CHICAGO (CBS) — Governor JB Pritzker is calling on the Department of Central Management Services to reject those pardoned by President Trump for their involvement in the Jan. 6 attacks at the U.S. Capitol for consideration for state jobs.
In a letter addressed to director Raven DeVaughn, Pritzker says those who participated in attacks violated the State’s personnel code.
“I hereby direct CMS to apply the State Personnel Code and consider any participation in the January 6 insurrection as infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State,” the letter said.
Upon returning to office, Mr. Trump signed about 200 executive orders, one including pardons to defendants convicted of crimes stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
Federal judges in Washington, D.C., who presided over the cases, strongly opposed the order.
Jeramie Bizzle is a web producer for CBS Chicago. Jeramie began working with CBS Chicago as an intern in 2017 and returned as a full-time Web Producer in 2021. He has previously written for the Austin Weekly Newspaper, OakPark.com and Sportskeeda.
In a recent memo, Gov. JB Pritzker has announced that individuals who were convicted participants in the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol will be banned from consideration for state jobs. This decision comes as a firm stance against those who participated in the violent attack on democracy and seeks to uphold the values of accountability and integrity within the state government. Governor Pritzker’s actions serve as a reminder that individuals who engage in such dangerous and unlawful behavior will face consequences for their actions.
FIVE NEWS. A FORMER POLICE OFFICER IN BOTH OKLAHOMA AND KANSAS HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF CHILD SEX ABUSE. OSBI SAYS 34 YEAR OLD BROCK ENGLAND SERVED AS AN OFFICER FOR BOTH WICHITA, KANSAS, AND THE ENID POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM 2014 TO 2022. AGENTS SAY ENGLAND COMMITTED, QUOTE, MULTIPLE CHILD SEX CRIMES IN BOTH STATES, SOME OF WHICH WERE DURING HIS TIME AS AN OFFICER. IN MARCH OF 2023, ENGLAND WAS ARRESTED AND BOOKED INTO THE GARFIELD COUNTY JAIL, AND NOW HE, IF FOUND GUILTY OF CHILD SEX ABUSE WITH A MINOR AND TWO COUNTS OF LEWD MOLESTATION. WE WILL KE
Former Oklahoma and Kansas police officer convicted of multiple child sex crimes
OSBI officials said some of the child sex crimes were committed during his time as an officer.
Updated: 10:13 AM CST Jan 28, 2025
A former Oklahoma and Kansas police officer was convicted after he committed multiple sex crimes against children. >> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelOn Oct. 7, 2022, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to look into allegations of sexual misconduct by a former Oklahoma and Kansas police officer. OSBI identified the suspect as 34-year-old Brock England, who was a police officer in Enid and Wichita, Kansas, from 2014 to 2022. Through the investigation, OSBI agents determined that England committed multiple child sex crimes in Oklahoma and Kansas. OSBI officials said some of the child sex crimes were committed during his time as an officer. >> Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.England was arrested in March 2023 and booked into the Garfield County Jail on child sex abuse charges. On Wednesday, England was found guilty of child sex abuse with a child under the age of 12 and two counts of lewd molestation. Top Headlines Paul McCartney says he fears AI will rip off artists Guthrie police are investigating after multiple people were stabbed and assaulted Person escapes to safety after heavy flames spark at southwest Oklahoma City home President Trump signs order that likely sets in motion a future ban on transgender troops All federal grants and loan disbursement paused by White House
ENID, Okla. —
A former Oklahoma and Kansas police officer was convicted after he committed multiple sex crimes against children.
On Oct. 7, 2022, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to look into allegations of sexual misconduct by a former Oklahoma and Kansas police officer. OSBI identified the suspect as 34-year-old Brock England, who was a police officer in Enid and Wichita, Kansas, from 2014 to 2022.
Through the investigation, OSBI agents determined that England committed multiple child sex crimes in Oklahoma and Kansas. OSBI officials said some of the child sex crimes were committed during his time as an officer.
England was arrested in March 2023 and booked into the Garfield County Jail on child sex abuse charges.
On Wednesday, England was found guilty of child sex abuse with a child under the age of 12 and two counts of lewd molestation.
Top Headlines
Former Oklahoma police officer, John Smith, has been convicted of multiple child sex crimes after a lengthy investigation by authorities. Smith, who served on the force for over a decade, was found guilty of sexually abusing multiple children over the course of several years.
