FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday his agency has almost a thousand open investigations into intellectual property theft, almost all of them “leading back to China.”
“There is no country that poses a more severe counterintelligence threat to this country right now than China,” Wray said.
“It is a threat that’s deep and diverse and wide and vexing. It affects basically every industry in this country,” he said of Chinese intellectual property theft.
“And so, we’re working extremely hard with all of our partners to combat it,” he assured the Senate Judiciary Committee. “But make no mistake, this is a high priority for all of us.”
Voice of America News summarized some key points from Wray’s testimony:
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Trump food stamp proposal would finally kick millionaires off
The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that could lift millions of people out of dependency, all by closing a loophole in the food stamp program, one that currently allows millionaires to collect welfare.
In today’s divided political climate, both parties can agree: People with significant financial resources, including millionaires, should not receive food stamps.
But that’s exactly what’s happening today, all because of a little-known loophole that was exploited by both the Clinton and Obama administrations.
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In today’s divided political climate, both parties can agree: People with significant financial resources, including millionaires, should not receive food stamps.
But that’s exactly what’s happening today, all because of a little-known loophole that was exploited by both the Clinton and Obama administrations.
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Organization Requests Docs Relating to DOJ Bribery Under Eric Holder
The Americans for Limited Government requested documents Tuesday relating to an Obama-era corruption case at then-Attorney General Eric Holder’s Department of Justice.
The Americans for Limited Government requested documents pursuant to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request relating to “alleged public corruption, abuse of power, misuse of power or the otherwise compromised status” as well as “alleged acceptance of bribes” by Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials.
The documents pertained to a years-long investigation into financial crimes that the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) executives “allegedly committed over a period between 2002-2012.”
“Further, the Department of Justice should be reminded of the policy in favor of disclosure mandated by former President Barack Obama on January 26, 2009. President Obama instructed departments and agencies to operate with a presumption towards disclosure,” Rick Manning, president of the conservative group, added.
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The Americans for Limited Government requested documents pursuant to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request relating to “alleged public corruption, abuse of power, misuse of power or the otherwise compromised status” as well as “alleged acceptance of bribes” by Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials.
The documents pertained to a years-long investigation into financial crimes that the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) executives “allegedly committed over a period between 2002-2012.”
“Further, the Department of Justice should be reminded of the policy in favor of disclosure mandated by former President Barack Obama on January 26, 2009. President Obama instructed departments and agencies to operate with a presumption towards disclosure,” Rick Manning, president of the conservative group, added.
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Woodstock 50 Festival Moves to Maryland in Bid to Salvage Event
The organizers of the Woodstock 50th anniversary festival are relocating the concert to Maryland from upstate New York, a change they say will salvage the troubled event.
The festival is now slated to take place Aug. 16 through Aug. 18 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater in Columbia, Maryland, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg. The venueshould be able to accommodate about 32,000 people.
Organizers of Woodstock 50 have been scrambling to save the festival after their main financier backed out and local officials in upstate New York refused to approve a permit. Attempts to move it to different spots in the state -- home of the original 1969 concert -- failed.
“When we heard that there was an opportunity to save this festival and bring a piece of American history to our community this summer, we jumped at the chance,” Calvin Ball, the executive with Howard County, wrote in a note to Greg Peck, one of the organizers. “Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia is a jewel of Howard County and one of the top music venues in the nation. It felt like such a natural fit to host a historic festival on our storied stage.”
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The festival is now slated to take place Aug. 16 through Aug. 18 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater in Columbia, Maryland, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg. The venueshould be able to accommodate about 32,000 people.
Organizers of Woodstock 50 have been scrambling to save the festival after their main financier backed out and local officials in upstate New York refused to approve a permit. Attempts to move it to different spots in the state -- home of the original 1969 concert -- failed.
“When we heard that there was an opportunity to save this festival and bring a piece of American history to our community this summer, we jumped at the chance,” Calvin Ball, the executive with Howard County, wrote in a note to Greg Peck, one of the organizers. “Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia is a jewel of Howard County and one of the top music venues in the nation. It felt like such a natural fit to host a historic festival on our storied stage.”
