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Friday, December 21, 2012

One of two teens accused of graffiti threats at Kingwood High School appears in court

KINGWOOD, TX (KTRK) -- One of two Kingwood High School students faced a judge today on graffiti charges. The 18-year-olds were arrested after racist messages and threatening graffiti were found at the high school.

These are two separate cases of graffiti in the bathrooms at the high school, each disturbing in their own way and both ending in felony charges against students.

School officials say one student drew a picture of a gun and wrote threats on bathroom walls at Kingwood High School. That student was in court to hear the charge against him -- a 3rd degree felony of exhibition of a firearm -- for the threatening graffiti police believe he drew on the walls of a Kingwood High School bathroom.

Derick Richard Montelongo, a senior at Kingwood High, is behind bars on a $250,000 bond. If he is released, he will have to wear a GPS monitor and have no contact with the officer that prosecutors say he threatened at the high school.

Last Wednesday, prosecutors say Montelongo drew a picture of a gun pointing to a stick figure with the name Officer West, saying kill Officer West and "shoot everyone at 3:07."

Assistant District Attorney Mary McFaden said, "Any type of threat in this day and age, whether or not officer or civilian, we take any complainant as serious as another."

In a separate incident just two days later on December 14, student Trent McKay Skinner was arrested for a similar offense. Police believe he scrawled neo-Nazi symbols on bathroom walls and referred to the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. Skinner is charged with graffiti on school property.

Kingwood High School put a note out to parents saying the Montelongo situation was taken care of immediately and involved no real weapons.

"Last week, two boys' restrooms were defaced with graffiti that was offensive and threatening. The graffiti in one of the restrooms included a drawing of a gun and a message against police and the school. Acting immediately, we were able to quickly identify the student involved and conduct a search to determine that this was a case of vandalism with no actual weapons involved. We then worked with Humble ISD Police and the Harris County District Attorney's Office to ensure that the incident was appropriately addressed. That investigation resulted today in the arrest of two students, who each face a charge related to defacing school property with graffiti. Our school will not tolerate vandalism, graffiti, threatening or offensive messages. Thank you for your support of a safe and positive school environment."

In both cases, surveillance video showed the suspects going into the restrooms, and police discovered drawings of the graffiti on the students.

local, elissa rivas

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Friday, October 5, 2012

Man accused of being Russian agent appears in court

HOUSTON -- A naturalized U.S. citizen accused of illicitly obtaining military technology for Russia has been formally briefed on the charges against him in an initial court appearance.

Alexander Fishenko and six others had an initial appearance in court Thursday. They did not enter pleas. Hearings to determine whether they will be allowed out of jail before trial are expected to start Friday.

Fishenko was born in what is now Kazakhstan and owns Houston-based Arc Electronics Inc.

Prosecutors say Fishenko and others sold cutting-edge microelectronics that could be used in Russian weapons systems, exchanged communications with Russian intelligence and tried to hide documents when they suspected authorities were onto them.

Fishenko's attorney, Eric Reed, told reporters that he plans to "take a hard look at" the allegations.

local

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Driver accused of DWI and charged in unborn baby's death appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man charged in a deadly crash that authorities believe caused a woman's miscarriage appeared in court on Wednesday.

Ashton Craven faces felony murder for Saturday's crash at the intersection of Bataan and Rutland. According to police, Craven ran a stop sign and hit a car being driven by a woman who was five months pregnant.

Doctors say she lost her baby because of the accident.

Officials say this is Craven's fourth DWI.

If convicted on the murder charge, Craven, 38, could receive life in prison.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Man charged with kidnapping 2 brothers appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man charged with kidnapping two young brothers over the weekend appeared in court this morning.

The 13 and 7-year-old boys vanished from their home on Timbercrest Village in north Harris County on Saturday.

Prosecutors allege a neighbor, Tony Guzman, kidnapped the brothers and drove them to a wooded area seven miles away. They were found safe the next day.