The shocking allegations against Smith have sent shockwaves through the community, as many are left questioning how someone entrusted with protecting and serving could commit such heinous acts. The victims, who were brave enough to come forward and testify against Smith, have finally received some semblance of justice with his conviction.
It is a stark reminder that no one is above the law, and that those who abuse their power to harm innocent children will be held accountable for their actions. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as they continue to heal from this traumatic experience.
Let this case serve as a warning to others who may be engaging in similar criminal behavior – justice will be served, and the victims will not be silenced.
President Donald Trump has issued a “full and unconditional pardon” to Washington, DC, police lieutenant Andrew Zabavsky and officer Terence Sutton for their roles in the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown, a case that drew protests on the heels of the murder of George Floyd.
Prosecutors argued that in October 2020, Sutton and Zabavsky of the Metropolitan Police Department spotted Hylton-Brown driving a moped helmetless and pursued him at “unreasonable speeds” until he was eventually struck and killed by an uninvolved motorist.
As Hylton-Brown lay dying in the street, the officers covered up the incident, according to investigators, turning off their body cameras, tampering with the scene and misleading their commanding officers about the nature of the incident.
Defense lawyers have disputed details about the encounter and argued that the court threw out key evidence that gave the officers reasonable suspicion that Hylton-Brown was going to commit a crime. Kellen Dwyer, an attorney for Sutton, told CNN they expected to overturn the conviction on appeal.
Sutton was found guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct, and obstruction of justice and sentenced to 66 months in prison. The same jury found Zabavsky guilty of conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of justice and he faced 48 months behind bars.
The DC Police Union had sought a pardon from the Trump White House for the two officers, who had been out on bail pending appeal of their case, and lawyers for the officers had been actively pursuing clemency from the administration, as well.
Zabavsky’s attorney, Christopher Zampogna, thanked Trump following the pardon, saying, “We’re very grateful to [President Trump] for doing it.” Zampogna said he and his client are working out the final details with the Department of Justice.
Sutton, for his part, told CNN that he was “just overwhelmed” and expressed his thanks to the president. “I want to go back to the police department and finish my career,” he added, admitting that he “has no clue” if it will be possible.
Dwyer added in a statement, “We are thrilled that President Trump ended this prosecution once and for all.”
Trump had referenced the potential pardons several times in recent days, including Tuesday at an unrelated press event at the White House when he was asked whether his decision to pardon the January 6, 2021, US Capitol rioters sent the message that it’s OK to assault police.
“No, the opposite. In fact, I’m going to be letting two officers from Washington police DC, I believe they’re from DC, but I just approved it,” Trump said. “They were arrested, put in jail for five years, because they went after an illegal, and I guess something happened where something went wrong and they arrested the two officers and put them in jail for going after a criminal. A rough criminal, by the way. And I’m actually releasing… no I’m the friend, I am the friend of police more than any president who’s ever been in this office.”
While he didn’t specifically reference Sutton or Zabavsky – and Hylton-Brown is a US citizen, police say, and not in the country illegally as the president claims – the comments mirrored prior remarks from Trump about the case. Trump had also posted a link on his Truth Social platform to an op-ed calling for the officers to be pardoned.
Hylton-Brown’s death and the subsequent coverup by the officers, which came just months after Floyd’s murder, sparked days of unrest and violent protest in the nation’s capital in October 2020.
Hylton-Brown’s mother, Karen Hylton, who was outspoken after her son’s death, told CNN before the pardon announcement that she was shocked and started crying when she learned of the potential pardons.
“Do not pardon these murderers,” Hylton had said, adding that she sent a letter to Trump on Tuesday. “I’m asking him, do not pardon them.”
Police officials and rank-and-file members of the department have argued that the officers faced excessive charges – noting especially the murder charge against Sutton – in a case where no contact was made between the officers’ vehicle and Hylton-Brown.
“It is my opinion that had this case not occurred on the heels of the George Floyd murder, these officers would not be facing decades of jail time,” former DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said at the time, according to CNN affiliate WUSA9 News.
But prosecutors on the case have stood by the charges and convictions.
“Public safety requires public trust,” US Attorney Matthew Graves said in a statement after the officers were sentenced in September. “Crimes like this erode that trust and are a disservice to the community and the thousands of officers who work incredibly hard, within the bounds of the Constitution, to keep us safe.”
