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Alfonso Rodriguez Jr.was found guilty by a Federal Court jury in the kidnapping that resulted
in the death of Dru Sjodin. One by one juries across America are taking charge and putting an end to these monstrous predators. Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., was a previously convicted and
considered a Level 3 sex offender. It is too bad he had not been dealt with sooner. The verdict allows now for the sentencing phase in which the first death penalty case in a century will be heard in North Dakota.
Rodriguez, 53, of Crookston, Minn., was charged in the disappearance and death of Sjodin, 22, a University of North Dakota student from Pequot Lakes, Minn. Her body was found in a ravine near Crookston in April 2005, five months after she disappeared from a Grand Forks mall parking lot.
Authorities said she was stabbed, raped and left to die.
Sex offender guilty of kidnapping, murdering student (CNN)
A federal jury found a convicted sex offender guilty Wednesday in the kidnapping and murder of college student Dru Sjodin, whose body was found abandoned in Minnesota a ravine.
The verdict clears the way for the first death penalty deliberations in North Dakota in more than a century.
Jurors deliberated for less than four hours, then found Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., 53, guilty of charges he kidnapped Sjodin, stabbed her, raped her and dumped her body in a ravine.
God Bless Dru Sjodin’s mother, Linda Walker, and father, Allan Sjodin for all that they have been through. Your daughter put up a valiant fight against her attacker and because of that Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. will never see freedom and hopefully he will be put to death.
But Wrigley told jurors that blood found in Rodriguez’s car matched Sjodin’s DNA. He said it was found in a mist pattern, indicating Sjodin fought her attacker and was beaten.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Dru Sjodin battled him every step of the way, and she left us unmistakable messages,” Wrigley said.
It is unfortunate that Rodriguez was not taken off the streets permanently before he escalated his predatorial violence to murder. Hopefully now he will be properly sentenced to death so that no more people have to be affected by his actions.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said in a statement: “If ever there was a case for which the death penalty should apply, this is it.”
Before Sjodin’s slaying, Rodriguez had served more than 20 years for offenses that included rape and attempted kidnapping. He got out of prison about six months before the killing.
August 30th, 2006 at 03:52pm
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The San Francisco police need people’s help in finding a 5 months old missing girl who went 
missing Sunday night.
The baby’s father told police that he was parked near 18th and Mission streets around 7:30 p.m. and left his child in his car while he went inside a store.
After returning to his vehicle, he began driving away, police reported, and noticed the baby was gone.
The 5-month-old girl weighs about 15 pounds, has black hair and was last seen wearing a pink dress.
(CBS5)
Anyone with information please contact the San Francisco police at (415) 558-5508 or (415) 553-1071.
Toddler Snatched From SF Automobile
A citywide manhunt was underway Monday for a missing 5-month-old girl who was taken from the front seat of the family car after her father ran into a Mission District store.
(KTVU)
UPDATE (8/29/06): Rescue dogs hunt for missing baby 5-month-old girl apparently taken from father’s car
Police have brought in rescue dogs to help search for a 5-month-old girl who reportedly disappeared from her father’s car in San Francisco’s Mission District when he went into a corner store to buy cigarettes.
The girl’s father, 24-year-old Anthony Demone Theard, told police he parked his car — a 2002 silver Cadillac Seville — on the 3400 block of 18th Street near Mission Street at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
(San Francisco Chronicle)
Why was Anthony Demone Theard in this area in the first place where his daughter went missing? So you don’t think leaving your child in a car so one can go and score some crack cocaine has anything to do with your 5 month old missing? Think again. Would your daughter be missing if you had stayed home? There are consequences to actions.
Theard has a criminal record for pimping and pandering and admitted to police that he had been at 24th and Mission streets earlier Sunday evening looking for crack cocaine, but had been unsuccessful in finding it. “That has nothing to do with why my daughter is missing,” he said.
