Latest news with #FBI
Al Jazeera
2 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
US funeral home owner who stashed 191 bodies sentenced to 20 years
A judge in the US state of Colorado has handed a funeral home owner, who stashed 191 dead bodies on his premises, a 20-year prison sentence for cheating customers and defrauding the federal government. Federal prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence for Jon Hallford, the owner of Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado, where he and his wife, Carie Hallford, stored bodies between 2019 and 2023 and sent families fake ashes. At Friday's hearing, US District Judge Nina Wang said the circumstances and scale of John Hallford's crimes, as well as the emotional damage to families he inflicted, warranted a longer sentence. 'This is not an ordinary fraud case,' Judge Wang said. Investigators were called to the dilapidated, insect-infested building in the small town of Penrose, about 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Denver, in 2023 after reports of an 'abhorrent smell' coming from the property. At trial, investigators described finding the bodies stacked on top of each other and being unable to move into some rooms because they were piled so high with human remains. FBI agents also had to put boards down so they could walk around the crime scene and above the bodily fluid that had pooled on the ground. The morbid discovery by investigators in 2023 revealed for the first time to many families that the ashes they had received from Return to Nature were fake. Court documents showed Hallford had sent families urns filled with dry concrete mix, and in two cases, the wrong body had been buried. In separate charges, Jon Hallford has pleaded guilty to 191 counts of corpse abuse in state court. He is scheduled to be sentenced for those charges in August. Carie Hallford is scheduled to go to trial in the federal case in September. That same month, she will attend her next hearing in the state case, in which she's also charged with 191 counts of corpse abuse. COVID-19 fraud At Friday's hearing, Jon Hallford was also jailed for defrauding the US federal government out of nearly $900,000 in emergency financial assistance provided to Americans dealing with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a news statement, the US Attorney's Office in the District of Colorado said the Hallfords had 'defrauded the Small Business Administration through fraudulent COVID-19 loan applications'. Federal prosecutors said the Hallfords syphoned the money and spent it, along with customers' payments, on SUVs worth more than $120,000, along with $31,000 in cryptocurrency, and luxury items from stores like Gucci and Tiffany & Co. In addition to his jail sentence, Jon Hallford was also 'ordered to pay $1,070,413.74 in restitution for a conspiracy to commit wire fraud', according to the District of Colorado. The District of Colorado statement said the Hallfords had 'collected more than $130,000 from grieving families for funeral services that were never provided'. 'Instead of ensuring proper disposition of the remains, Hallford allowed bodies to accumulate in various states of decay and decomposition inside the funeral home's facility,' it said. According to an order suspending the home's registration as a funeral establishment, Jon Hallford had claimed when the bodies were discovered 'that he practises taxidermy' at the property. In court before the sentencing, Jon Hallford told the judge that he opened Return to Nature to make a positive impact on people's lives, but 'then everything got completely out of control'. 'I am so deeply sorry for my actions,' he said. 'I still hate myself for what I've done.'
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Federal agents arrest two people tied to human smuggling operation in L.A.
Two people tied to human smuggling operation in LA arrested by federal agents Two people tied to human smuggling operation in LA arrested by federal agents Two people tied to human smuggling operation in LA arrested by federal agents Federal agents arrested two people at a San Fernando Valley home described as a human smuggling hub tied to national security threats, according to Customs and Border Protection. "The location has been repeatedly used to harbor illegal entrants linked to terrorism," CBP wrote in a post to X. The arrests happened on Friday afternoon while CBP's Special Response Team served a search warrant at the house located on Napa Street in North Hills. Federal agents arrested seven Iranian nationals at the same address earlier this week, some of whom were on the FBI Terror Watchlist and "associates of an Iranian human trafficking network," according to CBP. "CBP is taking aggressive action to shut down smuggling networks and remove national security threats before they can do harm," CBP wrote in a post to X. Residents in the North Hills neighborhood said someone new had moved into the home about six months ago. "There was a bunch of young people and they would hang out at night, pacing on the phone, sitting on the curb," neighbor Claudio Bonoli said. "Talking to my neighbors, they say they were kind of intimidated by them." The idea that people on a terror watchlist were living on their street rattled Bonoli and some of his neighbors. "It's only two houses from my house," he said. "This has been a really great, quiet neighborhood for a long time. So, it's totally surprising."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
DNA taken from Travis Decker search area fails to match suspected killer as teams scour Washington mountains
Not a single piece of DNA collected during the manhunt for Travis Decker has been a match to the suspected killer, Washington authorities have admitted. Decker, 33, is accused of suffocating his three daughters - Paityn, nine, Evelyn, eight, and Olivia, five - at a remote campsite in the Cascades mountains in Washington state on May 30 before vanishing. Tactical teams have scoured the mountains near the city of Leavenworth for weeks, but the searches have found no evidence of Decker in the area, according to an update Friday from Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. 'We do have some items that have come back from the scene, that have come back to match the DNA that we have for what we believe to be Travis's DNA,' he said, per KIRO7. 'But no other DNA that's come back to show anyone else was on scene. Nothing in the mountains.' It comes days after the Kittitas County Sherriff's Office (KCSO), which is also involved in the search alongside the FBI, raised the possibility that Decker may be dead. 'At this time, there is no certain evidence that Decker remains alive or in this area,' the sheriff's office announced earlier this week. Officials said that they have modified part of their search into a recovery effort, but warned the public that if Decker is alive, he remains extremely dangerous and may have access to firearms. In a statement from Kittitas County Sheriff Clay Myers this week, he said investigators have tracked dozens of tips and have received multiple reports of possible sightings of Decker. However, he said there remains no definitive evidence that the suspected family-slayer is alive. 