Wrongful Death 3 year old killed at funeral

West Memphis, Ark. (WREG) A 3-year old Walker County girl is killed while her family attends a funeral in Arkansas.

It happened just as the family arrived at the funeral home in the town of West Memphis.

Witnesses say that the woman driving a truck lost control and drove into a crowd of people entering into the funeral home.

First responders say the driver suffered a seizure behind the wheel.

http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html

Witness Tom House says he’s not surprised by the news. “That’s the second one she’s had… she had another one in the restaurant a few weeks ago. She’s had them all of her life.”

Police are trying to determine the details of the crash. No charges have been filed.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Wrongful Death 3 year old killed at funeral

Cold Case 2 Arrests Made in Beaver Falls Homicides

Investigators could not forget the haunted look in the eyes of two young girls who watched as two masked gunmen herded their parents into the basement and heard the gunshots that killed them.

It spurred their four-year search for the suspected killers, which ended on Monday when police charged two Pittsburgh men imprisoned for unrelated crimes with homicide, robbery and kidnapping in the slayings of Richard Harper and his wife, Demetria, both 32, on June 30, 2008, in their Beaver Falls home.

http://liarcatchers.com/cold_cases.html

District Attorney Anthony Berosh said Robert Lamont “Raw” Burgess, 35, who is serving a federal sentence for drug charges, and Devon “Pill Dude” Shealey, 26, who is serving a state sentence for an armed robbery, will be brought to Beaver County for prosecution.

“I was scared not knowing who did this,” said Joanne Vaughn, Richard Harper’s sister. The arrests bring “a little closure. … This was all very unnecessary. They didn’t have to do this.”

Witnesses told investigators that Demetria Harper, Burgess and Shealey conspired to buy up to 20 pounds of marijuana in her native El Paso, Texas, for redistribution in Western Pennsylvania, according to an affidavit supporting the charges.

Burgess became angry because he believed Demetria Harper kept some of the money he gave her for the marijuana, the witnesses said.

The gunmen locked LaNaia Harper and Iyana Harper, then ages 10 and 8, inside a furnace room in the basement. They heard sounds of a struggle and two shots, the complaint said.

Vaughn found the children the next morning when she went to the home because she couldn’t reach her brother and his wife. The girls led Vaughn to their parents’ bodies.

The girls, now living with their grandmother out of state, are doing “pretty well,” Vaughn said.

“Anyone who looked into the eyes of those two children knew we would not rest until we got an answer,” Berosh said. “It’s been a long, long road.”

The slayings also frightened those who live near the Second Avenue home where the Harpers lived for about a year before their deaths.

“We didn’t know who these (gunmen) were. We didn’t know if they were coming back,” said Amy Martino, 40, a neighbor across the street. “My son (then 11) used to sleep with a knife under his bed.”

Vaughn has said she doesn’t believe that her brother — who worked as a home health aide and volunteered to coach youth football — was aware of or involved in his wife’s drug activities.

Shealey pleaded guilty in October to federal racketeering charges for crimes committed while a member of the Brighton Heights/Northview Heights Crips gang.

Police charged him with the Sept. 28, 2008, slaying of Jason Brown, 30, of the North Side but withdrew the charges after someone fatally shot a witness, Justen Anderson, 19. His killer remains unknown.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Cold Case 2 Arrests Made in Beaver Falls Homicides

Insurance Fraud Serena Joslin Pleads Guily

WASHINGTON—An Asheville, North Carolina resident pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Miami for her role in a health care fraud scheme that resulted in the submission of more than $63 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicaid in Miami and Hendersonville, North Carolina, announced the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

http://liarcatchers.com/insurance_fraud.html

Serena Joslin, 31, a Licensed Psychological Associate, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga in Miami to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Joslin admitted to participating in a fraud scheme that was orchestrated through an entity called Health Care Solutions Network (HCSN). HCSN operated purported partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), a form of intensive mental health treatment for severe mental illness, in both Miami and Hendersonville.

