Episodes
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Welcome back to this brand-new, investigative, in-depth, exposé exclusively featured on Light 'Em Up.
We're actively being downloaded in 114 countries, globally.
Thank you for your unwavering, support.
Without fear or favor, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth on any topic that we undertake and report on.
Tonight, we examine the officer involved shooting of Michael Jones — by our very own Akron Police Department in the early morning hours of August 17th outside of a Duke and Duchess gas station, in Akron, Ohio. The 15 second unnecessary struggle took Jones' life and re-opened deep wounds between the people and the police in Akron.
Jones, a 54-year-old black man, was shot at point blank range and killed by an APD Officer during an altercation inside a U-Haul Rental Truck.
In a Light 'Em Up Exclusive Visual Investigation we've analyzed the body worn camera (BWC) of the officer involved shooting — frame by frame, meticulously we've rolled back the footage of the fatal traffic stop to examine the causes and consequences of the "officer created jeopardy" in this specific case.
With Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill in the news for being dragged out of his car in Miami Gardens, FL — this fact pattern put the issue of excessive force and officer created jeopardy at the forefront of countless discussions.
Our learning objectives for this intense episode — which may very well save your life or that of a loved one — will be to drill down on:
— The fact-pattern in the killing of Michael Jones
— Reasonable, Articulable, Suspicion (RAS)
— and introduce to you the concept of "Officer Induced Jeopardy".
In the realm of criminal law and law enforcement, the term Reasonable, Articulable, Suspicion holds significant importance. It serves as a critical legal standard that determines whether law enforcement officers have sufficient grounds to justify various actions, such as: stopping individuals, conducting searches or making detentions. If you are under arrest, you must be told of the charge you are in custody for and immediately read your Miranda rights.
Understanding RAS is crucial for both law enforcement officials and individuals to ensure a balanced approach to justice.
To help you better to understand we'll delve into the:
— Concept of RAS
— Its legal significance
— and its impact on various aspect of law enforcement practices.
As case studies we'll discuss 2 cases regarding the concept of "Officer Induced or Officer Created Jeopardy".
"Officer Induced Jeopardy" involves situations in which police officers unwisely put themselves in danger and then use deadly force to protect themselves. It can include the actions of officers who, without sound justification, willingly fail to take advantage of available tactical concepts like distance, cover and concealment, willingly abandon tactically advantageous positions by moving into disadvantaged positions without justification — or act precipitously on their own without waiting for available assistance from backup.
Grave tactical errors such as:
— walking into the path of a moving car
— reaching into the window
— jumping onto a moving vehicle
— then using lethal force to defend against the danger — as appears to have been the case in the killing of Michael Jones.
We'll interrogate the "final frame" approach found in Graham v Connor where the U.S. Supreme Court says, "courts should not second guess the "split second" judgements officers make in the heat of the moment".
Vehicle stops happen more than 50K times a day on average across America — by far the most common interaction between the police and the public, which disproportionately impacts drivers of color.We want to hear from you!
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Welcome to this incendiary, probing, brand-new installment of Light ‘Em Up.
We’re currently being actively downloaded in 1⃣1⃣3⃣ countries globally! Thank you, for your constant support!
In this intensive episode we’ll investigate and unpack the cold-blooded killing of Sonya Massey — a 36-year-old mother of two and resident of Springfield, Illinois. Ms. Massey was concerned for her safety and called law enforcement to her home for protection.
Sonya Massey, was fatally shot in the head by the now terminated and criminally charged former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sean Grayson in her own kitchen over a pot of water that was heating on the stove.
Today, with all the tangible evidence from a multitude of past deadly incidents with law enforcement — the argument could be made that it no longer seems safe for individuals of color and/or anyone who may be “spiraling downward” in the grips of a mental health crisis to call law enforcement for any assistance.
When a person is stuck in the unrelenting grip of a mental health crisis and they are rapidly spiraling downward — they need help, compassion, empathy and understanding. They don’t need to be shot in the face and killed.
Law enforcement simply is not trained to properly handle such emergencies. A crystal-clear example of this was what happened to Daniel Prude in Rochester, NY.
Far too often the fact pattern turns out to be identical to the last senseless killing.
The officer dispatched to the call shows up on the scene:
— terrified (having little direct exposure to those who don’t look identical to him)
— short on time
— short on patience
— and far too often short on the requisite racial sensitivity for the communities they are charged with protecting and serving
— short on the requisite “humanity” one needs to see people who need help as people, not as constant and potential threats
Many aspects of this case are perverted. This case serves as a textbook example of “officer induced jeopardy”.
As we press deeper, farther and wider we’ll uncover the ever-expanding and troublesome issue of “Wandering/Roaming Cops”.
Wandering/Roaming Cops are law-enforcement officers fired by one department — sometimes for very serious misconduct, who then shortly thereafter find work in another agency.
A perfect example of this would be Timothy Loehman, who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio.
The defendant, Former Deputy Sheriff Sean Grayson, had not one, but two previous DUI convictions and a history of personnel problems, but was still hired by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
Through an extensive number of exclusive Freedom of Information Act Requests (FOIA) we’ve obtained the:
💥 direct audio of Sonya Massey’s mother, (Donna Massey) calling 9-1-1 emergency dispatch providing the dispatcher with advanced notice about her daughter’s mental state.
💥 the last extensive communication from Sonya Massey as she called 9-1-1 emergency dispatch to notify them of a “prowler” at or nearby her home.
💥 the troubling, gruesome, audio from the body worn camera video in the kitchen where Ms. Massey was fatefully gunned down.
💥 Finally, Light ‘Em Up was extremely fortunate to receive a sound bite from the Governor of Illinois, the Honorable J.B. Pritzker — specifically on the Massey tragedy.
Don’t move a muscle. Tune in to hear the shocking, sickening facts of this case.
In a time of uncertainty, facts provide clarity. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:We want to hear from you!
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Episodes manquant?
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Welcome back to Light ‘Em Up!
Directly from your support, we are actively being downloaded in 1⃣1⃣3⃣ countries! Thank you so much!
There is so much trouble in this world. The threat vectors are endless.
This riveting, in-depth episode turned out to be one of our more educational, intensive and acclaimed episodes among our 80+ binge-worthy catalogue of work, now spanning 5 seasons.
With this new episode, we delve into the vast, intricate and complex process of radicalization – specifically, radicalization that leads to violence or violent radicalization (VR).
Radicalization is defined as: The process of supporting or engaging in activities deemed by others as in violation of important societal norms such as the killing of innocent civilians.
VR is a significant and growing threat domestically and worldwide.
VR can be understood as “an individual or collective process whereby normal practices of dialogue, compromise, and tolerance between groups/individuals with diverging interests are abandoned and one or more groups/individuals engage in violent actions to reach a specific (political, social, religious) goal”.
