Dog fighting at residence leads to 17 dogs, arrests, cocaine, & kids taken into protective custody (PHOTOS)
(Click on the hyperlink at the bottom of this message to see PHOTOS)
An alleged dog fighting training operation at a Lake Los Angeles home was shut down today by sheriff’s deputies, and a couple was arrested for training dogs to fight, as well as for possession of cocaine. Their four children were taken into protective custody and seventeen pit bull dogs were recovered by animal control officers.
The dog fighting investigation began when a confidential informant called the LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline (877-662-3483) to report that people were training dogs for fighting. The tip was reported to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who relayed the information to deputies in the Antelope Valley so it could be investigated.
Over the next month, Deputies Robert Ferrell and Fred Hill with the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau, investigated the dog fighting case, working with officers from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, and Lancaster Sheriff’s Station deputies. The deputies ultimately found sufficient probable cause to be able to obtain a search warrant.
At about 4:30AM Wednesday, sheriff’s deputies from COPS Bureau, Lancaster, and Palmdale Stations, joined by L.A. Co. Animal Control officers and LA Co. Dept. of Children and Family Services, went to the home on the 41000 block of 178th St. East, Lake Los Angeles.
Once there, they found an elaborate dog fighting and training operation.
On the property they found seventeen pit bull dogs, some of which were tied to stakes in the yard. Dried blood was found on a portable wooden fighting ring that was leaning against a wall.
They also found a large amount of medical supplies, including surgical tools and medication, IV saline solution, and syringes to administer medicine and to treat the dogs. Surgical tools and supplies, used to stitch up the dogs after being wounded in fights, were recovered.
Three treadmill type machines, used for the compelled physical conditioning of the dogs, were located. One of them was made of wooden slats.
Training records for the dogs, and study guides on the breeding of dogs and dog fighting were recovered.
All of the dogs were removed from the location by Animal Control officers. Many of the dogs found at the property had injuries.
Approximately one ounce of cocaine was also recovered.
Suspect Jesse Jimenez, 43, and his wife Suspect Yvette Jimenez, 41, were arrested at the residence for felony dog fighting (which includes training dogs to fight) and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine). They were transported and booked at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Later, during the interview process, both suspects admitted to their roles in the activity.
The dog fighting has apparently been going on in various areas in the Antelope Valley for several years.
Due to the circumstances, the couple’s four children, aged 1, 10, 12, and 14 were taken into protective custody by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
Dog fighting, cock-fighting, and other forms of animal fighting are not a sport, they are a felony. So is animal cruelty.
A conviction for felony animal cruelty can result in a sentence of up to 3 years in prison.
The LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline (877-NO2FITE or 877-662-3483, is funded in part by the Humane Society of the U.S. Up to $5,000.00 is offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of people engaging in the training or fighting of dogs. The identity of callers will remain confidential.
*(See KCAL-TV 9 news coverage of this incident by clicking on the following link. This link is provided for your convenience. The LASD does not endorse products or services)
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video-news-on-demand/?clipId=5622557&flvUri=&partnerclipid=&topVideoCatNo=193016&c=&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv
*(See LASD photos by clicking on the hyperlink at the bottom of this message)
The Animal Cruelty Education and Training Committee of the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County (POALAC) was recently formed and has been providing training for peace officers about the unique elements of investigating animal cruelty cases, including dog fighting. The deputies who made this arrest attended this training.
***
Separate case, not related to the above suspects:
COPS Deputies Robert Ferrell and Fred Hill who investigated the above case, are the same deputies who made a similar dog fighting arrest just a few months ago. That arrest resulted in a felony conviction and a five year prison sentence for a Lancaster man a few weeks ago.
*(Read the related Antelope Family News coverage from Oct. 2010 by clicking on the following link. This link is provided for your convenience. The LASD does not endorse products or services)
http://hstrial-avnewstoday.intuitwebsites.com/AVCrimeWatchDogFightingRing.html
October 2010 arrest, February Guilty Plea – Dog Fighting
On Feb. 9, 2011, Amin Uqdah pled guilty to an Oct. 10, 2010 arrest for dog fighting and a later arrest for spousal assault.
