True Crime Online Newsletter - October 20, 2014
I couldn't make this up if I tried. . .Woman trapped in chimney dated homeowner after meeting online, he says
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-m
A woman who was arrested after being trapped inside a chimney had met the Thousand Oaks homeowner online and dated him before he recently broke off the relationship, according to the homeowner. The man told KTLA-TV that he met 30-year-old Genoveva Nunez-Figueroa online and had gone on six dates with her. "She seemed totally cool until the first flag was her actually being on my roof two weeks ago," said the man, who did not want to be identified. Soon after, he said, he broke off the courtship. But she apparently returned to his roof again early Sunday. Ventura County firefighters worked for two hours, removing each brick in the chimney to rescue Nunez-Figueroa after she became trapped inside, fire officials said. Firefighters had to pour dish soap down the flue and spray water to grab her arms and pull her out, authorities said. She was taken to a hospital and later arrested on suspicion of unauthorized entry of a dwelling and of giving false information to a police officer, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. It is unclear why she entered the home, sheriff's officials said. While the homeowner was not there during the ordeal, he later told KTLA he hopes Nunez-Figueroa "gets help" and "stays offline." "Even if she's online, people are probably going to know who she is now, so, 'You're welcome,' " he said.
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Visit WHOA on the web at http://www.haltabuse.org
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NEWS TO USE AND PASS ALONG!
(DISCLAIMER: The following news items were found on the web and were not written or endorsed by WHO@; they are for informational purposes only)
Scorned lover manipulates law enforcement to torment ex-fiance - 10/19/14
http://www.examiner.com/article/sco
Joe Good of St. Augustine, Florida thought he had met his Carol Brady when he hooked up with Tawny Blazejowsky, a mother of four. Strangely, only a few years later, and after calling off an engagement, on Saturday, October 18, 2014, ABC 2020 posted a video report of Blazejowsky's criminal conviction for cyber-stalking Good. So what happened, and could it happen to you?
Britain Threatens Internet Trolls With Up To Two Years In Prison - 10/19/14
http://www.inquisitr.com/1549209/britai
In Britain, proposals have been made to make internet trolling punishable by up to two years in jail. Internet trolling is an act that seems to have become engrained in cyber culture. Internet trolls are mean and persistent, and if you’re found lacking, they will proceed to ruin your self esteem.
According to the Tribune, Britain’s big announcement to make internet trolling a federal offense comes after the parents of Madeleine McCann, a young girl who went missing while on vacation in May 2007 became victims of cyber bullying.
UCF PD: 1-2 students victims of revenge porn each month - 10/19/14
http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/sto
On Wednesday night, representatives from UCF's Police Department, Victim Services and Student Legal Services hosted a panel discussion about revenge porn in the Student Union. The act of posting sexually explicit photos of others online without their consent is a well-publicized issue, with celebrity cases recently making headlines. Officer Pete Stephens said the issue hits close to home with one or two UCF students reporting the crime each month. However, he said that's not a large number compared to how many students go to UCF.
Parents need wake-up call about dangers to teens online - 10/19/14
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/m
A 13-year-old St. Clair County girl sends nude pictures and videos of herself to a man in Florida. A 14-year-old Rochester Hills boy flashes his private parts in front of a webcam for a stranger. A 15-year-old West Bloomfield girl sends nude pics of herself to a presumed teenage boy who turns out to be a 50-year-old man.
The Nasty Online Movement That Has Women Feeling Unsafe in Their Own Homes - 10/17/14
http://www.takepart.com/article/201
The sometimes blunt misogyny of video gamesa fantasy realm where female characters have often been pigeonholed as prostitutes, helpless princesses or pinupshas been creeping into the real world as gamer women who speak up against sexism have become targets of a convoluted and controversial group called #GamerGate. Nasty tweets and messages are the unfortunate norm in some dark corners of the Internet, but this week that harassment escalated dramatically when a deadly mass shooting was threatened if prominent games critic Anita Sarkeesian gave a speech at Utah State University.
An important message to our users regarding online harassment - 10/17/14
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/an-imp
In recent weeks, an increasingly fervent debate has raged online about video games. Some of this debate has focused on ethics in game journalism, but some of it has consisted of vicious and abhorrent attacks on individuals and groups within gaming, particularly on those calling for a more open and inclusive games industry. The GameSpot team is made up of a diverse group of passionate gamers who care deeply about the future of this medium. We have had many discussions internally over the last week about what should be said on behalf of the site staff regarding the recent events in the industry, and we felt it was important to release a short statement to make it very clear where we stand.
Florida Man Cyberstalked Teen Girl For Five Years - 10/16/14
http://www.hngn.com/articles/46102/2014
A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly cyber - stalked a 13-year-old Michigan girl for five years, using coercion, black mail and shame to get her to send him nude photos, the Lansing State Journal reported on Wednesday. The girl received text messages and emails from strangers virtually nonstop over the five - year period, demanding that she send sexually explicit photos of herself or they would post nude photos they already had of her on pornographic websites.
