CLEVELAND – In recognition of January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio is encouraging residents to continue the fight against human trafficking by raising awareness and reporting tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
“Addressing human trafficking in Northern Ohio remains a top priority for our office and law enforcement partners,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “In order for us to keep the pressure on traffickers, we need the public’s help to report tips to law enforcement. Only through a collaborative approach can we help end this insidious crime.”
January 11th is recognized as National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. Today, communities around the country #WearBlue to help raise awareness and encourage others to help prevent trafficking by reporting tips to law enforcement.
Over the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio has announced several high-profile human trafficking convictions and sentencings, including:
U.S. v. Jason S. Huffman (4:21-cr-348). On September 27, 2022, Jason Huffman was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a five-count charging him with transportation of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexual conduct, possession of child pornography. and sexual exploitation of children.
In Feb. 2021, law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant at Huffman’s Youngstown-area residence and found images of child pornography on multiple cellphones belonging to Huffman, including images Huffman had created of a minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
U.S. v. Reuben Rankin (4:19-cr-716). On July 12, 2022, Reuben Rankin was sentenced to 40 years in prison following convictions of sex trafficking of a minor, production of child pornography, assaulting a federal agent with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, in May 2019, Rankin engaged in sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography in order to raise money to purchase drugs, clothing, and an SUV. Rankin relied heavily on income earned from commercial sex acts to fund his lifestyle.
U.S. v. Larrien Brown-Austin (5:20-cr-114). On May 24, 2022, Larrien Brown-Austin was sentenced to 15 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to participating in a sex trafficking conspiracy that forced victims to perform sex acts in exchange for money.
According to court records, from June through August of 2018, Brown-Austin lived at a residence in Canton provided by his father that he used to facilitate commercial sex acts. In June of 2018, Brown-Austin met two victims and forced both to live at the residence, perform sex acts in exchange for money and provide him with the profits.
U.S. v. Holden Gallagher (3:18-cr-479). In March 2022, Holden Gallagher was sentenced to 30 years in prison and a lifetime supervised release after he pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, receipt, and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
Court documents state that on July 31, 2015, law enforcement investigators obtained several electronic devices, including a laptop and hard drive, which contained numerous files of child pornography from Gallagher’s Sylvania area residence. Additionally, investigators determined that some of the images contained a depiction of a minor known to Gallagher and that Gallagher had corresponded with the minor victim and gotten the minor to produce images of child pornography.
In addition, to support the victims of human trafficking, various organizations in the Northern District of Ohio were awarded more than $5.7 million in grant funding in the previous fiscal year from the Department of Justice to provide services and aid, including:
$2.5 million to The Cuyahoga County Sexual Assault Kit (SAK) Taskforce, led by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO).
$799,355 awarded to Advocating Opportunity (AO) in Toledo to provide services, support, and advocacy for trafficked and exploited people.
$399,084 awarded to the Rape Crisis Center in Akron to enhance existing anti-human trafficking work.
In February 2022, the Attorney General announced the release of the Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
Trevor Thomas Bickford Traveled to Times Square for the Purpose of Killing U.S. Officials in the Name of Radical Islamic Jihad, and Used a Machete-Style Knife to Attack Three NYPD Officers Working in Coordination with the FBI to Protect the New Year’s Eve
Trevor Thomas Bickford, 19, of Wells, Maine, has been charged with federal crimes in connection with Bickford’s efforts to wage jihad by killing U.S. Government officials and his knife attack on three NYPD officers in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Bickford was charged by complaint with attempting to kill officers and employees of the U.S. Government and persons assisting them. Bickford is currently in state custody and will be transported to and presented in Manhattan federal court at a later date to face the federal charges filed in the Southern District of New York.
