While responding to a disturbance on the that day, Mehserle stated he thought he was drawing his Taser to fire rather than his 40-caliber service revolver to, which Oscar Grant took a fatal wound to the back.

The verdict of involuntary manslaughter by the all white jury indicates Mehserle was criminally negligent in his actions.

In response to the convictions, riots broke out in Oakland as protestors took advantage of the decision surrounding the tragic death of Oscar Grant III, to damage, destroy, and loot local businesses in the downtown area.  The windows of a Footlocker were smashed by the protestors to which sneakers were thrown at police in riot-gear sent in with tear-gas to disperse the mourners of the victim.

Police state, 73 persons were arrested Thursday night as the riots broke-out. The arrests ranged from failure to disperse, resisting arrest, burglary, vandalism, and assaulting a police officer. A very unusual manner in which to express the sadness of the passing of Oscar Grant III. Thursday’s riots did appear to be a scaled version of the riots that followed his death.

The shooting captured on cell phones, lacking any audio gave a grainy view of the shooting but failed, to show the trouble that led up to the Transit Officers being called to the scene. The entire tragic incident occurred as officers were responding to a call of fighting, and violence both onboard the BART and on the trains platform leading up to the shooting. The officers were not involved prior to making the arrests and were attempting to quell the disturbance.

The facts in the case according to transcripts of the trial, Grant had been involved in a fight on the Dublin-bound train and alleged he had resisted arrest following a routine traffic stop in 2006. During a multi-million dollar civil rights lawsuit, an accomplice of Grants on the night of the shooting admitted in court that he had lied about Grant’s involvement in a fight on the train moments before the shooting. The accomplice also stated that Mehserle instructed Grant to remain on the ground or he would be tased.

The guilty verdict on involuntary manslaughter charges carries a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison under California statutes. Because a firearm was involved allows the judge more flexibility in the sentencing. Mehserle will be sentenced August 6, 2010 and only time will tell if supporters of the departed will turn to the streets to destroy, and rob innocent storeowners property in revenge in some form of tribute to Oscar Grant III.

Apparently, the citizens of Oakland are taking out revenge on innocent store-owners, and public property as they are unhappy with the verdict handed down yesterday regarding the shooting. Dozens of arrests have been reported on both Thursday and Friday related to this verdict.

Police in riot gear and out in force, dispersed the angry intercity mobs as they ransacked stores, and tore through the city in heated revenge.

Oakland city officials were preparing for anticipated riots as Oakland citizens took to the streets following the shooting death of Oscar Grant III,  in the days following the incident burning and looting only to stop breaking the law after the Transit police officer was arrested. Civil disobedience seems to work hand-in-hand against authority in these larger communities once a violent minority of the population becomes disgruntled.

Reports indicate some sort of a homemade bomb was used during last night’s gathering of the friendly citizens of Oakland to express their unhappiness regarding the verdict of former transit police officer, Mr. Mehserle.

A cell phone video of the shooting, minus the audio was used as evidence during the trial, and released all over the internet giving justification to mobs of Oakland citizens to destroy innocent shopkeepers, and public properties both before the trial, and after the verdict.

Prior to the verdict, and in anticipated violent response following the verdict, Oakland City officials sent city workers home early, to avoid being caught-up in the mayhem known to precede these types of verdicts in California. The city police department had been practicing anti-riot procedures, and coordinating with local agencies to deal with civil unrest.

In defense of the cities residence, Oakland City officials had stated that early violence was the result of outside influence in which hundreds of people had been arrested.

Angry protesters ignored a plea for calm from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and immediately began looting stores.

The victim’s family expressed disappointment in the verdict, reduced to manslaughter by an all white jury in Los Angeles. The trial was moved to Los Angeles after the riots that broke out following the shooting knowing the alleged would be incapable of finding an unbiased jury in Alameda County.

During a press conference, Oakland Police Chief, Anthony Batts stated, “This city is not the wild, wild west. This city will not tolerate this activity,” adding “We started taking a number of rocks and bottles. We then made a dispersal order.” Batts also referenced outside influence stating anarchists had a hand in all of this.

