Rasheed Powell, 43, forced way into rooms and watched partners have sex
He locked men up and raped women, making them loudly compliment him
He was handed a 148-year sentence but legal reps asked for 80 years instead
Trial went on for eight weeks and jury took three-and-a-half days to deliberate
Father-of-two was in court as four of eight victims delivered powerful messages
One victim said she hoped he never saw daylight again as she spoke in court
Powell maintains innocence despite evidence including DNA rape kit, gun he threatened victims with and the mask and jacket he wore that girlfriend provided
The robber got into crime as a teenager and has spent 14 years in prison already
Rasheed Powell, 43, was sentenced to 148 after forcing couples to have sex at gunpoint before raping the women
A father-of-two has been sentenced to 148 years in prison for forcing couples to have sex at gunpoint in New Jersey motels, before locking the men in bathrooms and raping the women.
Rasheed Powell, of Elizabeth, was convicted in March for 60 counts that include aggravated robbery and sexual assault.
The crimes took place in the towns of Elizabeth and Linden in New Jersey over the course of two months in 2012, and there were eight victims – four men and four women – in total.
On four occasions, Powell, 43, stalked his victims before forcing his way into their motel rooms, making the couples perform sex acts in front of him, then locking up the men in the bathroom and raping the women.
Springfield Municipal Court heard how Powell would make his victims ‘loudly compliment’ him so their locked-up partners would hear.
He was caught when responding to a traffic summons in court April 2012. When arrested his bail was set at $3million.
It took two hours for Powell to be read his fate in court when he was sentenced August 16.
A jury deliberated over three-and-a-half days at the end of the eight-week trial. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit tried for 200 years but he was given 148.
His sentencing was based on 24 counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, and eight counts of robbery which is a first degree crime.
In addition, Powell was charged with 12 counts of sexual assault, 12 weapons offenses, and four counts of burglary, which is a second degree crime.
One victim says she’s ‘afraid of people and what they’re doing’ after the traumatizing incident at the Swan Motel in Linden (picture above)
Powell’s attorney Erin Cook asked he only be punished per couple, not per individual, so that he would only get 80 years.
He has already spent a total of 14 years in prison and has been in trouble with the law since he was 14 years old.
Superior Court Judge, Robert Kirsch, was having none of it though, calling Powell a ‘serial rapist’ and mentioning the extensive evidence they had against him.
As well as his ex-girlfriend handing in the mask he used to disguise his identity as well as his jacket and gun, rape kits were used to match his DNA.
‘Your reign of terror ends here, now,’ the judge added.
It didn’t stop Powell from claiming he didn’t get a fair trial, however. mycentralnewjersey.com reports he said: ‘In due time proof will come out. I’m innocent.’
Four of his victims were present in court, two men and two women, who shared the stories of how the horror affected their lives.
Attendees at Springfield Municipal Court (pictured) heard how Powell would make his victims ‘loudly compliment’ him so their locked up partners would hear
A woman assaulted at a Route 1&9 motel said: ‘I hope you don’t have the option to see daylight again.’
Powell’s victim faced him to call him a ‘monster’ and told those in attendance ‘I’m afraid of people and what they are doing. I focus on work, family and I go straight home.’ She was attacked at the Swan Motel in Linden.
The Benedict Motel in Linden, now called the Bentley, was also the setting for one of his horrific crimes.
In Elizabeth, his victims were at the Spring Lane Motel and the Royal Motel.
Another woman, who was raped on Easter Sunday in 2012 and asked for him to get life in prison, told the packed court how she has since suffered from panic attacks and had nightmares.
Additionally she has self-mutilated and had suicidal thoughts after Powell threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
If everybody was nice to each other, the world would be a much better place. Holding a door for somebody, giving money to charity, even just smiling at somebody who looks down can be great ways to help somebody out.
If humans were nice to each other, the world would be a much better place. Give up your place for an elderly or a pregnant woman while in the bus, giving money to someone in need, even smiling to someone who looks down while walking by can make this person’s day better.
And this is exactly what FOX5 Surprise Squad does, the difference is that these good people can do a lot for someone in need or who deserves it after a long struggle. Spreading kindness and good gestures around the country to inspire the world to do the same is what FOX5 Surprise Squad aims for. So the team decided again to make someone’s life better and headed to a busy grocery store in Las Vegas.
