Man Passes Through TSA Security Checkpoint Wearing a Speedo (Video)
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Jury Convicts Tom DeLay in Money Laundering Trial **Update** DeLay Responds, Calls it an "Abuse of Power, Miscarriage of Justice"
Associated PressAUSTIN, Texas — Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay — once one of the most powerful and feared Republicans in Congress — was convicted Wednesday on charges he illegally funneled corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002.Video update: Delay responds moments after the verdict from KVUE Austin
Jurors deliberated for 19 hours before returning guilty verdicts against DeLay on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He faces up to life in prison on the money laundering charge.
After the verdicts were read, DeLay hugged his daughter, Danielle, and his wife, Christine. There was no immediate comment from him or his attorneys.
Prosecutors said DeLay, who once held the No. 2 job in the House of Representatives and whose heavy-handed style earned him the nickname "the Hammer," used his political action committee to illegally channel $190,000 in corporate donations into 2002 Texas legislative races through a money swap.
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KANSAS CITY, KS—An Overland Park man who was arrested after fleeing to California with his stepdaughter has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Patrick Porter, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography. Investigators served a search warrant June 3, 2010, at Porter’s home, where they found photos of the girl in sexual poses on Porter’s computer. Children in the home at the time were taken into protective custody by the state of Kansas and placed with their maternal grandmother. With the help of his wife, co-defendant Barbara Porter, Patrick Porter removed the girl from protective custody and fled from Kansas. Patrick Porter and the girl were found later in California, where Patrick Porter was arrested.
Patrick Porter is set for sentencing Feb. 15, 2011. Prosecutors are asking for a sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Barbara Porter is set for trial Jan. 18, 2011, on charges of obstructing justice, harboring a fugitive, and aiding and abetting the unlawful transportation of a minor.
Grissom commended the Overland Park Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.
SPRINGFIELD, MO—Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a former Nixa, Missouri firefighter was sentenced in federal court today for receiving child pornography over the Internet.
Michael Keith Benson, 41, of Nixa, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Benson to spend the rest of his life on supervised release following incarceration.
On July 30, 2010, Benson pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography. Under the terms of the federal plea agreement, Benson also pleaded guilty to state charges of child molestation, statutory sodomy, and sexual exploitation of a minor child in the Circuit Court of Christian County, Mo. His 15-year state sentence will be served concurrently with the federal sentence.
Benson admitted that he used a file-sharing program to download a video of child pornography from the Internet on Jan. 22, 2009. Benson possessed more than 600 images of child pornography, including images of children under the age of 12, images of sadistic and masochistic conduct, and images of a minor with whom he had contact.
Benson forfeited to the government a computer, two digital cameras and a computer hard drive, all of which were used to commit the offense.
This case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Nixa, Mo., Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
A 49-year-old former foster care provider and special education teacher in the St. Paul Public School District was sentenced earlier today in federal court in Minneapolis for producing and possessing child pornography. United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen sentenced Gregg Alan Larsen, of Minneapolis, to 25 years in prison on one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Larsen was indicted on May 20, 2010, and pleaded guilty on July 8, 2010.
In imposing the lengthy sentence, Judge Ericksen said, "A legal system that would not send you to prison for a long time is a legal system our society could not respect." The sentence was handed down following remarks to the court by the father of one of the young victims as well as by one of Larsen's adopted sons, both of whom described the abuse of trust and emotional damage caused by Larsen's actions.
After sentencing, U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones said, "As a teacher and foster parent, the defendant was a trusted member of the school district and the community. As stated in court, he violated that trust by preying on innocent children. Such behavior will not be tolerated, as evidenced by the sentence imposed this morning."
In his plea agreement, Larsen admitted to abusing a position of trust by creating pornography of the children in his care. In April of 2006, he took digital photographs of one minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The child was younger than 12 years of age at the time. Larsen also admitted that he intended to distribute those images via the Internet. Then, from June through July of 2006, Larsen produced digital pornographic photographs of a second child, also younger than 12 years of age, again with the intent to distribute the photos through the Internet. Moreover, on July 1, 2009, Larsen admittedly possessed eight video files containing child pornography, as well as more than 600 images of child pornography. Those items were stored on Larsen's home computer.
Following sentencing, Ralph S. Boelter, Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis FBI Office, said the FBI remains committed to protecting the public from those criminals who produce and distribute child pornography through the Internet. For more information about these efforts, please visit the Department's Project Safe Childhood website, at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Minnesota Cyber Crime Task Force, sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp.
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Monty Craig Green Leaf, age 22, of McLaughlin, appeared before United States District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on November 22, 2010, and pled guilty to a superseding information that charged him with sexual contact with a child by the use of force. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; up to life of supervised release; and a $100 special assessment.
