From Hostage Crisis To Assassination Plots: Iran’s Near Half-Century War On Americans Iran Had Its Hand In The 1979 Hostage Crisis To The Cole Bombing, 9/11 And Assassination Threats Against Donald Trump

Charles Creitz at Fox News look back at Iran’s long war on America:

After radical students overthrew Iran's shah in 1979 and took hostages in the U.S. embassy, the Middle Eastern nation became a strident and blood-soaked adversary of what its new Islamic fundamentalist dictatorship has long called the "Great Satan."

Since then, Tehran has sponsored terrorism around the globe, including targeting the U.S. in multiple, high-profile instances. Former Reagan Justice Department chief of staff Mark Levin said Sunday there are at least 44 examples of Iran targeting Americans either directly or indirectly.

"The Iranian-Nazi regime… [has] murdered more than 1,000 Americans [and] relentlessly pursued nuclear weapons to use against us — they are genocidal warmongers," said Levin, an author, attorney and Fox News Channel host.

You can read the rest of the piece via the link below:

Iran's Islamic dictatorship has been connected to dozens of attacks on Americans | Fox News                                                                               

Trump Confirms Khamenei Is Dead, Claims Regime Seeking Immunity

Fox News reports that President Trump confirmed that the top Iranian leaders are dead after the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. 

President Trump confirmed on Saturday afternoon Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, claiming the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are seeking immunity from the U.S.

"Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS."

Trump said the supreme leader was "unable o avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do."

"This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country," the president wrote. "We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, 'Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!'"

Trump said he hopes the IRGC and police will "peacefully merge" with Iranian patriots to stabilize the country.

"That process should soon be starting in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the Country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated," he wrote. "The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!"

My Philly Daily Crime Beat Column On Free Parking, Frequent Crime In South Philly

Philly Daily ran my Crime Beat column on free parking and frequent crime in South Philly today.  

You can read the column via the link below or the following text:

Davis: Free parking, frequent crime in South Philly - Philly Daily

Parking is difficult in South Philadelphia as there are far more cars than parking spaces.

I recall going on a ride-along with a young policewoman from the 3rd district in South Philadelphia some years ago. The policewoman, like me, was born and bred in South Philadelphia. She told me that she chewed out another cop who gave out a string of parking tickets in a South Philly neighborhood late one Saturday night.

“He’s not from South Philly,” she said to me. “He doesn’t know what it is like to come home at night and not be able find a parking space. I told him this is South Philly and we park where we can, and traditionally we cops kind of look the other way when South Philly people get creative about parking.”

One South Philly neighborhood is lucky to have an area of free parking. One can park free on Front Street underneath I-95 in the Pennsport section of South Philadelphia. But one local resident reached out to me and told me that although there are free parking spaces under I-95 when he comes home late in the evening from work, he never parks there.

“It is dark and deserted under I-95 and it looks like a mugger’s dream area,” he said. “I would rather drive round for an hour or so looking for a parking space.”

He also noted that cars were not safe in the lot from thieves.

In this usually low-crime South Philadelphia neighborhood, residents have become alarmed about a rash of late-night muggings as well as auto-related crimes in the lot under I-95. Those who do park free under I-95 are angry and quite vocal about the rash of stolen cars, stolen wheels, and car break-ins.

One can see the broken glass from smashed car windows and cars that have had their tires stolen underneath I-95 in Pennsport. Discovering that your car is gone, or has smashed windows, or it is parked without wheels and engine parts, is a rough way to start your day.   

“So many cars in the lot have been stolen or broken into. The thieves will break a car window just to steal the small change a driver has left in the car,” the local resident told me. “I love South Philly and this neighborhood, but lately we see more and more crime.

“For the first time in my life I’m fearful of walking the couple of blocks from my parked car to my house. I never worried about being robbed here. I have a license to carry a gun, and I keep my hand on the gun as I walk home.”      

