18-year-old thug allegedly guns down 40-year-old mom as she protects her son amid Facebook Marketplace purchase gone wrong



An 18-year-old male allegedly gunned down a 40-year-old mother as she protected her son amid a Facebook Marketplace watch transaction last week in Indiana.

John Harrison Ford is now charged with murder, felony murder, attempted murder, and attempted armed robbery after Jean Gragg died from her injuries Saturday, WNDU-TV reported, citing amended charging documents. Ford also faces a felony firearm enhancement, the station said.

'2 words....DEATH PENALTY!'

The shooting occurred Wednesday, June 10, in the 2600 block of MacArthur Avenue on South Bend’s east side, WNDU reported.

Police said Gragg's son was trying to sell a watch to Ford as part of a transaction he arranged through Facebook Marketplace, the station said.

Gragg's son told police that Ford pulled a gun while looking at the watch, said he needed it, and tried snatching it from the son, WNDU reported.

But police said Gragg got in between Ford and her son and chased Ford away from the property, the station said.

Surveillance video shows Ford shooting toward Gragg multiple times after she turned around and ran back toward the home, WNDU reported, citing investigators. Police said Gragg was shot in the head, the station said.

Ford during an interview with detectives reportedly admitted that he shot Gragg, WNDU reported.

He remained Tuesday in St. Joseph County Jail, records indicate. No bail is listed.

RELATED: Final words revealed from Marine who survived war — but was gunned down at home in Facebook Marketplace trap

More than 150 comments hit the sheriff's office Facebook post about the upgraded charges. The following are but a few of them:

  • "Life in prison," one commenter wrote.
  • "If you're gonna sell stuff on Marketplace, go to the South Bend police station, 701 W. Sample onto East End," another user said. "They have a designated area with cameras. It's a safe zone. I use it all the time."
  • "Condolences to her family," another commenter reacted.
  • "2 words....DEATH PENALTY!" another user suggested.
  • "Public hanging," another commenter offered.
  • "Does he look sorry?" another user wondered.

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DOJ Charges 15 Antifa Members With Conspiracy To Obstruct ICE Agents in Minneapolis

The Department of Justice on Tuesday announced a federal indictment against 15 members of a militant Antifa group who created blockades around a government building and forcibly obstructed federal officers to halt ICE operations in Minneapolis. Some were also accused of attacking agents and encouraging agitators to take up arms against "literal fucking Nazi gunmen."

The post DOJ Charges 15 Antifa Members With Conspiracy To Obstruct ICE Agents in Minneapolis appeared first on .

Sisters accused in stabbing of Detroit restaurant worker — over wrong food order



Two sisters are accused in connection with the stabbing of a Detroit restaurant worker over a wrong food order — and one of the sisters reportedly was nine months pregnant at time of the incident.

Brianna and Kierianna Long were charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon after the incident on the city's east side, WDIV-TV reported.

'I'm going to kill you.'

Police told WDIV the stabbing occurred in the 17100 block of East Warren Avenue just after 6 p.m. May 30. WDIV did not name the restaurant; Metro Detroit News said it was a chicken restaurant.

Brianna Long is 29, and Kierianna Long is 26, Metro Detroit News said, citing court records, adding that the restaurant worker is 23.

Prosecutors allege that after the sisters received a wrong food order from the worker, they argued with the worker, went behind the counter, and began assaulting the worker, WDIV said.

Brianna Long and Kierianna Long allegedly chased the worker and threw items at the worker inside the restaurant, the station said. Metro Detroit News said the items included pots and pans.

WDIV said the worker threw things back at the sisters, and prosecutors indicated the sisters picked up a knife thrown at them and used the knife to stab the worker in the stomach.

More from the station:

Prosecutors also said hot grease was attempted to be thrown at the worker, and one of the sisters allegedly told the worker, “I’m going to kill you,” during the alleged assault.

The worker was taken to a local hospital and had to undergo surgery, officials said.

The sisters allegedly drove away from the scene but were later taken into custody, WDIV said.

RELATED: Heroic gas station clerk saves girl from sex offender amid alleged kidnapping after she mouths desperate plea to him

Image source: Detroit Police Department

Brianna Long was nine months pregnant at the time of the alleged stabbing, the station said, adding that she gave birth four days before her arraignment.

