A Valley High School student was critically injured in a shooting at a Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky bus stop, district officials confirmed.
Louisville Metro Police responded Tuesday at 7:58 a.m. to a teenage girl suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to University Hospital in critical condition.
JCPS confirmed in a statement to School Transportation News that the incident occurred at a school bus stop. The district did not release the student’s name or provide details about what happened immediately before the shooting.
“First and foremost, our thoughts remain with the student and her family, as well as everyone impacted by this troubling incident,” Barnard Baker, JCPS executive officer of communications and community relations, stated via email. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority.”
Baker said the district has provided staff and resources to those who may have been affected and is working with law enforcement and school officials to support students and the school community.
Questions about the student’s activities immediately before the shooting, whether other students were present, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain part of the police investigation, Baker added. He explained that the district’s jurisdiction is limited to its schools, buses and campuses, but said JCPS recognizes that student safety extends beyond school property.
“Bus stops are part of our students’ journeys, and we recognize the importance of working with our community partners to address concerns that extend beyond our direct responsibilities,” Baker stated.
Valley High School Principal Jennie Currin first notified families Tuesday that LMPD and JCPS Police were investigating near the Beech Street bus stop. She asked families to avoid the area and said the school implemented heightened security measures out of an abundance of caution.
In a follow-up message Wednesday, Currin confirmed that the critically injured teenager is a Valley High School student. She said the school had resumed normal operations after heightening security Tuesday.
“This is a devastating example of how community violence impacts our students,” Currin stated. “It is completely unacceptable, and our hearts are with the student, their family and everyone who loves them.”
Members of the JCPS Crisis Response Team and JCPS Police Department were on campus Tuesday and returned Wednesday to support students and staff, added Currin. The JCPS Violence Prevention team and LMPD were also at the school Tuesday. Specialized counseling resources will remain available for as long as needed.
LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said at an on-scene news conference that investigators were following leads concerning a suspect and urged community members to share any information they may have.
“We want to make sure that we bring justice to the people who perpetrated this act and make sure that we get dangerous people off the streets,” Humphrey said. Authorities have not publicly said whether the shooting was targeted or disclosed any possible relationship between the student and the suspected shooter.
“As the investigation continues, we ask that the privacy of the student and family be respected,” Baker stated. “Additional information will be shared when it becomes available and when it can be responsibly released.”
A 39-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly driving past a stopped school bus and hitting an elementary school student who was crossing the road to board the bus, reported WKYT News.
The collision reportedly occurred Aug. 20 at approximately 7:08 a.m. A school bus was stopped with its federally mandated stop arm extended and red lights flashing, when police said a vehicle driven by Ashley Parsons, 39, passed the bus and struck the child, who was not identified at this writing. Parsons did not stop at the scene.
The student was transported to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Scott County Schools, which began the new school year Aug. 12, identified the child as a student at Southern Elementary School.
Capt. Lewis Crump of the Georgetown Police said investigators used an image captured by a camera inside the school bus and tips from community members to identify and arrest Parsons within hours of the incident.
Parsons faces charges of aggravated driving under the influence, first-degree assault, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and passing a loading school bus.
“A school bus stop should never be a dangerous place for a child,” Crump said. “It’s extremely important that we pay attention to these school buses; they’re painted yellow for a reason, they have flashing lights on them for a reason.”
Scott County School leaders said staff members contacted the parents of students who were on the bus when the collision occurred. Students and classmates also made get-well cards for the injured child, which the school principal planned to deliver.
“We are thankful for the quick response and ongoing partnership with our local emergency service providers and the Georgetown Police Department,” the district said via the news report.
The incident occurred as Kentucky implements House Bill 7, a new school bus safety law that expanded stopping requirements for motorists and allows school districts to install stop-arm video cameras to document violations.
State Rep. David Hale, the bill’s primary sponsor, said the measure is intended to help identify drivers who break school bus stopping laws and place students at risk. Crump urged motorists to remain alert around school buses and allow children enough time to safely enter or leave the roadway.
Federal investigators search through bushes outside a house in Rhode Island. Violent crime in the United States fell by an estimated 9.3% in 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
Violent crime in the United States fell by an estimated 9.3% in 2025, marking the largest year-to-year decline in the national violent crime rate since the FBI began estimating crime in 1936, according to new national data.
The estimated murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rate also fell 18.1%, to 4.1 killings per 100,000 people — tying the lowest rate recorded since national estimates began. The rate matches those recorded in 1955 and 1956, according to the FBI.
The decline across major crime categories was broad. The estimated robbery rate fell 18.5%, aggravated assault fell 7.2% and rape fell 7.6%. Property crime also dropped sharply, declining 12.4% from 2024. Motor vehicle theft fell 22.7%, while burglary declined 15.8%.
The FBI’s figures are based on reports of crimes submitted by law enforcement agencies, meaning they do not capture offenses that aren’t reported to police. Participation in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program is voluntary, and agencies submit their data either through state programs or directly to the FBI.
In 2025, 17,075 law enforcement agencies submitted data, covering 96.2% of the U.S. population. Every city agency with populations over a million submitted a full year of data.
Crime statistics can be affected by changes in reporting practices and public willingness to report crimes, particularly as trust in law enforcement and government institutions varies.
An estimated 1.12 million violent crimes occurred nationwide in 2025, with the violent crime rate falling from 362.9 offenses per 100,000 people in 2024, to 327.6 per 100,000 in 2025.
The findings largely align with other recent estimates. The nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice, which analyzed crime trends in 40 large U.S. cities, found that 11 of 13 offenses it tracked, including homicide, declined in 2025.
The sharp drop in homicides has persisted in 2026. Data analyzed by the council shows killings continued to decline through June across the cities it tracks, putting the nation on pace for another historic low.
“The homicide drop is historic and crystal clear. But right now, what’s driving it is about as clear as a glass of milk,” Adam Gelb, the council’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
“Rates are falling in cities with very different public safety strategies, economic conditions, and political leadership,” Gelb said. “The consistency across the map should make us cautious about handing credit to any one leader, party, policy, or program before the evidence catches up.”
