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March 31, 2008
Those who host lose the most
A coalition of organizations and agencies gathered at Alliance Skate Park Monday to kick-off the Third Annual Those Who Host Lose the Most campaign that educates adults on the legal and health consequences of underage drinking during the up coming prom and graduation season.
Erin Grant, Assistant Coach for UT Arlington’s women’s basketball team, served as emcee and area youth, Nelson Oribhabor of Grand Prairie, Haley Marshall of Denton, and Silvia Castro of Kennedale, gave statistics and spoke on the dangers youthful drinking. It was pointed out that today in North Texas seventy-six percent of the high school seniors have tried alcohol, more than forty percent consume it regularly, and seventy-five percent say alcohol is easy to get.
“These numbers are a call to action for the adults in our community,” said Haley Marshall, Denton Calvary Academy senior. “Adults must do their part to protect our youth from the fatal consequences of underage drinking.”
Agent Jeff Farmer, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), Dallas office, warned adults, “Underage drinking is a crime. Those parents who provide alcohol to minors are guilty of a Class a misdemeanor, punishable by up a year in jail and a $4,000 fine, as well as a six month driver license suspension.” He said the TABC targets events that attract minors to check for underage drinking and conducts sting operations a various retail stores to catch clerks that sell alcohol to minors and adults that buy for minors.
“In addition with our public education and prevention that we do, we have a safe prom and safe graduation where agents go around to various proms and see if there are any issues,” Agent Farmer said.
Becky Purvis, Program Director, Drug Prevention Resources, Inc. said that along with the state laws, the City of Grand Prairie has a city ordinance where a parent can be fined up to $500 if minors are caught consuming alcohol on their property.
The following is a list of organization and agencies with resources to help adults and minors with the problem of underage drinking:
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has setup a hotline were underage alcohol violation in Texas can be report anonymously. The hotline number is 888-THE-TABC.
March 30, 2008
Democrat convention held Saturday at SGPHS
Democrats held their State Senate District 9 Convention Saturday at South Grand Prairie High School.
About 2,000 conventioneers from across the district attended the convention to participate in the Presidential poll, elect party officials and delegates to the state convention.
March 29, 2008
Bell gets five year contract for V-22 Osprey
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $10.4 billion, five-year Multi-Year Procurement contract for 167 V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to a strategic alliance between Bell Helicopter and The Boeing Company. Portions of the V-22 Osprey are manufactured in Grand Prairie with final assembly in Amarillo, Texas.
"This is a significant step in the V-22 program," said Dick Millman, Bell Helicopter president and CEO. "This five-year contract will allow us to plan much further out as we order long-lead materials, invest for capacity growth, increase our production rate, and deliver these unique aircraft on time to a war-fighting customer who really needs them."
The contract calls for 141 MV-22 aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps and 26 CV-22 aircraft for the Air Force Special Operations Command. To date, the Bell Boeing alliance has delivered a total of 100 V-22 aircraft to the U.S. military. The Marines currently have 12 MV-22s deployed in combat at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.
The world's first production tiltrotor, the V-22 combines the vertical performance of a helicopter with the high speed and range of a fixed wing aircraft. The V-22 offers twice the speed, three times the payload, five times the range of the older aircraft it will replace.
March 28, 2008
Lone Star Park puts final touches on park
With less than two weeks before the season’s first race, Harry Johnson, Director of Operations, Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, said that he somewhat feels like a thoroughbred horse in the starting gates, ready for the race to begin.
Johnson admitted though that on the other hand this year like every other year he is a little apprehensive. He said that there are always facility improvement projects that get completed just prior to opening day.
This year the park has made a number of improvements, Johnson said. Rubber paving replaces the bark mulch in the saddling paddock area, new race track material, additional handicap seating, and colorful metal awnings on the east and west side, along with the customary touch-up painting and landscaping.
Lone Star Park’s thoroughbred racing season begins April 10. For race and ticket information visit Lone Star Park’s web site or call 972-263-7223.
