Pompeii
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The Exact Moment the United States Congress Took a Knee
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Oh by the way ..
⚠️JUST IN: Louisiana House Democrats have lost another member to a party switch. State Rep. Jeremy Lacombe has switched to the Republican Party.
It comes days after state Rep. Francis Thompson gave the House GOP a supermajority by switching parties.
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Flashback to 1974 with the DuBois Panther Cheerleaders of the Gateway Midget Football league. I do have a couple girls, I have no names for. If you can help please reply. 😀
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Father and son: A.J. Croce performs Jim Croce's music
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Pastor Bob Joyce Sermons
Descending and Ascending (Sermon 4/9/2023) -
This is getting so far out in the Twilight Zone >> Rod Serling would be proud of this script!
WAKE-UP!!
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Here is that article:
This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for our regional newsletter, Talk of the Town.
DUBOIS — On a spring day in March 2020, as Pennsylvania teetered on the brink of the COVID-19 lockdown, an anonymous letter arrived at State Police offices.
The letter, signed “Concerned Citizens,” outlined potential wrongdoing by Herm Suplizio, the politically connected manager of DuBois, a small city about two hours northeast of Pittsburgh.
Suplizio, the letter asserted, was directing money from a nonprofit he oversaw to DuBois, where he controlled nearly all government operations — an unusual move that raised questions about its legality.
Now, Suplizio, 62, faces sweeping corruption charges. The Office of Attorney General announced in late March that Suplizio had been arrested for stealing more than $600,000 from public accounts over which he had signatory control. Investigators with that office also allege Suplizio then lied on his tax returns to snag a bigger refund from the government.
The overall scheme was so elaborate, according to the AG’s office, that investigators with extensive backgrounds in organized and financial crimes were brought in to untangle what charging documents describe as a web of money moving in and out of accounts, with little oversight or accountability.
Now, this city of about 7,400 people is left to wonder: If Suplizio is convicted, how could such a large theft occur in a place so small without anyone noticing?
“I want to know what rock that you guys live under,” Ron Trzyna, DuBois’ city manager from 2000 to 2005, told the City Council at its meeting the week after Suplizio’s arrest.
Lawyers for Suplizio did not respond to several requests for comment. He faces 15 criminal counts, including theft and conflict of interest. Among them are six felony charges, each carrying a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
In a surprising twist, a key court document in the case against Suplizio is sealed. The document is traditionally made public once charges against someone are announced and provides more detail about a case.
Attorney General Michelle Henry’s office refused to explain the reason for sealing the presentment, even though Suplizio has been officially charged with crimes. Instead, it issued a public statement on the case and then produced an underlying document detailing the charges only after Spotlight PA specifically requested it.
Deep roots
“Best place to work, best place to live.”So goes the motto for the City of DuBois.
DuBois is surrounded by Sandy Township, which got its name from Sandy Lick Creek, a natural divider of the city flowing from east to west. Early settlers developed the area’s resources — lumber, coal, and rich soil — through the growth of railroads and manufacturing mills. Today, health care, retail, and schools support the local economy, with Penn Highlands DuBois hospital ranking as the biggest employer in Clearfield County.
The city is only one of a handful in Pennsylvania that has adopted an optional form of government known as the “council-manager plan.” It gives an appointed city manager a wide swath of powers over the day-to-day operations of the government.
DuBois’ City Council appointed Suplizio to the city manager’s job in 2010, according to court papers, a position that comes with an annual salary of more than $80,000. He had the power to appoint the chief of police, and decided which employees received raises or bonuses.
So strong was his authority, that the city’s mayor reported to him.
He was also a trusted associate of people with power and wealth.
In 2020, the top Republican in the state Senate, Joe Scarnati, announced his retirement and hand-picked Suplizio to be his successor. “I have personally worked with Herm Suplizio for over 20 years and I know him as a man of his word who cares deeply for our area,” Scarnati, who did not return a request for comment, said in an essay at the time.
Scarnati, a prolific fundraiser, used his political committee to shower Suplizio’s ultimately unsuccessful campaign with tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. So did a former political committee chaired by Peter Varischetti, a member of a politically prominent Western Pennsylvania family that runs a nursing home chain, among other businesses.
Varischetti did not respond to a request for comment.
Scarnati launched a lobbying firm with another member of the Varischetti family after he left public office. DuBois is now one of his firm’s clients — a contract that, under DuBois’ form of government, had to be negotiated by Suplizio.
Even before he became city manager, Suplizio had deep roots in DuBois, serving as a volunteer firefighter and fire chief as well as the mayor for a decade.
When he announced his run for the state Senate, his supporters cited his work in obtaining millions of dollars in state grants and private dollars to revitalize DuBois. From late 2015 to the present, for instance, the city received more than $7.5 million in grants from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, state records show.
In addition to serving as city manager, Suplizio was the executive director of the DuBois Area United Way, earning an annual salary of $30,000. The charitable organization announced Suplizio’s resignation and the appointment of a new director in the week following his arrest.
He was also, according to the charges, deeply involved in organizing the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department’s premier annual celebration: Community Days.
The much-anticipated two-day event held in June marks the anniversary of the 1888 Great DuBois Fire, which destroyed much of the city and led to the creation of the volunteer fire company. Festivities include food, games, fireworks, live music, and a parade.
It was one of the many hats Suplizio wore, according to the attorney general’s office, that gave him access to bank accounts flush with taxpayer and private money he would use to pay his personal expenses.
According to investigators, Community Days was underwritten both by the city and private donations. Four accounts were used to collect cash or pay for services involving the festival, but they weren’t controlled by the fire department or monitored by city officials.
Law enforcement officials said Suplizio routinely withdrew money from those accounts, diverting tens of thousands of dollars into personal bank accounts, or using them to pay his credit card bill and even to make political contributions — including $3,000 to Scarnati.
Suplizio also used some of the cash from those accounts to reimburse himself for work-related expenses, according to the attorney general’s office; he would then claim those expenses as unreimbursed on his personal taxes to lower his taxable income.
Between April 2014 and June 2019, for instance, the AG alleges Suplizio tapped one of the Community Days-related bank accounts, called the Parade Committee account, to write 15 checks to his Visa credit card account totaling just over $131,000.
Nine of those payments, totaling just over $74,108, were for personal expenses charged to his credit card. Investigators didn’t detail specifically what they say the money bought, but said his personal charges generally included vacations, utility bills, and department store purchases.
The attorney general’s office claims Suplizio also tapped DuBois’ general fund account, as well as the local United Way’s bank account, on the same day in 2014 to make two cash transfers, totaling just shy of $6,000 to his personal savings account.
Neither transfer, investigators said, was associated with an expense reimbursement request by Suplizio.