Experts say it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what is driving the declines. Researchers have pointed to a range of possible factors, including the normalization of social activity after the pandemic, changes in policing and violence-prevention strategies, demographic shifts and the unwinding of the factors that contributed to the pandemic-era crime surge.
The declines also began before President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, making it difficult to attribute the national trend to policies implemented by his administration.
Cities with populations between 500,000 and 999,999 recorded the largest drop in violent crime, at 15.3%, according to the FBI. Smaller cities also saw double digit declines in overall violent crime.
Nonmetropolitan counties saw violent crime decline 6%, the smallest decrease among the population groups analyzed. No population group recorded an overall increase in violent crime.
Cities with populations over 1 million saw a 1.2% increase in rape between 2024 and 2025, the only increase in a specific violent crime among the population groups.
The data shows continued declines in several crimes that had surged in recent years. The estimated motor vehicle theft rate fell to 197 per 100,000 people in 2025, a 23% decrease from 2024 and a 38.8% decline from its 2023 peak. The robbery rate, at 49.4 per 100,000, was the lowest estimated rate in 20 years. Burglary and larceny-theft rates also reached 20-year lows.
The FBI reported declines in arrests of juveniles as well. The number of people under 18 arrested for violent crimes fell 5% in 2025, from 39,117 to 37,156, while juvenile arrests for property crimes fell 12.2%, from 77,779 to 68,281.
By comparison, adult violent-crime arrests fell 1.7%, and adult property-crime arrests fell 3.8%.
Despite the decline in reported crime, law enforcement cleared less than half of reported violent crimes in 2025. Agencies cleared 47.4% of reported violent crimes through an arrest or exceptional means, while just 17.4% of reported property crimes were cleared.
Some crime rates also remain higher than before the pandemic. The 2025 aggravated assault rate of 238 offenses per 100,000 people, for example, was lower than recent years but remained higher than every year from 2013 through 2015.
The FBI said preliminary data indicate crime continued to decline during the first half of 2026. Compared with the same period in 2025, violent crime was down 10.6%, while murder and nonnegligent manslaughter fell 23%, rape fell 18.6%, robbery fell 19.6% and aggravated assault fell 7.2%.
The latest national figures provide the most comprehensive accounting yet of the sharp decline in crime that followed the pandemic-era surge. The FBI’s 2025 murder rate of 4.1 per 100,000 compares with a recent high of 6.6 in both 2020 and 2022.
This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Wisconsin Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
A 50-year-old Missouri man was charged with stealing a Liberty Public Schools (Kansas) bus after authorities said he broke into a district building, drove the vehicle to Independence and abandoned it as police closed in, reported KSHB News.
According to the news report, Clay County prosecutors charged Randolph L. Schmidt of St. James with second-degree burglary and stealing a motor vehicle. A judge set his bond at $75,000.
The theft reportedly began shortly after 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the district’s Support Services Building. Schmidt entered the building and took a school bus. Members of the district’s safety team worked with Liberty police to review surveillance video from the building. Authorities then used the bus’s onboard GPS system to follow its movement.
The district said via the article that the bus was recovered within an hour of the break-in after a coordinated tracking by school safety officials and police.
About 50 minutes after the break-in was reported, Independence police received a call about a school bus being driven recklessly. The caller reported seeing the bus heading south at about 7:50 p.m. Officers reportedly located the bus near Hidden Valley Road in Independence. The vehicle had been abandoned by the time the police arrived.
Police searched the surrounding area and reportedly found Schmidt nearby. Officers took him into custody. Authorities did not provide details about its route, whether the bus was damaged or whether anyone was aboard when it was stolen. No injuries were reported. Officials also did not say how Schmidt gained entry. No initial court date was announced.
A Shenendehowa Central School District bus driver has been placed on administrative leave after authorities accused him of trying to kiss a child he met through his job, reported CBS 6.
According to the news report, Donald Barnes, 49, of Malta, New York, was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child. Troopers received a tip Aug. 7 alleging that Barnes had inappropriate contact with a child. Investigators later determined that he tried to kiss the child on the mouth.
The incident reportedly occurred in Malta and did not take place on school property. Authorities said Barnes became acquainted with the child through his work as a district bus driver. Police did not release the child’s age or provide additional details about the circumstances of the alleged encounter.
District officials said via the news report that they learned of the arrest Saturday morning and immediately acted under district policies and procedures. Barnes works in a 10-month position and had no scheduled hours during the summer, officials said.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the district told local news reporters. “We take any matter involving the safety of our school community extremely seriously and will continue to take all appropriate measures as more information becomes available.”
The district said it could not release further information because the case is an active law enforcement and personnel matter.
“Because this is an active law enforcement and personnel matter, the district is limited in what additional information it can provide at this time,” officials said.
The district pledged to continue cooperating fully with investigators.
Police near Schenectady, New York arrested a school bus aide working for Rensselaer City School District after he allegedly exposed himself to a student with disabilities and engaged in inappropriate contact while the child was being transported.
Felton Edwards, Jr., 67, was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, or an incompetent or physically disabled person, involving sexual contact without consent, a Class E felony. He was also charged with public lewdness, a Class B misdemeanor, according to a July 31 press release from the City of Rensselaer Police Department.
Police said the department received a complaint July 17 from Rensselaer City School District Superintendent Joseph Kardash regarding allegations that a school bus aide had inappropriate contact with a student.
Investigators determined that the alleged incident occurred the day prior while a school bus was transporting the student within the city of Rensselaer. Police allege Edwards exposed himself to the student, touched himself in the student’s presence, and allowed the student to place a hand inside his shorts.
The police did not identify the student or disclose the student’s age, school or disability. It also did not indicate whether other students or adults were on board the bus when the incident occurred.
It is unclear how the allegations were initially brought to the superintendent’s attention, who operated the school bus or whether the vehicle had surveillance cameras.
Edwards was arraigned in Rensselaer City Court before Judge Linda Johnson and released. Edwards was ordered to return to court Aug. 5 at 8:30 a.m. A full stay-away order of protection was issued on behalf of the student, according to police.
