Tag Archives: investigation

general

Mother of missing 9-year-old California girl is arrested. Authorities say it’s not related to her daughter’s disappearance

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**Mother of Missing California Girl Arrested on Unrelated Felony Charge**

The mother of a missing 9-year-old California girl, Melodee Buzzard, was arrested Friday on a felony charge of false imprisonment. However, officials say the arrest is not directly connected to the ongoing search for her daughter.

Investigators looking into Melodee’s disappearance discovered that her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, had recently “prevented a victim from leaving a location against their will,” according to a news release from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities stressed that “this crime is not connected to the search for Melodee,” and declined to share further details so as not to impede the investigation. The identity of the victim in the false imprisonment case has not been released.

The arrest comes about a week after the FBI served search warrants on Buzzard’s home, a storage locker, and the rental car in which Melodee was last seen. The high-profile search for Melodee has drawn national attention. Investigators have shared surveillance images showing the child in apparent disguise—a hoodie pulled over her head and a wig at a car rental agency last month.

According to officials, Ashlee Buzzard swapped wigs throughout the trip, possibly “to avoid recognition during travel.” Over the course of three days, Buzzard and her daughter traveled through Nebraska, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Kansas in a rental car, which was observed at times with “a false or switched” license plate.

The rental car returned to the family’s home in Lompoc, California—about 55 miles northwest of Santa Barbara—on October 10, with Ashlee Buzzard driving. Melodee was not seen in the car. The last confirmed sighting of the child was the previous day, captured on video surveillance near the Colorado-Utah state line.

Melodee was reported missing on October 14 by a school administrator concerned about her extended absence—not by a family member. When authorities visited the mother’s home, Melodee was not there and no verifiable explanation for her whereabouts was given. Officials also noted that Ashlee Buzzard has remained uncooperative and has not provided any confirmation regarding Melodee’s location or welfare.

While Ashlee Buzzard’s arrest occurred during the missing persons investigation, the sheriff’s office emphasized, “it is not directly related to Melodee’s disappearance.” Detectives remain focused on locating Melodee and confirming her safety.

Anyone who has seen Melodee or has information about her whereabouts is urged to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office or leave an anonymous tip.

It is not immediately clear whether Ashlee Buzzard has an attorney. She will be booked at Santa Barbara County jail, where bail is set at $100,000, officials said.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/09/mother-of-missing-9-year-old-melodee-buzzard-is-arrested-authorities-say-its-not-related-to-her-daughters-disappearance/

general

Family displaced, 5 dogs killed in two-alarm central Fresno apartment fire

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FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A devastating two-alarm fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in a central Fresno apartment, leading to the tragic loss of five dogs and displacing a family.

According to the Fresno Fire Department, the blaze started shortly after 3:45 p.m. at the Fresno Glenn Apartments, located at the intersection of Glenn and Voorman avenues. Fire crews quickly responded and requested additional assistance due to concerns that the fire could spread to neighboring units.

Thanks to their efforts, firefighters were able to contain the flames to a single apartment. However, several adjacent units suffered smoke damage. The family residing in the affected apartment safely escaped without injury.

Sadly, investigators confirmed that five dogs perished in the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Authorities continue to assess the situation and provide support to those impacted by this heartbreaking event.
https://abc30.com/post/family-displaced-5-dogs-killed-alarm-central-fresno-apartment-fire/18122965/

crime, economy, media, politics, technology

New Mexico man allegedly kills mother, stores dismembered remains in home freezer for weeks: Report

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An Albuquerque, New Mexico man has been arrested on charges of allegedly killing and dismembering his mother before placing her remains in a freezer, according to reports.

Court records show 49-year-old Leroy Vallejos was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday. He faces charges including first-degree murder, battery, battery of a household member, and tampering with evidence. Vallejos is currently being held under preventative detention.

The Albuquerque Police Department reported that Vallejos admitted to choking his 69-year-old mother, Ernestina Lucero, to death nearly three weeks ago, KRQE Albuquerque reported. Police further revealed that Vallejos claimed his mother was part of a “group of people giving their lives to darkness” who were conspiring against him.

