Latest news with #McGowen
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MLGW calls NAACP claims ‘patently false,' requests apology
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Light Gas & Water responded Monday to the NAACP, which claimed last week that xAI's operations in southwest Memphis are endangering the health of nearby residents. A letter sent by NAACP to both MLGW and the county health department accused those entities of looking the other way as xAI ran gas turbines to help power its Colossus supercomputer in southwest Memphis, and of violating open meetings laws. NAACP pens letter calling for end of xAI supercomputer The response letter sent Monday by MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen says those claims are 'patently false.' McGowen says MLGW has no role in approving the use of gas turbines and undertook an impact study to ensure that the xAI facility would not impact service to other utility customers. City officials including the mayor have previously said the number of gas turbines at the site was lower than what environmental groups claimed, and on May 6, the chamber of commerce announced the turbines would be removed. McGowen's letter went on to request an apology from the civil rights organization over what it called 'baseless, inflammatory claims.' Read the letter below. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Three Pagan's Motorcycle Club members pleaded guilty for armed assaults against rivals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, for their involvement in a series of armed assaults against members of rival motorcycle clubs. Christopher W. McGowen, also known as Mac", 41, of Platte City, Mo. pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in air of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Brandon S. Hodge, also known as "Youngblood", 26, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty on May, 14, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Arthur L. Reynolds III, also known as "Straight Edge, 48, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of felon in possession of firearms. On May 30, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, assaulted a lone rival gang member at a business in Grain Valley, Mo. In addition to fists, one Pagan used an axe, causing physical injury to the victim. On Sept. 3, 2022, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs, Mo. Various members of the Pagan's and their support club were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle. McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and the others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway and ultimately, the victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearms, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg. Following these events, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other present were awarded patches for their participation. On May 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Reynolds' residence in Independence, Mo. Inside, officers located seven firearms, various calibers of ammunition, body armor and Pagan's Motorcycle gang-related items. On Jan. 24, 2005, Reynolds pleaded guilty to felony aggravated robbery in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, for which he was later sentenced to 61 months in custody. Under federal status, McGowen and Reynolds are subject to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. Hodge is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney's Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo. Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo. Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Three Pagan's Motorcycle Club members pleaded guilty for armed assaults against rivals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, for their involvement in a series of armed assaults against members of rival motorcycle clubs. Christopher W. McGowen, also known as Mac", 41, of Platte City, Mo. pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in air of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Brandon S. Hodge, also known as "Youngblood", 26, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty on May, 14, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Arthur L. Reynolds III, also known as "Straight Edge, 48, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of felon in possession of firearms. On May 30, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, assaulted a lone rival gang member at a business in Grain Valley, Mo. In addition to fists, one Pagan used an axe, causing physical injury to the victim. On Sept. 3, 2022, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs, Mo. Various members of the Pagan's and their support club were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle. McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and the others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway and ultimately, the victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearms, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg. Following these events, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other present were awarded patches for their participation. On May 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Reynolds' residence in Independence, Mo. Inside, officers located seven firearms, various calibers of ammunition, body armor and Pagan's Motorcycle gang-related items. On Jan. 24, 2005, Reynolds pleaded guilty to felony aggravated robbery in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, for which he was later sentenced to 61 months in custody. Under federal status, McGowen and Reynolds are subject to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. Hodge is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney's Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo. Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo. Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pagan's Motorcycle Club members plead guilty in Missouri for armed assaults
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Three members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week for their involvement in a series of . Christopher McGowen, also known as 'Mac,' 41, of Platte City, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 13, to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Ray of Western District of Missouri. Statue of Melania Trump sawed off at ankles and stolen, police in Slovenia say Brandon Hodge, also known as 'Youngblood,' 26, of Springfield, Missouri, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 14, to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Arthur Reynolds III, also known as 'Straight Edge,' 48, of Independence, pleaded guilty on Thursday, May 15, to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of felon in possession of firearms. On May 30, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan's and their support club assaulted a lone rival gang member at a business in Grain Valley. In addition to fists, one Pagan used an axe handle during the assault, causing physical injury to the victim, according to court documents. On September 3, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, travelled to Topeka to carry out a revenge attack against another rival motorcycle gang. The plan was to 'catch a stray' and 'smash on sight' any rival member they saw. The Pagan's were aware that the rival motorcycle gang was having an event in Topeka that day, and the plan was to use either an axe handle or a gun on one of the rival gang members. Court documents say that after arriving in Topeka, a rival member was spotted in a hotel parking lot. As a member of the Pagan's prepared to shoot the rival, a disagreement occurred among members, and the group returned to the Kansas City area. On September 17, 2022, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs. Court documents say various members of the Pagan's and their support club were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle. McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and the others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway, and ultimately, the victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearm, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg. Woman found dead after Excelsior Springs mobile home fire Following these events, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and others present at the various assaults were awarded patches for their participation, according to court documents. On May 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Reynolds' residence in Independence. Inside, officers located seven firearms, various calibers of ammunition, body armor, and Pagan's Motorcycle Gang-related items, including support shirts, patches, and paperwork for the Pagan's. On Jan. 24, 2005, Reynolds pleaded guilty to felony aggravated robbery in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, for which he was later sentenced to 61 months in custody. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
09-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Redding demonstration protests Trump's anti-immigration moves
Redding demonstration protests Trump's anti-immigration moves Show Caption Hide Caption San Francisco leaders unite to support migrants after ICE raids San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and other community leaders gathered at City Hall to express support for migrants after ICE raids in the city. A noisy, afternoon-long demonstration protesting President Trump's anti-immigration and other policies took place at the intersection of Court Street and Eureka Way in Redding on Saturday. More than 100 protesters gathered to chant slogans and wave signs at drivers, with many motorists honking back in support. Organizers promoted the protest by saying 'Join us as we come together as a community against hate! Show our immigrant neighbors and community they are loved and have a place here.' Brooke McGowen was one of the demonstrators who described Trump's deportation policies as 'insane.' She said Americans should be grateful for undocumented immigrants that are valuable members of society and who work in the country and pay taxes. 'Immigrants make America great. If we didn't have any immigrants here, the country would fall apart,' McGowen said. Heinz Patatzski stood next to McGowen with a sign that read, 'Melt ICE,' referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that's conducting raids as part of Trump's campaign promise for mass deportations. Patatzski, who was born in Germany, compared the policies of Trump and White House adviser Elon Musk to fascism. 'As a European, you know how fascism starts,' he said. He remembered what his first-grade teacher said after World War II when 'the good time was starting.' 'The teacher reminded us always, let's not have this (fascism) again. Be aware of the first signs and I'm aware of the first signs. I see it here and many people can see here what's going on,' Patatzski said.