According to an indictment unsealed on May 2, 2012, HCSN obtained Medicare beneficiaries to attend HCSN for purported PHP treatment that was unnecessary and, in many instances, not provided. HCSN obtained those beneficiaries by paying kickbacks to owners and operators of assisted living facilities (ALFs) or by otherwise recruiting them from ALFs and nursing homes. According to court documents, Joslin admitted that she was aware that HCSN recruited patients who were inappropriate for PHP treatment. Nevertheless, Joslin agreed with other HCSN employees to, among other things, fabricate therapy notes and other medical records, and to direct therapists to fabricate therapy notes and other medical records, all to make it appear as if HCSN patients received appropriate PHP services. Joslin was aware that fraudulent claims to Medicare would be submitted on behalf of these patients.

At sentencing, scheduled for January 11, 2013, Joslin faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Eight other charged defendants, including the owner and operators of HCSN, await trial before Judge Altonaga. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.

Today’s guilty plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer of the Southern District of Florida; Xanthi C. Mangum, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Christopher B. Dennis of the HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Office of Investigations Miami Office.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Steven Kim, William Parente, and Allan Medina of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG, and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, supervised by the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Since their inception in March 2007, Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in nine locations have charged more than 1,330 defendants who collectively have falsely billed the Medicare program for more than $4 billion. In addition, HHS’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the HHS-OIG, are taking steps to increase accountability and decrease the presence of fraudulent providers.

To learn more about the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), go to: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Insurance Fraud Serena Joslin Pleads Guily

Missing Person Cindy Rivera of Las Vegas, NM

San Miguel County – Please note the following person is considered a Missing Person Endangered from Las Vegas, New Mexico.Ms. Cindy L. Rivera was last seen in Las Vegas on 06-30-12. Ms. Rivera is a 19 year old white female with brown hair and brown eyes. Mr. Rivera is 5’1” tall and weighs 134 pounds.

Ms. Rivera was last seen at her home in Las Vegas. Ms. Rivera was last seen wearing pink colored silk pajama bottom pants and a white spaghetti strap shirt.

http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html

It is believed that Ms. Rivera may have left her residence in an unknown make; purple colored vehicle with possible New Mexico license plate JFZ534.

Please contact Agent Mark Alsfeld with the New Mexico State Police at (505) 425-6771 if you have any questions or information about Ms. Cindy L. Rivera.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Missing Person Cindy Rivera of Las Vegas, NM

Arson Investigation Squatter Arrested

CONCORD, Calif. —

A squatter was arrested Sunday for allegedly starting a fire inside an apartment building he was illegally occupying in Concord.

The fire broke out around noon Sunday in a four-unit building and authorities said it was intentionally set in a ground floor unit where a homeless man had been staying.

http://liarcatchers.com/arson_investigation.html

Concord police arrested 32-year-old transient Michael Moss late Sunday near the charred apartment where he had been living.

The building had been in foreclosure and was vacant for several months, apart from squatters living inside.

The arson investigator wouldn’t say what motive the suspect would have for burning the building where he was staying.

Tenants living in the adjacent building said ever since the building was vacated and boarded up, people have been breaking in and living there.

Some were former tenants who were evicted with the foreclosure.

“They’re all on drugs, and they all kept going over there,” said Liz Lintz, a neighbor. “This place is bad for that. They are all ‘tweakin’, and there’s a lot of stuff going on around here.”

Neighboring streets have watched with frustration as the foreclosed building became a flop house.

“When you have kids, and you know, squatters bring in degenerate type people who do drugs or drink too much,” said Christine Purzyeki, another neighbor.

The fire did put an end to people squatting, but as neighbors said, it’s a widespread problem.

“It’s constant and it’s all over the county,” Purzyeki said.

The former tenants who moved back in not only tore plywood down to get in, but brought a bed and a couch. After power was cut, they burned candles, according to the investigator, and used dinner rolls as candle holders.

Firefighters said it’s not uncommon to see fires started by squatters staying in vacant homes.

