome confiscating later on. I figure those six kids represent at least a couple million dollars in future expenditures. Concubining can be expensive.

Tip: Charlie Nestor and BizzyBlog

Following Entry Posted 3/13/2007 12:02:00 AM

Europe 20+ Years Behind US

This, I guarantee, you won't see in the mainstream media.

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU is 22 years behind the US on economic growth according to a new study, with several other economic indicators showing further gaps despite Europe's ambitious reform agenda to be praised by leaders at this week's summit.

A report by Eurochambers, the Brussels-based business lobby, published on Monday (5 March) argues that the US reached the current EU rate of GDP per capita in 1985 and its levels in employment and research investment almost 30 years ago.

Europe is not simply trailing, the continent is decades behind. It's estimated that even if the EU outperformed the United States by one percentage point yearly, the U.S. at 2 percent growth and the EU at 3 percent growth, it would take almost 40 years just to achieve parity.

Heh.

Tip: Dissecting Leftism

Following Entry Posted 3/12/2007 11:20:00 PM

Teacher Student Text Sex

(Woodbridge, New Jersey) A 42-year-old social studies teacher at Colonia High School, Karen Binder, was arrested last Tuesday for allegedly sending sexually explicit text messages to two male students, 16 and 17 years old. She is now on paid suspension from her teaching position.

Binder faces two counts of official misconduct and, if convicted, could be sentenced to 10 years in prison on each count. She was booked into the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick with bail set at $150,000.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/12/2007 11:14:00 PM

Death Threats From Global Warming Crowd

For those people who don't buy into alarmist claims that the end of the world is near due to man-made global warming, there will be no awards. There are, however, death threats.

Canadian climatologist Dr. Tim Ball, who has been questioning man-made global warming for 30 years, has received five death threats by email.

I believe Dr. Ball has been experiencing the leftist version of scientific peer review.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/12/2007 10:07:00 PM

Home Intruder Shot Dead

(DeKalb County, Georgia) An intruder kicked in the front door of a northwest DeKalb residence occupied by 26-year-old Roy Tuggle IV. Tuggle shot him. The man, who carried no identification, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

DeKalb Police spokesman Michael Payne stated that no charges are anticipated.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/12/2007 07:59:00 PM

Female Guard Accused of Sex with Boy

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) A 31-year-old female former security officer at the Zeb Pike Detention Center, Erin Hutchinson, was arrested last week for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old inmate in 2005.

An investigation was launched in early 2006 and Hutchinson was fired from her position in July.

Hutchinson faces charges of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust. She was booked into custody with bond set at $10,000.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/12/2007 06:57:00 PM

Fire Station Gets Liquor License

This story is perfect for readers to create their own wisecracks, eh?

From CTV.ca:

POINT LEAMINGTON, N.L. -- A small-town spat that began when the mayor of a rural Newfoundland community barred firefighters from drinking on the job has erupted into fierce protests from locals demanding his resignation.

Nearly a year after putting an end to the decades-old practice, Mayor Robert Elliott has become persona non grata in this picturesque community of 600.

Astonishing, eh?

For more than 30 years, Point Leamington's fire station doubled as a speakeasy. Volunteer firefighters routinely sold and drank beer at the fire hall until officials confiscated the booze last spring. The move came after Elliott issued several warnings about drinking on the premises.

The fire chief subsequently resigned. Then, on Dec. 28, 15 of the department's remaining 17 members quit en masse, citing "a lack of respect" in a letter to Point Leamington's town council.

Since then, Elliott has endured much of the community's wrath.

Elliott has also caved and secured a liquor license for the fire hall allowing the firefighters to drink three days a week.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/12/2007 02:27:00 PM

Military Optimism Is Problem for Media

Rare for a member of the mainstream media, Howard Kurtz comes precipice-close to admitting that elite journalism has nothing to do with reporting, rather it is almost exclusively opinion in disguise. Kurtz does this by indicating that military morale is a problem for embedded reporters.

One drawback of reporting in the bosom of the U.S. military is an abundance of military optimism, and perhaps spin, from those who are providing protection.

Kurtz even suggests that optimism on the part of American service members is political spin. This strongly hints that an umbrella of mendacity exists throughout the military. To me, that's a slap.

In Kurtz's article, which discusses Brian Williams' reporting from Iraq, it's clear to me that the energy, confidence and pride of the American military are a "drawback" because they are contrary to desired notions and are nagging realities which make "reporting" more difficult. This is troubling.

If a reporter goes to Iraq, for crying out loud, report! Report the good, the bad, the ugly and if mile-high military optimism is found, by all means, report it. In other words, report the facts. Good reporters should care not what the facts are. Now when a reporter decides to write commentary, fine. Identify it as an editorial or opinion piece and go at it.

Unfortunately, with the elite media, that's not how things appear to be done. According to Howard Kurtz, a simple fact complicates the reporting of circumstances in Iraq.

In reality, the arrogant elite in the media appear to have each opinion -- er, report -- drafted prior to arriving at a news scene and anything found that doesn't jive with the desired opinion -- er, report -- is considered a "drawback." The only reason to go to the scene is to selectively collect adjectives, nouns and anecdotes to color and give credence to the desired opinion -- er, report.

When Brian Williams returns from Iraq, I suspect that military morale may be mentioned but not highlighted. As an American who wants victory, I think knowledge of the optimism expressed by the U.S. military is important and should be emphasized in any news report.

Analogously, fans of football know the paramount importance of their team being in high spirits and having a winning attitude. Handicappers consider team spirit a factor in determining probably of winning. And, sports reporters dwell on team spirit endlessly.

The fact that Howard Kurtz believes "abundant optimism" is a drawback indicates to me that he and Brian Williams are rooting for the other team. If reporting is hindered because Americans are upbeat, it's logical to deduce that reporting would be stellar if Americans were dismally depressed.

In any event, reporters should be reporting what is found, not what they want to find.

Following Entry Posted 3/12/2007 12:01:00 PM

Lawmakers Push More "Amnesty Light"

( Miami, Florida) Called The American Dream Act, legislation to grant in-state tuition to illegal aliens, has been introduced in Congress and lawmakers hope for passage by the Democrat Congress and our cheerleader-for-amnesty President.

Two Miami lawmakers will join several pro-immigrant groups today to urge passage of a bill in Congress that could help thousands of undocumented immigrant students attend college and become legal residents.

Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and his brother, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., will team up with the Florida Immigrant Coalition and other groups to promote "The American Dream Act."

The bill, if passed, would grant in-state tuition to undocumented immigrant students and permit those students, along with those serving in the military, to obtain a green card and legally remain in the United States.

Apparently, this measure would do nothing about American students desiring to attend out-of-state schools. That is unless they opted to lie about their citizenship and claim they are illegally in the country from Elbonia or Frazzistan or Guatemala or something.

It might be too much to expect that Congress will also, and concurrently, decriminalize trespassing. Since The American Dream Act actually rewards trespassers in the U.S., it would be logical to eliminate any laws which make trespassing illegal.

Of course, it would be naive to pretend that trespassing in the U.S. would ever be made legal by law. But, as a practical matter, it is and, presumably will continue to be, essentially legal to trespass in the U.S. as long as politicians grant taxpayer-funded windfalls to any foreign citizen able to sneak across the border while doing little to stifle the eager sneakers and sneakettes.

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 11:54:00 PM

Woman, 41, Has MySpace Hookup with Boy, 14

(Martinsburg, West Virginia) A 41-year-old Martinsburg mother, Bobbi Jo Starry, was arrested this week for allegedly engaging in sex with a 14-year-old male student she met on MySpace.com.

Bobbi Jo Starry was charged with third-degree sexual assault.

Sgt. Boober of the West Virginia State Police investigated Starry after being alerted by school officials of rumors that a student was having an affair with an adult. Boober contacted Bridget Snapp, Berkeley County Schools guidance counselor, who conducted an internal school investigation. Snapp told Boober that Starry was allowing "juveniles to stay at her home and was providing them with alcohol, according to Boober's report."

