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- This Week in Crime: June 29 - July 5, 2024
This Week in Crime: June 29 - July 5, 2024
Top Stories of the Week
San Diego County Settles Lawsuit for $15 Million in Jail Death Case
San Diego, California - San Diego County has reached a settlement in a long-running lawsuit stemming from the tragic death of Elisa Serna, a 24-year-old pregnant woman who died in the Las Colinas jail nearly five years ago. The county, along with its private healthcare contractor, will pay a total of $15 million to the Serna family. San Diego County taxpayers will bear the majority of the monetary damages, amounting to $14 million, while the Coast Correctional Medical Group will contribute $1 million.
The settlement was reached after a 12-hour negotiating session and was confirmed by the federal judge overseeing the case. This settlement marks the largest ever approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in a wrongful death case. Over the past five years, the county has paid over $75 million for deputy negligence or misconduct.
As part of the agreement, the Sheriff’s Department will conduct new training for deputies and jail medical staff, focusing on compassion. The policy on checking the vital signs of incarcerated individuals in the medical observation unit will also be updated. Sheriff Kelly Martinez, who was not in office at the time of Serna’s death, expressed her commitment to improving the jail system and ensuring the safety of all inmates and employees.
Bronx Man Faces 20 Years for Involvement in International Grandparent Scam
New York, New York - Victor Anthony Valdez, aged 39, is now facing a potential sentence of 20 years in prison for his alleged role in an international “grandparent scam” that targeted elderly individuals with grandchildren. The scam, which operated out of call centers in the Dominican Republic, reportedly took place between August 2020 and 2021, during which Valdez is said to have collected tens of thousands of dollars from grandparents residing in New York and New Jersey.
According to the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Valdez and his co-conspirators would contact elderly victims, posing as their grandchildren or individuals associated with the legal system. They would deceive the victims into believing that their grandchildren had been arrested and required immediate cash for bail or other expenses. Exploiting the love and devotion grandparents have for their families, the scammers manipulated their victims through lies and falsehoods.
Kenyan Police Arrest Over 270 Suspects Engaging in Criminal Activities During Protests
Nairobi, Kenya—Kenyan police have apprehended more than 270 individuals allegedly involved in criminal activities during antigovernment protests across the country. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that security forces identified suspects masquerading as protesters and engaging in violent acts, leading to their arrest. In Nairobi, the capital, 204 suspects were detained, while 68 were apprehended in other areas of the country.
In Other Crime News
Burnaby, British Columbia - Violent Brawl Erupts on Canadian Golf Course After Near Misses with Golf Balls. Read More.
New York, New York- Suspect in Custody After Allegedly Mowing Down Seven Pedestrians in New York. Read More.
Handlova, Slovakia - Suspect in Attempted Assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Faces Terror Charges. Read More.
Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles to Pay $21 Million in Settlements for 2021 Fireworks Blast. Read More.
New Orleans, Louisiana -Rapper BG Ordered to Submit Future Songs for Approval by Judge to Ensure Rehabilitation Goals. Read More.
Crime History
July 1, 1981 - The Wonderland Murders
On July 1, 1981, three members of the Wonderland Gang, along with a fourth woman, were beaten to death in their townhouse at 8763 Wonderland Ave. in Los Angeles. The three gang members killed were Ron Launius, 37; Billy DeVerell, 44; and Joy Miller, 46. Barbara Richardson, 22, who was the girlfriend of another gang member, also died in the attack. The victims were all struck multiple times with what police said they believe were hammers and metal pipes. Launius’ wife Susan survived the attack.
Neighbors reported hearing screams coming from the home around the time of the murders. But no one called the police until 4 p.m. the next day when movers working next door heard Susan calling for help. The Wonderland Gang were known cocaine distributors in the area at the time and Ron was their leader. A few days before the murders, on June 29, 1981, the gang, with help from porn star John Holmes, robbed the home of Eddie Nash, a nightclub owner and convicted money launderer and drug dealer. Holmes, a close associate of Nash, then implicated the Wonderland Gang in the robbery after he was threatened by Nash.
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