Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police have now identified and can confirm the name of the man involved in a fatal train incident in Invercargill, Monday 17 March.
He was 54-year-old Geoffrey Francis McIver a local of Invercargill.
Police extend our condolences to his family and loved ones at this time.
His death has been referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent
The Papua New Guinea government has admitted to using a technology that it says was “successfully tested” to block social media platforms, particularly Facebook, for much of the day yesterday.
Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr said the “test” was done under the framework of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2024, and sought to address the growing concerns over hate speech, misinformation, and other harmful content online.
Tsiamalili did not specify what kind of tech was used, but said it was carried out in collaboration with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), and various internet service providers.
“We are not attempting to suppress free speech or restrict our citizens from expressing their viewpoints,” Tsiamalili said.
“However, the unchecked proliferation of fake news, hate speech, pornography, child exploitation, and incitement to violence on platforms such as Facebook is unacceptable.
“These challenges increasingly threaten the safety, dignity, and well-being of our populace.”
However, government agencies responsible for communications and ICT, including NICTA, said they were not aware.
‘Confidence relies on transparency’
“Public confidence in our digital governance relies on transparency and consistency in how we approach online regulation,” NICTA chief executive Kilakupa Gulo-Vui said.
“It is essential that all key stakeholders, including NICTA, law enforcement, telecommunications providers, and government agencies, collaborate closely to ensure that any actions taken are well-understood and properly executed.”
He said that while maintaining national security was a priority, the balance between safety and digital freedom must be carefully managed.
Gulo-Vui said NICTA would be addressing this matter with the Minister for ICT to ensure NICTA’s role continued to align with the government’s broader policy objectives, while fostering a cohesive and united approach to digital regulation.
The Department of Information Communication and Technology (DICT) Secretary, Steven Matainaho, also stated his department was not aware of the test but added that the police have powers under the new domestic terrorism laws.
Papua New Guinea’s recently introduced anti-terror laws are aimed at curbing both internal and external security threats.
Critics warn of dictatorial control
However, critics of the move say the test borders on dictatorial control.
An observer of Monday’s events, Lucas Kiap, said the goal of combating hate speech and exploitation was commendable, but the approach risks paving way for authoritarian overreach.
“Where is PNG headed? If the government continues down this path, it risks trading democracy for control,” he said.
Many social media users, however, appeared to outdo the government, with many downloading and sharing Virtual Area Network (VPN) apps and continuing to post on Facebook.
“Hello from Poland,” one user said.
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said today that the country’s anti-terrorism law could target anyone because “the definition of a terrorist is left to the Police Minister to decide”.
‘Designed to take away our freedoms’
“During the debate on the anti-terrorism bill in Parliament, I pointed out that the law was too broad and it could be used against innocent people,” he wrote on Facebook.
He said government MPs laughed at him and used their numbers to pass the bill.
“Yesterday, the Police Minister used the Anti-terrorism Act to shut down Facebook. That was just a test, that was step one,” Governor Bird said.
“There is no limit to the powers the Minister of Police can exercise under this new law. It is draconian law designed to take away our freedoms.
“We are now heading into dangerous territory and everyone is powerless to stop this tyranny,” he added.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Attribute to Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard:
The death of a man found critically injured in Miramar last week is now being treated as a homicide, as Police urgently seek two pedestrians, and motorists with dashcam footage.
Abdul Nabizadah, 63, was located with serious head injuries at the intersection of Camperdown Road and Totara Road, about 2.20am on 17 March. Mr Nabizadah was found by Police carrying out area enquiries following a serious burglary that happened a short distance away about 20 minutes earlier.
Sadly, he died in hospital the following day.
A post-mortem determined Mr Nabizadah died as a result of blunt force injury after being assaulted, and further enquiries have led to the investigation being upgraded to a homicide this morning.
Dashcam footage, passersby may be critical to investigation
As part of our investigation, we urgently need to hear from two people who had earlier passed by the area where Mr Nabizadah was found.
At 12.28am, a man was seen walking down Camperdown Road from Totara Street and turned right in to Darlington Road from Totara Street. The man was wearing a light-coloured top and dark pants.
We know Mr Nabizadah arrived in Totara Street in his silver-coloured Toyota Aqua, registration NQE681, at 12.25am, so this man may well have seen Mr Nabizadah and or his vehicle. We urge this person, or anyone who may know them, to come forward as soon as possible.
At 1.30am, a man in fitness clothing or activewear was seen running south on Darlington Road, before crossing the Camperdown Road intersection. He was wearing a blue shirt, and we also need to hear from him.
Just as crucially, the investigators need to hear from any motorist who has dashcam footage and was in the Miramar area between midnight and 3am on 17 March, in particular anyone who travelled through the intersection of Totara Street and Camperdown Road. Even if your footage shows no cars or people on the street, it’s important that we see it.