In a context of increased social polarization, Violent Radicalization is affecting both majorities and minorities, targeting different forms of “otherness”:
— racial
— ethnic
— religious
— political and
— gender-related as well.
This process is influenced by a myriad of inner-connected push factors.
𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞:
We’ll examine and define: Radicalization.
💥 Drill down into some of the pathways towards becoming radicalized.
💥 Ask why does an individual turn to violence as a means of achieving his or her desired goals?
💥 Discuss some of the strategies to attempt to prevent radicalization.
💥 We’ll expound on the concept of “othering”.
💥 Providing background and context to help you better understand the concept of radicalization.
💥 In a world built upon and bent on exposing your devaluation, we’ll examine how the process of socialization can lead to the use of violence.
💥 Interrogate how does the quest for personal significance constitute a major motivational and driving force that may push individuals towards radicalization and violent extremism.
💥We’ll present empirical evidence consistent with our premise and discuss its implications for policies of preventing radicalization and in the hope of deradicalizing an individual or individuals.
Fact: 4 U.S. Presidents have been killed by gunfire. Political violence is nothing new in the U.S., or globally. This is a problem that isn’t going away any time soon.
You’ll be out of breath after you tune in to hear ALL of the explosive details as we investigate those things that are done in the darkness. We expose them by shining the antiseptic bright light of the truth upon them.
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Welcome to this brand new, fact-revealing episode of Light ‘Em Up.
We're actively being downloaded in 113 countries! Thank you!
As promised, we’d be there when there was any update of significance in the 2023 case of the mysterious death of Crystal McCrory Jones in Oak Grove, Louisiana.
We're very fortunate again to speak with Jana Guyewski Latigar (Crystal's sister).
The fact pattern shows:
💥 Within 1 hour and 45 minutes, the cause of death was ruled a suicide.
💥 Two days prior to her death — the Ring Doorbell Camera was cut off.
💥 Crystal’s husband Tony Jones at one time was employed by the “investigating” agency (W. Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office).
💥 Law enforcement supervision allowed a friend of the deceased woman’s husband to “investigate” the case.
💥 Argument has been proffered that Tony changed his story multiple times as to his whereabouts on the day Crystal died.
💥 Shortly after his wife’s death, Tony vigorously tried to collect on a $63K group life insurance policy.
In early May, our guest, Jana, traveled to our nation’s capital to advocate on behalf of her deceased sister and others who have suffered a similar tragedy.
The purpose of the trip was to discuss and examine the inconsistencies in the Homicide Victims Family Rights Act of 2021 (sponsor Rep. Eric Swalwell D-CA) and to bring awareness to how the Act does nothing for families who wish to seek a new set of eyes on their loved ones’ investigations that are ruled an accident, undetermined or suicide.
This bill establishes a framework for immediate family members of a murder victim under federal law to request a review of the victim's case file if the crime was committed more than 3 years prior, the murder was investigated by a federal law enforcement entity, all probative investigative leads have been exhausted, and no likely perpetrator has been identified.
Law enforcement can argue whatever it wishes — working to save face doesn’t take any criminals off the streets.
Members of the Oak Grove community have expressed (some more quietly than others) that this case is tremendously sad and tragic on multiple levels.
It's a case plagued with far more questions than answers — because the authorities who should be actively seeking the answers are not.
They’ve shared that due to what they’ve described as the "impotent, bungled investigatory management process and the apparent piss-poor procedures, policies and practices in place within the West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Department (from the outset), there still has been no resolution, nor any modicum of justice for the victim, family or anyone — nor do they feel there will ever be any resolution or justice meted out". This case breaks their hearts.
A death investigation is supposed to answer lingering questions, not generate more uncertainty.
No matter who you are or what you do in life, if your spouse is dead in your home under any circumstances you can expect to be considered a suspect. That never happened for Crystal’s husband in this case. Why?
Who cancelled the Ring Doorbell Camera contract and why?
Was this coincidence or evidence of pre-planning, conspiracy or an attempt to cover the tracks of a murder?
Who approved a former colleague of the husband to catch this case?
Why the rush to judgement? What was the hurry?
Optics matter! The truth matters!
Seriously? — there aren’t a ton of suspects in sleepy little Oak Grove, Louisiana.
Is a murderer walking the streets freely?
Join us as Jana delivers her deeply heart-felt, powerful remarks that she graciously delivered in Washington, DC.
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Welcome back to this exclusive, probing, fact-finding, comprehensive investigative edition of Light ‘Em Up …
We are currently being actively downloaded in 1⃣1⃣ 3⃣ countries, globally.
We shine the antiseptic light of the truth on the multi-billion-dollar world of sports betting and the criminality that far too often surrounds these actions.
Actions that most recently have encircled and swallowed more victims from ALL of the Major Sports Leagues:
⚾ Major League Baseball,
🏀 The National Basketball Association,
🏒 The National Hockey League,
🏈 The National Football League … and beyond.
We’ll dig into the crimes investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the probe centered around Major League Baseball’s mega super star Shohei Ohtani of Japan and The Los Angeles Dodgers and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, now a convicted felon.And we’ll probe into the most recent lifetime ban of the San Diego Padres infielder, the Venezuelan Tucupita Marcano, as the 24-year-old was found to have bet on and against his former team.
These and many other scandals have sent shockwaves throughout the major league sporting community and raised questions about the integrity of the sports and have started to create a negative perception that the games are not “on the level”.
The U.S. Sports betting industry set a record with nearly $11 billion in 2023 revenue.
This huge year represented 44.5% year-over-year increase from 2022, which previously held the record.
According to the American Gaming Association, 38 states and D.C. have legalized sports betting.
Only Utah and Hawaii have completely banned all forms of gambling.
We explore and investigate:
♦ The Chicago White Sox (dubbed the Black Sox due to the scandal) of Major League Baseball and the plan to fix the 1919 World Series.
♦ Jontay Porter (in the NBA),
♦ Tucupita Marcano (Venezuelan Infielder of The San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball),
And we report on Major League Baseball Rule 21 which states: “Any player, umpire or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.”
We probe into the signs and symptoms of a gambling problem and the behaviors that stem from “chasing your bets”. If you or someone you know may have issues with compulsive gambling 1-800 GAMBLER can provide educational resources and help to try to curb these harmful activities.
Gambling takes many forms, but it’s always about taking chances. There’s typically money or other possessions on the line, and whether it’s the lottery, slots, or cards – winning or losing is always random.
Problem gambling – or gambling addiction – involves the compulsion to take chances that are capable of damaging personal, family, or vocational pursuits. Unfortunately, the loved ones of the gambler are often affected as much as the gambler. It’s estimated that between 4 and 6 million Americans can be considered as having a gambling problem.
