First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Summary: There are more than 300,000 open arrest warrants in the state of Ohio. Many cases stay open for years and are forgotten as the state's criminal justice system struggles to keep up with the thousands of new warrants filed each day. Among these warrants are thousands of warrants for violent crimes, and when these warrants remain unserved, the suspects linger on the streets, increasing the risk that someone else will be harmed or killed. Law enforcement officials across the nation said this is their biggest fear when they don’t have the resources to track everyone down. In Ohio, these warrants, including the ones for violent crime, aren't entered into statewide or national databases, meaning that if a fugitive encounters police, they may not know they are wanted. Here, A clerk searches for a criminal case file at the Franklin County Municipal Clerk of Courts in Columbus, Ohio. Among the many case files the court handles are tens of thousands of open arrest warrants in Franklin County; everything from a traffic ticket to aggravated robbery. In Ohio's six largest counties, there are currently 23,623 warrants for crimes involving violence, a weapon, or sexual misconduct.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Steeg and Diane Hertz of Springfield, Ohio, parents of, David, 37, who was killed in a 2014 wreck. The other driver, Juan Ruiz, was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, but he posted bail and became a fugitive, and is believed to have returned to Mexico, where he is a citizen. There's a warrant for his arrest. If he's ever located, “I would tell him he ripped a hole into our family,” said Steeg Hertz, 76.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Columbus Division of Police officers James Walker calls in information for a "50" - the 10 code for a wanted person - over the radio after filing an arrest warrant for Jonovan Meek, who was wanted on suspicion of domestic violence, at the Franklin County Municipal Clerk of Courts in Columbus, Ohio. Walker hoped to arrest Meek that night, but couldn't find another officer to provide back-up before his shift ended.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Franklin County Sheriff's Office SWAT officer Nate Chalfant peers through a small window in a door to see if anyone if home while serving an arrest warrant with SWAT officer Kevin Christie, left. Often when serving warrants, officers spend more time looking for suspects then making arrests, mostly due to outdated information on the arrest warrant.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Mariam El-Shamaa was a graduate student at Ohio State University when she was attacked by a man with a knife in 2002. She wasn't aware that Weicheng Yen, who had been indicted on a felonious assault charge in her case, still had not faced justice when contacted.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Crisha Wallace begins to cry as she reads from a worksheet that she completed about her arrest during a meeting with her probation officer. Arrested previously on charges of forgery, Wallace was searched in jail after her arrest and was found with a bottle of someone else's urine in case of a drug test. During this meeting, Wallace's probation officer, Anna Schmidt, urged her to get into drug treatment before their next meeting. Wallace would skip that meeting and another warrant would be issued for her arrest.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"U.S. Marshals question Andrew Green after he answered the door at a home in Columbus where they were serving an arrest warrant for a different individual. After questioning, the marshals discovered that Green was wanted on a felony escape warrant after leaving a halfway house in June. He was arrested.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Dante Williams poses for a portrait near his south side home on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Williams was pulled over in his white Chevrolet Malibu, seen here, earlier this month for a non-functioning headlight, and was arrested after the officer ran his name and found that he had three outstanding warrants for minor traffic violations, including failure to pay $120 in court costs for one of those previous traffic infractions. He spent three days in the Franklin County Jail after his arrest before the charges on all previous outstanding warrants were dismissed. During his stay in jail, someone broke into his food trailer parked at his home and stole a generator used for his business.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"A U.S. Marshal holds position outside a window as they serve an arrest warrant at an apartment building for aggravated burglary suspect Hassan Hassan.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"A United States Marshal places a shirt on Hassan Hassan, center, after his arrest. Agents woke him up while serving the warrant that morning and brought out clothes and water for him after he was detained without incident.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Columbus Police SWAT arrest individuals on suspicion of running a theft ring after executing a search warrant at Trinity Square Apartments in Columbus.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, ""A small Lego police officer figurine hangs from the body armor of a U.S. Marshal. He wears it so that children he encounters while working notice the toy and are less intimidated.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Bail agent Larry Garrett talks with a woman outside her residence as they search for Sheldon Curry, who skipped bond on a drug charge. Curry was spotted about an hour earlier at the woman's house but wasn't there when agents attempted to apprehend him, apparently tipped off to the agents attempt to arrest him.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"Hakeem O. Johnston, 25, right, of Franklinton, looks back as Windolyn Young, a family member of Laquam Gratsy, reads a victim impact statement from Gratsy's mother, Maria Alvarez, during Johnston's sentencing hearing at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Columbus, Ohio. Johnston was given a life sentence for the January 2017 murder of Laquam Gratsy at a known drug house in Columbus. Seven weeks before the murder, a warrant had been filed for Johnston because he had violated probation on a 2015 gun-related conviction by possessing another gun.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System""I never see his smile or hear his voice and that's the same thing I want from you; never to hear your voice, never to see your face, or to even hear your name," reads part of the victim impact statement from Maria Alvarez to Hakeem O. Johnston, who was convicted of murdering her son, Laquam Gratsy.
First Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, "Wanted: Ohio's Overflowing Warrant System"An angel keeps watch over Jenny Blake's grave at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Pataskala. In 2011, Blake, a 28-year-old mother of three, was kidnapped by her husband, Jack Blake Jr., 32, and he eventually was indicted 16 days after the incident. Fourteen days later, law enforcement had not yet picked him up on the kidnapping arrest warrant when he killed Jenny in front of their Columbus home, then killed himself hours later.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Ahmed and Dunya Al Haek came to Ohio as refugees from Iraq in 2011 with their two daughters, Dima and Maryam. Their son, Mousa was born in Ohio in 2013. The couple have been careful to keep Iraqi and Muslim traditions a strong part of their lives in Ohio. They also understand that their kids are growing up in America and will inevitably take on pieces American culture. Ahmed and Dunya believe that raising their children with the best pieces of each world will give them more advantages in life. Dima Al Haek, 13, warms up on her violin before returning inside to play for her family at her Aunt's engagement party, March 25, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Dima arrived in Ohio in 2011 with her parents and younger sister, Maryam. The family had fled fromIraq to Syria in 2010 after it became unsafe for them in Iraq due to her father working as a translator for the US military.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dima Al Haek (left) tries to get her sister, cousins and friends to sit down on a school bus before their summer youth program takes off for a field trip June 14, 2018. The group was heading to Blendon Woods Metro Parks and it was the first time most of them had the chance to wander through the woods. Dima and her sister Maryam and parents Ahmed and Dunya all came to Ohio from Iraq by way of Syria in 2011. Their younger brother Mousa was born in Ohio. The family is finding a balance between Iraqi and American cultures, making sure their kids are strongly rooted in their faith and Iraqi traditions while letting them experience life in America.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Maryam (right) and her older sister, Dima (left) stare incredulously at the vending machine as their bag of Bugles gets stuck. The sisters were at the courthouse waiting for their mother, Dunya's naturalization ceremony on November 14, 2018.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dunya Al Haek (right) helps Gretchen Klingler translate words from Arabic to English during a class on US citizenship. Dunya is taking the class to make sure she passes the citizenship test in the next few months so she can officially become a US citizen.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Maryam Al Haek nervously laughs with friends while her father, Ahmed, stands behind her waiting to introduce the children for an impromptu concert of Christmas Carols at the end of the year/Christmas party December 12, 2017. The party was for the attendees of his after school program and their families. Ahmed dosen't mind letting his children celebrate Christmas as a cultural event even though the family is all practicing Muslim.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dima Al Haek (right) shares pistachios and gossips with her best friend Ghadja before the after school program they attend at St. James Lutheran Church begins, February 5, 2017. Dima's father, Ahmed, started the program so refugee and immigrant children could get help with homework. There are also English and citizenship classes for the adults.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Mousa Al Haek groans as he waits for his mom, Dunya, to finish saying her goodbyes at the St. James Lutheran Church, February 6, 2017. Ahmed Al Haek runs an after school program for refugees out the church to help them with homework. Adults can also take English classes and citizenship classes.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Sisters Dima (far left) and Maryam (far right) play on their cell phones while their friends and cousins watch. The group were celebrating Dima's 13th birthday as well as her younger brother, Mousa's (not pictured) 4th birthday on November 25, 2017.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Mousa Al Haek slowly cuts into his 'Angry Birds' birthday cake with help from his mom, Dunya on November 25, 2017. Moussa was born in the US, but his parents fled Iraq with his two older sisters after it became too dangerous for them to remain in Baghdad. His parents have been very careful to make sure their Iraqi traditions are not forgotten. They only speak Arabic in the home. Mousa, however has learned English by watching American cartoons, which is where he got his love of 'Angry Birds'.