Category: LegacyImport2

10 People Charged in $1.5 Million Fraud Scheme; 3 Are From Gloucester City

CAMDEN CITY, N.J.(February 14, 2020) – Ten people from South Jersey and Philadelphia have been charged with participating in a scheme to defraud individuals, companies, and financial institutions by misappropriating the victims’ bank account information and using that information to withdraw over $1.5 million in funds to which they were not entitled, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Kayla Massa, 22, of Gloucester City; Leire Massa, 19, of Laurel Springs; William Logan, 22, of Gloucester City; Jordan Herrin, 22, of Berlin; Erasmo Feliciano, 19, Laurel Springs; Kevin McDaniels, 18, of Sicklerville; Jabreel Martin, 20, of Philadelphia; Dezhon McCrae, 20, of Penns Grove, New Jersey; Andrew Johnson, 21, of Gloucester City; and Alex Haines 27, of Woodbury; are charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court today and on Feb.13, 2020.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Postal inspectors connected stolen postal money orders to a series of fraudulent bank account activities at various area banks. They discovered a network of individuals in the Sicklerville, Clementon, and Gloucester City areas who posted advertisements on Instagram and Snapchat, offering people the ability to make “quick cash” if they banked at certain institutions. Some members of the conspiracy then acquired individuals’ banking information using a ruse, while others printed counterfeit checks that they deposited into the accounts. Members of the conspiracy also used victims’ debit cards to withdraw cash and make large purchases, including purchases of money orders. The group financed purchases of luxury items, including jewelry, watches, other luxury goods and apparel, vehicles, with the stolen funds. In most cases, the victims of this scheme suffered financial losses and credit problems as a result. The estimated loss at this time exceeds $1.5 million.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Services, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge John Walker; special agents of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian Michael in Newark; the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos; the Glassboro Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Polillo; New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Woodbury City Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas Ryan; the Gloucester Township Police Department – Special Investigations Unit, under the direction of Chief David J. Harkins; the Winslow Police Department, under the direction of Chief George M. Smith; and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office – Fugitive Investigations Unit, under the direction of Prosecutor Charles Fiore, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisa Shver of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Indiana Legionnaires/Lawmakers Support Homeless Veterans

By

Cameran Richardson

FEB 11, 2020

American Legion Department of Indiana National Executive Committeeman Jerry Jordan helps during the homeless veterans donation drive at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis on Monday, Feb. 10. Photo by Ben Mikesell/The American Legion

Data from the Department of Veterans Affairs shows that the homeless veterans population in the state of Indiana has increased by 6 percent in the last year. As a result, anywhere from 300 to 400 homeless or at-risk veterans visit the food pantry at the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) in downtown Indianapolis every month.

Together, the American Legion Department of Indiana and state lawmakers are helping those veterans in need by creating 500 care packages filled with non-perishable food and toiletries.

“Who better to take care of homeless veterans than veterans who understand the struggle when you transition out of the military, essentially leaving behind your second family, and you have to recreate yourself and assimilate back into civilian society,” said Department of Indiana Adjutant John Crosby.

The Helping Our Hoosier Heroes Donation Drive brought Legion leadership and Legion Family members from across the state to the fourth floor of the Indiana Statehouse the morning of Feb. 10 to fill grocery bags with the 3,000 care items stacked on tables. HVAF will be one of four shelter destinations to receive the care packages for homeless veterans statewide.

“This is coming at a really great time for us because our donations are down for the pantry and demand is high,” said Ashlee Walls, vice president of Advancement at HVAF.

The opportunity for the Department of Indiana and state lawmakers to work together arrived when homeless veterans issues became the charitable cause for the House legislative year.

“We are just overwhelmed by the service of Hoosiers to our nation. So policymakers want to do everything that we can to help support those who served our nation and served our state as well,” said Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Brian Bosma. “We all understand the importance of encouraging that (military) service and supporting our veterans. So we were thrilled that The American Legion of Indiana stepped forward and said, ‘We’ll help you with this.’”

Donations for the care packages poured in from the Legion Family, lawmakers and community. “There’s been a lot of community effort come together for this,” Crosby said.

As House Democrats and Republicans came out of legislative session, Legionnaires walked around the tables with them to fill grocery bags, discuss homeless veterans issues and get their picture taken.