Trooper K.D. Castle interviewed the 14-year-old boy who reported at least five separate "incidents between himself and Starry involving oral sex."

Starry was booked into the Eastern Regional Jail with bail set at $10,000. If convicted, she faces a possible five years in prison.

[Update 05/19/07]

New pic from WV Sex Offender Database. Thanks to commenter Ashley.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 10:09:00 PM

Teacher Guilty in Underage Drinking Case

(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) A 56-year-old former English teacher at South Fayette High School, Christine Kosik, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct this week for allowing a teen drinking party in her home.

The prosecution dropped 11 more serious charges of corruption of minors in exchange for Christine's plea. The prosecution is also pursuing charges against Christine's husband John for the December 30th party.

An estimated 40 to 50 teenagers attended the party at the Kosik's home and police were alerted when it became unruly. Reports indicated that kids were puking in the front yard.

Notably, Christine Kosik was a semifinalist for Pennsylvania's 2007 Teacher of the Year Award. However, she hasn't decided whether she'll resume her teaching career. It's currently unknown what punishment she will be awarded for her guilty plea.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 06:59:00 PM

Youth Counselor Accused of Sex Crime

(La Crosse, Wisconsin) A 21-year-old youth counselor at the Family and Children's Center group home, Racheal M. Graf, was arrested this past week for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17--year-old male resident. Graf has been charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with counts of sexual assault of a child and child neglect.

A resident of the youth home reported the relationship and Graf was immediately suspended. Later, she was fired.

Graf was booked and released on signature bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 19th.

[Update 07/30/07]

Graf sentenced.

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 05:16:00 PM

Toxic Fumes Caused Child Porn Case

(Brisbane, Australia) A 38-year-old man, Terrence Robert Cox, said "toxic fumes disease" (TFD) made him download child pornography. He even presented a doctor's note in court.

Cox got to walk out of court with a suspended sentence.

Just curious, but what course in medical school teaches that doctors are allowed to make stuff up? Or, could it be a law school course? Either way, I'll say TFD is a COS.

Source

BTW, the first letter in COS stands for crock.

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 02:00:00 PM

Helo Gunners Kill Wolves Better

(Anchorage, Alaska) Too many wolves are threatening the moose population in Alaska say the authorities. Efforts to cull the wolf packs using low-flying airplanes have been inefficient so Alaskan Fish and Game officials have proposed using helicopter gunners to more effectively blast the snarly canine predators.

Only 38 wolves have been killed this winter and state biologists want ten times that number to be riddled with hot lead.

The idea is politically volatile and was rejected by previous administrators. John Toppenberg of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance said he wouldn't support the use of helicopters. Apparently, there has been no proof that moose need emergency protection by wantonly murdering close-knit families of nature's precious creatures.

Gov. Sarah Palin's approval is being sought. She's mulling.

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 01:48:00 PM

Schoolyard Sex Mom Gets Slammer

(Macomb County, Michigan) Twenty-two-year-old Leslie Judkins apparently doesn't have a clue. She was nailed for having sex with a 14-year-old, producing a baby, and then she was collared for having sex with a 20-year-old in a schoolyard adjacent to youngsters in the playground, a violation of probation. In each case, Judkins received lenient treatment from the court.

Well, there's a new development and it looks like the court and Circuit Judge James M. Biernat finally got fed up.

[A]uthorities recently learned she twice had sexual intercourse with the now-16-year-old father of her son earlier this year.

"She was to not even contact him, much less have sexual contact with him," Macomb County assistant prosecutor Michael Servitto said Friday.

At a recent probation violation hearing in Macomb County Circuit Court, the boy admitted to the sexual relations. According to further testimony, the teen's mother claimed that a female who Judkins admitted "hanging out" with, was less than 17 years old.

Biernat sentenced Judkins to serve 40-60 months in prison, with credit for 284 days previously served.

"The judge had enough and finally put her away," assistant prosecutor Molly Zappitell said.

According to official records, Judkins is home at the Robert Scott Correctional Facility in Plymouth. It's not clear who has custody of her son.

"Train wreck" comes to mind.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 11:09:00 AM

Nanooks Win Rifle Championship

(Fairbanks, Alaska) For the eighth time in the last nine years, the Alaska Nanooks won the NCAA Rifle Championship by outscoring the second-place U.S. Army team in a close match.

Woo-hoo! Go Nanooks!

Although laying odds on the Nanooks would have been logical, it's believed that handicappers saddled gamers with even money bets in a small pool.

Following Entry Posted 3/11/2007 10:16:00 AM

Teacher Rebekah Todd Gets Jail

(Pierce County, Washington) In June 2006, a former physical education teacher at White River High School, Rebekah M. Todd, was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct for allegedly performing oral sex on a 17-year-old male student.

In January 2007, 25-year-old Todd pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault in accordance with a plea deal which specified she would get 30 days home confinement and revocation of her teaching credentials.

Last Friday, however, a judge rejected the proposal and sentenced Todd to six months in jail.

Deputy Prosecutor Hugh Birgenheier stated that Todd no longer has certification to teach. Todd's attorney also mentioned that she is pregnant.

So, due to a serious bout of irresponsibility, Rebekah Todd has lost her job, her teaching certification and placed daunting hurdles to any future career opportunities. She also must spend six months in the slammer and has a felony conviction chalked up against Washington's three strikes law. To top it all off, she's also pregnant.

Looking on the positive side, Todd was able to experience a few moments of forbidden bliss with a teen student. Even so, it was an exceedingly dumb trade, I think.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/10/2007 11:02:00 PM

Saudi Woman Gets 90 Lashes

(Qatif, Saudi Arabia) A woman was abducted from a car and repeatedly raped by seven armed men. Five of the men were sentenced in a Saudi court to prison for terms from 10 months to five years. Two of the men received death sentences.

King Abdullah sentenced the woman to 90 lashes for being seen in public with a man who was not her relative.

Following Entry Posted 3/10/2007 09:24:00 PM

Prego Teach Accused of Sex with Student

(Toronto, Canada) A 35-year-old family studies teacher at Nelson A. Boylen Collegiate Institute, Paola Queen, was arrested this week for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a male student about 16 years old.

Queen's arrest was prompted by a tip from Crime Stoppers and, although unmarried, Queen is about six months pregnant.

Queen faces one count of sexual exploitation. She was booked and released with orders not to attend the school. A court appearance is scheduled for April 17th.

Family studies, eh?

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/10/2007 04:23:00 PM

Beauty Contestant Death Plot

(Israel) A 17-year-old Druze girl, Doaa Fares, changed her name to Angelina (after Angelina Jolie) and entered the Miss Israel Beauty Pageant. Outraged that the striking brunette would display herself in a pageant, members of her family plotted to kill her. As a result, Miss Fares withdrew from the pageant and disappeared into protective custody.

Understanding the Druze helps explain the death plot. They are a Middle East religious sect of no more than one million adherents who practice a combination of beliefs drawn from Judeo-Christian and Islamic theologies along with bits of Greek philosophy. The Druze accept no converts, believe in reincarnation and are secretive (both to outsiders and most followers).

Muslims consider Druze an offshoot of Islam but the Druze apparently do not. Rather the Druze are considered to be Israelis, as is demonstrated by their honorable service in the Israeli Defense Forces. Significantly, the Druze also identify themselves as Arabs.

With their secretiveness and non-alignment with any of the world's major religions, the Druze have compartmented themselves in a cocoon of privacy and mystery. Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that any publicity is unwanted and publicity is exactly what center stage at a beauty pageant produces. And, of course, Angelina acted contrary to Druze standards for morality and decency, whatever they may be. All the foregoing made her a target.

