News

Alabama woman sentenced to 4 years in prison in stolen identity refund fraud scheme

Submitted by JoBeth Davis, Community Web Producer

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 3:01pm

Alabama woman sentenced to 4 years in prison in stolen identity refund fraud scheme

WASHINGTON – Larreka Jackson was sentenced to 48 months in prison for her role in a multi-million dollar conspiracy to use stolen identities to obtain tax refunds, announced George L. Beck, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Jackson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $721,519.12. In January 2013, Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false claims and to one count of aggravated identity theft.

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MPD urging drivers to "Click It or Ticket" this Memorial Day

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 2:59pm

The Montgomery Police Department is urging drivers to "Click It or Ticket" this Memorial Day holiday as they take part in the national "Click It or Ticket" seat belt enforcement program.

Officers will be out in full force beginning on Monday, May 20 cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

"As we kick off the busy summer
driving season, it's important that everyone buckles up every time they go out,
both day and night – no excuses," said Police Chief Kevin J. Murphy. "Our
officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt –
Click It or Ticket."

According to the U.S. Department of
Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 52 percent of
the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their
seat belts at the time of the crash.

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Court orders Lee Co. Sheriff to return Desmonte Leonard to Montgomery Co. Jail

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 2:33pm

Leonard at hearing Thursday afternoon. Photo Courtesy Opelika-Auburn News

OPELIKA, AL (WSFA)- A Lee County Circuit Court judge is ordering Lee County Sheriff and Auburn Police Department to return accused murder suspect Desmonte Leonard to the Montgomery County Jail.

Leonard's attorneys filed a motion asking the judge to compel Sheriff Jay Jones to return their client to the facility some 50 miles from Lee County. Leonard has been housed in the Montgomery County Jail due to alleged security reasons.

Leonard attorney Jeff Duffey says his client's safety would be at risk should he be moved to the Lee County Jail.

Auburn Police Chief Tommy Dawson previously told WSFA 12 News that special concessions were made with regards to Leonard's housing and transport in order to keep him safe from the general population.

A status hearing for Leonard was held at the Lee County Justice Center at 1:30 Thursday afternoon, but afterward Sheriff Jones refused to return Leonard to Montgomery County.

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CrimeStoppers searching for 'armed and dangerous' suspect

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 10:58am

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- Central Alabama CrimeStoppers and the Montgomery Police Department are asking for help to find a man they believed fired shots at an occupied building.

Authorities are searching for 22-year-old Liderrio James Stefon Davis. He is wanted for discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling.

Authorities say Davis should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you know of his whereabouts you are asked to contact your local law enforcement agency or call CrimeStoppers at 215-STOP.

If you tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.

UPDATE: Liderrio Davis is in custody as of 5/17/13.

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Man falls into pool, drowns while doing yard work

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 10:24am

A local man's life was cut short after police say he accidentally fell into a pool while doing yard work.

Police say the incident happened on Thursday night in the 1300 block of Meriwether Road.

Authorities believe an adult male accidentally fell into the backyard pool while doing yard work.

The man was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Police say the man's death appears accidental, however the incident is still under investigation.

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Montgomery to offer traffic fine amnesty program in June

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 5:03pm

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- If you have outstanding traffic violations - you may want to pay close attention. The City of Montgomery will be offering an amnesty program for two days in June to help you take care of your fines.

The amnesty program will remove certain fees, eliminate warrants for arrest and allow the option of payment plans for individuals who meet the amnesty criteria and show up for the program on the specified dates.

The program will be available to individuals with traffic fines totaling less than $2,500. Those eligible must either make a minimum payment of $150, or pay 10% of the outstanding balance on their fine - whichever is greater.

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DA fights Desmonte Leonard's bid to visit scene of Auburn killings

Submitted by WSFA 12 News Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 4:17pm

OPELIKA, AL (AP)- Prosecutors are opposing a bid by a shooting suspect to visit the Auburn apartment complex where three people were shot to death last year.

Attorneys for Desmonte Leonard were in court Thursday in Opelika asking a judge to let their client visit the scene of the shooting at University Heights Apartments.

The Opelika-Auburn News (http://bit.ly/YZrt7u) reports that the defense says the visit is critical to the case.

But prosecutors say there already are diagrams and a video of the shooting scene, and Leonard doesn't need to go to the complex.

Circuit Judge Jacob Walker didn't rule on the issue.

Two former Auburn University football players were among the victims, and three people were wounded.

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