ROSCOMMON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A man living illegally in the United States has been arrested on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct following an investigation in Roscommon County, authorities said Monday.
The Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office said it launched an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving teenage girls from the Houghton Lake area. During the investigation, officials discovered that adult men had been communicating with multiple local teens, prompting the sheriff’s office to contact the U.S. Border Patrol and agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit.
On April 25, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at several properties in Roscommon Township and Houghton Lake. Authorities said six individuals were located during the operation, including three who were identified as being illegally present in the United States. Two were turned over to federal authorities, while the third — identified as Leocado Hernandez-Garcia, 33, of Mexico — was arrested on five counts of criminal sexual conduct.
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According to investigators, Hernandez-Garcia had previously been deported from the United States in 2014 and was expelled again in 2023 under Title 42. Authorities said he reentered the country illegally at an unknown date and location without being inspected by immigration officials.
Hernandez-Garcia was arraigned Monday in the 82nd District Court in Roscommon and remains in custody awaiting further hearings. Authorities stressed that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The sheriff’s office said no further information will be released as the investigation remains ongoing.
Assisting agencies included the U.S. Border Patrol, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, Gerrish Township Police Department, Richfield Township Department of Public Safety, and Roscommon Township Fire Department.
THIS IS THE ROSCOMMON COUNTY SHERIFF NEWS RELEASE:
04/28/2025
Criminal Sexual Conduct Involving Illegal Aliens
The Roscommon County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into an alleged sexual assault that occurred in Roscommon Township of Roscommon County. During the course of that investigation, investigators discovered that adult male subjects had been conversing with multiple teenage females from the Houghton Lake area. Investigators contacted federal law enforcement authorities including the United States Border Patrol and agents from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. Investigation showed that the suspect in this incident was in the United States illegally and residing in Houghton Lake Michigan.
On the evening of Friday, April 25, 2025, search warrants were executed at multiple properties in Roscommon Township, Houghton Lake, Michigan. We would like to thank the USBP, ICE HSI, the Gerrish Township Police Department, the Richfield Township Department of Public Safety, and the Roscommon Township Fire Department for assisting in these operations.
During these operations, six subjects were located at these premises. Three subjects were identified as being illegally present in the United States. Two of these illegal aliens were turned over to federal authorities at the scene. The third, Leocado Hernandez-Garcia - a 33-year-old man from Mexico, was arrested on 5 counts of criminal sexual conduct. An illegal alien from Mexico, he had been removed from the United States previously on two occasions. Hernandez-Garcia was deported from the United States in 2014. He was encountered again in 2023 and expelled under Title 42. He reentered the United States a third time at unknown date and location without inspection by an immigration official.
Hernandez-Garcia was arraigned on his criminal charges in the 82nd District Court in Roscommon on 04/28/2025 and awaits further hearings in the District Court. As always, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Please do not call for further information reference this incident. This is the only information that is being released reference this ongoing investigation.
ALPENA, Mich. — A new rule banning applause and other displays of emotion at Alpena Public Schools board meetings has sparked pushback from community members who say the policy infringes on their free speech rights.
The board recently adopted a policy prohibiting clapping, cheering, booing, or any demonstrations from audience members during meetings. Board President Eric Lawson said the restriction is meant to prevent disruptions and maintain order.
“We’re doing our best to show respect to you all and make sure you have adequate time for your comments,” Lawson said during a recent meeting. “Please show the board a little respect as well.”
Not everyone in attendance agreed. Several residents voiced frustration, including one woman who argued that clapping constitutes symbolic speech protected under the First Amendment.
“Clapping is a universal symbolic action that typically expresses approval,” she said. “Up until one week ago, clapping was a regular occurrence at these ...
Tensions flare at the Grand Ledge, Michigan school board meeting as parents clash over whether a teacher should be fired for a social media post about Charlie Kirk. Some demanded his removal, while others defended his right to speak out.
Tensions flare at the Grand Ledge, Michigan school board meeting as parents clash over whether a teacher should be fired for a social media post about Charlie Kirk. Some demanded his removal, while others defended his right to speak out.
The chants of “Charlie, Charlie” were echoed by a huge crowd during a vigil at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. charliekirk charliekirkvigil
The chants of “Charlie, Charlie” were echoed by a huge crowd during a vigil at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. #charliekirk #charliekirkvigil
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Enraged Father of Slain Woman Makes the Case for Keeping Repeat Criminals Behind Bars
“I will fight until my last breath for my daughter. You need to fight for the rest of our children, the rest of the innocents, and stop protecting the people that keep taking them from us, please.”