He went on to say that his neighbors are also concerned about the uptick in crime. He said he and his neighbors all think the police, the district attorney and the courts should do more to rid the neighborhood of the criminals who are terrorizing the residents. That’s why, he noted angerly, they pay taxes. Public safety should be the number one priority of the city government.      

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel spoke to the angry neighborhood residents earlier this month at a Community Crime Meeting. He addressed the rash of strong-armed muggings that has angered the residents.

Bethel noted that two juveniles were arrested for their role in the muggings, and the police are looking for other juveniles they suspect are committing the strong-arm muggings.   

Strong-arm robbery is defined as a criminal offense that involves the taking of property from another person by means of force or intimidation, without using a weapon.

Bethel assured the angry residents that the police were increasing their presence in the area. The increased patrols will deter thieves or catch them in the act of committing crimes.

"I'm confident that the chief inspector and captain can get this under control," Bethel told the residents.

Bethel told reporters that the police strategy to improve safety in South Philadelphia and other parts of the city is to strengthen community policing. He said that he learned over the years in his police career that a major part of community policing was getting out and meeting the community residents and hearing their concerns.

Hopefully, the increased police presence and the alertness of the angry residents will quell the rise in crime in South Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Police ask that those with information on the muggings in South Philadelphia call the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

Paul Davis’s Crime Beat column appears here each week. He is also a contributor to Broad + Liberty and Counterterrorism magazine. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com.

Note: You can read my other Philly Daily Crime Beat columns via the link below:

Paul Davis On Crime: My Philly Daily Crime Beat Columns

The Declaration At 250: Examining The Historical And Contemporary Relevance Of The Grievance Section

Philly Daily, where my Crime Beat column appears each week, reports that the National Constitution Center announced that the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Journal of Constitutional Law in partnership with the National Constitution Center will present a symposium that will explore the historical and contemporary relevance of the grievance section of the Declaration of Independence on Friday, February 27^th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Declaration at 250: Examining the Historical and Contemporary Relevance of the Grievance Section - Philly Daily

“Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar of the National Constitution Center, will moderate a panel on the legislative power of the purse from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Julie Silverbrook, vice president of civic education at the National Constitution Center, moderates a conversation with Jack Rakove, William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies and professor of political science, Stanford University, beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m.,,” the National Constitution Center stated. .

“The symposium also features scholars from the Center’s Interactive Declaration of Independence, including Rosemarie Zagarri, distinguished university professor of history at George Mason University, and Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science, Yale Law School.”

The symposium will take place in person at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and virtually via Zoom.

You can register via the link below:

The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School JCL Symposium 2026 Signup

Note: Attendees seeking CLE credit must register for CLE credit via the online CLE registration link. If you have any questions regarding obtaining CLE credit or the CLE registration process, please email cle@law.upenn.edu.

 

Former General Manager For U.S. Defense Contractor Sentenced To 87 Months For Selling Stolen Trade Secrets To Russian Broker

 The U.S. Justice Department released the information below:

Peter Williams, 39, an Australian national, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 87 months in prison for selling his employer’s trade secrets — sensitive and protected cyber-exploit components — to a Russian cyber-tools broker, announced the Department of Justice. In addition to the 87-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge AliKhan for the District of Columbia ordered Williams to serve three years of supervised release with special conditions, to forfeit a money judgment of $1.3 million, cryptocurrency and property to include a house, and luxury items such as watches and jewelry. The Court also set a restitution hearing for May 12, 2026.

“Williams exploited his senior role at a U.S. defense contractor to enrich himself at the expense of the United States and his employer,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The tools he compromised were intended to protect this Nation; instead, he auctioned them off to a Russian bidder. We are committed to ensuring that those who abuse their access to sensitive information and thereby harm our national security face severe consequences.”

