Author: CNN Newsource

By Max White, Randy Wimbley

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    DETROIT (WXYZ) — A former Detroit police sergeant who spent nearly 30 years on the force allegedly led a double life as an officer and a serial rapist, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

Benjamin Wagner, 68, is now facing charges in five separate sexual assaults of girls and women between the ages of 15 and 23 from 1999 and 2003 in Northwest Detroit.

The details were laid out at a press conference on Thursday by Worthy, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, as well as other prosecutors and police officers.

“The deplorable fact in this case is that the person we are charging has led a double life as a law enforcement officer and serial rapist,” Worthy said.

According to Worthy, Wagner “utilized isolation and force, armed with a handgun,” and threatened the girls’ lives as he sexually assaulted them.

These cases stem from the nearly 11,000 sex assault kits from 1984-2009 that were found in a warehouse in 2009.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Wagner was employed by the Detroit Police Department from 1989 until he retired in 2017. He then moved to Greenville, N.C. and that’s where he was arrested. Police said he was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 17, and is expected to be back in Detroit next week to face charges.

Wagner reportedly worked in both the 10th and 2nd precincts, as well as investigative operations, tactical services, commercial auto theft unit and more, where he received several awards and commendations.

In all, Wagner is facing 14 separate charges in the five cases. Five counts of kidnapping, eight counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Worthy is asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Wagner to report it to the Detroit Police Sex Crimes Unit by calling 313-596-1950

The breakdown of the charges and cases are below.

Case 1 – Nov. 10, 1999

Prosecutors say a 17-year-old took a bus to a bus stop near the home of a friend in the area of Chalfont and Mark Twain on the city’s northwest side.

According to Worthy, Wagner reportedly approached her, pointed a gun at her, ordered her from the scene and sexually assaulted her.

He’s charged with one count of kidnapping and three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in this case.

Case 2 – Jan. 31, 2000

Prosecutors say a 23-year-old woman left her home to walk to a store in the 184000 block of Wyoming. When she was walking, Wagner repotedly walked toward her, pointed a gun at her, ordered her from the scene and sexually assaulted her.

In this case, he’s charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Case 3 – Sept. 28, 2000

According to prosecutors, a 15-year-old girl was on her way to school and walking to the bus in the 19800 block of Florence when Wagner grabbed her arm, put a gun in her face and moved her from the scene, assaulting her.

In that case, he’s facing charges of kidnapping, first-degree criminal sexual conduct and third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Case 4 – Nov. 19, 2000

In this case, prosecutors say a 20-year-old woman was walking to a friend’s house in the 8500 block of W. McNichols when Wagner walked past her, attacked her from behind and put a gun to her back. He then moved her to another area and sexually assaulted her.

He’s charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Case 5 – April 15, 2003

Prosecutors say a 16-year-old girl was walking to catch a bus to school in the 19000 block of Ferguson when Wagner approached her, had a handgun and removed her from the scene, raping her.

He’s charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to the prosecutor’s office, despite having a firearm in all the alleged sexual assaults, there are no felony firearm charges because of Michigan’s statute of limitations.

—

Detroiters Leslie Cunningham and Robert Williams both live in the area where investigators say two of the five attacks occurred.

“You know, for men, we’re protectors of women, and that’s our assignment, to be protectors of our women. To hear that kind of thing is heartbreaking,” said Cunningham.

Robert Williams said, “the thing that bothers me is I don’t recollect it. And then 25 years later, for it to come up — what happened all this time?”

Scottie Jones lives on the same block Wagner once did.

“It’s appalling. It’s scary,” said Jones.

Kim Hurst from Avalon Healing Center, which supports rape survivors, says the revelation is devastating.

“When you find out someone in a position of authority — especially one meant to protect — was also a police officer, it’s definitely traumatizing,” said Hurst.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison called the case “egregious” and “disturbing.”

“Defendant Wagner’s actions do not represent the integrity, values, or mission of the Detroit Police Department,” he said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Derrick Rose

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    STOUGHTON, Wisconsin (WISN) — Some might call it a “Code Brown.”

Stoughton police, last month, turned heads and perhaps a few stomachs with a social media post not fit for dinner-time debate.

“SPD USES DRONE TO ARREST SERIAL DEFECATOR IN CITY PARK,” the Feb. 5 message read in all caps. “After multiple reports of residents finding human feces and used toilet paper in a city park, SPD used trail cameras and a drone to ID and cite the person responsible,” the message continued.

Before that post went viral, records obtained by 12 News show police found two “number 2’s” in Schefelker Park, about 30 minutes outside Madison.

