#winnebago county jail

[littleslasherfan]

(found on Wiki:Slenderman stabbing)

I just wanted to put this here since WTF the news is still talking about this like I wanna smack some sense into those girls, I had a Jeff the killer phase and all I did was dress like him and that’s it, but these girls went as far as doing this :

The stabbing took place on May 31, 2014, during a game of hide-and-seek in heavily wooded Davids Park near Waukesha, Wisconsin. The perpetrators, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, pinned down Payton Isabella Leutner (also known as Bella, a nickname used at the time of the crime) and stabbed her nineteen times in the arms, legs, and torso with a five-inch-long (13 cm) blade. Two wounds were to major organs. One stab wound missed a major artery by less than a millimeter and another went through her diaphragm, cutting into her liver and stomach. After the attack, Weier and Geyser told Leutner to lie down while they found help, which they did not do.Afterwards, Leutner dragged herself to a nearby road where she was found by a cyclist who called emergency services.Surgeons operated for six hours to repair critical trauma to organs and tissue in her torso and abdomen.

Five hours after the attack, Weier and Geyser were apprehended by police near Steinhafel's Furniture Store on Interstate 94,approximately 4.9 miles (7.9 km) from the attack location. They were in possession of the knife used in the stabbing, which was found by police in a bag they carried. They said they were traveling to meet Slender Man at his home, called Slender Mansion, in the Nicolet National Forest, 200 miles (320 km) from where they were apprehended During their interrogations, which were not conducted with a guardian or counsel, Geyser was described as displaying no empathy and Weier was described as displaying guiltfor stabbing Leutner, although both stated that the attack was necessary to appease Slender Man[better source needed]

Leutner left the hospital seven days after the attack. She returned to school in September 2014(I’m still shocked like girl you gotta hide)

Geyser's mental state:(from what the wiki says..I honestly think this girl is gonna be like the next Michael myers but mix Creepypasta with it -.-)

During the police investigation and pre-trial psychiatric evaluations, Morgan Geyser disclosed lifelong visual and auditory hallucinations beginning in early childhood. These hallucinations typically included figures she interpreted as ghosts, colors melting down walls, and imaginary friends named Maggie and Sev. One recurring hallucination was a man Geyser named "It,” whose body she described as the color of smoke and ink. She would perceive him as standing behind her in mirrors or shifting around corners.

After Geyser's arrest, her mother, Angie Geyser, described her as becoming "floridly psychotic." Correctional officers reported Geyser frequently talking to herself, pretending to be a cat, and keeping ants as pets. She reported seeing unicorns and believed she was having ongoing conversations with Slender Man and other fictional characters, such as Severus Snape(why him? I like him bro)

In the fall of 2014, Geyser was relocated to the Winnebago Mental Health Instituteto determine if she was competent to stand trial. On October 22, 2014, Geyser was diagnosed with early-onset childhood schizophrenia.(knew it)

Geyser's treatment for schizophrenia was erratic and inadequate for 19 months, which is believed to have exacerbated her cyclic regressions into psychosis and reduced her ability to recognize delusions against reality. In December 2015, Geyser began a consistent, long-term regimen of antipsychotic medication, which enabled her to understand what she had done and display appropriate feelings related to her crime, such as guilt and remorse. On March 23, 2016, Geyser was returned to the county jail to await trial. Although she was appropriately medicated, Geyser's mental health deteriorated. Her deterioration was linked to stressors on her already fragile mental health that are typical to forced confinement and incarceration.[

During trial, Geyser was committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, where she was the youngest patient.

Court case and negotiations:

Geyser was charged with attempted first-degree homicide, a Class A felony, and Weier was charged with attempted second-degree homicide, a Class B felony.  Due to the nature of the offenses, both Weier and Geyser were waived out of juvenile court to be tried as adults.

In 2017, Weier pleaded guilty to being a party to attempted second-degree homicide. A jury then found her "not guilty by mental disease or defect." Geyser accepted a plea offer that stipulated she would not undergo a trial if she pleaded guilty and agreed to further evaluation by psychiatrists to determine appropriate duration of commitment to a forensic psychiatric hospital. She later pleaded guilty as arranged by the plea offer, but was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect due to a final diagnosis of schizophrenia by court-appointed psychiatrists.

Weier was sentenced to 25 years to life, an indeterminate sentence requiring at least three years confinement and involuntary treatment in a state forensic psychiatric institute, followed by communal supervision until age 37

Geyser was given the maximum sentence, 40 years to life, an indeterminate sentence requiring at least three years confinement in addition to involuntary treatment in a state forensic psychiatric institute until complete resolution of symptoms or until age 53, whichever may happen first. If released, she will remain under communal supervision and undergo periodic reevaluations intended to identify need for reinstitution and/or further treatment as required by the sentence imposed.

