ONGOING CRIME BREAKING NEWS!
Starting on January 31ST, 2025, this thread is about CRIME NEWS as it breaks!
Last edited by a moderator:
THIS JUST IN ~ CURRENT CRIME STORIES #2
- Thread starter noZme
- Start date
ONGOING CRIME BREAKING NEWS!
Starting on January 31ST, 2025, this thread is about CRIME NEWS as it breaks!
Cousin Dupree
Keep Others Safe
I guess this qualifies as crime. 
www.theguardian.com
Scarlett Johansson and Cate Blanchett back campaign accusing AI firms of theft
Hundreds of writers, musicians and performers urge licensing deals instead of scraping creative work
www.theguardian.com
Tresir
Well-known member
Just posting this Wiki link here for any discussions on it to continue here. We had initially mentioned it on the non crime thread but it was clearly criminal and was really big news at the time.
en.wikipedia.org
News International phone hacking scandal - Wikipedia
Tresir
Well-known member
This is an update on Prince Harry and other public names suing Associated Newspapers.
Tresir
Well-known member
This article has information that the other claimants are giving details about.
news.sky.com
Prince Harry v Mail: Publisher accused of 'wrecking lives' as string of high-profile figures mentioned in court
Prince Harry was in court, along with Liz Hurley, her son Damian, and Sadie Frost, as the court heard the publisher had spent more than £3m on private investigators. ANL strongly denies any wrongdoing.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
I read both of these links and am not sure what to think. They did wait an awfully long time to claim this what was going on or to think it. I'm hardly (am not) on the side of the newspapers but some of their claims seem believable like the party planner, that someone from the office gave up the birth certificate and maybe that Harry's gf's friends at U gave up information. One reason I can believe maybe, not for sure, that is because the Daily Mail pays for information. I'm surprised they are if not naming sources well pretty much saying who they were, do they have to do that there? That's pretty bold too IF it could be proven wrong. How would they even get bugs into homes of people this wealthy and secluded? Phones maybe but homes is a different story.This article has information that the other claimants are giving details about.
Prince Harry v Mail: Publisher accused of 'wrecking lives' as string of high-profile figures mentioned in court
Prince Harry was in court, along with Liz Hurley, her son Damian, and Sadie Frost, as the court heard the publisher had spent more than £3m on private investigators. ANL strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Here I can't recall how it goes but I don't think famous people have the same expectation of privacy. Maybe Harry would, not sure, as he did not choose his station in life but people like celebrities, politicians and so for by their very choice in careers can't expect such or something like that, can't remember exactly how it goes. Of course that doesn't mean the press can use illegal means, but that would be a crime not a right to damages because they said something about them.
YT for instance has many clearly false stories about almost all celebrities including the royals. The articles that have come out about the Reiners are almost ridiculous in number. Probably anyone that knew them is called a source close to the family or some such. Whether made up or said by people claiming to have info to get paid, etc. hard to say, but illegal is another story.
I'm not sure what I think. Clearly the company has the money to fight it endlessly which they are doing. Harry "settled" other claims with others so was it not about proving it so much as about the money? Doesn't he want to make it stop and show the wrongdoing? Seems to me the only reason this went all the way to court is the defendant is fighting it and saying the claims are untrue.
I don't envy Harry and the lack of privacy and the interest in his life though. I think in his position I'd have found some nonfamous wife and settled on some small island somewhere or something and led a quiet life and they'd get bored with him and having to keep a reporter or whoever there in some small out of the way place and for not much news making it worth it.
Look at the Hackmans, they left Hollywood and lived a quiet exitence but they both could go out and about around town with little fanfare or interest. Other famous couples have managed it too. Oh maybe if some reporter sees them on the street by happenstance (unlikely in such places), a photo might be snapped but highly unlikely as reporters aren't going to be there.
I'm just not sure what I think here or how they are going to prove this. People close to these people COULD bug homes and then listen to and sell the info for instance... The best of us also often share very private info with at least one or two other friends as we need those outlets.
I think most of the claims are going to be tough ones to prove. On the other hand, it's nothing for a company that big to fight it all of the way to court.
Undecided.
