Its not an indication that something is widespread. This is unique to this neighborhood. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. Outlaw said Wednesday that the force learned many lessons in 2021. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. 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. The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. 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. 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. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). Something went wrong. Authorities say six more men with connections to the shooting Yameen Mofield, Saheem Tart, Carlos Bristow, Hyfese Richardson, Kameron Purnell, and Walik Grant remain at large. One is on South Street, at the 300 block that houses the Theater of Living Arts, cheesesteak shop Ishkabibbles, and an assortment of pubs. Similarly bustling corridors in other areas of the city experienced totals that mirrored these five blocks of South Street. Call to action planned for Fanta Bility outside Delaware County Courthouse. Throughout 2016 and 2017, LCN members allegedly collected debts from loans that had annual interest rates as high as 156 percent to 400 percent. 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. He resigned later that year after his conviction and returned home from prison to become a Democratic ward leader in Fishtown. Mayor Jim Kenneys latest budget proposal calls for $18.7 million in additional funding for the citys anti-violence efforts. Also arrested Thursday were Eric Woodard, 24; Javuan Parris, 24; and Aquil Collins, 25, according to Krasner. The investigation was also conducted by the U.S. There are too many people that have made pleas saying, Look, I want to feel safe. Join us as a sustaining member to make sure we stick around. He was sworn in for a third term on the day his trial started in Brooklyn in 1981. Beren, who also worked as a constituent services representative in Squillas office up until last year, could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday, and it was not yet clear whether she had retained an attorney. Nope, another fake Citizen alert, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) A call placed to Berens South Philadelphia home went unanswered. There was also no significant change after DA Krasner decriminalized a number of minor offenses in February 2018, including marijuana possession and some prostitution violations. Our fair citys long list of politicians who have been convicted for corrupt schemes includes at least eight who sought reelection with a verdict either looming or already decided. Philadelphias former district attorney spent much of his career investigating corruption and other illegal activity. I dont feel safe. Mayor Jim Kenney said the combination of poverty and easy accessibility of guns is driving the problem. Court filings accuse her only of adding 10 to 15 fraudulent ballots per election. 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. As a community, what Im asking, is that we get away from the blame game. 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. This tradition dates back more than four decades to the Abscam scandal, an expansive federal investigation that ensnared dozes of politicians, including two U.S. House members from the city. Murdaugh, 54, The most serious of the charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. BBC "Newshour" covers everything from the growth of democracy to the threat of terrorism with a fresh, clear perspective from across the globe. As of 2019, Queen Village was just over 70% white, while South Street has a long, separate history as a hub for Black activism, commerce, and entertainment. But community leaders say a peace movement is building. (The government doesnt make clear how she knew they wouldnt show up.) They did so in defiance of the Philadelphia carpenters union, which backed Kenneys primary opponent, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams.
. 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. And 2015 is when the alleged conspiracy begins. Henon, convicted with Dougherty on bribery charges in 2021, is due to start serving a 3-year federal prison sentence in 10 days. Thats the reason why disputes turn into killings as opposed to fistfights., Commissioner Outlaw said, The current levels of violence in the city cannot ever be deemed or accepted as normal.. 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. More than a year It was inside a Philadelphia polling place like this one that Mark Squilla staffer Marie Beren is accused by the feds of conspiring to commit voter fraud. Lets get away from that and lets come to the table, said Robinson. We have to be agile and we have to be willing to be introspective and look at whatever our original plan was, where we need to make tweaks, reorganize and restructure if need be, she said. Investigators with the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force used surveillance footage, evidence culled from social media, and witnesses to make the arrests and clear 19 shooting incidents, including three homicides. Some Philly antiviolence activists point to new efforts to stop the shooting block by block as a sign of hope. Brown, and Dom14, 41; Joseph Servidio, aka Joey Electric, 60; Salvatore Mazzone, aka Sonny, 55; Joseph Malone, 70; Louis Barretta, aka Louie Sheep, 56; Victor DeLuca, aka Big Vic, 56; Kenneth Arabia, aka Kenny, 67; Daniel Castelli, aka Danny, Cozzy, aka Butch, aka Harry, age 67; Carl Chianese, age 81; Anthony Gifoli, aka Tony Meatballs, 72; John Romeo, 58; Daniel Malatesta, 75; Daniel Bucceroni, 66; and John Michael Payne, 33. Im more worried about these low-level crimes creating a wellspring where everything goes, Ingersoll said, arguing that city departments need to work together to monitor how bars, clubs, and BYOBs are enabling crime with lax policies around drinking. 