Welcome to the America’s Criminologist Podcast for December 6, 2024. This is Dr Currie Myers with some interesting criminal justice news and events that have occurred in the United States recently.
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My new book, “The Advent of Feral Man” is now available on Substack drcurriemyers.substack.com for all paid subscribers. In this book, I present compelling evidence that within the last decade, America is going into a quick decent into the “wilding” of human beings. A phenomenon that is perpetuated by the lack of faith, family, and formation in our human development. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
This week, I co-hosted the Lou Desmond & Company Show on KMET, San Bernardino. Author, Ron Freeman was our guest on Tuesday, 12-3-24 on the Lou Desmond & Company Show, KMET, San Bernardino, California. Ron is a former professional football player, coach, educator, entrepreneur, and NFL agent. Freeman earned graduate and undergraduate degrees from Pittsburg State University and is in the PSU Hall of Fame. He played for the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL as well as the USFL. Ron’s new book, "Rethinking Race.” Ron grew up during the 1960s and got a first-hand look at Jim Crow laws and the Civil Rights movement. His passion for history motivated him to dig deeper into race matters, and the resulting book, "Rethinking Race," references the events that inspired him to see race differently. Meritocracy and living Dr Martin Luther King’s vision of having a color-blind society is what America was built on and how race-hustlers have ruined that vision, at least for now. You can hear that full 25-minute show at this link.
Special thanks to those at TruBlue Television for my appearance on Strickly Speaking that was released this week. Click here to view the Dr Currie Myers on the Strictly Speaking Podcast with Bob Frantz - Episode 27 for an hour-long discussion on crime, criminal justice ethics, and the intersection of crime and politics. Special Note: This recorded interview occurred prior to the presidential election.
I was interviewed on the national syndicated Lars Larson Show discussing the potential use of the United States Marshals Service in the apprehension of illegal aliens within the United States. The interview took place at the 1h.9m.40s mark of the show which can be heard at the Lars Larson link here. I recently published an Op Ed on the issue called “The U.S. Marshals Service: An Underutilized Asset in Combating Migrant Crime”. In that piece, he opined, “the ongoing challenges associated with migrant crime in the United States demand innovative solutions and the strategic allocation of resources. While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agencies are typically at the forefront of addressing illegal immigration, there is untapped potential in leveraging the capabilities of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) to enhance enforcement efforts.”
In this 50-minute episode of the Carl Jackson Show, host Carl Jackson and criminologist Dr. Currie Myers delve into the assassination of a United Healthcare CEO in Manhattan. They analyze the details of the case, including the video of the incident, the profile of the shooter, and the investigative steps law enforcement will take. The discussion also covers potential motives behind the assassination, the importance of digital footprints in solving the case, and the implications for healthcare executives in light of this violent act. Dr. Myers shares his extensive experience in criminology to provide insights into the investigation process and the factors that could lead to such a crime. To view that podcast click here.
Don’t forget my podcast also available on Spotify on America’s Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers. And please join me on X. This is a very important platform for distributing my work. @DrCurrieMyers
Here are my pressing issues this week that I have offered an opinion on as an applied criminologist, ethicist and career law enforcement officer at the local, state, and federal level:
In an unprecedented move that strikes at the heart of our constitutional republic, President Joe Biden has issued a sweeping pardon to his son Hunter Biden, effectively shuttering any possibility of uncovering the full scope of alleged influence-peddling schemes that may implicate both father, son, Uncle, and potentially others. This isn't merely about a father protecting his child; it's about a sitting president potentially obstructing justice to shield himself from scrutiny. You can read my full piece here.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation stands at a critical crossroads in its history. After years of controversial decisions and growing public distrust, the potential nomination of Kash Patel as FBI Director presents an unprecedented opportunity to restore the Bureau's reputation and refocus its mission on its core law enforcement duties. Here are twelve essential steps that could help rebuild the FBI's credibility and effectiveness. These steps include 1. Return to Core Law Enforcement Mission, 2. Restructure Internal Oversight, 3. Reform FISA Process, 4. Depoliticize Personnel Decisions, 5. Enhance Training and Standards, 6. Strengthen Whistleblower Protections, 7. Improve Congressional Oversight, 8. Modernize Technology and Cybersecurity, 9. Rebuild Public Trust, 10. Establish Clear Guidelines for Political Investigations, 11. Create a State and Local Law Enforcement Advisory Board, 12. Establish an Independent FBI-Specific Inspector General. Let’s make the FBI great again, shall we? To view my full piece, click here.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stands at the forefront of combating the influx of illegal drugs into the United States. However, as the drug landscape evolves—particularly with the emergence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl—the agency faces unprecedented challenges that demand innovative approaches. To improve its efficacy, the DEA must focus on better command and control through organizational restructuring, enhanced interagency cooperation, reallocation of resources to the field, and adoption of evidence-based and multidisciplinary tactics. These strategies, coupled with an aggressive focus on combating fentanyl, could dramatically enhance the agency’s impact. These strategies include 1) Flattening the Organizational Structure, 2. Enhanced Accountability, 3. Empowered Field Agents, 4. Enhancing Interagency Cooperation and Communication, 5. Expanding Post of Duty Offices, 6. Adopting Combined Action Teams (CATs): A Multidisciplinary Approach to Drug Enforcement, 7. Fentanyl: A Clear and Present Danger, 8. Operation Snowcap 2.0: Targeting Cartels with Renewed Collaboration, 9. Enhanced Parcel Surveillance: Intercepting Fentanyl Shipments, 10. Scaling Efforts to Disrupt Online Fentanyl Sales, 11. Enhancing the Role of Fusion Centers in Drug Enforcement, 12. Advanced Forensic Capabilities and Decentralization, 13. Advanced Forensic Capabilities and Decentralization. To see my full piece on making DEA great again, click here.