The charges relate to an incident that occurred near Little Eagle, South Dakota, between December 2009 and January 2010, where the defendant had sexual contact with a female child who was under the age of 12.
The investigation was conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mikal Hanson.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for February 28, 2011. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.
PORTLAND, OR—On Monday, November 22, 2010, U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown sentenced Alexander Lukashov, 36, of Portland, Oregon, to serve 30 years in federal prison for aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Upon his release from prison, the defendant will be on supervised release for the rest of his life. The 30-year prison sentence was the mandatory minimum sentence required by law.
On July 20, 2010, a federal jury found the defendant guilty of aggravated sexual abuse of a child. Testimony at trial showed that in February 2009, the defendant, a long-haul commercial truck driver, took the victim, an 8-year-old girl, with him on a cross-country trip. During that trip, the defendant repeatedly raped and sexually abused the young girl. The victim disclosed the abuse to her mother after the defendant brought her back home. The details of the abuse were outlined at trial and in the government’s sentencing memorandum. The defendant was arrested on federal charges on March 9, 2009, and indicted on federal charges on April 1, 2009. On July 13, 2010, the parties proceeded to trial and on July 20, 2010, the jury returned a guilty verdict on count one, aggravated sex abuse of a child.
During the sentencing hearing the victim asked the prosecutors read a statement to the court in which she explained how the crime adversely affected her “emotional and mental health” and had “ruined [her] life.” In imposing the sentence the court noted that it was imposing a sentence sufficient to ensure that neither the victim nor any other children would again be victimized by the defendant. As a condition of his supervision the defendant is prohibited from having any contact with minor children, must participate in a sex offender treatment program, and register as a sex offender.
After imposing the sentence the court specifically addressed the victim and complimented her on the courage and strength she showed in coming forward and testifying.
“The defendant’s crime was truly an offense that shocks the conscience and demanded a very lengthy prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Dwight C. Holton. “I applaud the Portland Police Bureau, CARES Northwest, the Oregon State Crime Lab, and the FBI for all their outstanding work that made this prosecution possible.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott M. Kerin and Jane H. Shoemaker.
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JANICE K. FEDARCYK, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), announced the extradition of ALMIR RRAPO from Albania for his involvement in a racketeering enterprise that engaged in murder, kidnapping, narcotics trafficking, extortion, robbery, arson, obstruction of justice, and interstate transportation of stolen goods. RRAPO was arrested by the Albanian National Police on July 2, 2010, at the request of the United States. At the time of his arrest, RRAPO was employed as the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said: "Shortly after ALMIR RRAPO allegedly participated in the brutal murder of Erion Shehu, RRAPO fled to Albania in an effort to escape the American criminal justice system. With the assistance of our international law enforcement partners, we will continue to ensure that individuals involved in international organized crime face justice in the United States, wherever they may be hiding."
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK said: "Today's cooperation in the extradition of Almir Rrapo should be a stern message to the murderers, kidnappers, and drug dealers who try to flee prosecution: you can run, but you cannot hide. The FBI will continue to track down these hardened criminals wherever they may be. I am thankful for the cooperation of the Albanian National Police and for all of our law enforcement partners across the globe who work tirelessly to put criminals behind bars, where they belong."
According to the 13-count superseding Indictment and other court documents:
ALMIR RRAPO participated in a racketeering enterprise (the "Krasniqi Organization") led by brothers BRUNO KRASNIQI and SAIMIR KRASNIQI, which operated in New York, Michigan, Connecticut, and elsewhere. The Krasniqi Organization sought to enrich its members through various criminal schemes, including the trafficking of more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana, and used firearms and violence to protect its power and territory, as well as to instill fear among rival drug dealers and victims. For example, RRAPO and other members of the Krasniqi Organization kidnapped a rival drug dealer at gunpoint, pistol-whipped him, and placed the muzzle of a firearm in his mouth, threatening to kill him if he did not disclose the locations of other members of his narcotics crew. RRAPO and other members of the Krasniqi Organization also murdered ERION SHEHU in a drive by-shooting outside a Queens café as a result of the Krasniqi Organization's ongoing turf battle with that other narcotics crew.
RRAPO and other members are charged with homicides, kidnapping, conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, drug robbery, extortion, firearms possession and use, and obstruction of justice, among other offenses.
* * *
RRAPO is charged with two counts of racketeering, which carry a potential penalty of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a potential penalty of life in prison; one count of kidnapping in aid of racketeering, which carries a potential penalty of life in prison; two counts of narcotics conspiracy, each of which carries a potential penalty of 40 years in prison; one count of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a potential penalty of 20 years in prison; and two counts of possession and use of a firearm, one of which includes a firearm with a silencer which carries a potential penalty of life in prison with 30 years to run consecutively with any other sentence of imprisonment.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge RICHARD J. HOLWELL.
