Keeping Members Current

October 28 –Nov 4, 2009

Top Stories

Arizona
DEA strict drug enforcement making an impact on border states
Statistics released this year tell the story of how effective Arizona and neighboring states’
police enforcement has been over the last four years.

Drug smuggler now being prosecuted under new agreement with U.S. - Mexico
A Mexican man, who was arrested by U.S. federal law enforcement officers for attempting to
smuggle marijuana into the United States, will now be prosecuted under Mexican law. This
is the first such prosecution of its kind under a new agreement aimed at reducing narcotics
smuggling along Arizona's border with Mexico.

Iraqi father in custody; 20-year-old daughter/victim of “honor killing” dies

An Iraqi man accused of running down his daughter in Arizona because she had become
"too Westernized" has been taken into custody in Atlanta, Georgia.

Arizona Supreme Court: Public records law requires disclosure of hidden data
Hidden data embedded in electronic public records must be disclosed under Arizona's public
records law, the state Supreme Court said in a groundbreaking ruling. The Supreme Court's
unanimous decision overturned lower court rulings. It is the first by a state supreme court on
whether a public records law applies to so-called "metadata."

Suspicious removal of luggage from Sky Harbor airport baggage carousel leads to
arrest
Two people have been arrested for stealing thousands of baggage items from Phoenix Sky
Harbor International Airport. It all started after a Phoenix police officer observed something
very suspicious three weeks ago near an airport luggage carousel.

Colorado
Multi-state FBI crackdown recovers 52 children
Law enforcement authorities have recovered 52 children and arrested 60 pimps allegedly
involved in child prostitution. More than 690 people in all were arrested on state and local
charges, the FBI stated. The three-day operation, tagged Operation Cross Country IV,
included enforcement actions in 36 cities across 30 FBI divisions nationwide.

Police crush sex offender's car

Officials in the police department wanted to figure out the most eye-catching way to make a
statement about pursuing sex offenders. They came up with the idea of a news conference,
with the main event being the smashing of a sex offender’s car.
Pot dispensaries look for state regulation
Amendment 20, a state constitutional amendment passed in 2000, legalizes medicinal
marijuana use in Colorado. In a statement, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers called
Amendment 20 "very vague and contains no meaningful regulatory scheme," leaving local
governments grappling with how to deal with marijuana dispensaries.

U.S. Marshal: 106 arrests made in sex offender sweep

Operation Shepard 2009, spear-headed by the U.S. Marshal's Office, results in 106 arrests;
more than 2,000 compliance checks were completed in Colorado and Wyoming. (RMIN Intel
has been assisting Weld County Sheriff's Office in Colorado with this ongoing operation by
running commercial database reports and other systems in an attempt to locate the sex
offender absconders' last known addresses.)

Supreme Court upholds ban on traffic stops based on a caller's tip

The United States Supreme Court “has let stand a ruling in Virginia that police officers must
personally observe erratic driving before stopping a suspected drunken driver.” In point of
fact, the Court turned down (without comment) the opportunity to hear an appeal.

Idaho
Multi-state bogus tax return scheme resulted in $562 million in refunds
Federal authorities have filed lawsuits against seven people accused of promoting a bogus
tax return scheme seeking a total of $562 million in refunds. The Justice Department cases
were filed against individuals in Pocatello, Los Angeles, Panama City, Salt Lake City and
Nashville.

Alleged bank robber in court

"The Defendant has admitted to law enforcement that he has robbed two banks, as well as
the Marriott Hotel all within the last eight days…all within a meth fueled sleep deprived crime
spree," said an Ada County prosecutor.

Domestic violence money goes to Idaho tribes

The U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women is providing $500,000 to
the tribes. The Idaho State Journal reports the money will be used to fund a women's shelter
and to provide transitional assistance to victims of domestic violence.

Montana
Montana's PTSD program going national
Montana's program to aggressively screen combat veterans for signs of mental trauma is
going national. Current programs vary from state to state and are often not as rigorous as
the Montana program.

Montana attorney general unveils new online map of violent, sexual offenders
Attorney General Steve Bullock says the state's sex offender registry now has an Internet
mapping feature. The program lets people type in an address and get a map showing
nearby registered sexual and violent offenders.

Hundreds gather in Bozeman for anti-hate rally

Hundreds of people took part in a march and rally against hate in Bozeman, part of an effort
to counteract a much smaller white supremacy demonstration held a few weeks ago.
Bozeman men accused of trucking stolen goods to Helena to sell them
Two Bozeman men are accused of showing up at a Helena pawn shop with a truck nearly
overflowing with about $20,000 worth of stolen goods.

