Latest news with #TexasHealthandSafetyCode
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 arrested in connection with Prosper graduation party incident that left 8 hospitalized
The Brief Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a graduation party incident where eight Prosper ISD students were hospitalized. The suspects, Kyle Muchineuta (17) and Cesar Omana (18), face charges of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance. The conditions of the hospitalized students and the specific substances involved have not been released. PROSPER, Texas - The Prosper Police Department today announced the arrests of two individuals connected to an incident at an overnight graduation party, where eight Prosper ISD students required medical attention and were transported to the hospital. Prosper Detectives developed leads identifying two suspects believed to be responsible for the medical emergencies that took place in the 1600 block of Coit Road in the early morning hours on May 17. The suspects, identified as Kyle Muchineuta, 17 years old, of Prosper, and Cesar Omana, 18 years old, of Frisco, were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Collin County Jail for booking. On May 21, Prosper police detectives secured arrest warrants for Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance under Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 481.113, a first-degree felony. The backstory According to a spokesperson for the town of Prosper, police and paramedics were called to the scene of the overnight graduation party at 2:25 a.m. on Saturday. "Paramedics from Prosper, Celina, and Frisco treated multiple individuals experiencing medical distress and transported eight patients to local hospitals. The Prosper Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter," said Prosper Director of Communications Todd Rice. The lock-in ended early, officials said. What's next Prosper officials did not release any details about the conditions of the hospitalized students or the types of drugs involved. This remains an ongoing investigation. The Source The information in this story comes from statements from the spokesperson for the town of Prosper, Prosper ISD, and previous FOX 4 reporting.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Texas mortuary owner arrested, accused of ‘experimenting' on corpses
Editor's note: This story contains details related to mutilated corpses. AUSTIN (KXAN) – Police have arrested a woman investigators believe forged death certificates and cut limbs off of corpses to conduct embalming-related experiments. The suspect, Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, 50, is charged with Abuse of Corpse Without Legal Authority and Tampering with Government Records. According to online court records, she is out on bond. Police say she turned herself in to the Travis County Jail on April 18. 'This case involves complexities that are not immediately apparent and should not be sensationalized,' said Jessica Huynh, Bui's attorney on behalf of Smith and Vinson Law Firm. 'Our legal team remains fully committed to defending and advocating for our client… with the expectation of fairness and due process.' Bui's arrest warrant states she did this at Capital Mortuary Services in north Austin. Online state records listed Bui as the owner. The business itself told KXAN it has no comment on the case at this time. On April 2, an investigator with the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) informed the Austin Police Department (APD) she was conducting an internal investigation into Capital Mortuary, located at 201 Victor Street, which is near Interstate 35 and Braker Lane, according to court documents. According to documents obtained by KXAN, the TFSC issued a cease and desist letter to Capital Mortuary on April 10. This investigation stemmed from a complaint to the TFSC from a former employee who said Bui had 'fraudulently initiated and obtained at least 10 death certificates under his name,' and that he was aware of 'experiments' Bui would allegedly conduct on corpses' arms. APD's investigation eventually revealed 128 cases where Bui used the former employee's name to complete or amend death certificates. These 'experiments,' according to Bui's arrest affidavit, involve her injecting formaldehyde into the arms to see 'the effect it had over time on severed extremities.' The former employee who made the complaint showed police a screenshot from a work computer in December 2023, which appeared to show Bui posting photos and updates about the project under a conversation thread titled 'Freedom Art Experiment.' The TFSC investigator wrote in her report that once Bui was finished with the limbs she 'then allowed the severed body parts to be placed in the crematory retort, where the body parts in their dissected and disturbed state, would be cremated.' According to Bui's arrest affidavit, TFSC Executive Director Scott Bingaman said Capital Mortuary was in violation of Texas Health and Safety Code by performing these actions. The commission also called the actions 'unethical and unauthorized.' TFSC deferred comments related to the criminal investigation to APD. Police interviewed Bui when the department executed an April 10 search warrant for Capital Mortuary. According to her arrest