Thursday, October 17, 2024

37-year-old Van "Vaun" L. Mayes Pled Guilty To Federal Charge Of Using Cellphone To Plot Participation In The Sherman Park Riots In 2016

Mayes, a Black community activist in 2018 was criminally indicted by feds (ATF) for plotting to bomb Milwaukee Police District 7 Station and organizing individuals to participate in a riot at Sherman Park in Milwaukee during an unrest after then Milwaukee Police Officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown murdered unarmed Sylville Smith in 2016 during a traffic stop. Heaggan-Brown, who is Gay was later fired from the Milwaukee Police Department in connection with another case involving sexual assault (rape) of a male victim, which Heaggan-Brown was criminally convicted.

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 17, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, Van "Vaun" L. Mayes, 37, entered a guilty plea in a plea agreement with the feds in federal court for criminally using a cellphone to plan (plot) for individuals to participate in a riot. He also waived his right to a jury trial.

Mayes is now facing up to 5 years in a federal prison and up to $250,000 in fines when he is sentenced on January 22, 2025.

According to the affidavit complaint, Mayes and others planned to firebomb the Milwaukee Police Department's District Seven Police Station during the Sherman Park rioting in August 2016. According to the complaint, Mayes and others pursued the plan by manufacturing Molotov cocktails in glass bottles that contained gasoline with a fabric wick inserted into the opening. The firebombing of the District Station ultimately did not occur.

In 2018, the feds indicted Mayes with attempted arson, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a destructive device in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 844(i), 922(g), and 924(c)(1)(B)(ii). 


In 2005, Mayes was convicted for one felony count of operating a vehicle without the owners consent after he pleaded guilty/no contest. Mayes was sentenced to 3 years probation in the case, according to Milwaukee County court records.

Mayes is well known in Milwaukee for his Black community activisim and a community organizer for social and racial justice.

Mayes posted the following statement in his Facebook account on Wednesday.

Mayes wrote, This city has shown up for me as I have shown up for it more than once. Today was no different. I sincerely appreciate everyone who sent a character or support letter, everyone who who showed up to today’s hearing, and everyone who wanted to do either or both and didn’t get to. 

There is so much to say, but now isn’t the time. What I will say though is I am grateful, I trust God to continue to guide and protect me as he has thus far, and today, as difficult as it was, was a necessary step towards getting my life back. 

I really regret that so many don’t know who I am, not from an ego standpoint, but from a place of the image or perception of who I am is often lost or skewed, and things like this don’t help. Yes, some is my own doing, not being as careful or mindful as I should in my position, but I accept that. However, what I don’t accept is the hate and misunderstanding that come from a place of envy, people’s rumors or made up versions of who they think I am, etc. One thing ppl should know is I go as hard as I do because I already feel I have a debt I am paying back. That is not motivated by any deal or charge, that’s genuinely ME saying and acknowledging that yes I have done wrong in my life and I am making MYSELF be accountable by making sure my life is used to pay it forward and back. This is no different. No one can hold ME accountable more than I can hold MYSELF.

That being said, todays update is as follows;

Today’s plea hearing went okay. Sentencing is Jan 22nd at 1:30, room 222 at the federal courthouse. This is where I’ll know what the judge decides to do. All character and support letters must be submitted by Jan 16th for those who have not sent them who can’t attend or who intend to submit one, but this court date it’s definitely the one ppl should try to physically come and show support. If you are interested in speaking on my behalf, please let me know as there will only be a small limited amount of ppl who will be allowed to so I will have to carefully select those individuals. 

