The ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation have filed an amicus brief in what will be the first case in the country to address the constitutional implications of a so-called “stingray,” a little known device that can be used to track a suspect’s location and engage in other types of surveillance. We argue that if the government wants to use invasive surveillance technology like this, it must explain the technology to the courts so they can perform their judicial oversight function as required by the Constitution.
The case is highly significant for two reasons. First, it shows that the government is using new types of technology—not just GPS and cell site location records—to track location. Second, it shows that the government is going to great lengths to keep its surveillance practices secret. The government is hiding information about new surveillance technology not only from the public, but even from the courts. By keeping courts in the dark about new technologies, the government is essentially seeking to write its own search warrants. That’s not how the Constitution works.
We filed an amicus brief in the case of Daniel Rigmaiden, who is being criminally prosecuted in federal court in Arizona for allegedly filing fraudulent tax returns. Last fall, the Wall Street Journal reported on the government’s use of the stingray device in Rigmaiden’s case. Stingray is the name of a particular product sold by the Harris Corporation. The more generic term for the device is “IMSI catcher,” in reference to the unique identifier, or International Mobile Subscriber Identity, of wireless devices.
Several aspects about stingrays are important to understand from a privacy perspective.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
THREE ARRESTED AFTER SHORT PURSUIT THROUGH DOWNTOWN OCEAN CITY
The vehicle then travelled west on Worcester Street, continued south on Philadelphia Avenue and finally stopped in a parking lot in the area of Baltimore Avenue and South 1st Street. At that time, the driver, later identified as Marcos W. Ortlip, 21, of Millsboro, DE, quickly jumped out of the vehicle and was placed under arrest for fleeing. Three additional passengers in the vehicle were also detained at that time.
During the investigation, officers found that the driver and two passengers were in possession of controlled dangerous substances and were subsequently arrested. They were later identified as Brandon R. Garrison, 31, of Dagsboro, DE, and Christina P. Boone, 23, of Millsboro, DE. The third passenger was released at the scene. Officers located 18 bags of heroin, in addition to marijuana and crack cocaine during a search of the vehicle and suspects. Officers also seized over $650 in US currency.
Ortlip, Garrison and Boone have each been charged by Ocean City police with multiple drug possession and distribution charges. Ortlip was also cited with multiple traffic violations. All three suspects were seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner. Ortlip is currently being held at the Ocean City Public Safety Building on $25,000 bond. Garrison is also being held at the Ocean City Public Safety Building on $40,000 bond. Boone was released on her own recognizance.
Is this the feds’ next Cliven Bundy moment?
Exclusive: Cheryl K. Chumley spotlights threats against Californians protesting illegals
Word is the small town of Murrieta, California, is about to become the country’s next constitutional crisis.
That’s because armed federal agents are reportedly set to converge on the town, prepped – meaning locked and loaded, dressed in riot gear – to pressure local protesting citizens to go home, keep quiet and let the good illegal immigrants from Central America be bused in and deposited. If true, this could be the worst crisis of constitutional proportions since – well, since early April, when armed agents with the Bureau of Land Management took up spots outside Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy’s property to try and force him, at gunpoint, to pay his bill.
On second thought, April’s not that far back.
An American citizen could actually start to get a bit paranoid that the feds are finding it far too easy these days to take up arms against those who – in strictest constitutional sense – are the employers. As John Henry, a Murrieta resident for more than 20 years, described to Breitbart Texas: “We’re being told that federal marshals or ICE will be here in the next few days and that they are bringing riot gear. They’re apparently going to be blocking off the street with concrete blockades so that no vehicles can get through. The [nearby] Riverside County Sheriff’s Department showed up … and brought a huge watch tower that shoots up into the air 35 feet.”
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Word is the small town of Murrieta, California, is about to become the country’s next constitutional crisis.
That’s because armed federal agents are reportedly set to converge on the town, prepped – meaning locked and loaded, dressed in riot gear – to pressure local protesting citizens to go home, keep quiet and let the good illegal immigrants from Central America be bused in and deposited. If true, this could be the worst crisis of constitutional proportions since – well, since early April, when armed agents with the Bureau of Land Management took up spots outside Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy’s property to try and force him, at gunpoint, to pay his bill.
On second thought, April’s not that far back.
