Stephanie Melgoza Sentenced to 14 years in Double DUI Homicide

If you get 14 years in liberal hell Peoria Illinois can you imagine what the Folly Beach Bride Killer Jamie Lee Komoroski will get?

Police body camera footage shows 24-year-old woman who was sentenced to 14 years in prison earlier this month smiling, laughing, and singing after authorities told her she killed two people in a crash.

Stephanie Melgoza was sentenced to 14 years in prison on May 5, 2023. Authorities said she was under the influence and speeding, with Megloza pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI and two counts of aggravated reckless driving.

The two people -- Paul Prowant, 55, and 43-year-old Andrea Rosewicz -- were trying to cross the street when Melgoza hit them in April 2022.

Melgoza: "You never answered me about my car. I have school tomorrow, so how do I get my car?"

Police: "Well, your car is totaled."

Melgoza: "It's what?"

Police: "Your car is totaled."

Melgoza: "Total, total?"

Police: "Totaled. Wrecked."

Melgoza: "OK, so how do I get it here then?"

Police: "You don't."

Melgoza: "So, I don't go to school tomorrow is what you're telling me?"

Police: "No. ma'am. You want me to be honest with you? You're going to jail. You don't have a bond. You killed two people tonight. I don't think you understand that. You do not have a bond. You are not getting out of jail. 

Your car is property of East Peoria Police Department because it's a crime scene. It killed two people tonight. You are clueless with that. Clearly, I've already explained this to you. You're going to jail for reckless homicide tonight. You're going to jail for aggravated DUI for killing two people. That's what's going on. So, no you're not going to school tomorrow. You're not getting your car out of impound."

Melgoza: "Can I get it Tuesday for my night class?"

Police: "Did you just hear what I just told you?

Melgoza: "You said I'm not going tomorrow. I'm talking about Tuesday."

Police: "Did you hear what I said?"

Melgoza: "You said, 'you're going to jail tomorrow.'"

Police: "You're going to jail right when we're done here. Did you understand what I told you? That you killed two people tonight?"

Melgoza: "Yes. I'm just wondering when I can go to school."

Police: "OK, we're done. You're all on body camera being completely careless about killing two people tonight. You could care less. That's sad and pathetic and horrible all at the same time."

Melgoza: "Can you say that as a cop?"

Police: "Yes, ma'am. I can."

The second video shows her at the scene of the crash, where she tells police officers who responded to the scene a person walked out in front of her car.

Melgoza goes on to say the person "came out of nowhere," adding that she is "a safe driver." She tells police she was driving at least 40 mph after leaving a bar.

"I honestly don't think I was going too fast because I try to be precautionary," she said.

She also admits she had three drinks containing vodka and wasn't too drunk.

Like, right now, if you had me do a test, I think I would pass," she said. "Like, don't test me but I think I would pass."

The officer then gives her sobriety field tests, with Melgoza smiling and giggling.

"It's so hard keeping my head straight," she says with a snicker as the officer checks her eyes.

Melgoza fails the tests and the officers tells her she's under arrested for driving under the influence. She laughs as the officer places her in handcuffs.

She also tells the officer there's no way she hit and killed two people.

I feel like I'd be crying," she says. "I feel like I'd be like, 'Oh, my God. I did this.'"

Since the videos were made public, Melgoza's father has spoken out in his daughter's defense.

At her sentencing, she apologized.

I’m so sorry for everything, and I will never, ever commit anything like that again," she said, according to the Pekin Daily Times. "I have not drank since that day. I do not plan on drinking ever again."

Cedar's Take: I have long practiced what I preach. I don't drink in social settings unless someone else is driving ever. I get a lot of looks when I ask for just tonic and lime only. I get a lot of those oh I didn't know comments.

Commercial Pilot and Boat Captain the rules are pretty strict in most cases zero drinks is the requirement.  Specifically, the Federal Aviation Administration rulebook states that a pilot may not use alcohol within 8 hours of a flight and cannot have a blood alcohol content above 0.04% if the time limit has passed.

US Coast Guard rules are less restrictive but my crews are always on a zero limit while under charter. The job is 6am til Midnight while guests are aboard. So those bookend charters (Guests departing the same day new guests arrive) are a real buzz kill.

The USA is pretty lax when it comes to DUI enforcement where in Australia the BAC is now 0.05 still with the ease of getting an Uber and mass transit why drink and drive ever?

SouthPark Fire So Many Questions

The massive fire that broke out last Thursday morning should be a wake-up call to all of Charlotte.

But the May 18 fire that occured on Liberty Row Drive just off Fairview Road and claimed the lives of two construction workers will likely be dismissed as just an unfortunate accident. 

