Tag: FBI

Passengers who helped restrain disruptive man on American Airlines flight describe chaos

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A passenger on a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey was so disruptive, he had to be duct-taped to his seat. Witnesses who were on board the American Airlines flight on Thursday night told CBS News New York his behavior was putting everyone at risk. Juan Mejia, a retired law enforcement officer, and Richard Olenick say the chaos unfolded about two hours into their flight from Dallas, Texas.

“Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos,” Mejia said. “I turned around to look, and the poor gentleman that was sitting next to him in the aisle seat, the individual had his hands around his neck and was, like, assaulting him.” “He called one of the flight attendants the N word,” Olenick said. “Everyone who was in first class was basically victimized by his spewing of hatred and the discrimination, and the hostility, and vulgarness that was coming out of his mouth,” Mejia said. Mejia and Olenick, who were sitting two rows in front of the unruly passenger, say they jumped in to help restrain the man, wrapping him with duct tape and tying him down with zip ties provided by a flight attendant.

“He bit my hand. He didn’t break skin, just left teeth marks on my hand. We were covered in his blood,” Mejia said. “He was bleeding quite a bit from cuts that he inflicted on himself.” The pilot diverted the flight to Baltimore, where local police and the FBI took over. “On Sept. 3, American Airlines flight 618 diverted to Baltimore (BWI) due to a disruptive customer. Upon arrival, law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with deplaning the customer before the flight continued to its destination. The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence. We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding,” American Airlines said in a statement.

Travel experts say these cases are becoming all too common and the actions taken on this flight are legal and within protocol. “It’s a common protocol. If they are that unruly, they are getting the duct tape out and they are getting the zip ties out because they’ve gotta restrain them and they’ve gotta keep them in that position until they divert,” CBS News travel expert Peter Greenberg said. Mejia and Olenick say they don’t know what may have triggered the passenger, but believe alcohol may have played a role. “I remember one of the stewardesses saying they only gave him one drink,” Mejia said. More from CBS News

Source: Passengers who helped restrain disruptive man on American Airlines flight describe chaos – CBS Baltimore

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
Hebrews 8:6

Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. In the verse David is praying in the morning while…

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Megachurch pastor Greg Locke blames online accusations after…

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Wooden church with steeple and lit entrance in foggy countryside at sunrise and police lights in distance

The controversial Tennessee pastor told congregants on Sunday that federal investigators raided his family home less than two months ago. The June raid came during a six-week sabbatical Locke took after his 20-year-old son died from a drug overdose in early May. Locke described the raid as Satan kicking his family while they were down. The charismatic preacher emerged as a controversial figure among evangelical Christian circles for being vocal about his political beliefs and repeatedly characterizing the COVID-19 pandemic as a hoax.

What happened during the raid? About 60 federal agents conducted a pre-dawn raid on Locke’s central Tennessee home followed by a three-hour search, Locke said. The pastor said he woke up to a knock at the front door, and before he could answer, officials beat through his door with a battering ram and pushed him to the ground, he said. Locke said investigators pulled his wife outside in her sleep shirt and underwear, before pushing one of his sons against a wall and holding him at gunpoint with an AR-style weapon, Locke said. Officials executed multiple search warrants as part of a nearly two-year private investigation into Locke. Investigators searched Locke’s family home, along with his business, Locke Media, Locke said, and a served subpoena for the church buildings.

Officials told the family that the warrants stemmed from an investigation opened due to the overabundance of allegations online accusing Locke of misappropriating funds. Agents searched every cabinet, drawer, bed, and chicken coop, he said. Officials ended up confiscating all Locke’s phones and digital devices, and downloaded their data, Locke said. The pastor said he was now working to pull six years’ worth of personal and business records for officials, while investigators subpoenaed donors and overseas missionaries connected with the church. The investigation also resulted in the closure of Locke’s personal bank account as well as the church’s. The pastor’s family has used CashApp and PayPal to conduct transactions since the raid, he said. Locke said his platform was so large that street riots would have broken out if he’d publicized the raid when it happened.

God tells people not to fight because He will bring vindication, Locke continued. The pastor said he refused to identify the three-letter federal agency that conducted the search, and prayed blessings over everyone involved. Locke told congregants on Sunday that he would not give any additional interviews or release any other public statements about the raid going forward. What federal agency conducted the search? FBI spokeswoman Elizabeth Clement-Webb told WORLD on Thursday that the FBI was not involved in the raids and referred reporters to the Justice Department.

