Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX, is facing a sentencing hearing in Manhattan federal court for his involvement in a multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency fraud. Prosecutors have requested a 40-50 year prison sentence, while his own attorneys have asked for just six years. Bankman-Fried was convicted on seven counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money in November. The collapse of FTX in November 2022 revealed an $8 billion budget shortfall, leading to the downfall of the exchange.
Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins, two Black men, are set to speak before the sentencing hearing of six White police officers who pleaded guilty to 13 felonies related to the torture and abuse the men endured. The officers, known as "The Goon Squad," used excessive force and racial slurs during the January 2023 incident in Mississippi. The victims and their attorney will address the media, seeking justice and discussing the upcoming sentencing proceedings. The officers face federal charges and potential lengthy prison sentences, with federal prosecutors seeking the maximum penalties. The victims also have a separate lawsuit against the county and Sheriff Bryan Bailey.
Brandon Fellows, a Jan. 6 rioter, was sentenced to 3½ years in prison for obstructing an official proceeding, entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct during the Capitol attack. Representing himself, he sparred with the judge, calling the court a "kangaroo court" and making lewd comments. Fellows showed no remorse, claiming the election was stolen and justifying his actions. The judge sentenced him to 37 months for his Jan. 6-related convictions and an additional five months for contempt, criticizing his disrespectful behavior and lack of remorse.
Actor Jonathan Majors' sentencing hearing for assault and harassment has been delayed for two months as his legal team seeks to set aside the verdict, citing insufficient evidence, inconsistent charges, and questionable prosecution tactics. They argue that the "reckless" assault charge presented to the jury was unjustified and are asking the judge to throw out the conviction, with the next hearing scheduled for April 8.
In Las Vegas, a defendant attacked a judge during his sentencing hearing for attempted battery, despite earlier pleas for leniency. A brawl broke out as court personnel intervened, with the judge sustaining minor injuries. The incident was captured on video.
Former clients and their representatives confronted disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh at his sentencing hearing, accusing him of exploiting personal relationships and vulnerable moments to steal money. Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 counts of financial crimes, including money laundering and fraud, related to a $4 million settlement and other schemes. Prosecutors allege a total of 101 financial-related offenses and an $8.8 million loss. Victims expressed their anger and sorrow, while some forgave him. Murdaugh, already serving two life sentences for the murder of his wife and son, faces a suggested 27-year prison sentence.
Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao has been ordered by a federal judge to remain in the United States until his sentencing hearing in February, after pleading guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. Zhao, who is a citizen of Canada and the United Arab Emirates, stepped down as CEO of Binance last week. The judge will review whether Zhao should be allowed to return to the UAE before his sentencing hearing, as the U.S. government has appealed a previous decision allowing his return. Binance Holdings has agreed to pay over $4.3 billion and pleaded guilty to breaking U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions laws.
The parents of Ethan Crumbley, the teenager responsible for a deadly shooting at a Michigan high school, are requesting to be released from jail to attend their son's sentencing hearing in December. James and Jennifer Crumbley are facing involuntary manslaughter charges for allegedly making a gun accessible to their son and ignoring his mental health issues. Prosecutors argue that their presence in the courtroom would be a distraction and suggest they watch the hearing online from jail. Ethan, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, is scheduled for sentencing on December 8.
Lourdes Navarro, a Glendale woman, has been found guilty of a $359 million fraud scheme targeting federal healthcare programs. Navarro and her accomplice, Imran Shams, fraudulently submitted claims for medically unnecessary respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. They collected nasal swab samples from various locations and performed RPP tests instead of COVID-19 tests. Navarro submitted around $359 million in claims and received approximately $54 million in reimbursements. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2024.
Christopher Worrell, a member of the far-right Proud Boys group who was convicted for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, has been captured by the FBI after more than a month on the run. Worrell was apprehended at his home in Central Naples, Florida, and was convicted of seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting officers. He had failed to appear for his scheduled sentencing hearing in August, and prosecutors had asked for a 14-year prison sentence. Worrell's case received attention after he claimed inadequate medical care while in custody, and his sentencing was put on hold due to his disappearance.
A Michigan judge is set to decide whether the teenage gunman who killed four students at Oxford High School can be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including terrorism causing death and first-degree murder. Prosecutors argued for a life sentence without parole, citing premeditation and evidence of the shooter's intentions. The defense asked for a chance at rehabilitation and parole eligibility, highlighting the shooter's difficult home life and mental health issues. The shooter's parents, who were charged with involuntary manslaughter, remain in jail. Survivors and victims' families are expected to give impact statements before the sentencing.
A 36-year-old man, David Michael Smith, has been found guilty by a Washington County jury of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. The victim, a girl who knew Smith, reported the abuse in May 2022. The Oregon Department of Human Services alerted the Washington County Sheriff's Office, leading to an investigation. Smith's sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 15.
A German woman, identified as Jennifer W., expressed remorse during a new sentencing hearing for her involvement in the death of a 5-year-old Yazidi girl whom she and her husband kept as a slave while they were members of the Islamic State group in Iraq. Jennifer W. was convicted in October 2021 of crimes against humanity, including enslavement resulting in death, and membership in a terrorist organization. The Federal Court of Justice ordered a reconsideration of her sentence, potentially leading to a more severe punishment. Jennifer W. admitted her responsibility for the girl's death and stated that she no longer disputes the charges against her. The new hearing is expected to conclude in late August.
Relatives of the victims of the 2019 Walmart shooting in El Paso delivered emotional victim impact statements during the shooter's sentencing hearing. They chastised the gunman for his ignorance and extremism, reminding him that his actions failed to achieve his goals and that they will continue to honor the memories of their loved ones. Some speakers also highlighted the historical presence of Native Americans and Mexicans in Texas, challenging the shooter's belief in a "Hispanic invasion." The gunman, Patrick Crusius, faces up to 90 consecutive life sentences in federal prison for gun and hate crime charges.
Survivors of the 2019 Texas Walmart massacre, in which 23 people were killed and 22 others wounded, addressed the white nationalist shooter, Patrick Crusius, directly at a sentencing hearing. One young victim reportedly told him, "I want you dead." The hearing, expected to last several days, allows every witness, wounded survivor, and relative of the deceased to offer impact statements. Crusius, who admitted to targeting Hispanics, pleaded guilty to 90 counts, including 23 counts of hate crime resulting in death, under a plea agreement to avoid the federal death penalty. The shooter also faces potential prosecution from the state of Texas, which could result in the death penalty.