“RCSD would like to thank the RPD for a swift response to this criminal activity,” the district said in a statement to local news reports. “We appreciate the partnership, communication and diligence every time that we call them, especially in this case.”
The district statement did not provide additional information about Edwards’ employment status, including whether he had been removed from service following the complaint. It also did not specify what steps, if any, the district had taken to review transportation procedures or support the student and the student’s family. School Transportation News reached out to the district but did not receive a response at this
A 23-year-old man was arrested after authorities said he recklessly drove an unregistered yellow school bus in southwest Miami-Dade County without a commercial driver’s license, reported Local 10.
According to the news report, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at about 3:14 p.m. Saturday tfollowing reports of a school bus being driven recklessly.
Deputies later located the school bus and identified the driver as Erick Anthony Moore, the report states. Moore was reportedly unable to provide information identifying the owner of the bus.
A records check reportedly showed that Moore’s regular driver’s license was suspended and that he had never been issued a CDL. Authorities also determined that the school bus was not registered. Additionally, deputies learned that Moore might have an active fugitive warrant. It was later confirmed that the warrant was active. Details about the out-of-county warrant, including the jurisdiction that issued it and the underlying allegations, were not immediately available.
Moore was taken into custody and issued traffic citations. He was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended license, operating a commercial vehicle without a commercial driver’s license, and operating an unregistered vehicle. He was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County.
Online jail records reportedly indicated that Moore was granted an $800 bond on the charges stemming from the school bus incident. However, he remained in custody without bond because of the out-of-county warrant. It is unclear whether any passengers were aboard the bus, where Moore obtained the vehicle or whether it was affiliated with a school district or transportation provider. Information about Moore’s next scheduled court appearance and whether he had retained an attorney was not immediately available.
A school bus aide in Pennsylvania has been arrested and accused of repeatedly touching a 14-year-old student with special needs while she was being transported to a summer education program.
According to a statement by the Bensalem Township Police Department, Ali Khan, 62, was charged with third-degree felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of minors, as well as two misdemeanor counts of indecent assault.
Police said the investigation began July 30 after the parents of a Bensalem High School student contacted authorities about an incident involving their daughter and Khan earlier that day.
Investigators allege that Khan allegedly touched the student inappropriately on numerous occasions July 29 and 30 while the school bus was traveling to Bensalem High School’s extended school year program. Such programs generally provide educational services during school breaks to eligible students.
Police obtained surveillance footage from inside the school bus as part of the investigation. According to the department’s statement, the video showed Khan directing the student to sit in a particular seat.
Once the student was seated, Khan allegedly draped his body across her while securing her seat belt and touched her inappropriately for an extended period, police said. Investigators alleged that he continued rubbing the student’s leg and inner thigh after fastening the seat belt.
The footage reportedly showed the student trying to close her legs and place her hands in her lap. Police alleged Khan pulled her legs apart and continued touching her despite those efforts.
Khan was also holding a cellphone in his other hand and appeared to record videos and take photographs of the student during the encounter, investigators said. The bus surveillance footage also allegedly showed Khan place a hand inside his pants and touch himself.
Police did not disclose whether other students or adults were on board the bus during the alleged incidents. The department also did not say whether any images or recordings were recovered from Khan’s cellphone.
Khan was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Gary Gambardella, who set bail at 10 percent of $500,000. Khan was then remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
In an Aug. 3 statement, Bensalem Township School District Interim Superintendent Victoria Velazquez identified Khan as a district support staff employee. She said district officials received the allegations July 30 and immediately activated established incident-response procedures and began an administrative investigation.
Khan was removed from service and the district immediately after officials learned of the allegations, pending the outcomes of the criminal and administrative investigations, according to the statement.
Velazquez said the district cannot comment on the specific allegations or discuss personnel matters because the criminal investigation remains active. The district is cooperating with Bensalem police and will continue its administrative review in accordance with applicable law, board policy and district procedures.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” Velazquez said. “Whenever concerns involving student safety are brought to our attention, we act immediately to protect students, support families, and cooperate fully with law enforcement.”
Police praised the student for reporting the alleged conduct and thanked the district for assisting with the investigation.
Police charged a 14-year-old New Jersey boy after he allegedly displayed a handgun to other students while riding home on a school bus. The investigation also led to charges against John Mutcherson, a man accused of failing to properly secure the firearm.
The Township of Hamilton Police Department said in a statement that officers received a report on July 29 that a student brandished a handgun while traveling home on a school bus. Officers and detectives immediately launched an investigation, identifying the suspect as a 14-year-old resident of Mays Landing.
The juvenile was arrested and lodged at Harborfields Juvenile Detention Center. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, third-degree possession of a firearm on school property, third-degree terroristic threats, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree aggravated assault, fourth-degree possession of a firearm by a minor and fourth-degree juvenile possession of handgun ammunition, according to police.
Authorities did not identify the school district involved or disclose how many students were on the bus at the time of the incident. Police also did not report any injuries.
According to the police department, investigators determined the handgun had not been properly secured inside the residence where it was kept.
As a result, investigators charged Mutcherson, 39, with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child by allowing access to a loaded firearm, fourth-degree tampering with evidence and a disorderly persons offense alleging minor access to a loaded firearm.
Mutcherson was released on a summons pending further court proceedings. Police did not specify the relationship between Mutcherson and the juvenile. Following the investigation, all firearms located inside the residence were turned over to police and secured, according to the department.
The incident highlights the importance of securely storing firearms to prevent unauthorized access by minors. New Jersey law provides criminal penalties in certain circumstances when children gain access to loaded firearms that have not been properly secured.
The investigation remains ongoing. Police have not announced whether additional charges are expected or whether any school disciplinary actions have been taken in connection with the incident. Because the suspect is a juvenile, police did not release his name.
A Gwinnett County school bus driver in Georgia was sentenced to five years in prison and lifelong registration as a sex offender after being convicted of masturbating on board his bus while students were present.
Steven Edward Wilkins, 67, was found guilty of six counts of child molestation and four counts of public indecency. He had worked as a school bus driver for students with special needs in the Gwinnett County School System.
