Trump supporter sues sheriff, and pastor charged with fraud: Read latest legal stories
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Thousands of legal cases reach U.S. courts every year. From accusations of mistreatment in prisons to fraud to sexual abuse and beyond, here are some of the latest from across the country.
Man ‘mad at God’ brought gun, ammo to Virginia church, feds say. Now, jury convicts him
In Virginia, Rui Jiang was convicted of a hate crime after prosecutors said he entered Park Valley Church armed with a semiautomatic handgun and ammunition, intending to harm congregants. Jiang’s online threats were reported to authorities, leading to his arrest Sept. 24, 2023, prosecutors say. He faces a minimum of five years in prison, with sentencing is scheduled for June 18, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. | Published March 7 | Read More
Teacher used ‘tickle time’ game to grope kids at elementary school, California suit says
In California, a lawsuit accuses former teacher Jeremy Yeh of using a “tickle time” game to molest students at San Bruno Park School District. Despite early reports of abuse, the district allegedly failed to act, allowing Yeh to continue his misconduct until his conviction on 17 felony counts of child molestation, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks damages for the affected students. | Published March 7 | Read More
Man harvesting wood choked US Forest Service worker, then fired gun in Utah, feds say
In Utah, Kristopher Edward Boger was sentenced to 364 days in prison over assaulting a U.S. Forest Service employee, prosecutors say. The altercation occurred while Boger was harvesting timber, leading to a violent confrontation where prosecutors said he choked the worker and fired a gun. Boger’s sentence includes a year of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says. | Published March 10 | Read More
Pastor scams ‘long-time’ friends and nonprofit out of over $230K in California, feds say
Terrance Owens Elliott, a pastor in California, is accused of defrauding friends and a nonprofit out of more than $230,000. Prosecutors say Elliott used his position to manipulate financial transactions for personal gain, including stealing from a trust fund. If convicted of wire fraud, Elliott faces up to 20 years in prison for each count, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says. | Published March 11 | Read More
Diddy lawsuit says Hawaii police chief posed as a California sheriff in rape cover-up
A lawsuit against Sean Combs, known as “Diddy,” accuses Maui Police Chief John Pelletier of posing as a sheriff to cover up a rape in 2018. The lawsuit, which includes other high-profile defendants, alleges a conspiracy to protect Combs. Pelletier denies the allegations. | Published March 11 | Read More
Woman flees ‘violent pimp’ and gets in Uber, leading to gun battle in Seattle, feds say
In Seattle, Winston Cornell Burt, known as “Dice Capone,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of sex trafficking women, prosecutors say. Burt chased a woman who escaped his control by jumping out of a window, leading to a gun battle with an Uber driver who helped her, according to court documents. Burt’s operation involved violence and coercion across several states, prosecutors say. | Published March 11 | Read More
Company refused to hire women as AL security officers, feds say. ‘Post is MALE ONLY!’
An Alabama security company settled a lawsuit for $1.6 million after being accused of refusing to hire women for security officer positions, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC says Security Engineers Inc. discriminated against female applicants, including a qualified Marine Corps veteran. The settlement includes measures to prevent future discrimination, the EEOC says. | Published March 12 | Read More
Trump supporter accused of plotting to assassinate Trump at CA rally. He sues sheriff
Vem Miller, a President Donald Trump supporter, is suing Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for defamation after being accused of plotting to assassinate Trump. Miller was detained near a rally with firearms and he says his rights were violated and the accusations were false, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages. | Published March 13 | Read More
McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.