Breonna Taylor Family Hopeful After Meeting Kentucky AG ... He's Taking It Seriously
-
Exclusive
- 4.6K shares
Breonna Taylor's family had a momentous meeting this week with Kentucky's Attorney General, and for the first time since her death, Breonna's family is hopeful justice will be served.
The attorney who reps Breonna's family, Sam Aguiar, tells TMZ AG Daniel Cameron did not play his hand and say if he'll charge the cops in her death, but he showed a real interest in Breonna and her mom, Tamika Palmer, says they walked out of the meeting feeling good about the case.
We're told Cameron was well versed on the case and asked a lot of questions about Breonna. He wanted to know about her life and promised an open line of communication as the review process continues.
Cameron said during the meeting, which lasted 45 minutes, he's waiting on the FBI's ballistic report. He believes the conclusions may unlock some of the mystery surrounding her death and will give him the information he needs to interview new witnesses and re-interview old ones.
Breonna's family has been met by radio silence for months, and their frustration grew to a fever pitch. Now, for the first time, Tamika feels optimistic Breonna's case is getting a fair review.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
It's a far cry from the family's outrage after Cameron posted pics of his engagement party.
Again, Cameron didn't promise the cops would be charged for shooting Breonna 8 times in the middle of the night after barging into her apartment, but Tamika believes he's taking the case seriously.
related articles
Kurt Cobain Signed Insurance Policy to House Where He Died ... Hits Auction Block
-
Exclusive
- 658 shares
Kurt Cobain rarely ever signed his full name to anything which is why a signed home insurance policy is making for a very rare, yet macabre auction item.
The folks over at Goldin Auctions are brokering the sale of this super-rare document featuring the late Nirvana frontman's full signature -- Kurt D. Cobain. He usually signed his name simply Kurt. The Chase Bank insurance company letter is dated 74 days before the guitarist was found dead in his Seattle home.
Yes, the policy was for that house ... where Kurt killed himself on April 8, 1994.
Kurt owned that home for just a couple of months before his untimely death. As rock historians know, this is where he went shortly after fleeing rehab in California to begin a drug binge that ended with Kurt's suicide by a 20-gauge shotgun.
The auction lot-- currently owned by Inscriptagraphs Memorabilia and expected to fetch over $100k -- also includes original photos of what the house looked like before portions of the house burned down in a fire.
We're told the memorabilia company plans to give a portion of their proceeds to a suicide prevention organization.
Goldin Auctions describes this auction as "insanely rare" ... and it comes on the heels of last month's record-setting item.
Kurt set a Guinness World Record for the most expensive guitar sold at auction when his 1959 Martin D-18E fetched a whopping $6,010,000.
related articles
MTV 'Real World' Ty Ruff Arrested for DUI
-
Exclusive
- 183 shares
Ty Ruff, famous for competing on a bunch of MTV reality shows, got busted for DUI in Los Angeles early Tuesday morning ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops pulled over Ty around 2:30 AM after officers say they observed his 2011 Mercedes Benz swerving over traffic lines and doing about 20 MPH over the posted speed limit.
Our sources say Ty bombed field sobriety tests and was well over the legal limit with a 0.12 BAC. He was arrested for misdemeanor DUI, and released without bail a few hours later.
Ty's been a regular for years on MTV reality shows ... including "The Real World: D.C.," 'Battle of The Exes,' 'Cutthroat' and 'Rivals.'
related articles
Elijah McClain Family Sues City of Aurora, 13 Cops For Wrongful Death
-
Breaking News
- 19.5K shares
The family of Elijah McClain is going after the city of Aurora and 13 of its police officers, claiming they're all to blame for his 2019 death.
McClain's parents just filed the lawsuit in Colorado claiming the city, the cops, a paramedic, and a doctor should be held responsible for the August 24, 2019 fatal incident based on their "needless use of excessive force and torture."
According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, the family says Elijah was listening to music on a short walk home from the corner store "when Aurora police officers grabbed, tackled, and assaulted him."
In the lawsuit, they claim officers "continued to brutalize Elijah for nearly eighteen minutes—approximately fifteen minutes of which he was handcuffed." They also allege the force the officers used against Elijah included "compressing his neck and the blood flow to his brain with two consecutive carotid holds, cranking his left shoulder with an armbar hammerlock that caused it to repeatedly pop."