Yet, Charlotte City leaders hell bent on density saturation for years need to now admit their abject failure didn’t fully understand the ridiculous concept of building apartments on top of apartments. 

There is no reason other the prue greed to continue to develop Charlotte real estate in sure a manner SouthPark is over saturated with rental units. The 6100 Fairview building where Cedar Posts worked for 15 years is currently less than 68% occupied and even so most of those office spaces are void of personal.

Squeezing two apartment buildings between parking decks on a foot print that was originally designed for an office tower is just unimaginable. 

While all responsible may not be directly at fault, everything that could go wrong did so in rapid succession.

And questions are many:

What did Charlotte Fire know about the project?

Were there repetitive reoccurring fire safety inspections? 

Did Charlotte Fire know how to enter the property? Did they have the details about the project, emergency plans and procedures, temporary standpipe locations, and fire truck access?

Is there any truth to the rumor that the two workers who perished where trapped by a dumpster blocking a stairwell exit? 

Did and developer and general contractor keep Charlotte Fire updated about the progress of the construction?

Was there a continual flow of information between Meck County Building Standards inspectors and Charlotte Fire?

Where there adequate safety procedures in place? 

Muster points, job site egress locations, specific hazards, and procedures?

Did the large number of Spanish only speaking labors play a role in the inability to contain the fire and loss of life? 

Did the General Contractor hold fire drills to insure each person knew not only how to exit the project but what to do to ensure the safety of first responders and fellow workers?

If Charlotte City Council is committed on density saturation they need to step up and fund Charlotte Fire to deal with this sort of growth. Double the budget and expand the department's first responder force by 100%. 

Because with this layout and a 2 am fire with 800 units the loss of life would have been cataclysmic. 

They Live Among Us The Question is Why?

More proof the system is broken.

A habitual violent felon on parole for armed robbery and murder is now accused of kidnapping someone after robbing a convenience store, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Police said just after 1 a.m. on April 28, they were called to the 7-Eleven at 4800 North Graham Street near Equipment Drive for an armed robbery. 

Officers said William Morgan, 53, is accused of robbing the store at gunpoint.

Investigators said Morgan allegedly forced a witness out of the store and back into the car she had arrived in. He’s accused of then forcing the driver who was waiting in the car to drive Morgan at gunpoint meet another person. That person also got into the car, police said.

The witness begged the suspect to let her go and he did, investigators said. Then, the suspect forced the driver into the trunk of the car.

Police said the witness contacted CMPD after she was released.

“The suspect jumped in the back seat, pointed the gun at the driver, and said ‘drive.’”

Scharf said the woman was getting a ride from someone who was operating his own driving service at the time. Morgan is accused of forcing the driver at gunpoint to take him to meet his friend Jeremy Nash. Nash also got into the car, police said.''

The woman begged the suspect to let her go and he did, investigators said. Then, the driver was forced into the trunk space of the SUV.

“The suspect told her, ‘You can go but he has to die,’” CMPD said.

Police said the woman called 911 after she was released. Scharf said she was able to give a plate number. Around 3 a.m., the city’s Real Time Crime Center got a hit.

Officers found the car less than 10 miles from where it all began and tried to pull the car over knowing the victim could be inside.

Officers arrested Morgan and Nash and learned they both had extensive criminal histories. 

Once they had Morgan in custody, investigators learned he served time in prison for a murder that happened during an armed robbery.

Morgan is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jeremy Nash, 28, is charged with kidnapping.

Wake Up Charlotte, these clowns are everywhere because a liberal run justice system has become useless. 

And if you think Morgan is bad wait til you see the arrest record of Nash.

But even with knowing that both will be back on the streets in a few days Charlotte you'll keep voting for "defund the police" democrats, judges who embrace "soft on crime" policies and "jails are racist" liberals. 

CMPD and Charlotte Fire at Wells Fargo

On Sunday the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship came to a close. The entire week would not be possible without the support of our Officers and Firefighters. 

No. 16 Crosswalk and patrons at Quail Hollow.

But beyond the "unknown medical" response at Hole 17 calls for Charlotte Fire (happy to assist) and a few "NO YOU CAN'T" directional answers (hat tip for the back up) it was a non-event. Let's keep it that way.

However, I need to give some serious props to the dozens of CMPD "boots on the ground" that I interacted with during the week.

Traffic - absolutely awesome job. Both at the clubhouse and Gleneagles and Quail Hollow. I've done traffic and its not something I enjoy but CMPD made it look effortless.  Special mention to Officers working the clubhouse pedestrian crosswalk and the kindness I observed a number of times dealing with slow moving seniors and parents with toddlers. 

