Close ally of drug kingpin 'El Mencho' gets 30 years in prison as US ramps up pressure on cartels
WASHINGTON — A close ally of fugitive Jalisco New Generation boss known as 'El Mencho' for years orchestrated a prolific drug trafficking operation, using a semi-submersible and other methods to avoid detection, and provided weapons to one of Mexico's most powerful cartels, prosecutors say.
On Friday, José González Valencia, was sentenced in Washington's federal court to 30 years in a U.S. prison following his 2017 arrest at a beach resort in Brazil while vacationing with his family under a fake name.
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Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former assistant describes putting on gloves to clean up Diddy's freak offs - as $6k bill for hotel damage revealed
The former assistant for Sean 'Diddy' Combs described how he set up and cleaned up hotel rooms after 'freak offs.' Brendan Paul, who worked as the rapper's assistant for 18 months until he was arrested in March 2024 for cocaine possession, testified about his role preparing and tidying up hotel rooms after his boss and his then-girlfriend had 'freak offs.' Clad in a blue suit, the former Syracuse basketball player spoke quickly and confidently while on the stand Friday morning. Paul, who worked 100-hour weeks for the mogul, recalled 'advancing' locations for his boss's hotel stays. This included setting up hotel rooms, bringing baby oil, lubricant, condoms, candles and liquor, as well as calling room service to bring up extra towels, sheets, and water, he testified. Although Paul said he didn't know what the 'wild king nights' — another term for 'freak offs' — entailed, he understood they involved sex and partying. When cleaning up, Paul recalled putting on gloves 'for sanity reasons' while placing towels and sheets 'in a nice pile.' He noted the rooms were often 'in disarray.' He said he understood he was tasked with tidying up the rooms after 'wild king nights' to 'avoid getting damage charges.' He then left cash tips for hotel staff. Later in the day, however, the jury learned that Diddy was charged hundreds, and sometimes thousands, for damages to hotel rooms. Records revealed that the mogul was charged $6,000 for 'losses and damages' during his stay at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami in December 2021. The mogul faces five federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He's pleaded not guilty. The former assistant's duties were one of several shocking revelations during Friday's testimony. Paul recalled working three days straight without sleeping while the mogul worked on releasing his 2023 album 'The Love Album: Off the Grid.' Diddy told his team to 'move like SEAL Team Six,' which Paul took to mean 'be militant' and 'get things done without him asking,' he testified. Asked about how he feels about Diddy today, Paul replied: 'It's complicated.' The mogul shot a 'thumbs up' at his defense attorney Brian Steel after he cross-examined Paul. The government expects to rest its case as soon as Monday. If that's the case, the defense said it could rest its case on Tuesday or Wednesday, meaning the jury could have the case as early as next week. At The London West Hollywood in January 2023, records revealed a $3,750 charge for damaged furniture. A damage report read in court Friday stated that hotel staff noticed 'bodily fluids stained on the wood floor' as well as 'used linens in various sections of the room.' Months later in April at the same hotel, a damage report revealed a $1,800 charge for towels that 'appear to have been soaked in baby oil' and signs of smoking in the room. While on the stand, Paul clarified he was 'absolutely not' a drug mule. Brian Steel, one of Diddy's defense attorneys, asked if drugs were just a 'minor part' of what he did for his boss; Paul agreed. The witness also clarified that when he was arrested, he had Diddy's cocaine. 'I was sweeping his room earlier that morning' when he grabbed the drugs and put them in his bag and 'I forgot to put it elsewhere," he said on the stand. He had 0.7 grams of cocaine on him at the time of his arrest, he testified. Paul didn't tell police at the time that they weren't his drugs out of 'loyalty' to his boss, he told the court.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
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Diocese of Winona named in 3 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct from more than 50 years ago
Jun. 20—WINONA, Minn. — The Diocese of Winona has been named in three personal injury lawsuits filed this year, all alleging sexual misconduct from more than 50 years ago. The most recent complaints were filed Friday, June 6, in Winona County District Court. However, according to the date the complaints were originally drafted, the lawsuits have been in the works for over nine years. The cases are the results of the Minnesota Child Victims Act of 2013, which lifted the statute of limitations on past claims of child sexual abuse for a three-year period that ended in August 2016. More than 100 claims of child sexual abuse by clergy arose after the act was passed. The three complaints filed in 2025 were signed in March and May 2016. Two of the cases allege sexual misconduct by Sylvester Brown and Harold Mountain, two priests with previous sexual abuse allegations filed against them. In a statement, the Diocese said the filings were "known and anticipated by the parties and stem from insurance issues that were addressed in the Bankruptcy of the Diocese." "On Oct. 14, 2021, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota confirmed a Plan of Reorganization for the Diocese. The Plan provided for a substantial trust to compensate survivors of sexual abuse within the Diocese," the statement continued. The trust was funded with more than $22 million of Diocesan assets, and insurance coverage settlements of $6.5 million. "This plan was jointly submitted to the Court by the Diocese and the Committee of Unsecured Creditors, who represent the survivors of sexual abuse. The funds contributed by the Diocese toward the negotiated settlement fully satisfied the Diocese's financial obligation owed to the Settlement Trust," the Diocese said. According to the complaints, each case alleges three counts relating to negligence and demands payment for the damages in excess of $50,000. The unnamed plaintiffs are referred to as Doe 221, Doe 257 and Doe 276. In addition to the Diocese of Winona, the complaints name St. Casimir's Catholic Church in Wells, Minnesota; Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Blue Earth, Minnesota; and Cotter High School in Winona, Minnesota. The first complaint filed against the Diocese claims that Tom Bork, a former Cotter High School teacher employed by the Diocese of Winona, molested Doe 276 when they were 15 or 16. The alleged sexual contact having occurred from 1972 to 1973. According to court documents, the district judge dismissed the claims against Cotter High School with prejudice in April. A pretrial hearing for the case is scheduled for May 22, 2026, in Olmsted County District Court. The second case opened this year was filed in Winona County. It claimed that Harold Mountain, a now-deceased priest at St. Casimir's Catholic Church, sexually abused Doe 221 when they were 7 or 8. The child was a parishioner, student and participant in church activities. The alleged abuse occurred from 1968 to 1969, the complaint said. The second complaint in Winona County involves Doe 257, who claims Sylvester Brown, a priest at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, molested him when he was 13. The alleged abuse occurred around 1974, according to the complaint. The complaints were filed by Jeff Anderson of Jeff Anderson & Associates. The law firm represents survivors of clergy abuse. "While the Diocese cannot comment on the facts related to this matter, we pray for a just resolution for all of those involved," the statement from the Diocese concluded. "The Diocese remains steadfast in its commitment to healing and justice for all survivors." Those experiencing sexual exploitation can call a 24-hour crisis line at 507-289-0636 to speak to someone who can direct you towards help.
CBS News
29 minutes ago
- CBS News
Northern California city councilor among 3 arrested in alleged arson, insurance fraud scheme
A city councilman in the Northern California city of Live Oak was one of three men arrested this week in an alleged arson and insurance fraud conspiracy ring, authorities announced Friday. Live Oak Vice Mayor Aaron Pamma, 30, was booked into jail on Thursday along with Simren Pamma, 28, who is a Live Oak Unified School District board member, and Gurtej Singh, 28, the Butte County District Attorney's Office said. Each was arrested on a $1,000,000 warrant issued by the county Supreme Court. Live Oak Vice Mayor Aaron Pamma City of Live Oak The arrests were tied to a farmhouse fire that happened on Old Ferry Road on February 17, 2024. Singh purchased the property in April 2023 under a U.S. Department of Agriculture mortgage program and transferred 50% ownership of the property to Aaron and Simren Pamma the next month, the DA's office said. Singh, from Yuba City, was also found to have purchased home insurance three months before the property was severely damaged in the fire, Cal Fire investigators found. He then allegedly filed a false insurance claim on the property. Not long after the fire, the three men sold the Old Ferry Road property and collected an insurance payment, acquiring more than $200,000 in profit, the DA's office said. Each faces charges of arson, the DA's office said. Aaron Pamma faces additional charges of fraud, perjury, supporting a false insurance claim, and conspiracy to destroy insured property for fraud. Simren Pamma faces an additional charge of conspiracy to destroy insured property for fraud. Singh faces additional charges of fraud, wire fraud, destroying insured property for fraud, presenting a false insurance claim, and perjury. A fourth individual, Javier Molina-Bravo, was charged in Butte County Superior Court in March with multiple felony counts of check fraud, the DA's office said. Molina-Bravo, 37, from Tehama County, owned Big Dog Handyman and was hired by the other three men to renovate the farmhouse. Investigators found that Molina-Bravo used fraudulent checks to purchase thousands worth of materials for the renovation from businesses around Chico. Malina-Bravo is a wanted fugitive after failing to appear for a scheduled hearing in Butte County Superior Court. The investigation was a joint operation involving the FBI, Cal Fire and the Butte County DA. Live Oak is a city in the northeast corner of Sutter County, near the border of Butte County. Old Ferry Road runs along the Feather River on the north end of the Butte County city of Oroville.