The defendant, Mehserle is to be sentenced next month and could receive up to 14 years in prison. Rest assured, if the former Transit Police Officer does not get the maximum, the friendly citizens of Oakland would once again be out on the streets breaking every law in the books to express their dissatisfaction.

The FBI announced the latest threat on June 21, 2010. This new method of identity thief involves tying up personal and business telephone lines. By bombarding telephones, also known as “telephone denial-of-service attacks”, you could be on the verge of a crime targeting your bank accounts.

“In a recent twist, criminals have transferred this activity to telephones, using automated dialing programs and multiple accounts to overwhelm the phone lines of unsuspecting citizens,” states the FBI warning.

This is a diversionary tactic that gives the criminals the ability to masquerade as the victim, and raid the victim’s online trading accounts, money management accounts, and bank accounts.

The warning signs of this scam start weeks or even months before the actual phone scam itself. Thieves use “social engineering tactics or malware to elicit personal information from a victim that this person’s bank or financial institution would have” including account numbers and passwords. Social networking web sites are often ripe picking grounds for these criminals as people tend to fill out profiles revealing too much information about themselves.

The next step is the actual tying up of the victim’s telephone lines using sophisticated technology. Once this happens, “the criminal either contacts the financial institution pretending to be the victim – or pilfers the victim’s online bank accounts using fraudulent transactions. Normally, the institution calls to verify the transactions, but of course they can’t get through to the victim over the phone.”

Should the criminal’s attempt fail, and no transactions take place, “the criminals sometimes re-contact the financial institution as the victim and ask for it to be done. Or they add their own phone number to victims’ accounts and just wait for the bank to call. By the time the victim or the financial institution realizes what happens, it’s too late.”

April of this year saw a noticeable increase in telephone denial-of-service attacks, primarily targeting the Eastern states. However, no one is immune.

Teaming up with the Communication Fraud Control Association, the FBI analyzes patterns and trends of these attacks to identify these criminals and “bring them to justice.” They are also reaching out to educate the public.

Obvious precautions need to take place including “never give out personal information to an unsolicited phone caller or via e-mail; change online banking and automated telephone system passwords frequently; check your account balances often; and protect your computers with the latest virus protection and security software.”

If you believe you are being targeted by the telephone denial of service attack, contact your bank, all financial institutions, and your telephone provider.

The FBI encourages you to file a complaint at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center – www.fbi.gov/homepage.htm

Cocaine Hidden in Soup Packets - Courtesy of CBP

Sterling, VA (Jun 23) – On Monday, United States Customs and Borders Protection officers with the aid of CBP canines, located more than four pounds of cocaine hidden in dried soup packages.

A Pennsylvania man was arrested in connection with the case while traveling through Washington-Dulles airport. Jose Acevedo, 41, of Carlisle, PA was taken into custody after officers located 1,965 grams of cocaine in his possession. The cocaine has a value of approximately $52,000.

Acevedo was traveling home from El Salvador when CPB K-9 units located at a secondary inspection station, alerted officers. The officers then inspected the man’s luggage locating what appeared to be a white powdery substance hidden in dried soup packages. The contents field tested positive for cocaine.

Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington had this to say, “Narcotics smuggling networks take extreme measures to conceal their deadly poison,” adding “Each time we uncover a unique concealment method we force these dangerous networks to change tactics. Keeping these two kilos of cocaine off our streets is one more small battle we can claim as a victory.”

This is not the first time CPB ICE agents have located narcotics hidden in soup packets, in February this year, CBP officers discovered about 16 pounds of cocaine stuffed inside chicken soup mix packets. ICE agents arrested Jorge Posada Guevara and Hidsar Henriques-Parada in that seizure.

source: CPB press release

Boston, MA (May 13) – The FBI has executed search warrants, in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, seeking further clues to the failed car bombing in Times Square.

