Woman charged with murder in Cricklewood

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

A woman has been charged with murder as police investigate the death of a man in Cricklewood.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service at about 08:10hrs on Friday, 8 September, to reports of a critically injured man at a residential address on Westcroft Close, NW2.

Officers attended and found a man, aged in his mid-30s, with a stab injury. Despite the efforts of paramedics, the man died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination held on Saturday, 9 September, gave cause of death as shock and hemorrhaging caused by a stab wound.

The man’s family have been informed and, although formal identification awaits, he can be named as Gary Sampson, 34, who lived at the address in Westcroft Close.

Marie Nellie, 44, (24.10.78) of Westcroft Close, NW2 was arrested at the scene and taken into police custody. She will appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 11 September, charged with murder.

The woman charged was known to the deceased. At this stage, nobody else is sought in connection with the incident.

A crime scene remains in place at the address in Westcroft Close.

Enquiries continue. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call 101, ref 1693/08sep

Fatal collision in Westminster

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage following a fatal collision in Westminster.

Emergency services were called at around 03:50hrs on Sunday, 10 September, to a collision between a car and a pedestrian in Harrow Road, W2 near to Royal Oak underground station.

Officers attended along with ambulance colleagues. The male pedestrian, aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s family have been informed and will be supported by specialist officers.

The car, a Blue Mercedes C300, stopped at the scene. The driver, a man aged in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

Road closures remain in place in the area as police continue their investigation and a full examination of the scene.

Detectives from the Serious Collision Investigation unit are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to contact them on 101, quoting CAD 1453/10SEP23, or via Twitter @MetCC.

Further appeal for information following murder of Ronaldo Scott in Brixton

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Detectives investigating the murder of Ronaldo Scott in Brixton are appealing for anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police to come forward as images of two suspects leaving the scene are released.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn who leads the investigation said: “I am extremely grateful to everyone who has come forward so far to help us piece together the circumstances of Ronaldo’s death, but we know there are more people that we still haven’t heard from and we really need those people to get in touch.

“If you saw, or have heard anything since, no matter how insignificant you might think it is, at the very least your information could add certainty to details that we haven’t yet confirmed.

“I know that some people don’t want to speak to the police and I understand why. You may be frightened or have had problems or a bad experience with police in the past.

“Please know that you don’t have to speak directly to us – there are two ways you can provide us with information and footage that is important for our investigation without giving us your details.

“You can call Crimestoppers 100% anonymously. They will not pass your details onto us and they are not part of the police – they are completely independent.

“You can submit video footage from mobile phones, CCTV camera’s, doorbells or dash-cams or information via this link for the investigation – Public Portal (mipp.police.uk). You can do this anonymously or choose to submit your details and we will not contact you if you don’t want us to.”

An investigation was launched after police were called at 12:08hrs on Monday, 4 September to Morrison Road, SW9 to reports of a stabbing.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found 21-year-old Ronaldo Scott with multiple knife wounds.

Despite the efforts of police and medics to save him, Ronaldo was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

His family continue to be supported by specialist family liaison officers.

DCI Blackburn added: “We have recovered and examined a lot of CCTV from the area around the scene and today we’re releasing images of the suspects leaving the scene after they stabbed Ronaldo. Do you remember seeing them in the area around midday on Monday? Do you know who they are?”

Borough Commander for Lambeth and Southwark, Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh added: “Another young man has lost his life to knife crime, and my thoughts at this time are with Ronaldo’s family, friends and our local community.

“I know that the local community will be hurting about the loss of another young man. Officers from my Community Engagement team will be conducting patrols in the local area, so local people can expect to see more officers in uniform. Please speak to these officers if you have any concerns.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact us ‘X’ @MetCC. Please quote CAD3184/04SEP.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Appeal and £20,000 reward 35 years on from disappearance of Lee Boxell in Sutton

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Lee Boxell was just 15-years-old when he left his home in Sutton to go shopping on Saturday, 10 September 1988. He met with a friend and after they parted company at around 13:00hrs, the last confirmed sighting of Lee was at Sutton High Street at around 14:20hrs.

There have been no other confirmed sightings of him in 35 years.

Every day since that day in 1988, Lee’s parents have endured the agony of not knowing what happened to their son. They want to ensure that Lee, if he is no longer alive, is given a proper burial.