Letters can be sent to 
Yunglamusicmke@gmail.com

Im ok that many will miss the key points in this whole ordeal. I am ok that some will continue to use this charge I am pleading guilty as their “reason” or validation to keep whatever negative outlook or disposition they have always had with me regardless of having a reason or not. I am NOT ok with, but understand that this will possibly affect opportunities and my livelihood moving forward, but I have had that be the case the past almost decade so I’m not so sure I’m losing anything there that wasn’t there to begin with. I AM ok with my personal growth from 2016 to now. I AM ok with this being a chapter in the ustory of who I am, our experiences and trials make us who we are literally. I AM ok knowing some of my “enemies” have become my friends, and some “friends” have taken their place as “enemies”. I AM ok knowing I have done and will continue to try and mend all broken or fractured relationships to correct narratives on my own terms. I am ok that some folks I stood up for and showed up for won’t be there to do the same for me. 

I am unapologetically myself. I am unapologetically going to remain a positive and productive person in this society. I am unapologetically going to continue to beat all odds and conquer all obstacles in my life, because I am MEANT to. 

“No weapon formed against me shall prosper” And so shall it be.

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

3-day Mexican Fiesta 2024 In Late August Matched Last Year's Attendance Record Of More Than 110,000, Generating An Estimated Of More Than $22M Of Economic Impact In Milwaukee Including Wisconsin

The 3-day Mexican Fiesta in late August at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee matched last year's attendance record of more than 110,000 fiestagoers who attended Fiesta on August 23, 24, 25, 2024.

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 16, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) learned that the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (WHSF), a non-profit organization which sponsors the 3-day Mexican Fiesta in late August matched last year's attendance record of more than 110,000 of fiestagoers who attended the Fiesta in late August 2024 at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee. Ruben Burgos, the President of the WHSF Board on Tuesday confirmed to HNNUSA that the 3-day Mexican Fiesta had more than 110,000 fiestagoers in attendance this year at their Summer Mexican, Tejano and Latin Music Fiesta, which operates the largest 3-day Mexican Fiesta gig in the Midwest.

WHSF and Mexican Fiesta hasn't officially announced its attendance record for August 2024, since the organizers are still analyzing their revenue generating and costs data for the 3-day Fiesta.

Fiestagoers from the Midwest including from other parts of the country make their way to Milwaukee annually to attend and enjoy the largest Mexican cultural gig in Milwaukee, which is known as the City of Festivals.

Those attending the 3-day Mexican Fiesta in late August also bring an estimated economic boost to the City and Wisconsin totaling an estimated $22M (http://hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2024/01/recap-3-day-mexican-fiesta-economic.html)

Mexican Fiesta 2024 parade video link: https://youtu.be/PbfcAP8287s

Congrats to WHSF and Mexican Fiesta 2024!


Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Walgreens Store At 2625 W. National Ave. In Milwaukee's Southside To Permanently Close In Early November 2024, Employees Allegedly Say Proliferation Of Shoplifters And Low Business Sales Partially To Blame

One of Milwaukee's Southside Walgreens stores located at 2625 W. National Ave. to permanently close in early November 2024.

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 16, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - The Walgreens store and pharmacy at 2625 W. National Ave. in the Southside of Milwaukee announced in early October that it will permanently close the drug store on November 3, 2024. The Walgreens pharmacy will close on November 1, 2024.

Last month, the Walgreens pharmacy began to close on Saturday and Sunday at the location.

According to Walgreens employees, the store has allegedly been losing money by the proliferation of shoplifters (mostly homeless individuals in the area) and the lack of business sales.

Several weeks ago, a homeless Black male walked into Walgreens and ran out with several 12 packs of Coke. Walgreens has video surveillance cameras operating and usually has one or two security guards inside, but to no avail from keeping individuals from shoplifting.

Walgreens Corporate also announced on Tuesday,  October 15, 2024 that it will be closing 500 stores by 2025 and 1,200 by 2027, those targeted are the stores that are underperforming, according to Walgreens Corporate, which operates about 8,600 stores nationwide.