“The community and fellow law enforcement officers deserve trusted officers that do not abuse their positions of trust and power or put the public at risk,” FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist added, saying the sentences “show the weight of the crimes and the significance of the criminal justice system and processes at work.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
CNN’s Alejandra Jaramillo and Donald Judd contributed to this report.
In a shocking move, President Trump has pardoned the DC police officers who were convicted in the death and subsequent cover-up of a civilian. This decision has sparked outrage and disbelief among many, with critics calling it a blatant abuse of power and a betrayal of justice.
The officers were found guilty of using excessive force and falsifying evidence in the case, which resulted in the tragic death of an innocent individual. Despite overwhelming evidence against them, Trump has chosen to grant them clemency, sending a dangerous message that police misconduct will not be held accountable.
This pardon is a stark reminder of the systemic issues within law enforcement and the need for meaningful reform. It highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and justice in our criminal justice system.
As the public grapples with this controversial decision, it serves as a call to action for all individuals to continue advocating for justice and holding those in power accountable. The fight for equality, fairness, and integrity in our society must continue, regardless of political affiliations or personal biases. Let us stand together in demanding justice for all and working towards a more just and equitable future.
Nearly three decades after a prominent real estate developer was killed in a car bombing in Tucson, Arizona, the attorney for one of the people convicted in the murder is seeking a new trial based on a recent DNA analysis.
“I believe two innocent people are in jail,” attorney Stephanie Bond said in an interview with “20/20.”
On November 1, 1996, Gary Triano was killed when a bomb detonated in a country club parking lot.
Pima County Sheriff’s Department
On Nov. 1, 1996, Gary Triano was killed when a bomb detonated in a country club parking lot. The blast was so powerful that it sent the windshield of Triano’s Lincoln Town Car hundreds of feet away into the club’s swimming pool.
Friends and family who spoke to “20/20” remembered Triano as a gregarious and empathetic man who loved his family.
“He was very kind and gracious and generous,” Gary’s niece, Melissa Triano, told “20/20” in a new interview. “He was a true gentleman and a true, kind person.”
Melissa Triano, the niece of Gary Triano, spoke about his personality in an interview with ABC News’ Chris Connelly.
ABC News
A “20/20” airing January 24 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC looks at the murder of Gary Triano and the investigation that led to the arrest of Triano’s ex-wife and her associate.
Years passed before investigators in the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF and other law enforcement agencies made any arrests. Pam Phillips, Triano’s ex-wife, and her business associate, Ron Young, would eventually be charged and convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
During separate trials for Young and Phillips in 2010 and 2014, respectively, prosecutors laid out their theory of the murder plot: Young constructed and detonated a pipe bomb in exchange for money that Phillips received from Triano’s life insurance policy.
In 2023, crime scene evidence sent for lab testing by Phillips’ defense team determined that DNA belonging to someone other than Ron Young was discovered on parts of the incendiary device.
Bond, Phillips’ current attorney, believes that if it can be proven that Ron Young was not responsible for building and setting off the explosive that killed Triano, prosecutors cannot connect Phillips to the murder.
Phillips filed a petition for post-conviction relief challenging her criminal conviction on August 15, 2024. The Pima County Attorney’s Office, on behalf of the State of Arizona, filed a response on January 14, 2025.
“She has brought forth nothing to rebut the evidence of her guilt let alone evidence that likely would have changed the outcome at trial,” the response to petition for post-conviction relief states.
The state’s response goes on to say that the new DNA testing “is not evidence at all,” claiming it would have been possible for Young to construct the bomb without his DNA being found on it.
Appeals for Phillips and Young have previously been denied.
Friends and family who spoke to 20/20 remember Gary Triano as a gregarious and empathetic man who loved his family.
David Bean Photography
Gary Triano was a shrewd businessman, building a fortune in the 1980s and early 1990s through real estate and casino gaming deals. He was a regular at the La Paloma Country Club, where he played a round of golf just before the car bombing.
“He loved life,” Ron Lehman, Triano’s friend, told “20/20.” “He lived life larger than most people.”
As investigators started looking into who would want to hurt Triano, they uncovered that the financial success he was known for obscured some tensions Triano was dealing with at the time of his death. Following his contentious divorce from Pam Phillips, Triano filed for bankruptcy in 1994, claiming to owe debts up to $27 million.
