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Tennessee couple transporting $3M in suspected cocaine killed in shootout with authorities in Texas

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Tennessee couple transporting M in suspected cocaine killed in shootout with authorities in Texas

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A Tennessee couple found transporting millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine was killed in Texas on Thursday during a traffic stop shootout with law enforcement, authorities said.

Edward and Elizabeth Stevenson were first identified through undercover buys of illegal drugs, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

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The undercover work allowed investigators to get a search warrant for the Stevensons’ home, where detectives uncovered nearly a pound of suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl, multiple firearms, body armor and ammunition on Thursday, the sheriff’s office said.

During the search, detectives learned that the Stevensons were driving a semi-truck through Texas with illegal drugs and were armed. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS STRUGGLE TO EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE OPIOID SETTLEMENTS TOTALING MORE THAN $50B

Edward and Elizabeth Stevenson were killed Thursday in a shootout with law enforcement in Texas. The couple were suspected of running illegal drugs for a Mexican cartel. (Putnam County Sheriffs Office)

“Both Edward and Elizabeth had made previous statements that they would die by ‘suicide by cop’ if law enforcement attempted to stop them,” the sheriff’s office said.

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Authorities found multiple firearms, body armor and ammunition inside the couple’s home while executing a search warrant on Thursday. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

Detectives immediately alerted the Donley County Sheriff’s Office in Texas and Texas Department of Public Safety about the couple.

When deputies in Donley County tried to pull over the semi-truck, the couple continued to drive for several miles before coming to a stop, officials said. 

Edward and Elizabeth then exited the vehicle and opened fire on deputies and troopers, the sheriff’s office said. The Stevensons were killed in the ensuing shootout.

POLICE BUST FINDS OVER 700 POUNDS OF DRUGS INSIDE TRANSFORMERS STATUES

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Authorities searched the couple’s vehicle and found about 64 pounds of suspected cocaine valued at an estimated $3.4 million. The sheriff’s office said the drugs appeared to be en route to Tennessee.

Authorities found drugs inside the couple’s residence and the semi-truck they were driving through Texas, the sheriff’s office said. (Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris blamed open border policies that are making it “much easier for Mexican cartel members and their associates” to traffic illegal drugs into smaller communities.

Farris said the cocaine seized from the Stevensons would likely have been mixed with fentanyl before being sold to individuals.

The sheriff thanked community members for calling in anonymous tips about the couple.

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“Anytime you see anything that you feel is suspicious, please call us and we will investigate it,” Farris said. “In this particular incident it most likely saved lives.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

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Man found guilty of sex trafficking victim along L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor

A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.

Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.

He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.

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At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota. 

She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.

Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.

“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.

In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.

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On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.

“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”

“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”

Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888

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Los Angeles, Ca

Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

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Watch Project Angel Food's 'Lead with Love' telethon on KTLA

The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

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Woman ambushed, violently attacked by robber in downtown Long Beach

A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]

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