Midwest
Navy Reserve veteran pleads guilty to beheading Satanic statue in Iowa State Capitol
A Mississippi man, and former Republican congressional candidate, pleaded guilty Friday in connection to the vandalism of a statue of a pagan idol at the Iowa state capitol in exchange for the dropping of a hate crime charge.
Michael Cassidy pleaded guilty to an aggravated misdemeanor count of third-degree criminal mischief, the Des Moines Register reported. He was slated to go to trial on June 3.
“As you’re likely aware, we have continually contested the hate crime and questioned whether Mr. Cassidy was being targeted due to his religious beliefs,” Cassidy’s attorney, Sara Pasquale, told Fox News Digital. “We are therefore very pleased that the state ultimately decided to drop the hate crime and are hopeful that this case will bring awareness to similar situations throughout the country.”
AMERICAN MISSIONARY COUPLE KILLED IN HAITI, AGENCY SAYS
A damaged Satanic display is shown at the Iowa State Capitol on Dec. 15, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. A Mississippi man accused of destroying a statue of the pagan idol Baphomet pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge in return for prosecutors dropping a felony hate crime count. (AP Photo/Scott McFetridge)
Cassidy admitted that he “partially dismantled a display in the Iowa State Capitol Building, “without a right/license to do so” of the statue of the horned deity Baphomet. The statue was brought to the state capitol by the Satanic Temple of Iowa.
It was destroyed beyond repair, the group said.
It was displayed under state rules that allow religious displays in the building during holidays. The move angered state and national leaders, including Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Florida Gov. and then-presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, both Republicans.
“I saw this blasphemous statue and was outraged,” Cassidy told the conservative website The Sentinel in December. “My conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Cassidy will receive a deferred judgment with two years probation, an $855 civil penalty and will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined.
The statue of Baphomet was erected in the capitol building by the Satanic Temple of Iowa last December. (Getty Images)
He would also be required to participate in a victim-offender dialogue with representatives of the Satanic Temple if requested. The sentencing recommendation is not binding on the court, however.
Pasquale said she was not sure what motivated prosecutors to drop the hate crime charge.
“We are simply thankful that Mr. Cassidy no longer faces a hate crime and hopeful that similar, offensive displays will be rejected from places such as state capitol buildings in the future,” she said.
Lynn Hicks, spokesperson for the Polk County Attorney’s Office, said several factors were taken into consideration when the plea agreement was offered.
“Factors can include but are not limited to: taking full accountability for the criminal conduct, cooperation with law enforcement, the availability of evidence, and the defendant’s lack of criminal history,” Hicks said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The agreement included restitution, which can make the victims financially whole, and a victim-offender dialogue, during which the victims will have the opportunity to speak directly with the defendant about what he did and how it affected them.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the temple.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
A northern Michigan adult foster care administrator is headed to trial for involuntary manslaughter after a diabetic resident died, having not received prescribed insulin, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
Kristi Tucker-Fleischfresser, 40, is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the November 2022 death of a resident at Pleasant Lake Lodge in Cadillac, where state prosecutors say she worked as the administrator.
The attorney general’s office alleges that on Nov. 1, 2022, a 60-year-old woman was admitted to the facility with diabetes and was prescribed two types of insulin. The woman was found dead in her bed on the morning of Nov. 5, having never received her prescribed insulin, authorities allege.
Prosecutors claim Tucker-Fleischfresser did not ensure that the resident received the prescribed insulin and obstructed the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs investigation.
The case was investigated by Michigan State Police and LARA and later referred to Nessel’s office by the Wexford County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Failing to provide life-saving medication to vulnerable adults is unacceptable, and I am pleased that this case will now move forward to trial,” said Nessel in a statement. “My office remains focused on ensuring adult foster care administrators understand the weight of their responsibilities and the consequences that follow when they fail those in their care.”
A pretrial date has not been set.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to eliminate Nuggets in NBA Playoffs
Timberwolves’ players Ayo Dosunmu and Rudy Gobert spoke to reporters after practice on Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square. The Timberwolves can eliminate the Denver Nuggets from the NBA Playoffs in Game 6 Thursday night at Target Center. If they lose, there will be a decisive Game 7 in Denver.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Thursday has a chance to be a historic night for the Minnesota professional sports scene.
The Timberwolves and Wild both have home playoff games, both lead 3-2 in their best-of-seven series and each can advance on the same night with a victory. If the Timberwolves and Wild both lose, they had back on the road for decisive Game 7s.
Timberwolves have 2 chances to close out Nuggets
The backstory:
The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Game 6 on ESPN, with a chance to end Denver’s season. The Timberwolves had a 3-1 lead, but lost Game 5 125-113.
The Timberwolves committed 25 turnovers, and allowed 125 points without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo.
Chris Finch says Timberwolves had ‘soft mentality’ in Game 5
The Minnesota Timberwolves practiced Wednesday at Mayo Clinic Square ahead of Game 6 against the Nuggets. Chris Finch spoke with reporters and said the team had a soft mentality that led to their Game 5 loss in Denver. The Timberwolves can close out the series with a win Thursday night.
