This is a blog dedicated to the general topic of crime and crime prevention in Alaska. We will post crime-related stories and other relevant items as we come across them. The Daily News encourages community engagement and discussion of issues of crime and criminal justice. Comments are not edited and will be posted immediately. We know that stories about crime often provoke strong reactions, but we insist that you keep your comments on point, use good taste and show courtesy toward other writers. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted, and repeat offenders will be banned from adn.com. When presenting factual information, take care that it is accurate and cite and/or link to sources where appropriate.
James Halpin
James Halpin has covered crime and public safety at the Daily News since 2007. Previously, he was an intern at The Associated Press' Anchorage bureau. E-mail Jim at jhalpin@adn.com.
Dad charged in girl's slapping death
Old murder reopened; police seek public's help
Men charged with wasting caribou to be tried in Point Hope in February
Police reopen cold case after information surfaces - 11/19/2009 2:36 pm
Mule shot in the rump lands neighbor in hot water - 11/17/2009 7:55 pm
Soldier charged in gunpoint robbery near nightclub - 11/16/2009 5:36 pm
Sterling man flees troopers, crashes into home - 11/16/2009 1:14 pm
Police say arson the cause of restaurant fire - 11/12/2009 5:54 pm
DA: Man guilty of robbing his mother at gunpoint - 11/12/2009 5:51 pm
Alaska man sentenced to 5 years for selling meth - 11/9/2009 3:27 pm
81-year-old ordered child porn, prosecutors say - 11/5/2009 3:06 pm
Job review leads to attempted murder conviction - 11/4/2009 3:06 pm
Wanted: Woman who buys goods on stolen credit - 10/30/2009 6:19 pm
'Contraption' douses mailbox with ink, suspect sought - 10/28/2009 4:36 pm
Truck driver loses load in the middle of the road - 10/26/2009 9:37 pm
Police name officer who shot burglary suspect - 10/26/2009 1:38 pm
Cordova couple hit with tax evasion charges - 10/26/2009 1:36 pm
Troopers break up Trapper Creek pot grow operations - 10/21/2009 2:57 pm
Judge decries "disgusting behavior" at sentencing - 10/16/2009 4:06 pm
Alaska State Troopers make TV debut - 10/14/2009 2:25 pm
Two plead guilty to crack-trafficking conspiracy - 10/14/2009 1:11 pm
Diabetic driver leads police chase on Glenn - 10/13/2009 7:35 pm
Robbery suspect's trial set to begin - 10/12/2009 9:54 pm
Chief's finger broken, toilet plugged in Galena ruckus - 10/9/2009 6:11 pm
Meth plot conspirator faces 20 years behind bars - 10/9/2009 1:27 pm
NOVEMBER 19, 2009 - 2:36 PM
Police say new information has prompted them to reopen a 9-year-old unsolved murder case.
Genevive Tetpon, 28, was found stabbed to death March 22, 2000, in brush along the Glenn Highway off Arctic Valley Road, about a quarter-mile from the Fort Richardson gate.
Police never publicly identified a suspect in the slaying and no arrests were ever made.
But now police say they have learned new information that has led them to crack open the file afresh.
Police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker said police were not releasing what that information is but that police are asking for additional tips.
NOVEMBER 17, 2009 - 7:55 PM
A Ninilchik man who shot a mule in the derriere could be facing a misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers say Calvin Miller, 63, shot an escaped mule in the “posterior region” while trying to scare it off with a warning shot with a .12 gauge shotgun the night of Nov. 8.
The animal’s owner, Charles Campbell, 55, reported that the mule and some horses had escaped from their pen and the mule ran into the woods over night, troopers said.
Campbell found the animal near his home with a gunshot wound about 2:30 p.m. Nov. 9.
Troopers say they are forwarding a charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief for prosecutors to review.
NOVEMBER 16, 2009 - 5:36 PM
A Fort Richardson soldier and his alleged accomplice have been charged with armed robbery after holding two people up at gunpoint outside an Anchorage night club this weekend, police said Monday.
Daryl Beamer, 25, and Demetria Runyon, 24, were jailed in connection with the holdup about 2:20 a.m. Sunday near Platinum Jaxx, police said.
Police say the pair had been out drinking when Runyon and Beamer pulled up near the downtown nightspot and Beamer got out. Beamer approached a man and his girlfriend who were getting into a vehicle and opened the woman’s door, sticking a gun in her face, police said.
NOVEMBER 16, 2009 - 1:14 PM
A suspected drunken driver who fled Alaska State Troopers when they tried to pull him over this weekend has been charged with assault, reckless driving and other offenses after a pursuit ended with him crashing into a home, troopers said Monday.
Sterling resident Tanner Geiser, 21, was charged with three felony assault charges, felony eluding, three counts of third-degree criminal mischief, driving under the influence, driving with a revoked license and reckless driving after his arrest early Sunday, troopers said.
Troopers said they tried to pull Geiser over near Judy Lynn Lane and Kalifornsky Beach Road about 1:50 a.m. Sunday but he failed to stop the blue 2006 Chevy pickup he was driving.