Describing the arrest even further ... the family claims Elijah vomited after they slammed him to the ground. According to the docs, another officer allegedly "jammed his knee into Elijah's arm for minutes on end" with the sole purpose of inflicting pain and eventually separating Elijah's biceps and triceps muscles.
Then the paramedics arrived, but the family claims things only got worse. In the suit, they claim an EMT "involuntarily injected him with a massive dose of ketamine" even though he was not experiencing any medical condition that would have required ketamine ... a powerful sedative.
Minutes after they injected him with the sedative, Elijah stopped breathing, had no pulse and never regained consciousness before dying a few days later.
As we reported ... Aurora PD officers stopped Elijah while responding to a call about a suspicious person walking the streets wearing a ski mask and waving his arms. His family had previously said he commonly wore the mask to keep warm.
Body-camera footage of the incident shows Elijah telling the cops, "Let go of me. I am an introvert. Please respect the boundaries that I am speaking." His final words -- documented at the beginning of the lawsuit from start to finish -- popped up on social media posts demanding justice.
Gov. Jared Polis had said back in June the case would be reopened with a special prosecutor appointed to the case. Three cops were fired last month and one other resigned after a photo surfaced mocking Elijah's death. Three of those four cops are named in the lawsuit.
related articles
Key West Boy Arrested Parent Sues School and City ... You Scarred Him For Life
-
Exclusive
- 1.6K shares
The parent of the 8-year-old kid who was arrested in Key West two years ago is now going after the school and the city, claiming the boy -- who already had serious psychological issues -- was all but destroyed by the incident.
Bianca Digennaro just filed a suit on behalf of her child -- who's only identified by his initials, HMM -- claiming her son was subjected to humiliation, embarrassment and psychological damage that manifested itself physically ... which she says could scar him permanently.
In the docs, obtained by TMZ, Digennaro says school officials should never have called the police, because school officials knew HMM had serious issues, including Oppositional Defiance Disorder, Adjustment Disorder and ADHD.
What happened to cause police to come did not justify trying to cuff the boy and arrest him. The mom says HMM refused to sit on a bench the way the teacher wanted. The teacher grabbed the boy and he implored her to take her hands off him. When she didn't, he punched her once in the chest. She was not injured, and HMM became remorseful and upset.
Nevertheless ... cops tried to scare the boy straight by telling him he was going to jail. The suit claims there was no justification for even calling the cops, since mental issues were the root cause of the problem, yet they still treated him like a criminal.
The kid's mother goes on to say that the psychological trauma of the incident caused her son to experience loss of breath, hives, stomach and head aches, nightmares, insomnia and inability to sleep alone in the aftermath of his run-in with cops. Her suit claims excessive force, ADA violations and failure to train officers properly.
She's asking for damages, not to mention an in-person apology, as well as a written admission and apology for what happened on official letterhead.
related articles
Lil Wayne Bus Shooting Alleged Shooter Cops Plea Deal
-
Exclusive
- 241 shares
The guy accused of shooting at Lil Wayne's bus in 2015 has copped a pretty sweet plea deal ... but we're told he's not getting out of jail just yet.
Jimmy Winfrey has pled guilty to 2 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act ... this according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ. As part of the deal, prosecutors have dropped a slew of other charges -- 4 counts of violation of the RICO Act, 6 other counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, 12 counts of aggravated assault, 2 counts of criminal damage to property in the first degree and 1 count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
He was sentenced to 7 years in prison ... a much lighter sentence than what he got in 2015, when the judge threw the book at him with a 20-year sentence. The Georgia Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2018 and so the case went back to square 1.
And, get this ... Winfrey got credit for time served and set to be released, but Winfrey's lawyer, Steve Sadow, tells TMZ ... the reason his client hasn't been released involves an unrelated outstanding warrants case. Sadow wants to be clear ... Winfrey entered a special kind of guilty plea where his client maintains his innocence, despite pleading guilty.
As part of the sentence, he's also gotta pay $100k in restitution to Alvin Lewis, the bus driver.
TMZ broke the story ... Alvin accused Birdman and Young Thug of striking secret deals with prosecutors in the case. Alvin had said he found it unusual Cobb County prosecutors described Birdman and YT as co-conspirators in the alleged shooter's indictment but did NOT bring charges against them.
Alvin made no bones about it ... he claimed there was overwhelming evidence of complicity among Winfrey, Birdman and Young Thug ... evidence that includes phone records, recorded confessions, and promises of payment.
Sources close to Birdman had told us the rapper denied any involvement in the case. Young Thug has never commented publicly on the incident.