“As detailed in today’s complaint, we allege that the defendant plotted a jihad-inspired attack targeting U.S. government officials, and on December 31st, 2022, attacked three NYPD officers who were part of the joint federal-state law enforcement operation protecting the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We are deeply grateful for the bravery of the officers who were injured in this horrible attack and who put their lives on the line every day to serve their communities. Together with our law enforcement partners at every level of government, the Justice Department will continue to work to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute those who target and attack law enforcement and endanger the American people.”
“On this past New Year’s Eve, revelers flocked to Times Square to ring in the New Year with friends and family. But Trevor Bickford allegedly targeted the iconic yearly celebration to carry out a brazen act of violence and hatred in the name of jihad,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams for the Southern District of New York. “Bickford’s alleged attack in one of the most visited destinations in the world on its busiest night of the year ironically only served to spotlight the coordination, resolve and dedication of American law enforcement to guard the wellbeing of the public. We sincerely thank our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work and bravery, and especially wish a full and speedy recovery to the officers injured in this senseless attack.”
“As alleged, three New York City Police Department officers were brutally assaulted in a jihad-inspired attack on New Year’s Eve while they were performing their duties to protect their city and those out celebrating the holiday,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Being a law enforcement officer requires brave individuals willing to put their lives on the line every day to keep others safe. We are committed to holding those who would target law enforcement with violence fully accountable.”
“As we allege today, Bickford deliberately planned and executed his violent attack against New York City Police Officers who were simply doing their job protecting the public,” said Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll of the FBI New York Field Office. “Only the quick action of these brave officers prevented further harm. The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force is unwavering in its mission to combat terrorism to keep our city safe, and we will bring any radicalized individual willing to commit violence to justice.”
“An attack against New York City police officers is an attack against all of us – and today’s charges make it clear that such violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechang L. Sewell. “Our NYPD family is thankful our heroic officers survived this premeditated ambush, and the entire city commends them for preventing further bloodshed during one of our nation’s largest public events. Clearly, the threat of jihadist terrorism remains very real, and our country’s security begins with the dedicated local, state, and federal law enforcement officers who are committed to keeping us safe. I applaud our NYPD investigators, our partners on the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their combined efforts on this important case.”
According to the allegations contained in the complaint charging the defendant:
In the summer of 2022, Bickford, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen and resident of Maine, began accessing and consuming materials espousing radical Islamic ideology, including materials promoting the Taliban and reflecting the teachings of Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, a prominent radical Islamic cleric who was a spiritual mentor of al Qaeda. Over the ensuing months, Bickford radicalized, devoting himself to violent Islamic extremism and waging jihad.
By November 2022, Bickford was interested in traveling to the Middle East to support the Taliban and took steps towards traveling to Afghanistan to ally himself with the Taliban and work with the Taliban to fight against governments that, in Bickford’s view, oppress Muslims. Bickford dedicated himself to the mission of waging jihad against officials of governments that he believes are anti-Muslim, including the U.S. Government. Bickford told a family member that he wanted to travel to the Middle East so that he could be a suicide bomber for his religion. Bickford ultimately decided that he would not travel overseas, and instead would wage jihad against the U.S. Government within the United States.
To carry out his jihadist mission, Bickford traveled from Maine to New York City in late December. On New Year’s Eve, Bickford went to Times Square for the purpose of killing U.S. Government officials, armed with a large, curved knife similar to a machete, known as a kukri, with a blade over one foot long.
Protecting the civilians who attend the annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square requires and involves the coordination, collaboration, and mutual assistance of multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and NYPD. During this special event, the FBI and NYPD work together and assist each other in the performance of their respective duties, in a collective effort to ensure a safe Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration.
