Blog

New Jersey Man Sentenced to 12–14 Years for Sexual Assault of Hyannis Teen

BARNSTABLE, Mass. — A New Jersey man has been sentenced to 12 to 14 years in state prison for the aggravated rape of a 14-year-old Hyannis girl, Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois announced Monday.

Cheldon Clare, 46, of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., was convicted after a six-day trial in Barnstable Superior Court. The jury deliberated just two and a half hours before finding him guilty of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older.

Prosecutors said Clare drove from New Jersey to Hyannis on August 27, 2021, where he sexually assaulted the victim in his vehicle after grooming her for weeks. The girl and her mother reported the crime to Barnstable Police on September 6, 2021.

Detective Andrew Johnson led the investigation, uncovering damning evidence. Phone records detailed Clare’s manipulative communications with the teen, and location data confirmed his phone was at the victim’s home the day of the assault. Forensic analysis further identified Clare’s DNA on the victim’s clothing.

Clare was sentenced to 12–14 years for rape, with concurrent time for one indecent assault charge and five years’ probation following his release on the second charge. He must also register as a sex offender.

DA Galibois praised the courage of the young victim, saying her bravery in coming forward “was instrumental in securing the conviction” and reaffirmed his office’s commitment to protecting survivors.

DOJ Files Federal Charge Against Suspect in Fatal Charlotte Train Stabbing

Federal authorities have charged Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system after the brutal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, aboard a Charlotte light rail train on August 22.

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that Brown, a repeat offender with 14 prior arrests, now faces federal prosecution alongside existing state murder charges. Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed to seek the maximum penalty, calling the attack “an unforgivable act of violence” and citing failures of “soft-on-crime policies.”

FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the killing as “a disgraceful act that should never happen in America,” stressing the agency’s commitment to ensuring Brown never again walks free. Officials revealed that Zarutska, who had fled war-torn Ukraine, was working multiple jobs and had recently moved in with her partner as she built a new life in Charlotte.

Court records indicate Brown stabbed Zarutska three times in what investigators described as a seemingly unprovoked attack. He walked off the train with the bloodied knife still in hand.

At an emotional press conference, U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson highlighted Zarutska’s resilience, noting her family’s decision to have her buried in America because “she loved this country.”

Prosecutors confirmed they will pursue life without parole, and investigators are reviewing whether the death penalty can be applied. The case underscores growing calls for tougher sentencing against violent repeat offenders.

Woman Turns Personal Tragedy Into Suicide Awareness Campaign

In a heartbreaking span of just 29 hours, NaTasha Turner lost both her husband and brother-in-law to suicide. Now, she is channeling her grief into action, launching a suicide awareness campaign during September, recognized nationwide as Suicide Prevention Month.

Turner said the devastating back-to-back losses pushed her to confront the silence and stigma that often surround mental health struggles. Instead of retreating into despair, she felt compelled to create a movement that could help other families avoid similar tragedy.

Her campaign focuses on sharing vital mental health and suicide prevention resources across communities. By leveraging social media and local outreach, Turner hopes to connect people with hotlines, counseling services, and peer-support programs that can make a difference in moments of crisis.

“This is bigger than my grief,” Turner explained. “If sharing my family’s story can save even one life, then their deaths will not have been in vain.”

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with rates continuing to climb, particularly among men and young adults. Advocates stress that awareness, open conversations, and access to resources are critical in reversing these trends.

Turner’s campaign is part of a broader nationwide effort this month to highlight prevention, encourage dialogue, and remind those in crisis that they are not alone.

For immediate help, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing 988.

Accidental Shooting Reported Inside Walmart in Greencastle

GREENCASTLE, Ind. (Sept. 9, 2025) — Emergency crews rushed to the Walmart on 1750 Indianapolis Road in Greencastle Tuesday after reports of an accidental shooting inside the store.

Authorities confirmed that one individual suffered a gunshot wound as a result of the incident. Witnesses said chaos briefly broke out as shoppers and employees scrambled for safety before police secured the scene.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was reported to be conscious and breathing when first responders arrived. Putnam County emergency personnel, including Medic One, immediately provided aid while also requesting additional medical support.

