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  • Man accused of pulling gun in Altamonte Springs gym, claimed it was a candy bar

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    Man accused of pulling gun in Altamonte Springs gym, claimed it was a candy bar

    WESH TWO NEWS STARTS NOW. ORLANDO MAN IS BEHIND BARS AFTER POLICE SAY HE PULLED A GUN ON TWO PEOPLE AT A JIM. IT HAPPENED AT A CRUNCH FITNESS IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, WESH 2’S. LUANA MUNOZ IS LIVE IN SEMINOLE COUNTY TONIGHT, WHERE PEOPLE WHO GO TO THAT GYM ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. LUANA. THAT’S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC OF CONVERSATION TODAY. A LOT OF GYM GOERS ARE ON EDGE. WHILE SOME ARE SAYING THIS IS JUST NOW THE WORLD THAT WE’RE LIVING IN. CRUNCH FITNESS IN ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, OFF NORTH STATE ROAD 434, BECAME THE CENTER OF CONFUSION AND CHAOS TUESDAY MORNING. POLICE SAY THIS MAN, 45 YEAR OLD WINSTON MEDLEY, PULLED OUT A GUN AND POINTED IT AT TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE WORKING OUT. GYM MEMBER BLAKE SAFFORD SAYS HE NORMALLY WORKS OUT. AROUND THE SAME TIME OF THE INCIDENT, BUT WASN’T THERE THAT DAY. IT PUTS PEOPLE ON EDGE, YOU KNOW, YOU DON’T KNOW WHO’S NEXT TO YOU IN THE GYM ANYMORE. YOU DON’T. YOU DON’T KNOW WHO YOU’RE WALKING NEXT TO OR WHAT’S ON THEIR MIND OR WHAT THEY’RE GOING TO DO. ACCORDING TO POLICE RECORDS, ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS WORKING OUT WITH A GROUP OF MEN WHEN MEDLEY APPROACHED THE GROUP AND BEGAN MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT THE WEIGHT THE MEN WERE USING. THE TWO STARTED ARGUING, AND THE VICTIM SAYS HE WALKED TO ANOTHER AREA TO CONTINUE HIS WORKOUT, BUT MEDLEY FOLLOWED. REPEATEDLY ASKING THE VICTIM IF HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH HIM, THE VICTIM CLAIMS HE TOLD MEDLEY. HE WAS, QUOTE, ACTING AGGRESSIVELY AND NEEDED TO STOP. THAT’S WHEN MEDLEY BRANDISHED A FIREARM AND POINTED IT DIRECTLY AT HIS FACE. COURT DOCUMENTS SAY THE VICTIM WAS IN FEAR OF HIS LIFE AND IMMEDIATELY RAN AWAY. HE THEN SAW MEDLEY MANIPULATING THE GUN AS IF HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO FIRE OR ADJUST IT. I DON’T THINK EITHER ONE OF US REALLY FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT IT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WORLD THAT WE LIVE IN NOW. GIVEN THAT THIS HAPPENS A LOT, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? LIKE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYBODY AT ANY TIME. I’M A NATIVE OF THIS AREA, BORN AND RAISED, AND THIS STUFF NEVER USED TO HAPPEN IN MY COMMUNITY GROWING UP. AND NOW TO SEE THIS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY THAT, YOU KNOW, I’M BORN AND RAISED IN NOW, RAISING MY OWN KIDS IN, IT’S SCARY. IT’S LIKE WHERE, YOU KNOW, WHAT’S WHAT’S HAPPENING. AND WE DID REACH OUT TO THE VICTIM WHO DID NOT WANT TO GO ON CAMERA. MEDLEY IS FACING A NUMBER OF CHARGES, INCLUDING FIRST DEGREE PREMEDITATED MURDER, AS WELL AS POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY A CONVICTED FELON. HE’S ALSO DUE BACK IN COURT ON APRIL 7T

    Man accused of pulling gun in Altamonte Springs gym, claimed it was a candy bar

    Updated: 8:13 AM EST Feb 19, 2026

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    Police arrested a man on Tuesday after he allegedly pulled a gun on people inside a gym in Altamonte Springs.The Altamonte Springs Police Department said the incident happened at a Crunch Fitness on State Road 434 in Altamonte Springs. They were called to the scene for reports of a disturbance involving a firearm. The incident started because the suspect, Winston Medley, allegedly got into an argument with a couple of men over the amount of weight they were working out with, calling them weak, according to police.The group separated, but Medley approached them again minutes later and pulled out a gun. Multiple witnesses in the gym said it looked like he was trying to fire the gun, but was fiddling with it as if it were jammed. He ran away but was caught near 417 and State Road 400.When police asked him about the gun, he initially claimed it was a “king-size Snickers bar.”Medley then told officers it was fake and that he only pulled it out to scare others. Medley declined to reveal the gun’s location, and authorities were unable to recover it.He has been charged with attempted homicide, possession of a weapon by a state felon, and tampering with evidence, according to police.

    ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. —

    Police arrested a man on Tuesday after he allegedly pulled a gun on people inside a gym in Altamonte Springs.

    The Altamonte Springs Police Department said the incident happened at a Crunch Fitness on State Road 434 in Altamonte Springs. They were called to the scene for reports of a disturbance involving a firearm.

    The incident started because the suspect, Winston Medley, allegedly got into an argument with a couple of men over the amount of weight they were working out with, calling them weak, according to police.

    The group separated, but Medley approached them again minutes later and pulled out a gun.