Investigators said at least three June fires, one in Martinez, one in Vallejo and another in Oakland, were likely started by squatters living in foreclosed or vacant homes.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Arson Investigation Squatter Arrested

Wrongful Death Grandma to Stand Trial in Jan. for KIlling Grandson

Jonathan Hoffman pleaded for his life and begged for help in a 9-1-1 call, played today during the preliminary examination of his grandmother, accused of fatally shooting the teen in May.

Hoffman, 17, called 9-1-1 and reported he had been shot at the home on Brookview Lane in West Bloomfield.

“My grandma shot me,” he sobbed to the dispatcher. “I’m going to die, help.”

http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html

Sandra Layne, 74, was bound over for trial today on a charge of open murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony by 48th District Court Judge Kimberly Small.

During his 9-1-1 call, Hoffman told the dispatcher he had been shot in the arms and chest. The dispatcher told Hoffman to keep breathing, then silence.

“Sir? Sir? Hello? Sir? Sir?” the dispatcher said.

Then Hoffman yelled: “I got shot again. Help, help, please help.”

A deputy Oakland County medical examiner testified today that Hoffman was shot five times — three shots to his chest, one to his abdomen and one to his left arm.

When officers arrived at the home, responding to a shooting, they heard multiple gunshots go off in the house.

“One after another,” West Bloomfield Township Officer Derick Kassab testified in 48th District Court in Bloomfield Township today.

Officers, he said, took cover and ordered for anyone in the home to come out.

Layne opened her front door, walked out and screamed.

“I murdered my grandson,” she said, Kassab testified.

Officers testified today that after the shooting, Layne had blood on her hands and clothing.

As Layne came out of the house, officers yelled for her to drop the gun, Sgt. Joseph Spencer testified.

While in the rear of a police patrol car, Kassab testified, Layne was hysterical.

West Bloomfield Township Officer David Curry testified that when he walked into the home after the shooting he saw a handgun, a Glock 17, covered in blood laying near the front door. There was one live round in the chamber, so Curry said he ejected that and the magazine.

Spencer testified that, in the home, there was blood everywhere.

He said he saw gunpowder haze at the bottom of a staircase and followed the blood trail up to the second level, where he found Hoffman lying face down on the floor. It appeared that his legs were moving and his back seemed to be rising, possibly from Hoffman taking breaths, Spencer testified.

But, as he yelled Hoffman’s name, it looked as if the teen’s body relaxed, as if the breath had gone out of him, Spencer testified.

As the officer testified, Layne cried and rocked gently in her chair.

Jerome Sabbota, Layne’s attorney, previously told the Free Press that Hoffman tested positive for K2, or Spice, which is a synthetic marijuana. The prosecution today said the synthetic cannabinoids were only positive in his urine, based on the autopsy results.

The deputy medical examiner said traces of the synthetic drug were found in Hoffman’s urine, but said it was not found in his blood.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Wrongful Death Grandma to Stand Trial in Jan. for KIlling Grandson

Missing Person Maurice Brown Jr.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The search is on for a 3-year-old Memphis boy who was missing from his home when his father awakened from a nap.

The Memphis Police Department said Maurice Brown Jr. is a black child with a medium complexion, a low hair cut and was last seen wearing a blue Batman shirt and blue jeans.

http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html

Police said the boy’s father told them he slept for about 3 1/2 hours and woke up Sunday night to discover Maurice was missing.

Information should be phoned to the missing person number at (901) 636-4479.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Missing Person Maurice Brown Jr.

Wrongful Death Adam Bullock

A Paducah man was arrested Sunday and charged with the murder of another man.

Police were called about 3:30 a.m. Sunday after someone saw a man pushing a shopping cart containing what appeared to be a body in the area of 6th and Burnett streets. What officers say they found was Michael C. Russian, 36, trying to dispose of the body of Adam L. Bullock.

http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html

Police say Russian and Bullock were involved in an apparent altercation about 4 a.m. Friday at Russian’s home. A fight ensued, and Bullock was killed. Russian hid Bullock’s body in a storage unit directly behind his apartment in Anderson Court, and kept it there until early Sunday when he decided to dispose of it.

