Montgomery, Oct 4- A former Alabama judge goes on trial tomorrow in Mobile on charges of having sex with male inmates in exchange for leniency.
Herman Thomas resigned his circuit judgeship in 2007 after being accused of having defendants pull down their underwear for paddlings in his private courthouse office. A Mobile County grand jury indicted him in the spring on charges accusing him of having sex with inmates brought to a private courthouse office.
The charges of sodomy, kidnapping, sex abuse, extortion and assault involve 15 current and former inmates at the jail in Mobile. Thomas' attorney, Robert Clark, says the inmates are lying and trying to ruin an outstanding legal career.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sentenced to Over 15 Years In Prison for Possession of a Firearm By a Convicted Felon
PENSACOLA, Fla., Oct. 4 - United States District Judge Casey Rodgers sentenced Taurean Proch, 27, Omaha, Nebraska, to 190 months (15.8 years) in a federal penitentiary for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Proch was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Florida on April 7, 2009.
Court records and facts announced in court revealed that in or about January 2009, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Crestview (Florida) Police Department initiated an investigation after having learned that Proch was planning to commit an armed robbery of a bank located in either Crestview, Florida or in Nebraska. Proch engaged in conversation with an ATF informant concerning the purchase of various items to conduct the armed robbery. These conversations took place while Proch was living in Nebraska. As a result of the investigation, ATF obtained a federal arrest warrant for Proch and a search warrant for his residence in Nebraska. The ATF Special Response Team (SRT) executed the warrants and took Proch into custody. Agents from the Pensacola ATF Field Office and the Omaha ATF Field Office conducted the search of Proch's residence.
Subsequent to his arrest Proch, provided post-Miranda statements to ATF concerning his involvement in the bank robbery plot. In May of 2009, Proch pled guilty to violations of 18 USC 922(g)(1) and 924(e).
ATF Special Agent in Charge Virginia O'Brien said, "Due to the efforts of law enforcement across state lines, Proch's violent history has come to an end for a very long time."
This case was jointly investigated by ATF the Crestview, Florida Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas P. Swaim, of the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Florida.
Anyone having information on illegal gun activity should call 1-800-ATF-GUNS.
Court records and facts announced in court revealed that in or about January 2009, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Crestview (Florida) Police Department initiated an investigation after having learned that Proch was planning to commit an armed robbery of a bank located in either Crestview, Florida or in Nebraska. Proch engaged in conversation with an ATF informant concerning the purchase of various items to conduct the armed robbery. These conversations took place while Proch was living in Nebraska. As a result of the investigation, ATF obtained a federal arrest warrant for Proch and a search warrant for his residence in Nebraska. The ATF Special Response Team (SRT) executed the warrants and took Proch into custody. Agents from the Pensacola ATF Field Office and the Omaha ATF Field Office conducted the search of Proch's residence.
Subsequent to his arrest Proch, provided post-Miranda statements to ATF concerning his involvement in the bank robbery plot. In May of 2009, Proch pled guilty to violations of 18 USC 922(g)(1) and 924(e).
ATF Special Agent in Charge Virginia O'Brien said, "Due to the efforts of law enforcement across state lines, Proch's violent history has come to an end for a very long time."
This case was jointly investigated by ATF the Crestview, Florida Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas P. Swaim, of the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Florida.
Anyone having information on illegal gun activity should call 1-800-ATF-GUNS.
Steil Takes Walmart FLW Walleye Tour Championship
Joy Wins Co-Angler Division, $7,000
BISMARCK, N.D., Oct. 4 - Pro Scott Steil of Richmond, Minn., caught five walleyes weighing 21 pounds, 4 ounces to give him a two-day total of 10 walleyes weighing 37 pounds, 12 ounces to win the Walmart FLW Walleye Tour Championship presented by Berkley on the Missouri River in Bismarck, N.D. Steil earned $105,000 for his title in the nationally televised tournament that featured 108 anglers from 16 states and Canada.
"I caught all my fish on one rod," said Steil. "I only caught five fish. That other rod sat out there trolling and just sat there all day and did not catch any fish. It was a great day and the fish came in the right order. I was done by noon."
Steil's plan heading into the final day was to box his first five fish. "I was catching big fish and so the plan was the first five go in the box. I probably lost 20 fish yesterday that I could not keep hooked because they were too big."
"A lot of things changed in the system over the few days," said Steil. "I started out using a Berkley Flicker Shad and some other crankbaits in the deep water. Some of the walleyes I was catching were eating crappies, so I put my baits a little higher and that seemed to be the difference."
Steil, ecstatic over his win, said this was the biggest of his career. "This is the big one here. The first win [Cass Lake in 2008] is really sweet, but for Tony [Renner] and I to go one-two here, that means everything."
