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N.C. insurance agent pleads guilty to murder, fraud www.privateofficer.com
Michael Howell, 41, of Indian Trail ran the Dilworth Insurance Agency. Police say he killed Sallie Rohrback, a state Department of Insurance agency examiner, by hitting her in the head with a piece of computer equipment when she confronted him about financial irregularities in his records in May 2008.
The state Department of Insurance said agents spent nine months looking into Howell’s records. Officials with the agency said that each embezzlement count represents a client’s premium payment that Howell pocketed instead of forwarding to GMAC Insurance and Discovery Insurance companies.
The agency said that between March 2004 and May 2008, Howell took more than $150,000. Although hundreds of Dilworth Insurance Agency customers were left without insurance because of Howell’s actions, the state officials said GMAC Insurance and Discovery Insurance took care of the affected policies to help the customers who were swindled.
Howell is charged with first-degree murder in Rohrback’s death. He has agreed to plead guilty to second-degree murder in Rohrbach’s death, prosecutors said, but that plea has not yet been scheduled.
Howell is being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail.
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Charlotte teacher arrested for student relationship www.privateofficer.com
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Youth Crime/Domestic Violence detectives signed warrants on Ryan Patrick Marshall (DOB 3/5/1972) for taking indecent liberties with a child and disseminating harmful material to minors.
At approximately 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Mr. Marshall was arrested without incident at 2329 Century Oaks Lane by University City Division officers.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Law Enforcement worked in a collaborative effort throughout this entire investigation.
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Charlotte police officer could face charges in fatality www.privateofficer.com
Chief Rodney Monroe said Officer Martray J. Proctor, 24, was driving in excess of 90 mph in a 45 mph zone on his way to assist another officer in a traffic stop at about 10:15 p.m. Sunday when the crash happened.
Monroe said he does not believe Proctor had his lights and siren on, so there is no dash camera video from the crash. The dash camera is automatically turned on when the lights and siren are activated.
The chief said that according to state law, any time an officer goes over the speed limit, he or she must run the lights and siren.
Proctor remains in Carolinas Medical Center with a broken leg.
Proctor’s patrol car hit a sedan pulling onto Old Statesville Road from Henderson Cir
cle, between Sunset and Lakeview roads, killing driver 20-year-old Shatona Evette Robinson.Three passengers in the car were also taken to CMC. Two were treated and released and one remains in fair condition.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s reconstruction team is still investigating the crash.
At a news conference today police said that charges against the officer may happen but that the case will be forwarded to the grand jury to decide that.
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Police, security, businesses team up to nab fraud suspects www.privateofficer.com
Police, security, businesses team up to nab fraud suspects http://www.privateofficer.com
Today’s announcement is made by U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert of the Western District of North Carolina, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Operations in North Carolina Nathan T. Gray, and Chief Rodney Monroe of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The scheme is alleged to have lasted from about January 2003 to the present, and to have been carried out within the Western District of North Carolina, the Middle District of North Carolina, the District of South Carolina, the Eastern District of Virginia, and elsewhere.
“Today’s indictment underscores our continuing efforts to prosecute identity theft and fraud crimes through collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Shappert. “These charges allege fraud on a grand scale. Our message is clear: individuals who participate in elaborate fraud and identity theft schemes will get the ‘federal treatment’ through investigation, vigorous prosecution, and severe penalties for those who are convicted.”
Seven defendants were arrested this morning on the federal charges. Information and status of each defendant is listed below.
In addition to the allegations above, the indictment also alleges that defendants Latoya Blakeney and Shontavia Barber opened new bank accounts from FDIC insured financial institutions, and that they forged names and signatures on the stolen securities (checks) making them payable to themselves, and that they deposited those stolen securities into the accounts and withdrew funds from the accounts, ultimately causing a loss to the bank.
The indictment alleges that in total the defendants’ schemes and artifices to defraud caused monetary losses to individuals, merchants and financial institutions in excess of $100,000.
The case is being handled for the government by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Zolot. The investigation, which was developed over a period of approximately 13 months and which is ongoing, was spearheaded by FBI and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department with significant support from ATF.
Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina
Cheraw Police Department, South Carolina
Florence County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina
Greensboro Police Department, North Carolina
High Point Police Department, North Carolina
Huntersville Police Department, North Carolina
Lexington Police Department, North Carolina
Lincolnton Police Department, North Carolina
Manning Police Department, South Carolina
Mooresville Police Department, North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Insurance
Taylorsville Police Department, North Carolina
Tega Cay Police Department, South Carolina
Toccoa Police Department, Georgia
Wadesboro Police Department, North Carolina
Winston-Salem Police Department, North Carolina
York County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina
Belk Department Stores
Certegy Check Services
Charlotte Housing Authority
Housing and Urban Development
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services
Target Stores
TeleCheck Incorporated
TJ Maxx
Wal-Mart
Due to the dynamic and rapidly changing nature of identity theft, government and the private sector, working together with consumers, must remain vigilant and adaptable as new generations of identity thieves and techniques develop over the coming years. A full Identity Theft Task Force report (October 2008) along with other information on federal efforts to combat identity theft may be found at http://www.idtheft.gov/ .
Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review your credit reports. A fraud alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient: Equifax: 1-800-525-6285, Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742), TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts on your accounts you can’t explain.
Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently
Call someone in security/fraud department
Follow up in writing with documents
Use the ID Theft Affidavit at ftc.gov/idtheft to support your claims
Once resolved, ask for a letter stating that company has closed disputed accounts and discharged fraudulent debts
Keep copies of documents and records of your conversations about the theft
File a report with local police or other law enforcement agency and get a copy of it
Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps law enforcement officials across the country in their investigations. Online: ftc.gov/idtheftBy phone: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338) or TTY, 1-866-653-4261 By mail: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580
Docket Number 3:08cr259-R
Loretta Blakeney-Herron, 38
Charlotte
Arrested 12/18/08
Initial appearance in federal court 12/18/08
Latoya Blakeney, 26
Charlotte
To be brought into federal custody
Lajarika Blakeney, 20
Charlotte
Arrested 12/18/08
Initial appearance in federal court 12/18/08
Laquasha Blakeney, 23
Charlotte
Arrested 12/18/08
Initial appearance in federal court 12/18/08
Latoya Moore, 21
Charlotte
Arrested 12/18/08
Initial appearance in federal court 12/18/08
Garnett Coulbourne, 30
Charlotte
Arrested 12/18/08
Initial appearance in federal court 12/18/08
Terrell Zardee, 19
Charlotte
To be brought into federal custody
Shontavia Barber, age unknown
Charlotte
Arrested 12/18/08
Initial appearance in federal court 12/18/08
Gabriel Neal, age unknown
Huntersville
Arrested 12/18/08
Initial appearance in federal court 12/18/08
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Security officers get in shoot-out with homicide suspects www.privateofficer.com
Security officers get in shoot-out with homicide suspects http://www.privateofficer.com
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg police responded to a shooting and homicide at an East Charlotte nightclub overnight.
Police identified the victim as 22-year-old Taji Jibri Mason. The shooting happened about 2:30 a.m. Friday in the parking lot behind the All Stars Nightclub in the 5600 block of Albemarle Road.
Police said a large crowd was gathered in the parking lot around closing time when several men approached the victim.
At that point police were told that a car leaving the scene shot at Metro Special Police, a private security force with sworn law officers that was providing security for the club.
Such private security forces are authorized by a special state statute that requires the officers to be trained and take oaths just like regular city or county police.
The Friday morning homicide was the 73rd of the year. There were 74 total last year.
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Unruly passenger arrested at Charlotte airport www.privateofficer.com
Unruly passenger arrested at Charlotte airport http://www.privateofficer.com
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com Authorities at the Charlotte Douglas Airport said a flight was diverted to the airport when an unruly and intoxicated passenger had to be restrained on board and the pilots needed law enforcement assistance. Federal agents and the airport police department responded to meet the plane on the tarmac and take custody of the female.
Police said that the crew used duct tape to restrain the unruly passenger on a flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago.
The FBI said the woman slapped a crew member on the buttocks and pulled a blind passenger’s hair.
FBI Agent Peter Carricato said the passenger also used profanity and was touching and jabbing other passengers.
Authorities said 45-year-old Maria Esther Castillo of Oswego, N.Y., has been charged with resisting arrest and interfering with the operations of a flight crew.