At a hearing on March 10, 2021, Weier, who was then 19 years old, submitted a letter to the court stating that she was "sorry and deeply regretful for the agony, pain, and fear I have caused," not just to Leutner, but to "my community as well." Weier stated that, "I hate my actions from May 31, 2014, but through countless hours of therapy, I no longer hate myself for them." On July 1, 2021, Waukesha County Judge Michael Bohren ordered Weier released from the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, gave state officials 60 days to draft a conditional release plan, and required that Weier be assigned Wisconsin Department of Health Services case managers to supervise her progress until she is 37 years old, the length of her commitment.

On September 13, 2021, Weier was released with multiple stipulations, including 24-hour GPS monitoring that required her to request permission before leaving Waukesha County. On September 11, 2023, the GPS stipulation was removed. Weier's Internet use is restricted and monitored. As part of her supervised release, she is not allowed to use any form of social media. Weier is required to take court mandated psychiatric medication and is escorted to regular counseling sessions by a case worker. She is required to live with her father while under supervision of the court.

In 2020, an appeals court rejected Geyser's petition to be retried as a juvenile. Her attorney, Matthew Pinix, argued that she should have been charged with attempted second-degree intentional homicide rather than first-degree, and argued that Geyser gave statements to investigators before being read her Miranda rights. He petitioned the Supreme Court of Wisconsin to review the ruling.  In early 2021, the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal.

In January 2024, Geyser petitioned the court for release, two years after withdrawing a petition in 2022 two months after filing. A judge denied this request for release at a hearing in April 2024.

In January 2025, a court has approved Geyser's appeal for release. Experts claim she has made considerable progress battling her mental illness.

honestly yay I’m glad they recovered but goddamn just burn all electronics what if it starts again but worse?!

[scentedchildnacho]

Catholics are smart....I wasn't treated for shock for years so that is what the citrus company will confess to

I'm not upset about the reproductive side effects from the attempted high medication dosages at pacific grove which stopped because my Jewish doctor told me all he will do with western science and I kept telling the doctor at pacific grove my Jewish doctor is correct about westernism

I was like their Jewish and it's dumb obvious things Jewish people are conservative and pro life and I'm tired of my Jewish doctor being questioned

If I would keep going at them to not offend a professional male and no a lot they finally just did what jary barreto did

Christianity these days is experimental with a lot of atheists...which after my birth father died I wasn't allowed to remember much of my early childhood or raided on by the native

So to have a strong politic from a conservative right you have to go to rabbi....who will shoot or as a poor woman I just don't know who does have medical rights to consent

But I'm 43 so I've settled into an earth politic of vows of abstinence and the world has enough people not reasoning above survival

So I have already accomplished a no matricide body that my mother can live vicariously through

I wanted my mother to see something the genetic form could have been without medical alteration and deliberate experimental harm

Their neo Nazis...so the family genetics are to blame instead of twin theory and the Texas police....so no I wasn't birth traumatized

Great my body is donated to science then and now you know that.....

No the baby likes me better.....see she likes it

White mostly areas like Murrieta and this inland mountain county dont have a home water law suit like San Diego county.....so it's non violence it's long routines of showers without aid of medical intervention to show that my skin with fragrants soaps is healthy and normal

There was a disinfectant under the kitchen sink

And now the German let you know that

Will you watch me your mom has to tell me I may Watch you

I told them I was crying because it's been years and years of being sent to people who have little rules or little legislations of non obligation or can't help they won't stop sending me to people who can't help

North Minnesota police and hoods after rawanda there are dangerous felons housed so my life wouldn't be safer placed here

They won't care for dangerous felons they keep leaving them in slightly questionable housing till they lash out and jail them again they won't build infrastructure that will care for dangerous guilty felons

They won't take care of the guilty

There is a conflict problem they could remove legally a lot of males from low income reconstruction but having to have their things and people prefer a new foundation to their ambiance

That was her brothers room don't touch notice the energy

Who will clean this?.......if they shut down Winnebago mental asylum the German alcohol unions would fail or suffer huge financial losses for indigenous elderly information in the clean.....or don't put that there

Maybe spend a few years attempting a for charity cleaning organization for disenfranchised elderly before a psychological paper?

Bipolar to me looks like delirium tremens or she can't get off the drinks because sobriety is a clean of an asylum

Positive clean cancer till negative alcohol organics

[iowamedia]

LEC Authority gives update on new jail project

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — After many delays and engineering issues, the Woodbury County LEC Authority is feeling optimistic about the future completion of the new jail.  In an update on the new LEC project, the Authority says their current focus is working with the contractors on completing the project.  WinnaVegas donating $200K to Winnebago Tribe’s Powwow The Authority says the…

[mus1g4]

Winnebago Illinois jail inmates being shackled for court

[zaff1974]

Winnebago County jail inmates

[gobigalowbunnytenderplume-blog]

I am glad he is in jail where he belongs

Fox News Flash top headlines for Oct. 13

Fox News Flash top headlines for Oct. 13 are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com

A man was arrested after allegedly walking hundreds of miles from Indiana to Wisconsin to have sex with a teen — who turned out to be an undercover sheriff's deputy.

