Robbery sentencing bill goes to TN Senate

By Chas Sisk • THE TENNESSEAN • April 9, 2010 A bill that would increase jail time for armed robbers is back on track after a show of support from law enforcement officials. The state House of Representatives voted 88-4 on Thursday to more than double the minimum jail time for people convicted of aggravated robbery, sending the issue to the state Senate. The legislation was introduced after a recently released Nashville gang member was charged with committing five robberies in a 36-hour spree last fall. The vote came after one lawmaker, Rep. Matthew Hill, withdrew an amendment that would have made the measure more expensive. Dozens of police chiefs and other police officers turned out in the House chamber Thursday to urge lawmakers to pass the bill without Hill's amendment. "This is an important bill, a smart bill," Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas said after the vote. "We appreciate the House of Representatives passing this bill without amendment." Sponsored by House Democratic Leader Gary Odom, the measure had broad support from members of both parties, but its chances of passage were clouded Monday night when shortly before a vote was to take place Hill, R-Jonesborough, introduced an amendment that Odom, D-Nashville, said would have made it too expensive to implement. The bill would increase the minimum amount of jail time that a convicted armed robber must serve to 74 percent of the sentence from 30 percent. For an eight-year sentence, that would be the equivalent of increasing the minimum jail time to nearly six years from 2.4 years. With the state facing lean budgets, the bill also would move first-time offenders convicted of any of 19 types of nonviolent crimes from jail cells to community corrections programs. Hill proposed taking four of those crimes — shoplifting under $1,000, passing forged checks with a face value under $1,000, burglary from an automobile and burning personal property — out of the bill. He reversed course Thursday after lobbying from the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police and other law enforcement groups. "They know the bottom line is this legislation is going to help save lives," Odom said. In the end, Hill and all but five Republicans voted for the legislation. "It was an attempt to make a good bill better," House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower said of Hill's amendment. "We just didn't have the money to do that right now."

Fugitive arrested for elderly crimes in Tenn.

Associated Press • April 9, 2010 A U.S. Marshals in Memphis say a woman wanted for numerous violent crimes against the elderly in Tennessee and other states has been arrested in California. The U.S. Marshals Mid-South Fugitive Task Force said in a news release that Cassandra Henry and her husband Corry Henry were arrested Thursday in Claremont, Calif. Corry Henry was wanted for violating his federal supervised release. Cassandra Henry was wanted in multiple states for robbing and assaulting the elderly and nursing home patients. Authorities said she would enter their homes and take money, credit cards and other things and use the cards to purchase items at local stores. The Tunica County Sheriff's Department arrested Cassandra Henry in April 2009 at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Miss., but Deputy U.S. Marshal Lamont Ruffin said she violated her bond conditions and they have been looking for her ever since.

The Boogie Man Spotted on Tennessee State University Campus

I am a Tennessee State University graduate and proud of it. This blogger Genma Holmes gets a thumbs up from me on this one. Gratefully, Vivian The Boogie Man Spotted on Tennessee State University Campus After writing about Tennessee State University’s woes with one media’s narrative, I told my sons attending the school to let me know if any media was stalking the campus. I instructed them not to discuss the blog post from two weeks ago. Speaking up about public mind games has it downside. I do not want my children to become targets of the media or angry members of the TSU family because of my blogging. Before the dust could settle on the story, I got a call from one of my TSU brats jokingly saying, “Mom, I spotted the boogie man on campus today!” Exasperated, I asked in an oh-lawd-have-mercy tone, “Where?” I started praying immediately because I knew whatever the reason for the media being on campus, it was not good for TSU. It was only a few hours after that call that my predictions about the media’s visit came true. (More.... www.genmaspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/04/boogie-man-spotted-on-tennessee-state.html)

Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity

Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity 1006 Eighth Avenue South • Nashville, TN 37203

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ashley Webster, 969-2373 NAHFH CEO CHRIS MCCARTHY SET TO RETIRE IN 2010 During her eight-year leadership the agency has grown exponentially

NASHVILLE, Tenn. [March 31, 2010] – Nashville Area Habitat president and CEO Chris McCarthy has announced plans to retire at the end of the year.