Officers conducted a welfare check at Lucero’s home last Tuesday after Vallejos informed a healthcare company that his mother had been missing for about a week. He had contacted the company to request payment for her care despite not having seen her recently. During the welfare check, Vallejos allowed officers inside and told them his mother had gone to Mexico. However, officers found Lucero’s prescriptions still in her bedroom.

One officer reportedly found garbage bags inside a large freezer, which were later determined to contain the remains of a female, according to the station. This discovery prompted a more thorough search of the home, where officers found a saw with what appeared to be dried blood stains under a sink.

Prior to the welfare check, another family member had reported Lucero missing, leading the police department to issue a missing person bulletin on October 23 and begin an investigation. Preliminary findings indicated that Vallejos had allegedly withdrawn money from his mother’s bank account, and her vehicle had been sold before she was reported missing.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence in this disturbing case.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-mexico-man-allegedly-kills-mother-stores-dismembered-remains-home-freezer-weeks-report

general

Why Louisiana Gov. has ‘got it out for’ LSU AD after $54 million Brian Kelly mess

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The wild feud between Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and LSU athletic director Scott Woodward was a long time coming. After Woodward fired LSU football coach Brian Kelly last week, Landry blasted Woodward in a press conference and declared that he wouldn’t be involved in hiring the next coach.

Landry and Woodward have long been at odds, according to Yahoo Sports, with Landry holding a “personal vendetta” against Woodward. After LSU athletic administrators decided to fire Kelly, Landry held a meeting at the governor’s mansion with donors and select university administrators to authorize the decision, the outlet reported. At that meeting, Landry strongly expressed his desire to have Woodward fired, per the report.

“He’s got it out for him,” a Louisiana political figure told Yahoo Sports. “This governor picks fights and he never forgets a slight.” Some of that tension stems from the fact that Woodward, a former political lobbyist, is more progressive than the conservative Landry.

Soon after Landry was sworn in in 2024, he became combative with the school over a number of disagreements. At one point, he declared a sign of disrespect to the country and threatened to revoke athletic scholarships. Later that year, he was adamant about restoring the school’s tradition of parading a live tiger around the field before football games—a practice the school had stopped several years ago.

Landry had a Bengal tiger transported from Florida and paraded around the field before a game, while the school’s actual live tiger mascot was not used. Those two decisions left the school feeling “angry, scarred and embarrassed,” Yahoo Sports reported.

Then, this year, Landry urged Woodward and other school administrators to hire back Will Wade to coach the basketball team, according to the outlet. Wade had coached LSU during a successful five-year run between 2017 and 2022, recording a 105-51 record and bringing the Tigers to three NCAA tournaments.

However, Wade became embroiled in an NCAA investigation for paying players, which led Woodward to fire him. Wade then rehabilitated his image with McNeese State over the past two years, earning a job at NC State. As LSU finished a disappointing year last season under Matt McMahon, Landry urged Woodward to fire McMahon and bring back Wade—an idea Woodward refused, Yahoo Sports reported.

Just last week, Landry publicly slammed Woodward for giving Kelly his “terrible” contract, which resulted in a $54 million buyout needing to be paid. The feud between the governor and the athletic director shows no signs of cooling anytime soon.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/30/sports/why-louisiana-gov-has-got-it-out-for-lsu-ad-after-54-million-brian-kelly-mess/

abuse, government, sexualharassment

Woman Deported After Reporting Sexual Harassment by ICE Contractor

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A California mother has accused an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contractor of engaging in unwelcome sexual harassment. According to the complaint, the contractor repeatedly contacted the plaintiff through various means, including phone calls, video calls, and text messages. Disturbingly, he also sent her pictures of himself naked with an erect penis and videos of himself masturbating.

The complaint further alleges that the contractor attempted to coerce Reyna Mendoza for sexual favors, reportedly stating words to the effect of, “If you’re good to me, I’ll be good to you.”