“They appreciate what we stand for, what we do, what we’ve done and they want to help us help others,” said Tommy Goul, a Desert Storm Air Force veteran and member of Post 437 in Selma, Ind. “Anytime we can give back to veterans is great. And anytime I get a chance to be a part of this, I’m all in for it.”

The homeless veterans initiative at the Statehouse also served as an opportunity for members to discuss American Legion initiatives, legislative priorities and membership. Indiana American Legion 10th District Commander Ron Patterson spoke with Rep. Steve Davisson’s about the need for more county service officers to help veterans with their benefits claims. Crosby said currently the Department of Indiana represents about 63,000 of the 85,000 service-connected disabled veterans with claims.

“These care packages will help (the homeless veterans) for a few days, but the bigger idea here is that we get them in touch with a service officer and show them that there is help out there to get off the street and get rehabilitated,” Crosby said.

During their conversation, Patterson learned that Davisson’s son, Jay, is a disabled veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan war who currently is a full-time caregiver for his wife who has a terminal brain tumor. Patterson extended the invitation to invite Jay and his wife into the Legion Family by paying for his dues. “We will help take care of him,” Patterson said.

Davisson handed Patterson a business card to make the Legion Family connection happen.

“A lot of good things are going on here,” said Department of Indiana Commander Allen Connelly. “(The Helping Our Hoosier Heroes Donation Drive) really helps to shine a light on the veteran community and problems with homelessness.”

source

https://www.legion.org

EPA Says: No Need To ‘Warm Up’ Modern Vehicles In Cold Weather

CAR CARE COUNCIL BE CAR CARE AWARE

(NAPSI)—When the weather is cold, many motorists wonder if they need to let their vehicle “warm up” or idle before driving. In fact, today’s modern cars are ready to drive in cold temperatures without

You may have to bundle up before you drive in cold weather but your modern car is ready to go, with no need to idle a while

.

excessive idling.

The idea of idling before driving dates back to when cars were built with carburetors. With new fuel-injection technology, complex computer systems and thinner synthetic oils, drivers don’t need to warm up their cars before hitting the road.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “When a car idles for more than 30 seconds, it has several negative effects, such as increasing air pollution unnecessarily, wasting fuel and money and causing excessive wear or even damaging a car’s engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs and the exhaust system. Contrary to popular belief, idling isn’t an effective way to warm up most car engines.”

“Unless you are trying to defrost the windshield or warm the interior of your car, idling is not required for today’s vehicles,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “In most cases, idling longer than 30 seconds is unnecessary, even on the coldest days. The best way to warm up your car’s engine is to drive gently at the start. Remember, a vehicle gets zero miles per gallon when idling and the result is lower fuel economy and wasted money.”

The Car Care Council has a free 80-page Car Care Guide for motorists that features several pages of fuel economy and environmental awareness tips. Available in English and Spanish, the popular guide uses easy-to-understand, everyday language rather than technical automotive jargon and fits easily in a glove box.

The non-profit Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.

To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at

www.carcare.org

.

On-Site Assessment of the Mantua Police Dept.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MANTUA TOWNSHIP, NJ (February 13, 2020)–The Mantua Township Police Department is scheduled for an on-site assessment as part of its program to achieve accreditation by verifying that it meets recognized professional best practices.

Administered by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with best practice standards in five basic areas: the administrative function, the personnel function, the operations function, the investigative function, and the arrestee/detainee function.

Agency employees and the public are invited to offer comments by calling 856-468-1920, option 2, on Monday, March 2, 2020 between the hours of 10:00am and 11:00am. Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team. Email comments can be sent to the police department at

mantuapd@mantuatownship.com

.

Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. A copy of the standards is available for inspection at the Mantua Township Police Department, 405 Main Street Mantua, NJ 08051. Please contact Lt. Shaun Butler at 856-468-1920 ext. 1546 for more information.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Mantua Township Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them by email to Harry J Delgado, Ed.S Accreditation Program Director,

hdelgado@njsacop.org

, or write to the New Jersey State Association of Chief’s of Police, Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission at 751 Route 73 North, Suite 12, Marlton, N.J. 08053.