Guess Who
Well-known member
‘Deplorable:’ Cockroach-infested home sparks arrest of Central Florida couple
A Palm Coast couple was arrested this week after a welfare check revealed “deplorable” living conditions inside their home, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
www.clickorlando.com
Tresir
Well-known member
That is just disgusting.‘Deplorable:’ Cockroach-infested home sparks arrest of Central Florida couple
A Palm Coast couple was arrested this week after a welfare check revealed “deplorable” living conditions inside their home, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Guess Who
Well-known member
Not sure why it isn't formatting correctly, but there is going to be a 20/20 with interviews from the Turpin children.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
The above says content not available when hitting the link
Tresir
Well-known member
Don Lemon arrested!!!!!!!
www.hollywoodreporter.com
I only managed to copy this one paragraph, so view the article in the link for the rest of it.
Lemon, who now hosts a show on YouTube and other social platforms, was on a livestream that began outside the church in St. Paul, but followed protestors a they went inside, alleging that a church official also worked at a local ICE office. The journalist proceeded to interview protestors, congregants and a pastor during the protest.
The blowback to the protest was swift, and there are laws (most notably the FACE Act) that make it a crime to obstruct someone from practicing their religion, which would almost certainly apply to a Sunday church service.
Of course, America also has robust First Amendment protections, making this case a potential landmark one as the right to free exercise of religion and the right to freedom of the press collide.
Don Lemon Arrested Over Anti-ICE Minnesota Church Protest
The former CNN anchor spoke to protestors, congregants and a pastor on a livestream during the protest.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
I only managed to copy this one paragraph, so view the article in the link for the rest of it.
Lemon, who now hosts a show on YouTube and other social platforms, was on a livestream that began outside the church in St. Paul, but followed protestors a they went inside, alleging that a church official also worked at a local ICE office. The journalist proceeded to interview protestors, congregants and a pastor during the protest.
The blowback to the protest was swift, and there are laws (most notably the FACE Act) that make it a crime to obstruct someone from practicing their religion, which would almost certainly apply to a Sunday church service.
Of course, America also has robust First Amendment protections, making this case a potential landmark one as the right to free exercise of religion and the right to freedom of the press collide.
Last edited:
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
if the claims are true, then the arrest was deserved.Don Lemon arrested!!!!!!!
Don Lemon Arrested Over Anti-ICE Minnesota Church Protest
The former CNN anchor spoke to protestors, congregants and a pastor on a livestream during the protest.
I only managed to copy this one paragraph, so view the article in the link for the rest of it.
Lemon, who now hosts a show on YouTube and other social platforms, was on a livestream that began outside the church in St. Paul, but followed protestors a they went inside, alleging that a church official also worked at a local ICE office. The journalist proceeded to interview protestors, congregants and a pastor during the protest.
The blowback to the protest was swift, and there are laws (most notably the FACE Act) that make it a crime to obstruct someone from practicing their religion, which would almost certainly apply to a Sunday church service.
Of course, America also has robust First Amendment protections, making this case a potential landmark one as the right to free exercise of religion and the right to freedom of the press collide.
Tresir
Well-known member
Another case of missing LDS kids but these have turned up in Croatia with their mum, who is now detained in Croatia. The father has done well to find them.
ksltv.com
0 of 2 minutes, 52 seconds
KSLTV.com
SALT LAKE CITY — Four West Jordan children who were allegedly kidnapped by their mother were found in a Croatian orphanage Sunday.
According to Kenny Seymour, the father of three of the children, his ex-wife, Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, flew the four of them out of the country on Nov. 30, allegedly bound for Amsterdam.
“We spent seven, eight weeks looking for her and the kids,” Seymour told KSL.
A former boyfriend of Elleshia Seymour’s reportedly told police in December that she “had recently discussed obtaining passports and leaving the country, expressing concerns about biblical events and the ‘end of times.'”
Video footage provided by police showed Elleshia Seymour and her four children entering the Salt Lake City International Airport on Nov. 29 before allegedly boarding a flight to Amsterdam and later Croatia.
In mid-December, Utah prosecutors charged Elleshia Seymour with four counts of third-degree felony custodial interference. Local officials told KSL on Monday the case was being passed on to Croatian police.
Kenny Seymour, who has been in Croatia for the past eight days, told KSL he believed his ex-wife had met an American citizen living in Croatia and “wanted to leverage that connection to get somewhere remote.”