In a Feb. 4 report, one officer wrote, “I located another pile of frozen human excrement on top of the snow that melted through but was now frozen. Both piles had pieces of crumpled toilet tissue near them. The last snowfall in the area was overnight to early morning on 02-02-26, leading me to believe the initial pile was prior to that snowfall, while the second pile was post that snowfall.”

“Hope they made her pick it up,” one person wrote in the comments on the department’s Facebook post.

“It’s way too cold to be doing your business outside,” someone else added.

Determined to catch the culprit, police set up trail cameras and launched the department drone.

At approximately 5 a.m. Feb. 5, the incident reports said, an officer spotted a runner leaving the main trail toward the woods, police believed, to drop another smelly souvenir. Roughly two minutes later, according to the drone video 12 News obtained through a public records request, a person can be seen emerging from the woods to return to the main path, unaware that an officer was waiting with a body camera rolling.

“Can you come here and talk to me?” the officer says to a woman in the body camera video, also obtained through a public records request. “Can you look directly above me? See the drone that just caught you going to the bathroom back here?”

“Yeah,” the woman responds.

“You’ve been doing this quite a while, too,” the officer said.

“Yeah, I’m sorry,” she replies.

The woman’s apology was not enough to wipe away what had already been done. She explained to the officer she’s a regular runner and normally sees a portable toilets on her route during summer months.

Still, because of the series of incidents, and apparently catching the woman in the act, the officer promised to issue her a citation for indecent conduct.

In the Stoughton police Facebook post, an official noted in the comment section, “For those concerned that the suspect was/is homeless, she is not.”

She is, however, a health professional, 12 News has learned. Public records and online profiles indicate the woman is a nurse practitioner with connections to UW Health and SSM Health. 12 News is not identifying the woman by name as she has not been charged with a crime.

She did not answer multiple calls or respond to a text message seeking comment. In the video, she did express regret after a third and likely final fecal infraction.

“I am mortified,” she told the officer in the video.

“I will let you continue your run. Please don’t do this anymore,” the officer replied.

It is unclear if the woman has paid the $187 fine.

The initial Facebook post from the police department has hundreds of interactions, shares and comments; however, the image the department used showing a thermal image of a person with their hands raised could be considered misleading. When asked why the video provided in response to the records request did not include video with thermal imaging matching the image in the post, a department official said, “The image posted on Social Media was a Google Search Image, nothing from our drone or this case.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Maher Kawash

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    JOLIET, Illinois (WLS) — The Joliet City Council voted Thursday to approve plans for a large data center.

Developers have proposed building the largest data center in the state near Bernhard and Rowell.

“This annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits while helping ensure the project moves forward in a responsible way,” Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty said in a statement. “It also delivers substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and longterm financial benefits for the community.”

After weeks of debate and hours of public testimony, the Joliet City Council officially approved the Joliet Technology Center.

City Hall was packed with hundreds of people on Thursday, some happy to hear about the economic impact of this project while others are concerned about the impact to their livelihood.

All but one Joliet City Council member voted yes on a 795-acre database center next to the Chicagoland Speedway.

The vote comes after Monday’s meeting that went more than six hours with dozens of people voicing their concerns about the project that will house 24 buildings at the intersection of Rowell and Bernhard.

“They don’t care,” said Craig Doorneweerd, who lives next to proposed facility. “They don’t give a darn about the residents of Joliet my house is going to be less than 300 feet from the data center. You wanna buy my house?”

Local union workers packed the council chambers, urging members to bring this project to Joliet.

“We can’t turn our backs on jobs in that kind of capacity for that long of a term,” said Doc Gregory, president of Will Grundy Building Trades. “You’re looking at probably 1,200 people working day and night, which is huge for us.”

Many other Joliet residents have been frustrated with this project, expressing concerns about the environmental impacts of a technology center near their homes.

“I just moved here three years ago I was supper excited, a millennial trying to do right, go to school, get a job, get a house,” said Velshay Stokes, who lives next to facility. “Now I feel stuck. I feel we weren’t heard. There’s not information, so it’s pretty scary.”

Joliet officials say the project is expected to generate $310 million in property taxes over the next 30 years. In that same time, they expect substantial revenue to come in, with $670 million going to the Joliet Township High School District, $146 million for Will County and $76 million for Joliet Junior College.

As construction planning now officially begins, officials say this will also create 700 permanent onsite jobs, as well as 7,000 to 10,000 locally sourced construction jobs.

“We’re construction guys they’re saying 8,500 jobs for almost five years,” Gregory said. “That is a huge project for us .”

Many people say they understand that economic impact but don’t believe it’s worth the uncertainty that comes with this facility in the long run.

“Permanent damage that we may not be able to go back and change,” said a person named Carley who works in Joliet. “Jobs come and go, but our health and environment does not come back.”

