Its how we live. The sole purpose this office should be transparency, accountability, and efficiency. The purpose of the LCN in Philadelphia and elsewhere is to make money through the commission of various crimes, including illegal gambling, loansharking, drug trafficking, and extortion. The other four blocks along the corridor saw decreases. Made members and associates who break Omerta are looked upon unfavorably as rats and may be targeted for death by other members of the group. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? 29 Apr 2023 22:15:22 Now, she is dismayed by how the shooting was framed. Marie Beren, 67, is the third person charged in an election-fraud conspiracy case prosecutors say was led by former U.S. Rep. Michael "Ozzie" Myers. As alleged in the superseding indictment, on Oct. 15, 2015, defendants Steven Mazzone, Grande, and Salvatore Mazzone participated in a making ceremony (as detailed above) in a South Philadelphia residence, during which several new soldiers were inducted into the Philadelphia LCN. The superseding indictment describes the various acts allegedly committed by the defendants and others as members of the group including the distribution of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and oxycodone pills; the disbursement and collection of tens of thousands of dollars of unlawful bookmaking and other debts owed to the group at interest rates as high as 400 percent; and even an alleged conspiracy to kidnap or murder a drug dealer in order to protect the reputation of the Philadelphia LCN after the dealer sold members of the group fake drugs. In 20 indictments containing 101 charges, Murdaugh is accused of scheming to defraud victims of $8,789,447.77 and the state of South Carolina of $619,391, Wilson said in a statement. And with that in mind, Id like to see our city be as proactive about approaching our gun violence epidemic from a public health perspective as it does from the law enforcement perspective, similar to the way weve addressed COVID-19, said Gauthier, whose district also contains the sites of many shootings in the task forces latest investigation. April 15, 2021 Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force provided details on an investigation into shootings in When we have things like public urination, defecation, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and noise violations and you dont see police pursuing it that has quickly translated into You can do what you want on South Street with no accountability, she elaborated. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. When people drive down the sidewalks, drive the wrong way, or do donuts in the street at three oclock in the morning [it can breed fear].. struggle to make arrests in both fatal and non-fatal shootings. As such, there is zero tolerance for corruption of the electoral process.. const timerId = setInterval( function() { The group faces charges of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, and firearms offenses. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). }
iframe.onload = function() { Even accounting for this recent increase, the numbers show that South Street is one of the safest areas in the city. Philadelphia Eagles players, organization team up to help anti-violence efforts. Parker is backed by the building trades, including the ironworkers, so he naturally fits in her corner. The arrests come as gun violence continues to surge at historic levels and police struggle to make arrests in both fatal and non-fatal shootings. The defendants charged in the seven-count superseding indictment are Steven Mazzone, aka Stevie, 56; Domenic Grande, aka Dom, Mr. Crisler served as interim sheriff in 2021. City Councilmember Jaime Gauthier, perhaps the most vocal city lawmaker when it comes to gun violence, again called for people to pay more attention to what can be done before a shooting so that it potentially never happens in the first place. At a recent Queen Village Neighbors Association meeting, attendees repeatedly raised concerns about nuisance businesses and ATVs, which they said were driving them away from South Street. In this case, that polling place was located at the Seafarers Union Hall at 4th and Shunk streets. Some residents have asserted so-called quality of life crimes, such as loitering, propel increases in more dangerous offenses, like aggravated assault. A total of 29 people were injured or killed during these incidents, including 15-year-old Rasul Benson, who was fatally shot in October 2018 outside of a gas station on West Passyunk Avenue, and 17-year-old Nasir Livingston, who was shot on the 2700 block of Dickinson Street in December 2017. WebPro dancers prepare Philadelphia students to take center stage. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. iframe.src = iframe.src; No evidence has surfaced of widespread voter fraud that has swayed any recent election. This is a state and Ive said it before we can get a gun faster than a drivers license, said Kenney, who says its too easy for residents to buy and then resell guns illegally in Pennsylvania. