Archive for the Hotels Category
So Cal Cops work together to bust up teenage prostitution ring operating on Craigslist
April 27, 2009 by Bill Gould, Publisher.
San Marcos, California - On March 17, 2008, Deputy Colin Ingraham was following-up on his assigned duties in the San Marcos Community Policing unit investigating in-call prostitutes in the city of San Marcos. While checking listings in “Craigslist,” Deputy
Ingraham saw a prostitute he had been monitoring was posting from a hotel in San Marcos. The woman had an active
arrest warrant for identity theft, so he called to arrange a “date” with plans to arrest her upon their meeting.
When he went to meet the woman at the hotel, Deputy Ingraham discovered he had just missed her pimp, who left
moments earlier. He took her into custody without incident. Inside the room, he located an open laptop computer being
used to generate additional posts on Craigslist. This computer and a cell phone recovered from the arrestee would later
yield significant crucial evidence needed for the case that was about to develop.
During follow-up interviews at the station, Deputy Ingraham learned the arrestee was only 18-years-old. She told him she
had been recruited into prostitution at the age of 15 and brought across the country from her home state of Tennessee.
Since he had established good rapport, Deputy Ingraham inquired about another girl who she had posted with who
appeared to be a minor. She told him the girl was 17-years-old and had also been recruited and brought to California
from Florida. According to the arrestee, the 17-year-old was currently working in the Los Angeles / Orange County area.
Deputy Ingraham later conducted records checks and learned both the woman arrested and the 17-year-old were in the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database listed as missing and endangered children.
Deputy Ingraham conducted additional on-line research and located the 17-year-old girl posting on Craigslist in Los
Angeles. He contacted Detective Dana Harris with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Vice Unit and solicited their
assistance. Within a couple of days, Detective Harris and his unit were able to locate and arrest the 17-year-old, two other
prostitutes and a suspected unrelated pimp.
Since both girls were children recruited into prostitution and brought cross country, Deputy Ingraham now wanted to
identify and build a case against their pimp, who at this time he knew only by the name, Christopher Young and his
moniker “Stay Down.” Additionally, the case was growing and now had a nexus throughout southern California, Las
Vegas and Florida.
During a weekend meeting with LAPD Detective Harris, they discussed the case and strategized on how best to work it.
Detective Harris told Deputy Ingraham he was working with an FBI agent in Los Angeles who had expressed an interest in
the case.
Deputy Ingraham followed-up with the FBI and was put in touch with Special Agent Ashley Mericle from the Orange
County FBI office. They met and Deputy Ingraham briefed her on his case and provided copies of the case to Agent
Mericle. Agent Mericle took the case prepared it for the US Attorney’s Office and later presented it for an indictment.
Ultimately, they were granted a federal arrest warrant for 18 USC 1591(A) Sex Trafficking of Children.
On April 14, 2009, Deputy Ingraham learned Young was posssibly staying in the Hotel Circle area of San Diego. Deputy
Ingraham did additional research and found two girls who he suspected to work for Young had on-line solicitations in
Hotel Circle.
Deputy Ingraham coordinated with San Diego Police Department Vice Unit Sergeant Oberlies to have her unit search the
area for Young. Within a couple of hours, SDPD Detective John Brown spotted Young’s vehicle leaving the Hawthorne
Inn in Fashion Valley. Uniformed officers were notified and made a traffic stop, taking Young into custody. At the time of
his arrest, Young was with a man on probation for pimping out of Los Angeles County.
Once booked into federal custody, fingerprints were submitted and it was discovered Young had four active arrest
warrants in Florida under the identity of Dwayne Lawson; one was an NCIC with full extradition for armed robbery while
wearing a mask. Prosecution is pending with additional charges pending. Since there may be other unidentified
witnessses or victims, anyone with information is requested to contact the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at the
San Marcos Station, (760) 510-5200.
Posted in Money, Travel, Orange County, United States of America, San Diego, Hotels, Crime, News | Print | No Comments »
WHAT A TWIST! INJUNS RESCUE PALEFACES
April 11, 2009 by PT Rothschild.