Reyna Mendoza came to the United States from Mexico as a teenager, fleeing domestic violence, her family told KCRA 3. Although she has lived in the U.S. for nearly 40 years, she has been required to check in regularly with ICE through BI Incorporated.

BI Incorporated is a private company that provides electronic monitoring and supervision services for people involved in the criminal justice and immigration systems. Their services include GPS monitoring and ICE supervision programs. BI is a wholly owned subsidiary of The GEO Group, a large private prison and detention company. While BI operates under GEO’s corporate umbrella, it focuses specifically on monitoring and case management rather than managing detention facilities.

The Sacramento Police Department is currently investigating the allegations, a spokesperson confirmed to The Sacramento Bee.

### What People Are Saying

“It’s obviously very suspicious because all along the defendants that we are suing have been working very hard to cover up the sexual harassment,” said Reyna Mendoza’s lawyer, Israel Ramirez, in an interview with KCRA 3. “We’re still investigating this. We want all the facts to come out and we want the individuals who have harmed her to be brought to justice.”

Francisco Govea, Reyna’s son, shared his frustration with KCRA: “It’s really hard when you’re trying to speak up to the authorities about what’s going on and they dismiss it. Who do you ask for help at that point?”

ICE responded to the allegations on its website, emphasizing its stance: “ICE has zero tolerance for all forms of sexual abuse and assault, retaliation for reporting sexual abuse, or staff neglect or violations of responsibilities that may contribute to such incidents. ICE takes every allegation seriously and will hold perpetrators accountable for their sexual misconduct.”

### What Happens Next

Mendoza’s family told KCRA 3 that Reyna has been communicating with her attorneys from Mexico and plans to continue participating in the legal proceedings remotely.

—

**EDITOR’S NOTE:** This story includes discussion of sexual abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 in the U.S.
https://www.newsweek.com/woman-deported-after-reporting-sexual-harassment-by-ice-contractor-10951512

general

Driver dies, dog survives after vehicle goes over side of Santa Cruz Wharf in high surf

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A dramatic scene unfolded at the Santa Cruz Wharf over the weekend when a vehicle went off the edge of the pier and into the water, sparking a frantic rescue effort that ended with authorities recovering a body and a dog.

Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle break through the wooden railing at 9:44 a.m. on Sunday. When firefighters arrived, they found the damaged section about two-thirds of the way along the wharf.

Visibility was limited, and the surf was high, with waves about 12 feet tall, making it difficult to immediately locate the vehicle, officials said. After about 10 minutes, the vehicle was spotted resting on its roof in approximately 30 feet of water, according to Santa Cruz Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Coleman at a news conference on Sunday.

“The victim was brought out of a vehicle, upside down, at the bottom of the ocean floor, with significant swelling, in 33 minutes,” Coleman said.

The victim was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. A dog was also pulled from the water and survived, officials confirmed.

The emergency response involved 13 lifeguards, two jet skis, and two boats. Emergency divers remained in the water for about an hour, searching for any additional passengers in the vehicle, but none were found, authorities reported.

At this time, authorities have not provided details about the cause of the incident or estimated how fast the vehicle was traveling before it went off the edge of the wharf. The incident remains under investigation by the Santa Cruz Police Department.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-27/santa-cruz-driver-dog-wharf-rescue

refugees, sports

Some 4 years after fleeing Afghanistan, a group of refugees returns to international competition

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Four years after players from the Afghanistan women’s national team fled their homeland amid the Taliban’s takeover, a number of the teammates are representing their country again in a soccer tournament — only this time as refugees.

The tournament represents a first major step in the fight to be officially recognized as a national team on the global stage. Collectively, they call themselves Afghan Women United.

“It’s really exciting to see each other, hug each other and finally share and play together,” said captain Fatima Haidari, who lives in Italy. “As an athlete I say, you will face challenges and difficulties in your life, but you always can overcome and never give up. Never give up.”