A STATFlight 4 medical helicopter was placed on standby as responders assessed whether the victim’s injuries required urgent air transport to a trauma center. Officials have not yet disclosed whether the airlift was ultimately used.

Multiple law enforcement units remain on site, and Walmart shoppers were temporarily evacuated while officers conducted their initial investigation. Detectives are now working to determine how the firearm was discharged and whether it belonged to the victim or another individual.

No arrests have been made, and investigators are treating the incident as an accidental discharge pending further evidence.

Local authorities have urged anyone who may have witnessed the shooting to come forward with information. Walmart officials are cooperating fully with law enforcement and have stated that safety remains their top priority.

Updates are expected once officials release more details about the victim’s condition and the circumstances of the incident.

Oakland Police Swarm GoGo Amigo Market, Nearby School Temporarily Locked Down

OAKLAND, CA (Sept. 9, 2025) — Heavy police activity surrounded the GoGo Amigo Market in East Oakland on Tuesday morning, briefly placing a nearby elementary school under lockdown as a precaution.

The incident unfolded around 992 105th Avenue near E Street, where multiple Oakland Police Department (OPD) units converged on the area. Witnesses reported seeing numerous patrol cars and officers canvassing the scene, while investigators laid down several evidence markers outside the business — a sign of an active crime scene investigation.

Although authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the police response, the scale of the law enforcement presence and the swift decision to secure the nearby school highlighted the seriousness of the situation.

School officials confirmed the lockdown was lifted once OPD determined there was no direct threat to students or staff. No injuries at the school were reported.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we enacted a brief lockdown while police assessed the area. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority,” a district spokesperson said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, police remained on scene and had not released details regarding arrests, possible suspects, or the nature of the incident. Residents in the neighborhood expressed concern over the visible escalation but also appreciation for the swift precautionary steps taken to protect children.

OPD has urged anyone with information about the incident to contact investigators. Updates are expected as the case develops.

U.S. Coast Guard Seizes 13,000 Pounds of Cocaine, Destroys Drug Boat in Pacific Operation

The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted and destroyed a drug-smuggling vessel as part of Operation Pacific Viper, seizing nearly 13,000 pounds of cocaine and detaining seven suspected traffickers.

Officials confirmed that the interdictions occurred overnight when the Coast Guard Cutter Stone engaged multiple boats in known narcotrafficking routes in the eastern Pacific. In a single night, crews carried out three separate operations, culminating in the destruction of one vessel loaded with narcotics.

The cocaine haul, valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, is one of the largest maritime drug seizures this year. Authorities said the suspected smugglers remain in custody and are expected to face prosecution in U.S. courts.

“Operations like this demonstrate our ability to disrupt dangerous transnational criminal networks before their product ever reaches American communities,” a Coast Guard spokesperson said Tuesday.

The mission comes amid intensified U.S. efforts to curb narcotrafficking in the Pacific, where cartels frequently use “go-fast” boats and low-profile vessels to evade detection. The Coast Guard has increasingly relied on intelligence-sharing with allied nations and advanced surveillance technology to target suspected smuggling routes.

Operation Pacific Viper represents a multi-agency strategy to cut off maritime drug pipelines that fuel organized crime and violence across the Americas.

Officials praised the Cutter Stone’s crew for their role in executing the triple interdiction. “Every pound seized is a blow to cartel profits,” the spokesperson added.

San Francisco Launches Free Gun Storage Program at Police Stations

SAN FRANCISCO — City officials have unveiled a first-of-its-kind program that allows residents to voluntarily store firearms at police stations for up to a year, free of charge. The initiative aims to reduce risks of gun violence and accidents by keeping homes safer.

The program, announced this week, is being launched in partnership with a nonprofit founded by Leslie Hu, a San Francisco mother whose 9-year-old son was killed by his father during a custody dispute in 2021. Hu’s nonprofit has since developed a nationwide map of safe firearm storage sites, many of which are private gun stores.

But in San Francisco — where no gun shops currently operate — Hu says this program fills a critical gap.