“It sounds like she met this other American citizen in Croatia under the pretense that she was bringing the kids here legally,” Kenny Seymour said.
According to Kenny Seymour, once the American citizen living in Croatia heard the news about the children, the police were called, and their mother was taken into custody by Croatian authorities.
Kenny Seymour was then contacted by Croatian police, who were holding the kids in a children’s home in the country. He said he only recieved second-hand information about why his ex-wife was being detained, but he believed it was ultimately related to the charges filed in Utah and the warrant for her arrest.
“You have to remind yourself this is our reality,” Seymour said during an interview with KSL. “This isn’t some Netflix documentary you watched. It happened to us.”
Undated photo of Utah father Kenny Seymour, the biological father of three of the four children missing from West Jordan since late November and who police say have been found at an orphanage far from home, while their biological mother is in Croatian custody. (Photo courtesy: Kenny Seymour)
“It’s a beautiful place to be,” Kenny Seymour told KSL. “The scenery is gorgeous. But we’re stuck in mental hell at the same time, trying to figure out how we get these kids out of here and back to their home.”
Kenny Seymour had launched a GoFundMe* to help find the children, which now is going toward funding for Croatian lawyers and court-approved translators and to extend Seymour’s stay in Croatia while he works to bring the children back to Utah.
“Although we are very happy the original goal was met, this will be entirely consumed by just flights here and back,” wrote Kenny Seymour on a GoFundMe update on Monday. “This part of Croatia is the most expensive place to fly to and stay, out of all possible locations we had on our radar.”
An attempt on Monday afternoon to reach police in Dubrovnik had not yet resulted in a response.
The FBI declined to comment about the situation Monday and referred KSL to Croatian authorities.
Kenny Seymour said the children were “warm” and were “fed,” but told him during his daily visits that their facility feels like a jail. He said he can only see the children once a day due to the children’s home’s strict visitation policy.
“They’re already stretching (the rules on visitation) for us,” he said.
Seymour said he initially thought bringing the children back to America would be wrapped up in a two or three-day visit, and now after eight days, he doesn’t know how long it will take.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
Missing children allegedly kidnapped by West Jordan mom found in Croatian orphanage - KSLTV.com
Four West Jordan children who were allegedly kidnapped by their mother were found in a Croatian orphanage Sunday.
ksltv.com
Missing children allegedly kidnapped by West Jordan mom found in Croatian orphanage
Jan 26, 2026, 3:33 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2026, 6:42 am0 of 2 minutes, 52 seconds
Share
BY JOE WIRTHLIN AND ANDREW ADAMS, KSLKSLTV.com
SALT LAKE CITY — Four West Jordan children who were allegedly kidnapped by their mother were found in a Croatian orphanage Sunday.
According to Kenny Seymour, the father of three of the children, his ex-wife, Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, flew the four of them out of the country on Nov. 30, allegedly bound for Amsterdam.
“We spent seven, eight weeks looking for her and the kids,” Seymour told KSL.
A former boyfriend of Elleshia Seymour’s reportedly told police in December that she “had recently discussed obtaining passports and leaving the country, expressing concerns about biblical events and the ‘end of times.'”
Video footage provided by police showed Elleshia Seymour and her four children entering the Salt Lake City International Airport on Nov. 29 before allegedly boarding a flight to Amsterdam and later Croatia.
In mid-December, Utah prosecutors charged Elleshia Seymour with four counts of third-degree felony custodial interference. Local officials told KSL on Monday the case was being passed on to Croatian police.
Kenny Seymour, who has been in Croatia for the past eight days, told KSL he believed his ex-wife had met an American citizen living in Croatia and “wanted to leverage that connection to get somewhere remote.”
“It sounds like she met this other American citizen in Croatia under the pretense that she was bringing the kids here legally,” Kenny Seymour said.
According to Kenny Seymour, once the American citizen living in Croatia heard the news about the children, the police were called, and their mother was taken into custody by Croatian authorities.
Kenny Seymour was then contacted by Croatian police, who were holding the kids in a children’s home in the country. He said he only recieved second-hand information about why his ex-wife was being detained, but he believed it was ultimately related to the charges filed in Utah and the warrant for her arrest.
