Category Archives: crime

Laugh Factory manager arrested in front of mother outside Chicago comedy club by federal agents

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A manager at the Laugh Factory in Chicago was arrested for allegedly obstructing a federal immigration operation, but his mother claims agents “kidnapped” him right before her eyes.

According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to a call about a battery in progress outside the club at around 9:20 a.m. on Friday. Upon arrival, they found federal agents involved in a physical altercation with two individuals, NBC Chicago reported.

A viral video of the encounter shows federal agents taking night manager Nathan Griffin to the ground and placing him under arrest as onlookers scream at the agents to stop amid the chaotic scene. The footage captures a physical struggle involving Griffin, his mother Elaine Plybon, and the agents.

Bystanders yelled, “Why are you doing this? Where are you taking him?” as Griffin was lifted off the ground and led into a car. Another person shouted, “Let us see your face.”

Witness Will Kolic, who works nearby and knows the manager, told NBC Chicago he saw multiple cars pull up and men grab a man who appeared to be Hispanic. Kolic said agents then “jumped out of their car” and snatched the Laugh Factory’s manager while he was standing with his mother. At one point, agents were also seen restraining Griffin’s mother on the ground.

A Border Patrol spokesperson told NBC Chicago that Griffin was detained after he “attempted to impede and obstruct federal officers.” They also claimed he tried to shut the door of the federal agents’ car on an agent’s leg.

“The individual was immediately detained and turned over to the FBI for investigation,” the spokesperson added.

Griffin’s mother expressed her distress in a video posted on Instagram, saying her son was “kidnapped by Border Patrol in front of my eyes.”

“For those of you who don’t know, I was in Chicago visiting my son, and he was kidnapped by Border Patrol in front of my eyes,” Plybon said. “When I think about going out the door in the morning, I don’t want to. Because I do not want to encounter the SUV, the screams, the crying, and the horrific things that I saw before I was pulled into the fray when somebody tried to kidnap my son.”

In response to the incident, Griffin’s brother-in-law and mother launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise legal funds.

“My brother-in-law Nathan was detained by border patrol officers today in Chicago, despite the fact that he is a natural-born American citizen,” Tom Pinney wrote on the fundraising page. “After being arrested and hidden throughout the system, he finally resurfaced about 4 hours after his detainment in FBI custody awaiting a hearing for a federal assault charge which could carry 8 years in prison if convicted.”

Since its creation on Saturday, the GoFundMe has raised more than $20,000.

“The amazing outpouring of support is reminding us of the America we love. We cannot thank you enough!” Plybon wrote in an update on the fundraising page.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/27/us-news/laugh-factory-manager-arrested-in-front-of-mother-outside-chicago-comedy-club-by-federal-agents/

Russia says more than 80 people detained for questioning after Moscow street fight

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**Over 80 People Questioned Following Major Street Fight Between Migrants in Moscow**

*MOSCOW (Reuters)* – Russia’s Interior Ministry reported on Sunday that more than 80 individuals were taken to police stations for questioning following a significant street fight between migrants in a residential area of Moscow. The ministry stated that all foreigners involved in the incident would face deportation.

Russian media released videos showing people engaged in violent clashes on the street using clubs and spades. The footage also revealed the smashing of windows near parked cars around the Prokshino residential complex. However, the cause of the fight remains unclear.

According to the Interior Ministry, 19 people have been arrested on charges of hooliganism. The ministry added that migrants holding Russian citizenship risk having their citizenship revoked. Foreign nationals involved who are not imprisoned will be deported and banned from re-entry into Russia, said Irina Volk, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry.

Migration, particularly from former Soviet republics in Central Asia and the Caucasus, has emerged as a major domestic political issue in Russia. Restrictions on migration intensified following a deadly attack at a Moscow concert hall in 2024, which Russian authorities attributed to Tajik nationals.

