Latest news with #KevinVerville
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Newborn kidnapped from CA Marine family in 1980. Newly created photo offers hope
A knock on a California apartment door changed everything for a Marine family the summer of 1980. Angelina and Kevin Verville had just gotten home with their newborn son after a trip for groceries when a woman stopped by their Sterling Homes apartment complex for families stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children said in a June 10 news release. The woman told the couple she was with an organization, 'HELP,' that assisted low-income military families, the nonprofit said. Intrigued by her generosity, the couple trusted the woman. Decades of heartache soon followed. On a trip to the 'organization's office,' the woman drove off with the couple's 17-day-old son, Kevin Art Verville Jr., the nonprofit said. The parents never saw their son again, according to the nonprofit. Yet, despite the passage of time, the family's hope never wavered; his younger sister never stopped probing. 'I wanted my parents to be happy. I knew that him being taken was a dark cloud that just lingered and stayed there, and I wanted that to disappear for them,' Angelica Ramsey said in a video news release. 'I wanted them to have answers.' So, she pushed investigators about her brother's case, and now the nonprofit has released a new age-processed photo of Verville Jr. to try to solve the case. 'Kevin Verville Jr. was taken from his mother in broad daylight by a woman posing as a social worker 45 years ago,' FBI San Diego wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'Today, Kevin could be anywhere, unaware of who he truly is.' 'Social worker' kidnaps newborn Kevin Verville Jr. was born June 14, 1980, at Camp Pendleton, Angeline Hartmann, Director of Communications at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, said in the video release. His parents, who were married two years earlier while his father was stationed in the Philippines with the Marines, were new to the area, having recently been transferred to Southern California, Hartmann said. 'When I look at their wedding photos, when they were younger, they seemed so happy before everything happened,' Angelica Ramsey said. But then came July 1, 1980 — the day 'Sheila,' as she called herself, knocked on the apartment door, the nonprofit said. 'She showed up before we even had a chance to put the groceries away,' Kevin Verville said in the video release. 'She said there is an opportunity for us to get Junior signed up for the program.' 'Sheila' offered his wife and their newborn son a ride to the office, he said. 'I said, 'Sure. no problem. I can put all the groceries away,'' Kevin Verville said. On their trip, 'Sheila' stopped at a remote area in San Diego County and told Angelina Verville they were there to pick up another mother, the nonprofit said. 'When they arrived, the woman asked my mother to go knock on the door because she herself was pregnant,' Ramsey said. 'As my mom was getting out of the car, the woman drove off.' Kevin Verville Jr. was gone. Initial investigation In a decades-old news clip, a KFMB reporter asks Kevin Verville what he would say to the woman accused of taking his son. 'I don't want to talk to her,' he says in the clip. 'I just want my baby.' Angelina Verville is visibly shaken and too distraught to speak with the reporter, turning away from the camera, muttering to her husband. In the months after the abduction, 'the San Diego FBI office became involved in the case, extensively searching for Kevin Jr. and the unknown woman,' the nonprofit said. Investigators learned 'Sheila' had wandered about the apartment complex in the days leading to the abduction, the nonprofit said. 'Sheila' spoke with dozens of residents, searching for something, the nonprofit said. 'She appeared to be baby shopping, looking for a specific type of baby: a baby under 6 months old, and apparently one that was part Filipino,' Angeline Hartmann said in the video release. Using information from witnesses, investigators created a sketch of the unknown woman, the nonprofit said. 'From the Vervilles' accounts, along with other residents, investigators say they're looking for a woman who was in her 20s back in 1980, with red or blond frizzy hair,' the nonprofit said. The woman, who looked to be pregnant, also had a circle with an 'X' inside tattooed 'on her left hand in the webbing between her thumb and index finger,' the nonprofit said. Despite investigation, few leads surfaced, and the case went cold. 'I have hope' Now, decades later, the nonprofit said its forensic artists used family photos as inspiration to create an image of what Kevin Verville Jr., who would soon turn 45, might look like today, Angeline Hartmann said. 'It's very possible that Kevin Art Verville Jr. is out there, alive, with no idea about his real identity and we need your help to bring him home,' Hartmann said in the release. 'It's likely Kevin Jr. doesn't know what happened to him and that his biological parents are still searching for him.' For Kevin Verville, it's a search that will never cease. 'Even if I'm gone … I want my children to be together,' he said. 'I have hope, and I just want him found.' Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or submit tips on its website. Anyone with information that leads to finding 'Kevin Verville Jr., as well as the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his abduction,' could be eligible for a $10,000 reward. Oceanside is about a 40-mile drive north from San Diego.
