KSL Channel 5 is reporting that a mission president in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was briefly held, robbed, then released by armed bandits in Argentina. David Paul Robertson, 52, president of the Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission, was driving his Toyota Hilux truck in Ciudadela (a Buenos Aires suburb) on the night of September 24th when armed bandits stopped him at an intersection. The thieves held President Robertson for a few minutes, then released him, taking his truck, computer, cell phone and cash. This is described as an "express kidnapping", which has emerged as a special category of crime in Argentina becoming sufficiently commonplace so as to trigger a U.S. Embassy warning to Americans living in and traveling to Argentina. Crime has become so prevalent that in April 2014, Buenos Aires authorities declared a state of emergency to cope with it. Comments posted to KSL indicate it is not uncommon for missionaries to get robbed in Argentina.
Although there's no evidence that American visitors are being preferentially targeted, Argentina's notoriously unstable President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has stirred up some anti-American feeling by vague charges that the U.S. is trying to remove her from power. This is fueled by Argentina's refusal to pay a $1.3 billion judgment awarded by New York Judge Thomas Griesa to vulture fund investors who refused to accept a "haircut" on Argentinian bonds from the country’s previous default in 2001. Persistent economic stagnation in Argentina has caused the Argentine peso to continue to fall and triggered a steady rise in crime levels. On the bright side, this is President Kirchner's last term in office, and a prospective rival candidate for president has publicly questioned Kirchner's sanity.
President Robertson took over as president of the Buenos Aires West mission in July 2014. He and his wife, Juliana Marie Hendershot Robertson, have seven children. He is a former counselor in a stake presidency, stake Young Men president, bishop, and missionary in the Brazil Recife Mission, as well as a SANW area controller, Corporation of the Presiding Bishop.
The Spanish-language Eldia.com also has a published account.
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crime. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Monday, November 18, 2013
Fake LDS Missionaries Allegedly Set Up Assault On Man In Jewel Lake Neighborhood Of Anchorage, Alaska
According to a report from KTVA Channel 11, two men posing as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may have participated in an assault upon a man in the Jewel Lake neighborhood in Anchorage.
The incident occurred during the evening of November 12th, 2013. Bob Hoffman, president of the Bayshore/Klatt Community Council, said a friend of his was approached by two men wearing overcoats and carrying flowers. They asked the friend if he knew Jesus, and if he had heard of the Mormons. A third man attacked the victim from behind, beating and choking him into unconsciousness. The victim was hospitalized for two days. Because a similar modus operandi has allegedly been used in east Anchorage, Hoffman sent an email to members of the council's mailing list alerting them to a "possible community threat."
This is the second reported incident of fake missionaries committing crimes in 2013; two individuals were arrested in Las Vegas for staging a home invasion and robbery while dressed as missionaries. In both case, name tags were not worn; missionaries always wear name tags when proselyting in public. In the Las Vegas case, Robert Estall and Abraham Austins Jr. face felony first-degree kidnapping, robbery and battery charges, and are scheduled for trial on January 8th, 2014. Clark County Detention Center records indicate both are still in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
The incident occurred during the evening of November 12th, 2013. Bob Hoffman, president of the Bayshore/Klatt Community Council, said a friend of his was approached by two men wearing overcoats and carrying flowers. They asked the friend if he knew Jesus, and if he had heard of the Mormons. A third man attacked the victim from behind, beating and choking him into unconsciousness. The victim was hospitalized for two days. Because a similar modus operandi has allegedly been used in east Anchorage, Hoffman sent an email to members of the council's mailing list alerting them to a "possible community threat."
This is the second reported incident of fake missionaries committing crimes in 2013; two individuals were arrested in Las Vegas for staging a home invasion and robbery while dressed as missionaries. In both case, name tags were not worn; missionaries always wear name tags when proselyting in public. In the Las Vegas case, Robert Estall and Abraham Austins Jr. face felony first-degree kidnapping, robbery and battery charges, and are scheduled for trial on January 8th, 2014. Clark County Detention Center records indicate both are still in jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Idaho Governor Butch Otter Condemns Vandalism Of Three LDS Chapels In Chubbuck
On November 10th, 2013, Idaho Governor Butch Otter issued a statement condemning the vandalism of three chapels of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which was first reported to police around 6:45 A.M. on Thursday November 7th. The chapels were tagged with graffiti which included anti-LDS statements, vulgar language, numerous drawings of male and female genitalia, and a depiction of the devil.
Governor Otter's complete statement:
Some screenshots of the vandalism from a KPVI Channel 6 news video are published below:
Chubbuck Police Chief Randy Severe believes the same suspect or suspects were involved in all three incidents, and said that the perps will likely face felony charges since damages are greater than $1000. Chief Severe says the vandalism could be considered a possible hate crime since a religious building was targeted, but added it's too early in the investigation to make that decision. No leads have been uncovered as of this post. President Dave Penrod, Stake President of the Pocatello North Stake, said they are working with a restoration company and plan to have the vandalism removed as soon as possible. Another LDS spokesman, Larry Fisher, said the graffiti was similar to that left on two LDS chapels in Pocatello in May 2012.
Since Governor Otter is Roman Catholic, he cannot be credibly accused of favoritism towards the LDS Church. Governor Otter would undoubtedly condemn acts of vandalism targeting any church in the state if it was obvious the church was being targeted because of its theology, as is the case here. Those who would like to thank Gov. Otter for taking such a firm stand against vandalism and anti-religious bigotry can visit this page and send him a message.
Governor Otter's complete statement:
"Defiling or defacing houses of worship — of any faith or denomination — is an attack not just on religious beliefs or even our law, but also on our culture and our values. It disturbs the sanctuaries of our spiritual well-being. These are not merely the acts of misguided individuals. They speak to a more fundamental disregard for sacred places, social order and the freedoms that generations of Americans have sacrificed to protect."
Some screenshots of the vandalism from a KPVI Channel 6 news video are published below:
Chubbuck Police Chief Randy Severe believes the same suspect or suspects were involved in all three incidents, and said that the perps will likely face felony charges since damages are greater than $1000. Chief Severe says the vandalism could be considered a possible hate crime since a religious building was targeted, but added it's too early in the investigation to make that decision. No leads have been uncovered as of this post. President Dave Penrod, Stake President of the Pocatello North Stake, said they are working with a restoration company and plan to have the vandalism removed as soon as possible. Another LDS spokesman, Larry Fisher, said the graffiti was similar to that left on two LDS chapels in Pocatello in May 2012.
Since Governor Otter is Roman Catholic, he cannot be credibly accused of favoritism towards the LDS Church. Governor Otter would undoubtedly condemn acts of vandalism targeting any church in the state if it was obvious the church was being targeted because of its theology, as is the case here. Those who would like to thank Gov. Otter for taking such a firm stand against vandalism and anti-religious bigotry can visit this page and send him a message.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Both Fake LDS Missionaries Now In Custody In Las Vegas, Case Will Be Forwarded For Trial
The second of two Mormon missionary imposters is now in custody. On Wednesday August 28th, 2013, Robert Estall, 25, turned himself in to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. This comes only five days after Abraham Austin, 28, was arrested in North Las Vegas on August 23rd. Austin has been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary with a gun, battery, robbery with a deadly weapon, battery with a deadly weapon and two counts of kidnapping; Estall is facing identical charges. Their first hearing is scheduled for August 30th. Facilitating the quick arrests was the fact that both suspects were identified by members of the public as having served in the military at Nellis Air Force Base; consequently, police contacted authorities at Nellis and obtained records on the two perps to use in their investigation.
The two perps, dressed in missionary attire except for the lack of name tags, knocked on Terrence Delucia's door in the area of Flamingo Road and Buffalo Drive in southwest Las Vegas at around 6:20 A.M. on June 27th, 2013 and said they "wanted to talk religion" with Delucia. Delucia told them it was too early in the day and began to close the door on the two perps, where upon they forced their way in and jumped him. According to earlier reports, the perps took $3,000 the family had been saving for a trip to Disneyland, along with three iPads and an iPod, but according to this new report, one of the intruders starting yelling "Where's the safe?" "Where's the money?" and "We know you have money". They pistol-whipped Delucia several times in the back of his head and face, and then, in addition to the other items taken, the perps took about an ounce of the man's medical marijuana from a safe in his garage before leaving.
This latter report makes me wonder if the perps obtained information about Delucia from the person who supplies his medical marijuana. What better explanation can be offered for the specific questions directed at Delucia by the perps?
Update October 3rd: On September 13th, Las Vegas Township Judge Janiece Marshall found enough evidence existed to send this case to trial in Clark County District Court, despite a discrepancy in an account of the incident related by the victim, Terence Delucia. The preliminary hearing also revealed that Delucia was a reluctant witness and prosecutors had to issue a warrant to get him to testify just days before the family was scheduled to move out of state. On the stand, though, he said he’d never received calls from prosecutors asking him to appear and denied that he was forced to testify. The case could hinge on Terence Delucia’s testimony, since he said his wife and daughter were hidden in other rooms of the house while the alleged attack and theft went down. Robert Estall, 25, and Abraham Austin Jr., also known as Abraham Austins Jr., 28, are charged with first-degree kidnapping, robbery, battery and burglary in the alleged pistol-whipping and robbery of Terence Delucia on June 27th. Both remain in Clark County Detention Center, where bail for each is $250,000.
Update November 18th: Clark County Detention Center records indicate both Estall and Austin are still in jail, and that their next court hearing is scheduled for January 8th, 2014.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Fake LDS Missionaries Rob Las Vegas Homeowner, Escape With Around $3,000 Cash; How To Detect Mormon Missionary Impersonators
Update August 29th: Both Abraham Austin and Robert Estall have been arrested and charged; updated post HERE.
It's bad enough that we have to deal with police impersonators. But now, due to the increased prominence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we also have missionary impersonators. Two men dressed as Mormon missionaries knocked on a person’s door to discuss religion and then attacked and robbed him at gunpoint in the area of Flamingo Road and Buffalo Drive in the southwest part of Las Vegas, Nevada. Although the crime took place around 6:20 A.M. on June 27th, 2013, it is only now that the Las Vegas Sun and KTNV Channel 13 are reporting on it because police didn't release photos of the suspects until today (August 20th).
The suspects were dressed in standard missionary attire, wearing black pants and white shirts with black ties, although neither this Las Vegas Sun photo nor this KVVU photo shows them wearing name tags. They spoke with the victim for about five minutes before jumping and punching him. They demanded property from the victim while holding him at gunpoint. Although the media outlets have not specified what was taken, a poster on Nevada Shooters says the two perps escaped with around $5,000 worth of cash and property combined. However, KSTU Channel 13 now reports that the victim, identified as Terence Delucia, says the perps took $3,000 the family had been saving for a trip to Disneyland, along with three iPads and an iPod. DeLucia's wife and daughter hid in a closet and were unhurt.
Suspect Description: One suspect is white, 22 to 28 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 130 to 145 pounds. He was carrying a black backpack and was armed with a handgun. The other man is black, 22 to 28 years old, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 190 to 210 pounds. The Las Vegas Sun is to be commended for including the race in the perps' description; too many media outlets refuse to do so today due to political correctness.
How To Spot A Missionary Impersonator: The victim obviously never expected fake missionaries. Here's how these perps could have been smoked out in advance:
-- No name tags. All missionaries engaged in proselytization wear official name tags -- NO EXCEPTIONS!
-- Knocking on doors at 6 A.M. Doesn't happen. Missionaries only engage in door-to-door proselyting during daylight hours, particularly between 10 A.M. and 9 P.M.
-- Backpacks. Backpacks are no longer authorized for official missionary use; they now use shoulder bags.