In 2024, approximately 6.3 million migrants arrived in Russia, according to Interior Ministry figures. Nearly half of these migrants came from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Despite Russia’s domestic economy relying heavily on affordable labor from these regions—especially in construction and consumer industries—many Russian citizens have expressed concerns. They criticize the large influx of people, noting a perceived lack of familiarity with Russian customs and culture.

Additionally, Russia has been grappling with severe labor shortages across multiple sectors since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, as hundreds of thousands of Russian workers joined the military.

*Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Ros Russell*
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/russia-says-more-80-people-123257376.html

Police: Man shot, killed in ‘domestic dispute’ in Alexandria

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One man was killed inside an apartment building in Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday night, according to police.

Alexandria police received a call for shots fired just before 11 p.m. on Berkeley Street near King Street. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man inside an apartment suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police believe the shooting was the result of a domestic dispute. Although no arrests have been announced, authorities stated that “all parties involved are believed to be accounted for.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact APD Detective Escobar at 703-746-6819. Tips can be provided anonymously.

Below is a map showing the location of the shooting.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2025 WTOP. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
https://wtop.com/alexandria/2025/10/police-man-shot-killed-in-domestic-dispute-in-alexandria/

Paris Police Arrest Two Men in Connection With Jewel Heist From Louvre Museum

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Suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of crown jewels from Paris’ Louvre Museum, the Paris prosecutor said Sunday, a week after the heist at the world’s most visited museum that stunned the world.

The prosecutor revealed that investigators made the arrests on Saturday evening, adding that one of the men taken into custody was preparing to leave the country from Roissy Airport. Earlier, French media outlets BFM TV and Le Parisien newspaper reported that two suspects had been arrested and taken into custody.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau did not confirm the exact number of arrests nor did she disclose whether the stolen jewels had been recovered.

The thieves carried out the robbery in less than eight minutes last Sunday morning, making off with jewels valued at roughly $102 million. French officials described how the intruders used a basket lift to scale the Louvre’s façade, forced open a window, smashed display cases, and fled the scene.

The museum’s director called the incident a “terrible failure.”

Ms. Beccuau said that investigators from a special police unit—tasked with armed robberies, serious burglaries, and art thefts—were responsible for making the arrests. She also expressed regret over a premature leak of information, warning that it could hinder the work of over 100 investigators “mobilized to recover the stolen jewels and apprehend all of the perpetrators.”

Further details will be unveiled after the suspects’ custody period ends, Ms. Beccuau added.

France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, praised “the investigators who have worked tirelessly, just as I asked them to, and who have always had my full confidence.”

The thieves made away with a total of eight objects, including a sapphire diadem, necklace, and single earring from a set linked to 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense. They also took an emerald necklace and earrings associated with Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, as well as a reliquary brooch.

Additionally, Empress Eugénie’s diamond diadem and her large corsage-bow brooch—an imperial ensemble of rare craftsmanship—were part of the loot.

One piece, Eugénie’s emerald-set imperial crown with more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum. Although damaged, it was recoverable.
https://www.nysun.com/article/paris-police-arrest-two-men-in-connection-with-jewel-heist-from-louvre-museum

Suspects arrested over the theft of crown jewels from Paris’ Louvre museum

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Suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of crown jewels from Paris’ Louvre Museum, the Paris prosecutor announced on Sunday, a week after the heist at the world’s most visited museum shocked the globe.

The prosecutor revealed that investigators made the arrests on Saturday evening. Notably, one of the men taken into custody was preparing to leave the country from Roissy Airport. Earlier, French media outlets BFM TV and Le Parisien newspaper reported that two suspects had been arrested and taken into custody. However, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau did not confirm the exact number of arrests or say whether the stolen jewels had been recovered.

The daring theft took less than eight minutes last Sunday morning, with thieves making off with jewels valued at 88 million euros (approximately $102 million). French officials described how the intruders used a basket lift to scale the Louvre’s façade, forced open a window, smashed display cases, and then fled the scene.

