Crimesider

U.S. Marshalls, FBI join search for "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch

CRIMESIDER STAFF CBS/AP
Dec 17, 2015 5:05 PM EST
in
CBS News

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Federal officials have joined Texas deputies in their search for Ethan Couch, a teenager made famous when he told a court he suffered from "affluenza," a condition resulting from being coddled into a sense of irresponsibility.

Couch, who was 16 years old when he killed four pedestrians in a drunk driving crash, was sentenced in 2013 to 10 years of probation. He has allegedly been out of contact with authorities for several days, reports CBS DFW. His mother is missing as well.

Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson told CBS DFW that he would not be surprised if Couch is no longer in the country. Anderson said Couch is now his office's top fugitive and on Wednesday issued a warrant for the 18-year-old's arrest. Thursday announced that U.S. Marshalls and the FBI have joined the search.

Just learned US Marshall & FBI are formally joining the search for Ethan Couch. We welcome their help. #EthanCouch pic.twitter.com/KU4XtiF9n5

— Dee Anderson (@SheriffAnderson) December 17, 2015
Couch's sentence received national attention after a defense witness used the term "affluenza" to describe his family's wealth contributing to his lack of responsibility.

It was a decision the sheriff criticized.

"I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so," Anderson said. "I said, we're going to see him again. He's going to be back in this system."

Anderson was not aware of any restrictions on travel for Couch. No arrest warrant was issued for Couch's mother Tonya, but Anderson said they were looking for anyone who may be with him or helped him leave the area.

Anderson said there were indications Couch had left his last known residence for some time. He believes the disappearance was planned after the release of a video earlier this month, showing a boy who appeared to be Couch at a party playing a drinking game.

That video would not necessarily be a probation violation, according to Dallas attorney Nicole Knox.

"The state would have to prove that this was him in the video and it was taken at a time and occurred at a time that was during his probation instead of before it," she said.

However, not being in contact with probation was the easiest requirement to fulfill she said, and is an immediate problem for Couch's future.
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U.S. Marshalls, FBI join search for "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch - CBS News http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-marshalls-fbi-join-search-for-affluenza-teen-ethan-couch/
* 4+ embedded links*

"Affluenza" teen Ethan Couch purportedly seen in beer pong video - CBS News http://www.cbsnews.com/news/affluenza-teen-purportedly-seen-in-beer-pong-video/ December 4, 2015
Article & possible video of the accused

Maybe he went to fight with ISIS

He needs an aflu-azz whipping....

He is a ' Mama's Boy '.

Only difference is this mama happens to rich.
And instead of crying on TV, talking about what a good boy her criminal son is or was.

She took him somewhere.
Incredible selfness on her part.
* Sigmund Freud would love her *

Whatever chance he had, with ONLY being on 10 yrs probation is gone.

I think her face should be plastered all over the media with his.

Hummm well since I live near the area this happened. I have heard a bit about this case for it was all over the news here.

Truth is money bought him out of being tried for murder and a stricter sentence. Anyone else if they did not have the money would have been sitting in prison instead of out partying...

He's definitely gonna go to prison now. Wasnt he caught on video at a beer pong party or something similar also?

Yea and now his mom and him are on the run. They have no idea where they are. He should have gotten jail time in the first place. Now his mom will get to spend time in jail or at least should. They will be stupid enough and let her off on probation most likely. If they do it just goes to show money talks..

Aiding and Abetting a Criminal: Read This Before You Decide to Help a Texas Fugitive!

The law is set up so that criminals are punished for their behavior. In some cases, a crime can be committed as a result of outside help from others, even if they do not formally participate in the act. Those who help criminals commit deviant acts are considered accomplices, and they can be found guilty of the crime of aiding and abetting.

What is Aiding and Abetting?

Aiding and abetting refers to assisting another individual in the commission of a crime. A few of the things that could be considered aiding and abetting are:

Acting as a lookout while a crime is committed
Providing transportation to and from a crime scene. This does not have to include driving, as allowing someone to borrow a vehicle to use for committing a crime will also be considered providing assistance.
Setting up the scene to make it easy for another to commit a crime
Transporting or hiding stolen goods
Hiding a fugitive or helping him to escape
Providing items needed to carry out a crime
Before, During or After

Individuals can become accessories to a crime before, during or after the fact. Those who plot a crime with another are said to be accessories before the fact. These individuals can be considered conspirators, and they may face much stiffer penalties than those who assist during or after a crime. When determining when someone actually became an accomplice, prosecutors will look at one’s intent and the type of knowledge he should have had about the commission of a crime.

