Mary Cummins is an Investigative Reporter, Writer, Speaker and Victims Rights Activist. Cummins is also a Real Estate Appraiser in Los Angeles, California and President of Animal Advocates. marycumminsrealestatemarycummins.blogspot.com WEBSITEFACEBOOK
Sandra Faye Twiggs, mugshot, booking photo, born October 18 1958, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, died April 18, 2018 after being arrested and thrown in jail. Judge Merrillee Ehrlich presided over the case and berated Sandra. Sisters Anna, Caroline. domestic violence. dead, died.
Sandra Faye Twiggs was born October 18, 1959 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. She died April 18, 2018 at her home in Lauderhill, Broward County, Florida at the age of 59.
Sandra was arrested April 13, 2018. NAME OF SUSPECT: SANDRA FAYE TWIGGS BOOKING DATE: 2018-04-13, ARREST NUMBER: 561800248, RACE: B,SEX: F, DOB: 10/18/1958, HEIGHT: 5'03", WEIGHT: 160, HAIR: BLK, EYES: BRO, CHARGE(S): TOUCH OR STRIKE/BATTERY/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Sandra Faye Twiggs, mugshot, booking photo, born October 18 1958, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, died April 18, 2018 after being arrested and thrown in jail. Judge Merrillee Ehrlich presided over the case and berated Sandra. Sisters Anna, Caroline. domestic violence. dead, died.
Judge Merrillee Ehrlich berated frail and elderly Sandra Faye Twiggs in court. Twiggs suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Days after her release from jail Sandra died. Judge Ehrlich who has a history of improper behavior in the court is no longer on the bench. Twiggs is survived by her sister Anna and a two daughters.
Previous and current cases.
80001483MM40AState of Florida Vs Twiggs, SandraMisdemeanor01-24-1988Pending
DVCE18002698Sandra Twiggs Petitioner vs. Kyron Farmer RespondentDomestic Violence04-13-2018Pending. Kyron Farmer is a male friend of Twiggs and Anna L Twiggs. Both Sandra and Anna filed restraining orders against Kyron Farmer.
18003410MM10AState of Florida Vs Twiggs, Sandra FayeDomestic Violence04-15-2018Unfiled
I'm posting this because I just saw her mugshot disappear and one court case now under seal. I'm posting what I was able to catch before they put the main case under seal.
Booking report 18-3410MMIoA MV. Arrested 04/13/2018 at 3411 NW 7th Ct by Javon Burnette LH551. Offense, touch or strike/battery/domestic violence.
Merrilee Trust Ehrlich born July 16 1951 in New York City. She's registered to vote Democrat at 6190 Nw 33rd Terrace, Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33309. Her ex-husband was Norman Michael Price. They had no children. When she ran for Judge her "top priority" was to "Allow dignity for everyone who appears in court." Merrilee also ran for Attorney General and lost.
Merrilee was instructed by the court not to return to the court room. "Broward Chief Administrative Judge Jack Tuter said Saturday that he’s telling Ehrlich not to return to the courthouse because of her treatment of Twiggs, reports the Sun-Sentinel. “In light of recent events, we have decided Judge Ehrlich will be told not to return to the courthouse as her retirement is effective June 30,” Tuter said. “I will be working this weekend to find a substitute to cover Judge Ehrlich’s [family court] division.”
Judicial Assistant: Kathy McAfee Phone Number: (954) 831-7763 Chamber: WW11131 Courtroom: WW11158 Division: 40 Division Procedures Undergraduate School: Boston University Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude Law School: Nova University Other Degrees: www.judgeehrlich.com Prior Positions: www.judgeehrlich.com Florida Bar Admission: Community Involvement: www.judgeehrlich.com
This Judge doesn't just insult sick elderly people. She also insults children. In 2011 she stated about juveniles in her court "I wanted to make it a creative endeavor, something positive. Something to turn the atrophied muscle on top of their heads into a working brain."
Merrilee's father was Paul Ehrlich 1922-2003. Her mother was Barbara Elaine Stern 1931-2017. Her brother is Melvin A Ehrlich who pleaded guilty to child pornography. He was a dentist. She has a sister named April Vandenberg. They were all born in New York then moved to Florida.
This Judge is almost as bad as Los Angeles, California Judge Carol Boas Goodson who was voted the most "evil" Judge in California two years in a row. Judge Goodson berated a party so horribly that the woman suffered a seizure in the courtroom and had to be carried out.
Samuel Woodward, 21, sam woodward, samuel lincoln woodward, Newport Beach California Blaze Bernstein 19 murder killed dead
THIS IS A BREAKING STORY. CHECK BACK FOR FREQUENT UPDATES.
UPDATE: 01/16/2018 And the truth starts to come out. As I suspected this has to do with Woodward having odd feelings about homosexuals. Stabbing two dozen times shows rage filled hate.
"A man suspected in the killing of a 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student who was stabbed nearly two dozen times and buried in a shallow grave at a California park told investigators that he was being hit on, a newspaper reported."
"Bernstein texted two female friends about a June interaction with Woodward, according to the affidavit. Bernstein wrote that Woodward was about to “hit on me” and “he made me promise not to tell anyone.”
"The affidavit also noted that Woodward told investigators that Bernstein kissed him on the lips at a stop before the park, and that he pushed Bernstein away.
Investigators said in the affidavit that as he recounted that part of his story, Woodward clenched his jaw and his fists, saying “he wanted to tell Blaze to get off of him.”"
Woodward is a lot bigger and could have easily done that. Sounds like a self-hating deep in the closet homosexual.
ORIGINAL: Charges have not yet been filed. Nothing is in the court system. Sheriff stated charges may be filed Tuesday. Tomorrow is a holiday. The charges will be based on the result of the coroner exam. DNA evidence already links Woodward to the crime. Other evidence was found on Blaze's Snapchat account after his parents allowed police access to his account. We don't know how well these two knew each other in high school. We do know that Woodward has extreme views on the bible and white supremacism and guns.
Samuel Lincoln Woodward born 04-27-1998 (He is 20) is now in custody in Orange County jail in California booking 3034445. He was arrested for the alleged murder of Blaze Bernstein around January 3, 2017. The suspect and the arrested man had attended the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana at the same time as the victim at one point. Date of Birth:04-27-1998Next Appearance Date:01-17-2018 Sex:Male Next Appearance Court:CENTRAL JAIL COURT Race:White Custody Status:In Custody Height:6' 02" Bail Amount:$0.00 Weight:185 Arrested on:01-12-2018 Hair Color:Blond Housing Location:Intake Release Center (Men) Eye Color: Blue
Occupation:NERF GAMES His next court appearance is January 17, 2018 at Central Jail Court. DEPARTMENT CJ1 ORANGE COUNTY MEN'S JAIL BUILDING 50 550 N. FLOWER ST.
SANTA ANA, CA 92703
Samuel Woodward, 21, sam woodward, samuel lincoln woodward, Newport Beach California Blaze Bernstein 19 murder killed dead
Samuel Woodward, 21, sam woodward, samuel lincoln woodward, Newport Beach California Blaze Bernstein 19 murder killed dead
Samuel is 6'2" 185 lbs. Blaze was 5'8" 130 lbs. Samuel has six inches and 55 lbs over Blaze. He easily won that fight. I think this had to do with a personal relationship or else it's a hate crime against homosexuals. I have no proof yet.
So far I see two priors. Blond hair, blue eyes.
Woodward Samuel Lincoln Defendant NBR49777 Infraction Aug 13, 2014 008/05/201427315(d)(1) VCIMandatory use of seatbelts requiredBail Forfeiture10/07/2014
Woodward Samuel Lincoln Defendant NBR70013 Infraction Apr 3, 2015
1003/27/201521461(a) VCIFailure to obey traffic control signTraffic School Completed08/15/2015
From the Justice Department. He's in Federal custody. He was found guilty of the following charges:
"At the conclusion of a nine-day trial in July 2021, a federal jury found Buck guilty of two counts of distribution of methamphetamine resulting in death, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and two counts of enticement to travel in interstate commerce for prostitution."
While he was not found guilty of murder, he was found guilty of providing drugs which resulted in death.
07/28/2021 Ed Buck found guilty. "A federal jury on Tuesday convicted a wealthy California political donor on charges he injected gay men with methamphetamine in exchange for sex, leading to two deaths and other overdoses. Ed Buck, 66, was found guilty of all nine felony counts in federal court, which could lead to a life sentence. The verdict came exactly four years after one of the victims, 26-year-old Gemmel Moore, was found dead of an overdose in Buck's West Hollywood apartment."
01/17/2020 Lacey dismissed from lawsuit from Gemmel Moore's mother. The mother is being allowed to replead. I think the Judge is doing that so the mother won't attack him like she did Lacey. I also believe that the Judge added negative remarks against Lacey to placate the mother. I don't blame Lacey for not allowing a large group of belligerent people with video cameras into her office for an unscheduled meeting. That would only end negatively.
01/09/2020 Ed Buck sued by the family of the second man to die in his apartment. These people must not realize that Ed Buck no longer has much money. Ed Buck can file for bankruptcy.
12/21/2019 Someone falsely added Ed Buck's name to a list of Elizabeth Warren supporters. This article clears up that false addition to the list. People will do anything to smear Dems.
11/27/2019 Felony charges against Ed Buck. Bail increased to $4 million. As Ed Buck has a public defender for the criminal case I doubt he could make any bail at this point.
11/03/2019 Trial moved to August 2020 per stipulation. STIPULATION to Continue Trial from November 26, 2019 to August 4, 2020 filed by Plaintiff USA as to Defendant Edward Buck (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Harris, Brittney) (Entered: 10/24/2019)
10/30/2019 I thought it odd they didn't prosecute Ed Buck when Moore died. I assumed there was insufficient evidence. Turned out the Sheriff bungled the investigation. While you are allowed to use evidence that you see out in the open, you cannot search closed items such as the toolbox. I don't know anything about meth to know if the amount they found would indicate dealing or if it was only enough for self use.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA (Western Division - Los Angeles) CRIMINAL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 2:19-cr-00595-CAS All Defendants
Case title: USA v. Buck Magistrate judge case number: 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY
Date Filed: 10/02/2019
10/02/2019 From the federal case.
09/26/20199 NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR DETENTION filed by Plaintiff USA as to Defendant Edward Buck (Harris, Brittney) (Entered: 09/26/2019) 09/26/201910 MINUTES OF Detention Hearing held before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh as to Defendant Edward Buck, The Court Orders the defendant permanently detained. Defendant submits on detention. The government shall inform the Court if defendant's state bond has been exonerated. If it has been exonerated, the Court will order defendant to pay $2000 a month for his legal representation. Medical abstract issued. Court Smart: 9/26/19. (mat) (Entered: 10/01/2019) 09/26/201911 ORDER OF DETENTION AFTER HEARING by Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh as to Defendant Edward Buck. (mat) (Entered: 10/01/2019) 09/26/201912 ASSERTION OF FIFTH AND SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS filed by Defendant Edward Buck (mat) (Entered: 10/01/2019)
Ed Buck indicted today. There is a mistake in the below article. Ed Buck is no longer wealthy. He submitted a financial statement and now has a public defender. That means he's indigent.
