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Mortgage scam artist who conned over 120 people ordered back to jail

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

CHICAGO -- A local businessman who has been free awaiting trail on federal charges he allegedly scammed elderly homeowners out of millions of dollars has been ordered back behind bars.Back in 2017, federal authorities charged Mark Diamond and his associates with running an reverse mortgage scheme, allegedly stealing more than $10 million from dozens of mostly elderly, black homeowners on Chicago's West Side. ORIGINAL: Mortgage scam victims still waiting for justice Diamond pleaded not guilty to seven counts of wire fraud and was later released to home incarceration that allowed him to work at a residential remodeling company as long as he didn't interact with customers.The government now alleges it discovered Diamond was back in business running his own firm, and had obtained $826,000 from customers over the last 18 months, including $203,000 in cash from an elderly homeowner.Authorities allege that in Diamond's scheme, he conned more than 120 people into signing over the equity i...

FBI Springfield office warns of cyberattacks, crime in Illinois

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) -- October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the FBI Springfield Field Office wants to remind everyone of the dangers of cybercrimesA Springfield FBI news release states that cyber investigations encompass internet crime, where people become victims through online fraud and scams, and cyber intrusions, which include ransomware and phishing scams that affect businesses and infrastructure.“At a time when artificial intelligence is ripe for abuse and criminals attempt to exploit thetechnology, the FBI continues to be the lead federal agency responsible for investigatingcyberattacks. And as threats change, the FBI changes with them,” said FBI Springfield FieldOffice Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. FBI releases video of armored car robbery attempt near south suburban Walmart He continued, “Cybercrime affects individuals and businesses alike, so by educating the public we hope to prevent victimization, and by partnering with the private sector we hope to ...

Rolling candy recalled after girl's choking death

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

(WHTM/NEXSTAR) — A popular candy is being recalled over concerns that part of its "rolling ball" end can dislodge. The recall comes after a report of a 7 year-old choking and dying after the rolling ball from Cocco Candy Rolling Candy came loose and became trapped in her throat.Cocco Candy and KGR Distribution are recalling three flavors of their Cocco Candy Rolling Candy, which affects about 145,800 units of the product, according to the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. There’s a conspiracy theory about Taylor Swift attending the Jets game Consumers should throw the candy away immediately and make sure children don't have access to it. Recalled items were Cocco Candy Rolling Candy in 2-fluid ounce containers in Sour Strawberry, Sour Tutti Frutti and Sour Cola flavors.Recalled Cocco Candy Rolling Candy – Sour Tutti Frutti(Photo Courtesy U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)Recalled Cocco Candy Rolling Candy – Sour Cola (Version 1) (Photo Courtesy U.S. Consumer Product ...

APD opens homicide investigation after crash in north Austin

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the Austin Police Department identified a man killed during an apparent homicide that occurred Tuesday in north Austin.APD identified 53-year-old John Walker Oden as the victim. MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2023? Police responded to a call at approximately 1:30 a.m. after several callers reported a man was hit by a vehicle in the 12100 block of North MoPac Expressway service road.Oden was found with “significant trauma to his body,” and police said he died a short time later.According to police, officers determined Oden’s injuries indicated he had been “the subject of foul play.”APD said homicide detectives and crime scene specialists also responded to the scene and interviewed witnesses.As of Thursday, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remained active and ongoing.APD asked that anyone with any information contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Ar...

Hotel shooting suspect pleads not guilty

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The suspect accused of firing a gun inside a Guilderland hotel room in September has pleaded not guilty. Chandler McCray, of Albany, was arraigned Thursday morning in Albany County Court. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The 33-year old is facing two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. He's being held in jail on $50,000 bail and is due back in court in two weeks.Prosecutors said McCray fired several shots inside a room at the Homewood Suites hotel near Crossgates Mall on September 22. No one was physically hurt, but hotel guests were evacuated.Police are still investigating a motive.

