Southwest

Texas police officer, an Army veteran, killed in line of duty during car chase

Published

4 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Texas police officer, an Army veteran, killed in line of duty during car chase

A Texas police sergeant and Army veteran killed in the line of duty is being hailed as a hero for preventing even more tragedy.

Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler was killed in a head-on collision during a pursuit of a suspect wanted for attempting to cash a fake check, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a site dedicated to remembering law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The ordeal began just after 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, when the College Station Police Department (CSPD) responded to a forgery in progress at Prosperity Bank.

Officials said officers made contact with the female suspect, who was attempting to cash a fraudulent check and fled in a black Jeep Wrangler when approached.

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Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler was killed in a head-on collision while pursuing a suspect who tried to cash a fake check Wednesday afternoon. (Officer Down Memorial Page)

Troopers were dispatched with the suspect reported to be traveling in the wrong direction on Highway 6 in Navasota, 24 miles outside College Station.

At 3:30 p.m., officials said Butler, who was traveling north, maneuvered his marked patrol vehicle and collided with the suspect, preventing her from hitting other motorists on the highway.

Officials said Butler was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died. The wrong-way driver, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the crash site.

A Bryan, Texas, family spoke to KBTX and praised Butler for his heroism and credited him with saving the lives of other drivers.

“I don’t believe we would have made it out if it wasn’t for the officer,” Jonathan Crider told KBTX of the harrowing moments before the crash. “He selflessly gave himself up so nobody else would perish.”

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Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler was killed Wednesday while pursuing a wrong-way driver wanted for attempting to cash a fake check. (LinkedIn)

Crider told KBTX he and his coworkers were returning to Bryan from a landscaping job in Cypress when they saw a black Jeep Wrangler speeding toward them. At the last moment, Crider said, Butler maneuvered his patrol vehicle into the Jeep’s path, preventing the oncoming car from hitting Crider’s truck and other vehicles around him.

“We changed lanes five seconds before the impact,” Crider said. “He didn’t swerve or brake. He sacrificed himself to save everyone behind us. I truly owe my life to him.”

Officials said the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is leading the investigation into the crash, while the College Station Police Department is assisting with the investigation into the forgery incident.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sergeant Butler’s family, colleagues, and the entire Navasota community during this incredibly difficult time,” the College Station Police Department wrote in a post on social media.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the death of Butler “a heartbreaking reminder of the danger our law enforcement officers face every time they leave home for work,” referring to Butler and Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Vargas, who was shot and killed in the line of duty Wednesday.

WRONG-WAY DRIVER IN CRASH THAT KILLED VEGAS POLICE OFFICER WAS IN US ILLEGALLY: ICE

“We lost two officers today in the line of duty,” Patrick wrote in a post on X. “Texas law enforcement officers who make the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities live on in our hearts forever. Please pray tonight for both of these heroes’ families. They have suffered such great loss.”

Republican Texas State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst also shared her condolences in a post on her Facebook page and said it’s “hard to fathom this sudden and reckless loss of life.”

“Our hearts are broken tonight, and I join the entire Navasota community in extending deepest sympathy to the family of Navasota Police Sgt. Mark Butler,” she wrote. “Sgt Butler tragically died in the line of duty late this afternoon when a woman evading arrest drove head-on into his patrol car during a police pursuit.

“It is hard to fathom this sudden and reckless loss of life. Those that wear the blue risk so much to protect all of us. … We are reminded of their sacrifices at times like this. He lived his life to serve others.”
— Texas State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

“Please keep Sgt. Butler’s family, friends, and the Navasota Police Department in your prayers during this time. He died in the line of duty, protecting and serving the public and he will never be forgotten.”

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Butler was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Navasota Police Department almost four years.

Stepheny Price is writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

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Los Angeles, Ca

Suspects allegedly posing as firefighters in Palisades had fake fire engine

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Suspects allegedly posing as firefighters in Palisades had fake fire engine

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A man and a woman from Oregon were arrested over the weekend for reportedly impersonating firefighters as they attempted to enter a Palisades Fire evacuation zone in what appeared to be a legitimate fire engine, officials announced Sunday.

In a news release, officials with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said the suspects, identified as 31-year-old Dustin Nehl and 44-year-old Jennifer Nehl, were spotted by LAPD patrol officers on Jan. 18.

Not believing the fire truck was legitimate, police relayed the information to sheriff’s deputies, who caught up to the suspects.

LASD said that when they contacted the man and woman, the pair were both dressed in “turnout gear,” which is the protective clothing worn by firefighters responding to a fire, had Cal Fire shirts underneath the gear and were also in possession of helmets and radios.

A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)

“The occupants claimed to be from the ‘Roaring River Fire Department’ in Oregon,” the release stated. “Upon further investigation, the deputies learned that the department name was not a legitimate agency, and the truck was purchased at an auction.”

Investigators, who arrested the Oregon residents and impounded the firetruck, said the pair reportedly admitted to being in the evacuation zone a day earlier.

The relationship between the Nehls is unknown at this time, but authorities added that Dustin has a “criminal mischief” history in Oregon. Neither of the suspects, however, have criminal histories in California.

