All articles tagged with #guilty pleas
Two U.S. cybersecurity professionals, Ryan Goldberg and Kevin Martin, pleaded guilty to conspiring with the ransomware gang ALPHV Blackcat to extort American companies, facing up to 20 years in prison, highlighting concerns about insider threats in the digital protection industry.
The owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, Carie and Jon Hallford, pleaded guilty to abusing 191 corpses, with many bodies found stacked and decayed in a building. They face lengthy sentences, and the case has prompted regulatory reforms in Colorado's funeral industry.
Guilty pleas from former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis and other defendants in the Georgia 2020 election interference case pose a significant risk to Donald Trump. These "senior participants" in the alleged scheme to overturn the election include lawyers Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, as well as a bail bondsman named Scott Hall. The guilty pleas undermine the false facts and legal theories pushed by these individuals, making the case harder to attack politically. As more defendants enter guilty pleas, the prosecution's case strengthens, potentially leading to self-admitted co-conspirators testifying against Trump.
Two individuals, a man and a woman, have pleaded guilty to charges related to a racially charged attack on a Black riverboat captain in Montgomery, Alabama. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, sparked a national conversation about race. The man, Richard Roberts, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and was sentenced to serve 32 days in jail on weekends and complete community service. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a 16-year-old deckhand. The woman, Mary Todd, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of harassment and was ordered to attend an anger management class. Three other individuals involved in the brawl are set to face proceedings in November.
Two of the five suspects involved in the Montgomery riverfront brawl pleaded guilty in court. Mary Todd pleaded guilty to harassment and was ordered to complete anger management classes, while Richard Roberts pleaded guilty to two assault charges and received a four-month suspended sentence, to be served on weekends, along with 100 hours of community service. The other three defendants had their cases postponed. The brawl, which gained national attention, was sparked by a dispute over a dockside parking spot.
Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney leading the investigation into former President Donald Trump's alleged attempt to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results, has a formidable team that includes Daysha Young, an experienced prosecutor known for her work on child abuse and sex crimes cases. Young's recent court appearances resulted in guilty pleas from former Trump lawyers Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, and Jenna Ellis, who have agreed to cooperate with the prosecution. The pleas put pressure on other codefendants to consider similar deals, potentially providing valuable insight into the motives and strategies behind Trump's post-election actions. Willis and her team are assembling evidence and leveraging guilty pleas to exert influence in the case.
Last week in the Trump Trials, guilty pleas were made in the Georgia election-obstruction case, potentially implicating Trump himself. A limited gag order was issued in the D.C. election-obstruction case, allowing Trump to criticize President Biden but not disparage court personnel. Trump asked for the gag order to be paused until the appeals process is complete. In the Florida classified documents case, a co-defendant's lawyer was allowed to continue despite potential conflicts of interest. The nerd word of the week is "Brady," referring to evidence helpful to the defense. In the New York state business fraud case, no significant developments occurred, but testimony from a Trump Organization executive could strengthen the case against Trump. The only trial expected to be televised is the state case in Georgia.
Guilty pleas from Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, two key allies in Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case, raise the stakes for the former president and potentially put pressure on other defendants to flip. Chesebro pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit filing false documents, providing an inside account of the scheme to recruit fake electors for Trump. Powell pleaded guilty to misdemeanors associated with tampering with election equipment. Their testimonies could bolster the government's evidence in the federal election meddling case against Trump. The trial date for Trump in Georgia remains uncertain, but the pleas may expedite the process.
Five former Metropolitan Police officers have pleaded guilty to sending racist messages on WhatsApp, including derogatory comments about the Duchess of Sussex and other members of the royal family. The messages were sent between September 2020 and 2022, and also referenced prominent politicians. The men, who retired between 2001 and 2015, were charged under the Communications Act 2003. Another former officer denied the charges and will stand trial in November. The officers will be sentenced on the same day.
Six former law enforcement officers in Mississippi have pleaded guilty to charges related to the torture of two Black men. The officers, who referred to themselves as "The Goon Squad," face charges including conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, and obstruction of justice. The incident occurred in January when the officers entered the victims' home and subjected them to hours of torture, including shooting one of the men in the mouth. The charges were brought after the victims filed a federal civil lawsuit.
Six former Rankin County law enforcement officers have pleaded guilty to charges related to the abuse of two Black men, including conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under the court of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, and using firearms in an act of violence. Prosecutors are recommending that they be held until their sentencing.
A growing number of Capitol rioters, including the infamous "QAnon Shaman" Jacob Angeli Chansley, have gone back on their guilty pleas and apologies, seeking to reverse their admissions of guilt. Some rioters have even capitalized on their involvement in the riots, using their notoriety to boost their political aspirations and raise funds. However, changing their pleas carries legal risks, and courts rarely allow such reversals. Despite expressing remorse in court, Angeli has since abandoned his regrets, resumed spreading conspiracy theories, and is using his newfound fame to sell merchandise and boost his online profile.
A growing number of Capitol rioters, including the infamous "QAnon Shaman" Jacob Angeli Chansley, have gone back on their guilty pleas and apologies, seeking to reverse their admissions of guilt. Some rioters are capitalizing on their involvement in the riots, using their public profiles to boost their political aspirations and even raise funds. The changing views of the riots, fueled by media coverage and online forums, have emboldened some to recast their actions as heroic and patriotic. However, changing a guilty plea carries legal risks, and courts rarely allow it. Angeli, who has since been released from prison, is now selling merchandise, spreading conspiracy theories, and expressing regret for not doing more to prevent the chaos on January 6th.
Two former officers at a federal women's prison in California have pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual abuse, following an investigation by The Associated Press. Andrew Jones, a former cook supervisor, pleaded guilty to six felony charges of sexual abuse, while Nakie Nunley, a guard at the prison call center, pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual abuse and five lesser felonies of abusive sexual contact. Both men also pleaded guilty to making false statements to the government. This comes after a previous investigation revealed a culture of rampant abuse and cover-up at the facility, resulting in prison sentences for the former warden and chaplain.
Two Albuquerque mothers, Alexis Martinez and Danielle Ortiz, changed their pleas to guilty in a deadly DWI crash that resulted in the deaths of their children. Prosecutors revealed that Martinez, who was driving under the influence, initially hesitated to drive but ultimately made the decision to do so. The crash occurred when Martinez lost control of the vehicle while driving at 88 mph. Both mothers face charges including child abuse resulting in death and homicide by vehicle. A sentencing date has yet to be determined.