News Reader

A Rockwall resident has been charged with unlawfully possessing an unregistered firearm after allegedly importing Glock switches from China.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced the charge in a press release.

Joshua Javier Menjivar, 20, was charged via a criminal complaint on Friday and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Renée Harris Toliver on Wednesday.

“This defendant allegedly imported machinegun conversion devices from China and installed at least one of them in an untraceable ghost gun,” said Simonton.

“Whether manufactured abroad or printed here at home, switches are capable of firing a stunning amount of ammunition in seconds and are highly erratic – making them highly dangerous weapons. We cannot and will not allow these lethal devices to proliferate in north Texas.”

According to the complaint, Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted a suspicious package on May 16, addressed to Menjivar’s home.

The parcel allegedly contained four machine gun conversion devices, known as switches.

Further investigation revealed that from May 2023 to May 2024, approximately 35 suspicious packages were allegedly delivered to Menjivar’s address.

These shipments, at least one of which was allegedly sent by a known international firearms supplier, were listed as various items such as household tools, protective gloves, glass cups, hats, and clothing, and were addressed to fictitious individuals.

On June 10, ATF agents collected trash from a bin outside Menjivar’s home. Inside, they allegedly found a non-value gold metal commemorative bitcoin, an item often used to conceal switches by confusing x-ray machines, and packaging consistent with illicit firearms shipments.

Agents executed a search warrant on Menjivar’s residence on June 20, allegedly discovering a privately made firearm, known as a “ghost gun,” equipped with a switch.

Agents also found five additional switches, 72 rounds of assorted ammunition, two commemorative bitcoins, and various firearm accessories.

During an interview, Menjivar allegedly claimed ownership of the illegal items found in the residence and confirmed his knowledge of how the switches worked.

 “As this arrest proves, we weren’t joking a few weeks ago when we told you that we were coming for you. The possession or importation of machine gun conversion devices will eventually lead to a visit by ATF or any of our law enforcement partners,” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Boshek.

“I commend US Attorney Simonton and her team for their dedication to protecting the people of North Texas by aggressively prosecuting these cases. Further, I thank our partners at CBP who work tirelessly to keep Americans safe, a lot of times going unnoticed.”

The post Rockwall Man Charged with Importing Illegal Firearm Switches appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

The DEC Network at Redbird hosted the Black Women in Philanthropy 2024 event that brought together Black women philanthropists from across the DFW Metroplex.

Presented by the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation, the event gathered iconic Black women in non-profit leadership to discuss furthering their roles in philanthropy.

Attendees included leaders from various organizations who shared their experiences and strategies for making a meaningful impact in their communities.

The event featured panel discussions kicked off by Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew and included Tiffanie Rice of Comerica Bank, Dominique Bryant-Howell of The Chris Howell Foundation, and Martine Phillippe of the City of Dallas Office of Arts & Culture Department.

“We are encouraging the organizations that we serve to diversify their boards. It’s important to us to see the representation at the board level because we know the trickle-down impact is going to give positive benefits who are in the minority as well,” said Phillippe.

“We want to continue to build bridges from the city offices to the community so we always take advantage of these opportunities to have one-on-one or group discussions for folks that gets the opportunity to engage with us directly and ask the questions that maybe they haven’t had a chance to ask.”

The event provided networking opportunities, and workshops focused on fundraising, community engagement, and effective leadership.

Key topics included the importance of representation in philanthropy, addressing disparities in funding, such as unrestrictive funding, and building sustainable support systems.

“This is where you get fed, you get information, but you also find mentors, and even here we had funders. Building those kinds of relationships is going to help you. So when you’re starting out, you got to build networks and you got to get educated, you do those things it’s just a matter of time for your nonprofit to grow,” said Booker-Drew, board chair and founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation.

Booker-Drew further explained that for Black-owned nonprofits to receive funding, especially unrestricted funding, partnering with other organizations is essential.

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Smokey John’s BBQ, a beloved Dallas establishment known for its home-cooked southern favorites, is introducing a special offering for the Fourth of July holiday.

The restaurant, led by brothers Brent and Juan Reaves, has been serving hickory-smoked BBQ and local flavors with Texas hospitality for over 40 years.

To celebrate Independence Day, Smokey John’s BBQ is offering The Independence Day Pack, priced at $139.95 and designed to feed 6 to 8 people.

The pack includes a choice of one slab of ribs or two pounds of brisket, two whole chickens, two quarts of sides, a dozen rolls, one pint of BBQ sauce, and a gallon of tea or lemonade.

Orders for the pack must be placed by July 1st, with pick-up available on July 3rd. The restaurant will be closed on July 4th in observance of the holiday.

In addition to the holiday pack, Smokey John’s BBQ is offering a combo sale on its signature BBQ Sauce and BBQ Rub for $15.

These products are also available at Joe V’s and select HEB stores.

Customers can enjoy Smokey John’s smoky, summer specials and signature flavors as they prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July with family and friends.

The Reaves brothers have also signed an exclusive deal with the newly opened Joe V’s Smart Shop, a sister brand of HEB.

This agreement not only puts their BBQ Rub and coveted BBQ Sauce on Joe V’s shelves but also introduces their famous Banana Pudding to the grocery store aisles.

The pudding is a cherished family recipe from their grandmother and is now available at Joe V’s for $14.75.

For more information and to place orders, contact the restaurant directly or visit Smokey John’s BBQ website.

The post Smokey John’s BBQ Announces Independence Day Specials appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

The DeSoto Police and Fire Departments have released their call volume reports for the week of June 9-15, detailing a wide range of emergency responses and community services.

The DeSoto Police Department reported a total of 2,380 calls during this period.

The majority of these calls were neighborhood patrol calls, totaling 762.

Directed patrol followed closely with 430 calls.

Business calls accounted for 280, while animal-related incidents resulted in 75 calls.

Additionally, there were 53 calls regarding suspicious activity and 266 traffic-related incidents.

The DeSoto Fire Department responded to 239 emergency calls for service within the same week.

Of these, 180 were medical calls, highlighting the department’s crucial role in providing medical assistance.

The fire and rescue team handled 59 calls, which included 10 major vehicle accidents, 1 structure fire, 2 car fires, 1 RV fire, and 12 fire alarms.

71 of the 180 medical calls required additional assistance or manpower from a fire engine.

Both departments encourage residents to stay informed about safety protocols and to reach out in case of emergencies or suspicious activities.

For more information, residents can contact the respective departments through their official communication channels.

The post DeSoto Police and Fire Departments Weekly Call Volume Reports appeared first on DeSoto Tribune.

Hot styles were all the buzz at the Juneteenth Fashion Show at Plano’s Legacy West as multiple black local designers including young designers from Cedar Hill High School showcased their projects for Juneteenth.

The fashion show was a vibrant celebration of Black Excellence and Historical Legends.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Lexus Box Garden in Legacy Hall came alive with energy, electrifying the atmosphere.

Local designers, both established and emerging, took center stage as their creations shined and reflected a rich tapestry of culture and creativity.

One highlight of the evening came from Leah Frazier, CEO of Think Three Media awarding the first-ever Juneteenth Fashion Show $500 scholarship.

The scholarship was awarded to Jackson Sims from Cedar Hill High School.

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