An Arkansas man awaiting trial for murder has won the Republican nomination in a sheriff’s race in central Arkansas. According to unofficial results posted by the Arkansas secretary of state, Aaron Spencer defeated Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley in Tuesday's primary. Spencer now advances to face Democrat Brian Mitchell Sr. in November’s general election. Spencer would not be able to serve if he is convicted of killing 67-year-old Michael Fosler. Fosler was out on bond after being charged with numerous sexual offenses against Spencer’s then-13-year-old daughter. Spencer’s attorneys do not deny that he shot and killed Fosler but maintain he acted within the law to protect his child from a predator.
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The billionaire behind the retail empire that once blanketed shopping malls with names such as Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch has told members of Congress he was “duped by a world-class con man,” his close financial adviser Jeffrey Epstein. Les Wexner also denied knowing about the convicted sex offender’s crimes or participating in Epstein’s abuse of girls and young women. The House Oversight Committee said Wexner “answered every question asked of him” during a six-hour interview. He was subpoenaed after the latest release of Justice Department documents involving Epstein. Wexner told lawmakers he had “nothing to hide.”
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For years, social media companies have disputed allegations that they harm children’s mental health through the way they design their platforms, deliberately addicting kids and failing to protect them sexual predators and dangerous content. Now, these tech giants are getting a chance to make their case in courtrooms around the country, including before a jury for the first time. Some of the biggest players from Meta to TikTok are facing federal and state trials that seek to hold them responsible for harming children’s mental health
Meta is on trial in New Mexico to answer allegations that its social media platforms enable predators to target children for sexual exploitation. The case is one of a series of lawsuits nationwide accusing social media companies of not doing enough to protect children online. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Meta in 2023 alleging its platforms enable predators to target children for sexual exploitation. Meta denies the allegation and accuses prosecutors of taking a “sensationalist” approach. The trial is expected to highlight explicit online content and its effects on young people.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has had the final two of nearly 30 civil lawsuits against him dismissed. Court records show these lawsuits involved accusations of sexual misconduct from 27 women, mostly during massage appointments. The dismissals come just before the lawsuits were set to go to trial. Watson, who played for the Houston Texans at the time of the accusations, has denied any wrongdoing. Two Texas grand juries declined to indict him. Most lawsuits were settled in 2022. Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Hope Lockman, 33, of Brownstown, is charged with sexual misconduct with a minor.
Hannah Ross is urging Kentucky lawmakers to criminalize grooming and strengthen protections for minors after surviving decades-long abuse by a trusted adult.
The lawsuit comes just days after Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel was placed on administrative leave by Mayor Craig Greenberg for how she "handled a workplace sexual harassment" allegation by a different officer.
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In October 2019, Pablo Cano confessed to having non-consensual sex with five women who had claimed they were raped by the officer.
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Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorneys will be allowed to access sealed court records in an effort to investigate how the former officer got his guilty plea overturned and erased.