- Two men were arrested Friday following the execution of search warrants for child pornography during "Operation Safe Halloween" conducted by the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office (WCSO), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Arrested during the operation were William Lee Johnson, 34, and John Elwin Roberts, 58, both of Crawfordville, Fla.
The suspects became the subject of an undercover investigation that began in September as detectives discovered the suspects' computer Internet Protocol addresses with illegal files on file sharing systems. Investigators viewed the images and positively identified them as child pornography.
"Through partnerships with state, local and other federal law enforcement agencies, ICE will continue to vigorously investigate child exploitation cases," said Susan McCormick, special agent in charge of ICE HSI in Tampa, Fla.
Johnson was charged with seven counts of possessing photographs of a sexual performance of a child. The search warrant revealed more than 200 images of child pornography. Seven videos were viewed and determined to be child pornography.
Additional charges are pending following the forensic analysis of the computer and computer equipment by FDLE.
Roberts was charged with one count of possession of obscene material for photographs of sexual performance by a child. Several computers and hard drives were located in the home and they were collected as evidence. An attempt had been made to delete images but one video was found.
Johnson is being held in the Wakulla County Jail under a $70,000 bond. Roberts posted a $7,500 bond and was released Saturday.
The investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide ICE initiative to identify, investigate and arrest those who prey on children, including human traffickers, international sex tourists, Internet pornographers, and foreign-national predators whose crimes make them deportable.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Hybred Buses are here NFTA
Source NFTA Metro Release on website.
Metro’s hybrid buses are the cutting-edge, representing a commitment to improving our environment. New advancements in engine and transmission technology mean clean-running, more efficient vehicles, with no decrease in Metro’s ability to get you where you need to go.
Metro’s hybrid buses are the same size and shape as its other 40-foot buses. They all carry 38 comfortably seated passengers, with a few more standing if needed. The engine and transmission - the drivetrain - are the big distinctions.
Metro’s hybrids have a combination of traditional diesel engines and electric motors. By using each to its best advantage, the system consumes less fuel, puts out fewer pollutants and still works in the real world. Metro’s hybrids also have regenerative braking. Every time the brakes are applied, energy from the wheels is converted to electricity, recharging the bus’s batteries. Braking wastes energy in normal vehicles, and generates energy in hybrids.
Even before hybrid drivetrains Metro buses were one of the most economical and environmentally friendly modes of transportation available. For every mile traveled, public transportation uses about one half of the fuel consumed by automobiles, and about a third of that used by sport utility vehicles and light trucks*.
So, if feel like taking a ride on one of the most sophisticated, socially responsible vehicles on the road – hop on a Metro hybrid bus. You will not notice a big difference, but that is the point. Metro is public transportation that’s good for the whole public . . . even those that are not riding just yet.
*courtesy of the American Public Transit Association
What is the savings?
Metro estimates a 25% to 30% reduction in fuel based on the efficiencies of the hybrid drivetrain. Savings are also anticipated from decreased maintenance costs associated with brakes, engines and transmissions.
How clean are they?
Particulates, 90% less
Hydrocarbons, 90% less
Carbon Monoxide, 90% less
Nitrogen Oxides, 50% less
Metro’s hybrid buses are the cutting-edge, representing a commitment to improving our environment. New advancements in engine and transmission technology mean clean-running, more efficient vehicles, with no decrease in Metro’s ability to get you where you need to go.
Metro’s hybrid buses are the same size and shape as its other 40-foot buses. They all carry 38 comfortably seated passengers, with a few more standing if needed. The engine and transmission - the drivetrain - are the big distinctions.
Metro’s hybrids have a combination of traditional diesel engines and electric motors. By using each to its best advantage, the system consumes less fuel, puts out fewer pollutants and still works in the real world. Metro’s hybrids also have regenerative braking. Every time the brakes are applied, energy from the wheels is converted to electricity, recharging the bus’s batteries. Braking wastes energy in normal vehicles, and generates energy in hybrids.Even before hybrid drivetrains Metro buses were one of the most economical and environmentally friendly modes of transportation available. For every mile traveled, public transportation uses about one half of the fuel consumed by automobiles, and about a third of that used by sport utility vehicles and light trucks*.