Update: I was under the impression that all missionaries carried an "ecclesiastical license" to preach on their person when proselyting based upon Tim Malone's experience during his mission to Central America. However, since a commenter said he received no such license for his own mission, this can no longer be used as a litmus test.
In the final analysis, use common sense. If someone you don't know is at your door, ask them to establish their bonafides before opening your door. Discussion has now surfaced on LDS Freedom Forum and the F2 Anonboard (uncensored)
 |
| Screenshot of photo from KSL Channel 5; note there are NO NAME TAGS |
The suspects were dressed in standard missionary attire, wearing black pants and white shirts with black ties, although neither this Las Vegas Sun photo nor this KVVU photo shows them wearing name tags. They spoke with the victim for about five minutes before jumping and punching him. They demanded property from the victim while holding him at gunpoint. Although the media outlets have not specified what was taken, a poster on Nevada Shooters says the two perps escaped with around $5,000 worth of cash and property combined. However, KSTU Channel 13 now reports that the victim, identified as Terence Delucia, says the perps took $3,000 the family had been saving for a trip to Disneyland, along with three iPads and an iPod. DeLucia's wife and daughter hid in a closet and were unhurt.
Suspect Description: One suspect is white, 22 to 28 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 130 to 145 pounds. He was carrying a black backpack and was armed with a handgun. The other man is black, 22 to 28 years old, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 190 to 210 pounds. The Las Vegas Sun is to be commended for including the race in the perps' description; too many media outlets refuse to do so today due to political correctness.
How To Spot A Missionary Impersonator: The victim obviously never expected fake missionaries. Here's how these perps could have been smoked out in advance:
-- No name tags. All missionaries engaged in proselytization wear official name tags -- NO EXCEPTIONS!
-- Knocking on doors at 6 A.M. Doesn't happen. Missionaries only engage in door-to-door proselyting during daylight hours, particularly between 10 A.M. and 9 P.M.
-- Backpacks. Backpacks are no longer authorized for official missionary use; they now use shoulder bags.
Update: I was under the impression that all missionaries carried an "ecclesiastical license" to preach on their person when proselyting based upon Tim Malone's experience during his mission to Central America. However, since a commenter said he received no such license for his own mission, this can no longer be used as a litmus test.
In the final analysis, use common sense. If someone you don't know is at your door, ask them to establish their bonafides before opening your door. Discussion has now surfaced on LDS Freedom Forum and the F2 Anonboard (uncensored)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Accused Montana Murderer Jeremy Brent Cramer Now Identified As A Mormon; Faces A Max Of 100 Years In Prison Or Death
Update December 17th 2013: Jeremy Brent Cramer pleaded guilty to murdering his three-year-old son, telling the judge he wanted to take accountability for his actions and end the ordeal. He said a prison sentence doesn't matter with his son dead. Cramer reached a plea agreement in which prosecutors will recommend a sentence of life in prison with no parole restrictions instead of the death penalty, but Judge Loren Tucker told Cramer that he is not bound by the plea agreement's recommendation, and that a presentencing investigation will be conducted. A date for the sentencing hearing has not been set.
The story of accused murderer Jeremy Brent Cramer took an unfortunate twist on July 22nd, 2013, when the Daily Mail reported that Cramer is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who asked to speak to someone high in the church hierarchy during his interrogation. They also report that "the church president for southwestern Montana spoke with Cramer for an hour, but Cramer did not reveal the boy's location" (this could be a local stake president in the Anaconda area or a mission president). The murder was first reported by several sources, including the Daily Mail and KRTV Channel 3 in Great Falls, shortly after it occurred on July 8th.
Background: Jeremy Cramer has lived in Lacey, WA for one year with his wife Natalie and his then-three year old son Brody. He had a number of strikes against him, including the fact that he was addicted to methamphetamine and had started taking Adderall as a substitute. Cramer had also been unemployed for about a year, and the financial situation created tension between him and his wife; he was mad at her because she didn't want them to do a road trip to the East Coast due to lack of money. On Monday July 8th, 2013, Jeremy decided to take little Brody out for a ride; this raised no suspicion because he and his son were considered to be best friends.
The Murder: Natalie Cramer soon became concerned and tried to call her husband more than 50 times, but he neither answered nor responded to any of her text messages. She checked their joint bank account and discovered that her husband had filled up his truck at a Moses Lake gas station, more than 200 miles away from home. After she called 911, local police issued a bulletin to look for Cramer's truck and perform a welfare check on the father and son, but no Amber Alert was issued because they had no indication that Brody Cramer was in danger. Finally around 10.30 pm on Monday, police in Anaconda-Deer Lodge got a call from a convenience store clerk reporting that he saw a man trying to wash blood off his hands and clothes in the restroom. The clerk had been tipped off by a man who had given Cramer a ride and thought Cramer was acting odd. The responding officer officer found Cramer in the restroom with his pants off attempting to wash away the blood. He told the officer that he had broken up a fight at a rest area, but he was arrested when he refused to put his clothes back on. Cramer's wife confirmed her husband's identity and asked police to find her son. Police also found bloody keys and a knife on Cramer, along with an empty container for a generic substitute of the drug Adderall. The container for the stimulant said the prescription was filled on July 3rd with 60 pills, and only two pills were supposed to be taken per day.
Aftermath: Cramer initially refused to provide any information about his son. But this is where the story begins to get odd. On July 9th at 5:27 a.m., Cramer called his father from the jailhouse and told him he had killed his son, but didn't know why. Cramer told his father that he started walking down the road, with Brody on his shoulders, after running out of gas and that the boy became "like some other kid when he was on my neck", then he remembered looking at his son's face and "I just died right there", according to the court transcript. He also reportedly said "Dad, he's dead, dead, dead, dead because I know he is. I just know it. I see a vivid picture of him looking at him before ahhh. He's dead, OK". He also couldn't remember how many pills he took. Screenshot from the July 22nd Daily Mail story:
Finally, police found Brody Cramer's beaten and stabbed body in a field on Mill Creek Road about five miles southeast of Anaconda around 6:00 A.M. on July 9th. They also found a knife and two rocks covered with blood and hair next to the body, along with a blanket and a global-positioning satellite unit. Cramer has been charged with deliberate homicide and is being held on $250,000 bond; his next court hearing is on July 30th. If convicted, he could face up to 100 years in prison, although KOIN Channel 6 reports the death penalty is also possible. A public defender has been appointed for Cramer, which implies that he might have some difficulty making bond. He will also be excommunicated from the LDS Church if found guilty; convicted murderers are ineligible for LDS membership without the approval of the First Presidency. The LDS Church does not customarily disclose disciplinary council outcomes publicly.
According to media reports, Cramer appeared distraught during his initial court appearance, weeping and grimacing while the charges against him were read. From his reaction after he was arrested, combined with the fact that all his pills were gone, his remark about the "devil" or "adversary" being out, and his lack of a prior criminal record, there's a good chance that his remorse is genuine. The drugs made him vulnerable to Satanic influence; Satan loves nothing more than to bring down a Melchizedek Priesthood holder. This is not meant to minimize his guilt, but there's doubt that Cramer was in his right mind when he killed his son. It is quite possible that Cramer's lawyer will pursue a defense based upon the influence of the drugs, although Montana doesn't allow an insanity defense, but instead allow a guilty but mentally ill verdict.
A Natalie and Brody Cramer Fund has been set up through any branch of US Bank. Contributors should specify the "Natalie and Brody Cramer Fund" on the check or money order.
LDS membership provides powerful spiritual tools to enable one to resist temptation and to progress spiritually. But it does not provide immunity against temptation or adversity; we are required to experience adversity as a condition of mortality. In fact, we agreed to the rules of engagement before we came down to earth, but our memories of the agreement are clouded so that mortality might be a truly spontaneous experience for us. Faith remains the key to spiritual success down here.
The story of accused murderer Jeremy Brent Cramer took an unfortunate twist on July 22nd, 2013, when the Daily Mail reported that Cramer is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who asked to speak to someone high in the church hierarchy during his interrogation. They also report that "the church president for southwestern Montana spoke with Cramer for an hour, but Cramer did not reveal the boy's location" (this could be a local stake president in the Anaconda area or a mission president). The murder was first reported by several sources, including the Daily Mail and KRTV Channel 3 in Great Falls, shortly after it occurred on July 8th.
Background: Jeremy Cramer has lived in Lacey, WA for one year with his wife Natalie and his then-three year old son Brody. He had a number of strikes against him, including the fact that he was addicted to methamphetamine and had started taking Adderall as a substitute. Cramer had also been unemployed for about a year, and the financial situation created tension between him and his wife; he was mad at her because she didn't want them to do a road trip to the East Coast due to lack of money. On Monday July 8th, 2013, Jeremy decided to take little Brody out for a ride; this raised no suspicion because he and his son were considered to be best friends.
The Murder: Natalie Cramer soon became concerned and tried to call her husband more than 50 times, but he neither answered nor responded to any of her text messages. She checked their joint bank account and discovered that her husband had filled up his truck at a Moses Lake gas station, more than 200 miles away from home. After she called 911, local police issued a bulletin to look for Cramer's truck and perform a welfare check on the father and son, but no Amber Alert was issued because they had no indication that Brody Cramer was in danger. Finally around 10.30 pm on Monday, police in Anaconda-Deer Lodge got a call from a convenience store clerk reporting that he saw a man trying to wash blood off his hands and clothes in the restroom. The clerk had been tipped off by a man who had given Cramer a ride and thought Cramer was acting odd. The responding officer officer found Cramer in the restroom with his pants off attempting to wash away the blood. He told the officer that he had broken up a fight at a rest area, but he was arrested when he refused to put his clothes back on. Cramer's wife confirmed her husband's identity and asked police to find her son. Police also found bloody keys and a knife on Cramer, along with an empty container for a generic substitute of the drug Adderall. The container for the stimulant said the prescription was filled on July 3rd with 60 pills, and only two pills were supposed to be taken per day.
Aftermath: Cramer initially refused to provide any information about his son. But this is where the story begins to get odd. On July 9th at 5:27 a.m., Cramer called his father from the jailhouse and told him he had killed his son, but didn't know why. Cramer told his father that he started walking down the road, with Brody on his shoulders, after running out of gas and that the boy became "like some other kid when he was on my neck", then he remembered looking at his son's face and "I just died right there", according to the court transcript. He also reportedly said "Dad, he's dead, dead, dead, dead because I know he is. I just know it. I see a vivid picture of him looking at him before ahhh. He's dead, OK". He also couldn't remember how many pills he took. Screenshot from the July 22nd Daily Mail story:
Finally, police found Brody Cramer's beaten and stabbed body in a field on Mill Creek Road about five miles southeast of Anaconda around 6:00 A.M. on July 9th. They also found a knife and two rocks covered with blood and hair next to the body, along with a blanket and a global-positioning satellite unit. Cramer has been charged with deliberate homicide and is being held on $250,000 bond; his next court hearing is on July 30th. If convicted, he could face up to 100 years in prison, although KOIN Channel 6 reports the death penalty is also possible. A public defender has been appointed for Cramer, which implies that he might have some difficulty making bond. He will also be excommunicated from the LDS Church if found guilty; convicted murderers are ineligible for LDS membership without the approval of the First Presidency. The LDS Church does not customarily disclose disciplinary council outcomes publicly.
According to media reports, Cramer appeared distraught during his initial court appearance, weeping and grimacing while the charges against him were read. From his reaction after he was arrested, combined with the fact that all his pills were gone, his remark about the "devil" or "adversary" being out, and his lack of a prior criminal record, there's a good chance that his remorse is genuine. The drugs made him vulnerable to Satanic influence; Satan loves nothing more than to bring down a Melchizedek Priesthood holder. This is not meant to minimize his guilt, but there's doubt that Cramer was in his right mind when he killed his son. It is quite possible that Cramer's lawyer will pursue a defense based upon the influence of the drugs, although Montana doesn't allow an insanity defense, but instead allow a guilty but mentally ill verdict.