They approached some of the shoppers in the check-out line, but the team never expected they’d meet two inspiring local veterans. First, reporter Dave Hall met with Stephanie, a disabled veteran who was bound to a wheelchair.
Stephanie has dogs who love so much. This woman barely have enough money to feed herself and her dogs. Actually, she was spending from her last $50 that day. So Dave and his team happily paid for her grocery shopping. Then they noticed the man who had accompanied her to the store that day.
Larry is Stephanie’s husband, he was also a fellow club member and truck driver who was most of the time hitting the road. Larry was also a struggling veteran who gave a lot of his time to drive Stephanie wherever she needed to go. “No vet should be going through what she’s going through,” he told Dave and his team.
Unfortunately, Some of Larry’s brothers died in the Vietnam War. That’s what inspired him to create a charity called Bones for Blankets which donates blankets to homeless veterans.
Larry always put people in more need first. That’s why he was very low on cash. The only items he bought that day at the supermarket were a piece of candy and some mouthwash. Once Dave and the Surprise Squad heard Larry’s story, they decided that this wouldn’t do. They immediately took Larry back down the aisles of the supermarket to make sure he gets what he needs.
Watch what the Surprise Squad has in store for Larry in the video below:
When Amanda Scarpinati was 3 months old, she rolled off the sofa and fall onto a steam vaporizer. The outcome was a scolded and burned skin. As she grew up, she had to undergo several reconstructive surgeries.
She was taken to the Albany Medical Center where she was taken care of by Sue Berger, a special nurse. Berger took the bandaged girl into her arms and gave her some comfort while she was experiencing pain. That was back in 1977.
After Scarpinati’s discharge, all she was left with were the photos she had taken with Berger while in her arms. Scarpinati was determined to find the carrying nurse and thank her for her unconditional compassion.
While growing up, bullies took advantage of her burn and tormented her. That is why the sincere gesture of the caring woman mattered a lot to her. Scarpinati went ahead and posted a note about it on Facebook. It did not take long before the nurse was identified.
In the clip below, we see Scarpinati and Berger reunite at the place where they had first met and it is a special moment to watch. You can’t miss watching to see how the two express their feeling towards each other.
Kindly SHARE the incredible reunion with all on Facebook!
Lisa Marie Presley is no stranger to the spotlight. As the King of Rock N’ Roll’s daughter, every childhood memory was larger than life and every flash of the paparazzi’s camera is stuck in her mind. After a recent struggle with drug addiction, Lisa Marie was finally ready to speak out about her struggles, getting clean, her father’s legacy and her upcoming album with Today’s Jenna Bush Hager.
Jenna had no idea the interview would get so personal so fast.
YouTube
Instead of shying away from the problem that plagued both herself and her father, Lisa Marie spoke directly about the issue with Today’s Jenna Bush Hager:
“I’m not perfect, my father wasn’t perfect, no one’s perfect. It’s what you do with it after you learn and then you try to help others with it”
Thankfully, Lisa Marie’s children, Riley, Benjamin, Finley and Harper, helped her see the light. On the hard days, she turned to music as a place of solace – just as her father had done when things got tough in his own life. Lisa Marie even released a new compilation album of Elvis’ gospel recordings she co-produced called “Where No One Stands Alone.”
It was a way to keep her father close while he’s up in Heaven.
YouTube
But when the music just won’t fade her worries away, she admitted to Jenna reaches out to Elvis in Heaven. It’s something she’s done for years now and his unspoken wisdom guides her.
“‘I think I already said, ‘Help me, God help me…’ I would want to know he’s there. Yeah, It would be pretty much, ‘I could use your help right around now.'”
He may not be around anymore, but Lisa Marie knows he’s there with her in spirit. There’s nothing that can separate a father from protecting his little girl – not even death.
YouTube
As for her father’s legacy? She said the gospel album is the perfect embodiment of who he was as a person. Lisa Marie told Jenna:
“He just loved it. He would break out into Gospel music whenever and wherever he was, at any time. It’s what moved him.”
Now she hopes her father’s songs can help bring other people peace the same way his spirit guided her during her time of need. We’re so impressed with Lisa Marie for picking herself back up and reaching out when she needed help!
YouTube
Listen to their full interview in the video below. Lisa Marie is making her father proud every single day!
