Media Right News – Virginia Democrat State Senator, Louise Lucas, and many other high profile Democrats, including school board members, NAACP reps, and public defenders were arraigned in court this morning in Portsmouth, Virginia. Their appearance was due to their alleged roles in the illegal Confederate monument destruction that lead to one man’s head being cracked open by a piece of the monument falling upon him.
The Democrat Governor of Virginia, famous for the ‘blackface/KKK’ yearbook scandal, Ralph Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, who had his own blackface scandal, and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, who has been accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, are standing up for Lucas and others.
They say the charges are politically motivated, but they didn’t get into detail as to if the people charged were or were not guilty of what they are accused of. Nevertheless, Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene has upset the apple cart and it appears, although not yet proven, that the laws are meant for some, but not others, especially when it comes to high profile Virginia Democrats.
After they were arraigned this morning, it’s being reported that Chief Greene is being put on paid leave by the city of Portsmouth. To many this was a shocking and seemingly mysterious turn of events. WTKR reported:
Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene was placed on administrative leave Friday, according to City of Portsmouth officials.
According to Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke, Portsmouth City Council was briefed on Greene’s removal via phone call.
The decision was made weeks after Greene announced that state Sen. Louise Lucas, NAACP members, school board members and public defenders had felony warrants issued in relation to their participation in a June 10 Confederate monument protest where a man was severely injured.
After the charges were announced, some in the city called for Greene to step down and supported those charged.
Greene released a statement following calls for her resignation, saying, “As the head of the primary law enforcement agency in the City of Portsmouth, it is my obligation to investigate all crimes that have occurred, and when probable cause exists, present that evidence for the prosecution, which is what was done in this matter.”
Lucas and several others charged appeared in court Friday. Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax attended Friday’s court hearing in support.
The City of Portsmouth released the following statement on Greene:
“The City confirms that Police Chief Angela Greene is on paid leave, and during this period Assistant Chief Scott Burke is serving as Acting Chief of Police of the City Police Department.”
Previously we reported on the bold actions by Chief Greene which were sure to be followed by blowback from Virginia Democrats who were, and still seem to be, furious that high profile officials are being held accountable for their alleged participation in the destruction of the monument.
The Portsmouth, Virginia Police Chief Angela Greene has just announced that “several individuals conspired and organized to destroy a Confederate monument, as well as summon hundreds of people to join in the felonious acts, which not only resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to the monument, and ultimately, the life-threatening injury to Mr. Green”.
She said that she will make sure all laws are upheld and plans to execute a “comprehensive investigation”. They have “identified and secured arrest warrants of numerous individuals who conspired, organized, and participated in the felonious acts on June 10th.”
Here’s Democrat State Senator Lucas after her arraignment this morning and Virginia Democrats vowing to fight back against her and others’ charges:
Michael Forest Reinoehl was killed in Lacey, Washington.
He was killed as a federal task force tried to arrest him for the cold-blooded murder of Aaron Danielson.
Reinoehl admitted to the slaying but claimed it was self-defense. Or actually what he said was he shot Danielson in cold blood because Danielson was about to kill a man of color.
When the federal task force moved in to arrest Reinoehl, he fled to Lacey, Washington, but the task force caught up to him there. It was there that Reinoehl lost his life in a confrontation with the task force, but the details are sketchy. Antifa has already been calling it an execution by law enforcement. But they were okay with Reinoehl killing Danielson. Go figure.
President Trump had been upset by the fact that neither state nor local officials had moved in to arrest the killer.
Why aren’t the Portland Police ARRESTING the cold blooded killer of Aaron “Jay” Danielson. Do your job, and do it fast. Everybody knows who this thug is. No wonder Portland is going to hell! @TheJusticeDept@FBI — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2020
MORE: Reinoehl had fled the state of Oregon and crossed state lines to Washington. A federal fugitive task force located him outside of Olympia, where he was killed as they moved in to arrest him. Portland police issued a warrant for his arrest earlier today. — Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) September 4, 2020
The Associated Press is reporting that federal task force members shot and killed Reinoehl after he drew his gun on the law enforcement agents. He who lives by the riot dies by the riot.