A search is underway for a new president, and McCarthy’s retirement will be effective at the end of the year. During her eight years of leadership, Nashville Area Habitat has grown by six times in size, in what some would call the biggest turnaround for a nonprofit organization in Nashville’s history. • The agency has gone from purchasing lots and planning builds one at a time to securing larger pieces of land to build whole communities of Habitat homes. • As of December 2009, 75% of the homes built by NAHFH in its 26-year history were completed during Chris’s eight years as CEO. • More than 70,000 volunteers have been mobilized locally during her tenure in support of building better lives for families through homeownership • NAHFH’s responsible homeownership education program, HomeWORKS, was started in 2005 and has grown to offer 2,000+ hours of classes to family members per year. • The Habitat Homestore operation was started in 2004 and has funded the building of 15 homes. • Mortgage delinquency has dropped to single digits from a rate of 44 percent eight years ago, with an all-time low of zero percent in October 2009 and an average annual rate of 1%. • Providence Park, a 138-home community with 450 family members in southeast Nashville, was built between 2003 and 2007 and completed a year ahead of schedule. • The 112 homes in Timberwood, were 375 family members will live when finished, is currently 60% complete. • The Park Preserve neighborhood, where land development began in fall 2009, will eventually become home to more than 350 families. “Chris brought her business savvy to bear for Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity when it was struggling, fiscally and operationally,” said board chair Matthew Wilson. “The agency is now recognized in the top one percent of all U.S. Habitat affiliates and has received numerous local awards, not to mention national honors for its energy efficient building practices as well as for leadership in championing the cause of minority homeownership. The Nashville community and Habitat agencies nationwide have benefited from her leadership and accomplishments. Chris has built a strong, well qualified leadership team of seasoned professionals who are committed to further the mission of Habitat and continue to grow our agency’s service to families in the community.” McCarthy says she is proud of the progress the agency has made, is thankful for the support of staff, board, volunteers, donors and Habitat families, and expects to see Habitat flourish and grow for years to come. Her husband, John McCarthy, retired in December 2009, and they are both looking forward to more time with family. Chris and John plan to remain actively involved with Nashville Area Habitat. Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) is an ecumenical Christian ministry that provides the life-changing opportunity for people to purchase and own quality, affordable homes. In its 26-year history, Nashville Area Habitat has built more than 600 homes, including 182 homes overseas. To date, the agency has served more than 1,450 family members, including more than 930 children.

To request an application or to receive more information about NAHFH, call 615-254-HOME (4663) or visit www.habitatnashville.org. For information on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity go to www.hud.gov/offices/fheo or contact the local HUD office.

Famed Biscuit Lady From Loveless Cafe Dies

Breaking News - From news Channel 5 Posted: Apr 05, 2010 5:58 PM CDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The woman whose famous biscuits launched her onto the national stage has died. Family members reported Loveless Cafe's Carol Fay Ellison, best known as the "Biscuit Lady," was in the hospital and gravely ill this weekend. Family: Famed "Biscuit Lady" Gravely Ill Ellison, who is in her mid-40s, began working at the Loveless Cafe as a teenager in 1979. Tom Morales the owner of the Loveless Cafe released a statement Monday evening: "Carol Fay Ellison was a beloved member of the Loveless Cafe family for more than 30 years, and it is with great sadness that I confirm her death today, April 5, 2010. A trusted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, she was a vital link in the Loveless Cafe tradition and will be missed by many. Funeral arrangements have not been made, but we will let you know as soon as we have more information."