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. A drug operation that stretched from Los Angeles to the Philadelphia region has been broken up, resulting in multiple arrests. In-depth analysis and commentary on today's biggest news stories as only the BBC can deliver. Theyre everywhere.. 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. From 2015 to 2019, between 1 and 4 incidents were recorded each year. There were seven murders in the first four days of 2022, the same amount compared to this time last year. Meyers sometimes directed Beren in the middle of Election Day to shift her efforts from one of Myers preferred candidates to another if Myers concluded that his first choice was comfortably ahead, authorities said. Intercept Letters Go Out in South Philly on Federal Probe of Alleged Mob Connected Loansharking Operation. Two men were killed as they entered a rowhouse in South Philadelphias Passyunk Square neighborhood Monday afternoon. 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. Its an enormous loss, mostly of young Black men. 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. Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Guide: Derek Green, Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Guide: Maria Quiones Snchez, Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Guide: Cherelle Parker, This search result is here to prevent scraping, How Philly Cheesesteaks Became a Big Deal in Lahore, Pakistan, The Most Bizarre Moment from Last Night's Philly Mayoral Debate. 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. Across the area, crime rates briefly rebounded in 2019 but then dropped after the pandemic hit in 2020. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. After 562 people were murdered in the city in 2021, Philadelphia Police The corridor experienced a small uptick in violent crime during 2021, with 7 total incidents that year. The campaign calls the support unprecedented in a Philadelphia mayoral election. Even accounting for this recent increase, the numbers show that South Street is one of the safest areas in the city. Phillys newly elected mayor will need to address the gun violence crisis. const iframe = document.getElementById("newspack-iframe-2WNqdwq2Fl96"); In Myers case, despite the seriousness of the allegations, prosecutors have not alleged that the votes purportedly added by Demuro and Beren in South Philadelphias 39th Ward were enough to tip the balance in their district, let alone the city, in favor of Myers preferred candidates. const timerId = setInterval( function() { As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. As described in the superseding indictment, the Philadelphia LCN sought to use its reputation and influence to exercise control over criminal rackets like sports bookmaking and loansharking operating in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, particularly Atlantic City. 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. A superseding indictment unsealed today reveals how members and associates of the Sicilian Mafia organization La Cosa Nostra, ages 33 to 81, worked to reclaim territory in Atlantic City by extorting local bookmakers and loansharks and distributed cocaine, oxycodone, heroin, fentanyl, and other illegal drugs. According to federal prosecutors, the mob also conspired to kidnap or murder a drug dealer who sold members fake methamphetamine. Philadelphia Eagles players, organization team up to help anti-violence efforts. Not so in Philly. In this case, that polling place was located at the Seafarers Union Hall at 4th and Shunk streets. 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. const timerId = setInterval( function() { Now, a lack of consensus between residents and business owners is shaping conversations about crime and safety and ultimately who the neighborhood is for. Krasner recaps a very rough week of gun violence in Philly, After some recent improvement in gun homicide numbers, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner says this past week was very rough., New details emerge in shooting death of 8-year-old girl at Academy Park High School football game. A superseding indictment was unsealed today against 15 defendants, including alleged members and associates of the South Philadelphia and Southern New WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As such, there is zero tolerance for corruption of the electoral process.. }
Investigators say Evans would ship drugs from Los Angeles to the other defendants using UPS, FedEx and the US Postal Service. 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 The men were found with numerous gunshot wounds inside a property on the 1600 block of South 10th Street, police said. 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. King says Beren is no longer employed by Squillas office. 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. Prosecutors say that these fraudulent votes were cast for candidates at every level of government, from municipal to state to federal. He swears a vow of secrecy, agreeing not to divulge LCN business to non-members, or even to acknowledge the organizations existence. 20% of Philadelphia's federal housing subsidies expire in the next decade. 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. 