All articles tagged with #charges dropped
The Justice Department plans to drop charges against Matthew Goettsche, the founder of the BitClub Network crypto-mining Ponzi that defrauded investors of about $722 million, with the dismissal to be with prejudice as prosecutors continue efforts to recover victimsâ losses in a seven-year case that already saw multiple plea deals and political crosscurrents.
A California radiologist, Dharmesh Patel, had all chargesâinitially including attempted murderâdismissed after completing a two-year mental-health diversion program with treatment from a Stanford psychiatrist and a family therapist. The 2023 incident, in which he drove a Tesla off a 250-foot cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway, injured his wife and two children but left them alive, led to regulatory scrutiny (including a Medical Board license suspension). The judgeâs dismissal followed Californiaâs 2023 mental-health diversion framework, with prosecutors signaling they will seek changes to curb eligibility for such cases in the future.
Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper's girlfriend had criminal mischief charges dropped after prosecutors decided not to pursue them, with her attorney calling the decision vindicating and the outcome unexpected; Cooper's attorney criticized the decision as biased and racially charged, while noting Cooper still faces multiple charges from the June 4 incident (second- and third-degree assault, criminal mischief, violating a protective order, harassment) and was excused from minicamp, with the NFL potentially placing him on paid leave at the start of training camp.
Hungarian prosecutors dropped charges against Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony over organizing last yearâs Pride march after the European Court of Justice ruled Hungaryâs anti-LGBTQ laws violate EU rules; the march reportedly drew a record crowd of about 200,000, and Karacsony said freedom and love cannot be banned.
Federal prosecutors admitted misconduct in the grand jury proceedings in the Operation Midway Blitz case against Broadview protesters, prompting U.S. District Judge April Perry to drop all charges against four defendants and pause the trial, with sanctions for misconduct to be considered later; two other defendants had charges dropped earlier in March as the case shifted from felony conspiracy to misdemeanor.
Federal prosecutors dropped all charges against four Broadview protesters after a judge found misconduct during the grand jury proceedings in the Operation Midway Blitz case, including alleged vouching by an attorney. The charges had stemmed from a September protest near the Broadview ICE facility, and the four defendantsâKat Abughazaleh, Michael Rabbitt, Andre Martin, and Brian Strawâhad faced misdemeanor counts after the earlier felony conspiracy charge was dropped; two others (Cat Sharp and Jocelyn Walsh) had charges dropped in March. The trial was paused to address the misconduct, and while prosecutors said the errors were not intentional, defense attorneys called the behavior gross misconduct.
U.S. prosecutors asked a Brooklyn judge to dismiss criminal fraud and conspiracy charges against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani in connection with a solar-power deal, citing prosecutorial discretion; the judge must approve, and Adani has never been arrested or faced trial. The move follows a related SEC settlement and years of scrutiny over Adaniâs ties to the Modi government and past allegations of misconduct in the energy sector.
Free-agent cornerback L'Jarius Sneed had all criminal charges dropped in Texas after an aggravated assault case tied to a 2024 incident and a later indictment for failing to report a felony; with the charges dismissed, a related civil lawsuit remains, and Sneed had been released by the Titans following injury-plagued seasons.
Federal prosecutors dropped charges against Heather Lewis after evidence showed she did not attend the Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, in a case tied to a broader crackdown on opposition to immigration enforcement; the charges were dismissed with prejudice, highlighting the risks of mistaken identity in high-profile prosecutions.
Five Georgia teens tied to a senior prank that killed their math teacher had charges dismissed by the Hall County District Attorney after the family requested they not be prosecuted; the driver faced homicide and trespassing charges while four others faced misdemeanors, but prosecutors dropped them following the family's statement of forgiveness. The teacher, Jason Hughes, emerged from his home to surprise the prank and was killed after slipping on wet ground and being run over as students fled.
Five 18-year-old students in Georgia had all charges dropped after a prom-season prank outside a Gainesville home ended with their math teacher, Jason Hughes, being struck by a pickup as he left; one student faced first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving while others faced misdemeanor trespassing and littering. Hughesâs widow pleaded for prosecutors to end the case, saying there was no confrontation, and the family spoke of forgiveness; Hughes taught math and coached at North Hall High School and left behind his wife and two young sons.
Five 18-year-old students from North Hall High School in Gainesville, GA, were involved in a prank that ended with teacher Jason Hughes dead after a car struck him; the driver faces homicide by vehicle in the first degree and reckless driving, while the others are charged with trespassing and littering; Hughesâs wife has asked that all charges be dropped, and school and sheriff officials say grief support is in place for students and staff.
The family of North Hall High math teacher Jason Hughes, who died after a student prank in Gainesville, Georgia, says they support dropping charges against the five teens involved; one teen faces first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges, while all five are charged with trespassing and littering. The community mourns Hughes and his wife, who is also a teacher, and the family asks for grace and mercy for the students and their families to prevent further tragedy.
U.S. prosecutors moved to drop criminal charges against Venezuelan men Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in a Minneapolis ICE shooting case after newly discovered video evidence contradicted the government's initial account and ICE admitted officers made false statements; the dismissal with prejudice underscores credibility concerns about official narratives in federal immigration enforcement cases.
Centre County prosecutors dropped the felony aggravated assault charge against Penn State hockey star Gavin McKenna after reviewing video evidence and noting injuries were less severe than initially reported; he remains charged with a misdemeanor simple assault and related offenses, with a preliminary hearing set for Feb. 11 and significantly reduced potential penalties.