"Wealthy California political donor Ed Buck was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury for two overdose deaths in his West Hollywood apartment and charged with providing methamphetamine to three other men, one of whom survived two overdoses.
The indictment returned in U.S. District Court charged Buck with distributing meth resulting in the deaths of Timothy Dean in January and Gemmel Moore in 2017. Buck had previously been charged in Moore’s death after his arrest last month."
09/27/2019 Federal gov requests that Ed Buck be detained until the pretrial. Here is the request. Ed Buck didn't try to challenge it. As he is only paying $500/mo for legal fees from a public defender, I assume he has no money for bail anyway.
09/26/2019 Jasmyne Cannick paid for John Doe's hotel room and support. This may have destroyed the witness in the case. "Cannick paid for a hotel room using money from a GoFundMe campaign established to help Buck’s alleged victims, as they work toward a permanent solution. He is currently working with activist Jasmyne Cannick, who has been an integral voice in calling for Buck’s arrest."
PETA and others reported a circus to government officials. It turned out PETA paid for hotel fees for the main witness in the case. They had been working with the witness. For this reason PETA lost the case. PETA had to pay millions to the circus. Jasmyne Cannick may have destroyed the main witness in the case.
09/23/2019 This is from the federal case. It appears Ed Buck may be out of money. He filed a financial statement under seal. Generally that means they may be indigent. He will be paying $500/mo for legal representation. I'll try to figure out what this is about. He is currently being represented by a public defender. I believe that means Ed Buck has no more money. Looks like Gemmel Moore's mom and others won't be getting any money out of Ed Buck. Can't get blood out of a turnip.
09/18/20191 COMPLAINT filed as to Defendant Edward Buck in violation of 21:841(a)(1),(b)(1)(C). Approved by Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh as to Edward Buck (1). (ja) (Entered: 09/20/2019) 09/18/20193 NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR DETENTION filed by Plaintiff USA as to Defendant Edward Buck (ja) (Entered: 09/20/2019) 09/19/20194 REPORT COMMENCING CRIMINAL ACTION as to Defendant Edward Buck; defendants Year of Birth: 1954; date of arrest: 9/19/2019 (ja) (Entered: 09/23/2019) 09/19/20195 MINUTES OF INITIAL APPEARANCE ON LOCAL COMPLAINT held before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh as to Defendant Edward Buck. Defendant arraigned and advised of the charges. Defendant states true name as charged.Attorney: Claire M Simonich for Edward Buck, Deputy Federal Public Defender, present. Defendant remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. Preliminary Hearing set for 10/3/2019 04:30 PM before Duty Magistrate Judge. Post-Indictment Arraignment set for 10/10/2019 11:00 AM before Duty Magistrate Judge. Detention Hearing set for 9/26/2019 01:30 PM before Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh. Pay $500 a month for legal representation beginning October 1, 2019. Court Smart: CS 9/19/19. (ja) (Entered: 09/23/2019) 09/19/20196 FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT filed as to Defendant Edward Buck. (Not for Public View pursuant to the E-Government Act of 2002) (ja) (Entered: 09/23/2019) 09/19/20197 ADVISEMENT OF STATUTORY & CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS filed by Defendant Edward Buck. (ja) (Entered: 09/23/2019) 09/19/20198 NOTICE DIRECTING DEFENDANT TO APPEAR for Preliminary Hearing and Arraignment on Indictment/Information. Defendant Edward Buck is directed to appear for Preliminary Hearing on 10/3/19 at 4:30 PM and for Post Indictment Arraignment on 10/10/19 at 11:00 AM before the Duty Magistrate Judge. (ja) (Entered: 09/23/2019)
09/20/2019 October 11, 201908:30 AMClara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center030ARRAIGNMENT AND PLEA
Below is a link to the indictment of Ed Buck on federal charges. This is very damning. If you use this document which took me a bit of doing to obtain, please, link back here. Based on this doc there is no evidence that Buck injected Moore with meth. Both Buck and Moore's DNA were on the syringes. That's why Buck wasn't charged for Moore's death in West Hollywood. You can also see Moore begging to go to Buck's home saying he'll be a "good slave." As Moore had a meth drug charge without Buck the civil death case may be iffy. The case with the current 9/11 victim looks pretty solid. This may be a case like OJ's where he got off the murder charge yet was later found guilty of kidnapping and armed robbery. The federal charge is for "distribution of methamphetamine resulting in death" 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1), (b)(1)(c). Buck giving Moore drugs may be enough for the civil case. Of course we haven't heard anything from the defense. Maybe there is more to it. The indictment looks really bad.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA (Western Division - Los Angeles) CRIMINAL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY All Defendants
Case title: USA v. Buck Date Filed: 09/18/2019 Assigned to: Duty Magistrate Judge
Defendant (1) Edward Buck
Complaints Disposition Defendant in violation of 21:841(a)(1),(b)(1)(C)
Plaintiff USArepresented byBrittney Michelle Harris AUSA - Office of US Attorney General Crimes Section 312 North Spring Street Suite 1200 Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-894-0488 Fax: 213-894-0141 Email: brittney.harris@usdoj.gov LEAD ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED Designation: Assistant US Attorney
Date Filed#Docket Text 09/18/20191 COMPLAINT filed as to Defendant Edward Buck in violation of 21:841(a)(1),(b)(1)(C). Approved by Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh as to Edward Buck (1). (ja) (Entered: 09/20/2019) 09/18/20193 NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR DETENTION filed by Plaintiff USA as to Defendant Edward Buck (ja) (Entered: 09/20/2019)
Ed Buck is in Federal custody. He faces up to 20 years if convicted of being a drug house. From inmate search bop.gov
EDWARD BUCK78687-11265WhiteMaleUNKNOWNLos Angeles MDC
From the LA Times, "Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Buck earlier this week with operating a drug house, but the federal charge could prove far more perilous. If convicted of providing the drugs that led to Moore’s death, Buck faces a minimum of 20 years in prison.
Buck made a brief appearance in federal court Thursday afternoon and was ordered held without bond. Calls to his attorney seeking comment were not returned.
“Investigators have identified 10 additional victims — nine of whom [Buck] administered drugs or strongly encouraged them to ingest narcotics as part of agreements to be compensated for sexual services,” U.S. Atty. Nick Hanna told reporters Thursday."
"Buck “obtained a power saw from a closet, turned it on and approached” the man, the complaint says."
09/19/2019 Update from TMZ. Things just got a hell of a lot worse for Ed Buck.
2:08 PM PT -- Buck's officially been charged by the feds in California with one count of distribution of methamphetamine resulting in death. The charge stems from the death of Gemmel Moore at Buck's residence in July 2017.
12:28 PM PT -- Buck was wearing a blue protective vest during his hearing. Our law enforcement sources say the vest is reserved for inmates who are violent, suicidal or at risk of being attacked by other prisoners. We're told Buck is not suicidal.
Ed Buck will be arraigned October 11, 2019. Bail is $4,000,000. He appears to be wearing an anti-suicide vest smock. He also appeared to be shaking a little. Could he be addicted to meth? I don't know anything about the drug.
09/18/2019 His arrest record just showed up. I assume he'll be in special housing.
Booking No.: 5748982 Last Name: BUCK First Name: EDWARD Middle Name:
Sex: M Race: W Date Of Birth: 08/24/1954 Age: 65 Hair: GRY Eyes: HAZ Height: 511 Weight: 175
Charge Level: F (Felony)
ARREST Arrest Date: 09/17/2019 Arrest Time: 2000 Arrest Agency: 0901 Agency Description: LASD-W HOLLYWOOD STATION PATROL
Date Booked: 09/17/2019 Time Booked: 2100 Booking Location: WHD Location Description: STA - WEST HOLLYWOOD
BAIL Total Bail Amount: 4,000,000.00 Total Hold Bail Amount: 0.00 Grand Total: 4,000,000.00
Facility: TWIN TOWERS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY Address: 450 BAUCHET STREET City: LOS ANGELES
Facility Visiting Information Schedule A Visit
For County facility visiting hours, Please call (213) 473-6080 at Inmate Information Center.
COURT Next Court Code: Next Court Date: Next Court Time: 0000 Next Court Case:
Court Name: Court Address: Court City:
RELEASE No information on Release Date.
CASE INFORMATION Case No.Court NameCourt AddressCourt CityBail Amt.Fine Amt.Court DateSent. DateSent. Day(s)Disp Code LA***********4,000,000.00 .00 0 Click on specific Case No. for detailed information.
From TMZ. This is even worse! I do find it strange that someone who is showing signs of an overdose of meth would be able to fight off Buck and run to a gas station four blocks away. Below are signs of a meth overdose.
Chest pain Arrhythmias Hypertension or hypotension Difficult or labored breathing Agitation Hallucinations Psychosis Seizures Rapid or slow heartbeat Hyperthermia
"Regarding the recent overdose at his home, Buck allegedly administered a large dose of methamphetamine to the man on September 4, and he left to get medical attention because he was worried he was suffering from an overdose. The docs say the man returned on September 11 and Buck "personally and intentionally" injected him with 2 more large doses of the drug. When the guy began showing signs of an overdose, Buck allegedly thwarted his attempts to get help ... but the guy fled and called 911 from a nearby gas station."
Still, I have to ask. Why did the guy return the second time? Why did he go there the first time? Why didn't he report after the first time? 001% of me thinks it's a setup as payback for what may have happened previously. Still, for Ed Buck to have someone at his home doing drugs is crazy. It must be an addiction.
Below is the criminal case info. The charges are as follows:
1. California Penal Code 243(d) PC, an aggravated battery occurs when: One person willfully touches another in a harmful or offensive manner; and. The person who has been touched suffers a “serious bodily injury” as a result.
2. California Health and Safety Code 11379 HS makes it a California felony to sell methamphetamine or to transport methamphetamine for sale. Other illegal acts under HS 11379 include giving away meth or administering it to another person.
3. California Health & Safety Code 11366 HS makes it a crime to operate or maintain any place for the purpose of unlawfully selling or giving away illegal controlled substances.
He was arraigned this morning.
September 17, 201908:30 AMClara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice CenterCLKDOCKET LINE ENTRY
Case Number: LACBA481154-01 Defendant Name:BUCK, EDWARD PETER Violation Date September 11, 2019 Filing Date: September 17, 2019 Courthouse: Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center Case InformationEventsBailSentencing Information
09/17/2019 LA Times is carrying the story so it must be true. Why would Ed Buck ever let people take drugs in his place after what happened to the other two men? I assume Ed Buck called 911 for the person. This allegedly happened 9/11/19. Prosecutors want a bail of $4,000,000. He was charged with running a drug house and giving drugs to a 37 year old man. If convicted on all charges, Buck faces a possible maximum sentence of five years and eight months in state prison. After he gets out of prison Buck needs to move out of this area and see someone about his compulsion to do these acts and drugs with these men. I assume when they arrested him they had a search warrant to search his entire home. I can only imagine what they find.
From the Los Angeles County District Attorney.