“Peter Williams stole a U.S. defense contractor’s trade secrets about highly sensitive cyber capabilities and sold them to a broker whose clients include the Russian government, putting our national security and countless potential victims at risk,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “The FBI and our partners remain unwavering in our commitment to protecting America’s critical technologies, and we will ensure any who attempt to profit at our nation’s expense face the full weight of the criminal justice system. Let this be a clear warning to all who consider placing greed over country: If you betray your position of trust and sell sensitive American technology to our foreign adversaries, the FBI will not rest until you’re brought to justice.” 

You can read the rest of the information via the link below:

Office of Public Affairs | Former General Manager for U.S. Defense Contractor Sentenced to 87 Months for Selling Stolen Trade Secrets to Russian Broker | United States Department of Justice 

Mark Twain On Reading

You can read my Philadelphia Inquirer review of Chasing the Last Laugh: Mark Twain's Raucous and Redemptive Round-The-World Comedy Tour via the link below:

 Paul Davis On Crime: My Philadelphia Inquirer Review of 'Chasing the Last Laugh: Mark Twain's Raucous And Redemptive Round-The-World Comedy Tour'                    

My Philly Daily Crime Beat Column On The Tragic, Urgent And Terrifying Missing Persons Cases

Philly Daily ran my Crime Beat column on missing persons cases today.

You can read the column via the link below or the following text:

Davis: Tragic, urgent, and terrifying missing persons cases - Philly Daily

In my many years of working the crime beat as a reporter and columnist, I’ve covered stories ranging from murder to sex crimes, but I’ve never covered a missing person case.

I recently visited the Philadelphia Police Department’s Crime Blotter website. I saw a large number of notices of missing persons. My heart goes out to the listed missing people, especially the young ones, and their grieving families.

(The Philadelphia Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating missing juvenile Princess Outlaw (seen in the above photo). Princess was last seen February 16, 2026, at 7:27 PM, on the 20xx block of Monmouth St. Princess may be in the area of the 29xx block of N 7th St. She is 14 years-of-age, 4’9″, 130 lbs., and her clothing description is unknown. Anyone with information regarding Princess’s whereabouts is urged to contact the East Detective Division at 215-686-3243.)

I reached out to Gary Capuano, a retired Philadelphia Police sergeant, and asked him about missing person cases.

"I worked as a detective in Southwest Philadelphia from 2005 to 2014,” Capuano said. “During that time, I handled countless missing person cases. The hard truth? Most involved juveniles who failed to come home from school—if they went at all.

“In more than a few cases, parents waited days before reporting their child missing. While police treat every report seriously and follow strict protocol, seasoned investigators can often recognize when a case is likely a runaway rather than an abduction. Many of these situations reflected a lack of supervision, structure, and accountability at home. There is no licensing exam for parenthood—but perhaps there should be.”

Capuano noted that one case stood out to him. A grandmother reported her granddaughter missing but didn’t know the child’s legal name -only a stage name, “Sexual Chocolate.” That moment captured, for him the deeper dysfunction behind many of these missing person reports.

“To be clear, genuine missing person cases exist. Some are tragic, urgent, and terrifying. When a report comes in, officers immediately search the home and surrounding area. Detectives check hospitals, the morgue, and custody records, broadcast alerts, enter information into national databases, and coordinate with specialized units when necessary. These cases consume enormous time and manpower—resources that are already stretched thin.

“Police will always do the job. But law enforcement cannot, and should not, be expected to replace responsible parenting. For families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Down syndrome, or other cognitive impairments should consider programs such as SafetyNet by LoJack, which provides tracking bracelets equipped with GPS technology to help locate individuals who wander. Families should research enrollment procedures and associated costs."

I asked Capuano how detectives work missing person cases.

