Latest News
Bowen Law Director Patrick Harris appointed to Arkansas Judicial Commission
Attorney General Tim Griffin has appointed Patrick Harris, the Director of Advocacy at William H. Bowen School of Law, to serve on the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission. Griffin praised Harris's distinguished record of public service in his announcement, stating, "Patrick Harris has a long and distinguished record of public service, not only as a federal prosecutor of murder, RICO, extortion, kidnapping, and public-corruption cases but also as a longtime adjunct professor of law at the Bowen Law School and now as its Director of Advocacy supervising...
Oklahoma AG's office launches online form for senior fraud complaints
The Office of the Attorney General in Oklahoma City has introduced an online senior fraud complaint form, available on its website. This development comes as a response to the increasing incidents of fraud targeting older Oklahomans.
Arkansas Supreme Court upholds state election laws: Attorney General Griffin's statement
Attorney General Tim Griffin celebrated a unanimous decision by the Arkansas Supreme Court in Thurston v. League of Women Voters, which upheld four state election laws pertaining to absentee ballots, voter identification, and polling-place electioneering restrictions. Griffin hailed the ruling as a "total victory for Arkansas voters and the security of our elections moving forward."
Seven Sinaloa Cartel members sentenced for drug trafficking conspiracy
Seven members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel have been sentenced to prison for their role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. The defendants had previously pleaded guilty to these charges.
Two more indicted for 2015 murder of Eric Cates
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced the indictments of two Walker County men in connection with the 2015 death of Eric Cates. Joshua Franklin Hill, 35, and Luke Williams, Jr., 34, both from Walker County, have been served with indictments for Capital Murder.
Anderson County man arrested for alleged sexual exploitation of a minor
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Andrew Lee Davenport, 32, of Abbeville, S.C., on charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office made the arrest.
Westerly woman convicted of child abuse following three-day trial
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has announced the conviction of a Westerly woman on charges of child abuse. Following a three-day trial that concluded on May 10, 2024, a Washington County Superior Court jury found Taurie Richardson, 27, guilty of two counts of second-degree child abuse. The verdict came in response to incidents that occurred in April 2021.
Summary of legal opinions issued on May 16, 2024
On May 16, 2024, several cases were reviewed and opinions issued by various judges. The case of Brown v. State (Docket No.: 20230364) filed under the category of Appeal - Civil - Post-Conviction Relief was authored by Douglas Alan Bahr. The opinion stated that "The definition of official detention does not preclude custody while on probation." Furthermore, it clarified that an unambiguous sentence pronouncement controls over an ambiguous sentence, whether oral or written. When there is ambiguity between two sentences, the record must be examined to determine the district...
Report finds number of 'nuclear' verdicts increased 27% in 2023
A report published on May 3 by Marathon Strategies, an independent public relations firm, revealed a significant increase in the number of "nuclear" verdicts, or jury verdicts exceeding $10 million. The report showed a rise of 27% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Former emergency services director charged with indecent assault
Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced charges against Timothy A. Boyce, the former director of Delaware County Emergency Services, for allegedly indecently assaulting an employee earlier this year at the county’s communications center. Boyce, 60, was charged on Thursday with three misdemeanor offenses — indecent assault, simple assault, and harassment — related to an incident that occurred on Jan. 30.
Missouri AG demands documents after alleged retaliation against NFL player's faith remarks
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has called on Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to provide all documents, records, and communications linked to his office's X (formerly Twitter) post. This demand comes in response to the post which was seen as retaliatory against Kansas City Chief’s kicker Harrison Butker for comments he made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College where he openly discussed his Catholic faith.
Dominican national sentenced for role in international cocaine trafficking conspiracy
A Dominican Republic national was sentenced yesterday to a prison term of 15 years and four months for his involvement in an international conspiracy aimed at distributing 385 kilograms of cocaine for illegal importation into the United States.
AG Todd Rokita alerts Hoosiers about April's recalled products
Attorney General Todd Rokita is raising awareness among Indiana residents about the consumer protection concerns related to products that were recalled in April. His office is urging consumers to avail themselves of the remedies available for those who have purchased items that could potentially be harmful to their families.
Florida launches statewide human trafficking hotline amid concerns over national service
Florida has officially launched a statewide human trafficking reporting number. This move comes in response to concerns regarding the National Human Trafficking Hotline, operated by Polaris, which was reportedly failing to share timely suspected human trafficking tips with local law enforcement.
Burlington resident arraigned on felony count of luring a child
The Attorney General’s Office has announced the arraignment of Robert Charbonneau, a 50-year-old resident of Burlington, Vermont, on one felony count of Luring a Child. The charge against Charbonneau is the outcome of an undercover investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) and the Hartford Police Department.
Tennessee Supreme Court to hold session at Boys' State in Cookeville
The Tennessee Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on May 22, 2024, in front of a group of accomplished high school seniors at the Tennessee American Legion Boys State at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. This event is part of the Court’s SCALES program, an initiative launched by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1995 with the aim of educating high school students about the state's legal system and the functions of the judicial branch.
Attorney General shuts down fraudulent charity exploiting military service members
Attorney General Phil Weiser has announced a settlement with First Choice Processing, its owner Durand Kelby Tovar, and his associated companies following an investigation into fraudulent activities. The investigation revealed that Tovar was operating an unregistered charity that falsely claimed to support active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
Justice Department secures agreement to cease HIV discriminatory law enforcement
The Justice Department has announced that the Shelby County, Tennessee, District Attorney General (DA) has reached an agreement to halt the prosecution of individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) under Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law. The DA will also implement reforms to rectify discrimination against people living with HIV who have been subjected to discriminatory and harsher penalties under this law.
Investment company chairman and consultant convicted in bribery scheme
A federal jury in Charlotte, North Carolina has convicted Greg E. Lindberg, founder and chairman of multinational investment company Eli Global LLC, and his consultant John D. Gray, for their involvement in a bribery scheme. The conviction came after a retrial that focused on the duo's orchestration of improper campaign contributions and manipulation of independent expenditure accounts.
Idaho Attorney General announces consent decree with northern hospitals
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced a Consent Decree to conclude his investigation into potential violations of Idaho’s antitrust law, the Idaho Competition Act, by Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene and Syringa Hospital and Clinics in Grangeville. The Attorney General's office initiated the investigation in 2023, working alongside the Federal Trade Commission.