TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2007 NATION The Item PAGE 7A 4 drug lords come to U.S. to face drug charges By JUAN A. LOZANO if convicted. Associated Press Writer HOUSTON With federal agents armed with automatic weapons standing guard on the courthouse roof, four drug lords who had been serving time in Mexican prisons were brought shackled into an American courtroom Monday to. face drug and intimidation charges.
Among them was Osiel Cardenas-Guillen, believed to be one of the kingpins most responsible for violence along the Texas-Mexico border in recent years, said Karen Tandy, chief of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. "This is the first time in the history of Mexico that they have extradited to the United States what amounts to a clean sweep geographically of the cartel leadership," Tandy told reporters by teleconference from Washington. The Mexican government was willing to extradite Cardenas Guillen and the other suspected drug lords because they had been able to continue their drug operations from within prison in Mexico, not because of U.S. pressure, officials said.
They were flown into Houston late Friday and early Saturday. They faced a federal magistrate under extraordinary security measures, including agents with automatic weapons perched on the roof and around the outside of the down- FROM PAGE 1A "This is the first time in the history of Mexico that they have extradited to the United States what amounts to a clean sweep geographically of the cartel KAREN TANDY U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration chief town federal building. Besides Cardenas-Guillen, the group includes Hector Palma Salazar, the suspected former leader of the Sinaloa cartel, and brothers Ismael and Gilberto Higuera Guerrero, former chiefs in the Arellano-Felix cartel in Tijuana. Cardenas-Guillen, a former federal police officer in Mexico, faces 17 counts of drug importing and distribution, as well as three charges of threatening a federal agent and one count of money laundering.
He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison Prosecutors said that the charges against Cardenas Guillen originate in South Texas, but that he will be held in Houston, 350 miles from the border, out of concern for witness safety and border protection. Cardenas lawyer, Robert Yzaguirre, said he hadn't had any time yet with his client. The Guerreros, who face drug and money laundering charges, and Palma, who faces a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, did not have attorneys with them. Along with the suspected drug kingpins, Mexico also extradited 11 people wanted in the United States on charges including murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping and sex crimes. They also appeared in court Monday.
In all, 12 made their initial appearances in federal coutt, while three appeared in state district court in. Houston. Most were set to have bond and arraignment hearings later this week. Cardenas-Guillen's was set for Feb. 1.
Once these hearings are done, the individuals are to be transferred to states where charges against them were originally filed, including California, New York and Colorado. Cardenas-Guilleni is to remain in Texas, as will two other people. The Guerreros and Palma are to be transferred to California. CONNECTOR FROM PAGE 1A Opponents say the bridge will harm one of the last remaining tracts of bottomland hardwood swamp and won't help residents in the way that Clyburn hopes. Some lake residents who oppose the bridge have been collecting signatures on a petition asking Clyburn to reconsider his support for the connector.
Members of the Low Falls Homeowners Association, on the south side of the lake, have collected about 3,000 signatures, impact on the district if lines were to be redrawn, specifically fiscally if the tax base should shift significantly. State Rep. David Weeks, D- Sumter, told the board though he isn't directly involved with the redrawing discussion he would make sure that fiscal impact is considered. District 2 Superintendent Dr. Frank Baker asked Leventis what criteria were being used in determining how to best redraw lines and if it would be primari- Born Oct.
6, 1925, in Foreston, he was a son of the late Ceth Smith Land and the late Rosa Lee Plowden Land. He was a retired GTE supervisor after 44 years; a member of First United Methodist Church of Conway; a member of Hut Bible Class; a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II; and a member of the Kiwanis and Pioneer Telephone Club. Mr. Land was a member of Horry American Legion Post No.
