Latest news with #HyattHotel
CBS News
7 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Bay Area man convicted of imprisoning woman in hotel gets 394 year prison sentence
A man who was convicted of holding an elderly woman captive inside a San Francisco Bay Area hotel for more than two years has been sentenced to nearly 400 years in prison, prosecutors said. According to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe's office, a judge on Monday sentenced 58-year-old Ian Edard Kroe of Oakland to 394 years to life in state prison. Kroe was convicted in February on 33 felony counts, including multiple counts of rape, torture, elder abuse and false imprisonment. Prosecutors said Kroe held the woman, who is now 74-years-old, as a virtual prisoner at the Belmont Hyatt Hotel from Aug. 2020 through Aug. 2022. The victim was a friend of Kroe's mother. After Kroe's mother died in 2016, prosecutors said he "struck up a friendship" with the victim and convinced her to travel with him, eventually ending up in the hotel. Prosecutors said Kroe eventually took over the victim's finances and drained her accounts. She repeatedly said she wanted to return to her home in New Mexico but he would not allow it. In the hotel, prosecutors said the victim was not allowed to leave the room for eight months and was threatened she would be killed if she left. Kroe also sexually assaulted the victim multiple times. The victim had also broke her ankle in 2021 and she was not allowed to receive medical care despite intense pain, according to the DA's office. After secretly contacting a friend in New Mexico, police found the victim in the hotel room, naked, bruised and unable to move on her own. During Monday's hearing, the DA's office said Kroe "conducted himself at sentencing with the usual antics" which included faking chest pains, making a series of bizarre motions and an effort to put off sentencing, which the court denied. The victim, who attended the hearing over Zoom, said at sentencing she "survived beyond all odds," prosecutors said. Ian Edard Kroe (57) was denied probation & sentenced to prison for 394 yrs to life. After arrest by @belmontcapolice, he was convicted of 33 felonies for the repeated rape, torture & imprisonment of an elderly woman, who stated at sentencing she, "survived beyond all odds." — San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) June 3, 2025 In addition to the prison term, Kroe was ordered to register as a sex offender and was ordered not to contact the victim for 10 years. Kroe remains in custody without bail. A restitution hearing in the case has been scheduled for Oct. 29.
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Jessica Soho's journalism legacy: 40 years of impactful stories
Earlier this May, Jessica Soho served as the keynote speaker at the 2025 National Schools Press Conference and National Festival of Talents. Held in Ilocos Norte, the event gathered over 4,000 aspiring journalists from 17 regions nationwide. Soho was warmly welcomed with cheers, countless selfies and autographs, and heartfelt appreciation from student journalists. In her inspiring speech, the Kapuso journalist shared seven important principles in journalism: Accuracy, impact, content, fairness, reading, balance, and doing good. She emphasized that the only real secret in her 40 years in the industry was hard work and dedication. "Alam ko, medyo gasgas nang salita ang hardwork," she said. ["I know the words 'hard work' sounds like a cliché these days.'] "But in my case kasi, iyon lang ang naging formula ko: Work hard and everything will follow," she added. ["But in my case, that was just my formula: Work hard and everything will follow."] Aside from breaking stories, Soho said stories hold a special power of improving lives. "We believe in the power of stories," she said. Reflecting on her career as a journalist, which spans 40 years, Soho recounted defining moments that shaped her career since 1984: From being a rookie GMA reporter to covering major national events like military coups, hostage crises in Cagayan, and even surviving a near-plane crash on the way to the Spratlys. She also highlighted some of her notable achievements and memorable experiences in media, including being the co-founder of "i-Witness," winning the Peabody Award, and producing powerful stories such as "Kidneys for Sale" and "Kamao." "Naghahanap talaga ako ng long form na format kasi takeaway from 'yung specials na ginagawa namin sa news noon," she looked back. [" I was really looking for a long-form format because it was a takeaway from the specials we used to do in news back then.'] "So hanggang ginawa ko 'yung concept ng 'I-Witness' and then I fought for it and it got approved." ["So I went ahead and created the concept for Ii-Witness,' and then I fought for it. Eventually, it got approved.'] Aside from her achievements, Soho shed light on how a journalist must brave the frontlines of the most dangerous situations to cover the news. She was on the frontlines of numerous natural disasters in the past, including gunfire during coup attempts, a landmine explosion in Afghanistan, as well as the Hyatt Hotel tragedy in Baguio during the 1990 earthquake. Above all, Soho took pride in the stories that transformed lives, particularly through her show 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.' Among the stories she was proud of are 'Bestida ni Ranelyn,' 'Sugat ng Pangungulila,' and 'Ang pag-uwi ni Jojo,' to name a few. In her speech, Jessica Soho said 'After 40 years of chasing the story; I often ask myself the same existential question many journalists surely ask themselves too: 'Is it all worth it? Sulit ba ang lahat ng aming pagod, hirap at sakripisyo?' Pero ako, if I have to live my life all over again, pipiliin ko pa rin maging journalist.' [ 'Is it all worth it? All the hard work, the struggles, the sacrifices?' For me, if I had to live my life all over again, I would still choose to be a journalist."] In celebration of Soho's 40 years in broadcasting, a digital archive of some of her most unforgettable reports and interviews will be launched in an online series dubbed "Jessica Soho at 40: Telling the Story of Filipinos." It's set to be released on the YouTube channel of GMA Public Affairs beginning on June 1, 2025.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former hotel security guard pleads guilty in death of Milwaukee man
