Cop accused of beating Homeland Security agent at CA Costco & 5 more legal cases

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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.

Inmate scams business out of $1.2 million while in a Florida prison, feds say

In Florida, Jared Borgesto Murray was sentenced to nearly five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, federal prosecutors say. Murray orchestrated a scheme from prison using contraband phones to impersonate customers and purchase products on credit, then sold the items online at lower prices/, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. The scam led to a loss of over $1.2 million for a national business, prosecutors say. | Published July 7 | Read More

Cop beats Homeland Security agent in ‘parking lot rage’ at CA Costco, lawyer says

In California, a Homeland Security agent, Chu Ding, is suing a San Diego police officer, Jonathan Ferraro, who he accuses of assaulting him in a Costco parking lot. A federal lawsuit says Ferraro blocked Ding’s car, leading to a confrontation when Ferraro used racial slurs and physically attacked Ding, resulting in serious injuries. Ding’s lawsuit includes claims of excessive force and wrongful detention, and he seeks damages and a jury trial. | Published July 8 | Read More

She spent years imprisoned in ‘dungeon.’ Adoptive parents owe $30M, NH judge says

In New Hampshire, Olivia Griffin, formerly Olivia Atkocaitis, was awarded over $29.5 million in damages after a judge ruled in her favor against her adoptive parents, Thomas and Denise Atkocaitis. Griffin testified to enduring years of abuse, including being confined in a basement “dungeon” and subjected to physical and emotional mistreatment. The court’s decision came after Griffin filed a lawsuit that detailed the severe neglect and abuse she faced from a young age until her escape. | Published July 9 | Read More

It was ‘incredibly easy’ for customs officer to fly cocaine ‘bricks’ to GA, feds say

Ivan Van Beverhoudt, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison over smuggling cocaine into the U.S., federal prosecutors say. Van Beverhoudt used his official position to bypass airport security and transport drugs from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Atlanta, according to court documents. He was found guilty of multiple drug-related charges, prosecutors say. | Published July 10 | Read More

Cop faking disability for $600K visited Disneyland, ran races, CA lawsuit says

In California, former police officer Nicole Brown is accused of fraudulently collecting over $600,000 in disability benefits while engaging in activities such as visiting Disneyland and running races, according to a lawsuit. The city of Westminster is suing Brown and her stepfather, Peter Gregory Schuman, over orchestrating the scheme, officials say. Brown denies the allegations, and her attorney asserts her innocence, while the city seeks restitution and damages. | Published July 11 | Read More

Cop posing as ATF agent extorts weed and money from California drivers, feds say

In California, former police officer Joseph Huffaker was found guilty of extorting marijuana and money from drivers while impersonating a federal agent, federal prosecutors say. Huffaker, along with fellow officer Brendan Jacy Tatum, targeted drivers with large amounts of marijuana, pretending to be ATF agents to intimidate them, according to federal court filings. The FBI began investigating after a report of a highway shakedown, leading to Huffaker’s conviction on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit extortion and impersonating a federal officer, prosecutors say. | Published July 14 | Read More

McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.