Parallel investigation into intruder burglary
Police are progressing a second investigation into a disturbing burglary, where two people found an intruder rummaging through their Darlington Road house about 2am on 17 March. During the burglary there was a physical altercation which caused an injury to the homeowner.
We have yet to locate this offender, who had been wearing gumboots and a white cap, and is described by witnesses as possibly being of Māori descent, between 177-180cm tall (5’10” to 5’11”) and of and athletic build.
Investigators have been speaking with neighbours and reviewing evidence gathered at the scene, but we have yet to establish a link between the burglary and the death of Mr Nabizadah.
Meanwhile, Police are continuing to carry out reassurance patrols in the Miramar area. We know these events are upsetting and concerning for the community, but the investigation teams are working doggedly to get justice for the victims of the homicide and burglary, and their families. Police are providing ongoing support to both families.
If you have any information that could help the investigation teams, please update us online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 250317/6324, or reference Operation Celtic.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Quashawn Pettiford, age 34, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to 71 months in federal prison for Interference With Commerce Through Robbery. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of his prior plea agreement, Pettiford admitted that on January 11, 2022, he and two others entered a gas station in Salina, New York, wearing masks. The other two individuals carried BB guns that appeared to be real firearms. Those individuals pointed the BB guns at the store clerk and one of them pressed a gun into the clerk’s neck while directing the clerk to open the cash register. Pettiford further admitted that he and the other robbers took approximately $1,200 in merchandise from the store shelves, approximately $1,495 from the cash register, and $513 from the clerk’s wallet.
Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to begin after Pettiford is released from prison. Pettiford was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the offense and to forfeit the $3,208 proceeds of the offense.
FBI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police, Syracuse Police Department, DeWitt Police Department, and Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Thomas R. Sutcliffe prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Robert LaVair, age 19, of Louisville, New York, pled guilty today to receipt and possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his guilty plea, LaVair admitted that in January of 2024, he received numerous images and videos of child pornography by downloading them from the dark web. In addition to child pornography obtained from the internet, LaVair also admitted that he possessed sexually explicit images and videos of a nine-year-old child that he produced while the child was sleeping.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. However, if Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes accepts the parties’ agreed-upon disposition at sentencing, scheduled for July 18, 2025, LaVair will receive a federal prison term of between 14 and 15 years to be followed by 15 years of post-release supervision. LaVair will also be required to pay restitution to the children whose images he received and possessed, and will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
The case was investigated by HSI and the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Benjamin Gillis as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
Findings from the Domestic Homicide Project released today reveal that 262 people died in England and Wales as a result of domestic abuse in the past year.
The annual report tracks the scale and nature of domestic abuse-related deaths in quick-time, both from the previous year and across a four-year period, and is the only dataset of its kind in England and Wales.
The findings and analysis were informed by families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse who continue to drive awareness and change across policing, government and partners. This year, specific research was also undertaken to examine deaths where someone had fallen from height in partnership with the Killed Women Network.
Key findings:
262 deaths were recorded between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024:
22 cases of deaths due to a fall from height were recorded across 13 forces during the four-year period, of those:
For the second year in a row, suspected suicides following domestic abuse have overtaken the number of homicides involving current or previous partners. This reflects increased awareness and progress made against recommendations in the project’s last report, which focused on improving policing’s ability to better recognise and record the link between domestic abuse and suicide.
Over four years (1 April 2020 – 31 March 2024), the number of people killed by their current or previous partner consistently represents around a third of domestic abuse-related deaths each year.
Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, national policing lead for domestic abuse, said:
“The sustained nature of domestic homicide shows how deeply ingrained violence against women and girls is in our communities.
“The Domestic Homicide Project has now recorded over 1000 domestic abuse-related deaths across a four year period. The scale and impact is incomprehensible and as a society, we cannot delay action to prevent future deaths.”
Multi-agency footprint
The report demonstrates the need for a multi-agency response that spans the wider criminal justice system, healthcare and local authorities such as social services, to tackle domestic abuse and prevent future deaths, particularly suicides. In cases of SVSDA, nine in ten victims and/or prior domestic abuse perpetrators were known to partner agencies.
Across the four-year dataset, the most commonly recorded risk factors in relation to the suspects were mental ill health, a history of coercive and controlling behaviour (CCB), alcohol use and drug misuse, representing a key opportunity to intercept perpetrators through healthcare, substance misuse and mental health services.
Some of the risk factors were more prominent in certain types of deaths; for example, CCB was prominent in cases of IPH, SVSDA and unexpected deaths, whilst suspected mental ill health was particularly notable in cases of AFH.
AC Rolfe continues: “The data reinforces the critical need for policing to work with other agencies to identify those at risk of being both a perpetrator or a victim of domestic abuse. A preventative approach is the only way to stop the widespread harm of domestic abuse in all its forms.”
