Man charged with killing Minnesota lawmaker plans to plead not guilty

Man charged with killing Minnesota lawmaker plans to plead not guilty

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man plans to plead not guilty to charges hekilled the top Democratic leaderin the state House and her husband after wounding another lawmaker and his wife, his attorney said. Vance Boelter, 57, is due in federal court for his arraignment on Sept. 12 under an order issued late Tuesday, hours after a grand jury indicted him on six counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations. The murder charges could carry thefederal death penalty. At a news conference Tuesday, prosecutors released a rambling handwritten letter they say Boelter wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel in which he confessed to the June 14 shootings ofMelissa Hortmanand her husband Mark. However, the letter doesn't make clear why he targeted the couples. Boelter's federal defender, Manny Atwal, said in an email that the weighty charges do not come as a surprise. "The indictment starts the process of receiving discovery which will allow me to evaluate the case," Atwal said Tuesday. She did not immediately comment Wednesday on any possible defense strategies. At his last court appearance,Boelter saidhe was "looking forward to the facts about the 14th coming out." While the scheduling order set a trial date of Nov. 3, Atwal said it was "very unlikely" to happen so soon. Investigators have already gathered a huge amount of evidence that both sides will need time to evaluate. The scheduling order acknowledges that both sides may find grounds for seeking extensions. And the potential for a death sentence adds yet another level of complexity. The acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson, reiterated Tuesday that they consider the former House speaker's death a "political assassination" and the wounding of Sen. John Hoffman an "attempted assassination." But Thompson told reporters a decision onwhether to seek the death penalty"will not come for several months." He said it will ultimately be up to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, with input from the capital case unit at the Department of Justice, local prosecutors and the victims. Minnesota abolished its state death penalty in 1911, but theTrumpadministration says it intends to be aggressive in seeking capital punishment for eligible federal crimes. Boelter's motivations remain murky. Friends have described him as an evangelical Christian withpolitically conservative viewswhohad been strugglingto find work. Boelter allegedly made lists of politicians in Minnesota and other states — all or mostly Democrats — and attorneys at national law firms. In an interviewpublished by the New York Poston Saturday, Boelter insisted the shootings had nothing to do with his opposition to abortion or his support for President Donald Trump, but he declined to elaborate on that point. "There is little evidence showing why he turned to political violence and extremism," Thompson said. Prosecutors say Boelter was disguised as a police officer and driving a fake squad car early June 14 when he went to the Hoffmans' home in the Minneapolis suburb of Champlin. He allegedly shot the senator nine times, and his wife, Yvette, eight times,but they survived. Boelter later allegedly went to the Hortmans' home in nearby Brooklyn Park and killed both of them. Their dog was sogravely injuredthat he had to be euthanized. Investigators found Boelter's letter to the FBI director in the car he abandoned near his rural home in Green Isle, west of Minneapolis. Hesurrendered the night afterthe shootings following what authorities have called thelargest searchfor a suspect in Minnesota history.

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July 16, 2025

Man charged with killing Minnesota lawmaker plans to plead not guilty

Man charged with killing Minnesota lawmaker plans to plead not guilty MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man plans to plead not guilty to charge...

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Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs are federally charged in alleged visa fraud scheme

Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs are federally charged in alleged visa fraud scheme

Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs, a U.S. marshal and a businessman have been federally charged with participating in an immigrant visa fraud scheme, prosecutors announced Wednesday. A federal grand jury in Shreveport returned a 62-count indictment against the five people on July 2, Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander Van Hook for the Western District of Louisiana said in a news conference Wednesday. The police chiefs took bribes in exchange for filing false police reports that would allow noncitizens to seek a visa that lets certain crime victims stay in the U.S., Van Hook said. The five defendants are: Chad Doyle, the chief of police in Oakdale; Michael Slaney, a marshal from the Ward 5 Marshal's office in Oakdale; Glynn Dixon, the chief of police in Forest Hill; Tebo Onishea, the former chief of police in Glenmora; and Chandrakant Patel, a businessman from Oakdale. They were each charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and other charges, prosecutors said in anews release. Patel was further charged with one count of bribery, 24 counts of mail fraud and eight counts of money laundering. Doyle and Dixon were further charged with six counts of visa fraud, six counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering. Slaney was also charged with six counts of visa fraud, six counts of mail fraud, and two counts of money laundering. Onishea was additionally charged with six counts of visa fraud and six counts of mail fraud. For a decade, from December 2015 to at least this month, prosecutors alleged Patel was a fixer who unlawfully procured nonimmigrant U-visas with the help of law enforcement officials. TheU nonimmigrant status visais for victims of certain crimes who help law enforcement or government officials investigate those crimes. Part of the application process includes a signature of an authorized official or law enforcement agency confirming the individual was the victim of a qualifying crime, prosecutors said. Individuals seeking U-visas would contact Patel to be named as "victims" in police reports of an armed robbery, so they could submit applications for U-visas, the indictment alleged. Those individuals allegedly paid Patel thousands of dollars to participate in the scheme, and Patel would ask alleged co-conspirators Doyle, Slaney, Dixon and Onishea to write false police reports naming the individuals as victims of armed robberies, and provide certification and supporting documents, prosecutors said. Together they "authored, facilitated, produced and authenticated false police reports" in several central Louisiana parishes, the news release said. "There was an unusual concentration of armed robberies, a large number of armed robberies of people that were not from Louisiana," Van Hook said. "Well, in fact, the armed robberies never took place, and those listed in the applications were never victims." Patel allegedly offered to pay an agent of the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office $5,000 on Feb. 18, "intending to influence and reward said agent in exchange for a fraudulent police report," prosecutors said. Van Hook said Patel allegedly paid the law enforcement officers $5,000 for each foreign national placed on police reports, and that were hundreds of such reports. From Sept. 27, 2023 to Dec. 26, 2024, Doyle Slaney, Dixon and Onishea allegedly submitted false statements in immigration applications by signing I-918B forms despite knowing the individuals were never victims of crimes. The investigation opened following a tip last July from Citizenship and Immigration Services, and was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and IRS, along with the U.S. Attorney's Office. Van Hook said the men were arrested Tuesday by federal law enforcement agents and search warrants were executed at multiple locations including the Oakdale and Forest Hill police departments and a Subway sandwich shop in Oakdale operated by Patel. Officials said Wednesday all were released except Patel. No attorneys were listed for the defendants in the online court docket. NBC News has reached out to the five men for comment. The mail fraud charge stems from the five men sending out documents by the U.S. Postal Service. If convicted the defendants each face up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge, up to 10 years on the visa fraud charge, up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge, and Patel up to 10 years the bribery charge. They also could be ordered to pay a fine of $250,000 on each count. The Associated Press contributed reporting.

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July 16, 2025

Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs are federally charged in alleged visa fraud scheme

Three current and former Louisiana police chiefs are federally charged in alleged visa fraud scheme Three current and former Louisiana polic...

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Authorities take custody of 21 kids in California while surrogate moms claim couple misled them

Authorities take custody of 21 kids in California while surrogate moms claim couple misled them

Twenty-one children are in the custody of a California child-welfare agency while authorities investigate a Los Angeles-area couple and whether they misled surrogate mothers around the country. Fifteen children were removed from the couple's opulent home in Arcadia after an abuse allegation in May, and another six living elsewhere were also located, Arcadia police Lt. Kollin Cieadlo said. They range in age from 2 months to 13 years, with most between 1 and 3. "We believe one or two were born biologically to the mother," he said. "There are some surrogates who have come forward and said they were surrogates for the children." Silvia Zhang, 38, and Guojun Xuan, 65, are believed to be the legal parents, Cieadlo said. They were arrested in May after a hospital reported that their 2-month-old infant had a traumatic head injury, the result of a nanny at the home violently shaking the baby, Arcadia police said. The child was not taken to the hospital for another two days. Cieadlo said neglect charges were not formally pursued in order for an investigation to continue. The couple told police that they "wanted a large family," the lieutenant said. Zhang produced what appeared to be legitimate birth certificates, including some from outside California, that list her as the mother of the children, Cieadlo said. He said the FBI is also part of the investigation. A spokesperson declined to comment when reached Wednesday by The Associated Press. "I'm not familiar with how the surrogacy laws work," Cieadlo said. "We need to do a much deeper dive." TV stations in Los Angeles quoted women who said they were surrogate mothers for the couple but that they didn't realize so many other surrogates were also involved. It wasn't immediately clear if Zhang and Xuan had a lawyer who could speak on their behalf. Zhang did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Business records with the California Secretary of State show a company called Mark Surrogacy Investment LLC was previously registered at the couple's address. The most recent filing shows the business license was terminated in June. Kallie Fell, director of The Center for Bioethics and Culture, which believes surrogacy exploits women,posted a recent YouTube videoof her interview with a Texas woman who gave birth last spring. "She was lied to. She was told this couple had one other child and they wanted one more child to complete a family," Fell told The Associated Press. "She didn't know they were the owners of the surrogacy agency. They operate with zero oversight." The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, which removed the couple's children, said it could not talk about its actions in a specific case.

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July 16, 2025

Authorities take custody of 21 kids in California while surrogate moms claim couple misled them

Authorities take custody of 21 kids in California while surrogate moms claim couple misled them Twenty-one children are in the custody of a ...