    Multiple witnesses in the gym said it looked like he was trying to fire the gun, but was fiddling with it as if it were jammed. He ran away but was caught near 417 and State Road 400.

    When police asked him about the gun, he initially claimed it was a “king-size Snickers bar.”

    Medley then told officers it was fake and that he only pulled it out to scare others.

    Medley declined to reveal the gun’s location, and authorities were unable to recover it.

    He has been charged with attempted homicide, possession of a weapon by a state felon, and tampering with evidence, according to police.

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  • Founder of Sacramento dog training service that uses rattlesnakes fights to keep business going

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    In a park just east of Sacramento, Jake Molieri guided us through his service Snakeout where he trains dogs and dog owners how to avoid rattlesnakes on hiking trails and parks. “They are obviously an animal that are dangerous if you get into an altercation and provoking them,” Molieri said. “They are never going to chase you or go after you.”Molieri currently uses his albino rattlesnake called Mr. Cheese for training. However, that snake is not the most ideal one to use for his business. “The only reason we are able to continue operating and continue doing the service is because we use these albino, which is not ideal because they are really hard to acquire,” he said. The State Department of Fish and Wildlife told Molieri he is not allowed to operate if he uses regular rattlesnakes that are found in Northern California. The state claims he violated regulations that protect those animals from being used for profit. “They told me the classes you’re doing are like illegal, you’re illegally commercializing these animals,” Molieri said. However, Molieri claims there is a gray area that needs to be changed. “The regulations they are citing were written back in the day with the idea of like, hey you can’t go out into the woods and catch a bunch of snakes and sell them into the pet trade and the skin industry,” he said. “They’re taking that idea and applying it to this dog class and saying that we’re basically selling the snakes. The snakes are not changing hands. The snakes are my snakes.”He filed a lawsuit to try to get the regulations changed. CDFW said in a statement: “Current regulations prohibit the take or possession of any native species unless specifically permitted by regulation for commercial purposes, as it presents a financial gain to motivate take. That commercial motivation can have negative impacts on native populations.”The lawsuit is still going through the court system. He hopes they can reach an agreement to change regulations that benefit his business and keep snakes safe. “We want to see more snakes being alive, less dogs getting bit and everyone having an understanding that nobody wants to get into an altercation with each other, but the state’s making it really hard,” he said. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

    In a park just east of Sacramento, Jake Molieri guided us through his service Snakeout where he trains dogs and dog owners how to avoid rattlesnakes on hiking trails and parks.

    “They are obviously an animal that are dangerous if you get into an altercation and provoking them,” Molieri said. “They are never going to chase you or go after you.”

    Molieri currently uses his albino rattlesnake called Mr. Cheese for training. However, that snake is not the most ideal one to use for his business.

    “The only reason we are able to continue operating and continue doing the service is because we use these albino, which is not ideal because they are really hard to acquire,” he said.

    The State Department of Fish and Wildlife told Molieri he is not allowed to operate if he uses regular rattlesnakes that are found in Northern California. The state claims he violated regulations that protect those animals from being used for profit.

    “They told me the classes you’re doing are like illegal, you’re illegally commercializing these animals,” Molieri said.

    However, Molieri claims there is a gray area that needs to be changed.

    “The regulations they are citing were written back in the day with the idea of like, hey you can’t go out into the woods and catch a bunch of snakes and sell them into the pet trade and the skin industry,” he said. “They’re taking that idea and applying it to this dog class and saying that we’re basically selling the snakes. The snakes are not changing hands. The snakes are my snakes.”

    He filed a lawsuit to try to get the regulations changed.

    CDFW said in a statement: “Current regulations prohibit the take or possession of any native species unless specifically permitted by regulation for commercial purposes, as it presents a financial gain to motivate take. That commercial motivation can have negative impacts on native populations.”

    The lawsuit is still going through the court system. He hopes they can reach an agreement to change regulations that benefit his business and keep snakes safe.

    “We want to see more snakes being alive, less dogs getting bit and everyone having an understanding that nobody wants to get into an altercation with each other, but the state’s making it really hard,” he said.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Four charged with plotting New Year’s Eve attacks in Southern California, prosecutors say

