Free Republic

State prosecutors have charged two more migrants as part of an investigation into the trafficking of narcotics and firearms into Chicago by suspected members of the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua street gang. The men are the fourth and fifth individuals known to be charged in the case. Judge Luciano Panici Jr. ordered Yefferson Camacho Cedeno, 27, and Jose Vasquez Hernandez, 30, detained, calling them “member[s] of a transnational criminal organization.” Camacho Cedeno is a Venezuelan citizen who is “not a legal resident of the United States.” He is charged with two counts of gunrunning and six additional charges tied to...

FORT STEWART, Ga. - A soldier who said he refused to return to duty because he opposes the war in Iraq left his unit as its job became more dangerous, his commanding officer testified Thursday. Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia, an infantryman with the Florida National Guard, is charged with desertion after failing to return to his unit in Iraq after a two-week furlough in October. He said his experiences in Iraq turned him against the war, and he claims he deserted his unit partly to avoid orders to abuse Iraqi prisoners. Capt. A.J. Balbo, the lead prosecutor, said in his...