An American citizen could actually start to get a bit paranoid that the feds are finding it far too easy these days to take up arms against those who – in strictest constitutional sense – are the employers. As John Henry, a Murrieta resident for more than 20 years, described to Breitbart Texas: “We’re being told that federal marshals or ICE will be here in the next few days and that they are bringing riot gear. They’re apparently going to be blocking off the street with concrete blockades so that no vehicles can get through. The [nearby] Riverside County Sheriff’s Department showed up … and brought a huge watch tower that shoots up into the air 35 feet.”
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Sheriff Warns of Second American Revolution if Guns Are Banned
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has been one of the strongest voices opposing gun control among law enforcement officers. He’s repeatedly warned that if the government tries to disarm the American people, things could get nasty.
He made this point on an appearance on Fox News, saying that he wouldn’t want to be the one to confiscate guns because “he doesn’t want to get shot. His opinion is pretty common among law enforcement, as Colorado sheriffs are also refusing to enforce that state’s tough new gun control laws.
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He made this point on an appearance on Fox News, saying that he wouldn’t want to be the one to confiscate guns because “he doesn’t want to get shot. His opinion is pretty common among law enforcement, as Colorado sheriffs are also refusing to enforce that state’s tough new gun control laws.
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Over 1 million food stamps distributed to dead people in Louisiana
LOUISIANA (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - More than a million dollars in food stamps have been distributed to dead people in Louisiana according to a state audit.
The audit shows nearly 4,000 households received food stamps where the primary recipient was dead.
From July 2009 to June 2013 the amount of benefits sent to the deceased reached nearly $1.3-million.
Officials say it's hard to know exactly who was using the program's cards after the owners were dead.
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The audit shows nearly 4,000 households received food stamps where the primary recipient was dead.
From July 2009 to June 2013 the amount of benefits sent to the deceased reached nearly $1.3-million.
Officials say it's hard to know exactly who was using the program's cards after the owners were dead.
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Florida wins $7 million for wasting $47 million in food stamp funds
Florida once again is getting a hefty bonus from the feds for “saving” taxpayers money.
This year, the state’s Department of Children and Families managed to misspend only $47,829,887 in food stamp benefits. That’s out of almost $6 billion the state received from the federal government.
Nevertheless, Florida’s error rate of .81 percent is the second lowest in the nation, and only a slight dip from the previous year when the state received $8 million for having the lowest in the nation at 0.7 percent. Vermont had the highest waste rate at 9.66 percent, while the national average was 3.2 percent.
“We are pleased Florida is again being recognized as a leader for quality and accuracy in processing food assistance applications,” DCF Interim Secretary Mike Carroll said in a statement. “The department is committed to helping individuals in crisis and being able to quickly assist families and individuals in need of these resources is one of our principal functions.
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This year, the state’s Department of Children and Families managed to misspend only $47,829,887 in food stamp benefits. That’s out of almost $6 billion the state received from the federal government.
Nevertheless, Florida’s error rate of .81 percent is the second lowest in the nation, and only a slight dip from the previous year when the state received $8 million for having the lowest in the nation at 0.7 percent. Vermont had the highest waste rate at 9.66 percent, while the national average was 3.2 percent.
“We are pleased Florida is again being recognized as a leader for quality and accuracy in processing food assistance applications,” DCF Interim Secretary Mike Carroll said in a statement. “The department is committed to helping individuals in crisis and being able to quickly assist families and individuals in need of these resources is one of our principal functions.
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Protestors allege firefighter delay after fire kills 4 kids
The protest escalated when a ladder truck was trying to move out of the firehouse and several people laid down on the street to block its path
PHILADELPHIA — Two people were arrested Monday night after residents gathered outside a fire station to protest what they say was a delayed response to a weekend row house fire that killed four young children.
About 200 residents turned out at the fire station after an afternoon community meeting to demand answers on firefighters' response to the blaze, which destroyed eight homes in Southwest Philadelphia. The protest drew dozens of police officers and resulted in several clashes.
Residents, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with photos of the children, chanted "liars" outside the fire station, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The protest escalated when a ladder truck was apparently trying to move out of the firehouse and several people laid down on the street, blocking its path, according to the newspaper. Officers moved in and grabbed them by their legs to pull them back.
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PHILADELPHIA — Two people were arrested Monday night after residents gathered outside a fire station to protest what they say was a delayed response to a weekend row house fire that killed four young children.