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    Federal authorities said Monday that they foiled a plot to bomb multiple sites of two U.S. companies on New Year’s Eve in Southern California after arresting members of an extremist anti-capitalist and anti-government group.The four suspects were arrested Friday in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles as they were rehearsing their plot, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said during a news conference. Officials showed reporters surveillance aerial footage of the suspects moving a large black object in the desert to a table. Officials said they were able to make the arrests before the suspects assembled a functional explosive device.In the criminal complaint, the four suspects named are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. They are all from the Los Angeles area, Essayli said.Officials did not describe a motive but said they are members of an offshoot of a group dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group calls for decolonization, tribal sovereignty and “the working class to rise up and fight back against capitalism,” according to the criminal complaint.The term “Turtle Island” is used by some Indigenous peoples to describe North America in a way that reflects its existence outside of the colonial boundaries put in place by the U.S. and Canada. It comes from Indigenous creation stories where the continent was formed on the back of a giant turtle.Officials also found “Free Palestine” flyers at the desert campsite where the suspects were working with the bomb-making materials.The charges against each suspect include conspiracy and possession of a destructive device. Essayli said additional charges were expected in coming weeks.The four suspects’ attorneys did not immediately return requests for comment, and The Associated Press was unable to reach family members. AP also sent Turtle Island Liberation Front’s social media accounts messages asking for comment but did not get a response.Alleged plot had multiple targetsEssayli said Carroll last month created a detailed plan to bomb five or more business locations across Southern California on New Year’s Eve. He declined to name the companies but described them as “Amazon-type” logistical centers.“Carroll’s bomb plot was explicit,” Essayli said. “It included step-by-step instructions to build IEDs… and listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles.”The plan included planting backpacks filled with complex pipe bombs that were set to be detonated simultaneously at midnight on New Year’s Eve at five locations, according to officials and the criminal complaint. New Year’s Eve was identified as an opportune time in the plan that stated “fireworks will be going off at this time so explosions will be less likely to be noticed,” according to the investigation.The eight-page handwritten plan titled “OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN” stated more locations could be added. The locations were identified as property and facilities operated by two separate companies tied to activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce, according to the complaint.Two of the group’s members also had discussed plans for future attacks targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026, according to the criminal complaint.Carroll noted “that would take some of them out and scare the rest of them,’” according to the complaint.The plans were discussed both at an in-person meeting with members in Los Angeles and through an encrypted messaging app, Essayli said.‘Bomb-making components’ found at campsitePhotos included in the court documents show a desert campsite with what investigators said were bomb-making materials strewn across plastic folding tables.The suspects “all brought bomb-making components to the campsite, including various sizes of PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and material to be used as fuses, among others,” the complaint states.The plan included instructions on how to manufacture the bombs and also how to avoid leaving evidence behind that could be traced back to the group, officials said. The suspects recently had acquired precursor chemicals and other items, including purchases from Amazon, according to the complaint.The FBI moved in last week as they rehearsed the attack in the desert near Twentynine Palms, California, officials said.“They had everything they needed to make an operational bomb at that location,” Essayli said.Authorities issued search warrants and found posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at Carroll’s home that called for “Death to America,” and “Death to ICE,” Essayli said. In Page’s residence, police found a copy of the detailed bomb plan, he added.Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said while federal and local officials disagree on the Trump administration’s immigration raids, they come together still to protect residents. The LAPD does not stop people or take action for any reason related to immigration status, and it doesn’t enforce immigration laws, a practice that has been in place for 45 years.“The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response,” McDonnell said.The suspects were taken into custody without incident. They were scheduled to appear in court in Los Angeles Monday afternoon.___Watson reported from San Diego. Associated Press journalists Jessica Hill in Las Vegas and Graham Lee Brewer in Norman, Oklahoma, contributed to this report.

    LOS ANGELES —

    Federal authorities said Monday that they foiled a plot to bomb multiple sites of two U.S. companies on New Year’s Eve in Southern California after arresting members of an extremist anti-capitalist and anti-government group.

    The four suspects were arrested Friday in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles as they were rehearsing their plot, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said during a news conference. Officials showed reporters surveillance aerial footage of the suspects moving a large black object in the desert to a table. Officials said they were able to make the arrests before the suspects assembled a functional explosive device.

    In the criminal complaint, the four suspects named are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Dante Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. They are all from the Los Angeles area, Essayli said.

    Officials did not describe a motive but said they are members of an offshoot of a group dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. The group calls for decolonization, tribal sovereignty and “the working class to rise up and fight back against capitalism,” according to the criminal complaint.

    The term “Turtle Island” is used by some Indigenous peoples to describe North America in a way that reflects its existence outside of the colonial boundaries put in place by the U.S. and Canada. It comes from Indigenous creation stories where the continent was formed on the back of a giant turtle.

    Officials also found “Free Palestine” flyers at the desert campsite where the suspects were working with the bomb-making materials.

    The charges against each suspect include conspiracy and possession of a destructive device. Essayli said additional charges were expected in coming weeks.

    The four suspects’ attorneys did not immediately return requests for comment, and The Associated Press was unable to reach family members. AP also sent Turtle Island Liberation Front’s social media accounts messages asking for comment but did not get a response.

    Alleged plot had multiple targets

    Essayli said Carroll last month created a detailed plan to bomb five or more business locations across Southern California on New Year’s Eve. He declined to name the companies but described them as “Amazon-type” logistical centers.

    “Carroll’s bomb plot was explicit,” Essayli said. “It included step-by-step instructions to build IEDs… and listed multiple targets across Orange County and Los Angeles.”

    The plan included planting backpacks filled with complex pipe bombs that were set to be detonated simultaneously at midnight on New Year’s Eve at five locations, according to officials and the criminal complaint. New Year’s Eve was identified as an opportune time in the plan that stated “fireworks will be going off at this time so explosions will be less likely to be noticed,” according to the investigation.

    The eight-page handwritten plan titled “OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN” stated more locations could be added. The locations were identified as property and facilities operated by two separate companies tied to activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce, according to the complaint.

    Two of the group’s members also had discussed plans for future attacks targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and vehicles with pipe bombs in 2026, according to the criminal complaint.

    Carroll noted “that would take some of them out and scare the rest of them,’” according to the complaint.

    The plans were discussed both at an in-person meeting with members in Los Angeles and through an encrypted messaging app, Essayli said.

    ‘Bomb-making components’ found at campsite

    Photos included in the court documents show a desert campsite with what investigators said were bomb-making materials strewn across plastic folding tables.

    The suspects “all brought bomb-making components to the campsite, including various sizes of PVC pipes, suspected potassium nitrate, charcoal, charcoal powder, sulfur powder, and material to be used as fuses, among others,” the complaint states.

