Tag: News
Man accused of trying to hire hit man through white supremacist group to kill black neighbor
A white South Carolina man is accused of trying to hire a hit man through a white supremacist group to kill his black neighbor.
Brandon Cory Lecroy, 25, of Hodges, was arrested in April after he contacted the white supremacist group, and then made an arrangement with an undercover FBI agent to carry out his plan, authorities say in federal court documents.
A grand jury Tuesday indicted Lecroy on federal charges of soliciting someone to commit a violent crime, and using interstate commerce facilities — in this case, a cellphone — in the alleged scheme, the US Attorney’s Office in Greenville says.
Prosecutors didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. It wasn’t clear whether Lecroy has an attorney.
A probable cause affidavit doesn’t say how Lecroy came in contact with the undercover agent, or why he allegedly wanted his neighbor dead.
According to the affidavit, an FBI informant told investigators in March that Lecroy contacted a white supremacist organization, and “indicated that he wanted to seek assistance with the murder of his African-American neighbor.”
The next day, Lecroy talked by phone to an undercover FBI agent in Virginia, and allegedly made an arrangement with the undercover agent “to pay for the murder of his neighbor,” according to court documents.
In the call, Lecroy made a request “to put a ‘flaming cross’ in the front yard and hang his neighbor from a tree,” the affidavit says.
“Five hundred dollars and he’s a ghost,” Lecroy said during the phone call, according to the court document.
In a phone call two days later, Lecroy reaffirmed the agreement and gave the undercover agent “further intelligence on when to best … commit the murder as well as plans to take over the victim’s property,” the affidavit says.
On April 9, Lecroy met the undercover agent in Greenwood, South Carolina, discussed “future targets,” and gave the agent “a $100 cash down payment with acknowledgment that this payment was for the murder of his neighbor,” the affidavit says.
Lecroy was detained on April 9. After a hearing that day before a US District Court in Anderson, a judge ordered that Lecroy be committed for up to 45 days to a federal facility for a psychiatric or psychological evaluation. It wasn’t immediately clear where Lecroy was being held.
If convicted on all charges, Lecroy could receive up to 10 years in prison and be fined up to $250,000, prosecutors said.
Student’s mom drags boy down hallway of Bronx school by the neck
MELROSE, the Bronx — An 8-year-old boy loved being a third grader at P. S. 146 in the Bronx until a classmate’s parent assaulted him.
Jalen Swinton fought with another classmate in the school cafeteria on April 26. The next day, the classmate’s mother walked into the school in the morning and found Swinton eating breakfast. She grabbed him and dragged him by the neck from the cafeteria and down the hall into the principal’s office.
The school never filed a police report, Sanavya Hodges – Swinton’s mom – told PIX11 in an exclusive interview.
“It’s sad,” she said. “I’m tired of crying.”
Her son has been absent from school since the incident.
“I have dreams about her and she is going to drag me again,” he said.
His mom believes assault charges should be filed against that parent.
She asked the school for an emergency transfer for her son, but was told it was a one time incident.
“I feel like they turned their backs on me when they should have been reaching out to me,” she said.
A Department of Education spokesperson said they NYPD is now conducting an investigation. The DOE is working with police on that.
“The safety of students and staff is our top priority and the school has followed protocol in addressing this incident,” the spokespersons said. “The family is being provided with ongoing support.”
via: http://pix11.com/2018/05/07/students-mom-drags-boy-down-hallway-of-bronx-school-by-the-neck/
Bronx woman read obituaries, robbed homes during funerals
GREENBURGH, NY — A Bronx woman allegedly read obituaries so she could target homes when she knew the people who lived there were out at funerals, police said.
Police investigating a robbery pattern realized he homes of people listed as next of kin in funeral arrangements were being targeted.
New York State police gave local police information on a potential suspect’s car. Greenburgh police stopped the vehicle and found property that had been taken from a home on Feb. 22 inside. Police arrested Latonia Shelecia Stewart, 26.
She was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and criminal possession of stolen property. Stewart was arraigned in Greenburgh Court and released on bond.
Teen accused of killing 3-year-old smiles in Georgia court, sparking near brawl
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies had to restrain the mother of a 3-year-old boy Friday when the 15-year-old boy accused of killing him appeared to smirk while waiting for his bond hearing to start.
“What’s funny? What’s funny?” yelled Roshanda Craig, as deputies rushed to separate members of the victim’s family and the defendant’s family.
Christopher Cullins, 15, an eighth grade student at Sylvan Hills Middle School, was arrested at his school 10 days after the April 1 shooting that claimed the life of 3-year-old T’Rhigi Craig. Cullins is charged as an adult with murder.