affidavit, she admitted to using the former employee's identity to submit death certificates without his consent and further confirmed that the employee had never done a death certificate at her facility. She told police she used his name because it was an option on a drop-down menu on the forms. Bui told APD she 'directed her employees to conduct experiments on bodies to study the effects of embalming fluid with and without formaldehyde,' which included 'cutting heads, arms and spines from remains sent to her facility while acting in the licensed capacity as a mortuary,' according to her arrest affidavit. The TFSC investigator said the allegations against Bui are a 'recurring theme' related to 'miscommunication with families, improper documentation, unprofessional conduct and possible fraud.' Investigators say Bui worked with a medical-training company, MedtoMarket, on the 'experiments.' She guessed around 15 bodies were 'mutilated and subject to experimentation with the permission of MedtoMarket and was updating the company on the outcomes.' In a search warrant obtained by KXAN, investigators requested access to two devices, an iPhone and an iPad, believed to have additional communication between Bui and a MedtoMarket official. Detectives interviewed the company's CEO who, according to Bui's records, said they had a contractual agreement with Capital Mortuary for 'transport and cremation services.' The CEO denied any 'experimental testing,' but said he knew Capital Mortuary was embalming arms to see how long they could preserve them. When APD asked if that was a normal practice, MedtoMarket's CEO said 'medical schools do it all the time, yeah,' according to Bui's affidavit. MedtoMarket also told police the company asked Capital Mortuary to do embalming work on two arms. In a statement to KXAN, MedtoMarket said it 'has become aware of certain allegations related to a mortuary MedtoMarket has contracted with in performing its important work and mission. MedtoMarket will cooperate with law enforcement and state regulatory officials as part of any investigation.' The company also said it is an 'approved anatomical facility,' which, according to the TFSC's statements in the affidavit, would potentially authorize it to perform the embalming actions Bui is accused of doing. But TFSC's executive director, told police in regards to Bui performing them at Capital Mortuary 'it is unlawful for a commercial embalming establishment to use a dead human body for research or educational purposes.' In a statement Wednesday, APD said 'The TFSC's administrative investigation and APD's criminal investigations remain open and ongoing. APD and the TFSC are committed to enforcing state regulations, protecting the public from predatory practices, and ensuring that decedent remains are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Texas law.' According to the aforementioned cease and desist letter issued to Capital Mortuary, the facility was required to do the following within 14 days: Become compliant with Texas code Pass a subsequent inspection by the TFSC Submit a copy of all documented evidence for all donor remains to licensed anatomical facilities. Failure to comply with the order 'will result in immediate enforcement action,' according to the letter, as well as a fee of up to $5,000 per violation day. The TFSC stated in the letter that Capital Mortuary 'may have (been) performing embalming acts outside of the licensed scope and authority' of its license and that 'it is a violation to allow the use of a dead human body by an embalming establishment for research or educational purposes unless it is done for a school or college of mortuary science' and in compliance with state code. KXAN Senior Investigative Producer David Barer, Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle and Investigative Producer Dalton Huey contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Austin mortuary employee arrested, accused of ‘experimenting' on corpses
Editor's note: This story contains details related to mutilated corpses. AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police have arrested a woman investigators believe forged death certificates and cut limbs off of corpses to conduct embalming-related experiments. The suspect, Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, 50, is charged with Abuse of Corpse Without Legal Authority and Tampering with Government Records. According to online court records, she is out on bond. Police say she turned herself in to the Travis County Jail on April 18. 'This case involves complexities that are not immediately apparent and should not be sensationalized,' said Jessica Huynh, Bui's attorney on behalf of Smith and Vinson Law Firm. 