Latest news with #federalprosecutors
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Us Justice Department Wants No Prison Time for Ex-Officer Convicted in Breonna Taylor Raid
The US Justice Department is recommending that an ex-Kentucky police officer convicted of using excessive force during the deadly Breonna Taylor raid should serve no prison time – an abrupt about-face after spending years prosecuting the former detective. Brett Hankison is the only officer who fired his weapon the night of the March 2020 botched drug raid who has faced criminal charges. His shots didn't hit or injure anyone, though they flew through Taylor's walls into a neighboring apartment. A federal judge will decide Hankison's sentence, which could amount to several years, on Monday at a hearing. But if the judge heeds the Justice Department's request, it would mean that none of the Louisville police officers involved in the botched raid would face any prison time. The Justice Department, which has changed leadership, said in a sentencing memo this week that there is no need for a prison sentence to protect the public from Hankison. Federal prosecutors asked the judge to sentence him to time already served, which amounts to one day, and three years of supervised probation. Prosecutors at his previous federal trials aggressively pursued a conviction against Hankison, 49, arguing that he blindly fired 10 shots into Taylor's windows without identifying a target. Taylor was shot in her hallway by two other officers after her boyfriend fired from inside the apartment, striking an officer in the leg. But in the sentencing memo, federal prosecutors wrote that though Hankison's response in these fraught circumstances was unreasonable given the benefit of hindsight, that unreasonable response did not kill or wound Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend, her neighbors, defendants' fellow officers, or anyone else. Activists who protested in the streets after Taylor's death in 2020 seized on the narrative that under the Department of Justice recommendation, Hankison would serve just one day in jail for the conviction. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who helped Taylor's family secure a $12 million wrongful death settlement against the city of Louisville, said the Justice Department's recommendation is 'an insult to the life of Breonna Taylor and a blatant betrayal of the jury's decision.' Recommending just one day in prison sends the unmistakable message that white officers can violate the civil rights of Black Americans with near-total impunity,' Crump said in a statement on social media. Shameka Parrish-Wright, who marched in numerous protests and ran for mayor after Taylor's death, called the Justice Department's memo 'a devastating slap in the face.' 'To those directly impacted and to everyone who understands the broader systemic failures this case revealed, one day behind bars does not suffice,' Parrish-Wright, now a Louisville city council member, said in a media release. 'This is not justice.' Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Hankison's conviction warrant a serious prison sentence. A presentence report from the US Probation Office said Hankison should face a range of 135 to 168 months imprisonment on the excessive force conviction, according to the memo. But federal prosecutors said a number of factors – including that Hankison's two other trials ended with no convictions – should greatly reduce the potential punishment. The memorandum was submitted by Harmeet Dhillon, the chief of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and a political appointee, who in May moved to cancel settlements with Louisville and Minneapolis that had called for an overhaul of their police departments. In the Taylor case, three other ex-Louisville police officers have been charged with crafting a falsified warrant, but they have not yet gone to trial. None of them were at the scene when Taylor was shot. The death of the 26-year-old Black woman, along with the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparked racial injustice protests nationwide that year. A separate jury deadlocked on federal charges against Hankison in 2023, and he was acquitted on state charges of wanton endangerment in 2022. ___ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. ___ This story has been updated to correct the sentencing date to Monday, July 21.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Firings at Trump's DOJ complicate case against Florida man accused of bilking kids with special needs
An ongoing purge of federal prosecutors from the Justice Department has impacted the criminal case against a Florida businessman accused of fleecing children with special needs. The latest wave of firings included the prosecutor who was helping lead the criminal case against Leo Govoni, whose scheme allegedly bilked approximately $100 million from a fund to help people with disabilities. Michael Gordon, who also handled a series of U.S. Capitol riot prosecutions, was among several prosecutors fired in recent weeks, CBS News has learned. Gordon had recently taken over formal duties for prosecuting Govoni's case in Florida. Critics have accused the Trump administration of seeking political retribution for the U.S. Capitol insurrection cases by firing prosecutors, investigators and at least one administrator who worked on the cases. The Justice Department also fired investigators and prosecutors who helped former Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation of President Trump's alleged mishandling of classified records and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. More than 20 total firings have been confirmed by CBS News. The Justice Department has not commented on the firings. Gordon's dismissal risks complicating the timeline for the Govoni case. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Florida Democrat, is urging the Justice Department to reverse course and rehire Gordon. Castor said in a statement, "The victims of Govoni's alleged fraud number in the thousands—each with painful and personal stories. Mr. Gordon's removal places this case, and their hope for accountability, in jeopardy." Govoni is accused of being part of a scheme to embezzle money from an organization that was established to help manage money for people with special needs. The Justice Department said earlier this year, "The defendants conspired to use the funds of special needs clients as a personal piggy bank, stealing $100 million dollars meant for the most vulnerable members of our society to enrich themselves." Amparo Perales, a mother whose son Javier has needed care for blindness and severe encephalitis, said her family lost $2 million in the scheme. Perales told CBS News she was "shocked" by Gordon's firing. "These victims already have difficult lives and futures. A delay in the legal process is detrimental to the well being of the victims," Perales said. Rebekah Bowman of Florida, whose son, Kienen Freeman, suffers from a severe seizure disorder, said she lost more than $1 million in funds for her son because of Govoni's alleged scheme. "It took long enough to get him arrested. People have been through a lot and don't want any more delays," Bowman said. Govoni was charged with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, money laundering conspiracy and multiple counts of fraud. He has not yet entered a plea, and an arraignment is scheduled for Thursday. Govoni's lawyers asked for him to be released pre-trial, noting he has "no prior criminal history" and describing him as a "67-year-old in poor physical health." CBS News has reached out to his attorney for comment. An accountant for Govoni's company was also charged as part of the alleged conspiracy, and a not-guilty plea was entered in his case. Prosecutors said Govoni founded the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in 2000 and helped manage approximately $200 million in funds and more than 2,000 special needs trusts. Prosecutors alleged Govoni used the organization's accounts as a "slush fund." Federal investigators said Govoni used the money to "purchase real estate, travel via private jet, fund a brewery, make deposits into his personal bank accounts, and pay personal debts." In a series of letters filed with the federal court in Tampa last month, one parent of a person with special needs wrote, "I wish you could look into the eyes of my son and the many other medically needy victims and tell them that you're going to do the right thing and keep that man behind bars where he belongs." Another parent wrote, "Please do not let this horrible criminal out of jail. He is clever and surely has money hidden and plans to go into hiding if released. All his victims have breathed a sigh of relief when we heard he was finally arrested. The first relief any of us have felt since this has happened." Another victim wrote, "Who steals from victimized children in foster care? The disabled? The most vulnerable amongst us? Someone who has no conscience, compassion, or mercy." Gordon is listed in court records as a Tampa-based prosecutor for the Justice Department. Like many federal prosecutors, he brought cases related to the Jan. 6 riots — which was the largest criminal investigation in U.S. history, with more than 1,500 defendants. Hours after Mr. Trump returned to office in January, he pardoned almost everybody convicted in the riot and ordered the Justice Department to drop charges against any remaining defendants. Gordon had a role in prosecuting one of the best-known Jan. 6 defendants, Ray Epps, who was at the center of conspiracy theories claiming — without any evidence — he was a government-planted agitator. Epps pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on restricted grounds and was sentenced to probation. The Justice Department declined to comment on Gordon's firing and its possible impact on Govoni's prosecution. Gordon did not offer a comment to CBS News. Many of the prosecutors who were fired were identified by a "weaponization working group" set up by the Trump administration to review Biden-era law enforcement policies, CBS News previously reported. Other prosecutors who handled Jan. 6 cases resigned their posts with the Justice Department, ahead of the recent firings. Greg Rosen, who was the chief of the agency's Capitol Siege section, departed last month. In a June 3 interview with CBS News, Rosen criticized the initial wave of firings. "To see those talented prosecutors be marginalized or removed from office is an affront to the independence of the department," Rosen said. Patty Hartman, a former public affairs specialist for the U.S. Attorney's office in the District of Columbia, was fired last week. Hartman, who helped distribute press releases about the Jan. 6 cases, accused the Justice Department of seeking to launch a wave of retribution against employees who were part of the Capitol siege case. Hartman told CBS News she is troubled by the series of dismissals of colleagues. "I'm still very proud of all of them, even the ones that got removed, because they didn't deserve it," Hartman told CBS News.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Government opposes delaying death penalty decision for Zizian charged in border agent's shooting