A Natalie and Brody Cramer Fund has been set up through any branch of US Bank. Contributors should specify the "Natalie and Brody Cramer Fund" on the check or money order.
LDS membership provides powerful spiritual tools to enable one to resist temptation and to progress spiritually. But it does not provide immunity against temptation or adversity; we are required to experience adversity as a condition of mortality. In fact, we agreed to the rules of engagement before we came down to earth, but our memories of the agreement are clouded so that mortality might be a truly spontaneous experience for us. Faith remains the key to spiritual success down here.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Fight Over "Saved Seats" After LDS Sacrament Meeting In Plain City, Utah; One Man Arrested
The issue of saving seats in LDS chapels during services occasionally surfaces for discussion in the Bloggernacle, but on Sunday June 30th, it became a criminal justice issue when one ward member was arrested because of a fight over "saved seats". KSTU Channel 13 has the primary story; the Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune also weigh in with a few extra facts.
Summary: It began with an argument over seating just prior to an unusually-packed Sacrament meeting with over 400 in attendance at the Meadows Ward located near 2300 North and 3600 West in Plain City, Utah. The surge of interest was triggered by a missionary farewell and a baby blessing. A family that normally does not attend that ward had seated themselves in a pew and was reserving seats for other family members. When 51-year-old Wayne Dodge, a regular member of the ward described as being six-foot-two and weighing 250 lbs, sat down in one of the seats being reserved, angry words were exchanged between the two parties. The individuals resumed their dispute in the parking lot after services, where they briefly exchanged punches. The victim went inside to clean himself up and returned to the parking lot, after which he was struck by a car driven by Dodge, who was subsequently arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor. The unidentified victim was not arrested and required no hospitalization. A subsequent story reports that Dodge suffered a broken nose.
Bishop Brett Ferrin said he was saddened by the fight, and is counseling both families and trying to bring his ward together. He looks upon this as a teaching moment, one of the split decisions affecting the way we live and the attendant consequences. Of course, Bishop Ferrin might also be secretly grateful that his Sacrament meetings generate so much interest; many bishops have to "fight" just to get people to attend.
Several comments posted to the Ogden Standard-Examiner story indicate that Wayne Dodge may have anger management issues dating back at least 14 years. Supposedly he has a public criminal record of disorderly conduct convictions and obstructing law enforcement officers that go back to at least 1999. I have not been able to find verification so far.
Update October 4th: On October 2nd, Wayne Dodge pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and one count of assault, a class B misdemeanor, during a brief hearing Ogden’s 2nd District Court. Dodge was also issued a no contact order prohibiting him from contacting the victim or the victim’s family. Dodge’s next court appearance is set for October 16th, and Deputy Weber County Attorney Ben Willoughby anticipates the case eventually moving forward to a preliminary hearing.
Reaction: Posts on the incident have been published at Mormon Mentality and Wheat & Tares, which also has a poll. Numerous comments have been posted to the media sources; here's a sampling:
Summary: It began with an argument over seating just prior to an unusually-packed Sacrament meeting with over 400 in attendance at the Meadows Ward located near 2300 North and 3600 West in Plain City, Utah. The surge of interest was triggered by a missionary farewell and a baby blessing. A family that normally does not attend that ward had seated themselves in a pew and was reserving seats for other family members. When 51-year-old Wayne Dodge, a regular member of the ward described as being six-foot-two and weighing 250 lbs, sat down in one of the seats being reserved, angry words were exchanged between the two parties. The individuals resumed their dispute in the parking lot after services, where they briefly exchanged punches. The victim went inside to clean himself up and returned to the parking lot, after which he was struck by a car driven by Dodge, who was subsequently arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor. The unidentified victim was not arrested and required no hospitalization. A subsequent story reports that Dodge suffered a broken nose.
Bishop Brett Ferrin said he was saddened by the fight, and is counseling both families and trying to bring his ward together. He looks upon this as a teaching moment, one of the split decisions affecting the way we live and the attendant consequences. Of course, Bishop Ferrin might also be secretly grateful that his Sacrament meetings generate so much interest; many bishops have to "fight" just to get people to attend.
Several comments posted to the Ogden Standard-Examiner story indicate that Wayne Dodge may have anger management issues dating back at least 14 years. Supposedly he has a public criminal record of disorderly conduct convictions and obstructing law enforcement officers that go back to at least 1999. I have not been able to find verification so far.
Update October 4th: On October 2nd, Wayne Dodge pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and one count of assault, a class B misdemeanor, during a brief hearing Ogden’s 2nd District Court. Dodge was also issued a no contact order prohibiting him from contacting the victim or the victim’s family. Dodge’s next court appearance is set for October 16th, and Deputy Weber County Attorney Ben Willoughby anticipates the case eventually moving forward to a preliminary hearing.
Reaction: Posts on the incident have been published at Mormon Mentality and Wheat & Tares, which also has a poll. Numerous comments have been posted to the media sources; here's a sampling:
morpunkt Glendora, CA 11:28 a.m. July 2, 2013 (Deseret News):
I remember a short fist fight that broke out between two elderly ordinance workers, in front of the veil, after a session was over. This occurred approximately 35 years ago. We never figured out what the issue was about. The two men were immediately released from their callings, by the temple president, naturally.
It can get ugly, even in the house of The Lord.
Poqui Murray, UT 12:37 p.m. July 2, 2013 (Deseret News):
Saving seats is rude. If you want to sit together, arrive together. I don't like it when I arrive at church 10 minutes early only to find all the "empty" benches saved. I arrive early to get a good seat, not to be pushed out into the overflow so that some family can stroll in late and all sit together.
Duckhunter Highland, UT 11:38 a.m. July 2, 2013 (Deseret News):
Ridiculous that this escalated to this degree but the truth is the rude bahvior bagan with the people trying to save all the pews.
I go early to church every week and while I don't sit in the exact same pew every time I sit in more or less the same section of seats. My family usually comes later than I do and then sits with me. But I never try to take up multiple rows of seats for people that are not there yet. My take on it is that if people want a certain block of seats then they need to get there early and actually sit in them. Having one family memeber show up and sit in one row while throwing his sciptures down in another row, his suit coat in another row, a diaper bag in another and then heading out to talk in the hall is incredibly rude.
My guess is this family had one guy trying to save a bunch of rows while the rest of the familt leisurely strolled in 1 minute before the meeting began. Meanwhile others that came early were denied seats.
There's plenty of blame all around this situation.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Mexican Cops Kidnap LDS Mother Yanira Maldonado, Accuse Her Of Smuggling 12 Pounds Of Marijuana; Judge Releases Her After Reviewing Security Video Exonerating Her
The use of the term "kidnap" is justified by the fact that I consider Mexico to be a kleptocracy and assume every Mexican cop and public official is on the take until they prove otherwise. The massive immigration of Mexicans to the United States is not driven solely by economics. This post represents a composite of stories from KSAZ Channel 10 in Phoenix, the New York Daily News, and KNXV Channel 15 in Phoenix, and CNN. The story has gone international, with the Daily Mail picking it up. Update May 30th: A judge released Yanira Maldonado after viewing security footage which showed she and her husband did not carry the drugs aboard the bus.
On May 22nd, 2013, Gary and Yanira Maldonado, who head up a family of seven kids from Goodyear, Arizona, traveled to Mexico to attend the funeral of Yanira's aunt. They were on their way back to Phoenix when the Tufesa bus they took was stopped at a checkpoint near Hermosillo. Mexican federales searched the bus and claim they found drugs under a seat that the Mormon couple was sitting in. Initially, the federales accused Gary of possessing the drugs. But after Gary contacted his father Larry Maldonado, who in turn contacted the U.S. Consulate in Hermosillo, the federales changed their minds and charged Yanira instead, claiming the pot was under her seat. The bus driver was briefly detained, but released. Yanira was taken to a women's prison in Nogales. Her interrogation included putting her in a non-air-conditioned room and waking her up several times in the middle of night to get her to sign documents that she said she couldn't read. At one point a Mexican attorney suggested that Gary Maldonado offer cash to the police, but when he raised $5,000 to hand over to a judge as a bribe, the money was refused, with the judge allegedly saying "Oh, it's not about the money anymore".
Yanira Maldonado appeared in court on May 28th in what can be described as a preliminary hearing. The hearing will continue of May 29th, when Yanira's husband Gary is expected to testify and say his 42-year-old wife, who is a U.S. citizen of 17 years, a devout Mormon and mother, had nothing to do with the marijuana allegedly found on the bus. The cops who claim they found the marijuana are also expected to testify. A final resolution is expected by Friday May 31st at the latest; the judge could either release her or send her to a prison in southern Mexico for four months until an actual criminal trial.
Update May 29th: During Day Two of the preliminary hearing, Yanira Maldonado's lawyer Francisco Benitez Paz argued that soldiers had presented inconsistent testimony about two packages of marijuana that they had recovered, with some saying both were found under his client's seat and others saying they were found under two separate seats. Benitez described the packets of drugs as attached to the seat bottoms with metal hooks, a task that would have been impossible for a passenger boarding normally as Yanira Maldonado did. Benitez also said he had requested a list of the bus passengers and video of the passengers boarding to show she was not in possession of drugs. He presented letters from people he described as prominent American officials vouching for Yanira Maldonado's character and said he was awaiting financial information proving she would have no need to earn cash smuggling drugs. In response, Mexican officials provided local media with photos that they said were of the packages Maldonado is accused of smuggling. Each was about 5 inches high and 20 inches wide, roughly the width of a bus seat. The marijuana was packed into plastic bags and wrapped in tan packing tape.
Update May 30th: Good news! After court officials reviewed security footage that showed Yanira Maldonado and her husband boarding a bus in Mexico with only blankets, bottles of water and her purse in hand, the judge determined that she was no longer a suspect and all allegations against her were dropped. She spoke briefly to reporters clustered outside the jail, saying she thanks God, her husband and her lawyer. With that she and her husband walked hand in hand to a waiting car, departing for the U.S. border several miles away. While there's no indication she's been barred from ever returning to Mexico, Yanira said on May 29th that it's unlikely she'll ever return back to Mexico after she is released.
The Maldonado family vociferously denies that Yanira had anything to do with the drugs. There are witnesses who saw them board the bus without packages, and this is allegedly backed up by video. An unnamed Mexican official from the state of Sonora also thinks Yanira Maldonado was set up, telling CNN "A passenger by himself or herself would have been unable to carry almost six kilos of marijuana onto a bus without being noticed. She must've been framed." The local LDS network has mobilized in support of the Maldonados; church leaders at the state and local level have offered spiritual and material support to the family. A Facebook page (must log in to read) founded to support Yanira Maldonado had garnered more than 12,500 members as of Tuesday afternoon, many of whom are fellow Mormons. A number have offered to connect the Maldonados with Mormon leaders in Mexico or media in the United States. Some in the Facebook group said that they are refraining from eating and drinking for a day on the family's behalf.
Arizona U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, who is also LDS, is involved; a statement from his office says that he is personally monitoring the situation and has had multiple conversations with the deputy Mexican ambassador. U.S. Senator John McCain has also taken an interest. In response, the Mexican embassy said, "Mrs. Maldonado's rights to a defense counsel and due process are being observed. As the process is ongoing and a preliminary decision by the judge is due soon, no further comments will be made at this time."