UPDATE: Body of missing infant found in SF park
The tragic but all too common end came to the case of missing 5 month old Camille Ferguson early this morning as her body was found in a remote section of a San Francisco park.
The body of a 5-month-old girl who had been missing since Sunday was found early this morning in a remote area of San Francisco’s John McLaren Park, and the infant’s father is a suspect in her death, police said.
Anthony Demone Theard, the baby’s father is said to be a suspect in Camille Ferguson’s death; however, he has not been charged. Theard was taken into custody Tuesday on an unrelated parole violation.
Theard has a criminal record for pimping and pandering and admitted to police that he had been at 24th and Mission streets earlier Sunday evening looking for crack cocaine, but had been unsuccessful in finding it.
“That has nothing to do with why my daughter is missing,” he said.
(San Francisco Chronicle)
Missing 5 Month Old’s Body Found In Park, Father Led Police to Baby’s Body
San Francisco police say the suspect in the baby’s death is the father. Police sources tell ABC7 he led authorities to the body of little Camille Ferguson in a remote area of McLaren Park early this morning, north of the Cow Palace.
The father was the one who told police an elaborate kidnapping story. But early this morning police say he brought them to MacLaren Park and showed them where her body was.
Five-month-old Camille Ferguson’s father told everyone his baby was snatched right out of the front seat of his car Sunday night while he was inside a convenience store, and everyone bought his story.
(ABC KGO-TV)
August 28th, 2006 at 03:51pm
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Raven Jeffries, 7, last was seen August 4, 2006 when her older brother saw her leave their Detroit home. Her body was found three days later so badly burned that DNA tests were needed for recognition.
DETROIT — DNA testing confirmed the identity of a burned body found in a field as a missing 7-year-old girl, authorities said Monday.
“There is more than one suspect,” she said. “We’re not focusing just on one person, and any alleged motive depends on the suspect we’re talking about.”
(Houston Chronicle)
August 14th, 2006 at 09:07pm
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6 year old Jabriel Eason who is autistic has been missing since Sunday evening in 
Macon, GA. About 45 fire, police and emergency management officials combed the woods and streets near the area of the apartment complex Sunday.
A 6-year-old Macon boy was missing late Sunday, with fire officials dragging the lake behind Crystal Lake Apartments on Chambers Road and a helicopter set to join the search after 11:30 p.m., officials said.
Jabriel Eason, who is autistic and does not communicate, was last seen by his mother about 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
“When I woke up, I called for him,” his mother, Octavia Ammons, said. “He didn’t answer this time.”
Ammons said she had blocked the front door with her sofa so that her son could not get outside while she napped, but Jabriel had moved the couch out of the way.
(Macon Telegraph)
UPDATE: I received a call from Tim Miller as TES was supposed to go to GA and help search for the missing boy. The sad news came in that Jabriel Eason’s body was found.
UPDATE: Also received comment from reader with an article from the Macon Telegraph.
Search for 6-year-old ends tragically
A 20-hour search for a missing 6-year-old autistic boy ended in tragedy Monday when his body was found by searchers in a lake near his home.
Eason was already dead when searchers found him. Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones pronounced Eason dead at 10:30 a.m. He said a Monday autopsy ruled the death an accidental drowning and revealed no injuries to the body.
August 14th, 2006 at 11:31am
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Although the Italian media is reporting that the body that was found off the Italian 
coast is that of missing cruise ship passenger, Elizabeth Galeana; the FBI has yet to make a confirmation.
But FBI spokeswoman Carol Michalik said while Italian news media are reporting the body is part-time Naples resident Elizabeth Galeana, she spoke to FBI agents today in Italy, and they had not received official confirmation of the body’s identity.
“I’m not confirming it,” Michalik said.
Galeana, 22, was last seen July 25 by family members going into her parents’ stateroom on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Voyager of the Seas. Her sister reported her missing seven hours later.
A fisherman first spotted the body July 29 off Ponza.