Noted author visits library
Aspiring writers got an opportunity Thursday evening to get writing advice from noted author and writing teacher Lori Wilde.
Wilde, an author of forty-two novels for three major publishing houses, presented an informative session at the Grand Prairie Main Libray giving tips ranging from improving writing skills to motivation.
Singer/Comic Laura Ainsworth performs through Sunday
Laura Ainsworth performed her hilarious hit show, My Ship Has Sailed, Thursday night at the Woman’s Club of Grand Prairie.
Singer/comic Ainsworth, a Grand Prairie native, accompanied by pianist extraordinaire Brian Piper, transformed popular songs into hilarious parodies about plastic surgery, Botox, fad diets, and all the funny ways we fight “ageism”. “Age is the last big, culturally acceptable bias,” Ainsworth said as she used wickedly funny monologues to convey this message.
Presented by the Grand Prairie Arts Council, Ainsworth will perform at the Woman’s Club through Sunday. Seating is limited, for performance times and ticket information go to the Arts Council’s website or call 972-642-2787.
March 26, 2008
Grand Prairie Historical Commission Awards Reception
The Grand Prairie Historical Commission held their annual awards reception Wednesday evening at the Ruthe Jackson Center.
The commission presented awards to the following:
Goodwin Award
- Brian Bingham
- Edward Gray
- Durwood A. Sutton
Dechman Award
- Grand Prairie Independent School District Board of Trustees
- Grand Prairie AirHogs Baseball Team
Special Certificates of Appreciation
- Victor Copeland Family
- Shane Thornton
Certificates of Appreciation
- City of Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Department
- Myrls Knox
- Reverend Ozuna
- Don McCallister
- Arvin Brown
March 25, 2008
AirHogs' logo in the Elite Eight
The results are in from Monday's voting, the Grand Prairie AirHogs move into the Elite Eight of the CNBC.com's Minor League Baseball Logo Contest.
So fans let's vote our AirHogs into the Final Four as they take on the Southern Illinois Miners. Voting begins at 8:00 a. m. Wedesday through 8:00 a.m. Thursday at CNBC.com.
Arts Council announces April Concerts in the Park lineup
The Grand Prairie Arts Council and the City of Grand Prairie Parks & Recreation Department present the April Concert in the Park 2008, free concerts each Friday evening in April at the Turner Park Gazebo.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, a picnic, along with your family and friends for an evening of fabulous entertainment. The concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. and concessions will be available.
This year's lineup include:
April 4 - The Herbie Johnson Jazz Quartet
Toe-tapping Jazz & Blues music from American standards and original compositions.
April 11 - The Glenn Dorsey Band
Swing to the sounds of the 1940s in Big Band style including Latin, Swing and Dance music. Bring your dancing shoes for this one!
April 18 - The Inner City All Stars
A Funk/Jam Brass Band that blends the styles of R&B, Texas Style Hip-Hop, and many more for an eclectic style of music.
April 25 - The Fugitives
Enjoy R&B, rock-n-roll & country tunes with this popular homegrown party band.
Resort business partner sentenced in U. S. Court
Joseph Lavin of Woodinville, WA who was once a business partner with Wildflower Resort Co. was sentenced March 21 to 54 months in prison. The now bankrupt Wildflower Resort Co. planned to build a resort on Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie that included a luxury hotel, conference center, and golf course.
Lavin who operated a series of investment funds pleaded guilty to Wire Fraud and Money Laundering charges on November 2, 2007 in U. S. District Court in Seattle. Along with the prison sentence, Judge Robert S. Lasnik sentenced Lavin to 3 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $11.6 million in restitution.
Prosecutors dubbed Lavin’s case a “garden-variety ponzi scheme” that payed off early investors with money from later investors.
Judge Lasnik noted, “it was not just money that was lost, but people’s hopes, people’s dreams, people’s lives.”
In separate lawsuit filed August 1, 2007 by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Lavin and his company Global Asset Partners (GAP) is accused of diverting $1.8 million without the knowledge of investors to Wildflower Resort Co. The complaint also alleges Lavin commingled funds and used GAP money for personal expenses.
