Sexual

Man Acquitted of Sexual Assault Charges in Fairbanks Trial: DNA Evidence Insufficient, Jury Finds

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FAIRBANKS, ALASKA – A man has been acquitted of sexual assault charges by a jury in Fairbanks following a five-day trial. Jess Lee Anonich Eakin, 38, had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a cabin in North Pole in October 2020. Eakin’s defense attorney argued that the DNA evidence presented was insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury found Eakin not guilty of felony first-degree sexual assault, felony first-degree attempted sexual assault, and two counts of felony second-degree sexual assault. However, he was convicted of several misdemeanor charges, including fourth-degree … Read more

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Landmark Law Allowing Public Release of Secret Grand Jury Testimony in Cases Involving Epstein and Other Alleged Sexual Crimes Against Minors

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Palm Beach, Florida – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law allowing secret grand jury testimony in cases involving sexual crimes against minors to be made public, including evidence related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. The law, which will take effect on July 1, only applies to cases where the suspect is deceased. Two of Epstein’s accusers will join the governor for the signing ceremony in Palm Beach. Epstein, who died in 2019, was accused of sexually exploiting underage girls. The signing of this law comes as a group of Epstein’s accusers … Read more

Huntington Park Councilwoman and Assembly District Candidate Accused of Negligence and Cover-Up in Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault and Battery

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Huntington Park, California – A lawsuit filed at the Norwalk Courthouse has accused Huntington Park Councilwoman Graciela Ortiz and 57th Assembly District candidate Efren Martinez of negligence, failure to supervise, and attempting to cover up the actions of their campaign employee Billy Valdivia during their campaigns in 2020-2021. The lawsuit alleges sexual assault and battery, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and conspiracy. The plaintiff, referred to as “B.A.,” is represented by attorney Thomas Scully. The lawsuit claims that the alleged crimes took place in a commercial space that was used as a political campaign … Read more

Georgia Judge Refuses to Dismiss Dwight Howard Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Orders Sealing of Explicit Text Messages

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Atlanta, Georgia – A judge in Gwinnett County has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit accusing Dwight Howard, a former NBA player, of sexual assault and battery. The motion was filed by Howard’s lawyers, but Chief Judge Carla E. Brown ruled against it. Additionally, Judge Brown sealed an exhibit that Howard’s lawyers claimed contained explicit text messages. In the lawsuit, filed in July 2023 by Stephen Harper, it is alleged that Howard sexually assaulted Harper at his residence in Georgia on July 19, 2021. Harper also accused Howard of intentionally inflicting emotional distress and … Read more