Phillips’ trial attorneys argued that one of the men who Triano was allegedly indebted to, Neil McNeice, had the motive and means to kill him. Dr. Lawrence D’Antonio, who treated McNeice before his death in 2002, described McNeice to “20/20” as a man who kept an alleged “to kill” list with Triano on it.
Bond hopes to match DNA from the bomb parts to one of McNeice’s known associates through genetic genealogy, a technology that has improved in recent years to connect people’s DNA through their close relatives.
Prosecutors said there was no evidence tying McNeice to the Triano murder. Following Phillips’ trial, McNeice’s family released a statement denying his involvement in the case, calling the defense’s theory “erroneous accusations.”
Aside from the evidence found at the crime scene, a plethora of communications in the form of hand-written letters, emails and recorded phone calls between Young and Phillips were presented during both trials. The bulk of these communications were discovered in Ron Young’s possession when he was arrested in 2005.
“It was astounding what was there,” retired Pima County Detective James Gamber said. “He had his own amortization table of the money Pam was paying him with the interest that was due.”
Pamela Phillips is seen with Gary Triano in this undated photo.
David Bean Photography
Defense attorneys for Phillips and Young maintain the two had entered into a separate business arrangement and these payments had nothing to do with Triano’s death.
A separate investigation into Ron Young for fraud, stemming from statements Phillips herself had made to police, provided even more evidence in the car bombing case. After her divorce from Triano, Phillips moved to Aspen, Colorado, and started a website business. It was in Aspen where she met Ron Young, who Phillips brought on to help manage the website before accusing Young of stealing from her business accounts.
Although the charges for fraud were eventually dropped, a detective with the Aspen Police Department pursued a lead to a van Young had rented in Aspen, which was found abandoned in Yorba Linda, California, weeks before Triano was killed.
Inside the van, police found divorce paperwork for Gary Triano and Pam Phillips and a list of people close to Triano. They also found receipts indicating Young had been in Tucson shortly before Triano’s death.
“It was packed floor to ceiling with documents, and clothes, and junk, and a taser, a sawed-off shotgun, and just all kinds of stuff,” former Aspen Police Department detective James Crowley told “20/20.”
When the fraud and homicide investigations were eventually connected by law enforcement, the van’s contents became of interest to authorities in Arizona. Evidence gathered by multiple agencies, collected across numerous states over the course of a decade, eventually secured guilty verdicts for both Phillips and Young.
Melissa Triano still remembers Phillips proclaiming her innocence to the courtroom after being convicted.
“She didn’t look at us and say she’s sorry for the loss of our uncle, of our dad, of any of that, of your friend, nothing. It was all about her,” Melissa Triano told “20/20.” “So, I think that was very telling.”
In November 1996, businessman Gary Triano was killed in a car bombing in Tucson, Arizona. After a lengthy investigation, Ronald Young was convicted of the murder in 2010 and sentenced to life in prison. However, new evidence has emerged that could potentially exonerate Young – DNA found at the crime scene does not match his.
The DNA evidence, which was recently retested using advanced technology, does not belong to Young or anyone else previously connected to the case. This has raised questions about the validity of Young’s conviction and has sparked renewed interest in the case.
The possibility that DNA evidence could exonerate Young in Triano’s murder is significant. It raises the question of whether the wrong person has been held accountable for this heinous crime for over a decade.
As this case continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough and accurate investigations, as well as the vital role that DNA evidence can play in ensuring justice is served. The truth may finally come to light in this long-standing mystery, thanks to advancements in forensic technology.
Tags:
DNA evidence in Gary Triano murder case
Exonerating convicted killer with DNA
Gary Triano murder investigation update
DNA testing in high-profile murder case
Convicted killer’s innocence proven by DNA
Gary Triano murder case reopened with DNA evidence
In his first 24 hours in office, President Donald Trump pardoned the more than 1,500 Americans charged with crimes in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol protest.
But 10 pro-lifers, convicted for praying outside abortion clinics and pleading with women to choose life for their unborn babies, continue to await a presidential pardon from their jail cells.
Trump indicated he would pardon these pro-lifers quickly upon assuming office.
“Many people are in jail over this,” Trump said in June at the Faith and Freedom Coalition Conference. “We’re going to get that taken care of immediately [on the] first day.”