'Our legal team remains fully committed to defending and advocating for our client… with the expectation of fairness and due process.' Bui's arrest warrant states she did this while working at Capital Mortuary Services in north Austin. The business itself told KXAN it has no comment on the case at this time. On April 2, an investigator with the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) informed the Austin Police Department (APD) she was conducting an internal investigation into Capital Mortuary, located at 201 Victor Street, which is near Interstate 35 and Braker Lane, according to court documents. According to documents contained by KXAN, the TFSC issued a cease and desist letter to Capital Mortuary on April 10. This investigation stemmed from a complaint to the TFSC from a former employee who said Bui had 'fraudulently initiated and obtained at least 10 death certificates under his name,' and that he was aware of 'experiments' Bui would allegedly conduct on corpses' arms. APD's investigation eventually revealed 128 cases where Bui used the former employee's name to complete or amend death certificates. These 'experiments,' according to Bui's arrest affidavit, involve her injecting formaldehyde into the arms to see 'the effect it had over time on severed extremities.' The former employee who made the complaint showed police a screenshot from a work computer in December 2023, which appeared to show Bui posting photos and updates about the project under a conversation thread titled 'Freedom Art Experiment.' The TFSC investigator wrote in her report that once Bui was finished with the limbs she 'then allowed the severed body parts to be placed in the crematory retort, where the body parts in their dissected and disturbed state, would be cremated.' According to Bui's arrest affidavit, TFSC Executive Director Scott Bingaman said Capital Mortuary was in violation of Texas Health and Safety Code by performing these actions. The commission also called the actions 'unethical and unauthorized experiences on human cadavers.' TFSC deferred comments on the case to APD. Police interviewed Bui when the department executed an April 10 search warrant for Capital Mortuary. According to her arrest affidavit, she admitted to using the former employee's identity to submit death certificates without his consent and further confirmed that the employee had never done a death certificate at her facility. She told police she used his name because it was an option on a drop-down menu on the forms. Bui told APD she 'directed her employees to conduct experiments on bodies to study the effects of embalming fluid with and without formaldehyde,' which included 'cutting heads, arms and spines from remains sent to her facility while acting in the licensed capacity as a mortuary,' according to her arrest affidavit. She guessed around 15 bodies were 'mutilated and subject to experimentation.' The TFSC investigator said the allegations against Bui are a 'recurring theme' related to 'miscommunication with families, improper documentation, unprofessional conduct and possible fraud.' Investigators say Bui worked with a medical-training company, MedtoMarket, on the 'experiments.' Detectives interviewed the company's CEO who, according to Bui's records, said they had a contractual agreement with Capital Mortuary for 'transport and cremation services.' The CEO denied any 'experimental testing,' but said he knew Capital Mortuary was embalming arms to see how long they could preserve them. When APD asked if that was a normal practice, MedtoMarket's CEO said 'medical schools do it all the time, yeah,' according to Bui's affidavit. MedtoMarket also told police the company asked Capital Mortuary to do embalming work on two arms. In a statement to KXAN, MedtoMarket said it 'has become aware of certain allegations related to a mortuary MedtoMarket has contracted with in performing its important work and mission. MedtoMarket will cooperate with law enforcement and state regulatory officials as part of any investigation.' The company also said it is an 'approved anatomical facility,' which, according to the TFSC's statements in the affidavit, would potentially authorize it to perform the embalming actions Bui is accused of doing. But TFSC's executive director, told police in regards to Bui performing them in her capacity as a Capital Mortuary employee 'it is unlawful for a commercial embalming establishment to use a dead human body for research or educational purposes.' In a statement Wednesday, APD said 'The TFSC's administrative investigation and APD's criminal investigations remain open and ongoing. APD and the TFSC are committed to enforcing state regulations, protecting the public from predatory practices, and ensuring that decedent remains are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Texas law.' According to the aforementioned cease and desist letter issued to Capital Mortuary, the facility was required to do the following within 14 days: Become complaint with Texas code Pass a subsequent inspection by the TFSC Submit a copy of all documented evidence for all donor remains for licensed anatomical facilities. Failure to comply with the order 'will result in immediate enforcement action,' according to the letter, as well as a fee of up to $5,000 per violation day. The TFSC stated in the letter that Capital Mortuary 'may have performing embalming acts outside of the licensed scope and authority' of its license and that 'it is a violation to allow the sue of a dead human body by an embalming establishment for research or educational purposes unless it is done for a school or college of mortuary science' and in compliance with state code. This is a developing story; check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What's the status of marijuana in Texas? An explainer on THC, CBD, Delta-8 and more