'Deputies have maintained extra patrols in the areas in and around the Teanaway Valley, Blewett Pass, Liberty, and Lauderdale,' the statement read. 'Kittitas County Regional Tactical Response Team members have spent days and nights in remote terrain, working with K9 resources and experienced trackers to identify and follow any credible lead to Decker's location. '(Decker) could be deceased. He could have taken his own life. He could have succumbed to injuries. We recognize that's a possibility.' Sheriff Morrison added that despite the possibility that Decker is already dead, law enforcement will not stop their search until they either find a body or he is brought to justice. 'I respect Sheriff Myers, his agency, they certainly have taken on a huge lift over this last week,' he said. 'His people have come alongside us, so appreciative of their efforts and their resources they put into it. Either way, we haven't found him alive or dead, and the search still continues.' With an extensive combat background, authorities and locals are concerned about Decker still being on the loose. He joined the Army in 2013. He served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021, Karina Shagren, communications director for the Washington Military Department, confirmed to the Daily Mail. He was a full-time member of the Guard until 2023 or 2024, when he switched to part-time. Decker stopped attending mandatory monthly drills a little over a year ago, and the Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge. He likely has advanced combat training and was an airborne paratrooper who earned the elite rank of 'Ranger,' indicating he would have excellent wilderness and survival skills, Fox 13 Seattle reported, citing social media posts. Decker is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping, but has been missing since May 30, when he failed to return the three little girls back to their mother, Whitney, after a visit. Whitney, who is divorced from the veteran, told police that he had picked the girls up around 5pm but had not returned them by 8pm, and his phone went straight to voicemail, court documents said. Detectives said she 'expressed concern because Decker reportedly has never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues.' She also told law enforcement officials that Decker was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and believes he did not take medication for the condition, according to court documents. On June 2, a search party led to the chilling discovery of the sisters' dead bodies near the Chelan County campsite along with Decker's truck. Deputies found the girls' bodies about 75 to 100 yards from Decker's truck. An autopsy revealed the girls died from suffocation and police reported their wrists were zip-tied when they were found, court documents said. Police collected 'a large amount of evidence' from the truck, including male blood and non-human blood. The alleged-killer's dog was found nearby as well and taken to an animal humane society, Fox 8 reported. The discovery of the children's corpses kicked off the massive search for Decker. State and federal authorities believe they may have spotted him hiking in a mountainous area. On June 10, a helicopter crew s aw someone running off a trail near Colchuck Lake. Police speculate it was Decker. The lake is roughly 12 miles from the campground the girls were left near.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
Ninth escaped New Orleans inmate has been arrested after 6-week manhunt
Police on Friday captured one of the New Orleans parish inmates who escaped six weeks ago in a jailbreak Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the worst in recent state history. Law enforcement agencies located and arrested 33-year-old Antoine Massey at a residence in New Orleans on Friday, authorities announced in a press release. Massey "walked out of a home peacefully" and was taken into custody in the Third District, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said during a press conference Friday night. Massey will be taken to a secure state correctional facility, Louisiana State Police said. At the time of his escape, Massey had been facing charges of domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, motor vehicle theft and a parole violation, authorities said, adding that additional charges may follow. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and the New Orleans Police Department located and arrested Massey on Friday, state police said. Law enforcement agencies located and arrested 33-year-old Antoine Massey at a residence in New Orleans on Friday, authorities announced in a press release. Louisiana State Police Nine of the 10 Orleans Parish Prison inmates have now been recaptured following their May 16 jailbreak from the Orleans Justice Center, which went unnoticed for hours. Only one, Derrick Groves, remains on the lam. The group of inmates escaped by yanking open a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole in the wall behind it and scaling a barbed wire fence in the early morning hours. Speaking Friday night, Kirkpatrick said Groves has the option to peacefully turn himself in. "You will be taken into custody, but you still have the option to peacefully turn yourself in, and we will make an appeal to you to do so," she said. The collective reward for information that leads to Grove's arrest is still $50,000, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Hodges said during the press conference. Authorities warned against aiding a fugitive, and encouraged anyone with information to contact police. State and local officials have criticized the management of Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who has largely blamed the jailbreak on poor infrastructure and the inability to make needed improvements at the 10-year-old, $150 million facility. Authorities have arrested at least 16 people who are accused of aiding the escape of the inmates. Some of the inmates were found within the city's famous French Quarter and others elsewhere within the state of Louisiana, while two of them were found in Texas following extensive surveillance efforts by the U.S. Marshals, authorities have said. "They can keep running, but they can't hide forever," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill previously told CBS News. In a social media post Friday on X, Murrill wrote, in part, that Massey "has finally been recaptured in the Hollygrove area of New Orleans. He will now face additional charges for his role in the escape, and I'll ensure that he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law." and contributed to this report.
