KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Missouri man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for engaging in illicit sex to produce child pornography with a 13-year-old minor victim.
Talib Bwana Muhammad, 27, was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment by U.S. District Judge D. Gregory Kays for one count of producing child pornography.
Muhammad previously pled guilty to the count of producing child pornography on Jan. 3, 2025. According to the written plea agreement, Muhammad produced child pornography with the minor victim in June 2023, after meeting the child victim on a social media application. Muhammad communicated online with the minor victim and purchased an airline ticket for the child to fly from Texas to Kansas City, Missouri to meet and engage in sexual activity. However, when the minor victim was unable to leave home, Muhammad drove to Texas from Missouri to pick them up.
Law enforcement officials were notified when the child victim was missing, and an Amber Alert was issued. Investigators traced her to Muhammad’s residence in the Western District of Missouri.
Muhammad engaged in sexual contact with the minor victim, and video recorded and photographed the sexual activity with a cell phone.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Hitchcock, Texas, Police Department, and the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department.
Muhammad will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
TYLER, Texas – A Mexican national, illegally living in Mount Pleasant, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Jose Solorio-Martinez, 38, was named in a federal indictment returned by a grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported.
The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2025, Solorio-Martinez was found illegally in Mount Pleasant, after having been previously deported to Mexico from the United States on August 8, 2017.
This case is 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).
If convicted, Solorio-Martinez faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.
This case is being investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, FBI, and Mount Pleasant Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chaddesden residents can enjoy some peace and quiet after Derby City Council successfully prosecuted a resident for breaching a Community Protection Notice.
The resident of Derwent House, Huntingdon Green found themselves in front of Derby Magistrates after breaching the notice for playing loud music. They have now been handed more than £1500 in fines and costs.
The Council first received a complaint from Derby Homes in July 2024 about a noisy neighbour playing loud music, and a Community Protection Warning letter was issued by the housing provider. Further recordings were sent to the Council via the Noise App, which showed that loud music was still being played throughout the day and prompted further action.
The Council then issued the resident a Community Protection Notice (CPN), requiring them to reduce the volume to a level which would not cause a disturbance to the local community, but the noise continued.
The Council applied to Derby Magistrates Court to obtain a warrant under section 51 of Anti-social Behaviour, Police and Crime Act 2014. The application was successful, and a warrant was granted to enter the property.
With the support of Derbyshire Police and Derby Homes, the council seized several items of electrical equipment which were believed to be used for playing loud music.
The Derwent House resident attended Derby Magistrates Court on Friday 13 June 2025, pleaded guilty to breaching the CPN and was ordered to pay £1580.83. The Court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the items seized from their property.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services, said:
Our residents have the right to feel safe and relaxed in their own homes. This prosecution shows that we will take the appropriate action to address issues such as noise, so that our residents can live happy, healthy lives.
It’s also another great example of the Environmental Protection Team, Derby Homes and Derbyshire Constabulary, working closely in partnership to ensure the best possible outcome for our communities.
Anyone needing help or support with noise disturbances can contact the Environmental Protection Team through the Derby City Council website or call 01332 642020.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
A man who possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced today to two years in federal prison.
Chrishawn Lloyd Stuckey, age 43, from Birmingham, Alabama, received the prison term after a February 7, 2025 guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that Stuckey was intoxicated while at a Wal-Mart in Waterloo, Iowa. He left the store and drove erratically. When a law enforcement officer attempted to stop his car, Stuckey refused to pull over. Stuckey instead got onto an on-ramp to the highway. Officers used a car maneuver to force Stuckey to stop. Stuckey then put his car in reverse and backed up into a squad car, damaging it. Officers found a loaded stolen firearm in Stuckey’s car. Stuckey has felony convictions for trafficking in stolen weapons and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Stuckey was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Stuckey was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. 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.
Stuckey is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Waterloo Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NEWARK, N.J. – Five New Jersey men, including associates of a New Jersey gang associated with the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal street gang were charged by a superseding indictment with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.
The Indictment charges Carl Napier, a/k/a “Smash” (“Napier”), Hamir Wright, a/k/a “Lil Smash” (“Wright”), Alexis Tejada (“Tejada”), Jihad Bibbs, Sr. (“Bibbs”), and Jamie Archer-Monroe, a/k/a “Raziq” (“Archer-Monroe”), all of Somerset County and Middlesex County, New Jersey, with a racketeering conspiracy that included multiple murders, fraud schemes, and narcotics distribution. Napier and Bibbs are in federal custody on previously filed related federal charges. Tejada and Archer-Monroe were arrested and appeared in federal court in Newark before the Hon. Stacy Adams, U.SM.J. for initial appearances. Wright is in state custody on previously filed unrelated charges and will appear in federal court at a later date.
The charges are the result of a long-running investigation, coordinated between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Brunswick Police Department, and the Franklin Township Police Department.
“There will be zero tolerance for violent crime and gang activity in the state of New Jersey. My office will continue to use all resources to find and prosecute those who instill fear in our citizens and undermine the safety of our communities. These criminals do not run our streets — the law does, and my office will enforce it without hesitation.”
– U.S. Attorney Alina Habba
“The apprehension of these individuals is a momentous step towards making New Jersey safer, one day at a time. By freeing these communities from those who allegedly distribute drugs, firearms, and use violence as a means of coercion, the FBI continues its mission to combat violent crime,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Napier and Wright, each were allegedly associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods, who operated under the umbrella of the neighborhood street gangs known as “Parkside” in Somerset and “The Ville” in New Brunswick. Some of the charged defendants are alleged to have also engaged in numerous violent acts on behalf of and for the benefit of the gang, including assaults, shootings, and murders, some of which targeted rival gang members. For example, on or about March 12, 2024, Napier and Wright, while with other gang members in New Brunswick, got into a confrontation regarding narcotics distribution with purported rival gang members and shot at them, killing Victim 1 and resulting in injury to Victim 2.
In addition to this violent act, the defendants, are alleged to have routinely distributed narcotics and trafficked firearms in and around the gang’s territory in both New Brunswick and Somerset.
This investigation is 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).
U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Stefanie Roddy, investigators of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, investigators of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John McDonald, the New Brunswick Police Department, under the direction of Chief Vincent Sabo and the Franklin Township Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Quovella Mayweather, for the investigation leading to the charges. U.S. Attorney Habba and SAC Roddy would also like to thank the Central New Jersey Safe Streets Task Force, Woodbridge Police Department, Raritan Township Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendall Randolph, Deputy Chief of the District of New Jersey’s Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Nadel of the Office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit in Newark.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NASHVILLE – Darryl Deshaun Humphrey, 49, of Nashville, has been charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
“Our Bond Watch program prioritizes keeping felons who are on bond for serious offenses but get caught with guns and deadly drugs like fentanyl off the streets of our community,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Those on bond awaiting trial need to know that if they continue to violate the law we will hold them accountable for their crimes and keep our citizens safe from their dangerous and illegal activity.”