    The plan included instructions on how to manufacture the bombs and also how to avoid leaving evidence behind that could be traced back to the group, officials said. The suspects recently had acquired precursor chemicals and other items, including purchases from Amazon, according to the complaint.

    The FBI moved in last week as they rehearsed the attack in the desert near Twentynine Palms, California, officials said.

    “They had everything they needed to make an operational bomb at that location,” Essayli said.

    Authorities issued search warrants and found posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at Carroll’s home that called for “Death to America,” and “Death to ICE,” Essayli said. In Page’s residence, police found a copy of the detailed bomb plan, he added.

    Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said while federal and local officials disagree on the Trump administration’s immigration raids, they come together still to protect residents. The LAPD does not stop people or take action for any reason related to immigration status, and it doesn’t enforce immigration laws, a practice that has been in place for 45 years.

    “The successful disruption of this plot is a powerful testament to the strength of our unified response,” McDonnell said.

    The suspects were taken into custody without incident. They were scheduled to appear in court in Los Angeles Monday afternoon.

    ___

    Watson reported from San Diego. Associated Press journalists Jessica Hill in Las Vegas and Graham Lee Brewer in Norman, Oklahoma, contributed to this report.

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  • Purdy’s 3 TD passes lead 49ers to 37-24 win over Titans

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    Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes and the San Francisco 49ers started the stretch run of their season with a 37-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.The 49ers (10-4) came back from a bye week and looked extremely sharp on offense against the overmatched Titans (2-12) by scoring on their first five possessions of a game for the first time since the 2021 season.Purdy threw two touchdown passes to Jauan Jennings, another to George Kittle and the Niners got a TD run from Christian McCaffrey as San Francisco converted its first seven tries on third down.Purdy finished 23 for 30 for 295 yards and the Niners won despite getting only 87 yards from scrimmage from McCaffrey.Rookie Cam Ward threw a touchdown pass to Gunnar Helm in the second quarter and another in the fourth to defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. Ward finished with 170 yards passing as the Titans were unable to build on the momentum from a win over Cleveland last week and remained in a three-way tie for the worst record in the NFL. Tennessee hasn’t won back-to-back games since November 2022.The Titans blew a good opportunity late in the first half when Ward missed a wide-open Van Jefferson on a deep shot and then Joey Slye missed a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the half to keep San Francisco’s lead at 17-10.The Niners extended the lead to 14 points when Purdy connected with Jennings for the second time on the opening possession. Tennessee went three-and-out on its first two drives of the half and never had a chance at a comeback.Stat sheet stufferSimmons put together an impressive stat line in a losing effort.He recorded a strip sack against Purdy early in the fourth quarter and then caught a 1-yard TD pass on the ensuing possession for his second career touchdown reception.This marked just the sixth time since sacks became official in 1982 that a player had a sack, a forced fumble and a TD catch in the same game with J.J. Watt doing it twice in 2014 for Houston, with Mike Vrabel (2007), Jared Allen (2017) and Barry Krauss (1982) the others to do it.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes and the San Francisco 49ers started the stretch run of their season with a 37-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

    The 49ers (10-4) came back from a bye week and looked extremely sharp on offense against the overmatched Titans (2-12) by scoring on their first five possessions of a game for the first time since the 2021 season.

    Purdy threw two touchdown passes to Jauan Jennings, another to George Kittle and the Niners got a TD run from Christian McCaffrey as San Francisco converted its first seven tries on third down.

    Purdy finished 23 for 30 for 295 yards and the Niners won despite getting only 87 yards from scrimmage from McCaffrey.

    Rookie Cam Ward threw a touchdown pass to Gunnar Helm in the second quarter and another in the fourth to defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. Ward finished with 170 yards passing as the Titans were unable to build on the momentum from a win over Cleveland last week and remained in a three-way tie for the worst record in the NFL. Tennessee hasn’t won back-to-back games since November 2022.

    The Titans blew a good opportunity late in the first half when Ward missed a wide-open Van Jefferson on a deep shot and then Joey Slye missed a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the half to keep San Francisco’s lead at 17-10.

    The Niners extended the lead to 14 points when Purdy connected with Jennings for the second time on the opening possession. Tennessee went three-and-out on its first two drives of the half and never had a chance at a comeback.

    Stat sheet stuffer

    Simmons put together an impressive stat line in a losing effort.

    He recorded a strip sack against Purdy early in the fourth quarter and then caught a 1-yard TD pass on the ensuing possession for his second career touchdown reception.

    This marked just the sixth time since sacks became official in 1982 that a player had a sack, a forced fumble and a TD catch in the same game with J.J. Watt doing it twice in 2014 for Houston, with Mike Vrabel (2007), Jared Allen (2017) and Barry Krauss (1982) the others to do it.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Leaders of secretive California religious group accused of murder after members vanish

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    Two leaders of a group described as “cult-like” by authorities in the Inland Empire have been arrested along with a prominent member on suspicion of murder amid multiple investigations into the disappearance of two former members and the death of a 4-year-old boy many years ago.

    Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, who identifies himself as the pastor of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, and Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin, 62, who refers to herself as a prophetess and a gifted oracle, have been arrested on suspicion of murder along with member Rudy Moreno, 43, according to Redlands police.

    The leaders of the group have been under investigation in connection with the disappearance of former member Emilio Ghanem in May 2023 after visiting a Redlands Starbucks. Separately, Claremont police are investigating the disappearance of Moreno’s brother, Ruben, who was also a member, while Colton police have been probing the death of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas in 2010, who was in the Martins’ custody when he died after not receiving medical treatment.

