Carlee Russell FOUND GUILTY FOR FAKING ABDUCTION

Carlee Russell has been found guilty of fabricating her wild kidnapping story ... and the judge recommends she spend a year behind bars.

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CARLEE ARRIVES TO COURT
WBRC 6

The ruling came down Wednesday in Hoover, AL., where Carlee was found guilty of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident, both misdemeanors.

Carlee had pled not guilty, but that didn't matter to the judge and prosecutors ... in fact, the judge recommended a one-year jail sentence.

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CARLEE'S 911 CALL

Remember ... Carlee called 911 in July as she was driving down an Alabama interstate to report a toddler wandering alone on the roadside. She then got out of her car and vanished for 2 days ... ultimately showing up at her parent's house.

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CARLEE'S VEHICLE
WBRC Fox 6 News

Cops determined there was no toddler on the highway, and Carlee was never abducted ... she eventually admitted her whole story was phony.

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FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE
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As we reported, Carlee's boyfriend dumped her once she copped to the load of BS ... this after he initially defended her and bought her kidnapping lie, like countless others.

Carlee's legal team says she plans to appeal the judge's ruling.

Dillon Danis Chokes Out OnlyFans Model 'So Much Better Than Drugs'

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NIGHTY NIGHT
Twitter / @ellebrookeuk

An OnlyFans model asked Dillon Danis to choke her out ... and he did just that.

The wild scene went down at the Misfits Boxing open workout on Wednesday ... when Elle Brooke wanted to get a firsthand understanding of the former Bellator fighter's submission skills.

Logan Paul's nemesis -- wearing a cap that read "I went on a date with Nina Agdal and all I got was this stupid hat" -- happily granted Brooke's request ... getting behind her and putting her in a rear naked choke.

The influencer/celeb boxer appeared to go out cold -- shaking as Danis and two others kept her from crashing to the ground.

Brooke came to several seconds later, and gave her immediate review of the experience ... comparing it to being on MDMA.

"Oh my God, that's so much better than drugs!!" Brooke said after the demo.

MMA stars are no strangers to doing tutorials on regular folk -- remember when Paige VanZant nearly made our idiot reporter Lucas go lights-out in the TMZ studio a few years ago?!

Our sources tell us Lucas didn't want to tap ... but Harvey made him.

As for Dillon and Elle, it looked like everyone left the experience on good terms ... even if it did look a bit scary. In fact, Brooke shot her shot with Danis on social media after the encounter ... saying, "Next time can we do it naked?"

The interaction comes just days before Danis is slated to fight Paul on the Prime Card in Manchester after months of ruthless trash talk ... and based on all the drama surrounding the bout, it's gonna be a movie.

For more viral news, tune in to the TMZ Verified Podcast. Dropping every Thursday on all podcast platforms.

Taylor Swift Plans to Attend 'Eras Tour' Movie Premiere

Taylor Swift is planning to attend the world premiere of her "Eras Tour" flick at The Grove ... a huge and exciting piece of info for the fans lucky enough to get an invite.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Taylor's plan is to show up for tonight's event at the world-famous outdoor mall to surprise the 2,200 lucky fans for movie screenings in The Grove's 14 AMC theaters.

We're told Taylor's planned appearance comes with one caveat though, she may get pulled if any security issues arise, or if The Grove becomes overwhelmed by Taylor-mania.

Our sources say there are hundreds of security guards in place to prevent chaos from erupting ... and it's the reason The Grove decided to shutter for the first time in 20 years.

Security is already super tight at the mall, with barricades and guards all over the sprawling property ... making it next to impossible to get inside the shopping center.

As we first told you ... Taylor's team invited the lucky fans for the premiere and guests will start arriving at 6 PM before the movie starts at 7 PM ... so Taylor's presumably scheduled to make her appearance within that window.

Taylor's movie is already a box office success, surpassing $100 million in presale tickets across the globe, so tonight's premiere will be a night to remember, especially if she shows.

Stay tuned ...

Israel-Hamas Attacks Mother of Newborn Breaks Down ... As She Learns Husband Is Dead

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DEVASTATING NEWS
Sky News

An Israeli mother, who managed to flee Hamas terrorists with her newborn daughter, burst into tears and wailed as she found out -- in the middle of an interview -- her husband didn't make it out alive.

Shaylee Atary was talking with Sky News about her terrifying escape, saying Hamas aggressors broke into their family's Kfar Aza home Saturday after hearing bombs falling while getting ready to feed her baby.