LAKE ELSINORE C.C. COMES UP A DAY LATE, A DOLLAR SHORT, AND FOUR ACES SHY OF A FULL DECK
Temecula, CA – For those who followed all the events concerning Jeremy Lusk’s accidental death while performing a stunt down in Costa Rica and the Lake Elsinore benefit show that was to be held at the Trevi Entertainment Complex to help out Lusk’s widow and family financially, you know that after all the tickets had been printed (handsome job, Ivan Promotions & Dirt Tour Alliance, BTW) and ads placed, the Lake Elsinore City Council pulled the plug on the show about two days before it was to take place (see ‘Glow Skulls To Shine…’). Though the Skulls did perform that night in a stellar show somewhere else (see ‘Moppin Box With The Stuff’), here is the back story for the pulled show. It just goes to illustrate what outside-the-box show promoters have to deal with in trying to bring something to this valley other than quilt making, bluegrass, and country music. Sitting on the same parcel as an old respected resort and card room, and a regular price theatre, the LECC has been giving Trevi grief ever since they tried to expand from being a bowling alley, video game arcade, and restaurant by putting on live entertainment music shows featuring local artists like Space Man Jack. This time, when the LECC caught wind of the Skulls show, they clamped down, but released their death grip when the idea was put forth that this show would be a benefit for the Lusks, who I suppose they had heard about. However, there was one stipulation. There could be NO advertisement of the show, ANYWHERE! Given such an idiotic requirement, one that would guarantee a very low turnout for the show and a very low return for a family in need, promoters did what any sane person would do. They advertised the shit out of the show. Pushed into the corner of ‘who’s the boss’, the LECC pulled the plug, and the rest was thought to be history. But like my ol’ grandpappy used to say, ‘one man’s leftovers is another man’s meal’.
Riding in like the cavalry, the Native American Indian casino, known as Pechanga around these parts, is putting on the ‘first’ Annual Lusk Legacy Gala and Poker Tournament, April 15th, 2009, to celebrate the life of the popular and well respected FMX rider and star. All the profits are to go to the Lusk Legacy Foundation. A five star dinner along with live entertainment and the V.I.P. treatment will be the order of the special night. Perhaps this is fitting revenge since that casino’s popular night clubs were shut down last year for ‘having too many police calls made’ to the gambling complex by city pressure from another town. Still, you have to wonder why the Lake Elsinore City Council didn’t come up with a similar idea for a poker evening compromise since the Trevi sits right around the corner from a poker casino that could have certainly used the cash infusion. Perhaps if you have a preconceived notion, a nursing home ego, and the heavy rotation on your Victrola includes Lawrence Welk, The Kingston Trio, and The Ink Spots, seeing what would benefit a motocross widow just isn’t on your radar screen. But there, except for the Grace of God, go I. Thank the Lord that isn’t me.
Posted in Sports, Casino, Inland Empire, Riverside County, Money, Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Hotels, Music, Food, Family Attractions, Our Favorite Things, News | Print | No Comments »
Temecula Crime Report: Vandals target cars, Lady busted for giving drugs to kids, Teens arrested for breaking into cars
March 30, 2009 by Bill Gould, Publisher.
Temecula, California - At least 75 victims have reported that their vehicle windows were shattered on Wednesday during the early morning hours. The victims live in a large area of Temecula bounded by Rancho California Road to the north and the Temecula city limits to the south.
Temecula police officers have taken at least 75 vandalism reports as of this writing and additional victims continue to call the department. It is likely that the count will reach over 100 victims. It appears that unknown persons drove around the city with a BB type gun and shot out the windows sometime between midnight and 4:00 a.m. At this time there are no named suspects, but officers are following up on some leads.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Temecula Police Department at (951) 696-3000 or 696-HELP (4357).
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Temecula, California - On March 26, at 12:47a.m, a Temecula Police Officer was patrolling the 41000 block of Moreno Road when he stopped a car for an equipment violation. Soon after speaking with the driver, Spencer Roper, 21 of Temecula, and a passenger, Brandon Dobschutz, 21 of Temecula, the officer determined the two were under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested both.
During a search of the car, a stolen license plate was found and the officer learned that Roper was staying at a nearby hotel. When the officers went to the hotel room they found Helene Leonard, 44 of Temecula, inside with three minors. Examinations of Leonard and the minors revealed that all four were also under the influence of a controlled substance and the minors were in the care of Leonard. Inside the hotel room, officers found 70 Ecstasy pills and evidence of drug sales among Brandon Dobschutz’ personal property.
The investigation continued and it was discovered that Dobschutz provided ecstasy to the minors while Roper and Leonard were present during its use. One minor was placed with Child Protective Services, while two others were returned to parents or guardians.
Brandon Dobschutz was arrested for furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, possession/sales of a controlled substance, and a violation of his probation terms. Helene Leonard was arrested for child endangerment and furnishing a controlled substance to a minor. Spencer Roper was arrested for receiving stolen property and furnishing a controlled substance to a minor. All were booked at the Southwest Detention Center and anyone with information about this case should call Officer Dan Decker of the Temecula Police Department at (951) 696-3000.