Source: Megachurch pastor Greg Locke blames online accusations after… | WORLD

For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Romans 13:9

A study of the Mesha Stele

The Mesha Stele, also famously known as the Moabite Stone, is a 3-foot-tall black basalt monument dating back to circa 840 BCE. It is one of the most vital archaeological discoveries connecting…

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Ransomware attack shuts down Evanston Township High School campus

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a person holding a tablet device with skull image near blackboard

The FBI is investigating a cybersecurity at Evanston Township High School that has closed down the whole campus Monday morning. A ransomware attack is hitting the district’s phone lines, internet services and computers, and impacting the school’s emergency notification and public address systems. “Because these systems are not fully operational, we made the determination to cancel summer school classes and other on-campus activities until we can restore access to a point where we can safely run school,” said district spokesperson Reine Hanna.

A popup on the Evanston Township High School website announced that summer school, sports camps, and on-campus activities are canceled due to the ransomware attack that happened on Sunday. Hanna told CBS News Chicago that they have not yet received a money demand for the attack, but it’s “part of the investigation and response process.” “Because this happened in the summer months, the impact is substantially less than it would’ve been during the regular school year,” she said. She said the disruption means staff may have limited access to their email and student accounts may not work.

Phone systems are also unavailable. She said the breach is causing a major disruption for students and teachers that do need to access the school building, who will not be able to for at least two days. Staff members that were scheduled to come in to work Monday have been told to stay home and work remotely. A school spokesperson said their IT team discovered the breach. An email sent to parents, students and staff Sunday night assured the community that the hack is being handled. Cybersecurity attorneys and forensic experts are on the case, and the FBI is investigating. The district’s superintendent said the school is still working to figure out what information the hackers may have accessed, and said, “recovery efforts are under way.”

Source: Ransomware attack shuts down Evanston Township High School campus – CBS Chicago

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around…

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Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan to Chicago diverted to Miami after passenger tries to open door mid-flight

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A Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago O’Hare International Airport Sunday was diverted to Miami when a passenger tried to open the door mid-flight. In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said Frontier Airlines Flight 3345 was in the air en route from San Juan to Chicago when there was a “passenger disturbance” reported by the crew. The FAA said the flight landed safely at Miami International Airport around 11:55 p.m. ET. In a statement, Frontier confirmed a passenger “became disruptive” before the fight was diverted. “Law enforcement boarded the aircraft in Miami and removed the passenger and the flight subsequently continued on to Chicago a few hours later,” the statement concluded.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said flight attendants and other passengers on the plane told them the man tried to open the exit doors while in flight, saying he wanted to get off the plane. Flight attendants tried to stop him and told him to sit down, but he ignored them and instead went to the front of the plane, where police said he tried to get into the pilot’s cabin. Flight attendants tried multiple times to get him back to his seat, police said, then took him to a different seat and an off-duty flight attendant volunteered to sit in his row on the aisle. When the off-duty attendant got up to use the bathroom, police said the man tried to grab his bag. When he was told not to touch the off-duty attendant’s belongings, police said they were told the man then attacked the off-duty flight attendant, trying to choke him, as other passengers restrained him. Eventually, police said flight attendants and passengers were able to restrain the man. The flight was diverted to Miami, where he was arrested. The FBI also interviewed the man after his arrest, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said.

Source: Frontier Airlines flight from San Juan to Chicago diverted to Miami after passenger tries to open door mid-flight – CBS Chicago

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40

Reclaiming Attention From Distractions

Pip: Drink of Jesus has been asking a question your phone’s algorithm would really prefer you not think about: what if the thing eating your attention is the distraction? Mara: That’s the thread…

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Hope in the dark

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening right now,…

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Texas child‑exploitation crackdown leads to 276 arrests and 89 children rescued, authorities say

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armed combat forces on american street

A sweeping two‑month child‑exploitation crackdown across Texas has led to 276 arrests and the rescue of 89 children, federal and local authorities announced this week. Officials called Operation Soteria Shield one of the state’s largest coordinated efforts to combat online predators. The initiative, led by FBI Dallas and dozens of Texas law enforcement agencies, ran from March to April 2026. Those arrested face charges ranging from possession, distribution, and production of child sexual abuse material to online solicitation, trafficking, and sexual assault. The 89 rescued children include previously unidentified victims.  The crackdown brought together 91 agencies and 197 personnel, including investigators, analysts, digital‑forensics specialists, prosecutors, and child‑advocacy partners.  

