Woman plans to kill Trump Cabinet members, ex-cop charged: 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 steals ownership of 78-year-old’s yacht, leaves him homeless in California, feds say
In California, John Tamahere McCabe is accused of defrauding a 78-year-old man out of his yacht and condo, leaving him homeless. McCabe, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, used fake documents to take ownership of the yacht and convinced the man to transfer his condo into an LLC McCabe controlled, federal prosecutors say. McCabe now faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing set for Oct. 16. | Published May 5 | Read More
Ex-cop forces teen girls into sex acts, recruits them from Florida, NC, feds say
A former Washington, D.C., police officer, Linwood Barnhill, is accused of sex trafficking minors, including forcing a 15-year-old girl into sex acts at a Maryland nightclub, according to federal court documents. Barnhill, who is a registered sex offender, is facing multiple charges, including sex trafficking of children, prosecutors say. The FBI continues to investigate the case. | Published May 7 | Read More
New WA law requires priests to report child abuse. DOJ calls it ‘anti-Catholic’
In Washington, a new law requires priests and other religious leaders to report potential child abuse, sparking a federal civil rights probe by the Department of Justice, which calls the law “anti-Catholic.” The law, signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, mandates clergy to report abuse without exceptions for confessions. The law is set to take effect on July 27. | Published May 6 | Read More
Officers ignored dying man at VA prison, feds say. Has family gotten justice?
In Virginia, a former prison lieutenant was sentenced in the death of Wade Walters, who died after prison staff are accused of ignoring his medical needs, federal prosecutors say. Walters, who showed severe symptoms, was left unattended for over 24 hours, leading to his death, according to prosecutors. The lieutenant, Shronda Covington, was sentenced to one year in prison, while the family continues to seek justice. | Published May 8 | Read More
Woman inspired by Luigi Mangione planned to kill Trump Cabinet members, feds say
In Washington, D.C., Ryan Michael English, also known as ”Riley Jane English,” is accused of planning to assassinate Trump Cabinet members, inspired by Luigi Mangione, according to federal prosecutors. English, who turned herself in to U.S. Capitol Police, was found with weapons and incendiary devices, prosecutors say. She faces charges including an attempt to assassinate a Cabinet member nominee. | Published May 9 | Read More
Doctor’s illegal butt enhancements in FL left patients feeling burning, feds say
In Florida, Dr. Nhan Pham is accused of performing illegal butt enhancements using non-medical-grade silicone, causing severe reactions in patients. Pham, who pleaded guilty to a federal charge, faces up to three years in prison, federal prosecutors say. The Food and Drug Administration warns against such procedures, highlighting the risks of unregulated silicone injections. | Published May 9 | Read More
McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.
.jpg)