### A New Beginning in Morocco

Kicking off the tournament, FIFA — soccer’s international governing body — is staging a four-team friendly event in Morocco that includes the refugee team along with Chad, Libya, and Tunisia. The event, dubbed FIFA Unites: Women’s Series 2025, started Sunday.

The tournament comes after years of lobbying by players, former captain and activist Khalida Popal, and human rights groups to facilitate the team’s return to competition.

“With all the challenges that we have been through, all the barriers that we faced, finally, after four years and some months, the girls are playing football as the Afghan team,” Popal said, “but with no title.”

“I’m glad the girls are playing. Is it enough? No. But it’s a good start.”

### Challenges Along the Way

Originally set for Dubai, the tournament was to include Chad, Libya, and the host United Arab Emirates. However, media reports from Australia indicated that some players were unable to obtain visas. FIFA didn’t provide a reason for moving the event to Morocco.

The Afghan women’s national team last played an official competitive game in 2018. The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 shut down all women’s sports. However, even before the team’s demise, the Afghan soccer federation was under investigation for misconduct involving the women’s program, including grave allegations of rape and physical abuse.

Keramuddin Keram, the federation president, was banned for life by FIFA.

As the Taliban took over, the players fled Afghanistan, fearing persecution. Some have recounted harrowing ordeals — burning their kits to avoid detection and scrambling to escape.

“We faced challenges or difficulties that I don’t even want to remember because it was really bitter,” Haidari said. “It is about leaving your homeland and all your friends, family, and all the people that you know. What makes me sad is there are still some girls and women that are not playing, but they hope to be on the international pitch like us, like we are here now. We want to be their voice.”

### Looking Ahead

While many players have settled in Australia, others are spread across Europe and the United States. FIFA held identification camps in Australia and England, calling in 70 players before narrowing down the roster to 23 for the tournament, coach Pauline Hamill said.

“We want to show what we can do in the future, we want to show our potential. And then it’s about, from this starting point, how we then move forward,” Hamill explained. “So to get back on the pitch for these players is a big win. They’ve been waiting a long time. And this tournament gives us the perfect chance to play matches together and then be really excited about the future.”

Although the Afghan federation has obligations under FIFA statutes to avoid discrimination, it has not been suspended from international soccer despite failing to acknowledge the women’s team. Players and their advocates have fought for official recognition.

In May, the FIFA Council approved the Strategy for Action for Afghan Women’s Football. However, the team cannot yet represent Afghanistan in Women’s World Cup qualifying or Asian championships.

While the tournament in Morocco marks a first step, the ultimate goal is to become independent of FIFA, Popal said. Still, she emphasized that the players are grateful to the organization for making this important move.

Popal added that the players are seeking meaningful recognition as a national team and an independent national soccer federation “to actually govern the teams, to make sure girls are not silenced.”

“Our players have been fighting for that right for so long,” Popal said. “Of course, there’s no governance in this initiative and the pilot, but we would love to have it in the future.”

### The Dream Lives On

Afghan Women United fell 6-1 in their first match to Chad on Sunday in Casablanca, with Manozh Noori scoring the lone goal for the refugee team.

For the players, the games are not about wins and losses. They are making a statement.

“I feel safe. I feel free as a girl, as a woman, to have a normal life, to play, to dream,” Haidari said. “Actually that’s why, not only in my dreams, but I carry the dreams of all girls and women in Afghanistan that want to play.”

___

*AP Soccer*
https://wtop.com/national/2025/10/some-4-years-after-fleeing-afghanistan-a-group-of-refugees-returns-to-international-competition/

general

The fatal blast at a military munitions factory was a chain reaction of up to 28,000 pounds of explosives

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Investigators still haven’t been able to identify the remains of two of the people killed in the October 10 explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems factory in Bucksnort, an unincorporated community about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville, officials said at a news conference.

The delicate investigation at the site of the plant has concluded, but determining a cause could take months more, said Brice McCracken, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) special agent in charge at the National Center for Explosives Training and Research. In addition to locating victims’ remains, the on-site work involved removing and disposing of explosives that didn’t detonate in the blast.