“You have to remind yourself this is our reality,” Seymour said during an interview with KSL. “This isn’t some Netflix documentary you watched. It happened to us.”
Undated photo of Utah father Kenny Seymour, the biological father of three of the four children missing from West Jordan since late November and who police say have been found at an orphanage far from home, while their biological mother is in Croatian custody. (Photo courtesy: Kenny Seymour)
Children remain in Croatia
According to Kenny Seymour, Croatian police will not release his children until documentation from the U.S. has been checked and rechecked.“It’s a beautiful place to be,” Kenny Seymour told KSL. “The scenery is gorgeous. But we’re stuck in mental hell at the same time, trying to figure out how we get these kids out of here and back to their home.”
Kenny Seymour had launched a GoFundMe* to help find the children, which now is going toward funding for Croatian lawyers and court-approved translators and to extend Seymour’s stay in Croatia while he works to bring the children back to Utah.
“Although we are very happy the original goal was met, this will be entirely consumed by just flights here and back,” wrote Kenny Seymour on a GoFundMe update on Monday. “This part of Croatia is the most expensive place to fly to and stay, out of all possible locations we had on our radar.”
An attempt on Monday afternoon to reach police in Dubrovnik had not yet resulted in a response.
The FBI declined to comment about the situation Monday and referred KSL to Croatian authorities.
Kenny Seymour said the children were “warm” and were “fed,” but told him during his daily visits that their facility feels like a jail. He said he can only see the children once a day due to the children’s home’s strict visitation policy.
“They’re already stretching (the rules on visitation) for us,” he said.
Seymour said he initially thought bringing the children back to America would be wrapped up in a two or three-day visit, and now after eight days, he doesn’t know how long it will take.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
Last edited:
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
I've watched several shows on that. I was going to put it here too but never got around to it. Ashley Banfield is covering it regularly, several shows and talking with the aunt and more. Someone else did one too but can't think of who off the top of my head and had the aunt on I think.Another case of missing LDS kids but these have turned up in Croatia with their mum, who is now detained in Croatia. The father has done well to find them.
Missing children allegedly kidnapped by West Jordan mom found in Croatian orphanage - KSLTV.com
Four West Jordan children who were allegedly kidnapped by their mother were found in a Croatian orphanage Sunday.
Missing children allegedly kidnapped by West Jordan mom found in Croatian orphanage
Jan 26, 2026, 3:33 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2026, 6:42 am
0 of 2 minutes, 52 seconds
Share BY JOE WIRTHLIN AND ANDREW ADAMS, KSL
KSLTV.com
SALT LAKE CITY — Four West Jordan children who were allegedly kidnapped by their mother were found in a Croatian orphanage Sunday.
According to Kenny Seymour, the father of three of the children, his ex-wife, Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, flew the four of them out of the country on Nov. 30, allegedly bound for Amsterdam.
“We spent seven, eight weeks looking for her and the kids,” Seymour told KSL.
A former boyfriend of Elleshia Seymour’s reportedly told police in December that she “had recently discussed obtaining passports and leaving the country, expressing concerns about biblical events and the ‘end of times.'”
Video footage provided by police showed Elleshia Seymour and her four children entering the Salt Lake City International Airport on Nov. 29 before allegedly boarding a flight to Amsterdam and later Croatia.
In mid-December, Utah prosecutors charged Elleshia Seymour with four counts of third-degree felony custodial interference. Local officials told KSL on Monday the case was being passed on to Croatian police.
Kenny Seymour, who has been in Croatia for the past eight days, told KSL he believed his ex-wife had met an American citizen living in Croatia and “wanted to leverage that connection to get somewhere remote.”
“It sounds like she met this other American citizen in Croatia under the pretense that she was bringing the kids here legally,” Kenny Seymour said.
According to Kenny Seymour, once the American citizen living in Croatia heard the news about the children, the police were called, and their mother was taken into custody by Croatian authorities.
Kenny Seymour was then contacted by Croatian police, who were holding the kids in a children’s home in the country. He said he only recieved second-hand information about why his ex-wife was being detained, but he believed it was ultimately related to the charges filed in Utah and the warrant for her arrest.