Forbes
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
New Hampshire Senate Panel Rejects Cannabis Legalization Bill
A New Hampshire Senate legislative committee this week voted to recommend that the full chamber reject a cannabis legalization bill approved by the House of Representatives last month. The Senate Judiciary Committee marked the bill as 'inexpedient to legislate' (ITL) at a hearing on Tuesday, likely killing the measure in the Senate, according to a report from online cannabis news source Marijuana Moment. The measure, HB 75 from Republican state Rep. Kevin Verville, will still move to the Senate floor for a vote. The chamber would then be able to approve the bill or follow the Judiciary Committee's recommendation to kill the legislation. The cannabis legalization bill was approved by the New Hampshire House of Representatives via a voice vote in February. If passed, the bill would remove criminal penalties for some offenses related to possessing and using cannabis by adults aged 21 and older. The measure would not create a regulated cannabis industry or legalize sales of recreational marijuana. Public consumption of cannabis would remain illegal under the legislation. Cannabis would still be illegal for those under the age of 21. Those under age 21 caught using or possessing marijuana would be guilty of a violation. Minors under age 18 found to be possessing or using cannabis would be referred for substance use disorders screening. Prior to the House of Representatives vote on HB 75, Democratic state Rep. Jodi Newell spoke in favor of the legislation, saying 'the overwhelming majority of Granite Staters who implore this body to end the criminalization of cannabis, to end the fear of unnecessary disruption to people's lives in the event that they find cannabis to be their nighttime sleep aid, their mood enhancer or their morning pick-me-up.' 'I stand asking you once again to pass legislation that would entrust our citizens over the age of 21 with the responsibility to consume cannabis, if they so choose, without fear of retribution from the state,' Newell said. Newell told her colleagues that her husband died of a heroin overdose and that alcohol killed her brother, 'but somehow we still maintain that our citizens cannot be trusted to consume cannabis responsibly, even as we know that it is virtually impossible to consume a lethal amount, and even as we know that cannabis is a much safer alternative to the substances that have taken the lives of my loved ones and likely many of yours.' The Judiciary Committee also voted to mark two other cannabis-related bills as ITL during Tuesday's legislative hearing. One of the bills would allow medical marijuana patients registered with the state to grow cannabis at home. The other measure would give the state's existing medical marijuana providers, known as alternative treatment centers (ATCs), the authority to buy non-intoxicating hemp cannabinoids from commercial producers. The ATCs would then be allowed to use the cannabinoids in products for patients, provided they pass laboratory tests for safety and purity. Cannabis advocates were not surprised by the Senate Judiciary Committee's rejection of HB 75, the cannabis legalization bill. But Matt Simon, director of public and government relations at the medical marijuana provider GraniteLeaf Cannabis, said that the panel's rejection of the medical marijuana bills illustrates the committee's apparent distaste for all cannabis policy reform legislation. 'It appears that a few senators just want to kill every bill that deals with cannabis policy, no matter how modest and non-controversial,' Simon told Marijuana Moment. 'That's very unfortunate because support for cannabis policy reform has always been bipartisan in this state.' A separate cannabis legalization bill approved by the House last week, HB 198, remains pending in the New Hampshire legislature.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Hampshire House moves to reduce criminal penalties for shrooms
The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would reduce the penalties for people 21 and older caught with psilocybin, the psychedelic drug commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. The House approved House Bill 528 during Wednesday's voting session as part of the consent agenda through a voice vote. If enacted, the bill would reduce the penalty for people 21 and older who obtain, purchase, transport, possess, or use psilocybin in New Hampshire from a felony to a simple violation with a small fine and no jail time. On the first offense, someone caught with psilocybin could face a fine of up to $100 under this bill; on the second offense that rises to $500, and for third-time offenders it could be up to $1,000. Second or third offenses would also rise from a violation to a misdemeanor under this bill. The drug is currently illegal in New Hampshire under the Controlled Drug Act. Originally, the bill's proponents, including its sponsor Deerfield Republican Rep. Kevin Verville, called for psilocybin to be legalized entirely for people 21 and older. However, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee ultimately amended the proposal to simply lessen the punishment. Earlier this month, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill. The legislation still must be approved by both the Senate and the governor before it can become law. 'Not only is this not really a dangerous drug, but it also has medicinal benefits that people are unable to take advantage of currently because of its classification under the Controlled Drug Act,' Rep. Alissandra Murray, a Manchester Democrat, said during the committee's March 7 meeting. 'While entirely removing it might be too big a step for this Legislature to take right now, I think this is a good compromise to start with.' In 2019, psilocybin was outlawed in all 50 U.S. states. However, Oregon became the first state to legalize the drug in 2020. Colorado also legalized it in 2022. It is still illegal in the remaining 48 states. Cannabis is another recreational drug that has seen even more growing acceptance as of late. Cannabis is now legal for medicinal purposes in 39 U.S. states and for recreational use in 24 after once being illegal across the entire country. In New Hampshire, it is still illegal for recreational use. However, it is decriminalized and legal for medicinal purposes. Verville has sponsored another bill, House Bill 75, that would legalize recreational cannabis. This story was originally published by the New Hampshire Bulletin. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH House moves to reduce criminal penalties for shrooms
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Hampshire House votes to reduce punishments for shrooms