Danielson was a member of the Patriot Prayer group that had conducted a car caravan earlier in the evening. He gunned him down in cold blood in my opinion.
Mayor Ted Wheeler has allowed Antifa to have the run of the city but it has only made them more violent. That has made them bolder as well. They feel like they are invincible. at least as long as they remain in Portland.
In an interview with VICE News, Reinoehl said:
“I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color, but I wasn’t going to do that.”
“You know, lots of lawyers suggest that I shouldn’t even be saying anything, but I feel it’s important that the world at least gets a little bit of what’s really going on.”
Reporter Andy Ngo reported:
“Antifa accounts in their secret group chatrooms are calling the killing of Antifa shooter Michael Reinoehl a police ‘execution.’”
The riots in Portland has lasted about 100 days and has been brutally violent in the process. Antifa has burned businesses, looted stores, and attacked anyone that does not agree with them or their tactics.
The rioters have been able to continue their reign of terror thanks to DA Michael Schmidt who has dropped almost every charge brought against the rioters.
They have terrorized the city on a daily basis. In my opinion, President Trump really needs to name Antifa as a domestic terrorist group.
This would give federal authorities to move in whenever they show their heads. This is the only way to get this nonsense to end.
The city of Portland will never recover from this horrible episode. Businesses that were burned down will cost more to clear the lot by far than the insurance companies will pay them and the land is worth about the same as the cost of clearing the lot. And that’s before you even consider rebuilding.
At a press conference in Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday, Attorney General William P. Barr announced updates on Operation Legend with 1000 arrests, 400 weapons seized from 9 cities, including 33 murder suspects.
“For cities plagued with a violent crime, we will protect American citizens. We did it very quietly, and cut the murder rate in half in Chicago,” President Donald J Trump said.
WATCH:
Since the beginning of Operation Legend, we've conducted more than 1,000 arrests and reduced the murder rate in Kansas City by one-third.
The Department of Justice released a statement about their “Case of the Day” about the update as well as a highlight of Albuquerque, New Mexico on Tuesday.
Operation Legend: Case of the Day
Today’s case is out of Albuquerque, a city which was on fast track to a record-breaking homicide %.
Two women were sitting in a car in a church parking lot when a man pretended to ask for a phone charger, then pulled a gun & ordered them out. https://t.co/80i2RO6JyX
Since the operation’s launch, there have been more than 1,000 arrests, including defendants who have been charged in state and local courts. Of those arrests, approximately 217 defendants have been charged with federal crimes. These numbers exclude Indianapolis, whose operation was just announced last Friday. In addition, nearly 400 firearms have been seized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Attorney General launched the operation on July 8, 2020, as a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime. The initiative is named in honor of four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot and killed while he slept early in the morning of June 29 in Kansas City.
Launched first in Kansas City, MO., on July 8, 2020, the operation was expanded to Chicago and Albuquerque on July 22, 2020, to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee on July 29, 2020, to St. Louis and Memphis on Aug. 6, 2020, and to Indianapolis on Aug. 14, 2020. A breakdown of the federal charges in each district, with the exception of Indianapolis, is below.
Kansas City, MO.
Forty-three defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses. In addition to the federal charges, the operation has led to the arrests of 17 state defendants on homicide charges.
20 defendants have been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm; 17 defendants have been charged with drug trafficking; Four defendants have been charged with being a drug user in possession of a firearm; Six defendants have been charged with being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; Four defendants have been charged with being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of violent crime; One defendant has been charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition; Three defendants have been charged with armed robbery; One defendant has been charged with carjacking; and One defendant has been charged with arson. Chicago, Ill.
Sixty-one defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses.
34 defendants have been charged with firearms-related offenses; 26 defendants have been charged with narcotics-related offenses; One defendant has been charged with possession of machine gun; One defendant has been charged with illegally dealing firearms without a license; One defendant has been charged with the illegal sale of firearm to prohibited person; and One defendant has been charged with bank fraud. Albuquerque, NM.
Sixteen defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses.