Recommendations and police response
Police forces have made significant changes in relation to the recommendations made in last year’s Domestic Homicide Report, with most forces incorporating:
AC Rolfe said: “We have a much better understanding of the complex nature of domestic abuse than ever before, but there is more for policing to do to ensure that every domestic-abuse related death is properly recognised, and where appropriate, adequately investigated.
“54% of suspects of domestic homicide were previously known to police as perpetrators of domestic abuse, highlighting the importance of a prompt, robust police response from the outset of a report. That is why the broader police response to domestic abuse is focused on driving improvements and consistency in offender management and better protection for victims.”
New protective orders with longer-term, more robust safety measures and quicker charging decisions for cases are currently being piloted in select forces, with the aim of better supporting victims through the criminal justice system.
In addition, police forces are rolling out video technology to respond to non-urgent reports of domestic abuse, which has shown to increase arrest rates, secure quicker convictions and bring the response time down from 32 hours to an average of three minutes. Alongside this work, select police forces have also began piloting Raneem’s Law, embedding specially trained domestic abuse support in police contact rooms to get the right support to victims reporting domestic abuse.
The recommendations from this year’s report focus on better information sharing and a more joined-up approach across policing, government and other agencies, including healthcare and mental health and substance misuse services, to better recognise and intercept domestic abuse, particularly in young people. Additional recommendations highlight the need to continue to strengthen policing and the wider criminal justice system’s approach to investigating and prosecuting in cases of SVSDA.
AC Rolfe said: “We are incredibly grateful to the families of those bereaved by domestic abuse for sharing their insights with us, they continue to be a driving force in effecting change and preventing future deaths.”
Julie Devey, Chair of Killed Women, said:
‘’Every life lost following domestic abuse leaves behind a family heartbroken. For too long, these deaths have been treated as ‘unavoidable tragedies’ – but they are not. They are preventable. Today’s important report reflects that too often perpetrators or victims are known to agencies, but they fail to act. We must ensure a system that joins the dots and intervenes before it’s too late.
“We also welcome the report findings which make clear what we have long said: women are dying in suspicious circumstances – for example from falls – or from suicide, where there is a history of domestic abuse, without adequate investigation. We welcome the recommendation which compels police, in all cases of unexpected deaths, to investigate the history of domestic abuse. If the government is serious about ending violence against women, these recommendations should be enforced.’’
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women & Girls, Jess Phillips said:
“Every death related to domestic abuse is a life cut short and a devastating tragedy. The better we understand the links between domestic abuse and homicides, suicides and unexpected deaths, the better equipped we are to prevent them from happening in the first place. That’s why the government has funded this vital research to shine a light on the scale of the problem.
“This report rightly demands coordinated action across government, police and partner agencies to tackle these issues head on – and we are already cracking on with work to put the voices of victims, their families and friends, and key stakeholders front and centre of this. Our upcoming violence against women and girls strategy will set out our ambition and concrete actions to strengthen our response to perpetrators and deliver on our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.”
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on Mangaharakeke Drive/ State Highway 1C, Horotiu this morning.
The two-vehicle crash was reported at around 11am.
Sadly, the driver of one vehicle died at the scene.
No further injuries were reported.
The road remains closed southbound near the Te Rapa Road off-ramp while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
One person has been arrested after the death of a man following a hunting incident in Minginui, Whakatane last week.
Police were notified at about 2am on Friday 21 March of a sudden death following a hunting incident.
Police can confirm the man who died was 72-year-old Stuart Maxwell Stobie, from Kawerau.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
A 46-year-old man is due to appear in the Rotorua District Court today, charged with manslaughter, unlawful hunting and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Mr Stobie’s death has been referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are now in a position to release the name of the woman who died in a crash on Saddle Road, Woodville on 3 March.
She was 46-year-old Kelly King, of Woodville.
Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MINNEAPOLIS – A Ramsey County man has been sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for a string of carjackings and illegal possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, on June 30, 2022, Ricardo Rydell Walker, Jr., 22, approached the owner of a black 2021 Toyota Highlander as they exited the car, demanded everything in the driver’s pockets, and hit them on the left side of the head with a handgun. Walker also participated in three additional armed carjackings between February 2021 and June 2022, one in Minneapolis and two in Saint Paul. In each case, Walker and others used the threat of violence and intimidated the victims with firearms.
On July 6, 2022, Walker was arrested in Maplewood, MN, in a stolen car, while in possession of a Springfield Hellcat 9mm pistol.
