By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The FBI is warning residents in several states about a terrifying scam in which mortified parents are told their child had been kidnapped and won’t be released until they pay ransom.

Calling it “virtual kidnapping for ransom,” law enforcement said a network of suspects in the U.S. and Mexico is extorting money from parents by convincing them their loved one was taken hostage, even though they weren’t, the Los Angeles Times reports. 

Valerie Sobel received one of the calls two years ago. The caller said. “We have your daughter Simone’s finger. Do you want the rest of her in a body bag?”

Following the alleged kidnapper’s demands, Sobel wired $4,000 to the caller to save her daughter. Turned out, her daughter was fine and never kidnapped.

Thousands of parents in several states have received similar calls.

The FBI said it can’t stop the scam with arrests alone, so the bureau is working with local police agencies to educate people on the scam.

Christopher Wray at confirmation hearing.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

A group of Democratic groups is urging the Senate to oppose the confirmation of Christopher Wray as FBI director until President Trump can assure lawmakers that he won’t fire special counsel Robert Mueller.

A letter addressed to key members of the Senate suggests President Trump “seems intent on thwarting special counsel’s investigation” into Russia’s interference with the 2016 presidential campaign.

“Before moving to confirm a new Trump-selected FBI Director, the Senate should be assured that President Trump and his White House will respect the independence of the FBI’s law enforcement function from White House interference,” according to the letter, signed by nine groups, including Citizens of Responsibility and Ethics, Common Cause and MoveOn.org.

It’s unclear whether the letter will have any impact. Wray has bi-partisan support after pledging independence during his confirmation hearing, and lawmakers are expected to approve the confirmation within a month.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

It certainly was a classic.

The 1980s-era FBI surveillance van included features such as a toilet, extra 12-volt vehicle batteries, TV monitors, video recording equipment, DVD players and hidden microphones on the exterior.

A North Carolina resident sold the 1989 Dodge Ram 350 on eBay for $18,7000.

1980s-era FBI surveillance van is for sale on eBay.

Ginger Senfeldas said he bought the 1989 Dodge Ram 350 on a government auction website.

“We found out that there’s microphones as we took the side markers out of the van, and there’s microphones hidden in headlights and taillights. That’s why there’s little holes everywhere,” he said.

Senfeldas said there also were handcuffs, binoculars and leftover video from an old stakeout.

The van, which only had 23,5000 miles on it, received 47 bids before the auction ended at 7 p.m. Monday.

President Trump

By Editorial Board
Los Angeles Times

It has been obvious at least since President Trump fired former FBI Director James B. Comey — a shocking decision that he acknowledged was done with “this Russia thing” in mind — that Trump is being driven to bizarre and desperate lengths by the FBI investigation into possible ties between his presidential campaign and Russia.

Now Trump’s aversion to the investigation he has wrongly characterized as a “witch hunt” has led him to savage his attorney general, Jeff Sessions. On Tuesday, the president continued that attack, in what is either a prelude to firing Sessions or an attempt to humiliate him into resigning.

Either outcome would make it easier for Trump to engineer the dismissal of Robert S. Mueller III, the former FBI director who is leading the investigation into Russian meddling with last year’s election, connections between Russia and the Trump campaign and “any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation” — including, quite possibly, financial transactions involving Trump and his family.

Trump’s ongoing efforts to impede the investigation through both public and private threats and irresponsible action are deeply inappropriate, to say the least. This is a test of character for Republican members of Congress. They must make it clear to the president that going after Sessions as a way of muscling Mueller will have consequences.

To read more click here.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Border Patrol agents detained a California teacher and her children for refusing to answer questions about her citizenship.

Shane Parmely, who is a U.S. citizen, said she and her children were detained for more than an hour.

Parmely posted videos of the confrontation with Border Patrol agents on Facebook, leading many to question whether she was within her rights or had an obligation to comply.

Shane Parmely refused to give her citizenship status to Border Patrol agents.

When asked by agents if she’s a citizen, Parmely responded, “You can ask me. I don’t have to answer.”

But the Border Patrol agent disagreed, saying she would “be detained here until you state your citizenship.”

Parmely told ABC 10News she refused to reveal her citizenship status in protest of Border Patrol agents routinely targeting anyone who is non-white.

“When you see something that is clearly racist, you have a choice,” Parmely told 10News. “We would have no civil rights if people didn’t question authority or challenge the status quo.”

Other Stories of Interest

• Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski Indicted in Connection to FBI Probe
• FBI Involvement Could Bring ‘Whole New Dimension’ to S.C. Statehouse Corruption Probe
• Former FBI Profiler Leads Authorities to Arrest Father in Dylan Redwine Case
• Trump Says Acting FBI Director ‘Got $700,000’ from Clinton. Is It True?
• Former FBI ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive Sentenced to 37 Years on Drug Charges