0111, where he served as adjutant for seven years and was a diligent worker. The 2003 American Legion baseball season was dedicated in his honor, and he was legionnaire of the year in 1994 and 1996, and received the Americanism Award in 1997 and 2001. Surviving are his wife of Sumter; three daughters, Ellen Taylor and her husband, Richard, of Manning, Mary Ann Land of Conway, and Nancy Hodge and her husband, Mike, of Easley; a sister, Martha Lee Johnson of Manning; three grandchildren, Melissa Land Koenig and her husband, Gary, Dr. Ryan Taylor and his wife, Dr. Virginia Taylor, and Carrie Ruth Hodge; and two great-grandchildren, Maya and Evan Koenig.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, John William Land; a brother, Ervin P. Land; and a sister, Clara Ellen Rodgers. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home in Manning with the Revs. Carl Harris and Jerry Cottone officiating.
Burial will follow in Manning Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Stephens Funeral Home in Manning prior to the service, and at other times at the home of Richard and Ellen Taylor, 1254 Tanglewood Drive, Manning. Memorials may be made to Hut Bible Class, 1001 5th Conway, SC 29526, or to Covenant Place, 2825 Carter Road, Sumter, SC 29150. Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory of Manning is in charge of arrangements.
VIRGINIA G. MURRAY Item file photo This aerial view shows where the proposed Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Connector between Lone Star and Rimini would run. SCHOOLS FROM PAGE 1A Young said the defendants have 30 days to answer the demands of the suit or the matter will go before a circuit judge. He said he thinks if the matter comes before a judge, it will be resolved before the end of the current school semester. Leventis said after Monday's meeting he wasn't sure what impact the court case would have on OBITUARIES BENJAMIN ANTHONY potential legislation.
He did say during the meeting that too many individuals in neighborhoods around Patriot Parkway and Wise Drive are experiencing difficulty in knowing which district they are zoned for or trying to attend a district for which they aren't zoned. "It's time to make some changes," he said. District 2 Trustees Karen Michalik and Edward Alston expressed concerns about negative Benjamin Anthony, nephew of Josephine Magazine, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, at Providence Memorial Hospital in Columbia. Born in Clarendon County on April 8, 1945, he was a son of the late Robert Anthony and Chestina Kennedy Anthony.
Private funeral arrangements were handled by Palmer Memorial Chapel. FLORENCE R. CLARK CHARLOTTE Florence Roberts Clark, 62, entered eternal rest on Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, at Hospice Home of Union County, Charlotte. Born Sept.
10, 1944, in Dillon, she was the daughter of the late Leroy Roberts and Catherine Marie Bethea. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 8124 Dover Dale Lane, Charlotte. Funeral services will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter. DOROTHY B. DICK CHILLICOTHE, Ohio Dorothy B.
"Dot" Dick, 90, of Chillicothe, died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at her residence following a brief illness. She was born Dec. 4, 1916, in Sumter, to the late Julian and Sallie Graham Bradford. On Nov.
14, 1942, she married Randolph M. Dick, who died July 26, 1988. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Patrick Burch of Colorado Springs, and daughter, DICK Sallie. Perry of Columbia; a grandson, Chad Alexander of Thornton, a sister, Margaret Glover of Sumter; and four nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Frances Kerlin.
Dorothy attended Lander College in Greenwood. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 'South Carolina and Virginia for her ballroom dancing. She taught ballroom dancing for more than 50 years in Chillicothe and previously in South Carolina. She had worked parttime for Ohio University-Chillicothe as a receptionist from 1971 to 1983. was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Chillicothe, where services were held at 11 a.m.
Saturday. The Carol Davis officiated. Burial followed in Floral Hills Memory Gardens. Calling hours were at Ware Funeral Home, Chillicothe, from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Adena Hospice, 111 W. Water Chillicothe, OH 45601. You may sign her online register at JOHN S. "JACK" LAND SUMTER John Smith "Jack" Land, 81, husband of Alma Ruth Daniels Land, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, in Covenant Place in Sumter.
The Associated Press The search for Jerry D. White, accused of abducting his former girlfriend and their four children on Saturday from this house in Elkhart, continued for a third day Monday with help from the Chicago police and the FBI. Police think missing mom, children are still alive ELKHART, Ind. (AP) Police he has friends and relatives. searching for a mother and her The 9-year-old, Jaylan Walker, four children, believed abducted requires the use of a ventilator by the woman's former boyfriend, every few hours, Wargo said.