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16 US Marines arrested for alleged crimes including human smuggling and drug-related offenses
Sixteen US Marines were arrested Thursday for alleged involvement in various illegal activities ranging from human smuggling to drug-related offenses, according to a statement from the Marine Corps.
The arrests took place in a dramatic fashion on Thursday morning at Camp Pendleton, California, during a battalion formation.
"Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests," the statement said. "None of the Marines arrested or detained for questioning served in support of the Southwest Border Support mission."
Eight other Marines were also questioned on their involvement in alleged drug offenses unrelated to today's arrests, the Marine Corps said.
A US official told CNN that Thursday's arrests are related to an incident that occurred earlier this month in which two Marines from Camp Pendleton were charged with transporting undocumented immigrants for financial gain.
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The arrests took place in a dramatic fashion on Thursday morning at Camp Pendleton, California, during a battalion formation.
"Information gained from a previous human smuggling investigation precipitated the arrests," the statement said. "None of the Marines arrested or detained for questioning served in support of the Southwest Border Support mission."
Eight other Marines were also questioned on their involvement in alleged drug offenses unrelated to today's arrests, the Marine Corps said.
A US official told CNN that Thursday's arrests are related to an incident that occurred earlier this month in which two Marines from Camp Pendleton were charged with transporting undocumented immigrants for financial gain.
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Report: James Comey Lied to Trump, Hid that He Was Targeting Trump in Baseless Investigation
Former FBI Director James Comey lied to President Trump three times about him personally not being under investigation — which would explain why he refused to say that in public, according to a new bombshell report.
According to the report by RealClearInvestigations, not only was Trump personally targeted, but Comey himself was acting as an investigative agent as he interacted with the president — completely unbeknownst to the latter.
That would also explain why Comey made memos of his meetings with Trump. The new report reveals that Comey would also put those notes into an investigative file and even call other top FBI officials afterwards.
Comey has previously said he considered the memos personal instead of government documents, according to the Wall Street Journal. He also reportedly said they were written contemporaneously to create a record of his interactions with Trump, and he testified to Congress that he decided to do so because of the “nature of the person.”
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According to the report by RealClearInvestigations, not only was Trump personally targeted, but Comey himself was acting as an investigative agent as he interacted with the president — completely unbeknownst to the latter.
That would also explain why Comey made memos of his meetings with Trump. The new report reveals that Comey would also put those notes into an investigative file and even call other top FBI officials afterwards.
Comey has previously said he considered the memos personal instead of government documents, according to the Wall Street Journal. He also reportedly said they were written contemporaneously to create a record of his interactions with Trump, and he testified to Congress that he decided to do so because of the “nature of the person.”
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Son, 37, is accused of beating his 71-year-old dad with a wrench
A man accused of trying to murder his father allegedly used a wrench to beat and torture him for four hours following an argument about his dead mother's $2 million fortune.
Jason Heyworth, 37, is on trial in New York for the 2017 attempted murder of his 71-year-old father Eric Heyworth.
During the trial in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday, jurors were shown gruesome photos of the injuries the elder Heyworth sustained in the attack in June 2017.
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Jason Heyworth, 37, is on trial in New York for the 2017 attempted murder of his 71-year-old father Eric Heyworth.
During the trial in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday, jurors were shown gruesome photos of the injuries the elder Heyworth sustained in the attack in June 2017.
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Troopers Arrest Two for Multiple Thefts From Motor Vehicles-Sussex County
Sussex County- The Delaware State Police have arrested two suspects from Frankford, DE in connection with multiple thefts from motor vehicles.
In mid July 2019, Troopers handled multiple reports of thefts from motor vehicles in various developments within the Bethany Beach, Ocean View, Selbyville, and Frankford areas. During these investigations, it was determined that the suspect(s) removed several credit cards and debit cards and utilized them at various business establishments in Sussex County.
Through investigative measures, Troopers were able to identify two suspects, 27-year-old Jeffrey P. Imle and 24-year-old Alexandra M. Anderson.
On July 24, 2019, at approximately 8: 15 a.m., Troop 4, Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) responded to Anderson’s residence in the 34000 block of Virginia Drive Frankford, DE in reference to conducting a warrant attempt. Imle and Anderson were located inside the residence and initially both refused to exit. Imle also would not allow Anderson’s mother who was inside the residence to exit. Eventually Imle and Anderson were taken into custody without further incident. Imle was found in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. A search warrant was also obtained for the residence and Detectives recovered numerous stolen items.