"September 17, 2019: Man Charged With Running Drug Den in West Hollywood Apartment Contact: Greg Risling, Assistant Chief (213) 257-2000 GRisling@da.lacounty.gov A West Hollywood man was charged today with operating a drug house and providing methamphetamine to a 37-year-old man who suffered an overdose last week, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Edward Buck (dob 8/24/54) was charged in case BA481154 with one felony count each of battery causing serious injury, administering methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
On Sept. 11, Buck is accused of injecting the victim with methamphetamine at the defendant’s apartment in the 1200 block of Laurel Avenue in West Hollywood. The man suffered an overdose but survived.
“I remain deeply concerned for the safety of people whose life circumstances may make them more vulnerable to criminal predators,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said. “With this new evidence, I authorized the filing of criminal charges against Ed Buck.”
Prosecutors are recommending bail be set at $4 million. If convicted as charged, Buck faces a possible maximum sentence of five years and eight months in state prison.
Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Barnes of the Major Crimes Division is prosecuting the case.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department."
09/13/2019 The Judge granted the County's motion to dismiss and granted in part and denied in part Ed Buck's motion to dismiss. There will be no hearing on Monday. All the articles merely stated that the County and Ed Buck lost their motions to dismiss. That is not the complete truth.
"For the foregoing reasons, the County Defendants’ motion to dismiss is GRANTED. Defendant Buck’s motion to dismiss is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part."
Below is the Court's order. At this point the Judge will take as fact mere allegations that Buck injected Moore. The coroner's report did not show this. Plaintiff will have to show evidence, facts that prove Buck injected Moore or Plaintiff will lose. The Judge was more than fair. One big issue is that Plaintiff's attorney is a horrible attorney who doesn't know related law or even mere proper procedure. The Judge is giving Plaintiff a second, third, fourth chance to fix errors in their filing. That is the right thing for the Judge to do but Plaintiff's lawyer still did a shitty job.
09/11/2019 Motion to dismiss will be heard 09/16/2019. This article incorrectly states it's a pretrial hearing. While it is a hearing before trial it is not a "pretrial hearing" similar to criminal courts. This is a civil court. The writer is trying to insinuate that this is a criminal case. It is not. Ed Buck has not been tried in a criminal case. It will be interesting to see if all or part of the civil case is dismissed in this hearing. And again, if the mother and all of these people really cared about Gemmel Moore whom they knew was a drug addict sex worker why didn't they help him before he died? His mother knew he was going to meet Ed Buck. Why didn't she tell him not to go? Why didn't she put him in rehab? If Gemmel Moore had OD's in some poor person's place, she wouldn't have made a sound because she knew she couldn't get any money out of it.
08/2019: Lawsuit has been removed to federal court. September 16, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. Ed Buck's motion to dismiss will be heard along with the County's motion to dismiss the case. Based on the complaint and replies which I've read the case will be dismissed and Latisha Nixon will be owing legal fees. Below is Latisha Nixon's complaint. Nixon alleges all these things happened but she was not there. There is no evidence that most of these things happened. There also is no evidence that Ed Buck harmed Latisha Nixon. Gemmel Moore was an adult.
One thing I noticed in the complaint is that Latisha Nixon claimed Gemmel had not taken meth before Ed Buck. That is not necessarily the case. Gemmel Moore was arrested for meth possession with other people and none of them were Ed Buck. That arrest info is below.
Below is the County's motion to dismiss this case.
08/16/201922 Amended NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss First Amended Complaint , NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case filed by Defendant Edward Buck. Motion set for hearing on 9/16/2019 at 01:30 PM before Judge Cormac J. Carney. (Amster, Seymour) (Entered: 08/16/2019)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA (Western Division - Los Angeles) CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 2:19-cv-04610-CJC-SS
Latisha Nixon et al v. Edward Buck et al Assigned to: Judge Cormac J. Carney Referred to: Magistrate Judge Suzanne H. Segal Case in other court: Los Angeles County Superior Court, 19STCV06782 Cause: 28:1441 Notice of Removal - Civil Rights Act
07/2019 Plaintiff have filed an amended complaint in the civil lawsuit against Ed Buck over the death of Gemmel Moore. They have added human trafficking and revenge porn.
"Human trafficking" is as follows, "Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use violence, manipulation, or false promises of well-paying jobs or romantic relationships to lure victims into trafficking situations."
I am not positive about this but allegedly Ed Buck gave Gemmel Moore money for a plane ticket or gave him a plane ticket to come back to LA where he'd lived. Gemmel came to Los Angeles. Buck did not use "force, fraud or coercion." Again I'm not positive but allegedly Buck gave Gemmel money. There was no "force, fraud or coercion." Gemmel came to LA on his own free will.
"Revenge porn" is "revealing or sexually explicit images or videos of a person posted on the Internet, typically by a former sexual partner, without the consent of the subject and in order to cause them distress or embarrassment."
If Buck took pics of Gemmel, I assume it was consensual. I don't believe Buck posted any of those pics or videos online and definitely not to "cause distress or embarrassment." If those pics were posted publicly, Gemmel's family probably would have shown them. Gemmel was not a "former sexual partner" but a current partner. There was no "revenge."
This sounds like a lot of hearsay. It appears Gemmel's family just wants money. His mother has been asking people for money. If they truly cared about Gemmel, the mother should have told him not to go to LA. Mother should have gotten him into drug treatment if she cared. It will be interesting to see where this ends.
The wrongful death lawsuit.
Case Number: 19STCV06782 LATISHA MARIE NIXON VS EDWARD BUCK, ET AL.
Filing Courthouse: Spring Street Courthouse Filing Date: 02/27/2019 Case Type: Intentional Bodily Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (e.g., assault, vandalism, etc.) (General Jurisdiction) Status: Pending
Click here to access document images for this case If this link fails, you may go to the Case Document Images site and search using the case number displayed on this page
AMSTER SEYMOUR IRVING ESQ. - Attorney for Defendant
BUCK EDWARD - Defendant
GYAMFI NANA SERWAAH ESQ. - Attorney for Plaintiff
HUM CRAIG - Defendant
HURRELL THOMAS CHARLES ESQ. - Attorney for Defendant
LACEY JACKIE - Defendant
LOS ANGELES COUNTY - Defendant
NIXON AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST OF GEMMEL MOORE DECEASED LATISHA MARIE - Plaintiff
TURK HUSSAIN ESQ. - Attorney for Plaintiff
Documents Filed Case Information | Register Of Actions | FUTURE HEARINGS | PARTY INFORMATION | Documents Filed | Proceedings Held
Documents Filed (Filing dates listed in descending order) 05/29/2019 Certificate of Mailing for (Minute Order (Non-Appearance Case Review Re: Removal of State Action to F...) of 05/29/2019) Filed by Clerk
05/29/2019 Minute Order ( (Non-Appearance Case Review Re: Removal of State Action to F...)) Filed by Clerk
05/28/2019 Notice of Removal to Federal Court Filed by Jackie Lacey (Defendant); Craig Hum (Defendant); Los Angeles County (Defendant)
05/28/2019 Demurrer - with Motion to Strike (CCP 430.10) Filed by Edward Buck (Defendant)
05/06/2019 Notice (of Errata) Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
04/29/2019 Proof of Personal Service Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
04/29/2019 Proof of Personal Service Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
04/29/2019 Proof of Personal Service Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
04/29/2019 Proof of Personal Service Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
03/04/2019 Certificate of Mailing for ([Standing Order re PI Procedures and Hearing Dates] and Standing Order re PI Procedures and Hearing Dates) Filed by Clerk
03/04/2019 Standing Order re PI Procedures and Hearing Dates Filed by Clerk
02/27/2019 Notice of Case Assignment - Unlimited Civil Case Filed by Clerk
02/27/2019 Summons (on Complaint) Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
02/27/2019 Civil Case Cover Sheet Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
02/27/2019 Civil Case Cover Sheet Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
02/27/2019 Complaint Filed by LaTisha Marie Nixon, as Successor in Interest of Gemmel Moore, deceased (Plaintiff)
Proceedings Held (Proceeding dates listed in descending order)
07/18/2019 at 1:30 PM in Department 2, Georgina T. Rizk, Presiding Hearing on Demurrer - with Motion to Strike (CCP 430.10) (to Complaint) - Not Held - Advanced and Vacated
05/29/2019 at 11:14 AM in Department 2, Georgina T. Rizk, Presiding Non-Appearance Case Review
Register Of Actions Case Information | Register Of Actions | FUTURE HEARINGS | PARTY INFORMATION | Documents Filed | Proceedings Held
Register of Actions (Listed in descending order)
07/18/2019 at 1:30 PM in Department 2, Georgina T. Rizk, Presiding Hearing on Demurrer - with Motion to Strike (CCP 430.10) (to Complaint) - Not Held - Advanced and Vacated
05/29/2019 at 11:14 AM in Department 2, Georgina T. Rizk, Presiding Non-Appearance Case Review
05/28/2019 Notice of Removal to Federal Court Filed by Jackie Lacey (Defendant); Craig Hum (Defendant); Los Angeles County (Defendant)
05/28/2019 Demurrer - with Motion to Strike (CCP 430.10) Filed by Edward Buck (Defendant)
03/26/2019 Coroner ruled that the second man died of accidental meth overdose.
03/13/2019 Open letter from LA DA Jackie Lacey. I'm glad she wrote this. Criminal charges must be based on physical evidence. The charges and evidence must be able to stand up in a court of law. Rumor, innuendo, diary entries, hearsay, donations to a political candidate ... are not evidence. It's really ridiculous that people are attacking everyone who ever knew Ed Buck, took a campaign contribution from Ed Buck... It's even more ridiculous that people are begging for money because of Gemmel Moore's death. Moore's funeral was already paid. What are they doing with the money? Moore isn't getting it. Some people are using his death for their own agenda which is pretty gross.
What really gets me is all these people who are allegedly upset about Moore's death. Why didn't they care about him when he was alive? Why didn't they help him before he died? Those who didn't help Moore especially his family members are partially to blame. Today they say he died because he was a drug addict. Well then why didn't they take him to rehab before he died?
An open letter to the citizens of West Hollywood from Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey
"The loss of someone’s child, no matter his or her age or the circumstance, is tragic and heartbreaking.
I empathize with the mother, family and friends of Gemmel Moore, who sadly died last year of a drug overdose inside the home of Ed Buck. I also empathize with the family and friends of Timothy Dean, whose death in Mr. Buck’s home remains under investigation.
I have asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to continue to thoroughly investigate the deaths of both men.
I also am calling on the public to come forward with any information that may aid in the investigation and shed light on the circumstances of these tragic deaths.
When any allegation is considered for possible criminal prosecution, the issue is whether there is clear evidence that a crime has occurred and whether that is sufficient to convince a jury of 12 people of a defendant’s guilt. Prosecutors cannot ethically file charges without such facts in hand.
When there is no independent witness nor other corroborating evidence that another person was responsible for a death, prosecutors have few options.
Still, I can understand the desire to want to hold someone responsible.
I am not just an attorney, but a mother and a native Angeleno who has witnessed firsthand the economic and personal struggles that so many in our community face. I cannot imagine losing one of my children, particularly to something as destructive as drugs.
