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Former inmates lose federal appeal over delayed release under Virginia sentence credit law

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Virginia

Former inmates lose federal appeal over delayed release under Virginia sentence credit law

RICHMOND, VA — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by two Virginia inmates who were held for an extra year after they should have been released under a 2020 sentencing reform law. The court’s October 15, 2025, decision affirms a lower court ruling that neither Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares nor Virginia Department of Corrections Director Harold Clarke can be held personally liable for the delay in releasing Hamilton Hall Swart III and Richard Earl DaSilva. According to court records, the dispute arose after the General Assembly passed H.B. 5148, which expanded eligibility for enhanced sentence credits, allowing some inmates to earn up to 15 days of credit per 30 days served. The law excluded certain serious offen...

Fourth Circuit upholds dismissal of lawsuit filed by former State Department official accused of child abuse

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Virginia

Fourth Circuit upholds dismissal of lawsuit filed by former State Department official accused of child abuse

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has affirmed the dismissal of a federal and state malicious prosecution lawsuit filed by John Scott Moretti, a former State Department official who was arrested in 2020 on child sexual abuse charges but later had those charges dropped. According to court documents, Moretti had been indicted in Virginia on charges including forcible sodomy and indecent liberties with a child after a juvenile, identified as Jane Doe, accused him of sexually abusing her years earlier while she was visiting his home to play with his daughter. The investigation was initiated by the Prince William County Police Department after the juvenile disclosed the alleged abuse to her therapist while in residential treatment in 2019. Detective Hel...

Fourth Circuit affirms $811 million judgment against Nexus Services over immigration bond scheme

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Massachusetts, New York, U.S., Virginia

Fourth Circuit affirms $811 million judgment against Nexus Services over immigration bond scheme

RICHMOND, VA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has upheld a nearly $811 million judgment against Nexus Services, Inc., its subsidiary Libre by Nexus, and three of its executives for operating a fraudulent scheme targeting detained immigrants. According to court records, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), joined by the attorneys general of Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia, filed a 17-count civil enforcement action against the defendants in 2021. The case centered on claims that Nexus and Libre by Nexus misled immigrant detainees into believing they were purchasing full-service bond assistance when, in fact, they were subjected to exploitative fees and deceptive contract terms. The defendants allegedly promised “easy and affordable” immigration b...

Tow truck driver identified as suspect in Club Aragon shooting turns himself in

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Houston

Tow truck driver identified as suspect in Club Aragon shooting turns himself in

HOUSTON, TX – A felony murder charge has been filed against 32-year-old John Leathers in connection to the fatal shooting of a woman outside Club Aragon in southwest Houston. According to court documents, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on October 12 in the parking lot of the nightclub located at 8150 Southwest Freeway. A family had been leaving the club when a large fight broke out involving the woman’s adult children and others. Pepper spray was reportedly deployed during the altercation, leaving several individuals temporarily impaired. https://youtu.be/nNlrf1peVmI The woman’s stepfather drove to the feeder road to pick up the adult children, and they soon discovered she had been shot. Emergency personnel responded to a secondary location at 8704 South Gessner, where ...

Major drug seizure in Woodbury leads to arrest following joint task force operation

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Minnesota

Major drug seizure in Woodbury leads to arrest following joint task force operation

WOODBURY, MN – A major drug trafficking investigation led by the Washington County Drug Task Force resulted in the seizure of large quantities of narcotics and firearms on Friday. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Airport Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Woodbury Police Department. Officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Woodbury, where they discovered: 10 pounds of methamphetamine 1.68 pounds of fentanyl 10 grams of cocaine Two handguns One suspect was taken into custody at the scene and is being held pending formal charges. Authorities expect charges to include Aggravated First-Degree Controlled Substance Possession with Firearms. The investigation remains ongoing.

Man fatally shot on Alton Street in North Charleston

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

South Carolina

Man fatally shot on Alton Street in North Charleston

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – The North Charleston Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the evening of Monday, October 13, 2025. Just before 9:00 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1900 block of Alton Street. Upon arrival, they located a male victim outside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. No arrests have been made at this time. Detectives are pursuing all leads, and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to this case, or knowledge of illegal firearms or suspicious activity, is urged to submit a tip through the secure and confidential Crime Watch platform at www.northcharlestonpd.org.

Man arrested for murder of ex-girlfriend found strangled in Austin apartment

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Man arrested for murder of ex-girlfriend found strangled in Austin apartment

AUSTIN, TX – A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of his ex-girlfriend, 27-year-old Nitza Debiase, who was found strangled in her Austin apartment. On Sunday, October 5, 2025, at approximately 11:53 a.m., Austin Police responded to a call reporting a deceased person at 4406 Avenue A, Unit #3. Officers arrived and found Debiase deceased in her bed. She was pronounced dead at 12:04 p.m. An investigation by homicide detectives and crime scene specialists determined that Debiase had been physically attacked and strangled by her ex-boyfriend, Paul Allen, who then fled the scene. On October 9, 2025, Allen was located and arrested with the assistance of the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, the Pflugerville Police Department, the Texas Departm...

14-year-old arrested in fatal stabbing of Christopher Jackson in Omaha

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Nebraska

14-year-old arrested in fatal stabbing of Christopher Jackson in Omaha

OMAHA, NE – Omaha Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the fatal stabbing of 38-year-old Christopher Jackson. Officers responded to a report of a cutting at 11:13 p.m. on October 13, 2025, at 6602 Emmet Street. Jackson was found with injuries and transported by medics to Nebraska Medical Center, where he later died. On October 14, 2025, investigators arrested the juvenile on charges of second-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Omaha Police Homicide Unit at (402) 444-5656 or submit tips anonymously to Omaha Crime Stoppers at (402) 444-STOP, omahacrimestoppers.org, or through the P3 Tips mobile app.

Juvenile arrested in shooting near LSU campus

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Louisiana

Juvenile arrested in shooting near LSU campus

BATON ROUGE, LA – Detectives with the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Major Assaults Division have arrested a 16-year-old male in connection with a shooting that occurred on October 11 near Louisiana State University’s campus. The incident took place on Highland Road near LSU. The juvenile now faces multiple charges, including two counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder, Illegal Use of a Weapon, Illegal Possession of a Weapon by a Juvenile, and Carrying a Firearm on School Property. Police credited information from the Baton Rouge community and Capital Region Crime Stoppers for leading to the suspect’s arrest. The case remains under investigation.

Man arrested for DUI, child abuse, and weapons charge after gun range trip with child

15Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Colorado

Man arrested for DUI, child abuse, and weapons charge after gun range trip with child

KEENESBURG, CO – A 44-year-old man was arrested on multiple charges after Keenesburg Police officers pulled him over for erratic driving near the 12500 block of WCR 49. On October 11, 2025, officers were flagged down by a passing motorist who reported a vehicle swerving on the road. Officers located the vehicle and found Justin Beau Richardson behind the wheel. Richardson had reportedly been returning from a trip to the gun range with his child and had consumed alcohol during the outing. Richardson failed roadside sobriety tests and was taken into custody. He was booked into the Weld County Jail on the following charges: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Child Abuse (1 count) Prohibited Use of Weapons (1 count) Richardson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in ...