The investigation reportedly began Feb. 9, 2023, after a parent walking her child to the bus reported seeing Wilkins behaving suspiciously.
Prosecutors said investigators reviewed footage from cameras installed on the bus. The video showed Wilkins using a tablet sexually stimulating himself while the bus was parked in the bus lane at Suwanee Elementary School.
The conduct occurred on at least four days between Jan. 31 and Feb. 9, prosecutors said. At least one student was on board the bus during each incident. Officials did not release the ages of the students or provided additional information about them.
The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office also noted that Wilkins portrays Santa Claus each Christmas at a local church.
A judge sentenced Wilkins to 20 years of close supervision by law enforcement authorities, including five years in prison. Following his release, Wilkins will be required to register as a sex offender for life and will be prohibited from having contact with minors.
“This is absolutely reprehensible behavior and will not be taken lightly,” Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson told local reporters. “We are committed to protecting all victims, particularly those who are most vulnerable. This defendant will be monitored closely for the next 20 years and held accountable for the rest of his life.”
Officials did not provide information about when Wilkins stopped working for the school district. The district’s response to the conviction was not immediately available. No other details about the court proceedings were immediately released.
Police arrested a 30-year-old man and charged him with setting fire to a charter school bus in Times Square as crowds celebrated the New York Knicks’ NBA championship victory last month, reported New York Post.
According to the news report, Jonathan Strahs was taken into custody July 20 at his residence in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. He faces one federal arson charge in connection with the June 14 fire.
Authorities allege Strahs entered the school bus on West 42nd Street at approximately 2:47 a.m., shortly after the Knicks clinched their first NBA championship in 53 years. The bus had reportedly been contracted to transport World Cup attendees between the Port Authority Bus Terminal and MetLife Stadium. No passengers were reported on board when the fire was set.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed Strahs entering the bus and leaving shortly before flames engulfed the vehicle, authorities said. The fire spread through the bus’s interior and damaged a nearby vehicle before responding firefighters extinguished it.
FDNY fire marshals reportedly determined that the blaze had been intentionally set. They worked with the New York Police Department’s Arson and Explosion Squad and ATF special agents to investigate the incident and identify Strahs as a suspect.
“This fire, set on a busy street during a night of celebration, put the lives of bystanders and first responders at risk,” Fire Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore said. She credited the participating agencies and fire marshals for following evidence gathered during what she described as an extensive and complex investigation.
“This arrest reflects the strength of our partnership with ATF and NYPD, and the diligence of our Fire Marshals,” she added.
Strahs was among dozens of people reportedly arrested in connection with disturbances that occurred as crowds gathered across New York City to celebrate the Knicks’ championship. Authorities did not provide information about Strahs’ next court appearance. No injuries were reported in connection with the school bus fire.
On rare occasions property is recovered following organized retail thefts, as was the case in this handout photo, from Lowe’s, shared with North Carolina lawmakers. States across the country are strengthening penalties and expanding law enforcement efforts to combat organized theft rings. (Photo courtesy of Lowe’s/Craig Dowdle)
From hijacked freight shipments to tampered gift cards hanging on store racks, states are responding to new forms of organized retail crime with a fresh round of legislation.
More than a dozen states this year have passed laws creating new criminal offenses, increasing penalties and establishing specialized task forces and advisory boards designed to better investigate and prosecute organized theft rings.
While organized retail theft has been a growing focus for state lawmakers in recent years, this year’s legislation reflects how the crime has evolved beyond traditional shoplifting. Many of the new laws target fraud schemes that authorities say are increasingly tied to organized criminal groups, including cargo theft, gift card scams and identity theft used to steal freight or merchandise.
In April, the Los Angeles Police Department announced the seizure of about $1 million in stolen merchandise, including products from brands such as ALO, SKIMS, Edikted, Ariat, Milwaukee, Ninja, Dyson and Duracell.
Investigators recovered 55 pallets of stolen commercial and train cargo from a Van Nuys warehouse, according to a news release. The stolen merchandise was tied to an e-commerce scheme involving the resale of stolen goods through the livestream shopping platform Whatnot.
Reported shoplifting increased 4% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to the nonpartisan think tank Council on Criminal Justice’s latest crime trends report. Across the 18 cities included in the analysis, shoplifting rates were about 5% higher than in 2019 and reached their highest level in the nine-year period tracked by the group.
Still, monthly rates were mostly similar to 2025, with the largest year-over-year increases occurring in February and April. This data only captures incidents reported to police and likely undercount the overall level of shoplifting.
“The number of shoplifting incidents has been declining in the last several years, but the amount stolen per incident has been increasing,” said Marc Levin, the council’s chief policy counsel.
“Shoplifting rings have gotten more and more sophisticated,” he said, adding that some operations have reportedly hacked into the computer systems that dispatch trucks carrying merchandise to retailers, redirecting the shipments to steal the goods before they are delivered.
Harsher penalties
Several states expanded criminal penalties or gave prosecutors new tools to pursue organized retail theft cases this year.
In Tennessee, Republican Gov. Bill Lee in May signed into law a measure creating a registry of people convicted of retail theft or organized retail crime, including attempted offenses and conspiracies. The registry is only available to law enforcement.
The new law, which took effect earlier this month, also increases penalties for offenders who commit retail theft while carrying a firearm, ammunition or a firearm accessory, possess anti-theft jamming devices or use disguises or fake license plates during a theft. Certain violations now carry mandatory minimum jail sentences.
A new Wisconsin law allows prosecutors to aggregate multiple retail theft offenses when determining criminal penalties and increasing sanctions for repeat offenders.
Two new laws in Wyoming, both of which went into effect this month, increased penalties for repeat theft offenders and created the new offense of absconding for criminal purposes, aimed at people who cross county or state lines to commit additional crimes or conceal stolen property.
In Oklahoma, a new law broadens the state’s organized retail crime and identity theft statutes by expanding the types of fraud covered and closing loopholes involving elderly people and minors.
Cargo theft
Lawmakers also turned their attention to cargo theft as freight theft has become increasingly sophisticated and costly for retailers and supply chains.