Another reason to be concerned is because some American LDS members are required to go to Mexico to perform temple ordinances. The members of the El Paso Texas Stake and the El Paso Mount Franklin Texas Stake are assigned to the Ciudad Juárez México Temple District. This means they are required to go to Mexico to do temple work. While there have been no recorded instances of problems, Church leaders should allow the members of the two American stakes to go to an American temple if they so desire for personal peace of mind. A sampling of pertinent comments from the news websites (after the jump):
 |
| Screenshot of the Maldonados |
Yanira Maldonado appeared in court on May 28th in what can be described as a preliminary hearing. The hearing will continue of May 29th, when Yanira's husband Gary is expected to testify and say his 42-year-old wife, who is a U.S. citizen of 17 years, a devout Mormon and mother, had nothing to do with the marijuana allegedly found on the bus. The cops who claim they found the marijuana are also expected to testify. A final resolution is expected by Friday May 31st at the latest; the judge could either release her or send her to a prison in southern Mexico for four months until an actual criminal trial.
Update May 29th: During Day Two of the preliminary hearing, Yanira Maldonado's lawyer Francisco Benitez Paz argued that soldiers had presented inconsistent testimony about two packages of marijuana that they had recovered, with some saying both were found under his client's seat and others saying they were found under two separate seats. Benitez described the packets of drugs as attached to the seat bottoms with metal hooks, a task that would have been impossible for a passenger boarding normally as Yanira Maldonado did. Benitez also said he had requested a list of the bus passengers and video of the passengers boarding to show she was not in possession of drugs. He presented letters from people he described as prominent American officials vouching for Yanira Maldonado's character and said he was awaiting financial information proving she would have no need to earn cash smuggling drugs. In response, Mexican officials provided local media with photos that they said were of the packages Maldonado is accused of smuggling. Each was about 5 inches high and 20 inches wide, roughly the width of a bus seat. The marijuana was packed into plastic bags and wrapped in tan packing tape.
Update May 30th: Good news! After court officials reviewed security footage that showed Yanira Maldonado and her husband boarding a bus in Mexico with only blankets, bottles of water and her purse in hand, the judge determined that she was no longer a suspect and all allegations against her were dropped. She spoke briefly to reporters clustered outside the jail, saying she thanks God, her husband and her lawyer. With that she and her husband walked hand in hand to a waiting car, departing for the U.S. border several miles away. While there's no indication she's been barred from ever returning to Mexico, Yanira said on May 29th that it's unlikely she'll ever return back to Mexico after she is released.
The Maldonado family vociferously denies that Yanira had anything to do with the drugs. There are witnesses who saw them board the bus without packages, and this is allegedly backed up by video. An unnamed Mexican official from the state of Sonora also thinks Yanira Maldonado was set up, telling CNN "A passenger by himself or herself would have been unable to carry almost six kilos of marijuana onto a bus without being noticed. She must've been framed." The local LDS network has mobilized in support of the Maldonados; church leaders at the state and local level have offered spiritual and material support to the family. A Facebook page (must log in to read) founded to support Yanira Maldonado had garnered more than 12,500 members as of Tuesday afternoon, many of whom are fellow Mormons. A number have offered to connect the Maldonados with Mormon leaders in Mexico or media in the United States. Some in the Facebook group said that they are refraining from eating and drinking for a day on the family's behalf.
Arizona U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, who is also LDS, is involved; a statement from his office says that he is personally monitoring the situation and has had multiple conversations with the deputy Mexican ambassador. U.S. Senator John McCain has also taken an interest. In response, the Mexican embassy said, "Mrs. Maldonado's rights to a defense counsel and due process are being observed. As the process is ongoing and a preliminary decision by the judge is due soon, no further comments will be made at this time."
Another reason to be concerned is because some American LDS members are required to go to Mexico to perform temple ordinances. The members of the El Paso Texas Stake and the El Paso Mount Franklin Texas Stake are assigned to the Ciudad Juárez México Temple District. This means they are required to go to Mexico to do temple work. While there have been no recorded instances of problems, Church leaders should allow the members of the two American stakes to go to an American temple if they so desire for personal peace of mind. A sampling of pertinent comments from the news websites (after the jump):
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
More Validation Of Elaine S. Dalton's "Guardians Of Virtue" Speech; The Story Of Alleged Rape Victim Tucker Reed, Who Reported Her Rape 22 Months After The Fact
During the 2011 General Young Women Meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the then-General President of Young Women, Elaine S. Dalton, delivered a talk entitled "Guardians Of Virtue", in which she counseled young women to avoid the type of behavior that would encourage sexual objectification. But some Mormon feminists complained that it was a "terrible metaphor", and that she was trying to minimize and excuse male misbehavior, and shift too much of the burden for encouraging virtuous behavior on the part of men towards women. Basically, Sister Dalton was telling the young woman that if they don't want to be treated like whores, don't dress and act like whores in public. Good preventive medicine.
And I've found a superb example illustrating the wisdom of Sister Dalton's counsel. Tucker Reed is not an LDS member, but her story epitomizes why women need to avoid communicating ambiguously about their intentions towards physical intimacy, and why they must report rape and other forms of sexual abuse PROMPTLY. Tucker Reed is the subject of a libel lawsuit by an individual she's accused of raping her. When the system did not take her claims seriously, Reed decided to name her alleged assailant and discuss her experiences publicly, which triggered the suit. She discusses her experiences and the reaction on several posts published on her personal blog, Covered In Bandaids. The only media account I could find was on the MS Blog.
Summary: Tucker Reed also outlined her experiences on XOJane. Her story begins on December 3rd, 2010, when she and her boyfriend attended a holiday party hosted by fellow students at the University of Southern California. They had just begun dating two weeks prior, and she was a virgin at the time because she believed that the intimacy of intercourse was an emotional and spiritual act that should not be casually shared. In any event, Reed took her boyfriend back to her apartment and allows him to take her clothes off. She then led him into the bedroom. Naturally, her boyfriend believed that she wanted to have intercourse. But surprise, surprise -- she suddenly throws up a STOP sign and said that she wasn't ready to go all the way, and that having sex so soon would ruin the relationship. But the boyfriend persisted, and pressured her into yielding.
Reed initially decided to write it off as a misunderstanding. She even continued to date the guy, because he said he was in love with her and eventually wanted to marry her. But she had lingering misgivings, and when she disclosed the experience to her best friend a year later, her friend told her in no uncertain terms that she was a rape victim. Armed with that counsel, Reed then sought counseling at the USC Health Center, but this didn't pan out, and so she decided to confront her boyfriend directly over the December 2010 encounter. Her boyfriend initially claimed he couldn't remember anything about that night, undoubtedly using the alcohol excuse, then said something remarkably insensitive. She quotes him as saying "What did you expect? A bed covered in rose petals? Nobody gets that. I didn't get that. I wanted to fuck, I needed to fuck, so I fucked. And, whatever, I guess I'm just the asshole who raped you".
Obviously, this guy is a world-class asshole. After suffering from psychological problems, Tucker Reed decided to take her quest for justice one step further. In October 2012, after her friend made a passing comment that she should have recorded the conversation she'd had with her now ex-boyfriend when he confessed to the rape, Reed arranged to make a recording and induce her ex-boyfriend into confessing to forcing her to have sex with him, which he did multiple times. She then provided those recordings to the police in November 2012 and to the university in December 2012. She also wanted the university to expel her ex-boyfriend from school, even before he had been tried and convicted. However, USC staffers argued that to do that would be punitive at that point, asserting that the school's adjudication process is meant to be rehabilitative and educative. The ex-boyfriend told university officials that the encounter was consensual, and that she tricked him into providing false confessions, insisting that he confessed to a crime he did not commit only because he thought she would not leave him alone until he had done so.
Because Tucker Reed believed that police and the university were blowing her off, she decided to publicly shame the alleged rapist. After receiving affirmative advice from two attorneys, Reed posted the man's name online, along with an account of what he did. And now she's on the receiving end of a libel suit. In response to comments posted to her account on XOJane, Tucker Reed has posted a specific reply on Covered In Bandaids which addresses the major questions posed after she publicized her story; it's worth reading and it seems intellectually honest. But here are three reasons why she might lose the lawsuit:
(1). She got naked and led the guy into the bedroom. Obviously, a woman has the right to say No at any time; I was always taught this by the LDS Church. But in today's sexualized culture, if a woman gets naked and leads you into a bedroom, it's considered to be consent by most guys.
(2). She failed to report it promptly. If you have a nonconsensual sexual experience, you do NOT wait 22 months to report it to the authorities; you do so promptly. It might be excusable for a 12-year-old girl who has no experience with the world to be afraid to report rape, but it is not excusable for a grown woman to be afraid to report it. Furthermore, a person who's been raped should never allow a religious leader to talk him or her out of going to the police, and should never feel guilty about having been raped.
(3). She continued to date her assailant. This alone will probably kill her case. Why would a rational woman continue to date someone she considered a rapist? It's not as if she was being held hostage like Elizabeth Smart.
The harsh truth is that if this libel suit actually makes it to a jury trial, the jury is likely to rule in favor of the man. Read the reaction on this discussion thread on the relatively-uncensored F2 Anonboard where people say what they're really thinking (WARNING: There are some bad words on the thread); many of the posters characterize Tucker Reed as a slut who has "buyer's remorse". This is sad, but it represents the current reality.
This is exactly why Elaine Dalton counseled young women to be "guardians of virtue". Above all, they must be guardians of their own virtue, becoming savvy enough to avoid sending ambiguous messages about their sexual availability and getting themselves into these types of situations. Since God's law is not in force on earth, many guys think that if a woman makes it "hard" for them, she has the obligation to make it "soft" for them. Some Muslim countries understand this and require women to dress modestly in public; their premise is that a woman should avoid tempting a man beyond his ability to bear it. This is also why LDS leaders enforce modest dress standards at church services and church-related social events. Elaine Dalton's prevention message helps young women deal with the culture the way it is, and not the way feminist wish it could be. Learn from Tucker Reed's unfortunate experience -- and don't repeat her mistakes.
And I've found a superb example illustrating the wisdom of Sister Dalton's counsel. Tucker Reed is not an LDS member, but her story epitomizes why women need to avoid communicating ambiguously about their intentions towards physical intimacy, and why they must report rape and other forms of sexual abuse PROMPTLY. Tucker Reed is the subject of a libel lawsuit by an individual she's accused of raping her. When the system did not take her claims seriously, Reed decided to name her alleged assailant and discuss her experiences publicly, which triggered the suit. She discusses her experiences and the reaction on several posts published on her personal blog, Covered In Bandaids. The only media account I could find was on the MS Blog.
Summary: Tucker Reed also outlined her experiences on XOJane. Her story begins on December 3rd, 2010, when she and her boyfriend attended a holiday party hosted by fellow students at the University of Southern California. They had just begun dating two weeks prior, and she was a virgin at the time because she believed that the intimacy of intercourse was an emotional and spiritual act that should not be casually shared. In any event, Reed took her boyfriend back to her apartment and allows him to take her clothes off. She then led him into the bedroom. Naturally, her boyfriend believed that she wanted to have intercourse. But surprise, surprise -- she suddenly throws up a STOP sign and said that she wasn't ready to go all the way, and that having sex so soon would ruin the relationship. But the boyfriend persisted, and pressured her into yielding.
Reed initially decided to write it off as a misunderstanding. She even continued to date the guy, because he said he was in love with her and eventually wanted to marry her. But she had lingering misgivings, and when she disclosed the experience to her best friend a year later, her friend told her in no uncertain terms that she was a rape victim. Armed with that counsel, Reed then sought counseling at the USC Health Center, but this didn't pan out, and so she decided to confront her boyfriend directly over the December 2010 encounter. Her boyfriend initially claimed he couldn't remember anything about that night, undoubtedly using the alcohol excuse, then said something remarkably insensitive. She quotes him as saying "What did you expect? A bed covered in rose petals? Nobody gets that. I didn't get that. I wanted to fuck, I needed to fuck, so I fucked. And, whatever, I guess I'm just the asshole who raped you".