Aiding and Abetting a Criminal: Read This Before You Decide to Help a Texas Fugitive!

_ | Brett A. Podolsky http://brettpodolsky.com/general-law/aiding-and-abetting-a-criminal-read-this-before-you-decide-to-help-a-texas-fugitive/

Penalties for Aiding and Abetting

Texas law varies concerning the penalties for aiding and abetting. When determining the consequences, courts will consider a number of factors, which can include:

Severity of the crime
Degree of participation
Whether the accomplice was under duress
Efforts to conceal one’s involvement
When the accomplice helped (before, during or after)
Most of the time, aiding and abetting can result in jail time, probation or criminal fines. In some instances, accomplices can face the same sanctions as those who are actually arrested for a crime. This is true with most federal crimes, and can sometimes be the case with homicide crimes under Texas law.

http://thereporterandthegirl.com/tag/ethan-couch/

the Judge suffers from Ghettoapathy...

You may have heard this week, on this blog and many others, a controversial ruling from North Texas, regarding 16 year old Ethan Couch. The teen got behind the wheel of his father’s truck and killed 4 people including a pastor; and paralyzed a friend riding in his truck.

Judge Jean Boyd gave Couch ten years’ probation, and will assign him to a treatment center for rehabilitation for Affluenza, a condition in which Couch’s affluent lifestyle gave him a sense of entitlement and he did not know right from wrong. Affluenza is not a condition recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.

affluenza, ethan couch, dick miller, judge jean boyd, drunk driving, teen killer, spoiled brat, S.C. Rhyne, the reporter and the girl

Dr. Dick Miller, the psychologist who defended the teen, said that he is a victim of his parents’ wealth, of their constant arguing which led to their divorce, and his sense of entitlement which led to irresponsibility, poor decisions, and drug use. He was unable to discern from right or wrong.

Hhhmm……surely, there are mental health problems that children raised in the opposite environment suffer from?
Ghettoapathy

Also known as “Thug” or “Gangbanger”

Ghettoapathy- is a portmanteau of ghettoism and apathy this term can be used by critics of poverty and violence.

Judge Boyd, also presided over a case last year in which a 14 year old African American boy punched one person, who subsequently fell and hit his head and died from the injury. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

According to author and commentator, Boyce Watkins, “This case is even more sickening when one considers how often serious psychological problems are not taken into consideration when the cases involve poor, Black or Brown people. How often do our kids commit crimes after being victims of years of abuse, neglect, hunger, mis-education, and dire poverty?”
This is a disease

Unlike, Affluenza, violence is recognized by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, and American Psychological Association as a public health issue, that have direct negative consequences to a person’s psyche and a community’s stabilization.

Ghettoapathy can be defined as someone being raised in an environment where violence is accepted or even encouraged. This high-risk individual can be a perpetrator or victim of a violent act, as well as a transmitter of violence if rehabilitation isn’t enacted soon enough.

According to the Cure Violence Project, some successful rehabilitation techniques include peer mentorship, drug counseling, and job/education training; this strategy has directly led to a reduction in shootings/killings from 16% to 34%.

There are no studies regarding the rehabilitation of those victim to wealth and affluence. Nor how such wealth and affluence can destabilize a community.
Is your community at-risk for this disease?

Community level risk factors for violence include increased levels of unemployment, poverty, and transiency; decreased levels of economic opportunities and community participation; poor housing conditions; and a lack of access to services, according to the American Psychological Association. Youths from low-income neighborhoods also witness significantly more severe violence (viz., murders and stabbings) than youths from middle- and upper-income neighborhoods.

These communities also referred to as ghettos, have post-violent consequences which can affect attainment of employment or education; as well as continue a cycle of violence.

Low-income women who experienced intimate partner violence or aggression had only one-third odds of maintaining a 30-hour work week for 6 or more months than women who did not experience violence
Elementary schools that participated in bully and violence prevention programs had significantly higher student achievement scores than schools that did not incorporate such programs
If parents use negative forms of discipline (i.e., physical punishment), their children are more likely to use violence to resolve their own conflicts

Thus, one hopes that Judge Boyd and other justices in the criminal system, will begin to take note of the epidemic that is gripping our nation, and hurting low-income youths and families.

Ghettoapathy is a condition that can destroy a society if left uncheck. Adult and youth perpetrators should be treated and rehabilitated from this “disease” using the proven methods stated above. Particularly the youth, as Dr. Miller stated so empathetically on AC 360 show, that the juvenile justice system is meant to rehabilitate and reintegrate young offenders so they can contribute meaningfully to society, as adults.