On November 26, 2024, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of receipt of a firearm while under felony indictment. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Katherine M. Menendez.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the St. Paul Police Department, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William C. Mattessich and Mary Riverso prosecuted the case.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
NEWARK, NJ – Ahead of the weekend and Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s visit to Morris County, New Jersey, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) penned a letter urging the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to release emergency funding to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the State of New Jersey to address recurring sinkholes along the Interstate 80 (I-80) corridor in Morris County, New Jersey.
Senator Booker wrote: “I write today in support of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the State of New Jersey, and their efforts to apply for United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Emergency Relief program funding to address sinkholes along Federal-Aid Interstate 80 (I-80) located in Morris County, New Jersey.”
On Friday, March 21, another sinkhole opened up along the same corridor, hindering the state’s multi-agency remediation efforts.
Senator Booker concluded, “New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy […] signed an Executive Order on March 8th declaring a State of Emergency to address the damage and qualify for Emergency Relief program funding designated for emergency repairs and permanent repairs on Federal-aid highways and roads.”
So far, the state has not received federal aid from the FHWA’s Emergency Relief Program to address this issue.
A full copy of the March 21 letter can be found here and below:
Dear Secretary Duffy:
I write today in support of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the State of New Jersey, and their efforts to apply for United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Emergency Relief program funding to address sinkholes along Federal-Aid Interstate 80 (I-80) located in Morris County, New Jersey.
I-80 spans more than 68 miles from the Pennsylvania state line to its eastern terminus in Bergen County, New Jersey. On December 26, 2024, a sinkhole on I-80 opened when an abandoned iron mine shaft collapsed under the highway’s eastbound shoulder near Exit 34. This sinkhole closed the eastbound lanes for four days, leading to slow-moving detours and diminishing throughput along a route critical to regional commerce. On February 10, 2025, NJDOT discovered a second sinkhole 75 feet west of the first, leading to another closure and weeks of detours along I-80.
The response to this structural disaster has been a collaborative effort between NJDOT, the New Jersey State Police, and local partners. NJDOT crews began proactive drilling and grouting 24 hours a day along the 1-80 eastbound corridor between Exit 34 and the bridge over Route 15 in Wharton, New Jersey to stabilize the roadway and evaluate the subsurface conditions. Once this assessment is complete, NJDOT will be able to finalize a design for repair and calculate a cost estimate.
According to NJDOT, 82 locations were drilled and 57 locations were filled with grout between December 26, 2024 and March 5, 2025. Construction barriers and fencing were installed between the median and 1-80 westbound to provide additional safety during the grouting process. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy then signed an Executive Order on March 8th declaring a State of Emergency to address the damage and qualify for Emergency Relief program funding designated for emergency repairs and permanent repairs on Federal-aid highways and roads.
I thank you in advance for your attention to New Jersey’s efforts to restore the structural integrity of this vital highway that will keep drivers of commercial and personal vehicles safe. Should you have any questions, please contact me or my staff at (973) 639-8700.
Source: US State of California
TURLOCK – California Attorney General Rob Bonta in partnership with the recently established Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Sac HTTF), today announced the arrest of 11 individuals for allegedly attempting to contact a minor for sex and other related crimes. The arrests are the result of a partnership between state and local law enforcement and have been referred to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal prosecution.
“I have a simple message for all those who target children for sex online: If you go after children in California, we’ll go after you,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s announcement makes it clear that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated. I’m extremely grateful to all of our partners for their dedication and commitment to keeping our communities safe. When we work together, we get results. My office always stands ready to work with our partners across California to stand up for our children and for public safety.”
“The Sacramento Police Department stands unwavering in the fight against human trafficking, a crime that strips victims of their freedom, dignity, and humanity,” said Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester. “This is why our partnership with the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force is so critical. By working alongside our local, state, and federal partners, we are attacking this crisis from every angle, relentlessly pursuing traffickers, rescuing and empowering survivors, and making our communities safer.”
“CDCR is proud to be part of this task force, which is making significant strides in keeping our communities safe,” said Bryan Bishop, Deputy Chief of the Office of Correctional Safety at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. “CDCR is committed to using its expertise to hold human traffickers accountable.”
During the sting, law enforcement personnel worked undercover, posing as children on various websites, as young as 13 years old, to identify, contact, and arrest anyone who may be trying to target children for sex. In these encounters, suspects allegedly used sexually explicit language and sent graphic photos to undercover personnel. Once suspects requested to meet with a child, law enforcement directed them to a predetermined location and arrested them. The operation was carried out in early March and targeted individuals across Stanislaus County. Many of the arrests involved individuals who allegedly attempted to meet with undercover personnel.