The flight was diverted Saturday to Charlotte, and police say that Castillo fought with police officers who came aboard the plane. She now faces a detention hearing on Thursday.
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Charlotte N.C. gets immigration court www.privateofficer.com
Charlotte N.C. gets immigration court http://www.privateofficer.com
“We’ve been working on it seven years, almost going on eight now,” she said Thursday.
Myrick has been fighting to get the court to ease the red tape for people who want to live in the United States legally.
“We have a backlog of 500 to 600 cases in our office any one day that we are trying to help,” she said.
Last year, North Carolina had 2,883 cases in immigration court, but those involved had to travel to Atlanta to see a judge.
That’s an expensive burden, said members of the Latin American Coalition. The organization said many of those people come to the Charlotte office for help.
Adriann Galvez Taylor said some would just opt not to go.
“Or they self represent without having the knowledge they need to provide a just defense,” she said.
Taylor and Myrick agree having a court nearby will make it easier to help those who want to live under the law. But Taylor warns, “Right now, there is a real imbalance between justice and enforcement, and this is the danger.”
She worries some might celebrate it as a deportation court and create an environment where people may become scared to seek help.
“We definitely don’t want to see that type of mood in Charlotte, North Carolina,” Taylor said.
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Associate pastor charged with sex crimes www.privateofficer.com
Associate pastor charged with sex crimes http://www.privateofficer.com
Police investigators were notified of incidents involving the pastor and asfter conducting an investigation of the offenses, police took Lawrence Webber, 60, into custody and he is charged with three counts of first-degree rape and five counts of indecent liberties with a child.
Leaders at Reeder Memorial Church said Webber was a member, but held no official title and did not work with children.
“We work with people who have difficulties,” Pastor Don Steger said. “We cannot force people. That’s not a requirement for being a member of the church. But we certainly make it available and it was certainly made available to Mr. Webber.”
Police said that Webber is a registered sex offender in North Carolina.
Neither church leaders nor police would say if the victims were members of the church.
Police say that their investigation is continuing and that they are checking into whether or not there are any other victims.
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Private police force contract questioned by officials www.privateofficer.com
Private police force contract questioned by officials http://www.privateofficer.com
Whether or not you use CATS to get around, it’s a multi-million dollar contract, and as a taxpayer, you pay for it.
CATS agreed to pay Allied Barton $5 million over the multi-year deal.
The transit center and the bus and rail lines were supposed to get 32 company police officers for that. But Allied Barton never hired the number of police in the contract.
About 60,000 people a day pass through the Charlotte Transit Center. Allied Barton company police are supposed to keep those passengers safe.
But Lisa Salomon, who worked for Allied Barton and ran background checks on applicants, says they’ve never had enough officers.
“They were supposed to have 15 officers by Nov. 12. Did they?” NewsChannel 36 reporter Stuart Watson asked.
“They had none in November,” Salomon said.
“None?”
“None.”
The question is – who’s responsible?
CATS attorney John Jaye told us the state had a backlog in processing credentials.
“This has simply been a difficulty in getting the proper certifications processed though by the state,” Jaye said.
But Mike McKenzie, who conducted training for Allied Barton, said the company had to share the blame.
“There’s a lot of disorganization with Allied,” McKenzie said.
And Salomon showed us a letter showing that the criminal justice standards section of the N.C. Attorney General’s Office is investigating Allied Barton and its problems with getting officers certified.
“It’s completely frustrating, it’s waste of the taxpayer’s dollars when they could be utilized in a much more effective way,” Salomon said.
The director of the criminal justice standards section told me by phone, “If they have things in order, the process moves fairly quickly. If they don’t, there are delays.”
An Allied Barton spokesman read me a statement saying, “Allied Barton security service has not been notified by the authorities of any investigation regarding our certification process in North Carolina for the Charlotte Area Transit System. We are aware some of our officers have been contacted.”
Allied Barton’s spokesman said the company complies with all governmental regulations.
Salomon’s letter said the state would be conducting interviews later this week at the Charlotte police academy.
Under North Carolina statues, any business or contract security company may set up their own “company police force” provided that an application with the North Carolina Justice Department is approved and that all officers attend a “BLET”, basic law enforcement training academy equivalent to any municipal or county police officer’s training.