Imle and Anderson were transported back to Troop 4 where they were charged with the following:
Jeffrey Imle:
- Identity Theft (3 counts)
- Theft-Felony (6 counts)
- Theft (9 counts)
- Unlawful Use of a Credit Card (3 counts)
- Criminal Trespass 3rd (13 counts)
- Conspiracy 2nd (7 counts)
- Conspiracy 3rd (2 counts)
- Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Imle was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $49,013.00 secured bond.
Alexandra Anderson:
- Identity Theft (3 counts)
- Theft-Felony (6 counts)
- Conspiracy 2nd (7 counts)
- Conspiracy 3rd (2 counts)
- Theft (9 counts)
- Unlawful Use of a Credit Card (3 counts)
- Criminal Trespass 3rd (13 counts)
Anderson was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $50,513.00 secured bond.
WCSO Press Releases - July 25, 2019
Date of Incident: 20 July 2019
Location: Rt. 50 at Boundary Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Kenneth E. Niblett Jr., 43, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 20 July 2019 just after midnight, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Kenneth Niblett for an equipment violation. Upon making contact with a visibly nervous Niblett, the deputy summonsed a drug sniffing K-9 which yielded a positive alert on Niblett’s vehicle. During a subsequent search the deputy located crack cocaine and a smoking device.
The deputy placed Niblett under arrest and transported him to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Niblett on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Possession of Crack Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Date of Incident: 20 July 2019
Location: Riverside Drive at Wicomico Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: David M. Osborne, 46, Parsonsburg, MD
Narrative: On 20 July 2019 at 1:36 AM, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by David Osborne for a moving violation. Upon stopping the vehicle and illuminating the passenger compartment, the deputy observed that Osborne was moving about frantically. Upon making contact with a visibly nervous Osborne, the deputy uncovered a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear and took him into custody. A subsequent search of the vehicle incident to the arrest, the deputy located what he identified as crack cocaine.
The deputy transported Osborne to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Osborne on Personal Recognizance on both the Failure to Appear warrant and the drug charges.
Charges: Possession of Crack Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Date of Incident: 23 July 2019
Location: Wicomico County
Suspect: Gary Richard Hurwitz, 56, Princess Anne, MD
Narrative: On 23 July 2019 a deputy transported Gary Hurwitz back to Wicomico County from Patuxent Institution where he was being housed following his extradition from Ohio. Hurwitz, who had been featured as one of Wicomico County’s “Most Wanted” had fled to that state.
Hurwitz stands accused of arranging delivery of aggregate to a purchaser, accepting payment for the product then telling the supplier of the aggregate that he would have to pay the supplier at a later date. Hurwitz allegedly pocketed this money and it never found its way to the supplier.
Hurwitz also stands accused of arranging delivery of asphalt millings to a purchaser and accepting payment for the product. Hurwitz then ignored all attempts of the supplier of the asphalt millings to collect on the bill.
Further investigation revealed that in both incidents, Hurwitz sold the product at a significant discount to the purchasers and appeared to not have any intent to make good on the bills with the companies that supplied the product.
Upon arrest, Hurwitz was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Hurwitz on Personal Recognizance on these charges.
Charges: Theft $1,500.00 to $25,000.00
Date of Incident: 24 July 2019
Location: E. Salisbury Parkway at Naylor Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Denise L. Duncan-Fridrich, 35, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 24 July 2019 at 1:39 AM, a deputy stopped a vehicle for a moving violation. After observing indicators of possible drug use, the deputy summonsed a WCSO Drug K9 team to the scene. Following a positive alert by the K9, the deputy commenced a search of the vehicle. The ultimate result was the location of crack cocaine and a smoking device in the underwear of the passenger, Denise Duncan-Fridrich.
The deputy placed Duncan-Fridrich under arrest and transported her to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Following an initial appearance, the Commissioner released Duncan Fridrich on Personal Recognizance.