Obviously, this guy is a world-class asshole. After suffering from psychological problems, Tucker Reed decided to take her quest for justice one step further. In October 2012, after her friend made a passing comment that she should have recorded the conversation she'd had with her now ex-boyfriend when he confessed to the rape, Reed arranged to make a recording and induce her ex-boyfriend into confessing to forcing her to have sex with him, which he did multiple times. She then provided those recordings to the police in November 2012 and to the university in December 2012. She also wanted the university to expel her ex-boyfriend from school, even before he had been tried and convicted. However, USC staffers argued that to do that would be punitive at that point, asserting that the school's adjudication process is meant to be rehabilitative and educative. The ex-boyfriend told university officials that the encounter was consensual, and that she tricked him into providing false confessions, insisting that he confessed to a crime he did not commit only because he thought she would not leave him alone until he had done so.
Because Tucker Reed believed that police and the university were blowing her off, she decided to publicly shame the alleged rapist. After receiving affirmative advice from two attorneys, Reed posted the man's name online, along with an account of what he did. And now she's on the receiving end of a libel suit. In response to comments posted to her account on XOJane, Tucker Reed has posted a specific reply on Covered In Bandaids which addresses the major questions posed after she publicized her story; it's worth reading and it seems intellectually honest. But here are three reasons why she might lose the lawsuit:
(1). She got naked and led the guy into the bedroom. Obviously, a woman has the right to say No at any time; I was always taught this by the LDS Church. But in today's sexualized culture, if a woman gets naked and leads you into a bedroom, it's considered to be consent by most guys.
(2). She failed to report it promptly. If you have a nonconsensual sexual experience, you do NOT wait 22 months to report it to the authorities; you do so promptly. It might be excusable for a 12-year-old girl who has no experience with the world to be afraid to report rape, but it is not excusable for a grown woman to be afraid to report it. Furthermore, a person who's been raped should never allow a religious leader to talk him or her out of going to the police, and should never feel guilty about having been raped.
(3). She continued to date her assailant. This alone will probably kill her case. Why would a rational woman continue to date someone she considered a rapist? It's not as if she was being held hostage like Elizabeth Smart.
The harsh truth is that if this libel suit actually makes it to a jury trial, the jury is likely to rule in favor of the man. Read the reaction on this discussion thread on the relatively-uncensored F2 Anonboard where people say what they're really thinking (WARNING: There are some bad words on the thread); many of the posters characterize Tucker Reed as a slut who has "buyer's remorse". This is sad, but it represents the current reality.
This is exactly why Elaine Dalton counseled young women to be "guardians of virtue". Above all, they must be guardians of their own virtue, becoming savvy enough to avoid sending ambiguous messages about their sexual availability and getting themselves into these types of situations. Since God's law is not in force on earth, many guys think that if a woman makes it "hard" for them, she has the obligation to make it "soft" for them. Some Muslim countries understand this and require women to dress modestly in public; their premise is that a woman should avoid tempting a man beyond his ability to bear it. This is also why LDS leaders enforce modest dress standards at church services and church-related social events. Elaine Dalton's prevention message helps young women deal with the culture the way it is, and not the way feminist wish it could be. Learn from Tucker Reed's unfortunate experience -- and don't repeat her mistakes.
Friday, April 26, 2013
LDS Missionaries Interrupt Burglary In Progress In Mesa, Arizona; Victim Recovers Her Possessions, Getaway Driver Arrested
A pair of missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints interrupted a burglary in progress in their neighbor's residence in Mesa, Arizona, and as a result, the victim got all of his possessions back, even though one of the burglars escaped. The primary story was posted by KSAZ Channel 10 in Phoenix, although KSL Channel 5 has also picked it up (comments to each story are of interest) since both missionaries are from Utah.
Summary: On Tuesday April 23rd, 2013, Elder Corey Brown and his unidentified companion had just returned from proselyting and were talking outside their Mesa home around 8:00 P.M. when they saw a man leave Raina Eames' house next door with an arm full of laptops and jewelry. Eames and her family were dining out at the time, and the missionaries did not recognize the man as being a regular visitor to the house. So they called 911 as they followed the man, and watched him put the loot in a car that a female accomplice, Cynthia Espinosa-Elizalde, was driving. They verbally confronted the female, who tried to deflect them by saying that they just wanted to "use the phone", but the missionaries weren't fooled, and stayed with them. Meanwhile, another neighbor was taking video on a cell phone.
When the police arrived, the unidentified male burglar escaped on foot, but Cynthia Espinosa-Elizalde was arrested, and the Eames got their stolen property back. Espinosa-Elizalde has been charged with criminal trespass and second degree burglary. Raina Eames was quite grateful, and said the missionaries had been delightful neighbors since they moved in. Elder Brown did not say whether or not he had a premonition from the Holy Ghost, but noted "I really believe that God is working through all of us and nothing is a coincidence, it all happens for a reason". KSAZ news video embedded below:
Some comments of interest from the news sites:
Summary: On Tuesday April 23rd, 2013, Elder Corey Brown and his unidentified companion had just returned from proselyting and were talking outside their Mesa home around 8:00 P.M. when they saw a man leave Raina Eames' house next door with an arm full of laptops and jewelry. Eames and her family were dining out at the time, and the missionaries did not recognize the man as being a regular visitor to the house. So they called 911 as they followed the man, and watched him put the loot in a car that a female accomplice, Cynthia Espinosa-Elizalde, was driving. They verbally confronted the female, who tried to deflect them by saying that they just wanted to "use the phone", but the missionaries weren't fooled, and stayed with them. Meanwhile, another neighbor was taking video on a cell phone.
When the police arrived, the unidentified male burglar escaped on foot, but Cynthia Espinosa-Elizalde was arrested, and the Eames got their stolen property back. Espinosa-Elizalde has been charged with criminal trespass and second degree burglary. Raina Eames was quite grateful, and said the missionaries had been delightful neighbors since they moved in. Elder Brown did not say whether or not he had a premonition from the Holy Ghost, but noted "I really believe that God is working through all of us and nothing is a coincidence, it all happens for a reason". KSAZ news video embedded below:
Some comments of interest from the news sites:
Jeani M. Wade · Tulsa, Oklahoma (KSAZ):
My little sister lives in Mesa, and she actually knows one of the Elders. I think you're right when saying "humanity needs more real life heros."
Ammon Johnson · Milan, Tennessee (KSAZ):
...yeah, this was actually one of my companions on my mission.
Dale Eames · University of Phoenix (KSAZ):
I thank God for those missionaries that stop the burglary of my home! Thank you!
CrossDavid1987 posted 2 hours ago (KSL):
Samurai wielding Bishops, burglar stopping missionaries! What will the Mormons do next?! Maybe a Stake President will stop a nationwide terrorist plot?
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Jamaican Immigrant Gets 17 Months In Jail For Pointing Gun At LDS Missionaries In Gloucester, United Kingdom
On March 28th, 2013, a British man who is an immigrant from Jamaica was sentenced to 17 months in jail for pointing a gun at two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who visited his home in Gloucester in the United Kingdom.
The incident occurred on December 19th, 2012. Elders Paulus Chardon and Cameron Kramer knocked on the door of Donald Ewers, looking for a man named Roger. The missionaries offered Ewers a Book of Mormon and engaged him in conversation. Suddenly, Ewers started rummaging under his duvet and produced a BB handgun, then reportedly said “Don’t mess about. I have a gun. I’ll fucking kill you.” [Ed. Note: I do not blanket out bad words when I'm quoting someone direct.] But the missionaries retained their poise, discussing Olympic champion Usain Bolt and Jamaica with Ewers and assuring him they came in peace; once they got Ewers calmed down, they left. Police were notified; upon searching Ewers' home, they found the BB handgun, giving them probable cause for an arrest.
Donald Ewers, a Jamaican immigrant who has sired 17 children ranging in age from seven months to 32 years, was reluctant to take responsibility for his actions. First, he claimed he was provoked by so-called "racism" from the missionaries. Then in court, his attorney tried to blame it on alcohol. The judge was not impressed with either excuse, and dished Ewers up a 17-month sentence.
Elder Chardon has a mission site which reveals he was called to serve in the England Birmingham Mission on June 7th, 2012. He is a native of the Netherlands. In January 2013, Elder Chardon gained a new companion as Elder Kramer was transferred to another district. Elder Kramer is said to be from Utah. This letter from Elder Chardon, after being Google-translated, implies Elder Chardon may have found Elder Kramer challenging to deal with. A subsequent letter revealed that Elder Chardon was frustrated with Elder Kramer because Kramer didn't like to get out and proselyte as much as Chardon. Subsequent communications indicate they parted amicably.
The incident occurred on December 19th, 2012. Elders Paulus Chardon and Cameron Kramer knocked on the door of Donald Ewers, looking for a man named Roger. The missionaries offered Ewers a Book of Mormon and engaged him in conversation. Suddenly, Ewers started rummaging under his duvet and produced a BB handgun, then reportedly said “Don’t mess about. I have a gun. I’ll fucking kill you.” [Ed. Note: I do not blanket out bad words when I'm quoting someone direct.] But the missionaries retained their poise, discussing Olympic champion Usain Bolt and Jamaica with Ewers and assuring him they came in peace; once they got Ewers calmed down, they left. Police were notified; upon searching Ewers' home, they found the BB handgun, giving them probable cause for an arrest.
Donald Ewers, a Jamaican immigrant who has sired 17 children ranging in age from seven months to 32 years, was reluctant to take responsibility for his actions. First, he claimed he was provoked by so-called "racism" from the missionaries. Then in court, his attorney tried to blame it on alcohol. The judge was not impressed with either excuse, and dished Ewers up a 17-month sentence.
Elder Chardon has a mission site which reveals he was called to serve in the England Birmingham Mission on June 7th, 2012. He is a native of the Netherlands. In January 2013, Elder Chardon gained a new companion as Elder Kramer was transferred to another district. Elder Kramer is said to be from Utah. This letter from Elder Chardon, after being Google-translated, implies Elder Chardon may have found Elder Kramer challenging to deal with. A subsequent letter revealed that Elder Chardon was frustrated with Elder Kramer because Kramer didn't like to get out and proselyte as much as Chardon. Subsequent communications indicate they parted amicably.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Aaron Travis Beaird Used LDS Leadership Position To Bilk Investment Clients, Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison For Wire Fraud
Aaron Travis Beaird, an Enumclaw financial adviser whose crimes were uncovered when he tried to collect a half million dollar death benefit on a client who was still living, was sentenced on January 19th, 2013 to seven years in prison, three years of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $5,705,023.24. The 39-year-old Beaird, identified as a leader in the local hierarchy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was arrested in July 2012 after he faked his suicide, traveled to Scotland for a week, and then returned to Sea-Tac airport where he was taken into federal custody for investigation of mail fraud and wire fraud; he pleaded guilty in August 2012.
Beaird launched his fraud nearly a decade ago, shortly after moving to Enumclaw, Washington (about 20 miles east of Tacoma) and going to work for Team Financial Services. Working under a more experienced salesman, Beaird dealt in high-premium life insurance policies and annuities. Both were meant as investments for his clients, a group of friends and family of modest means who trusted Beaird with their retirement funds. His status as an LDS leader made members of his church more inclined to trust him.
But Beaird betrayed their trust. He lied to his clients about the annuities and life insurance policies he sold them while skimming money from his clients’ payments. To conceal the thefts, he provided his clients with doctored account statements and redirected correspondence from the life insurance companies to a post office box he owned. But Beaird overreached himself in the case of a client identified only as D.B. The short version is that in order to cover for defrauding D.B. in other ways, Beaird secretly pulled $500,000 from D.B.'s investment account in May 2011 and bought a life insurance policy for him. In May 2012, Beaird forged a claim asserting that D.B. had died of acute cardiopulmonary arrest. The long version was published on July 8th, 2012 in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald.
