NFL's Richard Sherman Taken Down By K9 In Fight W/ Cops Before Arrest ... Police Say
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2:19 PM PT -- Cops just held a meeting with reporters to shed more light on the incident ... and they say the altercation all went down at the home of Sherman's in-laws.
Officials did not, however, reveal a possible motive for why they say Sherman was at the residence trying to gain entry ... but they noted at least two officers and the NFL player suffered minor injuries during the arrest.
The law enforcement spokespersons said troopers suffered "scrapes" ... while Sherman received a laceration on his leg due to contact with the police K9.
The officials also gave an update on Sherman's car ... saying it was severely damaged as a result of its collision with the barrier on the highway, noting one of the car's wheels was nearly completely off when they found the abandoned ride.
The spokespersons said Sherman continues to remain in jail with no bail set yet.
11:21 AM PT -- The Washington State Patrol tells TMZ Sports ... they're now investigating Sherman for a possible hit-and-run and DUI after cops say he crashed his car an hour or so before his arrest.
Officials say Sherman hit a barrier in a construction zone on a highway at around 1 AM ... and then still drove the car -- despite popped tires -- away from the area.
Cops say Sherman then abandoned the ride at a local parking lot off the exit.
WSP tells us troopers later located Sherman along with the Redmond Police Dept. and assisted in his arrest.
We're told police did obtain a warrant for bloodwork to determine if Sherman was impaired.
10:20 AM PT -- Sherman was taken down by a police K9 after trying to break into a family member's home in Redmond, WA before his arrest on Wednesday morning ... this according to law enforcement.
A Redmond Police Department spokesperson tells TMZ Sports the incident all went down at 2 AM.
According to the spokesperson, officers showed up to a residence in the Redmond area after receiving a call from the occupants inside the home who claimed a family member who did not live there was trying to break in.
Cops say when they arrived on scene, they identified Sherman as the suspect ... and claim he became uncooperative and combative during questioning.
Sherman allegedly fought with cops so much ... we're told a K9 was deployed to take down the NFL player and help bring him into custody.
Cops say he was taken to the hospital to be looked at for possible injuries before he was eventually booked at the county jail.
There's more ... the Redmond P.D. spokesperson also tells us the Washington State Patrol is involved in the case, after Sherman allegedly crashed his vehicle into a cement freeway barrier before he advanced on foot to the home.
Jail records show Sherman still remains behind bars.
Future Hall of Famer Richard Sherman was arrested early this morning in Washington for "burglary domestic violence" ... and has been denied bail, TMZ Sports has learned.
The 33-year-old NFL free agent was booked into the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle at 6:08 AM ... and is currently sitting behind bars.
The Burglary Domestic Violence charge is a felony in Washington state ... and can carry a lengthy prison sentence, if convicted.
The details surrounding the arrest are not yet clear.
Sherman -- who played with the San Francisco 49ers last season -- is one of the best players of his generation. RS is a 5x Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champ, and a lock to be immortalized in Canton, Ohio.
We've reached out to Sherman's rep ... but so far, no word back.
Originally Published -- 8:23 AM PT
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NJ Man on Racist Rant Judge Rules ... You're a Danger to Your Community!!!
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The guy who unleashed that racist tirade on his Black neighbor before getting hauled away by police will remain in custody ... a judge was convinced he's too dangerous to be on the streets.
Edward Cagney Mathews, the NJ man arrested over his viral racist meltdown, appeared Wednesday in Burlington County Superior Court, where the judge ruled Mathews poses a high risk to the community and ordered him to remain locked up ... at least for now.
The judge cited Mathews' extensive criminal history, including 20 prior convictions with one violent conviction ... siding with prosecutors who wanted Mathews to remain in custody.
Prosecutors also pointed to previous allegations that he once smeared feces on a neighbor's car, shot out a window with ball bearing ammo and slashed car tires.
Prosecutors also say police installed a surveillance camera at Mathews' housing development but claim he intentionally avoided surveillance ... and they said he's ramped up attacks against neighbors by throwing rocks at cars and through living room windows.