"Tony is my teammate and I knew I was putting a good weight together. I couldn't help but pull for Tony too, but we were competing against each other. Thanks again to all the people out here and on the water cheering for me today. It was awesome."
Rounding out the top 10 pros are Tony Renner of Hutchinson, Minn. (nine walleyes, 34-11, $39,000); David Anderson of Amery, Wis. (10 walleyes, 30-7, $14,000); Carl Adams, Jr. of Blackduck, Minn. (10 walleyes, 29-8, $17,800); Todd Riley of Amery, Wis. (10 walleyes, 28-14, $14,050); Tommy Skarlis of Waukon, Iowa (10 walleyes, 27-7, $9,800); Robert Crow of Paterson, Wash. (10 walleyes, 27-5, $9,100); Ron Seelhoff of Burlington, Colo. (10 walleyes, 24-4, $4,200); Chris Gilman of Chisago City, Minn. (10 walleyes, 16-12, $7,700); and Nicolas Schertz of Tomahawk, Wis. (four walleyes, 13-5, $4,900).
Overall there were 47 walleyes weighing 139 pounds caught by 10 boats Friday. The catch included eight five-walleye limits.
Joy, who took home the title in the co-angler division earning $7,000, was filled with emotion on the victory and said it has not sank in. "This is hard to believe and sort of unreal. This is a great organization and I will plan on being back again. All the pros I fished with are a class act. There is no doubt about."
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers are Jerry Chwierut of Lake Villa, Ill. (five walleyes, 16-8, $10,600); Troy Vanacek of Omaha, Neb. (five walleyes, 15-2, $5,250); William Drake of Horace, N.D. (five walleyes, 14-8, $4,900); Dave Smith of Bemidji, Minn. (five walleyes, 14-7, $2,100); Jimmy Cox of Bono, Ark. (five walleyes, 11-12, $1,900); Patrick Bertelsen of Jackson, Minn. (five walleyes, 11-2, $1,275); Christopher Hanson of New Hope, Minn. (five walleyes, 11-12, $1,150); Justin Steinke of Birnamwood, Wis. (five walleyes, 8-7, $1,000); and Philip Zimpel of Plummer, Minn. (one walleye, 2-9, $850).
Pros and co-anglers were randomly paired each day and fished for a combined boat weight. Pros competed against other pros, and co-anglers competed against other co-anglers. The full field competed the first two days and was cut to the top 10 pros and top 10 co-anglers for day three. Anglers in both divisions started from zero on day three, and co-angler competition concluded with the winner determined by the day's heaviest catch. Pros carried their weights over to day four, and the winner was determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.
Coverage of the Walleye Tour Championship, hosted by the Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS, the network which brings anglers the best fishing programming on television featuring the most-trusted authorities on the water. The Emmy-nominated "FLW Outdoors," will air Nov. 15 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. "FLW Outdoors," hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide, including internationally through agreements with WFN (World Fishing Network) and Matchroom Sport to such countries as Canada, Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoor-sports television show in the world.
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports. Sign up for Player's Advantage to get your edge and win.
BISMARCK, N.D., Oct. 4 - Pro Scott Steil of Richmond, Minn., caught five walleyes weighing 21 pounds, 4 ounces to give him a two-day total of 10 walleyes weighing 37 pounds, 12 ounces to win the Walmart FLW Walleye Tour Championship presented by Berkley on the Missouri River in Bismarck, N.D. Steil earned $105,000 for his title in the nationally televised tournament that featured 108 anglers from 16 states and Canada.
"I caught all my fish on one rod," said Steil. "I only caught five fish. That other rod sat out there trolling and just sat there all day and did not catch any fish. It was a great day and the fish came in the right order. I was done by noon."
Steil's plan heading into the final day was to box his first five fish. "I was catching big fish and so the plan was the first five go in the box. I probably lost 20 fish yesterday that I could not keep hooked because they were too big."
"A lot of things changed in the system over the few days," said Steil. "I started out using a Berkley Flicker Shad and some other crankbaits in the deep water. Some of the walleyes I was catching were eating crappies, so I put my baits a little higher and that seemed to be the difference."
Steil, ecstatic over his win, said this was the biggest of his career. "This is the big one here. The first win [Cass Lake in 2008] is really sweet, but for Tony [Renner] and I to go one-two here, that means everything."
"Tony is my teammate and I knew I was putting a good weight together. I couldn't help but pull for Tony too, but we were competing against each other. Thanks again to all the people out here and on the water cheering for me today. It was awesome."