Beaird's employer found out about the scam when D.B. proved he was still very much alive. Kent Binning, managing partner of Team Financial Partners, confronted Beaird with the fraudulent death claim and Beaird admitted to falsifying the claim. Unable to bear the impending consequences, Beaird decided to fake his suicide. First, he sent suicide notes to his victims confessing the scam. Then Beaird disappeared on June 21st and on June 23rd, his vehicle was found at the ironically-named Deception Pass Bridge; a note found in the vehicle stated Beaird had jumped off the bridge. But in reality, Beaird took a cab from Deception Pass to Sea-Tac Airport, where he boarded a flight to Scotland. He returned to Seattle a week later, was arrested on arrival and immediately confessed. He pleaded guilty to fraud charges in August.
At Beaird's sentencing, his public defender Nancy Tenney asked for only a 2 1/2 year sentence, noting his cooperation with the FBI, his guilty plea to spare the taxpayers the cost of a jury trial, as well as the fact that, through his actions, Beaird had already lost his professional license, his business, his wife, all material assets, and his reputation. But U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan told the court “These crimes were a betrayal of trust. Mr. Beaird’s friends, relatives and members of his church thought he was safeguarding their families’ future. Instead, he used their money to live well, turning their dreams into nightmares.” U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez agreed with Durkan and socked Beaird with seven years plus the other penalties. It will probably take the rest of his life to pay back over $5.7 million. Several of his clients who are seniors were left destitute.
It is because several local LDS leaders in the past have used their positions to rope church members into financial scams that the LDS Church issued a warning against affinity fraud a while back, stating that Church members are taught to be honest in their dealings with others, and those who are guilty of carrying out these scams can be given the most serious discipline the Church can impose, including excommunication. And just to drive the lesson home a bit more, on January 13th, at a CES Devotional at BYU-Provo, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that Latter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear; they are encouraged to think and discover truth for themselves—expecting that they ponder, search, evaluate, and come to a personal knowledge of truth.
This means that if your bishop or stake president offers you a "financial deal", you're under no obligation to accept it simply because of his position. You are entitled to guidance from the Holy Spirit as to whether or not it's the right thing to do. Church leaders are in authority, but they are not inerrant. Sustaining our leaders does not require that we worship them.
Beaird launched his fraud nearly a decade ago, shortly after moving to Enumclaw, Washington (about 20 miles east of Tacoma) and going to work for Team Financial Services. Working under a more experienced salesman, Beaird dealt in high-premium life insurance policies and annuities. Both were meant as investments for his clients, a group of friends and family of modest means who trusted Beaird with their retirement funds. His status as an LDS leader made members of his church more inclined to trust him.
But Beaird betrayed their trust. He lied to his clients about the annuities and life insurance policies he sold them while skimming money from his clients’ payments. To conceal the thefts, he provided his clients with doctored account statements and redirected correspondence from the life insurance companies to a post office box he owned. But Beaird overreached himself in the case of a client identified only as D.B. The short version is that in order to cover for defrauding D.B. in other ways, Beaird secretly pulled $500,000 from D.B.'s investment account in May 2011 and bought a life insurance policy for him. In May 2012, Beaird forged a claim asserting that D.B. had died of acute cardiopulmonary arrest. The long version was published on July 8th, 2012 in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald.
Beaird's employer found out about the scam when D.B. proved he was still very much alive. Kent Binning, managing partner of Team Financial Partners, confronted Beaird with the fraudulent death claim and Beaird admitted to falsifying the claim. Unable to bear the impending consequences, Beaird decided to fake his suicide. First, he sent suicide notes to his victims confessing the scam. Then Beaird disappeared on June 21st and on June 23rd, his vehicle was found at the ironically-named Deception Pass Bridge; a note found in the vehicle stated Beaird had jumped off the bridge. But in reality, Beaird took a cab from Deception Pass to Sea-Tac Airport, where he boarded a flight to Scotland. He returned to Seattle a week later, was arrested on arrival and immediately confessed. He pleaded guilty to fraud charges in August.
At Beaird's sentencing, his public defender Nancy Tenney asked for only a 2 1/2 year sentence, noting his cooperation with the FBI, his guilty plea to spare the taxpayers the cost of a jury trial, as well as the fact that, through his actions, Beaird had already lost his professional license, his business, his wife, all material assets, and his reputation. But U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan told the court “These crimes were a betrayal of trust. Mr. Beaird’s friends, relatives and members of his church thought he was safeguarding their families’ future. Instead, he used their money to live well, turning their dreams into nightmares.” U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez agreed with Durkan and socked Beaird with seven years plus the other penalties. It will probably take the rest of his life to pay back over $5.7 million. Several of his clients who are seniors were left destitute.
It is because several local LDS leaders in the past have used their positions to rope church members into financial scams that the LDS Church issued a warning against affinity fraud a while back, stating that Church members are taught to be honest in their dealings with others, and those who are guilty of carrying out these scams can be given the most serious discipline the Church can impose, including excommunication. And just to drive the lesson home a bit more, on January 13th, at a CES Devotional at BYU-Provo, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said that Latter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear; they are encouraged to think and discover truth for themselves—expecting that they ponder, search, evaluate, and come to a personal knowledge of truth.
This means that if your bishop or stake president offers you a "financial deal", you're under no obligation to accept it simply because of his position. You are entitled to guidance from the Holy Spirit as to whether or not it's the right thing to do. Church leaders are in authority, but they are not inerrant. Sustaining our leaders does not require that we worship them.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Senator Mike Crapo Pleads Guilty To DUI, Loses License For One Year, Discloses How He Got Started Drinking
On Friday January 4th, 2013, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, appeared in Alexandria General District Court and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI. He was ordered to pay a $250 fine, complete an alcohol safety program, and relinquish his driver's license for 12 months. His 180-day jail sentence was suspended contingent upon continued good behavior, which means he'll be able to continue his Senatorial duties. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped a charge of failing to obey a traffic signal.
The offenses occurred on December 23th, 2012 when Crapo was stopped for running a red light. The police officer smelled alcohol, administered field sobriety tests which Crapo failed, and arrested Crapo. A blood alcohol test reportedly showed a BAC of .11. Crapo immediately took responsibility for his actions and issued an apology.
The Ogden Standard-Examiner details how Sen. Crapo got sucked into drinking. Crapo said he tried alcohol for the first time about a year ago, though he couldn’t remember the details. It was a misguided attempt to relieve stress, and he always kept his use of alcohol hidden, drinking alone in his Washington, D.C., apartment. The night of his arrest was the first time he had driven drunk. Sen. Crapo consumed as many as three vodka tonics on the night of December 22nd when he became restless, couldn’t sleep and went out for a drive. It wasn’t until he’d already been driving for about 30 minutes when he realized he was in no condition to drive and started to return home. But then he ran that red light......
Crapo said he regretted bringing shame to himself and his faith because of the arrest and he would take the appropriate measures for forgiveness and repentance in the LDS Church. Those measures will include an interview with his Priesthood chain of command, most likely his stake president. Because Crapo is penitent and it was not an aggravated DUI, I foresee no penalty beyond probation; his temple recommend may be pulled for a year, but no disfellowshipment or excommunication.
The reaction by commenters to the various media stories is excessively harsh and judgmental, and reflects how self-righteous many of the American people have become. Sen. Crapo made a mistake -- but his simple DUI involved no injury, fatality, or property damage. In our justice system, we hold someone accountable for their actual deeds, not for what could have happened. Sen. Crapo has been judged and has repented of his actions.
The offenses occurred on December 23th, 2012 when Crapo was stopped for running a red light. The police officer smelled alcohol, administered field sobriety tests which Crapo failed, and arrested Crapo. A blood alcohol test reportedly showed a BAC of .11. Crapo immediately took responsibility for his actions and issued an apology.
The Ogden Standard-Examiner details how Sen. Crapo got sucked into drinking. Crapo said he tried alcohol for the first time about a year ago, though he couldn’t remember the details. It was a misguided attempt to relieve stress, and he always kept his use of alcohol hidden, drinking alone in his Washington, D.C., apartment. The night of his arrest was the first time he had driven drunk. Sen. Crapo consumed as many as three vodka tonics on the night of December 22nd when he became restless, couldn’t sleep and went out for a drive. It wasn’t until he’d already been driving for about 30 minutes when he realized he was in no condition to drive and started to return home. But then he ran that red light......
Crapo said he regretted bringing shame to himself and his faith because of the arrest and he would take the appropriate measures for forgiveness and repentance in the LDS Church. Those measures will include an interview with his Priesthood chain of command, most likely his stake president. Because Crapo is penitent and it was not an aggravated DUI, I foresee no penalty beyond probation; his temple recommend may be pulled for a year, but no disfellowshipment or excommunication.
The reaction by commenters to the various media stories is excessively harsh and judgmental, and reflects how self-righteous many of the American people have become. Sen. Crapo made a mistake -- but his simple DUI involved no injury, fatality, or property damage. In our justice system, we hold someone accountable for their actual deeds, not for what could have happened. Sen. Crapo has been judged and has repented of his actions.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
LDS Senator Mike Crapo Fails Field Sobriety Tests, Arrested For DUI In Alexandria, Virginia; Crapo Issues Apology
Update January 4th, 2013: Senator Mike Crapo pleads guilty to misdemeanor DUI, loses license for a year. Crapo also says he consumed vodka tonics rather than vodka shots; the difference seems academic.Updated post HERE.
On December 23rd, 2012, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was arrested in Alexandria, VA for DUI after failing a series of field sobriety tests.
According to Alexandria police, Crapo was observed running a red light, after which he was pulled over at Hume Avenue and Mount Vernon in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria at 12:45 A.M. The officer detected the smell of alcohol on the senator. Crapo then failed a series of field sobriety tests, after which he was arrested. His BAC content has now been revealed to have been .110; Virginia's limit is .08. He was released on an unsecured $1,000 bond, and has a court date scheduled for January 4th. Update December 26th: Crapo reportedly told the arresting officer that he had consumed several vodka tonics several hours prior to being stopped.
Assuming this is his first DUI offense, if Crapo is found guilty, he would be fined a minimum of $250. His driver's license will be revoked for one year, and he'll be required to install an ignition interlock device. In addition, if his BAC was .02 or higher at the time of his arrest, he'll also be required to serve a mandatory minimum 10-day jail sentence. It's possible he might be allowed to defer the jail sentence until the Senate is not in session, but he wouldn't be able to evade it. It's also possible that if his BAC had been under the limit, Crapo could have challenged the field sobriety tests used when he appears in court; BobBattleLaw discloses that five field sobriety tests are normally administered by Virginia police officers. These tests, which include nystagmus, standing on one leg, walk and turn, finger to nose, and Rhomberg balance, can be failed by someone who is not DUI.
Sen. Crapo has now issued a statement apologizing for his actions. “I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance,” Crapo said. “I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter. I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated.”
The 61-year-old Crapo, who is serving his third term in the U.S. Senate through 2016, is one of four Republicans in the self-named "Gang of Eight", a bipartisan group of senators who came together to work on a budget deal to avoid the upcoming fiscal cliff. Crapo was also expected to become the ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee in 2013. Atlantic Wire states that Sen. Crapo is also a bishop in his local ward.
Already, many people on the left are making political hay over the arrest, with some crying out "Hypocrite!" because active Mormons observe the Word of Wisdom prohibition against the consumption of alcohol. But it's not unheard of for a Mormon to get nabbed for DUI; in January 2010, Utah State Senator Sheldon Killpack resigned his seat after being arrested for DUI. Ironically, Killpack had led the legislative effort to toughen Utah's DUI rules.