Deputies Ferrell and Hill received a phone tip that Uqdah was involved in dog fighting on his property in Lancaster.
They conducted a surveillance and saw activity that led them to believe that dog fighting and training for fighting was occurring at the residence. Having formed sufficient probable cause, the deputies sought and obtained a search warrant.
When the deputies served the search warrant on Oct. 10, 2010, they found two dogs. One of the dogs had fresh fighting wounds, including a through and through puncture wound to its cheek, as well as what appeared to be old fighting scars.
Inside the garage they found a plywood fighting pen, with what appeared to be old blood stains and a dirty piece of carpet. Inside the house, they found three videos that depicted the defendant's dog fighting in his garage, inside the fighting pen they had found. The same piece of carpet was inside the pen. In one of the videos, the defendant's voice could be heard cheering on his dog, "Cash." The gruesome videos showed at least three separate fights where the defendant's dog fought three other dogs. In one of the fights, it appears that the defendant's dog actually kills the other dog.
Some methamphetamine was also found in the home.
About a month later while out on bail from the October 10th arrest, sheriff’s deputies arrested Uqdah for spousal assault and for assaulting his children. In that incident, he was physically assaulting his wife including punching her in the face. When his 14-year old daughter tried to stop him, he picked her up and slammed her to the ground.
The totality of these offenses including the assault on his family and the dog fighting, resulted in Uqdah pleading guilty on Feb. 9, 2011. He was sentenced to five years state prison.
Dog fighting, cock-fighting, and other forms of animal fighting are not a sport, they are a felony. So is animal cruelty.
A conviction for felony animal cruelty can result in a sentence of up to 3 years in prison.
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local sheriff’s station or police department.
The LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline (877-NO2FITE or 877-662-3483, is funded in part by the Humane Society of the U.S. Up to $5,000.00 is offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of people engaging in the training or fighting of dogs. The identity of callers will remain confidential.
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
www.lasd.org
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Craigslist iPhone purchaser instead robbed at gunpoint
Craigslist iPhone purchaser instead robbed at gunpoint. Two arrested.
The planned purchase of an iPhone instead ended with a Lawndale man being robbed at gunpoint at a planned meeting in Temple City
A Lawndale man (victim) met with an Asian man (suspect) at a restaurant parking lot in the 9400 Block of Las Tunas in Temple City, February 19, at about 3:00PM.
The men had agreed to meet after the victim answered an advertisement for an iPhone for sale for $500.00 on Craiglist.
Instead of selling the victim the iPhone, the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded that he hand over all his money. Fearing for his life, the victim gave the suspect the $500 in cash, which he had brought with him to pay for the iPhone. The victim then turned and ran for his life. The victim was not injured.
Investigators from the Asian Gang Team, Operation Safe Streets, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, conducted the investigation, assisted by deputies with Temple Sheriff's Station.
The investigation led to the identification of the suspect as Daniel So, 19.
On Friday evening, February 25, 2011, deputies from the Sheriff's Asian Gang Team staked out the suspect’s South Pasadena home. They saw the suspect enter a vehicle with a White male and drive away from the residence. Deputies conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and arrested So for the robbery.
The vehicle they were in belonged to the White male, identified as Suspect Garrett Helstrom, 20, of South Pasadena.
Inside the vehicle, deputies found an exact replica of a semi-automatic handgun and suspected stolen property.
Helstrom was arrested for allegedly aiding So with the robbery.
Both So and Helstrom are being held under $100,000 bail each at Temple Sheriff’s station.
Investigators believe that So and Helstrom may have committed similar robberies in the San Gabriel Valley area. If you were a victim of this type of robbery, please contact sheriff's investigators or your local law enforcement authorities and report it.
