Vigilantes seized a drug cartel's bastion in western Mexico on Sunday, sparking a shootout as the civilian militia gained new ground in their struggle against the gang in a violence-plagued region.
Hundreds of armed civilians riding in more than 100 pickup trucks rolled into the Michoacan state town of Nueva Italia and were met by gunfire from presumed Knights Templar cartel members when they reached the municipal office.
"They shot at us from two locations and the clash lasted around an hour and a half," Jaime Ortiz, a 47-year-old farmer and vigilante leader from the town of La Ruana, told AFP.
Two members of the self-defense unit were wounded, he said, standing in the 40,000-population town's main square, surrounded by hundreds of men armed with AK-47 assault rifles, bulletproof vests and radios.
Some sidewalks were soaked in blood in the town's empty streets.
Later, on a highway leading to the town, authorities found two men hanging from a bridge, though it was not immediately known if the killings were related to the vigilantes' advance. Mexican cartels have hanged many victims in recent years.
Michoacan's growing civilian militia movement, which first emerged nearly a year ago, has seized more communities in recent weeks in its bid to rout the Templars.
The turmoil in Michoacan has become the biggest security challenge of President Enrique Pena Nieto's 13-month-old administration, which inherited a drug war that has killed more than 77,000 people in the past seven years.
Pena Nieto deployed thousands of troops and federal police to the state in May, but the reinforcements have failed to contain the violence.
Interior Minister Miguel Osorio Chong has said the self-defense units are illegal. Yet some critics charge the government is protecting them.
The Templars have accused the vigilantes of being a proxy force for the rival Jalisco New Generation drug cartel, a charge the militias deny.
The militias have now surrounded Apatzingan, a city of 123,000 people considered the main Templar stronghold in Michoacan's lime- and avocado-growing region known as Tierra Caliente, or Hot Country.
Vigilante leaders say Apatzingan is a key target because of its importance to the cartel and because it is a vital trade hub for their limes, avocados and mangos.
In October, hundreds of self-defense militia members marched into Apatzingan unarmed and fled after being welcomed with gun shots in the main square. "It is very close. We want to seize it but we don't have a date yet. It will be in the next few days," said Hipolito Mora, a prominent vigilante leader from the town of La Ruana.
In Nueva Italia, the streets were empty, restaurants and shops closed their doors and residents shut their windows after the vigilante incursion.
The vigilantes met with the mayor and residents to explain their strategy against organized crime. "At first we supported the Templars because we believed that they were protecting Michoacan," said a mother of two who attended the meeting and requested anonymity. "But now the economy is very weak, they don't let us work and they charge protection money," she said.
Towns began to form vigilante forces in February 2012, saying they were fed up with the local police's inability or unwillingness to stop the cartel's murders, kidnappings and extortion rackets. But some see the self-defense forces with suspicion.
Opponents of the vigilantes have burned trucks and buses in the past week to protest the militias' incursions in the region. The vigilantes say the protesters are coerced or paid by the Templars.
Michoacan Governor Fausto Vallejo said new "coordinated actions" with the federal government would be announced on Monday to deal with the unrest.
Critics say Michoacan has become a "failed state," with local authorities powerless to control the situation. "What we are observing is the absence of the state, the absence of governability," the head of the National Human Rights Commission, Raul Plascencia, told El Universal newspaper.
Thanks to Leticia Pineda.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Larry Kyle Richardson Arrested and Accused of Running an Online Gambling Site
A Boulder County man has been arrested after a grand jury indicted him on racketeering charges for allegedly running an online gambling website for at least three years.
Larry Kyle Richardson, 62, was indicted on one charge of violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act -- a Class 2 felony -- according to an indictment released.
According to court documents, Richardson is suspected of running an online gambling website from Jan. 1 2010 through Jan. 8, 2013, "in, or triable in, Boulder County." Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said while he could not discuss the details of the case, for it to be "triable" in Boulder County it must have some connection to the district. "That could include all kinds of things from the defendant living here, to having bank accounts here to an exchange taking place here," Garnett said.
The indictment lists 195 instances in which search warrants executed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation obtained checks from suspected gamblers to Richardson in amounts ranging from $50 to $11,000. The sum of the checks collected by the CBI totals almost $300,000.
The indictment claims Richardson was part of a gambling enterprise which "unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly conducted or participated, directly or indirectly, in the enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity."