The sting was conducted by law enforcement personnel with the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force (Sac HTTF), Turlock Police Department, Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. The suspects are facing multiple felony charges including lewd and lascivious conduct with minor, contact with minor sex acts, meeting with minor with the intent to commit sex acts, harmful matter sent to a minor, manufacturing child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Child sexual abuse remains a significant public safety problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, child sexual abuse includes instances where the child does not fully comprehend, does not consent or is unable to give informed consent, or is not developmentally prepared for and cannot give consent to sexual activity. In particular, online enticement — communicating with someone believed to be a child via the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction — is a growing problem and form of exploitation, which can include children being groomed to take sexually explicit images or meeting face-to-face with someone for sexual purposes. This type of victimization can occur on a wide array of online platforms, including social media, messaging apps, or online games.
Many children wait to report or never report child sexual abuse and research on the subject likely underestimates the true impact of the problem. Although estimates vary across studies, the research shows that about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse. Ninety-one percent of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone known and trusted by the child or child’s family members. Experiencing child sexual abuse can affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels over a lifetime. This can result in short- and long-term physical, mental, and behavioral health consequences.
It is important to note that criminal charges are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Attribute to Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk.
A significant Police operation has begun across Tairāwhiti, following several concerning incidents stemming from tensions between rival gangs.
Eight incidents, involving assaults and firearms, were reported between 16 March and 23 March. Police and gang leaders have been working to ease tensions, but an escalation in the conflict between rival gang members has forced us to draw on additional powers.
Yesterday afternoon, Police were issued a Gang Conflict Warrant under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act, giving Police special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms and weapons, and vehicles.
Officers from across the district are supporting the operation, which will involve a heavy Police presence in Gisborne and further afield. My focus, and the focus of all staff, is the on safety of our communities. The incidents we’ve been made aware of posed a very real threat to the lives of those involved, and innocent members of the public. We’re not going to tolerate it.
We are continuing to work with gang leadership while sending a clear message to all gang members that they are in our spotlight.
Additional Police will be patrolling communities across Tairāwhiti, stopping vehicles with links to gang members, searching addresses, and progressing enquiries into the recent events of concern.
I want to assure our Tairāwhiti communities that we are driving this hard and will be committing significant resources to holding gang members accountable for their actions.
Police need the community to help us, and people can do that by reporting illegal or suspicious activity, by calling police on 111 if it’s happening now, or by making a report via 105 if it’s after the fact.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
WASHINGTON – Desmond Fletcher, 37, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, has been found guilty by a jury of one count of felony strangulation and two counts of misdemeanor assault for charges that took place in southeast Washington, D.C., on September 4, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The verdict was returned on March 24, 2025, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Judith Pipe scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2025.
According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours of September 4, 2023, Fletcher came to the home of the victim, a woman he had been seeing romantically. Once inside, the defendant confronted the victim, following her from room to room, as he strangled and assaulter her, causing her to black-out and urinate. The victim’s minor daughter was also home at the time of the assault. The victim ultimately ran to a next-door neighbor and asked her to call 911.
Strangulation is widely recognized as one of the most lethal forms of intimate partner violence. A major strangulation study in San Diego, which is frequently cited, found: “Many victims suffer internal injuries, including permanent brain damage. Signs and symptoms do exist and can be documented even without visible injury… Most abusers do not strangle to kill. They strangle to show they can kill. Victims often suffer major long-term emotional and physical impacts. Surviving victims are much more likely to die later if their abuser has strangled them.” The study also noted that “…..the odds of becoming a victim of attempted homicide increased by 700%, and the odds of becoming a homicide victim increased by 800%, among women who had been strangled by their partner.”
In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Trisha Jhunjhnuwala and Sarah Roessler, from the Domestic Violence Felony Unit of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Section of the Superior Court Division, who investigated and prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Norman Copper, 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted Friday at trial of one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of possession of firearms by a felon.
The defendant was charged by superseding indictment with those offenses in June 2024.
In December 2023, the Upper Merion Township Police Department had received information from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Parole Field Services that Copper, who was on state parole at the time for attempted murder, had been intercepted on recorded prison calls and video visits that suggested he might be involved in narcotics sales and/or the illegal possession of firearms. As a condition of his parole, Copper wore a GPS monitor.
As proven at trial, GPS location data indicated that he spent many early morning hours at an unapproved area in King of Prussia, Pa., which investigators determined was the apartment of his then-girlfriend. Through physical and video surveillance, Upper Merion detectives saw Copper entering and exiting the apartment on many occasions, often heading in the direction of what was later learned to be a storage unit associated with his girlfriend’s apartment.
In January of last year, law enforcement served search warrants on the apartment and storage unit, seizing more than a pound and a half of methamphetamine, three semiautomatic handguns, one of them equipped with a silencer, and one AK-style semiautomatic rifle, weapons that he was not permitted to possess due to his previous felony conviction.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 45 years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Upper Merion Township Police Department, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lindsey Mills and Justin Ashenfelter.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
MINNEAPOLIS – Kevyn Bradley Heath, a Rochester man, has been sentenced to 252 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for the production and distribution of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.