“You have to remind yourself this is our reality,” Seymour said during an interview with KSL. “This isn’t some Netflix documentary you watched. It happened to us.”
Undated photo of Utah father Kenny Seymour, the biological father of three of the four children missing from West Jordan since late November and who police say have been found at an orphanage far from home, while their biological mother is in Croatian custody. (Photo courtesy: Kenny Seymour)
Children remain in Croatia
According to Kenny Seymour, Croatian police will not release his children until documentation from the U.S. has been checked and rechecked.
“It’s a beautiful place to be,” Kenny Seymour told KSL. “The scenery is gorgeous. But we’re stuck in mental hell at the same time, trying to figure out how we get these kids out of here and back to their home.”
Kenny Seymour had launched a GoFundMe* to help find the children, which now is going toward funding for Croatian lawyers and court-approved translators and to extend Seymour’s stay in Croatia while he works to bring the children back to Utah.
“Although we are very happy the original goal was met, this will be entirely consumed by just flights here and back,” wrote Kenny Seymour on a GoFundMe update on Monday. “This part of Croatia is the most expensive place to fly to and stay, out of all possible locations we had on our radar.”
An attempt on Monday afternoon to reach police in Dubrovnik had not yet resulted in a response.
The FBI declined to comment about the situation Monday and referred KSL to Croatian authorities.
Kenny Seymour said the children were “warm” and were “fed,” but told him during his daily visits that their facility feels like a jail. He said he can only see the children once a day due to the children’s home’s strict visitation policy.
“They’re already stretching (the rules on visitation) for us,” he said.
Seymour said he initially thought bringing the children back to America would be wrapped up in a two or three-day visit, and now after eight days, he doesn’t know how long it will take.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
This has that case on it, (the one above) a bit of a summary. Starting at 18:30 about and going to 22 something I think. Other cases on it too. Kohberger Banfield, etc.
I haven't watched a lot of Scott recently and I forget how much I like his attitude and wit lol.
He asks why it is that these doomsday types who decide the world is ending decide always to do something crazy and illegal lol. Also that if the world is truly ending, what does it matter where you are lol? And how they name a date and this has went on for decades and then they are wrong, and there's an excuse and they come up with another and so on. He delivers this and more he said better than I can lol.
I haven't watched a lot of Scott recently and I forget how much I like his attitude and wit lol.
He asks why it is that these doomsday types who decide the world is ending decide always to do something crazy and illegal lol. Also that if the world is truly ending, what does it matter where you are lol? And how they name a date and this has went on for decades and then they are wrong, and there's an excuse and they come up with another and so on. He delivers this and more he said better than I can lol.
Guess Who
Well-known member
And released.Don Lemon arrested!!!!!!!
Don Lemon Arrested Over Anti-ICE Minnesota Church Protest
The former CNN anchor spoke to protestors, congregants and a pastor on a livestream during the protest.
I only managed to copy this one paragraph, so view the article in the link for the rest of it.
Lemon, who now hosts a show on YouTube and other social platforms, was on a livestream that began outside the church in St. Paul, but followed protestors a they went inside, alleging that a church official also worked at a local ICE office. The journalist proceeded to interview protestors, congregants and a pastor during the protest.
The blowback to the protest was swift, and there are laws (most notably the FACE Act) that make it a crime to obstruct someone from practicing their religion, which would almost certainly apply to a Sunday church service.
Of course, America also has robust First Amendment protections, making this case a potential landmark one as the right to free exercise of religion and the right to freedom of the press collide.
Plus, there is also this
Lemon was indicted alongside eight co-defendants more than a week after a federal magistrate judge found the Trump administration lacked probable cause to arrest him and several others under a federal statute that a top Justice Department official conceded had never been used in the context of a protest at a church before.
Don Lemon released after arrest by federal authorities following protest at Minnesota church service
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post Friday on X that Lemon was arrested, as were three others, "in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota."
www.nbcnews.com
Tresir
Well-known member
I always think it's good when those reporting the news are the news.
www.bbc.com
Former CNN host Don Lemon has appeared before a judge after being arrested for entering a Minnesota church and filming anti-immigration enforcement protesters as they disrupted a service.
After appearing in court, Lemon was released from custody. He told media outside that he was arrested for covering the news, adding: "I will not be silenced."