From 2014 to 2021, Suplizio also received reimbursements from the United Way for mileage and cell phone charges amounting to $2,580 per year, according to the AG; he also was reimbursed for mileage and cell phone charges from DuBois. In both instances, he claimed those amounts as unreimbursed business expenses on his taxes, “essentially triple dipping,” the affidavit of probable cause that describes evidence gathered by investigators in Suplizio’s case said.
Law enforcement officials allege Suplizio separately pocketed thousands of dollars from city contractors.
One example: DuBois sold its water to various companies drilling for natural gas around the city. One of them, EOG Resources, entered into a contract to buy water from the city. But when investigators subpoenaed the company for the contract, they were surprised to learn there wasn’t an official contract. Instead, there were one-page letters from the city, signed by Suplizio, memorializing phone conversations about how much the city would charge per gallon for water.
From 2004 to 2015, EOG made 22 payments, including three checks over $1 million each, according to the AG. Those large checks were made out to the City of DuBois, but stamped and deposited into an “unknown account,” investigators said.
Five payments from EOG were allegedly made directly to Suplizio. The attorney general’s office said copies of the checks note that they were payments for equipment Suplizio was selling to the company, which investigators said amounted to a conflict of interest: He was benefitting personally from a company that he was also negotiating with in his day job as city manager.
Another company, Advance Disposal Systems, had a contract with the city for waste disposal, and paid a quarterly $15,000 administrative fee, by check, to the city for handling its billing, according to the attorney general’s office. Those checks were placed in accounts affiliated with the Community Days event.
But when investigators reviewed several years’ worth of budgets for the event, they said the payments from ADS were penciled in as being much lower, in the $1,000 range.
They also discovered that ADS began paying the quarterly administrative fee six years before the city began handling the company’s billing.
In reality, law enforcement officials wrote in charging papers, those administrative payments were “simply a way for Suplizio to receive ‘kick-backs.’”
ADS was bought by another company, Waste Management, in late 2020. In an email, Waste Management spokesperson Erika Deyarmin said the company is “reviewing our contract with the City of DuBois and has no comment at this time.”
Checks and balances
In theory, checks and balances are baked into the city’s system for tracking finances.The city’s treasurer and onetime controller, Lisa LaBrasca Becker, and the city’s finance officer, DeLean Shepherd, both testified before a grand jury empaneled by the attorney general’s office to hear evidence in Suplizio’s case. They provided a roadmap for how money coming in and out of city coffers is accounted for.
Bills for city-related expenses pass through the city controller, who reviews them and stamps any corresponding checks and receipts, according to the affidavit. In DuBois, the controller (who is paid $100 every month) does not have an office, and instead receives a call or text when bills need to be reviewed.
The City Council also looks over those expenses and approves them. The finance director then prints the checks, and the treasurer signs them.
The treasurer also tracks all money coming into DuBois’ coffers — which is supposed to be deposited initially into the city’s general fund — and ensures it’s allocated to the correct bank account. The treasurer’s office then generates a monthly report with the most up-to-date balances for each bank account, and any money flowing in and out of them. The City Council then reviews those reports.
LaBrasca Becker testified that she knew ADS had a contract with the city, but had no idea the company was paying a $15,000 quarterly administrative fee. If such payments existed, she said, she should have been made aware of them, so she could include them in her monthly reports.
The city’s auditors review DuBois’ finances annually, but the scope is limited to money flowing in and out of city bank accounts and included on those reports.
LaBrasca Becker said she had no knowledge or oversight over the Community Days bank accounts, and that the accounts weren’t included in monthly reports.
Several witnesses who testified before the grand jury in Suplizio’s case said the Community Days bank accounts were overseen by a separate “parade committee.” Court papers provide no information about who was on the committee, or how the committee approved money flowing in or out of the accounts.
These records are also largely silent on how closely city officials tracked money from city coffers that was paid to Suplizio for his expenses, except to note this: One city official testified that she could not recall an instance where Suplizio submitted any receipts when filing for reimbursement for work-related expenses.
‘Heads in the sand’
City officials have said little since the charges against Suplizio became public in March.Just a week before Suplizio’s arrest, council members unanimously approved an extension to his contract, two years before it was set to expire in 2025. After Suplizio was charged on March 20, DuBois City Solicitor Toni Cherry released a statement on behalf of the council that appeared supportive of the city manager.
“For over two decades, Herm has served DuBois with a passion and determination that has grown its reputation and profile well beyond that of similar cities,” the statement to radio news station WPSU said. “We are committed to ensuring integrity is maintained within DuBois city government, which, we believe epitomizes Herm’s tenure as city manager.”
Suplizio remained in his city job for a few days before the City Council abruptly changed course and placed him on paid leave.
He will continue receiving his “base salary pay,” interim City Manager Chris Nasuti told Spotlight PA, but Suplizio “does not have access to the city building, systems, or networks and is not being contacted or consulted regarding city business.”
The City Council also voted to rescind the contract extension for Suplizio.
City officials are “hiding their heads in the sand and saying, ‘We didn’t know anything,’” said Trzyna, the former city manager.
Trzyna told Spotlight PA he was “not well-liked” in that position because he raised questions about fire department spending. He said he left the job in 2005 with “some ill feelings on my part.”
He believes DuBois officials had a role in enabling Suplizio’s alleged wrongdoings because oversight of city finances was essentially nonexistent.
Trzyna is concerned that the disappointing handling of the allegations by DuBois officials so far would jeopardize the city’s ongoing consolidation with Sandy Township. DuBois and Sandy Township officials have pitched the consolidation as a way to reduce overlap of government services between the two municipalities and to attract new businesses.
The consolidation was approved by voters in 2021 — with a razor-thin margin of 1% among Sandy Township voters — after three failed attempts in previous decades. Suplizio is a member of the consolidation committee and chairs the subcommittee on fire services.
“The City’s fiscal status was a driving issue in the consolidation effort, and if some of the City’s revenues were misdirected and funds misspent, we must learn how it affects the assumptions underlying the consolidation analysis,” Sandy Township Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Kevin Salandra, a key figure in the consolidation effort, wrote in a statement.
Sandy Township called for an independent investigation of DuBois’ financial accounts and for “anyone at the City involved in this deception and impropriety to step aside.” Nasuti told Spotlight PA in an April 6 email that a forensic analysis of the city’s finances is underway with help from the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The township said it hasn’t decided “whether and under what conditions the consolidation may be called into question.”
Tension rose briefly during the March 27 council meeting, when a DuBois resident disputed Trzyna’s public comment that council members should face resignation, arguing that Suplizio is innocent until proven guilty.
“You don’t know what it’s going to be at the end, but you’re all hanging him already,” the person said.
“Herm has done a lot of good things for the city of DuBois,” Trzyna told Spotlight PA. “But I think it all went to his head and [he] said, ‘I can do whatever I want to do.’ And we as city residents and taxpayers [are] just as much at fault as the government.
“I fault them because they didn’t oversee things. But I also fault all the citizens in the city of DuBois, and myself included, that we … never questioned.”
SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.