“I thought we had a soft mentality,” Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch said after Wednesday’s practice at Mayo Clinic Square.
Aside from the turnovers, Jaden McDaniels had two early fouls as the Timberwolves started slow. Nuggets’ role players Spencer Jones and Cam Johnson also combined for 38 points.
Game 6 – What’s at stake
Why you should care:
The Timberwolves have another chance to eliminate the Nuggets, but this time can do so on their home floor in front of what will be a raucous crowd at Target Center. If they win, the Timberwolves advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the third straight year.
If they lose, they head back to Denver for a Game 7. The team knows what’s at stake.
“We’ve got to come out, have fun, stay together. That’s what I told the guys. The game is going to swing, that’s basketball. It’s all about staying together and sticking to the game plan. I’m excited to play in front of the best fans in the world,” guard Ayo Dosunmu said.
“Obviously a lot is at stake, but it’s basketball. This is the moment you dream about,” center Rudy Gobert said. “It’s huge having the home crowd, but it’s basketball. At the end of the day, it’s on us to bring it.”
If the Timberwolves advance, they’ll face the San Antonio Spurs, who eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night.
Wild host Dallas Stars for Game 6 Thursday
Dig deeper:
Over in St. Paul, the Minnesota Wild host the Dallas Stars in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arean. Puck drop is set for just after 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on TNT as well as FanDuel Sports Network.
Minnesota Wild can eliminate Dallas Stars Thursday night
The Minnesota Wild has a 3-2 lead over the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and can close out the series with a win in Game 6 Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena. Wild coach John Hynes spoke to reporters on Wednesday ahead of the pivotal game.
The Wild can end the Stars’ season with a win, after earning a 4-2 win at Dallas in Game 5. Michael McCarron scored what ended up being the game-winning goal at the 7:47 mark of the third period, which gave the Wild a 3-1 lead. Up 3-2, Kirill Kaprizov sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Does the Wild’s mentality or approach change with a potential closeout game Thursday night? John Hynes says no.
“I just think it’s the mindset we’ve had as a group – you take each game for what it is. Each game has been highly-competitive, tomorrow night isn’t going to be any different,” Hynes said.
What’s next:
If the Wild lose Game 6, they will head back to Dallas for a decisive Game 7. The Wild is looking for its first playoff series win since 2015. If they advance, they face the Colorado Avalanche.
Missouri
Missouri City police bust chop shop operation, discovering at least 10 stolen cars, officials say
MISSOURI CITY, Texas (KTRK) — Authorities say police officers busted a major automotive chop shop operation in Missouri City on Tuesday, discovering multiple stolen vehicles and parts.
According to the Missouri City Police Department, officers responded to a “suspicious vehicle call” at a local business on Tuesday at 12:04 p.m., where a neighbor reported that a box truck without license plates dropped off car parts.
Officers said they arrived at the scene and saw the box truck leaving the property located at 2105 Brown St. Authorities said that officers conducted a traffic stop on the truck, and the driver of the vehicle, Francisco Tivar Reyes, was arrested on a warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen vehicle parts.
Officials said that patrol officers spoke with the business owner and asked about the recent delivery of car parts. Investigators said they did a check of a VIN number on a pickup truck on the property and confirmed that it was stolen.
A total of six vehicles on the property were confirmed to be stolen, according to officials. The owner of the business, Mohammed Fattoe, was arrested for possession of stolen property, police said.
Investigators said they returned to the site on Wednesday to resume the investigation. With the assistance of the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, a search warrant was obtained, and the business property was searched for additional stolen property, investigators said, adding that a total of ten vehicles and vehicle parts were confirmed by multiple agencies.
SkyEye13 flew above the scene on Wednesday morning, capturing images of authorities investigating the property and the multiple vehicles and car parts.
SkyEye13 was over the scene in Missouri City on Wednesday morning, with authorities investigating the “major auto chop shop operation.”
Missouri City police said the investigation is still ongoing, with search warrants on the property being executed to identify additional stolen vehicles and parts.
Authorities added that multiple agencies are working together on the investigation, including the Houston Police Department, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
-
Maine5 minutes agoReport: Barney Frank, liberal icon and former lawmaker, enters hospice in Maine
-
Maryland11 minutes agoMaryland man sentenced to 2 years for selling fake nursing licenses, diplomas
-
Michigan17 minutes agoMichigan adult foster care administrator heads to trial after resident’s death
-
Massachusetts23 minutes agoThe Trump problem in Massachusetts – The Boston Globe
-
Minnesota29 minutes agoWill Timberwolves, Wild make Minnesota sports history Thursday night?
-
Mississippi35 minutes agoFour arrested in Mississippi human trafficking operation
-
Missouri41 minutes agoMissouri City police bust chop shop operation, discovering at least 10 stolen cars, officials say
-
Montana47 minutes agoViewpoint: Proposed law creates new risks for Montana businesses