According to court documents, on June 19, 2025, Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers conducted a traffic stop, which resulted in Humphrey’s arrest. Uniformed patrol officers were conducting routine patrol and enforcement operations in the area of Whites Creek Pike and W. Trinity Lane in Nashville. The officers saw Humphrey standing outside the driver side door of a Cadillac Escalade in a gas station parking lot, ran the Escalade’s license plate tag through law enforcement databases and learned that Humphrey, the registered owner, had a suspended driver’s license. The officers saw Humphrey drive the Escalade out of the parking lot traveling north on Whites Creek Pike and initiated a traffic stop on the Escalade based on the driver’s license violation. The Escalade came to a stop, and officers saw Humphrey move from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. Humphrey got out of the Escalade on the passenger side, walked around the Escalade, and told the officers that he was not driving. Officers advised Humphrey of the violation and why they stopped him and told him to stop walking. Humphrey ignored the officers’ commands and took a fighting stance at which time an officer utilized his department-issued taser to subdue and arrest Humphrey.
From outside of the Escalade, officers observed on the driver seat floorboard a large plastic bag that contained a white rocky substance that the officer immediately recognized to be consistent with controlled substances. Additionally, there was a firearm on the driver’s seat. A query of law enforcement databases showed Humphrey was a previously convicted felon. Officers conducted a search of the Escalade and located two large plastic bags containing a controlled substance that field tested positive for fentanyl: the first bag contained approximately 257 grams and the second contained approximately 378.9 grams. Officers recovered another second plastic bag with approximately 1.27 pounds of suspected cocaine which field tested positive, a box of empty plastic baggies, five digital scales, and approximately $18,600 in U.S. Currency. Additionally, multiple tablets and/or pills were located which were identified as various controlled substances. Officers also seized a Ruger, Caliber: 9x19mm pistol and a Caspian, Caliber: .45 ACP pistol.
Humphrey has multiple prior felony convictions in state and federal courts. His felony convictions in Davidson County Criminal Court include Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, for which he received a two-year sentence, and two convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance – Cocaine .5grams or more, for which he received an eight-year sentence and a six-year sentence. Humphrey also was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, for which he received a 10-year sentence. At the time of his arrest, Humphrey was on bond for Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 26 grams of cocaine, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Evading Arrest, and Resisting Arrest, from a June 2023 arrest in Davidson County.
If convicted, Humphrey faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge, up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine on the drug charge, and 5 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime charge.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the case.
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.
A complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
NASHVILLE – Darryl Deshaun Humphrey, 49, of Nashville, has been charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
“Our Bond Watch program prioritizes keeping felons who are on bond for serious offenses but get caught with guns and deadly drugs like fentanyl off the streets of our community,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “Those on bond awaiting trial need to know that if they continue to violate the law we will hold them accountable for their crimes and keep our citizens safe from their dangerous and illegal activity.”
According to court documents, on June 19, 2025, Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers conducted a traffic stop, which resulted in Humphrey’s arrest. Uniformed patrol officers were conducting routine patrol and enforcement operations in the area of Whites Creek Pike and W. Trinity Lane in Nashville. The officers saw Humphrey standing outside the driver side door of a Cadillac Escalade in a gas station parking lot, ran the Escalade’s license plate tag through law enforcement databases and learned that Humphrey, the registered owner, had a suspended driver’s license. The officers saw Humphrey drive the Escalade out of the parking lot traveling north on Whites Creek Pike and initiated a traffic stop on the Escalade based on the driver’s license violation. The Escalade came to a stop, and officers saw Humphrey move from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. Humphrey got out of the Escalade on the passenger side, walked around the Escalade, and told the officers that he was not driving. Officers advised Humphrey of the violation and why they stopped him and told him to stop walking. Humphrey ignored the officers’ commands and took a fighting stance at which time an officer utilized his department-issued taser to subdue and arrest Humphrey.
From outside of the Escalade, officers observed on the driver seat floorboard a large plastic bag that contained a white rocky substance that the officer immediately recognized to be consistent with controlled substances. Additionally, there was a firearm on the driver’s seat. A query of law enforcement databases showed Humphrey was a previously convicted felon. Officers conducted a search of the Escalade and located two large plastic bags containing a controlled substance that field tested positive for fentanyl: the first bag contained approximately 257 grams and the second contained approximately 378.9 grams. Officers recovered another second plastic bag with approximately 1.27 pounds of suspected cocaine which field tested positive, a box of empty plastic baggies, five digital scales, and approximately $18,600 in U.S. Currency. Additionally, multiple tablets and/or pills were located which were identified as various controlled substances. Officers also seized a Ruger, Caliber: 9x19mm pistol and a Caspian, Caliber: .45 ACP pistol.
Humphrey has multiple prior felony convictions in state and federal courts. His felony convictions in Davidson County Criminal Court include Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, for which he received a two-year sentence, and two convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance – Cocaine .5grams or more, for which he received an eight-year sentence and a six-year sentence. Humphrey also was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, for which he received a 10-year sentence. At the time of his arrest, Humphrey was on bond for Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 26 grams of cocaine, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Evading Arrest, and Resisting Arrest, from a June 2023 arrest in Davidson County.
If convicted, Humphrey faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge, up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine on the drug charge, and 5 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine on the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime charge.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the case.
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.
A complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
TUCSON, Ariz. – On June 26, 2025, Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as, “Dada Joe Remix,” a citizen of Ghana, was extradited to the United States to face charges related to a romance and inheritance scheme targeting the elderly. A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Boateng in May 2023 with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Boateng was arrested in Ghana on an extradition warrant on May 27, 2025. Boateng had his initial appearance in the District Court of Arizona today.
The indictment alleges that from 2013 through March 2023, Boateng and his co-conspirators engaged in a romance and inheritance fraud scheme that targeted the elderly around the world, to include victims in Arizona and throughout the United States. As part of the scheme, the co-conspirators pretended to be romantically involved with the victims. The co-conspirators also falsely represented that they had gold and jewels and that to release such items to the victims, those individuals had to pay taxes and other costs.
Convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Sierra Vista office conducted the investigation in this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson is handling the prosecution. The following partners provided essential assistance in securing the arrest and extradition: FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana; the Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Justice; the Republic of Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Services – INTERPOL, and the Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-00695-TUC-AMM-LCK RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-108_Boateng
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZfor the latest news.
TUCSON, Ariz. – On June 26, 2025, Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng, also known as, “Dada Joe Remix,” a citizen of Ghana, was extradited to the United States to face charges related to a romance and inheritance scheme targeting the elderly. A federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Boateng in May 2023 with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. Boateng was arrested in Ghana on an extradition warrant on May 27, 2025. Boateng had his initial appearance in the District Court of Arizona today.
The indictment alleges that from 2013 through March 2023, Boateng and his co-conspirators engaged in a romance and inheritance fraud scheme that targeted the elderly around the world, to include victims in Arizona and throughout the United States. As part of the scheme, the co-conspirators pretended to be romantically involved with the victims. The co-conspirators also falsely represented that they had gold and jewels and that to release such items to the victims, those individuals had to pay taxes and other costs.
Convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Sierra Vista office conducted the investigation in this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson is handling the prosecution. The following partners provided essential assistance in securing the arrest and extradition: FBI Legal Attaché in Accra, Ghana; the Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Justice; the Republic of Ghana’s Economic and Organized Crime Office, Ghana Police Services – INTERPOL, and the Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-00695-TUC-AMM-LCK RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-108_Boateng
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZfor the latest news.
ATLANTA – Khyri Deandre Brown, 28, of Dallas, Ga., has been sentenced for robbing a bank, attempting to rob three additional banks, and brandishing a firearm during a November 2023 crime spree.
“Brown repeatedly threatened the lives of bank employees and customers by robbing or attempting to rob banks at gunpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “This case exemplifies how law enforcement partnerships facilitate the successful prosecutions of dangerous offenders like Brown, whose crimes spanned multiple jurisdictions. Seamless coordination by our federal and local law enforcement partners brought Brown to justice and ended his reign of terror.”
“This case highlights the FBI’s commitment to working closely with our local partners to identify and arrest violent offenders who threaten public safety,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Brown’s armed crime spree endangered innocent lives across multiple communities. Thanks to the swift collaboration between law enforcement agencies, he was brought to justice before he could inflict real harm.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court, Brown committed the following armed robberies and attempted armed robberies.
On November 17, 2023, Brown approached a teller window at a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Hampton, Georgia with a Pringles potato chip can in hand and demanded money. Brown then reached into his waistband as if he were retrieving a weapon. Before the employee complied with Brown’s request, Brown fled the bank without receiving any money.
On November 18, 2023, Brown entered a Truist Bank branch in Atlanta with a Pringles can in one hand and retrieved a gun from his waistband. Brown walked up to a teller, pointed the gun at her, and demanded money. After the teller struggled to open her drawer for a few seconds, Brown fled the bank without receiving any money.
On November 22, 2023, Brown entered a Truist Bank branch in Marietta, Georgia, approached the teller counter, stated that he was robbing the bank, and demanded money. After a few moments, Brown quickly exited the bank without receiving anything.
On November 27, 2023, Brown entered a Fifth Third Bank branch carrying a green Pringles chip can. Brown walked up to a bank employee, lifted his shirt to display a gun tucked in his waistband, and demanded money. Brown then walked around the counter, grabbed money from the employee’s drawer, and placed the cash inside the Pringles can. He then fled the bank.
On November 29, 2023, officers from the Dallas Police Department arrested Brown after pulling over his vehicle in Paulding County, Georgia. Brown was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the arrest, officers found, among other items, a large amount of cash in Brown’s pocket, a green Pringles chip can on the front passenger floorboard, and a gun on the rear floorboard.
On June 30, 2025, U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Geraghty sentenced Brown to ten years, five months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Brown was convicted on March 20, 2025, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted bank robbery, one count of armed bank robbery, one count of attempted armed bank robbery, and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance from the Atlanta Police Department, Cobb County Police Department, Dallas Police Department, Lovejoy Police Department, and Marietta Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wylly, and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney McClellon D. Cox, III, prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Wife was former prison guard who became key participant in drug distribution and money laundering activity
Tacoma – Key members of a drug trafficking organization connected to the Aryan Family prison gang were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to prison terms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Jesse James Bailey, 40, was sentenced to 210 months (17.5 years) in prison. His wife, Candace Bailey, 43, was sentenced to 5 years in prison. At Jesse Bailey’s sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “It is unimaginable how many drugs were being distributed.” Noting that Bailey grew up with drug addicted parents, the Chief Judge said, “You know the damage it creates, and you are now the one creating that for so many people.”
“Jesse Bailey and his wife Candace worked hand in hand to distribute devastating and dangerous drugs in our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The Baileys were at the top of the drug conspiracy pyramid, selling multi-pound quantities of meth and fentanyl to heavily armed members of their drug ring. And they too increased the danger by stockpiling firearms, including a fully automatic M4 machine gun.”
“The Baileys oversaw a multi-state conspiracy to traffic vast amounts of dangerous drugs into Washington state, as seen by the two dozen arrests we made in 2023, and seizure of hundreds of firearms,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “While even small quantities of drugs such as fentanyl can be lethal, this group was poisoning our communities by trafficking in kilogram quantities that could fill up suitcases. To all those who might consider following in the Baileys’ footsteps, the consequences imposed today send a clear message: the only thing to be gained from these crimes is time behind bars. I am grateful to our investigators and local law enforcement partners for their steadfast efforts to make our home a safer place.”
In November 2024, Jesse Bailey pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Candace Bailey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, illegally transferring a firearm to a prohibited person, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
On Wednesday March 22, 2023, the FBI led a coordinated takedown of this criminal drug trafficking organization. They arrested two dozen
people, including the Baileys, and seized 177 firearms, over ten kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills, more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona.
The Baileys are forfeiting $699,268 and dozens of expensive pieces of jewelry that agents seized as proceeds of their criminal activity as well as 42 firearms, multiple silencers, body armor, ammunition, scopes, and tripods seized from their residence and a storage unit they used to store and distribute controlled substances.
Court records describe how the couple discussed various suppliers of illegal narcotics, the drug redistributors they sold to, and the pricing of their controlled substances. As part of the conspiracy, Candace Bailey bought firearms and firearm parts, which she provided to Jesse Bailey knowing that he was he was a previously convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms. Together, the Baileys attempted to launder their drug proceeds through various casinos and bank accounts.
Describing Candace Bailey’s central role in the drug ring, prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, “Candace Bailey stayed fully informed on her and Jesse Bailey’s joint drug trafficking business, was knowledgeable of Jesse Bailey’s violent tendencies, and was engaged in their negotiations with their partner in drug trafficking…. Candace Bailey made it clear to co-conspirators that she was an equal partner in the venture as well… She initially met Jesse Bailey while serving as a guard at the prison where he was incarcerated on charges of Assault in the First Degree for shooting at police officers during a high-speed chase.”
“The Baileys ran a drug enterprise that poisoned the community with both dangerous drugs and hate,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The amount of money and the sheer volume of weapons seized in this case shows how dangerous this group was to the whole Puget Sound region, and I am proud of the work of our team to stop this hate-fueled, violent drug ring.”
“HSI stands with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who bring violence to our communities are brought to justice,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson. “The lengthy sentence handed down today reflects this criminal organization’s propensity for violence and disregard for human life.”
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner and Jehiel Baer.
Wife was former prison guard who became key participant in drug distribution and money laundering activity
Tacoma – Key members of a drug trafficking organization connected to the Aryan Family prison gang were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to prison terms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Jesse James Bailey, 40, was sentenced to 210 months (17.5 years) in prison. His wife, Candace Bailey, 43, was sentenced to 5 years in prison. At Jesse Bailey’s sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “It is unimaginable how many drugs were being distributed.” Noting that Bailey grew up with drug addicted parents, the Chief Judge said, “You know the damage it creates, and you are now the one creating that for so many people.”