For each of these, there is a family who is also suffering. Don’t suffer! Get help!
Tune in for ALL the explosive details and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:We want to hear from you!
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Currently we're being downloaded in 113 countries! Thank you!
With the May 3rd, 2024, shooting and killing of Sr. U.S. Airman Roger Fortson in his off-base home in Fort Walton, FL, by an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy, we shine the antiseptic light of the truth in this deep, thorough and investigatory episode of Light ‘Em Up on the killing of black men in their homes by law enforcement.
Click the link to view the available Body Worn Camera footage + extra coverage on the Fortson case.
This isn’t a topic anyone is talking about or wants to hear — these are precisely the topics we cover. In a time of uncertainty, facts help guide and educate.
The cold hard facts bear out evidence that the 2nd Amendment’s “Right to keep and bear arms” as well as the Castle Doctrine DO NOT apply equally nor consistently for individuals of color as it does for Caucasians. Note well: (The Castle Doctrine is a common law principle which states that individuals have the right to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect themselves against an intruder in their home.)
In this episode we’ll unpack the:
♦ Actions taken by the Deputy Sherriff before, during and after the 6 shots he emptied into Mr. Fortson. We’ll examine what crucial dispatch and on scene information he had when he responded to the call.
♦ Examine similar fact-patterns in the cases of Amir Locke, asleep on the sofa in his cousin’s Minneapolis, MN apartment, Donovan Lewis (in his home in Columbus, Ohio) and the “Open Carry Rights” of young 12-year-old Tamir Rice (in Cleveland, Ohio).
♦ Introduce you to a little-known concept of “dispatch priming” (where the 9-11 dispatch officer “primes” the officer with information which can lead to “mistake of fact” deadly confrontations…as in the Tamir Rice shooting death with the Cleveland Division of Policing.
The fact remains: Good intel saves lives; bad intel gets people killed.
♦ We’ll review closely the language of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989) which is used daily to determine the legality of every UoF (Use of Force).
It's imperative that every person understands and comprehends the key components of the legal holding of this case, so much so that that we will itemize them verbatim in our “Show Liner-Notes” for this episode here.
♦ We’ll expose the harsh history of many of the founding U.S. states on how they perceived black people as “property” and spoke unequivocally regarding their “rights, privileges and immunities” to access to firearms.
This isn’t argument nor conjecture, but the real-world fact pattern that we are faced with. We feel like we constantly ask this same question: Where do we go from here? Why do we keep coming back to this again and again? Will anything ever change?
The most recent effort in the U.S. House, The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, is just as dead as its namesake.
We truly believe simply because this bill bears the name of George Floyd, no Republican will vote for it. It would be political suicide to do so. There seems to be no hope for it passing.
Tune in for the explosive details. Follow our sponsors Newsly & FeedspotWe want to hear from you!
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When we last spoke with our special and honored guest, we were being actively downloaded in 104 countries. Now, it's 112!
Welcome to this edition of Light ‘Em Up.
We provide you with the facts, never the fiction — we have an exclusive in-depth interview with one of our law enforcement subject matter experts who has served in the capacity as a high-ranking police administrator with a smaller, rural police department in the State of Mississippi just for you!
Again, he speaks candidly on the promise of his anonymity, delivering the unvarnished truth that you rarely get when the topic is ways to improve the process and processes of law enforcement’s service delivery with the public. Law enforcement can be very guarded with the information that it shares with the public. While they are public servants — far too often they hold the public in contempt and it shows with the levels of trust among many communities, especially of color.
We dig deep and draw down on the civilian complaint process as it relates to law enforcement and the public. Have you ever filed a complaint or wanted to do so against a police officer? A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction.
Filing a complaint is a means of governmental redress — and one of the most basic tenants at the root and foundation of our 1st amendment constitutional rights. The receipt of a complaint should trigger the Internal Affairs process — so a smartly crafted internal protocol is essential.
Our special guest stressed the fact that “the complaint itself serves as a crucial piece of documentation and it becomes a discoverable public record which can be subpoenaed if necessary”.
"A complaint forces the hand of police supervisory officials to make a statement as to whether they approve of or sanction the official actions taken by their officers under the color of authority."
This process shines an intense, antiseptic light which examines the internal standards, policies, practices and procedures upon any given law enforcement agency. Conducting a thorough, accurate, relevant objective and timely investigation into every complaint can never be a bad thing — regardless of its ultimate outcome or the conclusions sustained.
The transparency, honesty and openness of the Minneapolis, MN, Chief of Police, Medaria Arradondo helped to assist him in keeping his job for 2 full years following the explosive, deadly actions taken by former MPD officer Derek Chauvin resulting in the death of George Floyd.
To do otherwise in the complaint process is highly risky behavior which can easily and quickly prove to be a death knell for the officer, department, city and Chief of Police.
The public should be encouraged that filing a complaint:
- Helps to make police brass aware of a given situation so that they have an opportunity to correct any alleged improper behavior.- Generates evidence in order to provide the best look at capturing a moment in time into what the current state of affairs are within the department.
- Can help shine an antiseptic light on and weed out the bad apples before it is too late, as one bad apple can spoil it for the entire bunch.
It’s unfortunate but reality that in today’s society — where everyone is a photojournalist and law enforcement is under an intense eye of scrutiny — you can be collectively judged by the actions of the least of you.
The purpose of taking a complaint isn’t to win an argument with the complainant — it is to better understand the situation that is being contested and evaluate how the law enforcement agency is functioning as the information is filtered up the chain of command.
Everything has a cost, even the truth.
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Welcome to this intensive, no holds barred, educational episode of Light ‘Em Up!
We’re working to tirelessly to expand our global footprint beyond 111 countries!
Tonight, we are honored to have back one of our all-time most honored guests.Our especial guest, Dr. Sandy Womack, Jr. -- who is no stranger to Light ‘Em Up -- is our tried-and-true source and resource who can unpack all of these hot and pressing topics for us and provide great clarity and wisdom to them to aide understanding.
Dr. Sandy Womack Jr. is a servant leader with over a generation of successful experience in urban education. He’s an NCAA All-American wrestler with a doctorate in educational leadership, author, principal, district administrator, equity trainer, motivational speaker, and urban school turnaround specialist.
We ask the same question to Dr. Womack as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked in August of ’67 when he addressed the 11th Annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Atlanta, Georgia before over 100 Black leaders – “Where do we go from here?”
We’ve reached a critical inflection point as we examine several crucial issues that currently impact the nation, and Black America specifically, in 2024.
He tackles the critical topics of:
— Race & politics: In 2024, the impact of Blacks being the 3rd largest group in America as it relates to political power.
