Breaking News - Houston Stringer

Mississippi man convicted of federal arson and civil rights charges for burning church

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Mississippi

Mississippi man convicted of federal arson and civil rights charges for burning church

GULFPORT, MS – A federal jury has convicted Stefan Day Rowold on six counts of federal arson and civil rights violations for vandalizing and setting fire to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Wiggins, Mississippi. According to evidence presented at trial, Rowold carried out two separate attacks on the church. On July 5, 2024, he broke into the building, vandalized the interior with hateful messages, and ignited a fire in the multipurpose room using hymnals as kindling. On July 7, 2024, after law enforcement had attempted to secure the scene, he returned, broke in again, and set a second fire using cardboard and firewood. Rowold admitted to targeting the church because of his disagreement with its religious views and confessed to his actions during the investigatio...

Justice Department declines prosecution of BofA Securities in spoofing case; bank to pay $5.5M in resolution

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Washington D.C.

Justice Department declines prosecution of BofA Securities in spoofing case; bank to pay $5.5M in resolution

WASHINGTON, DC – BofA Securities, Inc. (BoAS), a financial institution based in North Carolina, will not face criminal charges in connection with a market manipulation investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice announced. The department resolved its inquiry under Part I of the Criminal Division’s Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP). As part of the resolution, BoAS has agreed to disgorge approximately $1.96 million and contribute $3.6 million to a victim compensation fund, which it will establish and administer. According to federal investigators, between November 2014 and April 2020, two former BoAS traders on the U.S. Treasuries desk separately engaged in market manipulation schemes. One of the individuals also placed spoof orders in the U.S. Trea...

Judge Hidalgo: Harris County to sue EPA over termination of Solar for All program

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Judge Hidalgo: Harris County to sue EPA over termination of Solar for All program

HARRIS COUNTY, TX, September 18, 2025 – The Harris County Commissioners Court has authorized the County Attorney’s Office to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following the federal government’s decision to terminate the Solar for All Program. File Photo (August 2025) In April 2024, Harris County and other Texas jurisdictions were awarded over $249 million through the Solar for All grant, a federal initiative created under the Biden-Harris Administration to promote clean energy access and workforce development nationwide. Harris County’s application was led by the Office of County Administration in collaboration with the County Judge’s Office. However, in July 2025, the Trump Administration announced the termination of the program, prompting the ...

Charleston County man arrested after alleged domestic violence and shooting

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

South Carolina

Charleston County man arrested after alleged domestic violence and shooting

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC – A man was taken into custody after police said he assaulted his former girlfriend and fired a shot during a domestic violence incident. According to the North Charleston Police Department, officers arrested 39-year-old Darnell Bellinger around 5 p.m. Wednesday at his apartment on Carlton Street. Investigators said the victim had gone there to retrieve personal belongings when Bellinger allegedly assaulted her and fired a handgun toward her and her child’s father. No one was injured. Officers recovered a firearm with spent shell casings and an obliterated serial number. Bellinger was charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number....

Bensalem drug unit arrests two men, seizes marijuana and firearm

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Pennsylvania

Bensalem drug unit arrests two men, seizes marijuana and firearm

BENSALEM, PA – Two men were taken into custody after a drug investigation led to the recovery of marijuana, a firearm, and other narcotics-related items. According to Bensalem Township Police, members of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) identified Keehmon Herring, 29, of Philadelphia, as a suspected drug dealer. On September 15, 2025, an undercover officer arranged to purchase two pounds of marijuana from Herring. On September 16, 2025, Herring arrived at the agreed-upon location in a black SUV driven by Zymir Randall, 25, of Glenolden. As Herring approached the undercover officer with a black bag, officers moved in and arrested him without incident. The bag contained two large packages of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Randall was also taken into custody after attempting...

Crash causes indefinite road closure on S Queen St in York Township

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Pennsylvania

Crash causes indefinite road closure on S Queen St in York Township

YORK TOWNSHIP, PA, Sept. 18, 2025 – Authorities have closed South Queen Street between Honey Valley Road and Locust Hill Road in York Township following a motor vehicle accident involving a utility pole. According to officials, the road will remain shut down for an indefinite period while crews work to secure the damaged pole and downed wires to ensure safe passage. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes until the roadway is reopened. Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://york.crimewatchpa.com/ycrpd/42156/broadcasts/road-closure-due-crash

Police search for missing teen last seen leaving Cedar Cliff High School

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Pennsylvania

Police search for missing teen last seen leaving Cedar Cliff High School

CAMP HILL, PA, Sept. 18, 2025 – The Lower Allen Township Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 17-year-old Eli Dunn, who was last seen on September 12 at approximately 2:35 p.m., leaving Cedar Cliff High School. Eli is described as a white male, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 115 pounds, with long curly brown hair that extends past his shoulders. He was last seen wearing a black "Ariat" hoodie and black pajama pants. Anyone with information regarding Eli's whereabouts is urged to contact the Lower Allen Township Police Department at 717-238-9676. Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://cumberland.crimewatchpa.com/lowerallentwppd/41647/broadcasts/missing-juvenile

Father charged with homicide and rape in Bradford infant’s death

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Pennsylvania

Father charged with homicide and rape in Bradford infant’s death

UPDATE: Additional details released in Bradford infant death case; father now faces homicide and rape charges BRADFORD, PA – New information has been released following the announcement that Tyler Prescott, the father of the infant found deceased in Bradford on August 14, is now facing upgraded charges including Criminal Homicide and multiple child sexual assault offenses. McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer confirmed that the City of Bradford Police Department continued its investigation after Prescott’s initial arrest, which included witness interviews, autopsy results, and forensic evidence review. That investigation resulted in the filing of the following new charges: Criminal Homicide Rape of a Child Rape of a Child Resulting in Serious Bod...

New York man resentenced to 3 years in prison for operating BreachForums and possessing CSAM

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Washington D.C.

New York man resentenced to 3 years in prison for operating BreachForums and possessing CSAM

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2025 – A New York man has been resentenced to three years in federal prison for operating BreachForums, a prominent cybercriminal marketplace, and for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Conor Brian Fitzpatrick, 22, of Peekskill, New York, was originally sentenced to time served in the Eastern District of Virginia. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit vacated that sentence on Jan. 21, 2025, and ordered a resentencing, which took place earlier today. Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to access device conspiracy, access device solicitation, and possession of CSAM. He admitted to founding and operating BreachForums beginning in March 2022 following the law enforcement takedown of RaidForums. BreachForums quickly grew into one of the...

Federal court revokes U.S. citizenship of convicted sex offender Jorge Antonio Graciano Lara

18Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Washington D.C.

Federal court revokes U.S. citizenship of convicted sex offender Jorge Antonio Graciano Lara

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2025 – A U.S. District Court in Maryland granted a Justice Department motion on Sept. 15 to revoke the U.S. citizenship of Jorge Antonio Graciano Lara, a convicted sex offender who pleaded guilty in 2017 to second-degree rape of a minor under 14. Graciano Lara repeatedly abused the victim over four years and threatened her to conceal the abuse. The court found that he lacked the good moral character required for naturalization, provided false testimony, and willfully misrepresented material facts during his immigration process. The Justice Department sued to denaturalize Graciano Lara in November 2024. The case was brought under Operation Prison Lookout, a national initiative targeting sex offenders who fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship. It was prosecut...