Latest news with #TheDallasExpress
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Fort Worth's Showdown Sting: 76 Busted, Tren de Aragua Cartel Tattoos Exposed
Police arrested 76 suspects for gun and drug crimes – including illegal aliens from Venezuela – after a mission called 'Operation Showdown.' Officials charged the suspects with 'federal and state firearms and drug offenses' after a two-month-long investigation in Fort Worth, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Police seized 287 guns and close to 23 kg – or 50 lbs – of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin. 'This operation highlights the tremendous work of our law enforcement partners in dismantling criminal networks — located within and outside our borders — that flood our communities with deadly drugs and tools for violence,' said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson for the Northern District of Texas in the release. Eight illegal aliens from Venezuela are facing drug trafficking charges, according to the release: Benito Castro Marrufo, Carlos Moreno Olivero, Darwin Ayala-Ochoa, Edixon Urdaneta-Colina, Elwin Manama Rodriguez, Kenny Manama Perez, Luis Garcia-Zamora, Rodrigo Riquel Cardozo. 'These defendants are charged with trafficking mixtures of powder cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy),' the release reads. 'They referred to the narcotics they sold as Tusi, which had a distinct pink color, usually indicative of drugs tied to Venezuela.' The illegals showed up on May 21 'to provide armed protection' for what they thought was a 50 kg meth deal – actually 'a ruse arranged by agents.' They faced charges of firearm possession for drug trafficking, and four allegedly sold 'numerous' 9mm and .380 caliber pistols around the same time. During the arrests, agents photographed 'crown and star tattoos' on three suspects – Castro Marrufo, Manama Rodriguez, and Urdeneta-Colina, according to the release. These tattoos are common among the brutal Venezuelan cartel Tren de Aragua. Earlier this year, authorities busted a TdA leader near Houston and arrested forty cartel members just outside of Austin. After conviction, 'individuals who are in the country illegally will be handed over to ICE for deportation proceedings,' said Katherine Miller with the DOJ to The Dallas Express. Dexter Henson, spokesman for ICE-Dallas, told The Dallas Express that its staff were unavailable at the time and could not comment before publication. In total, 56 suspects are facing federal charges, including illegal firearms trafficking, unlawful possession and transfer of machine guns, unlawful possession of firearms, and firearm use during drug trafficking, according to the release. Charges also include conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Defendants could face anywhere from 10 years to life in prison. Twenty suspects are also facing state charges in the Tarrant County District Court for crimes including possession of controlled substances like meth and fentanyl. Overall, the drugs included 14.8 kg of cocaine – enough to more than 12,300 people, and 480 g of fentanyl – enough to kill 400 people, according to the release. Police also seized 7.5 kg of meth, 1.4 kg of marijuana, and 13 g of heroin. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office also posted that the weapons seized included 25 machine guns and 147 'machinegun conversion devices.' Some of the other charges are for methamphetamine trafficking against defendants Darrick Carter, Maya Bradshar, D'Morion Holleman, Raul Penalver, and Charles Blackshire, according to the release – all 'convicted felons.' Another charge is against Anthony Wilson, who has been on probation since January for 'second-degree robbery' in California, for firearm possession by a felon. He allegedly sold a pistol and ammunition in May, while he had a child in the back seat of his car. 'The public is reminded these charges are merely allegations, and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,' the release reads. The sheriff's SWAT, K9, Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team, and drone units worked with the ATF to execute a 'critical search warrant,' the office posted. They worked 'securing a three-building residence with nine individuals, including two children, ensuring their safety.' Deputies worked with the Fort Worth Police Department, Tarrant County District Attorney, ATF Dallas, Texas Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE, and U.S. Marshals. 'We remain committed to protecting our communities, combating violent crime, and ensuring justice is served,' the sheriff's office posted. Eduardo Chavez, DEA special agent in charge in Fort Worth, said in the release that officials have taken 'kilos' of drugs and 'hundreds' of weapons off Fort Worth streets since April. 'We want children to play safely at community parks and ride bikes around neighborhood streets,' Chavez said. 'This joint operation was a giant, positive step toward that goal this summer.' Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells issued a stark warning in the release to drug and gun traffickers. 'We are sending a simple message today: if you choose to poison our streets, you will be met with the full force of the law — no exceptions, no excuses,' Sorrells said. 'This is about protecting our families and making sure drug dealers know: Tarrant County is not open for business.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
Metroplex Reels From Weekend Violence: Multiple Dead, Suspects At Large In Shootings, Stabbing