Six defendants have been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Four defendants have been charged with distribution of controlled substances; Six defendants have been charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; Four defendants have been charged with being in possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; Eight defendants have been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm; One defendant has been charged with being in possession of a stolen firearm; Two defendants have been charged with Hobbs Act violations; and One defendant has been charged with carjacking. Cleveland, OH.
Thirty-two defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses. Two defendants remain fugitives.
22 defendants have been charged with federal drug trafficking charges; Nine defendants have been charged with federal firearms violations; and One defendant had been charged with carjacking. Detroit, MI.
Twenty-two defendants have been charged with federal offenses outlined below, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses.
14 defendants have been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm; Two defendants have been charged with possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances; Two defendants have been charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; Three defendants have been charged with receipt of a firearm while under indictment; Four defendants have been charged with making false statement to a licensed firearm dealer; and Two defendants have been charged with carjacking. Milwaukee, WI.
Eleven defendants have been charged with federal crimes outlined below, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses. In addition, thus far, 28 firearms have been seized.
Eight defendants have been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm; Five defendants have been charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics; Four defendants have been charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; Two defendants have been charged with making false statements to a licensed firearm dealer; One defendant has been charged with possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of narcotics; One defendant has been charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition; and One defendant has been charged with distribution of narcotics. St. Louis, MO.
Twenty-five defendants have been charged with federal crimes, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses.
One defendant has been charged with drug trafficking and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime following the USMS’s execution of a state arrest warrant; One defendant has been charged with robbery of an item effecting interstate commerce and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence following an joint ATF, SLMPD-initiated undercover operation targeting a known shooter; One defendant has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm following ATF’s execution of a federal search warrant directed towards the residence of a suspected murderer; 21 defendants have been charged with drug trafficking offenses; and One defendant has been charged with being a drug user in possession of a firearm. Memphis, Tenn.
Seven defendants have been charged with federal offenses, with some defendants charged with multiple offenses.
One defendant has been charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm while illegally or unlawfully in the United States; One defendant, who lives in Memphis, was charged in an out-of-district federal case with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Two defendants have been charged with being unlawful users of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm and making a material false statement when acquiring a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL); and Two cases remain under seal, but the charges are as follows: One defendant has been charged with bank robbery Two defendants charged with theft from an FFL.
A large gathering of Christians in Washington Square Park in New York City prayed for protection over the NYPD officers surveying the event on Saturday.
The event was hosted by Sean Feucht – a California-based worship leader who has been holding “Let Us Worship” events across the nation since July. In a Twitter post, he wrote that during the event, they felt led “to pray and read scripture over the NYPD officers”.
“Father, we pray for protection,” a man in the video prayed over the officers. “We pray for the love of God. We pray for the mercy of God. Lord, we pray for this nation. Lord, where there’s tension with the officers and the people, that you would tear down those walls…”
Feucht began hosting “Let Us Worship” events in July after California Governor Gavin Newsom banned singing at indoor worship services as a COVID-19 preventative. Several churches in California have filed lawsuits against the Governor for the ban and for continuing to prevent churches from meeting in-person, arguing it is an infringement on their First Amendment rights granted by the Constitution.
What initially began as an initiative in California has expanded into the Northwest states and to the East coast. The “Let Us Worship” events have gathered hundreds of Christians at once in key cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle.
The events are being tagged “Riots to Revival.” At the same time Feucht has been leading hundreds of Christians in peaceful gatherings of prayer and worship, protestors and rioters have caused great damage to cities nationwide. Seeing the destruction and chaos that this summer has wreaked on America’s cities, Feucht began using these events to call the locals of cities together in unity, to pray and worship over their cities to combat the current violence.
A prayer of protection over NYPD officers on Saturday night is a direct reflection of how Christians at these events have been responding to the current cultural discord – with a spirit of hope, reconciliation, and love.
The gathering in Washington Square saw a diverse crowd of people worshipping together in peace. There were salvations and re-dedications to Christ, and people were baptized in the fountain.