At approximately 10:10 p.m., at 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue, blocks away from the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, Bickford attacked three NYPD officers, who were detailed to the joint federal-state law enforcement operation to protect the New Year’s Eve celebration. The location of 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue was an access checkpoint at which spectators could gain entry to the events in Times Square, and both FBI and NYPD personnel were deployed in the area of the checkpoint, including the three officers whom Bickford attacked. Bickford approached the NYPD officers, declared “Allahu Akbar”—an Arabic phrase meaning “God is great,” which other radical Islamic extremists have similarly proclaimed while carrying out terrorist attacks—and stabbed and struck the officers in the head with his kukri. Before Bickford could attack more targets, one of the victim officers shot Bickford in the shoulder, stopping the attack, and he was taken into state custody. Bickford wounded all three officers, who suffered lacerations and other injuries, and each officer had to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
A bag that Bickford brought with him to the Times Square area was subsequently recovered by law enforcement from the scene of the attack. Bickford’s bag contained, among other things, a book by al-Maqdisi promoting jihad and Bickford’s journal. The al-Maqdisi book encourages followers, among other things, to wage jihad against disbelievers and governments ruled by disbelievers, and to use swords on the heads of disbelievers. An entry in Bickford’s journal from December 31, 2022—that is, the day of his attack—states that “this will likely be my last entry” and that Bickford believed his brother, a soldier in the U.S. military, had “joined the ranks of my enemy.” A second bag that Bickford was carrying, also recovered by law enforcement near Times Square, contained a book espousing violent Islamic extremism, with certain portions highlighted, including the following: “Fight in the Name of Allah and in the Cause of Allah. Fight against those who do not believe in Allah. Wage a holy war.”
The kukri that Bickford used in the attack, depicted below, was recovered by law enforcement from the scene of the attack:
After being treated at a local hospital, during a subsequent Mirandized interview, Bickford stated, among other things, the following:
Bickford decided not to travel overseas to wage jihad as originally planned, and instead to commit jihad in New York City. In the days leading up to his New Year’s Eve attack, Bickford traveled from Maine to New York City.
On New Year’s Eve, Bickford went to Times Square, and walked around the area “trying to figure out the right time to kill.” Bickford started reciting verses from the Quran in his head to “hype himself up” for his attack. Bickford identified an NYPD officer who was isolated from civilians and other officers, took out the kukri from his backpack, declared “Allahu Akbar,” and attacked the officer.
After attacking that officer, Bickford charged at another officer, and tried but failed to remove that officer’s firearm from the officer’s holster. One of the officer victims then shot Bickford in the shoulder, stopping his attack.
When asked why he conducted the attack, Bickford stated that the officer was a man in uniform who had a weapon; all men of military age were his targets; no one can work for the U.S. Government and be a true Muslim, because the U.S. Government supports Israel; and he wanted to kill as many of these targets as he could.
Bickford intended to die in the attack, in an effort to achieve martyrdom. Bickford believed his attack was unsuccessful, because he did not kill any officers, and he did not die himself.
Bickford is charged with four counts of attempted murder of officers and employees of the U.S. Government and persons assisting them, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charges carry an aggregate potential sentence of 80 years in prison.
The FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the NYPD, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah L. Kushner and Kaylan E. Lasky for the Southern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney D. Andrew Sigler of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Emerging Artists Festival Equips Up and Coming Playwrights
You have the opportunity to see the next “Hamilton” or “Rent” with these never-before-seen plays workshopped right here at the Renaissance.
What is the Emerging Artists Festival?
The Emerging Artists Festival exists to guide, encourage, support, and advocate for artists.
Plays from all over the world are submitted and chosen to be workshopped for a week culminating in a final, public reading in front of audiences.
How does it work?
Over six consecutive days, actors will work with the director and playwright for five rehearsals to fine-tune and rehearse.
The rehearsals culminate in two public readings on Friday and Saturday evenings.
After the readings, a discussion takes place between the audience and the actors, director, and playwright to gather feedback that is useful in continuing to perfect each work.