Man indicted for online harassment of women - 10/16/14
http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/crime/20
A federal grand jury indicted a 23-year-old Bowling Green, Ohio man for allegedly terrorizing and extortion of women online, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Stephen Wigginton said. According to the indictment, 23-year-old Stephen Mislich used hacked online accounts to misappropriate sexually oriented photos of women and tried blackmailing these women into giving him sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves.
The Cyber War on Women: Anita Sarkeesian Cancels Utah Lecture After Shooting Threats - 10/16/14
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-dr-su
In a perfect storm of violence against women, gun culture and video gaming culture conspired against Anita Sarkeesian, the Canadian-American feminist, media critic and blogger, and forced a cancellation of her lecture at Utah State University. This is, to me, a religious crisis because it is a struggle for the very existence of women as human beings with God-given dignity and worth, and the right to express themselves without fear of getting shot.
Three men snagged in sex, cyberstalking cases - 10/16/14
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l
Authorities this week said a Michigan man and two from Florida face charges for using computers and other technology to lure or track crime victims including minors. A high school volleyball coach was charged Thursday at 41-B District Court in Clinton Township with child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit a crime.
Teenagers warned over online friends - 10/15/14
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/h
More than one in three teenagers have gone on to meet someone they first encountered online, according to a survey. The poll of more than 1,000 UK youngsters aged 15 to 18 found 36 per cent said they had gone on to meet someone they had first interacted with while using social media. A quarter of those surveyed also said they felt happier online than they did in real life.
Are mobile devices broadcasting too much information? - 10/14/14
http://wkbn.com/2014/10/14/are-mobile-d
Nearly everyone has a smart phone. But what some may not realize is the apps and programs on it might be broadcasting tons of information about the user. Mobile users constantly snap photos, post videos, and check in with friends. But are those actions making it easy to become the next target for criminals?
With New ‘Death of Klinghoffer,’ Furor Only Grows - 10/14/14
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/15/a
One protester labeled the baritone a “fascist.” Another called for the set to be “burned to the ground.” Others hinted they would try to disrupt opening night. As the Metropolitan Opera prepares to stage John Adams’s critically acclaimed 1991 opera “The Death of Klinghoffer” on Monday for the first time, it has become enmeshed in a vitriolic debate that often seems to have more to do with the polarizing politics of Israel and the Middle East than the oratoriolike opera its singers have been rehearsing.
Cheltenham's Emily Chew posted intimate pictures of a woman on Facebook over unpaid drug debt, court hears - 10/14/14
http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Ch
Former cannabis dealer Emily Chew posted intimate pictures of a woman on Facebook because she had not paid a drug debt, a court heard. Chew, of Devonshire Avenue in Cheltenham, appeared before Gloucester Crown Court on her 20th birthday and admitted harassment of the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-m
A woman who was arrested after being trapped inside a chimney had met the Thousand Oaks homeowner online and dated him before he recently broke off the relationship, according to the homeowner. The man told KTLA-TV that he met 30-year-old Genoveva Nunez-Figueroa online and had gone on six dates with her. "She seemed totally cool until the first flag was her actually being on my roof two weeks ago," said the man, who did not want to be identified. Soon after, he said, he broke off the courtship. But she apparently returned to his roof again early Sunday. Ventura County firefighters worked for two hours, removing each brick in the chimney to rescue Nunez-Figueroa after she became trapped inside, fire officials said. Firefighters had to pour dish soap down the flue and spray water to grab her arms and pull her out, authorities said. She was taken to a hospital and later arrested on suspicion of unauthorized entry of a dwelling and of giving false information to a police officer, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. It is unclear why she entered the home, sheriff's officials said. While the homeowner was not there during the ordeal, he later told KTLA he hopes Nunez-Figueroa "gets help" and "stays offline." "Even if she's online, people are probably going to know who she is now, so, 'You're welcome,' " he said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Visit WHOA on the web at http://www.haltabuse.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NEWS TO USE AND PASS ALONG!
(DISCLAIMER: The following news items were found on the web and were not written or endorsed by WHO@; they are for informational purposes only)
Scorned lover manipulates law enforcement to torment ex-fiance - 10/19/14
http://www.examiner.com/article/sco
Joe Good of St. Augustine, Florida thought he had met his Carol Brady when he hooked up with Tawny Blazejowsky, a mother of four. Strangely, only a few years later, and after calling off an engagement, on Saturday, October 18, 2014, ABC 2020 posted a video report of Blazejowsky's criminal conviction for cyber-stalking Good. So what happened, and could it happen to you?
Britain Threatens Internet Trolls With Up To Two Years In Prison - 10/19/14
http://www.inquisitr.com/1549209/britai
In Britain, proposals have been made to make internet trolling punishable by up to two years in jail. Internet trolling is an act that seems to have become engrained in cyber culture. Internet trolls are mean and persistent, and if you’re found lacking, they will proceed to ruin your self esteem.
According to the Tribune, Britain’s big announcement to make internet trolling a federal offense comes after the parents of Madeleine McCann, a young girl who went missing while on vacation in May 2007 became victims of cyber bullying.
