Dynamite outside a synagogue: civil rights stories imperiled by federal cuts
Back in 1958, James Pruitt was an 18-year-old working as a janitor. He'd graduated from a segregated high school that soon would become the scene of marches and protests, in a city already nicknamed 'Bombingham' because of white supremacist attacks.
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Eleven sentenced to federal prison in drug trafficking case
Eleven people have been sentenced for their roles in an armed drug trafficking ring responsible for trafficking hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills and over 15 kilograms of methamphetamine into central Indiana, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday. Those people, their charges and sentences are: • Christopher Miller, 29, Indianapolis; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments; Engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property; 26 years imprisonment. • Jamie Sullivan, 22, Indianapolis; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments; Distribution of controlled substances; Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; 24 years imprisonment. • Tameico Johnson, 22, of Fishers; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; Distribution of controlled substance. 20 years, 10 months imprisonment; • Jayden Bertram, 22, Carmel, Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; 20 years, 10 months imprisonment. • Courtlin Moncrief, 29, Avon; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances 20 years imprisonment. • Camonte Miller, 21, Indianapolis; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; Possession with intent to distribute controlled substance. 20 years imprisonment. • Jordan Sumner, 22; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; 16 years, 8 months imprisonment • Afrika Railynne Williams, 29, Indianapolis; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. 13 years, 4 months imprisonment. • Monica Sumner, 20, Indianapolis; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, 12.5 years imprisonment. • Dewell Simpson, 18, Indianapolis; Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances; Possession of a machine gun. 11 years, 8 months imprisonment. • Regina Weatherford, 60, Indianapolis; Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. 5 years imprisonment. Sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. Prosecutors said the drug trafficking organization in central Indiana trafficked large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Arizona to the Indianapolis, Anderson and Muncie areas. Also, prosecutors said, multiple members of the organization possessed and used firearms, including weapons than had been converted into fully automatic firearms. Further, the government said in a news release, Christopher Miller, Afrika Williams, and Jamie Sullivan also laundered the proceeds of the criminal organization. In total, the investigation resulted in recovery of contraband including 128 firearms, 61 machine gun conversion devices, $722,626 cash, 22 vehicles, 118 pounds of methamphetamine, 78 kilograms of fentanyl, 501 pounds of marijuana, 315 grams of cocaine and 216 grams of heroin. The case was investigated by more than a dozen federal, state and local agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle P. Brady and Kelsey L. Massa prosecuted.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hundreds of Chicago Target workers fired over alleged fraud — how a 'glitch in the system' led to $1M+ stolen
Hundreds of employees at a Target distribution hub in Chicago have been fired, news outlets report, after allegedly exploiting a glitch in the company's health care loan program — costing the retailer more than $1 million. According to Block Club Chicago, the flaw allowed workers to borrow $3,000 and erase the balance after repaying just $50. Word of the loophole spread quickly through the Target Flow Center, and employees started joining in on the scheme. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Charles Thrush, who first reported the story, says one person 'found a glitch in the system' and encouraged others to cash in, turning the scheme into a personal payday. 'He would charge $200 to $300, basically, for all these people to get their loans,' Thrush told WGN News in a story published Aug. 19. How widespread was it? Thrush estimates that between 400 and 700 workers were fired over a two-week period from the end of July into August. Target has not confirmed the exact number of terminations but said in a statement to both news outlets: 'Following an internal investigation, we have terminated team members found to be in violation of our company's code of ethics.' For the Target employees involved, it's unclear whether criminal charges will follow. Block Club Chicago reports the scheme may have cost the company over $1 million. Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you're not a millionaire. In Illinois, health care fraud is typically prosecuted as a Class 4 felony — carrying penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of as much as $25,000 for individuals, according to law firm Dolci & Weiland. Health care fraud isn't limited to corporate benefits programs. The FBI estimates it costs the U.S. tens of billions of dollars each year, with schemes ranging from double billing — submitting multiple claims for the same service — to phantom billing for services never provided, or 'upcoding,' where providers bill for more expensive procedures than those actually performed. These practices can drive up costs for businesses, insurers and consumers. The real price of easy money Some former workers told WGN News they were blindsided by the terminations, insisting they thought they were taking advantage of a benefit that offered fast cash, which they would repay over time. Others said they were shocked to learn a fraud scheme was happening at all. 'I know they're hiring extremely mad right now. Every Tuesday and Friday you see new classes and new faces, like, every single day,' Target employee Matthew Clarke told WGN News. 'They're definitely paying enough to where you shouldn't even have to worry about trying to steal.' Target told the local broadcaster it has introduced new safeguards to prevent similar abuse and that the firings won't affect day-to-day operations. Employee loan programs and workplace perks can be a valuable resource, but they're not free money. Read the terms closely, track your repayments and ask HR to clarify anything that seems vague. If you notice a loophole that looks too good to be true, resist the urge to test it out — exploiting it could cost you your job, your reputation or even your freedom. And if you suspect a program or offer might be a scam, report it right away to your employer or the appropriate authority. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
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Shavertown man blamed COVID illness for endangering children
Aug. 20—WILKES-BARRE — A former Dallas Borough man blamed his COVID illness for allowing four children to be raised in a house filled with garbage, animal feces, old fly traps covered with insects and rotting food. Bruce Kevin Myers, 62, apologized during his sentencing hearing before Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas on Wednesday, explaining he was not able to clean the house due to his illness. Investigators say the house on Machell Avenue where Myers formerly lived was a house of filth well before the coronavirus pandemic that plagued the world in 2020 and 2021. Lupas sentenced Myers to three-to-10 years in state prison on four counts of endangering the welfare of children. Myers pled guilty to the charges June 17 when prosecutors withdrew two counts of child pornography. Detectives with the Luzerne County district attorney's office discovered the house of filth while serving a search warrant related to an investigation of child sexual abuse materials on May 4, 2023, court records say. Court records say detectives had to fight their way through garbage, animal feces, dirty clothing and rotting food that littered the floor and hallways leading to stairs. Dallas Borough officials condemned the house and four children were taken into protective custody by Luzerne County Children and Youth Services. Myers' now ex-wife, Cheryl Myers, was sentenced in July 2024, to six years probation on four counts of reckless endangerment. Amanda Perry, the children's biological mother, spoke prior to Bruce Myers being sentenced, saying there were "years of abuse" and his downloading of child sexual abuse materials was the reason why the children were taken into protective custody. In an unfulfilled request of anger, Perry asked that the child sexual abuse materials' charges be reinstated against Bruce Myers. Lupas called the situation, "upsetting," that involved four children living in a neglected house. After the Machell Avenue house was condemned, Bruce Myers relocated to Summit Street in Shavertown, Kingston Township. Cheryl Myers relocated to another county. Solve the daily Crossword