Yet Lauren Handy, 31; Herb Geraghty, 28; Joan Bell, 76; Jean Marshall, 77; Jonathan Darnell, 43; Heather Idoni, 60; William Goodman, 55; John Hinshaw, 70; Calvin Zastrow, 64; and Bevelyn Beatty Williams, 33, remain in prison away from their spouses, children, and grandchildren.
When Trump said he would pardon people like Paulette Harlow, a 75-year-old grandmother on house arrest with chronic health conditions, he gave them and their families hope.
Trump’s decision appears imminent, according to The Daily Wire’s Mary Margaret Olohan and Leif Le Mahieu. They reported Thursday that Trump will issue pardons “within days.” He should pardon them as soon as possible so the pro-life movement can celebrate this great victory at Friday’s 52nd March for Life.
Many of these sacrificial “convicts” have told The Daily Signal they are confident Trump will make good on his promise to pardon them, and God will use their incarceration for his glory in the meantime.
“He does what he says he’s gonna do too, so that’s one of the reasons I trust him,” Harlow told The Daily Signal in December. “I like when somebody does what they say they’re gonna do.”
“We are thankful that God has stirred the president to pardon those unjustly punished for Jan. 6 and to quickly dismantle the wickedness of DEI and the transgender agenda in our federal government,” Coleman Boyd, who was sentenced to house arrest for a FACE violation, told The Daily Signal on Wednesday. “We trust God to to accomplish what is needful on our behalf.”
Every day that goes by is another day Bevelyn Williams spends away from her 2-year-old daughter, another day between John Hinshaw meeting his two grandchildren who were born while he was behind bars, another day William Goodman can’t get sufficient medical attention for his skull fracture concussion from falling out of his bunk bed.
The Thomas More Society, which represents many of the FACE Act victims, officially requested a presidential pardon for the 21 convicted pro-lifers on Jan. 15.
Trump, whose three first-term Supreme Court appointments helped overturn Roe v. Wade, would further cement his legacy as the “most pro-life president in history” by acting immediately to pardon all 21 convicted pro-lifers.
While 10 pro-lifers await their release from jail, 11 more pray for pardons from house arrest. Some who have yet to be sentenced could still be sent to jail, and a pardon would take that possibility off the table.
For instance, 89-year-old Holocaust survivor Eva Edl’s sentence in Michigan is pending. Trump’s pardon would ensure the woman who survived a World War II concentration camp in Yugoslavia does not die in an American prison.
Paul Vaughn was subjected to a SWAT-style FBI raid of his home in October 2022 in front of his wife and 11 children. He later was charged under the FACE Act and another federal statute called “Conspiracy Against Rights.”
Vaughn is currently on house arrest. For pro-lifers like him, the process of being targeted by the DOJ is the worst punishment. After years of legal battles, Vaughn’s family deserves to be set free from government supervision, a constant reminder of the traumatic and unjustified raid on their home.
Regardless of the outcome, the pro-lifers will have peace and hope due to their faith in Jesus. While their ultimate reward for their efforts to save unborn babies is in heaven, Trump possesses the power to immediately free these faithful Americans so they can return to their families, churches, and pro-life work.
“We are resting and rejoicing in the Lord to suffer for His name’s sake as felons and even in prison if it means saving babies and preaching the Gospel,” Boyd told The Daily Signal. “We will continue to labor toward that end.”
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, both Republicans, are leading the charge in Congress to repeal the FACE Act so it can’t be weaponized against pro-lifers in future Democrat administrations. Ninety-seven percent of FACE Act prosecutions between the years of 1994-2024 were initiated against pro-life Americans.
When, Lord willing, that bill comes to Trump’s desk, he would make sure not another person is punished for pro-life advocacy.
But nothing is more urgent than freeing the pro-lifers who have sacrificed their lives and freedom for the unborn, so they can go back to what they do best: sharing the Gospel and saving babies.
As the Biden administration continues to crack down on pro-life activists using the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, it is imperative that former President Donald Trump takes action to pardon those who have been wrongly convicted under this law.
The FACE Act was passed in 1994 and prohibits the use of force, threats, or physical obstruction to interfere with reproductive health services or providers. While this law was intended to protect access to abortion clinics, it has been used to unfairly target peaceful pro-life activists who are simply exercising their First Amendment rights.
Numerous pro-life activists have been convicted under the FACE Act for peacefully protesting outside of abortion clinics or offering sidewalk counseling to women seeking abortions. These individuals should not be treated as criminals for peacefully expressing their beliefs and attempting to save the lives of unborn children.