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Sending US troops to Taiwan is "on the table," says Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US Michael McCaul
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John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band - On the Dark Side
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Flashback >>> to 2005 where you can see that GoDuBois had a very small advertising budget that year. Thanks guys!
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Who's in the News?
▫️Baton Rouge man allegedly sex-trafficked girls who ran away from DCFS custody
BATON ROUGE, La. - A hit-and-run crash investigation turned into a human trafficking case after Baton Rouge officials learned the two 16-year-olds involved in the crash had taken the vehicle from a man who was allegedly trafficking them. Officials said they arrested Chad Michael Armstead, 29, of Baton Rouge, on Wednesday, April 5, and charged him with two counts of human trafficking and carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Records state one of the victims told officials Armstead would take them to and from all of their “prostitution encounters.”
» https://www.wbrz.com/news/man-arrested-for-allegedly-sex-trafficking-two-teenagers-in-dcfs-custody (VIDEO)
» https://www.knoe.com/2023/04/07/hit-and-run-crash-uncovers-alleged-trafficking-2-teens-who-ran-away-dcfs-man-arrested/▫️Man arrested for alleged sexual assault of underage girls in Riverside County
A man was arrested for the alleged sexual assault of two underage girls in Riverside County. The suspect was identified as Isaiah D’Andre Jamal Sutton, 26, from Porter Ranch, by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. On April 1, deputies responded to reports of two missing/runaway juvenile girls in an unincorporated area of Hemet. Investigators learned the victims, a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old, were picked up by Sutton that morning. When authorities tracked down Sutton later that day, they discovered he had sexually assaulted the young girls.
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man-arrested-for-alleged-sexual-assault-of-underage-girls-in-riverside-county/▫️3 arrested in operation targeting child sex predators in Amarillo area
AMARILLO, Texas — Three men were arrested in an online sting targeting child sexual predators in the Amarillo area. Ryan Skobel, 36, of Amarillo, Michael Marry, 27, of Amarillo, and Corey Bills, 42, of Lubbock, are charged with online solicitation of a minor.
» https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/3-arrested-in-dps-operation-targeting-child-sex-predators-texas-department-of-public-safety-criminal-investigations-divison-highway-patrol-amarillo-potter-county-sheriffs-office-ryan-skobel-michael-marry-corey-bills-solicitation-of-a-minor-homeland-secur
» https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/2023/04/07/dps-online-operation-results-in-arrests-of-individuals-targeting-minors/70093322007/▫️Fugitive wanted for alleged sex assault of a child arrested
EL PASO — Crime Stoppers of El Paso announced Friday, April 7, that a man wanted for sex crimes against a child has been arrested. Jimmy Mack Rodriguez was featured in the Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted list of fugitives for the week of April 7. He was wanted for two counts of alleged sexual assault of a child and aggravated sexual assault of a child.
https://www.ktsm.com/news/fugitive-wanted-for-alleged-sex-assault-of-a-child-arrested/▫️Former Georgia Airman to spend more than 17 years in prison after found with child porn
MACON, Ga. — A former U.S. Airman has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material involving a minor. Justin Wayne Pallett, 29, of Warner Robins, was sentenced to 210 months followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/former-georgia-airman-spend-more-than-17-years-prison-after-found-with-child-porn/3RFONRYNTZCKFMTHFR6CVAVPSM/▫️Ex-Navy officer caught in sting pleads guilty to child porn charge
CHESAPEAKE, Va. – A former U.S. Navy officer has pleaded guilty to an attempted child pornography production charge after he was arrested in a child exploitation sting back in December. Christopher Paul Hetherington, 33, entered the plea for attempted production of child sexual abuse material on Friday, according to a release from the Department of Justice.
https://www.wavy.com/news/crime/ex-navy-officer-caught-in-sting-pleads-guilty-to-child-porn-charge/ (VIDEO)▫️Houston teacher arrested for human trafficking
HOUSTON – A Houston teacher was arrested in southwest Texas on April 2 and is now facing charges of human trafficking. Authorities said that Brendan Gracia was going to get paid to pick up four migrants in the said area of the county and then transfer them to Houston. Incidents like this are on the rise, officials said, with more and more people coming from Houston picking up migrants. Gracia told police when he was arrested that he was a teacher at a Houston high school.
https://24newsbreaker.com/world/356054.html▫️Lambertville city tax assessor charged with possessing child porn
LAMBERTVILLE – The city’s tax assessor has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson announced late Friday night. Richard Carmosino, 70, of Lambertville, was charged Thursday following an investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Robeson said.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/lambertville-city-tax-assessor-charged-090506539.html▫️2 Lexington County men arrested on charges related to sexually exploiting minors
John L. Rivers, 30 of North, was arrested April 3, charged with three counts of criminal solicitation of a minor (punishable by up to 10 years in prison on each count), one count of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor, three counts of first degree sexual exploitation of a minor (punishable by up to 20 years in prison on each count) and one county of attempted dissemination of obscene material to a person under 18 (punishable by up to 10 years in prison). William Frank Woods, 63 of Lexington, was arrested March 30, charged with one count of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor (punishable by up to 10 years in prison) and four counts of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor (punishable by up to 10 years in person on each count).
https://www.lexingtonchronicle.com/stories/2-lexington-county-men-arrested-on-charges-related-to-sexually-exploiting-minors,51475▫️Las Vegas man faces 27 charges in sex abuse case involving young girls over 20 years
A Las Vegas man who allegedly told police he “had the devil in him” and has been “haunted forever by what he’s done” was taken into custody on numerous sexual assault and lewdness charges Wednesday after a grand jury indicted him, records said. Dariold Dodge, 60, is accused of sexually abusing two young girls over a period of 20 years.
https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-man-faces-27-charges-in-sex-abuse-case-involving-young-girls-over-20-years/▫️Former Savannah pastor sentenced to prison for child molestation
SAVANNAH, Ga. — A former Savannah pastor will serve 25 years in prison and life on probation for child molestation and statutory rape. Alfonza McClendon Sr. was convicted of molesting two children between 2013 and 2017. The molestation happened while McClendon was pastor of the First Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.
» https://www.wjcl.com/article/former-savannah-pastor-prison-child-molestation/43538446 (VIDEO)
» https://www.wsav.com/news/former-savanah-pastor-convicted-of-child-molestation-statutory-rape-charges/
»▫️Pastor, wife indicted in alleged sexual assault, child abuse of ‘God daughters’
A Las Vegas pastor and his wife have been indicted on multiple charges of sexual assault, child abuse and other crimes they allegedly committed with multiple underage victims under their leadership 10 years ago. Pastor Bobby Cornealius Smith and his wife, Lashawn Nicole Smith, of New Beginnings Ministries Church of God in Christ in Las Vegas, Nevada, were both formally charged after one of their alleged victims reported them to police in August 2022, according to 8 News Now. Bobby Smith was charged with one felony count of attempted sexual assault, nine counts of sexual assault, and one count of child abuse, neglect or endangerment, while Lashawn Smith was charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of child abuse, neglect or endangerment.
