SEO

August 15, 2009

Federal Bureau of Investigation - The Newark Division: Department of Justice Press Release

Department of Justice Press Release
white spacer
For Immediate Release
August 12, 2009		 United States Attorney's Office
District of New Jersey
Contact: (973) 645-2700

Bank Robber Who Dressed in Drag Sentenced to 144 Months in Prison for Committing Nine Robberies in Two States

CAMDEN, NJA—Jersey City man was sentenced to 144 months in prison today for robbing or attempting to rob nine banks in New Jersey and Connecticut over a five-month period in 2008 and getting away with more than $39,000, Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra, Jr., announced.

U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle also ordered Huy Trong Luong, 41, to pay restitution of $39,067 and to serve three years of supervised release upon the completion of his prison term.

On Mar. 31, 2009, Luong specifically pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery associated with the April 20, 2008, robbery of Commerce Bank in Bergenfield, N.J., and the Jan. 11, 2008, robbery of a Wachovia branch in Greenwich, Conn. Luong, however, also admitted committing seven other robberies, all of the conduct was taken into consideration at sentencing.

In each of his robberies, Luong disguised himself as a woman, according to a criminal Complaint filed after his arrest following a final, failed robbery attempt on May 5, 2008, in Chatham, N.J. Inside his getaway minivan, Police found a black wig, a black Dolce & Gabbana hat, a woman’s make-up kit and black jacket, according to the Complaint. During his plea hearing, Luong admitted his participation in the following robberies and attempted robberies:

  • April 30, 2008, robbery of Commerce Bank in Bergenfield, N.J., of $12,020;
  • Jan. 11, 2008, robbery of Wachovia Bank in Greenwich, Conn., of $2,000;
  • Jan. 13, 2008, robbery of Commerce Bank in Westport, Conn., of $2,000;
  • Jan. 22, 2008, robbery of Provident Bank in Toms River, N.J., of $11,109;
  • April 20, 2008, robbery of Commerce Bank in New Canaan, Conn., of $3,600;
  • April 26, 2008, attempted robbery of Wachovia Bank in Highland Park, N.J.;
  • April 28, 2008, robbery of Commerce Bank in Stafford Twp., N.J., of $5,388;
  • May 4, 2008, robbery of Commerce Bank in Mahwah, N.J., of $2,950;
  • May 5, 2008, attempted robbery of Commerce Bank in Chatham, N.J.

Luong admitted that he made death threats or threatened the tellers with violence in each of the robberies. At the time of arrest, law enforcement recovered cash and a hoax bomb – what appeared to be three sticks of dynamite with fuses, wrapped together – in Luong’s minivan. In reality, the sticks were Roman candle fireworks, according to the criminal Complaint. In the three Connecticut bank robberies, Luong passed a note to the tellers advising them that he had a bomb and would detonate it if they did not meet his demands.

In May 2008, Luong was indicted in the District of Connecticut in Bridgeport for the three Connecticut robberies. The cases were consolidated in New Jersey for purposes of the guilty plea and sentencing.

Marra credited Special Agents with the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun in Newark, N.J. for the investigation. He also credited the FBI in Connecticut and local police in New Jersey and Connecticut involved in the arrest and investigation of Luong.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert G. Marasco of the U.S. Attorney’s Violent Crimes Unit.

Federal Bureau of Investigation - The Newark Division: Department of Justice Press Release
at

Top ten similarities between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson

Comparing Elvis Presley & Michael Jackson

Part 3 in a series for Elvis Presley Week

Although the differences between the careers and lives of Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are distinct and varied, since August marks the anniversary month of the death of Elvis Presley as well as the presumed secret burial month of Michael Jackson, this article will examine ten similarities between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson:

Top Ten Similarities Between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson 

1. Poverty to Wealth

Both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were born into relatively poor circumstances and not only reached musical super-stardom during their lifetimes, but achieved great financial wealth.

2. Families & Relationships with Parents

Both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson had some problems in their childhoods resulting from issues with their fathers which affected them in their adult years, and both Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley maintained strong relationships with their mothers. Both families were musical and attended church services regularly.

3. Gospel Music Ties

Elvis Presley wrote more than 50 gospel songs and recorded many classic hymns in his career. Elvis Presley frequently used gospel groups as background singers including: the Imperials, The Jordanaires, and J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. (see The Gospel according to Elvis Presley)

Michael Jackson wrote and recorded several songs that are listed as gospel including  "Cry" and "Will You Be There." (see The gospel according to Michael Jackson) Michael Jackson frequently used gospel groups as background singers including the Andrae Crouch Choir. (see Michael Jackson's gospel music ties). Both men recorded Christmas albums.

4. Striking Costumes and Dance Movies

Both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson wore striking, flashy costumes which were often sparkly and frequently tight-fitting and usually memorable. Both artists incorporated controversial dance moves on stage.

5. Graceland/Neverland

In 1957, Elvis Presley purchased an estate with a mansion which became his home, and he personalized it with over-the-top special theme rooms. Graceland became synonymous with Elvis Presley.