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Temecula, California - On March 21, at 2:51 p.m., Officer Giles with the Temecula Police Department responded to the 43000 block of Dodaro Dr where she recovered several electronic items and a stolen Sig-Sauer .380 caliber handgun. During this investigation, Officer Giles discovered that the electronic items and handgun had been stolen from unlocked vehicles over the past several weeks. Further investigation led Officer Giles to the arrest of Alexander Kudlo, age 18, of Temecula, and the identification of two additional juvenile suspects. Officers recovered over 40 stolen items with a total estimated value of $4,000.
Alexander Kudlo and the juvenile suspects are believed responsible for over 50 thefts from parked vehicles during the early morning hours in the Morgan Hill, Redhawk, Temeku Hills and Crowne Hill neighborhoods of Temecula over the past several weeks. Many of the stolen electronic items recovered include car stereos, GPS devices, cameras, cell phones and video game systems.
Alexander Kudlo was arrested and booked into Southwest Detention Center for possession of stolen property and grand theft. Anyone with information about this case should call Officer Stephanie Giles of the Temecula Police Department at (951) 696-3000.
Posted in Cars, Inland Empire, Old Town Temecula, Riverside County, Drugs, Crime, Hotels, Temecula, Computers, News | Print | No Comments »
President Obama to answer questions during online town hall meeting at 830am pacific time
March 26, 2009 by Bill Gould, Publisher.
Washington DC - Indeed it is true, President Obama will be online this morning answering question during an online town hall style meeting. This continues President Obama’s path of using new technology to engage Americans that other Presidents have forgot - the tech nerd. Good job Mr President!
Be a part of the online town hall meeting here - http://www.whitehouse.gov/openforquestions/
The event starts at 1130am eastern time - that is 830am in LA for the people reading who don’t want to do the math.
***UPDATE***
The questions were brought up by the public and then voted on by the public. The president totally dodged one of the most popular questions - should we legalize marijuana and tax it to help balance the budget and redirect police resources to more awful crimes? He laughed it off and plainly said no. With the millions of Americans smoking pot, and millions of dollars spent every day on pot, and it not being taxed, what do you think? Sounds like big money in the bank for a cash strapped State of California.
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Denver Music: After 8 years and 5 Warped Tours, ANIMO calls it quits
March 18, 2009 by Bill Gould, Publisher.
Denver, Colorado - The rumors have been swirling across the Internet for the last week or so, and I have to confirm the truth, Denver’s hardest working band, ANIMO has called it quits and broken up. In a statement on the bands MySpace page it was simply stated - ‘ANIMO is no mo’.
In speaking to front man Schuyler Ankele during a phone interview over the weekend, he seemed sad about the end, but hopeful for the future of his music. He told me that the band had just ran its course and with different priorities in life, the band members needed to move on. When asked about what he plans to do the music he was writing recently with guitarist and co-songwriter Brian Johannsen for the new ANIMO album, he said that he wanst sure, but that he has plans to keep writing songs with Johannsen.
“Brian and I have written many songs and I think we will continue to do that. If Jimmy is interested, we just might have him play drums. I definitely have plans for music in my future, this is not the end of my career,” explained Schuyler in a confidant tone. “There was just so much going on with life and after a band meeting it was decided that we would split ways.”
I have had the pleasure of knowing these guys for years now. We met in Las Cruces, New Mexico in September of 2003 while we were both on separate tours. By pure luck and coincidence, DORK (ANIMO’s former name) and my band, Keenwild were booked at the same venues two nights in a row. We ended up becoming fast friends, we did a radio interview in tandem and we got them on a couple of shows thru our then manager who was also a promoter in So Cal. They crashed on our floor when they came to town. It was a great time in both of our lives, full of new adventures and fun - yet also a lot of hard work and sleeping in the van with long drives and little food. It was this common bond of hard work and dedication that bonded us.
After a while, the first former singer, Dylan Martinez left the band and so left the heavy pop-punk-rap Mest influence and in came an even more poppy early blink-182esque style with Bryan Knoebel taking over the lead vocals after being the lead guitarist and back up vocalist. The band only got better after Bryan took the helm of the band. Soon enough Brian Johannsen joined the band after producing songs and playing some keyboard. I remember a show I booked for them at the Roxy, they just blew the doors off the place with Brian in the band. We (Full Value) went to countless DORK shows, booked them at events and tried our best to make sure everyone under the sun knew about our buddies from Denver.
