The Professional Bondsmen of Texas- Blog

The Honorable Ron Rangel is the sitting judge for the 379th District Court in Bexar County.  He has been served for 15 years.  Join us on this episode of The Bail Post as we learn about Bexar County justice.  Judge Rangel also discusses how COVID impacted the Bexar County Criminal Justice System.  Other issues include implementation of SB6 and bail reform. Also available on: Apple Podcasts-            CLICK HERE Spotify-                        CLICK HERE Google Podcasts-        CLICK HERE Podcast Index-            CLICK HERE Amazon Music-          CLICK HERE Stitcher-                      CLICK HERE iHeart-                    ...

  This evening, the Fifth Circuit reaffirmed its stay of President Biden’s illegal federal vaccine mandate. Setting the order in context, the court recorded that in its fifty-year history, OSHA has issued just ten ETSs. Six were challenged in court; only one survived. This one was not among them. Having considered whether “the petitioners’ challenges to the Mandate are likely to succeed on the merits,” the court decided that, “for a multitude of reasons, they are.” Why? Well, for a start, the court affirms that the Act that created OSHA was not—and likely could not be, under the Commerce Clause and nondelegation doctrine—intended to authorize a workplace safety administration in the deep recesses of the federal bureaucracy to make sweeping pronouncements on matters of public health affecting every member of society in the profoundest of ways Summing up, the court savaged the move in every possible way. “The Mandate,” it wrote, “likely exceeds the federal government’s authority unde...

  A U.S. federal appeals court issued a stay Saturday freezing the Biden administration's efforts to require workers at U.S. companies with at least 100 employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be tested weekly, citing "grave statutory and constitutional" issues with the rule. The ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit comes after numerous Republican-led states filed legal challenges against the new rule, which is set to take effect on Jan 4. In a statement, Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda said the Labor Department was "confident in its legal authority" to issue the rule, which will be enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). * * * * The stay comes two days after the Biden administration unveiled the rule, which was immediately met with vows of legal action from Republican governors and others, who argued it overstepped the administration's legal authority. The action on the private-sector vaccinat...

  Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has joined the legions of law enforcement officials warning that vaccine mandates will cause a mass exodus among first responders. “I have repeatedly stated the dangers to public safety when 20%-30% of my workforce is no longer available to provide service, and those dangers are quickly becoming a reality,” Villanueva said. “We are experiencing an increase in unscheduled retirements, worker compensation claims, employees quitting, and a reduction in qualified applicants.” “As a result, homicide rates will continue to rise, response times will increase, solve rates will diminish, arrests will decline, patrol services will significantly decline, and patrol stations will close,” he added. Villanueva said that the mandate has pushed some officers into early retirement while he said others have finally decided to “get those surgeries they have been putting off for injuries sustained throughout their careers (knees, shoulders, back, etc.).” Th...

  In 2020, murder rose at an unprecedented 30 percent annual rate, as incarceration rates fell, police manpower shrank, and anti-police protests spread across the nation. As the New York Times noted, "There is no precedent for last year's increase in the number of murders." The previous largest one-year increase was 12.7 percent, in 1968. And the murder rate is still going up in 2021. The Times reports that "data from 87 cities with publicly available year-to-date data shows murder up by 9.9 percent relative to comparable points in 2020. Some cities like Portland, Ore., and Las Vegas are seeing big increases relative to last year." * * * * Some observers wonder whether this spike in killings was caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but global crime data shows it wasn't. A recent Washington Post editorial “Too much death” asked whether homicides rose in America because of “the COVID-19 pandemic” or “national protests” against the police. The "protests...

The release of inmates from Rikers Island jails during the coronavirus crisis, failure of district attorneys to enforce the law and steady flow of anti-police brutality protests have all fed into a spike in violent crimes in New York City, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday. The governor also emphasized the poisoned relations between the NYPD and New Yorkers as a trigger in the uptick in crime. “May it have contributed? Yeah,” Cuomo said when asked about the city’s release of 2,500 inmates from Rikers to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Of those inmates released, 13 percent were rearrested. “You’re saying 13 percent were rearrested. Well, then those 13 percent contributed, right?” the governor said. “I think the point is right that these are contributing circumstances that frankly are conspiring as a negative synergy that is going on.” The Post reported last month that 10 percent of those released from Rikers since March, when the coronavirus walloped the city, had since been rearrested...