Address/Location

Mantua Twp. Police Department, NJ

405 Main Street

Mantua, NJ 08051

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-468-1920

Step-Brother Sentenced for Brutal Killing of his Sister in Camden City

Camden City, N.J. — A Camden City man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for the brutal killing of his sister inside the family home, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Camden County Police Chief Joseph D. Wysocki.

Ramike Medina-Brown, 24, of Camden City (photo)was sentenced to 27 years subject to the No Early Release Act by Judge Gwendolyn Blue. Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ellen Murphy prosecuted the matter for the State.

Medina-Brown pled guilty Jan. 10, 2020 to killing his 53-year-old sister, Eileen “Tweety-Bird” Brown inside the home where he lived with the elderly Brown parents, who had adopted him at the age of five.

Eileen Brown was the biological daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Brown went to her parents’ home May 25, 2019, to assist in caring for her elderly mother. Detectives learned that Mr. and Mrs. Brown later left their home to celebrate Memorial Day with another daughter and her husband, leaving Brown and Medina-Brown in the family home together.

Family members became concerned when Brown never arrived at her sister’s home for dinner. When the family arrived back to their home that evening, they found Brown’s body in the basement.  She had been fatally stabbed multiple times.

Detective Brad Redrow of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and Detective Sean Miller of the Camden County Metro Police Department tracked down surveillance footage of Medina-Brown leaving the family home in a cab alone that afternoon carrying several bags.

With cooperation from Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Police, Redrow and Miller located additional footage of Medina-Brown pushing through a gate at a PATCO Station in Philadelphia. DRPA Police found two bags of bloody clothing that Medina-Brown threw in the trash and on the train tracks at the station.

Medina-Brown was captured in New York City June 15, 2019, where he fled after killing Eileen.

Under No Early Release Act guidelines, Medina-Brown must serve nearly 23 years before becoming eligible for parole.

McWilliams sparks Ramapo past Rutgers-Camden men

MAHWAH, N.J. (Feb. 12, 2020) – The Ramapo College men’s basketball team received 26 points from senior center Rob McWilliams to lead four players in double figures as it pulled away from Rutgers University-Camden, 74-54, in a New Jersey Athletic

Conference game here Wednesday night.

Ramapo improves to 14-9 overall and 10-6 in the NJAC with its 10th straight win over Rutgers-Camden. The Roadrunners lead the all-time series, 53-15.

The Scarlet Raptors fall to 7-16 overall and 5-11 in the NJAC.

In a tight first half, the teams traded several leads and were tied at 24-24 when a three-pointer by McWilliams gave the Roadrunners the lead for good. Ramapo scored 15 of the last 22 points in the half on the way to a 39-31 advantage at the break. McWilliams had 16 points at the break to lead all scorers, while his teammate, senior guard Connor Romano, added 12. Rutgers-Camden received 14 first-half points from senior forward/center

Isaac Destin.

In the second half, the closest Rutgers-Camden came was six points (43-37 and 45-39) as Ramapo led by double digits most of the way. The final 20-point margin was the biggest of the game for the Roadrunners.

McWilliams shot 12-for-21 from the floor on his way to 26 points, while adding nine rebounds. Senior forward Jordan Zagadou added 14 point and four blocks for the Roadrunners, while Roman finished with 12 and sophomore center Jordan Battle added 10. Battle also had five assists to tie the Raptors’ junior guard

Arian Azemi

for game-high honors.

Junior guard Marquise Kindel had a game-high 17 rebounds for Ramapo, which dominated the boards, 45-24.

Destin notched 20 points and six rebounds for the Scarlet Raptors, shooting 9-for-10 from the floor. He also had six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Azemi added 10 points for Rutgers-Camden.

The Raptors shot 20-for-54 (37.0 percent) from the floor, while the Roadrunners went 30-for-59 (50.8).

Rutgers-Camden returns home for a 3 p.m. NJAC game Saturday against New Jersey City University. The Scarlet Raptors will celebrate Senior Day, when they honor Destin, their lone senior.

Letters to Aunt Hattie Event February 22

Burlington County Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson announced today that the Women’s Advisory Council is hosting an event to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

“The performance, Letters to Aunt Hattie, celebrates women’s suffrage as well as the contribution of African-American women to the movement,” said Freeholder Director Felicia Hopson. “This one-woman show is truly inspirational and allows us to reflect on and appreciate the legacies of women like Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke who shaped the women’s rights movement.”