Mormonism conveys greater protection against sin, but it does not guarantee immunity from the weaknesses of the flesh. We are still down here to learn how to subject the flesh to the spirit, and it requires opposition and occasional failure to learn these lessons effectively.
According to Alexandria police, Crapo was observed running a red light, after which he was pulled over at Hume Avenue and Mount Vernon in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria at 12:45 A.M. The officer detected the smell of alcohol on the senator. Crapo then failed a series of field sobriety tests, after which he was arrested. His BAC content has now been revealed to have been .110; Virginia's limit is .08. He was released on an unsecured $1,000 bond, and has a court date scheduled for January 4th. Update December 26th: Crapo reportedly told the arresting officer that he had consumed several vodka tonics several hours prior to being stopped.
Assuming this is his first DUI offense, if Crapo is found guilty, he would be fined a minimum of $250. His driver's license will be revoked for one year, and he'll be required to install an ignition interlock device. In addition, if his BAC was .02 or higher at the time of his arrest, he'll also be required to serve a mandatory minimum 10-day jail sentence. It's possible he might be allowed to defer the jail sentence until the Senate is not in session, but he wouldn't be able to evade it. It's also possible that if his BAC had been under the limit, Crapo could have challenged the field sobriety tests used when he appears in court; BobBattleLaw discloses that five field sobriety tests are normally administered by Virginia police officers. These tests, which include nystagmus, standing on one leg, walk and turn, finger to nose, and Rhomberg balance, can be failed by someone who is not DUI.
Sen. Crapo has now issued a statement apologizing for his actions. “I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance,” Crapo said. “I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter. I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated.”
The 61-year-old Crapo, who is serving his third term in the U.S. Senate through 2016, is one of four Republicans in the self-named "Gang of Eight", a bipartisan group of senators who came together to work on a budget deal to avoid the upcoming fiscal cliff. Crapo was also expected to become the ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee in 2013. Atlantic Wire states that Sen. Crapo is also a bishop in his local ward.
Already, many people on the left are making political hay over the arrest, with some crying out "Hypocrite!" because active Mormons observe the Word of Wisdom prohibition against the consumption of alcohol. But it's not unheard of for a Mormon to get nabbed for DUI; in January 2010, Utah State Senator Sheldon Killpack resigned his seat after being arrested for DUI. Ironically, Killpack had led the legislative effort to toughen Utah's DUI rules.
Mormonism conveys greater protection against sin, but it does not guarantee immunity from the weaknesses of the flesh. We are still down here to learn how to subject the flesh to the spirit, and it requires opposition and occasional failure to learn these lessons effectively.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Two Kidnapped LDS Sister Missionaries Freed By Special Police In Guatemala, Both Unharmed
 |
| Screenshot: Vallejos (L), Trevino (R) |
On December 19th, Sister Sara Catherine Treviño of Mesa, AZ, and Sister Gladys Vallejos of Ecuador, both 22 years old, were kidnapped in the city of Escuintla. The kidnappers had demanded a $5 million ransom. But the two missionaries were not harmed by their captors, and they even got to share some missionary lessons with them. Sara Trevino feels like angels were watching over them the whole time.
Police quickly learned that the missionaries were being held at a home in Escuintla, and on December 21st, stormed the residence, freeing the missionaries and arresting three suspects. No ransom was paid. Taken into custody were an 18-year-old Guatemalan woman and two Nicaraguan men. One of the Nicaraguans, 30-year-old Gabriel de Jesus Calero, was already wanted for the June kidnapping and murder of an engineer in Escuintla. A search of the home where the missionaries were found turned up ledgers recording ransoms collected in previous kidnappings. Prensa Libre identifies the Guatemalan woman as Julissa Colindres Maricela Perez and the other Nicaraguan man as 31-year-old Juan Carlos Mairena.
After her rescue, when her father asked her to consider coming home, Sister Treviño refused, expressing her determination to remain on her mission until its conclusion in May 2013, although according to her mission site, her projected release date is listed as April 12th, 2013. The LDS Church issued the following statement:
"We are grateful for the safe return of two sister missionaries serving in the Guatemala City Central Mission, and we appreciate the concern and diligent efforts of all those involved in securing their release. We pray continually for the well being of our missionaries across the world. Thankfully, such incidents are very rare.
"Most realize that these young people have dedicated this portion of their lives to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. They do so at their own expense because of a desire to serve others, and are known throughout the world for the goodness of their lives and the message they share."
Considering that one of the kidnappers is believed to have murdered in the past, I think it's a good bet that angels were watching over these missionaries during their ordeal.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
LDS Church First Presidency Issues Statement Expressing Condolences In The Wake Of The Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre In Connecticut
The massacre of 28 people at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, including 20 children and six adults as well as the shooter's mother and the shooter himself, by suicide, has truly touched a raw nerve in America's psyche. Public reaction has been unusually passionate and even visceral at time, with some expressing bitter invective against those who don't want to compound this crime by using it as justification to weaken the right to bear arms in the United States. Perhaps it's the fact that all 20 children were younger than eight years old, considered the age of accountability in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that really hurts; their mortal probation was abruptly cut off even before it really began.
The horrific nature of this crime prompted the First Presidency of the LDS Church to issue the following statement of condolences on Friday December 14th, 2012, even before all of the facts had emerged:
For those interested in the details of the massacre, I suggest visiting this ABC News portal leading to numerous stories about the event and the aftermath.
While we as Latter-day Saints are just as grieved by the deaths of these young ones, LDS doctrine offers hope for their future. The reason eight years old is set as the age of accountability, the youngest at which one can become baptized into the Church, is because children who die before the age of eight die in the Lord and do not go to hell. They first go to paradise rather than spirit prison, then at the appointed time, will take up their bodies again and qualify for celestial glory, the highest of the three degrees of glory. This is set forth more precisely in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants. First, from Moroni 8:8-12 in the Book of Mormon:
Then, from Doctrine & Covenants 29:46-47:
And finally, Doctrine & Covenants 68:27 defines the age of accountability as eight, stating "And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands". This does not mean that all children will be baptized at the age of eight; it simply means that eight is the youngest age that one can be considered for baptism.
Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue, who are not Mormons, sum it up well in this song:
This perspective is not going to suddenly take away the grief that the families and loved ones feel for the departed children. Grief is a natural part of the overall human experience; there is no prescribed way to grieve. Instead, it provides hope -- and a strategy to better manage and eventually recover from that grief. While no parent ever gets over the death of a child, the objective is to eventually come to terms with it and prevent it from permanently damaging the psyche of the bereaved.
We are not given all the answers to the mysteries of life while we are down here; that would diminish the spontaneity of the mortal experience. But we are given that which our Heavenly Father has deemed sufficient, and we can always access Him via prayer for more wisdom and comfort. Once our lives are complete, we will receive all the rest of the answers when we return to the spirit world, and we will see that these departed children will be entitled to experience everything they would have experienced had they tarried in the flesh -- to include marriage and parenthood. Their mortality may have been cut short, but they have eternity to make up for it.
The horrific nature of this crime prompted the First Presidency of the LDS Church to issue the following statement of condolences on Friday December 14th, 2012, even before all of the facts had emerged:
"We are profoundly saddened by the events this morning at a school in Connecticut. We grieve with all those affected by this tragedy and especially for the families of these little children.
"In this hour of great sorrow we pray the Spirit of our Father in Heaven will provide comfort and peace to all."
For those interested in the details of the massacre, I suggest visiting this ABC News portal leading to numerous stories about the event and the aftermath.
While we as Latter-day Saints are just as grieved by the deaths of these young ones, LDS doctrine offers hope for their future. The reason eight years old is set as the age of accountability, the youngest at which one can become baptized into the Church, is because children who die before the age of eight die in the Lord and do not go to hell. They first go to paradise rather than spirit prison, then at the appointed time, will take up their bodies again and qualify for celestial glory, the highest of the three degrees of glory. This is set forth more precisely in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine & Covenants. First, from Moroni 8:8-12 in the Book of Mormon:
8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.
9 And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.
10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach — repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.
11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
Then, from Doctrine & Covenants 29:46-47:
46 But behold, I say unto you, that little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten;
47 Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me;
And finally, Doctrine & Covenants 68:27 defines the age of accountability as eight, stating "And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands". This does not mean that all children will be baptized at the age of eight; it simply means that eight is the youngest age that one can be considered for baptism.
Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue, who are not Mormons, sum it up well in this song:
This perspective is not going to suddenly take away the grief that the families and loved ones feel for the departed children. Grief is a natural part of the overall human experience; there is no prescribed way to grieve. Instead, it provides hope -- and a strategy to better manage and eventually recover from that grief. While no parent ever gets over the death of a child, the objective is to eventually come to terms with it and prevent it from permanently damaging the psyche of the bereaved.
We are not given all the answers to the mysteries of life while we are down here; that would diminish the spontaneity of the mortal experience. But we are given that which our Heavenly Father has deemed sufficient, and we can always access Him via prayer for more wisdom and comfort. Once our lives are complete, we will receive all the rest of the answers when we return to the spirit world, and we will see that these departed children will be entitled to experience everything they would have experienced had they tarried in the flesh -- to include marriage and parenthood. Their mortality may have been cut short, but they have eternity to make up for it.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Former LDS Missionary Caleb Daniel Lowe Accused Of Sexual Display Solicitation Of A 13-Year-Old Girl While Serving In Lincoln, Maine
A former missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been accused of sexual display solicitation which occurred while he was still assigned to the mission field in Lincoln, Maine. Although WGAN and the Bangor Daily News do not specifically mention "former", the charges have been filed against him in his hometown of Springfield, Oregon, so it is reasonable to assume he's no longer on his mission.
Twenty-two year old Caleb Daniel Lowe was serving his mission in Lincoln when he met the 13-year-old girl while staying with her family as part of his mission. It was not reported whether or not he actually solicited the girl while on his mission. What is clear is that Lowe began texting the girl in September and continued until early November, sending many sexually suggestive messages, a nude photograph of himself, and requests that she send him a nude photo in return. The case first broke when the girl’s mother saw a nude photograph of Lowe and the suggestive texts while examining her daughter's cell phone. [Note to parents: This is why you want to check your teen's cell phone periodically if it has photo and text capability -- as an additional form of protection.]
The girl's mother contacted police in Lincoln. Since Lowe was back in Oregon by this time, Lincoln police contacted Springfield police, who confronted Lowe with the accusations. After Lowe agreed to show police his cell phone, investigators found a matching nude photo of Lowe and many of the sexually suggestive texts he sent. He was arrested on November 8th and charged attempting to use a child in a sexual display. He is currently in jail.
Under Oregon law, Lowe cannot be charged for sending the nude photograph or for making sexual remarks, but only for suggesting that the girl send him the photograph. Nevertheless, if he's convicted, he would face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and mandatory registration as a sex offender in Oregon.
This is why missionaries are assigned companions and the companions must remain within sight and sound of each other. Of course, if Lowe did all this stuff after he returned from his mission, that would not matter. Returned missionaries are urged to find a wife and enter into eternal marriage, but this is not the way the Church recommends it be done. He will face a disciplinary council if he is convicted.
Twenty-two year old Caleb Daniel Lowe was serving his mission in Lincoln when he met the 13-year-old girl while staying with her family as part of his mission. It was not reported whether or not he actually solicited the girl while on his mission. What is clear is that Lowe began texting the girl in September and continued until early November, sending many sexually suggestive messages, a nude photograph of himself, and requests that she send him a nude photo in return. The case first broke when the girl’s mother saw a nude photograph of Lowe and the suggestive texts while examining her daughter's cell phone. [Note to parents: This is why you want to check your teen's cell phone periodically if it has photo and text capability -- as an additional form of protection.]