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Ahmed Al Haek curls up on the couch with his two youngest children, Maryam, 8, and Mousa, 3. Ahmed has always been very affectionate with his children. He moved his family to America in 2011 because Iraq was no longer safe for his family after he worked as a translator with the US military. Ahmed loves the opportunities America can give his children but is careful to hold tight to Iraqi traditions.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Maryam Al Haek plays on her piano for her friends and cousins while her younger brother, Mousa because she would not let him play along with his recorder on November 25, 2017.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Ahmed Al Haek dances in the kitchen with his wife, Dunya and oldest daughter Dima at his sisters engagement party, March 25, 2018. Ahmed and Dunya are making sure their children experience the best of American culture while ensuring they hold onto their Iraqi roots.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dima Al Haek whispers a secret into her younger sister, Maryam's ear at her birthday party, November 25, 2017.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Mousa playfully attacks his cousin, Ban, with his Spiderman action figure as they wait for more family to arrive for their aunts engagement party, March 25, 2018. Mousa's parents are making sure he and his sisters experience the best of American culture, while ensuring they hold onto their Iraqi roots.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"One of The Al Haek children's favorite things about American life is Halloween. Every year they get dressed up with their cousins, Ban and Rahaf on October 31 and race from house to house trying to get as much Halloween candy as possible. After Trick-or-Treating is finishes they dump their candy out at home and begin separating out the pieces that are not Halal. They give those to their non-muslim classmates.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dunya steals a bite of her son, Mousa's frozen custard, October 16, 2018. The family stopped at the outdoor frozen custard shop on the way home from an awards ceremony. It was too cold to eat their treats outdoors, so they all piled into their car.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Maryam, Mousa and Dima Al Haek all play in their bedroom before bedtime, January 16, 2018.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Sisters Dima and Maraym Al Haek rearrange gooey stickers on their bedroom window January 15, 2017. The girls have mostly grown up in America, they came to the United States when they were young children. Their parents allow them to indulge in bits of American culture, like the Frozen curtains in their room, but are also very protective of maintaining their Iraqi heritage.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dunya Al Haek helps her daughter, Maryam, with her hijab before family and friends arrive for an engagement party for a family member March 25, 2018. Dunya and her husband Ahmed have been careful to keep Iraqi and Muslim traditions a strong part of their lives in Ohio with their three children. They also understand that their kids are growing up in America and will inevitably take on pieces American culture. Ahmed and Dunya believe that raising their children with the best of both worlds will give them many advantages in life.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Maryam Al Haek and her older sister Dima along and other with other family members dance traditional dances at an engagement party their family is holding for their aunt, Zainab March 25, 2018. The family is steadfastly holding onto their traditions and culture from Iraq while watching their children thrive in America. They believe blending the two worlds will give their children can more advantages in life.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dima Al Haek (left) hugs her little brother Mousa, while he sister, Maryam gently pats his hand. Mousa had bumped his head in the courtroom just after his mom, Dunya, officially received her citizenship, November 14, 2018. The family has been living in the United States since 2011, after fleeing from the war in Iraq.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Dunya Al Haek gently kisses her son Mousa as he absentmindedly waves an American flag in the air at his father's naturalization ceremony, October 23, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. The family arrived in Ohio eight years ago on a green card. Mousa, 5, was born in Ohio. His two older sisters, Dima and Maryam will receive their citizenship after their parents have theirs.
Second Place, Ohio Understanding Award - Jessica Phelps / Newark Advocate, "First Generation"Ahmed Al Haek opens his shirt "Superman" style to reveal a T-shirt with both the Iraqi and American flags while on the steps of the courthouse. Ahmed received his citizenship after going through the naturalization ceremony October 23, 1018. Ahmed brought his family to the US in 2011 on a green card after serving as a translator with the military in Iraq.