Targeting online child exploitation Operation Soteria Shield focused on identifying people who target children across social media, messaging apps, and other online platforms. Investigators pursued suspects accused of creating, sharing, or possessing child sexual abuse material, soliciting minors online, trafficking children, committing sexual assault, and other forms of exploitation. Officials said the cases remain active and additional charges are likely as forensic reviews continue. The effort was announced by the FBI Dallas’ North Texas Child Exploitation Task Force and the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Leaders stress trauma and teamwork Leaders from the FBI and the police departments of Dallas, Plano, Wylie, Garland, and Fort Worth emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation and the lasting trauma these crimes inflict on victims. “This would not have been successful without the resolve of each participating agency,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “These are not victimless crimes,” Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux said.

“They leave lasting trauma on children and families. I am incredibly proud of the work of our investigators and every agency partner who helped make this operation successful.” “Every child deserves to grow up safe, protected, and free from exploitation,” Plano Police Chief Ed Drain said. “This operation reflects our shared commitment to defend children wherever abuse occurs, whether that is in a home, on a device or through an online platform. The work done by these investigators has changed lives.”

Full list of participating agencies

Participating agencies included:

  • Abilene Police Department
  • Allen Police Department
  • Andrews Police Department
  • Aubrey Police Department
  • Azle Police Department
  • Bartonville Police Department
  • Bedford Police Department
  • Bonham Police Department
  • Bowie County Sheriff’s Office
  • Burleson Police Department
  • Carrollton Police Department
  • Celina Police Department
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County
  • Childress County Sheriff’s Office
  • Cleburne Police Department
  • Colleyville Police Department
  • Collin County District Attorney’s Office
  • Collin County Sheriff’s Office
  • Commerce Police Department
  • Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
  • Crowley Police Department
  • Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
  • Dallas Police Department
  • Denton County Sheriff’s Office
  • Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division
  • DeSoto Police Department
  • Dublin Police Department
  • Duncanville Police Department
  • Ellis County Sheriff’s Office
  • Elm Ridge Police Department
  • Euless Police Department
  • Fannin County Sheriff’s Office
  • Farmers Branch Police Department
  • FBI Dallas Field Office
  • FBI El Paso Field Office
  • FBI San Antonio Field Office
  • Flower Mound Police Department
  • Fort Worth Police Department
  • Frisco Police Department
  • Garland Police Department
  • Grayson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Greenville Police Department
  • Gregg County Sheriff’s Office
  • Harrison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Hawk Cove Police Department
  • Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Highland Park Department of Public Safety
  • Homeland Security Investigations
  • Honey Grove Police Department
  • Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office
  • Irving Police Department
  • Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Lamesa Police Department
  • Lewisville Police Department
  • Little Elm Police Department
  • Littlefield Police Department
  • Lone Star Police Department
  • Longview Police Department
  • Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office
  • Lubbock Police Department
  • McKinney Police Department
  • Mesquite Police Department
  • Midlothian Police Department
  • Northlake Police Department
  • Office of Inspector General – Texas Juvenile Justice Department
  • Olney Police Department
  • Palmer Police Department
  • Pampa Police Department
  • Parker County Sheriff’s Office
  • Plainview Police Department
  • Plano Police Department
  • Princeton Police Department
  • Prosper Police Department
  • Richardson Police Department
  • Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
  • Rockwall Police Department
  • Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office
  • Rowlett Police Department
  • Royse City Police Department
  • Rusk County Sheriff’s Office
  • Seminole Police Department
  • Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
  • Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
  • Texas Department of Public Safety
  • U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas
  • Valley View Police Department
  • White Settlement Police Department
  • Wilmer Police Department
  • Wylie Police Department

Source: Texas child‑exploitation crackdown leads to 276 arrests and 89 children rescued, authorities say – CBS Texas

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

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FBI raids nearly two dozen Minnesota child care centers in fraud probe, including ‘Quality Learing Center’

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FBI agents in tactical gear entering childcare building behind police tape

The FBI raided 22 childcare centers in Minnesota Tuesday morning as part of a wide-ranging investigation of social services fraud. Unlike this past winter’s Operation Metro Surge, the raids were not focused on immigration enforcement, but reportedly on prominent businesses tied to the Somali-American community. “Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation,” a Justice Department official told The Post.