The girl's mother contacted police in Lincoln. Since Lowe was back in Oregon by this time, Lincoln police contacted Springfield police, who confronted Lowe with the accusations. After Lowe agreed to show police his cell phone, investigators found a matching nude photo of Lowe and many of the sexually suggestive texts he sent. He was arrested on November 8th and charged attempting to use a child in a sexual display. He is currently in jail.
Under Oregon law, Lowe cannot be charged for sending the nude photograph or for making sexual remarks, but only for suggesting that the girl send him the photograph. Nevertheless, if he's convicted, he would face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and mandatory registration as a sex offender in Oregon.
This is why missionaries are assigned companions and the companions must remain within sight and sound of each other. Of course, if Lowe did all this stuff after he returned from his mission, that would not matter. Returned missionaries are urged to find a wife and enter into eternal marriage, but this is not the way the Church recommends it be done. He will face a disciplinary council if he is convicted.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Although 34 Percent Of Boy Scouts Nationwide Are Mormon, Only Two Percent Of Boy Scout Sexual Abuse Cases Are Connected To Mormons
By now, most readers know that the media has released the contents of numerous files documenting sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts. The primary media source is the Los Angeles Times, which obtained two decades of files, submitted as evidence in a court case, as well as case summaries from an additional 3,100 files opened between 1947 and 2005. Both were provided by Seattle attorney Timothy Kosnoff, a serial litigator who has sued the Boy Scouts more than 100 times. The dossiers, which included biographical data, legal records, Scouting correspondence, boys' accounts of alleged abuse and media reports, represent all surviving files kept by the Scouts as of January 2005.
The Los Angeles Times account also includes a searchable database and a location map. In the Search box beneath the lower left hand corner of the LA Times map, you can type in a city or a state, and all the entries for the requested location will be displayed beneath. KTVX Channel 4 identified three people who were LDS members at the time they offended; Eric Hacking from Orem, Leroy Harvey Richins from Provo, and Gerald Burgie of Ogden, and in a separate story, reported that Burgie is currently in a Texas prison serving a sentence for child porn. I also discovered a fourth offender who was a Mormon; Kenneth Rarick, who was in Fairbanks, AK in 1982. In response to a KTVX query, LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said, "....the Church has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind and is extremely proactive in its efforts to prevent it and help victims when it does occur."
It is because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses Scouting as the primary youth program for boys that attention has been directed toward the Church as well. So LDS blogger Joanna Brooks decided to research the issue to find out if LDS Boy Scout troops had been more or less susceptible to sexual abuse than other troops. And on October 19th, 2012, she published her findings in Religion Dispatches:
Of course, it is also possible that some cases were never reported at all, but merely swept under the rug. Sexual abuse of youth did not receive the public scrutiny 10-20-30 years ago that it gets today. In 1995, the Mormon Alliance published its own findings, which are available through this portal. Nevertheless, Brooks' analysis still shows that LDS Boy Scout troops had disproportionately fewer incidences of sexual abuse than other troops. And while Brooks is a faithful member of the Church, she hardly has a reputation for being a shill or apologist, so her conclusions can be trusted.
LDS Scoutmasters have a greater incentive than most to control their behavior. In addition to facing criminal justice, LDS Scoutmasters who sexually abuse their charges also face Church discipline -- which in this case, most often means excommunication. Then, after they return, their records are annotated for the rest of their lives, so that they are not placed in positions of unsupervised contact with youths.
The Los Angeles Times account also includes a searchable database and a location map. In the Search box beneath the lower left hand corner of the LA Times map, you can type in a city or a state, and all the entries for the requested location will be displayed beneath. KTVX Channel 4 identified three people who were LDS members at the time they offended; Eric Hacking from Orem, Leroy Harvey Richins from Provo, and Gerald Burgie of Ogden, and in a separate story, reported that Burgie is currently in a Texas prison serving a sentence for child porn. I also discovered a fourth offender who was a Mormon; Kenneth Rarick, who was in Fairbanks, AK in 1982. In response to a KTVX query, LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said, "....the Church has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind and is extremely proactive in its efforts to prevent it and help victims when it does occur."
It is because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses Scouting as the primary youth program for boys that attention has been directed toward the Church as well. So LDS blogger Joanna Brooks decided to research the issue to find out if LDS Boy Scout troops had been more or less susceptible to sexual abuse than other troops. And on October 19th, 2012, she published her findings in Religion Dispatches:
Today, a whopping 34 percent of Boy Scout troops nationwide are co-sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But sources who have scrutinized the BSA’s so-called “perversion files” report that fewer than 2 percent of the cases documented therein are connected with Mormons. It is believed that LDS Church may have handled child abuse cases internally rather than reporting them to BSA officials.
Of course, it is also possible that some cases were never reported at all, but merely swept under the rug. Sexual abuse of youth did not receive the public scrutiny 10-20-30 years ago that it gets today. In 1995, the Mormon Alliance published its own findings, which are available through this portal. Nevertheless, Brooks' analysis still shows that LDS Boy Scout troops had disproportionately fewer incidences of sexual abuse than other troops. And while Brooks is a faithful member of the Church, she hardly has a reputation for being a shill or apologist, so her conclusions can be trusted.
LDS Scoutmasters have a greater incentive than most to control their behavior. In addition to facing criminal justice, LDS Scoutmasters who sexually abuse their charges also face Church discipline -- which in this case, most often means excommunication. Then, after they return, their records are annotated for the rest of their lives, so that they are not placed in positions of unsupervised contact with youths.
Monday, September 24, 2012
LDS Militiaman Coleman Barney Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison For Weapons Violations, But Gets Credit For Time Already Served
Former Alaska Peacemaker militiaman Coleman Barney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was found guilty of conspiracy to possess unregistered silencers and possessing an unregistered destructive device on June 18th, 2012, but not convicted on conspiracy to murder charges, learned of his fate on September 24th, 2012. Judge Robert Bryan sentenced Barney to five years in prison, but credited him with time already served. This means Barney only gets three and a half years additional time and would be free no later than March 2016, with an earlier release possible for accumulated good time. In general, federal prisons offer a good time credit of 54 days per year of a sentence.
Prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence, laying out their case in an 11-page sentencing memorandum during a September 19th pre-sentencing hearing. They maintained that Barney's use of weapons and personal armor in commission of a crime and lies they claim he told when he testified on his own behalf warranted a stiffer sentence than might otherwise be justified. In response, Barney's defense team submitted 53 letters on his own behalf, most from relatives, friends or members of the North Pole Ward where he worshipped, asking that he be released with only the time he has already served. "Coleman is one of the most honest men that I have ever met," said friend Richard Matteson. "His dedication to God, family and country rival that of anyone I know. He is a God-fearing man that does not take his covenants to God and his church lightly."
Judge Bryan basically split the difference, acknowledging that Barney might have been a good family man, churchgoer and businessman before he linked up with militia leader Schaeffer Cox in 2010, but his choices afterward pointed him in the direction of prison. In the spectator's section, Barney's wife and mother were crying; later, after Barney was led away in handcuffs, his wife Rachel said she thought he was unfairly prosecuted. "I will stand by my husband," she said. "Some day, all the facts will come out. I believe in my husband's innocence."
Any time a member of the LDS Church gets into high-profile legal trouble, the local bishop will report the information up the Priesthood chain of command through the stake president to LDS Church headquarters so that the leadership can be aware of the situation and determine appropriate responses. Recently, Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, indicated possible awareness of the Coleman Barney case when he delivered an address at the BYU Marriott Center counseling LDS members to avoid getting involved in militias or paramilitary groups who organize on the basis of end-time prophecies, to include the now-disavowed White Horse Prophecy. While Elder Oaks did not mention Coleman Barney by name, it is the first time in recent memory that I can recall an apostle speaking out on militia groups.
Since this post was published, two more people who served on the jury that convicted Barney have spoken out:
Prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence, laying out their case in an 11-page sentencing memorandum during a September 19th pre-sentencing hearing. They maintained that Barney's use of weapons and personal armor in commission of a crime and lies they claim he told when he testified on his own behalf warranted a stiffer sentence than might otherwise be justified. In response, Barney's defense team submitted 53 letters on his own behalf, most from relatives, friends or members of the North Pole Ward where he worshipped, asking that he be released with only the time he has already served. "Coleman is one of the most honest men that I have ever met," said friend Richard Matteson. "His dedication to God, family and country rival that of anyone I know. He is a God-fearing man that does not take his covenants to God and his church lightly."
Judge Bryan basically split the difference, acknowledging that Barney might have been a good family man, churchgoer and businessman before he linked up with militia leader Schaeffer Cox in 2010, but his choices afterward pointed him in the direction of prison. In the spectator's section, Barney's wife and mother were crying; later, after Barney was led away in handcuffs, his wife Rachel said she thought he was unfairly prosecuted. "I will stand by my husband," she said. "Some day, all the facts will come out. I believe in my husband's innocence."
Any time a member of the LDS Church gets into high-profile legal trouble, the local bishop will report the information up the Priesthood chain of command through the stake president to LDS Church headquarters so that the leadership can be aware of the situation and determine appropriate responses. Recently, Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, indicated possible awareness of the Coleman Barney case when he delivered an address at the BYU Marriott Center counseling LDS members to avoid getting involved in militias or paramilitary groups who organize on the basis of end-time prophecies, to include the now-disavowed White Horse Prophecy. While Elder Oaks did not mention Coleman Barney by name, it is the first time in recent memory that I can recall an apostle speaking out on militia groups.
Since this post was published, two more people who served on the jury that convicted Barney have spoken out:
David Oberg September 25th 1:14 P.M (Anchorage Daily News):
I commend Judge Bryan for imposing a compassionate sentence commensurate with the crimes for which Coleman Barney was convicted. As a juror in the case, I was disturbed by the prosecution's sentencing document in which he was characterized as a cold-blooded killer and called for a 10-year sentence. However, I am a bit disappointed in Barney and his wife for their assertion that he is innocent. While I was not totally comfortable with the government informant's role in procuring the silenced pistols, there can be no doubt that he did express a desire to possess one and took steps to get it, with the full understanding that it would be unregistered and therefore illegal. It is also a fact, established by evidence and testimony, that he on at least one occasion had in his possession an "illegal unregistered destructive device" in the form of a hornet's nest round inserted into a 37mm launcher. I don't think he knew it was illegal, but ignorance does not excuse him from the law. I fully expected Coleman and his family to accept that he had made some bad decisions, and would accept the consequences of those decisions. It pains me that they haven't.
alaskanflyer September 25th 13 Hours Ago (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner):
A fair sentence for a good man who made some bad decisions supporting a "friend". As a juror in the case it was clear to me that Coleman Barney would never harm another except in lawful self-defense. My faith in Judge Bryan's wisdom has been justified.
alaskanflyer September 25th 1 Hour Ago (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner):
I was convinced by both the evidence presented and testimony that, had the government not intervened, two of the defendants would have killed somebody unlawfully at some time in the future given the right circumstances. The convictions were NOT about what the defendants SAID. They were for what the defendants DID to further what they had said. Saying you are going to do something illegal is protected (within limits)by the Constitution, but amassing illegal weapons (Sten gun, grenades, etc.)and making plans to actually DO it is a crime.
alaskanflyer September 25th 1 Hour Ago (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner):
Actually, he never took possession of a silencer (the conviction was for "conspiracy to possess an unregistered silencer")and he never possessed or indicated that he wanted to possess a hand grenade. We also convicted him for possession of an "unregistered destructive device", an allegation clearly and convincingly proved by both evidence and testimony.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)