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said he was charged with "conspiracy to deprive rights" and "violation of the FACE Act", by allegedly interfering in someone's First Amendment rights by force.
Lemon went into the Cities Church in St Paul on 18 January with protesters who said one of the pastors was an immigration enforcement official.
Image source,Getty Images
Lemon, an independent journalist, said he was taken into custody by federal agents on Thursday. He did not enter a plea in court.
"Last night the DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for something that I have been doing for the last 30 years and that is covering the news," Lemon said.
"I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now," Lemon added.
"In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable."
Lemon has been charged with violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances and Places of Religious Worship (FACE) act, which is a law that typically has been used to crack down on demonstrations at abortion clinics but also prohibits obstructing access to houses of worship.
US Department of Justice questioned over arrest of Don Lemon
"Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court," his lawyer Abbe Lowell said earlier on Friday in a statement posted on Lemon's Instagram account.
The lawyer added: "This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand."
Lowell said Lemon had been arrested while he was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said three others had been arrested: local independent journalist Georgia Fort, along with activists Trahem Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy.
Fort was also released earlier on Friday after her court appearance in Minnesota.
America's top law enforcement official accused them of participating in a "coordinated attack" on the church.
FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators from his agency and the DHS had arrested Lemon and the other three.
Fort posted a livestream of federal agents arriving at her home to arrest her.
"Agents are at my door right now," she said in the clip. "My children are here, they're impacted by this."
President Donald Trump's administration initially sought to charge eight people involved in the Minnesota church protest with conspiring to deprive rights and interfering with someone's religious freedom in a house of worship.
But a magistrate judge who reviewed the evidence approved charges for only three of those involved, excluding Lemon.
The government challenged that decision, but an appeals court suggested prosecutors take the case to a federal grand jury - a panel of citizens that evaluates if there is enough evidence to charge someone in a case.
A longstanding Trump critic, Lemon was fired from CNN in April 2023 after 17 years with the company. The morning show host had apologised for on-air comments that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, then 51, was past her prime.
In the Minnesota church protest, he live-streamed with protesters on YouTube. The broadcast began with Lemon standing with the group in a car park where he says: "This is an operation that is secret.
"I can't tell you what is going to happen, but you're going to watch it live unfold here on 'The Don Lemon Show.'"
He followed the group - whom he called "resistance protesters" - into the church, initially without his camera operator.
His microphone picked up audio of a woman shouting "excuse me pastor".
Protesters chant "Justice for Renee Good", referring to the US citizen who was fatally shot in her vehicle on 7 January during a confrontation with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
Footage showed a chaotic scene unfolding inside the church, which belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention, as protesters and members of the congregation shout at each other.
Lemon repeatedly says he is there as a journalist and is unaffiliated with demonstrators.
"We're not part of the activists, but we're here just reporting on them," he says.
The pastor says: "This is unacceptable, it's shameful. It's shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship."
Harmeet Dhillon, of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, said during an interview with podcaster Megyn Kelly on Friday: "We're going to pursue this to the ends of the Earth."
The White House appeared to celebrate the arrest, posting a photo of Lemon on its official X account with the caption "when life gives you lemons", next to an emoji of chain links.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the detention of Lemon "shocking" and "alarming."
CNN said it raised "profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment". The network said it would follow Lemon's case closely.
This is the second high-profile incident this month of the Trump administration investigating a journalist, raising the alarm of free speech advocates.
On 14 January, the FBI showed up unannounced to the home of a Washington Post reporter with a search warrant and seized her devices over the alleged leak of classified information, although she herself was not charged with any crime.
Protests are continuing in Minnesota, where an operation by federal immigration agents has sparked confrontations that have left two US citizens dead: Renee Good, a mother-of-three, and Alex Pretti, a nurse.
Former CNN host Don Lemon faces charges after anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church
Lemon says he was just doing his job as a journalist reporting on the protests at the church.
www.bbc.com
Former CNN host Don Lemon has appeared before a judge after being arrested for entering a Minnesota church and filming anti-immigration enforcement protesters as they disrupted a service.
After appearing in court, Lemon was released from custody. He told media outside that he was arrested for covering the news, adding: "I will not be silenced."
