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Pedestrian killed, driver arrested in hit-and-run at A Street and E Benson Boulevard

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Alaska

Pedestrian killed, driver arrested in hit-and-run at A Street and E Benson Boulevard

ANCHORAGE, AK – A pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle early October 18 at the intersection of A Street and E Benson Boulevard. According to the Anchorage Police Department, officers and medics from the Anchorage Fire Department responded around 3:02 a.m. to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian collision. The preliminary investigation indicates that the pedestrian, an adult male, was lying in the roadway when a red Subaru struck him and fled the scene. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries. His identity will be released once next-of-kin notification procedures have been completed. A short time later, police located the vehicle and arrested 49-year-old Shalah Reaves. She was booked into the Anchorage Jail on charges of Driving Un...

Reckless driver causes head-on crash on Littlerock Road, injuring mother and child

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Washington

Reckless driver causes head-on crash on Littlerock Road, injuring mother and child

THURSTON COUNTY, WA — Deputies with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and crews from West Thurston Fire responded last night to a head-on collision on Littlerock Road SW involving heavy intrusion and entrapment. According to Sheriff Sanders, witnesses reported that the driver of a Subaru station wagon was recklessly passing vehicles before striking another car head-on. The Subaru driver sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. Deputies located a substance believed to be methamphetamine in his pocket. The driver of the other vehicle and her young child both suffered serious injuries and were transported to the hospital by medics. A search warrant is being obtained for the suspect’s blood, and the Sheriff’s Office traffic unit is rec...

Fourth Circuit upholds South Carolina man’s firearm conviction tied to drug trafficking

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

South Carolina

Fourth Circuit upholds South Carolina man’s firearm conviction tied to drug trafficking

RICHMOND, VA, October 17, 2025 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Richard Brian Walker, who pleaded guilty to several drug trafficking and firearm offenses, including possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). Walker argued that his guilty plea lacked an adequate factual basis because most of the drugs were stored in a locked safe separate from the firearms. The appellate panel, consisting of Judges King, Richardson, and Quattlebaum, rejected that claim, finding no plain error in the district court’s acceptance of the plea. The court held that the government’s factual proffer sufficiently linked the firearms to drug trafficking activity, noting that officers found multiple firearms ...

Fourth Circuit upholds sentence in South Carolina felon-in-possession case

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

South Carolina

Fourth Circuit upholds sentence in South Carolina felon-in-possession case

RICHMOND, VA, October 17, 2025 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the 63-month prison sentence of Tron Martelle Harrison, who pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Harrison appealed his sentence, arguing that the district court’s upward variance from the Sentencing Guidelines range was substantively unreasonable. The appellate panel, consisting of Judges Wynn and Rushing and Senior Judge Floyd, rejected that argument. The court found that the district court properly considered the factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), including Harrison’s history of firearm-related convictions, the seriousness of his most recent offense, and his prior federal conviction for the same con...

Fourth Circuit affirms 28-year sentence for South Carolina drug conspiracy leader

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

South Carolina

Fourth Circuit affirms 28-year sentence for South Carolina drug conspiracy leader

RICHMOND, VA, October 17, 2025 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld the 336-month federal prison sentence of Derrick “Red” Simpson, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Simpson challenged his sentence as procedurally unreasonable, arguing that the district court denied him due process by limiting his ability to dispute witness statements and enhancements, improperly applied a firearm enhancement, and failed to address his request for a downward variance. The appellate panel, consisting of Judges King, Quattlebaum, and Senior Judge Traxler, rejected each argument. The court found that the district court acted within its discretion in relying on corroborated co-conspirator statements and testimony supporting the enha...

Fourth Circuit denies El Salvador woman’s petition in asylum and torture protection case

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Virginia

Fourth Circuit denies El Salvador woman’s petition in asylum and torture protection case

RICHMOND, VA, October 17, 2025 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied a petition for review filed by Sandra Yesenia Escobar-Amaya, who sought asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the Convention Against Torture after fleeing El Salvador. Escobar-Amaya claimed she suffered abuse from her former partner and feared further harm if returned to El Salvador. The immigration judge denied her claims based on an adverse credibility finding, concluding that inconsistencies in her testimony undermined her account. The judge also found that her supporting evidence did not establish a likelihood of torture. On appeal, Escobar-Amaya argued that her inconsistencies stemmed from mental incompetency and that the judge should have conducted a competency evaluation...

Tenth Circuit vacates sentence over unexplained lifetime internet ban

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

U.S.

Tenth Circuit vacates sentence over unexplained lifetime internet ban

DENVER, CO, October 16, 2025 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit vacated the sentence of Jason Cory Bycroft, ruling that the district court plainly erred by imposing a lifetime ban on internet use without explaining its reasoning or conducting the required statutory analysis. Bycroft was convicted in the Eastern District of Oklahoma on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of possession of child pornography. His supervised release included a condition barring internet access without prior written approval from his probation officer. Judge David M. Ebel, writing for the panel, found that the district court failed to analyze whether the condition met the requirements under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(d), which governs special conditions of supervised releas...

Two De Queen men arrested in connection with dealership arson

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Arkansas

Two De Queen men arrested in connection with dealership arson

DE QUEEN, AR, October 17, 2025 — Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police, with assistance from the De Queen Police Department and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department, have arrested two De Queen men in connection with a September 3 fire at Gentry Chevrolet that investigators determined was intentionally set. File Photo (October 2025) On October 16, Special Agents executed arrest warrants for Trent Gentry, 27, and Charlie Moss, 39, both of De Queen. The arrests followed a joint investigation conducted by Arkansas State Police Company C, the Fire Marshal Section, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the De Queen Police Department. Both men were taken into custody and booked into the Sevier County Detention Center. Each has been charged with felony...

Governor Abbott deploys Texas emergency management personnel to assist Alaska flood recovery

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Alaska, Texas

Governor Abbott deploys Texas emergency management personnel to assist Alaska flood recovery

AUSTIN, TX, October 17, 2025 — Governor Greg Abbott announced the deployment of Texas emergency management personnel to Alaska to support recovery efforts following severe flooding caused by a recent typhoon. The deployment follows a request for assistance from Alaska’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. File Photo (September 2025) “Our hearts are with all Americans in Alaska who have been devastated by a typhoon that led to days of flooding,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas will continue to help ensure the safety and well-being of those impacted by the typhoon and flooding. I thank all first responders and emergency management personnel who are working around the clock to support their fellow Americans in need.” At the Governor’s direction, the Texas Division of...

Governor Abbott mobilizes additional wildfire response resources amid ongoing fire danger

18Oct

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Governor Abbott mobilizes additional wildfire response resources amid ongoing fire danger

AUSTIN, TX, October 17, 2025 — Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to mobilize additional state wildfire response resources as elevated fire danger continues across large portions of the state. File Photo (September 2025) “Texas is taking swift action against potential wildfire threats across our state,” said Governor Abbott. “I strongly urge Texans to create an emergency plan, limit any activities that can cause a spark, and heed the guidance of local officials to keep yourself and your family safe.” According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, drought conditions, high winds, and above-average temperatures have increased wildfire risks statewide, particularly across West Texas, the Panhandle, South Plains, Big Country, Texoma, Cen...