Mathews' legal team wanted him released with certain conditions -- the judge shot that down, but noted he's got 7 days to appeal.
As we first told you, Mathews' neighbors were bracing for his return ... but he's not coming home just yet.
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NFL's Mike Hughes Vomited All Over Teammate's Car During '19 Stop ... Police Video Shows
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NFL cornerback Mike Hughes blew chunks all over his former teammate Jayron Kearse's Mercedes while Kearse was being arrested for DWI back in 2019 ... and the gross scene was all captured on police video.
The footage was just released to TMZ Sports this week ... and it's pretty nasty -- showing Hughes vomiting multiple times while cops arrested Kearse, Hughes' then-Minnesota Vikings defensive backfield-mate, on October 27, 2019, in Minneapolis.
You can see in the video, after cops pulled over Kearse for allegedly bypassing a barricade and illegally driving on a highway that was closed off for construction at around 3:15 AM, Hughes began throwing up from the backseat of Kearse's car.
In the footage, it's clear as day, as cops detained Kearse ... Hughes continuously opened the rear passenger door and unloaded the contents of his stomach.
The video shows cops saying they believe Hughes was yacking due to having consumed too much alcohol earlier in the evening.
Kearse, meanwhile, can be seen in the footage appearing to bomb field sobriety tests ... and at one point, one officer says in the video the football player failed a breathalyzer test too.
In the clip, cops say Kearse had a BAC of .124, well above the legal limit of .08, so they arrested him -- and when they went back to check on Hughes in the car, they say they found a loaded gun in the vehicle beneath Hughes' feet.
Fortunately for Hughes, cops say Kearse ultimately fessed up to owning the firearm without a permit ... so Hughes didn't end up in any trouble.
Kearse, though, was taken to the station and ultimately hit with five misdemeanor charges, including DWI and possession of a pistol while under the influence of alcohol.
27-year-old Kearse -- who left the Vikings following the 2019 season to play for the Detroit Lions -- went on to strike a plea deal with prosecutors in the case back in February 2020.
He's since signed on to play for the Dallas Cowboys in 2021.
24-year-old Hughes, meanwhile, stayed with the Vikings through the 2019 and 2020 seasons after the incident ... but he was traded in May to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Both Hughes -- a 1st-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft -- and Kearse were teammates in Minnesota from 2018 through 2019.
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MLB All-Star Game Possible Massacre Thwarted ... Hotel Maid Finds Massive Cache of Guns
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The MLB All-Star Game might have become the site of a mass shooting this week ... had it not been for a hotel housekeeper, who tipped off cops to a huge collection of guns she found in one of the rooms.
Local reports say 4 individuals were arrested this weekend in Denver -- 3 men and a woman -- on illegal weapons charges after cops say they discovered an incredible cache of artillery in their rooms at the Maven Hotel ... just 2 blocks from Coors Field, where the All-Star events will take place this week.
ABC7 Denver reports a total of 16 long guns (AKA, rifles) were confiscated, as well as more than 1,000 rounds of ammo -- plus, body armor.
Their hotel rooms were reportedly on the 8th floor of the hotel ... and their balcony area had a bird's eye view of downtown Denver. Unclear what their intentions might've been, but some are already connecting the dots ... saying this could've possibly been a repeat of the Las Vegas massacre had it not been stopped by the heads-up housekeeper blowing the whistle.
ABC7 says 3 of the 4 suspects have criminal records, and one allegedly posted a scary Facebook message saying they would "go out in a big way."
All the warning signs are there ... and it's terrifying to think what this might have become.
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NFL's Barkevious Mingo Falcons Release Linebacker After 'Indecency W/ Child' Arrest
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10:06 PM PT -- The Falcons have released Mingo ... saying they have terminated their contract with the 30-year-old.
2:34 PM PT -- Mingo's attorney released a statement about the arrest ... claiming the NFLer is innocent.