The event will be held on Saturday, February 22 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Library Auditorium on Pioneer Blvd. in Westampton. It is free and open to the public.

The play is written and performed by Gilletta McGraw based on the real-life activists Harriet Forten Purvis and Charlotte Forten Grimke.

Charlotte Forten, a young, bright student, begins writing letters to her favorite aunt, Aunt Hattie. Through these letters, Charlotte shares her thoughts during her studies and learns about some of the monumental accomplishments of the women in her family. During their back-and-forth correspondence, Charlotte grows in her activism and dedication to serve the oppressed and fight for equality.

Additionally, Harriet Forten Purvis was an African-American abolitionist and first-generation suffragist. With her mother and sisters, she formed the first biracial women’s abolitionist group, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, which was the first biracial women’s abolitionist group. She also hosted anti-slavery events at her home and bravely ran an Underground Railroad station, and fought against Segregation.

“This is just one of the events that the Council will be hosting this year to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage,” concluded Freeholder Hopson. “We hope that everyone will join us. The anniversary gives us the opportunity to recognize those who have made a difference in history and empower younger generations.”

The Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council works to identify and address issues that affect women in Burlington County, raise public awareness of the special needs and roles of women, provide mentoring opportunities for women, and enhance the quality of life for all women. For more information follow the Council on Facebook at @BurlingtonCountyWomen or visit: http://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council

Curtis Miller and Ryan Wilkins Guilty of Murder

Curtis Miller (L) and Ryan Wilkins (R) taken in 2018

Camden City, N.J. (February 13, 2020)–– Two men were found guilty Feb. 12 in the November 2018 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Thomas Reyes in Camden, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Camden County Police Chief Joseph D. Wysocki.

Brothers Curtis Miller, 26, and Ryan Wilkins, 24, both of Camden, were found guilty by a jury of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, accomplice to murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the murder of Thomas Reyes.

The trial for both defendants began Jan, 7; the jury reached their verdict after two days of deliberation. Acting Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Spittal represented the State at trial.

Camden County Police officers initially found Reyes suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1000 block of Carl Miller Blvd. in Camden Nov. 20, 2018 after a ShotSpotter activation went off. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

The extensive investigation was led by Detective James Brining of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office along with Sgt. Gordon Harvey and Detective Shawn Donlon of the Camden County Police Department.

The team tracked down surveillance footage that captured the defendants fleeing the scene of the homicide in a vehicle they later abandoned on a nearby street. Additional surveillance footage showed the defendants discarding their clothing as they continued to run from the area.

During the trial, Agent William Shute of the Federal Bureau of Investigation testified cell phone records placed Miller in the area at the time of the homicide.

Spittal also presented evidence that showed that Miller contacted the registered vehicle owner after the shooting and told them to report the vehicle stolen.  Further testimony revealed that the clothing that was discarded by Curtis Miller tested positive for gunshot residue.

Miller and Wilkins face a minimum of 30 years to a maximum of life behind bars. They’re scheduled for sentencing March 26, 2020 before the Honorable Judge Gwendolyn Blue.

Derek Sprague Named 2020 United States Junior Ryder Cup Team Captain

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.

(Feb. 13, 2020)

–

The PGA of America has named PGA Past President Derek Sprague, PGA as the Captain of the 2020 United States Junior Ryder Cup Team. The United States will face Team Europe in the 12th Junior Ryder Cup at Blue Mound Golf and Country Club near Milwaukee, Sept. 21-22.

A 2019 inductee into the PGA of America Hall of Fame, Sprague is the General Manager of TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where he has served since 2017. He previously was the Managing Director of Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey and oversaw the club’s preparation for the 2017 Presidents Cup. For 27 years prior, Sprague was the General Manager and Director of Golf at Malone (New York) Golf Club.

In 2019, he captained the United States PGA Cup Team to a stirring comeback victory over Great Britain & Ireland.