    Authorities have yet to explain whom they allege each person killed. But Darryl Martin’s booking records in the Riverside County jail show he was held on allegations of murder, possession of a machine gun, and explosives. His wife was booked in the San Bernardino County jail on suspicion of murder and possession of a machine gun. Moreno was booked on suspicion of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a machine gun. The arrests occurred Thursday morning.

    On Aug. 6, Redlands police, with help from the FBI, swarmed the current base of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Hemet as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Ghanem.

    Emilio Ghanem was reported missing in May 2023.

    (Redlands Police Department)

    Four residents were briefly detained, with two booked on unrelated weapons charges, police said. Several illegal firearms — converted fully automatic rifles, short-barreled rifles and unserialized ghost guns, were recovered.

    Police conducted a similar raid on Aug. 12 at a remote compound connected to the group in the Riverside County town of Anza, where they briefly detained eight people and recovered electronic devices and other digital evidence, according to Redlands Police Department spokesperson Carl Baker.

    Officers at that time also detained the Martins at a motel in Laguna Hills but ultimately released them without seeking any criminal charges.

    But the investigation did not stop.

    Authorities began giving the group a closer look last year, after Ghanem had disappeared and investigators found the truck he’d been driving along with other evidence that led them to believe a homicide may have occurred.

    Ghanem joined His Way Spirit Led Assemblies around 2000 and helped launch a pest control business run by the group, called Fullshield Inc., his sister, Jennifer Ghanem, said.

    For many years, he lived in one of the group’s Colton homes.

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    A California religious group that police describe as ‘cult-like’ has landed in the spotlight after a 4-year-old boy died and two members disappeared.

    In April 2023, Ghanem left both the religious group and the company it operated, MaxGuard, behind and moved to Nashville to reunite with his family. Ghanem started his own pest control company, then returned to the Inland Empire to open a satellite office to win back some of his old clients before he disappeared.

    While Redlands police were looking into Ghanem’s disappearance, over the summer Claremont police announced that another missing man, Ruben Moreno, had been affiliated with the group. Moreno was reported missing in 2019.

    As word of the Redlands police investigation spread, Colton police renewed its investigation into the death of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas on Jan. 16, 2010 — after he died within an hour of the 911 call, according to the coroner’s report. He was in the custody of Darryl and Shelley Martin at the time.

    Timothy Thomas

    Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the January 2010 death of Timothy Thomas.

    (Colton Police Department)

    Timothy’s cause of death was ruled to be septic shock due to a ruptured appendix, according to the coroner’s report. Detectives suspect neglect also played a role, according to Colton detectives.

    Police recommended charges against the Martins in 2010, but the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office declined to prosecute.

    Neither the Martins nor their attorney has responded to The Times’ inquiries.

    A beige two-story home surrounded by a security fence

    Timothy Thomas was staying with members of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in Colton when he suffered a medical emergency, authorities say.

    (Daniel Flesher / LA Times Studios)

    When Timothy died, group members were uncooperative with the investigation and gave conflicting testimony, making it challenging to prosecute the case, authorities said.

    At the time, then-Det. Jack Morenberg, who was investigating, expressed concern over allegations of child abuse and said the home had the appearance of a possible “‘cult-like’ ministry,” according to the coroner’s investigative report.

    As part of the probe, Darryl Martin told police that Timothy’s parents had given him and his wife temporary custody of their three children because their mother had problems and couldn’t provide a stable home, according to the report. One of Timothy’s aunts told police that the Martins would not allow the boy’s mother to see him, or her other children.

    A second aunt felt that Darryl Martin was responsible for Timothy’s death and reported this to Colton police and child protective services in an effort to get the boy’s two remaining siblings removed from the house, according to the report. That aunt said that Martin had instructed Timothy not to vomit and “showed him how to place his hand over his mouth to stop the vomit from coming out,” the report states.

    Since Timothy’s death, several members have parted ways with the group and recently revised their statements to Colton police, saying that their original testimony was made under duress from the group’s leaders, Colton police Sgt. Shawn McFarland told The Times recently.

    In September, Colton police officials said they planned to resubmit the death investigation to prosecutors based on new evidence.

    Because of the statute of limitations, McFarland said, the only charge available to pursue is child homicide or murder.

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    Richard Winton, Clara Harter

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  • Elderly woman tells bank employees she was kidnapped, ordered to withdraw large sum of cash

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    Two people were arrested after an older woman told bank employees in Ceres, California, that she had been kidnapped and was ordered to withdraw a large amount of money, according to police. Wells Fargo employees reported the incident to police on Thursday. Police responded and immediately arrested a woman who police later learned identified herself with a false name. Police said that 33-year-old Nicholas Payton, who is a felon on probation, was also involved in the kidnapping. He fled the area before police arrived but was arrested a block away.Officers said they found a loaded rifle without a serial number in Payton’s backpack. Both suspects were booked on kidnapping, elder abuse charges and conspiracy to commit a crime charges. Payton was also booked for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, and possession of an unserialized firearm.The victim was reunited with her family.Police said Saturday that they later learned with the help of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and fingerprint analysis that one of the suspect’s real names was Stephanie Maghoney. She had an active felony warrant for her arrest in Tracy, California, for burglary. Maghoney was re-arrested for that outstanding warrant and now also faces a felony charge for false impersonation.

    CERES, Calif. —

    Two people were arrested after an older woman told bank employees in Ceres, California, that she had been kidnapped and was ordered to withdraw a large amount of money, according to police.

