Phoenix Cop James Wren, 23, was arrested Thursday night on four felony charges, including conspiracy, attempted theft, attempted money laundering, and public servant participating in a criminal syndicate. Wren, father of 3, an officer for 2 years, was busted because the drug dealer he was partnering with gave Avondale police information of Wren's crimes. Police say Wren was stealing tens of thousand of dollars in money from drug couriers. Court records detailed how the dirty cop made phony traffic stops on vehicles coming from a drug transaction, swiped boxfuls of cash, released the drivers without arresting them, and split the money later with friends tied to the drug trade. Wren was booked on suspicion of conspiracy, attempted theft, attempted money laundering and aiding a criminal syndicate.
Police set up an undercover operation Thursday night. Public Safety Manager Jack Harris said Wren was arrested after an attempted theft of $40,000 that he believed was drug money. Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson said Wren admitted involvement in all three cases. Wren was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail. He has resigned from the police department. A local commenter said: SB1070-THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. The police can stop anyone they want and take whatever they want. Pearce, Kavanagh and Brewer have all said the police will do the right thing and won't violate peoples' rights --- this article shows the world what it looks like in Arizona. With SB1070 the 'easter egg hunt" in the desert state is just beginning.
Arpaio and his goons swarmed down on two Sizzler restaurants in Latino neighborhoods yesterday detaining 9 female cooks and hostesses. (click on picture) Family members and restaurant customers flocked outside the restaurant, appalled by the sweep. Arpaio said the raid was the result of a fired former manager who was disgruntled and reported the restaurant for hiring "illeegals." The disgruntled employee reportedly told deputies he was offered three months severance pay in return for not going to law enforcement. The yearlong investigation included undercover surveillance which led deputies to detain nine Latino cooks and hostesses at the crowded Sizzler restaurants. Arpaio, as usual, called the media so they could video the arrests of these women. The cameras videod several protestors crowding the parking lot behind yellow crime tape. "How much money did it cost to do this? It's horrible," Dora Felix said. "Why aren't they arresting the drug pushers and people who dirty our streets," asked Suzanne Armijo. There were questions many in the angry crowd were asking. Sizzler owners, who were not arrested, issued the following statement Saturday afternoon: Sizzler and the owner of our restaurants in Phoenix take seriously their responsibility to adhere to all federal and state labor laws. Beginning in 2008 the Sizzler Phoenix restaurants have used E-Verify as part of their efforts to ensure compliance with immigration and work laws. The owner of the restaurants was extremely surprised to learn of the arrests and allegations. He is assisting the Maricopa County Sherriff’s office with its investigation. As of this afternoon, both Sizzler restaurants are open for business as usual. Meanwhile Arpaio and his goons laughed at the family tragedies they created. One commenter from Phoenix named TeraWatt60 said: I live in Phoenix and "Sheriff Joe" is a true fossil,rocklike brain and Jurassic Era thinking, he does this garbage, along with profiling sweeps throughout Maricopa County in heavily Hispanic areas as part of his shtick. This walking oil slick lives in Fountain Hills which is an affluent area whose overly entitled residents get upset (not making this up) because the fountain in the artificial lake was stopped...oh the tragedy. Surprisingly, no sweeps have been done near his home most likely because the landscapers who maintain their grass (in 115 heat) are often undocumented and it might inconvenience them. Arpaio only targets those who can't fight back, he is a bully with a bullhorn. He would never go after any employer of any size here in the county, but he would be happy to pick on their employees.
Last Thursday afternoon, five Arizonans testified before a congressional panel on the likely effects of SB 1070, the Arizona law cracking down on illegal immigration. U.S. Rep Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona) co-hosted the hearing. It focused in part on the controversial immigration sweeps conducted by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, thereby presenting the curious spectacle of a Tucson-area congressman investigating a Phoenix-area sheriff. The panel heard testimony from Catherine Figueroa (in video). The young girl told the panel that Arpaio's deputies arrested and jailed her parents for three months. "I would also have bad dreams that the deputies would take my aunt and family and me to jail. I'm still afraid of deputies." Figeuroa went on to say, tearfully, "Please help us. Children don't know what to do without their parents."
Phoenix area businesswoman and immigration activist Alma Mendoza testified SB 1070 would discourage women from reporting crimes. She's a former victim of domestic violence. Celia Alejandra, a working mother of three, testified about a workplace raid carried out by Arpaio's deputies. Her jaw was broken in the raid. Alejandra told them, "Please don't close your ears. Don't close your eyes. Don't close your mouth. It's true what's happening in Arizona. We are being discriminated against."