Now that the project is officially in motion, developers say they hope to begin construction in early 2027.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Max Davis

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    PADUCAH, Kentucky (WPSD) — Visitors to Paducah’s National Quilt Museum can design their own small quilted souvenir this Saturday in celebration of National Quilting Day.

The museum will host live quilting demonstrations and interactive activity stations for guests to talk with quilters and explore various quilting methods, with displays throughout the galleries. An additional sale will be available in the gift shop.

The demonstration stations aim to allow visitors to see most of the exhibits while also showing off volunteers and their techniques. Demonstrations will include hand quilting, machine embroidery, English paper piecing, quilt binding and quilt labeling/documenting.

“We will have demonstration stations set up throughout the galleries, with different volunteers and staff members from the museum and from the local community and local quilt guild, who will be demonstrating a variety of different techniques,” said Becky Glasby, the director of engagement and learning for the National Quilt Museum.

Glasby said that many volunteers from the community will be there not only to demonstrate their unique techniques, but also to help attendees perform them.

Attendees will receive small quilt squares to allow them to try different quilt methods as they walk around the museum.

“We’ve prepped some small quilt squares, quilt blocks, and then they will go to a couple different stations to add some fusible applique and create their own designs,” Glasby explained. “They will add some quilting stitches with the sewing machine and then add some crystal embellishments if they would like, and we’ve got a little sample of what that could look like. Everyone’s, of course, will be a little bit different in their design and their creativity.”

The interactive part of the event is new this year, according to Glasby, who said the museum introduced it so people can create their own souvenir for the day.

She said she wants people to leave feeling more creative while also celebrating Paducah’s quilting culture.

“We wanted something that not only people could watch how to do some of these techniques and use the fusible applique or machine quilting, the way some of these quilts are made, but really kind of get their hands and actually try it themselves,” Glasby said. “Whether they have experience or not, they get to really see what it’s all about and what quilting can do and what creativity can be for them.”

Glasby said that the squares come with the price of admission and are available while supplies last.

Glasby also noted that the day will bring together all kinds of people in the community and bring awareness to the different types of quilting.

“It’s certainly a good start into quilting, but certainly somewhere that we want to encourage both our visitors and our local community to remember that we’re here all the time, and they can celebrate quilting all the time with us in all these different ways so that they don’t have to just save it up for quilting day or save it up for the April show,” Glasby said. “They can really come and explore the museum, explore the artwork here in the different exhibitions all the time, and really take those inspirations and creativity with them throughout the year.”

The National Quilting Day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be included as part of a normal day’s admission to the museum. The museum’s regular hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

​A full schedule and a list of demonstrations happening on Saturday is available at quiltmuseum.org/national-quilting-day.

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By WPVI News Staff

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    DARBY, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — The crossing guard who was brutally attacked outside a Delaware County school has resigned from her job, Action News has learned.

The incident occurred shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Monday outside Walnut Street Elementary School in Darby during dismissal as students looked on.

Authorities say the guard was assisting children crossing the street when a man got out of his car, chased her down the sidewalk and punched her in the face.

Surveillance video captured the assault, showing the guard falling to the ground after being struck. She told police she was knocked unconscious as the man ran back to his car and sped off.

Investigators believe the suspect became impatient after the guard stopped traffic for students boarding a school bus.

The guard suffered swelling to her face. Police say she regained consciousness, walked home and then called authorities.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, who was driving a gold Nissan Altima. The vehicle did not have a license plate but had a paper tag in the window.

Pennsylvania State Sen. Anthony Williams has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

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By Isabella Ledonne

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    KANSAS CITY (KSHB) — Allegations against labor rights activist Cesar Chavez that have surfaced this week have many across the country calling for accountability.

Chavez is accused of sexually abusing girls and women during his era, leading the United Farm Workers. The union’s co-founder, Dolores Huerta, said he sexually assaulted her in an interview with The New York Times.

The news has been especially troubling for many in Kansas City, as the area has multiple dedications honoring Chavez, especially on the Westside.

23rd Street, which runs through Kansas City’s Westside, was renamed Avenida Cesar Chavez in 1994. It followed numerous other cities and states dedicating portions of their city to the late union rights leader.

Along Avenida Cesar Chavez sits a mural depicting Chavez and other figures honoring Latino history. Both the mural and street name could be getting replaced or changed following the reports.

City leaders, including Mayor Quinton Lucas, explained they still want to find a way to honor the Latino movement.

“It was always about a movement,” Lucas said, quoting Dolores Huerta. “Not one man, not one person.”

Huerta’s words are echoing among Kansas City leaders as they work through the process of changing the street’s name.