» https://www.christianpost.com/news/pastor-wife-allegedly-gave-underage-victim-sex-toy.html
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2023/04/pastor-wife-indicted-in-alleged-sexual-assault-child-abuse-of-god-daughters/▫️La Luz Del Mundo scandal: Houston family runs into roadblock to hold former church member accountable for alleged child abuse
Houston megachurch under fire after family accuses former member Juan Gabriel Perez of child sex abuse - Houston’s La Luz del Mundo church leaders enabled sexual abuse for years, former members say
HOUSTON, Texas - A protest was held in front of the church last weekend to rally around the teen and call for more potential victims to come forward. The allegations of sexual abuse are against a former member who's no longer in the United States, but there's a fight to bring him back and hold him accountable for years of alleged abuse.
Tensions were high last week as former members of La Luz del Mundo spoke out at a north Houston news conference about the brutality they’d endured as members of the Christian sect, which is headquartered in Mexico. Speakers outside of the organization’s sanctuary near the Eastex Freeway detailed the years of sexual abuse and trauma they faced in the restorationist church, which has come under scrutiny amid widespread allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members. Many members have come forward with similar allegations in the past year.
» https://abc13.com/la-luz-del-mundo-houston-megachurch-church-sex-abuse-cover-up-juan-gabriel-perez-wanted/13100317/ (VIDEO)
» https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/religion/article/la-luz-del-mundo-houston-speak-out-17869921.php▫️Man sentenced to 3 centuries for sexually abusing girls in Riverside
A 49-year-old man who admitted sexually assaulting five girls in Riverside was sentenced Friday, April 7 to 335 years in prison. Eliezer Job Mendoza Quevedo pleaded guilty in February to 17 felony offenses, including forcible lewd acts on a child, oral copulation of a minor under 10 years old and attempted aggravated sexual assault of a child.
https://www.sbsun.com/2023/04/07/man-sentenced-to-3-centuries-for-sexually-abusing-girls-in-riverside/▫️Woman sentenced to 49 years for child sex trafficking
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — A woman was recently sentenced to 49 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a juvenile in Casa Grande. Brooke Santiago, 41, was sentenced on March 29 in Pinal County Superior Court after she pleaded guilty to child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor.
https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/woman-gets-49-years-prison-child-sex-trafficking-pinal-county-casa-grande/75-d71e516b-6b63-4065-b64e-65068d47067b▫️Operation Egg Hunt: Anderson Co. law enforcement officials check sex offender compliance
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A multi-agency operation from April 3, to April 6, codenamed Operation Egg Hunt, resulted in four convicted sex offenders behind bars. Officials with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Oak Ridge Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry Unit and the United States Marshals Service conducted a check on over 70 registered sex offenders in the area.
https://www.wvlt.tv/2023/04/08/operation-egg-hunt-anderson-co-law-enforcement-officials-check-sex-offender-compliance/▫️Henry County men face charges that include Kidnapping and Rape
DOTHAN, Ala. - Three Henry County men face charges that involve the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of two underage girls. Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship identified the suspects as 36-year-old Anthony Dozier of Headland, 38-year-old Derrick Alan Morris of Abbeville, and Matthew Lashawn Corbitt, 35, also of Abbeville. Dozier faces Human Trafficking 1st degree, Distribution of a Control Substance to a Minor, Rape 2nd degree, and two counts of Contributing to a Child in Need of Supervision. Morris’ charges are two counts of Kidnapping 1st degree, Rape 2nd degree, and two counts of Contributing to a Child in Need of Supervision. Investigators charged Corbitt with Rape 2nd degree and Probation violation.
» https://www.wtvy.com/2023/04/08/henry-county-men-faces-charges-that-include-kidnapping-rape/
» https://www.wdhn.com/news/crime/3-arrested-in-henry-co-on-human-trafficking-charges/▫️DC man allegedly raped two 12-year-old girls he met online
A Washington, D.C., man was arrested after he allegedly raped two 12-year-old girls he met on Instagram, according to police. Luis Quevedo, 19, was taken into custody in connection with two sexual assaults that occurred months apart, detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Youth and Family Services Division, Physical and Sexual Abuse branch announced Friday, according to Fox 5 DC.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/dc-man-allegedly-raped-two-12-year-old-girls-met-online
▫️Police arrest teenager in attempted kidnapping of girl outside school
Police have arrested a teenager who they say attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old student outside a West Valley City school Thursday and dragged her before she fought back.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2023/04/08/police-arrest-teenager-attempted/▫️Louisiana Pastor Arrested a Second Time for Child Sex Offenses
Louisiana State Police say they first arrested Pastor Milton Martin III, 56, on March 8, after a four-month investigation determined that Martin had sexual relations with a juvenile, aged 14-17. Since that arrest, police say they were made aware of a second victim.
» https://julieroys.com/louisiana-pastor-arrested-a-second-time-for-alleged-child-sex-offenses/
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2023/04/louisiana-pastor-arrested-a-second-time-for-alleged-child-sex-offenses/▫️CA Student Minister at Acts 29 Church Arrested on Child Sex Assault Charges
Michael Sasser, 40, was arrested on March 23, after turning himself in at the Modesto Police Department in central California. He is being held on three charges, including forcible sexual penetration, continual sexual abuse of a child, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child. Sasser previously served as pastor-deacon of student ministry at Redeemer Church in Modesto
» https://julieroys.com/california-student-minister-acts-29-church-arrested-child-sex-assault-charges/
» https://www.bishop-accountability.org/2023/04/ca-student-minister-at-acts-29-church-arrested-on-child-sex-assault-charges/ -
Who's in the News?
▫️Video shows abandoned migrant child drifting on Rio Grande; National Guard troop runs to rescue
A new video from the U.S. southern border appears to show a migrant child drifting down the Rio Grande alone on a flotation device. In the footage, a Texas National Guard soldier is seen rushing to assist the floating child in Eagle Pass, Texas. A source told Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin that the child was rescued.
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/video-migrant-child-rescue-troop▫️8 arrested in Mahoning County prostitution investigation in Beaver Township
NORTH LIMA, Ohio – Eight men were arrested in a prostitution investigation last month in Mahoning County. All eight suspects were charged with engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools.
» https://www.wytv.com/news/local-news/8-arrested-in-mahoning-county-prostitution-investigation/
» https://www.wfmj.com/story/48674995/beaver-township-police-human-trafficking-task-force-arrest-several-suspects-following-prostitution-investigation▫️Alleged ‘sexual predators’ arrested in undercover sting
LENAWEE COUNTY, Mich. - The Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office announced that an undercover operation has led to the arrest of two alleged sexual predators. According to LCSO, on April 4, detectives conducting the undercover operation on social media apprehended a 42-year-old white male from Mason, Michigan and a 52-year-old white male from Ottawa Lake, Michigan. Both men drove to Lenawee County to meet and have sex with who they believed to be an underaged girl.