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Safety considerations:
People usually purchase or sell possessions without anything going wrong. However, criminals will use a variety of means to steal or do others harm. By following good safety precautions, you can reduce the chance that you will have your property stolen, and even more importantly, that you avoid harm.
When meeting someone for the first time, including to make a purchase or to sell something, please remember:
* Your personal safety is your priority
* Legitimate buyers and sellers will be as concerned about their personal safety as you are about yours.
* Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe. Do not meet in a secluded place, and never invite strangers into your home.
* Highly populated and well traveled areas are usually safer
* Be especially careful when buying/selling high value items
* Tell a friend or family member where you are going and with whom exactly you are meeting
* Consider having a friend accompany you
* Take your cell phone along
* Trust your instincts. Leave if someone or something looks suspicious, especially if you arrive at the location and there is no vehicle visible.
* It is better that you feel impolite and drive away, than to risk your safety.
* If you are robbed, give the suspects the property they are asking for; your life and personal safety is more valuable than your property.
* Your personal safety is your priority
Sergeant Steve Kim
Asian Gang Team
Operation Safe Streets Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(310) 603-3100
www.lasd.org
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
www.lasd.org
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
The planned purchase of an iPhone instead ended with a Lawndale man being robbed at gunpoint at a planned meeting in Temple City
A Lawndale man (victim) met with an Asian man (suspect) at a restaurant parking lot in the 9400 Block of Las Tunas in Temple City, February 19, at about 3:00PM.
The men had agreed to meet after the victim answered an advertisement for an iPhone for sale for $500.00 on Craiglist.
Instead of selling the victim the iPhone, the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded that he hand over all his money. Fearing for his life, the victim gave the suspect the $500 in cash, which he had brought with him to pay for the iPhone. The victim then turned and ran for his life. The victim was not injured.
Investigators from the Asian Gang Team, Operation Safe Streets, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, conducted the investigation, assisted by deputies with Temple Sheriff's Station.
The investigation led to the identification of the suspect as Daniel So, 19.
On Friday evening, February 25, 2011, deputies from the Sheriff's Asian Gang Team staked out the suspect’s South Pasadena home. They saw the suspect enter a vehicle with a White male and drive away from the residence. Deputies conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and arrested So for the robbery.
The vehicle they were in belonged to the White male, identified as Suspect Garrett Helstrom, 20, of South Pasadena.
Inside the vehicle, deputies found an exact replica of a semi-automatic handgun and suspected stolen property.
Helstrom was arrested for allegedly aiding So with the robbery.
Both So and Helstrom are being held under $100,000 bail each at Temple Sheriff’s station.
Investigators believe that So and Helstrom may have committed similar robberies in the San Gabriel Valley area. If you were a victim of this type of robbery, please contact sheriff's investigators or your local law enforcement authorities and report it.
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Safety considerations:
People usually purchase or sell possessions without anything going wrong. However, criminals will use a variety of means to steal or do others harm. By following good safety precautions, you can reduce the chance that you will have your property stolen, and even more importantly, that you avoid harm.
When meeting someone for the first time, including to make a purchase or to sell something, please remember:
* Your personal safety is your priority
* Legitimate buyers and sellers will be as concerned about their personal safety as you are about yours.
* Insist on a public meeting place like a cafe. Do not meet in a secluded place, and never invite strangers into your home.
* Highly populated and well traveled areas are usually safer
* Be especially careful when buying/selling high value items
* Tell a friend or family member where you are going and with whom exactly you are meeting
* Consider having a friend accompany you
* Take your cell phone along
* Trust your instincts. Leave if someone or something looks suspicious, especially if you arrive at the location and there is no vehicle visible.
* It is better that you feel impolite and drive away, than to risk your safety.
* If you are robbed, give the suspects the property they are asking for; your life and personal safety is more valuable than your property.