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. Williams charged Beren, a staffer for Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla, with four counts of voter fraud and related offenses, including conspiracy. A Philadelphia man admitted to fatally stabbing his girlfriend inside a casino hotel room in Atlantic City. Its the rhetoric around the incident that bothers me the most, Jenea Robinson told Billy Penn. A boost for Parker from across the Delaware Philadelphia mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker has started consolidating support from some top Democrats in the city and now, apparently, from across the Delaware River. The charges filed Wednesday against Beren mirror the accusations in the Demuro case. Prior to this year, the neighborhood saw some of the lowest rates of gun violence in the city, averaging less than 10 victims per year even as the city overall saw shootings creep upwards from already record-high rates. Last year, prosecutors accused Myers of paying another South Philly election judge to pad vote totals in his ward on behalf of candidates he was representing. const iframe = document.getElementById("newspack-iframe-e4EC5PXESfQ1"); The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Alexander Gottfried of the Criminal Divisions Organized Crime and Gang Section Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ortiz of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Nobody wants to hear that. She installed her replacement, prosecutors say. While crime is generally low on South Street, reports of violence are especially rare, accounting for only a handful of incidents each year. PROVIDENCE, R.I. A Providence man who acted as a supplier of fentanyl to a mid-level drug trafficker was sentenced today to nearly six-and-a-half years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. struggle to make arrests in both fatal and non-fatal shootings. Two men were killed as they entered a rowhouse in South Philadelphias Passyunk Square neighborhood Monday afternoon. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. Myers went back to federal prison last year on a bribery and ballot-stuffing beef. Three Sharon Hill police officers opened fire on a vehicle outside the Academy Park High School football stadium, sources say. A 33-year-old man was shot 15 times, and another man, who police said was likely in his 20s, was shot five times. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. State Sen. LeAnna Washington lost the Democratic primary in 2014, two months after being arrested on corruption charges. Violence in the city has shown no sign of slowing due to the calendar change. Shortly before 10 p.m., however, police said it was still unclear what actually happened. We know that there are some things that worked really well, and those are the things where I say were going to redouble our efforts.. Then he ran again for another position as a Democrat. The data below show Philadelphia totals for people arrested by local and state law enforcement agencies for different offense types. Outlaw said that includes working more with federal officials, and now reassigning officers from specialized units to provide what she refers to as a force multiplier to have more cops on the streets in high-crime areas. Haneef Wilkins, charged with three counts attempted murder and two counts Person Not To Possess Firearms, for one shooting incident; Eric Woodard, charged with one count homicide, four counts attempted murder, and three counts Person Not to Possess Firearms, for three shooting incidents; Assistant District Attorney William Fritze and the Philadelphia Gun Violence Task Force provided details on an investigation into shootings in Southwest Philadelphia on April 15, 2021. Read the Michael Ozzie Myers superseding indictment: Former U.S. Rep. Michael "Ozzie" Myers, photographed in 1976. a larger case involving former U.S. Rep. Michael Ozzie Myers, paying another South Philly election judge to pad vote totals, California residents do not sell my data request. By 8 p.m. Monday, police removed the crime-scene tape allowing traffic to once again flow past the house where the men were shot. Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. Theres a discount code for 25% off your first Philly Foodworks order. When Election Day came around, the consultant would drive Beren to the polling place in the morning, giving her instructions along the way. After this ceremony, these men (who must be of 100 percent Italian ancestry) are then referred to as made members of LCN. And though she stepped down in 2015 to become a certified poll watcher, prosecutors said she recruited her successor and other polling place staff and effectively still maintained control over voting for all three divisions. Hopkins, Mr.iframe.onload = function() { Former U.S. Rep. Michael Ozzie Myers was still the Democratic nominee in his district in 1980 as he sought a third term just three months after being convicted on bribery charges. The government also alleges that she would encourage and permit in-person voters to vote on behalf of absent family members, steering those voters in support of the consultants candidates of choice. According to prosecutors, the conspiracy involved Beren and an individual currently identified in the complaint only as Consultant #1, who is described as a former elected official who held himself out as an effective and successful political operative capable of ensuring his clients electoral success. (The consultant is reportedly Ozzie Myers, the former Philly pol with a very storied and problematic history.). A Billy Penn analysis of police reports along some of the most commercially active blocks of South Street, however, found that not only do shootings seldom occur, but the business district is also among the safest in Philly. When I hear people say its unsafe, I often say, Lets set the aberrant [shooting] aside, said Harris, the South Street Headhouse director. And what lessons can Phillys next mayor take? (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY). Love Philly? Philadelphia mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker has started consolidating support from some top Democrats in the city and now, apparently, from across the Delaware River. One of the organizers of the fundraiser was Camden County Commissioner Jeffrey L. Nash, vice chair of the board of the Delaware River Port Authority, which Parker chairs. Myers, the court filings say, would drive her to the polling site on Election Day and advise her which candidates should have their vote totals padded. According to Philadelphia magazine, Marie Beren, 67, faces federal charges for participating in a voter fraud scheme from 2015-2019. Authorities say the shootings were fueled by a feud between two rival gangs. Please give today. Police investigate at a crime scene in October, 2021.
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