Editor's note:

The following Facebook comment was posted on October 15, 2024 by Olivia Villarreal, the co-owner of El Rey stores, which generate more than $32.6M in business revenue (according to Kona Equity dot com/in 2017, Voces de la Frontera reported, El Rey generated more than $59M in combined business revenue) per year in the Southside of Milwaukee. Olivia is also the co-owner of the shopping center at S. Historic Layton Blvd and W. National Ave. in the Southside of Milwaukee and commented in regards to the HNNUSA news article that the Walgreens store was closing permanently at 2625 W. National Ave..

Olivia Villarreal posted her comment in Jair A. Varela's Facebook account who shared the HNNUSA Walgreens news article announcing it is closing in early November.

Olivia Villarreal posted, "Welcome to our world at the shopping center on 27th & National and our problems of keeping tenants!  Homeless, drug addicts, women of the streets all up & down 27th Street to 16th Street on National Avenue.  Cristo Rey put in a $10 million investment and this is the neighborhood they have to school these children!  El Rey has heavy involvement & investment into this area, we are a destination!  This is shameful that people from all over Wisconsin come through National Avenue and witness this seedy part of Milwaukee!  The City of Milwaukee and EVERY SINGLE OFFICIAL should be ashamed and worried!"

Monday, October 14, 2024

47-year-old Raysean L. Barnes Died After Getting Shot At Milwaukee Public School South Stadium During The Youth Flag Football Games


Barnes suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 14, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Saturday, October 12, 2024, Milwaukee police and Milwaukee Fire Department first responders were called to shots fired at the Milwaukee Public School South Stadium at 1023 W. Windlake Ave. just after 1:03 p.m., where they located 47-year-old Raysean L. Barnes, aka, "Too Cent" with life-threatening gunshot injuries to the chest. Barnes was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased at 1:48 p.m., according to the Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office (MCMEO). Barnes was identified by the MCMEO.

Many people including MPS students were attending the youth flag football games at South Stadium when multiple gunshots were fired by an unknown suspect(s).

No one else was reported injured, according to police.

All of the scheduled football games on Saturday were canceled after the shooting, and police seek a suspect(s) connected to the deadly shooting at South Stadium.

Police are reviewing video surveillance footage from an outdoor building camera near the shooting to identity the suspect(s).


Saturday, October 12, 2024

18-year-old RC Wayne Old Coyote Taken Into Custody For Attempted 1st-degree Intentional Homicide In Connection With The Crowne Plaza Hotel Shooting In Milwaukee

Old Coyote in custody at the Milwaukee County jail, also second accomplice, Gutierrez is being held at the Milwaukee County jail on a $75,000 cash bond in connection with the shooting of a 22-year-old male victim on October 2, at the Southside Crowne Plaza Hotel in Milwaukee, according to Milwaukee police.

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 12, 2024

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Saturday, RC Wayne Old Coyote was booked at the Milwaukee County jail. Last Monday, both Josaih D. Gutierrez, 19, and Old Coyote were each charged with felony attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide including use of a dangerous weapon and party to a crime, and felony attempted armed robbery including party to a crime. Old Coyote was also charged with two additional felony counts for bail jumping.

If convicted, both Gutierrez and Old Coyote, each face up to 60 years in prison for attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide, and facing up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines, or both for attempted armed robbery. In addition, Old Coyote is facing up to 6 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, or both for each count for bail jumping.

According to the criminal complaint, both Gutierrez and Old Coyote attempted to rob a 22-year-old male victim at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at the 6400 block of S. 13 Street in the Southside of Milwaukee on October 2, 2024. The suspects went to a hotel room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where a 22-year-old man and another man were at and while armed attempted to rob them. During a struggle in the room, the 22-year-old man was shot in the right arm by Old Coyote. The victim fled the room to seek help.

Police later recovered a spent .40 caliber cartridge in the room and a unfired bullet as well. The victims told police that they were in the room, when someone knocked at the door. One of the victims opened the door, and that's when the two suspects armed with handguns forced their way inside and began to struggle with the victims. Gutierrez told Old Coyote to shoot the 22-year-old victim after his weapon misfired. Old Coyote fired his weapon striking the victim in the arm.