About 200 residents turned out at the fire station after an afternoon community meeting to demand answers on firefighters' response to the blaze, which destroyed eight homes in Southwest Philadelphia. The protest drew dozens of police officers and resulted in several clashes.
Residents, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with photos of the children, chanted "liars" outside the fire station, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The protest escalated when a ladder truck was apparently trying to move out of the firehouse and several people laid down on the street, blocking its path, according to the newspaper. Officers moved in and grabbed them by their legs to pull them back.
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UNDERCOVER DRUG ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS SUCCESSFUL YET AGAIN IN OC
Recently, the Ocean City Police Criminal Investigation Division and Narcotics Unit, with assistance from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team, the Maryland State Police and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force, conducts multiple drug enforcement operations at various locations throughout Ocean City in an effort to remove drugs from the streets of the community.
These undercover operations led to 33 undercover drug transactions and 45 drug distribution arrests. In addition to 45 arrests, six of those individuals were wanted by other agencies. During the undercover operations, detectives seized numerous drugs including marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine salts, prescription medications and MDMA. Detectives also seized three weapons and over $3,000 in U.S. currency.
The Ocean City Police Department would like to thank the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force for their assistance in the undercover operations. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team consists of members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police and the Pocomoke Police Department. The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force includes members of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Salisbury Police Department and Fruitland Police Department. The OCPD is very appreciative of the continued partnership with all law enforcement agencies in our area.
Citizens are reminded that undercover officers continue to conduct drug enforcement operations throughout the year to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Drug activity often leads to more serious criminal activity and the OCPD Narcotics Unit is dedicated to keeping the citizens of Ocean City safe.
These undercover operations led to 33 undercover drug transactions and 45 drug distribution arrests. In addition to 45 arrests, six of those individuals were wanted by other agencies. During the undercover operations, detectives seized numerous drugs including marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine salts, prescription medications and MDMA. Detectives also seized three weapons and over $3,000 in U.S. currency.
The Ocean City Police Department would like to thank the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team and the Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force for their assistance in the undercover operations. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Team consists of members of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police and the Pocomoke Police Department. The Wicomico County Narcotics Task Force includes members of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Salisbury Police Department and Fruitland Police Department. The OCPD is very appreciative of the continued partnership with all law enforcement agencies in our area.
Citizens are reminded that undercover officers continue to conduct drug enforcement operations throughout the year to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Drug activity often leads to more serious criminal activity and the OCPD Narcotics Unit is dedicated to keeping the citizens of Ocean City safe.
TOBACCO POSTER CONTEST WINNERS’ DESIGNS FEATURED ON DIGITAL BILLBOARD
(Salisbury, MD) - Stop the Violence (STV) in Salisbury received a mini-grant from the Cigarette Restitution Fund through the Wicomico County Health Department to assist in their effort to educate children and youth on the dangers of smoking. As part of the mini-grant, a poster contest was open to all Stop the Violence participants grades K through 12, as well as 18-21 year old Stop the Violence participants.
The poster design and tobacco free messages were developed completely by the participants. Children/youth could choose to educate about the dangers of second hand smoke, peer pressure to smoke, the 4000+ chemicals in cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or the dangers of E-Cigarettes, etc.
The art was judged on creativity, originality and the tobacco free messages included, with three top winners’ artwork placed on a digital billboard on Route 13 in Eden.
“Congratulations to the top three artists. We are proud to prominently display your tobacco free messages and art,” says Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County.
· Elementary first place winner: Tyteona Davis
· Elementary second place winner: Love Thomas
· Middle school winner: TreVontae
Honorable mention awards were also given to Earl Hodges, Se’yanie, and Major Richardson.
Protesters rally again outside California border security facility
Confrontational scenes played out again today in a southern California town where demonstrators claim they've diverted a third bus full of illegal immigrants who were brought in to ease an overcrowded Texas facility.
Furious residents of Murrieta, California, greeted the bus as it pulled into town, holding signs that read 'Send Them Back with Birth Control' and 'No Vacancy: Try the White House.'
The protestors are complaining that they are being saddled with more than their share of would-be immigrants, most of whom are women and children.
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Furious residents of Murrieta, California, greeted the bus as it pulled into town, holding signs that read 'Send Them Back with Birth Control' and 'No Vacancy: Try the White House.'
