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Makeshift memorial to Baltimore bridge collapse victims vandalized

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Makeshift memorial to Baltimore bridge collapse victims vandalized

A memorial for the six victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore was vandalized over the weekend.

The elaborate display near the south end of the bridge has grown to include decorated wooden crosses and a red pickup truck suspended from nearby tree branches, which represents one of the work vehicles used by the six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge the night of the disaster.

An artist who helped create the memorial arrived Saturday morning to find gaping holes in the painted canvas backdrop he had recently installed. Roberto Marquez told The Baltimore Sun he reported the vandalism to police.

MARYLAND GOV. MOORE DELIVERS UPDATES ON BALTIMORE BRIDGE AS REPAIRS CONTINUE

A Baltimore police spokesperson said officers responded to the location Saturday evening in response to a call about damaged property. Officials said no suspects have been identified.

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Gaping holes are seen, Monday, June 3, 2024, in the painted canvas backdrop of a memorial for the victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, that was vandalized over the weekend. Police said they responded early Saturday to a call about the damaged property. (AP Photo/Lea Skene)

Marquez traveled to Baltimore from Texas to contribute to the installation, which occupies a grassy area at an intersection.

The victims were all Latino immigrants who came to the United States from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras to chase the American Dream. They plunged to their deaths after a container ship lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s supporting columns in the early hours of March 26.

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Marquez and others sought to highlight its human toll and draw attention to the plight of grieving families, even as some conversations turned to economic impacts and supply chain disruptions caused by the temporary closure of Baltimore’s busy port.

The vandalized mural is the second backdrop installed by Marquez since the memorial started taking shape.

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The original one displayed abstract scenes connected to the bridge collapse and its aftermath, including written messages from the men’s loved ones and a violent scene from the U.S. southern border that showed a row of armored officers fighting back desperate migrants. That mural was moved into storage last week and could end up in a Baltimore museum, according to local media reports.

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Northeast

Colombian nationals allegedly ran fake law firm, impersonated federal judges to defraud migrants out of $100K

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Colombian nationals allegedly ran fake law firm, impersonated federal judges to defraud migrants out of 0K

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Four Colombian nationals were arrested, including three at an airport with one-way tickets out of the country, after prosecutors say they posed as immigration judges and federal agents to target migrants.

Three of the Colombian nationals arrested were identified as siblings Daniela Alejandra Sanchez Ramirez, 25, Jhoan Sebastian Sanchez Ramirez, 29, and Alexandra Patricia Sanchez Ramirez, 38. Federal prosecutors said all three were arrested at Newark Airport in New Jersey with one-way tickets to Colombia.

The fourth individual was identified as Marlyn Yulitza Salazar Pineda, 24. She was arrested at a restaurant in New Jersey.

A fifth defendant in the partially unsealed indictment is still not in U.S. custody.

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The group allegedly impersonated judges, law enforcement officers and lawyers to orchestrate fake immigration proceedings held over videoconference.  (United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York)

“The defendants brazenly stole their victims’ money and deceived them by sending fictitious documents and holding sham court proceedings,” Joseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. 

The group allegedly impersonated judges, law enforcement officers and lawyers to orchestrate sham immigration proceedings held over videoconference.

Court documents contain two representative photos of two of the virtual “proceedings” with faces blacked out. 

In court documents, prosecutors cited two photos of the virtual “proceedings” with faces blacked out. (United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York)

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Victims were led to believe that their immigration cases had been resolved, resulting in victims missing their actual appearances in immigration court, according to prosecutors.

At least one victim who mistakenly believed her immigration issues were resolved was ordered to be deported due to the scheme, prosecutors said, noting that the order was later reversed.

The group is also accused of lining their pockets and the pockets of their coconspirators in Colombia by laundering tens of thousands of dollars of victims’ funds.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ALLEGEDLY RAN MULTI-MILLION GIFT CARD FRAUD SCHEME HITTING STORES DAILY ACROSS TEXAS

The group operated a fictitious law firm and solicited prospective “clients” primarily through Facebook, prosecutors alleged, adding that they charged fees ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars “for nonexistent legal advice and services.”

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A view of Newark Airport in New Jersey, on May 6, 2025. Prosecutors said three of the Colombian nationals were arrested at the airport with one-way tickets to Colombia. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Investigators have identified over $100,000 in fraudulent transactions allegedly transmitted by victims to the defendants and other individuals associated with the fake law firm.

All five individuals have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and two counts of false impersonation of an officer or employee of the United States.

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Daniela and Jhoan Ramirez, and Marlyn Pineda are immigration parolees, while Alexandra Ramirez is in the U.S. on a tourist visa, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

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Fox News’ Jennifer Johsnson contributed to this report.

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Four defendants, including 2 Venezuelans, allegedly used 115 stolen identities in massive food stamp fraud

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Boston, MA

After nearly 3 feet in areas, the possibility of more snow this week

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After nearly 3 feet in areas, the possibility of more snow this week


Incredible snowfall yesterday. It seemed like we were under a flour sifter with the stationary band of snow on the South Shore. Unrelenting snowfall rates of up to 4 inches per hour brought use near THREE FEET in spots! The week feels long when you start with a blizzard, but we’re digging out and moving on.

Heavy snow from yesterday will stick around for a bit, but with sunshine on our side, we’ll see slumping, settling, and melting today. Highs will only manage the low 30s as the airmass stays cold. More efficient melting is ahead tomorrow and Thursday, as two more weather systems slide our way.

But these aren’t blizzards. And they’re not big storms, either. We’ll see more of a rain/snow mix tomorrow with minor accumulations – mostly in the one-to-three inch range. The Thursday night storm is a bit trickier, with the potential for more snow. Track is uncertain at this point, with some of our guidance suggesting we miss the event entirely. 

As always, we’ll sort it out and fine tune the details in the days ahead.

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Pittsburg, PA

These 13 pizzerias are Pittsburgh’s best, and reflect Western Pa.’s position as a rising pizza powerhouse

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These 13 pizzerias are Pittsburgh’s best, and reflect Western Pa.’s position as a rising pizza powerhouse






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