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said he was charged with "conspiracy to deprive rights" and "violation of the FACE Act", by allegedly interfering in someone's First Amendment rights by force.
Lemon went into the Cities Church in St Paul on 18 January with protesters who said one of the pastors was an immigration enforcement official.
Lemon, an independent journalist, said he was taken into custody by federal agents on Thursday. He did not enter a plea in court.
"Last night the DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for something that I have been doing for the last 30 years and that is covering the news," Lemon said.
"I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now," Lemon added.
"In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable."
Lemon has been charged with violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances and Places of Religious Worship (FACE) act, which is a law that typically has been used to crack down on demonstrations at abortion clinics but also prohibits obstructing access to houses of worship.
00:19
Media caption,US Department of Justice questioned over arrest of Don Lemon
"Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court," his lawyer Abbe Lowell said earlier on Friday in a statement posted on Lemon's Instagram account.
The lawyer added: "This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand."
Lowell said Lemon had been arrested while he was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said three others had been arrested: local independent journalist Georgia Fort, along with activists Trahem Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy.
Fort was also released earlier on Friday after her court appearance in Minnesota.
America's top law enforcement official accused them of participating in a "coordinated attack" on the church.
FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators from his agency and the DHS had arrested Lemon and the other three.
Fort posted a livestream of federal agents arriving at her home to arrest her.
"Agents are at my door right now," she said in the clip. "My children are here, they're impacted by this."
President Donald Trump's administration initially sought to charge eight people involved in the Minnesota church protest with conspiring to deprive rights and interfering with someone's religious freedom in a house of worship.
But a magistrate judge who reviewed the evidence approved charges for only three of those involved, excluding Lemon.
The government challenged that decision, but an appeals court suggested prosecutors take the case to a federal grand jury - a panel of citizens that evaluates if there is enough evidence to charge someone in a case.
A longstanding Trump critic, Lemon was fired from CNN in April 2023 after 17 years with the company. The morning show host had apologised for on-air comments that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, then 51, was past her prime.
In the Minnesota church protest, he live-streamed with protesters on YouTube. The broadcast began with Lemon standing with the group in a car park where he says: "This is an operation that is secret.
"I can't tell you what is going to happen, but you're going to watch it live unfold here on 'The Don Lemon Show.'"
He followed the group - whom he called "resistance protesters" - into the church, initially without his camera operator.
His microphone picked up audio of a woman shouting "excuse me pastor".
Protesters chant "Justice for Renee Good", referring to the US citizen who was fatally shot in her vehicle on 7 January during a confrontation with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
Footage showed a chaotic scene unfolding inside the church, which belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention, as protesters and members of the congregation shout at each other.
Lemon repeatedly says he is there as a journalist and is unaffiliated with demonstrators.
"We're not part of the activists, but we're here just reporting on them," he says.
The pastor says: "This is unacceptable, it's shameful. It's shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship."
Harmeet Dhillon, of the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, said during an interview with podcaster Megyn Kelly on Friday: "We're going to pursue this to the ends of the Earth."
The White House appeared to celebrate the arrest, posting a photo of Lemon on its official X account with the caption "when life gives you lemons", next to an emoji of chain links.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the detention of Lemon "shocking" and "alarming."
CNN said it raised "profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment". The network said it would follow Lemon's case closely.
This is the second high-profile incident this month of the Trump administration investigating a journalist, raising the alarm of free speech advocates.
On 14 January, the FBI showed up unannounced to the home of a Washington Post reporter with a search warrant and seized her devices over the alleged leak of classified information, although she herself was not charged with any crime.
Protests are continuing in Minnesota, where an operation by federal immigration agents has sparked confrontations that have left two US citizens dead: Renee Good, a mother-of-three, and Alex Pretti, a nurse.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
Short and to the point. Not saying I agree with all but I think both views on things should be up here.
She especially makes clear what reporters can and can't do towards the end of it.
She especially makes clear what reporters can and can't do towards the end of it.
Guess Who
Well-known member
I can't take anything she says seriously since she can't seem to get any story straight, herself and she seems to have no shame about it.
GrandmaBear
Well-known member
They shouldn't have to though but I guess like schools they might have to due to the nuts out there.