The protestors are complaining that they are being saddled with more than their share of would-be immigrants, most of whom are women and children.
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Hundreds protest over 'delayed' response to Philly fire that killed four children and burned down an entire city block
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside a south Philadelphia firehouse Monday to vent their rage over what they felt was an inadequate response to a weekend blaze that killed four children.
The rowdy protests resulted in three arrests but miraculously no injuries after members of the mob become aggressive with police after community leaders had a meeting with fire officials about the Saturday morning fire.
Dozens of police were called in as about 200 people gathered in the street. One woman was transported to a local hospital after she had a seizure, officials said.
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The rowdy protests resulted in three arrests but miraculously no injuries after members of the mob become aggressive with police after community leaders had a meeting with fire officials about the Saturday morning fire.
Dozens of police were called in as about 200 people gathered in the street. One woman was transported to a local hospital after she had a seizure, officials said.
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Comic bans use of Superman statue on tortured boy's grave
Five-year-old Superman fan Jeffrey Baldwin, from Toronto, Canada, died in tragic circumstances 12 years ago when he was starved to death by his grandparents.
He had been locked in a cold, urine and faeces-stained bedroom in the home of his grandmother, his Catholic Children's Aid Society-approved guardian, and wasted away to the weight of a baby.
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Ocean City Fire Department Adds New Equipment to Fleet
The Ocean City Fire Department recently took delivery of a brand new 2014 KME engine tanker. The engine, which is equipped with rear and side view safety cameras for backing and parking, will replace an older fire engine that has been in service for nearly twenty years.
Other features include a Booster Line Reel Engine, an international MAXXForce 13 450 HP Motor, light tower red and yellow safety marking on the front bumper and rear of the truck to enhance. “Adding the new tanker to our fleet is going to be extremely beneficial,” stated Ocean City Fire Department Assistant Chief Chris Shaffer. “The body style of the tanker is the same as our current units, but this engine uses different foam and has the ability to hold more water.”
In addition to the new KME engine tanker, the OCFD also recently received 53 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and six new Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) kits. The equipment was 95 percent funded through the competitive Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The $383,325 grant, when coupled with the required Town of Ocean City match of 5 percent, brought the equipment award total to $403,430.
“We are pleased to have been chosen to receive FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant”, Shaffer continued. “The SCBAs are a critical component in the protective equipment used by our personnel. With a primary response area of 10.5 miles, nearly 9,000 calls for service annually, including HAZMAT, being fully equipped with the latest SCBAs is vital to reducing first responder risk. The safety the SCBAs provide to our members, while also supplying our firefighters the ability to operate in hostile fire ground environments, including high rise buildings, is invaluable.”
I had obligation to defend rapist, says Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton has said she was obliged to defend an accused rapist out of professional duty when she was a lawyer in the 1970s - a case in which she was ready to discredit the 12-year-old victim.
She even intimated that she knew the accused was guilty by revealing her shock that he passed a lie detector test.
Mrs Clinton was given the case in 1975 when she ran the University of Arkansas’ legal aid clinic. The accused was Thomas Alfred Taylor, 41.
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She even intimated that she knew the accused was guilty by revealing her shock that he passed a lie detector test.
Mrs Clinton was given the case in 1975 when she ran the University of Arkansas’ legal aid clinic. The accused was Thomas Alfred Taylor, 41.
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State Keeps Triple-A Bond Rating
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Governor Martin O'Malley says that's a sign Wall Street likes the state's approach to government spending and taxes, which he calls," fiscally responsible."
In a statement, the governor points out that over the last year his administration has cut $9.5-billion in spending, the most of any administration.
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Mom of three stirs controversy after posing with her gun and bible
Holly Fisher, who Tweets using the provocative handle Holly Hobby Lobby, has created uproar online in the wake of last week’s controversial birth control decision by the Supreme Court.
To celebrate the court’s decision, Fisher posted a provocative photo online of her wearing a pro-life T-shirt, while posing in front of a Hobby Lobby store and holding a Chick-fil-A drinking cup.
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Mom who abandoned her baby on Manhattan subway platform in custody
The mother who abandoned her baby girl on a Manhattan subway platform on Monday morning is in police custody, authorities have said.
Police said they were questioning a 20-year-old woman who was found around 12.30am near 72nd Street and Broadway, although charges have not yet been filed, the New York Times reported.