She says she took their child and bolted out of the building, hiding for 27 hours before they were found and rescued ... but her husband, Yahav Winner, didn't make it out with her.

Shaylee was holding out hope Yahav had also survived, but the interview took an incredibly grim turn when -- as the camera was rolling -- her family got the horrifying call that he was dead.

Instantly, Shaylee broke down in tears, surrounded by family members as they began mourning their loss.

Reportedly, more than 2,200 people have been killed on both sides of the conflict -- more than a thousand by the initial terrorist attack launched by Hamas on Saturday. Since then another 8,000 have been injured.

The violence and destruction is only intensifying ... as Israel's military says a hostile aircraft entered its airspace Wednesday, and citizens are scrambling for shelter.

Ex-NFLer Sergio Brown Arrested After Mother's Death Facing First-Degree Murder Charge

update

9:08 AM PT -- According to cops, Sergio Brown was taken in on a warrant for First-Degree Murder in the death of his mom. He will be extradited to Illinois on the charge.

Former NFL player Sergio Brown has been arrested in Southern California, TMZ Sports has confirmed ... nearly four weeks after his mother was found dead in Illinois.

According to jail records, the ex-defensive back was booked into a San Diego jail on Tuesday. Our sources tell us the arrest stems from a warrant in Illinois related to the September death of his mom, Myrtle Brown.

CNN added on Wednesday that Sergio was recently found in Mexico by authorities and deported after they became aware of the warrant.

He's now expected to be transported soon to Illinois to face charges in the case.

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NOT A WORRY IN THE WORLD
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As we reported, Brown had been seen in Mexico dancing and partying in the days following Myrtle's death. He was also spotted in a selfie video from the country rambling about Myrtle's passing and "fake news."

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SERGIO'S INSTAGRAM RANT

Authorities in Illinois, meanwhile, have been largely mum on the investigation into Sergio's mother's death ... though officials did say they've ruled the 73-year-old's passing as a homicide after her body was discovered near a creek with apparent assault injuries.

Requests for comment from the Maywood Police Dept. on Wednesday were not immediately returned.

Sergio, who starred at Notre Dame, played in the NFL from 2010 to 2016 ... starting 15 games.

Originally Published -- 8:46 AM PT

Israel-Hamas Attacks NYC Tech Founder Fighting in Israel ... Scared, But Prepared to Finish Fight

The NYC tech founder who flew to Israel to help in the war against Hamas terrorists says the death and destruction are making for a terrifying fight ... but it's one he's determined to see through to the end.

Noy Leyb joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live," talking to us from Israel about his experience flying overseas and rejoining the Israel Defense Force -- after first enlisting when he was just 18 years old.

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GOING TO WAR
TMZ.com

He says he's been going back to Israel for training over the years after completing his time in the IDF, so he wasn't completely out of practice Saturday when he saw the horrors unfolding and booked a flight.

We also talked with Noy about the level of fear he's feeling in such an uncertain time ... and despite all the gruesome happenings in the days since Hamas slaughtered innocent Israelis, Noy knows he and his brothers in arms are ready to fight until all of Hamas is "eliminated."

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KIBBUTZ AMBUSH

As we reported, the war shows no signs of stopping ... with more than 2,200 deaths and 8,000 injured, so far.

'Dave' Star GaTa Arrested for Domestic Violence

update

8:54 AM PT -- GaTa's lawyer Shawn Holley tells TMZ, "The entire incident between the parties is on video which I am in the process of providing to law enforcement. The video demonstrates clearly that Mr. Ganter did nothing wrong and, instead, tried to de-escalate the situation."

GaTa -- famous from the TV show 'Dave' -- was busted for domestic violence ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources tell us sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a DV incident in Santa Clarita, CA this past Sunday -- officers were told a physical argument occurred between two parties. The details are unclear ... but we know it ended with GaTa getting arrested.

We're told he was booked for felony domestic violence ... before being released on $100K bond and scheduled to appear in court at a later date. The case is under investigation.

GaTa -- whose real name is Davionte Ganter -- is a rapper/musician ... and lately, he's been an actor on Lil Dicky's FX series that launched in 2020 ... on which he's been featured for three seasons now, playing a fictionalized version of himself.

The guy is known in the music world ... having served as a professional hype man for the likes of Lil Wayne, Gym Class Heroes, Tyga and others.

Originally Published -- 8:20 AM PT

'THE BEAR' STAR JEREMY ALLEN WHITE I'll Get Tested For Booze ... So I Can See My Kids!!!