The museum’s director called the incident a “terrible failure.” Beccuau stated that investigators from a special police unit—responsible for armed robberies, serious burglaries, and art thefts—were behind the arrests. She also regretted the premature leak of information, warning that it could hinder the efforts of more than 100 investigators “mobilized to recover the stolen jewels and apprehend all of the perpetrators.”

Further details will be revealed after the suspects’ custody period ends, Beccuau added.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez praised the investigators, saying they “have worked tirelessly, just as I asked them to, and have always had my full confidence.”

The Louvre reopened earlier this week following one of the highest-profile museum thefts of the century, an audacious crime that stunned the world with its scale and boldness. The thieves slipped in and out, making away with parts of France’s Crown Jewels—a cultural wound some have compared to the 2019 burning of Notre Dame Cathedral.

In total, the thieves stole eight objects, including a sapphire diadem, a necklace, and a single earring from a set linked to 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense. They also took an emerald necklace and earrings associated with Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife, as well as a reliquary brooch.

Empress Eugénie’s diamond diadem and her large corsage-bow brooch—an imperial ensemble of rare craftsmanship—were also part of the loot.

One piece, Eugénie’s emerald-set imperial crown adorned with more than 1,300 diamonds, was later found outside the museum. Although damaged, it was reported to be recoverable.
https://www.wptv.com/world/suspects-arrested-over-the-theft-of-crown-jewels-from-paris-louvre-museum

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Crime AI System’ to Solve JonBenét Ramsey Cold Case? — New Technology Can Finally Bring Justice for Young Beauty Queen Nearly 30 Years After Brutal Murder

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**New AI Technology May Finally Crack the JonBenét Ramsey Murder Case**

*Published: October 24, 2025, 3:00 p.m. ET*

It has been almost 30 years since JonBenét Ramsey was murdered, and despite countless leads, the case remains unsolved. However, a breakthrough might be on the horizon thanks to a new AI system, RadarOnline.com can reveal.

The infamous case overwhelmed investigators with tips, documents, and more than 1,000 interviews, making it nearly impossible for detectives to pinpoint the culprit—until now.

### What Is Crime Owl AI?

Ash Ghaemi, a former Denver native and marketing expert, believes the state-of-the-art Crime Owl AI system he developed could help local police sift through the massive trove of files and identify the killer.

“I feel strongly that AI can solve the JonBenét case because all it does is take unstructured data and organize it into an easy-to-use format,” said Ghaemi, who is eager to collaborate with the Boulder Police Department.

### Family Support the New Technology

JonBenét’s half-brother, John Andrew, is optimistic about the new technology stepping in to solve the decades-old mystery. After the enormous JonBenét files sat “untouched for 20-plus years,” investigators launched a major initiative in 2023 to digitize them.

“For the first time, these records are searchable, centralized, and capable of being analyzed using advanced data tools,” Andrew explained. “In theory, AI could now comb through thousands of pages to identify hidden patterns, link related evidence, or highlight similarities to crimes across the country—insight that would have been nearly impossible to uncover through manual review.”

He added with confidence, “Technology will win, and when it does, we will finally catch this animal.”

### The Case Background

JonBenét, a 6-year-old child beauty queen, was found dead in her parents’ basement one day after Christmas in 1996. Ghaemi believes his AI system is key to advancing the investigation moving forward.

### AI Revives Interest in Cold Cases

“If you hire a team of humans to go back through all the JonBenét files without AI, it will likely take them years to come up with the necessary knowledge to even come close to solving the case,” Ghaemi said.

“They can ask [Crime Owl] questions and make connections they might not have noticed before. It’s the ultimate investigator’s assistant to solve crimes faster.”

Ghaemi, now 40, is already collaborating with West Valley, Utah police, who are using the system to break another high-profile case: the 2009 disappearance of Susan Powell, 28, reported missing by her husband, Josh.