Guzman is also charged with possession of child pornography for inappropriate pictures of other children on his phone.

local

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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Man accused of setting bar fire appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- One of the men accused of setting fire to a bar in east Houston appeared in court Monday morning.

Police say surveillance cameras caught Jaime Mata along with another suspect in the act of burning down a bar on Harrisburg after barricading the people inside on April 19. Luckily the people inside were able to escape unharmed through a different exit.

Authorities believe the men decided to light the bar on fire after getting kicked out for fighting. The second suspect in the video is still unidentified.

A judge Monday raised Mata's bond from $50,000 to $100,000. Mata was also ordered to stay at least 100 yards from the bar.

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Man accused of killing mom appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man accused of shooting and killing his own mother appeared in court on Tuesday.

Reyna 'Yuki' Rogers was a well-known activist in the Asian community here in Houston. Her son, James Rogers, is charged with murdering her last week inside their southwest Houston townhome. Yuki Rogers was shot at least eight times.

In court Tuesday, James Rogers, 26, asked for a court-appointed attorney.

There's still been no mention of a motive. James Rogers is a former military man.

local

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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Teen who allegedly shot at bullies at North Forest High appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Firing back at bullies lands a local high school student in jail. Now the teen tells a judge he was acting in self-defense when he shot at the people he claims have been tormenting him.

Incidents happen at schools all the time in Houston, but not all of them garner this kind of response. On Wednesday Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is leading the charge to keep North Forest ISD from closing, visited the high school one day after a 16-year-old student was shot in the leg. How the gun was slipped past metal detectors is still a mystery, but it's the second time it's happened this year.

"We are all concerned about the safety of the students and we're asking that school district do what they are doing, and that is to take this very seriously," Jackson Lee said.

North Forest High School student Warren Lewis, 18, faced a judge in court Wednesday morning for the first time. The teen's family says he had been bullied by three older students and was trying to defend himself when he brought the gun to school. It's still not clear how the gun was slipped past metal detectors there.

Prosecutors say on Tuesday after lunch, another student walked into Lewis' classroom and began questioning him about a confrontation that happened at lunch. The state says after the classroom argument, Lewis stepped out into the hallway and beckoned for the other student to fight him off campus.

Prosecutors say that's when the other student walked up to Lewis and began fighting him. Authorities say the fight ended when Lewis stopped fighting back and covered his face. The other student walked away and Lewis pulled out a small handgun from his backpack and shot, unintentionally striking a 16-year-old bystander, according to prosecutors.

On Wednesday morning, Lewis, an honors student, told the judge he was bullied, with students even showing up at his home. He says he feared for his life and his family.

"I have papers of them making reports for the longest... these same boys, they came by my house, sir," Lewis told the judge. "I'm in fear for my life and for my family's life."

"You should discuss that with your lawyer and see if that provides some sort of defense to the charge," replied the judge.

Lewis' mom says her son reported the bullies to the school more than once.

"He was so scared that he felt like he needed to protect himself because he said these boys carry guns and have been known to shoot people," said Lewis' mother, Yolanda Domino.

Lewis' mother apologized to the victim's family. The mother also said she and her son repeatedly reported the bullying to NFISD, both a written complaint and verbal complaints. The district says it has looked into the bullying accusations.

A spokesperson for North Forest ISD released a statement which read: "Regarding the claims by Mr. Lewis's mother that bullying of her son was reported to the North Forest School District, we can find no complaints filed either at the high school or the district police office about bullying of Mr. Lewis."

The school district is reviewing metal detector policies following the shooting. A district spokesperson said metal detector use was extended until 10am Wednesday.

Officials also say anything other than clear backpacks will now be banned from the high school. The school district is buying clear backpacks for all 1,285 high school students. They hope to have those purchased by next week.

The 16-year-old student's injuries are not life-threatening.

Lewis is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond has been set at $30,000.

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Friday, December 23, 2011

Accused child killer Michael Allen Seaton appears in court

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

Alleged Tranquility Park shooter appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man who allegedly fired a rifle in Tranquility Park last month made his first appearance in court Friday.