The only question that is left to ask, is why did the psychologist and judge feel that Ethan Couch’s Affluenza inhibited his decision making, but no one considered a case of Ghettoapathy for the 14 year old who is now in prison?

I hope the cops use him for target practice.

The only question that is left to ask, is why did the psychologist and judge feel that Ethan Couch’s Affluenza inhibited his decision making, but no one considered a case of Ghettoapathy for the 14 year old who is now in prison?

Because the 14 yr old committed an intentional violent act.

The 16 yrs old was drunk. And most of America does not look at alcohol has a drug. And those who do drink themselves or are codependent, make excuses for drunks.

neither had intent to kill anyone, but both did...

Authorities in Mexico have captured "affluenza teen" Ethan Couch, the Tarrant County district attorney's office has confirmed to NBC DFW.
Couch, 18, vanished after failing to show up for a scheduled meeting with a probation officer earlier this month.
Family of 'Affluenza' Teen's Victim 'Furious' He's on the Run
The short confirmation from DA's spokeswoman Samantha Jordan late Monday did not provide details of the arrests.
A state prosecutor in Mexico told NBC-owned Telemundo the teen and his mother, 48-year-old Tonya Couch, were caught near the beach resort of Puerto Vallarta.
Officials Call on Public to Help Find Missing 'Affluenza' Teen
Tonya Couch had been listed as a missing person by the Tarrant County district attorney's office.
The prosecutor said Ethan and Tonya Couch had been under investigation in Mexico since Friday and were arrested at about 6 p.m. local time Monday. Mexican authorities were contacted several days ago by U.S. Marshals for assistance in capturing the two.
DEVELOPING$5K Reward Offered for Wanted Texas 'Affluenza Teen'
The two were being held by immigration authorities late Monday because they couldn't prove their legal status in Mexico, the prosecutor said.
A briefing was planned by Mexican authorities for Tuesday.
Ethan Couch could face up to 10 years in prison after his capture.
In June 2013 at age 16, Ethan Couch was driving drunk and speeding on a dark, two-lane road south of Fort Worth when he crashed into a disabled SUV, killing four people. Among the injured were some of the seven teens in Ethan Couch's pickup.
UPDATEDCourt Orders 'Affluenza Teen' Detained for Violating Probation
He pleaded guilty to four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury. Because of his age, he wasn't certified as an adult for trial and a judge sentenced him in juvenile court to 10 years' probation and a stint in a rehabilitation center.
During the sentencing phase of his juvenile court trial, Ethan Couch's attorneys relied on a defense expert who argued that the teen's wealthy parents coddled him into a sense of irresponsibility — a condition the expert termed affluenza. The condition is not recognized as a medical diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association, and its invocation drew widespread criticism and ridIcule.

According to Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson, Ethan Couch showed no remorse after the crash.
"We saw absolutely no guilt or bad feelings or sympathy toward the four families and the four lives that he'd taken," Anderson said.
Earlier this month, a six-second video posted on Twitter showed young men playing beer pong. The person who posted the tweet accused Ethan Couch of violating his probation, which prohibits him from driving and using drugs or alcohol.


'Affluenza Teen' Ethan Couch Detained in Mexico: Tarrant County DA | NBC New York http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/Affluenza-Teen-Ethan-Couch-Detained-in-Mexico-363695661.html/

He doesn't look happy. I wonder why.

that's a teenager? :O

Only in his initial crime..

"In June 2013 at age 16, Ethan Couch was driving drunk and speeding on a dark, two-lane road south of Fort Worth when he crashed into a disabled SUV, killing four people. Among the injured were some of the seven teens in Ethan Couch's pickup."

I always notice that also. Especially when the media refers to criminal men, 25 & under as ' youths '

that "poo lil' Chile" ought to be sitting in a Cell for the next 25 years,his Ma and the Idiot Dick Miller in a Cell flanking him!

no, they're too busy killing innocent black thugs.

‘Affluenza’ teen Ethan Couch caught in Mexico returning to U.S. to face charges
Posted 3:04 AM, December 30, 2015, by CNN

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — The long arm of the law has caught up with "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch. After being detained in Mexico, he is on his way home.

Many think he got off easy when a judge sentenced him to 10 years' probation for killing four people while driving drunk in 2013.