March 24, 2008
Vote for AirHogs logo!!!
Voting has begun for the Grand Prairie AirHogs logo in the Sweet Sixteen of the second annual CNBC.com Minor League Baseball Logo Contest.
The AirHogs face #13 seeded Peoria Chiefs and a victory will advance to the Elite Eight.
Voting continues until 9:00 a.m. eastern Tuesday.
So AirHogs fans, cast your votes at the CNBC website.
Robotics team brings back prestigious award
The South Grand Prairie Robotics team traveled to Katy, Texas, to compete in Texas’ largest robotics competition, the FIRST Robotics Competition, Lone Star Regional, March 20 – 22.
The team of nine 7th – 12th grade students was one of 46 teams and more than 1,000 students from across the United States and Brazil at this year’s competition.
Phil Harris, math teacher at South Grand Prairie High School, said the team experienced some technical problems with their robot which limited their practice time. He said they made it to the quarter finals before being eliminated, but he said the team did win the prestigious Motorola Quality Award for their robot.
The team is eligible to compete in the national competition to be held April 17 – 19 in Atlanta, GA.
School Bus Safety Road-eo
Pylons, poles, and markings decorated South Grand High School parking lot Saturday afternoon as drivers from the Grand Prairie Independent School District maneuvered buses through a complex driving course that tested their skills.
The drivers were preparing for the District’s “School Bus Safety Road-eo” to be held on April 5 at South Grand Prairie High School.
Phil Gurke, Director for Transportation for Grand Prairie ISD, said the district has between 15 – 18 drivers competing this year. The drivers will be graded on their performance in nine driving skills such as parallel parking, maneuvering a narrow alley, and garage parking. Each driver will also be administered two written test over subjects including driving laws, maintenance, and safety regulations, he said.
The top five finishers will go on to the regional competition, April 19 in Plano, Gurke said.
March 23, 2008
Edible Book Festival
Courtesy Grand Prairie Library
Explore the world of food and books at the Grand Prairie Library Foundation’s Edible Book Festival. This lusciously literate event will be held Saturday, April 5 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Grand Prairie Main Library.An Edible Book Festival is a celebration of books, reading, and food. Using food, entrants create a unique dish (it doesn't have to taste good!) that represents a book or particular title. Entries are judged in several categories.
How it works: Complete an entry form and turn it and your $10 entry fee in to the Main Library by March 29 . Then, create your masterpiece! Using food, create a “book”. Your entry can look like a book, represent a specific title, contain print or illustrations - anything goes, as long as it’s made out of food! We will accept entries from individuals or groups: classes, businesses, youth groups, troops and teams are all welcome to enter.
Bring your entry to the Main Library by 1:30 pm on Saturday, April 5. Edible books will be on display at the Library for public viewing from 2 until 4 pm. At that time, we’ll recognize winners in 5 categories: Most Artistic, Most Creative, Best Use of Theme, best Entry by a Child, and People’s Choice. Winners will receive prizes donated by local businesses.Votes in the People’s Choice category will be accepted for a $1 donation to the Library Foundation. Money collected in this event will benefit the libraries of the Grand Prairie Public Library System. The Main Library is located at 901 Conover Drive. (972) 237-5700.
To see entries from previous festivals, visit the Library’s Flickr page.Jackson and Thorn declared winners
The Grand Prairie City Council at the Tuesday night meeting declared Councilman Bill Thorn and Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson elected to new three year terms to the City Council. Both Thorn and Jackson were unopposed.
Two candidates, Mark Hepworth and Harry Englert, are running for City Council, District 1 and an election will be held May 10. Only registered voters in Council District 1 are eligible to vote in this election.
Visit the City of Grand Prairie Notice of Election for a list of polling places.
Car show fundraiser for Scouts
Hotrods and Scouts a fundraiser for Cub Scout Pack 538 and Boy Scout Troop 538 was held Saturday at the Turnpike Church of Christ, 1102 N.W.
