Latest news with #trespassing
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal prosecutors score first wins on NM border trespass cases
Jun. 19—The first two migrants convicted of trespassing into the so-called New Mexico National Defense Area this month should have known better. The two Mexican nationals had previously faced the same "novel" immigration-related trespassing charges just a month ago when they illegally crossed into the U.S. and were arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol in Doña Ana County. But like dozens of others caught in the Trump administration's new southern border enforcement crackdown, their misdemeanor trespassing charges didn't stick because of legal issues. So Eduardo Herrera-Juvencio and Andres De Los Santos-Martinez ended up being released from custody and deported back to Mexico, only to illegally cross into the same New Mexico military zone, west of the Santa Teresa port of entry, on June 1. This time, the defendants' prior prosecutions meant that they had been forewarned, making it more difficult to argue they didn't know they had stepped into the 60-foot-wide buffer zone, which was designated as a military property in mid-April. The U.S. Army assumed authority over a 170-mile-long buffer zone adjacent to the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico. A similar zone was created for a 63-mile-long strip in West Texas. Federal authorities charged the two men with reentry after deportation and the military trespass charges, which carry additional potential prison time of up to a year. On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico announced the defendants had pleaded guilty to all three misdemeanors. "These first convictions reflect the resolve of the United States Attorney's Office to do its part in securing our nation's southern border," U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Ryan Ellison said in a statement. "I am tremendously proud of our staff in the Las Cruces branch office, the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. military for their relentless efforts to secure our southern border. New Mexico — and the entire country — is more secure because of these efforts." The men's federal public defenders couldn't be reached, and it wasn't clear from court records on Thursday when they will be sentenced. Over recent weeks, federal defense attorneys have argued that such prosecutions are flawed because of legal issues over whether migrants knew of the military restriction and whether federal prosecutors had probable cause to charge them. The rollout of the new federal enforcement strategy on the border has also faced pushback from several U.S. magistrate judges, who have found the military trespass charges defective. That includes Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Wormuth of Las Cruces, who in mid-May began to dismiss such charges in nearly 100 cases where defendants had also been charged with illegal entry, typically a first-time offense. Both De Los Santos-Martinez and Herrera-Juvencio had their military trespass charges dismissed at that time. In El Paso, in the first trial in such a case, a federal court jury on June 5 acquitted a Peruvian woman of the military trespass charges. But this week, an El Paso federal district court judge found an Ecuadorian man guilty of the trespass charge along with illegal entry. Since facing scrutiny over whether migrants are adequately warned they are entering a military defense zone on the border, charging documents give greater detail about where the defendant was caught and note that 1,100 warning signs are posted every 100 to 200 meters in the zone in Spanish and English. In Herrera-Juvencio's case, he had already walked through the defense area before he was captured 1,423 yards north of the international border, court records show. By that time, he was more than three-fourths of a mile from a posted sign, the records show. His criminal complaint states that after his first arrest on May 7, the U.S. Border Patrol provided him with a written notice in Spanish that any unauthorized entry into the restricted military area was prohibited and subject to federal prosecution. De Los Santos-Martinez also received the same notice after his first arrest, records state. Both men also pleaded guilty to re-entry after deportation.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alleged trespasser at Memphis mayor's home charged with attempted kidnapping
A man accused of trespassing at the home of the Memphis, Tennessee, mayor has been charged with attempted kidnapping and stalking, according to police, who said the suspect had a Taser, gloves, rope and duct tape in his vehicle at the time of his arrest. The suspect was apprehended and charged after police investigated "suspicious activity" in Mayor Paul Young's neighborhood, the Memphis Police Department said Wednesday. "On Sunday night, around 9:30 pm, a man jumped a wall leading into our subdivision," Young said in a statement. "We now know that he walked straight to our home, knocking on the door with gloves on, a full pocket, and a nervous demeanor." MORE: Georgia man charged with making threats against Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer: DOJ Surveillance footage showed that the individual went directly to the mayor's residence upon scaling the wall and did not approach any other home in the neighborhood, according to the Memphis Police Department. The suspect -- 25-year-old Trenton Abston -- has been charged with attempted kidnapping, stalking and aggravated criminal trespass, police said. He is detained