The Boston Strangler Case and DNA

Albert DeSalvo – known as the “Boston Strangler” – had confessed to raping and killing Mary Sullivan in 1964, but he later recanted, leaving lingering doubts that the real assailant had eluded capture. In 2009 and 2012, the city of Boston received competitive grants under NIJ’s Solving Cold Cases With DNA program, and its cold case squad used some of the funding to further investigate the Sullivan case. A new NIJ Journal article looks at how NIJ funding and the latest Y-STR research helped the Boston Police Department link DeSalvo to the crime and solve the case almost 50 years after Sullivan’s death. To read the article, go to http://nij.gov/journals/273/pages/boston-strangler.aspx.

Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Murder of United States Correctional Officer

A federal inmate pleaded guilty today for the murder of United States Correctional Officer Jose Rivera, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner for the Eastern District of California.

James Ninete Leon Guerrero, 48, of Guam, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Phillip Pro to one count of murder by a federal prisoner serving a life sentence.  According to court documents, Guerrero aided and abetted co-defendant Jose Cabrera Sablan in the stabbing death of Officer Rivera.

Court documents allege that on June 20, 2008, as Officer Rivera was on duty, conducting his daily count in the United States Penitentiary in Atwater, Calif., Sablan attacked him with an eight-inch homemade shank.  Officer Rivera tried to flee, but he was knocked backwards by Sablan and tackled by Guerrero.  Guerrero held Officer Rivera down as Sablan stabbed him with the shank more than 20 times.  Officer Rivera was 22 years old at the time of his death and was a United States Navy veteran.

Sablan and Guerrero were indicted for murder on Aug. 14, 2008.  As a result of Guerrero’s plea, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.  His sentencing has been scheduled for May 30, 2014, in the Eastern District of California.

Sablan’s case is set for trial on April 6, 2015.   He is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Prisons and the FBI.   This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Bonnie Hannan of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Duce Rice of the Eastern District of California. 

Two Former Officers at Roxbury Correctional Institution Sentenced for Conspiring to Assault an Inmate

Lanny Harris, a former sergeant at Roxbury Correctional Institution (RCI) in Hagerstown, Md., and Philip Mayo, a former correctional officer at RCI, were sentenced today for conspiring with other RCI officers on March 8-9, 2008, to assault an inmate at the prison, identified as K.D. 

 

Both Mayo and Harris previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to assault K.D. during the midnight shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.).  Mayo and Harris cooperated with authorities during the federal investigation and testified for the prosecution at the trial of former RCI officer James Kalbflesh, who was convicted for his role in the assaults on K.D. and the subsequent coverup.  U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Harris and Mayo to each serve 30 months in prison.     

 

During their testimony at Kalbflesh’s trial and in court documents filed in connection with their respective guilty pleas, Harris and Mayo each admitted that they met with other officers at RCI during the midnight shift and agreed to assault K.D. in retaliation for a prior incident involving K.D. and another officer.  Harris, Mayo and two other correctional officers entered K.D.’s cell in order to assault the inmate, and the officers then went through with their plan and assaulted K.D.

 

“Every person in America has the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Jocelyn Samuels.  “To ensure that this right is protected, the Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute correctional officers who violate the rights of inmates.”

 

To date, 16 current or former officers at RCI have been convicted in connection with a series of assaults that K.D. suffered on March 8-9, 2008.  There are 12 former RCI officers still awaiting sentencing before Judge Bredar, and two who were convicted in state court have already been sentenced. 

 

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Frederick Resident Agency and prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division, with the help of Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cunningham for the District of Maryland.

Fugitive of the Week Arrested After Attempting to Flee Out Window

Concord, NH – This afternoon, today’s Fugitive of the Week, James Brown, II was arrested by members of the Rochester Police Department. James Brown, 26, who was last known to live in Rochester, NH, was being sought on an outstanding arrest warrant for probation violations, stemming from his original conviction and sentence for assault.