Rounding out the top 10 pros are Tony Renner of Hutchinson, Minn. (nine walleyes, 34-11, $39,000); David Anderson of Amery, Wis. (10 walleyes, 30-7, $14,000); Carl Adams, Jr. of Blackduck, Minn. (10 walleyes, 29-8, $17,800); Todd Riley of Amery, Wis. (10 walleyes, 28-14, $14,050); Tommy Skarlis of Waukon, Iowa (10 walleyes, 27-7, $9,800); Robert Crow of Paterson, Wash. (10 walleyes, 27-5, $9,100); Ron Seelhoff of Burlington, Colo. (10 walleyes, 24-4, $4,200); Chris Gilman of Chisago City, Minn. (10 walleyes, 16-12, $7,700); and Nicolas Schertz of Tomahawk, Wis. (four walleyes, 13-5, $4,900).
Overall there were 47 walleyes weighing 139 pounds caught by 10 boats Friday. The catch included eight five-walleye limits.
Joy, who took home the title in the co-angler division earning $7,000, was filled with emotion on the victory and said it has not sank in. "This is hard to believe and sort of unreal. This is a great organization and I will plan on being back again. All the pros I fished with are a class act. There is no doubt about."
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers are Jerry Chwierut of Lake Villa, Ill. (five walleyes, 16-8, $10,600); Troy Vanacek of Omaha, Neb. (five walleyes, 15-2, $5,250); William Drake of Horace, N.D. (five walleyes, 14-8, $4,900); Dave Smith of Bemidji, Minn. (five walleyes, 14-7, $2,100); Jimmy Cox of Bono, Ark. (five walleyes, 11-12, $1,900); Patrick Bertelsen of Jackson, Minn. (five walleyes, 11-2, $1,275); Christopher Hanson of New Hope, Minn. (five walleyes, 11-12, $1,150); Justin Steinke of Birnamwood, Wis. (five walleyes, 8-7, $1,000); and Philip Zimpel of Plummer, Minn. (one walleye, 2-9, $850).
Pros and co-anglers were randomly paired each day and fished for a combined boat weight. Pros competed against other pros, and co-anglers competed against other co-anglers. The full field competed the first two days and was cut to the top 10 pros and top 10 co-anglers for day three. Anglers in both divisions started from zero on day three, and co-angler competition concluded with the winner determined by the day's heaviest catch. Pros carried their weights over to day four, and the winner was determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.
Coverage of the Walleye Tour Championship, hosted by the Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS, the network which brings anglers the best fishing programming on television featuring the most-trusted authorities on the water. The Emmy-nominated "FLW Outdoors," will air Nov. 15 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. "FLW Outdoors," hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide, including internationally through agreements with WFN (World Fishing Network) and Matchroom Sport to such countries as Canada, Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoor-sports television show in the world.
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports. Sign up for Player's Advantage to get your edge and win.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Erin Andrews Case : What is Latest
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 3 - With respect to the arrest Friday, Oct. 2 by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Erin Andrews has authorized her attorneys, Marshall B. Grossman and Daniel Alberstone of Bingham McCutchen LLP, to issue the following statement:
"Today's action by the FBI is a welcome step in bringing this investigation to a successful close. We made it clear in our original statement issued on July 17, that we were determined to press criminal charges against those responsible for the invasion of Erin's privacy when alone in her hotel room. Erin and her attorneys have been working closely with the United States Attorney, the FBI in Los Angeles and the private investigation firm of Kroll, Inc. since mid-July to investigate and reveal the full facts surrounding this matter. It is now clear that she was the victim of stalking and invasion of privacy at more than one location. She was not a random victim. She was targeted and violated.
Upon learning of today's events, Andrews said: "I am deeply grateful to Assistant United States Attorney Wes Hsu and Special Agents for their dedicated service; and to ESPN for its support during this difficult time. I hope that today's action will help the countless others who have been similarly victimized. For my part, I will make every effort to strengthen the laws on a State and Federal level to better protect victims of criminal stalking. I am also grateful to those who have expressed their concerns and good wishes for my family and me."
According to attorney Marshall Grossman, "Erin deserves significant credit for the progress made in solving this case. She has worked side by side with law enforcement to reconstruct the events and provide leads which have led directly to today's action. She is committed to seeing this through and do all she can to create a deterrent to others who would even consider engaging in this type of vile conduct in the future."
"Today's action by the FBI is a welcome step in bringing this investigation to a successful close. We made it clear in our original statement issued on July 17, that we were determined to press criminal charges against those responsible for the invasion of Erin's privacy when alone in her hotel room. Erin and her attorneys have been working closely with the United States Attorney, the FBI in Los Angeles and the private investigation firm of Kroll, Inc. since mid-July to investigate and reveal the full facts surrounding this matter. It is now clear that she was the victim of stalking and invasion of privacy at more than one location. She was not a random victim. She was targeted and violated.