* Your personal safety is your priority
Sergeant Steve Kim
Asian Gang Team
Operation Safe Streets Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(310) 603-3100
www.lasd.org
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
www.lasd.org
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Telephone Scam being used by Inmates
Telephone Scam being used by Inmates and others - Don't fall for this (*72)
Members of the public are being tricked by jail inmates and others through a telephone scam.
The increasing pattern was noticed by deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who have been receiving an increasing number of phone calls from people who have been scammed.
Members of the public have been calling the Sheriff's Department and asking to talk to a specific deputy, detective, or sergeant who had just called them. The real deputy who answers the phone explains they are mistaken, as the named deputy does not exist or is not on duty.
The scam begins by the victim caller receiving a call from a person claiming to be a deputy. This imposter tells the victim that one of their family member's has been incarcerated or involved in an accident. The imposter then informs the victim caller that their family member provided the victim caller's name as an emergency contact.
The victim caller is then instructed to call a number that begins with *72 (Example: *72-323-555-1212) to get the information they will need. When the victim caller hangs up and dials the number provided, they are told they have a wrong number.
Concerned for the safety of their family member, the victim caller then calls an information line (4-1-1) and asks for a number to the Sheriff's Department. They are then connected with a real deputy.
However, since the victim caller used the prefix *72 to initiate their last phone call, they have just automatically forwarded all their incoming calls to the scammer's phone number (These include collect calls from inmates who want to avoid paying for collect calls). The billing for these forwarded calls goes to the victim caller until they turn off call forwarding on their phone (usually by dialing *73).
If not careful, Victims can be scammed out of a lot of money in collect-call fees before they find this out.
Do Not Dial *72 unless you want to forward your calls.
If you have been involved in this scam, and you have already dialed a number beginning with *72, contact your phone service provider to learn how to shut off automatic call forwarding.
For more information regarding this scam, please read the below alert from the California Public Utilities Commission for further details, recommendations and recourse.
Deputy Mark Pope
Deputy Robert Boese III
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267- 4800
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
www.lasd.org
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
***
*72 Phone Scam - CONSUMER ADVISORY
Consumers should be aware of a phone scam that can leave you with high phone bills. It starts when scammers call you pretending to be with the police or sheriff's department, public safety agencies, or hospitals. They may make up a story about your child or other loved one being hurt in an accident. They then tell you to call the officer at the scene of the accident by dialing *72 and a phone number they provide you.
DO NOT DO THIS!
By dialing *72 at the beginning of a call, you will activate call forwarding, if you subscribe to it, and all calls to your phone number will be forwarded to the phone number that the scammers gave you.
When that happens, you may be billed a charge each time a call is forwarded to the other number. You may also be billed long distance charges, including collect call charges if applicable. Calls will continue to forward until you turn off the call forwarding feature. In some cases *73 turns off call forwarding, but that may vary depending on which phone company and the type of call forwarding service you subscribe to.
By getting you to activate your call forwarding feature and providing you with a number (it could be to an expensive pay-per-call service, the East Coast, etc.), the scammers can then call that number by dialing your phone number and you will be billed the additional charges. Don’t let this happen to you!
You may have call forwarding as a feature of your landline or wireless service. If you are unsure if you have it, ask your phone company. Also not all call forwarding is activated by *72. If you have call forwarding, find out how to use it, as well as all your other services.
If this does happen to you, call your phone company to dispute the charges and report it to the California Public Utilities Commission’s consumer hotline at 800-649-7570.
CONSUMER ADVISORY
California Public Utilities Commission Consumer Hotline
(800) 649-7570
ftp://ftp.cpuc.ca.gov/cei/advisories/72%20Scam%20final.pdf
http://www.calphoneinfo.com/
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Consumer+Information/081022_72advisory.htm
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
To receive more detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/ and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" and your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4659930/?sub_id=250566.
Contact Information:
Robert Boese III
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau
Members of the public are being tricked by jail inmates and others through a telephone scam.
The increasing pattern was noticed by deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who have been receiving an increasing number of phone calls from people who have been scammed.