"Mr. Mingo is the victim of false claim, and we believe this is motivated by money or some other ulterior motive," Lukas Garcia said Saturday.
"We are confident when the truth comes to light, my client will be fully exonerated."
11:35 AM PT -- Arlington PD tell TMZ Sports ... "On Thursday, July 8, 2021 at 9:46 p.m., the Arlington Police Department arrested Barkevious Mingo on one count of Indecency with a Child – Sexual Contact. Initial bond was set at $25,000."
"The incident stems from an investigation that the department is conducting. Mingo turned himself in on his own accord in consultation with his attorney. The bond has been posted and he has been released from custody."
Atlanta Falcons LB Barkevious Mingo was arrested earlier this week for "indecency with a child" ... TMZ Sports has learned.
30-year-old Mingo -- who was the 6th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft -- was arrested July 8 by Arlington Police Department ... and booked into Tarrant County jail for "indecency with a child, sexual contact," according to court records and law enforcement officials.
We're told the charge is a 2nd degree felony. If convicted, a 2nd degree felony can carry up to a 20 year prison sentence in Texas.
Mingo's bond was set at $25K ... and he was released the following morning.
The details surrounding the arrest are not yet clear.
After starring at LSU, Mingo has bounced around in the NFL ... spending time with the Browns, Patriots, Colts, Seahawks, Texans, and Bears before signing with the Falcons this year.
BM won a ring with the Patriots at Super Bowl LI ... recording 2 tackles during the Pats historic comeback against the Falcons.
The Falcons provided us a statement on Mingo's arrest, saying ... “Our organization became aware of the allegations involving Barkevious Mingo today and are currently gathering information on this incident."
"The Falcons take the allegations very seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”
We've also reached out to Mingo's reps ... but so far, no word back.
Originally Published -- 10:48 AM PT
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NFL's Frank Clark Charged With Felony ... Allegedly Busted w/ Gun
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6:30 PM PT -- Police tell us Clark and another man were stopped in a '93 Toyota Supra for failing to display a front license plate. During the stop, cops say they observed in plain sight the muzzle of a handgun sticking out of a bag in the back seat.
Police then searched the vehicle and say they located 2 loaded firearms -- a rifle and a handgun.
Clark and the other man were both arrested.
NFL superstar Frank Clark is now facing up to 3 YEARS behind bars ... after prosecutors hit him with a felony charge of possession of an assault weapon Friday, TMZ Sports has learned.
We're told Clark was arrested by California Highway Patrol on March 13th after allegedly being caught with an illegal firearm shortly after midnight.
It's not the first time he's run into this kind of trouble -- as we previously reported, Clark was arrested on June 20 ... after cops say they saw an uzi in his Lambo SUV during a routine traffic stop.
Officers say the firearm was sitting inside of an open duffle bag in the ride ... so they arrested the 28-year-old Chiefs pass rusher.
According to a source close to Clark, the football player claimed the gun was NOT his ... and instead belonged to a member of his security team.
Prosecutors have NOT yet charged Clark for the June incident.
If convicted on the charge from the March incident, Clark faces up to three years behind bars.
The two-time Pro Bowler is due in court next week for a hearing on the matter.
Clark is one of the Chiefs' best players ... he's logged 14 sacks since joining K.C in 2019, and is in the middle of a 5-year, $104 MILLION contract.
Originally Published 2:04 PM PT
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'Marrying Millions' Star Bill Hutchinson Charged with Rape ... Denies Allegations
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4:22 PM PT -- Hutchinson is denying the allegations, and his lawyer tells us they plan to fight the charges in court.
Hutchinson's lawyer, Dan Hagood, tells TMZ ... Hutchinson knows both accusers in the California case, and one is the same accuser from his sexual assault case in Texas.
His legal team says the accuser in both the Cali and Texas cases is full of it ... claiming she's telling a "fantastical" story about being sexually assaulted while unconscious twice in consecutive months.
Hutchinson's lawyer is chalking the allegations up to a money grab.
"Marrying Millions" star Bill Hutchinson has just been charged with raping an unconscious teenager while vacationing in Southern California.
