Shelter worker sexually abusing girl was rehired, lawsuit says, & 5 more 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.
Teacher preyed on 20 girls, ‘fantasized’ about sex acts with MA student, feds say
In Boston, federal prosecutors say John Magee Gavin, a former teacher, engaged in sexual conversations with underage girls over Discord. He contacted at least 20 minors from various states and had child sexual abuse material on his phone, according to prosecutors. Gavin faces charges including coercion and enticement of a minor and has pleaded not guilty, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. | Published July 21 | Read More
ICE ‘abducted’ 22-year-old student seeking medical help in Virginia, group says
Cristian Romo-Bermejo, a student in Virginia, was taken into ICE custody after seeking medical help during a mental health crisis, according to an immigrant advocacy group, CASA. The organization says Romo-Bermejo, who has lived in the U.S. for 20 years after being brought from Mexico as a toddler, was arrested and is now facing the risk of deportation. His wife and supporters are advocating for his release. | Published July 22 | Read More
Dad restrained by cops died after saying he couldn’t breathe in AL, lawyers say
In Irondale, Alabama, Phillip Reeder died after being restrained by police during a mental health crisis, according to his family’s lawyers. The attorneys say an officer kept a knee on Reeder’s neck despite his pleas that he couldn’t breathe. Reeder’s death has been ruled a homicide by the coroner, according to the attorneys. | Published July 22 | Read More
‘You’re dead.’ Man faces prison over threats to Palestinian group in DC, feds say
Kevin Brent Buchanan from Utah pleaded guilty to making threats against a Palestinian rights organization in Washington, D.C., federal prosecutors say. Buchanan left violent voicemails threatening the group’s staff and now faces up to five years in prison, according to prosecutors. He admitted to targeting the group because of their advocacy for Palestinians, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. | Published July 23 | Read More
Shelter worker sexually abusing 13-year-old was fired, re-hired, GA lawsuit says
In Georgia, a lawsuit says a youth shelter employee, Caleb Xavier Randolph, sexually abused a 13-year-old girl, with the shelter’s leadership allegedly covering up the abuse. The lawsuit says Randolph was fired, then rehired and continued the abuse. The girl’s mother is suing multiple parties, including the shelter and local officials, under Georgia’s RICO Act, according to the lawsuit. | Published July 24 | Read More
Mormon missionary sexually abused 14 boys overseas, feds say. Arrest made in PA
William James Purdy, a former Mormon missionary from West Valley, Utah, is accused of sexually abusing 14 boys in Tonga. Federal prosecutors say Purdy fled Tonga as a fugitive in March 2023 and was later arrested in Pittsburgh, where he was attending law school. He faces charges of sexual exploitation of children and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual contact, according to the Justice Department. | Published July 25 | Read More
McClatchy News continues to follow lawsuits and legal cases from around the country. Check back for more legal stories.
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