Yet I am the Los Angeles County district attorney, elected by the people to bring criminals to justice and uphold the law in a fair and ethical manner.
I take that responsibility seriously and have dedicated my life and career to this public service.
Some have insinuated that a $100 donation from Mr. Buck to my 2012 election campaign – money that I have since returned – has somehow tainted my ability to impartially consider whether criminal charges are warranted against him in the death of Mr. Moore.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Every life, regardless of a person’s age, race, economic status and even whether they use illegal drugs, has value.
If that life is lost because of the unlawful actions of another, rest assured that my office will do everything possible to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Signed,
Jackie Lacey, District Attorney, County of Los Angeles, California"
02/28/2019 Ed Buck sued for wrongful death over Gemmel Moore. I haven't seen the case.
01/07/2019 Another man found dead. A black male in his '50's. Perhaps Buck should stop allowing drug users to hang out at his apartment. We don't have any facts yet. Maybe Buck was asleep when the person took drugs and OD'd. We don't even know cause of death yet.
07/28/2018 Ed Buck is exonerated, cleared of all wrong doing. No charges will be filed as there is insufficient evidence that a crime was committed. They took a long time to investigate to make sure they fully investigated everything.
Will the mother and other people who extorted money from politicians and others donate that money to Ed Buck's animal causes? That's what you demanded that others do for you. Don't be a hypocrite. Not only will they not return the money, they will probably ask for more money. They should at the very least use any money they took and spend it on getting treatment for drug addicts. They won't.
07/19/2018 The prosecutor's office is looking into the death of Gemmel. I believe they are taking a long time and investigating the case as much as possible to appease the family and friends. I agree with Buck's attorney. There was no evidence that Buck killed Gemmel. If there were, he would have been arrested by now. The police probably fear protests by Gemmel supporters.
As I've said before the coroner and police said it was an accidental death almost a year ago. The coroner and police didn't take any evidence from Buck's apartment. It's now been over a year and any alleged crime scene was not controlled. No evidence was retained. Even if Buck did intentionally inject and kill Gemmel, there is no physical evidence which has been in control of the police since Gemmel died.
Gemmel's journal is not evidence that Buck killed Gemmel. The journal was not in control of the police. How do we know someone didn't write in it after Gemmel died? How do we know Gemmel was telling the truth? I'm sure there will be some protests when the DA states there is insufficient evidence to prosecute Buck.
UPDATE: Justice 4 Gemmel Moore continues to shake down anyone who received a donation from Ed Buck. Leon gave a donation to a sexual assault survivor group in an amount equal to a donation received from Buck. Justice 4 Gemmel Moore said that wasn't good enough. They want the money. They say the money is for "Ed Buck's victims." Who is that exactly? Moore is dead. They are not a non-profit so Leon couldn't have donated to them. It's just a gofundme run by some private person who has raised $6,000 of a $20,000 goal. What are they going to do with the money? If these people really cared about Gemmel Moore they should have cared about him when he was alive. These people are using a tragic situation to shake down people for money. They guilt and threaten people into giving them money. The person behind the website is anonymous. Why is this shake down artist anonymous? When the police investigation is complete and Buck is most likely exonerated, will they apologize to him? I doubt it. Latisha Nixon the mother is running the gofundme. I sent her an email asking what she is doing with the money.
"The resulting scandal has caused several California Democrats, including both Feinstein and de Leon, to return Buck’s donations. However, Moore’s mother, Latisha Nixon, said de Leon had not donated the money to the fund set up for the family. According to representatives from Justice 4 Gemmel Moore + All of Ed Buck’s Victims, de Leon’s campaign had promised to donate Buck’s money to the fund for his victims. Instead, the de Leon campaign donated the funds to WEAVE, a nonprofit that serves domestic violence and sexual assault survivors in Sacramento County."
11/18/2017 Times got a hold of the coroner's report. It still appears to be an accidental overdose. The coroner did note the tool chest with drugs and paraphernalia inside.
UPDATE: The ridiculous gets more ridiculous. Now Moore's family says the Sheriff is dragging his feet! Yes, the Sheriff is dragging his feet for a couple of reasons.
One, he wants the Moore family to feel that he spent a lot of time fully investigating everything, anything and nothing. Sheriff knows there is no physical evidence that Buck killed Moore. There is also no eye witness. Moore's journal could never be used as even circumstantial evidence as the chain of possession is not independent. How would anyone know who wrote that journal. Maybe someone else wrote it after the death in the hopes of shaking Buck down for money. I'm not claiming that. I'm only stating a lawyer could argue that. The words of other sex workers who visited Buck also can't be used. They were not a witness to Moore's actual death.
Two, Sheriff is trying to drag out the time from the death to releasing the results to lessen the reaction from the Moores and activists. The Sheriff will state he has no evidence of a crime. The Moores, activists are going to attack the hell out of the Sheriff, WeHo city council, Buck, anyone Buck ever donated to, anyone Buck ever took a photo with... It's going to be mean and nasty.
Considering both sides have publicly stated that the Sheriff is dragging his feet, and he is, perhaps it's time to release the result of the investigation. It will probably go something like this,
"Thank you very much to all the people who came forward with evidence. Thank you to the Moore family for helping with this investigation. Thank you to the city council. Thank you to the activists for standing up and speaking out for (fill in the blank) struggling members of our society. After a very thorough and long multi-department investigation we have found no evidence of a crime. We're not saying Buck didn't have something to do with Moore's death. We're only saying there is no physical evidence which is what we need in our judicial system to charge someone with a crime. Moore's death is a very sad tragedy for him, his family and our entire community. People need to reach out to others in need, people dealing with homelessness and drug addiction. blah blah blah."
Buck's lawyer says the Sheriff is dragging his feet in the investigation. I'm sure the Sheriff is dragging his feet so he won't be attacked by Moore's family and activists. I doubt Buck will be charged with any crime. There is no physical evidence which could show he killed Moore. There are no eye witnesses present when Moore died.
In the article above Moore's brother states he's also gay and was a drug addict. Moore lived with his brother before he died. So, his brother and mother both knew he was gay, did drugs and was a sex worker. Why didn't they intervene and help Moore before he died? The mother and brother should have helped Moore. Yelling and screaming after he's dead does no one any good.
And again the Moore supporters are asking for money. They want anyone who ever received a donation from Buck to give them that money. Money, money, money. They are attacking everyone who received a political donation from Buck. Buck has not been convicted of a crime. There is no reason for people to give the donation they received from Buck to Moore's supporters. What would they use the money on? Themselves and their campaign to attack anyone related to Buck.
09/28/2017 People are, were protesting at Buck's home. If people cared this much about Gemmel when he was alive, he might not have died. Where were these people when they knew Gemmel was a drug addict sex worker with money problems? Why didn't his mother and all these other people help him them? Because they obviously didn't care about Gemmel. They're making a big fuss now for media attention and money. His mother said this media attention has made her feel famous and people will probably want to make a movie about her. In the gofundme she asked for money for herself. That shows the true colors of these people right there. Shameful behavior. If you have a friend who needs help, help them. Don't wait until they OD and die then make a stink. Gemmel could have gone to rehab for free as I'm sure he qualified for Medi-cal.
09/27/17 Sheriff Dept spoke to media about the case. They are still investigating. They are not interested in hearsay which is what a certain writer has been throwing all over the internet. They want to speak to people with "first hand knowledge of the specific incident." They want to speak to people who physically were there and witnessed what happened. Obviously there was no one else there as a witness.
While the investigators have stated they aren't leaning one way or another their remarks seem to show that there is no physical evidence of murder by Buck. There is no new evidence. Based on what I've seen there has just been a lot of hearsay and innuendo about what might have happened. I will predict that no charges will be filed against Buck.
"Gemmel Moore, Hatchet Attack, Cannabis and the Resignation of Estevan Montemayor: WeHo Public Safety Commission’s Busy Agenda
Tue, Sep 12, 2017 By James Mills Capt. Sergio Aloma, head of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, last night explained the Sheriff’s Department’s approach to the death of Gemmel Moore, a young black escort, at the home of local political figure Ed Buck in July.
“Deputies received to a call for service at the address on Laurel [Avenue],” Aloma said, responding to a question for Estevan Montemayor of WeHo’s Public Safety Commission. “It was a person in some sort of medical distress.
Gemmel “Juelz” Moore (left) and Ed Buck (Facebook) “They responded along with L.A. County Fire and paramedics who, once they got there, were rendering aid to the victim, Mr. Moore. The victim was subsequently deceased at the address. Our deputies who responded, along with the fire department, did not see anything that was obviously criminal in terms of foul play that was involved in his death.”
Aloma, speaking at the monthly Public Safety Commission meeting, said that his deputies contacted the sheriff’s homicide bureau, as is standard procedure. The homicide bureau decided it was an overdose death, which is not something they respond to.
Deputies also contacted the coroner’s office, which is also protocol. The coroner’s office also saw no evidence of foul play.
“Once the coroner’s office responded to the scene, they concurred with the deputies that this was possibly an overdose death and there was no foul play or malice of forethought, which you would need in a homicide for example, so they treated it as such,” Aloma said.
The intense media attention regarding Moore’s death caused the homicide bureau to open an investigation “out of an abundance of caution,” Aloma reported. He also confirmed that the district attorney’s office has granted limited immunity to a certain number of witnesses, “individuals who claim to have information and our homicide detectives are proceeding with interviews of those folks to see what information they have and what type of bearing it will have in the case,” Aloma said.
Although the homicide bureau is presently questioning the people granted immunity, at this time Ed Buck is not considered a suspect, Aloma said.
“We don’t know if there is in fact a crime yet,” he said. “That is still part of the investigation at the bureau to determine whether a crime actually occurred and to whether or not Mr. Buck, or anyone else, is a suspect in this case.”
Moore, 26, was found dead in Buck’s Laurel Avenue apartment on July 27. A report from the L.A. County Coroner’s Office states that the death was an accident and lists its cause as “methamphetamine use.” A Coroner’s Office spokesman has said that drug paraphernalia was discovered in Buck’s apartment.
Moore’s death has sparked outrage among members of the African-American community, many of whom accuse Buck, a white man in his early 60s who is relatively affluent, of exploiting young black men. Jasmyne Cannick, a political and media consultant who is working with Moore’s family, has published pages from the young man’s diary claiming an illicit paid relationship with Buck. Cannick has also published statements from other young black men who say Buck has paid them to use drugs with him. Buck to date has not responded to the allegations. However his lawyer has suggested that Buck simply was helping people in need.
At the suggestion of Commissioner Montemayor, the Public Safety Commission adjourned in honor of Gemmel Moore, a symbolic action taken to note the group’s sympathy over his death."
09/02/2017 DA agrees to give witnesses immunity. I don't think it will cause the DA to press charges as none were witnesses when Gemmel died. They can only provide circumstantial evidence. As the body was already given to the family I don't know if the coroner could tell if Gemmel died from injection or smoke inhalation.