Those were the words of Stephen Federico, the father of a 22-year-old woman who was allegedly killed by a man who had faced 40 criminal charges in the years before her murder. He gave his impassioned testimony about the need for keeping more criminals behind bars at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Monday.
Federico’s heartbreaking testimony vividly highlighted one of the clearest reasons America’s Democrat-runcities face a serious crime problem: repeat offenders end up back out on the streets after being given countless chances by authorities.
It’s hard to listen to Federico speak about his daughter’s slaying and not be enraged. Click here to read more.
Ann Arbor’s Clean Energy Plan Cost Taxpayers Millions
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The city of Ann Arbor is spending millions of dollars to subsidize what it calls the “nation’s most aggressive climate plan.”
Ann Arbor wants its residents’ homes and businesses to be at “carbon neutrality” by the year 2030. So the city is subsidizing “pathways to decarbonize their homes and businesses.”
The city spent $2.3 million over the last 3 1/2 years helping 700 homes pay for the upfront cost of implementing solar energy.
Ann Arbor voters approved in November 2024 a “Sustainable Energy Utility.” The city described it as “an opt-in, supplemental, community-owned energy utility that provides 100% renewable energy from local solar and battery storage systems installed at participating homes and businesses in the city.”
The state of Michigan gave the city a $5 million grant to implement the Sustainable Energy Utility. Click here to read more.
Mormons Raise More Than $265K For Family Of Gunman Who Attacked Michigan Church
In the days following the attack in which four people were killed and eight more were wounded at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, Mormons who were grieving the tragedy did the unthinkable: They began raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the family of the man who shot and killed Latter-day Saints.
A Give SendGo fundraiser set up for the family of Thomas Jacob Sanford has raised more than $265,000, with many of the donations coming from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Washington Post reported. On Sunday, Sanford drove his truck into the building of a Latter-day Saints church in Grand Blanc Township before stepping out of the vehicle and opening fire with a semiautomatic rifle, according to authorities. Sanford was also suspected of setting a fire to the church building before responding police officers killed him. Click here to read more.
FDA approves new generic abortion pill, promoting backlash from conservatives
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Another generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Drugmaker Evita Solutions said the FDA signed off on its low-cost form of the pill, which is approved to end pregnancies through 10 weeks.
The company also noted that medical abortion “is 97% effective when Mifepristone Tablets, 200 mg is taken in combination with misoprostol.” It added that mifepristone blocks the hormone needed for pregnancy to continue, while misoprostol causes contractions to expel the pregnancy from a woman’s body.
The announcement prompted backlash from conservative politicians and groups on Thursday. Click here to read more.
Supreme Court urged to restore Fourth Amendment protections for digital data
The Supreme Court begins a new term next week. In the coming months, the justices will consider cases touching nearly every corner of American life. Among the cases the Court is being asked to take up is one presenting an important question about digital privacy: can the government demand access to your location data from companies like Google without a warrant based on probable cause?
That question is at the heart of Chatrie v. United States. The case arises from a “geofence warrant” which let law enforcement sweep up information about everyone near the scene of a robbery—including many innocent bystanders. Pacific Legal Foundation filed a friend of the court brief on behalf of an amicus client urging the Court to hear the case and restore crucial Fourth Amendment protections for the digital age. Click here to read more.
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Michigan to add 24% marijuana tax to fix the roads
Buying legal marijuana in Michigan will likely cost about 24% more starting next year, thanks to a tax hike meant to fill potholes.
Michigan’s political leaders have agreed not to shut down the state government over a budget impasse, but not all lawmakers are on board with upcoming tax hikes.
The statement claims that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, and House Speaker Matt Hall have agreed to pass a budget with road funding before Oct. 1.
The leaders agreed to pass the School Aid budget and state budget, including long-term road funding, before the end of the fiscal year.
Michigan Republicans and Democrats agreed to enact a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana. That tax will add to the already 10% excise tax for recreational marijuana and a 6% sales tax. Click here to read more.
Salvage crew finds $1 million treasure on 300-year-old shipwreck
VERO BEACH, Fla. - Over $1 million worth of silver and gold coins have been recovered from the remains of a Spanish fleet that sank off the Florida coast 310 years ago.
M/V Just Right Capt. Levin Shavers and his crew found over 1,000 silver coins, known as reales, and five gold coins, known as escudos, as well as other gold artifacts in the remains of the 1715 Treasure Fleet shipwreck during the summer salvage season.
