Business Strategy

Trial begins for suspect accused of killing a massage worker in 2022 [Video]
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Small Business Lifestyle

Trial begins for suspect accused of killing a massage worker in 2022 [Video]

A jury was selected, opening statements were made and evidence was looked over to be shown to the jury. This story not only left a mark on the community, but highlighted the horror Asian American business owners have had to live. Fear it’s an answer I got too many times when asking Asian American business owners about their experience owning a business in New Mexico. The owner of Koda Bakery was so afraid that she wouldn’t go on camera saying her business is constantly targeted and she feels helpless.Filmmaker Charlie Minn made a documentary in 2023 called “I Hate Asians,” which highlights violence against the Asian American community.”I use to live in Albuquerque, I use to work on the news there, it’s one of my favorite cities, but let’s be real here, there’s too many criminals living there ruining it for innocent people and families,” Minn said.Recent numbers from the FBI show the number of Asian Americans who have been victims of violent crimes has gone up between 2018 and 2022 in New Mexico. Although there was a slight decrease in 2022, that same year, a massage therapist in Albuquerque was killed inside of her business.”It really should be known to everybody that you’re living in a city where an innocent woman was shot 10 times,” Minn said. Police said Sihui Fang fought for her life in a shoot-out with two men. She was shot and died at her massage business.On Monday afternoon, the trial began for Juan Carlos Hernandez, one of the men charged in her murder. The trial reopened the wounds of many, including Fang’s boyfriend. “He has to be retraumatized and witnesses as well who worked at that complex,” said Minn, who met Fang’s boyfriend during the making of his film. “This trial is a joke if you ask me. This is a clear and cut case; just put these two criminals away.”In a statement from the Asian Business Collaborative, Kristelle Siarza Moon said, “After mourning the loss of our AAPINH employees and employers in the massage industry, the trial brings up a sobering reminder of the gender-based violence, human trafficking, and massive language access challenges of running a business in New Mexico as an AAPINH individual.” The second suspect was Jorge Ramirez, who was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and armed robbery earlier this year.Fang’s boyfriend is expected to testify in court Tuesday starting at 8:30 a.m. Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. You can download it here.

US attorney warns about teen sextortion and scams as school year begins [Video]
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Small Business Tips & Strategies

US attorney warns about teen sextortion and scams as school year begins [Video]

HIS NEXT COURT APPEARANCE NEXT MONTH. WE HAVE A WARNING TONIGHT FROM THE U-S ATTORNEYS OFFICE. IT COMES AS MOST STUDENTS IN THE METRO ARE NOW BACK IN SCHOOL. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER MATT FLEENER IS HERE. AND MATT, THIS IS ALL ABOUT KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE FROM SCAMS AND CRIMES. YEAH. KELLY IS EXACTLY RIGHT. ALWAYS VERY HARD TO KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING THAT KIDS ARE DOING ONLINE, BUT IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHOM THEYRE TALKING TO. YOUR KIDS ARE SEEING THEIR FRIENDS AGAIN. WITH SCHOOL STARTING, THEYRE PROBABLY TEXTING A LOT, PLAYING VIDEO GAMES AS A WAY TO UNWIND AFTER SCHOOL. NOW, THE U.S. ATTORNEYS OFFICE SAYS KIDS ARE OFTEN EASY TARGETS FOR CRIMINALS. THOSE CRIMINALS TRY TO EXTORT KIDS BY DEMANDING MONEY. AND SHES WARNING PARENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHO YOUR KIDS ARE TALKING TO ONLINE. THE PEOPLE WHO TRULY LOVE YOU ARENT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING. YOURE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH AND ARENT GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING THAT YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE IN TROUBLE FOR. NOW, IF YOUR KIDS SOMEHOW GET INVOLVED WITH A SCAMMER OR SOMEBODY WHOS TRYING TO DO SEXTORTION, CONTACT THE FBI. TAKE SCREENSHOTS AND WRITE DOWN USERNAMES. ALSO, NEVER COMPLY WITH THE PERPETRATORS DEMANDS THAT RARELY STOPS THE HARASSMENT. KELLY. AND IF YOU HAVE TIPS YOU WANT TO SEND TO THE FBI, HERES TH

Authorities arrest ex-sheriffs deputy who fatally shot a Black airman at his home [Video]
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Small Business Lifestyle

Authorities arrest ex-sheriffs deputy who fatally shot a Black airman at his home [Video]

A former Florida sheriffs deputy charged with killing a Black U.S. Air Force senior airman who answered his apartment door while holding a gun pointed toward the ground was arrested Monday, officials said.Former Okaloosa County deputy Eddie Duran, 38, was charged with manslaughter with a firearm in the May 3 shooting death of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille announced Friday. The charge is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.Duran was booked into the county jail Monday, records show. Marcille confirmed his arrest to The Associated Press.He did, in fact, turn himself in, Marcille said in a telephone interview, adding that Duran’s initial court appearance will be via video link Tuesday morning. He will be held in custody pending his initial appearance.An attorney representing Duran did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.Authorities say Duran had been directed to Fortsons Fort Walton Beach apartment in response to a domestic disturbance report that turned out to be false.After repeated knocking, Fortson opened the door while holding his handgun at his side, pointed down. Authorities say that Duran shot him multiple times; only then did he tell Fortson to drop the gun.On Friday, the day the charge was announced, candles and framed photos of Fortson in uniform graced the doorway of the apartment where he was killed.Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden fired Duran on May 31 after an internal investigation concluded his life was not in danger when he opened fire.Duran is a law enforcement veteran, starting as a military police officer in the Army. He joined the Okaloosa County sheriffs office in July 2019, but resigned two years later, saying his wife, a nurse, had been transferred to a Naval hospital out of the area. He rejoined the sheriffs office in June 2023.Okaloosa personnel records show he was reprimanded in 2021 for not completing his assignment to confirm the addresses of three registered sex offenders by visiting their homes, telling a colleague he didnt care about them. Then assigned to a high school as its on-campus deputy, he was also disciplined that year for leaving the school before the final bell and the students departure. Florida law requires that an armed guard be on campus when class is in session.Records of 911 calls show deputies had never been called to Fortsons apartment previously but they had been summoned to a nearby unit 10 times in the previous eight months, including once for a domestic disturbance.