Tommy Lee Jenkins, 32, recently moved from Oshkosh, Wis., to Whitestown, Ind., and on Oct. 1 started chatting with someone named "Kylee," who he thought was a 14-year-old girl living in Neenah, Wis., with her mom, federal prosecutors said.

WOMAN RAPED IN NEW YORK CITY AFTER GETTING LOST, ASKING MAN FOR DIRECTIONS, POLICE SAY

Jenkins allegedly "began demanding sexually explicit photographs from 'Kylee' and making plans to engage in sexual activity," according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

     Tommy Lee Jenkins, 32, was arrested after he allegedly walked hundreds of miles from Indiana to Wisconsin to try to have sex with a 14-year-old girl.      (Brown County Jail)

When he was rejected, authorities claim Jenkins decided to walk to her — 351 miles away. While he walked, "Jenkins continued to engage 'Kylee' in sexually explicit conversations and updated her as to his current location."

The 32-year-old told the teen he wanted to have 500 children with her in one year, the Oshkosh Northwestern reported, citing court documents.

CALIFORNIA HIGH SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST ALLEGEDLY HAD SEX WITH STUDENT IN CLASSROOM, OFFICIALS SAY

As it turns out, "Kylee" was not a 14-year-old — but a Winnebago County sheriff's deputy working with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

When Jenkins arrived in Winnebago County on Oct. 10, he was arrested by local authorities and the FBI.

CLICK TO VISIT THE ALL-NEW FOXBUSINESS.COM

“Our nation faces an epidemic of child sexual abuse, with the Internet making it too easy for predators to communicate with children across the country,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger said in a statement. “The Justice Department is committed to working with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to prosecute child sexual abuse aggressively.”

Jenkins was charged with using a computer to attempt to persuade, induce or entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity. He faces a lifetime prison sentence if convicted and, according to online records, remains jailed at the Brown County Jail in Wisconsin.

[jewish-privilege]

A 33-year-old Wisconsin man charged with mailing threats to the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Whitefish Bay on three dates in May has pleaded guilty, the U.S. attorney's office in Milwaukee said.

Chadwick Grubbs, 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of mailing threatening communications and one count of threatening to injure and destroy property by fire and an explosive, the U.S. attorney's office said in a news release issued Tuesday.

"Information presented during the plea hearing established that Grubbs sent three letters to the JCC in which he threatened to use firearms to cause 'maximum carnage' and threatened to use explosives to destroy the JCC. In his letters, Grubbs used numbers and symbols associated with white supremacist ideology," the release states.

Grubbs had sent the threatening letters while he was an inmate at the Winnebago County Jail, Chad Tessmer of the JCC said in September. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department became aware of the letters when they were returned undelivered, Tessmer said.

Grubbs is being held in state custody on separate cases, the DOJ said.

Grubbs, who entered the plea Tuesday, faces up to 10 years in prison on the explosive threats charge and five years on the mailed threats charges, the U.S. attorney's office said. Sentencing was set for Feb. 12.

(h/t Southern Poverty Law Center’s twitter)

[farmerbrown]

[dbisociety]

Army Special Forces Sgt. Duke Webb charged in Illinois bowling alley rampage that killed 3

Army Special Forces Sgt. Duke Webb charged in Illinois bowling alley rampage that killed 3

Duke Webb, 37, is held in Winnebago County Jail without bond on three counts each of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. Source

[usnews3468]

Army Special Forces Sgt. Duke Webb charged in Illinois bowling alley rampage that killed 3

Duke Webb, 37, is held in Winnebago County Jail without bond on three counts each of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

[sachwlang]

Army member Duke Webb charged in deadly Illinois bowling alley rampage

Army member Duke Webb charged in deadly Illinois bowling alley rampage

ROCKFORD, Ill. – An Army sergeant based in Florida has been charged with murder after a shooting rampage at a bowling alley complex that left three people dead and three others wounded, authorities said Sunday. Duke Webb, 37, was being held in the Winnebago County Jail without bond on three counts each of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in Saturday’s attack. His first court…

[mus1g4]

Winnebago IL jail inmates preparing for contraband search while wearing neon green jumpsuits

[kenzierler]