The 2023 Emerging Artists Festival Lineup
Trollop: The Trials and Titillations of the Infamous Moll Flanders
A New Musical. Book and Lyrics by Shley Snider, Music by Darryl Pickett, Additional material by Jessica Ammel, Produced by Holly Marie Weber
Moll Flanders has two dreams: to be rich and important. But in 17th-century England, that’s easier said than done. This new musical, a mixture of rock and Baroque, is based on the classic novel by Daniel Defoe. Deemed scandalous at the time it was first written, the story explores women’s issues, sexuality, and censorship as we follow the irrepressible Moll from her birth in prison to the heights of society.
Readings: January 13–14, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Gloria Mundi
A New Play by Pamela Morgan
When Gloria is visited by an angel of God with news of the second Messiah, she’s convinced she has a second chance at motherhood. But Jody thinks she’s using again. As the truth slowly unravels, Gloria must wrestle with the demons of her past, Jody must reconcile the specters of his future, and both must confront the very real threat of Harold, Gloria’s recovery counselor.
Readings: January 20–21, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Funnie: Or, the Most Lamentable Comedie of Jane the Foole
A New Comedy by Jessica Moss
A hilarious and thought-provoking new play by Julliard-trained playwright Jessica Moss. Set in the court of King Henry the VIII, it tells the story of Jane the Foole, the first and only recorded female jester ever to serve the royalty. Is it possible to succeed when you live in a world where you’re not seen as a person?
Readings: January 27–28, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Women Most Wicked
A New Play by Alan Kilpatrick
Alan Kilpatrick wrote this dark comedy set in London’s Madame Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors in 2016. When the exhibit is scheduled to close, Kate Webster and Amelia Dryer, now wax figures of notorious 19th-century murderesses, recount their lives and speculate about their futures before they are consigned to the junk heap.
Readings: February 3–4, 2023 at 8:00 PM
The Sweet Everlasting
A New Play by Frances Limoncelli, Based on the novel by Judson Mitcham
Based upon the prize-winning novel by Georgia poet laureate, this adaptation by Frances Limoncelli tells the story of a sharecropper’s son, mill worker, and ex-convict, Ellis Burt. For a brief and cherished time, there was a woman, and then a child, too, who had been a kind of salvation to him. Then they were gone, leaving Ellis to carry on with the burden of what he had done to them and the ruin he brought down upon them all.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — With deceptive pricing continuing at Dollar General stores, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost returned to court today to ask a Butler County Common Pleas judge to immediately force the Tennessee-based retailer to stop advertising one price on its store shelves and charging another price – typically higher – at its registers.
In his request for a temporary restraining order against the discount retailer, Yost cited ongoing violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. He also requested a hearing regarding a preliminary injunction that would require Dollar General to abide by Ohio consumer laws as this case progresses.
“There’s a mountain of evidence showing that Dollar General simply doesn’t care to fix the issue – and that’s despite numerous consumer complaints, failed auditor inspections and our lawsuit,” Yost said. “The bait-and-switch price games stop now.”
Multiple county auditors, as part of their regular duties, have inspected Dollar General stores and found that many of the product prices displayed did not match the prices charged. Even after Yost sued the company on Nov. 1, 2022, auditor reports show, some of the same stores continued to fail inspections, meaning they are still charging more than the prices advertised.
Notably, Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano required certain Dollar General stores to apply stickers to their registers warning consumers that they may be charged incorrectly.
In the months since the lawsuit was filed, the Attorney General’s Office has received 116 complaints regarding Dollar General’s shelf-pricing issues.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — All 88 county sheriffs have been provided new cameras to improve the routine registration process of convicted sexual offenders, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
“Ohio’s sex offender registration system plays a critical role in holding convicted offenders accountable, and in the hands our county sheriffs, these tools ensure that photographs are clear and uniform across the state,” Yost said. “Our job is to support local law enforcement, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with this grant.”
In 59 counties, sheriff’s offices that requested new computers also will be receiving new machines to process registrations of sex offenders. The hardware is backed by new software improvements and customization capabilities made to the Sex Offender Registry Notification (SORN) system, which law enforcement accesses through the AG’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
In many cases, the current equipment used for registrations is outdated; new equipment creates uniformity across the state and increases the clarity of offender photographs, improving public safety.