A search in Brookline, Massachusetts located at a Mobile Gas Station on Harvard Street where a gray four-door sedan was being searched had agents swarming the area in earlier hours with no information released regarding discovery of evidence, nor what agents hoped to fine.

In addition, a home in Watertown, Massachusetts was raided with reports of computer equipment, cash, and documentation being removed. The individual at the residence was scene removed in shackles.

Information gathered from Faisal Shahzad’s cooperation with authorities has led to the detention of two other individuals for what appears to be immigration violations at this time. Authorities state the two individuals have no direct ties to the incident in Times Square but happen to be “collateral” according to spokespersons.

Details regarding the additional search warrants are unavailable due to an ongoing investigation according to the United States Attorney office however, CBS reports that the raids involve targeting money remitters, the money trail, and do not necessarily point to any co-conspirators in the case.

In a recent television interview referencing Faisal Shahzad U.S. Attorney General Holder stated, “We’ve now developed evidence that show the Pakistani Taliban was behind the attack. We know that they helped facilitate it. We know that they probably helped finance it. And that he was working at their direction.”

This statement had the backing of White House adviser John Brennan to which he commented, “underscores the serious threat that we face from a very determined enemy”. According to Faisal’s own admission, Pakistan Taliban leaders were behind the attack that failed. This same admission contradicts statements previously made by both, U.S. Law Enforcement officials, and the military.

With this new information provided, and being investigated and verified within the borders of Pakistan by FBI agents, questions lead many including those in the State Department to conclude that the Pakistan government needs to do more to impede the Taliban’s activities within their borders.

Many critics believe that this incident should constitute or allow further U.S. military intervention in and along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s leader Karzai has in the past openly accused individuals from Pakistan to be the main driving force behind the troubles that still plague his country.

Secretary of State Clinton released a statement regarding this incident, “We’ve made it very clear that if, heaven forbid, an attack like this, that we can trace back to Pakistan, were to have been successful, there would be very severe consequences.” This statement has provoked some rather harsh rhetoric from within Pakistan’s own government.

With evidence pointing clearly to the facts that Faisal received his training in the tribal regions of Pakistan, critics are wondering why the United States should be forced to play a “wait and see game” before exercising military response on the ground within the same regions Pakistan admits, is beyond their control.

With the combination of NATO ISAF forces on the ground in Afghanistan, and a strengthened Afghanistan’s National Army and Police forces, gaining significant ground within Afghanistan’s own borders, U.S. Military operations along the Afghanistan Pakistan border within those tribal regions would certainly strengthen Pakistan’s own military influence in the region. This should include U.S. ground operations in and around the Khyber Pass, an area that is not only a vital ground supply route into Afghanistan but also a haven for terrorists and Islamic extremist groups.

If there were ever a call for military intervention, now would be that time. The United States struggling through its own political “wars” within Congress has caused enough economic stagnation here at home. The military intervention should be placed in motion now to prevent another outside terrorist attack within U.S. borders from being executed, obstructing further economic stability.

New Orleans, LA (May 6) – Charles Clausen, age 58, and a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, pled guilty May 4, 2010, to charges filed against him for “impeding and interfering with certain officers of the United States”. Arrested October 28, 2009, Clausen’s charges stem from an FBI and Federal Air Marshal Service investigation after a complaint received from the U.S. Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 244 Assault Helicopter Battalion. On October 6, during a routine training operation, Clausen “aimed a Brinkmann Q-Beam, three million candle power flood light at the military aircraft in an effort to deter it from flying near his home.”

The crew, using night vision to land, were temporarily blinded. Night vision goggles automatically shut down if exposed to too much light. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten stated, “Today’s conviction of an individual who interfered with military helicopter flight operations by attempting to blind the crews is evidence of our commitment to bring federal laws to bear to protect those men and women of the military who in turn make sacrifices to protect us.” Letten further concluded, “We will not tolerate abuses of the military, nor will we tolerate interference with the safety and efficiency of transportation in this country.”

Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2010. Clausen faces up to one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, and one year of supervision after his release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy is prosecuting the case.