Prosecutors from the Orange County D.A's Office revealed Friday the 63-year-old real estate developer allegedly sexually assaulted two 16-year-old girls vacationing with him in the ritzy beach town of Laguna Beach.
Prosecutors say Hutchinson raped one of the teens while she was unconscious. He's accused of bringing the two 16-year-old girls on vacation on 2 different occasions in April. He's accused of raping one of the girls while she was unconscious and committing four acts of sexual battery against the girl.
What's more ... prosecutors say when the alleged victim declined to go back to Laguna Beach again, Hutchinson is accused of returning to his vacation home with the other 16-year-old girl at the end of May and committing sexual battery against her during the trip.
He's been charged with 1 felony count of rape of an unconscious person and 5 misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.
Prosecutors say, if convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 8 years in state prison and 2 1/2 years in Orange County jail. The news comes on the heels of Hutchinson's arrest in Texas, where he's accused of assaulting a 17-year-old girl at his Highland Park home.
He turned himself in to Highland Park police earlier this week but later posted $30k bond. There's now an active arrest warrant in Orange County for Hutchinson.
Originally Published -- 2:24 PM PT
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Terrence Ross Alleged Lambo Jacker Charged ... 16-Year-Old Kid
The guy who allegedly broke into a Lamborghini dealership and jacked NBA guard Terrence Ross' expensive whip has been arrested and charged ... and turns out, cops say the suspect is a 16-year-old kid.
As we previously reported, Ross' Lambo Urus -- a fancy SUV that starts at $220k -- was stolen from the Fields Motorcars of Florida dealership last month ... and the car ended up wrecked in Maitland, about 10 miles outside Orlando.
TMZ Sports has learned ... a male teen was charged with Burglary of a Structure and 3rd Degree Grand Theft after a month-long investigation ... with officials saying they identified the suspect via key witnesses and security footage.
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Cops say the suspect crashed a gray Dodge Dart into the dealership around 1 AM to get Ross' key fob, hopped in his whip and drove off. Officials say the Dart was later reported stolen and found at a nearby business.
According to the police, Ross' Lambo was spotted cruising through Orange County around 3 AM ... and just a few hours later, cops received the call that Ross' SUV had crashed into a building in Maitland.
Remember, Ross was devastated to hear the news ... posting a video explaining what he had heard about the incident.
But, the good news?? Ross is rich (he's reportedly made more than $67 million in his career) ... but the hooper can still rest easy knowing cops got the person they believe is responsible for swiping the car.
The suspect is now in juvenile custody in Miami.
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Kim Kardashian Gets 5-Year Restraining Order Against Guy Who Sent Plan B, Ring
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3:05 PM PT -- 7/8 -- A judge has granted Kim a 5-year permanent order of protection against Costanza.
Kim Kardashian now has legal protection against the man who allegedly showed up to her home on multiple occasions and sent a package containing Plan B and a diamond ring ... thanks to a restraining order.
KK filed docs Wednesday against Nicholas Costanza, whom she claims is the person who disturbingly shipped Plan B pills and an engagement ring to her home earlier this month ... a package that was intercepted by Kim's security team.
In her filing -- from attorney Shawn Holley -- Kim says Costanza has shown up to her property a handful of times this year ... including once in February, and then again in late May. She claims he sprung up at her gated community, telling guards he was there to pick her up for dinner on one occasion.
On top of the alleged behavior ... Kim says Costanza's been obsessing over her online as well -- posting a bogus marriage cert and other bizarre messages, alluding to her waiting for her "knight in shining armor" (which he clarified as himself).
A judge agreed with Kim's concerns and granted the temporary order ... Costanza will have to stay at least 100 yards away and refrain from contact.
This ain't the first alleged stalker who's been trying to get at her either -- remember, she filed for and received a separate restraining order against another man who said he was just dying to get into her pad.