The next phase centers on ATF labs and testing facilities, where investigators will try to determine what triggered the explosion, said Jamey VanVliet, ATF special agent in charge in the Nashville division.

“Those results don’t come quickly,” VanVliet said. “They come through time, care, and precision. And that’s what this community deserves: answers that are proven, not guessed.”

### The Explosion and the Site

Authorities reported that between 24,000 and 28,000 pounds of explosives detonated that day. The blast originated on the 15,000-square-foot plant’s first floor, near kettles used in the production of an explosive mixture for the commercial mining industry, McCracken explained.

The building was primarily used to make explosives known as cast boosters—typically a mixture of TNT and RDX (also called cyclonite)—which are poured by hand into cardboard tubes. Explosives were mixed in kettles on the mezzanine level before being pumped into heating kettles on the main floor.

“Everything is mixed up top and then it pumps down into the lower floor, where it stays heated,” McCracken said. “Then they’re able to pull it out in a pitcher and each cast is hand-poured into the cardboard tube.”

The main floor also stored explosives near a loading dock. Cast boosters were cooled on that floor before packaging. After the initial explosion in the production kettles, investigators believe other explosive materials stored on the main floor also detonated.

During the investigation, authorities searched an area of about 500 acres (200 hectares), much of which was dense woods, looking for evidence. The scene was turned back over to the company on Thursday, McCracken added.

### Impact and Community

The blast, which was felt more than 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, left a smoldering wreck of twisted metal and burned-out vehicles at the factory. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors at the blast site.

Items of interest for the investigation were found more than half a mile away, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said.

Accurate Energetic Systems employs about 150 people and operates a sprawling complex in rural central Tennessee, with eight specialized production buildings and a laboratory. The facility straddles the Hickman and Humphreys county line in unincorporated Bucksnort.

The company, headquartered in nearby McEwen, serves customers in the aerospace, defense, demolition, and mining industries. It has been awarded numerous military contracts—largely by the U.S. Army and Navy—to supply different types of munitions and explosives. Their products range from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges, including C-4.

In a statement on Friday, Accurate Energetic Systems CEO Wendell Stinson said the company is “continuing to support investigators and is under obligation to preserve the site for a to-be-determined period of time,” anticipating it may be “many months” before more on-site review is complete.

The company also started a fund with a local community foundation to help solicit donations for families affected by the tragedy.

### Victims and Identification Efforts

The explosion killed people ranging in age from 21 to 60. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has positively identified 14 of the 16 victims using rapid DNA testing.

Given the severe damage at the scene, TBI Director David Rausch explained that they had initially expected to identify only 40% to 50% of the victims. While their efforts have fallen short of identifying every victim, authorities have named all 16 individuals.

Officials continue conducting tests to identify the final two victims, Sheriff Davis said. He expressed the emotional toll on the families, noting, “There’s not enough words in the dictionary that we could use to describe those feelings or emotions.”

### Lawsuit Filed Over the Explosion

Last week, a lawsuit was filed in state court on behalf of the 9-year-old daughter of Jeremy Moore, one of the victims killed in the blast.

The lawsuit targets AAC Investments LLC, a company closely tied to Accurate Energetic Systems. It claims that AAC was the owner, operator, and manager of the factory and that the explosion occurred because AAC did not maintain a “reasonably safe factory” for explosives work.

Jeremy Moore, 37, was remembered fondly by his family. According to his obituary, he cherished spending time with and supporting his daughter at cheerleading, softball, and any adventure she wanted to pursue.

Lee Coleman, an attorney representing Moore’s family, stated that the complaint could be amended as more details become available and that additional defendants might be added.

A spokesperson for Accurate Energetic Systems declined to comment on the lawsuit.

