Section I: Political Watch & White-Collar Crimes
Criminal justice issues, political crimes and shenanigans, or, “High Crimes and Misdemeanors,” including corporate crimes.
Article 1: Sentencing of John Sullivan in the January 6, 2021 Insurrection
It has been over three years since protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol. Yet, the courts are still dealing with the criminal aftermath. On Friday, April 26, John Sullivan was sentenced to six years in federal prison for his participation. The case has been called one of the oddest January 6 cases. Sullivan’s participation was more than just entering, or even breaking into, the Capitol building. According to the fact pattern proven at trial, Sullivan lead protestors into the Capitol, and filmed the shooting death of rioter Ashli Babbitt. But what makes his motive, well, suspicious beyond a reasonable doubt, is that Sullivan then sold his footage of her death to news organizations while claiming to be a journalist.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth referred to Sullivan as a “chaos agent,” and said that for Sullivan, “violence was an end unto itself.” He further scolded Sullivan for falsely claiming he was documenting the riot as a journalist. The price tag of the footage for news outlets was more than $90,000.
Sullivan was arrested shortly after the riot. According to prosectors, Sullivan was initially described as a supporter of causes like “Black Lives Matter” and the anti-fascism movement. It was his presence in the crowd that many used to support the baseless claims that the riot was started by anti-Trump dissenters.
During his sentencing hearing, prosecutors said Sullivan traveled to Washington with the intent to confront “fascist” Trump supports. However, when he saw the mob was storming the Capitol, he then decided to exploit the scene to carry out his own agenda. Sullivan was armed with a megaphone when he rallied the crowd to push past the police. Judge Lamberth held Sullivan accountable for the four-inch blade he was carrying and offered to other rioters. Sullivan ended up just behind Babbitt before she was shot trying to climb through a window into the Speaker’s Lobby off the House chamber.
Sullivan was tearful in the courtroom as he apologized for his behavior. During his sentencing hearing, Sullivan complained to Judge Lamberth about the terrible conditions in the Washington D.C. jail, where he has been confined for five months since he was convicted by a jury. Sullivan has been held in isolation because other convicted rioters perceive him as hostile to their beliefs. Judge Lamberth has once held the D.C. jail officials in contempt for their handling of another January 6 defendant’s case. Judge Lamberth recommended to the Federal Bureau of Prisons that Sullivan serve his six-year sentence near his home in Utah.
Source: Politico.com
Article 2. Texas-Tarrant County DA Wants Defendant’s Illegal Voting Conviction Reinstated
In March 2018, Crystal Mason was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for casting a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election. The problem with her casting this ballot was the fact that Mason was on supervised release (a form of parole) for federal tax evasion. This means that Mason was a convicted felon and did not have a right to vote, per the state of Texas. Mason has maintained she did not know that she was ineligible to vote. She purports that she was never told by her attorney, prison officials, nor her U.S. Probation Officer, that she could not vote.
At the trial, a supervisor from the probation office testified no one from the office informed her she was still ineligible to vote. Just before casting her provisional ballot, Mason signed an affidavit affirming, “if a felon, I have completed all my punishment including any term of incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or I have been pardoned.” Convicted felons can vote if they have their civil rights restored to them by the executive branch. Mason had no such restoration of her rights.
The Tarrant Country Second Court of Appeals originally upheld Mason’s conviction but now the same court has overturned it. Initially, the Appeals Court held that Mason knew she was on supervised release, therefore ineligible to vote. This was sufficient enough evidence for an illegal voting conviction. [The two main elements to prove a crime of voter fraud is: one, the person knew, or should have known they were ineligible to vote, and two, the person casted a ballot anyway.] But now, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeal ruled the lower court “erred by failing to require proof that Mason had actual knowledge that it was a crime for her to vote while on supervised release.”
Phil Sorrells, Tarrant County District Attorney, wants Mason’s illegal voting conviction reinstated. Civil rights groups have maintained that Mason’s five-year prison sentence was harsh and unusual. Steve Benen is a producer for “The Rachel Maddow Show,” the editor of Maddow Blog and an MSNBC political contributor noted that a number of white voters in Texas and other states have also been found guilty of voting illegally, none of whom received as heavy a sentence as Mason. A decision by the District Attorney’s Office is pending as of this writing.
Sources/Contributors: The Texas Tribune and MSNBC
Section II: The Local Drug Corner
News concerning illegal drugs, the business behind illegal drugs, and drug addiction.
Article 1. Fentanyl Surge and China’s Responsibility
According to Statista, the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) released its findings regarding China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl epidemic. China is the largest source of precursors to make fentanyl. The question asked is whether or not China is aware of this ranking. Is China simply turning a blind eye or is China actively encouraging the production and illicit trade of fentanyl?
The report made the finding that the Chinese government directly subsidizes and encourages manufacturing and export of fentanyl materials through tax rebates, monetary grants and award to companies involved in trafficking fentanyl and fentanyl precursors. “The Committee’s work has uncovered persuasive evidence that the PRC and the CCP are not just bystanders; they are prime movers. They are knee-deep in actively sponsoring, encouraging and facilitating the production of fentanyl and fentanyl precursors for distribution in the United States,” former Attorney General William P. Barr said in his testimony. Barr said that the distribution of fentanyl is like randomly shooting into a crowd, because fentanyl is deadly and often disguised in counterfeit drugs.