Detective Chief Inspector Kate Blackburn investigating said: “While we don’t have conclusive evidence that Lee came to harm, with no sightings or credible information in 35 years we sadly believe that Lee is no longer alive.

“Over the years we have interviewed a number of people who we believe were involved in, or know about Lee’s disappearance. When arrested, those people gave a number of conflicting accounts.

“One eighty-year-old man, who is now deceased, claimed that he had ‘helped Lee to get away’ and that he was now living away from his family under an assumed name. This version of events was investigated and was found not to have been credible.

“This man, and his associates, also claimed that they had seen Lee a year later. However, members of the public called police anonymously with information stating that he had bragged that he had buried Lee in the churchyard at St Dunstan’s church in Cheam.

“That information led us to conduct the largest ever archaeological dig undertaken by the Met at St Dunstan’s church yard. Sadly, that search did not find Lee and his parents continue in their desperate hope to find him.

“Lee was a boy with a very happy family life. He was a good student who loved football. The story that he had run away, started a new life and was living under an assumed name was absolutely not viable.”

Lee’s movements on the day he disappeared have been reviewed during a long running police investigation over the last three-and-a-half decades.

Information received during the investigation, also led officers to believe that Lee visited an unofficial youth club at St Dunstan’s Church where youngsters would gather that was known locally as ‘The Shed’. Many local children/teenagers would have visited ‘The Shed’. Those children are now adults who may have vital information that they have not been able to share in the past.

DCI Blackburn added: “My hope is that someone who didn’t feel they could speak to us in the past may now feel that they can come forward and share what they know.

“At this stage of our investigation my priority is to find Lee so that he can be returned to his parents. Lee’s parents deserve answers and they deserve the opportunity to bury their much-loved son.

“Your information could help end the suffering for Lee’s family. If you can help, anonymously or otherwise please do get in touch.”

Lee’s parents, Peter and Christine Boxell are desperate for Lee to be returned to them.

Peter Boxell said: “We have not seen or heard from our dear son Lee since he went to Sutton, thirty-five years ago on 10th September 1988.

“He was only 15 when he disappeared. We fear that Lee may have been murdered. We are still hoping that someone will come forward to help find his remains, so that my wife and I can say goodbye to our beloved son before it’s too late for us (we are in our late 70s). If you can help us and his sister finally know what happened and have some closure – please, do what’s right.

“If you know where he may be, or have any information about what happened to Lee, please contact the police Investigation team on 0208721 4005 or if you prefer, you can tell the charity Crimestoppers what you know, anonymously. Once you’ve given your information you need never have any further involvement with anyone about the case. Crimestoppers can’t identify who you are and will never ask or take any personal details from you. So, this really does give someone a chance to do the right thing and help ease our years of pain. We can then see Lee finally laid to rest”

A reward of £20,000 has been offered by Crimestoppers for information that leads to the recovery of Lee’s remains. To be eligible for the reward the information would need to be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers direct and not via police.

Three Former Toledo City Council Members Sentenced for Accepting Bribery Payments

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

TOLEDO – U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko announced that three former Toledo City Council members were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick for their roles in accepting bribery payments during their time in office in return for support and votes on legislative matters.

Tyrone Riley, age 67, of Toledo, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment yesterday after pleading guilty to one count of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right.

Yvonne Harper, age 73, of Toledo, was sentenced to 12 months and a day imprisonment yesterday after pleading guilty to one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy under color of official right.

Larry Sykes, age 74, of Toledo, was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment today after pleading guilty to one count of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right.

“When public officials choose to betray those they were elected to serve by blatantly violating their oaths and the public trust, the entire community suffers immeasurably,” said United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. “These sentencings reflect the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively prosecute individuals engaged in public corruption.”

“Finding and investigating public corruption is one of the FBIs highest priorities,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “Elected officials are entrusted to make virtuous decisions to the betterment of all. Sadly, these three individuals chose a path of criminal conduct and greed over the wellbeing of those they serve. We will continue to work on behalf of the American Public to ensure the conduct by elected officials is right and just.”

According to court documents, on multiple occasions from May 2018 through February 2020, Riley, Harper, and Sykes accepted bribery payments in return for their official support and votes on legislative matters as members of the Toledo City Council.