UCF PD: 1-2 students victims of revenge porn each month - 10/19/14
http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/sto
On Wednesday night, representatives from UCF's Police Department, Victim Services and Student Legal Services hosted a panel discussion about revenge porn in the Student Union. The act of posting sexually explicit photos of others online without their consent is a well-publicized issue, with celebrity cases recently making headlines. Officer Pete Stephens said the issue hits close to home with one or two UCF students reporting the crime each month. However, he said that's not a large number compared to how many students go to UCF.
Parents need wake-up call about dangers to teens online - 10/19/14
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/m
A 13-year-old St. Clair County girl sends nude pictures and videos of herself to a man in Florida. A 14-year-old Rochester Hills boy flashes his private parts in front of a webcam for a stranger. A 15-year-old West Bloomfield girl sends nude pics of herself to a presumed teenage boy who turns out to be a 50-year-old man.
The Nasty Online Movement That Has Women Feeling Unsafe in Their Own Homes - 10/17/14
http://www.takepart.com/article/201
The sometimes blunt misogyny of video gamesa fantasy realm where female characters have often been pigeonholed as prostitutes, helpless princesses or pinupshas been creeping into the real world as gamer women who speak up against sexism have become targets of a convoluted and controversial group called #GamerGate. Nasty tweets and messages are the unfortunate norm in some dark corners of the Internet, but this week that harassment escalated dramatically when a deadly mass shooting was threatened if prominent games critic Anita Sarkeesian gave a speech at Utah State University.
An important message to our users regarding online harassment - 10/17/14
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/an-imp
In recent weeks, an increasingly fervent debate has raged online about video games. Some of this debate has focused on ethics in game journalism, but some of it has consisted of vicious and abhorrent attacks on individuals and groups within gaming, particularly on those calling for a more open and inclusive games industry. The GameSpot team is made up of a diverse group of passionate gamers who care deeply about the future of this medium. We have had many discussions internally over the last week about what should be said on behalf of the site staff regarding the recent events in the industry, and we felt it was important to release a short statement to make it very clear where we stand.
Florida Man Cyberstalked Teen Girl For Five Years - 10/16/14
http://www.hngn.com/articles/46102/2014
A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly cyber - stalked a 13-year-old Michigan girl for five years, using coercion, black mail and shame to get her to send him nude photos, the Lansing State Journal reported on Wednesday. The girl received text messages and emails from strangers virtually nonstop over the five - year period, demanding that she send sexually explicit photos of herself or they would post nude photos they already had of her on pornographic websites.
Man indicted for online harassment of women - 10/16/14
http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/crime/20
A federal grand jury indicted a 23-year-old Bowling Green, Ohio man for allegedly terrorizing and extortion of women online, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Stephen Wigginton said. According to the indictment, 23-year-old Stephen Mislich used hacked online accounts to misappropriate sexually oriented photos of women and tried blackmailing these women into giving him sexually explicit pictures and videos of themselves.
The Cyber War on Women: Anita Sarkeesian Cancels Utah Lecture After Shooting Threats - 10/16/14
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-dr-su
In a perfect storm of violence against women, gun culture and video gaming culture conspired against Anita Sarkeesian, the Canadian-American feminist, media critic and blogger, and forced a cancellation of her lecture at Utah State University. This is, to me, a religious crisis because it is a struggle for the very existence of women as human beings with God-given dignity and worth, and the right to express themselves without fear of getting shot.
Three men snagged in sex, cyberstalking cases - 10/16/14
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l
Authorities this week said a Michigan man and two from Florida face charges for using computers and other technology to lure or track crime victims including minors. A high school volleyball coach was charged Thursday at 41-B District Court in Clinton Township with child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit a crime.
Teenagers warned over online friends - 10/15/14
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/h
More than one in three teenagers have gone on to meet someone they first encountered online, according to a survey. The poll of more than 1,000 UK youngsters aged 15 to 18 found 36 per cent said they had gone on to meet someone they had first interacted with while using social media. A quarter of those surveyed also said they felt happier online than they did in real life.
Are mobile devices broadcasting too much information? - 10/14/14
http://wkbn.com/2014/10/14/are-mobile-d
Nearly everyone has a smart phone. But what some may not realize is the apps and programs on it might be broadcasting tons of information about the user. Mobile users constantly snap photos, post videos, and check in with friends. But are those actions making it easy to become the next target for criminals?
With New ‘Death of Klinghoffer,’ Furor Only Grows - 10/14/14
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/15/a
One protester labeled the baritone a “fascist.” Another called for the set to be “burned to the ground.” Others hinted they would try to disrupt opening night. As the Metropolitan Opera prepares to stage John Adams’s critically acclaimed 1991 opera “The Death of Klinghoffer” on Monday for the first time, it has become enmeshed in a vitriolic debate that often seems to have more to do with the polarizing politics of Israel and the Middle East than the oratoriolike opera its singers have been rehearsing.
Cheltenham's Emily Chew posted intimate pictures of a woman on Facebook over unpaid drug debt, court hears - 10/14/14
http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/Ch
Former cannabis dealer Emily Chew posted intimate pictures of a woman on Facebook because she had not paid a drug debt, a court heard. Chew, of Devonshire Avenue in Cheltenham, appeared before Gloucester Crown Court on her 20th birthday and admitted harassment of the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
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