Tip: JunkYardBlog

Following Entry Posted 3/09/2007 07:28:00 PM

Cleveland Homeless Seek Legal Perks

(Cleveland, Ohio) A group called the Homeless Congress has finalized a list of about 30 homeless shelter regulations for the Cleveland City Council to adopt later this year. The regulations would establish legal standards for the operation of homeless shelters, including:

- A requirement that all homeless shelter workers undergo sensitivity training;

- The creation of a separate city office to resolve homeless complaints and grievances;

- The requirement to post homeless shelter policies;

- A regulation that all homeless drug and alcohol users have their own shelters;

- A requirement for a homeless advocate to be assigned for every shelter with more than 50 people;

- A requirement that all homeless shelters provide clean linens.

So far, no mention has been made regarding mints on the pillows, however, the Homeless Congress may have it on its agenda for future consideration.

Kidding aside, I believe that benefits given to vagrant populations tend to attract more vagrants. Consequently, the list of 30 or so laws the Homeless Congress is pursuing could theoretically be published as a recruiting brochure with a heading of "Cleveland - The Best Homeless Location in the Nation."

Furthermore, let me suggest that even the finer hotels in Cleveland would not be in compliance with the proposed laws until they implemented some corrective measures. As examples, hotels are typically not legally bound to have a customer advocate for every 50+ customers nor are hotel employees usually required by law to undergo sensitivity training.

In conclusion, I believe that the goal of reducing the number of chronic homeless is made considerably less achievable when government initiatives make homelessness a tolerable lifestyle choice. The situation is somewhat analogous to the problem of illegal aliens rushing through the southern border. A sure lure is the constantly-growing package of taxpayer-funded benefits they get just for sneaking into the U.S. Therefore, actions to make homelessness a more tolerable experience naturally results in less people being inclined to abandon it.

Following Entry Posted 3/09/2007 01:07:00 PM

Teacher Accused of Another Sex Crime

(Peoria, Illinois) Manual High School special education teacher Jodi Church is in more trouble. Earlier this week, she was charged in Peoria County with felony sexual assault of a 16-year-old student.

Yesterday, Church was in federal court to face a charge that she used the Internet to lure a different 16-year-old student into having sex.

According to a spokeswoman for the US Attorney's Office, Church is accused of using the Web site MySpace to entice a 16 year old Peoria Manual student into having sex on December 9th of last year.

According to the charge, the student said he was not interested but Church continued to discuss sex with him.

If convicted of the federal charge, Church faces a possible 10 years to life in prison.

So, in the span of five days, Church has been able to get herself charged with sex crimes in two different jurisdictions. I wonder what she has planned for next week.

[Update 08/20/07]

Church pleads guilty in federal court. Sentencing in November.

[Update 02/22/08]

Church sentenced to seven years prison in federal case.

Following Entry Posted 3/09/2007 07:46:00 AM

Alleged Home Intruder Killed

(Ashland, Kentucky) On Wednesday night, an Eastern Kentucky resident shot and killed one of two alleged intruders and, according to Sheriff Terry Keelin, a grand jury will review the case to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

Jason Daniels, 23, shot Robert Lewis Chapman, 50, who later died from wounds in the chest, shoulder and wrist. The other alleged intruder, Adam C. Justice, 22, is in jail.

As reported, it looks to me like a clear case of self-defense.

The intruders allegedly broke into a home where Daniels was staying after Daniels refused to answer the door. The men had pounded on the door claiming to be police officers with a search warrant, Keelin said.

The men then allegedly forced Daniels into the bathroom, tied him up and proceeded to ransack the house, the sheriff's report said. While the alleged burglars were busy in other parts of the house, Daniels freed himself and got a 9 mm pistol from a cabinet, the report said.

"When the suspects returned to the bathroom, they found Mr. Daniels, now armed and in a shooting stance," the report said.

When one of the alleged intruders attempted to draw a revolver from its holster, Daniels fired four times and both men fled in a van that was parked nearby.

Chapman was found after being dumped at the Kings Daughters Medical Center entrance. He later died. Subsequently, police found and arrested Justice for burglary and impersonating a police officer.

Questions might arise as to why Daniels keeps a 9mm weapon in his bathroom. Not that there is anything wrong with that, however, it's probably not a common practice. Of course, there is the possibility that Daniels keeps a firearm in every room.

Following Entry Posted 3/09/2007 06:25:00 AM

Muslim Clerics Told to Hush

(Sydney, Australia) The Lebanese Muslim Association has banned five senior Islamic clerics from talking to the media. The clerics have been accused of making "un-Australian" statements and were sent a letter demanding that they "pause and desist" from talking to the media, in particular, the Arab-speaking media.

"Most of our clerics are selected on the basis that they have Australian values and Australian characteristics," Lebanese Muslim Association President Tom Zreika told The Australian newspaper.

"Some of them haven't lived up to that," he said.

The clerics have also been warned against "double-speak" where statements made to English-speaking media are entirely different from statements made to Arabic-speaking media.

The Muslim association threatened to fire imams for failing to comply. Personally, I'm skeptical. The gag order most likely will not be followed since many of the clerics operate like independent contractors.

To its credit, though, the Lebanese Muslim Association is trying to stifle inflammatory pronouncements such as when Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali said unveiled women are pieces of meat.

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 11:52:00 PM

Female Molester Gets Prison

(Paris, Texas) A 43-year-old woman, Brenda Etters, pleaded guilty this week to sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy. Etters, through her attorney George Preston, agreed to waive a jury trial and let 62nd District Judge Scott McDowell decide her punishment.

Judge McDowell sentenced Etters to four years in prison. Whether Etters will be ordered to register as a sex offender hasn't been reported.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 10:10:00 PM

Robber Killed in Holdup

(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Two thieves, Cornell Toombs, 20, and Gary Williams, 24, attempted to rob the Sunrise Breakfast restaurant early this morning when the owner pulled out his firearm and shot them both. Toombs was killed and Williams was wounded by a shot in the face. Video captured on cameraphone at the link.

Witnesses said the thieves shot first. They missed.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 08:36:00 PM

Darwin Award Wannabes

(Eau Claire, Wisconsin) A guy, Jared W. Anderson, 20, gets drunk while watching a "Jackass" movie and decides to reproduce a stunt. He asks another guy, Randell D. Peterson, 43, to set his genitals on fire. Peterson complies by spraying lighter fluid at Anderson's naked crotch and setting it aflame.

I really don't need to complete the story. Wouldn't you agree? There is no way that the outcome could be pleasant.

Anderson received second-degree burns. Peterson was charged with felony battery and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was booked and released on bond.

Tip: C. Nestor

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 06:15:00 PM

Educator Accused of Child Abuse

(Palmdale, California) A 61-year-old former instructional aide at Manzanita Elementary School, Gloria Kleeh, has been charged with misdemeanor counts of cruelty to a child by inflicting injury.

Kleeh is also named in two civil lawsuits alleging child abuse of a boy and girl, both 7-year-old special-education students, in 2004.

From LA Daily News:

"It's a really egregious and shocking story," said Angela Gilmartin, an attorney representing the boy, who is autistic and "nonverbal," in two civil lawsuits, one filed just recently against the district that brought the case to light.

The boy's mother only became aware of the incident involving her son when she got a subpoena in July 2005 from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office regarding Kleeh's case.

"She got a subpoena in the mail, didn't know what it was about, and called the D.A.," Gilmartin said. "They told her they wanted her to testify because (her son) was a victim in a child-abuse case. She had no idea."

One of the lawsuits alleges that the boy and his classmates were subjected to abuse, including "closed fist punches to his head, poking of his chest with a stick, beatings on body with a pipe, pushing and holding (him) down ... to his desk, and verbal degradation and abuse."

Witnesses to the alleged abuse notified school officials who alerted the authorities. The parents, however, were not told.

Kleeh pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. A trial date has yet to be scheduled.