“Given those allegations, those are the types of things that don’t lead you to want to continue to honor someone,” Mayor Lucas said. “Cesar Chavez has many honors in Kansas City.”

Changing the street’s name is a process that requires the city council and the community. Councilman Crispin Rea is working through those plans with Westside neighborhood leaders.

“I think we should know what we’re changing the street name to before we make any moves,” Rea said.

23rd Street was changed to Avenida Cesar Chavez more than 30 years ago. Changing it now can take weeks.

Lucas explained that the city is considering other influential leaders in the Latino movement.

“We call out heinous offenses. We absolutely call out and denounce in the clearest terms all that Mr. Chavez is reported to have done,” Lucas said. “But that doesn’t mean we discard the movement.”

The mural sits on city park property and was funded through city dollars. Rea explained changes moving forward will center around community and Latino voices.

“We support those who have been harmed, we uplift their voices, we empower them, and we fight for them,” Rea said. “That is what I sense is happening, and I’m proud of how our community is responding.”

Changing the street name and mural can take weeks. Kansas City is expected to release more information soon.

“It absolutely ensures that there is no honor for someone who abused children and young women,” Lucas said.

U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver also announced his support for a street name change.

“I have seen the deeply disturbing allegations involving Cesar Chavez, and I want to be clear: abuse, coercion, and the mistreatment of any individual – particularly children and those in vulnerable positions – are unacceptable and must be confronted with honesty and accountability,” Cleaver said in a statement. “During my time as mayor, I supported efforts to recognize the contributions of Latino leaders, including the designation of Avenida Cesar Chavez in Kansas City’s historic Westside. That decision reflected the understanding we had at the time. As new information emerges, it is appropriate for communities to revisit these decisions and have thoughtful, transparent conversations about those we choose to honor in public spaces. I believe this moment certainly demands that. I also want to acknowledge the bravery of my longtime friend, Dolores Huerta. Dolores is a force – her strength, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice has shaped generations. She has carried not only the weight of a movement, but also the very personal burdens that come with being abused by someone in a position of power. I hold her in the highest regard, and like all survivors, she deserves to be heard, believed, and supported without hesitation. This moment calls for reflection – not just on one individual, but on how we ensure that power is never used to harm others, and that our communities remain committed to truth, justice, and dignity for all.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By KJRH Digital

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    TULSA, Oklahoma (KJRH) — Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office said DNA evidence on zip ties led to charges against Alonzo Johnson in the 2008 death of Frederick Wilson.

Alonzo Johnson is currently serving two life sentences after convictions related to the contract killing of Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney. He has been officially charged with Wilson’s murder as well.

During a press conference, Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado said that Johnson was connected to the crime early in the investigation, but the technology wasn’t there to connect him to the murder.

“I can’t commend our detectives and cold case unit enough for not letting this case be forgotten,” said Regalado. “There are a lot more cases that need to be tended to, and we tend to them every day, but we were finally able to break through on this one.”

Wilson’s mother, Sandra Wilson, thanked everyone who helped identify her son’s killer.

“Just because time has passed, doesn’t mean that justice can’t occur,” said Regalado.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Brendan King

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    SUTHERLAND, Virginia (WTVR) — The Dinwiddie Sports Complex is equipped with two new mobile AEDs to provide life-saving tools and protection for young athletes.

The Automated External Defibrillators, a medical device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, were installed through a partnership with Dinwiddie County Parks and Recreation, Virginia Department of Health, the American Heart Association, and the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation.

Justin and his mother, Karen Brown-Davis, founded the nonprofit in 2017 when he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect after going into heart failure while having pneumonia.

“When I was diagnosed, I just went into a mode of how can I help somebody else? Or how can I take the stress off of me and make it a joyful experience or a positive experience for somebody else,” Justin said.

The young athlete received a new heart two years ago and continues to serve the community through food distributions and raising awareness about cardiovascular disease.

“All I could think of if something had happened while he was out there. Did I even know CPR? Would we have an AED to save him?” Karen said.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation said 89 percent of young athletes who experienced an emergency where an AED was used survived.

“We wanted this AED to make sure that the citizens, the kids, can make sure that they feel safe again. To know that it’s only a couple of steps away and that it’s a timely solution to actually save somebody’s life,” said Quinell Henderson, the county’s parks and recreation director.

Henderson said assistant director Chris Walters spearheaded the effort to get the devices installed in the popular sports complex.

“We just want the message to be you are safe. Your kids are safe. Anybody that comes to Dinwiddie Sports Complex is safe because of the new AED station here at our football field, and also our soccer field on the other side of the complex,” Henderson said.

The foundation hopes to raise funds to install a third AED at the complex’s basketball court.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.