As adults it’s easy to sometimes forget that kids pick up on everything that we do. Sometimes catching us off guard with just how observant they are of our actions and behavior. It can sometimes even get us into trouble! So when mom attended a CPR class with her baby girl she wasn’t expecting the baby to pick up on everything from the lesson that day. But what mom soon witnessed after class made her mouth drop.
YouTube
Unbeknownst to mom her baby girl was paying extra close attention to the class that day. So after class when the baby saw a CPR dummy lying on the ground she didn’t hesitate to show off her new skills. As mom watched in awe she could hardly believe what she was witnessing. The baby crawls over to the dummy and begins to give it chest compressions as she babbles to the dummy, possibly checking in to see how the dummy is doing. But it gets even better.
YouTube
After some chest compressions baby girl begins giving the dummy mouth-to-mouth. It may seem shocking but it’s true! She alternates between chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth leaving mom in complete awe of her little lifesaver in the making. Barely even able to walk, the family can certainly expect great things from their little girl in the future. It truly is remarkable how quickly children can learn things and implement them on their own. Watch the baby demonstrate her CPR skills in the video below. What a doll!
Finding the right woman isn’t easy. And honestly, nowadays, wives don’t get ‘orders’ from their husbands, which is totally fine as partners should equally be responsible for all those tasks that come with keeping the house clean.
But what happens when when you ask your wife to do the dishes and the house cleaning? Three friends who married girls from different parts of the world did that and we can’t stop laughing because of one of the woman’s reactions. I guess that is what you get when marrying a Texas girl. This is hilarious!
Three friends married women from different parts of the world.
The first man married a Greek girl. He told her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.
The second man married a Thai. He gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. The first day he didn’t see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done, and there was a huge dinner on the table.
The third man married a girl from Texas. He ordered her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal.
The first day he didn’t see anything, the second day he didn’t see anything either but by the third day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye and his arm was healed enough that he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher.
He still has some difficulty when he pees.
SHARE if it made you LAUGH 🙂
Every parent worries whether their child will fit in at school or be the outcast. With bullying so prevalent nowadays, those concerns are legitimate.
When that child has special needs, the anxiety is even greater. Fortunately at smaller schools, everyone knows everyone and can help look out for each other.
Flickr/Kevin Krejci
Wayne Community Schools in Iowa has slightly more than 200 students in seventh through 12th grades. When Angie Sloan’s daughter Chelsea was ready to enter junior high, she fretted about her daughter being included.
That’s because Chelsea has Down syndrome. But it didn’t take long before Chelsea had a big group of caring classmates who didn’t just look out for her, but were her friends.
Facebook/Angie Sloan
When Chelsea was a senior, she was ecstatic to be named to her high school’s homecoming court. Mom Angie said Chelsea could not stop beaming.
She wrote on Facebook:
“Ever since she found out, she’s been counting down the days, telling EVERYONE, including doctors, therapists, receptionists, seriously, EVERYONE, she talked to the news. I was so excited, because she doesn’t usually get to worked up about these types of things. We went dress shopping, did her hair, and nails, and she even decided wearing a little make-up would be okay. All of these things made this mama so happy, just getting to experience these normal everyday things that most people take for granted. Unbeknownst to me, the real pride and joy would come later.”
When the homecoming king and queen were announced during the coronation, Chelsea was so excited to be standing up there with everyone. She watched her classmate Katie Gassman be crowned queen.
Facebook/Angie Sloan
But then Katie did something so surprising that it made Angie cry. In fact, everyone was struggling to hold back their tears.
After the crowns were presented an announcer came over the loud speaker. She informed everyone that Katie had handed her a letter beforehand to read during the event.
The woman over the microphone struggled to read the heartfelt words. Although it began with Katie saying how honored she was to be named queen – there was something special she wanted to do.
Her note read:
“…tonight I would like to share my crown with the girl who always has a smile on her face and has overcome so many hardships.”
Katie then removed the crown from her head and walked over to Chelsea to put it on hers. Being overcome with surprise and joy, Chelsea’s mouth instantly dropped.
Facebook/Angie Sloan
The entire gymnasium cheered as Katie led Chelsea over to the king to take her spot as one of the homecoming queens. It was a scene that was just too beautiful for words, especially for her mom Angie.