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Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt are expecting their first child

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt are expecting their first child

Pete Davidson isgoing to be a dad.His girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, announced their baby news Wednesday on Instagram with an ultrasound preview. The model and actor posted photos of herself and the"Saturday Night Live"alum with the caption: "welp now everyone knows we had sex." She included a video of herself getting an ultrasound and an up-close sonogram image. A rep for Davidson, 31, confirmed the news via email. It's the first baby for both. Davidson and Hewitt, 29, were first spotted out together in March, romping in the waves and making out in Palm Beach, Florida. Their relationship comes after Davidson's 10-month stretch with actor Madelyn Cline ended last July. Hewitt, who's appeared in "Industry," "Dave" and a Benny Blanco music video, had previously been linked to celebrities like Jason Sudeikis and Blanco. Davidson, who has several comedy specials in addition to his acting credits, has been known for his dating life, including high-profile relationships with Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian. Davidson, who has spoken of a rough childhood and lost his own father in the Sept. 11 attacks, has long wanted to be a dad, telling Kevin Hart on Hart's talk show three years ago: "It's gonna be so fun to dress up a little dude. I'm so excited for, like, that chapter."

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July 16, 2025

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt are expecting their first child

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt are expecting their first child Pete Davidson isgoing to be a dad.His girlfriend, Elsie Hewitt, announced the...

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Prince William's absence at King Charles and Prince Harry's 'peace summit' could be a 'warning shot': expert

Prince William's absence at King Charles and Prince Harry's 'peace summit' could be a 'warning shot': expert

Prince Harry and King Charles' private aides reportedly held a secret "peace summit" in an effort to restore the broken relationship between father and son. However, several royal experts insisted to Fox News Digital there's one senior royal who will likely never forgive or forget. "The important issue is that Prince William and his representatives were not invited," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital. "I feel that this was a warning shot across William's bows that Charles is king – not him. … It may also be a stark warning that Charles will decide what happens during his reign, not William." According tothe Mail on Sunday, Meredith Maines, the Duke of Sussex's chief of staff and communications director, flew from California to London recently to meet with the king's communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae. Liam Maguire, who oversees U.K. press for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, was also present. King Charles, Prince Harry's Painful Feud 'Damaging' Monarch's Reign As Gutted Son Remains Furious: Expert The informal meeting was reportedly held at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private club located a short walk from Clarence House,the king's London residence. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment. Read On The Fox News App "It is a sign from King Charles that he wants peace with Harry and Meghan and to meet his grandchildren," Turner claimed. Fox News Digital learned that Maines was in London to meet with the U.K.-based communications team, media, stakeholders and senior figures connected to Harry's patronages. It's understood that the visit was routine and part of ongoing planning and engagement. A source told the Mail Sunday that the meeting was only the "first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction." WATCH: PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE WILLIAM NEED AN INTERVENTION TO END FEUD: EXPERT "Everyone just wants to move on and move forward now. It was finally the right time for the two sides to talk," the source added. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that William,heir to the British throne, likely knew of the meeting but chose not to get his aides involved. Experts previously told Fox News Digital William and Harry are not on speaking terms. "The king is still battling cancer and is in his late 70s," said Fitzwilliams. "He wants a relationship with his grandchildren, whom he has hardly met. He is also temperamentally more accommodating than William. But [William] cannot trust the Sussexes. They must know it. The prospect of seeing the Sussexes at royal events would enrage the monarchy's loyal supporters. … Of course, reconciliation is desirable [for the king]. It would, however, come at a price." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals and moved to California in 2020, citing unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. After their exit, the couple aired grievances in interviews, documentaries and inHarry's 2023 memoir, "Spare." In his book, Harry, 40, appears to be tormented by his status as a royal "spare" behind William, 43. He recounts a long-standing sibling rivalry that worsened after Harry began a relationship with Meghan, 43, whom he married in 2018. "From a positive private family stance, some personal healing between father and son would be good," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "King Charles will always love his son, and, in light of the king's ongoing cancer treatment, it could help tidy up the messy fractured relationship. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter "King Charles is living with cancer, which makes his family situation very sad," Chard noted. "I'm sure he is thinking about his mortality and reevaluating his life. He would not want a family feud tarnishing his positive contributions and memory. I'm sure he will also want to clear up unresolved issues or surprises that could lead to further resentment and conflict between his two sons. "Life is too short for battles," Chard continued. "However, without Prince William's inclusion in the rapprochement, I can't see a positive outcome. It could also cause a wedge between Charles and William despite the king most certainly consulting with William." But not everyone feels that way. "It was a good first step," an insider toldPeople magazine. "There's optimism that it can be taken forward." According to the outlet, it's not known whether Harry and Charles, 76, have spoken recently. In May, Harry told the BBC he wanted reconciliation but that his father wouldn't speak to him. Sources previously told People the king wouldn't respond to Harry's letters or phone calls. "I would love reconciliation with my family," said Harry. "There's no point in continuing to fight anymore." Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News ButBritish royals expert Hilary Fordwichsaid she wasn't buying the so-called peace summit. "My instincts say that Harry is desperate," Fordwich claimed. "And King Charles loves his son and wants to have a restored relationship. However, this tentative step in any fragile peace process was marred by the leak of the meeting's details and photos. How on Earth was the media there?. … Both sides [have] expressed frustration regarding how such a leak jeopardizes the process, with now suspicions and distrust being resurrected. "Prince William is likely viewing this leak as being true to form for the Sussexes," Fordwich claimed. "It further reinforces his stance that any reconciliation or indeed dialogue with the Sussexes will become public." Chard also wondered how the details of what was supposed to be a private meeting became public so quickly. "The trust line seems to have been overstepped yet again," Chard claimed. "The story broke as the Prince and Princess of Wales received glowing media attention at Wimbledon. This was promptly overshadowed by the leaked reconciliation story. … The PR machine is seemingly in full play. It wouldn't surprise me if everything was filmed and will soon be featured in a new Netflix show. "But … wouldn't it be great if a fairytale reconciliation was in the cards or even a diplomatic agreement to disagree and move on?" Fitzwilliams previously told Fox News Digital William and Harry, once seemingly inseparable siblings, have "less in common than we imagined." "'Spare' made this pretty clear," said Fitzwilliams. "Harry resented the way he was treated as a bit of a joker and the royal wild child. He was also traumatized by the death of his mother, and resentment about security issues stems directly from this. This was very clear in his angry interview recently on the BBC. "William undoubtedly and rightlyfeels betrayed by Harryas [the interviews and memoir] were so damaging. At the heart of this is the fact that he feels he cannot trust his brother or Meghan ever again." Original article source:Prince William's absence at King Charles and Prince Harry's 'peace summit' could be a 'warning shot': expert