The indictment says Richardson would pay a percentage of the income he received through the site to a Richard "Dick" Hancock. The indictment says Teddy Mitchell, Gary Gibb, Dryden Mitchell, Roger "Dodger" Antablin also were involved in bookmaking operations related to the enterprise.
Names of the suspected gamblers who wrote checks to Richardson were also referenced in the indictment. While Garnett could not comment on whether the other people named in the document were facing indictments in other jurisdictions, he said none of them were facing charges in Boulder County.
A warrant for Richardson's arrest was issued and Richardson was arrested Friday by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and is being held at the Boulder County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Court records show Richardson pleaded guilty to DUI-related charges in 1985 and 1995 in Boulder County.
Thanks to Mitchell Byers.
Lone Star Joint Task Force Executes 25 Year Old Warrant
Larry Lou McCumber, 66, was arrested by the United States Marshals Service Oklahoma City Metro Fugitive Squad (OCMFS) in Oklahoma City, OK. An arrest warrant was issued pursuant to an investigation by the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), where more than 25 years ago McCumber was indicted on allegations of robbery and threat to a business.
On January 8, 2014, members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force initiated an investigation in the search for McCumber. Subsequent to the investigation, task force officers discovered that McCumber had previously fled from San Antonio, TX to Oklahoma City, OK. Members of the LSFTF then contacted members of the OCMFS in Oklahoma City, OK for assistance in locating and apprehending McCumber. Yesterday, task force officers determined through investigative efforts that McCumber was residing at a house in the 3800 block of Hiddleston Circle, in Oklahoma City, OK. Task force officers conducted a brief surveillance and approached the residence. Task force officers made contact with McCumber’s spouse, identified themselves, entered the residence, made contact with McCumber, and took him into custody without incident.
On April 20, 1988, McCumber was formally indicted by a Grand Jury in Bexar County on allegations of robbery and threat to a business. A warrant for McCumber’s arrest was issued the same day. On January 22, 1988, McCumber allegedly entered a hotel in San Antonio, walked to the front desk, and handed a note to the clerk demanding money. McCumber then placed his hand in his jacket pocket and motioned to indicate he had a weapon. Once the clerk handed McCumber the money, he verbally threatened her not to do anything, and he ran from the hotel.
Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, stated, “More than 25 years ago a warrant was issued for McCumber’s arrest and more than 25 years later he’s finally in custody. The collaborative effort between the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the Oklahoma City Metro Fugitive Squad proves that our task force officers are good at what they do…pursue fugitives and put them behind bars.”
Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:
New Braunfels Police Department
San Antonio Police Department
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Comal County Sheriff’s Office
Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office
Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
Texas Office of The Attorney General
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General
Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal
U.S. Marshals Service
On January 8, 2014, members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force initiated an investigation in the search for McCumber. Subsequent to the investigation, task force officers discovered that McCumber had previously fled from San Antonio, TX to Oklahoma City, OK. Members of the LSFTF then contacted members of the OCMFS in Oklahoma City, OK for assistance in locating and apprehending McCumber. Yesterday, task force officers determined through investigative efforts that McCumber was residing at a house in the 3800 block of Hiddleston Circle, in Oklahoma City, OK. Task force officers conducted a brief surveillance and approached the residence. Task force officers made contact with McCumber’s spouse, identified themselves, entered the residence, made contact with McCumber, and took him into custody without incident.
On April 20, 1988, McCumber was formally indicted by a Grand Jury in Bexar County on allegations of robbery and threat to a business. A warrant for McCumber’s arrest was issued the same day. On January 22, 1988, McCumber allegedly entered a hotel in San Antonio, walked to the front desk, and handed a note to the clerk demanding money. McCumber then placed his hand in his jacket pocket and motioned to indicate he had a weapon. Once the clerk handed McCumber the money, he verbally threatened her not to do anything, and he ran from the hotel.
Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, stated, “More than 25 years ago a warrant was issued for McCumber’s arrest and more than 25 years later he’s finally in custody. The collaborative effort between the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the Oklahoma City Metro Fugitive Squad proves that our task force officers are good at what they do…pursue fugitives and put them behind bars.”
Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force:
New Braunfels Police Department
San Antonio Police Department
San Antonio Independent School District Police Department
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
Comal County Sheriff’s Office
Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office
Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
Texas Office of The Attorney General
Texas Department of Public Safety
Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General
Immigration & Customs Enforcement – Office of Detention & Removal
U.S. Marshals Service
Florida Alert! Stop Discrimination against Gun Owners by Insurance Companies
Senate Bill 424 by Senator Tom Lee (R-Brandon) is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday, January 14, at 2:00 pm.
