Public safety news from Tribune staff and wire reports
Salt Lake Tribune
Two men hospitalized after gunshot attack This e-mail was initiated by machine [10.148.8.4] at IP [10.148.8.4].
Two men were hospitalized in Salt Lake City early Tuesday for gunshot wounds after the car they were in was fired on from another car in the 1100 block of South Emery Ave. (about 1150 West). The victims told police they were being followed and pulled over, thinking the trailing car was a police cruiser. The occupants of the other car then opened fire. One victim was struck in the arm and the other in the back. Neither wound was life-threatening. Gang activity is suspected.
Professor jailed in child pornography case
A Utah Valley State College behavioral science professor spent the Christmas weekend in jail after he was arrested for alleged possession of child pornography. Stephen Miraglia posted $50,000 cash bail on Monday to arrange his release until a Jan. 6 hearing on 11 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. According to the charges, Miraglia's wife told FBI investigators she had discovered a journal detailing her husband's "emotional and physical" attraction to teenage boys, and college officials alleged he had "acted out" sexually on campus. The charges, filed in 4th District Court in Provo, allege Miraglia's home computer included 11 pornographic images of boys ages 7 to 12.
Judge dismisses suit by NAC employees
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by five employees against Newspaper Agency Corporation (NAC) and their union over loss of their health insurance. In throwing out the suit last Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart encouraged the five to address their claims against the distribution and advertising company for The Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret Morning News and the Graphic Communications International Union District Council No. 2 "in a more appropriate forum," such as the National Labor Relations Board.
Former credit card worker accused of fraud
A former American Express employee accused of using the Social Security numbers of 18 people to open numerous credit card accounts and spend $115,000 has been arrested. Thanh H. Ngo, 28, was picked up on a federal warrant on Monday following a traffic stop in Murray. Ngo has been indicted on 21 counts of bank fraud, 20 counts of identity fraud and one count of access device fraud.
Suspects face felony robbery and kidnapping counts
Aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery charges were filed Tuesday against three men who allegedly stole a BMW and forced its three occupants on a two-hour joy ride through Salt Lake City streets. The three suspects, ranging in age from 20 to 35, approached the BMW on Dec. 21 after it had become stuck in the snow at 900 W. 1000 North. The suspects allegedly beat the men and then drove off with them, taking their money, ATM cards and cell phones along the way. At least one suspect followed behind in another car. The suspects stopped when the BMW ran out of gas, according to the felony charges. They were arrested when they tried to get gas from a 7-Eleven. Each suspect faces six first-degree felonies, punishable by up to life in prison.
Man who was struck and died on freeway identified
The Utah Highway Patrol has identified a Midvale man who was struck and killed after he ran onto Interstate 215 late Monday. Richard J. Garcia, 27, was hit by a car in the southbound lanes at 280 East in Murray. Investigators say Garcia acted agitated at a gathering with friends at a nearby bar but that no altercation took place. No one was chasing Garcia when he ran onto the freeway, said Murray Detective Rob Hall. Investigators have not yet determined why Garcia ran onto the busy roadway. The woman driving the car that struck Garcia was not injured and will not be cited.
Body found floating in Jordan River
A Utah Power employee spotted a body floating in the Jordan River on Tuesday. Salt Lake City police recovered the body of a white, male adult in the area of 1300 West and North Temple. The man appeared to have been in the river for as long as a month, according to Detective Phil Eslinger. Police have not identified the man, who was wearing tan or gray coveralls. Investigators found no obvious sign of death, Eslinger said. The body is now at the medical examiner's office.