Scout Master Mark Freeman said the event was the second annual hot rod show fundraiser for the troop. He said that visitors would vote for their favorite car and trophies awarded to the winners.
March 22, 2008
Egg-Stravaganza - the traveling Easter egg hunt
View Egg-Stravaganza slideshow
The traveling Easter egg hunt, Egg-Stravaganza was held in six parks throughout Grand Prairie Saturday.
More than 100,000 eggs were hidden in hunt areas marked into three age categories. Plus, this year, special non-candy prizes were offered as well. The Easter bunny appeared at each hunt.
A different type of Easter egg hunt was also held Saturday, the Kirby Creek Indoor Pool’s Eggstravaganza. Kids got to swim and hunt for eggs in the pool and on the deck.
AirHogs's stadium getting that ballpark look
Despite the rains this week, construction at the AirHogs’ new ballpark continued. Crews were able to put two defining symbols of Grand Prairie baseball in place.
Arches were installed atop the front entrance of the stadium on Monday. The archway will hold a sign that reads “Grand Prairie” and ties to the cities aviation theme.
The stadium also took on the look of a ballpark this week when six giant light poles that surround the field were erected.
Crews plan to put in stadium seats the first week in April and lay sod on April 3.
The Grand Prairie AirHogs’ inaugural American Association season starts on May 8, with the home opener on May 16.
AirHogs spokesperson Alan Barr said that season ticket sales have been going very strong, with 75 percent of the capacity already sold out. For season and group ticket information, contact the AirHogs at 972-504-9383.
March 21, 2008
Good Friday - Stations of the Cross walk
View Stations of the Cross slideshow
St. Michaels Catholic Church and Immaculate Conception Catholic held their Good Friday - Stations of the Cross walk from St. Michaels to Immaculate Conception. All along the route there was music and prayers along with renactments of Jesus' walk to the cross.
March 20, 2008
Heavy rains cause wastewater overflow
The heavy rainfall Tuesday caused the Trinity River Authority of Texas wastewater collection system pipeline near Belt Line Road and Interstate 30 in Grand Prairie to overflow.
The overflow began about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and ended about 1:00 a.m. Thursday.
John Jadrosich, spokesperson for the Trinity River Authority of Texas, said overflows occur when the combined volume of wastewater and floodwater exceed the capacity of the line. While the overflow was undesirable the impact was minimized by the volume of the flood water, he said. No public drinking water supplies were threatened or contaminated by the overflow.
Planning, design, and construction are underway to provide additional pipeline capacity in this area, Jadrosich said.
Lone Star Park's opening weekend ticket packages available online
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is offering online ticket packages for their opening weekend concerts, April 11 & 12, that feature top country music artists Gary Allen and Miranda Lambert.
There are four exclusive packages available which include:
- Parking
- Food and beverage
- Special VIP area seating
The packages are available online only through Lone Star’s website and are limited to four tickets per transaction. For questions visit their web site or call Lone Star Park at 972-263-RACE.
Lone Star’s 2008 thoroughbred racing season is from April 10 – July 27 with racing every Thursday through Sunday. Races begin at 6:35 p.m. on weeknights and 1:35 p.m. weekends.
Medical equipment suppliers sentenced to federal prison
U. S. Attorney Richard Roper announced on Tuesday that Grand Prairie resident Friday Udo Johnny, the owner of Metropolitan Home Medical Equipment, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay $458,541.67 in restitution to the Medicare program by U. S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay.
In September, Johnny pled guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and pay illegal remunerations. In October, his co-defendant Emmanuel “Bob” Edet, of Mesquite pled guilty of the same offense.
Johnny and Edet admitted that from September 2002 through August 2003 they participated in a scheme to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for payment of power wheelchairs and accessories. With the assistance of Dr. Lloyd McGriff, M.D., who is already serving a 16 month sentence for his role, Johnny and Edet submitted more than $1.7 million in claims to Medicare. Medicare paid Johnny and Edet $904,946.62 for the fraudulent claims.
Roper said that this case is the latest conviction from Operation Rollover involving durable medical equipment fraud.