Tip: Jason Cann

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 04:59:00 PM

Mom Gives Reefer to Son, 6

(Lakewood, Colorado) A 25-year-old local mother, Regina Martinez, was arrested along with her husband, 21-year-old Jason Jay Ladehoff, for allegedly giving marijuana to her six-year-old son. Police officers were alerted to the situation by a tipster.

Martinez faces charges of giving marijuana to a child under 15, child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. If convicted, she could face serious prison time. Martinez is scheduled to appear in court on March 13th.

Ladehoff faces the same charges as Martinez plus possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia counts. He also has two outstanding arrest warrants from other jurisdictions. Ladehoff is scheduled for a March 26th court appearance.

[Update 06/05/07]

Ladehoff sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Martinez pleaded guilty yesterday to child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her sentencing is scheduled for July.

[Update 07/17/07]

Martinez sentenced.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 03:44:00 PM

Wrongful Birth Lawsuit

(Boston, Massachusetts) A 45-year-old local woman, Jennifer Raper, has filed a wrongful birth malpractice lawsuit against two doctors and Planned Parenthood for botching her abortion. An unwanted daughter was born December 7, 2004. Raper is seeking damages to cover child-rearing costs.

Arguably, wrongful birth lawsuits reflect serious cold-heartedness. Imagine being a child knowing that medical incompetence is the sole reason he/she is alive. Couple that with growing up and knowing that your mother wanted to kill you in the womb and filed a lawsuit when it didn't happen.

Although not common, wrongful birth lawsuits, sometimes called "wrongful life" lawsuits, have surfaced in other states. From what I've read, the judicial and legislative communities treat the issue as a hot potato.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 01:08:00 PM

Eco-Terrorist Goes to Prison

(Charlottesville, Virginia) In October 2006, Lacey Phillabaum pleaded guilty to arson and "other crimes" in accordance with a plea deal. She admitted her responsibility in the May 2001 firebombing of the University of Washington Center for Urban Horticulture.

In an odd development, it's reported that Lacey Phillabaum has already turned herself in for incarceration even though she is not due to be sentenced until July. Don't ask me why there is a nine-month wait between pleading guilty and sentencing. I don't know.

Additionally, I don't know what provisions of the criminal code allow people to just show up and request to be imprisoned without any sentence being imposed by a court of law. I'm guessing that a few procedural requirements had to be side-stepped in order for it to happen.

Of course, one must admit that Leavenworth Hots & Cots sounds better than Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 12:11:00 PM

Al Qaeda Spy in the USNavy

From Bluto at The Jawa Report comes the story of U.S. Navy sailor Paul R. Hall who converted to Islam, changed his name to Hassan Abujihaad and allegedly spied for al-Qaeda. Warship movements in the waters of the Middle East were allegedly transmitted to al-Qaeda operatives via the Internet.

Since I'm not following the story, check the link for more. Nevertheless, I do have some suspicions regarding how the alleged spying could have happened. I firmly believe that someone in the Navy at least suspected Hall/Abujihaad of doing something wrong and he/she was stifled from raising the issue because of political correctness. Not only that, but I'd also suggest that there exists a chill throughout the military about raising concerns which are culturally sensitive.

Think about it. A sailor adopts the religion of the enemy while the nation is at war. Somebody had to suspect nefariousness.

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 09:16:00 AM

Muslim Teacher Rapes His Six Daughters

This story is depressing. It's nightmarish. And it's sad.

(Singapore) A 46-year-old businessman and Muslim religious teacher was sentenced to 32 years in prison and 24 strokes of the cane for raping his six daughters from December 2003 until June 2005, when one daughter filed a police report.

Three wives of the man have pleaded guilty to abetting the years-long incestuous rapes of their daughters by their father, whose name is withheld to protect the innocent.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Eugene Lee said the husband told his multiple wives and scores of children that according to the Quran, a father "owned" his children and this extended to having sex with his daughters.

Notably, two of the daughters became pregnant and underwent abortions.

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 07:44:00 AM

Fewer Poppies in Golden Triangle

Here's some good news. In 1998, the Golden Triangle of Southeast Asia produced 33 percent of the world's opium. Today, production is estimated at no more than five percent.

From New Straits Times:

KUALA LUMPUR: Poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle fell by 29 per cent last year, according to a United Nations report.

The reason, a UN substitute crops programme successfully implemented by the governments of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Opium farmers, often located in poor and remote areas, grew it out of necessity to support their families, aided by the fact that it is a hardy plant and has a long life after harvesting.

All these factors were identified by authorities intent on eradicating poppy fields in the Golden Triangle.

The substitute crops introduced included asparagus, coffee and oil palm.

The results of the substitute crop program indicate some success, however, factoring in increased production of opium in other locations would tend to sway the percentages. True success has to be measured by decreased global cultivation of poppies.

Following Entry Posted 3/08/2007 06:42:00 AM

Dubai Ports Ship Stolen 4WD Vehicles

(Kelang, Malaysia) The theft of four-wheel drive vehicles by organized crime syndicates has been big business in Malaysia with buyers typically in Thailand and other southeast Asian nations. In the latest news, however, buyers in other destinations have emerged for the stolen 4WDs and transshipment is through the ports of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

According to Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Rodwan Mohd Yusof:

"We believe the UAE is a point of transit before the stolen vehicles are shipped to new markets and this is said to include Afghanistan, Pakistan and Africa," he said.

In a recent bust, police recovered over 30 four-wheel drive vehicles in shipping containers destined for Dubai and transshipment to locations with, presumably, bad roads.

If the management controls over Dubai ports fail to prevent international trade in stolen, difficult to conceal, goods, one must wonder what other contraband makes it through. Also, is it logical to assume that the Dubai swag-movers are the same crowd that last year wanted to take over the operation of American ports?

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/07/2007 06:21:00 PM

Day Care Owner Accused of Sex Abuse

(Albany, Oregon) A 27-year-old former day care operator, Jamie Tennille Burkhart, was arrested Monday for multiple sex offenses involving a young boy.

It's alleged that Burkhart sexually abused a boy in her care over a two-year period starting around 1996. The boy, now 20, reported the abuse last January, prompting an investigation.

Burkhart has been charged with attempted rape, sodomy and sex abuse. She was booked into the Linn County Jail. Detectives believe there may be more victims.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 03/28/07]

Released on March 19th, Burkhart was re-arrested on Monday the 26th when another victim came forward and pressed charges of sexual abuse.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/07/2007 03:10:00 PM

Cup of Urine - $10

(New Britain, Connecticut) A 24-year-old parolee, Jose Berrios, is wanted by police for buying urine from boys in the restroom at Holmes Elementary School. Berrios offered $10 each to six boys for them to urinate in plastic cups. Berrios intended to use the urine for a drug test directed by his parole officer.

One boy provided a urine sample in exchange for the cash and, later, his mother discovered what happened and alerted school officials. Berrios is wanted for charges of risk of injury to a minor and unlawful restraint. As of Tuesday afternoon, he was on the lam.

Berrios' sister, Denise, has also been charged with one count of making a false statement regarding her brother's actions. Jose went with Denise to attend a birthday party at the school. Denise Berrios has a Superior Court appearance scheduled for March 16th.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/07/2007 11:52:00 AM

Music Teacher Accused of Raping Boy

(Bronx, New York) A 23-year-old music teacher at special-ed school PS 12 in The Bronx, Emily Streb, was arrested Monday for engaging in sex with a 16-year-old male student.

The school started investigating allegations late last year and eventually contacted the boy's mother who asked her son outright if he had sex with his teacher. The boy admitted to having sex with Streb "multiple" times between October and December 2006. Streb resigned her position on February 1st.

Streb was arraigned yesterday before Bronx Criminal Court Judge Ralph Fabrizio on third-degree rape and other charges. She was released without bail and ordered to stay away from the boy.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/07/2007 08:57:00 AM

Hot Tub Nudie Lures Teen Boys

(St. Cloud, Florida) A 44-year-old married woman, Maryann Long, has been accused of liquoring up and luring three boys into a hot tub and engaging in sex. The mother of one of the boys notified the authorities.