Originally Published -- 6/16 10:24 PM PT
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Michael Avenatti Sentenced to 30 Months In Nike Extortion Scheme Case
Michael Avenatti was just sentenced to 30 months in his Nike extortion scheme case.
A very emotional Avenatti appeared in court Thurdsay in NYC where the sentence was handed down, on top of the 30 months, he'll also have 3 years of supervised release. The sentence is light considering the recommended sentence was 108-135 months ... a recommendation the judge called "excessive."
Avenatti addressed the court during the hearing, having to stop several times while he fought through tears. At one point, he said, "I betrayed my profession. I became driven by the things that don’t matter in life. Over the last 2 years, I have often thought to myself, why did this need to happen? What lessons am I supposed to learn from this experience, from what I’ve done?"
He continued, "Your honor, I’ve learned that all the fame, notoriety and money in the world is meaningless. TV & Twitter mean nothing. Everyone wants to ride in a limo with you but very few are willing to sit next to you on the bus."
The disgraced attorney was given a surrender date of September 15.
As we reported ... Avenatti was arrested and charged with trying to extort $20 million out of Nike. The feds had claimed the infamous lawyer told Nike's legal team that if they didn't pay him between $15 million and $25 million he would hold a news conference and allege misconduct by employees at the shoe company.
According to the criminal complaint ... Avenatti had demanded Nike hire him to conduct an internal probe for the enormous salary. Prosecutors said Avenatti was repping a client who was the coach of an AAU basketball team. They said Avenatti gave Nike the option to not hire him but pay $22.5 million to resolve the dispute and buy his silence.
Prosecutors would later allege the Nike scheme played out over the course of a few days back in March 2019. Prosecutors said Avenatti repped an AAU coach whose team had just lost a Nike sponsorship worth $72k a year.
The coach had claimed Nike made payments to families of some HS basketball players ... and Avenatti had allegedly demanded payment from the shoe giant to keep him quiet.
Avenatti was ultimately arrested at the location where he was supposed to meet with Nike brass ... presumably to iron out a deal or keep the convo going.
Prosecutors also have conversations and video recordings ... in which they allege Avenatti made threats. Avenatti also allegedly told Nike he had them by "the balls."
Avenatti's also facing fraud charges after prosecutors in California claim he embezzled client money to cover expenses for his coffee corporation. He's also alleged to have committed bank fraud by submitting false tax returns to get $4.1 million in loans.
He was also indicted for allegedly stealing money from his former client, Stormy Daniels.
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NJ Man on Racist Rant Prosecutors Probing Old Incidents ... Previous Racial Run-Ins Alleged
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2:24 PM PT -- Cops say they carried out a search warrant at Mathew's home yesterday and found a slingshot with ball bearings -- which he allegedly used to damage neighbors' cars -- along with psilocybin mushrooms and packaging materials. He's also accused of stalking one of his female neighbors.
He's now been charged with two counts of criminal mischief, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, stalking, two counts of certain persons not to have weapons and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The guy who unleashed that racist tirade on his Black neighbor -- before getting hauled away by cops -- could have more trouble on the horizon ... as prosecutors in New Jersey dig into past allegations of similar incidents.
Sources with direct knowledge of the case tell TMZ ... Edward Cagney Mathews is being investigated by the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office ... not just for last week's ugly run-in and arrest, but for several other allegations -- including a 2016 confrontation with a Black woman named Jazmyn Jene.
Jazmyn tells us she exchanged words with Mathews within the condo community where they both lived, and she captured a good chunk of their wild -- and seemingly threatening -- interaction on camera.
In the video, Mathews openly claims to have cops in his back pocket, and he's giving Jazmyn 2 options: handle a dispute they were having cordially, or legally. He strongly suggests the legal route won't work, because he's so tight with cops ... they wouldn't do anything to him.
Eventually, things get racial -- Jazmyn accuses him of hurling the n-word -- which Mathews somewhat denies by clarifying he did use the word, but not the way she's suggesting. You can see in the video ... it's a pretty weak defense.
