CA Armed illegal pot grower

Mexican national arrested in pot bust near Mount Hamilton
By Gideon Rubin The Daily Review
Article Launched: 08/13/2008 06:41:02 PM PDT

McGLINCHEY SPRINGS — Operating on tips from a deer hunter and a private citizen, Alameda County and Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies raided a massive outdoor marijuana farm Tuesday, eradicating what's thought to be an Alameda County-record 7,000 plants, estimated to be worth $20 million, and arresting one of two suspected growers, authorities said.
Deputies found two marijuana gardens on private property in McGlinchey Springs amid rugged terrain covering about 40,000 square feet stretched across the Alameda County's southern border into part of Santa Clara County in the shadow of Mount Hamilton, Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. Shawn Peterson said.
Eziquiel Sandoval, 30, of Mexico, was arrested on multiple felony counts, Peterson said. His immigration status was not immediately known. A second suspect, about 5-foot-5 and weighing about 135 pounds, escaped through some brush, the sergeant said.
The growers clear-cut old-growth forest and pine trees and treated the area around the plants with animal poisons that will eventually run off into pristine creeks that feed into Lake Del Valle in Livermore — a "major (Environmental Protection Agency) foul," Peterson said. The garden was irrigated with water siphoned from a ranch three-quarters of a mile away, according to deputies.
Sandoval was found in possession of a loaded Glock 19 semiautomatic handgun and additional ammunition, Peterson said. He was arrested for cultivating
marijuana, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, Peterson said, and taken to Santa Clara County Jail.
"Deer hunters, cattle ranchers or private land owners hiking on these properties coming across an armed man growing several thousand plants could be a dangerous situation," Peterson said.
Deputies found propane tanks, clothing, and food supplies in makeshift shelters the accused growers were apparently living in for several months, Peterson said. Their encampment was some seven or so miles from the nearest paved road at an elevation Peterson estimated to be about 3,000 feet.
Mountain lions, deer and wild pigs were spotted in the area, he said.
"It was like we were in the wilderness," Peterson said. "It's not something you'd expect to see that close to a metropolitan area."

FL Illegal molester

OCALA - A 25-year-old man was charged Thursday with sexual battery on a child after he reportedly molested a 6-year-old girl, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.

MARION COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Ricardo Amaya
The girl told investigators that Ricardo Amaya put her on a bed, pull her pants down and molested her. The girl said that when she tried to scream Amaya covered her mouth.
The girl told officials that she reported the incident to her mother, who in turn called deputies.
Amaya, who is an undocumented immigrant, was brought to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview. He declined to say anything.
He was then taken to the Marion County Jail.
- Austin L. Miller

TN Boy run over by illegal

Slideshow
Family members say 5 year-old Frank Brooks "was a happy, smiling kid."
MEMPHIS, TN - Tate County officials say a man was drunk when he hit a small boy with his SUV and drove away.
Jaime Perez, 35, is charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license. Investigators also believe Perez is an illegal immigrant. He is accused of hitting 5 year-old Frank Brooks on County Line Road in Tate County.
The boy's parents talked only to Eyewitness News Everywhere about the accident they say happened just a few feet away from the family's home.
"He was a happy, smiling kid. They would call him 'Frankie Blue Eyes,'" said Frank's mother, Frankie.
"My brother and I... we had our sons a day apart. It's really hard. I loved him like my own," said Frank's uncle, Mike Brooks.
Family members say Frank was an angel, who was loving and full of energy. He was killed on Saturday, May 24, 2008, right in front of his brother and sister. The day before he was hit, the family says it rained and Frank wanted to play in the mud with his brother and sister. Family members say Frank walked to the side of the road to pick up his sister's shoe, and that is when he was hit.
"He had blood coming out of his ears, his eyes were still open," said Frankie. "He didn't have time to blink or hurt. It was over that fast."
Eyewitnesses say after Frank was hit, the driver went racing down the street in his Ford Excursion. Police say he lost control of the SUV and veered off the road.
"Someone had said there were beer bottles in his vehicle. He didn't say a word to anyone," said Frankie. Frankie said her son was not breathing and died in her arms on the side of the road.
While federal immigration officials try to decide if Perez will be deported, Frank's family is left to deal with the grief.
"We'll never have another birthday for him or holiday," said uncle Mike. "It's tough knowing he's missing out on all these things. I loved him very much. I'll always love him every day that goes by."
According to the Tate County Sheriff, Perez is being held without bond. Officials say Perez had a Tennessee identification card, but say he had Mexican documents with him as well, plus some questionable social security cards.