» https://www.13abc.com/2023/04/05/undercover-operation-leads-arrest-two-sexual-predators-lenawee-co/
» https://news.yahoo.com/sheriff-2-alleged-sexual-predators-195403664.html▫️4 arrested after 15-year-old worked as stripper at Florida club
ORLANDO, Fla. — Four people have been arrested on human trafficking charges after they were accused of allowing a 15-year-old girl to dance in a strip club. The club’s owner William Sierer, general manager Johnathan Johnson, assistant manager and house mom Kimberly Sinclair and manager Paul Delvalle all face charges for human trafficking for commercial sexual activity of a child.
» https://www.local10.com/news/florida/2023/04/05/4-arrested-after-15-year-old-worked-as-stripper-at-florida-club-police-say/
» https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/04/05/4-arrested-accused-of-trafficking-teen-girl-at-orlando-strip-club/
» https://www.wftv.com/news/local/deputies-4-charged-after-15-year-old-girl-danced-strip-club-orange-county/KAD2WUINZVH7FISIWTCK3QXGVI/
»▫️Tehama County law enforcement conducts major bust in Red Bluff; 9 arrested, runaway children recovered in condemned mobile home
The Tehama County Sheriff's Office said the enforcement was done at the Antelope Homewood mobile home park in Red Bluff at Belle Mill/White Road. At the problem property, law enforcement said they arrested nine people and recovered runaway children plus a caged puppy stuffed in a closet. It comes after the arrest on March 23 of suspect Mathew Milliman, accused of child sexual abuse that had allegedly been occurring at the mobile home park, authorities with the TCSO said. During a follow-up investigation at his home Tuesday, police said two runaway juveniles were recovered after being concealed in his home by his girlfriend, Ricole Nelson. It was also discovered that since his incarceration, Milliman has been communicating with a child protected from him by a restraining order stemming from his child sexual abuse allegations, according to the TCSO. He was additionally charged with violating his restraining order. Nelson was arrested for parental abduction, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child endangerment, law enforcement said. Furthermore, William Shephard is a convicted sex offender from Oregon who has failed to register in Tehama County, according to police. He was also found at the mobile home park and arrested.
» https://krcrtv.com/news/local/tehama
» https://www.redbluffdailynews.com/2023/04/06/tehama-county-law-enforcement-conducts-major-bust-in-red-bluff/▫️Man may be trying to take missing 13-year-old Utah girl to Mexico
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — An arrest warrant has been issued for a man who police say groomed a 13-year-old girl and convinced her to run away with him. Carlos Armenta Cota, 27, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with four counts of child kidnapping, a first-degree felony; and three counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony. As of Wednesday, the girl remained missing and police believe Cota may be trying to take her to Mexico.
https://ksltv.com/538188/man-may-be-trying-to-take-missing-13-year-old-utah-girl-to-mexico-charges-say/▫️3 charged human smuggling, forced labor
BOSTON — Three members of the same family were charged in what federal prosecutors say was a scheme to smuggle Brazilian immigrants into the U.S. to work at two Massachusetts restaurants where they were forced to work long hours and threatened with harm. Jesse James Moraes, 65, and his son Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 43, were charged in a superseding indictment with forced labor and attempted forced labor, according to a statement Tuesday from the U.S. attorney's office. They are the owners of Taste of Brazil-Tudo Na Brasa and The Dog House Bar and Grill in the Boston suburb of Woburn.
» https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/3-charged-human-smuggling-forced-labor-17880057.php
» https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/father-son-owners-two-woburn-024638920.html▫️Former San Diego detective pleads guilty to operating sex parlors
A former San Diego police detective and three others pleaded guilty to federal charges on Tuesday to operating massage parlors that offered commercial sex services. Peter Griffin, 78, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to money laundering, wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to facilitate interstate commerce for businesses involving prostitution, and other crimes in San Diego federal court, the Department of Justice said in a news statement.
» https://www.cbsnews.com/news/peter-griffin-former-san-diego-detective-pleads-guilty-to-operating-sex-parlors/
» https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/california/45057-former-san-diego-police-officer-and-three-co-defendants-plead-guilty-to-multiple-crimes-stemming-from-years-long-operation-of-illicit-massage-businesses▫️Operation Keiki Shield: Four Kona Men Arrested For Child Sex Solicitation
Hawai‘i Island police charged four Kona men for child sex solicitation as part of a multi-agency undercover operation designed to identify and arrest individuals using the internet to facilitate sexual crimes against children.
» https://www.kwxx.com/2023/04/06/four-kona-men-arrested-for-child-sex-solicitation/
» https://www.khon2.com/hawaii-crime/operation-keiki-shield-captures-more-online-predators/▫️US Marshals arrest man in Albuquerque wanted for sex offenses
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – United States Marshals have arrested 26-year-old Benjamin Joseph Hart in Albuquerque who was wanted for multiple sex offenses against children. Hart was charged with one count of aggravated sexual battery, one count of indecent behavior with juveniles, and one count of trafficking of children for sexual purposes in Louisiana. He is also facing unrelated charges out of New Hampshire that include indecent exposure and prohibited computer service use.
https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/man-in-albuquerque-wanted-for-sex-offenses-against-children-in-louisiana-is-arrested/▫️Two charged with sexual abuse of 5-year-old Guatemalan girl in Juarez
EL PASO, Texas – Mexican authorities have arrested two Juarez men for allegedly sexually abusing a 5-year-old migrant girl from Guatemala. The two men identified as Gilberto O.A. and Jorge Alberto L.J. were arrested after Chihuahua state police investigated reports of men holding a minor who was not their relative, according to the state Attorney General’s Office. Further investigation led to charges of child abuse and sexual abuse of a child, the AG’s Office said in a statement.
https://www.borderreport.com/immigration/border-crime/two-charged-with-sexual-abuse-of-5-year-old-guatemalan-girl/▫️Duke employee arrested for sex crimes, received $8M bond: warrants
CARY, N.C. - A Duke employee has been arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor, the Cary Police Department confirmed Wednesday. Arrest warrants reveal Yi Yao, 29, was charged with 15 counts of felony second degree exploitation of a minor. According to the warrants, Yao also duplicated child pornography of children between the ages of 6- and 13-years-old.
https://www.wect.com/2023/04/06/duke-employee-arrested-sex-crimes-received-8m-bond-warrants/▫️ICE arrests former Salvadoran Army officer in New Jersey accused in El Mozote massacre case in El Salvador
NEWARK – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents arrested a Salvadoran national on April 4 for assisting or otherwise participating in extrajudicial killings and for willfully misrepresenting this material fact in his immigration application. Roberto Antonio Garay Saravia is a retired military officer from the Salvadoran Armed Forces, who during his active duty was involved in multiple operations, including the El Mozote Massacre, where more than 1,000 civilian adults and children were killed.