I have been messaged and emailed several times about my civil case that has been filed on the second September 2020 in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois. That my campaign in the civil suit it’s against the police. Let me make this very clearly to everybody, I am not pushing to disarm our police. This civil case is an individuals that wear a badge who think they are above the law and can violate the Constitution, civil rights, the Bill of Rights, the American disabilities act, and several other federal laws. Article 6 of the United States Constitution states that the Constitution and the federal law is the law of the land. When an officer or anybody because this lawsuit is against Winnebago county states attorney office, the sheriffs department, the jail, and judges in the 17th circuit court of Winnebago county under the constitutional law civil rights law and also under the United States Supreme Court decisions, knowingly and willfully allowing false evidence to be brought into a criminal court and or the officers and the persons filing the police report knew it was false and was made up. I’ll say this again there is a guideline that all police officers have to follow however there are some that think they are above the law and can violate the rights of an individual and to lie on documents, this civil suit that has been filed in the United States District Court northern Illinois is just that. These officers are not officers that should have a badge because they put other law-abiding officers in great danger. Instead of talking about defunding, We need to start weeding out the criminals and these organizations know who they are. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFYMUWygzgf/?igshid=hixng098pc6g

[illionoisprelawland-blog]

Constitutional Challenges To The Unsafe Conditions Of Detainment Facilities

By Shannon Chung, University of Chicago Class of 2023

May 20, 2020

The American government has swiftly put into place stay-at-home measures and shut down businesses to prevent the gathering of large numbers of people and thus restrict the spread of the coronavirus. However, a realistic measure of this is challenging to replicate in jails, prisons, and immigration detention facilities where hundreds of individuals are already crowded into limited space with limited medical care and unsanitary surroundings. Even basic measures such as frequent handwashing or mask-wearing are difficult when dealing with facilities such as these with a constant influx of new detainees and essential staff with unknown histories of location and contact. 

Few detention facilities have already seen the magnitude of damage this virus has over the health of their detainees. In one of the nation’s largest Cook County Jail, two inmates fell ill to the virus and were put into isolation cells. However, this minor issue quickly multiplied, and 350 people were infected in two weeks’ time1. Not to mention, this number is representative of only those who were tested and is likely a considerable undercount of the true population at the jail infected in less than a month. 

The dizzying pace of the deadly virus coupled with the nation’s crippling overpopulation of these facilities has been generating a storm of fear and tension amongst the inmates and detainees, prompting a hasty response from the government. 

The role of the Fifth Amendment and its due-process clause is integral to managing this issue. In 2001, the Zadvydas v. Davis Supreme Court case argued whether the post-removal-period statute “authorizes the Attorney General to detain a removable alien indefinitely beyond the removal period or only for a period reasonably necessary to secure the alien’s removal.”2Justice Breyer, who delivered the opinion of the court, wrote that the post-removal-period be restricted to a “period reasonably necessary to bring about that alien's removal from the United States.” This case ultimately demonstrated the Supreme Court opinion of how the Fifth Amendment protects immigrants in custody. The Supreme Court has also protected pretrial detainees’ rights in Bell v. Wolfish3, protected inmates from health risks by “involuntary exposure of a prison inmate” to dangerous substances in Helling v. McKinney4, and protects inmates unable to “care for himself” aid with “basic human needs—food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and reasonable safety” in DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services. 5

Taking these precedents into account, the constitutional challenges to the current situation are plenty. These detainees are being exposed to an environment deadly, and especially for those pretrial or ICE detainees, the Fifth Amendment disputes are plenty. Near the end of April, 400 federal class actions were filed by immigrants detained at California facilities6. The immigrants seek release, requesting “a temporary restraining order to implement a system for class members’ expedited release” until conditions improve in the facilities to accommodate social distancing 7.

In response to these developing constitutional challenges, there have been limited emergency relief measures. Few immigrant detainees with lawyers were released although the majority is still stuck in facilities due to the lack of resources to file lawsuits. With the pretrial detainees, few federal judges have ordered improved protocols at jails certain reforms, yet many have been reserved, considering the danger of releasing accused criminals without more thoughtful assessing and planning. 

With the accelerating damage of COVID-19 and the increased risk at these detainment facilities, many advocate for federal measures to relieve the unconstitutional endangerment of detainees. However, as COVID-19 challenges America’s burden to adhere to its Constitution, the nation is also confronted with the anxiety of releasing accused criminals. Thus, an effective and considerate measure must be put into place quickly to prevent further destruction.

 _______________________________________________________________

1Chicago’s Jail Is Top U.S. Hot Spot as Virus Spreads Behind Bars. New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2020 fromhttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/us/coronavirus-cook-county-jail-chicago.html.

2Zadvydas v. Davis. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved May 17, 2020 from https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/99-7791P.ZO.

3Bell v. Wolfish. Justia. Retrieved May 17, 2020 from https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/441/520/.

4Helling v. McKinney. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved May 17, 2020 from https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/509/25.

5DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services. Legal Information Institue. Retrieved May 17, 2020 from https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/489/189. 

6Detained Immigrants File Class Action Lawsuit Against ICE, Demand Immediate Releases from Extremely Unsafe Conditions During Global Pandemic. ACLU Northern California. Retrieved May 17, 2020 from https://www.aclunc.org/news/detained-immigrants-file-class-action-lawsuit-against-ice-demand-immediate-releases-extremely.

7PETITIONERS-PLAINTIFFS’ NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER. Retrieved May 17, 2020 from https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TOvarICE-COVIDTROmotion.pdf. 

Photo Credit: Bart Everson

[bestmarijuanaboutiques]

Austin lawyer known as ‘DWI Dude’ convicted by North Texas jury of scamming Colombian narcos

New Post has been published on https://bestmarijuanaboutiques.com/?post_type=wprss_feed_item&p=23789

Austin lawyer known as ‘DWI Dude’ convicted by North Texas jury of scamming Colombian narcos

The Dallas Morning News reports, “Jamie Balagia was found guilty of wire fraud, obstruction and other charges after a two-week trial in connection with his representation of Colombian drug traffickers”

First up here are our two reports on him from 2017

Texas: San Antonio, Jamie Balagia, lawyer Known As The “DWI Dude” & “420 Dude” Investigated By FBI For Embezzlement

Jamie Balagia, has been charged by the FBI with conspiracy to commit money laundering and obstruction of justice in an alleged plot that took about $1.2 million from Colombian clients.

420 Dude Lawyer Story & Prosecution Gets Better By The Hour

Apparently he’s been trying to launder and then steal cash From The FARC. Particularly bizarre considering recent political changes in Columbia and I think we’d rather steal from ISIS than FARC, probably safer !

Today the Dallas Morning News reports on his conviction

Jamie Balagia, a veteran Austin lawyer who made a name for himself defending people charged with drunken driving, was convicted Tuesday of federal corruption charges in connection with his scheme to shake down international drug traffickers.

Balagia, 62, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and attempting to violate the Kingpin Act for accepting money from men whom the feds designated as significant drug traffickers without official government permission.

The jury deliberated for about a day and a half following the two-week trial in the Eastern District of Texas in Sherman before U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant. Jurors agreed with prosecutors that Balagia and his cohorts scammed Colombian drug traffickers out of about $1.5 million by claiming to use their connections to pay off U.S. officials to get their cases dropped.

Balagia faces up to 30 years in prison. He was taken into custody after the verdict was read. A sentencing date was not immediately available.

Balagia ran in 2014 for Texas attorney general on a Libertarian platform of legalizing marijuana. He called himself the “DWI Dude” for his expertise and once arrived for a hearing in Plano with a Winnebago decorated with his image and the advertising slogan, “Busted? Call the Dude!”

Sherman, an hour north of Dallas, has become a hot spot for prosecuting Colombian drug traffickers in recent years. Ernest Gonzalez, a lead prosecutor who has become a national expert in such cases, never heard of Balagia when the Austin lawyer suddenly appeared on a federal court docket as the defense attorney for Colombians indicted in a big case.

The case featured three men whom agents called the world’s biggest cocaine producers and who were a key link between Colombia’s cocaine fields and violent Mexican drug cartels. They reportedly used submarines to transport the cocaine and paid guerrilla fighters to protect their drug labs hidden in the mountains.

Balagia was arrested in 2017 after showing up at the Collin County jail to meet with a client who was believed to be one of the Colombian drug traffickers.

His two co-defendants in the case already pleaded guilty and are serving federal prison sentences. Chuck Morgan, 82, his investigator, and Bibiana Correa Perea, a Colombian lawyer, both testified during the trial.

Balagia’s initial defense attorney, Daphne Silverman, said in court filings that Morgan was working for the DEA as a secret informant whose job it was to lure Colombian fugitives to the U.S. by getting them to cooperate.

“Through its own investigation, defense counsel has learned that Mr. Morgan has in the past worked … for the CIA in various capacities starting with piloting aircraft for the CIA in Vietnam and then leading to bringing potential clients to lawyers with a goal of having the clients cooperate with the government,” one of her court filings said.

Morgan’s military records supported “his assertions that he flew for the CIA in Vietnam,” the filing said.

But Mazzant granted the government’s motion to keep Morgan’s background out of the trial on the grounds that it was irrelevant to the charges against Balagia.

“This defendant and his group were running a scam on drug dealers – some of the biggest drug dealers in the world,” U.S. Attorney Joe Brown said in a statement. “Fortunately for him, these drug dealers chose to turn him into the FBI rather than handle it any other way. It is important for the American justice system that we prosecute those who represent that the justice system is for sale.