“The spirit of revival crashed into the heart of NYC!” wrote Sean Feucht in a Facebook post, accompanied by an artistic video of the entire event. “Salvations broke forth, deliverance from oppression and fear and suicide, prayer with the NYPD officers, dozens of baptisms in the iconic fountain and just SOO. MUCH. JOY.”
#LetUsWorship – NEW YORK CITY – The garment of PRAISE for the spirit of heaviness!!The spirit of revival crashed into…
Feucht will continue traveling the nation hosting these events, with upcoming stops in Washington State, Oregon, California, and Colorado before he continues to Midwest states.
Just a few short nights ago at the Republican National Convention, we heard from Ann Dorn, the widow of retired St. Louis Police Chief David Dorn.
She spoke with great eloquence and emotion about what a great man her husband was, and how sorely he will be missed. Her words painted a clear picture of how his death is a great loss to all who knew him.
WATCH:
OFFICERS SHOT
St. Louis continues to be a city whose police are under constant threat of a deadly attack. Two officers were ambushed Saturday evening, August 29th while responding to a call. One was shot in the head, and a second officer was shot in the leg while rushing to render assistance.
Please keep the entire St Louis Metropolitan Police Department in your thoughts and prayers tonight. Two of their officers have been shot, one in the head.
Police Officers shot in America are sky rocketing in 2020 and no one is talking about it. Truly sickening. #EnoughIsEnough
The shooting, followed by a subsequent standoff between police and the suspect, reportedly started just before 6:00 p.m. Saturday. The action took place in the 3700 block of Hartford Street in the South Grand neighborhood, south of Tower Grove Park. St. Louis’ Police Chief John Hayden reported that the officers were en route to check on a shooting call in the neighborhood.
Chief Hayden said that one of the officers was hit in the head, and as might be expected, went down immediately. Other officers rushed in to help the wounded officer. It was then that the suspect shot a second officer in the leg.
The officers were in the process of searching for a victim when the suspect opened fire. The officer who was struck in the head is currently listed in “very critical” condition, again according to Chief Hayden.
When speaking to reporters outside the St. Louis University Hospital, Chief Hayden said:
“Our officers have been going through a lot this summer, as you know. We’ve had a surge in violence. These officers, all they’re trying to do is their job and try to help a person who’s wounded and they come under fire themselves. The officer who’s most critically injured, pray for him.
He also said that eight officers have been shot in the line of duty since early June. Both officers involved in the shooting were approximately 29 years of age. One has about 3-1/2 years of experience on the force. Hayden said the second officer has about one year of experience. The suspect barricaded himself in a house and forced the homeowners to leave.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson expressed her sympathy and concern as well:
Please keep our injured officers and all the men and women of @SLMPD in your thoughts and prayers as this situation continues to develop. Their friends, family and loved ones, too. 🙏 https://t.co/zLUTgA24tM
By now it’s no secret that the MSM and the “leaders” of the Democrat party are in league with one another. The bullhorns of protesters and the talking heads continuously demonstrate their complicity with the Left as they continue to push a narrative of police misconduct; police brutality; police need more and better training but funding should be cut; ad nauseum. (Do I dare use the words “leadership” and Democrat in the same sentence?)
It’s absolutely and unequivocally wrong what’s happening to the police. Are there some bad apples? Of course. They’re human and subject to a margin of error just like any of us. Lumping them all together and collectively condemning them as bad or dirty cops is no more right than saying every priest is a pedophile when there are more like thousands of them that are dedicated to their mission of helping people.
The rioters (excuse me, the “peaceful protesters”) all across the country have become increasingly disrespectful of police authority. How tragic is it that firefighters and other first responders now need to be equipped with bulletproof vests? I think it’s utterly ridiculous! Those who have dedicated their lives to the safety of others should never have to feel as if it’s necessary to take such drastic self-protective measures while on duty.
In response to @Joe Gamaldi, the mainstream media may not be talking about police officer shootings, but we here at DavidHarrisJr.com are strongly supportive of the Thin Blue Line. I believe I can say with great certainty that many members of our group here pray for the safety of our first responders. We firmly believe that we NEED police security, and will continue to voice our support on their behalf.
