Clark Palmer
A Virginia Tech insider is reacting to the Hokies hiring Penn State’s Defensive coordinator to be their new head coach. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has that story.
Statement from Penn State Head Football Coach James Franklin :“I’m truly excited for Brent and his family. I know Blacksburg has held a special place in Brent’s heart since his time as a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech. Coach Pry and I have a relationship dating back to my college playing days, and I know how hard he’s worked for this opportunity. I will forever be grateful for Brent’s friendship, support and loyalty. He’s a passionate leader who will inspire his team to play their best football; but his greatest strengths are his dedication, relatability and humility. It’s those characteristics combined with his deep understanding of X&O’s that will serve Virginia Tech and the entire Blacksburg community best. I will forever be a fan of Brent Pry and look forward to cheering him on as he takes this next step in his career.”
PREVIOUS: Current Penn State Defensive Coordinator Brent Pry is rumored to be the frontrunner to become the next head football coach at Virginia Tech. Yahoo Sports is reporting while no deal has been reached yet, the hire is expected to be announced soon. Pry was a graduate assistant at Virginia Tech in the mid-1990s.
ROANOKE, Va. – Sean Denzel Guerrant, a Roanoke man who led the Rollin’ 30s Crips in Roanoke, pleaded guilty today to one count of racketeering conspiracy that included responsibility for a murder as well as a separate count involving a conspiracy to murder a different victim. During his plea hearing, Guerrant admitted to leading the criminal street gang whose members committed a murder in June 2017.
Guerrant, a.k.a. “Harlem Dunk” and his co-conspirators,Trayvone Raycron Kasey, Chauncey Dion Levesy, and Demonte Rashod Mack, were members of the Rollin’ 30s Crips, which also called itself the “Dirt Gang.” The Rollin’ 30s Crips are a national street gang founded in the greater Los Angeles, California area with smaller sets in other cities throughout the United States. The Roanoke set of the Rollin’ 30s operated primarily in northwest Roanoke, centered in and around the Lansdowne neighborhood.
“There is no higher priority for my Office than prosecuting murders stemming from gang violence. If you shoot and kill another person because of, or in furtherance of, some gang affiliation, you can know that the United States Attorney’s Office, and our partners in law enforcement, are going to investigate and bring federal charges where appropriate.” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “This case also sends a message to those perceived leaders of criminal enterprises. It makes no difference under federal law whether you personally committed the murder, or whether you encouraged, directed, or ordered another person to commit an act of violence. You are going to face the same consequences as those who pull the trigger. I am thankful to the FBI and the Roanoke City Police Department for their continued dedication to their work on this difficult but important mission.”
“While nothing can erase the pain that the family and friends of this young man feel after his life were taken, we hope this plea brings some level of peace and comfort to them. This joint investigation with our federal, state and local partners resulted in the successful conclusion of this homicide investigation. This is a clear and direct message to those who continue to choose to engage in gun violence and organized crime in Roanoke: we are going to do everything we can to hold you accountable for your actions. The Roanoke Police Department and our partners at every level of the judicial system are committed to doing our part to keep Roanoke safe,” said Chief Sam Roman, Roanoke Police Department
“Today’s result is the culmination of a multi-year, coordinated investigation by the FBI, City of Roanoke Police Department and our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Stanley M. Meador of the FBI’s Richmond Division. “This conviction shows that the FBI and its partners continue their commitment to investigate and disrupt those individuals and organizations who victimize our communities.”
Guerrant admitted today that he, Kasey, Mack, Levesy, and others conspired to conduct a pattern of racketeering activity, including multiple threats and acts of violence. Specifically, Guerrant ordered N.L., a seventeen-year-old, to kill D.F. to atone for N.L.’s gang violations and perceived disloyalty to the gang.
In the early morning hours of June 15, 2017, Kasey drove N.L. to pick up D.F., while Levesy and Mack followed them to a nearby Roanoke apartment complex. After arriving at the apartment complex, everyone except Levesy exited their vehicles while D.F. ran away and hid, leaving Mack, Kasey and N.L. together in one of the parking areas. At that time, N.L. refused to hand over his firearm to Kasey until Mack pointed his own firearm at N.L. and told him to give it up. After handing over his firearm to Kasey, N.L. ran away in an attempt to escape, but both Kasey and Mack chased him and ultimately shot N.L. twice in the back. According to the Medical Examiner, N.L.’s murder resulted from the two shots that entered his back.
After the shooting, Mack, Kasey, and Levesy returned to the gang’s “trap house” and met up with Guerrant and other Rollin’ 30s gang members, at which time everything that occurred was reported to Guerrant.