In total, $384,283 in upgrades have been made to the registration system. The money came from a grant provided by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART), part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
County sheriffs are responsible for documenting sexual offenders, including photographing them. Convicted sex offenders are required to register their home, school and work addresses, report changes in addresses, and periodically verify addresses with the sheriff in their respective county.
“The Sheriffs of Ohio are very appreciative of the efforts of Attorney General Yost to provide funding for the state-of-the-art technology which will allow the Sheriffs to be more efficient in their job duties,” said Robert Cornwell, Executive Director of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association (BSSA).
Ohio has required sex offenders to register since 1963 and was the first state in the nation to fully implement modern sex offender registration and notification laws under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the following bills into law:
House Bill 45, sponsored by State Representative Bill Roemer and former Representative Thomas West, makes appropriations and provides authorization and conditions for the operation of state programs.
House Bill 458, sponsored by State Representative Thomas Hall, modifies the law governing voter identification and absent voting and other aspects of Ohio’s election laws and makes changes regarding driver’s licenses and state identification cards.
Governor DeWine issued the following statement on HB 458: “Elections integrity is a significant concern to Americans on both sides of the aisle across the country. At the same time, I have long believed that Ohio does a good of administering elections, as we have provided ample opportunities to cast votes while avoiding the problems we have seen in recent federal elections in other states. “I appreciate the General Assembly working with my Administration on changes to House Bill 458 to ensure that more restrictive proposals were not included in the final bill. Legislators included our suggestions to expand access to valid photo IDs and to maintain Ohioans’ ability to cast absentee ballots without the more restrictive identification requirements that were debated.
“I believe with the enactment of the new election integrity provisions in House Bill 458, this matter should be settled, and I do not expect to see any further statutory changes to Ohio voting procedures while I am Governor.”
House Bill 507, sponsored by State Representative J. Kyle Koehler, revises specified provisions of agriculture law, defines green energy, excludes natural gas from receiving renewable energy credits, revises the law governing environmental health specialists and environmental health specialists in training, allows conservancy district police departments to take specified actions regarding the towing and storage of motor vehicles.
Governor DeWine issued the following statement on HB 507:
“The initial and primary purpose of House Bill 507 is important and worthy of passage. “While the bill initially involved agricultural issues, amendments were added regarding drilling and natural gas issues. As my administration has analyzed this bill, I believe the amendments in House Bill 507 do not fundamentally change the criteria and processes established by the Ohio General Assembly in 2011 that first established the policy of leasing mineral rights under state parks and lands.
“In addition, I am instructing the Director of the Department of Natural Resources to continue to follow the processes first established by the General Assembly in 2011 in this area. This includes continuing my administration’s policy of prohibiting any new surface use access in our state parks.”
Interesting News story posted on Thursday, December 22, 2022
CINCINNATI – Four Cincinnatians were sentenced in U.S. District Court for their roles in a conspiracy to steal bank customers’ information in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Lead defendant Keyonte Bronson, 27, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison.
Juan Leonard, Diamond Brocks and Kelliele Berry were also sentenced in Cincinnati this week. Leonard was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Brocks and Berry were both sentenced to time served and a period of supervised release.
Co-defendants previously sentenced include:
Marcus Knox – 30 months in prison
Gregory Palmer – 30 months in prison, and
Kinesha Cavitt – 12 months and one day in prison.
The defendants were all indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2020. They are seven of 11 individuals charged in this case.
According to court documents, five of the defendants were employed as customer service representatives at Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati, and in conspiracy with the other defendants, stole customer account information from 2018 until August 2020.
The bank employees were recruited into the scheme through social media. The employees were paid by other co-conspirators to identify bank customers with high cash balances, and to steal and provide the customer information to the other co-conspirators.