The US Department of Justice issued a press statement, Friday, about people being charged federally with assaulting federal officers, arson, failing to obey lawful orders, and damaging federal property
U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that 74 people are facing federal charges for crimes committed adjacent to or under the guise of peaceful demonstrations in Portland since at least May 29, 2020.
“It is important to note that while some federal charges require crimes to be committed on federal property, others do not. Violent acts committed throughout the city of Portland under the guise of peaceful protest are being evaluated by local federal prosecutors for prosecution,” the FBI said.
Felony assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Arson is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
According to the statement:
For more than 90 consecutive nights, Portland has been home to large demonstrations and protests against police use of force and anti-Black racism.
On many nights, after peaceful demonstrations end, various public and private buildings have been the target of vandalism and destruction.
Local, state, and federal law enforcement working to protect these buildings and ensure the safety of peaceful demonstrators have been subjected to threats and assaults from violent agitators while performing their duties.
“Violent agitators have hijacked any semblance of First Amendment protected activity, engaging in violent criminal acts and destruction of public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners are expeditiously working with local and state law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute these individuals that are disrupting the rule of law in our communities and physically attacking our law enforcement officers and destroying property. Violent agitators not only delay real reform but make our community less safe by keeping law enforcement from responding to other critical calls for service.”
“While the FBI supports and safeguards Constitutionally-protected activity and civil rights, there is no permit for assault, arson or property damage and these are not victimless crimes,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “Among the victims of violent crime are business owners, residents, and individuals exercising their First Amendment rights through protests or other legitimate forms of expression.”
“The nightly violence has to stop,” said Russel Burger, U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon. “It is drowning out the voices of the many who are calling for change and pulling police resources away from their primary mission of keeping this community safe. We must all come together to find a productive way to move forward.”
“As the nation’s primary source for fire investigative knowledge, ATF remains committed to investigating those responsible for committing arsons in our communities and holding them responsible for their illegal actions,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jonathan McPherson. “As a reminder, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for arson. ATF takes these violent actions seriously and will work diligently to bring justice to the victims.”
“It is vitally important that all Americans have the ability to exercise their first amendment rights to freedom of speech,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Eben Roberts. “Unfortunately, much of what we’re seeing in Portland is the antithesis of that. Instead, tragic events are being used as excuses for individuals with ill intent disguising themselves as activists to commit violent crimes against their communities and law enforcement officers. Progress can only be made if community leaders, law enforcement, and the public come together in the name of social change, justice, and peace.”
Since May 26, 2020, federal law enforcement authorities have arrested 100 people for crimes committed during local demonstrations.
Seventy-four face federal charges, including felonies, misdemeanors, and citation violations. Crimes include assaults on federal officers, some resulting in serious injuries; arson and attempted arson; damaging federal government property; failing to obey lawful orders; and unlawful use of a drone; among others.