— The black youth and what might its collective future look like; violence & the impact on the perception of Black youth, “Killing them before they grow”
— as well as the intersectionality of the future of a public education, funding and race, examining the question: Is a public education in danger of becoming obsolete?
Some 55+ years after The Kerner Commission got it right, yet no one listened, poverty, crime and inequality still infect our society. (President Lyndon Johnson constituted the Kerner Commission to identify the genesis of the violent 1967 riots that killed 43 in Detroit and 26 in Newark, NJ). We are still, all these years later, plagued by the same issues.
A riot is the language of the unheard. America still has failed to hear many things and act upon the defaulted promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned.
We are in an extended period of post-mortem reflection following the time during which racial justice protests were at their most intense.
We now have to ask ourselves:
— What has changed? And what hasn’t?
— Have power and privilege truly been disrupted?
— Has oppression been alleviated?
— What will be the legacy of this moment where we saw global protests in the wake of the killing of George Floyd … has it all been for nothing?
Dr. Womack stresses the fact that there can be no testimony without a test. He went on to say that “I can’t be who I need to be if you’re not who you need to be.” And that the interconnectivity and focusing on what unites versus what divides is what is crucial for our collective advancement.
Womack stated that “Poverty is a huge cause of a variety of different things that impact upon the U.S.” and that “education is economic development”.
Through the education of the future of the world, our youth, he works in an indefatigable manner to change the heart of people and bring the focus back to faith, hope and love.
Tune in to hear a wealth of his wisdoms – we guarantee without a doubt that you will learn much. Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:We want to hear from you!
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Thank you for tuning in! Our global footprint has now reached 111 countries!
On this expanded, investigative episode we shine the antiseptic light of the truth on a 2019 murder case out of the state of Michigan. The People v Cabrera.
We are honored to sit down with Sarah Cintron, the mother of Juan Cabrera.
Juan was convicted of premeditated intentional murder at the age of 18 by a jury that only took 120 minutes to decide on a charge that mandated him by statute to serve Life in Prison Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) for a murder where the actual video evidence in the case did not in any way, shape or form show the face, clothing, nor any single, solitary identifying physical characteristic of the shooter. (View the video that the jury used in its deliberations here for yourself.)
How do you reach a unanimous determination of “beyond a reasonable doubt” with “evidence” such as this?
Material witnesses perjured themselves in statements given to police prior to trial and on the witness stand. Two material witnesses identified two totally different suspects other than Juan as being the shooter.
Two other key witnesses were given ENORMOUS sentence reductions, ultimately receiving probation on serious other felonies for their “alleged truthful testimony and cooperation” against Juan.
Stemming from the lying and colluding witness statements of party attendees, law enforcement put out a “BOLO” looking for a man named Claudio Estrada Jr., who wasn’t even in the state of Michigan when this crime took place.
One witness was permitted to communicate with other witnesses via Facebook Messenger during her police interview – in front of a female member of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department.
Juan’s defense trial attorney (Chris Kessel, now the Michigan assistant attorney general) admitted under oath that he “reviewed the video evidence submitted by the prosecutor but did not conduct a frame-by-frame review of the video”.
When your client is on trial for his life, why not do so?
There were serious questions and concerns about a “conflict of interest” on the part of Juan's attorney, due to the fact that during his trial he took on another extremely high-profile case (the Flint, MI Contaminated Water Cases) working for the same State of Michigan that was trying to put his client away for life.
What do you do when the police immediately suffer from “tunnel vision” and “lock on” to a suspect who they think and believe committed a crime? When this occurs — it's close to impossible to get them to look at or pursue any other suspects.
States across the nation generally have laws prohibiting people from making false police reports — with our special guest, we ask and examine — the question:
What do you do if the police are the ones furthering the false claims and advancing those claims with shoddy investigatory practices that have produced nothing but lies from liars — from the witness stand and in their sworn affidavits and official reports?
Sarah provides tremendously helpful insight and important awareness as to how you can navigate such choppy waters.
Just after midnight on February 16, 2019, a group of teens gathered at a hotel to celebrate the belated birthday of a mutual friend.
Two of the party attendees have a verbal altercation in the hallway right outside of the room. A fight ensued. All hell breaks loose, and lives are changed forever.Tune in to hear the rest of the shocking details.
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We’re honored that you’ve joined us! Thank you!
We’re currently being downloaded in 111 countries!
We deliver the facts … not fiction, covering every story with integrity and passion.
In this explosive, follow-up, investigative interview, we further shine the light of the truth and drill deeper, farther and wider with Jana Guyewski Latigar (the sister of Crystal McCrory Jones).
♦ We have word that KNOE News Channel 8 has a team of investigators actively working this case and will soon have an investigative report on the fact pattern regarding Crystal’s mysterious, untimely and shocking death.
♦ We've uncovered shocking details regarding the Forensic Pathologist in this case — and devastating errors that led to the exoneration of the West Memphis Three.
On February 9th, 2023 in the sleepy town of Oak Grove, Louisiana, (population: ~2,275), Crystal was found dead in her home from what was reported to be a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound to the head.
The West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office (WCPSO) had this case “solved” in 105 minutes — less time than it takes to drive from Oak Grove to Shreveport, LA.
From the initial deputy being notified by WCPSO to perform a “welfare check on the deceased” — law enforcement would've had to find Crystal’s body; secure the crime scene, gathering, bagging and tagging all relevant evidence; canvass the neighborhood; track down any and all investigatory leads; interview any/all relevant suspects; complete all investigative written reports, while preserving the chain of custody … in under 2 hours!
This would be amazing if it happened. In fact, it DID NOT happen this way! Police reports were strewn with misspelled words and inaccuracies, timelines of the spouse that don’t match up. Premortem bruising was ignored and overlooked — which is a clear indication of a pre-death vicious struggle.
♦ What was the hurry? Why the rush to judgement?
♦ Why the hostile, combative responses from the Sheriff when family members of the deceased simply sought information into the death of their loved one? Isn’t it normal for a devastated family to have questions, to seek answers?
In this exclusive interview Jana sheds personal insight from her trauma-informed experience on courageously, (slowly) working her way through the life-altering grief stemming from her sister’s death. She shares insightful coping strategies for anyone dealing with similar traumas.
Also:
♦ We talk about Complicated Grief, which can occur as a result of the traumatic and unexpected death of a loved one. We explore the Cycle of Grief. Everyone experiences grief — it is part of our human experience.
♦ Other residents of West Carroll Parish have shared their concerns that there’ve been other cases that were quickly ruled a “suicide” when the facts weren't so clear.