According to court documents, between November 19, 2023, and December 31, 2023, Kevyn Bradley Heath, 28, produced child pornography and distributed it over Discord, an online social platform. Heath’s offense involved sexual contact of infant or toddler victims in his custody, care, or control.
On November 7, 2024, Heath pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Katherine M. Menendez. Heath was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $106,000.
“Child abusers who commit horrific sex crimes and then document that abuse in pictures and videos are among the most vile offenders we prosecute. This conduct is—in a word—sickening,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “My office will continue to stand up for the victims of sexual abuse and seek only the strongest of sentences against defendants who commit these terrible crimes.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Rochester Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. It 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 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the 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.justice.gov/psc.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Forbes prosecuted the case.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Shawn Demmick, 33, of Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography, which carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in late December 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a Cybertip that someone had uploaded or shared eight files of child pornography with another user or group of users on the Kik application on December 19, 2024. A review of the files determined that they did include images and videos of child pornography. The screen/username of the suspect listed in the report was “sirbannedalot.” Subsequent investigation traced the account back to Shawn Demmick.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Mangaharakeke Drive/State Highway 1C, Horotiu is closed near the Te Rapa Road off-ramp following a crash.
The two-vehicle crash was reported at around 11am.
Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police have made several arrests following offending at central Auckland businesses last night.
One person faces court following a robbery at a dairy in Wynyard Quarter just before midnight on Monday.
Auckland Central Area Commander Grant Tetzlaff says the lone offender entered the Halsey Street business at 11.45pm.
“He demanded money from the shop assistant before a minor scuffle occurred forcing the worker to move to the back of the store.
“The offender then stole the till and left the store on foot.”
Police were contacted.
As staff were deploying, the till was recovered by a member of the public and the shop assistant.
“A Police camera operator located the pair seated on a bench on Hamer Street, where our staff caught up with them,” Inspector Tetzlaff says.
A 15-year-old male has been charged with robbery and will appear in the Auckland Youth Court today. The female will be referred to Youth Aid.
Hours earlier, Police were hot on the heels of two thieves at a liquor shop on Beach Road.
“Before 8.30pm, two masked offenders entered the store and jumped over the counter and stole product.
“No threats were made to staff working at the time but they both fled on foot towards Anzac Avenue.”
Units were quickly on scene and caught up with the two 15-year-olds, taking them into custody.
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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
After resisting arrest during a traffic stop, Jeffrey Barnard was found with a revolver in his jacket
PORTLAND, Maine: A Millinocket man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Jeffrey Barnard, 61, to time served, approximately 22 months, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Barnard pleaded guilty on March 3, 2025.
According to court records, in March 2023, an officer with the East Millinocket Police Department ran a registration check on a vehicle and discovered that it was registered to someone with a suspended driver’s permit. The officer stopped the vehicle, and a confrontation ensued between the officer and the driver, Jeffrey Barnard. Barnard was arrested with the assistance of a second officer and a private citizen. As he was searched, a .22 caliber revolver was found in his jacket pocket. Barnard is precluded from possessing a firearm due an extensive criminal history, which includes a 2017 conviction in the U.S. District Court for being a felon in possession of a firearm in a case that stemmed from an armed standoff with police in Ellsworth.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the East Millinocket Police Department.
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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority which found officers failed in their duty of care for a woman who died while in Police custody in Gisborne.
An internal investigation into the death conducted by Police also came to a similar conclusion.
Lynne Martin, 63, was brought into Police custody on the afternoon of 22 November 2023, after she had been convicted of murder at the High Court in Gisborne. She was to stay overnight at the custody unit in Gisborne Police Station to then be transported to prison.
Upon arrival, Ms Martin was searched and assessed in terms of her physical health and mental wellbeing to determine the most appropriate monitoring regime while she was in our care. She was placed on two hourly checks.
The following morning just after 7am, officers found Ms Martin unresponsive. Ambulance officers arrived and confirmed she was deceased.
It will be for the Coroner to determine the cause of her death, however there are no suspicious circumstances, or any other person involved.
The IPCA found the initial care of Ms Martin was appropriate and in line with Police policy considering the information immediately available to them, however Police should have considered the wider circumstances of Ms Martin’s situation and checked on her more frequently.
They also found that Police officers acted unprofessionally, which included on some occasions only checking detainees via CCTV cameras in their cells, rather than conducting physical checks on them, which is required.
Eastern District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park says Police conducted a review of the events around Ms Martin’s death and came to a similar conclusion as the IPCA.
“Police accepts the actions of the officers were not in line with the standard of care we expect for those who come into Police custody. Police have reinforced with staff in Gisborne and across the country that detainees must be checked correctly, not just via CCTV. We have made several improvements at the Gisborne Police Custody Unit and addressed staffing shortages.”