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2 Arrested in murder of off-duty deputy sheriff www.privateofficer.com
2 Arrested in off-duty deputy sheriff murder http://www.privateofficer.com
Police say Frederick Gaston III was passing through the area Saturday night on his way to complete his final two weeks of Army National Guard training in Virginia when he stopped at the Microtel Inn.
Shortly after he checked in, investigators say 17-year-old Tommy Dean Barnette Jr. and 16-year-old Rakeam Jamall Fleming approached the 50-year-old and shot him in the chest during an apparent robbery attempt. Gaston died at Gastonia Memorial Hospital a short time later.
Barnette was arrested at his home in Bessemer City early Sunday morning. Fleming was arrested after turning himself in. Barnette has a prior record, including felony charges of eluding arrest.
Investigators say an eye witness to the shooting and surveillance video from outside the motel is what helped them make the arrests.
The teens are expected to appear in court on monday.
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Off- Duty Police Officer Killed During Robbery www.privateofficer.com
Off Duty Police Officer Killed During Robbery http://www.privateofficer.com
ON SCENE REPORT
Police spent much of the morning looking for the person responsible.
Frederick Gaston III was on his way to Virginia to complete his final two weeks of military duty before retiring. They believe he was shot during an attempted armed robbery.
Gastonia Police were called to the Microtel Inn on Broadcast Street just off Interstate 85 around 11 p.m. Saturday because someone in the lobby had been shot in the chest. Gaston died from his injuries.
According to Gastonia Police Sgt. Jimmy West, Gaston was a deputy with the Jackson County, Miss., sheriff’s department.
“Right now all indications are it was an attempted robbery,” West said.
Investigators spent most of the morning searching for answers. They looked through bushes at a nearby fast food restaurant and also went to a nearby motel.
But they have not release any information about any possible suspects.”We do have some leads that we are following,” West said.
Investigators say the Microtel Inn was using surveillance cameras at the time of the shooting. Investigators are looking through those videos for more information and a possible suspect.
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US Airways flight forced to land after bomb threat www.privateofficer.com
US Airways flight forced to land after bomb threat http://www.privateofficer.com
BREAKING NEWS
There has been a reported bomb threat that forced a plane to be grounded at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in Charlotte North Carolina late Wednesday night.
According to airport spokesperson Haley Gentry, US Airways 1285 from Baltimore to Charlotte had reports of a bomb threat while in flight. The plane was rushed to Charlotte and landed and was immediately taken to a secure location at the airfield.
Authorities including the Airport Police, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police, fire and rescue personnel and the FBI responded and a bus was brought in to unload the passengers from the plane. We know there were 104 passengers and 5 crew members on the flight at the time the plane landed.
The flight was scheduled to land at 9:18 pm, but didn’t land until around 10:20 pm. The flight left Baltimore nearly an hour late.
The airspace over the airport was also ordered closed during this incident.
The mid-air scare caused a massive response of emergency workers to the Charlotte Douglas Airport and put the wheels in motion. Questions of terrorism immediately surfaced and Homeland Security was notified of the threat.
Investigators have not released how the threat came in or where it was received.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police and FBI officers say that no explosive device was found and that they are still investigating.
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Two Charlotte NC police officers arrested www.privateofficer.com
Two Charlotte NC police officers arrested http://www.privateofficer.com
Federal agents with the FBI have been working very closely for several months with the Charlotte- Mecklenburg police investigating two of their own.
Although many details have not yet been released and documents have been sealed, authorities say that Gerald Holas and Adam Ross were arrested on Thursday afternoon. Both men resigned their positions after their arrests.
Both are charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, better known as crack cocaine.
According to police, another man, David Lockhart, who faces the same charge and a second charge of possessing crack cocaine was the supplier.
CMPD officers that I spoke with are sad and disappointed that these two officers chose to cross the lines but reserved saying much else until the officers go to trial.
All three men are being held in federal custody at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Jail. Currently they are being held without bond and face another court date on June 16.
If convicted, the men face a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison.
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Security kept busy during Nascar race www.privateofficer.com
Security kept busy during Nascar 600 race http://www.privateofficer.com
Eyewitness News has learned that at least half a dozen cars were broken into as they were parked in hotel lots along I-77 near Woodlawn Road and South Tryon Street overnight. The La Quinta Inn and Embassy Suites both had several break-ins to cars–many of them people visiting Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend.