Follow Justice for Crystal McCrory Jones (the Facebook Group honoring Crystal’s life and memory) and sign the Change.org petition which seeks to press law enforcement officials to re-open an investigation surrounding her mysterious death.
Tune in and be educated and empowered!
𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐲!
Note well: All persons are innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law.
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Welcome to this explosive episode of “Light ‘Em Up” — actively being downloaded in 108 countries!
Thank you so much for your enormous response to our previous multiple record-setting episode!
As we continue to speak truth to power and shine an intense spotlight on the error-filled autopsy report and the unsubstantiated claims of the coroner, as well as the shoddy, crooked, backwoods investigational practices of the West Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Department and the shady, collusive actions on the part of the 5th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Ms. Penny Douciere — we offer this brand new fact-based, investigatory episode to you.
We submit that those involved in the “investigation” of this case willfully have chosen to look the other way. THAT is a text-book definition of corruption and a dereliction of official duty under the color of authority. We ask, why? Why wouldn’t the Louisiana State Police open an investigation? Why the rush to judgement on the part of the coroner?
On February 9, 2023 in Oak Grove, Louisiana (population 1,441), Crystal McCrory Jones was found dead in her home from what was reported to be a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound to the head.
Her husband, Tony Jones (who reportedly at one time was an employee with the same W. Carroll Sheriff’s Department charged with “investigating” the case) was reported to be the last person who saw her alive, at or around 8 am on the day of her death.
Within 1 hour and 45 minutes of the knowledge of Crystal’s death, the case was ruled to be a suicide.
The fact pattern shows that there was extensive bruising on her hands, inner thighs, and a fingernail was broken off of her left hand: evidence of a pre-mortem struggle.
Bruising is bleeding into the surrounding tissue and there's no bleeding if the heart isn't pumping. Bruising is indicative of clear signs that there was an intense struggle, before she died — as once the heart stops pumping blood --- there can be no bruising.
As education is always a foundational pillar of Light ‘Em Up, in this fact-packed episode we drill down on:
♦ What is a medico-legal death investigation — and why it is of the utmost importance that it takes place in a timely, professional and painstakingly thorough manner. It didn’t!
We define:
♦ What an autopsy and autopsy report are, the cause and manner of death and criteria for determining a suicide.
We ask:
♦ Who called in a “welfare check” on Crystal in her home, and why? Were they trying to establish an alibi?
We investigate:
♦ The difference between a suicide and a homicide.
We highlight:
♦ specific Louisiana laws governing coroners’ duties, autopsies and investigations — which expose officials as derelict in their duty.
We clarify:
♦ the 4 major problems in conducting death investigations.
♦ And we instruct on the 5 objectives of an autopsy and a ton of other compelling aspects of this mysterious case.
How is it that every aspect of the criminal justice system and those officials charged with honoring their oath to protect and serve and do their sworn duty failed Crystal?
Crystal loved life — her presence blessed everyone who encountered her.
The sad truth is that if this can happen to her — it can happen to you!
We’re in this fight! We’ll continue with this case until we see some form of “justice” delivered to Crystal's surviving family members.
Follow this link to the Change.org petition for Crystal as well as the Facebook page remembering her here.
All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.We want to hear from you!
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Thank you for joining us! We’ve now penetrated 108 countries globally, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 because of YOU!
This case stunk from its inception.
Tonight, we explore the death of Crystal McCrory Jones, a sweet mother of 2 and a friend to all who were blessed to know her.
You’ve heard of homicide, defined as the unlawful killing of one human being by another. We’re betting you may not have heard as much about uxoricide. The killing of one’s wife. You’ll have to determine for yourself, but there are very suspicious details.
We were very fortunate to sit down with Jana Guyewski-Latigar (the sister of the deceased).
On February 9, 2023, in the sleepy town of Oak Grove, Louisiana, (2020 Census population: 1,441), Crystal was found dead in her home from what was reported to be a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound to the head.
Within 1 hour & 45 minutes, cause of death was ruled a suicide.
Here are just a few more of the highly suspicious facts:
♦ Two days prior to Crystal’s death, the Ring Doorbell Camera to her home was cut off. Coincidence, or evidence of pre-planning or conspiracy?
♦ Fact: Her husband, Tony Joe Jones, was an employee of the West Carroll Parrish Sheriff’s Department — the department charged with “investigating” the case.
♦ No matter who you are or what you do in life, if your spouse is dead in your home, under any questionable circumstances you can expect to be considered a suspect.
That never happened in this case. Why not?
♦ There is argument that Tony changed his story as to his whereabouts and specific location on the day Crystal died.
♦ Google Location Data place him near the home, consistent with and in conjunction to the time of death initially listed on Crystal’s Death Certificate.
♦ The Parish Coroner initially changed the time of death from 10:35 AM to 5:05 PM, why?
♦ Shortly following his wife’s death, Tony vigorously pursued efforts to collect on a $63K group life insurance policy.
♦ Soon thereafter, facts show that the husband had Crystal’s body cremated. Was this evidence of a “guilty mind”, establishing the necessary legal “mens rea” in an effort to destroy any physical evidence or prevent any hope of a 3rd party, independent forensic exam of the body?
♦ Upon Crystal’s death Jana and Crystal’s surviving family members were denied an investigation into her sister’s death by the Louisiana State Police Department. Why?
♦ Why the rush to judgement with so little, if any, investigation?
Help to give her life and legacy a voice. Help to solve Crystal’s murder. Tune in and hear the rest of the salacious details.
I’ve witnessed a lot of examples of bad policing throughout my career— having spent many years as an investigator. THIS case may very well be the worst example of unprofessional, shoddy, backwoods, good ol’ boy, overt and intentionally corrupt actions on the part of law enforcement to cover up a murder that evidence suggests that perhaps one of their own may have been involved in — that I have ever heard of in my life.
Note: All persons are innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law.
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Happy New Year! We’re excited to be launching Season 5 of Light ‘Em Up!
With brutal wars raging in Gaza and Ukraine — and allegations of “conflict zone sexual violence” being lodged by all parties involved in these conflicts, we turn our intensive journalistic spotlight on and focus the “heat of the truth” on the Secret War Crime — that isn’t secret at all: One of the most shameful consequences of conflict and war, “Gender Based Violence”, also referred to as GBV.
The practice of raping the women of a conquered group in war has remained a feature of warfare from the earliest records to the present.
GBV refers to any harm or suffering inflicted on a person because of their gender. It is used as a weapon of war designed to create fear, terrorize and humiliate populations, and undermine and destroy the social fabric and cohesion of communities.
Just like domestic violence, GBV can take many forms such as physical, sexual or psychological abuse and can affect anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. GBV happens to men and boys as well as women and girls.
This type of victimization is known to impact tremendously on the psyche of survivors and carries with it grave risk factors for emotional, mental, physical, and psycho-social wellbeing.