Maryann Long has been charged with lewd and lascivious battery, child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Her husband, Osceola County Fire Department battalion chief, William Long, has been accused of child neglect for being present during the sexual encounters and not acting to prevent the crimes.

Maryann and William Long were booked into the Osceola County Jail.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/07/2007 07:14:00 AM

American Women Poisoned in Russia

(Moscow, Russia) Two Soviet-born American women, who have often visited Russia, were poisoned in Moscow. They were admitted to the hospital on February 24th and tests later confirmed the poisoning.

CNN:

Two American women have been released from a Moscow clinic after they were hospitalized with possible thallium poisoning, a hospital official said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Marina Kovalevsky, 42, and her daughter Yana, 26, were well enough to walk out of Sklifosovsky Clinic Wednesday and were expected to leave the country shortly.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed earlier on Wednesday that the women had possibly been poisoned from thallium, a radioactive element.

Moscow's top public health doctor, Nikolai Filatov, said thallium poisoning had been confirmed, according to the RIA-Novosti news agency.

Russian investigators have been checking all the places that the Kovalevskys (aka Kovalenskayas) ate including their central Moscow hotel and various restaurants. According to a statement from the Sklifosovsky Institute, the dosage of thallium was not life-threatening.

Although the media seem reluctant to confirm the poisoning, I'll believe the Russian public health doctor. It's likely that he has some experience with murder by poison, ostensibly a popular form of political expression in Russia. It remains to be determined why someone would want to kill, or sicken, two female tourists.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 10:20:00 PM

Intruder Fatally Shot by Homeowner

(Columbus, Ohio) On Saturday, an intruder with a gun loses to a homeowner with a gun.

John Anthony Ross, 33, died of a single gunshot wound to the upper body, Franklin County Coroner Brad Lewis said yesterday.

Ross was carrying a handgun when he kicked in the back door of a house at 962 Sullivant Ave. about 8:35 p.m., police said.

He was confronted by the 79-year-old homeowner, Virgil R. Lovejoy, who wrestled with Ross before pulling his own gun and firing one shot.

Police said Ross, who fled the house and collapsed in a nearby alley, died less than an hour later at Mount Carmel West hospital.

Notably, Ross had previously completed five stretches in prison stemming from a nagging inconsistency as a career thief. With his latest failure, Ross has ceased being troubled with that problem.

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 06:06:00 PM

Fabian, 60s Teen Idol, Unlucky

(Palm Springs, CA) The 64-year-old popular music icon from the 50s and 60s, Fabian, was in a car crash and later fell off the stage during a performance. Thankfully, he wasn't seriously injured.

I remember him from long ago and he's still going on the nostalgia circuit. Fabian never made it as big as some others from the era but he was quite popular around the time of Paul Anka, the Everly Brothers, Frankie Avalon and Ricky Nelson. Fabian has also done some TV and movie work.

The girls used to love the guy.

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 05:21:00 PM

China Limits Internet Bars to Protect Children

(Beijing, China) That's right, it's for the children that China will not issue any more licenses for Internet bars in 2007. And this is only March. The authorities claim that the Internet is corrupting the children and creating delinquents.

China will not approve the opening of new internet bars in 2007, according to a directive issued by 14 government departments including the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Information Industry.

"In 2007, local governments must not sanction the opening of new internet bars. The construction of bars that have received planning approval prior to the issuance of this notice must be completed by June 30, 2007," the notice said.

Internet addiction has been identified as an illness which the ChiCom government aims to cure. Of course, only dedicated communists buy in to the line of hooey that comes out of Beijing. Everyone knows that the real goal is to throttle communication.

Personally, I think it's too late. The Chinese have had a taste of the World Wide Web and they like it. The authorities can do a lot but they can't unring a bell.

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 04:47:00 PM

BS From the BBC

According to results of a survey of 28,000 people conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation, more people would opt to live in North Korea than the U.S.

Isn't it odd that we haven't heard of an illegal alien problem in Pyongyang?

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 03:38:00 PM

Teacher Pleads Guilty in Sex Case

(Sioux Falls, South Dakota) In March 2006, a 38-year-old former teacher's aide at Boyden-Hull Community School, Kelli Cuperus, was arrested on sex abuse charges for incidents with a 15-year-old male high school student. According to court documents, the incidents happened twice in the summer of 2005 and 15 to 20 times at school.

In the latest development, Kelli Cuperus accepted the terms of a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of sexual exploitation by a school employee. Sentencing is scheduled for April 18th.

Reportedly, prosecutors will ask for her sentence to be suspended in accordance with the plea deal. So, it appears that Kelli Cuperus, married mother of three, gets no jail for repeated sex with a student.

[Update 05/11/07]

Cuperus (now DeBoer) sentenced to probation.

[Update 09/21/07]

Cuperus/DeBoer sentenced to four months at a residential treatment facility for probation violation.

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 12:22:00 PM

Peoria Teacher Arrested for Sex with Student

(Peoria, Illinois) A 26-year-old special education teacher at Manual High School, Jodi Church, was arrested for allegedly engaging in sex with a 16-year-old student. Church has been charged with felony sexual assault. If convicted, she faces a possible 15 years in prison.

Church was booked into the Peoria County Jail and released on $4,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 29th.

[Update 03/09/07]

Church faces new charge in federal court.

[Update 08/20/07]

Church guilty of federal charge. Sentencing in November.

[Update 02/22/08]

Church sentenced to seven years prison in federal case.

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 06:31:00 AM

Walter Reed: Prelude to Hillary Care?

Has it dawned on any of the Democrats currently pouncing on the problems of the military medical care system that the issue is a miniature version of the chaos which would be created by a national health care system? I don't think so.

Even as the alleged deficiencies at Walter Reed hospital are being investigated, politicians and pundits are weighing in with their opinions and, from what I've heard, the primary complaints are mismanagement and lack of funds. Multiply everything being said and the investigative findings a thousand-fold and the result is -- the chaos of a national health care system.

Congress is holding hearings and legislators have stated that they want answers while fearing that Walter Reed is just the tip of the bigger iceberg of problems with "the nation's ability to care for the thousands of soldiers gravely wounded from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Well, if there are serious failures in the government-administered health care system in the military, which arguably does many things percentage-wise better than other government departments and only services a few million people, how can Clinton, Obama, Pelosi, et al., claim that a national health care system for 300,000,000 will do any better?

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/06/2007 05:06:00 AM

Teacher Gets No Jail in Molestation Case

(Buttonwillow, California) In January 2006, seventh-grade language arts teacher at Buttonwillow School, Sherry Brians, 42, was charged with engaging in lewd acts with a 12-year-old boy. The boy's mother alerted the Kern County Sheriff's Office after finding a romantic letter from Brians to the boy.

In the latest development, Brians has accepted the terms of a plea agreement which reduces the charges to misdemeanor molestation.

She pleaded no contest to Monday's lowered charges, said Robert Miller, deputy district attorney in the Shafter-Wasco branch of Kern County Superior Court.

Her formal sentencing will take place May 11, but her sentence would include performing 80 hours of community service, five years probation, counseling, no unsupervised contact with non-related minors, no contact with the victim or his family and no contact with the school, Miller said.

Miller explained that the charges were reduced because Brians has a serious medical condition. She is apparently struggling to recover from brain surgery performed in late 2005 to remove a tumor. Miller believes her illness might have been a complicating factor if her case went to trial.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/05/2007 10:12:00 PM

Illegal Alien Accused of Rape

(Noblesville, Indiana) Here's another case of a hard-working illegal alien doing the job regular citizens won't do.

An illegal immigrant identified as one of several attackers in the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl is to go on trial this week.

Miguel Gutierrez, 20, is charged with two counts of rape and is one of two people arrested in the case.