The U.S. has seen a surge in drug overdose deaths over the past decade. This increase is almost entirely caused by the rise of synthetic opioids, such a fentanyl. Fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Because of its low street value, it is often used to lace other drugs, which makes it especially dangerous. According to the CDC’s latest data, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl were involved in two out of three overdose deaths last year.
Contributor/Source: Statista
Section III: The Firearms Table
News that will explore the business of firearms and crimes that are committed by firearms.
Article 1. Four Officers Killed Serving Warrant for Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), on Monday, April 29, 2024, law enforcement officers were fired upon by 39-year-old Terry Clark Hughes, Jr. At the end of the shoot-out, four CMPD officers were shot, one of whom died as a result of his injuries. In addition, four officers from the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force were shot, three of which passed away. A total of eight law enforcement officers were struck by gunfire.
Hughes was wanted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of fleeing to elude law enforcement. Hughes was armed with a “high-powered rifle” and fired upon the approaching officers. Officers returned fire and fatally shot Hughes on the front lawn of the residence. From inside the residence, another shooter began firing at the officers. After an hour long standoff, police sieged the residence with armored vehicles. An assault rifle was located inside. Two women were brought in for questioning, one was 17 years old.
CMPD Police Chief Johnny Jennings said of the officers who lost their lives, “They loved their work, and were passionate about their roles in protecting the communities…These officers died as heroes and made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our state.”
Serving an arrest warrant, along with the transportation of prisoners, is one of the most dangerous duties law enforcement does. [The most dangerous is responding to a domestic violence call]. It is with great respect and admiration the CHPP has for these individuals. Please give a moment of praise and respect for these men and women.
Sources: USA Today and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Article 2. Tennessee Teachers Can Now Carry Firearms in the Classroom
The Tennessee General Assembly passed, and Governor Bill Lee signed into law, a bill that will grant teachers and school staff the ability to carry firearms on school property, during school hours. The bill authorizes faculty or school staff to carry a concealed handgun on school property. The subject to carry concealed is granted under certain conditions. These conditions include having approval from the principal. Governor Lee said, “I think we need to be really clear about what the law does…districts have the right to choose…What’s important to me is that we give districts tools and the option to use a tool that will keep their children safe in their schools.”
According to the law, school personnel who want to carry a concealed weapon must:
-Get an enhanced permit;
-Get written authorization from the superintendent, principal and the chief of the appropriate law enforcement agency;
-Complete 40 hours of basic training in school policing and 40 hours of Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Commission approved training that is specific to school policing each year at the educator’s expense;
-Complete background check;
-Undergo a psychological exam conducted by a Tennessee licensed health care provider.
The law does not allow for open carry of firearms. It also does not permit weapons to be taken in “stadiums, gymnasiums, or auditoriums when school-sponsored events are in progress, nor in meetings where tenure or disciplinary matters are being discussed.
Chris Cogdill, a government and politics teacher at Jefferson County High School, criticized the bill and said, “I want nothing more than for my students to get home safely at the end of the day but there has to be a better way to get that done than relying on me to carry a gun.”
Source: CNN.com
Section IV: Mental Health and Criminal Profiles
The hidden motive of criminals and why mental health is becoming synonymous with the criminal justice system.
Article 1. A Pasadena Radiologist Seeks Mental Health Defense In Attempted Murder Case
A Pasadena radiologist, Dharmesh Patel, age 43, drove his Tesla off a cliff while driving on a California highway in January 2023. His wife and two children, a four year old son and a seven year old daughter, were in the car when it fell off the 250 foot cliff. The cliff is located outside Half Moon Bay. Patel suffered injuries to his leg and foot. His wife suffered more severe injuries, not disclosed. His daughter also received severe injuries and his son suffered only minor bruises.
According to court records, Patel was hearing footsteps and suffering from delusions about the nation’s fentanyl crisis, the war in Ukraine, and possibly of his children being kidnapped. Patel’s diagnosis of psychosis and his treatment was the issue of a most recent court hearing. The court must determine if Patel will be admitted into a mental health diversion program rather than face trial on charges of attempted murder. If the court grants the request, Patel’s charges could be dismissed in lieu of him completing a court-ordered treatment program.
A clinical and forensic psychologist testified that Patel was a good candidate for the program because he was a low risk of harming anyone. Furthermore, over the past year, Patel has made good progress in his treatment. The treatment would include intensive outpatient care with group and individual therapy sessions. He will also continue meeting with his psychotherapist.
Currently Patel is being held without bail in the San Mateo County Jail. Since his incarceration, he has been taken off anti-psychotic medication and has stopped having delusions. State prosecutors are not happy with Patel’s defense. They are wondering why doctors did not question Patel’s wife about his mental health condition prior to the incident. Psychologist, Mark Patterson, said it would not have given him any new information.
California State legislators in 2018 passed a mental health diversion program as a way for eligible defendants to see their case dismissed if they successfully complete a lengthy and rigorous treatment program. In order to be eligible for the program, defendants must be diagnosed with a mental health illness that is directly connected to their crime. The mental illness must be treatable within the time period of the diversion program; one year for misdemeanors and two years for felonies.
Sources/Contributors: The Orange County Register and Fox News
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