A family statement issued by brother Carl Galeana earlier this week said the family didn’t believe her death was the result of any foul play. He urged people not to speculate on the cause of death.
(News-Press)
Honestly, the situation is just plain bizarre. Although we certainly respect the privacy of the family because their grief and the loss of Elizabeth Galeana takes precedent over all things. The fact that the family states Elizabeth is dead prior to receiving any confirmation that the body fisherman found was in fact Elizabeth is just strange. The autopsy is complete, yet the family has not received notification. Who cares whether they release the autopsy results to the general public, we would like to think the family could receive immediate confirmation and results to get some kind of closure.
Family members had not received confirmation of the body’s identification, according to a public relations firm hired by the Galeanas.
“The autopsy is complete but the family has not received any news from Italian authorities on a positive identification that it is Elizabeth Galeana,” family spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt Twork said in a statement. “They have been told by the Italian authorities that although they received the dental records they are not ready to make an official announcement on a positive identification.”
August 5th, 2006 at 07:45pm
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Italian authorities are almost certain that the body they found off the Italian coast is 
that of missing 22 year old Elizabeth Galeana. The body found matches the description of Elizabeth Galeana including identifiable scars.
However, FBI authorities in Tampa wouldn’t confirm Monday that her body had been found. They did say a body was found between the islands of Ponza and Palmarola off the coast of Italy, which is near where the Royal Caribbean cruise ship was at the time Elizabeth went missing.
“In law enforcement we like to positively identify through dental records or fingerprints,” said Carol Michalik, spokeswoman for the Tampa office of the FBI. According to officials with Royal Caribbean, Elizabeth, who attended Gulf Coast High School in Collier County as a senior in 2000, was last seen just after midnight on Monday, July 24, as she entered her parents’ stateroom on the third day of a seven-day trip in the Mediterranean Sea.
What has been most strange about this missing persons case is the fact that the family immediately took the tack that there was no “foul play” involved in the disappearance of Elizabeth Galeana. Some merit is given to that premise when we hear that some of the cruise passengers who saw Elizabeth Galeana that last night she was alive.
However, one passenger who contacted the Daily News on Monday was concerned that he and others who were the last to see Elizabeth alive hadn’t been interviewed yet.
Paul Gebbink of the Netherlands said members of the Dallas-based company, International Network, saw Elizabeth alive late Monday night and early Tuesday morning. Gebbink was on the same floor with the Galeana family. “She was sitting at 11 p.m. and crying,” Gebbink said.
He said Galeana was wearing a black top and white slacks. She was later seen around 1 a.m. Tuesday by a colleague of Gebbink’s, who said she seemed happy. Gebbink questions why he and his colleagues haven’t been contacted by authorities, considering they were likely some of the last people to see her alive. “I think it is my responsibility to tell someone,” he said.
(Bonita News)
We understand the families want for privacy in what is just a terrible event; however, there seems to be something missing from this puzzle that would explain what actually occurred. That does not change the fact that a 22 year old girl died far too early.
Autopsy Done On Body Believed To Be Missing Florida Woman
Latina Prosecutor Raffaella Falcione said that she had not yet received the official report on the autopsy but that the coroner had told her that the body had “no signs of external lesions” — an indication that no foul play was involved.
Little doubt remains that the body found Friday was that of 22-year-old Elizabeth Kay Galeana of Naples, Florida, authorities said. Galeana’s family has said she was dead and that no foul play was suspected.
(WFTV)
August 2nd, 2006 at 09:02am
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It would appear that the body of 22 year old Elizabeth Kay Galeana, the missing passenger aboard Royal Caribbeans cruise ship Voyager of the Seas was found by fisherman. The part of this story that seems odd is the families immediate judgment and statements that “they do not believe that this was a result of foul play.” How would they know so quick into the investigation? If there is a camera showing Elizabeth Kay Galeana falling or jumping off the ship, then someone needs to just say so. They fact that the cruise lines are under heavy scrutiny for not being honest with what happens with missing persons certainly leads people not to trust them.