Deportation program panned by federal report

Report: ICE initiative is poorly managed, lacks guidelines By Chris Echegaray • THE TENNESSEAN • April 5, 2010 The program used to jail people believed to be in the country illegally is poorly managed, lacks enforcement guidelines and needs to reach out to immigrants who won't report crimes to police for fear of being deported, says a federal report released Friday. The Homeland Security report continued federal government criticism of the Immigration and Custom Enforcement's detention program, known as 287(g) and practiced in Nashville. "The program undermines public safety by creating additional fear in communities that already are distrustful of law enforcement," said Hedy Weinberg, director of Tennessee's chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. In Nashville, 287(g) became a lightning rod of controversy after the arrest of a pregnant woman who gave birth while shackled to a bed. 7,044 processed for removal Davidson County has processed 7,044 people for removal since April 2007, when the county became part of the ICE program. The program also fails to consistently vet jurisdictions that apply to join it and hasn't taken action against law enforcement agencies that violated the terms of their agreements, says the report by Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General. Immigrant advocates say some who are in the U.S. illegally won't call police for fear they could be arrested and deported. The 287(g) program allows sheriff's deputies to check the immigration status of those in jail even for minor offenses. A 2008 Tennessean investigation showed that of the roughly 3,000 people deported during the program's first year, about 81 percent were charged with misdemeanors. About half were caught during traffic stops. But federal officials have described Nashville's 287(g) program as one of the best in the country, said Karla Weikal, spokeswoman for the Davidson County Sheriff's Office. Aware of the criticisms, the sheriff has made it a point to track data closely, she said. In 2007, 12 percent of people arrested here were foreign-born. Those arrests have dropped to about 7 percent since then, Weikal said. The jail screens every person arrested who says they are foreign-born. It does not screen those jailed on a state citation. "A big criticism is that it leads to racial profiling," she said. "The arrest of foreign-born dropped. "Sheriff (Daron) Hall has made it a priority here in Davidson County to do self-policing. No one has to tell him to talk to Hispanic churches and find immigration advocates." The U.S. Government Accountability Office criticized the 287(g) program last year after the agency found differences in how it is implemented by local law enforcement agencies. Leaked memo The latest report comes on the heels of a leaked ICE memo reported by The Washington Post. The memo complained about dwindling noncriminal deportations and outlined new goals for ICE agents charged with apprehending undocumented immigrants to boost the number of deportations. But such a quota is unacceptable, proving the concerns advocates had all along, said Stephen Fotopulos, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition. "There is serious dysfunction in ICE," he said. "It's a clear mismatch between stated policy goals and implementation. "The president needs to rethink who is heading up the program." Nationally, some $68 million has been allocated for 287(g) for fiscal 2010. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are the only two agencies in the state participating in the program.

Loveless Café's 'Biscuit Lady' hospitalized

By Kevin Walters • The Tennessean • April 5, 2010 The woman who brought national attention to the Loveless Café has been hospitalized with a serious and undisclosed medical condition, according to restaurant owners. Carol Fay Ellison, popularly known as the “Biscuit Lady,” is in a Nashville area hospital’s intensive care unit, said Vance Page, restaurant general manager. She was hospitalized 3.5 weeks ago. Page declined to elaborate on Ellison’s condition or where she was being treated. Ellison and the restaurant’s biscuits have been a centerpiece of the restaurant’s rise in popularity among gourmands. She’s squared off against celebrity chef Bobby Flay, appeared with domestic maven Martha Stewart, and appeared on numerous other TV shows and news stories. She began her career at the restaurant as a dishwasher.