During the arraignment, Brianna Long’s defense attorney claimed the worker told the sisters that she didn't "give a f**k" about the wrong food order and threw things at Brianna and her sister first, WDIV reported.

Brianna Long also pleaded with the judge during the arraignment, saying she was innocent and that she had a four-day-old baby at home, the station added.

The judge expressed concern that a food order error led to an alleged violent assault, WDIV reported, adding that the judge as a result set the sisters' bonds high.

Prosecutors said Kierianna Long is accused of stabbing the employee, while Brianna Long is accused of taking part in the assault and helping drive away from the scene, Metro Detroit News reported.

Brianna Long was given a $25,000 cash bond, the station said, adding that Kierianna Long was given a $100,000 cash bond.

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Alleged border-hopping black widow who drugged, robbed, and killed older men she met on dating apps faces extradition: FBI



A Nevada woman jailed in Mexico is expected to be extradited to the United States to face additional charges for allegedly using dating apps to prey on older men. Federal authorities say the woman drugged, robbed, and killed her victims in twisted romance schemes.

The FBI's Las Vegas Division issued a bulletin in February 2025 about 44-year-old Aurora Phelps, who also went by the names of Aurora Alvarez, Aurora Flores, and Aurora Velasco.

'Drop the case, or I will kill you.'

The FBI said Phelps "met individuals online or exploited those known to her in order to steal their personal information" between approximately 2019 and 2022.

"Mrs. Phelps then used this information to fraudulently access their bank, Social Security, or retirement accounts," the statement read.

"It is believed Mrs. Phelps would sometimes drug her victims without their knowledge to obtain this information," the FBI added. "Mrs. Phelps primarily targeted elderly men; however, she was known to target all age groups as well as women."

KTLA-TV reported that Phelps — a dual U.S.-Mexico citizen — targeted at least 11 individuals on both sides of the border.

One of Phelps' alleged victims reportedly was Robert Erbach, a 67-year-old American retiree who lived in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the pair connected on the Tinder dating app — Phelps under the username "Sissy" — and met at a casino that Erbach frequented in Guadalajara, according to his friends.

Friends said Erbach invited Phelps to the Hard Rock Hotel in Guadalajara to see a friend’s rock band perform in December 2021.

The Times said that "it was the last time Erbach was seen alive."

U.S. and Mexican court records revealed that Phelps drove Erbach’s white BMW SUV to Las Vegas, where she used his personal documents to open a Wells Fargo account under his name.

Surveillance video the FBI obtained captured Phelps using a Wells Fargo ATM to make cash withdrawals with Erbach’s debit card. Phelps drained $50,500 from two of his bank accounts, according to the FBI.

In January 2022, Erbach's son received a text message from his father's phone written in broken English, the Times reported.

According to the FBI, one of messages said Erbach was moving to Quito, Ecuador, and ordered the son to tell family and police to halt any searches for him.

Prosecutors said there were attempts to redirect Erbach's pension payments, but they were unsuccessful because a verified signature was required.

Two days after Erbach's rendezvous with Phelps at the casino, the unidentified body of a man with no identification reportedly was found along a road near Guadalajara. Authorities said the man died from asphyxiation.

It was later revealed that the deceased man was Erbach, according to Newsweek.

In addition, the Times reported that Phelps met a 69-year-old divorced expat from the United States who had a "thriving practice" in Guadalajara. She allegedly met the chiropractor on Tinder in May 2022 and called herself "Sisy."

According to court testimony, Phelps and the chiropractor went to a restaurant where he ordered a chocolate milkshake. The pair went to a hotel after the restaurant, according to the Times.

At the hotel, they allegedly had drinks, and the chiropractor passed out.

Phelps testified that the chiropractor had gotten drunk, but police later concluded he had consumed 1,000 milligrams of Valium "most likely added to his drink or the unattended milkshake," the Times reported.

When the chiropractor regained consciousness, he reportedly asked Phelps to take him back to his home.

According to the Times, a surveillance camera at the house showed the chiropractor barely able to walk outside, and he "fell by the front door, cracked his head on the concrete and began bleeding."

The chiropractor's live-in maid reportedly drew a bath to try to help him wake up.

The Times reported that the maid became suspicious after Phelps told her she was the landlord and that the maid "should consider herself fired."

'She truly believes her lies.'