“Jesse Bailey and his wife Candace worked hand in hand to distribute devastating and dangerous drugs in our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The Baileys were at the top of the drug conspiracy pyramid, selling multi-pound quantities of meth and fentanyl to heavily armed members of their drug ring. And they too increased the danger by stockpiling firearms, including a fully automatic M4 machine gun.”
“The Baileys oversaw a multi-state conspiracy to traffic vast amounts of dangerous drugs into Washington state, as seen by the two dozen arrests we made in 2023, and seizure of hundreds of firearms,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “While even small quantities of drugs such as fentanyl can be lethal, this group was poisoning our communities by trafficking in kilogram quantities that could fill up suitcases. To all those who might consider following in the Baileys’ footsteps, the consequences imposed today send a clear message: the only thing to be gained from these crimes is time behind bars. I am grateful to our investigators and local law enforcement partners for their steadfast efforts to make our home a safer place.”
In November 2024, Jesse Bailey pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Candace Bailey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, illegally transferring a firearm to a prohibited person, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
On Wednesday March 22, 2023, the FBI led a coordinated takedown of this criminal drug trafficking organization. They arrested two dozen
people, including the Baileys, and seized 177 firearms, over ten kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills, more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona.
The Baileys are forfeiting $699,268 and dozens of expensive pieces of jewelry that agents seized as proceeds of their criminal activity as well as 42 firearms, multiple silencers, body armor, ammunition, scopes, and tripods seized from their residence and a storage unit they used to store and distribute controlled substances.
Court records describe how the couple discussed various suppliers of illegal narcotics, the drug redistributors they sold to, and the pricing of their controlled substances. As part of the conspiracy, Candace Bailey bought firearms and firearm parts, which she provided to Jesse Bailey knowing that he was he was a previously convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms. Together, the Baileys attempted to launder their drug proceeds through various casinos and bank accounts.
Describing Candace Bailey’s central role in the drug ring, prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, “Candace Bailey stayed fully informed on her and Jesse Bailey’s joint drug trafficking business, was knowledgeable of Jesse Bailey’s violent tendencies, and was engaged in their negotiations with their partner in drug trafficking…. Candace Bailey made it clear to co-conspirators that she was an equal partner in the venture as well… She initially met Jesse Bailey while serving as a guard at the prison where he was incarcerated on charges of Assault in the First Degree for shooting at police officers during a high-speed chase.”
“The Baileys ran a drug enterprise that poisoned the community with both dangerous drugs and hate,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The amount of money and the sheer volume of weapons seized in this case shows how dangerous this group was to the whole Puget Sound region, and I am proud of the work of our team to stop this hate-fueled, violent drug ring.”
“HSI stands with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who bring violence to our communities are brought to justice,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson. “The lengthy sentence handed down today reflects this criminal organization’s propensity for violence and disregard for human life.”
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner and Jehiel Baer.
Wife was former prison guard who became key participant in drug distribution and money laundering activity
Tacoma – Key members of a drug trafficking organization connected to the Aryan Family prison gang were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to prison terms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Jesse James Bailey, 40, was sentenced to 210 months (17.5 years) in prison. His wife, Candace Bailey, 43, was sentenced to 5 years in prison. At Jesse Bailey’s sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “It is unimaginable how many drugs were being distributed.” Noting that Bailey grew up with drug addicted parents, the Chief Judge said, “You know the damage it creates, and you are now the one creating that for so many people.”
“Jesse Bailey and his wife Candace worked hand in hand to distribute devastating and dangerous drugs in our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The Baileys were at the top of the drug conspiracy pyramid, selling multi-pound quantities of meth and fentanyl to heavily armed members of their drug ring. And they too increased the danger by stockpiling firearms, including a fully automatic M4 machine gun.”
“The Baileys oversaw a multi-state conspiracy to traffic vast amounts of dangerous drugs into Washington state, as seen by the two dozen arrests we made in 2023, and seizure of hundreds of firearms,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “While even small quantities of drugs such as fentanyl can be lethal, this group was poisoning our communities by trafficking in kilogram quantities that could fill up suitcases. To all those who might consider following in the Baileys’ footsteps, the consequences imposed today send a clear message: the only thing to be gained from these crimes is time behind bars. I am grateful to our investigators and local law enforcement partners for their steadfast efforts to make our home a safer place.”
In November 2024, Jesse Bailey pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Candace Bailey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, illegally transferring a firearm to a prohibited person, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
On Wednesday March 22, 2023, the FBI led a coordinated takedown of this criminal drug trafficking organization. They arrested two dozen
people, including the Baileys, and seized 177 firearms, over ten kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills, more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona.
The Baileys are forfeiting $699,268 and dozens of expensive pieces of jewelry that agents seized as proceeds of their criminal activity as well as 42 firearms, multiple silencers, body armor, ammunition, scopes, and tripods seized from their residence and a storage unit they used to store and distribute controlled substances.
Court records describe how the couple discussed various suppliers of illegal narcotics, the drug redistributors they sold to, and the pricing of their controlled substances. As part of the conspiracy, Candace Bailey bought firearms and firearm parts, which she provided to Jesse Bailey knowing that he was he was a previously convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms. Together, the Baileys attempted to launder their drug proceeds through various casinos and bank accounts.
Describing Candace Bailey’s central role in the drug ring, prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, “Candace Bailey stayed fully informed on her and Jesse Bailey’s joint drug trafficking business, was knowledgeable of Jesse Bailey’s violent tendencies, and was engaged in their negotiations with their partner in drug trafficking…. Candace Bailey made it clear to co-conspirators that she was an equal partner in the venture as well… She initially met Jesse Bailey while serving as a guard at the prison where he was incarcerated on charges of Assault in the First Degree for shooting at police officers during a high-speed chase.”
“The Baileys ran a drug enterprise that poisoned the community with both dangerous drugs and hate,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The amount of money and the sheer volume of weapons seized in this case shows how dangerous this group was to the whole Puget Sound region, and I am proud of the work of our team to stop this hate-fueled, violent drug ring.”
“HSI stands with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who bring violence to our communities are brought to justice,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson. “The lengthy sentence handed down today reflects this criminal organization’s propensity for violence and disregard for human life.”
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner and Jehiel Baer.
Wife was former prison guard who became key participant in drug distribution and money laundering activity
Tacoma – Key members of a drug trafficking organization connected to the Aryan Family prison gang were sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to prison terms, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Jesse James Bailey, 40, was sentenced to 210 months (17.5 years) in prison. His wife, Candace Bailey, 43, was sentenced to 5 years in prison. At Jesse Bailey’s sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “It is unimaginable how many drugs were being distributed.” Noting that Bailey grew up with drug addicted parents, the Chief Judge said, “You know the damage it creates, and you are now the one creating that for so many people.”