Members of the public have been calling the Sheriff's Department and asking to talk to a specific deputy, detective, or sergeant who had just called them. The real deputy who answers the phone explains they are mistaken, as the named deputy does not exist or is not on duty.
The scam begins by the victim caller receiving a call from a person claiming to be a deputy. This imposter tells the victim that one of their family member's has been incarcerated or involved in an accident. The imposter then informs the victim caller that their family member provided the victim caller's name as an emergency contact.
The victim caller is then instructed to call a number that begins with *72 (Example: *72-323-555-1212) to get the information they will need. When the victim caller hangs up and dials the number provided, they are told they have a wrong number.
Concerned for the safety of their family member, the victim caller then calls an information line (4-1-1) and asks for a number to the Sheriff's Department. They are then connected with a real deputy.
However, since the victim caller used the prefix *72 to initiate their last phone call, they have just automatically forwarded all their incoming calls to the scammer's phone number (These include collect calls from inmates who want to avoid paying for collect calls). The billing for these forwarded calls goes to the victim caller until they turn off call forwarding on their phone (usually by dialing *73).
If not careful, Victims can be scammed out of a lot of money in collect-call fees before they find this out.
Do Not Dial *72 unless you want to forward your calls.
If you have been involved in this scam, and you have already dialed a number beginning with *72, contact your phone service provider to learn how to shut off automatic call forwarding.
For more information regarding this scam, please read the below alert from the California Public Utilities Commission for further details, recommendations and recourse.
Deputy Mark Pope
Deputy Robert Boese III
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267- 4800
SHBNewsroom@lasd.org
www.lasd.org
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
***
*72 Phone Scam - CONSUMER ADVISORY
Consumers should be aware of a phone scam that can leave you with high phone bills. It starts when scammers call you pretending to be with the police or sheriff's department, public safety agencies, or hospitals. They may make up a story about your child or other loved one being hurt in an accident. They then tell you to call the officer at the scene of the accident by dialing *72 and a phone number they provide you.
DO NOT DO THIS!
By dialing *72 at the beginning of a call, you will activate call forwarding, if you subscribe to it, and all calls to your phone number will be forwarded to the phone number that the scammers gave you.
When that happens, you may be billed a charge each time a call is forwarded to the other number. You may also be billed long distance charges, including collect call charges if applicable. Calls will continue to forward until you turn off the call forwarding feature. In some cases *73 turns off call forwarding, but that may vary depending on which phone company and the type of call forwarding service you subscribe to.
By getting you to activate your call forwarding feature and providing you with a number (it could be to an expensive pay-per-call service, the East Coast, etc.), the scammers can then call that number by dialing your phone number and you will be billed the additional charges. Don’t let this happen to you!
You may have call forwarding as a feature of your landline or wireless service. If you are unsure if you have it, ask your phone company. Also not all call forwarding is activated by *72. If you have call forwarding, find out how to use it, as well as all your other services.
If this does happen to you, call your phone company to dispute the charges and report it to the California Public Utilities Commission’s consumer hotline at 800-649-7570.
CONSUMER ADVISORY
California Public Utilities Commission Consumer Hotline
(800) 649-7570
ftp://ftp.cpuc.ca.gov/cei/advisories/72%20Scam%20final.pdf
http://www.calphoneinfo.com/
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco/Consumer+Information/081022_72advisory.htm
Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
To receive more detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/ and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" and your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.
For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/4659930/?sub_id=250566.
Contact Information:
Robert Boese III
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Low Recidivism Rate Reported For Paroled NY Murderers
Low Recidivism Rate Reported For Paroled NY Murderers
Of 368 convicted murderers granted parole in New York between 1999 and 2003, six, or 1.6 percent,were returned to prison within three years for a new felony conviction — none of them a violent offense, says a state Parole Board study reported by the Journal News in White Plains, N.Y. The board reported that of 1,190 convicted murderers released from 1985 to 2003 in New York state, 35, or just under 3 percent, returned to prison for a new felony conviction within three years.