Hours later, police received a call from St. Luke's Hospital that a 19-year-old man with a gunshot grazed in the forehead had walked-in for treatment. Gutierrez told police that he had been shot at a Southside gas station, but police connected Gutierrez's injury to the shooting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Police later showed the hotel victims photos that included Gutierrez and Old Coyote who were then identified by the victims.

In addition: Old Coyote was on charged on July 19, 2024, in Waukesha County with two felony counts for bail jumping and one misdemeanor count for disorderly conduct, and the case remains opened.

On June 30, 2024, Old Coyote was charged with one felony count for bail jumping and one misdemeanor count for possession of cocaine in Milwaukee County. Old Coyote's case is still opened.

On March 3, 2024, Old Coyote was charged with 5 felony counts for vehicle operator fleeing an officer, 2nd-degree endangering safety, operating a vehicle without owners consent, and 2 counts for possession of a firearm by adjudicated juvenile of a felony.

40-year-old Chetankumar Patel Posed As FBI Agent To Scam Victim Of $32K In Eau Claire, Police Arrested Suspect And Recovered The Cash

Patel arrested at hotel when he returned as Eau Claire police investigated an alleged scam involving $32,000.

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A. 

October 12, 2024

Eau Claire, Wisconsin - On Friday, the Eau Claire Police Department (ECPD) in a press release reported that on October 10, 2024, ECPD was called to assist with an Anoka County,  Minnesota missing persons case. That missing person was located at a hotel in Eau Claire. It was later learned this missing person came to Eau Claire to pay $32,000 to who they thought was an agent with the FBI. 

After the transfer of money was made, the victim learned this was a scam and reported it to police. When ECPD contacted the victim, they gave officers a description of the suspect. While officers were inside talking with hotel staff, the suspect walked into the lobby. 

Officers made contact with the suspect, identified as Chetankumar Patel, 40, and recovered the $32,000. Patel was then taken into custody and is charged with one felony count for Theft by False Representation. 

A similar case unfolded within the same week. ECPD was made aware of a fraud complaint after a tip came in from a local bank. It was learned that a customer of theirs had lost $60,000 in cash after an alleged "courier" came to the victim's apartment to pick it up. The victim told police the scam began with an email asking to renew their anti-virus program. The victim was then contacted by someone who claimed to be from the Better Business Bureau, then the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The victim was told they were part of a scam and needed to pay money. They would later meet a suspect to pay $29,500 they withdrew from their account. 

The next day, the victim was told to pay another $29,500 as the transaction didn't go through. The victim withdrew the money and paid a different suspect. 

The investigation continues on both of these cases. 

In the meantime, ECPD wants to alert the public on these fraud cases. It's important to know that the FBI will never contact you and ask you for money. The FBI and other agencies will also never ask you to keep these requests secret. If you ever have a question or hesitation about whether you are being scammed, take a moment, assess the situation and when in doubt, contact your local law enforcement.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

More Than 21 Police Squads Responded To A False AR Treat By Student At Waukegan High School In Illinois

Waukegan police in Illinois responded to a emergency call that a subject was armed with an AR at the Waukegan High School.

By H. Nelson Goodson 
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

October 10, 2024

Waukegan, Illinois - On Thursday, more than 21 police and law enforcement squads (units) responded to a 911 call that a subject with an AR (assault rifle) was at the Waukegan High School, at the 2300 block of Brookside Ave. in Waukegan around 10:12 a.m., the school was placed on lock down. Police say the call or information originated from the United Kingdom via a Google app, and the name given had no record of being a student or resident of Waukegan. The called location changed from the app to inside the school and a search was conducted. 

No one was located inside the school armed with an AR, which police now say was a false call alarm similar to police "swatting" calls. 

Social media posts indicated a weapon was located, but police have not confirmed, if a weapon was recovered from inside the school.

Police continue to investigate the false 911 call to determine, if a student (or individuals) at the Waukegan High School originated the false police emergency call.