Silvia Rodriguez also spoke to the panel about the effects of Arpaio's (and his masked goons) controversial racial profiling suppression sweeps. Rodriguez was only two years old when her parents brought her to Phoenix, legally; however they overstayed their visa. Her parents, fearing they would be caught in one of the arpaio's raids, left the state, leaving Rodriguez to finish her college education by herself. She is a straight A student who has been accepted for an advance degree by Harvard. She is pushing for passage of the Dream Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for students in her situation.
Sylvia Herrera, who has a Ph.D. in education, submitted several videos and written testimonies from people who have had their civil and human rights violated during Arpaio's (and his goons) suppression sweeps. Herrera called on the Department of Justice to complete its 15-month long investigation of Arpaio (and his goons) for their outrageous racial profiling.
Earlier this week, Sheriff Arpaio told local news affiliates that while the effects of immigration enforcement on families are sad, the same can be said about enforcement of other laws. He pointed out that his jail is filled with people separated from their families for breaking laws other than those related to immigration. Apparently he doesn't care about the heartbreak he causes so many families, as can be attested to in the fact he has lost Maricopa County over $40M in lost civil suits for wrongful deaths and other violations in his tent city facilities.
Heartless Governor Brewer, up for her 1st election as Governor, said the potential effects on families are no reason to back down on immigration enforcement. She advocates that (Latino) citizens concerned about being separated from their families should return with them together.
Representative Raul Grijalva graciously co-hosted Thursday's Congressional hearing along with fellow Democrats Jan Schakowsky of Illinois and Gwen Moore of Wisconsin.
Arpaio and his goons raided the Burlington Coat Factory on Friday night. According to his own account (see video), he was led to the factory based on a called in "gomer pyle style citizen's alert" (ala sb1070). He strictly targetted and racially profiled the latino workers, harassing, holding and cuffing them until they provided "papers please." Meanwhile, several anglo employees without identification were not stopped or asked for any information. When asked why he did not harass the Anglos arpaio responded, "We know their ethnic backgrounds."As you will see in the video, arpaio is rubbing his hands together in glee at the thought of upping the immigration raid ante with the enactment of sb1070.
Arpaio, as usual, allowed the employers to go scott free, even though Arizona has strict employer sanction laws. He also spent most of his time in front of the cameras!
Note to readers: Imagine the cost of implementing sb1070 with sheriff's across the state forced to respond to every "gomer pyle citizen's alert" call in every city and town in Arizona. Imagine the devastation to Latinos and Brown people across the state. Imagine felonious crimes going uninvestigated as Law Enforcement is forced to waste their time on these type of calls.
The Sanchez sisters are under attack for telling the truth. We all know that Kris Kobach from the Hate Group FAIR wrote the racial profiling bill sb1070. FAIR was formed by White Nationalist John Tanton. They told the truth and now they are attack. I wonder what sb1070 supporters are so afraid of? Why are they AFRAID of America knowing the truth about WHO is behind this racial profiling bill? OC Register reports: Sanchez sister: Supremacists back Ariz. law The rhetoric and rancor over Arizona’s tough immigration law was ratcheted up a bit this week when Rep. Linda Sanchez told a Whittier Democratic group that the measure was orchestrated by “front organizations for white supremacist groups. (e.g. FAIR) As reported by the Whittier Daily News, Sanchez, D-Lakewood, said this law is “not accidental or one person’s crazy idea. There’s a concerted effort behind promoting these kinds of laws on a state-by-state basis by people who have ties to white supremacy groups.” The News reported that at a dinner meeting of Whittier’s Mark Twain Democratic Club, Linda Sanchez said the Arizona law is designed to create a system where minorities can legally be discriminated against. They’ve also posted audio of the event.