08/29/2017 People coming out of the wood work about Buck. A man by the name of Mark Hefferan said he had to get a restraining order against Buck. He failed to mention that Buck got a restraining order against him first 04/11/2007 case # SS015023. A few other people said they also got restraining orders against Buck in Los Angeles County but no one else did. I searched LA County records. After I called out Mark Hefferan he PM'd me on FB and called me a "Trump supporter" then blocked me while he made nasty personal attacks against me. I voted for Bernie then Hillary. No Trump supporter here for sure. I hate Trump. Trump is harming our nation.
The writer of the "angry ranting woman playing the race card blog" recklessly throwing around innuendo and hearsay called me nasty names for calling out her false statements of alleged facts and conclusions. I even received death threats for posting a pic of Buck at our political convention. I took pics of EVERYONE at our political convention yet this woman said I stuck my "nose up Buck's ass." I posted all the photos in a public album which they saw. I'm not a close friend of Buck. We've had our differences on some issues.
The same blogger continues with her misinformation and attacks on Democrats, friends of Buck, anyone who was ever in a photo with Buck, anyone who ever took a photo of Buck.... I'm being attacked because I took a photo of Buck with Ted Leiu in 2013. I took a photo of EVERYONE at the event. This same lady is now attacking Leiu because he was in the photo. This woman states every politician who received a donation from Buck since 2008 should return it instantly. Buck has not been charged with a crime and most likely won't be charged. This woman believes that everyone should be attacking Buck. She's upset people are not attacking him. San people are waiting for the investigation and facts. This same lady says Buck is a racist because he's hasn't donated much to black politicians. Today we have the highest number of black senators ever in our history. There are 2/100 or 2%. Buck donated less to black politicians because there are fewer black politicians. This writer is one of those people who likes to rant and rave. Yelling at politicians for not attacking Buck does not help Moore or anyone else.
08/27/2017 So many reckless articles are being written about Ed Buck by non-journalists. One person commented "This article is full of innuendo, hearsay and selected factoids. The full investigation is what is needed, not idle gossip, like this article. The young man takes no personal responsibility for his dangerous drug use. He admits he goes back to Buck's place and does drugs. What? Was he kidnapped?" They complain that Democrats aren't calling out Buck as a "murderer" because they got donations from him. They aren't calling out Buck because they are waiting for facts, evidence and the result of the investigation. These people are also attacking all the politicians and PACs which received money from Buck dating back to 2008. Buck had no criminal record. He's not a money launderer or a Russian. Politicians should only refuse donations from heinous criminals, money launderers or people who aren't US citizens.
One blogger goes so far as to say Buck is a racist because he repeated a line from the movie "Blazing Saddles." They posted the below photo from a Facebook post. This woman did not know that "Blazing Saddles" written by Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor is a parody making fun of and calling out racists and their racist behavior. In case young people don't know who these people are Mel Brooks is a Jewish writer, actor. Richard Pryor was a black writer, actor and comedian. They both faced racism which is why they made fun of racism in their movies and acts.
In the 1974 movie "Blazing Saddles" the n word is said quite a few times. Each time it is said it's to show how stupid and racist its use is. The movie calls out racism about African Americans, Mexicans, Indians, Whites, Asian, Jews, women, men... Below is the Facebook communication between Buck and Neil Pople. Buck said he memorized the script of the movie. "It's scripture to me." That means he reveres it's anti-racist idea.
Here is the scene which states paraphrased "back off or the n***** get's it." The black sheriff freaks out the crowd by holding a gun to his own head and saying "Hold it. The next man makes a move the n***** gets it." He goes on to say "drop it or I swear I blow this n****** head all over this crowd. Oh, lordy lord, do what he say! Do what he say!" If anyone thinks this is real and racist, they're an effing idiot just like the blogger. Watch the movie.
And again, one of the main reasons Buck started the recall campaign for the racist, bigoted, misogynist Governor of Arizona Evan Mecham was because of his overt, public racism against blacks, Mexicans, immigrants, LGBTQ and women. Read about how racist Mecham was against blacks. Mecham and his son called black people the n word. The only interesting thing here is that Mecham only became Governor because there was a three way election just like with Bernie, Hillary and Donald, divide and conquer and evil racism wins.
08/26/2017 The mother does intend to sue Buck for money. “I plan to seek justice for my son in every way possible and intend for Buck to face the consequences of the California’s Drug Dealer Liability Act of 2005,” Nixon said. The CDDLA has to do with a drug dealer selling drugs to a person who then becomes addicted and needs treatment. I don't believe Buck was a drug dealer. The anony prostitute stated they went to buy drugs together from a dealer. Maybe Nixon interprets dealer as someone giving it to someone for free? Gemmel was caught with meth in 2015 and arrested. He was caught with pot in Texas in 2014. I doubt Buck was in Compton or Spring, Texas with Gemmel. It'll be interesting to see how this will shake out.
WeHo city council member and criminal attorney Duran stated any potential witnesses should get an attorney before they speak to police. For some reason Steve Cooley stated that Duran should not say anything because he's giving legal advice about immunity. I believe Duran stated that so any potential witness would not be charged with prostitution and use of illegal drugs. I don't think he was trying to frighten witnesses which already have a lawyer. Duran did state that he was Buck's lawyer for a while. For that reason he should probably recuse himself from any city council vote related to this incident.
I still don't think there is any evidence which can prove Buck injected Moore with a drug that killed him. The journal is inadmissible as the journal was not under custody. It could have been altered. It's also irrelevant as the journal relates to Moore's perception of events from 2016. The journal is not about the incident that night.
People need to think about what "if" Buck did not kill Moore. That means all these false statements calling him a "murderer" ... are defamation. That means the sharing of private photos and videos is infringement on Buck's privacy. Moore's mother said people shouldn't attack her son because he was a drug addict and a prostitute. Then why is Moore's mother viciously attacking Buck when we don't even have all the facts.
ORIGINAL: Ed Buck, Edward Buchmelter was born August 24, 1954 into a middle class family in Ohio. His father was Edward Thomas Buchmelter born 1918, died 1993 in Scottsdale, Arizona. His mother is Margaret Julia Tomko Buchmelter living in Phoenix, Arizona. His siblings are Kathleen "Kay," Gorgonia "Georgie," and Lawrence. They all grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. Ed Buck's paternal grandparents are John Adolphus Buchmelter and Anna Margaret Rasko from Slovakia. His maternal grandparents were Mike and Frances Tomko both from Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria. Based on the dates the grandparents arrived it sounds like they were fleeing the pogroms.
Buck donates heavily to animal and Democratic causes. He was a main supporter for Southern California Golden Retriever rescue. He ran for West Hollywood City Council in 2007. Here is his position paper.
ed buck, edward buck, edward buchmelter, gemmel moore, death, drugs, meth, west hollywood, weho, california, animal, rescue, democrat, campaign donation, model, laurel
Locals probably remember when Buck heckled Meg Whitman at a WeHo political event then Chris Christie chewed him out. Buck is probably most well known for a recall motion he started when he lived in Phoenix, Arizona to oust Evan Mecham the homophobic, racist, misogynist governor. Mecham called black people "piccaninnie." Mecham approved of the strip search of a 2 year old black child saying black people are from the "lower society." Mecham stated he would rescind MLK day in Arizona. Mecham stated blacks are only "good for picking cotton." People viciously attacked Buck for standing up for gays, people of color, women and animals. Buck supported MLK day. Some people I assume white said they didn't want MLK day "because MLK did nothing for Arizona." Mecham got rid of MLK day once elected. Four years later MLK day in Arizona was re-established. I see why Buck left Arizona and came to WeHo.
I personally remember Buck at the WeHo anti-fur rally and city council votes. He was also behind Social Compassion in Legislation. I remember him initially opposing our cat declaw ban in WeHo. He just didn't fully understand it at the time and later supported us.
May 2017 Ed Buck was named "50 states, 50 heroes." "In 1987, Ed Buck formed Mecham Recall Committee, to force Arizona Governor Evan Mecham from office. A year later, the homophobic governor became the first in Arizona to be impeached. Buck also organized the first HIV education program in Arizona. Since retiring to West Hollywood in 1991, Buck has become a volunteer with animal rescue. “Year after year, Ed has shown us how his commitment to compassion makes the difference. Best of all? Ed’s smart and sassy and gets the job done.” — John D’Amico, West Hollywood Councilmember (WeHo.org) "
July 27, 2017 Gemmel Artae Moore died in Ed Buck's apartment in the 1200 block of Laurel. According to the coroner report #2017-05583 Gemmel Moore's death was an "accident" caused by "methamphetamine use". Case is closed. Body was released. "The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has stated that when Moore’s body was found there were no drugs or drug paraphernalia at Buck’s residence. The Democratic party donor is not under investigation at this time. " See below coroner report which is linked above.
ed buck, edward buck, edward buchmelter, gemmel moore, death, drugs, meth, west hollywood, weho, california, animal, rescue, democrat, campaign donation, model, laurel
Gemmel had a criminal drug history. MOORE, GEMMEL ARTE5CP0532410/01/2015Compton Courthouse (COM) He was charged with California Penal Code 11377. California's Health and Safety code 11377 (HS 11377, for short) is the sentencing and punishment for the possession of methamphetamine, or more commonly known as crystal meth, or just meth.
He was charged with Samuel Lloyd. Compton CourthouseThis is the co-defendant. 5CP0532402SAMUEL GABRIEL LLOYDLimited Jurisdiction. 0111377Health & Safety CodeNolo ContendereGuilty/Convicted11/04/2015 They are facebook friends. The case is pending against Gemmel who had a pre-trial July 2016. They probably couldn't find Gemmel.
Moore had a drug case against him in Spring, Harris County, Texas. He pled guilty and was sentenced to jail for three days and had to pay a fine. He also lost his driver's license for six months and had to take a drug education class.
Case 194762401010 - 2 File Date2/26/2014 Case (Cause) StatusComplete OffensePOSS MARIJ 0-2 OZ Last Instrument FiledMisdemeanor Information Case DispositionDISPOSED Case Completion Date2/27/2014 Defendant StatusDISPOSED Bond Amount$500.00 Next/Last Setting Date2/27/2014 Defendant Details Race/SexB / M EyesBRO SkinLBR DOB1/14/1991 US CitizenYes Height/Weight6'00 / 160 LBS HairBLK BuildLGT In CustodyN Place Of Birth Address14435 VALERIO ST VAN NUYS CA91405 Markings
At the insistence of Moore's mother LaTisha Nixon around August 14, 2017 the Los Angeles County Sheriff began to look into what caused Gemmel Moore to die at the home of Ed Buck on July 27, 2017. "In an abundance of caution, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau has assigned several investigators to review the circumstances of the death to determine if any criminal culpability exists," according to a sheriff's statement." This is three weeks after Gemmel Moore died and his body was released to family. The scene of Moore's death was not secured by sheriff after Moore died. No evidence was secured or taken. Sheriff stated there were no drugs or drug paraphernalia at the home at that time. Even if Buck had injected Moore which caused him to die there is no evidence with which to charge him. The DA would refuse the case as it would only be based on very circumstantial evidence consisting of a personal journal about personal feelings, thoughts about past events and the memories of drug addicted male prostitutes. The anonymous male prostitute "Blake" said his mind was not clear because of the drugs. He said he had blackouts. Moore also said his mind was not clear. I don't see Buck being charged.