Court documents also state that Riley, Harper, and Sykes each accepted cash payments in return for their support and votes on zoning changes and “special use permits” (SUPs) for local businesses. Riley accepted more than $10,000 in payments and meals in return for his support on five separate city council matters. Harper accepted more than $5,000 in return for her support on two matters, and Sykes accepted $1,500 for his support on three matters.

This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of the FBI, Toledo Resident Agency. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gene Crawford and Michael J. Freeman.

Fifty Nine Charged with Illegal Trafficking, Possession, and Use of Firearms, Drug Trafficking, and Conspiracy as a Result of Summer Violent Crime Reduction Effort in Cleveland

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

CLEVELAND – Federal, county, and local law enforcement officials today announced that 59 individuals were charged and arrested in connection with firearms-trafficking, narcotics, conspiracy, or other firearms offenses after a three month, violent-crime-reduction initiative in Cleveland this summer. The vast majority were charged in United States District Court, while the remaining individuals were charged in state court. These individuals were apprehended in a series of coordinated arrests made during the last two weeks.

United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko made the announcement earlier today. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) Director Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Marshal Peter J. Elliott, and Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb provided additional details relating to the initiative, as well as regarding larger firearms enforcement and violence-prevention efforts.

“The Justice Department’s work to disrupt and dismantle the criminal gun trafficking pipelines that flood our communities with illegal guns had never been more urgent than it is now,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “That is why our prosecutors and agents are working more closely than ever before with our local law enforcement partners to get illegal guns off of our streets and hold accountable those who put illegal guns in the hands of violent criminals.”

Indictments and complaints were recently unsealed in federal court. They detail a lengthy investigation, led by ATF, that focused on reducing firearms-related crime in several areas of Cleveland by studying data about areas with gun-crime violence, then identifying illegal firearms sellers to disrupt their trafficking. The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 240 firearms, 203 of which law enforcement purchased from illegal sellers and permanently removed from Cleveland’s streets. NIBIN data shows that a significant number of those firearms are connected to violent criminal activity, including homicides and felonious assaults, that took place in Cleveland and surrounding Northeast Ohio suburbs in 2022 and 2023. Of the purchased firearms, 17 are “ghost guns”—meaning, unserialized and untraceable firearms, typically assembled at home—and 28 are machinegun conversion devices or “switches”—a device that enables a firearm to fire in fully automatic mode.

In one case, law enforcement purchased more than 50 firearms from a group of 7 people working together to sell firearms on Cleveland’s streets, even though none of the involved individuals holds a federal firearms license. Those firearms included stolen firearms, firearms with obliterated serial numbers, “switches,” already-loaded firearms, assault rifles, and firearms that had been previously used to commit violent crimes. Sometimes, these individuals also sold controlled substances to law enforcement officers at the same time. In two additional cases, law enforcement purchased, respectively, 33 firearms (including “switches”) and 23 firearms (including “switches”) from two other individuals who do not hold a federal firearms license. Many of these sales took place in public parking lots of business establishments during business hours or in recreational areas while nearby uninvolved, law-abiding citizens were engaged in their day-to-day errands or engaged in recreational activities.

Also during this investigation, the ATF identified 5 individuals who were actively engaged in a conspiracy to conduct a home invasion and rob, at gunpoint, what they believed to be a “stash house” containing several kilograms of cocaine. Law enforcement intervened before these individuals could carry out their plan. Additionally, during this investigation, law enforcement purchased or seized almost 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 215 grams of cocaine base, almost 3 kilograms of methamphetamine, 686 fentanyl pills, almost 1.5 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl mix, and 1,144 MDMA pills (otherwise known as Molly or Ecstasy).

Some defendants were charged together, but several others were charged individually. In all cases, however, the charges stemmed from the extensive, targeted, and sustained effort this past summer, led by ATF and assisted by other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, to clamp down on the illegal firearms trafficking, use, and possession, as well as the associated distribution of drugs, in Cleveland.

The following is a breakdown of the charges in United States District Court, according to court documents:

  • MALACHI BERRY, 21, Cleveland, DARVELL JACKSON, 20, Cleveland, and STEVEN ARMSTRONG, 19, Cleveland, were charged together in a Conspiracy to Possess a Machinegun. JACKSON and ARMSTRONG were further charged with Illegal Possession of a Machinegun.