ID theft recovery remains struggle

Financial losses aren't worst of problems for many victims By Clay Carey • THE TENNESSEAN • April 5, 2010 It's been nearly 20 years since John Webb found out his identity had been stolen, a revelation that led to hours on the phone with credit card companies, banks and government agencies. Today, Webb helps prosecute identity thieves, who are growing in number and advancing technologically, targeting everyone from senior citizens to large law firms. "It's the fastest-growing crime in the country in terms of volume," said Webb, an assistant U.S. attorney in Nashville. "It's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy." Though the legal system is adapting, going after identity thieves still is a challenge, experts say. Identity theft is difficult to prosecute because it often goes undetected for months or years, and culprits are hard to track down. And it's still difficult for victims to go after the hackers' money in civil court. Outdated case law and statutes that don't address modern technology are part of the problem, attorneys say. "The monetary loss is usually the least of the victim's problem," Webb said. "Really, the difficult part of it is that, most of the time, you don't know where that breach is. "It's the victimization that keeps on giving every time you get a call from a collection agency, every time you have to write a letter to a credit agency saying, 'That's not me.' " About 5,000 Tennesseans reported being victims of identity theft in 2008, up 24 percent from the previous year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. For every 100,000 Tennessee residents, there were 80 identity theft victims that year, according to the FTC. Nationwide, reported cases of identity theft are rising by 3 percent to 5 percent every year. Congress created the country's first federal identity theft laws in 1998. Six years ago, a new federal law was approved that specifically punishes people who knowingly have another person's identity. There also have been several cybercrime and wire fraud laws put into place over the past decade. Still, it can be difficult for state laws to keep pace with electronic identity theft's constant evolution, said Pam Greenberg, who tracks technology and Internet issues for the National Council of State Legislatures "It's always a game of keeping one step ahead of whatever new scheme is created," Greenberg said. Tennessee and 21 other states have passed laws that specifically target phishing — when hackers send out e-mails that appear to be from banks or credit card companies in an effort to trick others into giving up valuable personal information. Fifteen states have laws against spyware, computer programs that collect information from people's computers without their knowledge. Tennessee is not among them. Last year, the state criminalized stealing identities in order to get jobs. State Rep. Joe Carr, who sponsored the legislation in the House, said the law was aimed at illegal immigrants who were forging IDs to get work. "What we've got to figure out is how we can get a step ahead of criminals, and not stay a step behind,'' said Carr, R-Lascassas. Money is gone for good Sgt. David Howard with the Metro Police Department's fraud division said cleaning up identity theft can take a victim up to 700 hours of phone calls, affidavits and paperwork. If money has been taken, there's usually no way to get it back, he said. Last month, a Nashville man filed a federal civil lawsuit against an unknown person who went into his e-mail account, snooping through financial and medical records. He has asked a federal judge to award him at least $1,000 for every piece of personal information the hacker took, once that person is identified. At issue in his case is the fact that, though he knows his information was compromised, the man hasn't seen it used in a nefarious way. "You are inferring that things could possibly happen without proving they have," said Linda Foley, founder of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center. "It's like trying to get restitution for someone slashing your face before the person has actually attacked you," Foley said. "Judges are used to cases where you can see blood and bruises and wounds. "He may have to be happy with the fact that he didn't win, but he started some legal discussions and opened the door for someone else," Foley said.

Nashville Zoo's Eggstravaganzoo is Saturday

Check out which time fits the age of your child for egg hunt The Nashville Zoo will celebrate spring with its 12th annual Eggstravaganzoo 9 a.m.-4p.m. Saturday, April 3. More than 30,000 plastic eggs will be distributed on the zoo’s Festival Field for hunts held throughout the day. Children 10 and younger are encouraged to participate and redeem their eggs for a prize pack. Egg hunts begin at exact times and are over in minutes. Zoo guests should plan to arrive early and be on Festival Field at least 15 minutes before their scheduled hunt. 2 and younger — 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. 3 years old — 10:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. 4-5 years old — 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. 6-7 years old— 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. 8-10 years old — noon or 2:30 p.m. Larger, golden eggs, which can be redeemed for special prizes, will be hidden throughout the zoo for children to find. Various zoo animals will be hunting for special eggs hidden just for them within their habitats. Free games, such as a bunny hop, egg spoon races and bounce houses, will be offered, and face painting and Easter Bunny photos will be available for an additional fee. Before the fun of Eggstravaganzoo, guests can enjoy breakfast and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Pancakes, eggs, sausage and more are on the menu, and the Easter Bunny will be hopping around posing for pictures. Choose from four times: 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Eggstravaganzoo is included with zoo admission, and no reservations are needed. Bunny Breakfast is by reservation only, and additional fees apply. For more information about Eggstravaganzoo and to register for the Bunny Breakfast, visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

New Davidson County crime log for March 23-25

TDOT to stop interstate work for Easter

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will suspend all interstate construction work through the Easter weekend in anticipation of increased holiday travel. Crews and contractors will return to work at 6 a.m. Monday. Motorists could still encounter some long-term lane closures on construction projects and at several rockslides in the state. While there will be no additional lane closings, some workers could be on site in construction zones and reduced speed limits will still be in effect. For up-to-date travel information, motorists may call the 511 travel information system from any land line or cellular phone or visit www.TN511.com. — NICOLE YOUNG The Tennessean