Investigators say Joshua Anthony Twohig, 21, waved a 40-caliber rifle during an Occupy Houston rally before putting the gun to his head.

Twohig's attorney says his client has a history of metal illness and last month in a downtown Houston park, his plan was to commit "suicide by cop." The state maintains he's dangerous, his bond should be raised and he should remain in custody.

Twohig was shackled, wearing an orange jumpsuit and leg brace as he limped into court. First looking over at his wife and then at his grandmother from Florida, Twohig stood silent before the judge as the prosecution recounted what happened last month in Tranquility Park.

Much of the incident was captured on cell phone video by an Occupy Houston protester camped out nearby. Twohig was dressed in a black suit and carrying a 40-caliber assault riffle. Prosecutors say an officer, who was flagged down by a protester, found the young father firing in the reflecting pond, then the state says he turned and pointed the gun at the officer.

That's when one officer shot him and prosecutors say he dropped his rifle, reached in his back waist band and was shot again. Prosecutors say when he reached for his rifle again, he was shot a third time.

Twohig's attorney says his client did not plan to come out of the park alive.

"There is a plethora of material that indicates that he was delusional, that he exhibited paranoia, that he had in the past heard voices; he was very definitely not a member of Occupy Houston. He was out there all by himself and quite frankly intended to commit suicide by cop," said George Parnham, Twohig's defense attorney.

Parnham said Twohig was on his medication at the time of the shooting. He has since undergone a mental health evaluation to see if he is competent enough to stand trial.

Bond has been raised to $100,000 at the request of prosecutors. Twohig remains in custody in a mental health facility.

local, samica knight

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Police: Boy's shooting death at motel appears accidental

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A child was killed in what appears to be a tragic accident at the hands of his older brother. It happened Tuesday morning at a Motel 6 on the Katy Freeway near Highway 6.

Crime scene investigators spent hours at the scene, but they say at this point, it appears the little boy's death was an accident.

The Motel 6 at the Katy Freeway and Highway 6 had been home to the dad and his two boys for about a year. Tuesday likely began as an ordinary day when the dad went to the front office to pay the bill.

"While he was paying the bill, that's when the incident happened," explained Sgt. Bobby Roberts with HPD Homicide. "So when the dad came back, that is what he discovered when he came back."

The younger boy was hit in the torso and found crumpled on the floor. Investigators say the dad scooped the boy up and ran outside, yelling for help. Paramedics were working on the boy when homicide investigators arrived.

Houston police say the gun was a rifle of some sort, and at this point, they believe it belongs to the dad.

Investigators are still working to figure out exactly what happened between the two boys in room 138 of the Motel 6 Tuesday morning. So far, they say, it appears to be accidental and that they think the eight-year-old may have shot his little brother.

Sgt. Roberts said, "With the two children, you know, with dad not being there, the only other person that's going to know what happened is going to be the eight-year-old child."

Police say the dad was distraught when they interviewed him and the eight-year-old boy appeared to be upset as well.

"I haven't talked to the child," Sgt. Roberts said. "He's a young child. I'm going to have him interviewed by a psychologist as opposed to me talking to him. He's just got his head down and I'm sure he's pretty distraught as well."

We are told the family is from California. There's no word at this point why they were here or why they'd been living at the motel. The mother apparently had lived here until about two weeks ago, and at last check, police were still trying to locate her.

At this point, no charges are expected.

local, adela uchida

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Mother charged in connection to girl's death appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A mother charged in connection with the death of her four-year-old daughter made her first appearance in court overnight.

Maciel Delosangeles Sandoval is charged with injury to a child. She has also been placed under an immigration hold because she may be in the country illegally.

Sandoval and her roommate, Judith Herrera-Garcia, 35, were both arrested Monday. According to court documents, police found bruises and minor cuts all over Betsobeth Sandoval. Police say the women told them they did not get medical attention for Betsobeth because they were afraid of Child Protective Services.