Charged defendants include:
Edward Carubis, 24, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 1, 2020;
Rowan Olsen, 19, is charged (photos available) with creating a hazard on federal property, disorderly conduct, and failing to obey a lawful order on July 2, 2020;
Shant Singh Ahuja, 28, of Oceanside, California, is charged with destruction of federal property on July 4, 2020;
Gretchen Blank, 29, of Seattle, Washington, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
Andrew Faulkner, 24, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
Christopher Fellini, 31, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
Theodore Matthee-O’Brien, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
Cody Porter, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
Taimane Teo, 24, of Eugene, Oregon, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
Benjamin Wood-Pavich, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 5, 2020;
Jacob Gaines, 23, a Texas resident, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 11, 2020;
Lillith Grin, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 12, 2020;
Benjamin Bolen, 36, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 13, 2020;
Kevin Weier, 36, is charged with attempted arson on July 13, 2020;
Wyatt Ash-Milby, 18, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
Jerusalem Callahan, 24, is charged with damaging government property on July 21, 2020;
Zachary Duffly, 45, is charged with creating a disturbance on July 21, 2020;
Caleb Ehlers, 23, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
Paul Furst, 22, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
Jennifer Kristiansen, 38, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 21, 2020;
Ella Miller, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
Marie Sager, 27, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
Giovanni Bondurant, 19, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
Bailey Dreibelbis, 22, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 21, 2020;
Gabriel Huston, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
Joseph Lagalo, 37, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 22, 2020;
Taylor Lemons, 32, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 22, 2020;
Joseph Ybarra, 21, is charged with arson on July 22, 2020;
David Hazan, 24, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
Nicholas Kloiber, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
Cameron Knutson, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 23, 2020;
Carly Ballard, 34, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 24, 2020;
David Bouchard, 36, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 24, 2020;
Dakota Eastman, 30, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
Josslynn Kreutz, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
Ezra Meyers, 18, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
Mark Rolycanov, 28, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 24, 2020;
Pablo Avvocato, 26, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
Douglas Dean, 34, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
Rebecca Mota Gonzales, 37, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
Thomas Johnson, 33, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
Richard Lindstedt, 33, is charged with violating national defense airspace on July 25, 2020;
Nathan Onderdonk-Snow, 21, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
Stephen O’Donnell, 65, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
Joshua Webb, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 25, 2020;
Jeffree Cary, 30, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
John Tyler Gabriel, 22, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
Noelle Mandolfo, 30, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
Patrick Stafford, 35, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
Travis Williams, 27, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
Caleb Wills, 29, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 26, 2020;
Brodie Storey, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 27, 2020;
Edward Schinzing, 32, is charged (photos available) with arson on July 28, 2020;
James Hickerson, 54, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order on July 28, 2020;
Ian Wolf, 26, is charged with failing to obey a lawful order and creating a hazard on federal property on July 28, 2020;
Sabastian Dubar, 23, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
Jordan Johnson, 32, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
Evan Kriechbaum, 31, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
Christine Margaux, 28, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on July 29, 2020;
Gabriel Agard-Berryhill, 18, is charged (video available) with arson on July 30, 2020;
Isaiah Maza, 18, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on July 31, 2020;
Dakotah Horton, 24, is charged (photos available) with assaulting a federal officer on August 17, 2020; and
Dakota Means, 20, is charged with assaulting a federal officer on August 24, 2020.
Eleven others have been issued citation violations. All defendants, unless noted, are presumed to be local residents.
These cases are being investigated by the FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; and Federal Protective Service.
They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
The FBI is assisting partner agencies by asking for the public’s help in identifying individuals who participated in or may have been a witness to criminal activity at the following locations:
Near or inside the Multnomah County Justice Center in downtown Portland on the night of May 29, 2020 or into the morning of May 30, 2020. Details here: Justice Center
Near the Chase Bank branch located at 811 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, shortly before 1 a.m. on May 30, 2020. Details here: Chase Bank
The Virginia Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that could reduce the penalty for assaulting a police officer from a felony to a misdemeanor. The bill would also eliminate the current six-month minimum prison sentence requirement.
Senate Bill 5032 was introduced to the Virginia Senate by Democrat Senator Scott Survell.
The bill would not issue a blanket downgrade of all assaults on law enforcement to a misdemeanor. Rather, the bill gives authority to judges and juries to decide if a specific case is worthy of a lesser penalty if the law enforcement officer did not suffer any harm as a result of the assault.
“What we’re talking about here are situations that involve much more insignificant minor touches,” Survell told the Associated Press.
However, police officers are not the only emergency personnel mentioned in this bill. According to the bill’s summary:
Eliminates the mandatory minimum term of confinement for an assault and battery committed against a judge; magistrate; law-enforcement officer; correctional officer; person directly involved in the care, treatment, or supervision of inmates; firefighter; or volunteer firefighter or any emergency medical services personnel and provides that such crime can no longer be committed as a simple assault and must result in a bodily injury.
The bill has come under severe criticism from Republicans. Conservative politicians say that this bill comes at a bad time, when public opinion of law enforcement is divided and police departments are already under incredible pressure to reform in the midst of nationwide protests and riots.