### Support from Renowned Private Investigator

Renowned private eye Jason Jensen is also embracing AI technology. “AI can literally take all the data, organize it into a single file, and cross-reference names and contents,” Jensen said.

He praised the system’s capabilities: “It draws maps for you, correlates connections – it’s fantastic, an amazing tool. It would be awesome if Boulder police would use it and upload their files to have AI assist them. We all want the JonBenét case solved.”

### JonBenét’s Father Continues His Fight for Justice

JonBenét’s father, John Ramsey, has long expressed frustration with Colorado investigators. Previously, he even appealed directly to former President Donald Trump for help.

Speaking with Fox News Digital, he said, “I told the DA that money should not be a restrictor here. I need to get Donald Trump on them. He’ll stir things up one way or the other, but somehow we’ve got to get them to do that.”

Ramsey added, “If he got involved in the… Cracker Barrel (issue). This is a whole lot of a bigger deal than the Cracker Barrel. Help us. So that’s the bottom line.”

Now 81, John Ramsey has also offered to fundraise to cover the cost of investigative genealogy — a technology that has already been instrumental in solving cold cases such as the Golden State Killer.

—

As the JonBenét Ramsey case enters a new technological era, hope grows that AI-driven investigation tools like Crime Owl could finally bring long-awaited answers to this decades-old mystery.
https://radaronline.com/p/crime-owl-ai-system-solves-jonbenet-ramsey-cold-case/

Police bust plot to sell fake artwork purportedly by Rembrandt, Picasso

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A major international plot involving the sale of suspected forged paintings by renowned artists has been uncovered, police announced on Friday. The scheme spanned three countries and involved fake works attributed to masters such as Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, and Frida Kahlo.

The main suspect, a 77-year-old German man, allegedly attempted to sell 20 counterfeit paintings. These included purported pieces by Flemish old master Peter Paul Rubens, Spanish artist Joan Miró, and Italian sculptor Amedeo Modigliani. Authorities in Bavaria revealed that he was assisted by 10 accomplices in the operation.

Investigators first grew suspicious when the suspect tried to sell two alleged original Picasso paintings on the art market. One of these artworks depicted Dora Maar, a French photographer, painter, and poet who was Picasso’s most famous muse, according to BBC News.

The police stated that the man subsequently sought to sell *De Staalmeesters*, a famous oil painting by Rembrandt, for 120 million Swiss francs (approximately $150 million). However, the original painting is permanently displayed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The copy, believed to have been made in the 20th century, was found in the possession of an 84-year-old Swiss woman who is now also under investigation.

“After examination by an art expert, it was confirmed that the painting was indeed a copy and not a lost masterpiece by Rembrandt van Rijn,” police reported, as cited by BBC.

The fake paintings were being offered at prices ranging from 400,000 euros to about 130 million euros (roughly $465,000 to $150 million), police said in a statement.

Last week, authorities conducted coordinated searches in multiple locations across southern Germany, Berlin, several areas in Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. During these raids, the main suspect and another German man, aged 74, were arrested. The second suspect is accused of preparing forged authenticity reports for the artworks. Both men have since been released on bail.

Police confirmed that all confiscated paintings will undergo detailed examination by experts and appraisers over the coming weeks to assess their authenticity.

This extensive investigation highlights the ongoing challenges art markets face with forged masterpieces, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and expert scrutiny.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/art-forgeries-plot-bust-germany-police-rembrandt-picasso-frida-kahlo/

EXCLUSIVE: Christopher Scholtes’ Guilty Plea to Leaving Daughter to Die In Hot Car is ‘Justice’ For Toddler… As ‘Hated’ Arizona Dad ‘Will Not Be Eligible for Early Release’

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**Arizona Dad’s Guilty Plea in Toddler’s Death Celebrated as ‘Justice’**

*Published Oct. 23, 2025, 7:20 p.m. ET*

An Arizona father’s sudden guilty plea in the tragic death of his 2-year-old daughter, who was left to bake in a hot car while he played video games and surfed for pornography, is being hailed as “justice” for the deceased toddler, RadarOnline.com can exclusively report.