    Wells Fargo employees reported the incident to police on Thursday. Police responded and immediately arrested a woman who police later learned identified herself with a false name.

    Police said that 33-year-old Nicholas Payton, who is a felon on probation, was also involved in the kidnapping. He fled the area before police arrived but was arrested a block away.

    Officers said they found a loaded rifle without a serial number in Payton’s backpack. Both suspects were booked on kidnapping, elder abuse charges and conspiracy to commit a crime charges.

    Payton was also booked for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm in public, carrying a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, and possession of an unserialized firearm.

    The victim was reunited with her family.

    Police said Saturday that they later learned with the help of the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and fingerprint analysis that one of the suspect’s real names was Stephanie Maghoney.

    She had an active felony warrant for her arrest in Tracy, California, for burglary.

    Maghoney was re-arrested for that outstanding warrant and now also faces a felony charge for false impersonation.

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  • Illinois inmate shot and killed at federal prison in Sumter County

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    Illinois inmate shot and killed at federal prison in Sumter County

    WESH TWO NEWS. ALL RIGHT, HALEY, THANK YOU. MEANTIME, A FAMILY SAYS THEY HAVE QUESTIONS AFTER THEY SAY ONE OF THEIR OWN WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN PRISON. THIS MAN, 33 YEAR OLD DWAYNE TOTTLEBEN, DIED ON OCTOBER 10TH. WESH TWO. TONI ATKINS IS LIVE AT FCC COLEMAN IN SUMTER COUNTY, WHERE TOTTLEBEN WAS SERVING TIME AND TONY. HIS FAMILY JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. WELL, IT’S BEEN 12 DAYS SINCE THE INCIDENT HERE AT THE PRISON RIGHT BEHIND ME. THIS FAMILY, HOPING TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING SOON. 33 YEAR OLD DWAYNE TOTTLEBEN OF ILLINOIS WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE INSIDE U.S. PENITENTIARY COLEMAN IN SUMTER COUNTY. LOVED ONES POSTING ON GOFUNDME SAYING THEY’RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION. NBC NEWS REPORTS. TOTTLEBEN WAS SERVING 15 YEARS AT THE FEDERAL PRISON FOR POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE. THE CHARGES, RELATED TO A 2020 TRAFFIC STOP IN SAINT LOUIS. THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS, WHICH ALSO SHARES INFORMATION ON INMATES DEATHS, HAS NOT RELEASED INFORMATION ABOUT TOTTLEBEN. IN THE MEANTIME, LOVED ONES SPOKE WITH NBC NEWS DWAYNE TOTTLEBEN SENIOR SAYS OFFICIALS INFORMED HIM HIS SON WAS SHOT. HE SAID, QUOTE, I WAS DISTRAUGHT. I DIDN’T KNOW IF SOMEONE STABBED HIM. I DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING. THE PRISON SENT THIS STATEMENT TO NBC NEWS SAYING THE FACILITY WAS PLACED ON ENHANCED MODIFIED OPERATIONS ON OCTOBER 10TH, AND THAT WARDENS MAY ESTABLISH CONTROLS OR IMPLEMENT TEMPORARY SECURITY MEASURES TO ENSURE THE GOOD ORDER AND SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEES AND THE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CUSTODY. END QUOTE. TOTTLEBEN SENIOR TOLD NBC NEWS, QUOTE, WHEN PEOPLE GET INTO FIGHTS IN PRISON, THEY LOSE TIME, CREDIT. THEY DON’T LOSE THEIR LIVES. AND I ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS TO SEE IF THEY HAD A STATEMENT ABOUT HIS DEATH. THEY I DID RECEIVE AN AUTO REPLY, AND IT SAID THAT THEY WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO RESPOND DUE TO A LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS, WHICH IS RELATED TO THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. FOR NOW, I’

    Illinois inmate shot and killed at federal prison in Sumter County

    Updated: 11:33 PM EDT Oct 22, 2025

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    Dwayne Tottleben, a 33-year-old inmate from Illinois, was shot and killed while inside U.S. Penitentiary Coleman in Sumter County, according to loved ones who are trying to understand the situation.Tottleben was serving a 15-year sentence at the federal prison for possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute, stemming from a 2020 traffic stop in St. Louis.The Federal Bureau of Prisons, which often shares information about inmate deaths, has not released details about Tottleben’s death.Meanwhile, loved ones spoke with NBC News, with Dwayne Tottleben Sr. saying officials informed him his son was shot.”I was distraught. I didn’t know if somebody stabbed him. I didn’t know anything,” Tottleben Sr. said.The prison sent a statement to NBC News, indicating that the facility was placed on enhanced modified operations on Oct. 10.It stated that wardens may establish controls or implement temporary security measures to ensure the good order and safety of employees and individuals in custody.”When people get into fight in prison, they lose good time credit… they don’t lose their life,” Tottleben Sr. said.

    SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. —

    Dwayne Tottleben, a 33-year-old inmate from Illinois, was shot and killed while inside U.S. Penitentiary Coleman in Sumter County, according to loved ones who are trying to understand the situation.

    Tottleben was serving a 15-year sentence at the federal prison for possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute, stemming from a 2020 traffic stop in St. Louis.

    The Federal Bureau of Prisons, which often shares information about inmate deaths, has not released details about Tottleben’s death.

    Meanwhile, loved ones spoke with NBC News, with Dwayne Tottleben Sr. saying officials informed him his son was shot.