I think it was early 2007 when Bryan Knoebel left the band. I got the sense from him a few months before it was announced that he was done and wanted to move on with his life. The spark had just left him. This happens more than I can tell you in this article. Many times I have seen great bands with big futures give it up after a founding member leaves the band, and at the time, DORK was a great, highly polished band with a big future. As it played out, Bryan didn’t want to be on the see-saw ride that was DORK, and he jumped ship. I recently caught up with Bryan on a social networking site and he is doing well, looks like a happy man who made the choice that was best for him.
The boys of DORK didn’t have any intention of stopping when Bryan left. They huddled and decided to make Schuyler the singer and to come up with a new name. After many long days of contemplation, they settled on the name ANIMO. I spent many days speaking with bassist Donovan Welsh about the name change and the new direction of the band. I told him I thought they had what it took and were a great band with of without Bryan. Indeed they were!
In the summer of 2007, the band took off on yet another Warped Tour - however it was kind of like starting over with a new name. They didn’t have the same recognition with the name change, but worked twice as hard to make up the difference. That is what made this band what they were, hard work and true dedication to the craft of touring and promotion. I enjoyed working with them during the period of the name change, I could sense that they were excited again, hungry to ‘make it’. When they rocked the Temecula Music Fest in 2007, they brought a new Rise Against style energy to the stage, to put it in plain words, they shredded the stage and this continued all summer on Warped.
After the Christmas break, I spoke to Donovan about playing the 2008 Temecula Music Fest, an event they had played for a few years faithfully. Donovan had told me that they were not going to be able to make it out, due to the high as hell gas prices and the fact they scored a great gig in Denver on the same weekend. Unfortunately for them the gig didn’t turn out as planned, performers canceled and it just wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Either way, they were on the Warped Tour again and things looked bright.
ANIMO made it out to California a few days before Warped Tour to film a video for the single off the new album ‘Blood in the Water’ at The Merc in Temecula. It was a great experience and many of the bands So Cal fans came out on a Monday night to see them play and to hang out at TGIFridays after the show like every other time they came to town. At dinner that night Jimmy spoke like a man who was a man who was ready to maybe settle down a bit. He had changed personal things in his life that made him a happier man, it was great to see, but foreboding at the same time. ‘New Guy’ Brian had began to gel with the band and its longtime friends more and that was great, he is a good guy. I did however sense a certain disconnect from Donovan, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it was there. As always, Schuyler and I drank a beer and had a damn good time, we are certainly good at that. All was well, or so I thought.
I arrived at Warped Tour in the summer of 2008 to see the band and to hang out with them, the only catch was that I didnt even see them all together except when they were on the stage. Donovan seemed to be in his own world, Schuyler was hella busy working the tour, Jimmy was no where to be seen and ‘New Guy’ was kinda hanging out alone. The vibe in the merch tent at Warped could be summed up by Joe (who was the merch guy) and his unfortunate condition - a broken arm. An arm broken by a 14 year old girl in an arm wrestling competition they were hosting in the tent. I sensed the same disconnect from Donovan that I had sensed from Bryan 2 years earlier. I was worried, very worried -these were my friends, and one of my favorite bands. The new album ripped and I wanted the best for them.
In November we headed out on our yearly trek to Kansas to see my wife’s family for Thanksgiving. We always go thru Denver, and we got a hotel for the night near where the band grew up in Arvada. I had attempted to call Donovan many times but didn’t get a reply, I chalked it up to him being busy around the holidays. I did get a hold of Schuyler and we hung out for a while and chatted about the band and the future, I guess it was all good, but still it seemed odd. I couldn’t quite figure it out, but something was off. Again, I wanted the best for my buddies and just looked forward to them playing the 2009 Temecula Music Fest so I put any ill thoughts aside and looked to the future.
Over the last few weeks I had tried to get a hold of both Donovan and Schuyler, with no success. I needed to know if they were good to go for the festival, after all they were a 5 time Warped Tour act and had grown a strong following here in So Cal, I wanted them to play. I wanted to see my friends, I wanted to rock out with my co*k out (old DORK reference), I wanted to scream ‘fu*k yeah’ at the top of my lungs when they played that song (fu*k yeah). I wanted to go to TGIFridays and drink a beer and be silly after the show, it was a tradition after all. I finally got Schuyler on the phone and asked him what was up. He told me “man, its a funny story”. After he told me, I didn’t think it was so funny. I was sad.
All in all, I have fond memories of the many times we all spent together and I only wish they could continue because no matter what they were called, DORK or ANIMO they brought a great show to the stage, genuine love for the fans and dedication that I could respect as a performer and a promoter. I wish nothing but the best to ANIMO; Schuyler, Donovan, Jimmy and Brian - my good buddies, one of my favorite bands and the source for many of the best memories of the past 6 years of my life in the music biz.
RIP ANIMO - 2001-2009.
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