March 19, 2008
Lend a Helping Hand to make special Easter visit
Lend a Helping Hand’s Executive Director, Lanny Ford, said the group will make a special Easter visit to the Grand Prairie Health Care Center, 820 Small St., on March 22.
The group plans to hand out special Easter treats to the residents.
Ford urges anyone interested in making a memorable Easter to meet with the group in the center’s lobby around 2:00 p.m. Saturday and spend an hour or two with some very special people.
Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson wins excellence award
Tuesday the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality announced that Grand Prairie’s Mayor Pro Tem Ruthe Jackson has won the prestigious Texas Environmental Excellence Award for 2008.
Mayor Pro Tem Jackson was selected from nominations statewide for her efforts in environmental education and conservation.
For the past twenty-two years Jackson has served on the Grand Prairie City Council and has been recognized for her work on a wide range of environmental projects including:
- Curbside recycling
- Founded the Grand Prairie chapter of Keep Texas Beautiful which won the 2006 Governor’s Community Achievement Award
- First woman in Texas to receive the National Lady Bird Johnson award in 1977
- Sponsoring youth programs for Grand Prairie Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
- Instrumental in establishing the Green and Clean Campus program in all 37 Grand Prairie schools
Mayor Pro Tem Jackson will be presented the award in a ceremony to be held April 30 in Austin.
Lend a Lawyer program aids city prosecutor
Patricia Nasworthy, City Prosecutor, who has a staff of one part-time legal assistant, found a unique way to get help prosecuting last year’s 1,600 cases in Municipal Court. Through a program called Lend a Lawyer she got lawyers from one of Dallas’ largest law firms to prosecute cases for free.
The law firm of Vinson & Elkins loaned Nasworthy two lawyers, one day a week. The lawyers, some graduates of the nation’s most prestigious law schools, all wanted valuable court room experience. As one of the participating lawyers told Nasworthy, “one day in Grand Prairie teaches you five times what any continuing legal education or training course could.”
The lawyers took their assigned cases and worked them all the way through a trial, Nasworthy said. Of the 131 cases prosecuted by the Vinson & Elkins lawyers last year, there was 108 guilty verdicts with fines totaling more than $22,000. She said if billed for the legal services it would have cost the city more than $122,000.
Nasworthy said another law firm recently contacted her about participating so she maybe expanding the program. The City of Arlington has also contacted her because they are interested in implementing a similar program.
March 18, 2008
No charge - Lynn Creek Park free to GP residents
Rick Herold, Director of Parks and Recreation, announced Tuesday night at the City Council Briefing Session that effective immediately Lynn Creek Park will no longer charge Grand Prairie residents for admission to the park.
All residents have to do is show a valid driver license with a Grand Prairie address at the entrance gate and they will have free access to such amenities as the swim beach, shade structures, SS Prairie Dog mega-playground, picnic tables and the sand volleyball court.
The offer is good for one vehicle with up to six people and excludes special events, July 4, and “Prairie Lights.” The park will continue the $10 entrance fee to non-residents and customers towing a boat trailer. The large pavilions may be reserved and rented for large gatherings.
Lynn Creek park is open from 6:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. daily from March - October.
March 17, 2008
Virgina clinic selects American Eurocopter aircraft
American Eurocopter in Grand Prairie announced Friday that Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia has chosen the EC145 to replace a Bell 412 in its Life-Guard air ambulance fleet.
Carilion Clinic is a multi-specialty healthcare organization with more than 400 doctors and eight hospitals. It operates an aeromedical program with helicopter bases in Roanoke and Radford.
Through a very thorough and exhaustive process, the EC145 was chosen, said Susan Smith, Director, Carilion Clinic Life-Guard. “The size, power and safety features of the EC145 made it stand out from all vendors.”
American Eurocopter expects to deliver the EC145 at the end of this summer. The new aircraft will receive a custom completion from Air Methods Corporation, Products Division in Englewood, Colorado.
March 14, 2008
Vought reports profit for 2007
The aerospace industry in Grand Prairie continues to be strong with Thursday’s report that Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. had a net income of $46.3 million for 2007 compared to a $36.7 million loss in 2006.