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Free and fair elections are the hallmark of our democracy, Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer A. Williams said in a statement on the superseding indictment in Myers case. Do We Really Care What Mark Ruffalo Thinks About Helen Gym? Sharon Whaley, 57, was found dead June 11, 2021, under a sheet inside Room 3419 of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The DAO then determines which charges to bring. He was also charged Wednesday with additional crimes linked to Berens case. Official websites use .gov Their priorities are dealing with shoplifting and staff getting harassed, he said. from 29-year-old Chase Smith of Upper Darby, Pa. That arrest led them to a large-scale methamphetamine drug trafficking organization that operated in the Philadelphia region, along with parts of New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia, the DA's office said. Chicago Bears: Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina 65. House members voted to expel Myers a month before the general election but he stayed on the ballot and lost. Theft alone accounted for over a third (35%). Three Philadelphia men were charged for allegedly operating a firearm and narcotics trafficking So, the time is now for us to not only step up our game, but again reaffirm that there is a sense of urgency behind this, Outlaw continued. On Wednesday morning, Berens name still appeared online as a staffer in Councilmember Squillas office, and an email sent to her at her City of Philadelphia address didnt bounce back. Joey Electric, Louie Sheep, Tony Meatballs and a dozen other operatives of a Philadelphia mob crime family were indicted last week on charges including racketeering conspiracy, illegal gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking. This is unique to this neighborhood. When I hear people say its unsafe, I often say, Lets set the aberrant [shooting] aside, said Harris, the South Street Headhouse director. We want to patronize businesses, Ingersoll said. The suspects were arrested during a sweep on March 15. After blowback, Philly police yank NRAs gun safety curriculum from city rec centers. Here's where affordability is most at risk. Violence in the city has shown no sign of slowing due to the calendar change. Social justice groups UDTJ and Delco Resists plan a rally to coincide with a hearing for one of two teens whose shots did not kill the 8-year-old. 2 plead guilty for roles in shooting outside Pat's King of Steaks. Pence, DeSantis and more confirmed or potential 2024 Nearly $2 million of that total would go to a pair of violence prevention programs and a grant program designed to support community-based anti-violence groups. The DA's office said the investigation began in March 2021. Our clearance rates specifically amongst our non-fatal shootings need to improve, our homicide rates need to improve as well, but if we can get ahead of our non-fatal shootings, we know that we will do everything that we can in our power to deter the execution of homicides, said Outlaw. Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah lost his 2016 Democratic primary, just 20 days ahead of his trial on federal corruption charges that resulted in a conviction and a prison term. This follows overall trends for Philadelphia, where young Black men are overrepresented among the gun violence victims. Love Philly? As was the case with him, she was charged by way of a criminal information, instead of an indictment, typically a sign that a defendant has already agreed to plead guilty. The 41-year-old father lost consciousness hours after his According to court documents, the Philadelphia LCN is one of a number of LCN organized crime families based in various cities throughout the United States. Hopkins and Dom14; Joseph Joey Electric Servidio, 60; Louis Louie Sheep Barretta, 56; Kenneth Kenny Arabia, 67; Daniel Castelli, 67, also known as Cozzy and Butch; and Carl Chianese, 81. Twenty-five guns, more than $135,000 in cash and several other drugs were also seized during the takedown. When an early June altercation on South Street spiraled into a shooting that killed three people and wounded 11, national news outlets played up concerns the areas nightlife was encouraging violence. The feds say the consultant recruited and installed Beren as a committee person for the Democratic Party in South Philadelphias 39th Ward in approximately 1984. Prosecutors say that these fraudulent votes were cast for candidates at every level of government, from municipal to state to federal. Hopkins, Mr. The men were found with numerous gunshot wounds inside a property on the 1600 block of South 10th Street, police said. Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day. At the time of the charges, Beren was serving as a staffer for Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla. April 25, 2022. If things were done that werent supposed to be done, there are consequences to those types of actions.. Also arrested Thursday were Eric Woodard, 24; Javuan Parris, 24; and Aquil Collins, 25, according to Krasner. Businesses around Philly use sidewalks as parking lots, but rarely face penalties. The data below show Philadelphia totals for people arrested by local and state law enforcement agencies for different offense types. A few used the incident to connect District Attorney Larry Krasners policies around misdemeanor offenses to increased gun violence. Two men were killed as they entered a rowhouse in South Philadelphias Passyunk Square neighborhood Monday afternoon. The government claims that the consultant in question directed Beren to add fraudulent votes to candidates supported by the consultant. In the 7-year period analyzed by Billy Penn, there were only two homicides one in 2015, and Junes nationally-covered, 14-victim shooting. Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw defends her approach to gun violence on IG Live session.