    “I was distraught. I didn’t know if somebody stabbed him. I didn’t know anything,” Tottleben Sr. said.

    The prison sent a statement to NBC News, indicating that the facility was placed on enhanced modified operations on Oct. 10.

    It stated that wardens may establish controls or implement temporary security measures to ensure the good order and safety of employees and individuals in custody.

    “When people get into fight in prison, they lose good time credit… they don’t lose their life,” Tottleben Sr. said.

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  • Kansas uses strong second half to down UCF

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    (Photo credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images)

    Leshon Williams rushed for three touchdowns and Kansas used a dominant second half to defeat UCF 27-20 on Saturday night in Orlando, Fla.

    The Jayhawks, who outscored the Knights 13-0 in the second half with all of their points in the third quarter, had a big fourth-down stop in the final two minutes to preserve the victory.

    Jalon Daniels was 18 of 26 for 235 yards for Kansas (4-2, 2-1 Big 12).

    Tayven Jackson was 14-of-23 passing for 97 yards before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter for UCF (3-2, 0-2).

    In Kansas’ two losses (at Missouri and vs. Cincinnati), the Jayhawks allowed their opponents to convert 7 of 8 on fourth down. The Knights converted their first two fourth-down attempts on Saturday before backup quarterback Cam Fancher (8 of 14, 79 yards in the game) was stopped near the goal line with 1:47 left.

    Trailing by six points at halftime, Kansas trimmed the deficit to 20-17 midway through the third quarter on Laith Marjan’s 33-yard field goal. After the Jayhawks’ defense forced a second straight UCF three-and-out, Marjan tied the score with a 41-yard field goal.

    On UCF’s next possession, Jackson was sacked by Jalen Dye, causing a fumble. The ball was picked up by KU’s Trey Lathan at the 7-yard line and returned to the 2-yard line. On the next play, Williams scored his third touchdown to give Kansas the lead.

    Kansas outgained UCF 131 yards to minus-1 in the third quarter.

    After the teams traded punts, UCF went on a 14-play, 53-yard drive but failed on three plays inside the 2-yard line, including fourth down. The Knights’ final drive ended deep in Kansas territory.

    UCF grabbed an early lead on a 29-yard touchdown run up the middle by Myles Montgomery on the Knights’ opening drive.

    Montgomery then put the Knights up 14-0 with a 3-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. After forcing a turnover on downs, the Knights went 60 yards on eight plays.

    Williams got Kansas on the board with a 2-yard touchdown run on Kansas’ next possession.

    After Noe Ruelas’ 38-yard field goal put UCF up 17-7, Williams’ second short run pulled the Jayhawks to within 17-14. Ruelas hit another 38-yard field goal just before halftime.

    –Field Level Media

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  • Colorado man calls police on himself, helps find cocaine and marijuana – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Colorado man calls police on himself, helps find cocaine and marijuana – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

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    iStock.com/Vyacheslav Dumchev

    A Colorado man reportedly called police on himself, claiming that a friend had bugged his phone and eyeglasses, leading to a series of bizarre events that resulted in the discovery of cocaine and marijuana in his possession.

    According to court documents, Austin A. Stambene, 33, of Colorado Springs, is facing multiple criminal charges following the incident, including cocaine possession, marijuana possession and driving under the influence of drugs.

    The situation took place on January 4 when Stambene placed a call to the Laramie County Sheriff’s office from the intersection of Aztec Drive and Christensen Road in Cheyenne, Wyoming, according to an evidentiary affidavit filed. Claiming to be under threat, Stambene informed authorities that someone had been “bugging” his vehicle.

    Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy Jason Grover found Stambene sitting in the driver’s seat of a 2002 Lexus ES with Colorado plates, the engine still running.

    Stambene explained to Grover that he believed a friend from Colorado Springs was harassing him, specifically mentioning interference with his phone, wallet, clothing and eyeglasses. Stambene then informed Grover that he had taken measures to address the alleged bugging, including getting new glasses, discarding his wallet and debugging his cellphone.

    During the interaction, Grover noticed signs of nervousness in Stambene, whose pupils were reportedly…

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  • Plainfield man accused in violent attack against girlfriend charged

    Plainfield man accused in violent attack against girlfriend charged

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    PLAINFIELD, Ill. — A Plainfield man accused in a violent attack against his girlfriend is facing a handful of charges, according to Joliet police.

    Officers say 52-year-old Jonah Madia has been charged with domestic battery, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of ammunition, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated discharge of a firearm, endangering the life or health of a child, manufacture and delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis, and possession of explosives.

    Authorities say the charges were handed down after Madia allegedly beat his girlfriend and threatened to shoot her at a home in Plainfield on Friday night.

    Joliet police say officers were first called to the home in the 6300 block of Clifton Court, just before 9 p.m., after reports of a loud disturbance.

    Officers say when they arrived on the scene, they were let into the two-story home by a 6-year-old child and after entering the residence, officers immediately heard a disturbance on the second floor.

    Officers say they went upstairs and found Madia in a bedroom of the home where he was detained. His 38-year-old girlfriend was then located in another bedroom.

    According to police, an investigation then revealed that Madia had allegedly grown angry with his girlfriend, grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head against a wall several times, causing her to fall to the floor.

    Authorities say following the alleged attack, it is believed that Madia allegedly retrieved a gun from a bedroom and pointed it at the woman while threatening to shoot her. He then allegedly fired the gun two times into the bathroom floor and once into the bedroom floor.

    Officers say the woman was not struck by gunfire.