    In the same indictment, these individuals, along with NIMAR LINDER, 21, Cleveland, were also charged with Conspiracy to Engage in the Business of Dealing  Firearms without a Federal Firearms License.

    ARMSTRONG and LINDER were charged as Felons in Possession of a Firearm.
     

  • According to court documents, the following individuals have been indicted on Distribution of Drugs charges:

    CARLOS DUPREE, 43, Cleveland, DOMINIQUE GOLDSBY, 32, Cleveland, JESSE MCDADE, 41, Cleveland, NORMAN YOUNG, 37, Cleveland, MARTIN
    GOODSON, 41, Cleveland, LAJUAN ERWIN, 25, Mayfield Heights, CHEVEZ MOORER, 23, Cleveland, AARON WIMBLEY, 22, Garfield Heights, ALEXANDER
    DUNCAN, 19, Cleveland, DAMIEN BODY, 39, Cleveland, DERRICK DONALD, 41, Cleveland, NAHUM HOLMES, 31, Brook Park, AKIL EDMONDS, 39, Cleveland, WILLIE C. JACKSON, 36, Cleveland, and DEANDRE SMITH, 36, Cleveland.
     

  • Indicted together were JOSEAN ORTIZ-STUART, 34, Cleveland, JESUS VEGA, 29, Cleveland, who were both charged with Distribution of Drugs. Also named in that indictment was GERALD MATOS, 38, Cleveland, who was charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
     
  • Indicted together were ELIAS PAGAN 32, Cleveland, IVAN SANTANA, 26, Cleveland, ANGEL SANTIAGO, 46, also of Cleveland. PAGAN also faces numerous charges for Distribution of Drugs, as well being a Felon in Possession of Firearms, and both PAGAN and SANTANA were also charged with Engaging in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms Without a Federal Firearms License.
    SANTIAGO is also charged with Distribution of Drugs.
     
  • AMBRAY UNDERWOOD, 25, Euclid, was charged in an indictment for Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, and Drug Distribution.
     
  • WILLIE EARL JACKSON, 26, Cleveland, and SHANE PLATS, 31, Ashtabula, were charged in the same indictment with Engaging in the Business of Dealing Firearms without a Federal Firearms License. WIILIE EARL JACKSON was also charged in that indictment with Trafficking in Firearms.
     
  • DESHONN BROWN age, 19, Cleveland; DEMARIUS JEFFERSON, 18, Cleveland, were both charged with Illegal Possession of Machineguns.
     
  • JACOB PLUMB, 40, Parma, was charged with Distribution of Drugs and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.
     
  • ISAIAH OVERTON, 23, Cleveland, and CHARLES MORRIS, 33, East Cleveland, were charged in a single indictment with Distribution of Drugs. Additionally, OVERTON was charged with Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
     
  • CORTE’Z BUGGS, 29, Cleveland was charged in an indictment with Distribution of Drugs and Receipt of Firearm while Under Felony Indictment.
     
  • MICHAEL MCPHERRAN, 38, Parma, Ohio, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, and Distribution of Drugs.
     
  • HAROLD PEARL, 39, Cleveland, was charged with Distribution of Drugs and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
     
  • Charged by complaint with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Drugs and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime were ALANTE HEARD, 33, Cleveland, ANTONIO SWEENEY, 24, Cleveland, MAURICE COMMONS, 22, North Randall, and MARKUS WILLIAMS, 33, Cleveland.
     
  • Charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm were MARQUIS HENSON, 38, Cleveland, DEON BROWN, 19, Cleveland, and CLARENCE PAYNE, 38, Cleveland.
     
  • KENNETH SMITH, 23, East Cleveland, was charged with Engaging in the Business of Dealing Firearms without a Federal Firearms License, Illegal Possession of a Machinegun, and being a Felon in Possession of Firearms.
     
  • ANDRE LEWIS, 35, Cleveland, was charged with Distribution of Drugs and Using and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
     
  • DEVAUNTY LEWIS, 31, Cleveland, NICHOLAS JOHNSON, 33, Cleveland, were charged jointly in an indictment with Conspiracy to Engage in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms without a Federal Firearms License, and Conspiracy to Engage in Firearms Trafficking. Both were individually charged with Engaging Business in Dealing with Firearms Without a License and Trafficking in Firearms.