The maid allegedly called Carmen Garduño — a clinic employee who had worked with the chiropractor for 13 years. Court testimony said Garduño grew suspicious when the maid said the chiropractor appeared drunk, as Garduño said she had never seen him drink alcohol.

Garduño rushed to the house where she found the "pale" chiropractor unconscious in the bathtub, breathing heavily and wearing his doctor’s scrubs backward, according to the Times.

"He was practically absorbing his lips into his mouth," Garduño said in court.

Garduño said she began performing CPR on the chiropractor, and then he vomited, and his breathing steadied, but he remained unresponsive.

When police arrived at the home, Phelps told officers she was the chiropractor's fiancée, court records show.

The Times reported that the chiropractor "would remain unconscious for nearly a week."

Once the chiropractor recovered, he reportedly filed a report against Phelps with the Jalisco state police. The chiropractor claimed Phelps stole approximately $25,000 in cash, electronics, and jewelry, including his wedding ring.

A Jalisco state judge issued an arrest warrant for Phelps for aggravated theft.

The Times reported that the chiropractor then received a call — and the voice on the other end of the line was one he did not recognize. The paper said a man speaking in a thick Mexican accent told him, "Drop the case, or I will kill you."

The chiropractor reportedly ceased pressing his case.

An FBI investigation connected the death of Erbach to the alleged drugging of the chiropractor, the Times reported. FBI agents informed the chiropractor that the threatening call was made by Phelps using a voice-altering app.

The chiropractor agreed to cooperate with authorities and file a separate civil lawsuit against Phelps, according to the Times.

RELATED: He led cops to a dismembered body — now he's charged with murder along with two others

The FBI said a month later, Phelps met Miguel Carrillo — a dual Mexican-U.S. citizen — in Chapala, near Guadalajara.

The Times reported Carillo days later was found dead in an abandoned lot, and his car was found outside a bank — and his bank account was drained.

In November 2022, Phelps reportedly used the Plenty of Fish dating app to meet John Wiens — a 78-year-old divorced and retired mechanical engineer living in Las Vegas.

Wiens' son allegedly was unable to connect with his father.

"Stranger still, his Facebook profile now featured a picture of Wiens photoshopped into a city in Brazil," the Times said.

The son told Mexican investigators he received a text message from his father’s phone that said he had moved to Brazil, which was odd since Wiens did not speak Portuguese.

A neighbor purportedly noticed the front door open at Wiens' home, but he was nowhere to be found.

The Times said Wiens’ dog was left alone with no food or water, plus there were "feces everywhere."

The son reportedly traveled from California to his father's house, obtained his dad's laptop, and was able to access his dad's email account.

"The inbox was crammed with orders from Christian Dior, Gucci, and other designer brands for women’s apparel," the Times said. "The purchases were sent to Phelps’ Las Vegas home under the name of her daughter or to 'Abraham Flores,' the name of her brother."

Authorities said they discovered Wiens' minivan at the Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

FBI agents obtained surveillance video showing Phelps and Wiens boarding a plane bound for San Diego on Nov. 4, 2022 — just one day after their first date.

The pair reportedly then traveled to Mexico City and checked into a hotel.

The Times said Wiens the next day was found dead in a hotel room bathtub, and an autopsy found he died of a heart attack.

Of 11 possible victims identified so far, three of them were found dead shortly after their encounters with Phelps, according to Spencer Evans, who at that time was a special agent for the FBI Las Vegas Division.

One of the victims spent five days in a coma after Phelps drugged him, Evans said. The Times reported that Phelps allegedly liquidated $3.3 million of the man’s Apple stock and tried to transfer the proceeds to a bank account she controlled.

Mexican authorities arrested Phelps at a Guadalajara bank on Feb. 27, 2023, the Times noted.

The Department of Justice released a statement in February 2025 saying Phelps "has been charged in a 21-count superseding indictment for allegedly luring older men she met through online dating services and stealing their monies for her personal benefit."

Phelps was charged with one count of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of kidnapping, three counts of identity theft, three counts of mail fraud, six counts of bank fraud, and seven counts of wire fraud.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that a Mexican judge last week sentenced Phelps to 37 years, six months in prison on charges related to the disappearance and death of Erbach.

