Ciudad Juárez

Jury selection began this week in the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and recycling contractor executives David Duong and Andy Duong. Prosecutors allege the four, along with political operative Mario Juarez, orchestrated a scheme in which the Duongs financed a $75,000 campaign mailer to help elect Thao in 2022 and arranged a lucrative no-show job for Jones at Evolutionary Homes, a startup housing company. In return, Thao allegedly promised to steer city contracts to the Duongs' firm, California Waste Solutions, extend its recycling contract, and help the housing company secure a deal to sell units to the city.

All four defendants face bribery and honest services fraud conspiracy charges, with maximum sentences up to 20 years. They have pleaded not guilty. Juarez has already pleaded guilty and is expected to testify as the prosecution's star witness, along with former San Leandro councilman Bryan Azevedo, who also pleaded guilty. The case follows FBI raids in June 2024 and Thao's recall by Oakland voters that November. Prosecutors expect to present their case through mid-November.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has directed the Michigan State Police to conduct an independent review of a vehicle pursuit involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement that ended in a fatal crash in Grand Rapids. Mario David Coronado-Juarez, in his mid-30s, died Sunday morning after his vehicle struck a tree near Century Avenue SW and McKendrick Street and caught fire while fleeing an attempted ICE stop, reportedly traveling over 100 mph. DHS said ICE agents tried to confirm his identity before he fled at high speed, and that officers discontinued pursuit before discovering the crash and attempting to render aid, noting agents were about a half-mile away when it occurred.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Joseph Trigg and Mayor David LaGrand have also called for an independent state investigation to run alongside the department's own probe. LaGrand blamed ICE's enforcement tactics, calling them a pattern of "intimidation, harassment, and killing," and urged federal reforms including body cameras and civilian oversight. Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Hillary Scholten, both Michigan Democrats, have demanded answers from ICE, while DHS disputed claims that agents caused the crash. Coronado-Juarez, previously deported in 2021 and wanted in Guatemala for alcohol-related driving offenses, was married with three young children and served as his family's breadwinner. The case adds to mounting scrutiny of ICE enforcement following other high-profile incidents this year.