Jaysaid Monday that they believed all lan's ventilator and inhalers were five were still alive but that one left behind when the family disapyoungster asthma. needed treatment for "We're severe concerned about all Detective Sgt. Bill Wargo said four children, but Jaylan ups the police had received reports of pos- ante a little bit with his medical sible sightings of Kimberly N. condition," Wargo said. Walker and the children from Police recovered two cars that other Midwestern law officers, but White used to get away, both in he would not elaborate.
Elkhart, police said. According to authorities, the White had not contacted relafather of the children, Jerry D. tives, a cousin told the Chicago White, 30, broke into Walker's Tribune. house early Saturday, shot and "We are all trying to locate him critically wounded her sister's and let him know that he is welboyfriend, and then fled with the come to contact us in some kind of youngsters and their mother. The way," said Brenda White, 45, of children range in age from 16 Chicago.
months to 9 years. "We want to find Jerry safe and Police said they believe White sound. We are afraid the worst will might have fled to Chicago, where happen to him on the street." FROM PAGE 1A mostly from residents of Clyburn's district, said Low Falls resident Jan Pittard. She said she's been surprised at the diversity of support the petition has received people of all races and from all walks of life have signed on, she said. "We were surprised at that.
You would think it would be more or less the fishermen that would sign it," she said. Contact Senior Staff Writer Leslie Cantu at or (803) 774-1250. ly based on the voting lines, as discussion last year had suggested. "That was the concept a couple of years ago," Leventis said. "That's certainly part of it." He said keeping neighborhoods together and students in close proximity to their schools are other factors.
Contact Staff Writer Mary Dolan at or (803) 774-1294. Mason Murray and Breanna Ramos; a special nephew, Dr. LeRoy King of Raleigh, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Mary Gilchrist of Sumter; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross at Stateburg with the Rev.
Richard B. Archer officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross Historic Preservation Trust, 335 N. Kings Highway, Sumter, SC 29154. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements. NANNIE D.
SMITH Nannie Duren Smith, wife of Leroy died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, at Tuomey gional Medical Center. Born in Jefferson on April 22, 1930, she a daughter of the late, Wylie Duren and Threat Duren. The family will receive friends at the residence, 311 Stark Sumter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete will be announced by Palmer Memorial of Sumter.
LARRY C. WATTERS Larry Cecil Watters, age 52, died Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, at his home. Mr. Watters was born Jan.
19, 1955, in Columbia, the son of the late Bennett and Laura Watters. He was self- employed as a carpenter. He was on the board of directors for Trinity Place. He was a member of Parkway Baptist Church, Columbia, Tenn. Survivors are Andy Hudson; a son, Jay Allen Watters and his wife, Tonya, of Columbia, one brother, Gary W.
Watters, of Columbia, and a grandchild, Storm. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert O. Watters, and a sister-in-law, Cathy P. Watters. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m.
Wednesday at Evergreen Memorial Park with the Rev. Richard Hudson officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles McEachern, Mark Davidson, Randy Norman, Dan Mazur, Joe Matthews, Richard Hudson Jr. and members of the ITW. The family will receive friends from 6 to, 8 p.m.
today at Bullock Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to E.P.C.H.H.A., the Larry C. Watters Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 296, Sumter, SC 29151. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.bullockfuneralhome.com.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements. WATER FROM PAGE 1A Duffie said he has no problem with the testing requirements outlined in the letter. DHEC is requiring the district to test for ethylene dibromide every month. If any trace of EDB is discovered, even traces below the maximum contaminant level, the district must replace the carbon filter. However, Duffie said he didn't want to comment on the portions of DHEC's letter that touch on DHEC's preferred solution to the problem, tying into the city of Sumter's system.