In 1988, Michael Jackson purchased the property which became Neverland Ranch, and he personalized it with a theme park, zoo and other over-the-top extensions of his personality. Neverland Ranch became synonymous with Michael Jackson.

6. Lisa Marie Presley  

Elvis Presley was the father of Lisa Marie Presley. Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley.

7. Became Reclusive and Distrustful

Towards the end of their lives, both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson became somewhat reclusive, depressed, distrustful and and overly-obsessed with germs.

8. Health Issues and Drug Abuse

Elvis Presley died of health issues combined with drug issues on August 16, 1977.

Michael Jackson died of health issues combined with drug issues on June 25, 2009.

Both men's deaths were attributed to heart attacks at some point.

9. Died Young and Unexpectedly

Both celebrities died young and unexpectedly, Elvis at 42 and Michael at 50.

10. Kings of Music & Pop Culture

Elvis Presley was called the "King of Rock 'n Roll."

Michael Jackson was crowned the "King of Pop."

Feel free to add your own comparisons between Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley in the comments below.

Read the rest of this series:

Part 1: Gospel Music 101: Who was Elvis Presley? 

Part 2: The Gospel according to Elvis Presley (gospel videos included)

Part 4: Elvis Presley: the 'King of Rock 'n Roll' and a real doll (with slideshow of Elvis dolls)

Also see:

Gospel Music 101: Who was Elvis Presley? Gospel singer, music icon and more

Gospel Music 101: What is gospel music?

Gospel Music 101: Which gospel artists got their start in Nashville?

Top ten similarities between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson
at

iLike Artist Dashboard - Stats

Song stats: Life to Date

Full songs Profile adds Dedications  
1 27 View Graphs
1 – View Graphs
2 – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
6 – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
1 – View Graphs
5 – View Graphs
2 – View Graphs
8 27 View Graphs
6 – View Graphs
6 – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
4 1 View Graphs
3 – View Graphs
4 – View Graphs
1 – View Graphs
12 6 View Graphs
5 – View Graphs
2 – View Graphs
3 – View Graphs
3 – View Graphs
1 – View Graphs
– 10 View Graphs
1 – View Graphs

Songs with Clips Profile adds Dedications  
– – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
– – View Graphs
iLike Artist Dashboard - Stats
at

Woodstock Memories, Mud And All : NPR

Woodstock Memories, Mud And All

by Karen Michel

August 14, 2009 - Forty years ago there was this thing on a farm in the small town of Bethel, N.Y. It was called the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, and to this day it conjures images: a field of people nearly surrounding the stage — half a million free wheeling, free smoking, free loving, music-loving hippies covered in mud. But besides the mud part, how much of that is true?

Artie Kornfeld was one of the organizers of the festival. For him, the torch burns bright.

"That's still my whole trip, keeping the spirit of Woodstock alive," says Kornfeld.

And that doesn't just mean the good stuff.

"I did have a gun pulled on me by some guy who said I was a hippie fascist," Kornfeld recalls. "And Crosby, Stills and Nash's road manager saved my life by jumping the guy."

But for the most part, Woodstock was an immense gathering of people who were into music, had no idea about camping — but definitely wanted to have a good time. Parry Teasdale went to the festival as a video artist. Today he publishes a local newspaper.

"I think I look like a geezer," Teasdale laughs.

He's wearing chinos and a pressed shirt. Back in 1969, the costume was a bit different.

"(A) large brown kind of Stetson cowboy hat that was punched up in the center, and big motorcycle boots and dirty jeans. And a VW bus full of old video equipment," says Teasdale.

Teasdale's black and white, fuzzy videos almost look as if they're shot in a sort of slow motion. He repeatedly asks the question, "Are you having a good time?" The kids look back, incredulous, as if saying, "Do you have to ask?" These tapes, these documents, seem to validate the Woodstock legend of all free, all peaceful, all love.

Myth And Reality

"That's part of the sort of mythology of Woodstock is that it's free; it's peaceful," says Michael Lang. "I don't buy into that."

Surprising, considering that Lang was one of the producers of the festival. Today, Lang lives near the town of Woodstock, on a 100-acre estate he bought in 1979. It's so big that that a reporter couldn't figure out which building to go to to find him.

But 40 years ago, it wasn't about the money, man.

"Somebody forgot to roll the ticket booths in place in time to beat the traffic," Lang remembers. "And once we focused on that, they couldn't be moved. There were not ticket booths. Most of the people who came were looking for a place to buy a ticket and you could not buy a ticket."

Still, the bands had to be paid. Bill Thompson managed the then-hot Jefferson Airplane.

"I remember saying to Michael Lang, 'How are we gonna to get paid?,'" recalls Thompson. "And he was — I think maybe he was on acid, or LSD. And he said, 'Aw don't worry about it, man. Isn't this beautiful?' Well that was the worst thing he could've said to me. So I got everybody together and I said, 'We should just tell them we're not gonna play unless we get paid.' So they showed up a couple of hours later with cashier's checks for all the bands."