Clubhouse Security - smooth and efficient every member I spoke to was impressed. 

Quail Hollow is a "Good Walk Spoiled" and 18 holes as a Marquee Group Escort isn't a walk in the park. Solid effort made in the dual role of both player security and at the same time public relations. Fist bump with a ten year old while staying focused on the mission yeah I noticed.

Bike Patrol - nothing but good things here. Public perception awesome and the under 12 perception SUPER COOL! Special mention to Humphries and Sgt Ward. Bravo Zulu! 

Next Year let's do it again!

CP

Michelle is Leaving North Carolina in 22 Days!

On Sunday Michelle told the Twitter World she was leaving North Carolina in 22 days. 

@Michell33650674:

I'm moving out of North Carolina in 22 days, and going to Illinois.  I WILL miss the weather and beauty here.  I WON'T miss the people.  They're so Bibley that I feel I live amongst robots.  My town is racially segregated.  My Trumper neighbor has tormented me for years.  I'm out

First thing is this nutbird has 25,000 followers. 25,000? Seriously 25,000 people follow her endless non stop hate on Twitter. Amazing.

The comments to her big announcement are just as troubling:

@JustAmyCA (JustAmy):

My family moved us from DC to Charlotte when I was 16. I was in shock/traumatized by the racism and fake hyper-religiosity. Moved to Southern California as soon as I could get away from family responsibilities. Love DC but would never, ever move back to NC.

@_ColoradoStoner:

Let me tell you, I grew up in the south (against my will), and the moment I had the chance to get the hell out of there, I did.

Never looked back, never regretted it either.

Yet the best comment (reply) and a total 180 degree viewpoint comes from non other than Steve Ohnesorge. Yeah that Steve Ohnesorge WBTV's Steve "O".

@WBTVSteveO:

Sorry to hear that. I grew up in Miami, lived in NYC, Chicago, and elsewhere. Family in TX, OK, AZ, MA. No place is perfect but my town in the NC foothills is good. A great mix of people who get along. Hope Illinois works for you. We’ll leave a light on in case it doesn’t.

As I said in my reply to Steve:

 "You're a far better man that I am". 

Steve Ohnesorge is of course the total "southern gentleman" class act and smart enough to know how good life is in the Carolinas.

I'm not sure why Michelle thinks moving to "pale blue" Peoria which is surrounded by solid red rural Illinois, would be better than North Carolina. It's like Asheville without the scenery. Both places are islands of liberalism the only difference between the surrounding rural Illinois and rural NC is the ratio of Tundras to F150s far more Toyota than Ford.

I know a lot about Illinois and a whole lot about Illinois rural life. 

Stray much more than 10 miles in any direction from Peoria and its trucks, beer, guns and farmland. A whole lot of flat farmland and tornados. 

Distant cousins who run big farms as in 2,000 plus acres from towns like Cuba, Canton, and Edwardsville, on down to Marion and Carbondale, to Cairo (Pronounced Kay-Row) and RedBud. 

I also know Michelle won't be happy anywhere.

But the comments, my flag is offensive? Going to church is scary? Republicans are Nazis?

I'm not sure which is more entertaining Michelle or her followers.

More from Michelle:

Why do you think actual NAZIS are Trumpers?  Because that's what Trumpers really are.  These guys are at least HONEST about themselves and their beliefs.  The others pretend they're not as bad because they know it's not socially acceptable.  I guess they want to keep their jobs.

These are the worms that crawl in MAGAT minds:  White is right, dark is wrong;  Men are kings and women and children are chattel;  Rape is natural;  Animals are nothing but food and recreation;  Guns are penis replacements;  Gayness is wrong...except with "the boys" in secrecy.

When you dig deep into the minds of people, you find some really disturbing shit.  I've talked to MAGATS for YEARS, both in person and online.  They are DANGEROUS.  They are filled with INTENSE HATRED.  There's noting RATIONAL about them.  Not ONE of them is a "fine" person.

MAGATS, you really are fucking MONSTERS.  You are the types who would have gassed Jews in Germany.  You are the types who would have murdered millions of native Americans.  You would have HAPPILY taken South American children from their parents as they wailed and screamed.  Sick!

What do you wanna bet that MAGATS think the dude who murdered his neighbors because they asked him to stop shooting his AR-15 was JUSTIFIED in doing so?  This is the kind of people we live amongst.  I've never felt this way about living in America before.  Trump released MONSTERS

So what is your take? Are these people real? Do they really think Peoria Illinois is better than North Carolina? Do they understand that winter starts in October and the wind across the plains doesn't stop until May. That is doesn't get above freezing from December until March and even then there's snow on the ground about 143 days each year? 