Tucson, Ariz. (May 5) – In separate incidents today at the Nogales Station’s area U.S. Border Patrol agents seized 2,000 pounds of marijuana. Two vehicles were seized one abandoned another; the suspects fled the scene on foot and captured.

In the early hours of the day, an agent monitoring a Mobile Surveillance System detected a suspicious vehicle approximately 10 miles east of Nogales. Upon further investigation, agents found the truck abandoned, containing 38 bundles of marijuana weighing in at over 1,000 pounds. The marijuana was valued at more than $858,000 was taken to the Nogales station for processing. The agent operating the surveillance equipment reported the occupants fled the scene prior to the Border Patrol Agents arrival.

Later that day, a suspicious vehicle was being stopped east of Nogales as both occupants fled the scene on foot. The vehicle was searched and found to contain 500 pounds of marijuana in 12 separate bundles valued at, $424,000. The suspects were captured and are currently in custody.

In addition, agents located 13 bundles of marijuana on a well-known smuggling trail, near Alamo Canyon road. Agents on patrol in the area were alerted to the situation when they heard several suspects running. Agents searched the area to locate the suspects, which escaped but located the marijuana valued at $470,000.

All tolls, 2,000 pounds of marijuana, the gateway narcotic were located and removed from societies reach, another busy day for the agents of  Customs and Border Protection.

Olayiwola Taiwo Ameen, and his wife Oloruntoyin Ameen  have been charged with bulk cash smuggling, failure to report the importation of currency or monetary instruments, and materially making false statements. Upon arrival at BWI on April 9, 2010, the couple was sent to a secondary CPB screening station for what the agents state are misleading statements’ regarding how much currency they were carrying. It is not a crime to bring large quantities of cash into the U.S. as long as amounts over $10,000 are declared.

The couple’s initial declaration stated $10,000 cash on them however; during questioning at the secondary station the couple stated they were carrying $30,000 cash. After giving conflicting statements, agents conducted a search of the couples belonging and uncovered $121,600 in cash. The currency was seized, and the couple was provided with a $1,000 humanitarian release.

The indictment was unavailable for viewing so it is uncertain if this was some sort of confusion on the traveler’s part, or criminal intent was truly the motive. A statement within the press release by the acting port director, Stephen Dearborn stated, “Travelers who deliberately refuse to comply with currency reporting requirements run the risk of losing their currency, and potentially face criminal charges, as this couple has learned,” adding  “The easiest way to hold on to your currency is to report it. It’s that simple.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection advise all travelers to visit CPB’s Travel website to learn the rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

Source: CPB Press Release

Courtesy DEA

Tucson, AZ (Apr 28) – Drug Enforcement Agents struck a blow to what is believed to be a Mexican Drug Trafficking organization yesterday, arresting 34 individuals accused of smuggling 40,000 pounds of marijuana in the U.S. through Arizona.

Federal agents were able to obtain wire-taps to help bring down the group referred to as the “Cowboys” referring to their attire. Over a 36-month period, the DEA has been able to bring a total of 39 indictments, which included 26 individuals indicted on federal charges and an additional 13 suspects on state charges including, an employee of the Cochise County Attorney’s Office. The County employee was arrested January 16, 2010 on state charges alleging she provided confidential information to one of the drug traffickers in exchange for cash.

Authorities state that the group used very sophisticated counter-surveillance equipment, which included the use of ramp trucks to overcome vehicle barriers at the border, and utilized hidden compartments in the vehicles to conceal the narcotics.

Members of the U.S. Attorney’s office, the DEA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with Attorney General Goddard announced the indictments in Tucson while, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Kerlikowske was present as well.

“In today’s difficult economic environment, close collaboration among Federal, state, and local law enforcement is more important than ever,” said White House Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske. “The arrests made here in Arizona show the value of information sharing and coordination. By working together to reduce drug production, trafficking, and use across the Nation, we are making our communities safer and our families stronger.”

source: DEA Press Release