IMPD investigates rape allegations at faith-based center for survivors of human trafficking

An Indianapolis faith-based residential program for human trafficking survivors is the target of a sexual abuse investigation.

The allegations came from two women who say they were sexually assaulted while clients at Hope Center Indy between 2017 and 2019, IndyStar has learned.

"I can confirm there is an open investigation at that location," an IMPD spokeswoman said in an email response to questions from IndyStar. "However, these cases are sensitive in nature. To maintain the integrity of the investigation we can’t release anything further on it."

The nonprofit center's co-founder and executive director, retired pastor Hubert Nolen, denies the allegations, which first surfaced late last year. Nolen added he is frustrated investigators have not contacted him since they served a search warrant at the center in May.

"There's no truth to the accusations whatsoever," Nolen said, adding the allegations were made by two women who he said provided affidavits to police.

"We have reached out to IPD about a dozen times and said 'do you need to come, do you need to interview anyone, do you need to talk to anyone … We're an open book. You can come freely. We have nothing to hide, nothing to deny.'"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2020/10/05/sex-abuse-investigation-indy-center-human-trafficking-survivors/5853228002/

Human Trafficking Operation Exposed In Fultondale

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A suspected human trafficking operation was discovered by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Thursday in Fultondale, a discovery that netted multiple arrests.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Vice and Narcotics Unit teamed up with the FBI, Fultondale Police Department, Trussville Police Department, Bessemer Police Department and Gardendale Police Department to investigate a suspected human trafficking operation in the 1700 Block of Fulton Road in Fultondale.

Sgt. Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said during the operation, two 39-year-old men were arrested. Charles Andrew Harley of Auburn was charged with human trafficking, trafficking in stolen identities and possession of a forged instrument. His bond is set at $55,000.

Nehemiah Isaiah Yearby of Hueytown was also arrested, and was charged with human trafficking, possession of controlled substances, receiving stolen property, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm and possession of marijuana. His bonds are set at $36,000.

Money said 13 other people were arrested on charges of prostitution. "As is common in these type cases, most of these subjects will not admit to being victims, however, the operation is shut down in Fultondale and will not continue," Money said.

https://patch.com/alabama/trussville/human-trafficking-operation-exposed-fultondale

Santa Rosa posts damage map with homes destroyed in Glass Fire

The city of Santa Rosa released a preliminary damage assessment map showing homes that were damaged or destroyed within the city limits by the Glass Fire.

The map displays home addresses and uses a color-coded system to show the degree of damage, from green (structure is safe to live in) to red (structure is destroyed and unsafe for habitation). The county will continue to add to the map as more homes impacted by the conflagration are identified.

Cal Fire said in its Sunday night incident update that ground crews have now identified 235 destroyed homes in Sonoma County and 252 in Napa County. An additional 73 homes have been damaged in Sonoma County and 64 in Napa County.

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Glass-Fire-damage-map-homes-destroyed-addresses-15621680.php

DOJ Joins Baptist Church’s Lawsuit Against D.C. Mayor: You Can’t Allow Thousands to Protest While Restricting Worship Outdoors

The Department of Justice on Monday intervened in a lawsuit filed by the Capitol Hill Baptist Church in opposition to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) restrictions on outdoor worship during the COVID-19 pandemic. The core argument of the lawsuit is that there is no basis to allows thousands of people to protest in the streets while at the same time restricting the number of people who gather for religious services outdoors.

A currently self-quarantining attorney General Bill Barr and his subordinates argued in a statement of interest that Bowser’s restrictions violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

RFRA bars government actors from placing substantial burdens on free exercise or religion unless the government can show, first, that such restrictions further a “compelling governmental interest” and, second, that the restrictions are the “least restrictive means” of accomplishing that goal.

As 42 U.S. Code § 2000bb–1 notes, a person, here the Capitol Hill Baptist Church, who “has been burdened in violation of this section may assert that violation as a claim or defense in a judicial proceeding and obtain appropriate relief against a government.” The DOJ has come to the defense of the church:

This case involves important questions of how to balance the deference owed to public officials in addressing a pandemic threatening the health and safety of the public with fundamental rights of freedom of religion and expression. While a local government has significant discretion to decide what measures to adopt to meet a public health threat, the Free Exercise Clause of the Constitution requires that, whatever level of restrictions it adopts, government must treat religious gatherings the same as comparable nonreligious gatherings, absent the government meeting strict scrutiny, that is, proving that it has a compelling governmental interest pursued through the least restrictive means. Similarly, the Free Speech Clause forbids the government from discriminating against certain speech while privileging other speech with a viewpoint favored by the government, unless it meets strict scrutiny. And the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), 42 U.S.C.§ 2000bb et seq., which applies to all actions by the District of Columbia and its officers and agents, requires that any government action imposing a substantial burden on religious exercise meet strict scrutiny.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/doj-joins-baptist-churchs-lawsuit-against-dc-mayor-you-cant-allow-thousands-to-protest-while-restricting-worship-outdoors/ar-BB19IJeO