For their gig, the Airplane got $10,000. It was 6 a.m. when singer Grace Slick greeted the crowd: "You have seen the heavy groups," she said, "Now you will see morning maniac music. Believe me."

"The band had stayed up all night," says manager Thompson, "and to be honest with you, did just about every illegal drug known to man. So I think they were a little woozy at first. But then the "black beauties" kicked in — I think those were the Obitrol, speed. And about 20 minutes into the set it was really an excellent set."

The Music Stunk?

Few people claim that the music was very good. It was the context, more than anything. Still, for Bob Solomon, who's now in the music industry in Nashville, sound was everything.

"Musically only one act was passable: Santana," Solomon says. "There were so many drugs floating around the entire farm that everybody was completely out of it; nobody did a very good job."

Back then, Wavy Gravy was called Hugh Romney, and Michael Lang asked him and his commune, the hog farm, to help feed at least some of the thousands, to help with security and — one of the hog farm's specialties — talk people down from bad acid trips.

"I was so transported — kind of like dowsing for the juice," Gravy says. "There is a high there not available in the pharmaceutical cabinet! It's all people pitching in for common good and that's what Woodstock was, except we had a better sound track!"

It's a soundtrack that had a stuttering start. The equipment hadn't arrived and organizer Michael Land needed somebody to play acoustic. He convinced Richie Havens that he was the guy.

And like all Houses of the Lord, the Woodstock story is largely a matter of faith. Charles Hardy is a professor of history at West Chester College in Pennsylvania. He was at Woodstock: 17 years old, cold, wet, hungry.

"Bragging rites are nice nowadays," Hardy says. "Often I don't even mention it because it sounds like bragging. It's only fun when I tell people how miserable it was, which makes it sort of interesting.

But for Woodstock organizer Land, it was a respite from the Vietnam War, the struggle for civil rights, assassinations and Richard Nixon.

"It was this moment of hope in the midst of all this darkness, so hold out hope for this wonderful experience — that's what it was for us," Land says.

'The Parable Of The Hot Dogs' At Woodstock

by Robert Goldstein

Robert Goldstein at Woodstok
Enlarge Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich; Photos: Shelly Rusten, iStock.

I know if you remember the '60s, you weren't really there, but, see, I was there.

Robert Goldstein at Woodstok
Photo Illustration: Lars Gotrich; Photos: Shelly Rusten, iStock.

I know if you remember the '60s, you weren't really there, but, see, I was there.

August 15, 2009 - It had to have been one of the earliest examples of a viral event — long pre-dating blast faxes, mass e-mails, Web ads, the blogosphere, texting and tweeting. Somehow, 40 years ago, word spread from person to person about a fabulous outdoor rock festival at a farm a few hours outside of New York City.

I may have heard about it from my younger brother, who still has the three original $6/day tickets he sent away for and received ... by mail. Yes, it surely was a different time.

While I can still recall most of the acts and music I heard at Woodstock, a much more vivid memory is of the enormous crowd's evolving awareness that it — and not the concert — had become the real event. Perhaps sparked by some psycho-pharmaceutical bonding process, hundreds of thousands coalesced into a single — well, semi-sentient — organism. Inevitably, the crowd simply overwhelmed and upstaged most of the music.

My own most indelible Woodstock memory is what current parlance terms a "teachable moment."

I call the it "Parable of the Hot Dogs."

My circle of newfound friends and I were starving. Like so many others, we had arrived at Woodstock without much planning or preparation. That Saturday morning, rumors circulated of food kiosks located somewhere behind the gathered multitudes. Mud sucked at my knees as I trudged up the gentle hillside border of the festival site for nearly an hour. Wonder what was served at a typical American gathering for nearly 500K people? That's right: hot dogs!

On reaching the vendor area I waited in line for another hour and bought a dozen. I made the same muddy, laborious return trek, threading my way through masses of people, protectively clutching that precious food. Somehow I found our prime location, center-front of the stage. Three hours to get a dozen hot dogs! The cardboard takeout box holding them disappeared into a tangle of grabbing hands. When the box returned to me, all that remained was a glistening red blob of ketchup. In my zeal to be the good guy personifying the communal Woodstock spirit, to be the intrepid provider for my friends, I had waited until my heroic return so we all could eat together. While they — if by then their devolved reptilian brains could even muster a social concept — assumed that with so much time and trouble involved, of course I must have already eaten. What kind of fool wouldn't have?

So my oft-recounted amusing, if cautionary, Woodstock fable imparts this lesson, a familiar message we all know from air travel: Always put on your own oxygen mask first, before assisting others.

The official Woodstock message, the festival slogan, was: Three Days of Peace and Music. That still sounds pretty cool. Though to this day, I try to avoid huge crowds ... and hot dogs.

Robert Goldstein is NPR's music librarian.

Woodstock Memories, Mud And All : NPR
at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)