US executes Virginia gang killer despite COVID-19 infection

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The U.S. government executed a drug trafficker Thursday for slaying seven people in a burst of violence in Virginia’s capital in 1992, with some witnesses in the death-chamber building applauding as the 52-year-old was pronounced dead. Corey Johnson's execution went ahead...

Warrant: Rapper YFN Lucci was driver in fatal shooting

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci is accused of being the driver in a gang-related drive-by shooting that left one man dead and another wounded, authorities said. The 29-year-old rapper turned himself in Wednesday, a day after Atlanta police announced murder charges against Lucci, whose real name is...

US government executes drug trafficker for Virginia gang killings, despite his COVID-19 infection last month

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — US government executes drug trafficker for Virginia gang killings, despite his COVID-19 infection last month.

US prosecutors: Jailed MS-13 bosses behind wave of violence

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. prosecutors announced terrorism charges Thursday against top MS-13 leaders imprisoned in El Salvador, accusing them of ordering killings and other crimes by the notorious street gang from behind bars. The directives by the 14 defendants — members of an illicit commission known...

Drug dealer convicted in 7 killings could face execution

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — It was one of the worst bursts of gang violence Richmond had ever seen. At least 11 people were killed in a 45-day period in 1992, all at the hands of gang members who eliminated anyone they thought would get in the way of their growing crack cocaine business. Corey Johnson, who was...

Officials capture 1 of 6 inmates who escaped California jail

MERCED, Calif. (AP) — One of six inmates who used a homemade rope to escape from a jail in central California was arrested Tuesday, authorities said. Some of those still on the loose have been charged with murder or attempted murder. Edgar Eduardo Ventura, 22, of Portland, Oregon, was captured in the...

Turkish televangelist gets life term for sex abuse, offenses

ISTANBUL (AP) — A Turkish court on Monday sentenced a controversial Muslim televangelist and cult leader to life in prison, finding him guilty of forming a criminal gang and sexual abuse of minors, among several other offenses. Adnan Oktar, who was known for holding theological discussions surrounded by...

6 inmates use 'homemade rope' to escape from California jail

MERCED, Calif. (AP) — Authorities in central California were searching Sunday for six inmates who used a “homemade rope” to escape from a county jail, sheriff's officials said. All six escapees should be considered armed and dangerous, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office said in a news...

9 killed in attack on wake in Mexico's Guanajuato state

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Nine people were killed and one wounded when gunmen opened fire at a wake the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, officials said. Public safety officials in the city of Celaya said in a statement the gunmen arrived late Thursday night and opened fire on a group of people. The victims...

Ex-governor of Mexico's Jalisco state shot to death

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The former governor of Mexico’s troubled western state of Jalisco was shot to death early Friday at a restaurant in the Pacific coast resort of Puerto Vallarta. State prosecutor Gerardo Octavio Solis said Friday that Aristóteles Sandoval was killed in an attack that targeted...