Political discord inspires hundreds to enter TN races

Candidates flock to federal and state races in Middle TN By Michael Cass and Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • April 2, 2010 Hoping to take advantage of a tumultuous political atmosphere, hundreds of candidates took steps Thursday to qualify as candidates for state and federal elections. Races across Middle Tennessee will be more competitive than at any time in recent memory, with some incumbents planning to retire or facing tough primary challenges. In Nashville, long-time incumbent Democrats Sen. Douglas Henry and Rep. Mary Pruitt will have to fight for their party's nomination. Meanwhile, the retirements of entrenched lawmakers such as U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon and state Rep. Ben West have created openings for the first time in a quarter-century. "It's a rare opportunity for a normal person like me to get to run for a seat like this," said Brett Carter, a 38-year-old tax attorney and Iraq war veteran who will run as a Democrat for Gordon's Sixth Congressional District seat. Thursday was the deadline to qualify for state House, Senate and gubernatorial races as well as Congressional elections. Blake Fontenay, a spokesman for the Tennessee secretary of state's office, which includes the Division of Elections, cautioned that election officials still need to verify candidates' qualifying petitions. Also, the political parties have to sign off on candidates' standing as Democrats or Republicans. Candidates have until April 8 at noon to withdraw their names from the ballot. Here are some of Middle Tennessee's races to watch between now and the Aug. 5 primaries: • A hard-fought battle is expected in the state Senate's sprawling District 17, covering Wilson and six surrounding counties, as Mae Beavers, the incumbent, and Rep. Susan Lynn pursue the Republican nomination. Beavers decided to try to retain her seat after initially launching a campaign to become Wilson County mayor. The two women, who are political rivals, have drawn attention for their conservative stances on issues ranging from health-care reform to Second Amendment rights. 6th race appears intense The race to succeed Gordon, who is retiring at the end of this year after 26 years in Congress, is drawing intense interest. Gordon's 6th Congressional District covers parts of Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson and 12 other Middle Tennessee counties. Political analysts have said the district will tilt strongly toward Republicans with Gordon leaving the stage. Republicans who plan to run for the seat include two state senators, Diane Black of Gallatin and Jim Tracy of Shelbyville; retired Wartrace military officer and government employee Dave Evans; Franklin motorcycle shop owner Gary Mann; Bruce McLellan of Overton County; Springfield bicycle shop owner Kerry Roberts; and Rutherford County political activist Lou Ann Zelenik. Seven Democrats also are running, including Carter and Ben Leming, a Marine captain from Murfreesboro. Carter said he lives in Davidson County now but plans to move to Rutherford or Sumner soon. • U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper of Nashville will face two unknown Democratic primary challengers, Eric Pearson and Eric Schechter, while as many as 14 Republicans will battle for the chance to try to unseat Cooper in November. • Henry, a state senator for nearly 40 years, will have to out-hustle Jeff Yarbro, an attorney who has not yet reached the age of 40, to win the Democratic nomination. Pruitt, a state House member for more than 20 years, will battle another young upstart, Steven Turner. Last year, Turner was voted the Davidson County Young Democrats' rising star. • Two Metro councilmen, a former council member and three other candidates are pursuing West's House District 60 seat. Councilman Sam Coleman of Antioch and former Councilman Tommy Bradley, now the chief administrative officer of the Davidson County Criminal Court clerk's office, are running as Democrats. Councilman Jim Gotto of Hermitage is the lone Republican running for the seat. • The governor's race is down to just one Democrat, Jackson businessman Mike McWherter, son of former Gov. Ned Ray McWherter. The three main Republicans are Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga. In all, 19 candidates have filed to run for governor.