Sanchez’s statement went viral and she issued a clarifying statement late Thursday saying she didn’t mean to imply that everyone who supports the Arizona law “is a racist or white supremacist.’’ Sanchez’s sister congresswoman – Rep. Loretta Sanchez – isn’t getting into this one. Her office said they’re going to decline to comment on Linda Sanchez’s statement. Loretta Sanchez has spoken out against the Arizona law but has chosen to use a bit less inflammatory language. Sanchez, D-Santa Ana, has said she was worried that she might be a deportation target given her heritage and opposes the law because it could lead to racial profiling and doesn’t get at the root issue – the need for comprehensive immigration reform. “Arizona’s immigration law may be smart politics, it isn’t smart policy,’’ Loretta Sanchez said in a statement after Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer met this week with President Barack Obama to talk about his plan to deploy 1,200 National Guard troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. “If we really want to secure our border with Mexico, Congress needs to assert its jurisdiction on border security issues and, more importantly, tackle comprehensive immigration reform once and for all.’’
Guest Voz: Anon 4, a frequent reader, commenter and friend to Immigration Talk with a Mexican American Happy Memorial Day! Being a veteran myself, I am happy to have a day off to thank all our past and present soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, by putting their lives on the line, so that we can celebrate our freedoms. I also wanted to remind your readers of the many contributions that Hispanics made throughout the history of our great nation. According to Wikipedia, “Did you know that Hispanics have participated in every conflict in which the United States has been involved, and over forty Hispanics have been awarded the Medal of Honor?” I served four years in the military, including one year in Vietnam. The GI bill allowed me to go to college and buy a house. I have lived a long and prosperous life, and I am proud to call myself an American. All of this comes to a screeching halt, when I hear that Arizona passed a bill “sb1070” that discriminates against people that look like me, just because I happen to look like a Mexican. Well, my great-great-great grandparents were Mexicans. They lived in a part of Mexico that is now known as parts of Texas and several other states.
If I were to visit AZ today, I would certainly be questioned for my papers. But if a white European tourist was walking nearby, he would just as certainly NOT be questioned for his papers. This is patently wrong. I want to send a message to AZ that really gets their attention. I want to reiterate the challenge made by many to boycott specific companies based in Arizona, such as: Budweiser (Hensley), PetSmart, Dial (soap), Best Western, U-Haul, University of Phoenix, Discount Tire and Fender Musical Instruments. Here are a few more companies.
Dennis Gilman produced this phenomenal video depicting the FACTS surrounding the AZ's scurrilous, racial profiling bill sb1070. Racist Zealots like Russell Pearce, LIE when they say an "illegal immigrant" murdered Robert Krentz. The police have said they DO NOT KNOW nor DO THEY HAVE A SUSPECT as to who murdered rancher Krentz. Yet, we DO KNOW who murdered Brisenia Flores. It was a Minuteman Leader, Shawna Forde and her co-leader, Gunny Forde. Russell Pearce: promoting more racist bills next: refuse to accept or issue birth certificates to Latino Citizen Children violating the US Constitution! And Russell Pearce - Wife Beater! (as stated in his divorce documents). SEE THE VIDEO! LET IT INSTILL IN YOU THE OUTRAGE AT THE RACIST RHETORIC OCCURRING IN ARIZONA TODAY BY RACIST POLITICIANS OUT TO MOVE FORWARD THEIR EVIL AGENDAS!
A gutsy new political ad asks the questions of Local Politicians: Do you support the Arizona Law permitting local police to question minorities about their immigration status? Would you like to see a similar law in Florida?
Democratic Candidate Joe Garcia is opposed to sb1070. Incumbunt Republican will NOT answer the question. This is a Miami Congressional District, a primarily Latino American district.
As I have long reported, the best thing about sb1070 is it is raising the level of awareness of the rampant racial profiling going on in Arizona, the white nationalist and neo Nazi connections of the bill Sponsors and Authors (e.g.: Russell Pearce - JT Ready; Kris K Kobach - FAIR/John Tanton), and is inspiring ALL LATINO VOTERS to VOTE!
Miami, like Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California are majority/minority cities/states. It is time for ALL CITIZENS to VOTE! VOTE AGAINST RACIAL PROFILING! Vote AGAINST demonization of Families and Friends! Vote AGAINST Gomer Pyle Style "Citizens Arrest!" Vote Against ANYONE that supports sb1070!