"The Bear" and "Shameless" star Jeremy Allen White is open to proving he's not boozing in order to spend time with his kids ... and if he slips up, he won't be able to see them.

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Jeremy agreed to alcohol testing as part of a custody agreement with his estranged wife, actress Addison Timlin.

Jeremy will be tested for booze up to five times a week when he has custody of their two daughters ... Ezer and Dolores ... and if he's found to be drinking, he loses custody ASAP.

If Jeremy has a positive test for alcohol, he gets to retest again 15 minutes later to make sure the test is accurate.

The docs say Jeremy and Addison agreed to share joint physical and legal custody ... but Jeremy's custodial time has strings attached, and he's also got to attend at least one Alcoholics Anonymous meeting a week, plus other therapy.

TMZ broke the story ... Addison filed for divorce back in May after 3 years of marriage.

The exes seemed to get along fine in August when they were both at their kids' soccer practice ... but they have yet to finalize their divorce.

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HEATIN' UP
BACKGRID

Meanwhile, Jeremy seems to have already moved on to a new relationship with model Ashley Moore, they were spotted making out in public.

Sherri Shepherd Barbara Walters Loved View of Richard Pryor!!! Shares Hook-Up Secret

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SPILLING THE TEA

It's true, true ... Barbara Walters "loved a brother," and not just any Black man -- according to Sherri Shepherd "The View" creator hooked up with Richard Pryor!

The story comes up on Wednesday's episode of "Sherri," as she reunites with Joy Behar, and they discuss some stories from their time together at "The View" -- one in particular about when Sherri caught wind of Barbara's old tryst with Richard.

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THE SECRET'S OUT
TMZ.com

Sherri says the late comedic great Paul Mooney told her, back in the day, he'd walked in on Barbara and Richard doing the deed. Sherri admits she couldn't wait to share her juicy gossip with Joy, but asked her to keep it on the DL.

As you can imagine, that didn't happen -- you gotta see Sherri describe the moment they ended up confronting BW about her Richard "relations."

Fact is, Barbara did seem to have a type. In her memoir, she copped to having an affair, back in the '70s, with Sen. Edward Brooke from Massachusetts -- and both Joy and Sherri recalled how Barbara LOVED cozying up to Colin Powell whenever he was a 'View' guest.

Who knew Barbara was so down?!?

Bigfoot CO Sighting Shows 'Sasquatch' ... Blending Into Mountain!!!

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nothing to see here ...
Instagram / @bt92.travels

BIGFOOT IS REAL!!!!! That, or is this just another silly hoax ... you decide.

Check out this clip that's making the rounds, which purports to capture a real sasquatch sighting in Colorado. The video was apparently shot over the weekend during a steam-engine train ride from Durango to Silverton ... cutting through the San Juan National Forest.

As they were chugging along, it seems a group of passengers noticed what they believed to be Biggie walking along on the side of a mountain they were passing ... and they caught him.

Watch ... it certainly looks like a bipedal creature making its way through, and it even appears to notice the train -- spurring the beast to immediately crouch down in an attempt to blend in with its environment. We'll be honest, he does a good job of that ... it's uncanny.

During this same instance, a separate passenger snapped a still image ... although, it's unclear if it's the same bigfoot that's on video here, or a completely different one. In any case, with that photo ... you can kinda make out what looks to be an actual face!

Of course, despite this being fairly decent footage of the famed bigfoot ... many are still skeptical and not buying it, feeling like this is probably just a person in a gorilla costume.

We'll say this .. it's definitely one of the better purported sightings out there -- and funny enough, it actually kinda resembles the best video known to exist ... the notorious Patterson-Gimlin film that was shot way back in the late '60s, and which still has people torn.

He's been the hide-and-seek champ for years -- but that reign is over. We see ya, buddy. 😅

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GUESS WHO'S BACK
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Do you think the video is real proof bigfoot exists? Vote below.

Mary Lou Retton Fundraiser Reaches $250k In Donations ... Mattress Mack's Wife Contributes $50k

UPDATE

2:44 PM PT -- Mary Lou Retton's daughter, McKenna Kelley, just updated fans about her mom via Instagram ... saying she's still in the ICU and continues to fight.

"She is getting incredible medical care! Thank you to all the doctors and nurses!"

Kelley -- along with her three sisters Skyla, Shayla, and Emma -- also thanked everyone for their love and support.

"We ask for continued prayers and positive thoughts for our mom."

The SpotFundMe has also increased to over $285k!

9:29 AM PT -- The fundraiser for Mary Lou Retton has now hit a quarter-million dollars ... with famous Texas businessman Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale's wife, Linda donating an astounding $50,000.