Police carried out an employment investigation with regards to the officers working during this shift and have provided them with additional training. We have reviewed our process to ensure that a recent conviction for a serious offence influences the monitoring schedule required for certain detainees.
Custody units can be a complex and challenging environment to work in. Police remain committed to continuous improvement ensuring a high standard of care for the more than 120,000 detainees who come into our custody units across New Zealand each year.
Police has implemented significant changes over the last few years, including the creation of a National Custody Team which provides oversight of the policy, practice, and training for all Police staff,” Superintendent Park says.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
FRESNO, Calif. — Donald Henderson, 30, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of ammunition in connection with his possession of a loaded ghost gun, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.
According to court documents, on Sept. 4, 2024, Henderson arranged to sell a rifle to an undercover police officer in Clovis while believing the undercover officer was a prostitute. When officers arrived, Henderson quickly entered a vehicle as a passenger, at which point officers engaged in a high-speed chase during which Henderson threw a rifle out the window. The rifle was a privately manufactured firearm, or “ghost gun,” with a loaded high-capacity magazine. Henderson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of prior felony convictions in Fresno County, including for burglary and illegal possession of a firearm.
This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.
Henderson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff on June 23, 2025. Henderson faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
EL DORADO – A Smackover, Arkansas man was sentenced on March 19, 2025, to 180 months in prison without the possibility of parole for receiving child pornography. The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in El Dorado.
According to court documents, Eric David Ponder, age 46, used an online peer-to-peer program to download child pornography to two different electronic devices. Ponder’s crime came to light when an Ozark Police detective discovered illegal online activity from Ponder’s use of the peer-to-peer program. El Dorado Police detectives and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation then served a search warrant at Ponder’s residence and discovered the two devices Ponder used to access and receive child pornography.
In 2014, Ponder was convicted for Distributing, Possessing, or Viewing Sexually Explicit Conduct Involving a Child in Benton County, Arkansas, and was sentenced to five years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Ponder was a registered sex offender when he committed the federal offense.
Ponder was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Arkansas in March of 2024 and entered a plea of guilty in September of 2024.
U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, El Dorado Police Department, Ozark Police Department, and Smackover Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Still and Trent Daniels prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was prosecuted 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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.justice.gov/psc.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Five people face charges after Police intercepted a convoy of stolen vehicles travelling through Dargaville.
In the early hours of Sunday, a burglary occurred at a rural address near Mamaranui.
Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander, Inspector Maria Nordstrom says three vehicles were stolen from the address at around 1am.
“These vehicles travelled in convoy south and into the Dargaville township, where one of our frontline staff members located them,” she says.
“All three vehicles failed to stop for the unit near River Road, before beginning to drive at excessive speeds.”
Police did not pursue the vehicles.
“Police soon came across one of these vehicles which had collided with a house on River Road, and the driver was attempting to run on foot before being apprehended by police.”
A second vehicle was located abandoned on State Highway 12 near Turiwiri.
“The third stolen vehicle carried on travelling south, where spikes were successfully deployed near Pūhoi,” Inspector Nordstrom says.
“Thanks to assistance from the Police Eagle helicopter and dog units, all four remaining offenders were quickly arrested.”
All five offenders have been charged with burglary and multiple counts of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
Those arrested are aged between 14 and 16.
“I’d like to acknowledge the work of our Dargaville nightshift team who saw this matter to its conclusion holding all those offenders to account.”
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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police is seeking information on the whereabouts of Ian Wiki, who has been reported missing in the Takanini area.
The 56-year-old was reported missing on Monday.
Ian was last seen at his home address in Conifer Grove on Wednesday 19 March.
Police and Ian’s family are concerned for his wellbeing and would like to see him return home.
If you have seen Ian or have information on his whereabouts, you can update Police online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 250324/4830.
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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are continuing to investigate a crash on Symonds Steet in central Auckland on Monday afternoon.
Auckland City Road Policing Manager acting Inspector Scott Jones says five pedestrians were injured in the crash, two of which were treated at the scene.
“One man remains in a serious but stable condition in Auckland City Hospital, with two others recovering at home.”
Acting Inspector Jones says the 20-year-old driver has been arrested and charged with three counts of careless driving causing injury.
He has also been forbidden to drive.
“The driver has been bailed to appear in the Auckland District Court on 28 March,” acting Inspector Jones says.
“Our investigation is continuing into the circumstances of the crash, and we cannot rule out further charges being laid.”
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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Terry Leslie Washington, 46, of West Columbia, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that a Columbia Police Officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for operating without a tag light. Washington was the lone occupant. Washington informed the officer that he did not have a valid driver’s license. Washington told the officer he had a gun and marijuana with him in the car. The officer conducted an inventory of the vehicle, where he found a loaded 9mm pistol along with three plastic pouches of marijuana and a clear plastic baggie containing psilocybin mushrooms. Washington was arrested.