. const iframe = document.getElementById("newspack-iframe-e4EC5PXESfQ1"); Former State House Speaker John Perzel, a Northeast Philly Republican who rose to power during three decades in office, lost his bid for reelection in 2010 while under indictment on corruption charges. Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes not that were counting. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. A spokesperson declined to comment but sources familiar with the investigation confirmed that the announcement pertains to the Johnson case. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. clearInterval(timerId); The U.S. Attorneys Office has scheduled a 10:30 a.m. news conference Wednesday to announce a major criminal indictment in a public corruption case. const timerId = setInterval( function() { Philly police say they can reduce crime by reassigning officers to street duty and creating a new unit designed to curb non-fatal shootings. In the Demuro case, many of those candidates were running for Common Pleas Court judge. During the Ozzie Myers case, we had heard that they had interviewed committee people throughout the area, but did not think they were charging people, said Squilla, who said he was never interviewed by investigators. Evans has been extradited to Montgomery County, officials said. As part of a making ceremony, a soldier swears allegiance to LCN over and above all other interests and obligations, including his biological family, the indictment says. Authorities say theyre stepping up the response. An official website of the United States government. You dont usually see this type thing in this neighborhood, said Jeff Kauffman, 57, a realtor who was smoking in front of a cigar store nearby. Philadelphias former district attorney spent much of his career investigating corruption and other illegal activity. Murdaugh, 54, More than 500 people have been shot so far this year fatally or non-fatally. Scenes from the wet and wild 2023 Broad Street Run, Wilmington Latin American Community Center expands, Climate change report: New Jersey could see more dry and drought-like conditions. California residents do not sell my data request. John Moore/Getty Images. On Tuesday, Jennifer Arbittier Williams, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, filed federal charges against 67-year-old South Philadelphia resident Marie Beren, alleging that she participated in a voter fraud scheme from 2015 through 2019 in three voting divisions in South Philadelphia. BBC "Newshour" covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe. Its how we live. Fax: 205-921-5595 2131 Military Street S Hamilton, AL 35570 View Location To those residents that believe that a hookah lounge is contributing to this crime, I ask, How do you explain the criminal activity happening [in other neighborhoods] where there isnt a hookah lounge in sight? Marsh + Mane owner Robinson said. The case is being investigated by the FBIs Philadelphia Field Office and Atlantic City Resident Agency with the assistance of the Philadelphia Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Williams charged Beren, a staffer for Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla, with four counts of voter fraud and related offenses, including conspiracy. Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics. Donald Trump, you may have heard, is making his third bid for the White House while under indictment for paying hush money to suppress talk of extramarital affairs during his first campaign. He said South Jerseys interests align closely with Philadelphias. According to federal prosecutors, the mob also conspired to kidnap or murder a drug dealer who sold members fake methamphetamine. As the feds put it, Beren was the de factojudge of elections for all three divisions. And we have to do away with the waste, the fraud and the abuse of dollars going on in this office.. Philly ends 2021 with over 550 people murdered. City Commissioner Al Schmidt, a Republican who sits on the board that oversees Philadelphia elections, kick-started the investigation that led to the charges against Myers, Demuro, and Beren by making a referral to law enforcement after his office noticed statistical irregularities in vote totals from the 39th Ward. BBC "Newshour" covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. A knife was lying on top. If approved by City Council, the total investment into anti-violence programming during FY22 would be $35.5 million out of a $5.18 billion proposed spending plan less than 5% of the $727 million the Kenney administration wants to spend on the Philadelphia Police Department. Scenes from the wet and wild 2023 Broad Street Run, Wilmington Latin American Community Center expands, Climate change report: New Jersey could see more dry and drought-like conditions. He was sworn in for a third term on the day his trial started in Brooklyn in 1981. Billy Penns analysis did not show any correlation between the frequency of infractions like disorderly conduct and weapons-related incidents. Ingersoll, of the QVNA, claims the presence of ATVs and rowdy bar patrons on South Street precipitated the shooting that occurred in June. Against that backdrop, anti-violence activists called Thursday for more resources for violence intervention and prevention programs, saying law enforcement is just one part of the solution for reducing the bloodshed. There are certain residents that dont want sneaker shops, or hookah lounges, or anything that they think would bring people who they deem undesirable..