“The Colombians, and criminals in every other country that we deal with, need to understand things don’t work that way in the United States,” Brown said. “When we have lawyers representing that officials can be bought, we take that very seriously.”

Balagia’s current defense lawyers were appointed to the case just weeks before trial, after Silverman had to withdraw due to worsening health from cancer.

Gaylon Runnels and Matthew Hamilton asked the judge for more time to prepare, but Mazzant refused to delay the trial any longer, pointing out that multiple continuances had already been granted.

The lawyers issued the following statement: “We are disappointed with the outcome of the case. However we are very thankful for the jury’s time, and their careful deliberations. We believe there will be an appeal.”

Balagia took the witness stand in his own defense and told jurors he was duped and manipulated by Morgan and Perea on what were his first international drug conspiracy cases. He also said he didn’t understand that accepting cash payments in small deposits and in bags handed off in parking lots was considered money laundering.

Paying off officials

Balagia worked as an Austin police officer from 1979 to 1990. He’s been a licensed attorney in Texas since 1992 and has a second office in San Antonio.

Morgan recruited him to take the cases of three Colombians who were indicted in Sherman in 2013 and were awaiting extradition to the U.S., according to trial testimony.

Hermes Casanova Ordonez and two brothers, Segundo Villota Segura and Aldemar Villota Segura, were charged along with more than a dozen others in a large cocaine trafficking conspiracy, according to court records.

Perea’s job was to secure an American lawyer to help Segundo Segura, a court filing said. Perea, who handles extradition cases, recommended Morgan and Morgan recommended Balagia, court records show.

Perea, known as “Bibi,” hired Morgan for the job because he claimed to have a long history of working for U.S. agencies like the FBI, DEA and Homeland Security Investigations, according to court documents.

Jamie Balagia, left, and Chuck Morgan, to his right, meet with alleged drug kingpin Segundo Segura in La Picota prison in Colombia in December 2015 to discuss a plot that federal prosecutors call an illegal shakedown. The image was taken from a secret videotape that Segura recorded of the meeting.(N/A / U.S. attorney’s office)

Balagia, Perea and Morgan in 2014 told the three Colombians they could have their charges reduced or dismissed in exchange for a seven-figure sum, court documents show. They said they would use some of the money to bribe “high-profile” U.S. officials, according to government evidence.

Balagia met with Segundo Segura at La Picota Prison in Bogota, Colombia, in December 2015 along with Perea and Morgan, the indictment said. During the meeting, which was taped, Segundo Segura pressed them for details.

“Now Segundo, you know I would never expose anyone,” Morgan told him. “When we get into this, it gets very messy. As you know, the lawyer has to stay very, very clean.”

Balagia said during the meeting that anonymity was important and, “By doing it the way that we’re doing it … it gives me the ability to close my ears sometimes if I need to, and it protects all of us.”

Segundo’s brother, Aldemar, was extradited to the U.S. and agreed to cooperate with authorities who were investigating Balagia and his associates, prosecutors say.

Aldemar Segura met with Balagia and Morgan at the Collin County jail in October 2016 to discuss payments, court records show. The meeting was taped. Segura persuaded the pair to also meet with his bookkeeper and personal representative, who was an undercover FBI agent, court records show.

In November 2016, the undercover FBI agent met with Morgan at a North Texas restaurant to deliver a $300,000 partial payment, court records say. Morgan was arrested when he took a suitcase full of cash from the agent’s vehicle, records show.

“The defendant used his position as an attorney to not only steal from drug lords, but also to sell out the U.S. justice system in order to line his own pockets,” Matthew J. DeSarno, FBI special agent in charge of the Dallas Field Office, said in a statement. “The FBI prioritizes all cases of public corruption and we will continue to hold these officials accountable for using their positions to benefit financially.”

Aldemar Segura and Ordonez pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and were given lengthy prison terms. But because they cooperated with authorities in the government’s criminal case against Balagia, they stand to benefit from reduced sentences.

Segundo Segura remains in a Colombian prison, where he continues to fight extradition to the U.S. by claiming membership with FARC, a rebel group that has special protections in that country.

This report was updated to include a comment from the defense lawyers.

Source:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2019/10/29/austin-lawyer-known-as-dwi-dude-convicted-by-north-texas-jury-of-scamming-colombian-narcos/

[the-final-straw-blog]

Two Voices From MPLS: Medic and Abolitionist

Two Voices From MPLS: Medic and Abolitionist

On this episode, we’re featuring two voices from Minneapolis, the epicenter of mass demonstrations and uprising following the police murder of #GeorgeFloyd.

First up, you’ll hear from Jacquie, a professional medic living in Minneapolis. Jacquie talks about the impacts of corona virus on Black and Brown communities around the city, some of what she saw in the early days of the protests and the feelings expressed to her about the killing of George Floyd and the problem of police in our racist society. You can find a project of theirs on instagram by seeking @femmeempowermentproject.