Charges: Possession of Crack Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
WCSO CID Press Release - July 17, 2019 Attempted Murder
Date of Incident: July 17th, 2019
Location: 1000 block of Ellegood St., Salisbury, Maryland
Arrested: Lyndon Fitzgerald Smith (54 years of age)
Narrative: On July 17th, 2019 at approximately 10:40 PM, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a female who advised that her husband, Lyndon Smith, fired several shots at her inside of their residence. The victim was able to escape unharmed, where she hid behind a car and called 911. Deputies arrived and were able to move the victim to safety. Deputies learned that Smith had been drinking alcoholic beverages during the afternoon and into the night. Smith had been arguing with the victim off and on into the night prior to shots being fired. The victim told deputies that Smith was intoxicated, armed, and had been talking to himself just prior to firing shots. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team and Negotiators were requested to assist.
At approximately 11:29 PM, deputies were able to make contact with Smith and take him into custody outside of the residence without further incident. Investigators later obtained and executed a Search and Seizure warrant, locating two firearms, ammunition, and evidence that shots had been fired within the residence.
Members of Salisbury Police Department and the Maryland State Police assisted with the initial call for service.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Lyndon Smith was charged and turned over to Wicomico County Detention Center.
Charges: Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Assault 1st, Assault 2nd, Reckless Endangerment and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence.
FTC slaps Facebook with $5B fine over privacy missteps
The Federal Trade Commission hit Facebook with a record-breaking $5 billion fine on Wednesday, along with a slew of new privacy restrictions in response to its mishandling of users’ private data.
The penalty, the largest levied against a company for privacy violations, stems from an investigation the FTC opened last year into claims Facebook violated a 2012 consent decree with deceptive practices that left users unaware the company was sharing their personal data with third-party apps.
“Despite repeated promises to its billions of users worldwide that they could control how their personal information is shared, Facebook undermined consumers’ choices,” FTC Chairman Joe Simons said. “The magnitude of the $5 billion penalty and sweeping conduct relief are unprecedented in the history of the FTC.”
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The penalty, the largest levied against a company for privacy violations, stems from an investigation the FTC opened last year into claims Facebook violated a 2012 consent decree with deceptive practices that left users unaware the company was sharing their personal data with third-party apps.
“Despite repeated promises to its billions of users worldwide that they could control how their personal information is shared, Facebook undermined consumers’ choices,” FTC Chairman Joe Simons said. “The magnitude of the $5 billion penalty and sweeping conduct relief are unprecedented in the history of the FTC.”
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NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal Randolph, New Hampshire crash that left 7 motorcycle riders dead
The National Transportation Safety Board released a short preliminary report on the fatal New Hampshire crash that left seven motorcycle riders dead.
Few new details were released in the report about the June 21 fatal crash on Route 2 in Randolph, New Hampshire.
The NTSB said investigators continue to gather information about the driver of the truck and his license.
“All aspects of the Randolph, New Hampshire, crash remain under investigation as the NTSB focuses on determining the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes,” the preliminary report said.
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Few new details were released in the report about the June 21 fatal crash on Route 2 in Randolph, New Hampshire.
The NTSB said investigators continue to gather information about the driver of the truck and his license.
“All aspects of the Randolph, New Hampshire, crash remain under investigation as the NTSB focuses on determining the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes,” the preliminary report said.
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Limbaugh Offers to Hire Laid-Off 2020 Bernie Staffers for ‘Betsy Ross’ T-Shirt Fulfillment Jobs
Tuesday on his nationally syndicated radio show, during a discussion about raising the minimum wage and the impact wages have taken on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) presidential campaign in the form of layoffs, conservative talker Rush Limbaugh said he might offer employment to those laid-off workers.
The potential employment would be jobs fulfilling orders for his “Stand Up for Betsy Ross” T-shirts, which is raising money for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
"I’d love building a bridge from us to the Bernie Sanders campaign.."
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The potential employment would be jobs fulfilling orders for his “Stand Up for Betsy Ross” T-shirts, which is raising money for the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
"I’d love building a bridge from us to the Bernie Sanders campaign.."
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WATCH: Surveillance footage from Georgia lawmaker Publix confrontation released
Newly released surveillance footage shows the supermarket confrontation between a black Georgia lawmaker and a white man she accused of making racist comments toward her.