SB-424 is a bill to stop insurance companies from discriminating against gun owners. Click here to view the bill text SB-424
Please E-MAIL Committee members and ask them to SUPPORT SB-424
IN THE SUBJECT LINE PUT: SUPPORT SB-424 -- Stop Discrimination of Gun Owners
(To send your message to all just Block and Copy All email addresses into the "Send To" box)
simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov,
benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov,
clemens.jeff.web@flsenate.gov,
detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov,
portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov,
hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov,
lee.tom.web@flsenate.gov,
margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov,
montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov,
negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov,
richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov,
ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov,
Committee members need to hear from you. There are cases of insurance companies refusing to provide insurance to gun owners because they own guns, as well as cases where applications for insurance contain questions about gun ownership. SB-424 will stop such practices.
Please e-mail Committee Members today.
SB-424 is a bill to stop insurance companies from discriminating against gun owners. Click here to view the bill text SB-424
Please E-MAIL Committee members and ask them to SUPPORT SB-424
IN THE SUBJECT LINE PUT: SUPPORT SB-424 -- Stop Discrimination of Gun Owners
(To send your message to all just Block and Copy All email addresses into the "Send To" box)
simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov,
benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov,
clemens.jeff.web@flsenate.gov,
detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov,
portilla.miguel.web@flsenate.gov,
hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov,
lee.tom.web@flsenate.gov,
margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov,
montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov,
negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov,
richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov,
ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov,
Committee members need to hear from you. There are cases of insurance companies refusing to provide insurance to gun owners because they own guns, as well as cases where applications for insurance contain questions about gun ownership. SB-424 will stop such practices.
Please e-mail Committee Members today.
Lush Life - Constructing Organized Crime in the UK
Lush Life: Constructing Organized Crime in the UK opens 'the box marked do not open, too difficult to deal with', in the words of one Assistant Chief Constable, to explore the contested notion of British organized crime. The first book to trace the history and policing of British organized crime, it addresses how the interlocking processes of de-industrialisation, globalisation and neo-liberalism have normalised activity that was previously the exclusive domain of professional criminals.
With both historical and sociological analyses, informed by the author's long term connection to an ethnographic site called 'Dogtown', a composite of several overlapping neighbourhoods in East London, this book critically addresses cliches such as criminal underworlds and the notion of the criminal firm. It considers the precursors to British organized crime, as well as the careers of famous crime families such as the Krays and the Richardsons, alongside the emergence of specialised law enforcement institutions to deal with this newly discovered threat. It also focuses on the various ways in which violence functions within organised crime, the role of rumour in formulating order within crime networks, the social construction of organised crime, the development of the cosmopolitan criminal and the all-inclusive nature of the contemporary criminal community of practice. Permeating throughout is a discussion of the flexible nature of the criminal market, the constructed nature of the notion of organised crime, and the normalisation of criminality.
Underpinned by rich, context-specific examples, case studies, stories, and other qualitative evidence based on ethnographic research and interviews, Lush Life follows on from the author's work on normal crime (DOING THE BUSINESS
), and professional crime (Bad Business: Professional Crime in Modern Britain
).
With both historical and sociological analyses, informed by the author's long term connection to an ethnographic site called 'Dogtown', a composite of several overlapping neighbourhoods in East London, this book critically addresses cliches such as criminal underworlds and the notion of the criminal firm. It considers the precursors to British organized crime, as well as the careers of famous crime families such as the Krays and the Richardsons, alongside the emergence of specialised law enforcement institutions to deal with this newly discovered threat. It also focuses on the various ways in which violence functions within organised crime, the role of rumour in formulating order within crime networks, the social construction of organised crime, the development of the cosmopolitan criminal and the all-inclusive nature of the contemporary criminal community of practice. Permeating throughout is a discussion of the flexible nature of the criminal market, the constructed nature of the notion of organised crime, and the normalisation of criminality.
Underpinned by rich, context-specific examples, case studies, stories, and other qualitative evidence based on ethnographic research and interviews, Lush Life follows on from the author's work on normal crime (DOING THE BUSINESS
), and professional crime (Bad Business: Professional Crime in Modern Britain).
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