    Following an investigation, officers say they retrieved a loaded gun from the bedroom.

    While taking Madia into custody, authorities say they spotted suspected cannabis and narcotics in the home.

    After securing a search warrant, detectives searched the home early Saturday morning and allegedly recovered over 800 grams of suspected cannabis, suspected LSD, commercial-grade fireworks and ammunition.

    Authorities have not provided details on how the child is related to the suspect or the victim.

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    Gabriel Castillo

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  • Biden’s marijuana pardons are welcome stopgap – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Biden’s marijuana pardons are welcome stopgap – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

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    President Biden on Friday demonstrated the proper use of presidential clemency power when he pardoned thousands of people who had been convicted of various nonviolent marijuana violations on federal land.

    The reasons he cited included addressing racial disparities in drug prosecution and sentencing, and that’s an important point. Criminal laws in theory cover all Americans equally, but in practice, laws punishing possession or use of small amounts of cannabis have been enforced over the years disproportionately against Black people. Unequal enforcement can render a colorblind law racist and an instrument of injustice. Clemency is a tool that, when wielded properly, can remediate flaws in the administration of criminal law.

    It was the second time Biden has granted cannabis pardons. The first round in December 2022 covered most people convicted of marijuana use and possession. Last week’s action included many who fell through the cracks, such as those convicted of “attempted possession.”

    The two separate actions are welcome but don’t correct the underlying problem. We still have federal laws and regulations that impose sanctions out of proportion to the alleged harm. Marijuana remains a “Schedule 1” drug under the Controlled Substances Act, a more serious classification than that applied to fentanyl, which few dispute is a far more harmful substance if misused. Possession and use of marijuana in the District of Columbia or on federal land can still result in…

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  • WWE Wrestler Arrested in Central Florida for Marijuana Possession – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    WWE Wrestler Arrested in Central Florida for Marijuana Possession – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

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    WWE wrestler Gionna Daddio, who wrestles under the name Liv Morgan, was arrested in Central Florida for marijuana possession after traffic stop.

    According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, she was pulled over after crossing the yellow and white lines on the road in Bushnell, in Central Florida.

    In the arrest affidavit, local law enforcement initially stopped the jeep in case there was a medical incident happening, but soon claimed there was a smell of marijuana from the vehicle. Apparently, the driver admitted marijuana was in the vehicle at that point.

    After a search, a clear plastic bag with “a green leafy substance” and a vape pen with an oil-like substance inside were recovered and used to make the charges.

    She was able to bond out of the Sumter County Jail.

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  • Redondo 10th-grader brings loaded gun, high-capacity magazine to school

    Redondo 10th-grader brings loaded gun, high-capacity magazine to school

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    A sophomore at Redondo Union High School started the week by carrying a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine onto campus, police say.

    Officers arrested the 15-year-old male student at the school after he brought the firearm onto campus. They said he did not appear to have plans for shooting the weapon at the school.

    Around 10 a.m., multiple students told administrators at the school that they’d heard a student had a loaded gun on campus. School officials contacted the Redondo Beach Police Department, and officers arrived at the campus around 10:30 a.m. and found a 10th-grader with a loaded firearm and ammunition.

    Redondo police investigators said an initial investigation determined that no threats had been made and there were no plans for violence. No students or staff were threatened or injured at the school, where more than 3,100 students are enrolled, according to the Redondo Beach Unified School District.

    “We understand that incidents such as these are concerning,” read a statement from Jason Kurtenbach, the district’s executive director of student services. “We are working in partnership with RBPD, who will continue to have an increased presence on and around all our campuses.”

    The student was arrested on suspicion of multiple firearms violations, including being a juvenile in possession of a firearm, bringing a firearm onto school property, possessing a high-capacity magazine, carrying a loaded firearm in public and possessing an unregistered loaded firearm. The booking charges will be submitted to the Los Angeles County Probation Department for filing, according to police. The student has not been identified publicly because he is a minor.

    Redondo Beach police declined to specify details of the firearm possessed by the student or its provenance, citing the ongoing investigation.

    “At this time, this appears to be an isolated incident involving only the student who has been arrested,” police said.

    Kurtenbach said in his statement that the district would work with the student and his family regarding discipline but cited California Education Code 48900, which requires districts to expel students who bring weapons to campus.

    “That said, please know that this matter has our full attention and RUHS and district administration’s work will be guided by the law and our unwavering commitment to campus safety for all students and staff,” Kurtenbach said.

    Anyone with information for police can call investigators at (310) 379-2477 or text (310) 339-2362.

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    Jeremy Childs

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  • U-Haul with 2,000 pounds of marijuana in back crashes into Sierra Madre police station

    U-Haul with 2,000 pounds of marijuana in back crashes into Sierra Madre police station

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    The driver of a U-Haul truck loaded to the brim with around 2,000 pounds of marijuana crashed into a Sierra Madre police station Thursday night, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

    The driver, whose name was not released, had been shot earlier in the Temple City area and drove away from the shooting scene before crashing into a gate outside the police station, according to LASD Lt. David Hernandez.

    Responding deputies found the U-Haul truck’s cargo area loaded up with cardboard boxes and black, vacuum-sealed plastic bags full of marijuana, according to the department.

    The driver was hospitalized at a nearby hospital and was later arrested on suspicion of possession of narcotics. A passenger in the truck, who was not shot, was also arrested on suspicion of narcotics possession.

    The Sheriff’s Department did not have any details on possible suspects in the shooting, or why it occurred.

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    Noah Goldberg

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