Time Business News
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Luxury, Lies, and Runaways: The Financial Fugitives Living in Plain Sight
VANCOUVER, Canada — While the public often imagines fugitives as shadowy figures hiding in jungle compounds or remote mountain hideouts, the reality for many of the world's most wanted financial criminals is far more luxurious. From Dubai penthouses to Côte d'Azur villas, dozens of high-profile economic fugitives are hiding in plain sight — protected by legal loopholes, diplomatic dead zones, and astonishing wealth. Amicus International Consulting, a global legal advisory group specializing in identity restructuring and cross-border protection, has tracked how financial fugitives often live openly in jurisdictions that offer prestige, comfort, and—crucially—non-extradition protection. These men and women, some accused of stealing hundreds of millions, continue to travel, spend lavishly, and maintain elite lifestyles — even while on the FBI's Most Wanted list. Welcome to the World of Visible Vanishers The term 'fugitive' typically evokes images of hiding, evasion, and a constant state of fear. But in the 21st century, high-net-worth fugitives often do the opposite: they vanish into the foreground. Their anonymity isn't gained by retreat, but by blending into the elite — people who travel with private security, change identities with ease, and navigate the world through diplomatic corridors. They aren't hiding in the shadows. They're living at the Ritz. Case Study #1: Ruja Ignatova — The Billion-Dollar Disappearance Known globally as the 'Cryptoqueen,' Ruja Ignatova disappeared in 2017 after defrauding investors out of over $4.5 billion through the OneCoin cryptocurrency scam. Though she was added to the FBI's Top Ten Most Wanted list, Ignatova's precise location remains unknown. What makes her case extraordinary is that her lifestyle — including jets, couture, and lavish events — was not abandoned after her flight. Reports suggest she may have taken refuge aboard luxury yachts or in exclusive compounds in Dubai or the Black Sea, protected by organized networks with political clout. Her story exemplifies how wealth doesn't just buy silence — it can buy safe passage, legal delay, and, sometimes, impunity. The New Face of Financial Crime These fugitives are often CEOs, bankers, hedge fund managers, or state-affiliated insiders. Their crimes include securities fraud, embezzlement, bribery, wire fraud, and manipulation of crypto assets. The modus operandi of these runaways includes: Transferring funds to untraceable offshore accounts Acquiring a second citizenship through investment Using diplomatic loopholes or honorary consul appointments Purchasing real estate in countries that do not enforce U.S. extradition Unlike violent fugitives, who may draw public attention quickly, financial fugitives often go undetected for years — if they are detected at all. Case Study #2: Ayitey Ayayee-Amim — Banking Executive Vanishes After Scandal In 2013, U.S. authorities sought Ayitey Ayayee-Amim, a former banking executive linked to fraudulent business practices in Florida, involving millions of dollars in loans and forged documents. Ayayee-Amim disappeared without a trace after legal proceedings began. Insider reports suggest he may have utilized connections in Ghana and the United Arab Emirates to establish a parallel life, leveraging regional legal inertia and financial ties. His case highlights a common trend: individuals returning to their home country, where extradition enforcement is weaker or politically sensitive. Safe Zones: Where the Law Hesitates to Follow Fugitives don't flee blindly. According to Amicus International's research, economic criminals often target jurisdictions with a mix of the following characteristics: No Extradition Treaty with the U.S. Nations such as the UAE, Russia, and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia remain popular for this reason. Golden Visa and Investment Residency Programs Countries offering citizenship or long-term residence in exchange for investment (Malta, Turkey, St. Kitts & Nevis, Vanuatu) are high on the list. Lax Financial Oversight In areas where beneficial ownership is easily concealed or offshore trusts are prevalent, tracing assets becomes extremely challenging. Case Study #3: John Joseph Ruffo — A Master Disappearance Convicted of a $350 million fraud, John Ruffo was supposed to begin a 17-year sentence in 1998. Instead, he cashed out multiple accounts and drove away in a rented car, never to be seen again. Authorities believe Ruffo used fake IDs, offshore banking infrastructure, and assistance from unnamed accomplices to establish a new identity abroad. In 2021, a surveillance camera in Monrovia, California, possibly captured Ruffo at a baseball game — the closest the FBI has come in over two decades. His sophisticated evasion continues to puzzle law enforcement. How Amicus Investigates High-Profile Disappearances