In April, Lee, of Tennessee, signed another piece of legislation creating a legal definition for fraudulent freight theft. The law, which is already in effect, covers schemes involving fake identities used to obtain shipments, illegally rerouted freight and unauthorized transfers of cargo. It also requires local law enforcement agencies to investigate those reports as theft crimes, even if the offense originated elsewhere.
Semi-trucks are parked behind a gas station in northern Pennsylvania. States’ efforts include trying to combat organized theft rings that steal or reroute cargo trucks. (Photo by Amanda Watford/Stateline)
Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation in March creating sentence enhancements of up to 10 years for organized cargo theft, with offenders ineligible for early release on the enhanced portion of their sentence.
Arizona created a cargo theft task force within the state attorney general’s office under legislation signed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in June.
California lawmakers are still considering legislation that would establish a statewide cargo theft task force within the state attorney general’s office. The bill is still under consideration in the Senate, but lawmakers have until November to act.
State officials last month announced that previous investments, including funding for local law enforcement agencies and legislation aimed at strengthening the state’s response to organized retail theft, have resulted in more than 32,000 arrests and nearly $260 million in recovered stolen goods since October 2023.
Michigan lawmakers also are still considering two pieces of legislation that would increase penalties for cargo theft. The bills cleared the House earlier this year. The legislature adjourns in December.
Gift card fraud
Gift card fraud also emerged as a growing concern this year as lawmakers responded to scams involving tampered cards and stolen account information.
Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation in May creating new crimes for gift card theft, forgery and fraud. The law took effect this month. New laws in Virginia and West Virginia also established gift card fraud as a criminal offense.
Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed legislation in June creating the Retail Theft Prevention Advisory Board within the Department of Public Safety. The board will oversee grant funding, collect statewide data on organized retail theft and gift card fraud, and develop policy recommendations in coordination with state and federal partners.
In Maryland, a new law going into effect in October will prohibit people from altering or tampering with gift cards or their packaging with intent to defraud. The law also establishes how gift cards are valued when determining theft charges.
Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation in February that allows prosecutors to charge people under the state’s financial card crime laws for illegally obtaining or using gift cards to acquire money, goods or services.
This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Wisconsin Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
A northern Minnesota woman was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty in connection with a 2024 crash that injured 21 students and a school bus driver, reported KSTP News.
According to the news report, Svea Lynn Snickers, 20, was sentenced Monday to three years of supervised probation after previously pleading guilty to two counts of criminal vehicular operation stemming from the Sept. 12, 2024, crash involving a Hibbing school bus.
As part of her sentence, Snickers must reportedly complete 200 hours of community service. According to the terms of her probation, she will receive two hours of community service credit for every hour she spends speaking publicly about the dangers of distracted driving. She was also ordered to pay $10,267.38 in restitution.
The crash reportedly occurred at the intersection of Highway 5 and Townline Road when Snickers, driving a Toyota RAV4, ran a stop sign and struck the side of the school bus. The impact caused the bus to skid sideways before rolling into a ditch.
Authorities said via the article that 21 students were injured in the crash, and 10 of them, along with both drivers, were transported to a hospital for treatment. No fatalities were reported.
Investigators reportedly determined that Snickers had been recording a video on Snapchat in the moments leading up to the collision. During an interview with Minnesota State Patrol troopers, she admitted to using the social media app immediately before the crash.
Following sentencing, Snickers expressed remorse for the incident, telling local news reporters that she wished the crash had never happened.
During the sentencing hearing, a parent of one of the injured students addressed Snickers directly, offering forgiveness.
“We are not mad at you. We forgive you,” the parent said. “We know this was an accident, and you’ve learned many life lessons.”
The case serves as another reminder of the dangers of distracted driving, particularly around school buses transporting students.
A Maryland man was arrested after he allegedly stole a privately owned school bus and drove it through a red light before striking a curb, reported Yahoo news.
According to the news report, officers first noticed the school bus at approximately 10:30 a.m. July 19 after the driver allegedly failed to stop at a red light at an intersection in Waldorf, Maryland.
Officers reportedly initiated a traffic stop. As the driver pulled the school bus over, he struck a curb and caused damage to the front of the vehicle. The extent of the damage was not immediately disclosed.
When officers approached the school bus, they reportedly found the driver alone inside. No passengers or students were on board the bus at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported. The driver was identified as 34-year-old Joseph Andrew Townsend of Waldorf.
Investigators accuse Townsend of entering a privately owned school bus lot, locating the keys to one of the buses and driving away with the vehicle. Officials did not identify the company that owns the bus or disclose where the lot was located.
It was also unclear how long the bus had been missing before officers spotted it or whether the vehicle had been reported stolen before the traffic stop. Townsend was reportedly arrested and charged with theft of property valued at more than $25,000. He was held without bond following his arrest. The investigation remained ongoing.
A 20-year-old New York man has been indicted on felony charges after allegedly pointing a handgun at a school bus carrying three children with special needs during a road rage incident earlier this year, reported Mid-Hudson News.
According to the news report, a Westchester County grand jury indicted Michael Alarcon of Mahopac on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and endangering the welfare of a child.
The incident reportedly occurred Feb. 4 on the Taconic State Parkway in the town of Mount Pleasant. Authorities allege Alarcon pointed what appeared to be a pistol at the school bus driver while the driver was transporting the three children.
New York State Police located Alarcon later that day and took him into custody. During the investigation, authorities reportedly recovered a .22-caliber handgun equipped with a green laser and a weapon-mounted light.
No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. “The defendant’s actions were egregious,” Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said via the article “The fact that the victims were special needs children only amplifies the recklessness. Thankfully, he was quickly apprehended, and no one was injured.”
According to the report, the most serious charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison if Alarcon is convicted. He was 19 when he was arrested following the alleged incident and is now 20. The indictment follows Alarcon’s initial arrest and arraignment in Febuary. He remains free on bail while the case proceeds and is scheduled to return to court Oct. 14.
Progress is possible, and Milwaukee’s decline in violent crime in recent years suggest it’s happening.
Advocates and violence prevention workers say keeping crime trending down depends on investment in the trusted relationships that make violence less likely.
