CRIME NEWS
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AP
U.S. Immigration Agents Raid South Carolina Metal‑Casting Plant on Workers With Fake Ids, Arrest Two Execs
AP
Frisco Teens Vengeance: 19‑Year‑Old Faces Life for Murder","description":"A former Texas high school athlete, Karmelo Anthony, is on trial for fatally stabbing 17‑year‑old competitor Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, amid community calls for justice.","summary":"On a rainy morning in April 2025, Karmelo Anthony was indicted for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf, a 17‑year‑old from a rival high school, during a Friday night track meet in Frisco. The incident, which has drawn nationwide attention and amplified racial rhetoric on social media, has led to a high‑profile trial in Collin County. A courtroom equipped with increased security is currently hearing opening statements, while attorneys are prohibited from discussing the case publicly. The prosecution cites a confrontation that allegedly involved a knife, whereas Anthony’s defense, led by Mike Howard, argues that self‑defense and reasonable doubt are central to the case. The parents of both teens emphasize their children’s scholastic aspirations, and the incident has triggered warnings about online misinformation. Judge Greg Willis has set strict procedural rules, reflecting the case’s sensitive nature.","image":"","text":"<div style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">DALLAS (AP) — Opening statements were set for Thursday in the murder trial of a former Texas high school athlete accused of taking out a knife during a track meet and <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/student-stabbed-frisco-texas-track-meet-821ff607dcad0eba30400319a50f7aaf\">fatally stabbing</a> a 17‑year‑old competitor from a rival team in the stadium’s bleachers.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">The killing last year <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/texas-high-school-track-meet-stabbing-13485047150f59fd7800626b0d3ffeb0\">stunned an affluent Dallas suburb where the teenagers attended school</a> and quickly drew wider attention, in part over social media posts that amplified the case in racial terms.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">Karmelo Anthony, now 19, faces up to life in prison if convicted in the killing of Austin Metcalf. According to an arrest report, Anthony told police he was protecting himself when the teenagers got into a confrontation during a high school track meet in Frisco, a booming city in Dallas’ sprawling north suburbs.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">A jury was seated this week under increased security at a Collin County courthouse and a judge has set strict rules over the proceedings, including prohibiting attorneys from discussing the case publicly.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">We know this case has struck a deep nerve — here in Collin County and beyond,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said while announcing the indictment against Anthony last year.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">The stabbing happened on a rainy morning in April 2025. Witnesses told police the confrontation began when Anthony sat under a tent belonging to Metcalf’s team, according to an arrest report. The teens went to different high schools in Frisco.</p>\\n <div style=\"text-align:center; margin:28px 0;\">\\n <button style=\"appearance:none;-webkit-appearance:none;border:0;background:#000;color:#fff;cursor:pointer;display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:10px;padding:14px 22px;border-radius:999px;font-family:inherit; font-weight:700; font-size:16px; letter-spacing:0.2px;line-height:1;box-shadow:0 10px 18px rgba(0,0,0,0.12);transition:transform 120ms ease,box-shadow 120ms ease,opacity 120ms ease;\">Read More <span style=\"display:inline-block;width:10px;height:10px;border-right:2px solid currentColor;border-bottom:2px solid currentColor;transform:rotate(45deg);margin-top:-2px;\"></span></button>\\n </div>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">When Metcalf told Anthony that he needed to move, Anthony reached inside his bag and allegedly replied: “Touch me and see what happens,” the report said.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">A short time later, Metcalf allegedly grabbed Anthony, who then pulled out a knife and stabbed the other teenager in the chest, the report said.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">A police officer said in the report that Anthony told him that Metcalf had put his hands on him, and that he was protecting himself.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">Mike Howard, Anthony’s attorney, said following the indictment last summer that he expects prosecutors would “not be able to rule out the reasonable doubt” that his client may have acted in self‑defense once the full details of the confrontation come out.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">The parents of both teens have said they were good students who planned to go to college.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">Metcalf’s father has condemned those who have seized on the race of the teenagers after the killing. Anthony is Black; Austin Metcalf was white.</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">“This was not a race thing. This is not a political thing. Please do not comment if you do not know what happened,” Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, said on <a href=\"https://www.foxnews.com/video/6370992236112\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News’ “America Reports.”</a></p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">“This is a human being thing,” he said. “This person made a bad choice and it affected both his family and my family forever.”</p>\\n <p style=\"margin-bottom:1em;\">Authorities have also issued warnings about online discussions surrounding the killing. Frisco Police Chief David Shilson has urged people to beware of posts spreading “misinformation, hate, fear, and division.”</p>\\n</div>
AP