“Jesse Bailey and his wife Candace worked hand in hand to distribute devastating and dangerous drugs in our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “The Baileys were at the top of the drug conspiracy pyramid, selling multi-pound quantities of meth and fentanyl to heavily armed members of their drug ring. And they too increased the danger by stockpiling firearms, including a fully automatic M4 machine gun.”
“The Baileys oversaw a multi-state conspiracy to traffic vast amounts of dangerous drugs into Washington state, as seen by the two dozen arrests we made in 2023, and seizure of hundreds of firearms,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “While even small quantities of drugs such as fentanyl can be lethal, this group was poisoning our communities by trafficking in kilogram quantities that could fill up suitcases. To all those who might consider following in the Baileys’ footsteps, the consequences imposed today send a clear message: the only thing to be gained from these crimes is time behind bars. I am grateful to our investigators and local law enforcement partners for their steadfast efforts to make our home a safer place.”
In November 2024, Jesse Bailey pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Candace Bailey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, illegally transferring a firearm to a prohibited person, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
On Wednesday March 22, 2023, the FBI led a coordinated takedown of this criminal drug trafficking organization. They arrested two dozen
people, including the Baileys, and seized 177 firearms, over ten kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills, more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin, and more than $330,000 in cash from eighteen locations in Washington and Arizona.
The Baileys are forfeiting $699,268 and dozens of expensive pieces of jewelry that agents seized as proceeds of their criminal activity as well as 42 firearms, multiple silencers, body armor, ammunition, scopes, and tripods seized from their residence and a storage unit they used to store and distribute controlled substances.
Court records describe how the couple discussed various suppliers of illegal narcotics, the drug redistributors they sold to, and the pricing of their controlled substances. As part of the conspiracy, Candace Bailey bought firearms and firearm parts, which she provided to Jesse Bailey knowing that he was he was a previously convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms. Together, the Baileys attempted to launder their drug proceeds through various casinos and bank accounts.
Describing Candace Bailey’s central role in the drug ring, prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo, “Candace Bailey stayed fully informed on her and Jesse Bailey’s joint drug trafficking business, was knowledgeable of Jesse Bailey’s violent tendencies, and was engaged in their negotiations with their partner in drug trafficking…. Candace Bailey made it clear to co-conspirators that she was an equal partner in the venture as well… She initially met Jesse Bailey while serving as a guard at the prison where he was incarcerated on charges of Assault in the First Degree for shooting at police officers during a high-speed chase.”
“The Baileys ran a drug enterprise that poisoned the community with both dangerous drugs and hate,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The amount of money and the sheer volume of weapons seized in this case shows how dangerous this group was to the whole Puget Sound region, and I am proud of the work of our team to stop this hate-fueled, violent drug ring.”
“HSI stands with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who bring violence to our communities are brought to justice,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Colin Jackson. “The lengthy sentence handed down today reflects this criminal organization’s propensity for violence and disregard for human life.”
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This investigation was led by the FBI with critical investigative teamwork from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Washington State Department of Corrections and significant local assistance from the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout this investigation the following agencies assisted the primary investigators: Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Lakewood Police Department, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner and Jehiel Baer.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Wasilla man was sentenced today to 50 years in prison and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Wasilla.
According to court documents, on Nov. 2, 2022, a 14-year-old girl exited a school bus in Wasilla and started walking home. A dark colored vehicle driven by David Anderson, 52, drove past the victim and turned around to head back toward her. Anderson pulled up alongside the victim and coerced her into the vehicle before pointing a revolver at her. Anderson covered the victim’s head with a blanket, punched her at least once in the face and bound her hands with duct tape.
Anderson drove the victim to a remote area where he stopped the car and led the victim into the woods with the blanket still over her head. Anderson proceeded to forcibly sexually assault the victim. After assaulting her, Anderson stood over her, shielded his eyes, and randomly shot at her with the revolver. Without checking to see if she was dead, he then left her in the woods and drove away. After leaving the woods, he disassembled the revolver and threw the pieces into a nearby river.
Once Anderson left, the victim freed herself from the restraints before walking out of the woods to flag down a passing vehicle. The Alaska State Troopers arrested Anderson later that day based on descriptions and statements from the victim.
An investigation revealed that on the day of the incident, Anderson decided to grab his revolver and go out looking for a victim. At the time of the offense, Anderson was a convicted sex offender following another conviction in 2000 for sexually assaulting a minor.
On Jan. 13, 2025, Anderson pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping a minor and one count of committing an offense as a registered sex offender. In handing down the sentence, the Court recognized both the depravity of Anderson’s conduct and the bravery of the survivor.
Anderson was also charged by the State of Alaska Department of Law for his offense. He was sentenced on Oct. 7, 2024, and is currently serving an 85-year state sentence.
“Mr. Anderson perpetrated an unimaginable random act of horror and will spend the rest of his life in the only appropriate place, prison,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “The survivor showed extraordinary bravery in escaping this horror and the Alaska State Troopers and FBI mounted an incredible investigation to hold this predator accountable.”
“Today’s federal sentence, combined with the State of Alaska’s sentence of 85 years means that this violent man will never be released back into our community to victimize another Alaskan child,” said Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes. “Your Alaska State Troopers most important duty is to protect our most vulnerable, and this case stands as a powerful example of how federal and state law enforcement can work together to bring the full weight of justice to bear.”
“While walking home from school, an innocent child was violently kidnapped and assaulted – not only was this a horrific attack on a child, but also on the very fabric of our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “I commend this young survivor’s extraordinary courage, along with the special agents, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to ensure this dangerous predator will never walk free or harm another child again.”
The FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Alaska State Troopers investigated the case, with assistance from the FBI’s Joint Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (J-CARD) Team. The FBI’s J-CARD Team consists of specially trained investigators and intelligence personnel from the FBI, Alaska State Troopers, and Anchorage Police Department who are experienced in child abduction cases and can rapidly deploy anywhere in the state. The team is designed to provide investigative, technical, and resource assistance to state and local law enforcement during the most critical time following a child abduction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Chris Schroeder and Adam Alexander prosecuted the case.
UPDATE: This release has been updated to correct the defendant’s age. The correct age is 52.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Yaphet Martin (38, New Port Richey) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Martin pleaded guilty in August 2024.
According to court documents, on July 7, 2023, officers with the Clearwater Police Department pulled over a vehicle being driven by Martin. When the officers approached the vehicle, they smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located a small green camouflage bag behind the center console containing what laboratory testing would later confirm to be 3 grams of fentanyl, 7.66 grams of MDMA, and 3.48 grams of cocaine. The bag also contained a digital scale, glass pipe, and $3,182 in cash. Officers also recovered a firearm loaded with four rounds of ammunition from the vehicle.
At the time, Martin had four prior felony convictions including forgery, robbery in the first degree, delivering an imitation controlled substance, and felonious possession of a firearm. He is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. In addition, his prior drug and crime of violence convictions subjected him to an enhanced penalty.