Examples of investments that can create tangible alternatives to violence, they said, are mentorship instead of isolation, employment instead of boredom and community instead of retaliation.
At the center of it all is trust, said Reggie Moore, director of community safety, policy and engagement for the Comprehensive Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
“Trust is universal,” Moore said. “Trust is the door opener.”
Mayor Cavalier Johnson discusses crime trends for the first half of 2026 during a press conference on July 7, 2026, at the Milwaukee Police Administration Building, 951 N. James Lovell St. Behind him, from left, are Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern, Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Karin Tyler, director of the Milwaukee Department of Community Wellness and Safety. (Devin Blake / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
City and county leaders highlighted declines in violent crime on July 7 as they presented data for the first half of 2026.
Compared with the first half of 2025, homicides fell 30%, nonfatal shootings fell 27%, and carjackings fell 34%.
“Milwaukee is a safer community,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “This continues a multiyear trend that is very positive news.”
Karin Tyler, director of the city Department of Community Wellness and Safety, said the progress reflects years of collaboration among law enforcement, violence prevention organizations, community groups and residents.
“Milwaukee is making progress, and that progress belongs to all of us,” Tyler said.
Aziz Abdullah, far right, stands next to Common Council President Jose Perez as he speaks to teens during a pop-up anti-violence event on Milwaukee’s South Side on July 8, 2026. (Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
Aziz Abdullah, co-founder of INPOWER Solutions, said he doesn’t want to gloss over the progress or take it for granted.
“Lives are being protected, and that should not be overlooked,” Abdullah said.
Moore pointed to reductions in retaliatory shootings, group-based gun violence and youth-related gun violence as signs of progress.
He said programs such as 414LIFE intentionally focus on the people and neighborhoods at highest risk of gun violence.
‘We don’t shoot up stuff’
Vaun Mayes, a community organizer and violence interrupter with the city’s Department of Community Wellness and Safety, said he sees these interventions firsthand every day.
“We also get to see the changes in some of the key players who are even doing a bit of self-control and self-policing,” Mayes said.
He described one instance at a block party where two groups were in conflict and one group was armed.
Mayes said he heard one of the young men say, “Aye, we don’t shoot up stuff where it’s kids at.”
Community violence intervention workers de-escalated the conflict, and the result, Mayes said, was that no one was shot.
“That’s one of maybe over a dozen incidents in the past two months I can give you,” he said.
Looking forward
Teens gather in a parking lot on Milwaukee’s South Side on July 8, 2026, as part of a pop-up anti-violence event. (Edgar Mendez / Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service)
Violence prevention workers and local leaders said the local efforts are by no means complete.
“We still have work to do,” Tyler said.
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman pointed to violence on the Fourth of July weekend as an example.
Moore said what’s needed is more employment and educational opportunities and helping people develop the skills to resolve conflicts without violence.
Bridget Whitaker, executive director of Safe & Sound, said residents continue to express concerns about reckless driving, youth conflicts, neighborhood safety and other quality-of-life issues.
“Ultimately, the goal isn’t simply fewer crimes on a dashboard,” Whitaker said in an email. “It’s creating neighborhoods where people feel comfortable sitting on their front porch, children can safely walk to the park, businesses can thrive and neighbors know and look out for one another.”
Barbed wire and fences surround the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School, a juvenile detention center in Maryland. The state’s recent changes to its juvenile justice laws aim to reduce the number of young people entering the adult criminal justice system while expanding rehabilitative services. (Photo by Amanda Watford/Stateline)
A teenager charged with the same crime can face dramatically different consequences depending on where they live.
In one state, a young person accused of a serious offense may be sent to a juvenile facility focused on treatment and rehabilitation. In another, they could face adult criminal proceedings, a permanent record and the possibility of an adult prison sentence.
This year, more than half a dozen states, including Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri and Utah, have passed new laws reshaping their juvenile legal systems. While some have adopted measures designed to divert more young people from incarceration, others have sought to impose stiffer penalties and expand prosecutors’ authority to pursue adult charges.
The opposite tacks underscore an increasingly fractured approach to juvenile justice nationwide.
The new laws also come as states grapple with how to respond to serious crimes committed by children while weighing decades of research suggesting adolescents are more capable of rehabilitation than adults.
Videos of youth-involved assaults, carjackings and large gatherings sometimes called “teen takeovers” frequently spread online, fueling renewed debate over whether tougher punishments or expanded diversion programs are the better path to improving public safety.
In Hawaii, for example, a new law signed in June by Democratic Gov. Josh Green requires judges to consider a child’s history of trauma before deciding whether to transfer a juvenile case to adult court. The law, which took effect immediately upon Green’s signature, also prohibits minors who are victims of sex trafficking or sexual assault from being prosecuted as adults for crimes committed as a result of their exploitation.
Research suggests that incarcerating children and teens in adult prisons, where they may face lengthy sentences and restrictive conditions, can increase the risk of reoffending.
“It wasn’t a question of whether kids had been traumatized, but actually how many traumas they’d experienced,” said Sara Thomas, a research assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University, referring to research that found young people held at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center in Chicago had experienced a median of six traumatic events.
Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed into law in March a measure that, when it takes effect in August, will overhaul parts of the state’s youthful offender system by requiring trauma-informed care, individualized treatment plans, therapy and reentry-focused programming.
A new law in Minnesota, which also takes effect in August, will raise the minimum age at which a child can enter the juvenile justice system for an offense from 10 to 13. The change stems from legislation passed in 2024.
Once it takes effect, Minnesota will become one of only three states with a minimum age of delinquency set at 13, joining Maryland and New Hampshire, according to the National Youth Justice Network, an advocacy and research organization.
Other states are moving in the opposite direction, giving prosecutors and courts more authority to pursue adult penalties in serious cases and arguing that violent offenses require stronger consequences, regardless of a defendant’s age.
In Missouri, a new law will give prosecutors more authority to seek adult charges against young people. Previously, only a juvenile officer or court could request a hearing to transfer a case to adult court. The law also narrows the offenses eligible for adult prosecution to Class A and Class B felonies, such as homicide, first-degree burglary and certain sex offenses, while requiring juvenile records and fingerprints to be added to the state’s criminal history database.