—

This tragic event has profoundly impacted the local community, and investigations continue as authorities work to uncover the cause and provide answers to those affected.
https://fortune.com/2025/10/25/fatal-blast-military-munitions-factory-tennessee-accurate-energetic-systems-explosives/

business, crime, media

The NYC mob is in the news, but it’s a pathetic shell of what it used to be, full of ‘stunads’ that would make Tony Soprano blush: sources

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**La Dope-a Nostra: How the New York City Mob Has Faded into a Shadow of Its Former Self**

The New York City mob is a far cry from the powerhouse it once was, now reduced to a pitiful shell full of small-time crooks, rats, and dimwits, according to law enforcement sources and experts. John Gotti, the notorious mob boss, would surely roll in his grave over how weak and brainless the Big Apple’s five families have become.

With a no-killing approach meant to keep them under the radar, each family now consists of only about 100 to 250 members, the sources revealed. “The mob is so watered down now,” said a longtime law enforcement official, speaking after a mafia-linked NBA gambling bust and a garbage scheme plea deal thrust La Cosa Nostra back into the headlines over the past week.

“Today they are letting car thieves in. In the old days, most made men had to do a [murder] hit. And if not, they had to be big earners,” the source explained. “Today it is slim pickings.”

### The Five Families: Reduced but Still Operating

The Big Apple’s infamous “five families” — Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese — still largely profit from gambling, loan sharking, and extortion schemes. However, their wise guys are “nowhere near as rich as their predecessors,” the source said.

“You still have some guys who don’t want to get up and go to work in the morning [who are] looking for get-rich-quick schemes. Problem is, they’re not as smart or as tough as their predecessors,” the source added. These modern-day mafiosi are more likely to flip on their accomplices, further weakening the organization.

“They are a shell of themselves, but they still exist,” he said, referring to the crime families. “You still have to be Italian, that is about the only thing that hasn’t changed in 100 years, except if you’re a son of John Gotti.”

### A Laughable Legacy

Asked about the current state of the mob, another law enforcement insider scoffed, “Don’t make me laugh.”

“If these guys were around in the old days, I wouldn’t even ask them to get me a cup of coffee because they would mess up the order,” he said. “If you did a job with them, if they didn’t screw it up, they would rat you out if they got caught.”

### From Family to Business: The Changing Culture

Experts say the mob’s new culture fuels more rats and plea deals. “For the old-time guys, mafia was a way of life, it was family. For guys today, it’s just a way to make money,” said mafia expert George Anastasia, author of *The Goodfellas Tapes* and *Mobfather*.

“It has an impact when you’ve got an investigation and someone gets jammed up. It becomes, ‘Am I gonna be a stand-up guy and go to jail or am I going to cooperate [with feds]?’” Anastasia explained. He covered organized crime at the Philadelphia Inquirer for nearly four decades and was once placed on a hit list by Philly mobster John Stanfa.

Today’s mob is “scraping the bottom of the gene pool” for made men because second- and third-generation Italian Americans have more opportunities, and anyone with a brain can make money legally, Anastasia said.

### The Current Mob Leadership

Law enforcement sources identify the alleged New York City mob leaders as:

– Theodore “Teddy Boy” Persico, reputed head of the Colombo family
– Michael “Big Mike” DeSantis, reputed head of the Lucchese family
– Barney Bellomo, reputed head of the Genovese family
– Mike “The Nose” Mancuso, reputed head of the Bonanno family
– Lorenzo Mannino, reputed head of the Gambino family

All five reputed bosses are currently out of prison.

Persico, a nephew of former mob boss Carmine “The Snake” Persico, pleaded guilty to a labor union extortion plot in July 2023. DeSantis, of Brooklyn, became the new acting boss of the Lucchese family after taking over from Bronx-based Matthew “Matty” Madonna in 2019.

Mancuso was sent to prison for 11 months in July 2023, partly due to a phone conversation with an alleged fellow wiseguy about making pasta “gravy,” after serving a decade behind bars for signing off on a murderous hit. Mannino is a former capo about whom little is known.

The Gambino and Genovese families have roughly 200 to 250 members each, while the other three families have about 100 to 150 members. They continue to rake in money through traditional crime schemes that have persisted for decades, Anastasia said.