GBV can also increase the risk of:
HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseasesunwanted pregnanciesunsafe abortionsmaternal mortality and many other devastating outcomes.The Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court recognizes that “rape and other forms of sexual violence by combatants in the conduct of armed conflict are war crimes and can constitute genocide when it is committed with the intent to destroy in whole or in part, a targeted group”.
A boisterous Op-ed in the New York Times declared that the “Gender Based Violence of October 7th Must Not Be Ignored” and it is incumbent upon all of us to use our voices to ensure that it isn’t ignored, not only in Israel, but globally.
Rape is a serious violation of human rights and a war crime.
As our mission is to always be “true to the truth” we’ve tunneled deep and investigated two specific conflict war zone cases of GBV for this episode.
The first is the grotesquely brutal, terror-filled story of Mary, who was forced to witness the vicious killing of her husband and two sons -- ages 5 and 7 -- by the rebel soldiers in South Sudan. She thought nothing could be worse than seeing that. Then, the soldiers yanked her 10-year-old daughter Nyalaat from her arms and turned their perverted, deviant, sexual behaviors on the little girl.
When the soldiers were done, all she could see was blood. Nyalaat died shortly thereafter. Mary immediately wanted to die as well after witnessing this cruel sight. The soldiers attacked Mary, taking turns with her. She said it happened to all of those in the camp: little girls, women, grandmothers, they didn’t care.
The intimate nature of sexual assault (especially during war and conflict) often means that horrors such as this often go undocumented, sanitized out of history books and glossed over in news accounts that focus solely on casualties and refugee numbers.
Rape is a weapon even more powerful than a bomb or a bullet. Rape victims may appear to the community like someone who is cursed. After rape, no one will talk to you; no man will see you as being a human being. It has been likened to a living death.
Tune in as we bring you this fact-based, educational account of the brutality and reality of gender-based violence that occurs in global conflict and war zones.We want to hear from you!
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As we close out another fantastic year filled with one accomplishment after another for “Light ‘Em Up” … which included new sponsorships … and new underwriters -- we wanted to focus on what is most important to us other than searching out the truth.
We wanted to take some special time to recognize you, our listeners for your TSL (time spent listening) to us throughout this past year.
We thank you for another fantastic year of growth and achievements and express our appreciation for your wonderful engagement and your role in helping us grow to 107 countries globally as we close out Season 4.
We never thought this kind of success would be something that we could attain, and we never were concerned about our growth at the inception of this project.
Initially we set out to tell the truth about topics of importance in the U.S. criminal justice system --- and look what it has become!
We have been able to advocate for so many people.
The corporate plan is to take the remainder of the year off in order to rest for a week or so, recover and enjoy some quality time with our families.
We then will begin the process for Season 5 of Light ‘Em Up where we strive to achieve new goals and break even more records with the reach of our podcast.
Also, to add more sponsors and underwriters.
The truth is under attack – and the truth is worth defending!
We have labored tirelessly to dig deep, vast and wide to bring you a special insight that you really won’t find anywhere else regarding the U.S. criminal justice system.
We are loyal, consistent and dedicated to you, our listeners. We are truly here for you and because of you!
Our commitment to you here on Light ‘Em Up is that we’ve endeavored to tackle topics that have a real impact in your daily lives.
We’ve worked tirelessly to try to be the “Voice of the people”.
Please consider joining our Criminal Justice Foundation Justice Rolls Down and its page found on Facebook as well as our worldwide presence on YouTube at: Rizzo's Protective Group.
Here is our complete catalogue. Here is our last full episode of the year regarding the war that is presently raging in Gaza.
This advocacy piece irritated a lot of people but was wildly popular and downloaded at a record (for us) and at a tremendous rate/amount.
Thank you to Feedspot — online at Feedspot.com as we are featured in their top 60 poll of the 60 Best Criminal Justice Podcasts. Visit their blog at www.Feedspot.com or simply follow this link: Best 60 Criminal Justice Podcasts You Follow in 2023 (feedspot.com)
And for all your news and current affairs check out our friends at Newsly by visiting https://newsly.me. Use the promo code L1GHTEMUP to launch your 10% savings.
We thank you and we look forward to you joining us in 2024!
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale & Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to each and every one of our listeners.
You'll hear from us early on in January 2024.
Thank you!
Phil Rizzo
Executive ProducerWe want to hear from you!
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Welcome to the 70th episode of Light ‘Em Up! We’re excited and honored that you’ve joined us! We know your podcasting options are vast.
As we air our final full-length, explosive episode of 2023, just like the 3 Wise Men — we come bearing very exciting news. Light ‘Em Up is actively being downloaded in 107 countries globally!
Tonight, as the war continues to rage on in Gaza — we provide an intense, investigative journalistic focus on “Terrorism and the Terroristic Threat” — with a special focus on the war in Gaza and the barbaric October 7th terror attack in Israel — which caught its citizenry, the Israeli government, its defense forces (the IDF) completely and utterly by surprise, unaware and ill prepared as was the case with the terror attacks here, in the U.S., on 9/11/2001.
Hamas leaders say they launched the attack on Israel because they believed the “Palestinian cause was slipping away, and that only violence could revive it”.
In an assault without recent precedent in its complexity and scale, the militants crossed into Israel by land, sea and air, according to the Israeli military, leading to some of the first pitched battles. The attack, which was clearly meticulously planned — used rockets, paragliders, boats, motorcycles, other vehicles, and whatever other means they could use.
The armed militants infiltrated the Jewish state and murdered around 1,200 people, including 30 Americans — injured over 5,400, and captured and fled with some 230+ hostages back deep into Gaza (more than 100 hostages held in the Gaza Strip have since been released).
It’s been said that “the only thing we learn from history … is that we do not learn from it”.
In this episode we challenge you to think critically as we delve into and unpack:
♦ The concept and phrase: One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.
♦Some myths about terrorism (stemming from our usage of the Global Terrorism Database).
♦ We highlight examples of designated terrorist organizations.
♦ We ask: Does it help to label a person or a group as being terrorists? “Terrorism” is a contested and politicized term that may be applied or rejected by different actors depending on their interests and perspectives.
♦ We’ll drill down on the main challenges of negotiating with terrorists and share some historic examples of successful negotiations that built trust through diplomacy and effective communication.
This episode proved to be one of our most challenging and ambitious episodes of the year. I’m very proud of our team and the research behind it.
Don’t forget to follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:
Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Buon’ Natale! Happy Hannukah!
Thank you so much for being a loyal listener and a fan of Light ‘Em Up.We want to hear from you!
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On this in-depth, investigative edition of Light ‘Em Up we expose what we maintain is an illegal invasion of your personal privacy and an illegal search and seizure in violation of the 4th Amendment.