. She took a plea deal later that year. The other is toward the southern end of the neighborhood, near Washington Avenue, at the two residential blocks along the 900 and 1000 blocks of South 5th Street. One is on South Street, at the 300 block that houses the Theater of Living Arts, cheesesteak shop Ishkabibbles, and an assortment of pubs. Philadelphia Eagles (from Houston): Tyler Steen, OT, Alabama. After 562 people were murdered in the city in 2021, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw vows to bring that number down this year. Investigators say Evans would ship drugs from Los Angeles to the other defendants using UPS, FedEx and the US Postal Service. An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. And 2015 is when the alleged conspiracy begins. Three Sharon Hill police officers opened fire on a vehicle outside the Academy Park High School football stadium, sources say. While crime is generally low on South Street, reports of violence are especially rare, accounting for only a handful of incidents each year. Prosecutors did not immediately provide details on the candidates for which Marie Beren, 67, allegedly falsified votes or say whether those ballots affected the outcome of any races. Get your daily rundown of Philly happenings in less than 10 minutes, Philadelphia local news: Neighborhoods, politics, food, and fun, Get Philly smart with BPs free daily newsletter. Police investigate at a crime scene in October, 2021. For Robinson, who owns Marsh + Mane, the divide between the business district and the surrounding residential blocks runs deeper than different closing times. WebHenon, convicted with Dougherty on bribery charges in 2021, is due to start serving a 31/2-year federal prison sentence in 10 days. That's when an undercover agent was allegedly able to purchase two pounds of meth in Lower Merion Twp. It wouldnt be the first time that Jersey power dipped into a Philly mayoral election. Her body had multiple stab wounds, the detective wrote in the affidavit. But the new occupant does have a Pa. connection. The number does appear to have ticked up in recent years. Similarly bustling corridors in other areas of the city experienced totals that mirrored these five blocks of South Street. (6abc). Prosecutors also describe how underboss Steven Mazzone, capo or captain Domenic Grande, and Salvatore Mazzone participated in a making ceremony in August 2015, when several new soldiers showed up to a home in South Philly to be initiated into the mob. Nick Battiste, 65, and his wife, Rose Marie, 66, however, said crime is still a problem in the area. Beren and others, who are unnamed in the criminal complaint, falsified the voting book for the day, writing down names of voters who didnt actually show up so that the count would all make sense at the end of the day. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of Homeland Security, Lower Merion Township police and Upper Merion Township police. Billy Penns data shows little evidence of a yearly increase along the South Street corridor. I dont know if the tragedy can be tied to a specific business, said Mike Harris. He believes most of what residents and outsiders know about South Street is anecdotal. During a period beginning in August 2015, 10 of the defendants allegedly conspired to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Philadelphia LCN through both a pattern of racketeering activity and through the collection of unlawful debts. Have a news tip or press release? Here, politicians have run (and won) office with verdicts looming. PPA steps up ticketing for street sweeping, bike lane violations, Impending vote could cause pilot strike at American Airlines, Pa. couple gets married in hospital, granting mother's final wish. By rule, a made member of LCN must be male and of 100% Italian ancestry.. The restaurant-filled blocks of Sansom Street from 18th to City Hall had 100 reports for the same year. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. From 2015 to 2019, between 1 and 4 incidents were recorded each year. In 2020, a former election judge in the same South Philadelphia ward pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from a consultant to add fraudulent votes on Election Day. Theyre everywhere.. A trauma surgeon, community leader, and gun violence prevention reporter ask Philly mayoral candidates tough questions, Fundraiser for family of slain Temple police officer surges past $225k in less than a day, What we know about the Temple police officer fatally shot in North Philadelphia, Learning about the House of Umojas anti-violence work inspires Philly teens: We need to breathe together, Coming in March: A mayoral forum on gun violence, with community-sourced questions and a focus on solutions, Like Im a nobody: Breaking news coverage of shootings is dehumanizing and delays progress, per new Temple study, No more Goldenbergs Peanut Chews for politicians: Pennsylvania has lost control of the Senate candy desk, Scenes from the 2023 Broad Street Run, where records were set and smiles abounded in the rain. Tyrique Glasgow, co-founder of the Young Chances Foundation. And what lessons can Phillys next mayor take? Then he ran again for another position as a Democrat. Philadelphias political world was rocked on Monday when a federal jury convicted union leader John Dougherty and City Councilmember Bobby Henon on bribery and conspiracy