James Brown, II was featured just this morning as the “Fugitive of the Week” after the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and NH Probation and Parole requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in an effort to locate and arrest Brown. Brown was suspected to be in possession of a handgun and was considered to be Armed & Dangerous. As part of the U.S. Marshal’s fugitive investigation, Brown was aired today as the 'Fugitive of the Week'. The 'Fugitive of the Week' is broadcast on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch and is prominently featured on the internet.

This afternoon, information was developed by the Rochester Police Department that Brown was at a residence on Harrison Avenue in Rochester, NH Rochester Police Officers responded to this house and attempted to make contact with Brown, when he attempted to flee out of a first floor window of the residence. Brown was quickly apprehended at gun point and taken into custody without incident. No weapons were recovered at the time of arrest. U.S. Marshal David Cargill, Jr. said “We are always very appreciative of the hard work performed by the men and women in law enforcement and grateful that this potentially dangerous fugitive was taken into custody safely and quickly.”

Brown is currently being processed by the Rochester Police Department on his outstanding Rockingham County arrest warrant and will be held at the Strafford County Jail pending his transportation to the Rockingham County Jail for his initial court appearance on the outstanding probation violation.

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 5,523 arrests. These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 7 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

U.S. Marshals Apprehend Alleged Child Rapist, U.S. Army Top 15 Most Wanted Fugitive

Fayetteville, NC – The U.S. Marshals Service, Eastern District of North Carolina, announces the arrest of Oscar Rodriguez, 34, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Rodriguez is wanted for multiple alleged sex crimes he committed against adult and juvenile victims, burglary and deserting the U.S. Army.

During the summer of 2013 through New Year’s Eve 2013, Rodriguez allegedly forcibly entered the bedrooms of two victims and engaged in multiple sexual assaults against the victims in Harnett County.

As a result, the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants charging Rodriguez with three counts of indecent liberties with a child, two counts of second degree rape, two counts of second degree sex offense, one count of sexual battery, two counts of crimes against nature and four counts of first degree burglary.

On Feb. 21, the U.S. Army issued an arrest warrant charging Rodriguez with military desertion. Due to the egregious nature of Rodriguez’s pending charges in North Carolina, the U.S. Army classified Rodriguez as one of their Top 15 Most Wanted. At the time of his desertion, Rodriguez was a staff sergeant stationed at the Fort Jackson Army Installation located in Columbia, SC.

In February, U.S. Marshals, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Army investigators launched an extensive fugitive investigation in an attempt to locate Rodriguez. After tracking Rodriguez through multiple states in the continental United States, U.S. Marshals determined that Rodriguez had fled to Puerto Rico.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Puerto Rico Violent Offender Task Force arrested Rodriguez early this morning on Calle Union Street, Fajardo, PR after a brief pursuit. Rodriguez is currently being detained at the Bayamon State Jail, PR pending extradition to Harnett County.

“I would like to thank the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Army for their diligent efforts to swiftly apprehend this alleged sexually violent predator,” said Scott J. Parker, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The interagency efforts which spanned multiple states and jurisdictions is a great example of what can be accomplished when federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work together in pursuit of justice for the innocent.”

The U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force, Eastern District of North Carolina Fayetteville Division, is a team comprised of law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, Fayetteville Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent fugitives. Last fiscal year, U.S. Marshals task forces arrested more than 110,000 state and local fugitives. Annually, the U.S. Marshals Service arrests more federal fugitives than all other federal agencies combined.

Two Former Puerto Rico Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Scheme to Smuggle Heroin to Inmates

A former state marshal and a correctional officer in Puerto Rico were sentenced today for attempting to smuggle heroin to inmates in exchange for payment, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico.

Joel Torres-Velazquez, 49, of Guánica, Puerto Rico, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Francisco A. Besosa of the District of Puerto Rico.   He pleaded guilty on Nov. 6, 2013, to a one-count indictment charging him with attempt to distribute a controlled substance.