“The best way I can describe it is if you lose something you really, really like and you’ve almost come to terms with it just never being found again, and then, all of a sudden, it shows up. It’s just such an awesome feeling,” Shavers said. Click here to read more.
Elon Musk shares Erika Kirk’s call to ‘go to church’
Elon Musk, a man who once quippedthat he’s OK with going to Hell because more people will be there, is now encouraging his followers to attend church.
Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, and CEO of the social media platform X, reposted a message from Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk on Sunday, in which she encouraged people to “Go to church.” Musk, who has taken a prominent role in American politics and public discourse since the first assassination attempt on Trump’s life, has identified himself as a “cultural Christian” in the past but has stopped short of fully embracing Christianity.
In a 2024 interviewwith Jordan Peterson, Musk explained, “While I’m not a particularly religious person, I do believe that the teachings of Jesus are good and wise and that there’s tremendous wisdom in turning the other cheek.” He also described himself as a “big believer in the principles of Christianity,” which he praised as “very good.”. Click here to read more.
Trump Uses Reagan-Era Policy to Ban Taxpayer-Funded Gender-Transition Surgeries
resident Donald Trump’s State Department will soon expand the scope of the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions.
“The department will soon take additional steps to close loopholes that allowed taxpayer funding for promotion of abortion in previous iterations of the Mexico City Policy and expand the scope of the policy to ensure every penny of U.S. foreign assistance prioritizes American values, not the woke agenda,” a senior State Department official told The Daily Signal.
The expanded policy will prohibit U.S. funding for gender ideology, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. For example, the State Department is ending a $2 million grant to fund gender-affirming operations in Guatemala.
The new provision restricts a broader range of nongovernmental organization programming, such as those for HIV/AIDS, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), maternal and child health, nutrition, and infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. Click here to read more.
Catholic Families Pledge to Hit the Brakes on Smartphones
For many parents, the dangers and downsides of giving their children smartphones — the time wasted scrolling online, potential exposure to inappropriate content, and the anxiety and depression that can come from social-media addiction — are obvious.
What is far less obvious to many parents, in a society saturated with smartphone use among adults and children alike, is how to say “No” when their son or daughter asks for one.
One Catholic-founded Texas-based group is attempting to offer a solution: banding school parents together under a pledge to keep smartphones and social media out of their kids’ hands, based both on a Catholic vision of the human person as well as scientific evidence about the development of the young brain.
It’s hardly a wonder why parents who decide not to give their children personal, internet-connected devices feel like outliers.
A 2025 study by Common Sense Media (CSM) found that 1 in 4 children in the U.S. are given a smartphone by age 8. A different study surveyed 1,500 kids and found that two-thirds were given their first smartphone when they were 10 or younger. Click here to read more.
Goodrich church says they had encounter with Grand Blanc Twp. Shooter
Goodrich church reveals new details about a recent encounter with the gunman.
GOODRICH, Mich. — A Michigan church is confirming that the man accused of opening fire at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township Sunday had a recent encounter just days before the deadly attack.
In an email to members, The River Church in Goodrich shared that Thomas Jacob Sanford, the suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting and fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Twp., visited its church on September 21 — a week before the attack. Church leaders say Sanford came with his family and spoke with staff about wanting to have his son baptized.
According to the church’s statement, Sanford became agitated during that conversation, though he showed no signs of physical violence and left without incident. “While he became agitated during that interaction, he did not show any indication of physical violence, and he and his family left without incident,” the statement read.
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Church leaders say Sanford had also rented space at the River Church back in 2015, when his family used the building for a fundraiser related to his son’s medical condition. They emphasized that the event was a simple facility rental, not part of church ministry.
Following the Grand Blanc tragedy, law enforcement conducted a full inspection of the Goodrich location and cleared it as safe. Officers also swept surrounding areas “in an abundance of caution.”
The church said it released this information “in the spirit of transparency” and to assure members that every safety step is being taken.
In its message, The River Church also expressed deep sorrow for the victims and their families, quoting Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
The email concluded by thanking security and medical teams who serve across the church’s nine campuses, noting that some members of its security staff are armed while serving. Leaders said a full review of safety procedures is now underway.
Background on the Grand Blanc Church Shooting
Authorities say 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford drove a pickup truck into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on Sunday, opened fire on worshippers, and then set the building on fire.
Four people were killed and eight were injured, including children and elderly victims. Investigators later discovered explosive devices inside the suspect’s vehicle. The FBI continues to lead the investigation, calling it a targeted act of violence.
Witnesses described the horrifying scene as worshippers scrambled to safety. The suspect was shot and killed by responding officers.
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