NOVEMBER 12, 2009 - 5:54 PM
Police say arson is to blame in a Nov. 1 fire at the Sahara Restaurant on C Street. They're asking the public for tips. Here's the press release police sent out this afternoon:
On 11-1-09 at 11:41 hours Anchorage fire department responded to a fire at the Sahara Restaurant located at 2409 C Street. The investigation of that fire has revealed that the fire was intentionally set. The AFD Investigator is requesting the assistance of anyone who may have information which will assist him in determining who may have been involved in planning or setting this fire.
Anyone with information may call CrimeStoppers at 561-STOP (561-7867), the Arson Hotline at 267-5060 or Fire Investigator Balega at 267-4906.
NOVEMBER 12, 2009 - 5:51 PM
The district attorney said this afternoon that a man has been convicted of putting a loaded gun to his mother's head and demanding cash to pay for a parking ticket. Here's the release prosecutors sent out:
MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ROBBING HIS OWN FAMILY
Anchorage District Attorney Adrienne Bachman announced today, November 12, 2009 that an Anchorage Jury found 27 year old Cheng Saelee guilty of robbing his own mother at gunpoint then unlawfully contacting her from jail attempting to have her drop the charges.
According to Assistant District Attorney Gustaf Olson, who prosecuted the case, Saelee became agitated as he argued with his parents about them refusing to pay for a parking ticket. When his parents explained that they did not have the money to help him, Saelee went to his room and returned with a hand gun which he loaded, then pointed at his mother’s head, demanding money in exchange for her life.
NOVEMBER 9, 2009 - 3:27 PM
ANCHORAGE (AP) — An Alaska man convicted of selling methamphetamine has been sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison.
Prosecutors say 54-year-old Eulogio Seludo conspired with his son-in-law to sell methamphetamine in Ketchikan in 2007 and 2008.
Shortly before issuing the sentence Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline said Seludo was willing to poison the community of Ketchikan for his own personal needs, and the evidence presented at trial was "overwhelming."
A federal jury deliberated for almost four hours before convicting Seludo in August.
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 - 3:06 PM
An 81-year-old Hydaburg man has been charged in federal court with possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. attorney.
Robert Armour Sanderson, Sr. has pleaded not guilty to one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, Sanderson ordered two pornographic videos containing images of prepubescent children engaging in sexual acts.
Prosecutors say he will face between five and 20 years for receiving the porn and up to 10 years for possessing it if convicted.
Sanderson is being held in custody until trial, which is set for Jan. 11.
NOVEMBER 4, 2009 - 3:06 PM
A woman who pulled a gun on her supervisor and pulled the trigger during a job performance evaluation has been convicted of attempted murder, according to the district attorney.
Karan Vanae Clifton, 44, was convicted of planning to kill two supervisors when they tried to discipline her in the meeting about her performance at Providence Extended Care Center in August 2006, prosecutors said.
Deputy District Attorney Sharon Marshall said Clifton was armed with a loaded handgun when she went into the meeting and when her supervisor told her she would need an evaluation before returning to work, Clifton pulled the gun pointed it at the chest of one boss and pulled the trigger.
OCTOBER 30, 2009 - 6:19 PM
Theft suspect
Police are looking for this woman they say buys stuff with a stolen credit card and then returns it for cash. Here's a press release police spokeswoman Anita Shell sent out this afternoon:
Anchorage Police are asking the public to help identify this woman. She has defrauded a local store by returning over $1500 in merchandise which was purchased using a stolen credit card.
The woman is a heavy-set, light-skinned black female with shoulder length hair.
If you have any information as to the identity of this woman, call Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP. You can also submit your tip anonymously using the secure website at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com
OCTOBER 28, 2009 - 4:36 PM
Troopers this afternoon put out an APB on the vandal who put "some type of contraption" in a mailbox that sprayed ink inside the box, causing about $50 in damage. Here's the dispatch:
Location: Fairbanks
Case number: 09-96091
Type: Criminal Mischief 4
Text: On 10/24/09 Alaska State Troopers responded to a Quasar Circle address near Old Steese Hwy and Chena Hot Springs Road to investigate an act of criminal mischief. Suspect(s) placed some type of contraption
inside a mailbox which spilled and sprayed ink inside the box and on the envelopes. The damage to the mail and box is estimated at $50. AST is investigating this case. If anybody has information about his case please call AST at 451-5100.
OCTOBER 26, 2009 - 9:37 PM
Anyone missing a flatbed trailer loaded with crushed cars? Here's a brief we're running in the paper tomorrow about an accident near Talkeetna:
The 40-foot flatbed trailer loaded with crushed cars broke free from a semi truck along the Parks Highway at Mile 96 Sunday night, blocking the southbound lane, Alaska State Troopers said Monday.
Investigators arriving on the scene about 9:30 p.m. found the detached semi still running off the road about 20 feet away from the trailer, but the driver was gone, troopers said.