Proposed budget cuts weigh heavy on Metro Nashville

Brush pickup, library hours face cuts By Nate Rau • THE TENNESSEAN • April 1, 2010 The sober realities of next year's Metro budget came into focus Wednesday as some of the city's largest departments had their hearings with Mayor Karl Dean. Hundreds of Metro employees face layoffs and some of the city's direct services to the public could be trimmed or cut altogether. "Today was the day the challenges of this budget process became clear," Metro Councilman Ronnie Steine, chairman of the budget and finance committee, said, "especially with the proposed cuts to Public Works." The department, which is responsible for maintaining the city's streets and sidewalks, and overseeing trash and recycling programs, said it would need to cut 38 employees and stop countywide brush collection if Dean enacts the 7.5 percent budget cut that is being considered. Dean's administration pointed out that the 7.5 percent cut is merely a guideline. One of Dean's top aides, Finance Director Rich Riebeling, acknowledged that Public Works has faced deep cuts in recent years. "I think it's fair to say they've been hit the hardest in the last few years," Riebeling said. Similarly, Metro public libraries, which cut hours and staff in recent years, offered a proposal that would reduce operations from 50 to 40 hours per week at the Bordeaux, Edmondson Pike, Green Hills, Hermitage and Madison libraries. Community libraries across Davidson County would go from being open 40 hours per week to being open just 20 hours per week. The Metro Codes Department discussed its plans with Dean to raise the filing fees paid by developers and homeowners by 30 percent. The fee increases are meant to cover the escalating cost of providing the services offered by the department. But Director Terry Cobb also said the department's proposed budget cut would see five inspectors lose their jobs, which could hurt the services provided to the development community despite the fee increases. "They are concerned we would consider reducing their service (in the same year their fees go up)," Cobb said. The prospect of layoffs and service reductions also faces Metro Parks, according to interim executive director Tommy Lynch, who said, "The maintenance side of our parks, play fields and buildings will continue to be a challenge." Lynch, who took over the department after former Director Roy Wilson came under fire for a $1.7 million budget overrun, said parks would need additional money from the city's rainy day fund to get through the remainder of this year. He did not specify the amount, though he said it would be small. The city's budget hearings will conclude today. The schools budget will be discussed at a separate April 13 hearing.

Crime up on Tennessee campuses

By Heidi Hall • The Tennessean • March 31, 2010 Tennessee Bureau of Investigation report out this morning says campus crime was up about 9 percent in 2009, the first increase in five years. The biggest reason given by universities, it said, was increased enrollment prompted by the recession. Here are some highlights: * Most of the crimes were theft or larceny -- 38.5 percent. * Drug violations were up 16 percent. * Fraud was up 75 percent. * Rapes increased from 12 in 2008 to 17 in 2009

Crime Briefs: Nashville police charge shooting suspect in earlier homicide

Tennesean April 1, 2010 A man who shot and wounded a staffer from the Davidson County Public Defender's office last summer has been charged in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old woman. After 11 months of investigation, Metro Police say they have tied Antwain Green, 27, to the death of Jazma Jackson, of Kingview Drive. Jackson was walking into the house at 2545 Highland Trace Drive on April 29, 2009, when she was shot, police said. Green is in jail on attempted criminal homicide and aggravated assault charges in connection with the August 2009 shooting of Carrie Gleaves, 35, an intern working in the Public Defender's Office. Gleaves was shot in the arm while helping an assistant public defender interview a client in the University Court apartment complex. — NICOLE YOUNG Cab driver charged in rape of Fort Campbell soldier A Yellow Cab driver has been charged with the rape of a 21-year-old Fort Campbell soldier after she hired him to drive her home. From a lineup of about 200 Yellow Cab drivers, the victim picked Abdiwahab Kheir, 26, of Whispering Oaks Place, as the person who raped her on Feb. 28, Metro Police said The Tennessean does not identify sexual assault victims. The soldier said she called a cab after visiting a downtown nightclub, but instead of taking her home, the driver took her to the rear of the Yellow Cab Company headquarters on Third Avenue South, where he attacked her. She told police the driver dropped her off at the Greyhound Station on Eighth Avenue after the rape. She hired another cab to take her to Fort Campbell and reported the attack. Kheir was arrested Tuesday and taken to General Hospital. He refused to take an HIV test, later given by court order, and refused to talk to police. Investigators are urging any other possible victims to call the department's Sex Crimes Unit at 862-7540. — NICOLE YOUNG