This case was investigated by the Clearwater Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.
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.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Yaphet Martin (38, New Port Richey) to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Martin pleaded guilty in August 2024.
According to court documents, on July 7, 2023, officers with the Clearwater Police Department pulled over a vehicle being driven by Martin. When the officers approached the vehicle, they smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located a small green camouflage bag behind the center console containing what laboratory testing would later confirm to be 3 grams of fentanyl, 7.66 grams of MDMA, and 3.48 grams of cocaine. The bag also contained a digital scale, glass pipe, and $3,182 in cash. Officers also recovered a firearm loaded with four rounds of ammunition from the vehicle.
At the time, Martin had four prior felony convictions including forgery, robbery in the first degree, delivering an imitation controlled substance, and felonious possession of a firearm. He is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. In addition, his prior drug and crime of violence convictions subjected him to an enhanced penalty.
This case was investigated by the Clearwater Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky.
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.
L-R Shaun Baker – Area Manager, Livewest Amanda Wells – Commissioning Officer, Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Cathryn Vallender – Head of Neighbourhoods, Livewest Michelle Dawson – Executive Director of Homes and Communities, Plymouth Community Homes Steve Foale – Technical Lead for Community Safety, Plymouth City Council Matt Garrett – Service Director for Community Connections, Plymouth City Council Chief Superintendent Scott Bradley – Plymouth BCU Commander, Devon and Cornwall Police
Organisations across the city are teaming up to help spread the word about tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Community Homes, Livewest Housing Association, Devon and Cornwall Police, and the Police and Crime Commissioner have joined up to re-sign the ASB Pledge.
The pledge is a commitment to support victims of anti-social behaviour, using anti-social behaviour case reviews.
Victims of persistent anti-social behaviour have the right to request a case review where a local threshold is met. It is an opportunity for an independent review to see what, if anything else, can be done to resolve the anti-social behaviour.
The pledge was set up by ASB Help, a registered charity which provides advice and support to victims.
The criteria to have the pledge status has changed since the Council last signed it in 2022, and to retain the status, we need to renew our commitment.
There have been nine requests so far this year for case reviews, compared to 18 last year in total.
One of the most recent case reviews involved a long-term drug user who supplied drugs to others visiting their flat. They would leave used needles in the nearby bin shed. The neighbours reported their concerns and unfortunately the issues continued, and the council worked with partners to address it, leading to the police carrying out a drug warrant.
The occupier was issued a Community Protection Notice Warning to stop visitors at their address. The council and the police were able to identify one persistent visitor causing anti-social behaviour and were able to obtain a civil injunction which banned them from the area for two years.
Unfortunately, this warning was ignored so the council and the police applied for a closure order against the property and the housing association subsequently regained possession of the property.
The Council’s street services cleaned the area of discarded drugs paraphernalia, and the residents returned to a peaceful life.
The case review involves an independent chair who can give an issue a fresh perspective. The review brings together all agencies involved, and a new action plan drawn up.
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have an overwhelming impact on its victims and, in some cases, on the wider community.
“It is key that we as partners come together to show our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour.
“By signing up to our ASB Help Pledge, we will work with partners to ensure that they demonstrate their commitment to supporting victims of ASB and will endeavour to implement and follow best practice with the ASB Case Review.”
LEICESTER’S Golden Mile will continue to be the focus for Diwali Day celebrations, but with major changes to the annual event due to crowd safety fears.
Serious concerns about public safety at the popular event have been raised by the Diwali safety advisory group due to the massive crowd numbers the event has attracted in recent years.
The group – which includes event and safety experts from the city council, representatives from Leicestershire Police, NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland ICB, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue and crowd security providers – has warned that the current location is no longer fit for purpose, and urgent action needs to be taken.
Several meetings have since been held by the safety advisory group to consider a range of options, including relocating the popular event to Abbey Park or the city centre, extending it onto Belgrave Circle or moving it onto Melton Road.
Following council engagement with Belgrave businesses and local community representatives, the decision has now been taken to enable Diwali Day celebrations on Belgrave Road, where it has been held for more than 40 years.
However, major changes to the popular event will be required to ensure it can be held safely.
Belgrave Road will be closed to all traffic for the evening of Diwali Day to allow families and friends to celebrate safely together and enjoy the atmosphere, shops and restaurants of the Golden Mile.
Festive illuminations featuring more than 6,000 lights will continue to be installed along Belgrave Road during Diwali. The popular Wheel of Light will also return.
There will be no stage entertainment or firework display at this year’s event. And Cossington Street Recreation Ground will no longer feature as part of the festivities.
These measures need to be taken to avoid potentially dangerous crowd massing that has been observed at the event in the last two years.
The city council has committed to continue to work with the safety advisory group and local community representatives to see whether any further enhancements can be made that will not compromise public safety.
The new approach was agreed at a meeting last night between the City Mayor Peter Soulsby, Cllr Vi Dempster, asst city mayor for culture, representatives from the Leicester Hindu Festival Council and Belgrave Business Association, and members of the local Jain and Sikh communities. Local ward councillors, council officers and safety advisory group members also attended.
Graham Callister, the city council’s head of festivals, events and cultural policy said: “Diwali has been a real highlight of the city’s festival calendar and attracts thousands of people who come from far and wide to join in the celebrations on the Golden Mile.
“However, we are now being advised by our emergency service partners and event security providers that we have reached the point where the growing crowds and sheer volume of people attending is causing significant concern about public safety.
“Scaling back on event infrastructure and activity means there will be the additional space needed – and more importantly less congestion – to safely welcome the crowds that want to celebrate on Belgrave Road.”
Cllr Vi Dempster said: “Unfortunately, Leicester’s annual Diwali festival has become a victim of its own success. We’re being strongly advised by our emergency service partners and crowd control experts that it cannot continue safely in its current format due to the unrestricted and growing crowd numbers that it attracts, and that’s a warning we must take extremely seriously.
“We are absolutely determined that Diwali continues to be part of the city’s festive calendar. We also understand the depth of feeling to see it continue on the Golden Mile where it began over 40 years ago. To do that, we must ensure that it can take place safely. That must be paramount.”
Over the last two years, record crowds have turned out for the city’s Diwali celebrations on Belgrave Road and Cossington Street recreation ground. Last year’s event saw estimated crowds of up to 50,000 people attending.
A FORMER senior police officer has been appointed as the Independent Chair of the Tayside MAPPA Strategic Oversight Group.
Graham Binnie was confirmed in the position following a tender process supported by Dundee City, Angus and Perth & Kinross councils, Police Scotland and NHS Tayside.
He has considerable experience of successful collaboration across law enforcement, public health, public protection, community planning and resilience partnerships, having worked in various roles with Police Scotland over almost 30 years. This has included public protection specific roles as well as serving as the Superintendent, Performance and Partnerships for Tayside Division.
Since retiring from Police Scotland Graham has also taken on leadership roles within rugby and as a volunteer in wider community groups and charitable organisations.