So, if feel like taking a ride on one of the most sophisticated, socially responsible vehicles on the road – hop on a Metro hybrid bus. You will not notice a big difference, but that is the point. Metro is public transportation that’s good for the whole public . . . even those that are not riding just yet.*courtesy of the American Public Transit Association
What is the savings?
Metro estimates a 25% to 30% reduction in fuel based on the efficiencies of the hybrid drivetrain. Savings are also anticipated from decreased maintenance costs associated with brakes, engines and transmissions.
How clean are they?
Particulates, 90% less
Hydrocarbons, 90% less
Carbon Monoxide, 90% less
Nitrogen Oxides, 50% less
'Stop Loss' Special Pay Application Deadline Approaches
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2010 - Defense Department officials are working to remind veterans and current servicemembers who were involuntarily retained in the military under the so-called "Stop Loss" program to apply for special pay before the Dec. 3 deadline.
Military members whose service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to a retroactive payment of $500 for each month of extension.
By law, servicemembers who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service are not eligible for the special pay, officials said, but they added that they strongly urge people who even think they may be eligible to submit an application before the deadline.
Information on the special pay and links to the application are available at http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.
About 65,000 of 145,000 eligible claims have been paid, and $243 million has been disbursed of the $534 million appropriated, officials said.
President Barack Obama released a video message Sept. 15 urging eligible servicemembers and veterans to apply.
"You served with honor. You did your duty. And when your country called on you again, you did your duty again," he said in the message. "Now, it's time to collect the special pay that you deserve."
The services are promoting the retroactive pay through national and regional media, direct mail, veteran and service organizations, websites and phone lines. Information about the special pay also has been included on civilian and retiree pay stubs.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2010 - Defense Department officials are working to remind veterans and current servicemembers who were involuntarily retained in the military under the so-called "Stop Loss" program to apply for special pay before the Dec. 3 deadline.
Military members whose service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to a retroactive payment of $500 for each month of extension.
By law, servicemembers who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service are not eligible for the special pay, officials said, but they added that they strongly urge people who even think they may be eligible to submit an application before the deadline.
Information on the special pay and links to the application are available at http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.
About 65,000 of 145,000 eligible claims have been paid, and $243 million has been disbursed of the $534 million appropriated, officials said.
President Barack Obama released a video message Sept. 15 urging eligible servicemembers and veterans to apply.
"You served with honor. You did your duty. And when your country called on you again, you did your duty again," he said in the message. "Now, it's time to collect the special pay that you deserve."
The services are promoting the retroactive pay through national and regional media, direct mail, veteran and service organizations, websites and phone lines. Information about the special pay also has been included on civilian and retiree pay stubs.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Carrizo Springs Agents Seize Marijuana
Del Rio, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Carrizo Springs station seized more than 200 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $164,000, Tuesday morning.
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At 6 a.m. Tuesday, agents patrolling FM 2644, also known as El Indio Highway, stopped a Ford F-150 pickup truck. After speaking to the driver and inspecting the vehicle, the agents requested the assistance of a canine unit. The canine alerted and a search of the vehicle yielded 98 packages of marijuana sealed in the roof of a camper shell.
The driver, a 24-year-old San Antonio man, was arrested and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the contraband which had a total weight of 206 pounds.
Randy Clark, patrol agent in charge of the Carrizo Springs Station commended agents on the seizure.
“Over time, we have seen smugglers go to great lengths to conceal humans and contraband,” Clark noted. “As the border in our area becomes increasingly more difficult to cross, these smugglers become even more creative.
“The Border Patrol agents who made this arrest and seizure have managed to counter this creativity through effective training, experience and their dedication to duty.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
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