### Still Italian, Still Earning

The New York City mob has very rarely “bent the rules” to admit non-Italians, but “more important than being Italian is are you an earner,” insiders note.

Meanwhile, mafia expert Jerry Capeci observes that the New York City mafia has become less murderous over the past two decades.

“The big difference between the mob today and 20 years ago is they have stopped killing people — that’s a big deal,” said Capeci, who runs the website Gang Land News. Ending murders reduces federal scrutiny, making it less likely the mob will be aggressively targeted.

“[But] there’s still almost nothing they can’t do to make a buck,” he added.

—

Despite their diminished power and influence, New York’s five families continue to exist, adapting to a new era while clinging to some of their old traditions. But as insiders admit, the once fearsome La Cosa Nostra is now little more than a shadow of its legendary past.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/24/us-news/the-nyc-mob-is-a-pathetic-shell-of-what-it-used-to-be-full-of-small-time-crooks-rats-and-dimwits-sources/

general

Eastern Michigan players refuse to be in NCAA gambling investigation

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**The Growing Concern of Gambling in Professional and Collegiate Sports**

Gambling in professional and collegiate sports is becoming increasingly problematic. At the current rate, this troubling trend shows no signs of slowing down. In recent years, numerous student-athletes and professionals have been implicated in illegal gambling activities, ranging from point shaving and betting on game outcomes to prop betting and even poker. Unfortunately, many involved individuals are facing serious punishments as these cases continue to surface.

Betting has become a major part of sports culture today, with countless people participating. While some anticipated issues arising from this surge in sports gambling, few likely predicted the extent of illegal activities now being uncovered. This raises a critical question: is there any integrity left in sports?

### Recent Developments: Eastern Michigan Basketball Investigation

One of the latest high-profile cases involves Eastern Michigan University’s basketball program. According to an ESPN article by David Purdum, an ongoing NCAA investigation has been launched following suspicious betting activity connected to Eastern Michigan’s January 14 game against Central Michigan.

The investigation centers on three former players — Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson, and Jalen Terry — who have recently completed their collegiate careers. Notably, these players are refusing to cooperate with the investigation.

As reported, “Jalin Billingsley, Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry, who are no longer with the program, had their phones imaged on January 29 as part of the NCAA investigation triggered by suspicious betting on Eastern Michigan’s game on January 14 against Central Michigan, according to the findings released Friday.”

However, the players declined to be interviewed and subsequently informed the NCAA through legal counsel that they would not participate in the investigation. They also requested that the images taken from their phones be destroyed.

### Potential Consequences and Broader Implications

Refusing to cooperate with NCAA investigations, especially in cases involving possible integrity violations, is itself a violation. Such actions can lead to significant consequences, including bans from athletically related activities, loss of eligibility, and public naming in infractions decisions.

The Division I Committee on Infractions emphasized this point in their statement:
“When individuals choose not to cooperate particularly when cases involve potential integrity issues those choices can and will be met with serious consequences including prohibitions on athletically related activities, the loss of eligibility and/or being publicly named in an infractions decision.”

Given that the three players involved have exhausted their eligibility to play, the immediate competitive impact may be limited. Nevertheless, the investigation could have lasting consequences on their athletic reputations and eligibility for future involvement in collegiate sports or related activities.

Attempts by ESPN to contact the players for comment have been unsuccessful.

### Expanding the Scope: Other Schools Under Investigation

The NCAA’s probe extends beyond Eastern Michigan. According to Purdum, 10 other student-athletes across five additional schools are also under investigation for similar concerns related to illegal gambling activities.

### Final Thoughts

The increasing prevalence of gambling-related scandals in sports threatens the integrity of both professional and collegiate athletics. As these investigations develop, it remains crucial for governing bodies, institutions, and athletes to uphold transparency and cooperate fully to preserve the fairness and trust that fans expect from the games they love.

—

*Stay tuned for further updates as this investigation unfolds.*
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-basketball/ncaa-basketball-news-eastern-michigan-players-refuse-to-be-in-gambling-investigation