"Individuals who are released on parole after serving sentences for murder consistently have the lowest recidivism rate of any offenders," said John Caher, a spokesman for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. A 2002 study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics tracking 272,000 inmates released in New York and 14 other states found that 1.2 percent of those freed after serving a murder sentence were rearrested on homicide charges within three years — the lowest rate among all reported crimes by released prisoners. "This is a very difficult issue, and unless we lock everyone up for life they're all coming back sooner or later," said Martin Horn, a former New York City corrections and probation commissioner who now teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
http://www.thecrimereport.org/archive/low-recidivism-rate-reported-for-paroled-ny-murderers/
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Counselor's Opinion On Sex Offenders - What do you think?
Here is a counselor's opinion that was sent to us. Let me know what you think!
I don't know quite how and where to begin but I feel I too must reach out in my plight in hopes to collaberate and attempt to understand healing. I have worked with both victims and offenders for many years. I am very saddened on many levels because of the constant 'reactive' state verses proactive state that is needed. The majority of male offenders I worked with were victims at one time. Few received help for their abuse, especially in the 1950's, 60's and 70's when abuse to male boys just wasn't taked about. Early in my career I found this devistating because had these men who are stuck on 'stupid' with distorted boundries, anger issues and feelings of guilt and shame possbily had a place to go or someone to talk to, they may have not become offenders themselves. As I am sure most of you already know, most offenders are not 'fixated' with small children but make warped decisions based on things they may have experienced in their own life. I do not see the public sex offender registry aiding in protecting our children, nor do I, (sorry to those who do) believe in life time punishment for all offenders. There are some offenders who do want to lead healthy lives and are capable of doing so once they are aware of the wrongs they have committed and learn to understand that what happended to them wasn't right either. I may be coming from left field with this notion, but does anyone agree with this? The registry is not a 'fix it' full proof way to keep people, especially children safe. The laws now prevent former sex offenders from housing, jobs and living what could be a productive life. Please don't think I am some crazy sex offender advocate, I am a civil rights advocate for all people and I just don't see that America's current practices are preventing anything. Either lock 'em up forever, kill them or allow healing for everyone involved, but our current lawmakers giving the public a false sense of security by gaining votes to pretend that they are tough on crime is not working. Another thing is that we cannot glorify a sexual image through poor taste media that teen girls/boys are watching like tasteless videos, etc, pass out birth control like its candy and then arrest the guys the 14 year olds are sleeping with, meanwhile allowing the 14 year old to still obtain birth contol when she needs it. We now have a young male who had consensual sex and is labeled for life, what good is that? Our current system is not working and PREVENTION from all angles is the key!
I don't know quite how and where to begin but I feel I too must reach out in my plight in hopes to collaberate and attempt to understand healing. I have worked with both victims and offenders for many years. I am very saddened on many levels because of the constant 'reactive' state verses proactive state that is needed. The majority of male offenders I worked with were victims at one time. Few received help for their abuse, especially in the 1950's, 60's and 70's when abuse to male boys just wasn't taked about. Early in my career I found this devistating because had these men who are stuck on 'stupid' with distorted boundries, anger issues and feelings of guilt and shame possbily had a place to go or someone to talk to, they may have not become offenders themselves. As I am sure most of you already know, most offenders are not 'fixated' with small children but make warped decisions based on things they may have experienced in their own life. I do not see the public sex offender registry aiding in protecting our children, nor do I, (sorry to those who do) believe in life time punishment for all offenders. There are some offenders who do want to lead healthy lives and are capable of doing so once they are aware of the wrongs they have committed and learn to understand that what happended to them wasn't right either. I may be coming from left field with this notion, but does anyone agree with this? The registry is not a 'fix it' full proof way to keep people, especially children safe. The laws now prevent former sex offenders from housing, jobs and living what could be a productive life. Please don't think I am some crazy sex offender advocate, I am a civil rights advocate for all people and I just don't see that America's current practices are preventing anything. Either lock 'em up forever, kill them or allow healing for everyone involved, but our current lawmakers giving the public a false sense of security by gaining votes to pretend that they are tough on crime is not working. Another thing is that we cannot glorify a sexual image through poor taste media that teen girls/boys are watching like tasteless videos, etc, pass out birth control like its candy and then arrest the guys the 14 year olds are sleeping with, meanwhile allowing the 14 year old to still obtain birth contol when she needs it. We now have a young male who had consensual sex and is labeled for life, what good is that? Our current system is not working and PREVENTION from all angles is the key!