A judge should not delay the decision on whether to seek the death penalty against a woman charged in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont, federal prosecutors said this week. Teresa Youngblut, of Washington state, is part of a cultlike group known as Zizians that has been connected to six killings in three states. She's accused of firing at agent David Maland during a traffic stop on Jan. 20, the day President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order lifting the moratorium on federal executions. Attorney General Pam Bondi later cited Maland's death in directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in murder cases involving law enforcement officers unless they find significant mitigating circumstances. But in a motion filed earlier this month, Youngblut's lawyers argued the government has imposed a 'radically inadequate' and 'extraordinarily rushed' timeline for that determination. Prosecutors have set a July 28 deadline for Youngblut to explain why the death penalty should not be sought. Even though she has yet to be charged with a crime eligible for such punishment, prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and charges may be added or changed. Youngblut's attorneys want to extend that deadline by at least six months, but in an objection filed Monday, prosecutors argued the judge has no authority to do so. 'To grant the defendant the relief requested in the motion would constitute an inunction prohibiting the United States from moving forward with an internal decision-making process of the Executive Branch and would intrude upon its independent prosecutorial discretion,' Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Dresser wrote. Younglbut is charged with using a deadly weapon against law enforcement and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. Youngblut's attorneys have asked the court to give her until at least Jan. 30, 2026, to submit her mitigating evidence to a committee of lawyers that advises the government on capital cases and to prohibit prosecutors from making a decision about the death penalty until after the material has been reviewed. The defense argues the schedule 'promises to turn Ms. Youngblut's submission into a near-pointless formality.' Prosecutors countered that Youngblut has no right "beyond the Executive Branch's invitation" to participate in the government's internal capital review. At the time of the shooting, authorities had been watching Youngblut and her companion, Felix Bauckholt, for several days after a Vermont hotel employee reported seeing them carrying guns and wearing black tactical gear. She's accused of opening fire on border agents who pulled the car over on Interstate 91. An agent fired back, killing Bauckholt and wounding Youngblut. The pair were among the followers of Jack LaSota, a transgender woman also known as Ziz whose online writing about veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence attracted young, highly intelligent computer scientists who shared anarchist beliefs. Members of the group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on a California landlord in 2022, the landlord's subsequent killing earlier this year, and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple in between. LaSota and two others face weapons and drug charges in Maryland, where they were arrested in February, while LaSota faces additional federal charges of being an armed fugitive. Maximilian Snyder, who is charged with killing the landlord in California, had applied for a marriage license with Youngblut. His attorney has declined to comment. Michelle Zajko, whose parents were killed in Pennsylvania, was arrested with LaSota in Maryland, and has been charged with providing weapons to Youngblut in Vermont.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Government opposes delaying death penalty decision for Zizian charged in border agent's shooting
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A judge should not delay the decision on whether to seek the death penalty against a woman charged in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont, federal prosecutors said this week. Teresa Youngblut, of Washington state, is part of a cultlike group known as Zizians that has been connected to six killings in three states. She's accused of firing at agent David Maland during a traffic stop on Jan. 20, the day President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order lifting the moratorium on federal executions. Attorney General Pam Bondi later cited Maland's death in directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in murder cases involving law enforcement officers unless they find significant mitigating circumstances. But in a motion filed earlier this month, Youngblut's lawyers argued the government has imposed a 'radically inadequate' and 'extraordinarily rushed' timeline for that determination. Prosecutors have set a July 28 deadline for Youngblut to explain why the death penalty should not be sought. Even though she has yet to be charged with a crime eligible for such punishment, prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and charges may be added or changed. Youngblut's attorneys want to extend that deadline by at least six months, but in an objection filed Monday, prosecutors argued the judge has no authority to do so. 