Issue 207, August 21, 2024

Milwaukee Woman Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Fatal Encounter on Sex-Trafficking Website, Former Minneapolis Police Officer Convicted in George Floyd's Murder Released From Prison

🕵️Trivia Question

What was the name of the notorious online platform, shut down in 2018, that was used for sex trafficking and led to significant legal action against its operators?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: Killer Queens | The Murder of Jennifer Daugherty

Jennifer Daugherty was a kind and trusting person who eagerly embraced new friendships. Tragically, six individuals she considered friends tortured and murdered her over lies and jealousy, discarding her body like trash.

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What’s Happening Now

Milwaukee Woman Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Fatal Encounter on Sex-Trafficking Website

Chrystul Kizer, a woman from Milwaukee, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the reckless homicide of Randall Volar in 2018.

She pleaded guilty to the reduced charge and will also serve five years of extended supervision.

Kizer, who was 17 at the time of the incident, shot Volar, burned his house, and stole his BMW after meeting him on a sex-trafficking website.

While Kizer claimed she was a victim of sex trafficking and acted in self-defense, prosecutors argued against criminal immunity in homicide cases.

Ultimately, Kizer's defense was allowed to be presented at trial, highlighting the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding sex-trafficking victims and criminal liability.

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Former Minneapolis Police Officer Convicted in George Floyd's Murder Released From Prison After Serving Combined Federal and State Sentences

Thomas Lane, one of the former Minneapolis police officers convicted in the murder of George Floyd, has been released from prison.

Lane was found guilty of violating Floyd's civil rights and aiding and abetting manslaughter.

He served a 2.5-year federal sentence and three years on state charges, with some time served concurrently.

Lane, along with three other former officers, was convicted in Floyd's murder, leading to protests worldwide.

Derek Chauvin, the officer who murdered Floyd, received a 22.5-year state sentence and pleaded guilty to federal charges.

The Minneapolis Police Department faced investigations for discriminatory practices after Floyd's death.

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🛑 Safety Tip of the Day: Be Cautious with Personal Information Online.

Avoid sharing personal details such as your address, phone number, or financial information on social media or unknown websites. Sex traffickers often use online platforms to groom and exploit victims by gathering personal information. By keeping your information private and being wary of unsolicited contacts, you reduce the risk of being targeted or manipulated by traffickers. Always verify the identity of people you interact with online and be cautious about sharing personal details with strangers.

Cold Case Highlights

Arrest Made in Cold-Case Murder of Maryland Mom Leslie J. Preer, Suspect Linked Through DNA Evidence

Eugene T. Gligor, 44, was arrested in connection with a 2001 cold-case murder of a Maryland mom, Leslie J. Preer after DNA evidence linked him to the crime.

Preer, 50, was found dead in her home with visible signs of blunt-force trauma, but the case remained unsolved for over two decades.

Gligor, who was dating Preer's daughter at the time, was identified as a suspect through genetic genealogical analysis.

He has been charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

The investigation, described as tedious, highlights the dedication of detectives in solving old cases to hold perpetrators accountable.

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The Disappearance of Ina Arnall: A Daughter's Painful Search for Answers

Ina Arnall disappeared in Poteau, Oklahoma, 43 years ago.

Her daughter, Debbie Barber, recounts the event with pain.

Ina was a loving mother and wife before vanishing after visiting Debbie in Tulsa.

Her car was found at the airport, but there was no evidence of her boarding a flight.

Chief of Police Billy Hooper mentions the difficulty of the investigation due to the age of the case.

Debbie suspects her father's involvement in her mother's disappearance, citing his affair as a possible motive.

The case remains open, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.

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PODCAST: Moms and Mysteries | The Murder of Alicia Fox and Disappearances of Kaylah Hunter and Kristian Justice

In May 2014, Alicia Fox vanished on her daughter's kindergarten graduation day in Detroit. Though Alicia's body was found, her children, Kaylah, 6, and Kristian, 8 months, remain missing.

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🔍Trivia Answer
Backpage.com

Backpage.com was a classified ads website that became infamous for its role in facilitating sex trafficking. Despite efforts by law enforcement and advocates to shut it down, it continued to operate and allow illegal activities, including trafficking of minors and adults. In 2018, the U.S. federal government seized and shut down the site, and several of its operators were charged with crimes related to sex trafficking and money laundering. The case highlighted the challenges in regulating online platforms used for illegal activities and led to increased scrutiny and legal action against similar sites.