MILWAUKEE (AP) — A former security guard at a Milwaukee hotel has pleaded guilty in the killing of a man who died after being pinned to the ground for several minutes. Brandon Turner and three other Hyatt Hotel employees were charged last summer with one count of being a party to felony murder in connection with D'Vontaye Mitchell's June 30 death. Turner agreed to a plea deal and could receive probation in exchange for testifying against the other men charged in the case, according to WDJT-TV. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3. The Associated Press left phone messages Thursday seeking comment from Turner's lawyer and prosecutors. According to court documents and video, Mitchell ran into the Hyatt's lobby and entered the women's bathroom. Two women later told investigators that Mitchell tried to lock them in the bathroom. Turner and a hotel guest scuffled with Mitchell and eventually dragged him out of the lobby onto a hotel driveway. Security guard Todd Erickson, bellhop Herbert Williamson and front desk worker Devin Johnson-Carson joined Turner in pinning Mitchell down for eight to nine minutes, according to court documents. By the time emergency responders arrived Mitchell had stopped moving. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Mitchell was morbidly obese and suffered from heart disease. He also had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system. The office determined he suffocated and ruled the manner of death as homicide. Attorneys for Mitchell's family have likened his death to the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died in 2020 after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for about nine minutes. Mitchell also was Black. Court records identify Erickson as white and Turner, Williamson and Johnson-Carson as Black. The four workers told investigators Mitchell was strong and tried to bite Erickson but they didn't mean to intentionally harm him. Aimbridge Hospitality, the company that manages the hotel, fired the four workers in July. Court records show a March 13 plea hearing for Williamson, a March 30 plea hearing for Johnson-Carson and a June 27 pre-trial hearing scheduled for Erickson. The Associated Press
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Former hotel security guard pleads guilty in death of Milwaukee man
MILWAUKEE (AP) — A former security guard at a Milwaukee hotel has pleaded guilty in the killing of a man who died after being pinned to the ground for several minutes. Brandon Turner and three other Hyatt Hotel employees were charged last summer with one count of being a party to felony murder in connection with D'Vontaye Mitchell's June 30 death. Turner agreed to a plea deal and could receive probation in exchange for testifying against the other men charged in the case, according to WDJT-TV. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The Associated Press left phone messages Thursday seeking comment from Turner's lawyer and prosecutors. According to court documents and video, Mitchell ran into the Hyatt's lobby and entered the women's bathroom. Two women later told investigators that Mitchell tried to lock them in the bathroom. Turner and a hotel guest scuffled with Mitchell and eventually dragged him out of the lobby onto a hotel driveway. Security guard Todd Erickson, bellhop Herbert Williamson and front desk worker Devin Johnson-Carson joined Turner in pinning Mitchell down for eight to nine minutes, according to court documents. By the time emergency responders arrived Mitchell had stopped moving. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Mitchell was morbidly obese and suffered from heart disease. He also had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system. The office determined he suffocated and ruled the manner of death as homicide. Attorneys for Mitchell's family have likened his death to the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died in 2020 after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for about nine minutes. Mitchell also was Black. Court records identify Erickson as white and Turner, Williamson and Johnson-Carson as Black. The four workers told investigators Mitchell was strong and tried to bite Erickson but they didn't mean to intentionally harm him. Aimbridge Hospitality, the company that manages the hotel, fired the four workers in July. Court records show a March 13 plea hearing for Williamson, a March 30 plea hearing for Johnson-Carson and a June 27 pre-trial hearing scheduled for Erickson.
Associated Press
06-03-2025
- Associated Press
Former hotel security guard pleads guilty in death of Milwaukee man
MILWAUKEE (AP) — A former security guard at a Milwaukee hotel has pleaded guilty in the killing of a man who died after being pinned to the ground for several minutes. Brandon Turner and three other Hyatt Hotel employees were charged last summer with one count of being a party to felony murder in connection with D'Vontaye Mitchell's June 30 death. Turner agreed to a plea deal and could receive probation in exchange for testifying against the other men charged in the case, according to WDJT-TV. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3. The Associated Press left phone messages Thursday seeking comment from Turner's lawyer and prosecutors. According to court documents and video, Mitchell ran into the Hyatt's lobby and entered the women's bathroom. Two women later told investigators that Mitchell tried to lock them in the bathroom. Turner and a hotel guest scuffled with Mitchell and eventually dragged him out of the lobby onto a hotel driveway. Security guard Todd Erickson, bellhop Herbert Williamson and front desk worker Devin Johnson-Carson joined Turner in pinning Mitchell down for eight to nine minutes, according to court documents. By the time emergency responders arrived Mitchell had stopped moving. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Mitchell was morbidly obese and suffered from heart disease. He also had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system. The office determined he suffocated and ruled the manner of death as homicide. Attorneys for Mitchell's family have likened his death to the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who died in 2020 after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for about nine minutes. Mitchell also was Black. Court records identify Erickson as white and Turner, Williamson and Johnson-Carson as Black. The four workers told investigators Mitchell was strong and tried to bite Erickson but they didn't mean to intentionally harm him. Aimbridge Hospitality, the company that manages the hotel, fired the four workers in July. Court records show a March 13 plea hearing for Williamson, a March 30 plea hearing for Johnson-Carson and a June 27 pre-trial hearing scheduled for Erickson.