The footage contains no audio but shows Democratic Georgia state Rep. Erica Thomas and Eric Sparkes in what appears to be a verbal altercation. Sparkes approaches Thomas, 31, in the checkout line and Thomas walks toward him. Sparkes then appears to walk away before turning back once more to confront Thomas.
The argument began after Sparkes became upset that Thomas had too many items in the express checkout line at a Publix in Mableton, Georgia. The incident went viral on social media. Thomas posted a tearful video to Facebook on Friday, alleging that Sparkes called her a “lazy son of a bitch” and told her and her 9-year-old daughter “to go back where you came from.”
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The footage contains no audio but shows Democratic Georgia state Rep. Erica Thomas and Eric Sparkes in what appears to be a verbal altercation. Sparkes approaches Thomas, 31, in the checkout line and Thomas walks toward him. Sparkes then appears to walk away before turning back once more to confront Thomas.
The argument began after Sparkes became upset that Thomas had too many items in the express checkout line at a Publix in Mableton, Georgia. The incident went viral on social media. Thomas posted a tearful video to Facebook on Friday, alleging that Sparkes called her a “lazy son of a bitch” and told her and her 9-year-old daughter “to go back where you came from.”
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Oh, poop: Many beaches can be potentially unsafe for swimming, study says
To quote “Jaws”: Get out of the water! Also, ewww.
More than half of 2,627 beach sites tested in a new environmental study — including beaches that are local favorites in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware — were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day in 2018.
And 610 of those sites were potentially unsafe at least 25% of the days that sampling took place, according to Environment America.
The organization analyzed bacteria from beaches in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as Puerto Rico.
For the study, Environment America deemed beaches “potentially unsafe” if the bacteria levels exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s most protective “Beach Action Value” threshold — meaning what the EPA believes will cause 32 of 1,000 people to get sick from the water.
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More than half of 2,627 beach sites tested in a new environmental study — including beaches that are local favorites in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware — were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day in 2018.
And 610 of those sites were potentially unsafe at least 25% of the days that sampling took place, according to Environment America.
The organization analyzed bacteria from beaches in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as Puerto Rico.
For the study, Environment America deemed beaches “potentially unsafe” if the bacteria levels exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s most protective “Beach Action Value” threshold — meaning what the EPA believes will cause 32 of 1,000 people to get sick from the water.
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CEO: Pennsylvania schools rejected offer to pay students' late lunch bills
PHILADELPHIA -- The president of a northeast Pennsylvania school board whose district had warned parents behind on school lunch bills that their children could end up in foster care has rejected a company CEO's offer to cover the cost, the businessman said Tuesday.
Todd Carmichael, chief executive and co-founder of Philadelphia-based La Colombe Coffee, said he offered to give Wyoming Valley West School District $22,000 to wipe out bills that generated the recent warning letter to parents.
But school board President Joseph Mazur rejected the offer during a phone conversation Monday, Carmichael spokesman Aren Platt said Tuesday. Mazur argued that money is owed by parents who can afford to pay, Platt said.
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Todd Carmichael, chief executive and co-founder of Philadelphia-based La Colombe Coffee, said he offered to give Wyoming Valley West School District $22,000 to wipe out bills that generated the recent warning letter to parents.
But school board President Joseph Mazur rejected the offer during a phone conversation Monday, Carmichael spokesman Aren Platt said Tuesday. Mazur argued that money is owed by parents who can afford to pay, Platt said.
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Troopers Attempting To Locate Wanted Suspect Lorenzo Williams-Laurel
Laurel– The Delaware State Police are attempting to locate 24-year-old Lorenzo Williams of Millsboro who currently has active warrants for resisting arrest and related charges.
On June 28, 2019, at approximately 8:08 p.m., Troopers observed a red Chrysler 300 fail to stop at a stop sign at Waller Road and Sussex Highway, Laurel. A traffic stop was initiated when the driver proceeded to flee, committing further traffic violations. Through investigative measures, the driver was identified as Williams.
Troopers have been unable to locate Williams who currently has active warrants out of Troop 5 for the following:
- Disregarding a Police Officer Signal
- Resisting Arrest
- Driving While Suspended
- Reckless Driving
- Other Traffic Related Offenses
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Lorenzo Williams is asked to contact Troop 5, TFC Foskey at 302-337-8253. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
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