Other individuals known as “runners” were recruited to enter Fifth Third bank branches to withdraw money from the compromised accounts. These runners were often homeless or drug-addicted. They were given false ID cards with their picture and the name of the account theft victim.
Runners were sometimes taken to thrift stores and bought clothing to match the victims’ identities more appropriately. Co-conspirators drove the runners to and from the bank branches. After withdrawing $3,000 to $8,000, the runners would receive a small payment. Total losses to the bank exceeded $800,000.
Fifth Third had protective measures and a culture in place to help identify potential misuse of customer information and came forward to work together with law enforcement in this case.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the sentences imposed by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. U.S. Attorney Parker commended the investigation by the United States Secret Service in coordination with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Springfield Police Department, Drug Abuse Reduction Taskforce (DART) and Cincinnati Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the following bills into law:
Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Senator Tim Schaffer, modifies the law regarding assault or menacing committed or directed against, and targeting, an emergency service responder, family member, or co-worker; the offense of unlawfully impeding public passage of an emergency service responder; prohibits certain sex offenders and child-victim offenders from engaging in a specified volunteer capacity involving direct work with, or supervision or disciplinary power over, minors; makes changes to the offense of voyeurism; firearms qualification for county correctional officers; the specification that there is no period of limitations for prosecution of a conspiracy or attempt to commit, or complicity in committing, aggravated murder or murder; a political subdivision’s emergency powers when suppressing a riot, mob, or potential riot or mob; the preservation of rights regarding deadly weapons and firearms during an emergency; the penalties for the offense of importuning; additions to the Statewide Emergency Alert Program; the requirement that county prosecutors annually report all case resolutions to the board of county commissioners and all fire-related case resolutions to the State Fire Marshal; and the removal of ankle and leg restraints from those prohibited for use on a pregnant charged or convicted criminal offender or a pregnant charged or convicted delinquent child, and the lowering of the required threat level for this use of restraints.
House Bill 279, sponsored by Representatives Richard D. Brown and Scott Oelslager, revises the law regarding wrongful death claims.
House Bill 364, sponsored by Representative Thomas F. Patton, modifies the application process for the waterworks infrastructure improvement surcharge and to residential PACE lien priority, creates exceptions to the moratorium on modifications to hazardous waste incinerator installation and operation permits, and eliminates public water system asset management program requirements for transient noncommmunity water systems.
Governor DeWine today also vetoed House Bill 286, which would have generally changed the venue in which appeal from an agency order is proper to the local court of common pleas, provided that a civil action to challenge a state administrative order issued in a state of emergency be brought in the Court of Claims, and to allowed the General Assembly and the Governor to retain special counsel. Governor’s Veto Message
December 31, 1969, Delta Company is still working the same area where the day before we lost Marlin (KIA) and Young, Howard and Piccirillo (WIA). Ben Chua had always been a strong hold for the NVA/VC and a dangerous area to work.
Late in the afternoon we decided on a location for our night ambush position. It was a trail that showed some recent foot activity (Ho Chi Minh sandal prints).
The sandals were worn by enemy soldiers and were made from recycled tires. We waited until last light to move into the AP (ambush position). We setup our claymores to cover the kill zone and placed mechanical claymores up and down the trail. We called our position into TOC (tactical operations center) and plotted the location with Artillery (red legs) at Fire Base Kien. We set up a watch schedule and remained at 100% until darkness fell.
Throughout the night we could see and hear Night Hawks (helicopters fitted with infrared night vision and electric mini guns that fired 4,000 rounds a minute) working in the area. They were used at night for close in support or when targets of opportunity were located. Suddenly, at approximately 0500 on January 1, 1970, one of the mechanical claymores detonated. We checked out the area but could only find the remains of a rabbit that apparently set off the device.
It wasn’t a good start to the New Year for the rabbit.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — In the final days of the year, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed eight consumer-protection lawsuits across the state against businesses accused of ripping off Ohioans, reinforcing his commitment to holding “bad actors” accountable.