SB1070: 1. Racial Profiling Racial Profiling = Suppression Sweeps = Lawful Stop SB1070: Section 2, B: For any lawful stop Examples 2. Criminalizing Friends and Family SB1070: Section 5, G, 2: Unlawful transporting, moving, concealing, harboring or shielding of unlawful aliens; vehicle impoundment; $1,000 fine; charge with class 3 misdemeanor 3. Encouraging Gomer Pyle style "Citizen's Arrest" Sb1070: Section 2, H: A person who is a legal resident of this state may bring an action
As I previously reported, Alipac's William Gheen withdrew his organization's support of the SB1070 Phoenix Rising Rally which is scheduled on June 5, 2010. His reasons include his discovery that racist groups are involved in setting up the Rally and Tancredo knows this but supports them anyway. Gheen's charges are pointed specifically towards Dan Smeriglio. As proof, Gheen pointed to Smeriglio's own Facebook pages with several well known racist groups as friends. Smeriglio charged back that with his popularity, he had no way of knowing the racist associations his "facebook friends" had.
The argument has heightened with charges flowing back and forth between Gheen's Alipac site and Digger's Realm website, a website belonging to Smeriglio's close friend and confidante Digger Dan Amato. In a recent web posting, Digger layed out a detailed analysis of why Gheen actually withdrew from the rally. Here is Digger's detailed explanation, but in brief, he said: 1. Gheen is an opportunist and out for himself 2. He is dishonest and a Liar, lying about Smeriglio 3. He takes credit for other people's work; is very lazy yet wants top credit. 4. He details how Gheen tried to sabotage the conference once he didn't get top billing. He wanted top billing to gain memberships to his site, donations and bragging rights. 5. Gheen has burned many bridges and now he is an outcast
After I read Digger's post and his assertions that Gheen is an opportunist and a Liar and Smeriglio is a Saint, I just shook my head. Anyone who has followed the Immigration debate knows about Gheen. Most believe he is an opportunist and Lies and uses his group for his own agenda and fame. That's a given. But I've also followed Smeriglio. He is well known on the East Coast. His group, Voice of the People, were the faces of the East Coast protestors. It was their screaming, angry faces that stood on street corners with megaphones agitating the crowds during ANTI Immigration Reform rallies. It was their faces that supported Mayor Barletta. It was their faces that marched against the supporters of Luis Ramirez at the trial of his murderers. Smeriglio is loud and rowdy, not afraid to be in your face. One of his best friends and frequent participants at his rallies is Steve Smith (in youtube video and in picture on right), a leader of the notorious Keystone State Skinheads(KSS). Plus the attendees of the rallies were members of the KSS. Many people pointed this out, but Smeriglio only laughed at them. But as more and more people found out about Smeriglio, they disassociated themselves with him, this included Mayor Barletta. Until finally, Smeriglio disbanded his Voice of the People group. This all, of course, is public knowledge and pretty well known out East. The Keystone State Skinheads were even featured on the National Geographic Channel's documentary "American Skinheads." KSS has had several criminal charges against their members. KSS has also sponsored many "White Power" conferences in Pennsylvania. They have been designated a Racist Hate Group by the ADL. And they have close affiliations with the Hutaree militia.
While catching up on their argument today, I studied both Digger's detailed response and Gheen's discussion board on this subject. What I found most interesting was that Steve Smith commented on Gheen's site: "This is Steve Smith from Keystone United. I am going to keep this short and sweet. I am not a "neo-nazi", "racist" , or a "White supremacist." These are labels used by leftists to try to stifle debate. They can't refute my points on racial issues so they have to resort to childish name-calling. I am unapologetic in my stance in trying to preserve our European American heritage and culture. I know what I believe is right because it is backed up with truth,facts ,and logic. If William Gheen wants to debate me publicly on racial issues , just let me know." Gheen responded: "Steve Smith, Unlike Dan Smeriglio, we do not knowingly allow skin heads on our websites. Our goal is to unify Americans of all races, parties, and walks of life behind the effort to stop and reverse illegal immigration. Skinhead, neo nazi, kkk, and white nationalist groups interfere with our mission, campaigns, and legislation. Goodbye. William Gheen" Again, I shake my head. Digger is right about Gheen and Gheen is right about Smeriglio. What I don't understand is why Gheen utilized so little proof (screenshots of Smeriglio's facebook friends' page) when there is so much evidence available. I also don't understand why he ripped Tancredo apart. This is what his own followers are angriest and confused about. I suspect that Gheen has more dirt on Tancredo and is waiting until the June 5 rally to let it all out. That way, if he exposes Tancredo, as he did (in his own mind) to Dobbs and Lindsey Graham, he will score more credit and donations from his members and more attention for himself in the media. The more I read about this mess, the more I am glad I am not affiliated with anyone like that crowd. If people truly believe they are supporting a worthy cause, they certainly would not behave this way. I've often said, "You reap what you sow times 10." I wonder what these folks will reap in the end.