Jessica Moreno-Alicea, 39, of Ponce, Puerto Rico, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Daniel R. Dominguez of the District of Puerto Rico.   She pleaded guilty on Dec. 6, 2013, to a one-count indictment charging her with attempt to distribute a controlled substance.

Torres-Velazquez was paid $600 to deliver a package of heroin to an inmate at the Ponce Superior Court, where Torres-Velazquez worked as a state marshal.   On March 30, 2011, Torres-Velazquez met with an undercover agent, who he believed was a drug dealer, and was given what he believed to be a package of heroin.   He delivered the purported heroin to an inmate in the courthouse that same day.

Moreno was paid $800 to deliver a package of heroin to an inmate at the Ponce State Penitentiary, where Moreno worked as a correctional officer.   On Feb. 3, 2011, Moreno met with an undercover agent, who she believed was a drug dealer, and was given what she believed to be heroin.   She delivered the purported heroin to an inmate in the prison on Feb. 8, 2011.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division.   The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hector Ramirez-Carbó of the District of Puerto Rico and Trial Attorney Menaka Kalaskar of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.

Police Officer’s Guide to Recovered Firearms

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has released a free app containing the Police Officer’s Guide to Recovered Firearms. Access the app from a mobile device to identify recovered firearms, learn about tracing firearms and access additional resources. To access the guide, go to http://myappsinfo.com/recoveredfirearms.

Professionals highlight effects of teen dating violence

by Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/3/2014 - Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. -- As National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month draws to a close, professionals urge both parents and communities alike to educate young men and women to identify characteristics of an abusive individual and how to avoid ending up in an unhealthy relationship.

"Violence in teen relationships occurs more often than most parents or teens realize," said Jerome Ellis, 4th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy outreach manager. "Parents should keep lines of communication open between themselves and their teen. Most teenagers want to talk to their parents about the issue, but are fearful of being ridiculed for the choices they made."

A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2011 states approximately 9 percent of high school students reported being physically wounded by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The CDC defines teen violence as the physical, sexual, psychological or emotional violence within a dating relationship. It can occur in person or electronically and may occur between a current or former dating partner.

Some identifiers that a teen may be in an abusive relationship are:

· Constantly canceling plans for reasons that don't sound true
· Always worrying about angering their boyfriend or girlfriend
· Giving up activities important to them as well as becoming isolated from family and friends
· Showing signs of physical abuse, like bruises or cuts, and having a boyfriend or girlfriend that wants them to be available all the time
· Feeling pressured to have sex or feeling like a sex object

It's not enough to know the signs of a victim, Ellis said. There are also signs that someone is the abuser:

· Insulting his or her significant other in public or acting jealous if his or her boyfriend or girlfriend talks to others
· Checking in on their partner constantly
· Blowing disagreements out of proportion, threatening to breakup, or constantly worrying or accusing that the other will break up with them
· Hitting or breaking things to intimidate their partner
· Blaming others for their own problems
· Abusing drugs and/or alcohol

Ellis explains knowing the warning signs of an abusive person and speaking with someone about what is acceptable and what is not in a relationship is a good first step in prevention.

The CDC states that dating violence can have a negative effect on health throughout life; not just while in the relationship. Teens who are victims are more likely to be depressed and do poorly in school. They may engage in unhealthy behaviors like abusing drugs and alcohol or developing mental illnesses.

"There can also be long-term effects on the abuser as well as the victim," said Ellis. "The abuser may get what he or she wants in the short term but may alienate their family and friends, get expelled from school and lose a job. Abusers create patterns of behavior for themselves which puts them at risk for ruining future relationships."

Ellis stressed the negative effects of an unhealthy or violent relationship can remain with not only the people directly involved, but entire families for many years down the line.

"Dating violence is indiscriminate of race, gender and other socioeconomic factors," he said. "Dating violence affects everyone: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends."