Witnesses said the African-American woman, who has not been identified, had pushed her seven-month-old daughter's stroller out of a northbound 1 train at Columbus Circle around 11.50am before darting back inside the train.
Surveillance footage released by the NYPD showed the woman entering the subway with the baby in the stroller earlier in the day, but there were no cameras on the platform where the incident occurred.
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Police said they were questioning a 20-year-old woman who was found around 12.30am near 72nd Street and Broadway, although charges have not yet been filed, the New York Times reported.
Witnesses said the African-American woman, who has not been identified, had pushed her seven-month-old daughter's stroller out of a northbound 1 train at Columbus Circle around 11.50am before darting back inside the train.
Surveillance footage released by the NYPD showed the woman entering the subway with the baby in the stroller earlier in the day, but there were no cameras on the platform where the incident occurred.
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More companies bail on U.S. for lower taxes
More companies than ever are abandoning the U.S. for nations with lower taxes.
A new analysis found 47 companies have relocated to home bases overseas to take advantage of lower rates in the past 10 years through a merger process known as inversion.
To qualify for the lower taxes, a company must do more than simply set up shop overseas and change its address. It must first merge with a company in the lower-tax country and then either do at least a quarter of its business overseas or give the owners of the foreign company at least one-fifth ownership of the newly merged company.
Only 29 companies used the inversion process during the previous two decades, according to the Congressional Research Service analysis.
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A new analysis found 47 companies have relocated to home bases overseas to take advantage of lower rates in the past 10 years through a merger process known as inversion.
To qualify for the lower taxes, a company must do more than simply set up shop overseas and change its address. It must first merge with a company in the lower-tax country and then either do at least a quarter of its business overseas or give the owners of the foreign company at least one-fifth ownership of the newly merged company.
Only 29 companies used the inversion process during the previous two decades, according to the Congressional Research Service analysis.
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GOVERNOR O'MALLEY TO VISIT RED OWL ANALYTICS AS PART OF “GOVERNING FOR RESULTS” TOUR
BALTIMORE, MD -- Governor Martin O’Malley visited Red Owl Analytics, a Baltimore-based cyber security company and 2013 Invest Maryland Challenge winner. As part of the “Governing for Results” series -- which focuses on performance management, doing what works to solve problems, and the O'Malley-Brown Administration's 16 strategic goals -- Governor O’Malley will highlight the O’Malley-Brown Administration's successful efforts to recover 100% of jobs lost during the Great Recession..
Hogan accepts invitations to three gubernatorial forums
Hogan accepts invitations to three gubernatorial forums; Brown response proposes limited debates on pre-approved stations with hand-picked moderators.
Annapolis, MD – Gubernatorial candidate Larry Hogan has accepted all three invitations received to date to participate in gubernatorial debates and forums with Lt. Governor Brown. On July 1, Hogan issued a statement accepting the first of these invitations and called for several additional town hall style debates throughout the state.
In response, the Brown campaign sent out a press release over the holiday weekend saying that the Lt. Governor only wants to do three debates and only with organizations of his choosing; debates which don't actually exist and for which no invitations have been sent. Each debate proposed by Brown would be a tightly controlled exchange hosted by a pre-approved station in the Baltimore-Washington corridor and emceed by a moderator hand-picked by the Lt. Governor’s campaign. According to the Hogan for Governorcampaign:
“We think that the voters of Maryland deserve the opportunity to know the differences between us. We have accepted every invitation received to date without any restrictions whatsoever as to the format and have also called for debates in all regions of the state.
We have said we would be pleased to participate in debates on all the Baltimore, Washington, Salisbury and Hagerstown television stations and before any important organization anywhere in Maryland.
We believe the people of Maryland deserve a real clear choice for a change and we plan to give it to them. They deserve to hear from both of us and we hope Anthony Brown will agree to frequent, substantive and real debates on the serious issues facing our state.”
The following invitations have been received and accepted by the Hogan campaign:
June 26 - Maryland Municipal League Gubernatorial Candidates Forum invitation sent to Hogan and Brown campaigns. Larry Hogan agrees to participate on same day.
July 3 – WBFF TV Baltimore invites Hogan and Brown to participate in a televised debate. Larry Hogan accepted the invitation immediately.
July 6 - Maryland Association of Counties invites Hogan and Brown to address members at their summer conference. Larry Hogan immediately accepted.
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