#BREAKING Mt Laurel Police take Cagney Mathews into custody after protesters surrounded his house due to racist comment captured on viral videos. Crowd pelts him and police with objects.@NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/W6TVPw5YRN
— Danny Freeman (@DannyEFreeman) July 5, 2021 @DannyEFreeman
Now, she says she did report the incident at the time, but nothing came of it. However, since Mathews' arrest -- as scores of angry neighbors jeered and hurled objects -- Jazmyn says investigators have apologized to her for not acting earlier.
We're told Jazmyn has shared the video of her run-in with Mathews with law enforcement, and it will be included in prosecutor's expanded probe.
Originally Published -- 1:00 AM PT
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Ex-Masters Champ Angel Cabrera Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison ... In Dom. Violence Case
PGA Tour star Angel Cabrera -- who won the 2009 Masters -- was sentenced to 2 years behind bars on Wednesday ... after he was convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
The 51-year-old learned of the prison sentence at an Argentinian court.
Officials say the golfer -- known as "El Pato" on the Tour -- roughed up, threatened and harassed his former partner.
Cabrera had denied the allegations during his trial.
As we previously reported, several women had accused Cabrera of being violent with them ... with one of the women alleging he had punched her in the face and tried to run over her with his car in 2016.
Cabrera had been arrested in Brazil in January ... and he was extradited to Argentina in June.
Cabrera is slated to serve his sentence right away.
Cabrera is one of the more decorated pro golfers in the history of the sport ... he famously beat out Tiger Woods for the trophy at the 2007 U.S. Open -- and he later went on to win the 2009 Masters.
Cabrera also nearly won the 2013 Masters tournament too ... narrowly losing to Adam Scott in a playoff.
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'Marrying Millions' Star Bill Hutchinson Arrested for Sexual Assault
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8:34 AM PT -- Bill tells us, "I’m innocent of this charge and accusation. Anyone who knows me in this city knows that I am not capable of assault, sexual or otherwise. Hopefully all of my colleagues and friends will give me the benefit of the doubt until I prove my innocence in court."
Bill Hutchinson, a wealthy man famous for dating much younger women, got busted by cops in Texas for allegedly sexually assaulting a high school girl without her consent.
Hutchinson, who appeared on the most recent season of "Marrying Millions" on A+E, was arrested Tuesday in Dallas after the accuser told cops he assaulted her inside his Highland Park home.
According to the arrest affidavit, obtained by TMZ, police say the 17-year-old girl reported the alleged incident last month. She claims Hutchinson frequently let kids drink alcohol and smoke marijuana at his home and, in May 2021 -- after she'd passed out on his couch -- he allegedly digitally penetrated her vagina.
She told cops she woke up to Hutchinson sticking his finger inside her and she was frozen with fear.
To be clear Hutchinson isn't facing charges for assaulting a minor, because the age of consent in Texas is 17.
According to the affidavit, the officer says the investigation led police to believe the girl's allegations, so cops got an arrest warrant on June 29.
Hutchinson's been released on $30,000 bond.
Originally Published -- 12:40 AM PT
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LAPD Bomb Squad Fireworks Detonation Fails ... Blast Injures 17
The LAPD bomb squad's attempt to detonate illegal fireworks turned into a catastrophe when one of its trucks exploded ... injuring 17 people and obliterating a neighborhood.
According to the LAPD, its bomb squad officers were in the process of seizing over 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks Wednesday night in South L.A. Cops say some of the fireworks were being stored in its bomb squad semitruck for precautionary reasons.
It's unclear why, but when the bomb squad detonated the fireworks inside the iron chamber of its semitruck, LAPD chief Michel Moore said there was a "total catastrophic failure of that containment vehicle."
Moore added, "Clearly protocols were followed and pursued, but something happened in that containment vehicle that should have not happened and we don't know why."
The blast was caught on video, and you can see it wreaked havoc. At least 17 were injured -- 10 officers and 7 civilians ... including 3 with serious, but not life threatening injuries. The blast also damaged several homes and displaced as many as 9 families.