“Misleading and unlawful business practices – especially those that take direct aim at customers’ wallets – will not be overlooked,” Yost said. “Ohioans work hard for their money, and we work year-round to protect it.”
Here is a timeline of the suit filings:
Dec. 22: Three Cincinnati-area appliance-supply companies and the owners are accused of accepting nearly $4,900 in payments from consumers but not providing any appliances or other services. The companies also failed to register with the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office, as required by state law.
Yost’s lawsuit, filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, contends that Terry Haynes and Amy Garcia – as operators of Queen City Appliances, A Plus Appliance Repair, and Certified Appliance Repair – violated Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act.
Haynes has a history of setting up a new company after consumers complain to the Attorney General’s Office about an existing company.
Yost sued Haynes in November 2019 over similar violations. The ensuing judgment prohibited Haynes from working as a supplier in Ohio until he reimbursed customers and paid associated penalties and fees – neither of which he has done.
Dec. 27: A Hilliard caterer allegedly accepted money from customers for weddings and other events but didn’t provide adequate services – or, in some cases, any services – and refused to refund the money.
Yost’s lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, accuses Michael Morales and his two catering companies, Tasteful Occasion and Kool Daddy’s BBQ, of violating the Consumer Sales Practices Act.
Roughly $7,000 was taken from consumers, according to complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office.
Dec. 27: A Dayton home-landscaping contractor is accused of taking $12,500 from homeowners who made payments for fences that were never constructed.
Yost’s lawsuit, filed in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, accuses B&R Fence & More and its owner, Robert Wood, of multiple violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
Dec. 28: A Heath furniture store and its owner reportedly sold furniture to consumers with far-off delivery dates and then misled the buyers about the status of their orders, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a cover.
The lawsuit, filed in Licking County Common Pleas Court, maintains that Heath Furniture & Mattress and owner Rick Wallace failed to deliver furniture and engaged in deceptive sales practices, both violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act.
Wallace and his company took nearly $13,600 from customers, according to complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office.
Dec. 29: MH&D Construction of Springfield and its owner, Michael Collett, allegedly swindled $31,600 from consumers who made payments for various home-improvement projects that weren’t completed and for which refunds were never provided.
Yost’s lawsuit, filed this week in Clark County Common Pleas Court, cites two violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act and one violation of the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
Dec. 29: A Columbus driveway repair and installation company is being sued for failing to complete work or provide refunds and failing to honor warranties.
The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, accuses Pave Tech Asphalt Services of multiple violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
The Attorney General’s Office fielded seven complaints about Pave Tech. According to the complaints, consumers were cheated out of $12,400.
Dec. 29: A similar lawsuit filed in the same court on the same day names Tri County Asphalt.
The company’s tactics prompted 22 complaints to the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. In total, the complaints allege that Tri County cheated consumers out of $8,000.
Yost’s lawsuit cites multiple violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
For each of these seven filings, the state seeks an order requiring the defendants to reimburse consumers and pay civil penalties and court costs. It also requests an order preventing the defendants from engaging in business in any consumer transactions in Ohio until those debts are paid.
Yost also filed a lawsuit on Dec. 22 against a used-car dealership and its owner for violations of consumer protection laws and failure to deliver vehicle titles to consumers.
Before Yost’s lawsuit was filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, the Attorney General’s Office fielded 34 title-related complaints about IM Approved Store, currently operating in Cleveland. The suit accuses owner Benny Ingram of violating the Consumer Sales Practices Act and Certificate of Motor Vehicles Title Act.
Yost seeks to recover the amount of money paid to resolve consumer complaints. Additionally, the complaint asks the court to impose a civil penalty and prohibit Ingram from maintaining or applying for auto-dealer or salesperson licenses.
Ohioans who suspect unfair or deceptive business practices should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
Joe Lyons •
January 11, 2023