Other suspects have not been located, said Hamilton County Deputy Prosecutor Stephanie Smith.

The trial is set for Tuesday in Hamilton Circuit Court.

Gutierrez wanted to do a good job. It's reported he raped the girl twice.

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/05/2007 09:22:00 PM

California Squirrels

(Santa Monica, California) Frankly, I've always believed that Californians behaved squirrely. Now we know the reason. Too many squirrels.

Officials have tried poison, gassing and euthanasia to control a breeding frenzy among squirrels in a city park here. Now, they plan to give birth control a shot.

A new program that would start this summer calls for squirrels in Palisades Park to be injected with an immuno-contraceptive vaccine to stunt sexual development.

Santa Monica would be only the second city in the state, besides Berkeley, to try the immunization program.

"We don't want to kill them if we don't have to," said Joe McGrath, the city's parks chief. "I personally like squirrels, but we also have to be receptive to the county's concerns. When you are dealing with mammals, people get upset."

Heh.

Following Entry Posted 3/05/2007 02:26:00 PM

Coach Accused of Liquoring Up Students

(New Palestine, Indiana) A 30-year-old gymnastics coach at New Palestine High School, Andrea Chestnut, is under investigation with possible charges pending for allegedly supplying alcohol to her gymnastics team members. Eight students were kicked off the team for drinking and Chestnut was suspended from her coaching job.

Law enforcers are coordinating investigative efforts with the Hancock County prosecutor's office. Chestnut could face multiple charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She also faces possible dismissal from her coaching position at the March 12th meeting of the Southern Hancock School Board.

[Update 03/09/07]

Chestnut pleaded guilty on Tuesday to contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing alcohol to a minor. She scheduled to be sentenced on March 16th.

[Update 03/20/07]

Chestnut sentenced.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/05/2007 06:10:00 AM

NYTimes: Smell This

Repeatedly, the mainstream media clamor that professional journalists are indispensable since news stories must be placed in the proper context. They assert that only professional journalists can adequately perform in-depth research and reporting to allow readers to acquire the fundamental information needed to form an objective opinion.

With that in mind, yesterday's New York Times contains an article by three erudite professionals which describes the furor over the Bush administration's dismissal of eight U.S. Attorneys. Now, as I understand, there are 93 U.S. Attorneys which represent the federal government in the prosecution of cases in U.S. District Courts. They are appointed by the President and serve at his pleasure. Therefore, they can be dismissed for any reason and no explanation is required.

For some reason, the dismissal of eight U.S. Attorneys has upset Congressional Democrats. As a result, hearings are scheduled for this week to explore charges that the firings were a political purge. For Democrats to raise a stink about the issue is to be expected, as is action by the Times to magnify the stink and make sure it wafts globally.

But, while wafting, the Times fails in its in-depth research and reporting to make any mention that President Clinton fired all U.S. Attorneys in 1993, a mere two months after being inaugurated. That's right, Clinton, via his freshly appointed Attorney General, Janet Reno, fired 93 U.S. Attorneys. I don't recall any investigations nor media firestorm.

Yet the indispensable professional journalists of the Times, providing in-depth research and reporting and context, fail to even hint in the cited article that Clinton preceded Bush in firing U.S. Attorneys, and to a much greater degree.

In summary, there's stink all right but it doesn't have anything to do with the dismissal of U.S. Attorneys.

Following Entry Posted 3/05/2007 06:01:00 AM

Woman Accused of Long-Term Child Molestation

(Avenal, California) A 32-year-old local woman, Judy Graves, was arrested last week by Kings County Sheriff's Deputies for allegedly sexually molesting a child over a period of seven months. Authorities were alerted to the alleged molestation by officials at the Avenal Elementary School on Wednesday.

Graves was booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of continuous child sex abuse, lewd acts on a child, oral copulation and commission of sex acts on a child. It's believed that Graves is still in jail since bail was set at $1.75 million.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/05/2007 05:57:00 AM

Nevada Teacher Faces Drug Charges

(Fernley, Nevada) A 43-year-old former special-education teacher at Fernley Intermediate School, Kymberly Tamburello, has been accused of methamphetamine and marijuana possession and trafficking charges with arraignment scheduled for this week. She was originally charged last October after a search by authorities found significant quantities of drugs in her home.

According to Lyon County Deputy District Attorney Brandi Jensen, Kymberly Tamburello is expected to plead not guilty and opt for a trial.

Kymberly's husband, Charles Tamburello, 42, pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine in November 2006 and in January he was sentenced to one to four years in the Nevada State Prison.

[Update 10/03/07]

Kymberly Tamburello pleads guilty. Sentencing in November.

Following Entry Posted 3/05/2007 01:25:00 AM

Texas Teacher Accused of Sex with Student

(Katy, Texas) A 28-year-old eighth-grade math teacher at McDonald Junior High School, Emily S. Willis, was arrested early Saturday for engaging in sex with a student. Responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle, Harris County Sheriff's deputies found Willis and a male student having sex.

Willis faces charges of sexual assault of a child. She was booked and released on $10,000 bond. She's due in court later today.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 08/17/07]

Willis pleads guilty. Sentencing in September.

[Update 09/27/07]

Willis sentenced.

Following Entry Posted 3/04/2007 01:11:00 PM

HS Students Make Porn

(Maynardville, Tennessee) Between classes on Monday of this week, a teacher discovered a group of Union County High School students, aged 15-17, filming a porn movie in a classroom. Four girls (another source says five girls) were stripped down to their underwear and two boys were filming. The students were suspended, reportedly until tomorrow. The film was confiscated.

Travelers to Union County High School should take state Route 33 North out of Knoxville to Maynardville. Expect a 25-mile drive. Enrollment at the high school is limited to those students having a valid Union County address. Apartment rentals are listed with local Maynardville realtors.

Tip: slwlion

Following Entry Posted 3/04/2007 07:16:00 AM

Sunday Morning Danish

Europe has always fascinated me. It's a compilation of more than two dozen nations, each with their own language and culture, trying to fool themselves into believing that they are really only one community. Good luck with that.

Once you've covered cheese, beer and wine, it becomes a chore to find common attributes among European nations. Sure, there's the regular recrudescence of megalomania and the enduring fondness for getting something for nothing through force, sometimes called socialism and sometimes called theft. But the reality of Europe is that all the nations are brotherly bound by geography and, as such, they spend most of their time trying not to anger each other.

When the twin towers were toppled in New York, there was seething anger in far off Alaska. When the Spanish commuter system was bombed in Madrid, was there anger in far off Norway or Poland or Ireland? I'd say, likely little. Of course, there was an immense outpouring of support and compassion and heartfelt sorrow for those who died, but little anger. When Americans die, other Americans get angry. When Europeans die, who gets angry?

Naturally, when Spaniards die, other Spaniards get angry and when Brits die, all of the UK gets mad, but do Spaniards get pissed when Brits die? Probably not a lot. Europeans just don't feel European first. They feel Spanish or British or Swedish, etc., first, European second. Americans, on the other hand, are Americans first and Iowans or Floridians or Californians, etc., second. Europeans lack the identity trait of loyalty to Europe.

Nonetheless, the nations of the EU struggle to bind themselves together. And, recently there has been the emergence of a new identifiable attribute which Europeans can call common. Each country could now be assigned a statistically derived per capita rate of cars set aflame. The French probably can claim the lead in the Flaming Cars Per Person category since it's already being reported by the media on a per day basis. Last I checked, France enjoys having over 200 cars torched every single day, day in and day out.

Now, I believe that flaming cars is only a symptom of the much less quantifiable condition of public lawlessness. Furthermore, the degree of public lawlessness is an indicator of the stability of communities, regions and states. Consequently, flaming cars per capita should be a number that is calculated and reported regularly by all nations in the European Union. Get those statisticians working forthrightly.

With all that in mind, politically correct euphemistic "peaceful demonstrators" are burning cars in Denmark.