“Missouri must address the revolving door for repeat violent offenders –– and that includes juveniles,” Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a news release.
Mississippi also expanded the circumstances under which young people can face adult charges. A new law effective this month requires 13-year-olds to automatically be tried in adult court for most violent crimes committed while possessing a firearm, even if the firearm was not used. The law prohibits children younger than 13 from being held responsible in adult court for misdemeanors or felonies, though parents or guardians may face civil liability.
A changing landscape
Beginning in the 1990s, amid concerns over violent youth crime, many states expanded laws that allowed more juveniles to be prosecuted as adults.
But as juvenile crime declined over the following decades and research on adolescent brain development grew, many states began reconsidering those policies. Research suggests that the parts of the brain involved in impulse control, decision making and evaluating long-term consequences continue developing into early adulthood.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed the Youth Charging Reform Act into law in May 2026, altering how the state handles juvenile jurisdiction, detention, and confinement. The law, which goes into effect in October, limits when children younger than 13 can be charged with crimes and establishes new reporting metrics to track youth outcomes.
The new law preserves automatic adult court jurisdiction for teens 16 and older accused of offenses punishable by life imprisonment, including homicide and rape. Judges will retain the authority to transfer 14- and 15-year-olds accused of those same life-punishable offenses to adult court under the state’s existing transfer procedures.
The law also tightens detention rules, requiring intake officers to authorize the detention of any child 16 or older accused of a handgun violation or violent crime. By October 2029, children will be barred from being held in adult correctional facilities.
Supporters said the changes recognize that young children who engage in delinquent behavior often have unmet mental health, educational or family needs that are better addressed through services than incarceration.
“This progress brings us closer to ensuring that hundreds of young people in Maryland are met with support and services in the juvenile system, rather than being routed into a process that leads to worse outcomes for both youth and public safety,” state Democratic Sen. Will Smith Jr., the bill’s primary sponsor, said in a news release.
The Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association views the new law as a step backward, arguing that the state Department of Juvenile Services is not equipped to handle young people accused of violent and repeat offenses.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, the association’s president, also criticized the state’s juvenile legal system in a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “broken,” just weeks after a multi-jurisdictional crime ring investigation that led to charges against five teens. “We cannot continue sending children back into a broken system and expect them to be rehabilitated while also expecting our communities to remain safe,” Bates wrote.
Supporters of changes like Maryland’s new law argue that adult convictions can create long-term barriers to employment, housing and education, making it harder for young people to successfully transition into adulthood. Juvenile records are generally confidential.
“Transfer of youth to adult court is bad public policy,” said Mary Ann Scali, the executive director of The Gault Center, a national organization that trains and supports defense attorneys who represent young people in court. “It causes more harm and does not lead to better outcomes for young people or communities.”
Sarah Johnson, senior youth defense counsel with The Gault Center, said research does not support the argument that moving children into adult court improves public safety.
“Transfer does not increase public safety. Transfer increases recidivism. Transfer traumatizes young people because they’re now placed in an adult facility,” Johnson said, noting that children may face heightened risks of physical and sexual abuse from other incarcerated people and staff.
A 2007 review by the Community Preventive Services Task Force, a panel established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assess the effectiveness of community-based prevention programs and policies, found that transferring young people to adult court did not reduce reoffending and was associated with higher rates of recidivism.
From the peak in youth arrests in 1996 to 2024, the latest year with available data, youth arrests have declined by about 83%, according to federal data. While the number of estimated youth arrests increased between 2021 and 2023 during the COVID-19 pandemic, they fell again in 2024, which is lower than pre-pandemic levels.
In 2024, children and teens accounted for 6.8% of all arrests, according to the latest crime statistics maintained by the FBI. They made up about 10% of arrests for violent crimes and 9.5% of arrests for property crimes.
Quotation
I’m looking for any way possible to try and solve this issue of unruly juveniles.
– North Charleston, S.C., Police Chief Ron Camacho
Despite the long-term decline in youth arrests, states continue to debate how to handle the small percentage of young people involved in serious offenses — and what approaches are most effective at preventing future crime.
In Utah, lawmakers approved a measure allowing judges to send someone convicted of aggravated murder to adult prison if the person was 17 at the time of the offense and turns 18 before sentencing. The law also expands the state’s collection of recidivism data, including information on arrests and jail time.
Kansas, meanwhile, moved in the opposite direction this year, rolling back parts of a 2016 legislative package designed to reduce youth confinement. A new law, which was adopted in April, creates additional residential placements, expands detention requirements for some youth accused of firearm offenses and repeat offenses, and increases possible sentences for youth who use firearms during crimes.
Accountability and public safety
While some experts emphasize rehabilitation and keeping young people out of the adult system, others argue that accountability and public safety must remain central goals — particularly when young people commit serious violent offenses. They argue that rehabilitation should not come at the expense of accountability and that the justice system must address the harm caused to victims and communities.
In 2024, Louisiana and North Carolina both passed laws expanding the circumstances under which older teens can face adult criminal proceedings.
In Louisiana, a law pushed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry rolled back the 2017 “Raise the Age” law that had moved most 17-year-olds into the juvenile justice system while allowing prosecutors to seek adult charges in individual cases. The new law requires all 17-year-olds accused of crimes to be processed through the adult criminal justice system, removing that case-by-case discretion.
As the state has embraced a more punitive approach, it has also seen the cost of its juvenile legal system rise — as well as the number of young people behind bars.
Louisiana also is expanding its youth prison capacity, with plans to open a new 56-bed juvenile facility in Vernon Parish and add 36 beds at the Jetson Center for Youth in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Some youth advocates say the expansion risks exposing more young people to the harms associated with incarceration.
“When you build a jail, you find a way to fill them,” said Alaina Bloodworth, the executive director of the Black Public Defender Association. Bloodworth previously served as a public defender in Baton Rouge for seven years. “We’re just really going backwards.”