On first offense, someone caught with psilocybin could face a fine of up to $100 under the bill; on second offense that rises to $500, and for third-time offenders it could be up to $1,000. (Photo) The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would reduce the penalties for people 21 and older caught with psilocybin, the psychedelic drug commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. The House approved House Bill 528 during Wednesday's voting session as part of the consent agenda through a voice vote. If enacted, the bill would reduce the penalty for people 21 and older who obtain, purchase, transport, possess, or use psilocybin in New Hampshire from a felony to a simple violation with a small fine and no jail time. On first offense, someone caught with psilocybin could face a fine of up to $100 under this bill; on second offense that rises to $500, and for third-time offenders it could be up to $1,000. Second or third offenses would also rise from a violation to a misdemeanor under this bill. The drug is currently illegal in New Hampshire under the Controlled Drug Act. Originally the bill's proponents, including its sponsor Deerfield Republican Rep. Kevin Verville, called for psilocybin to be legalized entirely for people 21 and older. However, the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee ultimately amended the proposal to simply lessen the punishment. Earlier this month, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill. The legislation still must be approved by both the Senate and governor before it can become law. 'Not only is this not really a dangerous drug, but it also has medicinal benefits that people are unable to take advantage of currently because of its classification under the Controlled Drug Act,' Rep. Alissandra Murray, a Manchester Democrat, said during the committee's March 7 meeting. 'While entirely removing it might be too big a step for this Legislature to take right now, I think this is a good compromise to start with.' In 2019, psilocybin was outlawed in all 50 U.S. states. However, Oregon became the first state to legalize the drug in 2020. Colorado also legalized it in 2022. It is still illegal in the remaining 48 states. Cannabis is another recreational drug that has seen even more growing acceptance as of late. Cannabis is now legal for medicinal purposes in 39 U.S. states and for recreational use in 24 after once being illegal across the entire country. In New Hampshire, it is still illegal for recreational use. However, it is decriminalized and legal for medicinal purposes. Verville has sponsored another bill, House Bill 75, that would legalize recreational cannabis.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Hampshire legislators attempt to reduce the punishments around magic mushrooms
The committee heard from constituents who described using small doses of psilocybin to deal with migraines. (Photo) After briefly considering legalizing the drug entirely for people 21 and older, a bipartisan group of New Hampshire lawmakers are trying to lessen the legal penalties for psilocybin, the recreational, hallucinogenic, and psychedelic drug commonly known as 'magic mushrooms' or 'shrooms.' The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously, 16-0, this month to recommend the entire House vote to approve House Bill 528, which is sponsored by Deerfield Republican Rep. Kevin Verville. The bill would reduce the penalty for people 21 and older to obtain, purchase, transport, possess, or use psilocybin in New Hampshire from a felony to a simple violation with a small fine and no jail time. Psilocybin is currently outlawed in New Hampshire under the Controlled Drug Act. Originally the bill called for psilocybin to be legalized entirely for people 21 and older, but the committee ultimately amended the bill to simply lessen the punishment. In a hearing last month ahead of the March 7 vote, Verville argued psilocybin was different from more dangerous drugs like narcotics, amphetamines, and opioids. He described the bill as 'harm reduction' as it prevents people from suffering long-term consequences of felony convictions for something he doesn't believe is truly harmful. He argued the drug is readily available on the black market anyway. He also said that because the drug is still illegal federally, it wouldn't be openly mass produced. 'I dream of a day when we have medical psychedelics available,' Verville said. 'I dream of that day. There are demonstrated medical benefits with depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, (and) interestingly enough, addiction.' The committee heard from constituents who described using small doses of psilocybin to deal with migraines, and members appeared to find this testimony compelling. 'Not only is this not really a dangerous drug, but it also has medicinal benefits that people are unable to take advantage of currently because of its classification under the Controlled Drug Act,' Rep. Alissandra Murray, a Manchester Democrat, said Friday. 'While entirely removing it might be too big a step for this Legislature to take right now, I think this is a good compromise to start with.' Rep. David Meuse, a Portsmouth Democrat, said psilocybin is 'increasingly analogous to what we saw with cannabis a decade ago.' Cannabis, which was once an illegal drug in all 50 U.S. states, is now legal for medicinal purposes in 39 states and for recreational use in 24. It is still illegal for recreational use in New Hampshire, though it is decriminalized and legal for medicinal purposes. Verville is also behind another bill, House Bill 75, seeking to legalize recreational cannabis; that bill passed through the state House in February. 'It's time to break the log jam, and I hope we pass this,' Meuse said of the psilocybin bill. A few of the bill's supporters were torn though. Rep. Jennifer Rhodes, a Winchester Republican, said she supported the bill because she has 'tremendous respect for' Verville, the sponsor, and because he 'is the one person I don't want to go up on the House floor against.' However, she said she doesn't believe psilocybin should be considered medicine as some had suggested. 'If we're doing this because we're trying to take away the penalty, that's one thing, but doing it because we're trying to say we're making it be medicine, that's the part I'm not OK with,' she said prior to voting in favor. Psilocybin was illegal in all 50 U.S. states in 2019. However, Oregon legalized the drug — which had recently been decriminalized in a handful of cities including Denver, Colorado, and Santa Cruz, California — in 2020. Colorado followed suit and legalized it in 2022. Currently, it is illegal in the remaining 48 states.
