Category Archives: Federal Crimes
Human trafficking charges brought against Saudi princess
A Saudi princess was charged on Wednesday with human trafficking after a Kenyan woman escaped from a condominium where she said she was being held against her will. The 30-year-old Kenyan woman said that she had been hired in Kenya in 2012, taken to Saudi Arabia, and promptly had her passport taken away from her. … Read More
Court finds that tax evasion convictions show moral turpitude
After veterinarian John Cottingham pled guilty to two felony charges relating to failure to pay payroll taxes, he faced professional disciplinary charges from the South Carolina Board of Veterinary Examiners. The board’s charges included a reprimand and fine, among other penalties. Cottingham appealed the discipline, saying that the board had exceeded its authority. Cottingham had … Read More
2.5 million put at risk from security breaches in 2012
There were about 130 breaches of consumer data in California in 2012, according to a recent report. This put about 2.5 million people at risk. The area that had the most breaches was the retail sector, with financial institutions and insurance providers following on the list. Personal data being compromised is not only newsworthy but … Read More
Former Marine accused of killing girlfriend in Panama
The disappearance of 42-year-old Yvonne Baldelli took a twist on Thursday when her boyfriend was accused of murdering her, then concocting an elaborate cover-up. He allegedly sent fake emails from her account, telling her family that she was having a great time, and he withdrew money from her bank account. Brian Brimage, a 37-year-old former … Read More
Corrupt US border agents to be sentenced
Since 2004, over 150 Border Patrol agents have been charged with some form of corruption, including taking bribes and cooperating with human trafficking groups. Raul and Fidel Villarreal, who are both former Border Patrol agents, will both be sentenced today for running a smuggling operation. The operation, which was run along the international border in … Read More
Gun owner charged in accidental shooting death
55-year-old Todd Conrad Francis is being charged with three felony counts: involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and criminal storage of a firearm. Francis’ 9-year-old daughter was playing with her neighbor Eric Klyaz in the garage on June 4. They were handling Francis’ 9 mm pistol when it apparently went off, killing Klyaz. At the time, the … Read More
FBI arrests 14 in connection with international gambling ring
The FBI staged raids on Wednesday during which they arrested 14 people, one of whom may be a manager in an international gambling ring. This violent ring, which has been operating for a decade, is alleged to have taken millions of dollars in illegal sports bets. The FBI launched a full-scale investigation into the case, … Read More
Peugh vs. United States
On June 10, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of PEUGH vs. UNITED STATES, Case # 12-62, in a 5-4 opinion, ruled the Ex Post Facto Clause of the U.S Constitution was violated when the newer 2009 version of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines was applied because it provides (an increased risk of) a much greater punishment when … Read More
Ex-CIA Edward Snowden is source of leaked NSA reports
29-year-old Edward Snowden, a former technical assistant for the Central Intelligence Agency, provided information to journalists about the secret U.S. electronic surveillance program. He revealed his identity voluntarily in a video interview on the U.K. Guardian‘s website. Snowden is currently residing in a hotel in Hong Kong. It remains to be seen whether or not … Read More
Supreme Court Ruling Allows DNA Samples After Arrest
The US Supreme Court ruled on Monday that it is legal for the police to take a DNA sample at the time of an arrest for a serious crime. The ruling came about after a court in Maryland said it was illegal for a police to take Alonzo King’s DNA. King was arrested for felony … Read More