"4/20" is near for cannabis-loving Texans, but the laws around the use of cannabis are murky. On March 19, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 3, led by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, on a 24-7 vote to ban all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Patrick has been vocal about banning THC products in the state, stating that there are too many unregulated cannabis dispensaries in the state and wants to shutter those businesses. Patrick has also said that the products are dangerous. 'I named SB 3 a major legislative initiative of mine because I will not allow retailers to circumvent the law and put Texans', and especially children's, lives in danger,' he said in a press release. According to the Texas Tribune, there are more than 7,000 cannabis dispensaries in the state. SB 3 has been passed to the Texas House, but they hope to pass a version of their anti-cannabis legislation, House Bill 28. As we approach the unofficial stoner holiday 4/20, here's a breakdown of where Texas stands on cannabis laws. In Texas and federal law, recreational use of marijuana is still illegal. The consequences vary depending on how much a person is in possession of. The Texas Health and Safety Code states that possession of marijuana, two ounces or less, is considered a Class B misdemeanor. For now, it's unlikely. However, recent laws have taken place to decriminalize marijuana laws in the state. In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1325 into law. The law allows the production, manufacture, retail sale, and inspection of industrial hemp crops and products in Texas, provided that they stay at a 0.3% or less Delta-9 or Delta-8 THC level. This also includes consumable hemp products that contain cannabidiol, as well as other edible parts of the hemp plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance derived from the cannabis plant that does not have the psychoactive properties that THC does. In other words, THC is what someone consumes to get 'high' or intoxicated, while CBD does not possess the same chemicals. The Texas Agriculture Code defines "hemp" as "the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds of the plant and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis." Delta-9 is a type of cannabis. It gets its name from the fact that it has 9 THC molecules. Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC come from the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike CBD, Delta-9 THC is psychoactive, which means it can make you feel high or intoxicated. Delta-8 carries a low amount of hemp (0.3%) and, therefore, is permitted under Chapter 443 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. According to the FDA, Delta-8 has psychoactive and intoxicating effects; however, it is generally less potent than Delta-9. Delta-8 was considered a Schedule I controlled substance, but a temporary injunction filed in Travis County has removed the status. Kind of. Don't think you're about to be Willie Nelson, though. In 2015, Texas passed the Compassionate-Use Act, which allowed the first legal use of low-THC cannabis products in the state for patients with intractable epilepsy. It was expanded in 2019 and 2021 to include other conditions. Chapter 169 of the Texas Occupations Code states that patients suffering from the following conditions are allowed to use low-THC cannabis products: epilepsy seizure disorders multiple sclerosis spasticity amyotrophic lateral sclerosis autism cancer post-traumatic stress disorder an incurable neurodegenerative disease SB3 is a bill that would look to ban the sale of all THC-related products, including Delta 8 and Delta 9. Those in support of SB3 argue that THC is legally being sold throughout the state through a loophole in the Agriculture Improvement Act — also known as the Farm Bill — passed in Texas. SB 3 would maintain the legality of CBD, a non-intoxicating and non-psychoactive cannabidiol, while enforcing stricter regulations on its products. Here is what the bill is proposing: The bill bars sales and marketing to individuals under 21. No cannabinoid-containing products can be sold within 1,000 feet of a school. Products must have tamper-evident, child-resistant, and resealable packaging. The punishments under SB3 are: A third-degree felony to manufacture or sell hemp products with cannabinoids other than CBD or CBG. AClass A misdemeanor to possess hemp products with cannabinoids other than CBD or CBG. A Class A misdemeanor to ship or mail a consumable hemp product with any amount of any cannabinoid. On Monday, Texas House Committee on State Affairs members spent hours hearing public testimony on the future of THC, as lawmakers weigh whether to fully ban or regulate hemp-derived by Texas Rep. Ken King, HB 28 focuses on the regulation of cannabis products rather than an outright ban. The bill would ban all THC consumables, like flowers, edibles and vapes, but would regulate THC-infused drinks. Here is what the bill proposes: Bans the manufacturing and sale of all edible consumable hemp products, smokable hemp, and inhalable products. Businesses processing hemp or manufacturing consumable hemp products must pay a $5,000 initial licensing fee per location, with a $2,500 renewal fee. A person must be 21+ to purchase any product that contains any