Ed Buck's attorney released this statement. "Ed had nothing to do with his [Moore's] death. I think the investigation is the responsible thing to do," Amster adds, "but I think nothing will come of it. Ed is a caring soul who allows individuals to have access to his home who are homeless or who have other social or economic issues, to give them a place to wash up in a safe environment. Unfortunately many of these individuals come in with their lifestyles." Asked if Buck did drugs with the victim, the attorney said, "I don't think his personal lifestyle is the issue. I'm not going to accept an invitation to go into the private aspects of his life. This was a tragedy and that's all it was."
Don't get me wrong, if Buck injected Moore with drugs against his wishes which caused him to die, he should be charged with manslaughter. Because there is no physical evidence from the body or the location of death I don't believe Buck will be charged due to lack of evidence.
Whoever made this page is not helping "Blake" or Moore's case. The info they posted leads you directly to "Blake." The arrest for drugs, school... The blog states “He has friends come over and shoot him up in his neck.” So Buck is not the one injecting people? "The second time he says Buck injected him with crystal meth he said Buck offered him some money to do it and Blake’s admits he agreed to it." So the guy agreed to get an injection. “My arm was red. When I woke up I thought he was doing that too me. But the other dude was over there high too so I didn’t know what was going on." So they didn't know what was happening? Blake keeps saying he was poor and homeless but he has an Apple watch. The story is all over the place.
One thing I noticed in the articles which state Buck should be arrested immediately is they bring up the fact that he's wealthy. They also stated he owns the building where he lives. He does not own the building where he lives. He's a rent control tenant. He does donate a lot of money to candidates and other causes. They talk a lot about money. Sounds like the family wants to sue Buck in civil court to get some money. I personally believe if Moore had died in a motel with a poor person there wouldn't be so much talk or demands of arrest and charges. Mother and someone else set up a gofundme within hours after the death of her son. It's not for Gemmel's burial expenses but money for the mother. Mother is now saying her life is now a Lifetime Movie and people will want to make a movie about her like she's a hero or something. She knew her son was a drug addict and sex worker before he died. Someone should have sent him to rehab and job training. Mother shows off the gifts people sent to her as condolence. Oddly in her entire Facebook profile she only had one photo of Gemelle before he died.
LaTisha Nixon, her family, friends have been viciously attacking and even defaming Ed Buck. They call him a "sick, demented creep" because he likes to look at men in underwear. Most guys love looking at women in underwear. Are they also "creeps?" I like looking at boyfriends in their underwear. Am I a "creep?" I think they're calling him a "creep" because he is gay. And if Buck is a "creep" that means Gemmel is also a "creep." He admitted he enjoyed it in his journal.
This is rich. LaTisha Nixon's mother Sandra Bufford calls white people racist against blacks. Then she posts some nasty racist photo against Dominicans. Racism is racism and it's always wrong, doesn't matter the color, religion, sexual orientation, nationality... Here is Gemmel Moore's Facebook page. Here is Latisha Nixon's page.
I see people in animal rights, Democratic party and others not only turning their back on Ed Buck, removing him from boards, distancing themselves but they're viciously attacking him. The investigation is not yet over. Innocent until proven guilty. We don't yet have all the facts.
I just read that Mike Bonin stated about Buck "I do not know him well." They were always very friendly every time I saw them together at events like they were old friends.
Text from indictment. There are errors in the cut/paste. See pdf above.
Criminal Complaint ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~ UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the Central District of California United States of America
Defendant Case No.
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT I, the complainant in this case, state that the following is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. On or about the date of July 27, 2017 in the county of Los Angeles in the Central District of California, the defendant violated: Code Section zl u.s.c. §§ s41(a)(1), (b)(1)(c) Offense Description Distribution of Methamphetamine Resulting in Death This criminal complaint is based on these facts: Please see attached affidavit. qD Continued on the attached sheet. Printed name and title Sworn to before me and signed in my presence. Date: ~~ ~ S/ / ~ ~ ~ dge's signature City and state: Los Angeles, California Hon. Patrick Walsh, U.S. Magistrate Judge Printed name and title AUSA: Brittney M. Harris (x0488) Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 1 of 22 Page ID #:1 AFFIDAVIT I, John Mundell, being duly sworn, declare and state as follows: I. PURPOSE OF AFFIDAVIT 1. This affidavit is made in support of criminal complaint and arrest warrant against EDWARD BUCK for a violation of 21 U.S.C. ~~ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C) Distribution of Methamphetamine Resulting in Death. 2. The facts set forth in this affidavit are based upon my personal observations, my training and experience, and information obtained from other law enforcement officers and witnesses. This affidavit is intended to show merely that there is sufficient probable cause for the requested complaint and arrest warrant and does not purport to set forth all of my knowledge of or investigation into this matter. Unless specifically indicated otherwise, all conversations and statements described in this affidavit are related in substance and in part only. II. BACKGROUND OF AFFIANT 3. I am a Task Force Officer (~~TFO") with the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), and have been so employed since 2018. I was also a TFO with the DEA from 2008 to 2014. I am also a Deputy Sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and have been so employed since 1988 and have worked in the Narcotics Bureau since 2002. I went through a nineteenweek academy and have attended hundreds of other instructional courses in criminal law enforcement. The courses that I have taken have covered drug trafficking patterns, surveillance i Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 2 of 22 Page ID #:2 techniques, narcotics identification, money laundering, etc. I am currently part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Opiate Response Team, which investigates suspected drug overdose deaths of individuals. 4. During my tenure as a law enforcement officer, including as a TFO, I have investigated hundreds of cases involving the manufacturing, transportation, sale, possession for sale, and trafficking of controlled substances, and conspiracies associated with controlled substance offenses. I have been involved in narcotics-related arrests that have resulted in the seizure of narcotics and other evidence. 5. I have used a variety of techniques and resources, including, but not limited to, surveillance, use of confidential sources, undercover operations, telephone toll analysis, installation, monitoring and retrieval of trackers, search warrants, and wire intercept communications analysis. 6. I am familiar with narcotics traffickers' methods of operation including the distribution, storage, and transportation of narcotics, and the collection of proceeds of narcotics trafficking, and money laundering. III. SUNIlKARY OF PROBABLE CAUSE 7. The Drug Enforcement Administration is conducting an investigation into EDWARD BUCK (~~BUCK") following the drug overdose deaths of two individuals, on separate occasions, both of whom were found dead inside of BUCK's residence in West Hollywood, California. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 3 of 22 Page ID #:3 8. On or about July 27, 2017, victim Gemmel Moore ("Moore") was found nearly naked (wearing only white socks) and unresponsive on the living room floor in BUCK's residence and was pronounced dead after the police arrived. The autopsy report concluded that the cause of death was methamphetamine overdose. Witnesses who knew Moore told law enforcement officers that BUCK paid Moore in money and drugs in exchange for Moore to engage in sexual activities with BUCK. At the time of Moore's death, Moore had been living in Texas, and text messages between BUCK and Moore suggested that BUCK purchased Moore's airline ticket for Moore to fly to Los Angeles for BUCK to engage in sexual activities with Moore. 9. On or about January 7, 2019, a man who is identified herein as Victim 1 was found almost naked (wearing only white underwear) and unresponsive on the living room floor in BUCK's residence and was pronounced dead after the police arrived. The autopsy report concluded that the cause of death was methamphetamine and ethanol toxicity. The coroner investigator's report stated that a rubber ring was around Victim 1's scrotum and a rubber ring was around the base of Victim 1's penis. 10. Based on information obtained from an individual identified herein as Victim 7, described further below, BUCK continued to solicit men for sex and drug use after the January 7, 2019 death. According to Victim 7, BUCK propositioned him as recently as July 2019. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 4 of 22 Page ID #:4 11. Finally, based on information obtained from an individual identified herein as Victim 10, described further below, BUCK solicited him to engage in sexual activities and distributed methamphetamine to him nearly every day during an approximately one month period from on or about July 29, 2019, to on or about September 6, 2019, while Victim 10 was living at BUCK's residence. According to Victim 10, BUCK intravenously injected methamphetamine into Victim 10 on September 4 and September 11, 2019, which caused Victim 10 to suffer overdose effects, requiring him to be transported to the hospital. Victim 10 was subsequently released from the hospital after each encounter. IV. STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE 12. Based on my review of law enforcement reports, conversations with other law enforcement officers, and my own knowledge of the investigation, I am aware of the following: A. Gemmel Moore's Death 13. On July 27, 2017, at 6:54 p.m.,l Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (~~LASD") deputies arrived at 1234 North Laurel Avenue, Apartment 17, in West Hollywood, California (~~BUCK's residence"), in response to BUCK's 911 call that a person had stopped breathing in BUCK's residence. The deputies saw that the individual (later identified as Moore)z was laying unresponsive and nearly nude (wearing only white socks on his 1 All dates are on or about and all times are approximate unless otherwise indicated. z Moore was a 26 year-old black male. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 5 of 22 Page ID #:5 feet) on a mattress in the living room of the apartment. Paramedics attempted to revive Moore, but at 7:22 p.m., paramedics pronounced Moore dead. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was methamphetamine overdose. The coroner investigator's narrative stated that Moore had a recent puncture mark on his left antecubital fossa (elbow pit), which, based on my training and experience is consistent with injection of intravenous drugs. 14. BUCK told the LASD deputies that Moore was his friend and that he had just arrived from Texas. BUCK further stated that Moore injected methamphetamine and smoked marijuana approximately two to three hours prior in the restroom, but that he did not see Moore injecting methamphetamine and did not know where Moore disposed the syringe. BUCK said that he and Moore were lying down on the mattress in the living room watching television when Moore became extremely hot to the touch. BUCK said that he put ice packs on Moore's chest. BUCK said that he noticed Moore doze off so BUCK went to his bedroom for a few minutes and when he went back to the living room, Moore was unresponsive. BUCK said that he called his neighbor who came over to conduct CPR on Moore and BUCK called 911. 