Second Wave of Family Separations: 11,800+ United States-affected Families Still Await Justice","description":"The Trump administration’s family separation policy continues to impact thousands of families, with a recent investigation revealing renewed separations despite a settlement that guaranteed reunification.","summary":"An AP investigation uncovers that the U.S. government has re-separated a significant number of children from their parents within the last year, violating the Ms. L settlement that promised they remain together. The story follows the case of Ederson Alva and his mother, Elva López, highlighting legal battles, government denial, and the urgent need for renewed protections.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/3b21a05/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffe%2F6b%2Fb5695ec27def0182e3698487be98%2Fe89ef3586e4043848e6174551247b59d","text":"<h2>Ederson Alva’s 8‑Year Long Journey</h2><p>When 3‑year‑old Ederson Alva was pulled from his mother’s arms at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018, he and Elva López were separated for months in a government facility. They reunited only after lawyers pressed the case, but the moment was a temporary reprieve. Six months later, on June 3, 2024, the family was pulled apart again, with Ederson sent to Guatemala the same day his mother was detained. It was only on a federal judge’s order that the two were allowed to return to Florida, after a year in the indigenous highlands of Guatemala.</p><h2>A Settlement That Should Have Ended It All</h2><p>In 2018 the Trump administration, under Stephen Miller’s hard‑line immigration policy, began separating families at the border. The ACLU filed a class‑action lawsuit—<em>Ms. L v. U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement</em>—to halt the practice. A judge ordered the policy to stop, noting the lasting harm inflicted on families. In 2023 a settlement promised the affected parents, children and relatives legal protections, pathways to asylum, work permits, and support services, existing until December 2031. The settlement also mandated regular audits of removal orders, a right to counsel and a comprehensive record of every family affected.</p><h2>Investigation Reveals New Violations</h2><p>The latest Associated Press investigation shows that, despite the settlement, the U.S. government has re‑separated dozens of children from their parents this past year—cases that were fully documented by the settlement. Reports indicate that many parents were detained in immigration facilities for months, while others were deported after the system identified them as “legally off‑limits for removal.” Immigration officials thereby undermined the court’s order to keep families together. Their emails reveal that the department used the designation of “statutory authority” to justify removal orders against those entitled to protection.</p><h2>Government’s Defense</h2><p>Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, insisted “the agency complies with all court orders.” She argued that enforcement of immigration law was “not optional” and that every removal “helps restore order.” The Department’s attorneys claim there are no legal restrictions on its authority to execute removal orders, a stance that conflicts sharply with the settlement’s mandates.</p><h2>Practical Impact on Families</h2><p>Elva López reports that after returning to Florida on a judge’s order, the Department again questioned her, tracing fingerprints and taking new documents. She received only two weeks of humanitarian parole, while Ederson and his siblings remain in legal limbo. The settlement’s benefits, including the right to apply for asylum, will expire in December. Beyond the expiration, the Department’s current contract covering legal services also ends in August, leaving families without counsel or support.</p><h2>What’s at Stake?</h2><p>The settlement requires that removal orders be canceled by December and that the government fully documents every class‑member family. Failure to meet these deadlines could strip families of their legal status and future asylum claims. As deportation numbers rise, many parents fear filling out government paperwork and miss out on the settlement’s protections because they are unaware of the lawsuit’s provisions or the impending expiration dates.</p><h2>Looking Ahead</h2><p>With the settlement’s deadline approaching and a court order that the government violated the settlement, legal teams are pushing for immediate statutory action to ensure all families are granted the rights they were promised. Meanwhile, the public remains largely unaware that the Trump administration’s second‑term policy has caused new separations, perpetuating the trauma originally caused by the first‑term policy.</p><h2>Stay Informed</h2><p>For ongoing updates, connect with the investigative team at <a href=\"mailto:investigative@ap.org\">investigative@ap.org</a> or through the secure Signal channel at +1 (202) 281‑8604. The story continues to unfold as courts and advocacy groups press for compliance with the mandated settlement. "</p>
AP
St. Paul Prosecutor Declares No State Charges for ICE Protesters","description":"City Attorney Irene Kao announced that anti‑immigration activists who disrupted a Minnesota church service will not face state criminal charges, a decision that has drawn criticism from church leadership and civil rights groups.","summary":"In St. Paul, Minnesota, a group of protesters who interrupted a church service in January were charged federally but will not face state crime charges, according to City Attorney Irene Kao. The protest was led by former CNN host Don Lemon and targeted a pastor who also served as an ICE official. Despite the city’s statement that no violence or property damage occurred, church leaders argue that the act itself broke the law.","image":"https://example.com/images/ice_protest.jpg","text":"<p>In St. Paul, Minnesota, a group of anti‑immigration protesters, who already face federal criminal charges, interrupted a church service on January 18, but the city attorney has decided they will not also face state criminal charges.</p><p>City Attorney Irene Kao said the evidence available was insufficient to meet the standard required for criminal prosecution under Minnesota state statutes. \"This decision should not be interpreted as an endorsement of unlawful behavior or public disorder,\" Kao added. \"The right to peacefully protest is protected, as is the right to exercise one’s religious beliefs. Balancing these equally important rights is paramount to our decision today.