Sandy Breault, a spokesperson for the FBI's Las Vegas field office, told Newsweek that Phelps "will be extradited to the U.S.— but no date has been set yet."

Evans also stated that "once she incapacitated her victims, Phelps stole their cars, accessed their bank and brokerage accounts to withdraw cash, used their credit cards to make a variety of purchases, including luxury retail goods and gold, and even attempted to access their Social Security and retirement accounts."

Christopher Delzotto, FBI special agent in charge in Las Vegas, said that "the white-collar criminal, especially when it comes to Aurora Phelps, is no different than a violent criminal. They are psychopaths. She truly believes her lies. She visualizes all of this stuff. She believes it. It has become her reality."

Those with information about Phelps’ alleged romance scams are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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Ohio police chief faces 280 years in prison for DOZENS of charges related to sex with a minor



The police chief of a small Ohio village was arrested on Thursday over child sex assault allegations from his time as a teacher and Young Marines instructor.

Chad Essert, 44, of Blanchester was indicted by a Clermont County Grand Jury on 56 third-degree felony counts of sexual battery and 14 third-degree felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

'It takes tremendous courage for a victim to come forward, especially when the accused wears a badge and holds a position of authority.'

Essert allegedly committed the crimes between 2005 and 2010 during the time he was a teacher at a Sharonville school, according to a press release from the Clermount County Sheriff's Office. He later became the police chief of Bethel.

Prosecutors said the victim was one of Essert's students.

The incidents of abuse occurred at numerous locations in Clermont and Hamilton County, according to prosecutors.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Investigations Section took Essert into custody in Seminole, Florida. He is awaiting extradition to Clermont County.

The mayor of Bethel said he's working to have Essert fired from this position.

"Chief Essert should no longer lead the Bethel Police Department. I intend to initiate the statutory process to remove Chief Essert from employment with the Village of Bethel," reads a statement from Mayor Jay Noble.

Essert faces a maximum penalty of 280 years in prison if he's convicted on all charges.

RELATED: Virginia man allegedly tried to meet minor for sex and sought victims on Snapchat, police say

"It takes tremendous courage for a victim to come forward, especially when the accused wears a badge and holds a position of authority," reads a statement from Sheriff Chris Stratton.

"Today's indictment demonstrates that no one is above the law," he added. "Every victim deserves to be heard, and every allegation will be thoroughly investigated and pursued in accordance with the law."

Bethel is a village of about 2,600 residents located in southeast Ohio.

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Mamdani's New York City Had a Riot and Barely Anyone Noticed

New York City reacted to a championship victory by its Knicks basketball team with an orgy of violence and property damage, torching school buses, shattering a police-vehicle windshield, and attacking police officers. The riot was downplayed by the city’s political class and press.

The post Mamdani's New York City Had a Riot and Barely Anyone Noticed appeared first on .

Male, 25, accused of shooting to death his mother, father, brother, and brother's girlfriend



A 25-year-old male is accused of shooting to death his mother, father, brother, and his brother's girlfriend last week in Michigan.

Gage Pierce appeared before a Livonia judge Friday for the first time since he was charged in connection with the quadruple homicide, WXYZ-TV reported. Livonia is just over 20 minutes west of Detroit.

'My heart goes out to them. It really does. The community is hurting over this.'

Pierce faces four counts of first-degree murder and four counts of felony firearm, WXYZ reported, adding that Pierce's bond was denied.

Pierce tried to speak on his own behalf during the arraignment, but the station said his attorney quickly shut down the attempt.

More from WXYZ:

Prosecutors say Pierce used a semiautomatic rifle to shoot and kill his mother, Holly Kimball; his father, Sterling Pierce; his brother, Tanner Pierce; and Tanner's girlfriend, Nevaeh Finch, at the family home Tuesday.

The home has since become a memorial. Family members gathered there Friday to observe what would have been Tanner's 23rd birthday.

Tanner's uncle made sure to wish his beloved nephew a happy birthday Friday at the family home.

"You'll never be forgotten. You achieved so much at such a young age ... you were perfect. Love you, man. Happy birthday," the victim's uncle said through tears, according to the station.

Nevaeh Finch's heartbroken mother, Shelly, told WXYZ over the phone that she watched the arraignment while making funeral arrangements for her daughter, whose birthday is July 9.