He said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to act as independent chair and am committed to working with partners to prioritise people and safety, supporting the hard work of those across our public protection agencies”.
MAPPA aims to protect the public by requiring the police, NHS, prison service and local authorities (known as responsible authorities) to work together to assess and manage the risk posed by certain categories of offender.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Bronx is serving up a variety of delicious thin crust pizzas that fold into your mouth perfectly – just like they do it in the USA.
This pizza spot is serving up Neapolitan-style woodfired slices.
All pizzas are homemade on a sourdough crust. There’s a menu change quarterly, dependent on seasonal produce.
On the current menu, you’ll find salami, mushroom and olive, potato and prosciutto, and more.
Located on the foreshore, this pizzeria has an extensive menu with all the classics and more.
They currently have a list of limited-edition pizzas which includes barbecue chicken and prosciutto, peri peri chicken and garlic prawn and chorizo.
This restaurant offers traditional and modern Italian dishes, updated each season.
Pizzas currently on the menu include prosciutto, calabrese and vegetarian options such as funghi and eggplant.
Pizza with lake views – does it get better?
This Italian restaurant offers an extensive list of pizzas to choose from.
Choose from a variety of meat and vegetarian options in a medium or large size.
Located at Deakin shops, this pizzeria is very popular among locals.
Choose from a variety of flavours with a Pizza Bianca or Pizza Rosso base – one made with tomato sauce base and one without.
Find this pizzeria next door to Edgar’s Inn at the Ainslie shops.
Mama Dough is serving up freshly made wood-fired pizzas including delicious flavours like sausage and potato, caramelised onion, mushroom, ham and pineapple and more.
Make sure to check out some of the great meal deals available.
This southside pizzeria offers Neapolitan-style pizzas.
On their website, they say the pizzas ‘rise slowly over 30 hours producing a naturally low gluten base, that is hand shaped and fired at 360 degrees’.
The menu includes tropical, supreme, barbecue chicken, Mexican and more. They also offer calzones (a folded pizza).
This pizzeria was founded by Chef Hemm, who is ranked in the top 100 pizza chefs worldwide.
Enjoy authentic, artisanal pizzas inspired by Tuscany. Pizzas on the menu include margherita, capricciosa and prosciutto and crudo.
You can also buy Chef Hemm’s pizzas at The Jetty from Hem & Co’s pizza van.
These woodfired pizzas came highly recommended by locals.
Their signature ‘Gusto’ is a must-try, featuring bocconcini cheese, shaved prosciutto, rocket and a drizzle of olive oil.
Pizza Gusto only does takeaway or outdoor seating and doesn’t take bookings.
Pop to Fraser for authentic, homemade woodfired pizzas.
Their ‘traditional’ range includes prosciutto and vegetarian pizzas. The ‘Aussie way’ range features a chicken and bacon pizza, and the ‘signature’ range includes a hot and sweet pizza with salami, olives and pineapple.
This spot is perfect for your next catch up with mates or birthday party.
Located at The Lawns of the National Triangle, this garden bar does takeaway or outdoor deck seating.
Pizza toppings include sausage, prawn, olive, pepperoni, margherita, and more.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also order a ‘Panuozzo’ – a combo of a pizza and a sandwich.
Find this pizza and pasta restaurant on London Circuit in the city.
Enjoy a variety of delicious woodfired pizzas including prawn and chorizo, funghi, meat lovers, pork belly and apple, and more.
You can also customise a pizza by choosing your own base, sauces and toppings.
Hot tip: takeaway orders receive 10% off.
Stuffed is located at Casey Marketplace and offers burgers, pizzas and more.
All pizzas are homemade on a crispy thin 13-inch base. Flavours include barbecue pesto chicken, prawn pizza, pulled pork and veggie.
This pub at Cook shops serves up big, bar-style pizzas.
On the menu find classic meat, veggie and vegan pizzas. You can pick a base of garlic, tomato or barbecue.
We recommend going for a slice on ‘Cheap Tuesday’ where most pizzas are over 35% off, with some close to 50%.
This modern pub’s pizza menu is a blend of classic Italian recipes and innovative flavours.
They have all the pizza classics like margherita and capricciosa, plus other exciting flavours such as garlic, zucchini and eggplant, potato and rosemary and an elevated ham and pineapple – made with smoked ham.
Dine in on Tuesdays and get two pizzas for $40.
Local takeaways
Canberrans told us that some of the best pizzas are found at these local takeaway joints:
The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Wednesday said it remains steadfast in its commitment to combat and prevent gender-based violence and femicide (GVBF) through its intensified nationwide operations and dedicated resources across the country.
According to SAPS, nationwide operations and police actions conducted from 23 – 29 June resulted in the arrest of 145 suspects for rape. Gauteng recorded the most arrests (35).
In addition, police arrested 77 wanted rape suspects, as well as 14 individuals tracked down for sexual offences in various provinces.
SAPS continues to strengthen its response to combating GVBF through targeted interventions and collaboration with communities, including various stakeholders.
“SAPS specialised units, such as the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Units (FCS), across the country continue to play a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting GBVF cases, as well as providing specialised support to survivors,” SAPS said.
Key arrests this past week included 40-year-old Lesiba Ledwaba for the gruesome murder of his 87-year old mother, Raisibe Ledwaba. He has already appeared in the Seshego Magistrates Court on charges of murder.
In a separate case, on 1 July 2025, police in Ladybrand arrested a 27-year-old man for the alleged murder of his 51-year-old mother after she reprimanded him from making noise when under influence of alcohol. He is expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrates Court on 3 July.
“Recently, FCS unit members successfully secured lengthy jail sentences for the perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide, ensuring that they are removed from society for the rest of their lives,” the police said.
Notable convictions secured this week alone include:
On 1 July, the Greytown Regional Court sentenced a 29-year-old accused to life imprisonment for raping his eight-year-old biological daughter in March 2025.
On 30 June, the Mahwelereng Regional Court sentenced a 22 –year-old accused to life imprisonmentfor the rape of a 13-year-old boy on 4 November 2023.
On 30 June 2025, the Molopo Regional Court sentenced serial rapist Bongani Ntoro (36) to life term sentence and an additional 25 years’ imprisonment for the rape of four women and a 12-year-old minor between 2007 and 2010 in Magogoe, Tloung and Seweding villages.
“SAPS is committed to fulfilling its mandate to combat, prevent, and investigate GBVF incidents and is continuously working to improve its response to these crimes in the country. Citizens are urged to report GVBF incidents to the nearest police or through MySAPS app,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za
In the first 24 hours, the SAPS received in excess of 67 774 applications from various parts of the country.
“In terms of job applications per province, Gauteng is leading with more than 53 000, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 30 000, Limpopo follows with 20 000, Eastern Cape with 19 000 and Mpumalanga with 18 000,” the police said in a statement.
“Western Cape is number six in terms of applications with 17 000, followed by Free State with 14 000, North West 11 000 and lastly Northern Cape with 4000.