### Guilty Plea Details Revealed

Christopher Scholtes initially pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the 2024 death of his daughter, Parker. However, just days before his trial was scheduled to begin, he accepted a plea deal and changed his plea to guilty on lesser charges.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office shared exclusively with RadarOnline.com:

> “Today, Christopher Scholtes accepted a plea agreement and pled guilty to one Count of Second-Degree Murder and one Count of Intentional/Knowing Child Abuse under Circumstance Likely to Cause Death or Serious Physical Injury. Under the terms of the plea, the sentences imposed by the judge are going to run consecutively, and Scholtes will face a sentencing range of 20 to 30 years of ‘flat time.’”

This means Scholtes will not face life in prison, but he will be required to serve the full sentence without eligibility for early release.

The statement continued:

> “We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our prosecutors, victim advocates, and staff for their collaboration with local law enforcement on this complicated and high-profile case. This is yet another reminder to the community that the Pima County Attorney’s Office will do everything we can to get justice for victims and prosecute those who have caused harm to others, especially those who are most vulnerable.”

Scholtes is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21. He will be allowed to remain out of custody until November 5, when the court will decide if and when he will be taken into custody.

### How Scholtes’ 2-Year-Old Daughter Died

As RadarOnline.com has reported, Christopher Scholtes, a father of three, left his youngest child alone in the car after running errands and returning home. Prosecutors revealed that the 38-year-old man cracked open several beers—shoplifted earlier that day—while playing video games and searching for pornography on his PlayStation, all while the toddler remained inside the vehicle.

Scholtes later admitted he knew that the car engine would shut off after 30 minutes, causing the air conditioning to stop working.

Parker’s mother, an anesthesiologist, found her daughter in critical condition inside the car with the AC off when she arrived home around 4 p.m. The toddler was rushed to the hospital where her mother worked but was declared dead approximately one hour later.

### Past Abuse Allegations Surface

Medical examiners reported that temperatures inside the 2003 Acura reached as high as 109 degrees during the more than three hours Parker was trapped inside.

This was not the first time Scholtes had left one of his children alone in a car. After Parker’s incident, his wife Erika allegedly sent him a frantic text message saying, “I told you to stop leaving them in the car. How many times have I told you?”

Their two surviving daughters, then aged 6 and 9, reportedly told interviewers that their father had left them alone in the car on multiple occasions. Additionally, Scholtes’ 16-year-old daughter from a previous marriage claimed he frequently left her alone inside cars without food for hours, leading to intervention by Child Protective Services, which ultimately removed her from his custody.

—

*This tragic case serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles and the devastating consequences of neglect.*
https://radaronline.com/p/christopher-scholtes-guilty-plea-daughter-die-car-justice-arizona-dad/

REPORT: Diddy Narrowly Avoids Having Throat Slashed In Alleged Prison Attack

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Sean “Diddy” Combs was reportedly attacked in his Brooklyn jail cell after an inmate allegedly held a knife to his throat, a longtime friend revealed.

Charlucci Finney told the Daily Mail on Wednesday that Combs “woke up with a knife to his throat” during an encounter at the Metropolitan Detention Center. According to Finney, a makeshift blade was used in what he described as a direct threat meant to intimidate the rapper.

“I don’t know whether he fought him off or the guards came, I just know that it happened,” Finney said. “If this guy had wanted to harm him, Sean would have been harmed. It would only take a second to cut his throat with a weapon and kill him.”

Finney added, “It was probably a way to say, ‘Next time you ain’t gonna be so lucky.’ Everything is intimidation. But with Sean it won’t work. Sean is from Harlem.”

The alleged incident was mentioned in court during Combs’ sentencing hearing and later confirmed to TMZ by sources familiar with the situation. A prison guard reportedly intervened before anyone was harmed.