cannabinoids. Consumable hemp products may only include CBD, CBG (Cannabigerol), and/or THC D9. No full spectrum products. No claims of medical use. Mail order shipments are banned. No products with any amount of any cannabinoid can be sold within 1,000 feet of a school. On April 7, hundreds of people fled to the Texas State Capitol for a hearing over SB3 and HB28 that would restrict the sale of consumable hemp products in the state. The 16-hour committee hearing marked the latest effort in an ongoing legislative campaign to curb the spread of legal hemp products containing THC. Proponents of the ban — like Lubbock Republican Sen. Charles Perry, who authored the 2019 hemp law as well as the current Senate proposal to ban certain hemp consumable products — argue manufacturers are exploiting a loophole in the hemp program to sell THC consumables. Supporters of legal hemp argue that banning the substance would be devastating to the hemp industry. According to the Texas Tribune, advocates warn that if the proposed bills are enacted, it could lead to the loss of nearly 50,000 jobs and wipe out tax revenue from the $8 billion the industry generates each year. Much of the testimony could be seen on social media. Here is what Texans were saying. -Austin American-Statesman reporter Alex Driggars contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Is Texas going to ban THC? What to know about marijuana laws in 2025
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bastrop City Council denies marijuana decriminalization amendment despite voter approval
The Bastrop City Council on Tuesday denied a city charter amendment to decriminalize possession of low amounts of marijuana, which was passed by 70% of voters in November. The marijuana amendment was the only one of the 11 voter-approved propositions the City Council denied. The council collectively approved the amendments, excluding Proposition M, in a 3–2 vote, with council members Cheryl Lee and Kerry Fossler voting against. Cannabis possession remains illegal at the state and federal level. If the City Council approved Proposition M, the charter amendment would have directed the Bastrop Police Department not to prosecute suspects possessing 4 ounces or less of marijuana. With a few exceptions for medicinal use, marijuana possession falls under the Texas Health and Safety Code. Having 2 ounces or less is a Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, up to $2,000 in fines, or both. Having 2,000 pounds or more is a first-degree felony with a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Stanley O. Springerly, a senior associate attorney with the city attorney's firm, said state law supersedes language in a city charter. He recommended that the council not accept Proposition M to avoid legal action from the state. Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued six cities — including Austin, San Marcos and Elgin — for their policies to decriminalize cannabis. Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland said the city estimates $400,000 of legal fees to fight lawsuits if the city adopted the charter amendment. Lee said she voted against the motion to stay true to the voters who approved Proposition M. 'I would like (Proposition) M to be included in the approval of all the charter amendments because that's what the voters wanted,' Lee said. 'If the law provides an opportunity for residents to petition for something, and they follow that process, the end result is what it is.' Council Member Cynthia Meyer said denying the charter amendment was ultimately in the taxpayers' best interest. 'However we vote on this, nobody is against the voters. Looking forward, as our attorney said, there will be a lawsuit, and that means a lot of taxpayer money will be used. I think everybody up here is for the voters." Among the charter amendments that were approved by voters in November and by the City Council on Tuesday were paying the mayor $400 per month and council members $250 a month beginning with the next election cycle and requiring the council create a Charter Review Commission every six years. Among the charter amendments that were approved by voters in November and by the City Council on Tuesday were paying the mayor $400 per month and council members $250 a month beginning with the next election cycle, clarifying that the mayor appoints candidates to serve on boards with the council member reviewing and confirming those appointments, and requiring the council create a Charter Review Commission every six years. The City Council also approved three bird sculptures that will be placed along Chestnut Street. The sculptures are part of the second wave of the Bastrop Bird Junction Project, which will eventually include nine sculptures across the city. The council approved the installation of the first three sculptures in April. Michaela Joyce, the manager of the city's Main Street Program, said the city will unveil two statues at the intersection of Chestnut and Texas 95 in the next two months as part of the first phase of the project. She added that the city completed the installation of a pileated woodpecker sculpture at the Convention Center in August. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Bastrop City Council rejects marijuana decriminalization amendment