Troopers say it appeared the 2000 Freightliner tractor had turned south onto the highway from Montana Creek Road when the trailer disconnected. The trailer’s jacks failed, causing the front of the trailer to fall and crash into the pavement, troopers said.
OCTOBER 26, 2009 - 1:38 PM
Police have identified the officer who shot a burglary suspect in Eagle River last Thursday as Hunter Hasbrouck, a 4 ½ year APD veteran. Here's a press release police sent out this afternoon:
Subject: Officer Involved in Shooting Identified
Case #09-52454
The Anchorage Police Officer who shot a burglary suspect on Thursday, October 22, 2009 is identified as Hunter Hasbrouck, a 4 ½ year APD veteran.
Officer Hasbrouck responded to a break-in at the Family Pharmacy at the 11400 block of Business Boulevard shortly before 1:00 a.m. on October 22, 2009. Upon arrival at the business, Officer Hasbrouck observed a male exit the back door of the business with a gun in one hand and a crowbar in the other. Officer Hasbrouck repeatedly instructed the suspect to drop the weapon of which the suspect did not comply. Officer Hasbrouck shot the suspect in defense of his life.
OCTOBER 26, 2009 - 1:36 PM
Here's a story we're working on today about a Cordova couple charged with tax evasion. The indictment is attached.
A Cordova couple has been indicted on 12 federal charges of tax evasion, filing false income tax returns and failing to file tax returns, according to the U.S. attorney.
Prosecutors say James L. Jensen and Robin L. Jensen are accused of lying and cheating on their taxes to avoid paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Internal Revenue Service.
The couple owns a cabin-rental business called Bear’s Den Cabins, and James Jensen is a commercial fisherman, prosecutors said.
OCTOBER 21, 2009 - 2:57 PM
A sweeping series of drug busts in Trapper Creek Tuesday uncovered five marijuana growing operations and led to three arrests, with charges pending against other suspects, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Three Trapper Creek men were arrested on felony drug charges and charges against others are under review following the busts in homes and outbuildings all found within a few miles of each other.
Investigators executing four search warrants in the Trapper Creek area Tuesday found 384 marijuana plants in various stages of growth along with a substantial amount of processed pot and a wide variety of growing equipment, including three diesel generators and a vehicle, troopers said. They also uncovered a fifth operation that was unrelated to the others, troopers said.
OCTOBER 16, 2009 - 4:06 PM
An Anchorage couple has been sentenced on their convictions of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service over 15 years in what a federal judge called “bizarre and disgusting behavior,” according to the U.S. attorney.
Prosecutors said Eugene Warner, 66, and his wife Lorna Warner, 67, for years tried to evade paying their debts, hide their assets from their creditors and obstruct creditors from collecting.
They then failed to disclose those assets to the IRS, omitting in tax returns property and bank accounts they owned, prosecutors said. They also at one point falsely claimed the IRS owed them $1.5 million, prosecutors said.
OCTOBER 14, 2009 - 2:25 PM
Here's a clip of National Geographic Channel's new show, "Alaska State Troopers." We ran this story in the paper Tuesday:
Alaska State Troopers will make their prime-time debut this week in a new series on the National Geographic Channel.
OCTOBER 14, 2009 - 1:11 PM
Two Anchorage residents have pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges alleging they sold more than 100 grams of crack, according to the U.S. attorney. Here's a press release sent out this morning:
Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that on October 13, 2009, Stafford Eugene Anderson, II, and Steven Spencer Miller, both residents of Anchorage, Alaska, pled guilty in federal court in Anchorage to charges relating to a drug-trafficking conspiracy.
Anderson, 26, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic drugs and three counts of distribution of a controlled substance. Miller, 28, pled guilty to the drug conspiracy and to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The drug conspiracy involved the distribution of cocaine base, or “crack.” The defendants each entered their guilty pleas before Chief United States District Court Judge Ralph R.
OCTOBER 13, 2009 - 7:35 PM
A commuter “approaching diabetic shock” led police on a miles-long chase outbound on the Glenn Highway Monday night, forcing officers to push his pickup off the road and slash its tires to stop him, according to Anchorage police.
The 2008 Dodge pickup had been driven erratically from Ingra Street to where it was stopped near Eklutna, and police initially thought the driver, Palmer resident Zachary Stevenson, 32, was drunk.
“He didn’t have any alcohol in him,” police Lt. Dave Parker said. “He just had a medical issue, but it could have been a very dangerous one if he’d have kept going. He could have driven off the bridge.”
OCTOBER 12, 2009 - 9:54 PM
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The trial of a Fairbanks man accused of planning and executing a robbery this summer is expected to start this week.
Justin Thomerson, an ex-convict, has pleaded not guilty to charges of robbery, assault, theft and weapons misconduct.
Police say two cousins intending to buy marijuana were driven to an apartment June 29. But instead of getting drugs, they were robbed of $1,400 at gunpoint by Thomerson and another man.
The person who drove the cousins to the meeting, 22-year-old Marella Gregory, accepted a plea deal Friday.
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