Latest News
California DOJ investigates Riverside County officer-involved shooting under AB 1506
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating an officer-involved shooting (OIS) in Corona, California. The incident, which took place on June 11, 2024, at approximately 1:10 AM, involved the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and resulted in the death of one individual.
Kenyan national sentenced for advance fee fraud scheme
A Kenyan national was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for perpetrating an advance fee and investment scheme that defrauded numerous victims.
California DOJ releases findings on officer-involved shooting of Travis Tarrants
On June 11, 2024, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report on the officer-involved shooting of Travis Tarrants in Fontana, California. The incident occurred on April 7, 2022, and involved officers from the Fontana Police Department (FPD). This report is part of DOJ's efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.
St. Clair County man convicted on multiple child pornography charges
Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced the conviction of Terry DeWayne Herring, a 28-year-old resident of Pell City, St. Clair County, on multiple counts related to child pornography and transmitting obscene matter to a minor. Herring pleaded guilty in St. Clair County Circuit Court to five counts of possession of obscene matter with intent to disseminate images and videos depicting individuals under the age of 17, and one count of transmitting obscene matter to a child.
The Buckeye Institute responds to latest move by City of Columbus in gun case
Columbus, OH – David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, issued a statement following the City of Columbus' filing in Doe v. Columbus with the Ohio Supreme Court.
Johnson & Johnson settles $700 million lawsuit over talc product marketing
Attorney General Kathy Jennings and 42 other attorneys general have reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc.
States reach $700 million settlement with J&J over talc product claims
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and 42 other attorneys general have reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products that contained talc. Texas, Florida, and North Carolina led an executive committee that included Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Maryland, New York, and Washington.
Ninth Circuit upholds ban on firearm sales on California state property
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of California Attorney General Rob Bonta, upholding the prohibition on firearms and ammunition sales on state property. The decision came in response to two cases, B&L Productions, Inc. v. Newsom, which challenged legislation that bans such sales at venues including the Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego and the Orange County Fair & Event Center.
Officer-involved incident under investigation in Kronenwetter
KRONENWETTER, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved incident that occurred in Kronenwetter, Wis., on the evening of Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Commission to review eight candidates for circuit court judge in Tennessee
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider eight applicants on July 17, 2024, in Charlotte, Tennessee, to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 23rd Judicial District. This district includes Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, and Stewart counties.
York County man faces multiple charges for alleged sexual exploitation of minor
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Edward Todd Baines, 48, of Catawba, S.C., on 10 charges related to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Mount Pleasant Police Department conducted the arrest. Investigators from the York County Sheriff's Office, Chester County Sheriff's Office, and U.S. Secret Service, all members of the state's ICAC task force, assisted in the investigation.
Michigan Supreme Court schedules special session for election manual disputes
The Michigan Supreme Court (MSC) will convene a special session to hear oral arguments in the cases of Philip O’Halloran, MD, v Secretary of State, and Richard Devisser v Secretary of State on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The session will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be conducted via Zoom. The proceedings will be livestreamed on the MSC YouTube Channel.
New statewide helpline launched for Washington's youth
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the launch of HearMeWA, a statewide reporting system focused on the safety and well-being of young people in Washington. The initiative aims to remove barriers for youth seeking help with challenges such as bullying, social pressures, suicidal thoughts, and threats of violence.
Arkansas to receive $12.7 million from Johnson & Johnson settlement
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin announced today that Arkansas will receive $12,716,700.92 as part of a nationwide $700 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over its marketing of talc-based baby powder and body powder products.
Joint Task Force Alpha marks third anniversary with significant anti-smuggling achievements
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the formation of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) in June 2021, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The initiative aims to enhance the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human smuggling and trafficking originating from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico, which impact U.S. border communities. JTFA focuses on individuals and networks that exploit or endanger those being smuggled, pose national security threats, or have ties to transnational organized crime.
Joint Task Force Alpha expands anti-smuggling efforts into Colombia-Panama region
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland marked the third anniversary of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) by convening senior leaders from the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State to discuss ongoing efforts against human smuggling at the southern border. Over three years, JTFA has led to over 300 arrests and more than 240 convictions in the United States.
Four more states join DOJ's antitrust suit against Apple
The Attorneys General of Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington have joined the civil antitrust lawsuit brought by the Justice Department, 15 states, and the District of Columbia against Apple. The suit, originally filed in March, alleges that Apple has monopolized multiple smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. The expanded group of plaintiffs has filed an amended complaint in the District of New Jersey.
Nationwide settlement reached against J&J over talc product allegations
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that his office, along with 42 other attorneys general, has reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based body and baby powder products. As part of the settlement, Minnesota will receive more than $10.5 million over three years.
Montana AG files lawsuit challenging Biden's mandate on gender-transition treatments
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Biden administration's new rule, which mandates states and healthcare providers to offer or finance "gender-transition" treatments for adults and children or risk losing federal funding. This marks the 50th lawsuit Knudsen has filed against the current administration.
Bipartisan coalition urges Congress to address child exploitation through artificial intelligence
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 states and territories in urging Congress to pass the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commissions Act of 2024. This legislation aims to establish a commission to study the threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in the exploitation of children through child sexual abuse material. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, such material "creates a permanent record of the child’s victimization." The proposed commission would recommend legislative measures to protect...