Amicus International's expertise in citizenship law, diplomatic compliance, and asset protection gives it a unique vantage point. While Amicus does not support fugitives, it is often hired by governments, investigators, or media to analyze how legal frameworks are manipulated by those avoiding prosecution. Some findings include: Honorary diplomatic posts have been used to delay arrests or access restricted airspace. have been used to delay arrests or access restricted airspace. Citizenship renunciation , especially from the U.S., can sometimes block legal action if dual nationalities are managed carefully. , especially from the U.S., can sometimes block legal action if dual nationalities are managed carefully. Digital ID manipulation is on the rise, with deepfakes and synthetic IDs used in fraud cases tied to immigration records. Case Study #4: Ruja's Inner Circle in Dubai and Montenegro Further intelligence suggests that Ruja Ignatova's remaining wealth, possibly more than $500 million, is being funnelled through shell companies in Montenegro, Dubai, and Panama. Her partners are rumoured to operate family offices and real estate investment platforms under alternate identities. According to former employees, Ignatova had prepared for escape by securing legal documents under multiple nationalities and was advised by a team of elite European lawyers specializing in 'jurisdictional asset sheltering.' Living Rich While Wanted Contrary to expectations, many fugitives: Hold bank accounts under aliases Own real estate through offshore trusts Attend private events under assumed identities Operate businesses remotely using proxies The lifestyle isn't always low-key. Some own art collections, luxury vehicles, and yachts, with expenses often funded through dormant foreign companies or shadow investments in unregulated crypto exchanges. When Is the Law Powerless? There are still blind spots in international cooperation. Some notable causes include: Bilateral political tensions that slow or prevent extradition. that slow or prevent extradition. Dual nationality complications where one citizenship shields the other. where one citizenship shields the other. Resource limitations in pursuing fugitives through multiple jurisdictions. in pursuing fugitives through multiple jurisdictions. Weak implementation of INTERPOL Red Notices, particularly when requests are ignored or overridden due to political considerations. Case Study #5: A Financial Fugitive in the Alps In 2022, Amicus collaborated with Swiss media to investigate a fugitive investment banker accused of defrauding clients in Luxembourg and the United States. Worth over $300 million, he was found living under a false name in a luxury estate near Lake Geneva, posing as a European venture capitalist. His capture was delayed by months due to: Use of alternate birth records from a Caribbean country Protection by a local lawyer acting as legal proxy Laws preventing asset seizure until conviction abroad Ultimately, Swiss officials coordinated with U.S. authorities to freeze his assets, but he vanished before arrest. Today, he is believed to be living in South Africa. The Cost of Legal Evasion The ripple effects of such disappearances include: Public distrust in financial institutions Loss of confidence in justice systems Billions in unrecovered victim losses Even when fugitives are eventually caught, recovering assets can be challenging. Funds have typically moved through numerous layers of front companies and legal entities, making actual restitution unlikely. What's Changing in 2025? Law enforcement is adapting through: AI-driven asset tracing systems Cross-border data analytics partnerships Real-time banking alerts between jurisdictions Expanded FATF cooperation and cryptocurrency surveillance Moreover, new legislation in the U.S., EU, and UK targets beneficial ownership transparency, aiming to unmask who controls international assets. Amicus on the Frontlines of Legal Identity Change For individuals navigating international law for legitimate reasons — such as journalists, whistleblowers, or politically exposed persons — Amicus provides: Legal name change support Treaty relocation guidance Secure communication systems Citizenship restoration and second passport consulting The firm's transparency and strict compliance with legal standards distinguish it from the shadowy brokers often used by fugitives. Conclusion: The New Class of Criminal Financial fugitives living in plain sight are not anomalies. They represent a new class of global actors: informed, connected, and strategic. Unlike violent offenders, they operate in suits, not shadows. Their crimes don't leave blood, but they leave communities bankrupt and trust broken. And they will continue to live well until the law catches up with luxury. 📞 Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@ Website: Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Twitter/X 🔗 Facebook 🔗 Instagram TIME BUSINESS NEWS