As for the alleged illegal fireworks culprit ... cops say a 27-year-old man who lives at the home where the fireworks were found was busted on suspicion of reckless or malicious possession of a destructive device. His bail's been set at $500k.
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Tour De France Drops Lawsuit Against Fan After Causing Huge Crash
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6:55 AM PT -- 7/1 -- Tour de France organizers have DROPPED their complaint against the 30-year-old woman who caused the pileup ... saying the story has been "blown out of proportion."
Race deputy director Pierre-Yves Thouault previously said the organization would sue the woman in hopes of preventing another incident ... but the honchos have since had a change of heart.
The woman isn't fully in the clear just yet -- she could still face legal action from the riders who were forced to back out of the event due to the crash.
The woman who allegedly caused a massive pileup during the first stage of the Tour de France has reportedly been found and arrested ... ending a 3-day search for the spectator.
As we previously reported, a woman stepped onto the road and held a cardboard sign towards the TV cameras as the pack of riders approached on Saturday ... and made contact with German rider Tony Martin.
What the heck is wrong with this fan?! It’s only Stage 1 of the #tourdefrance! pic.twitter.com/oxeQAK7WVI
— Julio Deluxe (@Julio_Deluxe) June 26, 2021 @Julio_Deluxe
The hit caused a chain reaction ... with dozens of other riders crashing behind him as a result.
The spectator immediately fled the scene ... and French authorities launched a search for her, as well as a call for witnesses.
According to local reports, law enforcement believe they have found the woman responsible for starting the pileup ... and took her into custody in Landerneau on Wednesday.
FYI -- officials believe the woman caused "unintentional injuries by manifestly deliberate violation of an obligation of safety or prudence."
She is reportedly facing a fine for the incident ... and there could be further legal ramifications if a rider who was forced to retire from the race decides to file a complaint.
The Tour de France has been impacted by several major crashes since Saturday ... and it got to a point where the riders had to stage a protest in hopes of finding a middle ground with race organizers.
Originally published -- 7/30 7:17 AM PT
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The Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg Charged with Slew of Tax Crimes
12:12 PM PT -- The Trump Organization, Weisselberg and Trump Payroll Corp. have all just been charged with 15 felony counts ... including a scheme to defraud, conspiracy, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records. Weisselberg has pled not guilty.
Weisselberg, who was seen arriving in court in handcuffs, is alleged to have avoided taxes on $1.7 million in income. Prosecutors allege the scheme dates all the way back to 2005.
Prosecutors allege the "off-the-books tax fraud scheme" included execs getting "secret pay raises" and not paying taxes.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said, "We allege, among other things, financial wrongdoing whereby the Trump Organization engaged in a scheme with Mr. Weisselberg to avoid paying taxes on certain compensation."
The Trump Organization released a statement saying Weisselberg is being used as a “pawn in a scorched-earth attempt to harm the former president.”
Weisselberg has been released on his own recognizance but had to turn in his passport.
Allen Weisselberg -- the chief financial officer for The Trump Organization -- has surrendered to authorities in NY to face criminal tax evasion charges.
Weisselberg turned himself in Thursday morning ... though we're told his team has not received a copy of the indictment so they're not sure about the charges.
The indictment will be unsealed in NY State Supreme Court later in the day when Weisselberg and lawyers for the org appear in court.
The charges stem from unpaid taxes on perks that include bonuses, cars and school tuition for Trump Organization execs. Weisselberg is the first top exec to be indicted in a long-running probe by the Manhattan D.A.'s Office and NY Attorney General. The Trump org will also be charged, though no members of the Trump family are expected to face charges.
Weisselberg's lawyer has made it clear up to this point ... he will not cooperate with prosecutors, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize the end game here is not Weisselberg. The D.A. has set his sights on Donald Trump for years now, and it's pretty clear his end game is to get Trump's longtime accountant to flip on him
Weisselberg has worked for Trump since the 1980s and has a treasure trove of knowledge about the business ... something that could be problematic for the Trump family.
Originally published -- 6:57 AM PT