at the Shelby County Sheriff's Office jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, online jail records show. It is unclear if he has an attorney at this time. The Memphis Police Department credited the "rapid response" of its officers and the surveillance footage throughout the neighborhood with quickly identifying, locating and arresting the suspect. "We understand the concerns raised by this incident and want to reassure the public that the Memphis Police Department remains fully committed to the safety of all residents, including our city's elected officials," the department said in a press release. "We take any potential threat seriously and will continue to act swiftly and thoroughly." MORE: Break-in reported at home of slain Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman: Police The incident comes amid heightened concerns over violence against elected officials, after two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot on Saturday in what prosecutors called "political assassinations." Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed, and Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were wounded in the attacks. Young, who has served as Memphis' mayor since January 2024, cited the Minnesota shootings while making a plea that political violence "cannot become our norm." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mayor Paul A. Young (@mayorpaulyoung) "In today's climate, especially after the tragic events in Minnesota and the threats my wife and I often receive online, none of us can be too careful," Young said in a statement on Instagram while sharing a photo of him and his family. "The link between angry online rhetoric and real-life violence is becoming undeniable." "Let's do better," he added. "Let's raise our discourse, reduce the hate, and protect one another -- no matter our beliefs. Let's reclaim our strength as one community. Let's choose love."
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Guelph man caught on camera performing multiple indecent acts, police say
A Guelph man is facing multiple charges after police say he was caught on video doing lewd acts. Guelph Police said they were called to a property near the city's downtown on Saturday morning. The person who called showed officers security footage where a man could be seen walking around the property while masturbating at 1 a.m. The homeowner also showed police additional videos of the same man entering the property overnight and pulling his pants down on multiple occasions. Police knew who this man was. On Wednesday, police arrested a 29-year-old man from Guelph. He was charged with committing an indecent act, trespassing at night, three counts of mischief to property and six counts of breaching a probation order.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Social media figure backtracks on guilty plea in Nilai trespass case
SEREMBAN, June 19 — Social media influencer Nurul Nur Ariani Muhammad Zahar pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates' Court today to a charge of trespassing into a celebrity's residence earlier this month. Her counsel, Mohd Anif Rafih, informed Magistrate Saiful Sayoti that the accused intended to change her initial plea, following which the charge was re-read to her. Nurul Nur Ariani, 41, claimed trial to a charge of criminal trespass for allegedly entering the premises of a house in Kampung Chelet, Nilai at around 5.00pm on May 7. She was charged under Section 447 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM3,000, or both, upon conviction. Police prosecuting officer ASP L. Rathna requested a new mention date for the submission of documents. On May 19, the influencer pleaded guilty to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam. The court had then fixed today for the presentation of case facts and sentencing to take place at the Magistrates' Court. Meanwhile, another defence counsel, Amer Haiqal Mohd Yusof, told reporters after the proceedings that the accused had not received proper legal advice before entering the earlier plea. 'My client now wishes to proceed with a trial to contest the case and prove her innocence,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Influencer accused of sneaking into celebrity's home backpedals on guilty plea, says she'll prove innocence
SEREMBAN, June 19 — Social media influencer Nurul Nur Ariani Muhammad Zahar pleaded not guilty at the Magistrates' Court today to a charge of trespassing into a celebrity's residence earlier this month. Her counsel, Mohd Anif Rafih, informed Magistrate Saiful Sayoti that the accused intended to change her initial plea, following which the charge was re-read to her. Nurul Nur Ariani, 41, claimed trial to a charge of criminal trespass for allegedly entering the premises of a house in Kampung Chelet, Nilai at around 5.00pm on May 7. She was charged under Section 447 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM3,000, or both, upon conviction. Police prosecuting officer ASP L. Rathna requested a new mention date for the submission of documents. On May 19, the influencer pleaded guilty to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Mohamad Kamil Nizam. The court had then fixed today for the presentation of case facts and sentencing to take place at the Magistrates' Court. Meanwhile, another defence counsel, Amer Haiqal Mohd Yusof, told reporters after the proceedings that the accused had not received proper legal advice before entering the earlier plea. 'My client now wishes to proceed with a trial to contest the case and prove her innocence,' he said. — Bernama