Mr. BHARARA praised the outstanding work of the FBI and NYPD in the Joint Organized Crime Task Force in the investigation. He also thanked the Office of International Affairs, United States Department of Justice Criminal Division; the U.S. State Department; and the Albanian authorities. He added that the investigation is continuing.
Assistant United States Attorneys AVI WEITZMAN and MICHAEL FERRARA are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
One Defendant Had More Than 60,000 Still Images and Videos on His Computer
TUCSON, AZ—In two separate cases, a pair of Tucson men have been sentenced to prison for possession of child pornography following successful prosecutions by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Adam Fell Berner, 47, of Tucson was sentenced to 84 months (seven years) in prison by U.S. District Court Judge David C. Bury. Berner was convicted following his plea of guilty on September 29, 2009.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation discovered that Berner had subscribed to several online services which sold child pornography images over the Internet. Financial records revealed Berner paid for these subscriptions on multiple occasions throughout 2006.
In April 2008, a search warrant was executed at Berner's residence and his computer was seized. A forensic examination of the computer revealed 59,108 still images and 7,780 videos of child pornography. Berner was arrested pursuant to a federal indictment. In addition to the first computer, Berner admitted that he possessed another computer which was found to contain over 1,000 images of child pornography.
In the second case, U.S. District Court Judge Raner C. Collins sentenced Mark Nicholas Rossi, 41, of Tucson, Ariz., to 120 months (10 years) in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty on July 12, 2010.
In November 2007, a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent in Chicago, investigating the online trade of child pornography, discovered Rossi was sharing images of child pornography via the Internet. In February 2008, a search warrant was executed at his home and his computer was seized.
A forensic examination of his computer revealed he possessed numerous video and still images of child pornography. It also showed he used the computer to download, share, and view child pornography.
"Both of these defendants contributed to the illicit child pornography industry. Crippling this illegal and aberrant industry is a top priority of my office." said Dennis K. Burke, United States Attorney. "These two cases should serve notice that we will go after anyone who engages in the possession or transfer of child pornography. I want to thank both the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work in these cases."
Angela Woolridge, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona Tucson handled the prosecution in both cases.
CASE NUMBER: CR-09-0982-TUC-DCB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-252(Berner_Rossi)
Opt Out Boycott?
With the dawn of the increased security and the rise of encroachment on privacy many people opt-out for an 'enhanced' pat-down procedure when flying 'domestically', or on international flights.
A Nationwide Opt Out Boycott was scheduled for Nov. 24, 2010, the busiest travel day in the year. Fliers were to opt-out for the Enhanced pat-down technique, instead of walking through the AIT electronic screeners as a protest; This would would slow down airport boarding procedures.
Well, what happened? Tempus Fugit? What about principle?
Meanwhile, overseas in England, in France, and in Greece, people take their protests seriously.
These are the same Europeans that the envious Social Scientists Globalist Politically Correct Green Movement proponents regularly refer to when comparing our lack of Socialized Medical Entitlements, or lack of High-Speed Bullet Trains, or our reluctance to legalize drugs like the 'enlightened Europeans' have done.
Let's be aware that these same Europeans don't take Draconian Legislation lying down. They put their money where there mouth is! They're not going for it!OOOUUUUUUUUUUOOOStudent protests: pupil walkouts staged across Britain
Schoolchildren join clamour against tuition fees and take placards to the streets
Steven Morris, Martin Wainwright, Adam Gabbatt, Helen Carter guardian.co.uk,Wednesday 24 November 2010 19.52 GMT
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/24/tuition-fees-protest
Recently:
French gov’t passes retirement age hike
Workers anticipate more attackshttp://www.themilitant.com/2010/7443/index.shtml
..Rubbish piles up in Athens as strike enters day 5
DPA/Athens
Riot police try to disperse striking municipality garbage collectors during an anti-government rally in Athens yesterday
Heaps of rubbish clogged the streets of the Greek capital Athens on Tuesday as workers continued their strike for the fifth straight day to demand better pay and job security.
Municipal waste collectors in the city and surrounding region, which is home to nearly 5mn people, last week extended their strike to midnight today.
Residents were being forced to navigate their way past dumpsters overflowing with rubbish, rats and rotting food...
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=400501&version=1&template_id=39&parent_id=21OOO
Meanwhile, back in the Land of the Free: Air-Travel for Thanksgiving goes without a hitch.
If you opt-out for driving because all of the intrusive mind-control (conditioning) measures; What will you do when they have enhanced screenings at check points on the highways and turnpikes?.
Arsenio.
