Stupid people of the week

OCPD employees on leave after fake dispatch transmission claims baby was thrown during chase

These are evil shenanigans…

The Oklahoma City Police Department confirmed to KOCO 5 that employees who were involved in a fake dispatch radio transmission that claimed a baby had been thrown from a car during a chase have been placed on leave.

The April Fools’ Day prank sparked a real multi-agency response Wednesday night, with police, firefighters and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers responding to the false radio transmission. The hoax transmission claimed an officer was chasing a red Dodge Charger in the Santa Fe Division.

A dispatcher said over the radio that “city just advised that the suspect just threw a baby out the window.”

During the radio transmission, the dispatcher also said the officer chasing after the supposed suspect did not have his police radio.

“Oklahoma City to all units, be advised, please, police officer that is in pursuit does not have a radio,” the dispatcher said. “He’s just messaging his location. We’re trying to get somebody out there with a radio on him.”

The dispatcher then said over the radio transmission that the driver “supposedly ran over a transient.”

Oklahoma City Police Department Statement

“We are aware of a reported pursuit involving some of our officers that included serious claims, which has since been determined to be false. The matter is currently under review as part of an internal investigation. Due to the ongoing nature of this process, we are unable to release any additional information at this time. We take this situation seriously and are committed to ensuring a thorough review is conducted.”

Police Officers on Leave

While the Oklahoma City Police Department confirmed to KOCO 5 that those involved in the hoax radio transmission have been placed on administrative leave, it’s unknown how many employees were involved.

Police also did not say how long they’d be on leave or whether it’s paid administrative leave.

Source; KOCO5

Former US air force master sergeant pleads guilty to defrauding military out of $37m

A former US air force master sergeant who nicknamed himself “Al Capone” has pleaded guilty to defrauding the military branch out of $37m by inflating the cost of IT contracts – and giving some of the extra money to an individual he called “Godfather”.

Alan Hayward James, from Texas, ran a nine-year scam, beginning in April 2016, which also saw him funnel excess funds to himself, his family and his co-conspirators.

James, 51, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery and conspiracy to rig bids for the US Pacific air forces based in Hawaii. In a plea agreement, James admitted conspiring with multiple competitors to rig bids for IT contracts with the US defense department

He “knowingly conspired” with co-conspirators and companies in a manner which “falsely inflated” the value of contracts, the justice department said. James encouraged some companies to overbid and others to underbid for services. In one instance, he told a company to submit a bid for an IT contract that was “low and stupid”, which effectively led to a co-conspirator company winning the contract at an inflated rate.

“Through this bid-rigging scheme, the defendant not only stole from American taxpayers and harmed companies seeking to compete honestly for government contracts, he also ultimately harmed essential military services designed to keep our nation safe by diverting resources away from other services,” said the US attorney for Hawaii, Ken Sorenson.

“Bid-rigging and anti-competitive behavior in government contracts erodes trust in our institutions, harms taxpayers, and will not be tolerated. We will continue to investigate and prosecute any and all who would seek to manipulate markets and undermine fair competition for their own personal gain.”

Money from the scheme was distributed through shell companies and through the payment of false salaries, including to family members of co-conspirators. A ledger obtained by the justice department showed payments made to one individual referred to as “Godfather”, calling to mind the fictional mob movie series. Others were made to his parents, whom he referred to in the ledgers as “Capone M” and “Capone D” while he named himself after the infamous real-life mobster synonymous with that surname.

In one case, James used government funds “to pay for an all-expenses-paid multi-day stay at a luxury resort” for his co-conspirators on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. “As part of their stay at the resort, co-conspirator individuals took part in golf outings, horseback rides and received massages,” the justice department said.

James agreed to pay a restitution of at least $1,451,656.80 to the defense department, prosecutors said. He could face up to 45 years in prison, though defendants who opt to plead guilty prior to going to trial generally do not face the maximum punishment possible.

Source; The Guardian

US marine detained after TSA finds live explosive round in checked bag

A US marine was detained at a California airport after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel found a live 25mm explosive round in his checked baggage, police said.

The round was found during the screening process of checked luggage at the Palm Springs international airport on Monday, the Palm Springs police department said in a news release.

The marine told investigators he found the round “in the field” about a year ago and kept it, thinking it wasn’t live.

“Due to extensive rust and corrosion, the round’s original identifying paint markings were no longer visible, making it difficult to determine whether it was an inert training munition or a live explosive device,” police said in the news release.

The Riverside county sheriff’s department explosive ordnance disposal team used X-ray technology to confirm that it was a live round. The team took it to a desert area near Interstate 10, where it was destroyed, the news release said. No one was hurt.

Police said they submitted the case to the Riverside county district attorney’s office for a review of potential violations and criminal charges. An email seeking comment was sent to the district attorney’s office on Tuesday.

The marine, who was released to military authorities, could face administrative action by the US Marine Corps and a potential civil penalty through the TSA, police said. Emails seeking comment were sent to both organizations.

Source; The Guardian

1-year-old, driven by a 14-year-old facing DUI charges, dies following crash in Hampton

A 1-year-old died following a crash that happened Monday on I-64 in Hampton, according to a news release from state police.

At about 2:04 a.m. on Monday, a silver sedan, driven by a 14-year-old, was going eastbound when it went off of the right side of the road, hitting the guardrail. The sedan then went off of the left side of the interstate and hit the lane barrier.

The infant in the car died Thursday from their injuries. The 1-year-old had not been properly restrained at the time of the crash.

The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered serious injuries and was taken a hospital. State police did not share an update on her condition. She has been charged with driving under the influence, driving without a license and a child restraint violation. Additional charges are also pending.

Source; The Virginian-Pilot

Category: "Teh Stoopid", Crime, Police, Stupid Criminals, YGBSM!!