Nevada
Numerous arrests in Operation Trick-or-Treat
Local police agencies and the U.S. Marshals teamed up to target non-compliant sex-
offenders prior to the Halloween holiday. Of 51 suspects arrested during a five-day operation,
31 were for sex related offenses.

Money possible motive in 1989 double murder

A double murder from 1989 remains unsolved but the cold case detective believes the case
could still be solved. The bodies of Russell Boyd, 64, and Levirl Tolman, 65, both of Twin
Falls, were discovered Aug. 19, 1989, south of Jackpot. Both victims were shot at a range of
15 to 20 feet and were facing the shooter when killed. Anyone with information on this
incident should call the Elko County Sheriff’s Office at 738-3421 or anonymously at 738-
HELP.

New program aimed at identifying victims of domestic violence

Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez has teamed up with the State Board of
Cosmetology and the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence to launch the Cut It Out
Program. Hair stylists from around the state have learned to identify signs of domestic
violence and to offer informational cards at salons. The program goes to cosmetology
schools to train employees and teaches them how to respond appropriately.

New Mexico
Nun's death on Navajo reservation is federal investigation
A nun has been found dead in her residence at a church in a small community on the Navajo
Indian reservation near the Arizona-New Mexico border, the FBI said Monday. Authorities
and officials with the Diocese of Gallup, which oversees the parish in Navajo, said they were
not sure whether Sister Bartz or the church was the target, or if the attack was a random act.
The vehicle belonging to the slain nun has been recovered in Arizona.

Man who allegedly tried to kill Pueblo police officer now facing additional charges
Robert Howard Bruce was arrested on October 10 for the attempted murder of a Pueblo
police officer and his family. Monday, authorities are expected to announce several additional
charges against Bruce, including sexual assault and rape, stemming from New Mexico
cases.

Crime wave hits University of New Mexico area

Residents in the area of the University of New Mexico have reported an increase in
burglaries involving businesses, homes and vehicles.

Crime spree ends in arrest

Police have arrested a Farmington man on suspicion of vehicle theft and are investigating
him in connection with an armed robbery and other crimes that covered several jurisdictions.
Utah
Provo River Trail assaults: Caution urged
With yet another assault on a woman who was jogging on the Provo River Trail, officers are
advising citizens to use the trail with caution.

Wyoming
Ingrams plead guilty
Former Laramie attorney, Robert Ingram, 38, and his wife pleaded guilty on Friday in Albany
County District Court to charges of conspiring to sell ecstasy near a public school.

Two charged in Fox Park embezzlement

Two people have been arrested in connection to a massive embezzlement scheme involving
a former bookkeeper for the Fox Park Homeowners Association.

Hate crime expansion becomes law

The legislation, the first expansion of federal hate crime law since its passage in 1968, gives
federal authorities power to pursue charges in violent crimes motivated by the victims' sexual
orientation, gender identity or disability. Previously, hate crimes only applied to violent acts
against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color or national origin. Wyoming's
congressional delegation opposed the legislation, saying current state laws already work to
punish those who commit violent acts against gays and lesbians.

Child molester gets 230 years behind bars

Larry Lorenz Burg was sentenced to 230 years behind bars for sexually abusing seven
elementary-age girls between July 2004 and January 2009. (Lin)

Canada
Police arrest fugitive son of Detroit imam in Windsor
The fugitive son of an imam shot dead by U.S. federal agents Wednesday was arrested
Thursday in downtown Windsor, Ontario, and is in the custody of Canadian border
authorities, the FBI said.

Major Alberta cocaine ring busted; nine charged

Police netted 11 kilograms of cocaine worth almost $1.5 million from what they say was a
sophisticated drug operation that moved 30 to 50 kilograms of cocaine around the country
every month. Not only did the network supply some street gangs and organized crime
groups in Alberta, the reach of the operation was so broad it stretched from Vancouver to
Newfoundland, police said.

Seventh severed human foot found washed up on B.C. shore

A human right foot in a running shoe has been found on a beach in the Vancouver suburb of
Richmond, the seventh such discovery on B.C. shores since 2007. Police said there has
been no evidence to date of foul play in relation to these discoveries. Police have identified
one foot, found in 2007 and belonging to a man who had been reported missing.

Pictures of fugitive sex offender Dean Zimmerman’s tattoos have been released
Cops have issued new photos of a high-risk sex offender in hopes of tracking down the
fugitive. Police have released new photos showing Zimmerman's tattoos on his arm,
stomach and back to gain information about his whereabouts.
Jury quick to convict six in murders of Toronto Bandidos bikers
The six defendants were convicted of a total of 44 counts of first-degree murder and four
counts of manslaughter in the April 2006 execution-style killings of eight members of the
Toronto chapter of the Bandidos biker gang.