It is a valid question to the family. How are you so sure that no foul play occurred? How did Elizabeth Kay Galeana’s body wind up in the water?
The body of Elizabeth Kay Galeana, 22, was discovered Friday night by fishermen, three days after she was reported missing form the Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas.
“While we are awaiting the completion of the investigation into this tragedy, from what we know at this time, we do not believe Elizabeth’s death was the result of foul play,” Carl Galeana, the Detroit Auto Dealers president, said in a statement.
“We believe that speculation on the cause of this tragedy is premature at this time as we are awaiting the completion of the investigation of her death by all involved authorities,” Carl Galeana added.
(Det News)
Family: Florida woman missing from cruise ship off Italy is dead
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — The family of a woman who disappeared from a cruise ship sailing along the coast of Italy believes she is dead, but foul play was not suspected, her half brother said.
The family of Elizabeth Kay Galeana, 22, of Naples, Fla., did not elaborate on how they knew Galeana was dead.
“Obviously our entire family is devastated by the loss of Elizabeth,” her half brother, Brian Evans, said in a statement. “While we are awaiting the completion of the investigation into this tragedy, from what we know at this time, we do not believe Elizabeth’s death was a result of any foul play.”
Missing Passenger Likely Dead
Italian authorities said Monday they think they have recovered the body of a Florida woman who disappeared from a cruise ship sailing along the coast of Italy last week.
There was little doubt that a body found Friday was that of 22-year-old Elizabeth Kay Galeana of Naples, said Carlo Nigro, commander of the port office on the island of Ponza in Italy.
(The Ledger)
August 1st, 2006 at 09:30am
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The family of 22 year old Elizabeth Kay Galeana has confirmed her death aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise line. Apparently from the statement provided by the family, no foul play was involved. There was no mention as to the cause of death. If no foul play, was it a matter of overindulgence? One way or the other cruise lines are going to have to crack down on safety and serving policies. We do not know what was the cause of death in this case; however, with foul play ruled out one wonders what did happen to cause the death of Elizabeth Kay Galeana.
Statement from Galeana family
“Obviously our entire family is devastated by the loss of Elizabeth. While we are awaiting the completion of the investigation into this tragedy, from what we know at this time, we do not believe Elizabeth’s death was a result of any foul play.
“We want to publicly thank the management of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and especially the officers and crew of the ship for the professionalism and the compassion they displayed during this ordeal. They could not have done more than they did to help us deal with our anxiety and loss.
We also want to thank the representatives of the United States government, especially Scott Turner, U.S. Consul General in Naples, and his staff for their untiring assistance in helping us dealing with the Italian authorities and the entire situation.
“We have nothing further to say at this time. I hope that everyone will respect our desire to deal with this in privacy.”
— The family of Elizabeth Galeana
(The News Press)
Family: Florida woman missing from cruise ship off Italy is dead
From what has transpired with cruise line cover ups in the past, I am not sure how everyone can be so quick to state that foul play was not a cause. If there is camera video showing her going over board on her own, a witness account or Elizabeth threatening to do such; how can we be so quick to jump the gun? I hope much more comes from this sad event and the investigation.
“Obviously our entire family is devastated by the loss of Elizabeth,” her half brother, Brian Evans said in a statement. “While we are awaiting the completion of the investigation into this tragedy, from what we know at this time, we do not believe Elizabeth’s death was a result of any foul play.”
The family did not elaborate on how they knew Galeana was dead.
She was reported missing Tuesday from Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas. A spokesman for the Miami-based cruise line said Galeana likely fell off the ship.
“It can be presumed she went overboard,” Mike Sheehan said Saturday. Company officials did not immediately return a telephone call made by The Associated Press early Monday.
(Daily Comet)
July 31st, 2006 at 10:06am
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On Saturday the parents of 5 year old Destiny Norton did what all parents dread and fear the most; burying their child. It is a parents worst nightmare. However, yesterday in Utah the funeral for Destiny Norton took place. Far too soon than it ever should have.