In the 2015 shooting, Alvin claims he suffered spinal cord, rotator cuff and psychological injuries when Weezy's bus was shot up in Atlanta.
related articles
Carole Baskin Family of Missing Husband, Don, Threatens to Sue Her ... Offering $100k Reward!!!
-
Exclusive Details
- 9.6K shares
The family of Don Lewis -- Carole Baskin's millionaire husband who went missing in 1997, whose story was featured on 'Tiger King' -- is going all out to find out what happened to him ... including putting up billboards and offering a $100k reward.
Don's 3 daughters, alongside attorney John Phillips and family spokesperson Jack Smith, announced a series of steps currently in place to get more info on his disappearance ... which occurred on August 18, 1997, after Don left his Tampa home.
8/10/20
Don's daughters say a team is in place, led by Smith, that has restored their hope of finding out what happened to their father ... and they believe Phillips is the lawyer they've been waiting for to handle the case.
Along with erecting 4 billboards across Tampa reading, "Who Murdered Don Lewis?" -- which also highlights the reward for info -- Don's family spokesperson says a cold case group on Facebook was started to hunt for clues ... which he says has already yielded results.
Four of these new billboards offering a $100,000 reward from the family of Don Lewis are displayed around #Tampa ahead of a press conference Monday. This one is located down the road from the entrance to the Big Cat Rescue. https://t.co/sPk3IxirSp #TigerKing @WFLA pic.twitter.com/W8YrO7WlVv
— Justin Schecker (@WFLAJustin) August 8, 2020 @WFLAJustin
For instance, they looked into details about a septic tank installation allegedly connected to the case, and claim they found a discrepancy with what Carole had previously stated about it.
Other revelations from the Monday press conference include Phillips' plan to sue Baskin -- presumably for wrongful death -- and that the $100k reward money was made possible by an anonymous donor. BTW ... Carole has denied any involvement in Don's disappearance.
The team said it would not discuss further evidence at this time, but TMZ's learned an anonymous letter was sent to Jeff Lowe at the GW Zoo allegedly detailing where Don's body is buried ... so the letter writer claimed. We're told Jeff turned the letter over to authorities.
The family hopes the money and heightened interest in the case will lead to someone finally coming forward with a helpful tip that breaks the cold case open ... and results in justice for Don.
As you may know ... rumors over the cause of Don's death were fueled on 'Tiger King' by Joe Exotic, who made it clear he believes Baskin killed him. Although Carole's not a suspect, the Sheriff has said he's suspicious.
Don founded Big Cat Rescue with Carole, which she now owns and operates.
related articles
Juelz Santana Meek Facilitates Prison Release
-
Exclusive
- 2.9K shares
Juelz Santana is enjoying his newfound freedom thanks in part to Meek Mill ... and now he wants to give back to the inmates he met while behind bars.
Here's the deal ... Juelz is fresh outta prison after serving 19 months of his 27-month sentence in his airport drug case, and he's got Meek to thank for some smooth sailing.
Our sources tell us Meek helped Juelz by connecting his wife, Kimbella, with a lawyer who helped guide them through the process to ensure everything worked out. Courts and the prison system can be tricky, and we're told Meek wanted to ensure things would work out for Juelz.
The Dipset MC was able to come straight home and skip the halfway house he was originally destined for. Many halfway houses are shut down because of the pandemic.
Juelz is now on supervised release, which, as we first reported, means he'll have to submit to a drug test within 15 days of his release.
Now that he's out, Juelz tells us he wants to give back to inmates by working with non-profits whose missions include overturning sentences for wrongly convicted prisoners. Juelz says he also wants to help people in prison find a platform for the music and movie scripts they write in lockup.
On that same front, Juelz tells us he wrote a ton of new music on the inside, as well as a script for a TV series. He says he's going to get back in the studio Monday, but also wants to take time to focus on his family and make up for the 19 months he spent in prison.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Juelz's wife is happy to have her husband home ... she says it's surreal to have him back, wake up next to him and see him with their kids.
Sounds like Meek's inspired Juelz too ... his wife says she and Juelz will be working on prison reform efforts.
related articles
'Vanderpump Rules' Star Danica Dow's Ex-BF Gets Restraining Order ... She Tore Up My Neck!!!
-
Exclusive Details
- 290 shares
"Vanderpump Rules" star Danica Dow's ex-BF is responding to her restraining order against him by getting his own against her ... claiming she clawed his neck over a "90 Day Fiance" episode.