The Republican Party of Texas filed a lawsuit against Turner and the city of Houston on Thursday for a breach of contract and asked for a temporary restraining order to prevent the city from restricting convention center events. “Mayor Turner canceled the convention because he wanted to, not due to any “act of God” – only due to his desire to do so and to hold the Republican Party of Texas to a different standard than other entities," Republican Party of Texas Chairman James Dickey stated. Turner has pushed the state GOP to host its convention online and on Wednesday instructed the venue's operator to cancel its contract with the party. What they're saying:  "A letter has been sent to the (executive committee) of the state Republican Party by Houston First signed by the president and the chairman canceling this convention," Turner said at a press conference, according to CNN. "These are some very serious times and the public safety of the people attending th...

It’s crunch time for U.S. states as they face their worst fiscal crisis in decades brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic that’s decimated tax collections. Eleven states have yet to enact a budget for the fiscal year that begins Wednesday. And for those that have, they’ve been forced to slash spending, lay off workers and count on billions of dollars in potential federal aid that remains bogged down in Washington. “The biggest theme that we are seeing across state budgets is uncertainty,” said Eric Kim, senior director of public finance at Fitch Ratings. The financial crisis amid the pandemic is forcing states and cities to make tough choices even as they seek help from Washington. Moody’s Analytics has projected that state and local governments will need at least $500 billion in additional federal aid over the next two years to avoid major economic damage. While House Democrats passed a stimulus measure that would provide some $1 trillion of aid to governments, the rescue has stalled in ...

In a letter on Saturday, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins asked Gov. Greg Abbott to enact a statewide shelter-in-place order as the county continues to see increasing numbers of reported COVID-19 cases. Jenkins presented a variety of policies he believes would mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and asked Abbott to either implement the suggestions or allow local authorities to enact them. “I made my peace early on during this crisis to always follow the science and our public health experts. I recommend that you enact these requirements statewide, or at the very least, regionally,” Jenkins said.  “If not, please rescind your prior order restricting local control and allow Dallas County to implement the above recommendations in an effort to slow the spread of the rampant and devastating COVID-19 virus.” Among the county judge’s recommendations were mandatory “universal masking/physical distancing that is enforced with fines statewide or at least regionally,” a ban on gatherings o...

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she's in self-quarantine after a member of her office tested positive for COVID-19. According to a statement from Hidalgo issued on Sunday, she was potentially exposed to the virus on Monday, June 22. The staff member's positive test results were confirmed over the weekend, and that person is currently self-isolating, according to Hidalgo. The judge and other staff who were potentially exposed will be tested for COVID-19 and will all self-quarantine for 14 days. According to the statement, Hidalgo has not shown any symptoms. To see more CLICK HERE .

A federal judge said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Letitia James, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio "exceeded" their executive limits by limiting worship services and condoning mass protests as the state continues to reopen from coronavirus restrictions. U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe issued a preliminary injunction Friday on behalf of two Catholic priests -- Steven Soos and Nicholas Stamos -- and a trio of Orthodox Jewish congregants -- Elchanan Perr, Daniel Schonborn, and Mayer Mayerfeld -- in Brooklyn, represented by the Thomas More Society. They filed the suit in the Northern District of New York after mass protests and looting occurred in the Big Apple following George Floyd's police-related death in May. De Blasio had "simultaneous pro-protest/anti-religious gathering messages" when he "actively encouraged participation in protests and openly discouraged religious gatherings and threatened religious worshipers," Sharpe sai...

Police arrested a man after a high-speed chase early Friday morning. Brandon Police Assistant Chief Chris Butts says the suspect, identified as Vincent Ogiamien, raped two people, stole several cars, and shot a woman overnight in Brandon. After these incidents, police were led on a chase into Jackson where Ogiamien crashed at I-20 and Terry Road. Police records indicate Ogiamien was released from the Rankin County Jail on Thursday afternoon after a DUI arrest. He has been booked seven times in Rankin County for crimes including motor vehicle theft, drugs, and fleeing police. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said Ogiamien was released from jail because he tested positive for COVID-19. Butts says Ogiamien was released from jail around 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. is when he forced his way into a woman’s vehicle to try and sexually assault her. She eventually got out and Ogiamien drove off in her car, according to Butts. Later that night, police say he kicked in a door at an apartment and sexuall...

Following accusations of widespread fraud, voter intimidation, and ballot theft in the May 12 municipal elections in Paterson, N.J., state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal (pictured) announced Thursday he is charging four men with voter fraud – including the vice president of the City Council and a candidate for that body. With races still undecided, control of the council hangs in the balance. Paterson is New Jersey’s third largest city and the election will decide the fate of a municipal budget in excess of $300 million, in addition to hundreds of millions more in education spending and state aid. In the City Council election, 16,747 vote-by-mail ballots were received, but only 13,557 votes were counted. More than 3,190 votes, 19% of the total ballots cast, were disqualified by the board of elections. Due to the pandemic, Paterson’s election was done through vote-by-mail. Community organizations, such as the city’s NAACP chapter, are calling for the entire election to be invalidated...