15. At BUCK's residence, LASD deputies saw various narcotics paraphernalia, including approximately 24 syringes and 5 glass pipes (consistent with methamphetamine use), inside the apartment. Deputies also found 1.76 grams of a substance that a LASD laboratory analyst later confirmed contained methamphetamine. The coroner investigator seized the narcotic Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 6 of 22 Page ID #:6 evidence. The methamphetamine was found in a tool box in the living room, near Moore, which also contained various sex toys. 16. At BUCK's residence, the coroner investigator found boarding passes for an American Airlines flight for Moore. According to one of the boarding passes, Moore departed Houston, Texas at 8:20 a.m. on July 27, 2017, and landed in Phoenix, Arizona. According to another boarding pass, Moore departed Phoenix at 10:00 a.m. that same day, and landed in Los Angeles. 17. According to American Airlines records, Moore's flight was purchased online on July 25, 2017, by a person identified in the records as `BEd Buck" with an address of 1234 North Laurel Avenue, Apartment 17, Los Angeles, California 90046 (i.e., BUCK's residence) and with a telephone number ending in 2609, which is the same telephone number that BUCK was using to communicate with Moore the day of Moore's death. As detailed below, the date of the flight purchase is consistent with the timing of the text message exchange between BUCK and Moore. 18. The coroner investigator also located Moore's iPhone, which the coroner investigator took into property and later release to a family friend, per Moore's mother. LASD Investigators later obtained Moore's iPhone from Moore's mother, who allowed Investigators to download and examine it. LASD Investigators found a text message conversation between Moore and 323-821-2609, which is the cell phone number that BUCK provided to law enforcement on the evening of Moore's death. According to the text messages from Moore's phone, on July 20, 2017, Moore messaged BUCK, "Hey mr Buck" and sent a photograph Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 7 of 22 Page ID #:7 of the waist/crotch area of an individual and stated, `Gemmel your master slave." BUCK responded, "Or slave master." Later in the conversation that same day, Moore texted ~~I'm starting to miss la" and sent a close up photograph of an individual's arm with a tourniquet around it and syringe inserted into it and a text message stating, "?". BUCK responded the following morning, `~Be here now." Later on in the conversation, on July 22, 2017, Moore stated, "I'm still in Texas, it be wonderful if you can send for me please ill behave." On July 25, 2017, Moore stated, "I got the email...still haven't found any one with bank account." In the evening on July 26, 2017, BUCK texted, ~~You have a flight in the morning have you checked in." At 12:21 a.m. on July 27, 2017, Moore stated, "I'm just wakin up" ~~I got everything handled I'll get there." BUCK responded, `Great I'm just headed to bed call me in the morning and I'll get an Uber out to you,"3 ~~I almost can't believe this is already happening this fast through to be in LA oh boy," and "Is there anything you need me to get for you before you get here." Moore responded, "possibly marijuana." At 4:38 a.m. on July 27, 2017, Moore texted, ~~I'm at the airport." Later on in the conversation, at 11:38 a.m., BUCK texted, "I see you're landed and are going to gate 50 B terminal five," "I will have a Nissan Murano tan with a black man driving waiting for you outside the terminal," and ~~I'll get your car in position." During the 3 Uber records do not indicate that BUCK sent an Uber car to pick up Moore; however, surveillance footage from BUCK's apartment shows that Moore arrived at BUCK's apartment in a tan Nissan Murano driven by an unidentified black male, just as BUCK described in the text messages to Moore set forth below. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 8 of 22 Page ID #:8 conversation, the two discussed the airport's traffic and the delay in Moore disembarking the plane. At 12:30, BUCK texted, "What are you wearing hat color shirt color jeans and all that so my driver can spot you." Moore responded, "Grey jacket black sweats." BUCK texted, `WOK when you get outside go to the right and you will see an area that has the letter E as in Edward stand there you're looking for a tan SUV with a black man driving it it's brand new." At 12:38 p.m., Moore texted, ~~I'm off." At 12:49 p.m., Moore texted, "Terminal. 5 near airport shuttle." 19. According to video surveillance footage from the apartment building of BUCK's residence at 1:45 p.m. on July 27, 2017, a light-colored Nissan SUV entered the carport for the apartment complex and an individual believed to be Moore got out of the SUV. I have viewed still images from the video surveillance footage and the individual appeared to me to be Moore. Moore was wearing black sweat pants and a dark-colored jacket. The video shows Moore walk from the Nissan SUV to the front gate of the apartment complex, BUCK meeting him at the entrance, and both walking up and entering BUCK's residence. 1. Interview of Moore's Mother 20. On August 21, 2017, LASD investigators interviewed Moore's mother. She stated that in 2016, Moore, who was then living in Los Angeles, called her and said that a rich and powerful man named Ed Buck held Moore against his will and shot him up with drugs. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 9 of 22 Page ID #:9 21. In April/May 2017, Moore moved to Texas and lived with his mother. According to Moore's mother, Moore would talk about BUCK to her from time to time. Moore told her that BUCK would pay more for Moore to get high on methamphetamine with BUCK. Moore told his mother that BUCK would have Moore pose with white "long john" underwear and BUCK would photograph Moore. 2. Interview of Moore's Aunt 22. On August 21, 2017, LASD investigators interviewed Moore's aunt. She stated that in April 2017, Moore told her that BUCK used to inject Moore with drugs and would do "horrible things" to him. 3. Interviews of Other Potential Victims or Witnesses 23. During the investigation of Moore's death, LASD investigators interviewed other men who discussed their encounters with BUCK. 24. For example, in a telephonic interview of an individual who is identified herein as Victim 24 on August 15, 2017, Victim 2 stated that on July 3, 2017, Victim 2 fell asleep on BUCK's couch at BUCK's residence and when he woke up his arm was tied to the couch, and was red and sore. Victim 2 stated that he believed BUCK injected him with drugs while Victim 2 was asleep. 4 The name that Victim 2 provided to LASD deputies during the interview was different than the name LASD deputies later learned to be Victim 2's true name, which LASD deputies obtained from Victim 2's attorney. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 10 of 22 Page ID #:10 25. In an interview of an individual who is identified herein as Victim 3 on September 6, 2017, Victim 3 explained that he met BUCK on the gay male dating and escort website Adam4Adam, where BUCK messaged Victim 3 asking if Victim 3 wanted to make some money. BUCK offered Victim 3 cash to "party and play," which Victim 3 understood to mean money in exchange for drug use ("party") and sex ("play"). BUCK detailed the terms of the agreement before they met, including the specific drugs they would do together and the amount of payment Victim 3 would receive. BUCK offered Victim 3 $800 to $1000 to "party and play" with cocaine, and Victim 3 accepted. Victim 3 went to BUCK's residence where BUCK gave Victim 3 a bag of cocaine and watched Victim 3 snort the drugs at the kitchen table. BUCK repeatedly encouraged Victim 3 to do more drugs, and offered to give him more money if he would use more drugs. BUCK dressed Victim 3 in white undergarments and pleasured himself while he stared at Victim 3's bulge in the white undergarments. Victim 3 reported that BUCK took photographs of him during their first encounter. 26. In an interview with a male referred to herein as Victim 4 on September 14, 2017, Victim 4 stated that he met BUCK in an area in Hollywood known for drug use and transgender prostitutes. BUCK pulled up in a grey Acura SUV,S and Victim 4 got in the car. BUCK offered Victim 3 $300 to come over to 5 LASD investigators reviewed California Department vehicle records on September 17, 2019, which show that BUCK is currenly the registered owner of a 2001 silver 2001 Acura MDX, which is a sports utility vehicle Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 11 of 22 Page ID #:11 BUCK's residence for three hours to smoke methamphetamine. Victim 4 agreed. After Victim 4 and BUCK smoked some methamphetamine, BUCK asked Victim 4 to "shoot up," referring to using the drug intravenously. When Victim 4 refused, BUCK became more forceful and insisted that Victim 4 smoke more drugs. At one point, Victim 4 told BUCK his time was up, asked for payment, and left. After some time, BUCK reached out to Victim 4 on the website Adam4Adam - not realizing that he had already met Victim 4 - and they got together at BUCK's residence. BUCK offered him $100-$200 an hour to engage in sexual activities and use drugs, and he went to BUCK's residence on multiple occasions. On one occasion, Victim 4 fell asleep on BUCK's couch at BUCK's residence, did not feel well when he woke up, and believed that he had been injected with drugs. The next day, Victim 4 was taken to a hospital, where medical staff confirmed that Victim 4 had ingested a tar-like substance, but they could not confirm what the substance was. 27. During the investigation related to Victim 1's death (see section B below), LASD investigators interviewed an individual herein identified as Victim 5 on May 8, 2019. Victim 5 told investigators that he met BUCK on the website Adam4adam, where they exchanged messages and ultimately spoke on the phone. Victim 5 stated that on April 24, 2019, he went to BUCK's residence to engage in sexual activities in exchange for money and marijuana. Inside BUCK's residence, he saw numerous white, gray, and black men's underwear in plastic bins, neatly folded and separated by size. Besides BUCK, there was another man Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 12 of 22 Page ID #:12 inside the apartment, who asked BUCK if he could smoke methamphetamine one more time before he left. BUCK said yes, and provided the man with a glass pipe and methamphetamine. BUCK offered Victim 5 methamphetamine several times, but Victim 5 declined. BUCK asked Victim 5 if BUCK could blow methamphetamine smoke on Victim 5's penis, but Victim 5 said no. BUCK told Victim 5 that he had a strong underwear fetish and asked Victim 5 to put on a pair, which Victim 5 did. Later, Victim 5 and BUCK drove together to a marijuana dispensary, and BUCK purchased marijuana for Victim 5. They then drove to a liquor store and BUCK purchased vodka for Victim 5. When they went back to BUCK's residence, BUCK showed Victim 5 videos of Moore who appeared to Victim 5 to be scared. BUCK's offers of methamphetamine became increasingly insistent, and at some point, BUCK told Victim 5 that it was not gratifying for him if Victim 5 did not ingest methamphetamine. During this encounter, BUCK provided Victim 5 with two pills that BUCK said were Viagra. Victim 5 stated that after taking them, he felt weird and his legs locked up. He told BUCK that he needed to leave. BUCK compensated Victim 5 with $50 and told him he could have earned more if he complied with all of BUCK's demands, which Victim 5 believed referred to BUCK's request that Victim 5 ingest methamphetamine. Victim 5 took his cash payment and left. B. Victim 1's Death 28. On January 7, 2019, at 1:08 a.m., LASD deputies arrived at BUCK's residence in response to a 911 call that BUCK Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 13 of 22 Page ID #:13 placed. LASD deputies saw that an individual (later identified as Victim 1)6 was laying nearly naked (wearing only white underwear) and unresponsive on the living room floor. Paramedics attempted to revive Victim 1, but after about 30 minutes, they pronounced Victim 1 dead. According to the autopsy report, the cause of death was methamphetamine and ethanol toxicity, with coronary artery atherosclerosis as a contributing condition. The autopsy report also stated that there was both scar tissue (indicating an old injection site) and a new hemorrhage on his right antecubital fossa (elbow pit) (indicating a new injection site). The coroner investigator's report stated that there was also a plastic ring around Victim 1's scrotum and a plastic ring around the base of Victim 1's penis. 29. BUCK told LASD deputies that he had been friends with Victim 1 for 30 years and that Victim 1 texted him around 11:30 p.m. on January 6, 2019, wanting to see BUCK. According to BUCK, when Victim 1 arrived, Victim 1 wanted sex. BUCK left the living room for five to ten minutes and when he came back, Victim 1 had multiple layers of clothing on his face and was walking on his knees making "ape" noises. Victim 1 then fell backwards and stopped making noises. BUCK said that he went over to Victim 1 and saw that he was unresponsive and that he had clothing tied tightly around his neck and face, so BUCK removed the clothing (the coroner investigator's report noted that the investigator did not observe any clothing that appeared 6 Victim 1 was a 55 year-old black male. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 14 of 22 Page ID #:14 to be fashioned like a noose). BUCK then called 911 and began performing chest compressions until law enforcement arrived. 30. Inside BUCK's residence, deputies found glass pipes and syringes in various places. 31. During the search of BUCK's residence pursuant to a state search warrant after Victim 1's death, deputies saw BUCK sitting inside of a silver Acura sports utility vehicle, which was parked inside of the building's underground gated parking garage. 32. On the same date of the investigation, another resident that lived at the apartment complex called the police to report a suspicious package outside of the window to BUCK's residence. It appeared to be a plastic bag with a box inside. LASD deputies seized the package and obtained a search warrant. Inside, deputies found several hypodermic syringes and glass cylindrical bulbous pipes, as well as baggies with powdery residue in them. DNA testing was conducted by a senior criminalist at the LASD Scientific Services Bureau on the pipes and hypodermic syringes. The report states, in part, that with respect to two pipes, there is "very strong support for the proposition that Edward Buck and [Victim 1] are co-contributors to the DNA obtained" from the samples collected on each of the pipes. The report also states that with respect to two syringes, there is "very strong support for the proposition that Edward Buck is a contributor to the DNA obtained" from the syringes. Additionally, the report concludes that with respect to another syringe, there is "very strong support for the Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 15 of 22 Page ID #:15 proposition that [Victim 1] is a contributor to the DNA obtained" from the syringe. The remaining pipes and syringes had either insufficient DNA on them to analyze, DNA that was too complex to analyze, or varying levels of support for concluding that Edward Buck and/or Victim 1's DNA was included on the samples. 1. Interviews with Other Potential Victims or r~,; ~r..~~,.~ 33. During the investigation of Victim 1's death, LASD learned of a number of individuals who recounted their encounters with BUCK to LASD investigators. 34. For example, in an interview with a male who is identified herein as Victim 6 on March 13, 2019, Victim 6 stated that he moved to Los Angeles in 2009, then became homeless in 2011 and stayed in Plummer Park, where he learned about BUCK from others who congregated there. Victim 6 said that BUCK was nicknamed "Doctor Kevorkian," and was well known for compensating male prostitutes with drugs and money. Victim 6 had two encounters with BUCK in 2011. During their first meeting at BUCK's residence, BUCK gave Victim 6 $60 in cash and a baggie of methamphetamine in exchange for sex. Victim 6 stated that it was part of BUCK's role-playing and fantasy to inject people with methamphetamine. Victim 6 told BUCK that he had never injected methamphetamine and was uncomfortable with doing so, but BUCK assured him that it would be fine. Victim 6 agreed to a small dose of methamphetamine, which he offered to inject in himself, but BUCK wanted to do it. BUCK ignored Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 16 of 22 Page ID #:16 Victim 6's agreement to only a small dose, and emptied an entire syringe in him. BUCK asked Victim 6 to put on white underwear and a jockstrap. BUCK placed a sex toy around Victim 6's penis, but it was tight and very painful. Victim 6 lost consciousness, and when he came to, BUCK told him to shower, then paid him with money and drugs before Victim 6 left. During the second meeting at BUCK's residence, BUCK again injected Victim 6 with a large quantity methamphetamine. Victim 6 instantly lost consciousness, and when he awoke, he felt pain in his anus and saw that it was bleeding. A third unidentified man was recording Victim 6. BUCK gave Victim 6 $100 compensation and a baggie of methamphetamine before Victim 6 left. Victim 6 told investigators that BUCK insists on injecting prostitutes with methamphetamine, and that BUCK would dismiss anyone who would not permit it, without compensation. 35. In an interview with a male who is identified herein as Victim 7 on April 2, 2019, Victim 7 stated that he was an escort and in early December 2018, BUCK found Victim 7's phone number on the website Adam4adam and called Victim 7 to arrange to have Victim 7 come over to engage in sex and methamphetamine use. During this conversation, BUCK told Victim 7 that he had a fascination with underwear and jockstraps. They agreed on a price of $300 for Victim 7's services, and BUCK sent a car to pick up Victim 7 and bring him to BUCK's residence. When Victim 7 arrived, BUCK offered him a Klonopin pill and a glass containing clear soda. BUCK insisted on injecting Victim 7 with methamphetamine, but his hand was shaking too much, so Victim 7 Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 17 of 22 Page ID #:17 injected himself. Victim 7 stated that methamphetamine normally makes him more alert, but after Victim 7 drank the clear soda BUCK gave him, he became sleepy and began losing control over his physical movements. Victim 7 passed out, and when he awoke, BUCK was approaching him with two additional syringes loaded with methamphetamine. BUCK was insistent that Victim 7 stay, but Victim 7 had to leave and informed BUCK that his friend was waiting outside for him. BUCK paid Victim 7 $300, and Victim 7 left. Later the same month, BUCK contacted Victim 7 again, offering to pay Victim 7 to engage in sex and use methamphetamine. Victim 7 stated that BUCK sent an Uber car to Victim 7's residence to pick him up and bring him to BUCK's residence. At BUCK's residence, Victim 7 injected himself with a syringe of what BUCK represented to be methamphetamine, but after administering only part of the drugs, Victim 7 was lying on the floor, unable to move for approximately 6 to 7 hours. Victim 7 believes that BUCK gave him some sort of tranquilizer. Victim 7 reported that Victim 7 began to feel as if he was not able to move. While unable to move, at some point, Victim 7 claimed that BUCK wanted Victim 7 to leave, but that Victim 7 could not move. BUCK then became frustrated and obtained a power saw from a closet, turned it on, and approached Victim 7 with it. Victim 7 said that he got an adrenalin rush and was ~ Uber records for BUCK's Uber account, obtained via grand jury subpoena, corroborate Victim 7's statement that BUCK sent an Uber to pick him up in December 2018. According to BUCK's Uber records, Buck sent an Uber car to an address one residence over from Victim 7's known residence on December 14, 2018 at approximately 11:40 p.m., and the ride ended at BUCK's residence at approximately 12:00 a.m. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 18 of 22 Page ID #:18 able to stand up and go to the kitchen. Victim 7 said that when he regained his ability to speak, BUCK refused to pay him and another male known to Victim 7 only as ~~Chad" arrived, possibly to remove Victim 7. Victim 7 stated that he was extremely angry that BUCK refused to pay him, but that BUCK eventually paid Victim 7 through the banking application, Zelle. Messages on BUCK's cellphone, which was seized and searched after Victim 1's death pursuant to a state search warrant, corroborate Victim 7's account that BUCK paid him using Zelle.8 36. In an interview with a male who is identified herein as Victim 8 on March 21, 2019, Victim 8 stated that BUCK would pay him in cash and marijuana to engage in sexual activities with Victim 8 at BUCK's residence, including asking Victim 8 to don white underwear for him. Victim 8 stated that on the last occasion, BUCK provided him with what he thought was vodka, but after consuming it, he fell asleep. Victim 8 stated that when he woke up, BUCK was injecting Victim 8 with a drug via a syringe. Victim 8 panicked because he does not use methamphetamine, and he tried to get up, but he could not move. Victim 8 stated that his underwear was pulled down and he felt excruciating pain in his anus, which was bleeding. There were metal clips fastened to his nipples, and when he tried unsuccessfully to remove them, BUCK laughed and whispered to him. Victim 8 reported that he was in a state of catatonia. e The messages also show that Victim 7 threatened to expose BUCK if BUCK did not pay him for his services. Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 19 of 22 Page ID #:19 37. In an interview with a male who is identified herein as Victim 9 on April 26, 2019, Victim 9 stated that he would engage in sexual activities with BUCK on several occasions in exchange for drugs and money at BUCK's residence. On some of these occasions, Victim 9 would fall asleep shortly after consuming the narcotics and would wake up later to BUCK injecting or preparing syringes to inject Victim 9 with substances. C. Evidence Suggests that BUCK Has Continued to Solicit Men and Distribute Methamphetamine After the Overdose Deaths 38. After Victim 1's death at BUCK's residence in January 2019, BUCK has continued to solicit men, including Victim 7 who reported that BUCK called him to inquire about Victim 7's availability as recently as July 2019. 39. Additionally, on September 11, 2019, LASD investigators interviewed an individual identified herein as Victim 10 regarding his encounters with BUCK. Victim 10 stated that he met BUCK on Adam4Adam in June 2019. On several occasions in June and July 2019, Victim 10 told investigators that BUCK sent an Uber to a hotel in Skid Row where Victim 10 was then living to pick Victim 10 up and bring him to BUCK's residence. After arriving at BUCK's residence, BUCK and Victim 10 engaged in sexual activities and BUCK provided methamphetamine for Victim 10 to smoke and to use intravenously. Victim 10 stated that BUCK would supply and intravenously inject Victim 10 with methamphetamine. According to Victim 10, from July 29, 2019, to September 6, 2019, Victim 10 lived with BUCK Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 20 of 22 Page ID #:20 at BUCK's residence and during that time, BUCK would supply and intravenously inject methamphetamine into Victim 10 on a near daily basis. According to Victim 10, BUCK intravenously injected methamphetamine into Victim 10 on September 4 and September 11, 2019, which caused Victim 10 to suffer overdose effects and causing him to be transported to the hospital. Victim 10 survived both overdoses. 40. Specifically, on September 4, 2019, Victim 10 reported that while at BUCK's residence, BUCK injected Victim 10 with methamphetamine twice within an approximately 30 minute period. Victim 10 felt like he was overdosing and asked BUCK to take him to an urgent care. Victim 10 claimed that BUCK initially did not take action, but eventually agreed to drive Victim 10 to urgent care. Victim 10 reported that the urgent care advised that he go to the hospital and BUCK sent an Uber to pick up Victim 10 from the urgent care and take him to the hospital. According to Victim 10, he was released from the hospital the same day. 41. On September 11, 2019, Victim 10 reported that, while at BUCK's residence, BUCK injected Victim 10 with methamphetamine twice and supplied Victim 10 with GHB, which based on my training and experience is an acronym for Gamma Hydroxybutyrate, a Schedule I controlled substance. Victim 10 relayed that he drank the GHB with soda water. Victim 10 told law enforcement that he began to feel as if he was overdosing and asked BUCK to provide him with a Klonopin pill, which he refused. Victim 10 then requested BUCK to call an ambulance, Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 21 of 22 Page ID #:21 which he refused. Victim 10 stated that he eventually walked to the gas station across the street and asked a passerby and the gas station employee to call 911, which they did. Paramedics arrived and Victim 10 was taken to Cedar Sinai Medical Center. The discharge report from Cedars Sinai Medical Center dated September 11, 2019, which Victim 10 provided to investigators, states that the reason for the visit was overdose and anxiety. Based on my review of the report, there are no toxicology results listed and the report and it does not state if toxicology testing was done. CONCLUSION 42. For all of the reasons described above, there is probable cause to believe that BUCK has committed a violation of 21 U.S.C. ~~ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C): Distribution of Metriamphetamine resulting in lle~ Subscribed to and sworn before me on September ~ 2019. ~~ i~/1~C~G ~ . UNITED STATES ~GISTRATE JUDGE Case 2:19-mj-03937-DUTY Document 1 Filed 09/18/19 Page 22 of 22 Page ID #:22