Chief Executive Officer Elmer Doty said the improvements are due to cost reductions initiatives, operational improvements, increased prices, and higher delivery rates.
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. is one of the world’s largest independent suppliers of aerostructures with plants in Grand Prairie and Dallas that employee almost 3600. The largest segment of Vought’s business is structural airframe work.
Some of Vought’s current projects include:
- Boeing 747, 767, and 777
- Bell V-22 Osprey
- F-22A Raptor
- C-17 Globemaster III
- C-5 Galaxy
- Airbus A330/A340
- Gulfsteam G350/G450
- Citation X business jet
Ground breaking for GPISD's "crown jewel"
On Wednesday afternoon the Grand Prairie Independent School District officially broke ground on what School Board member Chester McCrary called “one of the crown jewels” of the district, the Career High School.
Construction has already begun on the 250,000 
square foot Career and Technology Education Center located at 2990 State Highway 161 near Arkansas Lane. The $62 million center will educate between 1,500 and 1,800 students and the campus will take in 23 acres.
The Career High School is designed for students who do not want to go to a traditional high school with sports, pep rallies and extra curricula activities, but “want a quality academic education,” Dr. Susan Simpson Grand Prairie ISD Superintendent said. “This comprehensive high school will prepare students to go straight into the work world or go on to higher education.”
Jim Ziegler, Director of Career & Technology for the Grand Prairie ISD, said the center will phase in some new courses and within a couple of years it will offer students 70 different classes.
The Career High School is scheduled to be open in August 2009.
March 13, 2008
Texas gardening expert speaks at library
Radio talk show celebrity and noted author, Neil Sperry, was a guest speaker Wednesday evening at the Grand Prairie Main Library. He presented a multi-media program on the challenges of Texas gardening that concluded with question-answer session.
Sperry’s name has been synonymous with Texas gardening since 1970. His weekend radio show, “Neil Sperry’s Texas Gardening,” broadcast on KRLD, has been helping Texas gardeners since 1980. His book “Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening” is the fourth best selling gardening book in American history.
Lone suspect robs food store
Grand Prairie police are investigating the Wednesday night robbery of the Handy Food Store located at 2401 Dalworth St.
A store employee told police that he was sweeping the store about 8:25 p.m. when he was approached by a lone suspect that displayed a revolver, shoved him towards the cash register, and demanded money.
Two other store employees near the register were made to fill a bag with the money. After the suspect was given the money he told the employees, “thank you for your cooperation.” He then fled the store on foot to the southeast towards the Vista Verde apartments.
Store employees described the suspect as:
- Black male
- 23 – 25 years old
- 5’03” – 5’05”
- 130 – 140 pounds
- Wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, and dark pants
Police are reviewing the store’s surveillance video.
Anyone with information about the robbery should call the Grand Prairie Police at 972-237-8790 or call Grand Prairie Crime Stoppers at 972-988-TIPS.March 12, 2008
Dalworth area grass fire burns acres
A Dalworth area grass fire around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday filled the air with smoke that at times limited visibility of motorists on W. E. Roberts St.
Fueled by the dry grass and strong wind, the fire spread through several acres of open land near Manning and Holland Streets.
The Grand Prairie Fire Department used “brush” trucks in the field to control the fire and keep the flames from reaching nearby homes. It took firefighters about an hour to put out the blaze.
AirHogs on to second round in logo contest
The Grand Prairie AirHogs’ logo advanced to the second round of the CNBC.com minor league baseball logo contest with a 54 to 46 percent vote margin victory over the Durham Bulls Wednesday.
“It’s an honor to have defeated a team as well respected in baseball as the Durham Bulls,” said Dave Burke, AirHogs General Manager. “We are thrilled that our fan base and people all over the country have found our name and logo so appealing.”
The CNBC.com contest features 64 different minor league baseball logos going for the honor of being named the best in the country. Each team will face-off with other opponents based on the seeding, with winners advancing to the next round based on reader votes. Fans are encouraged to vote by going to the CNBC web site.