Picture this: During your annual physical checkup — your doctor draws near to you with the stethoscope and asks you to perform a few deep breaths — is she really listening to your lungs or is she looking for signs of extensive drug use or smelling for the use of alcohol?
This is a very odd dilemma. The doctor writes a prescription for you, and has been doing so for years. Suddenly, without advanced notice, she has an “issue” with doing so. She says, “We need to run a toxicology screen on you”. A what?
You may have no clue whatsoever that your rights are even being violated — by, of all people, your primary care physician and local hospital. In an extension of the “War on Drugs” — as it continues to target the poor and the neediest among us, many hospitals across the country have begun drug testing their patients, especially Medicaid recipients, through urinalysis.
The 4th Amendment has been hotly debated since its ratification in 1791. How much do you know about the rights granted to you by the 4th Amendment?
Subjecting patients, especially poor patients, seeking medication for a health condition to an intrusive seizure of his/her bodily fluids is an intentional act of intimidation. Threatening to withhold essential medications from patients — the use of condescending and coercive, bullying tactics through the use of a “pain contract” or a “controlled substance agreement” — serves only to further damage the quality of care that has already been compromised due to the way insurance companies have rigged the system in their favor.
This bullying and forced compliance are completely contrary to the “do no harm” motto that has served as the foundational pillar of the medical profession since its inception.
Who wants to have a medical doctor who in reality is a “narc” — eager to “report” anything she observes? What benefit is it to have a “doctor” that violates the doctor-patient trust that is essential and at the core of quality, comprehensive care?
If patients distrust their physician, or feel stigmatized or distrusted by them, this will impact greatly upon the therapeutic relationship and deeply compromise care.
Lacking sufficient financial means should not be a criminal offense — nor should a course of action apply to only one group of people as a “suspect class”, treating them as if they are not “worthy” to be afforded the same Constitutional rights as others.
At Light ‘Em Up — we have always fought against THIS kind of disparate treatment.
In this episode as we lobby for justice and speak truth to power, we shall:
♦ Dissect the 4th amendment and provide analysis of what the U.S. Supreme Court says about this process as we delve into what a “pain contract” is.
♦ Examine “controlled-substance agreements” for patients on chronic opioid therapy, with a keen eye on “indifferent enforcement” from a criminal justice perspective. Are they binding, or enforceable in a court of law?
♦ Dig into our case study: Rivers vs The Administration of Children Services (ACS) for the City of New York.
It’s easy to turn a blind eye when the violation of rights applies to someone else. What happens when it happens to you?
Tune in - be empowered! Check here for bonus content.
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Tonight, on this provocative, incendiary and investigatory episode of Light ‘Em Up.
We return to the scene of the crime! Your response was overwhelmingly favorable regarding our first episode with our special guest, the high-ranking police administrator, so we invited him back to the witness stand for another episode.
With you in mind, we deliver another exclusive, in-depth, behind the scenes, “truth tellin’” session with the Assistant Chief of a small, rural police department in the “Magnolia State”.
To be clear, he's speaking on the promise of his anonymity, identified only by his title. The municipality that he serves has approximately 8,500 people with not a lot of “pass through” traffic in the jurisdiction. It is staffed by approximately 30 accredited officers.
Throughout his dedicated career in law enforcement, he’s always thought critically about racial disparities, especially stemming from his own personal experiences as early back as being a patrolman and from the training he was given.
He researched and authored a rigorous in-depth white paper study entitled: “Seeing Color in Police Discretion”.
His study interrogates the question ultimately of “what kind of a society do we want to live in”? It examines unconscious bias and how it may impact officer discretion and decision making. This analysis forces officers to self-reflect on why they are reacting in the style and manner that they do. This ultimately aides police to sit with and realize the consequences of their actions.
We roll up our sleeves and dig deep on:
♦ Conscious and unconscious bias and we examine how this is more so a human problem and not necessarily solely a law enforcement problem.
♦ How police officers and administrators react to claims like selective enforcement and racial profiling, and he corrects and refocuses our thinking on the fact that racial profiling is pursued under the 14th amendment, not the 4th amendment.
♦His in-depth analysis of several landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases that directly impact upon law enforcement and how it is constitutionally bound to carry out its duties on a daily basis with a focus on:
Whren v US — which held that “Any stop as long as it is based on a valid law or justification is a legal stop even if the reason(s) given for the stop is not the true motivation”. Thus, paving the way for “pretextual stops”.
♦ Terry v Ohio, Delaware v Prouse & Graham v Connor et al.,
♦ The contentious topic of “qualified immunity.”
In 1967, the Supreme Court recognized qualified immunity as a defense to §1983 claims. In 1982, the Supreme Court adopted the current test for the doctrine. Qualified immunity is generally available if the law a government official violated isn't “clearly established.”
From time to time, it is imperative that you pinch yourself —reminding you that this is a high-ranking law enforcement administrator sharing these hard hitting, impacting truths that the majority of officers would stay silent on. He is a man of integrity, and it shows.
Because we think the world of you, our listeners, and you’ve helped us grow to date to 104 countries globally, we’ve included additional in-depth analysis and an expansion of the specific methodology used in the rigorous white paper study for you. You can use this link to access this exclusive, bonus content.
Note well: Email me at [email protected] in order to receive a copy of the white paper statistical study. In your request, we ask that you share with us one fact from this specific episode.
Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:We want to hear from you!
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Welcome to this incendiary edition of Light ‘Em Up. We’re now being heard in 104 countries!
We have an exclusive in-depth interview with a high-ranking police administrator with a small police department in the “Magnolia State”.
Speaking on the promise of his anonymity, identified only by his title (Assistant Chief of Police), the municipality that he serves has about 8,500 people, staffed by about 30 accredited officers.
The Assistant Chief mentioned that “working in a small town brings to focus the importance of the development of relationships. The good news is — is that at the present crime is low and it is getting lower” in this growing town.
In this fact-laden episode we explore:
♦ The never-ending challenges of 21st century policing in a small town, including budgeting and the struggle to pay its personnel a competitive wage.
♦ Police “culture” & how retaining staff is a constant struggle.
♦ The findings following a comprehensive, in-depth study on the importance of prioritizing and reducing unconscious bias among officers entitled Seeing Color in Police Discretion.
♦ Unconscious bias and how this can affect officer discretion, views, and perceptions.
♦ The importance of discretion in law enforcement & the wide latitude officers have in their use of that discretion and how this can be relevant to non-law enforcement industries that you may serve.
♦ Systems and standards: The foundational set of good management practices, methods, systems, requirements that must be established to produce high-caliber, top quality, constitutional policing that the citizenry deserves.