"The Department is disappointed that the (Wedgefield Stateburg Water District) has not completed an attempt to secure funding for the implementation of the (preliminary engineering report) that was approved on February 21, 2006 and that the (preliminary engineering report) was amended without Department approval," the letter states. The department and water district hold opposing views on whether the district completed its search for funding to tie into the city system. The department contends the district hasn't submitted a com- SUSPECT FROM PAGE 1A At the time of their arrest, authorities said the duo had taken $8,343 worth of items while doing $6,625 in damage to vehicles. Often striking in broad daylight and occasionally operating in the early evening, police think Lucky and Jackson, then both 19 years old, worked a number of parking lots including the YMCA, Patriot Hall, Wilder and Willow Drive elementary schools. Cars parked at businesses and churches were also popular targets for the pair, according to police records.
Once inside a car either through an unlocked door or a window the thieves took cellular phones and purses, police said. They kept the cash and valuables and threw away the rest. Jackson and Lucky pleaded guilty in January 2000 and were both sentenced to five years in prison by 11th Circuit Court Judge Marc H. Westbrook. Jackson's latest arrest, court records say, was on Dec.
20 for larceny. Authorities are warning Sumter residents to use caution when leaving their vehicle and belongings unattended. "Anywhere people and vehicles gather, there is a chance that a thief or thieves (are) waiting for an opportunity. The likelihood that someone has left a car unlocked or valuables in view is the attraction and challenge for those who steal. Patterson said.
There are those who steal as plete funding application to Rural Development, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while the district maintains it completed the application process. Shawn Clarke, the manager of the water supnly and recreational waters permitting section, said he still believes tying into the city system is the best long-term solution. "There is next to no maintenance involved in that," he said. The filtration system requires constant testing, he said, and the district will still be getting its water from the same contaminated source.
DHEC has yet to pin down the source of the contamination. The district has been pursuing the GAC system because it has the money to install it, and the GAC system can be functional sooner than tying into the city system. Operating the GAC system will also be less expensive than buying water from the city, Duffie said. Duffie has said he's researched GAC systems, and they've been routinely and successfully used in Florida since the 1980s. Contact Senior Staff Writer Leslie Cantu at or (803) 774-1250.
DICK Smith Re- was Ella Smith and Chapel pranks, authorities say, and then there are those, like Jackson, who use theft as a career choice. "For the more seasoned car thieves, stealing from motor vehicles is a way of life perhaps viewed as we view our jobs and professions. These criminals strike for cash, trade, or for a fix." the chief said. Sumter Police Lt. Alvin Holston said over the past few months Sumter has seen an increase in motor vehicle break-ins, with the majority taking place in parking lots.
Thieves, he said, are preying on unlocked vehicles or those containing valuables left out in plain 'sight. On several occasions, Holston said, authorities have recovered some of the stolen items, including bank and credit cards. Thieves, he said, have been able to use the cards because owners leave their personal identification numbers written on the cards or somewhere nearby. When you exit your motor vehicle, we urge you to carry your keys, purses, wallets and other valued items with, you. If you must leave them behind, do not leave them where someone walking by your vehicle can look inside and see them," Holston warned.
Authorities say simply paying attention to your surroundings can help deter thieves if you see anything or anyone that seems suspicious, call law enforcement. Virginia Gilchrist Murray, 91, widow of Nelson B. Murray died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Darlington, she was a daughter of the late Eldon D.
Gilchrist Sr. and the late Carrie Chandler Gilchrist. Mrs. Murray was a graduate of Lander College in Greenwood and was a former teacher at Furman and Manchester schools. She was member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross at Stateburg and was a former member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter.
Surviving are two sons, Nelson Burgess Murray III of West Melbourne, and Bruce A. Murray of Sumter; a daughter, Caroline Murray Teese and husband, Gregory, of Sumter; a sister, Lucy Cairney of Paradise, four grandchildren, Katrina M. Luksovsky and husband, Kyle, Todd D. Murray and wife, Paula, Roy Murray and Heather Murray; four great grandchildren, Kelsey Luksovsky, Katlyn Murray, Contact Staff Writer Crystal Owens at or (803) 774-1270..
