Free Republic

The White House said the North Carolina native is "a victim of unfair and unjust attention" and should be released. LONDON — Turkey demanded an immediate reversal from the U.S. after its NATO ally imposed sanctions over the treatment of detained American pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said the Trump administration’s decision was “incompatible with the most simple diplomatic courtesy and mutual respect" and risked regional instability. Relations between the countries have plummeted after Brunson, 50, was arrested in 2016 on charges of "committing crimes on behalf of terror groups without being a member" and espionage. He...

LEXINGTON, SC Sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding a Red Bank Elementary School teacher who is charged with having sex many times at school with a student. Hianlucas Isturiz Rodriguez, 40, is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual conduct with a child at the Lexington County school, the Sheriff’s Department said Thursday in a news release. Rodriguez, whom students called “Señor Isturiz,” had sexual contact with the student multiple times while on duty at the school during this school year, according to arrest warrants and Sheriff Jay Koon. “These acts happened during the current school...