Upon learning of today's events, Andrews said: "I am deeply grateful to Assistant United States Attorney Wes Hsu and Special Agents for their dedicated service; and to ESPN for its support during this difficult time. I hope that today's action will help the countless others who have been similarly victimized. For my part, I will make every effort to strengthen the laws on a State and Federal level to better protect victims of criminal stalking. I am also grateful to those who have expressed their concerns and good wishes for my family and me."
According to attorney Marshall Grossman, "Erin deserves significant credit for the progress made in solving this case. She has worked side by side with law enforcement to reconstruct the events and provide leads which have led directly to today's action. She is committed to seeing this through and do all she can to create a deterrent to others who would even consider engaging in this type of vile conduct in the future."
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Worldwide Assault Prevention to Provide Rape Prevention and Escape Classes for Women
PENSACOLA, Fla., Sept. 30 - According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's latest statistics, our state sees a violent crime occur every four minutes and 11 seconds and a forcible sex offense occur every 49 minutes. Further examination of these statistics is staggering. In the United States alone, it is estimated that one in three women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
What can you do? How can this be prevented? Worldwide Assault Prevention, Inc., founded by Steve Mattutat, is doing something to help. In response to the worldwide epidemic of sexual and physical assaults on women of all ages, he has created a seminar to teach women techniques to help them stay safe. While attending one of these seminars is not a guarantee to prevent any attack, it can provide valuable information to help you stay alive.
Everyone is aware that there are situations that can and should be avoided, however there are times when those situations are unavoidable. Worldwide Assault Prevention, Inc. (WAPI) has designed a seminar to increase self-esteem and empower women of all ages by teaching them how to minimize the possibility of being assaulted, and what to do in the event an attack occurs. The techniques are simple, but very effective. Being alert and prepared is the best defense a woman can have.
Recently, WAPI owner Steve Mattutat just signed a Federal Contract with the Department of Defense to provide training to female personnel at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. In addition, he is in negotiations with the DOD to provide training to all boot camps and also summer training at the Service Academies to female plebes and midshipmen, etc.
Also, this Saturday, October 3, 2009, Steve Mattutat is providing free training at the OMNI on Davis Highway in Pensacola, FL (5007 N Davis Hwy) to anyone who wants to attend a rape prevention and escape class from 11:30am - 1:00pm. That class is open to the public - for more information the contact at OMNI is Caitlyn Gilmore. Phone is 850-484-2740.
These seminars, taught by World Tae Kwon Do 2nd Degree Black Belt Steve Mattutat, is not only eye opening, but also life saving. To learn more about Worldwide Assault Prevention, or to schedule your company or yourself for a seminar, please visit the website at www.worldwideassaultprevention.com, or contact Steve Mattutat at 850-572-3673.
What can you do? How can this be prevented? Worldwide Assault Prevention, Inc., founded by Steve Mattutat, is doing something to help. In response to the worldwide epidemic of sexual and physical assaults on women of all ages, he has created a seminar to teach women techniques to help them stay safe. While attending one of these seminars is not a guarantee to prevent any attack, it can provide valuable information to help you stay alive.
Everyone is aware that there are situations that can and should be avoided, however there are times when those situations are unavoidable. Worldwide Assault Prevention, Inc. (WAPI) has designed a seminar to increase self-esteem and empower women of all ages by teaching them how to minimize the possibility of being assaulted, and what to do in the event an attack occurs. The techniques are simple, but very effective. Being alert and prepared is the best defense a woman can have.
Recently, WAPI owner Steve Mattutat just signed a Federal Contract with the Department of Defense to provide training to female personnel at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. In addition, he is in negotiations with the DOD to provide training to all boot camps and also summer training at the Service Academies to female plebes and midshipmen, etc.
Also, this Saturday, October 3, 2009, Steve Mattutat is providing free training at the OMNI on Davis Highway in Pensacola, FL (5007 N Davis Hwy) to anyone who wants to attend a rape prevention and escape class from 11:30am - 1:00pm. That class is open to the public - for more information the contact at OMNI is Caitlyn Gilmore. Phone is 850-484-2740.
These seminars, taught by World Tae Kwon Do 2nd Degree Black Belt Steve Mattutat, is not only eye opening, but also life saving. To learn more about Worldwide Assault Prevention, or to schedule your company or yourself for a seminar, please visit the website at www.worldwideassaultprevention.com, or contact Steve Mattutat at 850-572-3673.
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