Wreath laying ceremony honors Pres. Chester Arthur

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

MENANDS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A former president with ties to the Capital Region was honored on what would have been his 194th birthday. The New York National Guard saluted Chester Arthur during a wreath laying at Albany Rural Ceremony on Thursday. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Arthur was born in Vermont and attended Union College. Her served in the New York State Militia during the Civil War and was elected vice president in 1880. He became president after James Garfield was assassinated.One of his most significant contributions was establishing the Civil Service exam, which is meant to reduce the role politics played in deciding who got government jobs.

MoDOT turns the tide: More workers joining than leaving for the first time in years

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - For the first time in more than a decade, the Missouri Department of Transportation is gaining staff instead of losing it.Within the last month, through a new strategy of hiring events, MoDOT has hired 100 new people. At one point, the state’s transportation department was short 1,000 employees."We were digging a hole that keeps getting deeper," said Patrick McKenna, director for the Missouri Department of Transportation. "The first thing we had to do was stop digging, and I feel like we’ve done that." St. Louis Airport expansion would see conversion to single terminal For the first time in years, things are looking up for MoDOT. Within the last four months, McKenna says MoDOT has had more people joining than leaving. That hasn't been the case often over the last few decades.McKenna says MoDOT was dealing with a 20 percent turnover rate at one point and tasked by the board that governs the department to stop the bleed. "I brought our team in and said, 'O...

Broncos’ Pat Surtain II, Jets’ Sauce Gardner are in early stages of their careers and already have made major impacts

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

In a conference call with reporters last month, former cornerback Richard Sherman’s eyes widened, and the excitement in his voice rose when the topic of the Broncos’ Pat Surtain II came up.Sherman, a Super Bowl champion and three-time All-Pro, called Surtain’s technique “textbook.”“From a technical standpoint, he’s one of the best in the last decade or two, up there with (former New York Jets cornerback) Darrelle Revis in terms of his poise,” Sherman said. “It always looks like he’s in control (and) anticipating everything.”For Sherman, Surtain and New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, who will share the field Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High, represent the next generation of great cornerbacks. Both have established themselves as among the best at the position just a year or two removed from college — and they aren’t alone either.Across the NFL, young corners are emerging as plug-and-play players capable of making an immediate impact.“It’s cool to see kids co...

Man who worked as Glendale elementary school coach, aide charged with molesting at least 6 boys

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

A man who worked as an after-school coach for football and other sports and as an aide for disabled students in Glendale is facing charges after allegedly molesting at least six boys, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.Pedro Antonio Tellez, aka Pedro Antonio Hernandez Llamas, 29, faces eight felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under age 14. Man who worked at Glendale elementary school accused of lewd acts on a minor Tellez worked at John Muir Elementary School and worked part-time in the city’s One Glendale After School Youth Sports Program and Summer Day Camp Program since March, police said.An investigation found that between 2018 and 2023, while working at other elementary schools in Glendale, Tellez allegedly molested the victims “by touching them inappropriately and with a sexual intent,” officials said.Authorities indicated that there are more possible victims who have come forward and are being interviewed.“Those we entrust with ou...

Dying wish of former U.S. Marine may come true after emotional public appeal

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:45 GMT

The final wish of a former United States Marine who is suffering from terminal cancer may be fulfilled after making a public appeal to be buried next to his beloved wife who is also nearing her last days.  War veteran Samuel Leon and his loving wife, Marta, who is also terminally ill with liver disease and dementia, made their emotional plea in a family video just a few weeks ago.  On Thursday, the couple’s son, Samuel Leon Jr., along with his mother, rushed to Torrance Memorial Medical Center after doctors alerted them Leon may only have days to live.  Leon Jr., an only child and a veteran himself, has been fighting to fulfill his parents’ wishes to share a final resting place, even starting a GoFundMe to help raise funds as their time runs out.  This is because Leon Jr. learned none of California’s veteran cemeteries would take his mother since she was not married to his father while he was in the service. He told KTLA 5 Reporter Kareen Wynter that his onl...