The next round for the AirHogs will be March 19 when they are pitted against the Joilet Jackhammers. Voting begins at 9:00 a.m. eastern time.
Local resident found guilty in child pornography case
A federal jury on Tuesday convicted Grand Prairie resident Kevin D. Moore of possessing and transporting child pornography.
Richard Roper, U. S. Attorney of the Northern District of Texas, in announcing the verdict said Moore is currently in custody awaiting sentencing by U. S. District Judge Reed O’Connor on June 17. Moore faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, $50,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release, Roper said
Moore was arrested in September 2005 while traveling on business to Ottawa, Canada. During a routine customs check a total of thirteen files containing child pornography along with evidences eliminating software was found on a laptop computer Moore had in his possession. Later, Moore’s family gave to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials a computer disk belonging to Moore that contained child pornography.
Moore’s case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U. S. Attorneys Offices, the project uses U. S. Marshals, federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.
U. S. Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and said Assistant U. S. Attorneys Aisha Saleem and Alex Lewis prosecuted the case.
March 11, 2008
Suspect in fatal accident surrenders to police
Steven Baesa, the 19 year-old driver in a fatal accident that Grand Prairie police have been hunting, turned himself in Tuesday afternoon.
Sergeant Eric Hansen, Traffic Division, said Baesa surrendered at the Grand Prairie Jail around 3:00 p.m. He is charged with Failure to Stop and Render Aid and is held on $20,000 bond, Hansen said.
Baesa is the suspected driver of a 2003 Ford Expedition that rolled over early Sunday morning on Interstate 30 killing a passenger, 19 year-old Jacqueline Martinez of Dallas.
Police have been searching for Baesa ever since he fled the accident scene on foot.
Lone gunman robs bank
A lone gunman robbed the Chase Bank, 3061 W. Camp Wisdom Road Monday morning around 9:00 a.m.
The suspect is described as a white male, 40-45, 5’9”-5’10”, 230-250 pounds with facial hair.At the time of the robbery he was wearing a black jacket, gloves, and carrying a black satchel.
The suspect displayed a small handgun and fled north from the bank towards the Starbucks.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Grand Prairie police at 972-237-8790.
March 08, 2008
Police seek suspect in fatal accident
Grand Prairie police are seeking the driver of a vehicle that was involved in a fatal traffic accident and fled the scene.
Sergeant Eric Hansen, Traffic Division, said Steven “Esteban” Baesa, 19 of Cockrell Hill was driving a 2003 Ford Expedition at high speed east on Interstate 30 around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning. He apparently lost control of the vehicle near NW 19th causing it to overturn twice. Jacqueline Martinez, 19, of Dallas was ejected from the vehicle onto the roadway of Interstate 30 where she was struck by as many as three other vehicles whose drivers may not have known what they struck.
Baesa and two other passengers fled on foot after the accident. One, a 14 year-old boy, displayed a handgun and attempted to carjack a person who stopped to assist at the accident. The carjack victim managed to frighten off the juvenile who was taken into custody by the first arriving officers after a short foot chase, Sergeant Hansen said.
Investigators later determined that Baesa is the boyfriend of Martinez. They also found out that Baesa returned to his home around 7:00 a.m., gathered belongings, and fled.
Relatives told police that Baesa may be attempting to flee to Mexico.
Sergeant Hansen said Baesa has a history of drugs and family violence and is considered violent.
Investigators have obtained a warrant for Baesa’s arrest for the charge of Fail to Stop and Render Aid, a third degree felony. Law enforcement agencies across the state as well as the U. S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been alerted.
Investigators later located one of the drivers that struck Martinez. The 19 year-old Dallas man said he did not realize he struck a person. Police said he will not face charges.
Anyone with information on Baesa or the other passenger in the crash, as well as anyone who believes they may have also struck the victim, should call Grand Prairie police at 972-237-8790.
Martinez is Grand Prairie’s fourth traffic fatality this year, Sergeant Hansen said.