Authorities did not provide a motive for why the man and woman were attempting to enter the evacuation zone allegedly posing as firefighters or if they were facing any charges in addition “impersonating firefighters.”

LASD officials said the case will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday for filing consideration.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact LASD’s Major Crime Bureau at 562-946-7893. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Southwest

Porn case in the Supreme Court this week is about protecting children, says Republican AG

Published

12 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Porn case in the Supreme Court this week is about protecting children, says Republican AG

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is fighting to uphold a Texas law he says is keeping the pornography industry from targeting children with harmful content.

Passed in 2023 and signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the law requires porn sites to verify users’ ages through official documentation such as a driver’s license or government-issued I.D. Under the law, failure to implement this age verification results in fines.

Meanwhile, a collection of porn sites calling itself the Free Speech Coalition argues that the Texas law curbs their First Amendment rights and places an undue burden on Texas adults from accessing their content.

TEXAS A&M CANCELS CONFERENCE TRIP EXCLUDING WHITE AND ASIAN STUDENTS AFTER GOVERNOR BACKLASH

Dozens of plaintiffs are accusing Pornhub and its parent company, MindGeek, of monetizing sexual abuse. (Adrien Fillon/NurPhoto)

Pornhub, the country’s most popular adult content website, went so far as to disable access to their website for all users in Texas after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to uphold the law.

The two sides finally came face to face this Wednesday to make their case before the Supreme Court.

For its part, the nation’s highest court appeared united in agreeing with Paxton’s argument that states have a vested interest in limiting children’s access to pornographic content. Some justices, however, seemed to still have concerns about whether the Texas law’s prohibitions were too broad and could impact other areas of free speech expression.

The question before the court now is whether the Texas law should be subject to “rational basis” or “strict scrutiny” review, the latter of which would require Texas to meet the narrowest standards to uphold the age verification requirement.

THE BIGGEST SUPREME COURT DECISIONS OF 2024: FROM PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY TO OVERTURNING THE CHEVRON DOCTRINE

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen, Nov. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Whichever way the court rules will likely impact not only the Texas law but also the over a dozen other porn site age verification laws in states across the country.

In an interview with Fox News Digital after the hearing, Paxton said he feels confident that the Supreme Court will rule in Texas’ favor.

“Hearing the questions and seeing the comments by the justices I feel very optimistic, I think we’re going to win this,” he said. “I really feel good about it. I think most of the justices are going to come down on the right side.”

“Even the other side making their arguments admitted that we have an interest in protecting minors,” he went on. “They just said that the way we were doing that was some type of overburden on adults, and so they offered up other suggestions, those suggestions don’t actually work and that’s probably why they offered them up, they don’t want age verification because it actually works, and it affects their bottom line.”

TEXAS AG SUES NCAA OVER TRANS INCLUSION IN WOMEN’S SPORTS

The exterior of the Texas State Capitol is seen on September 05, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Former Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate impeachment trial begins today with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presiding over the proceedings. Paxton faces several allegations including bribery, making false statements and abusing public trust. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

In response to criticisms about the law potentially violating free speech, Paxton said: “Look I’m a huge free speech advocate. I see very few limitations on free speech. However, we have recognized that we need to protect children in all kinds of different ways. We don’t let them sign contracts, we don’t let them get married until they’re 18, we don’t let them be served alcohol, we don’t let them get tobacco, we have protected children, it’s been [throughout] our entire history.”

“If you look anywhere in the developed world or anywhere [else], children are protected,” he added. “It’s my job to enforce Texas law. In this case I feel very comfortable protecting our children from having this put in front of them.”

Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Dodgers continue offseason dominance, sign All-Star reliever

Published

13 hours ago

January 19, 2025

Press Room

Dodgers continue offseason dominance, sign All-Star reliever

As the Los Angeles Dodgers stormed toward the World Series last October, one weakness was consistently brought up for the Boys in Blue: relief pitching.

It didn’t prove to be a hindrance to the squad as they rolled the New York Yankees in five games to clinch another title, but that’s not stopping the Dodgers’ front office from improving the bullpen.

The Dodgers signed left-handed reliever Tanner Scott on Sunday, as first reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Scott made four appearances against the Dodgers in last year’s National League Division Series as a member of the San Diego Padres. The Padres acquired him before the MLB trade deadline from the Miami Marlins.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, right, heads to first for an RBI single as San Diego Padres relief pitcher Tanner Scott watches during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The contract is for $72 million over four seasons, according to Feinsand.

Scott was an All Star last season as a member of the Marlins, before the trade. He finished the season with an outstanding 1.75 ERA with 22 saves in 72 innings pitched.

He played his first five seasons for the Baltimore Orioles.

Now, Scott has a chance to chase a title for the defending champions in L.A. He’s the latest addition for the Dodgers, who have had a masterful offseason stacking the roster.

Scott joins Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki and Korean second baseman Hyeseong Kim as major signings this offseason for the Dodgers. They also re-signed fan-favorite slugger Teoscar Hernandez, who posted the best season of his career in 2024.