The City of Roanoke Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Task Force investigated this case along with other law enforcement assets from the Virginia State Police, the Roanoke County Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Miller, Coleman Adams, and Michael Baudinet are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders works together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders, and partners with locally-based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
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Following the dismissal of Justin Fuente earlier this week, Coastal Carolina Head Football coach Jamey Chadwell has become one of the favorites to replace Fuente at Virginia Tech. However, Chadwell told reporters on Wednesday:
Following three consecutive losing seasons- two under Chadwell- Coastal Carolina has compiled a 19 and 3 record over the past two seasons, including a undefeated regular season in 2020.
On November 16, 2021 at approximately 3:40 p.m., Roanoke Police were notified by the City of Roanoke E-911 Center of a person with a gunshot wound 1300 block of Rorer Avenue SW. Responding officers located an adult male with a non-life threatening injury outside of a residence on Rorer Avenue. Roanoke Fire-EMS transported the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. No suspects were located on scene and no arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation and further details are limited. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call (540)344-8500 and share what you know. You can also text us at 274637; please begin the text with “RoanokePD” to ensure it’s properly sent. Both calls and texts can remain anonymous.
Photo: Glenn Youngkin Facebook
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin of the Commonwealth of Virginia today announced key members of his Transition Steering committee that will help lay the foundation for the Youngkin administration to begin delivering on its promises on Day One.
“In order to change the trajectory of our great Commonwealth, we can’t operate on government time,” said Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin. “We’re going to do things differently. That’s why this incredible transition team represents various backgrounds—business owners, law enforcement officers, veterans, healthcare providers, and most importantly, parents—who will bring an array of experience and fresh perspectives that will pave the way for a transformation where Virginia soars and never settles.”
The Governor-Elect’s Transition Steering Committee will be led by Transition Director Jeff Goettman, and co-chaired by the Honorable Kay Coles James and the Honorable Senator Steve Newman.
The Office of Governor-Elect Youngkin Transition Steering Committee includes representation from job creators and business owners, law enforcement officers, veterans, healthcare providers, and parents from across the Commonwealth that will provide fresh and unique insights into the problems facing the Commonwealth and the solutions that will make Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family:
Melissa Ball of Hanover County;
Delegate Kathy Byron of Bedford County;
Lindsey Burke of Fairfax County;
Rooz Dadabhoy of Henrico County;
Dr. Nancy Dye of the City of Roanoke;
Brad Hobbs of the City of Virginia Beach;
Former Secretary Aubrey Lane of the City of Virginia Beach;
Former Secretary Robert Martinez of the City of Norfolk;
Tian Olson of Fairfax County;
Tim Parrish of Prince William County;
Sheriff Hank Partin of Montgomery County; and
Town Council Member Amanda Pillion of the Town of Abingdon.
Governor-Elect Youngkin will also be advised by four former governors of Virginia as Honorary Co-Chairs: the Honorable Robert F. McDonnell; the Honorable James S. Gilmore, III; the Honorable George F. Allen; and the Honorable L. Douglas Wilder.
Goettman most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Youngkin for Governor campaign. Prior to his role on the campaign, Goettman served as a Counselor for Domestic Finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
James is the president and founder of the Gloucester Institute, a leadership training center for young African Americans, and served as president of the Heritage Foundation between 2018 and 2021, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management under President George W. Bush, and as Virginia’s Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor George Allen.
Newman represents Virginia’s 23rd District in the Virginia State Senate and serves as Vice President and as a member of the Board of Directors of Delta Star, Inc.
The Office of Governor-Elect Youngkin previously launched its transition website and application portal at www.youngkintransition.com. Applicants who wish to serve the Commonwealth in the Youngkin administration must apply online.
Statement from Terry McAuliffe’s campaign: While last night we came up short, I am proud that we spent this campaign fighting for the values we so deeply believe in. We must protect Virginia’s great public schools and invest in our students. We must protect affordable health care coverage, raise the minimum wage faster, and expand paid leave so working families have a fighting shot. We must protect voting rights, protect a woman’s right to choose, and, above all else, we must protect our democracy. While there will be setbacks along the way, I am confident that the long term path of Virginia is toward inclusion, openness and tolerance for all. Congratulations to Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin on his victory. I hope Virginians will join me in wishing the best to him and his family. I would like to thank my wife Dorothy, my family, and my incredible campaign team for their tireless efforts and dedication over these past eleven months. And to all of my supporters across Virginia who knocked on millions of doors, made countless phone calls, and talked to their family, friends and neighbors: I am eternally grateful that you joined me on this journey to move Virginia forward. Serving as Virginia’s 72nd governor was the highest honor of my life, and I will never stop fighting to make our Commonwealth stronger and brighter for all.
For the first time in 12 years, Virginia will be led by a Republican Governor. WFIR’s Clark Palmer has more about Glenn Youngkin’s apparent victory
For the latest election results click here:
https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2021%20November%20General/Site/Statewide.html