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Okay here is my five-minute blitz on CJ News and Information for this week:
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan, who has been named as the incoming Trump administration’s Border Czar, has issued a stark warning to sanctuary city leaders. Homan stated that local authorities who harbor illegal immigrants could face legal consequences, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement. During an interview with Fox News on Tuesday evening, Homan reinforced his position, highlighting that harboring illegal aliens is a felony under federal law. “There will be consequences,” Homan said, making it clear that the Trump administration will not tolerate local jurisdictions obstructing federal immigration operations.
A sobering report by the Public Building Reforms Board paints a grim picture of federal employees’ blatant disregard for duty. The report found that 94% of federal workers do not show up in person regularly, highlighting the poor service delivery and complacency in government offices. The Department of Energy, the Agency for Global Media, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture topped the list of absentee/absconders with abysmal occupancy rates of 0%, 2%, and 6%, respectively. The Department of Veterans Affairs (7%), the Environmental Protection Agency (8%), the Department of Labor (9%), and the Nuclear Regulation Commission (9%) followed closely with their appalling numbers. Federal agencies with the highest office occupancy rates include the Department of Commerce, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Office of Personnel Management, each with an attendance rate of a measly 11%.
Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens says he is "excited" by the prospect of incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan leading the charge of deportations and border security – as he pointed to violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as one of the top threats facing the country. Owens, who took the position of chief last year, spoke to Fox News’ Griff Jenkins in San Antonio, Texas, in his first interview since the election. He was asked what he thought of the appointment of Homan, a former Border Patrol agent and former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "I'm excited because Tom Homan is a brother Border Patrol agent. He served time in this uniform. And so, I'm excited to see any of our green family make good," he said. "And I'm excited to see what he's going to do."
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced its arrest of a migrant who was living in Massachusetts after illegally crossing the border almost two years ago. According to Fox News, 24-year-old Julio Esteban Batista-Castillo has been charged with kidnapping, malicious destruction of property, breaking and entering, and home invasion as well as several assault and battery charges. He was arrested in Boston by ICE agents on November 18th. In a press release published on Tuesday, December 3rd, ICE said that the suspect illegally entered the United States back in January of 2023. Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Bostin acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde said that Batista-Castillo was taken into ICE custody after an immigration detainer was not honored by the Roxbury District Court. The court had reportedly arraigned him before his ICE arrest. Hyde said in a statement, "Batista has been accused of very serious crimes, including assault and battery involving strangulation and a firearm. This is not someone you want to release into the community, so ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against him with the Roxbury District Court — a simply request for law enforcement to hold him in custody for a short time so our officers could arrest him in a safe, controlled setting. Unfortunately, the detainer was not honored, putting everyone in the community and our officers at risk." Batista-Castillo is one of many violent individuals who currently reside in the United States illegally and that have been apprehended by ICE Boston this year alone. According to reports, Belardis Tapia Gonzalez, an MS-13 gang member accused of second-degree child molestation, was arrested by ICE officials in Lynn, Massachusetts, on November 18th.