'To grant the defendant the relief requested in the motion would constitute an inunction prohibiting the United States from moving forward with an internal decision-making process of the Executive Branch and would intrude upon its independent prosecutorial discretion,' Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Dresser wrote. Younglbut is charged with using a deadly weapon against law enforcement and discharging a firearm during an assault with a deadly weapon. Youngblut's attorneys have asked the court to give her until at least Jan. 30, 2026, to submit her mitigating evidence to a committee of lawyers that advises the government on capital cases and to prohibit prosecutors from making a decision about the death penalty until after the material has been reviewed. The defense argues the schedule 'promises to turn Ms. Youngblut's submission into a near-pointless formality.' Prosecutors countered that Youngblut has no right 'beyond the Executive Branch's invitation' to participate in the government's internal capital review. At the time of the shooting, authorities had been watching Youngblut and her companion, Felix Bauckholt, for several days after a Vermont hotel employee reported seeing them carrying guns and wearing black tactical gear. She's accused of opening fire on border agents who pulled the car over on Interstate 91. An agent fired back, killing Bauckholt and wounding Youngblut. The pair were among the followers of Jack LaSota, a transgender woman also known as Ziz whose online writing about veganism, gender identity and artificial intelligence attracted young, highly intelligent computer scientists who shared anarchist beliefs. Members of the group have been tied to the death of one of their own during an attack on a California landlord in 2022, the landlord's subsequent killing earlier this year, and the deaths of a Pennsylvania couple in between. LaSota and two others face weapons and drug charges in Maryland, where they were arrested in February, while LaSota faces additional federal charges of being an armed fugitive. Maximilian Snyder, who is charged with killing the landlord in California, had applied for a marriage license with Youngblut. His attorney has declined to comment. Michelle Zajko, whose parents were killed in Pennsylvania, was arrested with LaSota in Maryland, and has been charged with providing weapons to Youngblut in Vermont.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- The Guardian
Ten charged with attempted murder after allegedly ambushing Texas Ice agents
Ten people have been charged with attempted murder after allegedly ambushing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents in Texas on 4 July. Federal prosecutors said attackers drew the agents out of an Ice detention center in Alvarado, Texas, with fireworks and by vandalizing vehicles. They allegedly shot a police officer in the neck and unloaded between 20 and 30 rounds on immigration agents, and were later apprehended by local law enforcement near the scene. 'It was a planned ambush with the intent to kill Ice correction officers,' said Nancy Larson, US attorney for the northern district of Texas, at a press conference on Monday. 'Make no mistake, this was not a so-called peaceful protest – it was indeed an ambush.' Larson said the assailants began shooting fireworks outside the Prairieland Ice Detection Center, about an hour south of Dallas in Alvarado, Texas, at approximately 10.37pm. The fireworks drew agents outside and found the group spray painting vehicles with 'Ice pig', 'traitor' and 'other profanity', according to Larson. A gunman, who was positioned in the woods away from the group, then fired a shot at a local police officer who was also on the scene and hit him in the 'neck area', Larson said. She added that a second gunman unloaded between 20 and 30 rounds on Ice corrections officers, who she said were unarmed. 'This was an egregious attack on federal and local law enforcement officers and it is part of an increasing trend of violence against them,' Larson said, adding that a jammed AR-style rifle was later found abandoned in the woods. Ten people, most of them from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, were charged with three counts of attempted murder. An 11th 'co-conspirator' faces obstruction of justice charges. Larson said local sheriff's deputies caught the alleged assailants in two separate vehicles near the facility, both with tactical-style vests and weapons. One group of seven alleged assailants was also covered in mud. 'We found masks, goggles, tactical gloves' in a residence, said Larson, along with 'additional body armor … spray paint, fireworks and again insurrectionist materials'. The attack comes after police said a man with an assault rifle shot at officers leaving a Texas border patrol facility on Monday, before being killed by law enforcement. Hours before the attack his father told police he was looking for his son, who he said had psychological issues and was carrying weapons.