"When a missing person report is taken, officers immediately search the home and surrounding areas, including garages, abandoned vehicles and homes, containers, alleys and other nearby places,” Capuno explained. “Children under 10 years old who go missing are classified as "tender age," which increases the urgency of the response. After an officer takes the initial report, the assigned detective then has many tasks to complete such as interviewing the person who filed the missing persons report, ensure that a photograph of the missing individual is obtained, and that a message to police radio is sent so that police dispatchers can broadcast the missing person's information such as identifying and background information so all officers are made aware of who to look for.

“Investigators will check local hospitals, the morgue, as well as a police custody records to see if the missing person has been recently arrested. After these things are completed, the missing individual will be entered into the NCIC/PCIC systems. There are also the missing endangered who are missing under suspicious, unexplained or involuntary circumstances or has an issue such as poor health or a physical or mental disability. Then there are Amber Alerts for abducted children. PA State Police work with the PPD with Amber Alerts and the Missing Endangered. An investigator on every tour for the first 24 hrs. will keep in contact with the family and then again within 3 days.”

Capuano (seen in the above photo in front of a sketch of his father-in-law attorney Charles “CP” Mirarchi in federal court back in May of 1983) explained that reinterviews are also done. If the person is still missing, contact will be made weekly with the family. All missing people who have returned are interviewed by the assigned detective regarding the circumstances of their absence. Crime scene logs are kept, Command Posts are set up, Public Affairs is notified so that they can have a line of communication with the media, and specialized units such as Aviation, Canine, Special Victims and the Marine Unit are notified.

"There are calls you never forget. A missing child is one of them,” Capuano said. “I have worked many cases in my career, but few compare to standing in front of parents whose child has vanished. As a father of three, those scenes hit differently. I see not just victims - I see myself. I see my own family. And I cannot begin to imagine the depth of terror they are feeling in that moment. But as investigators, we do not have the luxury of breaking down. We must remain calm, focused and methodical. 

“Parents of a missing child are living through every parent’s worst nightmare. Their emotions are raw and unpredictable, such as panic, grief, anger, confusion, even guilt. In those moments, we are not just detectives. We become part investigator, part counselor, part emotional anchor. We answer the same questions over and over. We offer reassurance when we ourselves are still searching for answers. We try to steady people whose world has just collapsed. And sometimes, they turn on us. They believe we are not doing enough. Not moving fast enough. Not treating the case with the urgency it deserves. That anger is not personal - it is fear looking for somewhere to land.

“When your child is missing, time feels like the enemy, and anyone who cannot produce immediate results feels like an obstacle. There are also difficult moments when a parent’s reaction does not match what most people expect. Some appeared detached, calm, or even indifferent. Trauma manifests differently in every person. As investigators, we cannot rely on emotion to guide us, only the facts. What makes these cases uniquely difficult is the balance we must strike. Even as we empathize, we must remain cautious. Every possibility must be considered. Every fact, verified. Every timeline, scrutinized. We cannot allow emotion — our own or theirs — to cloud the objectivity the investigation demands.”

Capuano stated that it was uncomfortable to admit, but detectives look at everyone with a careful eye, including the parents.

“Not because we want to, but because we have to. These investigations are races against time. There is tremendous uncertainty, and every decision carries consequences. Leads must be prioritized. Resources allocated. Information filtered carefully. And all the while, we know that if the outcome is tragic, every step we took will be dissected and second-guessed.

The “Monday morning quarterbacking” begins before the case is even closed. That pressure is real. What the public rarely sees is that investigators carry these cases home. We replay interviews in our minds. We revisit timelines. We question whether we missed something. A missing child case demands more than procedure. It demands resilience, compassion, discipline, and emotional control — often simultaneously. It requires us to steady others while containing our own fears. At the end of the day, beneath the badge, many of us are parents too. And we know exactly what is at stake."

We should look out for, and pray for, the missing people.

Paul Davis’s Crime Beat column appears here each week. He is also a contributor to Broad + Liberty and Counterterrorism magazine. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.

Note: You can read my other Crime Beat columns via the link below:

Paul Davis On Crime: My Philly Daily Crime Beat Columns