Category: Public Safety

2 Florida Men Sentenced for Armed Robbery of Postal Worker

TAMPA, Fla.—Two Florida men have been sentenced to federal prison for the armed robbery of a postal worker. Omar Rochester Miller Jr., 23, and Christopher Diaz, 27, were sentenced Thursday in Tampa federal court, according to court records. Miller received nine years and two months, and Diaz received eight years. Both pleaded guilty in January…


Sex Offender Fatally Shot 6, Then Killed Self, Official Says

An Oklahoma sex offender who was released from prison early shot his wife, her three children, and their two friends in the head and then killed himself, authorities confirmed Wednesday as concerns grew about why he was free as his trial on new sex charges loomed. Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said that the victims…


Sheriff: Last of 4 Escaped Mississippi Prisoners Found

CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss.—The last of four inmates who escaped from a Mississippi prison was found Thursday morning at a home not far from the detention center, the sheriff announced. Corey Harrison, 22, was taken into custody at a home in Crystal Springs, about 20 miles from the prison. A female acquaintance was also arrested and…


Reporter Charged for Hacking SD Gov. Kristi Noem’s Personal Cell Phone for Prank Call

A South Dakota reporter is facing charges for hacking Governor Kristi Noem’s personal cell phone and using it to conduct a prank call. KOTA Territory News and Dakota News Now reporter Austin Goss was arrested and charged with making threatening, harassing, or misleading calls and appeared in court on Thursday. An individual identified as D.L….


1 Dead, at Least 6 Injured at Mississippi Party Shooting

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss.—One person is dead and at least six other people were shot during a Cinco de Mayo party at a Mississippi restaurant late Friday night, police said. Ocean Springs Police Capt. Ryan LeMaire, in a news release, confirmed that seven people were shot at The Scratch Kitchen on Government Street. The surviving victims…


Boston Dean Who Shot Student Gets 18 Years for Racketeering

BOSTON—A former Boston high school dean serving a 26-year sentence in state prison for shooting a student he had recruited to deal drugs has received an additional 18 years or more on a federal gang-related charge. Prosecutors said that Shaun Harrison, 63, lived a double life, portraying himself as an anti-violence activist and mentor for…


Former College Student Pleads Not Guilty to California Murder Charges

DAVIS, Calif.—A 21-year-old former university student on Friday pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and one of attempted murder in connection with a series of stabbings in the college community of Davis. Yolo County Superior Court Judge Daniel Wolk also denied bail to Carlos Dominguez, citing the risk to public safety and the…


Texas Petrochemical Plant Fire Sends 9 Workers to Hospital

HOUSTON—Fire erupted at a petrochemical plant in the Houston area Friday, sending nine workers to a hospital and causing a huge plume of smoke visible for miles. Emergency responders were called to help around 3 p.m. at the Shell facility in Deer Park, a suburb east of Houston. The city of Deer Park said in…


Colorado Man Pleads Guilty for Setting Fire to Church in Hate Crime Case

A 22-year-old man has pled guilty in a Colorado federal court for setting fire to a church in Loveland in January. Darion Ray Sexton entered a guilty plea on Thursday, admitting fault for setting fire to the Abiding Love Lutheran Church on Jan. 19. Sexton was arrested and charged on Jan. 23 with causing damage…


Massachusetts Blast Site Where 1 Died Moves to Cleanup Phase

NEWBURYPORT, Mass.—Authorities in Massachusetts on Friday identified the worker who died after a powerful explosion tore through a pharmaceutical chemical plant with a history of safety violations. Fire crews in Newburyport were still cleaning up the site, a day after what they described as seven-alarm hazardous materials event that tore the roof off the building…