Joseph Alcazar, 30, has been charged with murder after allegedly driving under the influence and killing 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach. Alcazar, who had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and two prior DUI convictions, struck Smiley while she was crossing the street, also injuring a 13-year-old girl. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years to life in prison.
Joseph Alcazar, a Fontana man with two prior DUI convictions, is charged with murder and DUI-related offenses after allegedly driving drunk and fatally striking 14-year-old Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley in Newport Beach. Alcazar, who had his 8-year-old daughter in the car, is accused of going around a stopped vehicle and hitting Smiley, who was crossing the street, and running over the foot of a 13-year-old girl. He faces 15 years to life in prison plus six years if convicted.
Christian Valdez, the suspect arrested for pushing his girlfriend onto NYC subway tracks, causing her feet to be severed, had previously been imprisoned for a violent 2017 home invasion. He was charged with attempted murder and felony assault and was on parole at the time of the subway attack. Valdez had a history of violence, including stabbing a woman and threatening to throw her child off a fire escape in 2017.
Caleb McVey, who has been charged with driving under the influence six times, had his most recent DWI charge dismissed due to a federal investigation into the Albuquerque Police Department's DWI unit. The investigation, which has led to the dismissal of about 200 cases, involves officers who were part of the arrests. McVey's history includes multiple DWI arrests this year, with incidents involving drugs and alcohol.
Ahead of Super Bowl 58, Las Vegas law enforcement is on high alert after the arrest of repeat offender Jesus Ponce, who made public threats and trespassed on a property. With an extensive criminal background, including multiple arson convictions, Ponce's arrest has raised security concerns. Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activity and are coordinating with federal agencies to ensure public safety for the event.
A Wisconsin man with at least five drunk driving offenses is facing charges for a crash that killed four people. Scott C. Farmer was driving his pickup truck in the wrong lane when he collided head-on with an SUV carrying four siblings, all of whom died. Farmer has been charged with multiple counts, including homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. The case has brought attention to Wisconsin's drunk driving regulations, as the state treats the first offense as a civil ordinance violation rather than a criminal offense. Critics argue that this leniency contributes to repeat offenders and the need for stricter penalties.
Christopher Pelkey, a Maine man who received minimal jail time for two previous domestic violence cases, has pleaded guilty to a third assault case involving another ex-girlfriend. Pelkey, who had been charged with two domestic violence felonies in the 2022 assault, agreed to serve at least five years in prison. The victim expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence, citing the lenient punishments Pelkey received in his previous cases. Pelkey had previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in cases involving two other ex-girlfriends. The plea deal includes a suspended term of four years and three years of probation, which Pelkey could serve if he violates his probation.
Christopher Pelkey, a Maine man who received minimal jail time for two previous domestic violence cases, has been sentenced to at least five years in prison for assaulting another ex-girlfriend. Pelkey pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and domestic violence criminal threatening. The victim expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence, which includes a suspended term and probation. Pelkey had previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in the earlier cases and served little time in jail. The lenient sentences in his previous cases have drawn criticism, with victims and others expressing concern for future victims.
Bernie Chan Rogers has been charged for the second time in less than a year for striking and killing a pedestrian with his vehicle. The Asheville Police Department arrested Rogers for the recent incident in which he hit and killed Jason Matthew Perry on Sweeten Creek Road. Rogers is also facing charges for a previous incident in which he struck and killed Jason Dean Wyatt while driving on Patton Avenue. He is currently being held in the Haywood County Detention Facility.
Scott Meyer, a 52-year-old man from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for attempted child enticement. Meyer exchanged sexual messages with an undercover officer, whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl, and requested explicit photos while encouraging her to run away from home. He was arrested when he planned to meet the girl for sex. This is not Meyer's first offense, as he had previously committed a similar crime in Shawano County. After serving his prison sentence, Meyer will be subject to a lifetime of supervised release.
A Florida woman was arrested for driving under the influence after allegedly speeding at 120 mph in a 55 mph zone. During the traffic stop, she became "violent" and attacked the Florida Highway Patrol trooper by digging her fingernails into his hands. The woman, identified as Brittany Bianchi, has been charged with multiple offenses, including resisting an officer with violence, battery on law enforcement, and possession of drugs. This marks her third DUI arrest within 10 years.
A convicted felon, Jason Dean Billingsley, has been arrested in connection with the murder of Baltimore tech CEO Pava LaPere. LaPere was found dead with blunt force trauma to her head in a downtown Baltimore apartment building. Billingsley is also a suspect in a separate case of attempted murder, rape, and arson. Authorities have yet to provide details about the evidence against Billingsley in either case.
Police in Baltimore are searching for a repeat violent offender, Jason Billingsley, who should not have been free, after the death of 26-year-old tech CEO Pava LaPere. LaPere, the CEO and founder of EcoMap Technologies, was found dead with signs of blunt-force trauma. Billingsley, who had previously served time for a first-degree sex offense, was released from prison in October. Baltimore officials expressed frustration that Billingsley was free and warned that he is considered armed and dangerous. The motive for LaPere's death and any relationship between her and Billingsley remain unclear.
San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus expressed anger over the fact that Jesse Garcia, a repeat offender with a long criminal record, was able to walk freely and shoot two police officers. Garcia, who had active warrants and was out on two bonds, opened fire on the officers during a pursuit, injuring one and later shooting and wounding another officer. McManus questioned why Garcia was not in jail and why his bonds were not increased. The district attorney's office explained that judges ultimately set bond amounts based on factors such as the severity of the crime and criminal history. Garcia is currently being held on $1 million bond for each aggravated assault charge against the police officers.
San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus expressed anger over the fact that Jesse Garcia, a repeat offender with a long criminal record, was able to walk freely and shoot two police officers. Garcia, who had active warrants and was out on two bonds, opened fire on the officers during a pursuit. McManus questioned why Garcia wasn't in jail and why his bonds weren't increased. The district attorney's office explained that judges ultimately set bond amounts based on factors such as the severity of the crime and criminal history. Garcia is now being held on $1 million bond for each aggravated assault charge against the officers.