Washington was prohibited from possessing a firearm based upon prior convictions for strong-armed robbery, robbery/armed with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, robbery while armed or allegedly armed with a deadly weapon and attempted armed robbery.
United States District Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Washington to 180 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Columbia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.
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Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Sam Austin Young (28, Fort Myers) and Bryant Eric Scharoun (35, Lehigh Acres) to 20 and 15 years in federal prison, respectively, for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy. Young pleaded guilty on July 23, 2024, and Scharoun pleaded guilty on May 14, 2024.
According to court records, Young and Scharoun held leadership roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy during which large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine were possessed and sold in Lee County between approximately June 2022 and March 2023. The investigation revealed that Young and Scharoun used an elderly, drug addicted individual to courier drugs and money for them as part of the conspiracy. During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 3 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 2 kilograms of cocaine, approximately one-half kilogram of fentanyl, and 10 firearms that were possessed in furtherance of the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.
Source: US State of Idaho
(L-R) Attorney General Raúl Labrador, K-9 Badger, ICAC Investigator Lauren Lane
[BOISE] – Today, Attorney General Raúl Labrador introduced the newest member of his ICAC Unit – K-9 Badger, a two-year-old English Labrador (no relation). Badger is specifically trained to detect hidden electronic storage devices (ESD), like SD cards and flash drives that may contain child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Suspects regularly put CSAM on easily concealable devices and go to great lengths to hide them, knowing that possession of such materials is a felony in Idaho with a potential sentence of 10 years per count. Electronic storage devices with CSAM have been concealed to specifically avoid detection by investigators. K-9s like Badger give ICAC investigators a powerful edge when it comes to CSAM search warrants.
SD cards and other devices like air tags, cell phones, hidden cameras, laptops, and hard drives are all sprayed with triphenylphosphine oxide, or TPPO, during the manufacturing process to dissipate heat. Badger is one of only 195 K-9s worldwide trained to detect TPPO, even in challenging environments, including underwater. Badger joins K-9 Ardis with the Pocatello Police Department as the second ICAC Unit ESD K-9 in Idaho working to detect electronic storage devices.
“The capabilities of Badger and other ESD K-9s are truly remarkable,” said Attorney General Labrador. “In the fight against those that would exploit and endanger kids, Badger is a potent weapon. I’m looking forward to all that Badger can bring to our ICAC Unit and our state. Another Labrador on the team is always welcome!”
In addition to detecting electronic storage devices. Badger is also dual certified as a therapy dog and will assist with relatives and victims during search warrants and throughout the legal process. Badger will also accompany his handler, ICAC Investigator Lauren Lane, during educational presentations throughout Idaho.
Badger joins twenty investigators, forensic analysts and support staff in the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit, alongside affiliated partner agencies across the state dedicated to investigating cases of child sexual exploitation and enticement, as well as the possession, distribution, and manufacturing of CSAM.
Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Owensboro, KY – A federal grand jury in Bowling Green returned four indictments on March 12, 2025, charging four men and one woman with multiple methamphetamine trafficking offenses and one of the men with firearm offenses.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the Pittsburgh Division, Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. of the Kentucky State Police, and Chief Billy Bolin of the Henderson Police Department made the announcement.
According to the first indictment, Steven Marruquin, 52, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with three counts of distributing 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on February 23, 2024, February 29, 2024, and March 15, 2024, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on July 11, 2024, and January 20, 2025. Marruquin is also charged with one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On July 11, 2024, Marruquin possessed a Taurus handgun. Marruquin was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had been convicted of the following felony offense.
On July 30, 2015, in United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky, Marruquin was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Brandy Powell, 46, of Henderson, Kentucky, is also charged with Marruquin in the first indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on June 22, 2024.
According to the second indictment, Kane Bentley, 30, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on July 31, 2024, and October 18, 2024.
According to the third indictment, Deontay Black, 34, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on August 24, 2024, and September 10, 2024.
According to the fourth indictment, Scott Stone, 36, of Henderson, Kentucky, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture on January 20, 2025.
Marruquin and Black, made their initial court appearances on March 19, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. The Court ordered Marruquin and Black detained pending trial. Stone made his initial appearance on March 17, 2025, and was ordered detained pending trial. Bentley and Powell are in state custody and will make their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge later.
If convicted, Marruquin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Powell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. Bentley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Black faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Stone faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
The cases are being investigated by the FBI Owensboro Satellite Office, the ATF Bowling Green Field Office, the Kentucky State Police, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Henderson Police Department, with assistance from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, and HSI Owensboro.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the United States Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, is prosecuting the cases.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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