A series of violent incidents, including shootings and a stabbing, marred the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex over the weekend, leaving multiple dead, several injured, and suspects at large in most cases. Authorities are actively investigating and seeking public assistance to apprehend those responsible. Deep Ellum Shooting Leaves One Dead in Apparent Truck Theft Attempt: Dallas police responded to a shooting in the 200 block of South Hall Street at 12:26 a.m. on June 15. Officers found a man, identified as 32-year-old Jose Rodriguez-Lucio, deceased inside a pickup truck in an alley, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Preliminary investigations suggest Rodriguez-Lucio approached the truck, occupied by a woman, and jumped inside after the driver briefly stepped away to speak with friends. The driver returned, drew a handgun, and fatally shot Rodriguez-Lucio. The woman exited the vehicle unharmed. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine if the shooting was justified as a defense of property. The case may be referred to a grand jury if theft is confirmed. No charges have been filed. Woman Injured in Deep Ellum Gunfight: At 1:45 a.m. on June 16, Dallas police responded to gunfire reports near Good Latimer Expressway and Main Street outside Punch Bowl Social. Officers found a woman with a head injury, believed to have fallen while fleeing a shootout between two groups. She was hospitalized; her condition is unknown. The altercation began near Main Street and Malcolm X Boulevard, escalating into a gun battle between the occupants of two vehicles that fled the scene. Multiple parked cars were damaged, but no shooting victims were reported. Suspects remain at large, and police are reviewing surveillance footage to identify them. The woman's identity has not been released. Mansfield Woman Stabbed in Home Invasion: Mansfield police were called to a residence in the 400 block of South Main Street at 10:27 p.m. on June 14 after a 49-year-old woman reported being stabbed. The victim, who sustained two torso wounds, was treated at Methodist Mansfield Hospital and is stable. She told police an unknown man knocked on her locked door and attempted to enter. When she opened the door, he asked about a family acquaintance, then stabbed her with a kitchen knife, and fled on foot. The suspect is described as a Black or medium-complexioned male, young, 5'7' to 5'9', with short hair and a thin to average build. Police believe this was an isolated incident and are searching for the suspect. Teen Shot in Rowlett Parking Lot: Rowlett police responded to a shooting in the 5600 block of Rowlett Road at 3:29 p.m. on June 13. A 15-year-old male was injured in a business parking lot and received medical attention. The suspect, described as a Black male, 17–19 years old, wearing a red hoodie, red slides, and light-colored Nike shorts, was captured on video entering a nearby store before the incident. He fled on foot, and police are seeking public assistance to identify him. Fort Worth House Party Shooting Kills One, Injures Two: Fort Worth police were dispatched to Houston Street at 12:30 a.m. on June 15 following a shooting at a house party. Officers found two victims; a third was transported to a hospital privately. One victim, later identified as Anthony Luis Rangel, died at a local hospital. The other two victims are expected to survive. Investigators say a fight between two females over one of the victims preceded the shooting. An unknown suspect, who arrived with others, fought with a victim, drew a gun, fired multiple shots, and fled by car. No arrests have been made, and the identities of the other two victims remain undisclosed. The party was a celebration of Rangel's birthday, but he was fatally struck by a bullet during the altercation between the suspect and another shooting victim, according to a GoFundMe posting. Fort Worth Passenger Shot in Vehicle, Likely Fatal: At 3:37 a.m. on June 14, Fort Worth police responded to a shooting at West Long Avenue and Azle Avenue. A person in the passenger seat of a vehicle was shot by an unknown suspect and taken to a hospital, where they are not expected to survive, police said. Homicide detectives are investigating, but no arrests have been made, and details about the suspect or motive remain unclear. Fort Worth Backyard Shooting Kills One: On June 15 at 9:10 a.m., Fort Worth police responded to a shooting in the 6500 block of Routt Street. Officers found a man in the backyard of a residence in the 3000 block of Forest Avenue with fatal gunshot wounds to his torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives learned the victim was arguing with an unknown suspect before the shooting. Homicide detectives are investigating, but no arrests have been made. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of death and release the victim's identity.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As Homelessness Reports Rise Across Dallas, New Efforts Downtown Could Buck The Trend
While homelessness reports continue to rise across Dallas, new downtown initiatives promise to address these concerns. Reports of homelessness to the City of Dallas' 311 line rose 45 percent in three years, according to Fox 4. But Mark Nunneley, chief accounting officer for Ashford Hospitality Trust, told The Dallas Express recent could help downtown counter the trend. Nunneley compiles frequent homeless counts and reports for downtown Dallas and shared the latest report for the Central Business District with The Dallas Express. The latest report showed that homelessness has fallen from recent highs earlier this year. Homelessness peaked at 266 in late February and 209 in late March but fell to 138 in April—though it increased slightly to 158 in May. Most cases occurred in south-central downtown, near St. Paul St. and I-30. Downtown Dallas Inc. – which oversees the Dallas Downtown Improvement District – joined the City of Dallas and Dallas Citizens Council last month to launch Safe In The City, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Safe In The City operates on a 'six-point plan for sustained public safety': higher policing, higher security coordination, more 'rehousing,' an expanded community court, 'de-magnetiz[ing]' homeless hotspots, and expanding 'reentry.' DDI also launched its app several years ago, letting users report 'non-emergency issues' to the 'Downtown Security, Homeless Outreach, and Clean Team.' The app lets residents submit reports and pictures of incidents downtown and text tips to 972-440-1995. According to Nunneley, the See Say app has recently brought promising results. He has used it multiple times to report homeless encampments downtown. 