She said:
“This wonderful, selfless, young woman, Katie Gassman chose to share her crown with Chelsea. There really are no words that can describe how I feel. We are so fortunate to live in such a loving community. The students at Wayne Community Schools have proven time and time again that they have kindness and integrity that is so easily forgotten in this day and age. I am so humbled by the love and compassion that they have always shown Chelsea. Thank you Katie.”
You can watch the incredible act of kindness for yourself in the video below, just grab a tissue first!
Dealing with the serious illness of a child can make even the sanest of families go crazy. What do you do when there’s nothing to do to help your child?
Ruth Scully never thought her life would come to be being scared of looking at the bathmat in her own bathroom.
For most, a bath mat is something that is just simply there. However, for Ruth it became much more.
At just three-years-old, her son Nolan began to get sick. When his breathing became difficult, Ruth took Nolan to the hospital.
With a resistance to antibiotics, steam, and saline spray, Nolan received tonsil removal surgery in 2015.
When doctors tested the tissue, they discovered he suffered from rhabdomysosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer.
In one day, the Scully family learned their life would be turned upside down.
Dealing with chemo, radiation, and hospital visits, the family prayed for Nolan to win his battle.
While he was sick, Nolan always wanted his mom. He never left her, including in the shower. He simply sat on the bath mat to wait for her.
One day in 2017, doctors broke the news there would be no more suffering because his treatments were exhausted. Ruth understood her days with her sweet son were coming to an end.
She told Nolan the news. He felt relieved he didn’t have to fight anymore.
The family gathered his things to go home. However, Nolan told mom he wanted to stay.
Ruth asked her baby if she could grab a quick shower.
Returning a few minutes later, Ruth saw Nolan fell into a deep sleep.
Ruth lay in bed, beside her son, knowing that she didn’t have much time left with Nolan. But then, in what his mom describes as a ‘miracle’, Nolan woke up, smiled at his mother and said: “I love you mommy”.
After that, he fell back to sleep without waking up again.
Since then, the bathroom mat always brings pain to Ruth. She’ll never forget the way Nolan used to lie there waiting on her.
And this is exactly what FOX5 Surprise Squad does, the difference is that these good people can do a lot for someone in need or who deserves it after a long struggle. Spreading kindness and good gestures around the country to inspire the world to do the same is what FOX5 Surprise Squad aims for. So the team decided again to make someone’s life better and headed to a busy grocery store in Las Vegas.
They approached some of the shoppers in the check-out line, but the team never expected they’d meet two inspiring local veterans. First, reporter Dave Hall met with Stephanie, a disabled veteran who was bound to a wheelchair.
Stephanie has dogs who love so much. This woman barely have enough money to feed herself and her dogs. Actually, she was spending from her last $50 that day. So Dave and his team happily paid for her grocery shopping. Then they noticed the man who had accompanied her to the store that day.
Larry is Stephanie’s husband, he was also a fellow club member and truck driver who was most of the time hitting the road. Larry was also a struggling veteran who gave a lot of his time to drive Stephanie wherever she needed to go. “No vet should be going through what she’s going through,” he told Dave and his team.
Unfortunately, Some of Larry’s brothers died in the Vietnam War. That’s what inspired him to create a charity called Bones for Blankets which donates blankets to homeless veterans.
Larry always put people in more need first. That’s why he was very low on cash. The only items he bought that day at the supermarket were a piece of candy and some mouthwash. Once Dave and the Surprise Squad heard Larry’s story, they decided that this wouldn’t do. They immediately took Larry back down the aisles of the supermarket to make sure he gets what he needs.
Watch what the Surprise Squad has in store for Larry in the video below:
When doctors tested the tissue, they discovered he suffered from rhabdomysosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer.
In one day, the Scully family learned their life would be turned upside down.
Dealing with chemo, radiation, and hospital visits, the family prayed for Nolan to win his battle.
While he was sick, Nolan always wanted his mom. He never left her, including in the shower. He simply sat on the bath mat to wait for her.
One day in 2017, doctors broke the news there would be no more suffering because his treatments were exhausted. Ruth understood her days with her sweet son were coming to an end.
She told Nolan the news. He felt relieved he didn’t have to fight anymore.
The family gathered his things to go home. However, Nolan told mom he wanted to stay.
Ruth asked her baby if she could grab a quick shower.
Returning a few minutes later, Ruth saw Nolan fell into a deep sleep.
