National Roundup

California Feds: Man attempts to smuggle meth as candy LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A California man faces federal drug charges for allegedly trying to smuggle more than 4 pounds of methamphetamine to Japan in what looked like dozens of Snickers bars. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Monday that 34-year-old Rogelio Mauricio Harris of Long Beach was arrested last week at Los Angeles International Airport as he prepared to board a flight to Japan. Harris was charged in Los Angeles with drug possession and faces at least 10 years in prison if convicted. Federal agents conducting routine baggage inspections found 45 full-sized Snickers bars inside Harris' luggage. Each bar was coated in a chocolate-like substance to make it look like a candy bar, but tests revealed the so-called candy contained methamphetamine. Authorities estimate the 4 pounds of meth is worth about $250,000. Indiana Police: Informant lured to Indy, attacked PRINCETON, Ind. (AP) -- Court documents say a southwestern Indiana woman used Facebook to lure a police informant to Indianapolis, where four men beat him and threatened to drown him or set him on fire. Twenty-year-old Brittni Browning of Francisco and 24-year-old Derek Agnew and 19-year-old Cory Jefferson, both of Princeton, were being held Tuesday at the Gibson County Jail on preliminary felony charges of battery and criminal confinement. Marion County prosecutors say two other suspects haven't been charged. The Princeton Daily Clarion reports the victim informed on Agnew, leading to his arrest on drug charges. The affidavit claims Browning contacted the informant on Facebook and invited him to Indianapolis, where the four men then placed him in a car's trunk while they discussed how to kill him. The informant escaped, however. Louisiana Evidence disclosed in ex-sheriff's trial MONROE, La. (AP) -- Federal prosecutors have disclosed some evidence that will be used against former Ouachita Parish Sheriff Royce Toney in his upcoming trial. In a court filings, The News-Star reports the government states it will use documents related to the internal affairs interview of Chief Deputy Marc Mashaw, Toney's laptop computer, documents from Toney's personnel file, video of Mashaw's internal affairs interview and emails between Toney and Kim Leija -- Toney's former chief of staff. A federal grand jury indicted Toney Feb. 22 on one count of conspiracy, nine counts of computer fraud, nine counts of identity theft, one count of obstruction of a federal investigation and one count of obstruction by retaliating against a victim. Trial is scheduled for Sept. 13. Iowa Ex-Iowa police chief pleads guilty in cash case CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) -- A former police chief and gun dealer in Williamsburg has pleaded guilty to manipulating cash deposits to conceal gun sales. The Gazette reports that Michael Gabriel has agreed to forfeit nearly $375,000 as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Gabriel also faces up to five years of probation and a fine of up to $500,000. Gabriel retired from the Williamsburg Police Department in 2007 and formerly operated Gabe's Gun Shop in Williamsburg. Court documents say that between April 27, 2009, and Aug. 17, 2010, Gabriel tried to hide proceeds from his gun business by splitting cash deposits in excess of $10,000 into smaller deposits to avoid the federal cash reporting requirement. The Internal Revenue Service seized money from Gabriel's business and home in April 2011. West Virginia ACLU plans suit over Wood Co. single-sex classes PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- Single-gender classes at a middle school in Wood County are expected to be challenged in court. The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia has notified Wood County Schools that it plans to sue over separate classes for boys and girls in several subjects at Van Devender Middle School. The Parkersburg News and Sentinel says the notification came earlier this month after the school board rejected the ACLU's demand to end the classes. Earlier this year, the ACLU sent letters to school officials in Kanawha, Cabell and Wood counties saying single-gender classes violate federal law. The Cabell and Kanawha programs ended this summer. School officials attributed the decisions to logistical and administrative issues. Wood County school officials say they believe the Van Devender classes comply with the law. New York Iran, al-Qaida, Taliban told to pay $6B for 9/11 NEW YORK (AP) -- A federal judge has ordered al-Qaida, the Taliban and Iran to pay $6 billion to relatives of Sept. 11 victims for aiding in the 2001 terror attacks. The ruling is largely symbolic since it would be nearly impossible to collect any damages. But plaintiff Ellen Saracini tells the Daily News that she is happy about Manhattan Federal Magistrate Judge Frank Maas' ruling Monday. Her husband, Victor, was the captain of one of the planes that struck the World Trade Center. Last year, Judge George Daniels signed a default judgment on the lawsuit brought by family members of 47 victims. He found al-Qaida, the Taliban and Iran liable and asked the magistrate to determine damages. West Virginia Sheriff's civil rights trial delayed MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (AP) -- Jefferson County Sheriff Robert Shirley's trial on federal civil rights violations is being pushed back until early next year. Shirley's trial was scheduled to begin Aug. 7. His attorneys requested a continuance, saying they need more time to prepare. Media outlets report that U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey granted the request Monday and rescheduled the trial for Jan. 22. Shirley is accused of beating a bank robbery suspect on Dec. 27, 2010. He's charged with deprivation of rights under the color of law and falsifying records during a federal investigation of the incident. The incident also prompted a lawsuit by the suspect against Shirley and 14 unidentified police officers. Mark Daniel Haines of Harpers Ferry alleges that the officers beat him after a failed bank robbery and chase. Published: Wed, Aug 1, 2012