Sheriff

Fond du Lac Sheriff Raises Alarm on New Jury Duty Scam Targeting Locals

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Fond du Lac, WI — Law enforcement in Fond du Lac County is alerting residents to be vigilant of a new, sophisticated scam targeting individuals with threats of jail time for supposedly skipping jury duty. According to Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt, the con artists impersonate court officials and exploit the fear of legal consequences to extort money from unsuspecting victims. These scammers, employing a mix of accurate judicial terminology and aggressive tactics, contact citizens, claiming they have missed a jury duty appointment and must pay a fine to avoid arrest. The alarmed residents are instructed to … Read more

Family Sues Hamilton County and Sheriff Over Man’s Death After Neglect in Custody

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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The family of Deward Burton Johnson, who died in custody at Hamilton County Jail last year, has filed a lawsuit against the county and Sheriff Austin Garrett, alleging negligence and violations of civil rights. Johnson, 52, was detained on March 14 after being accused of shoplifting basketball trading cards valued at under $50 from a local Walmart. According to the legal complaint, Johnson underwent a routine blood test upon his booking into the jail, which revealed the presence of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and fentanyl in his system. Despite these findings, the lawsuit contends … Read more

Williamsburg County Sheriff and Former Supervisor Charged in Corruption Scandal Involving Misuse of COVID Relief Funds

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Columbia, S.C. — Authorities in South Carolina have brought corruption charges against two former Williamsburg County officials, as disclosed in a recent announcement from the State Attorney General’s Office. Sheriff Stephen Renard Gardner, 50, and former county supervisor Tiffany Cooks, 51, face multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Gardner, who took office in 2017 after previously serving as the department’s chief deputy, has been indicted for a series of alleged offenses. These charges range from criminal conspiracy, potentially carrying a prison term of up to five years, to money laundering involving sums between … Read more

Sheriff Appeals for Significant Cut in $15 Million Legal Settlement, Requests Directed Verdict

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Gainesville, FL — In a bold legal move, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is making a push for a significant reduction in a $15 million jury award given to a plaintiff in a case involving one of its deputies. The office is also seeking a directed verdict, which could potentially overturn the previous jury decision if granted by the court. The case in question revolves around former deputy Zachery McVicker, who was found to have used excessive force in a 2018 incident. The lawsuit ended in a substantial $15 million settlement awarded to the victim, … Read more