Officers with a private police agency may have prevented more when they spotted a suspicious car in the lot of the Ramada Inn on Woodlawn Road.
“They did manage to get a door open on a car,” Officer Josh Smith with Delta Company Police told Eyewitness News. Smith says the suspects tried to drive off in a Ford Explorer, but ran into a light pole, then jumped and ran.
Police found property stolen from several other break-ins in that Explorer. Officers caught one possible suspect, but did not file charges because they say they couldn’t be sure he was in the car with the stolen property.
Most of the hotels did not want to discuss their security plans publicly, but the Ramada Inn has hired the private police firm along with off-duty Charlotte Mecklenburg officers to try and stop the break-ins.
Other hotels have security cameras and some security guards, but have not been able to keep thieves from targeting their parking lots.
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NC State Investigator murdered by insurance agent www.privateofficer.com
NC State Investigator murdered by insurance agent http://www.privateofficer.com
York County deputies said a person’s remains were discovered about 15 feet off the road near Pleasant Road and covered with pine needles. Officers were not the ones to make the discovery.
The body has been transported to the medical examiner’s office.
The remains were about two miles from where officers were searching for 44-year-old Sallie Rohrbach’s body earlier in the day. Investigators said her suspected killer led them to nearby Gold Hill Road on Tuesday morning.
Authorities charged 40-year-old Michael Howell, a Charlotte insurance agent, with murder in the death of Rohrbach early Monday.
Howell, who resides in Indian Trail, made his first appearance in court Tuesday afternoon. Public defender Susan Weigand appeared with Howell and argued he cannot afford to pay for two attorneys, so he would be entitled as a defendant in a capital murder case.
The request was denied, however. District Court Judge Bill Constangy — citing Howell’s $6,000 monthly income and liability insurance — ruled he has enough income to pay for his own defense.
Rohrbach was investigating a complaint against Howell’s business, Dilworth Insurance Agency on South Boulevard, when she disappeared last week. Detectives said they decided to charge Howell because of evidence found at the insurance office, inside Howell’s car and inside Rohrbach’s car.
Rohrbach lived with her husband in Angier. Neighbors said they can’t believe she was killed.
“It doesn’t make a bit of sense because Sallie was such a good person. It’s just hard to imagine anyone would want to hurt anyone that kind and that nice,” said Jean Smith.
The state Department of Insurance said Rohrbach’s death may be the first job-related slaying in the department’s history.
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Security guard arrested with stolen gun www.privateofficer.com
Security guard arrested with stolen gun http://www.privateofficer.com
Police say that they discovered the security officer in uniform and armed and upon investigation found that he was not licensed to be a private security officer and that he had a handgun that had been reported stolen according to a computer check.
Authorities say Edward Andrew Corley, Jr., was working without a license, and that his application to be licensed was denied twice by the state.
Investigators say Corley had four guns and a crossbow in his car when he was arrested and one of those guns was stolen.
Police reports did not indicate if Corley was working for an agency or had been hired as a direct employee at the hotel.
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Jailed shoplifter refused right to breast feed baby www.privateofficer.com
Jailed shoplifter refused right to breastfeed baby www.privateofficer.com
Charlotte N.C. Nov. 28, 2007 A Brazilian woman, held in the Mecklenburg County jail since Friday on an immigration violation, is not being allowed to provide breast milk for her son, who is less than 2 months old.
Ezequiel Oliveira, who is helping care for the woman’s two children, said he spent hours at the jail Monday trying to get a breast pump to 29-year-old Danielle Ferreira. He said Ferreira’s baby, Samuel, is crying incessantly and keeps spitting up baby formula.
“We give him formula and put in the pacifier but he is crying day and night, day and night, all the time,” Oliveira said.
Jail officials say they can’t discuss conversations inmates have with medical staff, but are aware of the situation. In general, spokeswoman Julia Rush said, inmates are not allowed to express milk without a court order. She said mothers are treated for symptoms when they must abruptly stop nursing.
Just this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement formally adopted guidelines that allow pregnant women or nursing mothers to be released under supervised conditions.
Ferreira, who was originally jailed on a shoplifting charge, is in the jail on an immigration hold, meaning she will be turned over to immigration officials once her state charge is dispensed.