The little boy was asleep in the backseat of his mother’s SUV when he was struck by a bullet meant for someone else, police said.
According to detectives, it all started when some people in cars drove past a gas station at the intersection of Bouldercrest and Eastland roads and fired paintball guns at customers.
Cullins and his family happened to be at the gas station. Cullins, furious about being struck by a paintball, grabbed his cousin’s gun, according to police, and fired at least one shot toward the cars where the paintball fire originated. The bullet missed the people who fired the paintball guns and instead struck the boy, killing him.
Off-duty cop pistol-whips man, steals his pants and shoes in Brooklyn
BUSHWICK, Brooklyn — An off-duty police officer allegedly pistol-whipped a man outside a Bushwick nightclub and robbed him, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Anthony Delacruz, 34, and an unidentified accomplice were caught on video in a confrontation with another man on May 28 around 3:30 a.m., officials said. Delacruz pointed his service weapon at a man who was hiding behind a car.
All three men go off camera and, when they return, the unidentified accomplice is carrying clothing and sneakers, prosecutors said. Delacruz and his accomplice walked away.
The victim, who can be seen on camera dressed only in a t-shirt and boxers, walked away with no shoes on, officials said. Delacruz allegedly pistol-whipped him when they were off camera. The victim’s DNA was found on the muzzle of Delacruz’ gun.
A shell casing at the scene also massed Delacruz’ gun.
“This defendant’s alleged brazen and criminal behavior was in direct contradiction to the oath he took to protect and serve,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. “He then allegedly made a deplorable situation worse by falsely accusing multiple individuals of robbing him.”
Delacruz had initially told other officers that his alleged victim had actually robbed him along with some other men, officials said. Officers responding to a call for shots fired found him near El Mekkah Bar and Grill.
He allegedly told them he was in his vehicle when he was surrounded by several men who stole his gold chain, Rolex watch and a gold ring before fleeing, prosecutors said. Delacruz said he chased after the perpetrators and fired at them once.
A group of people were taken into custody after Delacruz told police his version of what happened, but video evidence quickly showed his version of events was not accurate.
He was arraigned on 14 charges Wednesday. Delacruz was charged with robbery, assault, menacing, falsely reporting an incident and petit larceny, among other charges. He faces up to 25 years in prison for the robbery charges.
3-year-old girl found dead in Queens apartment; police suspect child abuse
ROCKAWAY, Queens — A 3-year-old girl was found dead in a Queens apartment and police are investigating if child abuse was a factor.
Police were called about 6 p.m. Monday to an apartment on Beach 105th Street near Shore Front Parkway and found Bella Edwards unconscious and unresponsive. Her stepfather, the only adult home, was performing CPR on her.
“There were a number of fireman and ambulances…trying to resuscitate her,” neighbor Doris King said.
She was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The medical examiner has not yet revealed the cause of death. Police are investigating if child abuse was a factor.
Edwards’ body showed signs of trauma consistent with abuse, a police source told PIX11. The source said that she was covered in bruises, had new injuries and several old injuries that were healing, and there were signs of sexual abuse.
Her parents are being questioned by detectives from the Special Victims Unit. No arrests have been made.
King said she does not know Edwards’ parents and only saw her around the building.
“Very cute little girl. Never knew anything was wrong,” she said. “Very shocking, very sad.”
The New York City Administration for Children’s Services is also investigating.
“Our top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City. As soon as this family came to our attention last night, we immediately launched an investigation with the NYPD,” Deputy Commissioner Eric Ferrero said.
A 3-month-old who lived in the apartment where Edwards was found has been taken to a hospital for evaluation.
Tenant accused of killing landlord was ‘upset’ over $30 rent increase
MILWAUKEE – A 37-year-old Wisconsin man accused of killing his landlord was upset over a $30 rent increase, prosecutors say.
Jason Tilley, of Cudahy, faces charges of first degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon after he admitted to shooting his landlord in the back of the head, police say. Authorities have not yet identified the landlord.
“We never thought Jason would do that,” said tenant Sharon Cebula.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim’s wife reported her husband missing on Thursday, March 1. She told police her husband had gone to the apartment complex he owns in Cudahy to meet with a tenant who was identified as “Jason.”
The complaint indicates an officer went to the apartment complex to speak with Tilley. Tilley was not there — but the officer “did observe what appeared to be blood on the door and door frame” of Tilley’s unit. Another resident indicated she saw Tilley and the victim “talking outside the garage area around 3:30 p.m.” on March 1.