Granted, flaming cars per capita is an odd way to measure lawlessness, however, it's an inarguable way. A flaming car is a flaming car. Arbitrary "violence" figures must be interpreted. Not so with flaming cars.

Following Entry Posted 3/03/2007 09:04:00 PM

Child Abuse Horror, Mom Gets 15-18 Years

(Salem, Massachusetts) It doesn't get more disgusting than this story. A 38-year-old mother of two, Mary Jean Armstrong, was sentenced by Salem Superior Court Judge Leila Kern to 15 to 18 years in prison for conviction of multiple criminal counts related to prostituting her 8-year-old daughter in exchange for drugs. In 2005, co-defendent Richard Lapham was sentenced to 15 to 18 years in prison for raping the little girl.

According to prosecutor Elizabeth Dunigan, the case was prompted in 2004 after police were tipped to photos showing child sex abuse.

Police used the photos to get a search warrant for Lapham's apartment, expecting to find more photos. They walked in on a horrific scene: the little girl, 9 at the time, naked under a blanket, Lapham dressed in his underwear, a pornographic video playing on the television.

Armstrong was in a bedroom with her other child, a 12-year-old boy who is autistic. And, said her lawyer, she was already high on cocaine and painkillers.

The little girl told police officers that Lapham had undressed her and made her touch him and that it had happened many times. Armstrong would tell police that it happened as many as 50 times during a 16-month period, sometimes in Lapham's apartment and sometimes in her Beverly apartment.

It's reported that even veteran police officers were traumatized by what was found at Lapham's apartment.

A second man, 42-year-old Patrick Doyle, had previously been sentenced by Judge Kern to one-year in prison for convictions of child endangerment and witness intimidation for smoking crack and having sex with Armstrong and another woman as a crying little girl was raped repeatedly by Lapham. Doyle did nothing to stop the rape and he threatened the woman who tipped the police to the situation, Jill Pena-Contreras.

Armstrong's lawyer, William Martin, asserted that she should be given a lighter sentence since she was molested as a child and had an IQ of 59. On the other hand, due to the depravity of the crimes, Dunigan asked for 25 to 30 years in prison for Armstrong. Judge Kern settled on 15 to 18 years followed by 10 years probation.

The Armstrong case has garnered significant public attention and produced outrage regarding child expoiltation. And despite the fact that she followed legislative guidelines, Judge Kern has been criticized for perceived leniency in the sentence given to Patrick Doyle.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/03/2007 09:00:00 PM

Bottle-Feeding in Elementary School

This is absolutely dumb. The Brits no longer scold or give "time outs" to unruly students, they instead shove a baby bottle in their mouths.

Called Theraplay, the three-year program developed in the U.S. in the 1960s, focuses on helping children develop a strong and loving bond with a mother figure. Rockingham Primary School in Northamptonshire has now adopted the program to help its troubled students feel loved and secure once more.

Love and security my rear end! They're teaching them how to be babies which, by the way, is likely not needed. Acting like babies is probably what made the kids unruly in the first place.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

Following Entry Posted 3/03/2007 06:43:00 AM

Teacher Hackett Gets Prison

(St. Albans, Vermont) In March 2006, teaching assistant at Missisquoi Valley Union High School, Melanie Hackett, 24, was arrested for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy. Later, Hackett agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge of lewd and lascivious behavior in return for the dismissal of more serious charges. According to the deal, Hackett would receive six months in jail.

In November 2006, Franklin County Judge Mark Keller rejected the plea agreement, stating that six months in prison was insufficient. As a result, Hackett withdrew her guilty plea to fight charges of sexual assault at trial.

In the latest development, Hackett was apparently offered a new and improved plea deal which she liked -- and the court liked. In return for her admission of guilt, Judge Ben Joseph sentenced Hackett to one to 10 years in prison for one count of lewd and lascivious conduct on a child, and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct. No mention was made about whether Hackett will be required to register as a sex offender.

Hackett was ordered to report to the Southeast State Correctional Facility on May 15. Presumably, that will allow her necessary time to get her and her family's affairs in order, to go around the world in 80 days, to write a television pilot, to enjoy St. Patrick's Day, to be a spectator at Churchill Downs on Derby Day, to be a feminist protester at the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta and, of course, to visit Graceland. Let's hope that Hackett won't run across any alluring 13-year-old boys before she gets locked up and starts two hours per week sex offender treatment.

Since the prosecutors appeared to have been anxious to weasel-word the charges (i.e. eliminate all serious charges) down to a level Hackett found acceptable, it must be that Hackett held the cards in this poker game. Yet, no information has been reported that would indicate Hackett is deserving of feather duster treatment.

From the start, Hackett has been characterized as a child molester in a position of authority without any qualities which would mitigate the consequences of her crimes. I'm left to speculate that she is related to a high-ranking political official or, on the other hand, maybe the Vermont justice system simply views female child molesters as not all that bad. Whatever the reason, Hackett's prosecution could have been more aggressive.

To be fair, it's not just Vermont that seems to be soft in prosecuting sex crimes committed against children, however, the state does seem to be earning a certain notoriety in that regard. May I boldly suggest that legal eagles in many states are blindly fingering their pencils while adults are doing the same to children.

Okay, that was a cheap shot. I apologize. One must assume that the majority of justice system professionals are competent and doing the best possible job against circumstances that are allied to favor the criminal. Not forgetting, of course, that the public is complicit. If the voters don't demand better government, they surely won't get it.

Previous:

11/09/06 - Judge Rejects Hackett Plea Agreement

07/13/06 - Teacher and 13-Year-Old Boy

03/29/06 - Female Teacher Accused of Sex with 13-Year-Old Boy

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/02/2007 04:02:00 PM

Teacher Indicted for Double Murder

(Madison County, Mississippi) A 27-year-old former teacher at Chastain Middle School in Jackson, Carla Hughes, has been indicted for double murder in the killing of 27-year-old Avis Banks and her unborn child.

The killings took place in the carport of Banks' home on November 29th. Banks had been shot and stabbed in what police believe was a surprise attack.

The weapon used and blood on Hughes' shoes linked her to the crime scene. According to David Clark, District Attorney for Madison and Rankin Counties, the crime was cruel and prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. Lt. John Neal of the Ridgeland Police Department said the case against Hughes is "extremely solid."

Carla Hughes remains in the Madison County Jail where she has been since her arrest in December.

[Update 09/12/07]

Hughes seeks leniency due to slavery.

Following Entry Posted 3/02/2007 02:28:00 PM

Teacher Arrested for Drugs

(Brownfield, Texas) A 24-year-old theater arts teacher at Brownfield High School, Amanda Cornelsen, was arrested last Saturday for possession of drugs discovered during a traffic stop. She was held until early Monday morning and then released on bond.

Cornelsen has been charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The school system has placed her on paid administrative leave.

News of Cornelsen's arrest came as a shock to the small community of Brownfield, about 40 miles southwest of Lubbock. Some p[arents have asked questions about the Brownfield ISD policies regarding hiring and drug testing.

The Lubbock County District Attorney's office is expected to review her case soon.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/02/2007 09:32:00 AM

Westerners Kidnapped in Ethiopia

This has been a bad week for French nationals abroad. Four French were murdered in Saudi Arabia, three French were killed in Brazil and now 10 French have allegedly been kidnapped in Ethiopia. To make matters worse, it also appears that some British citizens were taken along with the French.

Ten French tourists were kidnapped in northern Ethiopia today by unknown people, a businessman and a tour operator who work in the region said.

The tourists were in a convoy of four vehicles in Dalol, 800 kilometres north-east of Addis Ababa, travelling to salt mines in the Afar region when they were kidnapped, said the businessman, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

As for the Brits, another source reports that five British citizens have gone missing along with the French nationals. One is believed to be Rossanna Moore, wife of Michael Moore, Director of the British Council in Ethiopia.