She was arrested Friday at Eastland Mall, and her children were with her, Oliveira said.
Ferreira’s brother hid a CD or DVD in her baby stroller without her knowledge, according to Oliveira, and the two were arrested on a misdemeanor shoplifting charge as they walked out of a store. Oliveira said he got a call from police saying he needed to pick up the baby, Samuel, and his 2-year-old brother, Daniel, or they would be turned over to the Mecklenburg Department of Social Services.
Ferreira doesn’t have any relatives in the area, except for her brother who is also in jail, Oliveira said. She planned to return to Brazil next month and already had airline tickets for herself, her brother and her two children, he said. She was going to stay in Brazil, he added, so that her mother and other family members could help her raise her children, who were born in the United States.
Ferreira came to this country on a visa and was supposed to return to Brazil by April 2005, according to Rush. Ferreira would have been sent to Atlanta for a deportation hearing by now, Rush said, but signed a waiver saying she wants to return to her native country without a hearing.
Rush said the jail staff plans to meet with Ferreira today to make sure she understands the waiver and to let her know how to contact the consulate if she wants to take her children to Brazil with her.
Oliveira, who is Ferreira’s pastor and also from Brazil, said he saw her Sunday and she complained of a fever and soreness in her breasts because she hasn’t been allowed to express milk. He said Samuel doesn’t seem to feel well, has a rash and spits up every time he drinks formula.
Jan Ellen Brown, a Charlotte lactation consultant, said it’s not good for a mother or baby when nursing stops abruptly. She said breast milk is best for infants and an infant who has been nursing for two months could have a reaction to formula or trouble drinking from a bottle. Mothers who stop nursing without weaning are in a lot of pain and are susceptible to breast infection.
Angeles Ortega-Moore, executive director of the Latin American Coalition, said she has heard before of nursing moms not being allowed to express milk while in the Mecklenburg jail.
“That seems to be inhumane for anyone whether they are in this country legally or not. Experts will tell you this is a very difficult time for a mom to be separated from her baby,” said Ortega-Moore. “Regardless of what the mom has done, we are putting the health of a young child at risk.”
Latino activist Maudia Melendez had not heard about Ferreira until she was contacted by the Observer late Monday. She said she plans to call the sheriff and immigration officials today to ask them to reunite the mother and baby.
“They should let her go for humanitarian reasons. Let her pay her fine (on the state charge) and give her a court date in Atlanta (for the immigration violation),” Melendez said. “We are talking about a baby. It doesn’t make any sense.”
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Hannah Montana tickets might be fakes! www.privateofficer.com
Hannah Montanna Tickets Are A Problem http://www.privateofficer.com
Atlanta Georgia Nov. 28, 2007
With the ever growing popularity of the little teenage girl with the big adult voice and bank account, comes the fake tickets! With Miley Cyress’s concerts selling out in a matter of minutes all over the country, prices for real tickets can be as much as $10,000 from a local scalper!Police in Chalotte North Carolina and Atlanta Georgia say beware of fake tickets because they have seen them and know that there are others out there.Imagine paying thousands of dollars for a ticket only to be turned away at the door, detective Renaldo Reyes said.It’s hard to spot the fakes especially when you’re already hyped up and excited just to be able to get your hands on them! Reyes warns parents to be careful and not to invest large amounts of money in something that isn’t a sure thing. It’s no different than going to a casino or betting on the horses detective Reyes said. It’s a gamble and the people have to realize that.Police in many major cities are cracking down on scalpers and looking for the fake tickets but it’s a cat and mouse game the detective said. Like any other superstar or teen idol, there’s a lot of money being made on this little girl and it’s not all legal.
Officials with the Gwinnett County Arena are warning parents who paid up to $2,500 for tonight’s Hannah Montana tickets that some of the tickets may be fake.
Arena spokesman Chris Hendley said officials have tried to warn people from the time tickets for tonight’s show went on sale to be careful about buying tickets. Hendley says the Arena can only guarantee tickets sold through Ticketmaster.com, the arena’s own phone lines or through the box office.
people have paid from $500 to $2,500 to get the tickets from other sources.
Officials say there’s no way to know whether the tickets are real until the concert, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Arena in Duluth. Traffic in the area is expected to be heavy.
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