Brett Willis beelined it to court in L.A. seeking a temporary restraining order against Danica, and claims she most recently got violent with him in July when an argument erupted between them.
In the docs, obtained by TMZ, he says Danica was pissed he wouldn't clean his dish until after a "90 Day Fiance" episode ended. He says he went outside to let her cool off, but claims when he came back the argument continued ... “until Danica grabbed my neck twice, each time digging her nails deep and pulling hard enough to scratch off some skin from my neck.”
Willis claims she drew blood, just like she allegedly did in a February fight about a woman he'd hooked up with before they were together. According to the docs, Danica was so pissed she "ran across her bed to claw my neck and rip my shirt apart." He also alleges she bit his arm when he tried to get away.
He also claims she went off on him at a "Vanderpump Rules" premiere party. All that was enough for the judge, who granted his restraining order for Danica to stay at least 10 feet away when they're both working at Pump ... and 100 yards away outside the bar.
For her part, Danica claimed earlier this week that Brett broke into her home and cut up her clothes -- and she too was granted a restraining order.
related articles
'Mob Wives' Star Drita D'Avanzo Hubby Gets 64 Months in Prison In Federal Gun Case
-
Exclusive
- 880 shares
"Mob Wives" star Drita D'Avanzo asked the judge to go easy on her husband in his federal gun case ... but instead, the judge dropped the hammer.
Drita and her 2 daughters were in court Friday for her husband Lee D'Avanzo's sentencing in New Jersey where judge Rachel P. Kovner sentenced Lee to 64 months in prison.
Lee's counsel argued a sentence of 37 months was more than enough because he took responsibility for the crime ... but federal prosecutors in Brooklyn wanted up to 46 months. Kovner wasn't having it, saying keeping 2 loaded guns with hollow point ammunition in a home with 2 daughters was extremely dangerous.
Kovner added she didn't have confidence Lee would learn his lesson if she gave him a lighter sentence. She also noted Lee has 6 prior convictions and had previously violated supervised release. She said she had a duty to protect the public. Once he's done serving his sentence ... Lee will be on 2 years of supervised release.
As we reported ... Lee apologized for his actions and pled guilty to gun possession charges in back March after the NYPD raided the family home and found the guns. Drita was eventually cleared of all charges.
Drita wrote a letter to the judge asking her to cut Lee a break because he's a good father to their two daughters. That plea obviously fell on deaf ears.
related articles
'90 Day Fiance' Star Jorge Finally Files For Divorce
-
Exclusive
- 633 shares
Jorge Nava is finally following through with his promise to end his "90 Day Fiance" marriage to Anfisa Arkhipchenko ... he's officially filed for divorce.
Jorge filed this week in Arizona, only a few days after the former couple marked their 3-year wedding anniversary.
According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Jorge lists Nov. 19 as the date of separation. He cites the usual irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
There doesn't appear to be major hurdles ... Jorge and Anfisa did not have any children together and in the docs, he says they don't have any property or debts together.
We broke the story ... Jorge vowed back in March to leave his Russian bride after finishing his prison stint for drug charges. He claimed Anfisa abandoned him while he was behind bars and ran off to be with another man.
Jorge and Anfisa were a big hit during season 4 of the show, and on Aug. 1, 2017, they tied the knot.
As we first reported ... Jorge shed a whopping 128 pounds while doing hard time, and now it seems he's cashing in on his new and improved look -- posting a lot of loving pics with a new woman.
related articles
Jake Paul FBI Raid Was Not Over Firearms
-
Exclusive
- 894 shares
The firearms seized in the FBI raid at Jake Paul's house are now in the hands of the Sheriff ... and we're told the guns aren't the reason the feds stormed the place with a warrant.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... there were multiple guns taken from Jake's crib in Calabasas during Wednesday's FBI raid, and they're now being held by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for safekeeping.
It sure seemed weapons may have been what drove the FBI to get a search warrant and, in a massive show of force, raid Paul's L.A. home, as well as his friend's home in Vegas. We do know the raids were somehow connected to looting at a Scottsdale, AZ, mall ... where Jake and his friend were front and center.
As you know ... aerial footage of the scene from ABC 7 showed law enforcement officials walking down Jake's driveway with rifles and perhaps shotguns.
We're told Sheriff's deputies seized the guns once FBI agents entered the home because the house was not secured and deputies couldn't just leave the guns laying around.