He and his mother, Tonya Couch, who fled with him, are expected to arrive back in Texas on Wednesday. But even if authorities throw the book at him for allegedly violating probation, that book might not be too heavy.

So far, it appears the most severe punishment Ethan Couch, 18, could face is 120 days in jail, said Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson.

Tarrant County covers a large portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Adult or juvenile

What kind of justice Couch could face will depend on whether he is treated as an adult or a juvenile as pertains to his alleged probation violation.

Prosecutors want to see Couch in an adult court, but since the alleged violation happened in the juvenile system, Couch effectively would start with a clean slate in the adult probation system. As a result, the adult court judge could not punish Couch for violations he committed as a juvenile.

The max he could get would be 120 days. But if he is treated as a juvenile, the sentence would be even lighter, Wilson said.

Though he's an adult now, Couch was 16 when he was sentenced for the original crime. If he is punished for a violation in the juvenile probation system, that would have him in jail until his nineteenth birthday on April 11, 2016.

Tougher prospects

But moving Couch to the adult system holds a potential advantage for prosecutors. If he ends up on adult probation and violates that, he could land in jail for up to 40 years, Wilson said.

And he could get more time on top of that, if he is convicted of new crimes as an adult.

Then there's his mother, Tonya Couch. She has been charged with hindering the apprehension of a juvenile, and if convicted, faces between two and 10 years in jail, Wilson said.

'Affluenza' outrage

It wasn't so much Ethan Couch's original crime that drew the nation's ire as it was the punishment doled out for it.

In June 2013, Ethan Couch plowed into a stranded motorist and three people who were helping her. All four were killed.

Two people riding in the bed of the teen's pickup were tossed in the crash and severely injured. One is no longer able to move or talk because of a brain injury, while the other suffered internal injuries and broken bones.

Three hours after the crash, tests showed Couch had a blood alcohol content of 0.24, three times the legal limit, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors wanted to see Couch behind bars for 20 years, but instead he was sentenced to probation and rehab.

During the trial, a psychologist had testified that Couch suffered from "affluenza" -- he was the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for the boy.

Caught drinking again?

The sentence and that term triggered widespread outrage, and the Couches alleged fleeing has drawn attention back to his case.

In mid-December a warrant was issued for Couch to be taken into custody after his probation officer couldn't reach him. He appeared to have dropped off the radar after a video emerged that allegedly showed him at a party where alcohol was consumed.

Couch had been ordered to stay away from drugs and alcohol for the duration of his probation.

The U.S. Marshals Service tracked Couch to Mexico using electronic surveillance, including tracking a cell phone believed to be linked to him, an official briefed on the investigation told CNN.

The Marshals alerted Mexican authorities, who detained Couch and his mother, the official said.

Dyed hair

They were found in an apartment in Jalisco state, and Couch had changed his look. His normally reddish blond hair and goatee were dyed a dark color.

It's unlikely the pair had gone to Mexico for a vacation, said Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson.

"I don't think you go on a vacation and disappear, and don't tell anybody, and cut your hair and dye your hair, and hide out in a shabby apartment in a resort town. ... They fought so hard to keep him out of trouble when he killed four innocent people drinking three times the legal limit of alcohol, there's no doubt in my mind that when the video came out that showed him at that party and he was facing a possible revocation of probation, they made a conscious decision to run, and they did," Anderson said.

The pair had entered Mexico as tourists and had exceeded their allowed length of stay and were turned over to immigration authorities, where they have been in custody in Puerto Vallarta.

"They will be deported voluntarily," said Ricardo Vera, the representative in Jalisco for Mexico's National Institute of Immigration.

"Their wish is to return to the state of Texas. This is what they have requested."

Victims' families relieved

Families of the victims killed by Couch were relieved that the teen and his mother had been captured, attorney Todd Clement said.

"I think it's particularly satisfying to families that, indeed, it appears that his mother, Tonya, may have committed a crime and may finally be held accountable as well," he said.

Breanna Mitchel was killed at age 24, when Couch plowed into her. Her cousin Bill Heburn told CNN affiliate WFTS that Mitchel's family forgives Couch, but wants him punished.

"He needs to be taken off the street and punished so this doesn't happen again, and nobody else is lost," Heburn said. "He is never going to live a normal life. Everyone will know who Ethan Couch is and what he did."


http://pix11.com/2015/12/30/affluenza-teen-ethan-couch-caught-in-mexico-returning-to-u-s-to-face-charges/

technically, the brain isn't mature until near 25, so as a mom the term doesn't bother me

but that dude looks like his late twenties,,,,