» https://www.dhs.gov/news/2023/04/06/ice-arrests-former-salvadoran-army-officer-new-jersey-accused-el-mozote-massacre
» https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-arrests-former-salvadoran-army-officer-new-jersey-accused-el-mozote-massacre-case▫️Del Rio Sector agents arrest three convicted sex offenders
DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Del Rio Sector arrested three convicted sex offenders, shortly after they illegally entered the United States. Record checks revealed that Ariel Hugo Fuentes Morales, 34, a Mexican national, was convicted of indecency with a child sexual contact, in San Antonio, in 2011. Sebastian Jeremias Sanchez-San Luis, 43, a Mexican national, was convicted of criminal sexual conduct of a minor, under the age of 11, in Lexington, South Carolina, in 2022. Humberto Lugo-Moya, 24, a Mexican national, was convicted of sexual abuse and sexual assault, in Arizona, in 2022.
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/del-rio-sector-agents-arrest-three-convicted-sex-offenders▫️Prison for Raleigh man who trafficked girl, 14, for sex
NEW BERN, N.C. — A Raleigh man who trafficked a 14-year-old girl for sex will spend 15 years in prison as part of a plea deal, prosecutors say. The U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday that Kevin Harold Rudolph, 28, received his sentence Wednesday from District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. He pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor in March 2022. Co-defendant Marcus Gambrell was sentenced in December 2021 to 17½ years in prison after pleading guilty that January to manufacturing child pornography.
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/raleigh-man-gets-prison-for-trafficking-14-year-old-girl-for-sex/▫️Men sentenced on child exploitation, prostitution charges
JACKSON, Miss. - Two men have been sentenced in connection with promoting prostitution and child exploitation, says Attorney General Lynn Fitch. On March 20, 2023, Kendall Johnson, of Jackson, was sentenced to 10 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with four years to serve and five years of post-release supervision for one count of promoting prostitution. Days later, Ezekiel Ely, of Vancleave, was sentenced to 20 years in MDOC custody with four to serve followed by five years of post-release supervision on one count of child exploitation.
» https://www.wlbt.com/2023/04/05/men-sentenced-child-exploitation-prostitution-charges/
» https://www.wjtv.com/news/state/two-mississippi-men-sentenced-after-undercover-operations/▫️Man accused of aggravated sexual assault of a 4-yo-child scheduled for May hearing in Bowie County
TEXARKANA, Texas - A May court date is scheduled for a man charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Moses Ross, 25, was arrested in January by Texarkana Texas Police Department after a preschool-age girl made an outcry of abuse to her mother. The mother immediately called 911.
https://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/2023/apr/05/man-accused-of-aggravated-sexual-assault-of-a/▫️Former nurse from Franklin County sentenced for recording, sexually abusing patients
A former nurse from Franklin County will serve 15-30 years in prison for sexually assaulting two patients and secretly video-recording hundreds more, including children, according to the Pennsylvania attorney general. Michael Bragg, 42, was sentenced Wednesday in Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas by Judge Albert Masland. The court designated Bragg a sexually violent predator. Bragg pleaded guilty or no contest to one count of aggravated indecent assault, one count of attempted indecent assault, 12 counts of sexual abuse of children, one count of manufacturing child pornography, 37 counts of invasion of privacy, and six counts of interception of oral communications.
» https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/cumberland-county/michael-bragg-carlisle-nurse-sexual-assault-sentencing/521-43a011ea-40e4-4e92-95eb-ddf46445fa56 (VIDEO)
» https://www.abc27.com/local-news/carlisle-west-shore/former-upmc-nurse-sentenced-for-sexually-assaulting-recording-patients/ (VIDEO)
» https://www.pennlive.com/news/2023/04/former-er-nurse-sentenced-for-recording-sexually-assaulting-patients-in-central-pa.html
» https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-nurse-franklin-county-sentenced-091153673.html▫️North Carolina juvenile arrested for abducting 6-month-old baby with knife
DURHAM, N.C. — A juvenile has been arrested for abducting a baby with a knife near an apartment complex Thursday morning, according to the Durham Police Department. The mother said a female took out a knife and abducted her baby, according to the police department. Officers said they canvassed the area and found the baby in a nearby apartment. Police identified the suspect as a juvenile and took her into custody. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator J. Turner at (919) 560-4440 ext 29342 or Crime Stoppers at (919) 683-1200.
https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/north-carolina-juvenile-arrested-for-abducting-6-month-old-baby-with-knife-police-say/▫️Six Sioux Falls men charged with online sex crimes
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Six men from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, were arrested and charged with Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet.
» https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2023/04/06/six-sioux-falls-men-charged-with-online-sex-crimes/
» https://wnax.com/news/180081-six-sioux-falls-men-arrested-on-federal-sex-crime-charges/
» https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/six-sioux-falls-men-charged-online-sex-crimes▫️Celebration High School Coach Arrested for Sexual Misconduct with Students
Osceola County, FL – The baseball coach was identified as Samuel Enrique Figueroa, D.O.B 1/19/1980. Further investigation and interviews yielded several other female juvenile victims, ages 15 to 18 years of age, who also attend Celebration High School. Further investigation and charges are forthcoming. Mr. Figueroa is currently incarcerated in the Osceola County Department of Corrections. We asked anyone who has had an encounter with Mr. Figueroa that made them feel uncomfortable to don’t hesitate to contact our office at (407) 348-2222.
https://www.osceolasheriff.org/celebration-high-school-coach-arrested-for-sexual-misconduct-with-students/▫️UPDATE Alleged Pimps, Former Hotel Employees Charged in Child Sex Trafficking Ring - Out of the 16 victims, seven are underage
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced on Thursday, April 6, that six men, three alleged pimps, and the manager, front desk clerk, and security guard at a Bronx hotel, have been charged with a host of offenses, including enterprise corruption, sex trafficking of a child, and promoting prostitution, and two of the alleged pimps were also charged with rape. One of the sex trafficking victims was just 14 years old when she began working for the suspects, officials said.
» https://www.norwoodnews.org/update-alleged-pimps-former-hotel-employees-charged-in-child-sex-trafficking-ring/
» https://pix11.com/news/local-news/bronx/3-bronx-hotel-employees-3-alleged-pimps-charged-in-child-sex-trafficking-enterprise-da/
»▫️Former Potosi police officer charged with child sex trafficking
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - A former Potosi police officer will appear in Federal court after being charged with sex trafficking, solicitation of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor. Matthew N. Skaggs, 39, was indicted March 29 and arrested Wednesday. The charges allege that between January 1, 2022 and August 10, 2022, Skaggs convinced three minors into a commercial sex act, solicited sexual images of a minor and attempting to persuade a minor into engaging in sexual acts.