Then, Tonja Honsey, executive director of the Minnsesota Freedom Fund, talks about bail and prison abolition, infrastructure to get folks out of jail and supporting the people in the streets. They’re online at MinneapolisFreedomFund.Org

Both interviewees shout out Black Visions Collective and Reclaim The Block, two police abolition projects in Minneapolis, and the Northstar Health Collective. Check our show notes for links to those projects, as well as bail funds for cities where solidarity protests have been met with police repression.

Announcements

Jalil Muntaqim

There is an effort right now to get compassionate release for Jalil Muntaqim, former Black Panther and member of the Black Liberation Army. Jalil has been held by New York state since 1971 and he recently has tested positive for the Corona Virus. His attempts at parole over the years have been stymied by police and racists pressuring and stacking the parole board for Jalil’s involvement in the death of two cops 5 decades ago. This has happened 12 times since 2002 when he became eligible. More info about his case at his support site, freejalil.com and check out this SFBayView article for how you can help push for his release.

Breaking the 4th Wall

Hey, y’all. First off, I just want to say how impressed I am at the power that people are drawing up from within in order to battle the police all over the country. Seeing videos and hearing stories from Minneapolis, Atlanta, Oakland, New York City, Omaha, Denver, St. Louis, Tucson, Los Angeles and elsewhere, plus the solidarity rallies and support coming out here and abroad is so heartwarming. This week, you’ll know, police in Minneapolis murdered George Floyd, an African American man and people were there to video tape it. Since then, people took the streets, were met with tear gas and rubber bullets, some held vigils while others held the streets and set fire to a corner of that world that holds them hostage, including a police precinct. The cops present at Floyd’s murder were fired, and finally the officer who murdered has been arrested. Mr. Last week, police murdered a Black Trans Man named Tony McDade in Tallahassee. Over the prior month and a half, that same force murdered two other African American men, Wilbon Woodard and Zackri Jones. On March 13th, Louisville police murdered Breonna Taylor, a medical First Responder, during a home raid. At a protest on May 28th for Breonna’s legacy, 7 people were shot by unknown parties. Video of the murder by a white, retired cop and his son in Glynn County, Georgia, of yet another African American man, Ahmaud Arbery, was released a few weeks back sparking protests and the eventual arrest of the killers. The police sat on that video since Mr. Arbery’s killing in February, allowing the killers to walk free.

Please stay safe out there, y’all. Already, some folks have died at these protests, riots and uprisings against the status quo. Wear masks to protect from covid but also to obscure your identity. Drink lots of water, get good sleep if you can, take care of each other and support each other in these hard times. You can keep up on ongoing struggle via ItsGoingDown.org’s site and social media presence, and you can watch amazing videos from Minneapolis via Unicorn Riot.

Housing Liberation in Minneapolis

"At 8:00pm on Friday, blocks from the epicenter of the uprising, we watched from a tent as armored vehicles and hundreds of national guard advanced on Hiawatha. The curfew was in effect and the state offered no options for a couple camped outside. The hotels promised to the large encampment across the highway left them and many other behind. The shelters were full. This couple finally found refuge in a largely vacant hotel a mile away. The next morning, they awoke to the burned remains of Chicago and Lake and learned that the hotel owners planned to evacuate. With nowhere else to go but with a community showing up to support, the couple declined to evacuate.

Together we invited displaced and unsheltered neighbors to join us. Overnight people came in with harrowing stories of terror from police and other white supremacists. National guard shot rubber bullets at us while we stood guard against that violence. At the time of this writing nearly 200 people have created sanctuary in the memory of former shelter worker George Floyd. We avenge Floyd's death in the flames of the third precinct and honor his life in the reclamation of hoarded property.

We have protected this building by occupying it. There is no going back to how things were - this isn't a Sheraton anymore, it is a sanctuary."

. ... . ..

playlist pending

. ... . ..

Bail & Anti-Repression Funds Across The U.S.

(taken from Evan Greer's tweeted link, accessed at 4pm eastern, May 31. Likely updated, and includes lawyer info)

National Bail Networks

http://nationalbailout.org/

https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory

https://bailproject.org/

By City / State:

Atlanta - https://actionnetwork.org/groups/atlanta-solidarity-fund

http://atlsolidarity.org/

Austin - https://reparation.atlas.thrinacia.com/campaign/24/400-1-bail-fund

Baltimore https://www.baltimoreactionlegal.org/community-bail-fund

Bay Area (San Fran, Oakland, San Jose, Vallejo, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz) https://rally.org/ARCbailfund

Brooklyn - https://brooklynbailfund.org/donation-form

Boston - https://www.massbailfund.org/

Buffalo NY https://fundrazr.com/11fcAd

Charleston South Carolina https://www.gofundme.com/f/charleston-sc-protestor-bail-fund