Unfortunately, the location of the alleged kidnappings is quite remote and in difficult terrain so it may take time to sort out the entire story. A rebel group, the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (Arduf), is known to operate in the area and it may be responsible for the kidnappings.

No official confirmation of the kidnappings has been reported by Ethiopian authorities. Tony Blair has been informed and is waiting for details.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/02/2007 07:37:00 AM

Floating Brothel Lures Malaysians

(Kukup, Malaysia) Three men and 10 prostitutes were arrested on a floating brothel off the coast of Malaysia, about 30 miles from Singapore.

The men were from Muslim Malaysia and the hookers were all Indonesian.

A police team led by Corporal Samsudin Rahmat was patrolling the waters off of Tanjung Piai, an island between Malaysia and Indonesia, when they spotted the brothel disguised as a fishing vessel. Noticing three men jump into the water at the odd hour of midnight, the police sensed extra fishiness about the vessel and boarded it.

Reportedly, hookers on the high seas is a thriving industry in the region. Private ship owners are regularly approached by crime syndicates to rent their boats for the night, intending on taking five to 10 Indonesian prostitutes out to make money. They anchor off the Malaysian coast and wait for the men to arrive for a night of purchased passion. The going rate is $100. Shuttle craft depart from Kukup piers. Ask your cabbie for directions.

Following Entry Posted 3/02/2007 04:46:00 AM

Woman Accused of Decade of Molestation

(Warrenville, South Carolina) A 46-year-old local woman, Susan L. Lower, was arrested this week for alleged sex assaults against two boys over a period of ten years, from 1992 to 2002. According to Lt. Michael Frank of the Aiken County Sheriff's Office, Lower also provided the victims with drugs and pornographic movies.

Lower has been charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor, lewd act upon a child under 16, disseminating obscene material to a minor, unlawful neglect and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Authorities are keeping details of the case from the public to protect the boys. Lower is in custody in the Aiken County Detention Center.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/02/2007 03:49:00 AM

Porn Star Nina Hartley Lecture

(Seattle, Washington) Veteran pornography enthusiasts likely remember Nina Hartley. She starred in a library of bump and grind films in the 80s and 90s and then retired, presumably from high-mileage. Well, now she's back in the news as a celebrity lecturer.

In an event scheduled for 7:30 pm, March 4th, Hartley will be speaking at Babeland on East Pike Street. Titled "Nina Hartley's Sex Tips," the lecture will include discussion of her 22 years as an adult film actress and her expertise as a degreed nurse and educator. Check out her MySpace page here.

Thirty dollars is the admission fee. If someone attends, a critique by comment or sent via email would be appreciated. I'm curious to know what a porn queen provides for 30 bucks.

Following Entry Posted 3/02/2007 03:04:00 AM

Illinois Teacher-Student Sex Case

(Round Lake, Illinois) A 32-year-old teacher assistant at Round Lake High School, Francine Cordova, was arrested Monday for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student in her learning disabled class.

Interestingly, it appears that Cordova and the student were actually shacking up together at Cordova's apartment. According to Round Lake Police Chief Cliff Metaxa, investigators went undercover to expose the relationship.

Once confronted, Cordova was arrested without incident and the student admitted that the relationship began in October 2006. A search found that the two even shared a joint checking account.

Jerri Ryan, school district attorney, said that Cordova has been suspended without pay from her teaching position. She faces one count of felony sexual assault and is in custody at the Lake County Jail on $40,000 bond. If convicted, Cordova may get 15 years in prison.

Tip: Don Morgenstern

[Update 04/04/07]

Francine Cordova pleaded not guilty to eight counts of criminal sexual assault. Circuit Judge John Phillips scheduled a follow-up court appearance for Cordova on May 30th and her trial is scheduled to start on June 25th.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/01/2007 12:38:00 PM

Homegrown Jihadi Arrested in Texas

(Mesquite, Texas) A 31-year-old North Texas man, Abraham Ray Cole (aka Tekku Wawatajusra), was arrested yesterday by federal agents for threatening to use explosives to destroy Armed Forces Recruiting Offices. The FBI stated that threatening calls were made, starting in December, to recruiting offices in Mesquite, Plano and Garland.

Cole, a converted Muslim, is accused of being the caller to the recruiting office who said, "You'll pay for your sins, the jihad has begun," and, "We'll blow up your offices and decapitate you." Since his conversion to Islam was a precursor to his terrorist threats, I'd like to know who converted him and where. Possibly other homegrown jihadis were created at the same time and place.

A grand jury indicted Cole on a charge of making threats by means of explosives. If convicted, he faces a possible 10 years in prison.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.

Following Entry Posted 3/01/2007 10:36:00 AM

Mom Arrested for Liquoring Up Teens

(Belleville, Illinois) A 37-year-old mother, Andrea K. Sharos, and her significant friend, Brent M. Moist, 40, were arrested Friday night for serving alcohol to minors at a weekend party. Both were charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Astonishingly, Sharos previously lost a son, 18 months ago, in an alcohol-related car crash.

Apparently, the weekend parties were a regular feature locally and were even discussed on MySpace.com. St. Clair County Sheriff Lt. Steve Johnson said he sent seven sheriff's cars to break up last weekend's party. Along with Sharos and Moist, several juveniles were arrested for unlawful consumption and illegal transport of alcohol.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/01/2007 09:42:00 AM

Mexican Woman Accused of Swapping Baby for Car

(Pueblo, Colorado) A 23-year-old Mexican national, Nicole Uribe, has been arrested for allegedly trading her 5-month-old baby boy for the down payment on a used car.

Also Mexicans, Jose-Juan Lerma, 47, and his wife, Irene, 27, were to receive the baby and Uribe would get a Dodge Intrepid.

All three were booked on suspicion of felony trafficking in children. Each is in custody at the Pueblo Jail on $50,000 bond. Federal officials have been asked to investigate their immigration status.

[Update 07/21/07]

From CBS4Denver:

A married couple and another woman have been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanors in what initially appeared to be negotiations over selling a baby.

The sentences, handed down Monday, stem from a case that began in February when the woman was accused of trying to sell her 5-month-old son to the couple. After an investigation, prosecutors dismissed all charges but the misdemeanors.

During the court hearing, Jose Juan Lerma, 48, his wife, Irene Lerma, 28, and Nicole Uribe-Lopez, 23, each pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of having a false document notarized to reflect that Lerma was the father of Uribe's child.

Each of the three was sentenced to probation based on his or her plea agreement, and the baby remains with representatives of the Pueblo County Department of Social Services.

So, nothing to see here, folks. Move along now. Since everyone involved is Mexican, no further action is required.

Labels: Women With Troubles

Following Entry Posted 3/01/2007 09:14:00 AM

Teacher Accused of Sex with 5 Boys

(Clinton, South Carolina) A 23-year-old married English teacher at Bell Middle School, Allenna Williams Ward, was arrested yesterday for allegedly engaging in sex five schoolboys, aged 14 and 15.

The sexual episodes allegedly occurred in the school, at a motel, in a park and behind a restaurant between December 2006 and last month. The sexual escapades were revealed when notes between Ward and the students surfaced.

Ward has been charged with five counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor and six counts of lewd acts on a minor. She was booked into jail and awaits a bond hearing.

According to Police Chief John Thomas, there could be more victims and more arrests.

[Update 03/28/07]

A source indicates that Ward has been released on bail. Much more interesting, though, is the fact that Ward, who is white, is accused of sexually abusing five black boys. This information was apparently overlooked by the elite media when the story was originally reported.

Nevertheless, the fact that a white woman is having sex with black boys is inflaming some pre-existing racial tension in the area. It's claimed that a black man having sex with whites girls would not have been released on bail.

It's odd that the elite MSM failed to fully tell the story. On second thought, no it isn't.

[Update 09/06/07]

Ward pleads guilty.

[Update 02/19/08]

Allenna Ward sentenced to six years in prison.

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