New York City’s homicide rate has hit a five-year high as the amount of people shot has jumped 42 percent compared to last year on the heels of an “implosion” of the city’s judicial system, according to NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea. A perfect storm of COVID-19 shutdowns within the judicial system (which have shunted indictments against the most dangerous illegal gun criminals), a breakdown in the city’s social safety nets (which has prisoners being released from jail straight into homelessness), and bail reform laws and case deferments have all hindered the NYPD’s efforts to staunch the bleeding, Shea believes. "We cannot keep people safe without keeping bad, dangerous, people off the streets,” Shea said. "You have a criminal justice system that's imploding. That’s the kindest way to put it.” * * * * * Shea summed up his thoughts bluntly: “The people who are suffering are the people in New York City.” Compared to the same week last year, NYPD crime data shows the total n...

Increasing numbers of Houston residents have reportedly been diagnosed with COVID-19 after attending protests against the death of George Floyd. Large protests began in the city days after the death of Houston native Floyd, an unarmed black man who died while police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25. Texas has been experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases. Harris County, which encompasses Houston, has been adding hundreds of new cases each day to the more than 17,000 total confirmed cases reported as of Monday. Houston resident Shamone Turner told KRIV that she took part in a march to Houston City Hall attended by an estimated 60,000 people about two weeks ago and later tested positive for the virus. Several friends who accompanied her were also said to have tested positive. Despite the illness, she said she has no regrets about her decision to march. "I actually got sick the day after the march... I could not move out of the bed. I was in the bed just sighing," T...

Mayor Bill de Blasio has to win the award as the worst mayor in the country, although Mayor Jenny Durkan in Seattle is giving him a run at the title. After de Blasio endorsed massive protests, even marching/participating in some, he still had not opened parks in Jewish neighborhoods according to reports, despite reports that parks in other areas were open. The city denies that report. People had protested against parks being closed and on Monday, the city was caught on video welding the gates at the Middleton Playground shut so people couldn’t get in. That report set people off a raft of criticism, and the city backed off welding it shut and just put up chain locks instead. But people had enough at this point and cut the locks to the park. People didn’t see how the closure was justified in contrast with the massive protests. The elected officials weren’t done with just the one park, they have been going around to other parks and opening them up, as well. In response, Mayor de Blasio th...

Gov. Greg Abbott says 20-something Texans are catching coronavirus in greater numbers. And he’s rebuking them for not taking safety precautions, such as wearing masks, when they go out. Abbott took to the airwaves on Monday to caution Texans in their 20s that too many of them are taking COVID-19 too lightly. “A lot of people have let down their guard,” he said on KLBK-TV’s noon newscast in Lubbock. “If you do not use these safe strategies, you will test positive,” the governor warned. He referred to wearing a face covering, washing hands and maintaining a safe distance from others when Texans go out. To see more CLICK HERE .

New York Police Department (NYPD) data reported by NBC New York’s Melissa Russo reveals that since Cuomo issued a statewide order demanding jails and prisons release inmates to abide by social distancing measures in late March, at least 250 inmates from Rikers Island have been rearrested. Chief LiPetri tells NBC New York the NYPD did not object to releasing older defendants, nor those with underlying medical conditions. But he says the consequences of the larger-scale release of prisoners are now showing up in the arrest data, with those 250 re-offenders being arrested 450 times so far during the pandemic.  One such case detailed by Russo involves 27-year-old Jonathan Martinez who has been charged in six incidents since November 2019 including forcible touching and allegedly robbing a Sephora store. Martinez was previously convicted for strangling his girlfriend in 2014. On March 16, Martinez was released from Rikers Island under Cuomo’s directive. Seven days later, Martinez was ar...

Customs and Border Protection Officer Omar E. Palmer worked at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City where he was assigned to Passenger Operations in Terminal 4.  He started his career with CBP on July 13, 2003, serving his country for nearly 17 years. On April 1, 2020, CBPO Palmer was placed on a 14 day quarantine following a possible exposure to a fellow employee who had tested positive for COVID-19.  On April 6, CBPO Palmer's mother called to report that he had tested positive for the disease and had become symptomatic on April 2.  His condition deteriorated rapidly and he was transported to Franklin General Hospital on April 6 and placed in the Intensive Care Unit.  He was later transferred to North Shore University Hospital and placed into an induced coma on April 18.  On May 4, 2020, CBPO Palmer passed away from COVID-19 disease.  He leaves behind family and friends, including his mother who is a retired CBP employee. To see more CLIC...

Jailed for opening a hair salon.  Illustration by Dana Summers for Tribune Content Agency. To see more CLICK HERE .