» https://www.kmov.com/2023/04/06/former-potosi-police-officer-charged-with-child-sex-trafficking/
» https://www.kttn.com/former-police-officer-in-missouri-accused-of-child-sex-trafficking/▫️Former Ohio D.A.R.E. Officer Sentenced In Child Porn Case
DAYTON, Ohio – A former longtime Beavercreek police officer was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 181 months in prison for committing two federal child pornography crimes. Kevin A. Kovacs, 60, of Fairborn, was arrested in April 2020 and indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2020. He pleaded guilty in February 2022 to transporting and possessing child pornography.
» https://breaking911.com/former-ohio-d-a-r-e-officer-sentenced-in-child-porn-case/
» https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/former-beavercreek-dare-officer-sentenced-in-child-porn-case/WNJXCQWV7ZAMXJNV6QRT5ZL7ZU/?outputType=amp▫️Two Arrested For Sex Trafficking In West Boca Raton
BOCA RATON, FL — PBSO arrested two Sandalfoot area men for various crimes including kidnapping, human trafficking, and prostitution. Jeremy Dabney and Ricky Farrugia of 10556 Sandalfoot Blvd in the Sandalfoot area of West Boca Raton, have been arrested by the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.
https://bocapost.com/news/arrests/boca-raton-arrests/two-arrested-for-sex-trafficking-in-west-boca-raton/▫️Two arrests made in internet child luring investigations: Lincoln City Police Department
Daniel C. Bastien, 43, of Lincoln City, was arrested March 22 and charged with the crimes of luring a minor. Austin J. Marshall, 34, of Newport, was arrested March 29, and charged with the crimes of first-degree luring a minor and online sexual corruption of a child.
https://www.newportnewstimes.com/news/two-arrests-made-in-internet-child-luring-investigations/article_8269730c-d4ad-11ed-badb-5732517061c4.html▫️Cyber-tip leads to sexual exploitation arrest
An investigation by special agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of partner law enforcement agencies, has resulted in the arrest of Tony Hunt from Lawrenceburg.
https://www.tullahomanews.com/news/local/cyber-tip-leads-to-sexual-exploitation-arrest/article_13575e5e-d30c-11ed-b7ff-db930d24e2a5.html▫️Ex-ABC News producer James Meek indicted on three child pornography counts, year after FBI raid
Disgraced ex-ABC News senior producer James Gordon Meek is indicted on three child pornography counts - nearly one year after FBI raided his Arlington, Virginia home - for evidence. Meek, 53, once an Emmy-winning producer, was formally charged this week with transporting images of child pornography, according to the Justice Department. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11947345/Ex-ABC-News-producer-James-Meek-indicted-three-child-pornography-counts-year-FBI-raid.html▫️Man Sentenced For Brutal Sex Attack Of 10-Year-Old Girl After Good Samaritan Interrupts Rape At Big Lots
LONG ISLAND, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that defendant Jose Carabantes Pineda, 37, of Riverhead was sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty in February to Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree. “The bravery of this young victim to fight back against her abuser, the quick reaction of a Good Samaritan, and the swift response by the Riverhead Police Department are the reason this predator was apprehended,” said District Attorney Tierney.
https://breaking911.com/incomprehensible-man-sentenced-for-brutal-sex-attack-of-10-year-old-girl-after-good-samaritan-interrupts-rape-at-big-lots/▫️Repeated sex offender sentenced to life in prison for porn
51-year-old, Brian Wittke, from North Carolina, was sentenced to life in prison on April 4th, 2023 during his sentencing hearing. Between March 2017 and July 2020, Wittke had engaged in the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Thanks to CRC Technology, detectives with the Boone Police Department were able to identify and arrest Wittke. During the investigation, law enforcement found a hard-drive with over 50 videos, 5 of which included Wittke abusing two children.
» https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/repeated-sex-offender-sentenced-to-life-in-prison/
» https://childrescuecoalition.org/horrific-repeat-offender-brought-to-justice-through-use-of-crc-technology/ -
Hallelujah - Lucy Thomas - (Official Music Video)
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Happy Easter from DuBois Central Catholic Kindergarten 🐣✝️
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One Thing, Jesus Christ.
Stations of the Cross Series, Station #14, Sunday, April 9th by Fr. Ben Daghir & Luke DaghirEditor's Note: This article concludes the Stations of the Cross column from Fr. Ben Daghir and Luke Daghir. The writers hope that this series has helped in drawing closer to Jesus Christ. The painting (attached), by Eugene Burnard in 1898, is of Peter and John running to the tomb of Jesus.
Article:
The 14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb.In chapter 27 of the Gospel of Matthew we hear that Jesus was laid in the tomb. The rich man, a disciple named Joseph from Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Matthew then shares that a huge stone was rolled across the entrance of the tomb (Matthew 27:57-61). Then, Matthew explains that the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate, as they were concerned about the body of Jesus being stolen (remember Jesus had said that His body would be raised after three days). Pilate gave orders for several soldiers to guard the tomb and for the stone to be sealed shut (Matthew 27:62-66).
GK Chesterton, a renowned British Catholic writer from the early 20th century, said that “death is the great equalizer.” Kings, queens, the wealthy, tyrants, the heroes, the famous, the poor, you, and me - everyone has a last day when one is laid in the tomb.
However, in Christianity there is a Resurrection. As the Catechism powerfully notes, “The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ” (CCC 638). The Resurrection changes everything. The stone has been rolled away. The tomb is empty.
Jesus promised His apostles that he would rise from the dead. The 1898 Burnard image shows the excitement and anticipation from two of the apostles as they run to the empty tomb. The phrase “Resurrexit sicut dixit” (which means ‘He rose like He said’) became the central message. Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.
The Resurrection is what gave Peter and John the courage to respond to the Sanhedrin in front of the leaders, elders and scribes of the time. Peter and John were taken into custody for “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the Resurrection of the dead” (Acts 4:2). The Sanhedrin ordered Peter and John to never again speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
Peter and John boldly replied, “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
Something had happened which changed everything…the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty.
Resurrexit sicut dixit.
“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you; because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”
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Luke Daghir is a seminarian for the Diocese of Erie from St. Marys, Pa. He currently studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore.
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Cathy- Jill Robinson, age 70 of DuBois, PA died Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Penn Highlands DuBois Hospital.
Born on October 27, 1952 in Sayre, PA a daughter of the late Joseph Thomas and Shirley Jean (Miller) Ennis.
On July 31, 1971 she married Daniel Louis Robinson. He preceded her in death on December 28, 2007. Mrs. Robinson was a homemaker and a member of Bethany Evangelical Covenant Church, DuBois. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and was an avid quilter and embroider and enjoyed crafting.
Mrs. Robinson is survived by her children; Josephine (Candy Marie) DeCarlo and her husband Scott of DuBois, PA and Eric Jay Robinson and his wife Betty of Goldsboro, NC.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Isaiah (Kayla) Robinson, Grace Robinson, Fawn Marie Guignet, Raven Ann (Zack) Curl, Hannah DeCarlo and Sarah DeCarlo. Two great grandchildren, Kennedy Curl and Noah Robison.