Authorities in Texas said that two teen suspects are on the run after staging fake Facebook Marketplace listings and then robbing the victims at gunpoint. According to Fox News, 17-year-old Arlando Lyles is wanted for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and theft from a person, and 18-year-old Christian Ray Pickett is wanted for theft from a person. The Houston Police Department (HPD) said that additional charges are pending. In a press release, HPD's Robbery Division said that Lyles and Pickett are at least two suspects wanted in a series of incidents stemming from Facebook Marketplace, in which suspects pose as sellers with fake profiles, meet up with buyers in person, and then rob the buyers. Detectives believe there may be more suspects involved who are posing as fake sellers on Facebook Marketplace. HPD says that the robberies have occurred at 15 locations involving 15 different victims, at least, since September 21st. While the social media selling platform does have certain policies and protections in place for buyers, it is full of scammers who use fake profile pictures and names to pose as different people online. For example, a scammer might use a fake profile picture showing an elderly couple or young family in an effort to look like a realistic seller. HPD said that the 15 robberies since September occurred in a "variety of apartment complex parking lots in Southeast Houston." Buyers should suggest meeting Facebook Marketplace sellers at a local police department to complete their transactions. Look for things like profile pictures and account activity as good signs. Many of these accounts are blank accounts that are only used a few times and often offer deals that are "too good to be true" and will dictate the meeting place to connect with buyers.
On Tuesday, December 3rd, an immigrant from China who is here illegally after his student visa expired, was arrested on federal charges alleging that the schemed to illegally ship weapons to North Korea. According to FOX11, officials said that the weapons were to be used by the secretive communist country's military in a "surprise attacked on South Korea." The suspect, 41-year-old suspect, and his co-conspirators exported at least two shipments of firearms and ammunition to North Korea by concealing the items inside shipping containers that were shipped from Long Beach through Hong Kong to North Korea. Court documents say that the items included a chemical threat identification device and a hand-held receiver that eavesdrops on transmissions. Wen has been charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a felony that carries a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. Officials said that after his initial court appearance, he could be arraigned within weeks. According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Wen, who allegedly outstayed a student visa in 2012 to remain illegally in the United States, violated federal law and U.S. sanctions against North Korea by obtaining firearms, ammunition, and export-controlled technology with the intention of illegally exporting them.
Jason Alan Thornburg, a Texas man who was convicted of murdering three people in the name of “sacrifices” and admitted to eating parts of one of his victims, was sentenced to death for his crimes. A jury found Thornburg, 44, guilty on Nov. 20 after he was accused of committing the gruesome killings of David Lueras, 42, Lauren Phillips, 34, and Maricruz Mathis, 33. The dismembered remains of those three victims were found burning in a dumpster in September 2021. Thornburg was indicted for their murders that December. In his arrest warrant, he admitted to the killings as well as the apparent murders of his girlfriend, Tanya Begay, 36, and his roommate, Mark Jewell, 61. The killings of the three victims connected to Thornburg’s conviction were especially grisly. According to the probable cause affidavit, Thornburg said that he had “an in-depth knowledge of the Bible and believed he was being called on to commit sacrifices.” In the case of David Lueras, who had been staying in a hotel room at the Mid City Inn in Euless, Texas, with Thornburg in the days leading up to his murder, the killer said that he “believed that David needed to be sacrificed. He sliced David’s throat and then cut him into pieces in the bathtub. Thornburg initially hid the remains in his room in trash bags before obtaining Rubbermaid type tubs to store them in.” KDFW, a local Fox affiliate, reported that even more disturbing details were revealed during the trial, including the admission by Thornburg that he ate part of Lueras’ heart and cut off his genitals. He also admitted to sexually assaulting Phillips’ corpse. The containers he used to store his victims’ body parts were also cleaned and returned to the store where he purchased them. While the cases of Jewell and Begay were both separate, Thornburg admitted to police in the affidavit that both of them were also sacrificed. Thornburg was indicted in Jewell’s death. Begay’s body has never been found. During closing arguments, prosecutor Amy Allin told the jury, “He is a psychopath. He is evil. He is the type of evil that we want to believe doesn’t exist in our community. We want to believe we are not raising our children in a world where people like Jason Thornburg exist. We want to believe we live in a world where the Bible is not a weapon, where your vulnerabilities don’t make you prey to a serial killer. But so long as we live in a world with Jason Thornburg, said evil will exist.”
This is Dr Currie Myers, America’s Criminologist. To view my work please visit drcurriemyers.substack.com and please share and like our page! And please remember my friends at Howard Wagyu for some of the best beef in America. Howard Wagyu, Kansas homegrown Wagyu Beef so tender you can cut your steak with a fork! Stay safe and have a great weekend!
All my best!
Dr C
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