\"</p><p>The federal Department of Justice filed civil‑rights charges against 39 people, including former CNN journalist Don Lemon and another independent reporter, after a livestream showed the protests at Cities Church on Jan. 18. Protesters chanted \"ICE out\" and \"Justice for Renee Good,\" a 37‑year‑old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an intensified federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis.</p><p>Participants discovered that one of the church’s pastors also served as an ICE official overseeing the national enforcement push in Minnesota. \"According to the St. Paul City Attorney's logic, it is perfectly fine for agitators to invade a mosque, cathedral, or temple, intimidate the families and children inside, and shut down their religious gathering,\" pastor Jonathan Parnell said in a written statement. \"Just call it a protest.\"</p><p>While the protesters did not smash windows or spill property, the church’s attorneys argue that the right to disrupt worship is not protected by law. \"Violence, destruction of property and threats to public safety remain serious concerns,\" Kao added, noting that such actions did not occur during the demonstration.<br>Despite the absence of violence, the church says that the legal boundaries were still crossed.</p><p>Four states – Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas – adopted statutes this year that deem it a crime to disrupt worship services. These laws are now in effect in those states and are being monitored by civil‑rights advocates in Minnesota as well.</p>
AP
Chicago Prosecutor Admits Speaking to Grand Jury for First Time","description":"U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros publicly acknowledges a personal pitch to grand jurors during a protest indictment, marking an unprecedented level of transparency in the justice system.","summary":"In a rare admission, Chicago’s top federal prosecutor says he offered a pep talk to a grand jury before indicting protestors over immigration enforcement actions. The move highlights growing scrutiny over the DOJ’s handling of grand juries during the Trump era.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/0a6a942/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4038x2692+0+0/resize/1440x960!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F7b%2Faf%2F5e2193159b829937a1e22ebfa897%2F2434212dec644fda8854c2025f5ec4d6","text":"<h1 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:0.5rem\">Chicago Prosecutor Admits Speaking to Grand Jury for First Time</h1><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">The top federal prosecutor in Chicago, Andrew Boutros, formally acknowledged that he spoke personally to a grand jury before it indicted protestors who opposed the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps last year. This is the first time a prosecutor has publicly revealed such involvement in a grand jury's deliberations, a move that has prompted calls for greater transparency in a process that has traditionally operated behind closed doors.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Boutros released a five-page statement, complete with transcript excerpts, in response to defense attorneys' claims that he had “unusual personal contact” with jurors in October. In his submission, he says the purpose of his presence was to remind jurors of their duty to remain fair and not to influence the hearing. He specifically urged jurors to raise their hand if they could not set aside personal feelings regarding immigration or any other case.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">The case, involving anti‑immigration protests at a Chicago-area detention site, ultimately saw charges against four activists dropped following allegations of misconduct by an assistant U.S. attorney during the grand jury proceedings. A judge later ruled that no one acted with intent to mislead the jury.</p><h2 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1.5rem;margin-top:1.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem\">The Grand Jury Process</h2><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">A federal grand jury typically comprises 16 to 23 jurors and operates in complete secrecy. Unlike criminal trials, defense attorneys are not permitted to participate. Prosecutors present evidence, and the jury must receive 12 affirmative votes to issue an indictment. Jurors, as well as prosecutors and investigators, are sworn to silence.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">It is highly uncommon for a U.S. attorney—especially one in a major city—to appear in the grand jury room. Boutros explained that he was present to deliver a brief motivational address while his staff handled the details of the case. He expressed concern about jurors who might be reluctant to accept evidence impartially due to personal biases.</p><h2 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1.5rem;margin-top:1.5rem;margin-bottom:0.5rem\">Reactions and Broader DOJ Issues</h2><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Defense attorney Josh Herman described Boutros’s appearance as “chilling,” noting that the prosecutor asked jurors to disclose when they could not separate personal feelings from the evidence. Herman, along with other attorneys, is seeking a court order requiring the government to reimburse legal fees resulting from the misconduct.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Boutros’s role comes amid a series of DOJ mishaps during the Trump administration, including the dismissal of charges in Wyoming after a prosecutor told jurors that suspects were “bad guys” and "murderers,” and an admonishment of a Trump loyalist who secured the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. In Minnesota, a federal magistrate judge scolded a pro‑Trump official involved in an indictment of journalist Don Lemon over an immigration protest at a church.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:1rem\">Boutros was appointed U.S. attorney in 2025 for northern Illinois and was recently asked to resign by Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. They cited “chaos” and “deep internal dysfunction” in his office. The case underscores ongoing challenges with grand jury proceedings as the Department of Justice navigates its legacy of procedural controversies.</p>
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