“It doesn’t matter, rich, poor, black white, everybody has come together.”
“Destiny is alive in all of our hearts and she will always be a hero.”
Public grief from friends, family, even strangers for Destiny Norton.
“Our tears have flowed freely until there seems to be no more.”
Such acts by those who would perpetrate such an act upon a defenseless 5 year old tug at our minds and out heart strings. It makes many question, why?
The emotions run deep in such a terrible situation. Many took the time to remember Destiny Norton as the angel she was.
Vicki Scott, Family Friend: “She was a vibrant little child, always smiling, happy to be around.”
Duncan Chadwick, Uncle: “She was just happy;she was an angel.”
Nearby, a maple tree was planted in her memory. One shovel at a time, the planting was completed. Salt Lake City’s mayor and police chief, Elizabeth Smart and her father pay their respects.
(KLS)
Funeral Held for Destiny Norton
God Bless you Destiny Norton …
Family spokesman, Jeannie Hill added, “Today was a day to celebrate because Destiny is a hero and she’s an angel. She’s in Heavenly Father’s arms right now.”
Hundreds of mourners came together to pay their last respects to Destiny Norton. The five-year-old girl’s memorial service was held on Saturday morning at a chapel just across the street from her Salt Lake home.
Destiny’s mother, Rachael Norton, made a brief, tearful remark at the service. She said, “Destiny was a brilliant little girl who had high dreams. She enjoyed learning new things and she wanted to become a veterinarian.”
(ABC 4)
July 30th, 2006 at 11:46am
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What was the senseless and tragic act responsible for the death of Destiny Norton? According to police 
transcripts we may have the answer as to how and why Craig Roger Gregerson killed Destiny Norton.
Police statements:
“On July 16th 2006, Craig Roger Gregerson observed juvenile female…outside his residence in Salt Lake County, Utah. Suspect Gregerson opened the gate to his backyard and lured the juvenile female into his residence. The juvenile female began to scream. Suspect Gregerson put his hand over the juvenile’s mouth and began to squeeze. The juvenile female went limp and suspect Gregerson laid her body on the floor.”
(ABC4)
VIDEO
Craig Roger Gregerson failed the initial lie detector test the police gave him which led to the further investigation of his story he provided. As it turns out it appears that Craig Gregerson failed two polygraph tests.
Craig Gregerson lured an unsuspecting 5 year old to his home? For what reason? This individual supposedly has had no criminal record and certainly non for sex offenses. Or is it that he just had never been caught? Let’s just hope that Gregerson never asked for an attorney during any of his interrogations that could get any of this evidence thrown out as it was in the Couey case in the murder of Jessica Lunsford.
Death Of Utah Girl Destiny Norton Raises Outrage: Suspect had violent past.
How can antone know this type of sick individual lives next door to them?
Court documents showed Craig Roger Gregerson, 20, had a violent past and was arrested for domestic abuse in 2004.
Documents from Salt Lake District Court and Sandy Justice Court say Gregerson attended group therapy and ordered him to create a plan aimed at keeping himself and others safe.
But Tuesday the Salt Lake County Jail released a statement describing what Gregerson allegedly did with Destiny, whose body was found at 8:30 p.m. Monday.
A probable cause statement says Gregerson lured the juvenile female into his home and covered her mouth when she began to scream.
The document blacks out the name Destiny Norton. The document says Gergerson observed a female outside his residence on July 16 in Salt Lake County, Utah.
Previous complain againt Gregerson by his ex-mother in law:
His mother-in-law filed an affidavit accusing Gregerson of once choking and punching her when she tried to kick him out of her home.
Gregerson once threw the couple’s 1-year-old daughter across a bed when the infant kicked some food off his lap, said an attorney for Gregerson’s wife.
(CBS4 Boston)
July 26th, 2006 at 07:54am
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