Records Raise Questions About Parole Monitoring:  Despite violating their parole, cutting off their GPS monitors, and fleeing the state, two transient sex offenders were deemed "low risk," and are now accused of raping and killing four women.  Paige St. John of the LA Times reports that speculation surrounding whether state parole agents adequately monitored the two men's conduct during the time the alleged killing spree took place.  Although Franc Cano and Steven Dean Gordon were "considered compliant with the terms of their parole," records show that agents failed to conduct required interviews with the parolees' regular contacts and keep proper tabs on their activities.

Drug Court Enrollment Declines:  San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney Kris Parde says that the lack of incentive for lower-level drug offenders to enter drug court under Proposition 47 has led to a sharp decline in enrollment.  Shea Johnson of the Victorville Daily Press reports that the 90 percent decline means that the program could be shut down entirely.  The DA also criticizes the state's AB 109 prison realignment program, calling California "soft on crime."

Message Warns of ISIS Cells in US:  A self-proclaimed American jihadist posted a message online warning Americans that the Islamic State group, or ISIS, has "scores of trained soldiers" in 15 states across the U.S. waiting for orders to carry out terrorist attacks.  Fox News reports that the message, signed by Abu Ibrahim Al Ameriki, specified Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, California, and Michigan as five of the 15 states where ISIS currently has active cells.  The message also warned that more attacks will occur on American soil over the next six months.  The U.S. intelligence community is assessing the threat.

Mexican Police Capabilities 'Non-Existent':  As cartel violence surges in border cities and Mexican states, the U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning citing state and local law enforcement in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas as 'non-existent.'  Ildefonso Ortiz of Breitbart reports that a war within the Gulf Cartel involving two rival factions fighting for control has contributed to the uproar in violence.  Last month, Breitbart released information from the U.S. State Department stating that since 2013, 181 Americans have been murdered in Tamaulipas.

TN Supreme Court to Hear Electric Chair Case:  The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear arguments today regarding whether a group of death row inmates can proceed with their claim that the use of the electric chair as an execution method is unconstitutional.  Stacey Barchenger of the Tennessean reports that the inmates believe they should be able to challenge the use of the electric chair because, being that lethal injection drugs have become much harder for states to obtain, there is a reality that Tennessee will have to resort to its backup method of electrocution.  The state's AG office says that the case should be dismissed because it is based on a "hypothetical situation."  None of the condemned inmates are scheduled to die.

Gunrunning Bloods Gang Used Metro-North:  A gunrunning operation orchestrated by Bloods street gang members involved the use of Metro-North trains to transport weapons bought in Connecticut into New York City for resale.  Steven Lieberman of the Journal News reports that nine gang members were indicted in the scheme, who resold weapons ranging from .22 caliber pistols to assault weapons.  Some of the gang members also face additional charges of murder conspiracy.