Our sources stress the guns were not taken as evidence of any crime, or FBI agents would have taken them themselves.
We broke the story ... Jake had 2 large guns prominently displayed in his bedroom, which were casually displayed in a recent YouTube prank.
Jake can still get the firearms back ... we're told if he wants the guns returned, he will have to show he owns them and provide proof of purchase.
related articles
Jake Paul Guns on Display in Recent Vid
-
Exclusive
- 1.5K shares
Jake Paul hasn't been low-key about showing off his weapons, and a casual display of 2 firearms in a recent video may have been a factor in the massive response by the FBI during the raid at his home.
In the vid, the YouTube star got pranked by his pal, Tanner Fox, who hung up a bunch of photos of Jake's exes in his room. As you can see in the vid posted last month ... 2 large guns are clearly shown hanging on the wall at the 7:48 mark.
These guns look very much like the ones the FBI seized from Jake's Calabasas home Wednesday, as officers were spotted walking down his driveway with several weapons in hand.
As for the intense raid at his home ... the guns could very well explain why truckloads of agents in protective gear descended on the home. If the FBI feels things could get dangerous ... they suit up.
We've also learned the raid is somehow in connection with Jake getting arrested in Scottsdale during a George Floyd protest. The FBI says it's "investigating allegations of criminal acts surrounding the incident at Scottsdale Fashion Square in May, 2020."
As we reported ... Jake was in the mall and arrested for trespass and later charged with a criminal misdemeanor. However, the City Attorney has dropped the case -- apparently at the behest of the FBI -- and the more serious investigation has taken precedence.
This includes a second raid that took place around the same time as Jake's, about 300 miles away in Las Vegas at the famous Graffiti Mansion said to be owned by Armani Izadi, one of Jake's friends.
We got video of some people being led out of the mansion in cuffs, and law enforcement sources tell us the 2 raids are connected. However, it doesn't appear Jake or Armani were arrested.
Jake's attorney, Richard Schonfeld, stated after the incident ... "We understand that a search warrant was executed at Jake's Calabasas home this morning while Jake was out-of-state. We are still gathering information and will cooperate with the investigation."
related articles
Jake Paul Calabasas Crib Raided, Guns Seized Raid Involves Scottsdale Protests
-
Exclusive
- 9.3K shares
3:06 PM PT -- It appears almost certain Wednesday's raids in Calabasas and Vegas have to do with Jake's Scottsdale arrest. Armani Izadi -- a longtime collaborator and former friend of Jake's -- owns the Vegas home that was raided by the FBI. Izadi was also arrested with Jake in Scottsdale.
2:08 PM PT -- The FBI has just played its hand -- partially -- and revealed the raid is somehow in connection with Jake getting arrested in Scottsdale during a George Floyd protest. The FBI tells TMZ, "The FBI is investigating allegations of criminal acts surrounding the incident at Scottsdale Fashion Square in May, 2020."
Jake was in the mall and arrested for trespass and was charged with a criminal misdemeanor, but the City Attorney has dropped the case -- it appears at the behest of the FBI -- and the more serious investigation has taken precedence.
12:37 PM PT -- It appears the FBI have seized weapons from Jake Paul's Calabasas home -- firearms, specifically ... this based on aerial footage of the scene from ABC 7.
Law enforcement officials were spotted walking down Jake's driveway, with what appear to be rifles and perhaps shotguns in hand -- two per person, from what we can see here.
BTW, a second raid happened nearly 300 miles away from the one that was just executed at Jake's Calabasas home -- in Sin City no less ... at a house that's tangentially connected to JP.
Federal agents descended upon the famous Graffiti Mansion in Las Vegas Wednesday, which is said to be owned by Armani Izadi ... who -- at one point -- was good buddies with Jake. In fact, the two of them were seen hanging out as recently as early July, getting into shenanigans together.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
We got video of some people being led out of the mansion in cuffs -- hard to tell who they are, but it doesn't appear like Aramani or Jake are among them in this clip. Our law enforcement sources also tell us this raid is in connection to the L.A. property search.
12:21 PM PT -- Jake's attorney, Richard Schonfeld, tells TMZ, "We understand that a search warrant was executed at Jake's Calabasas home this morning while Jake was out-of-state. We are still gathering information and will cooperate with the investigation."
9:01 AM PT -- Whatever the feds were looking for at Jake Paul's home apparently required a lot of backup and manpower ... because a small militia left his pad in armored trucks.