In North Carolina, a 2024 law requires 16- and 17-year-olds charged with Class A through E felonies to begin their cases in adult criminal court rather than juvenile court, reversing a previous effort to raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction. The change has contributed to a sharp increase in the share of youth in detention who are facing adult charges, rising from 39% in 2024 to 65% in 2025, according to the state’s annual report on juvenile justice.
The debate over how to balance accountability and rehabilitation has also been shaped by high-profile incidents involving young people that receive widespread attention online. Viral videos of youth assaults, carjackings and large gatherings have fueled public pressure for tougher approaches to youth crime.
In South Carolina, a Fourth of July city-permitted neighborhood block party in North Charleston drew national attention after videos of the incident spread online. Police said the gathering turned violent, with reports of fights, gunfire and fireworks being fired at vehicles. Officers recovered four firearms, including two automatic weapons, as well as a “makeshift spear,” according to local police.
Two female police officers were injured while attempting to break up fights, and seven people, including four teenagers, were arrested, according to local police.
“We need some help from the community because stuff like this is getting dangerous,” North Charleston police Chief Ron Camacho said during a news conference.
“I’m looking for any way possible to try and solve this issue of unruly juveniles.”
This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Wisconsin Examiner, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating two separate incidents involving the theft or attempted theft of catalytic converters from school transportation vehicles in Franklin County, with charges pending against one suspect in one of the cases, reported Tri-State News.
Police said via the article that Shawn Jordan, 38, of Hagerstown, Maryland, is expected to face charges after investigators identified him as one of the suspects in an attempted catalytic converter theft at the Chambersburg Area School District transportation facility on Cider Press Road in Guilford Township.
According to the news report, the incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. June 9. Investigators allege Jordan attempted to steal catalytic converters from a white 2025 Ford van and a white 2018 Ford van owned by the school district. The transportation hub is located near Falling Spring Elementary School.
State police reportedly said charges will be filed through Magisterial District Judge 39-3-07. Court records had not yet reflected formal charges as of the latest update. The investigation is being conducted under the Pennsylvania State Police Department.
In a separate case, PSP is reportedly investigating the theft of catalytic converters from two vehicles owned by DL Friese Transportation in Hamilton Township. Troopers were notified shortly before 7 a.m. May 11 that catalytic converters had been stolen from a school bus and a box truck parked at the company’s lot on Lincoln Way West near Chambersburg. The theft resulted in an estimated loss of about $1,600.
No arrests have been made in that case, which remains under investigation. State police are asking anyone with information about the theft to contact the PSP Chambersburg station.
Catalytic converter thefts have become a recurring concern for vehicle owners. School districts and school bus contractors have increasingly been targeted in recent years due to the number of vehicles typically stored together in fleet yards.
A Tremper High School teacher was arrested and then placed on administrative leave after police said he allegedly struck a school bus in the school’s parking lot while intoxicated and fled the scene, prompting concern from parents and students who witnessed the incident, reported TMJ4 News.
According to the news report, officers responded at about 2:58 p.m. June 4 to a report of a pickup truck that collided with a First Student school bus in the parking lot of Tremper High School. The truck left the scene before officers arrived.
Officers followed a trail of leaking vehicle fluid from the crash site to a nearby residence, where they found the pickup truck parked inside an open garage along with the suspected driver.
Police arrested the Tremper High School technology education teacher and charged him with hit-and-run, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and reckless driving endangering safety. No injuries were reported.
According to the article, Ginger Wyatt, whose daughter Chloe was on the school bus, said she was disturbed by the incident and questioned how it occurred on school grounds.
“How is the teacher who just got off the clock unable to pull out of a parking lot safely?” Wyatt said via the article. “I was really, really concerned. It’s horrible to me as a parent and for any kids to have that kind of danger around and nobody addressing it.”
Chloe Wyatt recalled feeling the bus shift after the collision. “I got on the bus, sat down and then it just tilts to the side, and I see this car drive past,” she said via the report. “It’s just our teacher did a hit and run on us. It’s crazy.”
She added that many students looked up to the teacher and were shocked by the allegations.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority,” the district said in a statement. “We cannot provide further details at this time because this is a personnel matter involving an ongoing investigation,” the district said via the article.
The incident remains under investigation by the Kenosha Police Department. Neither police nor district officials have released the teacher’s name.
Two former Parkland School District school bus drivers are facing felony charges after authorities learned of a break-in at a school district bus garage and the illegal accessing of confidential computer records, including student records consisting of photograph rosters, reported WFMZ News.
According to the news report, Shawn Levy, 32, and Tyler Young, 27, are each charged with felony counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit criminal trespass and conspiracy to commit unlawful duplication of computer data.
The two men, who previously worked as school bus drivers for the district, allegedly entered the Orefield Middle School bus garage on the night of June 6 without authorization. School surveillance video reportedly showed Levy and Young arriving together in a Tesla registered to Young around 10 p.m.
Authorities said the pair entered the secure transportation facility, where neither had authorized access and remained inside for nearly two hours before leaving. The investigation began after Parkland School District Director of Safety Dr. Anthony Naradko notified South Whitehall Township Police June 8 about the break-in.
Officials reportedly said the transportation garage supervisor, who was away from work that evening, received alerts indicating new login attempts using his cellphone and computer credentials.
Access of Student Photograph Rosters During Break-in
A subsequent review found multiple disciplinary files had been accessed during the break-in. Investigators also discovered a printed student roster containing photographs of students assigned to Levy’s former bus route. According to the report, the roster had been printed April 25 and could only be accessed through the district’s secure software system by authorized administrative personnel.
Authorities further alleged that an off-site IP address associated with Levy and Young was used at least 55 times between March 25 and June 5 to gain unauthorized access to another district employee’s account. Young was reportedly arraigned Thursday and released on $50,000 unsecured bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 16. Levy surrendered Friday and remained in custody pending arraignment.
Parkland School District said via the article that it immediately launched an internal investigation and cooperated with law enforcement. The district said a forensic audit confirmed unauthorized activity involving specific network credentials and that it is reviewing system permissions, strengthening cybersecurity measures and enhancing system monitoring while the criminal investigation continues.
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