Monday, February 14, 2011
WANTED: Army private wanted for rape of minor, escape
WANTED: Army private wanted for rape of minor, escape. Possibly armed and en route to LA County from Georgia.
(PHOTO OF SUSPECT DANIEL BRAZELTON can be seen by clicking on the link at the bottom of this message)
20-year old Suspect Daniel Brazelton was in the custody of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department, in Hinesville, Georgia, awaiting extradition back to Los Angeles County to answer charges that he had raped a 15-year old victim in December 2009.
On Friday, February 11, 2011, Suspect Brazelton, who is on active duty with the United Stated Army, was removed from the custody of the Liberty County jail and taken to Fort Stewart for medical reasons. While being returned to the Liberty County jail that afternoon, Suspect Brazelton escaped from Army personnel and their transport vehicle.
The suspect’s current whereabouts are not known. An active search for Suspect Brazelton is being conducted in Georgia by law enforcement and Army personnel.
"Suspect Daniel Brazelton is wanted for the alleged rape of a minor and for escape," said Captain Mike Parker, Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau Investigators believe he is possibly armed with a handgun and is considered dangerous. He most likely is receiving help in evading law enforcement and may be attempting to return to Los Angeles County. If seen, the public is asked to call 9-1-1 and allow law enforcement to take him into custody."
The victim and her family have been notified of the escape of the suspect and the possibility that he is en route to Los Angeles County.
Suspect Daniel Jay Brazelton is a White male, 20-years old, 5'07", 167 pounds, with shortly cropped black hair and brown eyes. He was clean-shaven at the time of his escape. He is currently a resident of Fort Stewart, Georgia, but was raised in Palmdale, California. (See PHOTO by clicking on the link at the bottom of this message).
If seen, call 9-1-1, your local law enforcement agency, or the Special Victims Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at 877-710-LASD (5273). Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
www.lasd.org
Sgt. Brian Hudson
Special Victims Bureau
Detective Division
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
877-710-LASD (5273)
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(PHOTO OF SUSPECT DANIEL BRAZELTON can be seen by clicking on the link at the bottom of this message)
20-year old Suspect Daniel Brazelton was in the custody of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department, in Hinesville, Georgia, awaiting extradition back to Los Angeles County to answer charges that he had raped a 15-year old victim in December 2009.
On Friday, February 11, 2011, Suspect Brazelton, who is on active duty with the United Stated Army, was removed from the custody of the Liberty County jail and taken to Fort Stewart for medical reasons. While being returned to the Liberty County jail that afternoon, Suspect Brazelton escaped from Army personnel and their transport vehicle.
The suspect’s current whereabouts are not known. An active search for Suspect Brazelton is being conducted in Georgia by law enforcement and Army personnel.
"Suspect Daniel Brazelton is wanted for the alleged rape of a minor and for escape," said Captain Mike Parker, Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "Sheriff's Special Victims Bureau Investigators believe he is possibly armed with a handgun and is considered dangerous. He most likely is receiving help in evading law enforcement and may be attempting to return to Los Angeles County. If seen, the public is asked to call 9-1-1 and allow law enforcement to take him into custody."
The victim and her family have been notified of the escape of the suspect and the possibility that he is en route to Los Angeles County.