“Female applicants are leading with more than 105 000 so far, followed by male applicants that are standing at just over 80 000,” the police said.
Applicants have been urged to be patient as the SAPS official website is inundated with applications.
Where delays are experienced, applicants are encouraged to continue to refresh the careers page. – SAnews.gov.za
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Civil society groups concerned about politicised policing launch nationwide billboard campaign to stand up for right to protest
New research by Greenpeace indicates that the Metropolitan Police have regularly arrested protesters when there is an extremely low chance of them ever being charged. Officers made more than 600 arrests in London over the last six years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance but only 18 of them (2.8%) resulted in charges. The research also showed an almost tenfold rise in the number of arrests in the capital since 2019, when environmental protests became widespread.
These numbers support the belief, widespread amongst activists and protesters, that the police are abusing this offence and other anti-protest laws to remove and intimidate peaceful protesters.
Greenpeace used Freedom of Information requests to find out how many people were arrested between 2012 and March 2025 on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance – an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 that is frequently used by the police to clear protesters from the streets.
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK said: “The fact that police are routinely dragging protesters off the streets for a crime they almost always fail to charge them with amounts to an abuse of their powers and an assault on the right to protest. Arresting law-abiding people because they’re politically inconvenient is a frightening development in any democracy, and is a direct result of the government’s instinct to shut down free speech and prevent people standing up for issues they care deeply about.”
The findings come as four leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’.
The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition. Digital special effects by creative agency ‘elvis’ make the protesters appear to be present on the street, like a virtual protest march. They each represent a different cause including disability rights, Gaza, climate change, anti-black racism, plastic pollution and the campaign to keep the NHS public.
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London who appears in the campaign, said: “I think a lot of people don’t realise that the crackdown on protest isn’t just about tougher laws on disruptive civil disobedience, it’s about creating a climate of intimidation. The right to speak out against the actions of the government is an important test of whether you live in a free, democratic country. I have lived in countries where rights we hold dear in Britain do not exist, and my family has paid the price for speaking out. So I did not expect Britain to be the country where I would first be investigated by police for my participation at a public protest. For six months I lived under the threat of being charged, until it was confirmed the police would not take further action. Clearly, these statistics show I’m not an isolated case.”
Ocean Outdoor / elvis
Researchers at Greenpeace asked the Metropolitan Police to provide data on arrests and charges for public nuisance offences between 2012 and March 2025. They found there had been 67 arrests and 8 charges for conspiring to cause a public nuisance between 2012 and the end of 2018, compared with 638 arrests and 18 charges since 2019, equating to an almost tenfold increase in arrests. The rate of arrests resulting in charges also dropped from around 12% to below 3%.
The sharp increase in 2019 happened around the same time that Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future brought thousands of people onto the streets of London to protest against the lack of action to tackle climate change. Since then, successive governments have passed additional anti-protest laws giving police officers a wider range of offences to choose from, many carrying lengthy custodial sentences, resulting in hundreds of protesters being arrested and some being handed record prison sentences of up to five years.
Greenpeace and the other groups are calling on the Home Secretary to restore people’s right to make their voices heard on issues they care about by reversing anti-protest measures in two key pieces of legislation passed since 2022. They are also asking ministers to strike out protest clauses in the Crime and Policing Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The full dataset on arrests and charges is available here
“Conspiracy to commit public nuisance is a serious offence under UK law that involves a group of people agreeing to cause harm, disruption, or obstruction to the public. Whether it’s blocking roads, interfering with emergency services, or creating safety risks, this offence can lead to severe legal consequences, even if the nuisance doesn’t actually happen.” https://www.moeenco.com/conspiracy-to-commit-public-nuisance
The campaign
The six protestors featured in the advertising campaign are:
Khalid Abdallah, an actor and protester for Palestinian rights from London
Dr Helen Salisbury, GP and protestor for Keep Our NHS Public from Oxfordshire
Andy Greene, a disability rights activist with Disabled People Against the Cuts from London
Andrew McParland, climate activist and Greenpeace UK board member from Birmingham
Jen Reid, author of ‘A Hero Like Me’ and Black Lives Matter activist from Bristol
Sahanika Ratnayake, an academic who protests on environmental issues from Manchester
The advertising campaign was awarded the Gold prize in the non-profit category of Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition which seeks bold, original work that pushes the boundaries of ‘Digital Out of Home’ advertising. It launches on 3rd July across Ocean’s city centre Loop networks in Birmingham and Manchester, and in a high footfall area of Westfield Stratford City in London on billboards in close proximity to each other to replicate a real protest. The campaign was created and shot by elvis.
About elvis
elvis is an award-winning B-Corp certified creative agency that works with some of the world’s most ambitious brands. The agency’s mission is to use unexpected & unforgettable creativity to help people and brands grow in a better way. Not only is this based on the fundamental role that impact and salience play in the most powerful creative work, but also reflects the agency’s B Corp status. elvis won the non-profit category in the 2024 Ocean Outdoor Competition with their ‘Can’t arrest this billboard’ idea, in partnership with Greenpeace. elvislondon.com
About Ocean Outdoor
A partner company of Atairos, the independent strategic investment company, Ocean Outdoor is the leading operator of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) advertising across the UK and Europe. The Group’s network of 4,000+ screens covers seven countries, with its technological capabilities delivering impactful and measurable DOOH brand and advertising experiences. Ocean’s portfolio covers iconic locations including the Piccadilly Lights and the BFI IMAX, and the company works closely with high-profile landlords, as well as major city councils, on the development of its network. Since 2018, Ocean has expanded into the Netherlands and the Nordics. Ocean Germany launched in 2024.
The campaign organisations
Liberty challenges injustice, defends freedom and campaigns for everyone in the UK to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Since 1934 we’ve inspired and empowered people to defend their rights, and the rights of their family, friends and communities. Join us. Stand up to power.
Amnesty International is the world’s largest human rights organisation with over 10 million supporters, working to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. Amnesty International is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) is the UK’s largest grassroots network. We’re part of a global environmental justice community dedicated to the protection of the natural world and the wellbeing of everyone in it. We bring together more than two million people in 70 countries, combining people power all over the world to transform local actions into global impact.
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction. Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police today (July 3) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Yau Ma Tei.
Lui Hoi-yan, aged 48, went missing after she was last seen in Yau Ma Tei in April 9. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (July 2).
She is about 1.65 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and long curly hair.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1174 or 6103 4963, or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
Police today (July 3) reclassified a body found case happened in Sham Shui Po yesterday (July 2) as murder and suicide.
At around 11.45am yesterday, Police received a report that a 41-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were found collapsed in a flat on Fuk Wing Street. Police officers attended the scene and found the woman and the man lying in a room. A basin of burnt charcoal was found next to them. They were certified dead at scene.
Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of their death.
Investigation by the District Crime Squad of Sham Shui Po District is under way. Police appeal to anyone who has information related to the case to contact the investigating officers on 3661 9821.