The targets included the Quality Learning Center — a Minneapolis day care that infamously misspelled the word “Learning” in its signage. President Trump announced a “war on fraud” in his February State of the Union address and put Vice President JD Vance in charge of a task force leading the effort.

Source: FBI raids nearly two dozen Minnesota child care centers in fraud probe, including ‘Quality Learing Center’

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17

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FBI offers $50,000 reward for arrest of alleged gang member in National Guard soldier’s murder

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Reward poster for John Doe wanted for armed robbery, assault, and burglary

The FBI on Tuesday announced a reward of $50,000 for the arrest and conviction of a man wanted in the 2021 shooting death of a National Guard member. Joseph “Troubles” Matos has already been indicted by a grand jury in the shooting that killed Illinois National Guard soldier Chrys Carvajal on July 3, 2021. Matos and co-defendant Gary “Gotti” Roberson are accused of killing Carvajal “for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the Milwaukee Kings” street gang, according to a May 2024 indictment.

According to the indictment, the Milwaukee Kings gang operates on the North Side of Chicago and carries out murders and other acts of violence to preserve and protect its power and territory, to further illegal drug trafficking, and to keep others in fear of the gang. Carvajal, 19, who had just returned home after Army National Guard training, was leaving a party on July 3, 2021, and walking to his car when he was shot and killed at the corner of Lockwood Avenue and Palmer Street in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

Source: FBI offers $50,000 reward for arrest of alleged gang member in National Guard soldier’s murder – CBS Chicago

With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Psalm 119:10

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FBI’s “Operation Gangsta’s Paradise” leads to more than 40 Southern California arrests of Mexican Mafia gang members

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back view of a group of friends walking

Dozens of alleged Mexican Mafia members and associates were arrested during a federal investigation, including several warrants served at locations across Southern California early Thursday.  FBI raids took place in both Los Angeles and Orange counties in what federal officials called “Operation Gangsta’s Paradise.” Arrest warrants were served in Anaheim, Santa Ana and Lakewood, during which 25 alleged gang members were arrested.

They are all believed to be part of “La Eme,” which is a U.S.-based prison gang that has control over other street gangs in Southern California,” said a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.  The arrests were made in connection with three federal indictments that charge 40 defendants with a litany of counts like kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking, illegal gambling and murder. Federal investigators said that the murder happened at a “gang-controlled Anaheim motel.”

Source: FBI’s “Operation Gangsta’s Paradise” leads to more than 40 Southern California arrests of Mexican Mafia gang members – CBS Los Angeles

One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:4

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FBI, Detroit police investigating call of possible human remains found at vacant lot

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investigator on crime scene

FBI and Detroit police officers are searching a vacant lot in Detroit’s west side on Monday after receiving a report of possible human remains in the area. The investigation is at a vacant lot in the 5000 block of Oregon Street near Beechwood Street. This location is near Interstate 96. A spokesperson with the FBI Detroit confirmed that agents are present on the property and said that “there is no current threat to the public at this time.”

Detroit police told CBS News Detroit that a call came in from someone who said they found human remains in the area. Police and FBI agents started sifting through the soil on the property.

Source: FBI, Detroit police investigating call of possible human remains found at vacant lot – CBS Detroit

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

Michigan synagogue attack was Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism, FBI says

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men having conversation while investigating

The attack earlier this month on a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, was “a Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism purposely targeting the Jewish community and the largest Jewish temple in Michigan,” the FBI said in a news conference Monday.

The assailant, Ayman Ghazali, a naturalized US citizen from Lebanon, rammed a pickup truck into the synagogue on March 12, as more than 100 children were attending school inside.

After waiting in the synagogue’s parking lot for more than two hours, authorities said, Ghazali drove the truck far into the building – hitting a security officer – before the vehicle became wedged in a hallway.

Security officers for the synagogue began exchanging gunfire with Ghazali, who eventually shot and killed himself inside the truck. During the chaos, the truck’s engine compartment caught fire and caused extensive damage to the building. The truck was filled with over $2,000 of commercial-grade fireworks and about 35 gallons of gasoline, which he used to “enhance” the explosion, said Jennifer Runyan, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Detroit.

Source: Michigan synagogue attack was Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism, FBI says | CNN

Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You.
Psalm 38:9