Suspect Daniel Jay Brazelton is a White male, 20-years old, 5'07", 167 pounds, with shortly cropped black hair and brown eyes. He was clean-shaven at the time of his escape. He is currently a resident of Fort Stewart, Georgia, but was raised in Palmdale, California. (See PHOTO by clicking on the link at the bottom of this message).
If seen, call 9-1-1, your local law enforcement agency, or the Special Victims Bureau of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at 877-710-LASD (5273). Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Captain Mike Parker
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(323) 267-4800
www.lasd.org
Sgt. Brian Hudson
Special Victims Bureau
Detective Division
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
877-710-LASD (5273)
Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Two correctional facilities to remain closed because of budget issues
Two correctional facilities to remain closed because of budget issues
BY JASON KOTOWSKI, Californian staff writer
jkotowski@bakersfield.com | Thursday, Feb 10 2011
Two Kern County community correctional facilities that were supposed to reopen this month and house hundreds of low-level female inmates will remain closed.
The contract awarded last year to The GEO Group to operate the facilities was pulled because of the state's budget woes, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Cassandra Hockenson said Thursday. It costs about twice as much to keep an inmate in a smaller facility compared to a larger one, she said.
"It just didn't pencil out and this administration, obviously very concerned about the budget and the cost of reducing the budget deficit, had the programs scrapped," Hockenson said.
The McFarland Community Correctional Facility had been slated to reopen Feb. 14 and house 250 inmates. The Mesa Verde Community Correctional Facility -- located in Bakersfield -- had been scheduled for a Feb. 7 reopening and was supposed to house 400 inmates.
Exact figures on how much the facilities would have cost the state weren't immediately available.
GEO Group spokesman Pablo E. Paez was not immediately available for comment.
Also factoring into the state's decision was that the number of female prisoners has dropped over the past year and overcrowding is no longer an issue, Hockenson said. The Non-Revocable Parole and Enhanced Credits programs helped reduce the overall prison population.
The Non-Revocable Parole Program allows certain offenders to be released without being placed on parole. The Enhanced Credits Program lets inmates who participate in rehabilitation programs earn up to six weeks off their sentence per year.
The McFarland and Mesa Verde facilities first closed in late 2009 because there weren't enough low-level male inmates to fill them.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x563852436/Two-correctional-facilities-to-remain-closed-because-of-budget-issues
BY JASON KOTOWSKI, Californian staff writer
jkotowski@bakersfield.com | Thursday, Feb 10 2011
Two Kern County community correctional facilities that were supposed to reopen this month and house hundreds of low-level female inmates will remain closed.
The contract awarded last year to The GEO Group to operate the facilities was pulled because of the state's budget woes, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Cassandra Hockenson said Thursday. It costs about twice as much to keep an inmate in a smaller facility compared to a larger one, she said.
"It just didn't pencil out and this administration, obviously very concerned about the budget and the cost of reducing the budget deficit, had the programs scrapped," Hockenson said.
The McFarland Community Correctional Facility had been slated to reopen Feb. 14 and house 250 inmates. The Mesa Verde Community Correctional Facility -- located in Bakersfield -- had been scheduled for a Feb. 7 reopening and was supposed to house 400 inmates.
Exact figures on how much the facilities would have cost the state weren't immediately available.
GEO Group spokesman Pablo E. Paez was not immediately available for comment.
Also factoring into the state's decision was that the number of female prisoners has dropped over the past year and overcrowding is no longer an issue, Hockenson said. The Non-Revocable Parole and Enhanced Credits programs helped reduce the overall prison population.
The Non-Revocable Parole Program allows certain offenders to be released without being placed on parole. The Enhanced Credits Program lets inmates who participate in rehabilitation programs earn up to six weeks off their sentence per year.
The McFarland and Mesa Verde facilities first closed in late 2009 because there weren't enough low-level male inmates to fill them.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x563852436/Two-correctional-facilities-to-remain-closed-because-of-budget-issues
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