Charlotte - Cash App: $WereStillHere Venmo: ResistanceisBeautiful Call: (980) 224-2097 bail support

PAYPAL = NCFreedomfund@gmail.com CashApp = NcFreedomfund

Chattanooga http://www.calebcha.org/donate.html

Chicago - https://chicagobond.org/donate/

Cincinnati Ohio https://www.givelify.com/givenow/1.0/NTU5MjE=/selection

Cleveland - BLM Cleveland https://www.paypal.me/blmcle

Colorado - https://fundly.com/coloradofreedom

Columbia, South Carolina: Cashapp/Venmo: sodacitybail | 803-602-4589

Columbus - https://www.paypal.me/columbusfreedomfund

Connecticut http://www.ctbailfund.org/donate

Dallas- https://faithintx.org/bailfund/ https://svpdallas.z2systems.com/np/clients/svpdallas/donation.jsp

Denver - https://fundly.com/coloradofreedom

Detroit - https://www.detroitjustice.org/the-bail-project

Fargo & Morehead North Dakota https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8oLGbaaeqf

Florida: https://www.floridajc.org/bail

https://www.lgbtqfund.org/donate-1 ← focus on LGBTQ individuals

https://hrcalachua.com/bail-fund-program/ 

Grand Rapids / Western Michigan https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kentcountyibond

Harrisburg, PA https://dauphincountybailfund.org/donate

Houston - https://www.paypal.me/blmhou https://www.restoringjustice.org/bail

Indianapolis - https://bailproject.org/

Kansas City - https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/it-aint-over-legal-fund

Las Vegas - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/vegasfreedomfund

Los Angeles (inc. Oxnard, San Clemente, Santa Ana, Long Beach): https://www.gofundme.com/f/peoples-city-council-ticket-fund ← bail, supplies, transport overall fund

Louisville - https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/louisville-community-bail-fund/

Madison, WI https://freethe350bailfund.wordpress.com/ Venmo: @Liam-Manjon | Cashapp: $FreeThe350BailFund | Paypal: FreeThe350BailFund@gmail.com

Mass - https://www.massbailfund.org/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/fangbailfund

Memphis - https://justcity.org/what-we-do/mcbfund/

https://midsouthpeace.org/get-involved/donate-to-support-the-black-lives-matter-community-bail-fund/

Miami - https://www.paypal.me/freethemall

Michigan https://michigansolidaritybailfund.com 

Milwaukee - https://fundrazr.com/mkefreedomfund

Minneapolis https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/  ← asking for help in other areas. Click thru for links/direction

Minnesota - https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/

Nashville - call 615-495-5450

https://nashvillebailfund.org/

Nebraska  - https://www.paypal.me/neleftcoalition 

New Orleans - https://donorbox.org/safety-freedom-fund

New York- https://www.libertyfund.nyc/

https://emergencyreleasefund.com/ ← focused on trans humans

North Carolina PAYPAL = NCFreedomfund@gmail.com CashApp = $NcFreedomfund

Oakland https://rally.org/ARCbailfund

http://www.antipoliceterrorproject.org/donate

Ohio - Canton/Akron https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8pz5hovrmY

Orlando Florida https://communitybailfund.org/

Philly - https://www.phillybailout.com/donate.html

Phoenix https://secure.everyaction.com/lFZFGA1BpUa9kyYYgSxSKw2

 https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tsccbf

Pittsburgh - https://www.gofundme.com/f/aftercare-for https://www.bukitbailfund.org/donate

Portland - https://www.gofundme.com/f/pdx-protest-bail-fund

Raleigh/ Chapel Hill - https://www.takeactionch.com/donations

PAYPAL = NCFreedomfund@gmail.com CashApp = $NcFreedomfund

Richmond - https://rvabailfund.org/donate

Rhode Island https://www.gofundme.com/f/fangbailfund

Roanoke -https://chuffed.org/project/rjs-bail-fund

Rockford IL (and Winnebago County) https://www.wincoilbondproject.org/donate

Salt Lake City, Utah https://www.gofundme.com/f/c2mvvn-support-protesters-arrested-by-slcpd

San Diego (inc La Mesa)  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-raise-funds-to-support-our-community

San Jose https://siliconvalleydsa.org/donations/

https://rally.org/ARCbailfund

Seattle - https://donorbox.org/ncbf

Silicon Valley/San Jose: https://siliconvalleydsa.org/donations/

Toronto - https://www.gofundme.com/f/toronto-protestor-bail-fund

Tucson https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tsccbf

Tulsa https://www.paypal.me/BLMOKC

Washington State https://www.nwcombailfund.org/

Wilmington, DE https://www.gofundme.com/f/fnbbailfundwilm

Check out this episode!