charges. More than 90 packages were found to have matched the pattern of this drug organization, the DA's office said. Its an enormous loss, mostly of young Black men. Gun violence activist Pastor Carl Day hosted an IG Live chat with Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw Wednesday. A Philadelphia man admitted to fatally stabbing his girlfriend inside a casino hotel room in Atlantic City. Harris believes frequently-cited safety concerns can often conflate real tragedies like the recent shooting with minor inconveniences that are expected of a busy commercial area. 66. Over the past 7 years, the South Street business corridor averaged 191 crime incidents annually, which is similar to other stretches of nightlife in Philly. In 2018, the New Jersey and Philadelphia carpenters unions consolidated, and Parker is backed by the regional entity. Since data analyses generally focus on larger areas like zip codes or police districts, there previously has been little substantive information about where, when, and how crime occurs on the bustling strip. It should give people confidence in the process that cases of voter fraud or voting irregularities are investigated and, when warranted, prosecuted, he said. But the contrast stands out, given South Streets history as a haven for Black activists and business owners in a city that cant escape the legacy of redlining. Henon, convicted with Dougherty on bribery charges in 2021, is due to start serving a 3-year federal prison sentence in 10 days. Police said the In fact, investigators believe the suspects shipped more than 800 pounds of meth since 2019. A superseding indictment was unsealed today against 15 defendants, including alleged members and associates of the South Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey-based criminal organization La Cosa Nostra (LCN), popularly known as the mafia or mob. The superseding indictment charges various crimes including racketeering conspiracy, illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and drug trafficking. Heres where affordability is most at risk.
iframe.onload = function() { (The government doesnt make clear how she knew they wouldnt show up.) The investigation was also conducted by the U.S. The most serious of the charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The corridor experienced a small uptick in violent crime during 2021, with 7 total incidents that year. And former City Councilmember Bobby Henon coasted to reelection in 2019 after being indicted in January of that year with John Johnny Doc Dougherty and other officials from Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Its the rhetoric around the incident that bothers me the most, Jenea Robinson told Billy Penn. wants to spend on the Philadelphia Police Department. Lets get away from that and lets come to the table, said Robinson. Deputy Commissioner Joel Dales said there are three main causes for the homicide rate: arguments, drugs, and domestic violence. Prosecutors say Marie Beren, who is no longer with Squilla's office, used her role as a de facto judge of elections in three South Philly voting divisions to cast fraudulent The new allegations come as Republicans, led by former President Donald Trump, continue to assert without proof that he lost reelection last year due to cheating in places like heavily Democratic Philadelphia. Henon, convicted with Dougherty on bribery charges in 2021, is due to start serving a 3-year federal prison sentence in 10 days. Criminal indictments against officers accused in the 2019 death of an Atlantic County jail inmate show elusive justice is finally in sight, the legal team for the mans family said Wednesday. Nobody wants to hear that. NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A drug operation that stretched from Los Angeles to the Philadelphia region has been broken up, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars worth of drugs. According to data from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which encompases a large swath from Philadelphia to Allentown, sits at No. Two men were killed as they entered a rowhouse in South Philadelphias Passyunk Square neighborhood Monday afternoon. The organization is believed to have trafficked some 800 pounds of meth in total, as well as other drugs including fentanyl. A call placed to Berens South Philadelphia home went unanswered. A 6-year-old was shot and lost his dad in one night. Its happening more and more, Nick Battiste said. Arabia and Bucceroni were charged with a single count of cocaine distribution. Your donation supports our mission to connect Philadelphians to useful and fun information, and to one another. After 562 people were murdered in the city in 2021, Philadelphia Police Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. WebThe indictment, venued in Colleton County, alleges tax evasion for tax years 2020 and 2021. The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. The resulting hoagie spanned three blocks and caused some traffic issues. PHILADELPHIA United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that a Superseding Indictment was unsealed today against 15 defendants, including alleged members and associates of the Even accounting for the June shooting that killed 3 and left 11 injured, Queen Village is not on pace to become a gun violence hotspot.
south philly indictment 2021
Write a comment