Leavenworth

Leavenworth County Judge Upholds Restraining Order Against CoreCivic, Halting Inmate Housing Plans

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Leavenworth, Kansas — A judge in Leavenworth County has upheld a temporary restraining order that prohibits CoreCivic from housing inmates at its facility. This decision comes as local officials continue to express safety concerns and push for accountability regarding the private correctional company. The restraining order stems from ongoing investigations into the facility’s operations, raising alarms about conditions within the prison and the treatment of inmates. CoreCivic, which operates numerous correctional institutions nationwide, has been under scrutiny for its practices and management. The court’s ruling will remain in effect while further evaluations are conducted. Local … Read more

Judge Rules Against CoreCivic’s Immigrant Detention Plans in Leavenworth: City Triumphs in Land Use Dispute

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LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — A judge ruled Wednesday that CoreCivic, a major U.S. private prison operator, cannot house immigrants facing deportation in a closed detention center near Kansas City without an official permit from the city. The decision, made by Leavenworth County Judge John Bryant, follows a packed hearing that supported the city’s request for a temporary restraining order against the prison company. CoreCivic previously argued that delaying the opening of the 1,033-bed facility would result in $4.2 million lost in monthly revenue. Local officials expressed concern about the imminent arrival of detainees as part of … Read more

From Legal Advocate to Incarceration: Ex-San Antonio Attorney Chris Pettit Begins New Chapter in Leavenworth

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LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — Former San Antonio attorney Chris Pettit is currently serving time at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, following his conviction on multiple charges, including fraud. Pettit, once a prominent lawyer in the San Antonio area, faced legal scrutiny after allegations surfaced regarding his involvement in numerous deceptive practices. The investigation, which lasted several months, revealed a scheme that deceived clients and misappropriated funds. In September, a federal jury convicted Pettit on several counts related to his fraudulent activities. He was found guilty of wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud, which … Read more

Juror Shares Insights from One of Leavenworth County’s Most Extended Criminal Trials

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Leavenworth, Kansas – Serving on a jury is an integral civic duty that brings its own set of challenges and intricacies. For Mark Rountree, a juror on one of Leavenworth County’s longest criminal trials, the experience was not only a time commitment but also a deep dive into the judicial process and its effects on individuals involved. The trial, which stretched over several weeks, brought to light the high stakes and emotional toll experienced by jurors, defendants, and the legal system itself. The experience of sitting through extensive legal proceedings is a unique one, marked … Read more