For more information, contact chaplain services, the mental health office, or family advocacy. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Cops Doing the Wobble Dance at Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans

Arizona Soldiers, U.S. CBP unite to secure border hot spot

By Air Force Maj. Gabe Johnson
Arizona National Guard Public Affairs

TUCSON, Ariz. (3/4/2014) - The Arizona Army National Guard's 2220th Transportation Company have been working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reinforce areas along the Arizona-Mexico border. The light-medium truck company moved 193 tons of concrete barriers from El Centro, Calif., to Naco, Ariz., recently to fortify a porous section of the state's border.

Army Guard and customs officials called the convoy operation a success and said it was a model for future inter-agency coordination.

"We've been working on a solution for getting that border infrastructure into place in Naco for quite some time," said Manuel Padila, Jr., the chief patrol agent for the CBP's Tucson sector. "When the Guard saw this as a training opportunity it became a win-win situation for everyone. This certainly highlights the long-standing partnership we've had with the Guard and it points to new ways we can work together."

Where once a fence line was the only impediment for those in vehicles looking to illegally breach the border at Naco, now a robust barricade hampers entry attempts.

In all, the Guard delivered 115 cement blocks - 15 more than originally requested by CBP. In a matter of days, 52 Arizona Guard members used 26 vehicles to transport the load more than 400 miles.

"We used every section in the company to support the mission," said Army Capt. Janek Kaslikowski, the company commander. "We have an operations section that planned the mission - estimated fuel, rest stops, and driver changes - and a maintenance section that kept us running. Our Soldiers received invaluable experience with securing a load, off loading, vehicle recovery, and the importance of preventive maintenance checks and services."

According to Kaslikowski, the mission was the perfect vehicle for bridging the gaps in experience between his junior Soldiers and his combat-tested senior non-commissioned officers.

"It was interesting to see them work together on this mission because this is exactly what we would do in theater," he said. "The NCOs led this mission and gave the junior Soldiers plenty of opportunity to gain experience that they may not get without deploying."

"We paired experienced drivers with inexperienced drivers," said Army 2nd Lt. Sha-raya Harris, a platoon leader in the company. "I was one of the inexperienced drivers."

Some of the most junior motor transport operators in the company had only 10 minutes behind the wheel from initial training, said Harris. Now they all have seven-to-eight hours of experience negotiating turns, hills, and stops with 16 tons in tow.

"It was great training, but I think this mission was equally important for building relationships" said Harris. "Everywhere we went people supported us. Border protection employees, the ranchers in Naco, even other drivers on the Interstate - everyone found this mission interesting and wanted to help us along the way."

New Mexico’s Most Wanted Violent Offender Arrested

Roswell, NM - Deputies with the United States Marshals Service arrested a New Mexico’s Most Wanted Violent Offender Richard Gee today after a brief foot chase in Hobbs, NM. In July of 2013, Richard Gee fled from Law enforcement in a vehicle stolen from a Hobbs, NM car dealership. During the chase Gee took law enforcement through two different states (New Mexico and Texas) before running out of gas. Gee was arrested and posted bond. After posting bond Gee went on the run. Gee was wanted on five (5) warrants charging him with failure to appear for jury trial, failure to appear for pre-trial conference aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance, Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, Use or possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm or destructive device by a felon, driving while license suspended or revoked, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer.

Gee was placed on the United States Marshals Service “New Mexico’s Most Wanted Program” in early February. Since then Gee has been a top priority for the Marshals Service here in New Mexico. And after a few short weeks investigators with the United States Marshals Service were able to track Gee to a home in the 1500 Block of Pennington Ave, in Hobbs. When Deputies approached the residence Gee fled out the back. Unfortunately for Gee Deputies were waiting for him. Gee was apprehended without incident and booked into the Hobbs City Jail.

United States Marshal for the District of New Mexico Conrad E. Candelaria said "today's arrest of New Mexico's Most Wanted fugitive marks the 69th apprehension added to the previous arrests of some of the most violent and dangerous fugitives that have caused fear in many of our communities. Since the establishment of the most wanted program in December 2010, the Marshals Service continues its commitment to a safer New Mexico for all citizens and especially our most vulnerable citizens--- our children".