“Families in our city deserve options to make their homes safer,” Hu said. “This program provides an accessible, responsible solution.”

Residents can bring firearms to any police station in San Francisco for voluntary storage. Officials recommend calling ahead before drop-off, at which point participants will receive step-by-step instructions. Guns may be stored for up to 12 months at no cost.

Advocates say the program is particularly important in urban areas where safe storage alternatives are limited. Public health experts note that temporary firearm storage has been shown to prevent suicides, domestic violence tragedies, and accidental shootings.

City leaders hope San Francisco’s approach will become a model for other jurisdictions seeking to balance public safety with responsible gun ownership.

Idaho Firefighter Dies of Cardiac Emergency While Battling Dragon Bravo Fire in Arizona

NORTHERN ARIZONA — Officials have identified the firefighter who died in the line of duty while supporting operations on the Dragon Bravo Fire.

The fallen firefighter has been named as J. Hank Hester, 70, of Priest River, Idaho. According to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3 (SWAIMT), Hester was actively involved in hazard tree removal operations on Monday, September 8, 2025, when he suffered a cardiac emergency. Despite immediate medical attention from line paramedics, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Hester was part of suppression repair operations when the incident occurred. His death has been described as a profound loss to the firefighting community.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the Hester family and friends during this very tragic time. Hank is a member of our wildfire family and will be deeply missed,” said Incident Commander Matt Rau in a statement.

The SWAIMT, along with fellow firefighters and emergency personnel, expressed gratitude for Hester’s dedication and service, noting his commitment to protecting communities threatened by wildfire.

The Dragon Bravo Fire has been an intense effort for crews working in northern Arizona, with firefighters enduring long hours and dangerous conditions. Officials emphasized that Hester’s sacrifice underscores the risks faced daily by those on the front lines of wildfire suppression.

The wildland firefighting community across the region has pledged to honor Hester’s memory and service.

Human Remains Found in Tesla Registered to Singer D4vd, LAPD Investigating

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Police Department has launched a major investigation after human remains were discovered inside the front trunk of an impounded Tesla registered to singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke).

According to law enforcement sources, the grisly discovery was made after the electric vehicle was taken to an impound lot in Hollywood. Officers inspecting the car found a bag in the front trunk, and inside were human remains. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity, and it remains unclear how long the body had been inside the vehicle.

D4vd, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter known for his breakout hit “Romantic Homicide,” has not been named as a suspect, and investigators have not confirmed whether he has any direct connection to the case. Police emphasized that the focus remains on identifying the victim and determining the circumstances surrounding the death.

The shocking find has sparked widespread speculation, with fans expressing disbelief across social media. Many have called for patience as investigators work to separate fact from rumor.

Detectives with the LAPD’s Homicide Division are leading the case. The department has urged anyone with information to contact them directly, noting that tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

As of now, the remains remain unidentified, and the investigation is ongoing. Police are expected to release further details as forensic tests are completed.

San Jose Jewelry Store Owner, 88, Hospitalized After Violent Smash-and-Grab Robbery

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A violent smash-and-grab robbery at Kim Hung Jewelry has left an 88-year-old store owner hospitalized and a community shaken. The brazen heist occurred just after 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, when suspects used an SUV to crash through the shop’s glass storefront before storming inside.

Surveillance video shows more than a dozen masked suspects ransacking the store, smashing display cases, and stuffing valuables into bags. As the elderly owner tried to intervene, he was shoved to the ground by one of the suspects. He suffered a stroke and additional injuries from broken glass, according to his family. He was hospitalized overnight but has since been stabilized and released.

The footage also captured one suspect pointing a gun at an employee while another rifled through the worker’s pockets. The group fled quickly when a car horn blared outside, escaping in multiple vehicles before police arrived.

San Jose City Councilmember Bien Doan, speaking at a Coalition for Community Engagement news conference, condemned the violence: “If this was your family member, if this was your business that you spent your whole lifetime to build up, and then within one hour you’re out of business… We no longer accept the norm. We ask for change.”

The suspects remain unidentified and at large. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as the city grapples with rising concerns over violent smash-and-grab crimes targeting small business owners.