The financial support is pouring in for Olympics legend Mary Lou Retton ... with more than $181k in donations being collected as she battles a serious medical issue.

As we previously reported, the gold medalist has been in the ICU fighting for her life as she deals with a "very rare form of pneumonia," according to her daughter ... and she is currently unable to breathe on her own.

Considering 55-year-old MLR is uninsured, the family started a SpotFund page to help with medical bills ... and shortly after the fundraiser went live, it shattered its goal of $50,000.

In fact, the cause has raised more than triple the original goal as of Wednesday morning ... and it only continues to rise.

So far, more than 3,900 people have donated to Retton's expenses ... with many leaving words of support for the gymnast and her family.

Retton is one of the most popular American Olympians from the '80s ... earning gold in the all-around, as well as a pair of silver and bronze medals, in 1984.

Now, her fans throughout the country are pulling for her once again.

Originally Published -- 7:29 AM PT

Pete Davidson Bought Thousands Of VHS Tapes ... I Was High, But I Could Make A Fortune!

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READY TO CASH IN
NBC

Pete Davidson was in a smoky haze when he came to a potentially lucrative discovery ... which is why he bought up thousands of VHS tapes in the hopes of turning a profit.

The 'SNL' alum and upcoming host shared his side hustle theory on Tuesday's episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" ... saying he got pretty high one night and, according to him, bought the 3,000 to 5,000 sealed tapes that still exist.

Jimmy's audience had a laugh, with Pete claiming they all sounded like his mom, but his stoned move might be promising ... pointing out 2026 will mark 20 years since the last VHS was made -- and retro fads almost always make good cash.

That's not all -- Pete says sealed copies like his are making up to $30k EACH lately, and a rare edition of a "Rocky" VHS scored $27,500 earlier this year at auction ... so the comedian's in a pretty sweet spot if the demand keeps goin' up.

Apart from Pete's VHS monopoly, he's also slated to host the season 49 premiere of "Saturday Night Live" this weekend -- the first show back since the writer's strike pulled the plug on the end of last season when he was originally supposed to host.

Pete reunited with his 'SNL' pals for dinner Tuesday night ahead of Saturday's show ... dining with Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Punkie Johnson, and even head honcho, Lorne Michaels.

BTW, Tuesday night is usually writing night for the 'SNL' crew, so the late-night grub might've been after hours of script work -- but they still took time out to snap some pics with fans!

Taylor Swift World-Famous Grove Shut Down for 'Eras Tour' Film Premiere

update

10/11 8:33 AM PT -- Security is already super heavy outside The Grove Wednesday morning ... with barricades and security guards all over the place.

We're told it's next to impossible to get inside the shopping center, and the security presence is only going to grow.

Taylor Swift's power knows no bounds ... a world-famous outdoor mall is shutting down for the entire day Wednesday for the world premiere of Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" flick!

The Grove -- which has become a Los Angeles institution -- will host the unveiling of the highly-anticipated film for 2,200 lucky fans in its 14 AMC theaters.

We're told Taylor's team has invited the fans and they will receive details on where and when to show up at around 2 PM Wednesday.

Guests will arrive at 6 PM and the movie starts at 7 PM.

Security will be out in full force -- that includes the LAPD and L.A. Fire Dept. -- to make sure no one other than invited guests gets in. Barricades were set up late Tuesday night.

As for the presumed guest of honor -- we don't know if Taylor will show, but if we had to guess ... given the planning and secrecy, our money is on her showing up.

We're told The Grove's owner, Rick Caruso, and his company will be compensating all the small businesses that are losing profits from the shutdown.

Taylor's movie is already a monster hit, surpassing $100 million in presale tickets across the globe ... so Wednesday's premiere will be a night to remember.

Originally Published -- 10/10 10:00 PM PT

AEW Slammed For Antisemitic Storyline ... Amid War In Israel

AEW is catching some serious flak from fans online after it had some of its wrestlers participate in an antisemitic storyline on Tuesday night ... just days after the heinous attacks in Israel.

The controversial segment aired toward the end of this week's AEW Dynamite episode, when World champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman, who's Jewish, began a promo exchange with Juice Robinson.

During the bit, Robinson and his Bullet Club Gold teammates were taunting Friedman and attempting to bait him into a future match ... when, suddenly, Robinson pulled out a roll of quarters.

Written on the $10 pack of coins was the name "Friedman" -- and as Robinson showed it to the camera and then to MJF, he screamed into the microphone, "You know what I do with these, Sonny Jack? I break idiots' jaws!"