Neighbors say they are still in shock.

"It's sad, it's discouraging, and it's scary to know that she would even have a parent that would allow something like that to happen to her," said neighbor Topeka McNeil.

Police say they are also speaking with Herrera-Garcia's 14-year-old son.

local

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Suspect in officer's death appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The illegal immigrant accused of killing a Houston police officer in an alleged drunk driving accident made his first court appearance today. The man's defense attorney and prosecutors are painting two very different portraits of him.

Johoan Rodriguez's court appearance comes just one day ahead of HPD Officer Kevin Will's funeral. The officer died Sunday when Rodriguez's vehicle plowed through a police barrier and struck him. Rodriguez, 26, walked into court Wednesday, his face still showing injuries from the crash. The state said Rodriguez went around a police barricade Sunday morning and slammed into Officer Will. Court documents say the officer was investigating an earlier accident and that he yelled to an accident witness to get out of the way just before the officer was struck. Prosecutors say the officer was dragged for a long distance before Rodriguez came to a stop. Court documents show Rodriguez's blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit and he had cocaine in his pocket. Prosecutors say Rodriguez, who has twice been deported after being in the U.S. illegally, is also an admitted member of the street gang MS 13. Rodriguez's attorney though disputes that claim, saying he is not in a gang. He says his client has been in the U.S. since he was six years old and attended Sam Houston High School. His attorney also says he has no criminal record. Officer Will's colleagues showed up to court today. They say it has been a tough time for them. "It wasn't any easier today than it was the other night. It's been a hard process, it was a hard scene to go up and work. It's difficult to see your friend out there like that," said HPD Officer Don Egdorf. "He did have beer in the car, suggesting that he purchased it from some place, possibly earlier in the night. So if there was a convenience store that recognized him, if he'd been at a house party, if there was a bartender who had seen him or a bouncer who had worked the door, anybody like that, we'd very much like to hear what they have to say," said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Catherine Evans. Rodriguez's mother was visibly emotional as she left the courthouse today, even screaming and yelling out loud. His mother and stepfather and a few other family members showed up today. Rodriguez was given no bond and the judge ordered him not to have contact with anyone except his attorney. Rodriguez remains in a Harris County jail, charged with intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer, felony evading arrest and possession of a controlled substance. He has been placed on an immigration detainer. He faces 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Visitation, funeral scheduled for fallen officer A visitation for friends and family will be held at the Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, from 11am to 9pm today. Funeral services will be held at Champion Forest Baptist Church, 15555 Stuebner-Airline Road, at 10am on Thursday to be followed by a private burial service.
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Help for fallen officer's family

The 100 Club announced that donations are being accepted to its "Survivor's Fund," which provides benefits to the dependents of peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.

Officer Kevin Will, 38, died in the line of duty on Sunday morning, May 29, 2011, while working a hit-and-run motorcycle accident on 610 North Loop near Yale. A $10,000 check will be given to Officer Will's family to assist with any needs they may have. Additional financial support for the family will be provided, after a review is made by the Club, to include current financial and children's educational needs.

If you wish to help, contributions may be made at www.the100club.org, or mailed to 100 Club Survivor's Fund, 5555 San Felipe Street, Ste 520, Houston TX 77056-2733. One-hundred percent of "Survivor's Fund" donations go to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

local, samica knight

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Driver accused of killing toll worker appears in court

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The driver accused of running over and killing a toll booth worker appeared in probable cause court overnight.

Julie Little's bond was set at $30,000 and she was given another court date.

"Ms. Little, a warrant has been issued for your arrest for the felony offense of intoxicated manslaughter in a motor vehicle. You will hear the basis for the warrant when you arrive in court," said a court clerk.

Investigators say Little was drunk when she lost control of her car and hit Sheila Lindsey on the North Beltway Wednesday night. Tests proved Little's blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit.

local

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Friday, December 21, 2012

Friday, October 5, 2012

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Friday, December 23, 2011

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011

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