Legal News Line News
Ohio man convicted for human trafficking after recovering missing teen
Attorney General Chris Carr announced the conviction of Anthony Charles Holmes, 33, from Cleveland, Ohio, for human trafficking after transporting a 16-year-old girl from South Carolina to Atlanta for commercial sex acts. The victim was found on August 2, 2023, following a traffic stop by the Greene County Sheriff's Office. A Greene County jury found Holmes guilty on October 21, 2024, after a five-day trial. Charges included Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude and Trafficking in Cocaine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2024.
Trial Court Vacancy Commission reviews candidates for judicial vacancy
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is set to review five candidates for a circuit court judge position in the 4th Judicial District. This district covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier counties. The meeting will take place on November 12, 2024, in Sevierville.
Justice Department addresses four cases involving threats against election personnel
The Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force (ETTF) has announced progress in four cases involving threats to election personnel. The cases, which highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of those involved in the electoral process, involve defendants from Colorado, Alabama, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
North Carolina enacts law mandating upfront disclosure of ticket prices
North Carolina's Attorney General, Josh Stein, announced a new law that mandates ticket sellers to display the total price of tickets upfront, including all fees. This legislation aims to prevent hidden fees from surprising consumers at checkout. The law is part of provision S607 and affects major ticket sellers such as Ticketmaster and SeatGeek.
Iowa Supreme Court to hear significant case in Marshalltown
The Iowa Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Marshalltown on November 19. The session will be held at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center, located at Marshalltown High School, and will commence at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Former federal employee admits guilt in classified document mishandling
Margaret Anne Ashby, a former employee of a Department of Defense component agency, has pleaded guilty to mishandling classified materials. The 26-year-old from Henderson, Nevada, admitted to the unauthorized removal of sensitive documents during her employment in the Southern District of Georgia.
Attorney General counters interference in Robert Roberson’s capital punishment case
The Office of the Attorney General has released evidence, including the original autopsy report, to counter claims by a coalition opposing the execution of Robert Roberson. Roberson was convicted in 2003 for the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis.
Attorney General investigates Seymour and South Bend police over immigration policy compliance
Amid concerns from community members and officials, Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued civil investigative demands (CID) to the Seymour and South Bend police departments. The investigation seeks to determine if their immigration policies comply with state law.
Louisiana sues DHS over tuberculosis case involving illegal immigrant
In a legal move, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following the entry of a Chinese national with a rare, aggressive, and drug-resistant form of tuberculosis into the...
State attorneys general address antisemitism concerns at Columbia University
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has co-led a coalition of 25 state attorneys general in addressing Columbia University regarding concerns over antisemitism on its campus. The group sent a letter to the university, urging it not to yield to calls for divestment from Israel.
State AGs express concerns over antisemitism at Columbia University
Attorney General Tim Griffin of Arkansas, along with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, has addressed a letter to Columbia University on behalf of 23 other state attorneys general. The letter expresses concern over rising antisemitism on the university's campus linked to groups promoting boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
Coalition urges Columbia University to maintain stance against Israel divestment
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has aligned with a coalition of 25 attorneys general in expressing concerns about antisemitism at Columbia University. The coalition sent a letter urging the university to resist demands for divestment from Israel.
Vermont Supreme Court advisory committee meets virtually for family proceedings updates
The Vermont Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Rules for Family Proceedings is set to convene virtually via TEAMS on October 25, 2024. The meeting will take place from 1:30 to 3:00 pm and will address a range of topics concerning family court rules.
Coalition fights Idaho's restrictive abortion ban citing risk to patient health
New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have spearheaded a coalition of 24 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the case U.S. v. Idaho. The brief seeks to maintain access to emergency abortion care in Idaho by urging the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold a lower court's preliminary injunction against Idaho’s restrictive abortion ban, which lacks an exception for emergencies.
George West fined $9.5 million for unlicensed cannabis sales
New York Attorney General Letitia James has secured a $9.5 million judgment against George West, the owner of an unlicensed cannabis dispensary in Ontario County. The judgment follows West's non-compliance with a June 2023 order from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to cease operations without a license. Jaydega 7.0, the dispensary owned by West, was shut down by judicial order in November 2023.
Oklahoma man sentenced to life in prison for ordering murder from jail
An Osage County judge has sentenced Zachary Millard to life in prison for orchestrating the 2021 murder of fellow Irish mob member Mitchell Roberts. The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, along with partner agencies, managed the case against Millard, who was found guilty earlier this month for the crime committed in Tulsa.
West Columbia man charged with child sexual exploitation offenses
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Joshua Washington Shoulders, a 29-year-old resident of West Columbia, South Carolina. Shoulders faces three charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was carried out by investigators from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force within the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. Additional support in the investigation came from the Attorney General's Office and the University of South Carolina Police Department.
Hilo hosts first law & justice academy engaging high school students
HILO, Hawaiʻi – Over the recent fall break, 20 high school students from various schools on Hawaiʻi Island participated in the first Hilo Law & Justice Academy. The three-day program was held at Hale Kaulike (Hilo courthouse) and ended with a mock trial exercise.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Michigan Assistant Attorney General Alison A. Furtaw Joins Dykema’s Bloomfield Hills Office
Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Alison Furtaw as a Senior Counsel in its Government Investigations and Corporate Compliance Practice in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office.
Office of Special Prosecutions Completes Review of Officer-Involved Shooting in Gambell
The Office of Special Prosecutions has completed its review of an officer-involved shooting from Aug. 16, 2024, involving Alaska State Troopers Jayson Christner and Colten Buie and Court Services Officer Sawyer Munson’s use of force against Vaughn Walunga, 46, in Gambell.