The scene was widely panned on social media as anti-Jewish ... as Friedman has said repeatedly in the past that when he was a teenager, bullies would pelt him with quarters and tell him, "Pick it up, Jew boy. Pick it up."

Fans were irate with the wrestling org.'s decision to turn it all into a storyline this week ... considering all of the terror that's currently happening in Israel.

For Friedman's part, he actually snapped over the quarters as part of the promo on Tuesday's show ... yelling back at Robinson, "You come near me with those quarters, I'll end your life, you piece of s***!" He later took to X to address the matter as well.

"Tonight that piece of s***, Juice Robinson decided to bring up a story from my childhood that has left me scared," the 27-year-old star wrestler wrote. "I'm glad he did. He brought awareness to something we've all gone through in one way, shape, or form in our lives. On behalf of anyone who's ever been bullied for being different in any capacity. I look forward to leaving him scared too."

He then promoted a speaking engagement he has on Thursday where he's promised to urge people to "stand up to Jewish hate."

Israel Festival Attack Boyfriend of Festivalgoer in Agony ... After Deciding Not to Go with Her

The boyfriend of a missing Israeli woman who fled the Hamas-attacked music festival made a tough last-minute call to not attend the concert with her ... and his decision is tearing him apart.

27-year-old Ohad Malul told the NY Post his 27-year-old girlfriend, Shani Kupervaser, went to the Supernova music festival near the Gaza Strip over the weekend -- Malul said he decided to skip the event, because he'd just returned from a Paris trip and was exhausted.

However, Malul now says he feels like he "needed to go and be there with her. Maybe I could have done something different" -- adding, "It’s killing me inside that I am not with her."

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FLEEING THE FESTIVAL
10/7/23

He says she told him she wouldn't go to the festival for long and that "Everything is going to be OK." The tone changed when Kupervaser sent him a message while at the festival, claiming she saw rockets flying overhead.

From there, she fled with 3 of her friends, but came under gunfire and hauled it on foot to a roadside bomb shelter with people waving them in to come take cover.

The shelter turned out to be a horrifying trap ... Malul says according to those who made it out alive, the 30 people inside seeking refuge were met with Hamas terrorists throwing grenades inside of it.

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STANDING WITH HAMAS???
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Malul says 2 men inside the shelter -- including one of Kupervaser's friends -- bravely started catching the grenades and chucking them back at the terrorists ... but he has no clue if his girlfriend is alive, kidnapped, or dead.

As we reported, German artist and festivalgoer Shani Louk was one of many kidnapped from the event ... and was paraded and spat on by Hamas terrorists in the back of a truck.

Louk's mom revealed on Tuesday that she learned Shani was still alive, despite the death and horrors so many are facing in Israel ... and she pleaded with German officials to help get her daughter back safely.

Black Lives Matter, Chicago Celebrates Massacre of Innocent Israelis ... Posts Image Of Killer Paragliders

Black Lives Matter came under heavy fire after its Chicago chapter released an online image celebrating Hamas' slaughter of more than a thousand Israeli citizens, including babies.

In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, BLM proudly wrote, "I stand with Palestine," underneath a picture of someone paragliding with a Palestinian flag sticking up from its inflatable wing. The image was accompanied by the caption, "That is all that is it!"

The despicable illustration is reminiscent of last Saturday's sneak attack by Hamas terrorists, some of whom paraglided into Israel in order to massacre 260 people at the Supernova Festival.

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FLEEING THE FESTIVAL
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The terrorists then went house to house, fatally shooting men, women, children -- and even babies -- before mutilating their bodies.

Some of the babies were decapitated. Some of the women were raped before being murdered or held hostage. Entire families were slaughtered as the terrorists went door to door.

Hamas also fired rockets into Israel, blowing up buildings and killing everyone inside.

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PULLED FROM THE RUBBLE

Many on social media blasted the Chicago activist group for its total lack of sensitivity. One person wrote, "Unapologetically standing with butcherers and rapists."

Another said, "This is so disgusting and disgraceful on so many levels."

A third fumed, "Pure. Absolute. Trash.....and whoever had a hand in it is trash as well."

And a fourth raged, "BLM Chicago, like many leftists, comes out in support of slaughtering innocent people they don’t like."

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STANDING WITH HAMAS???
TMZ.com

Shalomyah Bowers, a rep for The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, says the organization is not affiliated with the Chicago chapter. Bowers has not yet condemned the posting by the Chicago org.