'Every time I've done that, within three or four minutes, the DDI security people are showing up and addressing it,' Nunneley said. 'Sometimes it's like – literally – they're blocks away, and they're there within a minute.' Nunneley said he had used See Say 'all over the downtown area,' including behind the convention center, near Dallas City Hall, and along Cadiz St. and Corsicana St. See Say responders are limited to downtown property – so they cannot resolve issues on city or private property, according to Nunneley. For example, if an encampment was on public library property, they could not remove it. When Nunneley calls 311, the response is 'not immediate,' he said – though 'they are working on trying to improve that.' Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn expressed frustration with Dallas' broader citywide homeless response. As The Dallas Express reported, Mendelsohn is an advocate for homeless reform. 'The residents are so fed up, and they are fed up of hearing homelessness is decreasing when they see it every single day,' Mendelsohn said recently, according to Fox 4. 'They report it, it gets closed and it does not get addressed. These are people who truly need help and it's not happening.' The Dallas Morning News reported that homelessness was down 5% across Dallas and Collin counties since 2024, citing the point-in-time (PIT) count. But, as The Dallas Express reported, PIT counts in places like California sometimes fail to capture reality. Homelessness in cities surrounding Dallas has risen significantly, as The Dallas Express previously reported. The estimated annual cost of homelessness to Dallas taxpayers is $193 million. The Dallas Express got in touch with DDI, but the group did not comment in time for publication.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How To Protect Your Business If Riots Hit Dallas Again This Weekend
With 'No Kings' demonstrations planned for Saturday, Dallas business owners may be eyeing the weekend warily—just days after an event against immigration enforcement spiraled into street violence. Here are 10 Top Tips to Help Dallas Businesses Prepare for Civil Unrest: Review and update your emergency communication protocols. Remove loose items like trash bins or sidewalk displays that could be used as projectiles. Reinforce glass storefronts with protective film, boards, or polycarbonate sheeting. Back up security camera footage and ensure cameras are functional and visible. Shut off or secure critical infrastructure like gas lines and electronics if evacuating. Alert employees early and consider remote work for Saturday. Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, and medical supplies. Identify multiple evacuation routes for staff. Check your business insurance to ensure riot-related damage is covered. Monitor real-time updates from police and emergency officials. Numerous No Kings demonstrations are planned across DFW for Saturday, June 14. No Kings' website states that it is explicitly and ardently anti-Trump. One entry adds, 'No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.' These demonstrations raise fears that there could be echoes of events on June 9 when a demonstration near the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge escalated into arrests, pepper spray deployments, and firework-throwing agitators. That event, organized against President Donald Trump's renewed ICE deportation initiative, mirrored violent outbursts in Los Angeles where vehicles burned and National Guard units were deployed, The Dallas Express reported. The Dallas Police Department is aware of the demonstrations. DPD's 'main priority' is the safety of people who 'live, work, and visit' the city, according to a statement previously provided to The Dallas Express. 'The Department will not interfere with a lawful and peaceful assembly of any individuals or groups expressing their First Amendment rights,' the DPD spokesman said. 'Participants will see our patrols as they always do at large events.' Fort Worth's Police Department shared similar sentiments. 'The Fort Worth Police Department is working closely with our community and our Intelligence Fusion Center to monitor all activity during any peaceful protests that may take place in the City of Fort Worth,' a FWPD spokesman said. Gov. Greg Abbott has reportedly mobilized over 7,000 National Guardsmen in anticipation of what may happen, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. In anticipation of possible unrest, The Dallas Express has compiled the best advice for protecting property and people during potential riots. These recommendations were collected from national business safety guides, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, security firms, and insurance companies, which were produced during the previous waves of nationwide violence in 2020 and 2021. Advice from the Following the 2021 post-election unrest, the U.S. Chamber Foundation developed a comprehensive guide for businesses bracing for