Suspect Joshua Cummings

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

A man accused of shooting and killing an armed transit security official in downtown Denver late Tuesday night was on the federal terrorism watch list and kicked out of a mosque in Texas.

Local law enforcement warned federal authorities, including the FBI, that Cummings was in Colorado and staying at a hotel, CBS4 reports. 

Cummings, 37, was arrested Tuesday night after authorities say he shot and killed Scott Von Lanken, a 56-year-old Regional Transportation District security guard.

About a month ago, local police alerted the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Colorado to Cummings’ presence.

It’s unclear whether federal authorities did anything with the information.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

San Francisco police are pulling out of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force as the city continues to distance itself from the Trump administration.

Civil liberty leaders have long criticized the collaboration with the FBI because the task force authorized police to gather intelligence on people engaging in protests and religious services, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. 

Police suggested they stopped participating in the task force because the memorandum of understanding was set to expire.

“We are committed to community policing,” Deputy Chief Michael Redmond said at Wednesday’s Police Commission meeting. “We want to work collaboratively with the stakeholders when the work begins on the general orders.”

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel appears to be taking President Trump up on his offer to send in federal help to quell violence in the Windy City.

“Send more FBI, DEA, ATF agents. We don’t have to talk about it anymore. Just send them,” the mayor said Wednesday.

The mayor advocated more federal prosecutions for gun crimes and additional federal agents to help police fight gangs and gun violence.

“Invest in law enforcement with our Police Department,” Emanuel said. “Every major city has to do more. Move more FBI, DEA, ATF. They do a great job. Use the ability to prosecute gun crimes at the federal level, and maximize that potential.”

The mayor said he has already talked about the need for more federal resources with the president, vice president and the president’s chief of staff.

“In that sense, they are aware of what our requests are, and we will look forward to working with them on that,” he said. “Supporting our police officers, supporting our kids, investing in our neighborhoods and communities are key.”

‘El Chapo’ Guzman

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

A former DEA special agent is writing a book about his role in helping capture Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo.

The DEA agent will write under the pseudonym “Cole Merrell” as part of a book deal with HarperCollins, the Portland Press Herald reports. He will be collaborating with Douglas Century, who wrote “Barney Ross” and “Street Kingdom.”

The book, called “Hunting El Chapo,” is expected to be released on Oct. 17.

The book will provide a “cinematically” detailed perspective on the investigation and capture of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman-Loera in 2014.

Protest at Wayne State University in Detroit. Photo by Steve Neavling.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The Office of Inspector General for Homeland Security is investigating the agency’s role in President Trump’s immigration restrictions, CBS News reports. 

The review comes after four federal judges issued stays on Trump’s executive order, which bans travel to the U.S. from seven majority-Muslim countries. Members of Congress also have complained about the constitutionality of the travel restrictions.

Lawyers representing some of the stranded travelers said CBP and DHS workers ignored the judge’s orders.

In a statement, Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin called the executive order “rushed and poorly drafted.”

Other Stories of Interest

• Justice Department Agrees to Reforms for Baltimore Police Department
• Attorney Claims Detroit Terror Suspect Was Entrapped by FBI
• FBI Puts Pumps on Notice for Mardi Gras, NBA All-Star Events
• Man Charged with Posting Facebook Threats to Kill President Obama
• Border Patrol Agent’s Trial for 2012 Killing of Nogales Teen Delayed