    LEWIS was also charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

    JOHNSON was also charged with Engaging in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms without a Federal Firearms License.
     

  • The following were charged in an indictment with Conspiracy to Engage in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms Without a Federal Firearms License: MAURICE STERETT, 39, Cleveland, ANTONIO CROSS, 22, Cleveland, MARVELL ROACH, 43, Willoughby, KENNETH TIMBERLAKE, 30, Cleveland, and TRAVIS WILLIAMS, 46, Cleveland.

    STERETT, CROSS, TIMBERLAKE, and WILLIAMS were further charged, individually, with Engaging in the Business of Importing, Manufacturing, or Dealing in Firearms Without a Federal Firearms License.

    STERETT, CROSS, ROACH, TIMBERLAKE, and WILLIAMS were also charged with Conspiracy to Engage in Firearms Trafficking and individual counts of Firearms Trafficking.

    STERETT, TIMBERLAKE, TRAVIS WILLIAMS, and ROACH were also charged with being a Felon in Possession of Firearms.

    STERETT was further charged with Distribution of Drugs.

    Finally, CROSS was also charged with Illegal Transfer of a Machinegun.
     

  • DARION SHELTON, 20, Cleveland, was charged with Engaging in the Business of Dealing Firearms without a Federal Firearms License, and Trafficking in Firearms in connection with machinegun conversation devices or “switches.” He has also been charged with Illegal Possession of a Machinegun.

    The following is a breakdown of the charges in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, according to court documents:
     

  • MARCEL BATTLE, 30, Canton, Drug Trafficking.
     
  • AVANT WILSON, 22, Cleveland, Receiving Stolen Property (Motor Vehicle).
     
  • NATHAN ROBY, 44, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.
     
  • RAYMOND CALLAHAN, 34, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.
     
  • RAPHAEL DEEN, 30, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.
     
  • TERRY LYONS, 33, Cleveland, Drug Trafficking.

 An indictment or complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
 
The investigation preceding the indictments was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), with assistance from the Cleveland Division of Police (“CDP”), the United States Marshals Service (“USMS”), the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (“BCI”), the Ohio Adult Parole Authority (“APA”), the Ohio Investigative Unit (“OIU”), Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”), Air and Marine Division, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (“OSP”), and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office. This Operation was also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. The cases stemming from this investigation are being prosecuted by a team of AUSAs in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by AUSA Kelly Galvin, and by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

Whitehorse — Yukon RCMP Critical Incident Program to train in Whitehorse

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Early next week, Yukon RCMP Critical Incident Program members will be conducting a training exercise in Whitehorse. On September 11, 2023, specialized units who work as part of the Critical Incident Program will be using the Ryder Apartments on 6th Avenue, near downtown Whitehorse, to conduct drills and practice their skills. RCMP want the public to be aware that there will be an increased police presence during the day.

“Training frequently allows police officers to maintain and improve their skills,” stated S/Sgt. Kent Langley, Yukon RCMP Acting District Operations and Support Services Officer. “Proactive activities like this mean that police can respond efficiently and effectively when called to keep Yukon communities safe.”

Anyone with questions about this exercise is encouraged to contact Yukon RCMP at 867 667 5555. Please do not enter the building or bypass barricades to talk with police in the area of the Ryder Apartments while they are training.

Yukon RCMP appreciates cooperation with Yukon Housing Corporation, which is facilitating the use the building for these exercises.

North Kentville — Missing man: Help the RCMP find Dwayne Alders

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Kings District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 41-year-old Dwayne Alders, of North Kentville, who was last seen yesterday evening on Nichols Ave. in Kentville.

Alders is described as 6-foot, 183 lbs. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing camouflage pants, a black sweater and black shoes.

When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dwayne Alders is asked to contact Kings District RCMP at 902-679-5555. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File: 2023-1341511

Dozens Arrested as Part of Houston Violent Crime Initiative

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

HOUSTON – The charges against 39 individuals are the newest brought in the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Houston Violent Crime Initiative, conducted in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and local, state and federal law enforcement.