The next day, two officers returned to the apartment complex and looked in the garage, where they “observed what appeared to be a pool of blood that led to a large blanket rolled up against the wall.” The victim was inside. An autopsy shows the victim died as a result of a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
“Someone loses a temper, maybe smack ’em or something, but to kill him…” said Cebula.
Tilley was arrested at his workplace on March 2. When questioned by investigators, Tilley stated he did meet with the victim. He paid the victim money for rent “and was told by the victim that his rent was being increased by $30,” and Tilley said this upset him, according to the complaint.
Initially, Tilley gave investigators a description of his activities — and did not mention any altercation with the landlord. When a detective stated that Tilley shot the victim and asked whether that was “right or wrong,” Tilley paused and said, “yes.”
“He just had a personal vendetta, you could say, against him,” said Cebula.
Tilley told investigators when he went to the garage area to discuss the rent issue, “they were not arguing and there was no physical confrontation.”
Prosecutors say Tilley admitted he went to the garage with a gun in the pocket of his hoodie and “while they were talking, the victim turned away from him and … Tilley took out the gun and shot the victim.”
Tilley allegedly took the victim’s money and car keys before fleeing. He later abandoned the victim’s car and bought new clothes, leaving the old ones at the store, prosecutors say.
Cebula told WITI she will never forget the landlord for his genuine kindness and dedication to the people in his buildings.
A check of criminal records indicates Tilley has previously been convicted of felony offenses.
via: http://pix11.com/2018/03/07/tenant-accused-of-killing-landlord-was-upset-over-30-rent-increase/
Woman arrested after dumping popcorn on 2-year-old during movie, police say
LEVITTOWN, L.I. — A woman is accused of dumping popcorn on a 2-year-old girl at a Long Island movie theater earlier this year.
On Jan. 2, while a toddler was asking her mother for popcorn during a movie, Keri Karman, 25, allegedly tried to quiet the child down verbally, police said.
According to authorities, when the child’s mother intervened, Karman started to yell and curse at the mother and daughter then placed her hand over the toddler’s mouth.
Karman then dumped a container of popcorn on the child’s head and struck her in the head with the container, causing her to cry, said police. The child suffered a contusion on her head.
Karman and Charles Karman, 61, fled the theater.
Following investigation, the Karmans were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Bayonne Public Schools closed Monday following threat to shoot up schools
BAYONNE, N.J. — Bayonne Public Schools will be closed Monday, several days after a threat to shoot up the schools was posted to social media, and the day after officials said officers would be stationed at the schools, which would remain open.
The school closures were announced on social media around 7:30 a.m.
The statement from Interim Superintendent of Bayonne Public Schools Dr. Michael Wanko read, in part, “The Bayonne School District received a twitter post that has yet to be discredited by the Bayonne Police Department. Therefore, Mayor Davis contacted me at 6:40 AM today and in the interest of safety it was decided to close all schools today, Monday, March 05, 2018.”
Some 10 hours earlier, the district stated schools would remain open but police officers would be stationed at Bayonne schools on Monday.
The announcements came after someone on Friday tweeted a threat to shoot up all Bayonne Public Schools, officials said.
“Postings like this cause much anguish and concern for parents, students, and staff,” Wanko said Sunday.
Child sex offender serving 300 years is set free
COLORADO — He was set to pay for his crimes in prison for at least 316 years. But on Tuesday, 46-year-old Michael McFadden walked out of Colorado’s Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility a free man, released under circumstances that have left Mesa County’s district attorney “appalled,” per the Daily Sentinel.
McFadden, who was convicted in 2015 of sexual assault against six children, appealed his conviction by claiming that his right to a speedy trial had been violated due to delays, and in June of last year, the Colorado Court of Appeals overturned his conviction, KKCO reports.
The state’s Supreme Court declined to hear the case last month, keeping the appeals court’s decision in place and resulting in McFadden’s release.
“We are without remedy,” DA Dan Rubenstein lamented. “If you’ve heard the phrase, ‘he got off on a technicality,’ this is exactly that situation,” he added, per KKCO.
Rubenstein took to Facebook to explain McFadden’s release at length so the community “can take action at the next election of [the] court of appeals judges” involved.
It initially appeared McFadden wouldn’t have to add his name to any sex offender registry, since his crimes were officially vacated. He’d been convicted once before for sexually assaulting a child, but that conviction happened before it was required by law for sex offenders to add their names to a public register.
However, Rubenstein said Thursday that McFadden will have to register based on that 1990 case.
Word as of Thursday was that McFadden was holed up in homeless shelters in Colorado Springs and was trying to get enough cash to take a bus to Florida.
via: http://pix11.com/2018/03/02/child-sex-offender-serving-300-years-is-set-free/