She is survived by brothers, Joe (Diane) Ennis of Sayre, PA and Timothy Ennis of San Diego, CA and sister, Lori-Beth Porter, Elmira, NY.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Robinson was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Michael Robinson; granddaughter, MacKenzie DeCarlo; siblings Michael, Anthony, Ronnie Ennis and Charma-Jean Ennis.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:00 PM from Bethany Evangelical Covenant Church, 26 East Long Ave, DuBois, PA.
Burial will be in Bradford County Memorial Park, Towanda, PA.
The Baronick Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 1375 Martin St. Suite 206, State College, PA 16803.
Online condolences can be sent to http://www.baronickfuneralhome.com/condolence
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Kansas - Carry on Wayward Son (Official Video)
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GO TED!! >> We need to put a STRANGLEHOLD on all of these companies!
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One Thing, Jesus Christ.
Stations of the Cross Series, Station #13, Saturday, April 8th by Fr. Ben Daghir & Luke DaghirEditor's Note: Fr. Ben Daghir and Luke Daghir will have 14 articles based upon the stations of the cross. The 14th article will conclude on Easter Sunday.
Article:
The 13th Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross.Have you ever seen Michelangelo’s “Pieta” statue? It depicts this 13th station from a unique perspective: the Virgin Mary is holding her Son.
Mary once held her newborn baby in a manger in Bethlehem. Now, she holds His ragged, twisted, torn, bruised, and ravaged corpse. Put yourself in Michelangelo’s shoes for a moment - how would you artistically depict this scene? Would you depict it with blood and death? Or, would you eloquently and beautifully show that grace prevails?
Michelangelo depicts the Virgin Mary as a young woman which reflects her purity and motherly love. She is also depicted as being much larger than Jesus. Motherly love overwhelms the scene.
Jesus’s small stature reflects the entire Gospel message. The path of Christ is the path of humility, lowliness, and nonviolence. There is no room for pride, only love. It also reminds us of the Philipian’s hymn which states, “Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave” (Philipians 2:6-11). Jesus’s small stature also reminds us of Christ’s words to the disciples, “As you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40).
Michelangelo artistically depicts these great theological truths through this brilliant depiction of Christ.
Michelangelo’s portrayal of Jesus also reminds us of this Gospel passage, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus then called a child to Himself and set the child before them. He then said, “Unless you become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-3).
Jesus’s small stature contrasts with our sinful selves. We often puff ourselves up with the sins of pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. We often puff ourselves up by placing power, wealth, honor, and pleasure as first importance in our lives. Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). The puffed up self [the sinful self] is not small enough to enter the kingdom of God.
Michelangelo brilliantly depicts this 13th station of the cross. Mary’s exaggerated size reflects the power of grace and motherly love. Jesus’s small stature reflects his humble descent and the demands of the Gospel. Michelangelo’s contrast between Mary and Jesus reflects a remarkable truth: hell is no match for the purity of the Virgin and the humility of Christ.
“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you; because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.”
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Fr. Ben Daghir is a priest for the Diocese of Erie. He is a graduate of Elk County Catholic High School in Saint Marys, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, and St. Mary's Seminary & University in Baltimore, Maryland. He considers writing one of his favorite hobbies.
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PHOTO: The Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players from left: Melissa Neff, Lillian Neff, Nancy Hills, Virginia Schott, Leah Crosley, and Sue Stapleton.
The Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players provided an afternoon of entertainment and education as the guests for the DuBois Area Historical Society’s 14th Spring Luncheon.
Performing for the Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players were Ginny Schott of DuBois, Sue Stapleton of Reynoldsville, Leah Crosley of Sabula, Nancy Hills of Treasure Lake, Lillian Neff of Curwensville and Melissa Neff of Curwensville. The mountain dulcimer is one of only two musical instruments to originate in North America, the other being the five-string banjo. The long, stringed instrument is placed on the lap for playing and provides a rich and varied musical voice.They played a variety of musical pieces from folk songs to the Beatles, and included some Celtic music for the recently passed St. Patrick’s Day while involving the audience in some sing-alongs. Virginia Schott presented video highlights from previous Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players performances and included one of DuBois native Butch Ross, considered one of the finest mountain dulcimer players in the United States, performing.
The Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players trace their origin back to a free-period activity first offered by Virginia Schott at DuBois Area High School. She became interested in the instrument after attending librarians’ workshops where it was used as part of story-telling activities. In addition to providing instruction for students at the high school, several adults became interested too, resulting in the adults practicing together outside the school setting.
That initial group attracted additional people from the surrounding area and in 2010 the Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players performed for the first time at a DuBois Area School Retirees luncheon. The name Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players was selected in honor of the Sandy Lick Creek that runs through DuBois before connecting with larger rivers. The group wanted something that sounded folksy, but aptly described the group and indicated they resided in many different towns in western Pennsylvania. Since that time the Sandy Lick Mountain Dulcimer Players have performed in five counties for church groups, nursing homes, senior centers, reunions and other organizations, including twice at the Indiana County Fair. The group has also hosted in DuBois a number of the outstanding dulcimer players and national champions from throughout the United States, including Butch Ross, to provide lessons and perform in concert.The luncheon held at Christ Lutheran Church in DuBois attracted 77 members and guests. Tom Schott served as the master of ceremonies. The lunch featured sandwiches from Subway and soup and macaroni salad from Catering by Paulette. Desert was cupcakes from Martin’s.
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» https://www.dailybreakingnewsdigest.com/2023/04/10/us-border-patrol-waging-war-on-cartels-with-migrant-stash-house-busts/
»
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https://www.newsbreak.com/tucson-az/2985979396884-usbp-rescues-two-children-near-border
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» https://www.wftv.com/news/local/suspect-wanted-nationwide-child-sex-assault-warrant-arrest-volusia-county/RYPIMMXQIRA3ZBI6VORXGKHXVQ/
» https://news.yahoo.com/suspect-wanted-nationwide-child-sex-200933395.html
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https://news.yahoo.com/15-old-abducted-north-carolina-172218439.html
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https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/crime/2023/04/10/lubbock-police-arrest-11-in-west-lubbock-human-trafficking-sting/70101158007/
» https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/11-arrested-in-prostitution-sting-with-lubbock-police-homeland-security/
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https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/2-men-arrested-on-sexual-assault-charges-in-brookings/
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https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/madison-heights-man-arrested-after-children-realize-they-were-sexually-assaulted-years-after-alleged-crimes
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https://breaking911.com/horrific-man-indicted-for-sex-trafficking-beating-woman-and-torturing-another/
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https://www.wtvm.com/2023/04/10/lee-county-jury-convicts-man-multiple-sexual-crimes-against-his-children/
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https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/san-diego-based-human-trafficking-investigation-leads-criminal-charges-foreign