Combs was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison after a jury found him guilty on two counts of violating the Mann Act. He was previously acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

He is expected to be transferred to a federal facility to serve the remainder of his sentence.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/23/sean-diddy-combs-knife-throat-brooklyn-jail/

Skin-crawling pics inside CT house of horrors where wicked stepmom is accused of locking up son for decades

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**Haunting Photos Reveal Interior of Connecticut “House of Horrors” Where Stepson Was Allegedly Imprisoned for Over Two Decades**

Skin-crawling photos have emerged showing the chilling interior of a Connecticut “house of horrors,” where a wicked stepmother allegedly imprisoned her stepson in appalling conditions for more than 20 years.

The images, obtained by The Post just weeks after a judge ruled Kimberly Sullivan, 57, could return to the Waterbury home, reveal a scene of devastation. The house was scorched by a fire set by her 32-year-old stepson in February, as he attempted to escape from her clutches, according to police.

Now standing empty after the blaze, most of the rooms have been reduced to bare beams and boards. Drywall and plaster have been torn from nearly all the walls, while loose wires, dirt, debris, and broken glass litter the dark, nearly uninhabitable halls.

One room, however, appears untouched by the fire, offering clues to the tastes of the lady of the house. In a hot pink den on the first floor, a large pair of women’s eyes with full red lips seductively peer across the room toward a poster of a kitten lounging in a lawn chair, with “Lazy Days” scrawled over it. Hanging in a ceiling corner, a doll with blonde hair and piercing blue eyes watches over the room.

In the remains of the kitchen, a half-melted poster of Marilyn Monroe hangs over the counter. But the rest of the house is barren. Upstairs, nearly all traces of the alcove where Sullivan’s stepson was allegedly held since age 11 have been burned away or knocked down after the fire tore through the room.

One relic remains: a stained lace angel’s wing pinned to the raw wood where the stepson spent years imprisoned, forced to use bottles as a bathroom and passing the endless hours by counting cars out the windows.

The stepson, known only as “S,” weighed just 68 pounds when responding firefighters discovered him covered in filth amidst the burning home on February 17. He quickly recounted a horrifying tale, claiming Sullivan had held him prisoner for more than two decades. According to authorities, she withdrew him from school as a child and locked him in an 8-by-9-foot storage space, providing only scraps of food and water for 22 hours a day or more.

Sullivan was seen at the home after the fire but was arrested within weeks. She now faces charges including unlawful restraint, kidnapping, and other abuse allegations. She has pleaded not guilty.

After posting $300,000 bail and being released, a judge issued a protection order for her stepson, who listed the Waterbury home as his address. This barred Sullivan from returning to the house. She subsequently petitioned a Connecticut court to amend the order, arguing that her stepson no longer lived there.

On October 3, a judge ruled in her favor, allowing Sullivan to return, according to NBC Connecticut. However, it remains unclear if she has gone back since. The home appears completely forgotten, with neighbors reporting no sign of her presence.

“It’s all open and it looks abandoned to me,” said next-door neighbor Zeffrey Guarnera, who has not seen Sullivan since she posted bail. “There was something I never really liked about her. There was something weird about her. I can never tell you what it was, but all our other neighbors are very friendly, wave and say hello.”

Guarnera also revealed he was unaware of the stepson’s existence until he was rescued from the home. “There was no him,” he said. “There were two daughters, that’s who I ever saw. When I found out there was a him, I was shocked.”

Sullivan has denied holding her stepson captive, instead blaming his father—who lived in the home until his death last year—for what happened. Her lawyer has also claimed the stepson could have walked away whenever he wanted.

“This is a woman who has never committed a crime in her life,” said Sullivan’s attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, after a recent court hearing.

Sullivan is expected back in court on Halloween.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/23/us-news/inside-connecticut-house-of-horrors-where-stepmom-locked-up-son/