Check out this footage we got of federal agents and the vehicles they arrived in rolling out after they completed their business -- it looks like a mini military parade, with several guys wearing SWAT and/or tactical gear hanging off the sides ... in addition to whoever was inside.
By our count, there seems to have been at least 20 people or so on the ground executing the search warrant -- which makes ya wonder what the hell Jake might be mixed up in, if anything at all.
Still, no word if arrests were made or if any property or evidence was seized. We're working on getting some answers as to why all this firepower was sent.
Jake Paul's L.A.-area home is the scene of an early morning FBI raid ... TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell us ... Jake's house in Calabasas is currently being searched by the feds -- and that a search warrant has been issued to do so. We don't know why or what the authorities are looking for, but we do know agents are on the ground, taking a look around.
We know Jake draws a lot of attention with his YouTube stunts, which are often documented on camera -- some of which have landed him in hot water, legally before. The raid isn't a prank gone wrong though ... we know it's real this time.
It's unclear if Jake himself is home right now.
Originally Published -- 7:24 AM PT
related articles
'American Ninja Warrior' Champ Charged with Child Sex Crimes ... Dropped by NBC
12:09 PM PT -- 8/5 NBC has announced it has severed ties with Drechsel in wake of the allegations. The network said, "We are shocked and disturbed to learn about the charges alleged against Drew Drechsel. 'American Ninja Warrior' is a family show that has inspired countless people, and we will not let the actions of one contestant tarnish the hard work and amazing stories of so many."
"Moving forward, the 'American Ninja Warrior' brand will sever all ties with Mr. Drechsel, including his appearance on future seasons of the show."
Drew Drechsel, the reigning "American Ninja Warrior" champ, is now facing federal charges for luring an underage girl for sex.
Last year's 'ANW' winner allegedly began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl in New Jersey back in 2015 ... according to legal docs, obtained by TMZ. Drechsel, nicknamed the Real Life Ninja, was arrested Tuesday at his home in Saint Cloud, FL.
The feds say the alleged victim contacted cops in NJ in June 2019 and told them she started having sex with Drechsel when she was 15 and he was 26. She claims they first met in 2014 after an 'ANW' contestant event, exchanged numbers and began texting each other.
In the docs, the alleged victim claims Drechsel invited her to his gym in Hamden, CT as a 15th birthday present, and they had sex after his girlfriend left the gym. She told police she informed her mother about the encounter the very next day.
The mother alleges Drechsel didn't deny having sex with her daughter when confronted, but claimed he did not know the girl's age.
According to docs, the alleged victim also told cops she met Drechsel multiple times outside a NJ gym and had sex with him when she was 15 to 17 years old.
The feds say she told them Drechsel frequently asked her to Skype him while she was naked, and they allegedly found child pornography on Drechsel's cell phone ... along with his requests for her to delete their text messages.
Drechsel -- who won $1 million on 'ANW' -- remains in custody after a judge found him to be a flight risk and danger to the community. U.S. Marshals are transporting him from Florida to NJ, where he'll stand trial.
Originally published -- 8/4 2:28 PM PT
related articles
Disney World Sued I Was Arrested for Having CBD Oil ... No Way to Treat Grandma!!!
The grandmother who claims she was arrested at Disney World's Magic Kingdom for having CBD oil in her bag is following through with her threat to sue ... for a huge payday.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump just filed suit against Disney, the Orlando Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Department on behalf of Hester Burkhalter. The 69-year-old North Carolina grandma claims she was busted by Mouse House security for carrying a bottle of CBD oil.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Hester says she was arrested and detained by cops at Disney World in April 2019 -- even though she claims the CBD oil was purely for medical purposes related to her arthritis, and didn't contain THC.
The grandmother says she was handcuffed in front of her 8 and 10-year-old grandchildren, and says the entire ordeal was traumatizing for the little ones.
In the docs, grandma says she panicked while being placed in the back of a police car and began vomiting, but was denied medical attention and subjected to a miserable 15-hour ordeal. Hester says she was further humiliated because cops allegedly made her strip down at the jail for a cavity search.
Prosecutors did not pursue charges and closed the case against her -- Hester claims cops even tested the CBD oil and found no trace of THC -- but she says she's filing suit because she still feels traumatized.
In her suit, Hester is alleging assault and battery, false arrest and imprisonment, defamation, emotional distress, and more ... and she wants more than $18 million in damages plus additional damages for her husband and other family members.