"She's just a — she's a good kid," her mother told the station. "Right now I have to try to, you know, pick her last outfit she's ever going to wear."

Prior to a planned Saturday fundraiser at Mulligan's Pub & Grub in Farmington Hills, owner Robert Mckiddie told WXYZ he was a friend of the suspect's father for nearly two decades, and that Sterling Pierce also was a regular at the pub.

RELATED: Four people found shot to death after 12-year-old calls 911 from closet with other children, police say

"He's always called me his brother every time we parted ways ... and I loved him like a brother," Mckiddie added to the station.

WXYZ said a $20 donation at the door of the pub would go directly toward funeral costs for the suspect's mother, father, and brother — and that the fundraising event also will serve as a place for the community to gather, grieve, and share stories.

Mckiddie added to WXYZ that "my heart goes out to them. It really does. The community is hurting over this. All the money in the world will not make a difference to anybody. But it might help them get through what they have to get through. That's a lot they have to deal with."

The following video shows images inside and outside the pub during the fundraiser.

RELATED: 'Extremely intoxicated' teen shoots entire family dead, then calls 911 to confess to quadruple murder: Police

Pierce is expected back in court June 25, the station said.

Officials said police around 5:30 p.m. June 9 found the bodies of Holly Kimball, 53, and Sterling Pierce, 58, on the backyard patio of their home in the 19300 block of Rensellor Street, and the bodies of Tanner Pierce, 22, and Nevaeh Finch, 21, in a bedroom of the home. A dog in the home was found with a gunshot wound to the leg, police said, adding that the dog was taken to veterinary emergency services for treatment.

Gage Pierce was taken into custody at the home, police said.

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3 females caught on video brutally beating, stealing from victims on Philly street; suspects still at large, police say



Three females were caught on video brutally beating and stealing from victims on a Philadelphia street, police said.

The Philadelphia Police Department's Central Detective Division is seeking the public’s help in identifying the individuals responsible for the attacks, and police provided video and still images showing the suspects.

'Conceal carry. A 9 mm would have resolved this issue.'

Police didn't specify the number of victims in the brutal attacks, but WTXF-TV reported that there were two victims.

The beatdowns occurred around 2:15 a.m. April 18; police posted the notice describing the attacks earlier this month.

Police said the three culprits assaulted the victims along the 1300 block of Chestnut Street. Video shows one attack occurring on the sidewalk against the outside wall of a building; the other attack occurs on the street next to a parked car. The victims are repeatedly kicked and punched while on the ground.

Police said the victims' bags were stolen, and their credit cards were later used fraudulently.

Video shows the street was crowded with pedestrians, but it appears only one person attempted to help the victims.

The victims were hospitalized with significant face and head injuries, police said.

Police offered the following descriptions of the suspects:

  • Suspect #1: Black female, 25 to 30 years old, 5’5″ to 5’7″, 150 pounds, medium build
  • Suspect #2: Black female, 25 to 30 years old, 5’2″ to 5’4″, 130 pounds, medium build, tattoo on right side chest
  • Suspect #3: Black female, 25 to 30 years old, 5’5″, 175 pounds, heavy build

RELATED: Penn State senior shot dead just yards from his family's South Philly home — after thugs apparently stole his phone

Police said if you see the suspects, do not approach — instead call 911 immediately.

To submit a tip by telephone, dial 215-686-TIPS (8477), police said. Tipsters also can use this electronic form to submit a tip anonymously, police said. All tips will be confidential, officials added.

Those with any information about this crime or these suspects also can contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093 or 3094, police said.

More than 600 comments hit WXTF's Facebook post about the beatings, and commenters did not hold back. The following are but a few reactions:

  • "Caught on camera! It’s just a matter of time before they are caught! Good for them!" one commenter exclaimed.
  • "When caught, make an example of them!!" another user declared.
  • "They’re good girls," another commenter wrote sarcastically.
  • "Conceal carry," another user suggested. "A 9 mm would have resolved this issue."

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Frisco Schools Create Dozens Of Karmelo Anthonys By Refusing To Discipline Black Students

For Austin Metcalf's sake as well as Karmelo Anthony's, the disciplinary double-standard must end so another senseless murder doesn’t happen.

Americans Want Republican Leadership That Acts

Trump understood something the consultant class never did: Americans do not want timid caretakers of decline. They want leaders and fighters.