A federal judge denied bail for Brian J. Cole Jr., charged with planting pipe bombs outside DNC and RNC headquarters on the eve of the Capitol riot, citing public safety concerns and the potential for devastating consequences if his actions had succeeded. Cole, who confessed to the bombings and expressed intent to target political parties due to beliefs about the 2020 election, faces significant prison time if convicted. His defense argued he posed no danger due to his lack of criminal history and living situation, but the judge emphasized the risk of impulsive conduct.
Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to the FBI about Joe Biden and his son Hunter, and a judge ordered him to remain in jail out of concern he might flee the country. Prosecutors argued that Smirnov's alleged ties to Russian intelligence agents and access to significant funds made him a flight risk, while his attorney emphasized his cooperation with U.S. authorities and family ties in the United States. The case has significant implications for the Republican-led impeachment inquiry into President Biden and the broader GOP effort to paint the president as corrupt.
Prosecutors are urging a federal judge to reconsider a magistrate judge's decision to release former FBI source Alexander Smirnov, who is facing charges for making false statements about Joe Biden, citing his alleged ties to Russian intelligence and potential access to millions of dollars in assets as reasons for concern. The case is politically charged, with House Republicans using Smirnov's allegations to fuel their drive to impeach Biden, and the government suggesting that his claims may have been influenced by Russian propagandists. The government's appeal of the release order goes to the district court judge, who will have to consider the matter anew.
The pretrial detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges in Russia, has been extended until the end of March, meaning he will have spent at least a year behind bars. The hearing took place behind closed doors, and the U.S. Consul General attended. Russian authorities allege that Gershkovich collected state secrets on the instructions of the American side, but both he and the Journal deny the allegations. Russian President Putin has mentioned ongoing dialogue with the U.S. on bringing Gershkovich and another jailed American home, but a solution has not been reached.
Edward Richmond Jr., a former U.S. Army soldier convicted of manslaughter in Iraq, has been arrested for attacking police officers with a baton during the U.S. Capitol riot. Prosecutors argue that he poses a new danger, citing the discovery of an assault rifle and ammunition in his closet despite being barred from owning firearms due to his manslaughter conviction. They also claim he took steps to evade authorities and may be a flight risk. A federal magistrate judge initially denied the Justice Department's bid to detain Richmond, but prosecutors have appealed the ruling and are seeking emergency consideration of the matter.
Military veteran Edward Richmond Jr., charged with assaulting police during the Capitol riot, was ordered released from custody despite a federal prosecutor's argument for pretrial detention due to his criminal history and possession of a firearm. The judge cited community ties and his role as a father. Richmond, previously convicted of manslaughter in Iraq, was arrested in Louisiana and faces charges including civil disorder and assaulting police with a dangerous weapon.
Luis Funez, an alleged ringleader of a major drug trafficking organization operating in Portland, was allowed to walk out of jail despite being indicted on multiple charges and found with 52 pounds of fentanyl. Due to a communication breakdown and court policies, Funez was only booked on charges related to a previous warrant and not the new charges from the raid. Portland's strict guidelines for holding individuals in jail pending trial for drug offenses played a role in Funez's release. The incident has raised questions about booking practices and calls for reforming the county's pretrial detention policies.
Illinois is set to become the first US state to abolish cash bail after lawmakers passed a bill that aims to reform the state's criminal justice system. The new law, which will take effect in 2023, replaces cash bail with a system that assesses a defendant's flight risk and potential danger to the community. Advocates argue that cash bail disproportionately affects low-income individuals and perpetuates inequality in the legal system.
A federal magistrate judge has ordered the pretrial detention of Taylor Taranto, a Jan. 6 defendant who approached former President Barack Obama's neighborhood with firearms and ammunition. Taranto, who faces misdemeanor charges related to his participation in the Jan. 6 mob, was deemed too dangerous to be released. The judge criticized the lack of support for military veterans like Taranto and expressed frustration with the absence of accountability for elected officials who spread conspiracy theories. Taranto's attorney argued that his political views were protected by the First Amendment, but the judge expressed concern over his livestreamed threats and the potential for catastrophic consequences. Taranto is likely to appeal the decision.
The suspect in the fatal shooting at the Century Rio 24 movie theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico, made his first court appearance, with the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office seeking pretrial detention, citing him as a threat to the community. The shooting occurred during an argument over seating assignments, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old man. The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear if the suspect's girlfriend, who allegedly assaulted the victim's wife, will face charges. The theater remains closed, and a GoFundMe has been set up for the victim's family.
Jack Teixeira, the Air National guardsman accused of leaking classified documents online, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge and a fine of up to $250,000. Teixeira was arrested in April for sharing highly classified military documents about the war in Ukraine and other top national security issues on Discord. He was ordered to remain behind bars until his trial due to the risk of fleeing.
Matthew Jackson, a Bandidos gang member who was present during the Red River shooting that killed three people and injured five others, has been released from jail despite prosecutors' concerns that he is a dangerous man who should stay in jail while awaiting trial. Jackson is not charged for the actual shooting, but for carrying a firearm in a licensed liquor establishment and drug possession. Pretrial detention hearings are still pending for the other two suspects, Chris Garcia and Jacob Castillo, with Castillo being the only person facing murder charges for the shooting so far.