street-level chaos: Tips from the Chamber: Partner with law enforcement for timely alerts. Lock windows and add protective film or wood barriers. Hire temporary security, especially near government buildings. Secure loose objects outside your business that could be weaponized. Ensure your insurance policy explicitly covers riot-related damage. Recommendations from Riot Glass, a security firm specializing in protective materials, emphasized dual strategies: safety for employees and protection for property. Tips for Staying Safe: Keep an emergency kit with first aid, food, and water at your location. Create detailed evacuation plans with alternate routes. Monitor real-time police updates via scanner or social media. Close early and send employees home at the first sign of unrest. Tips for Property Protection: Install highly visible surveillance cameras. Hire security guards for entrances and exits. Move vital equipment to safer locations and shut down utilities. Overglaze windows with polycarbonate shields or board them up. Insights from Chubb, a major commercial insurer, emphasized business continuity and employee safety during unpredictable events. Employee-Focused Tips: Urge staff to avoid protest areas and allow remote work. Keep employee contact information up-to-date. Make all staff familiar with emergency plans. Facility-Focused Tips: Test alarms and backup systems. Remove combustibles and secure doors and windows. If vacating, shut down utilities while maintaining fire systems. On June 9, demonstrators in Dallas initially gathered to denounce ICE raids, where some reportedly hurled fireworks at police. DPD declared the demonstration unlawful by 9:40 p.m. and deployed pepper spray after dispersal orders were ignored. At least one arrest was confirmed. Footage from the scene showed demonstrators chanting 'Free Palestine' and waving Mexican flags, The Dallas Express reported. While many participated peacefully, the confrontation resembled the escalating unrest in California that prompted national headlines and responses from political figures, including Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) and entrepreneur Elon Musk, DX reported.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As Homelessness Reports Rise Across Dallas, New Efforts Downtown Could Buck The Trend
While homelessness reports continue to rise across Dallas, new downtown initiatives promise to address these concerns. Reports of homelessness to the City of Dallas' 311 line rose 45 percent in three years, according to Fox 4. But Mark Nunneley, chief accounting officer for Ashford Hospitality Trust, told The Dallas Express recent could help downtown counter the trend. Nunneley compiles frequent homeless counts and reports for downtown Dallas and shared the latest report for the Central Business District with The Dallas Express. The latest report showed that homelessness has fallen from recent highs earlier this year. Homelessness peaked at 266 in late February and 209 in late March but fell to 138 in April—though it increased slightly to 158 in May. Most cases occurred in south-central downtown, near St. Paul St. and I-30. Downtown Dallas Inc. – which oversees the Dallas Downtown Improvement District – joined the City of Dallas and Dallas Citizens Council last month to launch Safe In The City, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Safe In The City operates on a 'six-point plan for sustained public safety': higher policing, higher security coordination, more 'rehousing,' an expanded community court, 'de-magnetiz[ing]' homeless hotspots, and expanding 'reentry.' DDI also launched its app several years ago, letting users report 'non-emergency issues' to the 'Downtown Security, Homeless Outreach, and Clean Team.' The app lets residents submit reports and pictures of incidents downtown and text tips to 972-440-1995. According to Nunneley, the See Say app has recently brought promising results. He has used it multiple times to report homeless encampments downtown. 'Every time I've done that, within three or four minutes, the DDI security people are showing up and addressing it,' Nunneley said. 'Sometimes it's like – literally – they're blocks away, and they're there within a minute.' Nunneley said he had used See Say 'all over the downtown area,' including behind the convention center, near Dallas City Hall, and along Cadiz St. and Corsicana St. See Say responders are limited to downtown property – so they cannot resolve issues on city or private property, according to Nunneley. For example, if an encampment was on public library property, they could not remove it. When Nunneley calls 311, the response is 'not immediate,' he said – though 'they are working on trying to improve that.' Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn expressed frustration with Dallas' broader citywide homeless response. As The Dallas Express reported, Mendelsohn is an advocate for homeless reform. 'The residents are so fed up, and they are fed up of hearing homelessness is decreasing when they see it every single day,' Mendelsohn said recently, according to Fox 4. 'They report it, it gets closed and it does not get addressed. These are people who truly need help and it's not happening.' The Dallas Morning News reported that homelessness was down 5% across Dallas and Collin counties since 2024, citing the point-in-time (PIT) count. But, as The Dallas Express reported, PIT counts in places like California sometimes fail to capture reality. Homelessness in cities surrounding Dallas has risen significantly, as The Dallas Express previously reported. The estimated annual cost of homelessness to Dallas taxpayers is $193 million. The Dallas Express got in touch with DDI, but the group did not comment in time for publication.