The arrests were made after a federal grand jury returned seven separate indictments, with additional arrests made under four court-issued complaints. The defendants are each alleged to be part of larger organizations involved in large-scale drug trafficking or violent robberies. Many of the charged crimes involved the illegal possession or use of firearms.

The joint effort, first announced a year ago in September 2022, addresses violent crime by employing, where appropriate, federal laws to prosecute gang members and associates in the southwest and southeast areas of Houston. As part of the initiative, the Criminal Division has dedicated attorneys and other resources to prosecuting violent offenders and assisting intervention, prevention and reentry efforts to address the root causes of violent crime.

Among the charges are possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, meth and other drugs; possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes; conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; felon in possession of a firearm and carjacking.

During the investigations and arrests, law enforcement seized 79 firearms, including three machineguns made by attaching a machine conversion device (MCD) to a semi-automatic firearm and three stand-alone machinegun conversion devices not attached to firearms. Also seized were a silencer, three ghost guns, an inert hand grenade, and body armor. Drugs and related items seized included approximately 248 kilograms of meth, including meth pills some of which laced with fentanyl; over 1.7 kilograms of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and PCP, as well as four pill presses and over $110,000 in cash.

The FBI, Houston Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigations with the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Harris County Constable’s Office (Precincts 3, 4, and 5), Montgomery County Constable’s Office (Precinct 4), U.S. Marshals Service, Waller County Sheriff’s Office, Cy-Fair Independent School District Police Department and the Texas Anti-Gang Center .

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly Zenon, John Ganz and Carrie Wirsing are prosecuting the cases along with Trial Attorneys Sheila Lafferty, Ralph Paradiso, Anthony Kaplan and Jennifer Weinhold of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.

Charges in indictments and complaints are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Police thank public for their support after arrest of Daniel Khalife

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Police are thanking the public for their support and help after Metropolitan Police officers arrested Daniel Khalife at 10:41hrs this morning, Saturday 9 September. A manhunt for Khalife was launched after he escaped from HMP Wandsworth on the morning of Wednesday 6 September, whilst on remand awaiting trial for terrorism and Official Secrets Act charges.

The investigation to locate and arrest Khalife involved over 150 officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, supported by many other officers from across the Met and other forces across the UK, as well as other partners including Border Force and intelligence services.

Khalife was arrested on a towpath near Rowdell Road, Northolt by an officer who was part of the investigation team. He was arrested on suspicion of being unlawfully at large, and taken to a west London police station, where he was further arrested on suspicion of escaping lawful custody. Khalife remains in police custody at this time and enquiries remain ongoing.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “The arrest of Khalife this morning is the culmination of an incredible effort by the investigation team, who have been working around the clock and have been supported by colleagues from across the Met and indeed the whole of the UK.

“But I must also thank the public and media for their tremendous support as well. We received well over 100 calls from the public following our various appeals and some of that information was key in helping us to focus our efforts and, ultimately, find Khalife.”

Overnight, officers carried out an intelligence-led search of an address in the Richmond area. Officers spoke with the occupants of the address and carried out a full and thorough search, but found no trace of Khalife and no evidence to suggest he might have been there prior.

Shortly after that search, police received a call from a member of the public with a reported sighting of Khalife in Spencer Road, Chiswick. Officers were deployed immediately to that area, but despite intensive searches did not locate him.

In the early hours of this morning, a further sighting of Khalife was reported at the junction of Church Street with Chiswick Mall. Officers were again immediately deployed to that area. The sighting led to the issuing of a further description of Khalife, as wearing a black baseball hat, black t-shirt and dark bottoms.

Officers remained in the area, supported by colleagues from the Met’s Territorial Support Group, dogs units, local officers, police helicopter (NPAS) and specialist police search or “POLSA” teams as well.

At around 10:40hrs an officer who was deployed as part of the ongoing investigation spotted Khalife on a pushbike on a towpath near to Rowdell Road, and managed to stop Khalife and arrest him.

Commander Murphy added: “Our priority following Khalife’s escape was to find him and bring him back to custody, which, thanks to the help of the public, and the excellent work by our officers, we have achieved. We are now pivoting our investigation towards the circumstances of his escape and whether there may have been any other persons involved and that investigation continues.”

Anyone with information that may assist the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of his escape can contact police via 101, or call the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321.