“What in the world are we doing here?” asked Virginia Senator John Cosgrove, Jr. “Have you watched the television for the last couple of weeks? Have you seen what our police officers are going through? And here we are with a bill that’s going to actually make it easier for someone to actually assault a police officer.”
Even U.S. Senators have commented on the bill.
Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas called the bill “unhinged”. In a Tweet, he accused liberal politicians of “endangering police officers and fueling the riots in our streets.”
This is unhinged.
The Democrat Virginia Senate has passed a bill that would dramatically reduce penalties for assaulting a police officer.
Liberal politicians are endangering police officers and fueling the riots in our streets.https://t.co/3bFKHVNk9G
A church in Kansas City was set on fire early Wednesday morning, leaving extensive water and smoke damage, as well as destroying charity items that were meant for those in need in the community.
Footage from the church’s security cameras captured a lone man, who has yet to be identified, lighting the building on fire at 3 AM.
The church’s administrative assistance, Liz Williams, called the footage “heart-wrenching.”
“This is a great ministry,” she told local news 41 KSHB. “It serves the community. Our pastor is a loving pastor. We welcome people in, we go out and we assist people. So to see this, it’s just been one of the things I don’t understand.”
Beyond Thee Four Walls Outreach Ministry is led by Minister Michael Higgins. According to a post on the church’s Facebook page, the fire destroyed their fellowship hall, youth classroom, clothes-drive closet, and food pantry.
We are the Beyond Thee Four Walls Outreach Ministry and we have suffered a tremendous lost due to an arsonist setting…
41 KSHB reported that the church had been storing nearly a dozen bags of clothes to be given to women and children in need, the homeless, and others in difficult situations. All the clothes were destroyed by the fire.
Despite the damage and the uncertain future the church now faces, Pastor Higgins extended forgiveness to the arsonist. “God forgives us and we have to be forgiving also. So, you know, we might be angry at the act, but not at the individual. We’re going to pray for him.”
Williams agreed with her pastor, saying of the arsonist that “God loves him in spite of whatever the circumstances.”
“We genuinely try to bring a light to a dark and dying world, you know?” Higgins said of their ministry. “We give hope to guys who might seem like the time is hopeless around here…”
The man has yet to be identified or caught. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are offering up to a $5,000 reward for any information that could lead to the man’s arrest.
The Seattle City Council may have passed a budget slashing the police department’s funding last week, but the budget still has yet to receive official approval from Mayor Jenny Durkan.
Mayor Durkan is still undecided whether she will approve the budget cut, pointing to many problems she sees with the decisions made by the Council, including the elimination of the Navigation Team – a partnership between police officers and outreach workers to connect the homeless with housing and other resources to help curb the city’s homelessness problem.
The Navigation Team “has advanced certification in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques that lend themselves to the daunting tasks of reaching those most in need,” according to the Seattle city government website.
Ed Murray, the mayor of Seattle at the time of the Navigation Team’s creation, said the goal of the team would be to move the homeless “into stable, permanent housing and (help) them get back on their feet.”
Durkan said that the budget’s elimination of the team “was the wrong way to go”.
“The city council has made its will very clear,” she said. “It does not want us to move any encampments, regardless of what the public safety issues are or the health safety issues (and) that puts us in a very difficult position.”
The city has halted encampment clearings since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Council approved a 14% budget cut to the Seattle Police Department last week for the remaining 2020 year. Protesters and local organizations like King County Equity Now and Decriminalize Seattle have been demanding a 50% budget cut, a demand advocated by Socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant.
Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best resigned soon after the new budget was announced, and Mayor Durkan has voiced her sorrow to see Chief Best go, and her concerns about such drastic cuts being demanded.
Kelsey Nyland, Durkan’s press secretary, told Fox News that the mayor has not reached a final decision on whether or not she will veto the budget, but she hopes to reach a consensus with the City Council “and identify a path forward.”
King 5 reporter Chris Daniels tweeted this afternoon that Durkan will likely veto the budget, citing recent violence and arsons as a contributing factor in her decision.
I'm hearing Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is expected to announce she will VETO the Council's 2020 budget package which involved cuts to SPD, and Nav Team.