♦ How policing changed in his municipality following the killing of George Floyd.He emphatically stated that, “The presence of the Black Lives Matter movement absolutely raised the bar for police officers and police leaders to know what they are talking about when it comes to equal protection and racial disparities. It no longer cuts it to say, ‘Hey we’re out here doing our jobs — leave us alone’”.
He went on to say, “We really have to have real answers for why things look the way that they do and to me it really raised the bar for accountability. It really raised the bar for us — just because you’re not being held accountable internally — doesn’t mean that it’s not going to come externally … so, it is comin’ one way or another. We need to be competent in order to be able to explain ourselves and serve in a responsible manner.”
While mistakes and errors soak up the bulk of media attention locally and nationally, it is imperative to pause and remember that police officers are people too and the vast majority of them serve with dignity, honor and often times in a heroic and valorous manner.
Through many of the direct efforts of the Assistant Chief of Police, it is clear that his department has put a lot of work in internally which clearly shows on the external side of police management and administration into doing an excellent job at serving the good people of the Magnolia State.
Tune in and be empowered and find out about the footballs in each trunk of every patrol car in their fleet and the awesome news about the police department sponsored youth football league.
Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: [email protected]
Follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:
Note well: Email me at [email protected] in order to receive a copy of the white paper statistical study.We want to hear from you!
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On this educational and explosive edition of Light ‘Em Up, we’re excited to announce that we are being actively downloaded in 103 countries! All thanks to you!
Ripped straight from the headlines from the Atlanta Fulton County Superior Courthouse where Donald J. Trump and 18 of his co-defendants have been indicted under the Georgia Racketeering Act — we’ll take an in-depth, investigative look at the Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
RICO was designed by the U.S. Congress in order to “whack” the mob — to be the ultimate “hit man”.
The Act has extremely sharp legal teeth in order to accomplish that task.
This legislation was signed into law by President Richard M. Nixon on October 15, 1970, as Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act (OCCA) as a means by which the federal government could combat organized crime. The Act today is covered in 18 USC §§ 1961-1968 and provides the legal means by which prosecutors can identify and convict those who operate illegal businesses.
The roots of RICO, however, extend as far back as 1950, when the problem of criminal infiltration of legitimate business was first documented. The U.S. was a very different place then than it is today. Organized crime was a highly sophisticated, diversified and widespread activity that annually drained billions of dollars from America’s economy by the illegal use of force, fraud and corruption.
Congress found that organized crime had extensively infiltrated and exercised corrupt influence over numerous legitimate businesses and labor unions throughout the U.S. and posed a “new threat to the American economic system”. Congress further established that organized crime derived a major portion of its power through money obtained from crimes such as gambling, loan sharking, theft and fencing of property, the drug trade, and other forms of social exploitation.
While in prison together at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, the then Genovese Crime Family Mob Boss Vito Genevese -- mistakenly thinking that Joseph Valachi was a “rat” -- gave Valachi the “kiss of death”.
That solitary action sent a chilling message to Valachi, putting the fear of death in his heart, mind and soul. Valachi sought revenge, choosing to “rat out” the mob before the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs, the FBI, the DOJ and the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigation. Valachi’s testimony would prove crucial in the government’s efforts to combat organized crime, which would eventually lead to RICO.
As we set the scene — we dive headfirst into:
♦ Defining the purpose, scope and breadth of RICO as well as provide its contextual and historical background and legislative origins.
♦ Comparing, contrasting and highlighting another high-profile RICO case currently underway in the very same courthouse as the former president’s (that case involves the rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams).
♦ The specific crimes that fall under the vast “umbrella” of RICO.
♦ How a person violates the RICO statute.
♦ The length of sentences for those found guilty of violating RICO.
♦ Important terms and relevant vocabulary words.
We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts with us on this episode and any of our episodes that you’ve listened to. Email us at: [email protected]
The pursuit of justice is a slow and methodical process. There are costs involved with seeking justice!
Tune in and be empowered, and follow our sponsors Newsly & Feedspot here:
We are here for you and because of you!We want to hear from you!
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With this comprehensive, investigatory edition of “Light ‘Em Up” we examine the hotly debated subject of consent decrees, pattern and practice investigations and the role the federal government has in trying to bring about just, equitable and constitutional policing.
What appears to be a never-ending national crisis has exposed deep chasms in the relationships between local police departments and the communities they’re charged with “protecting and serving” all across the U.S.
Unfortunately, the facts bear out that the police have a long and checkered track record of not being very good at policing themselves.
When the police can’t or won’t police themselves — who then shall police the police?
In Latin, the phrase “Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes” means exactly that:
Who will guard the guards, themselves?
In 1994 Congress gave the federal government unprecedented power to intervene against police misconduct among state and local law enforcement agencies.
§14141 of the Violent Crime Control & Law Enforcement Act, commonly referred to as the 1994 Crime Bill, declares it unlawful for law enforcement agencies to engage in a pattern or practice that deprives a person of rights, privileges, or immunities protected by U.S. law.
The U.S. Department of Justice is the governmental agency responsible for enforcing the Constitution and the laws of the federal government.
The Civil Rights Division of the DOJ was created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. During those tumultuous times in our nation’s history, the Civil Rights Division focused on protecting the vote.
The DOJ has a number of tools that are effective in bringing about lawful and fair policing. One process is a “pattern-or-practice” investigation. The first step in this very detailed legal process is to conduct a thorough and independent investigation to bring to light any persistent patterns of misconduct within a given police department.
George Floyd’s death in May 2020 reignited a national conversation about how to reduce unconstitutional policing harms, especially the disproportionate unconstitutional harm some styles of policing can cause and impact upon minorities.
Our learning objectives for this episode will be to:
♦ Define what a consent decree is.
♦ Challenge you to think critically on how the federal government might play an effective role in reining in police excesses and abuses and work to reshape policing.
♦ Examine the role and purpose that consent decrees serve in 21st century policing.
♦ Provide the historic background on why The U.S. Congress gave the DOJ authority to address systemic police misconduct.
♦ Explore the details on how the DOJ opens a pattern or practice investigation and what exactly do such investigations involve?
♦ Shed light on the role of a “monitor” and their duties and expectations as they oversee the consent decree process.
♦ Highlight arguments of a vociferous group of nay-sayers and detractors of the DOJ — who with their conspiracy-filled rhetoric foment and further hatred for the Federal Government just as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers do. They not only want to halt the practice of consent decrees — but their venomous ramblings sound as if they want to hurt career professionals within the DOJ — which is clearly against the law.
The truth is essential to our democracy!
These cities and entities are currently under consent decrees.
Tune in and be empowered, and follow our sponsors Newsly & FeedspotWe want to hear from you!
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