Through Sprague’s leadership as PGA President from 2014-16, the PGA was instrumental in growing the game through player development and youth programs, such as PGA Jr. League and the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship. In addition, he co-chaired the Ryder Cup Task Force, which created a long-term blueprint for success in the event. Sprague also served the Association as PGA Honorary President, PGA Vice President and PGA Secretary.

The American team is vying for its seventh straight victory in the biennial competition with Europe, and the United States holds an overall record of 7-3-1 in the event. Among the Junior Ryder Cup alumni are major champions, PGA Tour players and LPGA Tour players including: Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Hunter Mahan, Tony Finau, Lexi Thompson, Alison Lee and Brittany Altomare of the United States; and Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Colsaerts, Suzann Pettersen, Emily Pedersen and Carlota Ciganda of Europe. The European Team recently named 1999 U.S. Open Champion Paul Lawrie as its Captain.

The U.S. Team will feature six boys and six girls who are U.S. citizens and members of the high school graduating class of 2021, or younger. All potential players must compete in the 2020 Girls or Boys Junior PGA Championship to be eligible unless exceptional circumstances prevent the player from competing. There will be 10 players who qualify as exemptions and two Captain’s picks. The final U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team will be announced by the PGA of America on Monday, Aug. 3, following the 45th Girls Junior PGA Championship.

“It is a great honor to represent the United States and captain a team of the finest junior golfers in our country,” said Sprague. “I look forward to our team competing against Europe’s top players, led by their distinguished Captain Paul Lawrie, in this special international event.”

The idea for the Junior Ryder Cup came about in 1995, when a team of Europeans, including Sergio Garcia, played an informal exhibition match against the Central New York PGA Section and area juniors. Two years later, the Junior Ryder Cup was formally introduced as an event, at Alcaidesa Links Golf Course, in Cadiz, Spain, and won by the United States, 7-5.

The United States captured the 2018 Junior Ryder Cup at Disneyland Paris 12 1/2 to 11 1/2 for its sixth consecutive victory.

For more information on the Junior Ryder Cup, visit

JuniorPGAChampionship.com/junior-ryder-cup

or contact Championship Manager Trenton Blundell, PGA at (561) 624-8490.

CNB SPORTS NEWS: Lexus, and the Metropolitan Golf Association, will Host Complimentary Golf Clinics

(NAPSI)—As golf remains a significant piece of business and social culture, it’s important for women to feel confident on the course. Knowing the basics of the game could encourage participation in key business decisions taking place on the course every day. Nearly 5 million women play golf these days and if you’re among them—or would like to be—here are a few facts and tips you should know.

Lydia Ko, the youngest player in golf history to be ranked No. 1 in the world.

Where To Turn

Lexus, in partnership with the Metropolitan Golf Association, will host another round of complimentary golf clinics this season to familiarize women in the tristate area with the game and spur their love for the sport.

• On May 8, 2019, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Golf & Body NYC with a special guest speaker.

• On June 20, 2019, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bethpage State Park.

• In July 2019 in the Westchester, N.Y. and Conn. area (check the website

www.mgagolf.org/wgolf

for the latest details).

During each event, attendees are taught the basics of putting and chipping, then offered one-on-one counsel from golf pros.

For further inspiration, there are TED-style talks from female golfing legends. The evening also includes light refreshments, gift bags, and the opportunity to meet other professional women in a fun and casual setting.

What’s Being Done

This is just part of Lexus’s involvement with women’s golf. The company sponsors such legends as:

• Lydia Ko, the youngest player in golf history to be ranked No. 1 in the world.

• Annika Sörenstam, considered the greatest female golfer of her generation.

• Natalie Gulbis, one of the most popular players on the LPGA Tour.

The car company says that they, like it, carefully hone their craft every day, remain focused on their game and strive for perfection.

Useful Tips

To help your golf game:

1. Swing high. Swing the clubhead several inches off the ground so you’re more likely to swing around your body instead of up and down.

2. Aim to go through, not to, the ball.

3. Give yourself room. Set up with a wide stance, ball forward, weight on your right side and a tilt in your shoulders. Hold the driver far enough away from your body to allow for a big, powerful swing.

4. Follow through. When you finish your swing, 90 percent of your weight should be on the left side, with your hips and chest left of the target.

Learn More

For more information, visit

www.mgagolf.org/wgolf

and

www.lexus.com

.