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July 16, 2025

Prince William's absence at King Charles and Prince Harry's 'peace summit' could be a 'warning shot': expert

Prince William's absence at King Charles and Prince Harry's 'peace summit' could be a 'warning shot': expert Prince ...

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Jennifer Garner and John Miller Have 'Hit a Stride as a Couple': They're More 'Connected' Than Ever (Exclusive Source)

Jennifer Garner and John Miller Have 'Hit a Stride as a Couple': They're More 'Connected' Than Ever (Exclusive Source)

Juliano/X17online.com Jennifer Garner and John Miller's relationship is stronger than ever, a source tells PEOPLE The CaliBurger CEO is "deeply respectful" of Garner's relationship with her ex-husband, Ben Affleck Garner and Miller have quietly dated on and off since 2018 Things betweenJennifer Garnerand longtime boyfriendJohn Millerare "better than ever," a source tells PEOPLE exclusively. The13 Going on 30actress and Miller —who have quietly dated on and off since 2018— "hit a stride as a couple and those who know them say this is the most solid and connected they've ever been." Garner, 53, shares three children with ex-husbandBen Affleck, 52. The former couple was married for 10 years, from 2005 until 2015. MLB/X The exes have long prioritized a healthy co-parenting relationship, which is something Miller — a businessman who is best known as the chairman of a technology company called CaliGroup, which owns the CaliBurger restaurant chain — fully supports. According to the source, "John has also embraced Jen's family life. He's been patient, supportive and deeply respectful of her dynamic with Ben and the kids." Garner and Affleck were recentlyspotted watching the Boston Red Soxtake on the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on Friday, July 11. Jim Spellman/WireImage Two of the former couple'schildren— Seraphina, 16, and Sam, 13 — were also present for the game night. Affleck and Garner's eldest child, 19-year-old Violet, was not in attendance. TheArgoactor and theDaredevilstar were deep in conversation when Affleck seemed to notice the attention on them as he nudged Garner, who flashed a smile in the direction of the camera seconds later. Meanwhile, Garner and Millershowed off some PDAwhile attending the67 Strong: Jen Garner's Final Mile 4 Kidsevent in Santa Monica, Calif. on June 22. TheSave the Childrentrustee and ambassador completed the final installment in her 67-day challenge of running one mile a day to benefit#67Strong4Kids. Garner got some love from longtime beau Miller, who planted a kiss on the actress following her final mile. Read the original article onPeople

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July 16, 2025

Jennifer Garner and John Miller Have 'Hit a Stride as a Couple': They're More 'Connected' Than Ever (Exclusive Source)

Jennifer Garner and John Miller Have 'Hit a Stride as a Couple': They're More 'Connected' Than Ever (Exclusive Source) J...

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