Some of my readers have been writing me about specific aspects of sb1070. One of my readers is married to a so called "illeegal." His mother brought him to this country in the 90's from El Salvador. He was just a child. The country was a war torn shambles and they sought escape and the American Dream. He went to school and did well. Today, he is a hard working father of two. He married a mexican american citizen. He and his wife have hired an Immigration lawyer and they are attempting to correct his status. The courts are so backlogged, they have been in limbo for some time now.
Her parents live in Arizona and are having a family reunion over Thanksgiving. They want to go but realize if sb1070 is enacted, they will all be in jeopardy. If stopped, they both would be arrested. He would go to a detention center for six months then deported to El Salvador. He barely speaks Spanish and doesn't even remember the country. She would have her car confiscated and be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor and forced to pay a $1000 fine. If they made it to her parents house, they too would be charged a $1000 fine and charged for harboring.
I got to thinking about the girls basketball team in Illinois. What if one of their players was like my reader's husband. What if she was brought to this country as a child and is now on the basketball team. If she went on the trip, she would be jailed in a detention center for 6 months then deported. The entire team would be arrested/charged a class 3 misdemeanor. If they drove, their vehicle(s) would be confiscated. They would be forced to pay a $1000 fine. Perhaps this draconian law and the personal impacts it would have on each of them is why they are boycotting the state.
And let's look at arpaio's detention center/tent city. He has lost $40M in lost civil suits due to wrongful deaths/abuses in his jails. He dresses them in pink underwear, houses them in tents, and has them eat green bologna. He charges the state $100 a day for each detainee, that is why he jails them for 6 months before deporting them. Arpaio just reported that his jail/tent city is infested with chicken pox. He doesn't blame himself for the deplorable, disease/vermin infested unsanitary conditions in his facility. He blames those that are sick for their illnesses, even though they have very poor medical assistance in his deplorable jails.
PASS THE DREAM ACT & COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW!
Facebook Badge: Immigration Talk with a Mexican American
(click on picture to link to Facebook Page)
Immigration Talk with a Mexican American
Blog Mission
A PRO Forum where people, both PRO and ANTI, can discuss American Immigration Issues and Political Issues civilly, freely and safely thereby reducing the hate, anger and misunderstandings currently inherent in most of these discussions.
This Blog promotes the discussion of opinions of the Blog Owner and commenters who wish to participate in the discussion about Immigration Issues and Political Issues.
Many blog entries contain details from actual news articles and urls are included for reader reference.
In some instances, individuals referenced in the blog are defendants who may be coming to trial or whose trial is in progress. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
It should be noted by all Blog Readers and this is to officially confirm that for all articles on this blog where court cases have not been ruled upon, the word ALLEGED is inserted prior to the defendants name/crime.
Hello. My name is Dee. I live in Texas. I am an American. My ethnicity is Hispanic. Many would call me Mexican or Mexican American. Some call me a female, PRO-Immigration Reform - Ann Coulter.
My parents, their parents and theirs were all born in the USA.
My husband and I have been happily married for over 20 years. My husband is a big, Irish-American. We have two grown sons. We are happy and my family is doing well. I have been employed as a mid level manager at a very large, well known corporation for over 25 years, now recently retired.
In May, 2006, after the Immigration Marches, I started seeing the cable news channels talking very negatively about illegal immigration. I found many internet sites were talking negatively about legal and illegal immigration issues as well.
Since I do research on the job, I started conducting Immigration research on the web. I joined several Immigration websites and I researched others. I´ve learned so much about Immigration issues over the last year.
What you don´t see on the internet is the Mexican American perspective.
I am here to share my views with you.
Phoenix Cop James Wren, 23, was arrested Thursday night on four felony charges, including conspiracy, attempted theft, attempted money laundering, and public servant participating in a criminal syndicate. Wren, father of 3, an officer for 2 years, was busted because the drug dealer he was partnering with gave Avondale police information of Wren's crimes. Police say Wren was stealing tens of thousand of dollars in money from drug couriers. Court records detailed how the dirty cop made phony traffic stops on vehicles coming from a drug transaction, swiped boxfuls of cash, released the drivers without arresting them, and split the money later with friends tied to the drug trade. Wren was booked on suspicion of conspiracy, attempted theft, attempted money laundering and aiding a criminal syndicate. 
Posts
