A Greensboro, NC, police academy cadet has been charged with impersonating a police officer, per this story from local media. Maceo John Cannon, 20, allegedly confronted a woman about her driving while wearing a jacket with Greensboro Police Department patches, detaining the woman without her consent. Cannon has been charged with false imprisonment and impersonating a law enforcement officer, both misdemeanors. Read on for more criminal law news.
Sting Operation. A beekeeper has been sentenced to six months for unleashing a swarm of bees against sheriff’s deputies in Longmeadow, MA, according to this story from the NYT. The sheriff’s deputies were serving eviction papers at a $1.9 million mansion in 2022 when the beekeeper, Rebecca Woods, (who did not live at the home), drove into the semicircular driveway in her SUV with an attached trailer carrying wooden crates. Woods tussled with deputies over the crates, overturning several of the crates and releasing hundreds of bees, which stung the deputies and other sheriff’s staff members. Informed that some of the deputies were allergic to bees, Woods allegedly responded, “good.” Woods was convicted earlier this month by a jury in Springfield, MA, of four misdemeanor counts of assault and battery and two counts of reckless assault.
Geofence Warrants. The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Monday in Chatrie v. United States, testing the constitutionality of geofence warrants, as reported by ABC and NBC. The case arises from the armed robbery of a Federal Credit Union in Midlothian, VA, in 2019. The suspect handed the teller a note demanding money and left the bank with $195,000. Police served a “geofence warrant” on Google, requesting location data for cellphone users in the vicinity of the bank – a geofence with a 150-meter radius – within an hour of the robbery. Based on information received from Google, police charged Okello Chatrie with bank robbery. A federal district court in Virgina agreed with Chatrie that the warrant was not supported by probable cause, but it nevertheless denied his motion to suppress evidence based on the good faith exception. The Fourth Circuit affirmed, and the U.S. Supreme Court in January granted discretionary review.
Impenetrable Security Measures. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have invited citizens to add their private security cameras to a police network, and many people have done so, as reported by the Chalotte Observer. An opt-in program known as “Connect Charlotte” has already enlisted more than 2,000 cameras. Private citizens can register their residential cameras with the police for free, and businesses with the right hardware can also allow police to access their camera’s livestream function. Sgt. Ryan Buckler says the technology has helped CMPD in cases involving narcotics, among others. Buckler says some citizens have offered to let police use their residential cameras for livestream footage, but the department certainly would never do such a thing. CMPD assures the public that the data collected is encrypted and accessible only to properly authorized personnel.
Not a Joke, Jim. Luther Davis, former football player for the University of Alabama, pled guilty on Monday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identify theft, per this story from the NYT. Between May 2023 and October 2024, Davis and a co-conspirator, CJ Evins (who also pled guilty), allegedly used fake documents, bogus corporations, wigs, and makeup to disguise themselves as star NFL players (identified only by their initials in the federal indictment). Using borrowed robes, Davis and Evins convinced lenders to grant them nearly $20 million in fraudulent loans. They used the money to buy real estate, cars, and jewelry. Sentencing is scheduled for later this year.
Necessitas Non Habet Legem. A man is facing charges of burglary, trespassing, and theft after he broke into a residence in State College, PA, on Sunday to take a shower, as reported by local media. Israal D. Al-Sulaimani, 21, allegedly told police that he used an extension ladder to gain entry to the home through a second-story window. The window led into a bedroom adjacent to the bathroom where Al-Sulaimani was bathing when residents of the townhouse returned home about 9:30 p.m. and heard the shower running. Police found Al-Sulaimani in the bathroom wearing only his underwear. The residents told police that cupcakes had also been taken from the kitchen, and police observed the packaging on the bathroom floor. Al-Sulaimani was arrested at the scene.
Clubbing at the Beach. A woman working as a stripper is accused of assaulting a man with a 7-foot metal pole on Monday in North Miami Beach, FL, per this story from local media. Police report that Princess Bell, 23, nearly struck a security guard at Taboo Miami by G5ive, putting him in fear of his life. Bell was at the club to pick up her belongings after having been terminated for bizarre behavior, a manager told police. After being escorted outside by security, Bell allegedly returned with the pole. Bell fled the scene and ignored orders to stop. North Miami Beach police chased Bell and arrested her after a brief struggle. She faces charges of aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon, providing a false name or ID after arrest, and four counts of resisting arrest.
In For a Penny. A Colorado man is charged with stealing a fire engine as soon as he was released from jail, per this story from local media. Richmond Takashi Johnson, 34, was arrested Tuesday night after police in Boulder, CO, received reports of a man trying to open doors of cars and homes. Police took Johnson to jail, where he was booked on trespassing charges and released at 3:30 am. Johnson allegedly then hopped into Boulder Fire-Rescue Engine 143, which had responded to the jail on an unrelated call, and drove away. Police initiated pursuit, deploying stop sticks in multiple locations. Police say the fire engine came to a stop in Longmont, CO, due to deflated tires, and Johnson fled on foot. He was apprehended by police shortly thereafter and now faces additional charges of felony motor vehicle theft, reckless driving, and resisting arrest, among other charges.
Better Watch Out. A man known for playing Santa at annual Christmas events in Florida has been arrested and charged with human trafficking, as reported by a local Fox affiliate. Thomas Allen Hicks, 68, allegedly responded to an ad purportedly offering the sexual services of the offeror’s 13-year-old daughter at $200 per hour. In fact, the ad was posted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as part of an undercover operation to identify and locate online child predators. Hicks allegedly contacted the undercover agent the following day from a parking lot in Lakeland, FL. Officers approached and arrested Hicks, who was carrying cash including two $100 bills.