Bullock’s family members filed a missing persons report with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department Saturday evening, saying they had not seen or heard from Bullock in several days.

Investigators still are unsure whether Russian and Bullock were acquaintances prior to the altercation, and Laird declined to discuss a possible motive for the dispute. Cause and manner of death should be determined by an autopsy, scheduled for Monday in Louisville. The investigation is continuing.

Russian is charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Wrongful Death Adam Bullock

Identity Theft Losses on the Rise

Despite a drop in cases, Californians last year suffered sharply larger financial losses from identity theft, according to a study Wednesday by a statewide consumer group, which urged authorities to do more to prevent individual Social Security numbers from winding up in the wrong hands.

“California state law prohibits organizations, both private and public, from using a Social Security number as a personal identifier and from publicly posting or displaying that number,” said the California Public Interest Research Group’s report. “Yet organizations continue to collect and store Social Security numbers, unnecessarily placing consumers at risk of identity theft.”

http://liarcatchers.com/identity_theft_investigation.html

The nonprofit group appealed to state officials to “investigate the present usage of Social Security numbers by government agencies and private business to determine if alternative means of identification can be used instead.”

While the report found a significant drop in the number of reported victims from 2010 to 2011, the group’s consumer advocate, Jon Fox, said that was due to a few huge cases in 2010 skewing the data. However, the report also noted that the average loss among victims soared in 2011 over the previous year.

Citing Federal Trade Commission statistics, it found that the amount stolen per California identity theft victim was 4.8 percent higher in 2011 than in 2010, while data from the state’s High Technology Theft Apprehension and Prosecution program revealed
Advertisement
a more dramatic increase. It showed the average loss was $786 in 2011, compared with $82 in 2010.

The trend has caught the attention of Ronnie Lopez, a San Jose police sergeant and operations manager of the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team, which investigates ID theft and other tech crimes in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Cruz and San Francisco counties.

While he didn’t have long-term data on the average amount pilfered in ID thefts, “it seems like it’s progressively gotten worse the last three or four years,” he said, adding that the fraud poses “a very real and prolific threat to our community.”

By stealing a person’s Social Security number, birth date, bank account information or other personal facts, identity thieves can withdraw money from the victim’s bank accounts, hijack their government tax refunds and cause other financial havoc.

One of the biggest reasons the amount of losses has increased is a rise in “new account fraud,” the report said. That’s where crooks use the victim’s stolen identity to obtain new credit cards, often using a phony address to avoid detection. Such fraud costs the average victim $3,197 per incident, the report said.

Other types of fraud were perpetrated via the Internet, often by sending bogus emails that tricked recipients into sharing their sensitive information. Another troublesome scheme is “skimming,” where crooks use a small electronic device to steal credit and debit-card information at places where the cards are used for transactions.

One recent case the report cited involved Gervork Aroutiounyan and Gnel Snapyan, who were sentenced in March for stealing $320,728 by skimming bank ATM cards in Santa Clara and six other California counties from July 2010 to February 2011. The two, who plead guilty and were sentenced in March, installed micro-cameras to capture the card holders’ PIN number. Then they used the purloined information to make fake ATM cards and withdraw money from the victims’ accounts, the report said.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Identity Theft Losses on the Rise

Wrongful Death Joshua Pugh

Police in Pike County are investigating after a fatal shooting.

The incident happened Friday in the Island Creek community of Pike County. State Police responded to the scene and located 23-year-old Joshua Pugh with a gunshot wound.

http://liarcatchers.com/wrongful_death.html

Pugh was transported to Pikeville Medical Center, where he was pronounce deceased by Pike County Deputy Coroner Zeb Hampton.

So far, no arrests have been made in the case.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn
Posted in Private Investigator Lexington | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Wrongful Death Joshua Pugh