Jeroid Price On The Run (The System is Indeed Broken)

If you've followed Cedar Posts for any length of time you know I’m usually pretty quick to condemn the condemned but this is wrong. This is all kinds of wrong.

You really need to read this. The system is clearly broken, it was broken when Price was released and this does not fix that.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster needs to issue a pardon and let's move on.

FROM the AP and other sources:

The attorney representing the man the South Carolina Supreme Court ordered back to prison said his client needs to surrender to authorities.

Attorney Todd Rutherford, who is representing Jeroid Price, said it has become clear to him that Price may not know that there is a warrant out for his arrest.

“So I want to make it clear that Mr. Price, if he sees this, that my legal advice is that he needs to turn himself in,” Rutherford said. “Although Mr. Price did nothing to deserve this — he was released legally from jail; he did not escape; he walked out with a judge’s order.”

Former Richland County Judge Casey Manning, who has since retired, signed an order in December that reduced Price’s sentence to 19 years. He then sealed that order.

The State Supreme Court reversed the early release Wednesday amid questions about whether it followed proper procedure. During arguments Wednesday, the justices said they didn’t like that the deal was kept secret, including from the parents of the man Price killed. The high court also noted that no formal hearing was held before Price walked out of prison.

Rutherford said in 2017 his client called to tell him inmate Jimmy Causey had been missing for two days and state prison officials had not figured out he was gone. Causey was serving a life sentence for tying up his lawyer and family because he was unhappy about his attorney’s work. Rutherford argued before the high court that the release was given because Price had helped the corrections department by providing information about the escape.

He also said Rutherford saved the lives of corrections officers by breaking up fights in prison.

Rutherford said he asked the motion be kept secret to protect Price’s safety both inside the prison and after his release, fearing he would be attacked for cooperating with authorities.

“I’m sorry that this happened. I’m sorry that the Supreme Court ordered this. And I’m sorry for Mr. Price, who has done nothing but help the citizens of South Carolina capture a dangerous criminal, saving the lives of correctional officers. That somehow, that lands him back in jail in the South Carolina Department of Corrections,” Rutherford said. “He has no choice at this point.”

Rutherford said anyone who considers Price to be dangerous should go back and look at his trial.

“He went to trial because he believed he was innocent, because he believed he had a self-defense claim,” he said. “He believed at that time so strongly that he was made an offer of 10 years. He rejected that offer and went to trial.”

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson argued to the state’s Supreme Court the release was done without properly notifying the victim’s family and without a proper hearing. He told the court the state failed in this process.

The court voted 3-2 to void the release.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said that Price had the opportunity to surrender himself after the high court ordered his arrest and return to prison, but because he did not do so, he is now considered a fugitive.

Lott also said a $5,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to Price’s arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Rutherford is also a State House member, representing Richland County. He is also the House Minority Leader.

CMPD Looking for Suspect Accused of Shooting Two People

The story is always the same:

Police said Dominique Gantt shot the victims on April 9. He now has warrants for a handful of charges.

From the local television news station:

 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is looking for a man they say shot two people earlier in April.

Officers said they found the two victims along Remount Road off West Boulevard on Sunday, April 9, around 11 p.m. Detectives identified the suspect as 29-year-old Dominique Gantt as the suspect.

29-year-old Dominique Gantt Photo Courtesy MCSO

Gantt has warrants out for his arrest for attempted murder, discharging a firearm within city limits, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He stands at 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 200 lbs. He's known to go by the street names "Domo" and "Domo Beezy".

And that is all you'll hear just a 60 second sound bite on another pointless crime.

But a very quick review and the real problem becomes crystal clear. Charlotte is over run with violent habitual felons thanks to a system that is broken, a DA who is either lazy, or incompetent, liberal judges and overworked or lazy parole officers.

On March 27, 2021 Gantt was arrested on domestic violence charges including assault on a female, communicating threats and because he was on parole at the time that charge was added on March 31, 2021.

His convictions for a 2015 robbery with a gun and and two counts of  AWDWISI in 2013 adding a 2018 conviction for AWDWISI kept Gantt rolling in and out of prison for 4 years 5 months and 14 days of the last ten years.

In September of 2022 he was arrested for B&E Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Larceny of a Firearm. 

Mecklenburg DA dismissed the charges and Gantt was released on Nonmember 15, 2022.

There is no reason the Gantt should be out of jail. We have a system that no longer protects citizens and puts every law abiding member of our community at risk and it needs to stop.