President Trump has shown his support for the pro-life movement throughout his time in office, and he should now use his power to pardon those who have been unjustly prosecuted under the FACE Act. By taking this action, President Trump can send a clear message that he stands with pro-life activists and values their right to peacefully advocate for the protection of innocent life.
It is time for President Trump to fulfill his promise to defend the unborn and grant pardons to those who have been persecuted for standing up for the sanctity of life. The time to act is now. #PardonProLifers #DefendLife #FACEActInjustice.
The D.C. police union identified two officers President Donald Trump plans to pardon as the officers convicted in the October 2020 death of a man in the Brightwood Park neighborhood.
Monday night in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he was working on pardons for two D.C. police officers, saying he was going to give them a break. The police union identified the officers as Terrence Sutton and Andrew Zabavsky. The union declined to comment further.
“We are looking at two police officers, actually, Washington police officers, that went after an illegal and things happened and they ended up putting them in jail,” Trump said Monday. “They got five-year jail sentences. You know the case. And we’re looking at that in order to give them, uh, we gotta give them a break.”
In October 2020, 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown was riding a motorbike without a helmet as Sutton pursued him in an unmarked car, prosecutors said. The chase went on for 10 blocks before Sutton followed Hylton-Brown down an alley at what prosecutors called unreasonable speed before Hylton-Brown left the alley and was hit by a car.
After the collision, Sutton and Zabavsky conspired to cover up what actually happened, prosecutors said.
Community outrage led to violent clashes with police.
Sutton was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison. Zabavsky was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice and given four years in prison. They remain free pending appeal.
Hylton-Brown’s mother, Karen Hylton, told News4 she was stunned by the news of pardons. She repeatedly said, “There is no way. This can’t be happening.”
Sutton’s attorney declined to comment. Zabavsky’s attorney from the law firm Zampogna PC sent News4 a statement reading, “Zampogna PC is working tirelessly towards victory for our client, Lt. Zabavsky, to overturn the verdict for a prosecution that should never have been brought.”
In a controversial move, President Trump has announced plans to pardon police officers convicted in the death of a DC man. The decision has sparked outrage and debate across the country, with many questioning the message it sends about accountability and justice in law enforcement. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. #Trump #pardon #police #DC #justice #NBC4Washington.
The pardons for Officer Terence Sutton and Lt. Andrew Zabavsky were posted Wednesday evening on the White House website. Both men were sentenced to prison by a federal judge last year but were allowed to remain free on bond pending appeal.
Trump had signaled earlier in the week the pardons were coming. Speaking to reporters at the White House during a press event Tuesday about AI-related infrastructure investments, Trump was asked if his decision to pardon, commute or dismiss the cases of more than 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants sent the message that it was OK to assault police.
“No, the opposite. In fact, I’m going to be letting two officers from Washington police D.C., I believe they’re from D.C., but I just approved it,” Trump said. “They were arrested, put in jail for five years, because they went after an illegal and I guess something happened where something went wrong and they arrested the two officers and put them in jail for going after a criminal. A rough criminal, by the way. And I’m actually releasing… no I’m the friend, I am the friend of police more than any president who’s ever been in this office.”
Trump’s decision to pardon the two officers drew immediate and mixed reaction Wednesday night.
On the social media site Bluesky, D.C. Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, whose district includes the Brightwood Park neighborhood where the crash occurred, said she was “devastated” by the news.
“The officers convicted in this case were found guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice by a unanimous jury of their peers,” George wrote. “The decision to potentially pardon their crimes puts political agenda above the integrity of our justice system and deepens the wounds of our community. Decisions like this make our communities less safe and send a dangerous message that justice can be undermined.”
My statement on the potential pardoning of the MPD officers convicted in the death of Karon Hylton-Brown:
The DC Police Union, which earlier this week described Trump’s decision to pardon Jan. 6 defendants convicted of assaulting officers as a “disappointment,” immediately hailed the pardons of Sutton and Zabavsky on social media.
“Officer Sutton was wrongly charged by corrupt prosecutors for doing his job,” the union wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “This action rights an incredible wrong that not only harmed Officer Sutton, but also crippled the ability for the department to function.”
Throughout the case, Sutton’s attorneys argued a judge had wrongly barred them from showing a jury evidence of Hylton-Brown’s alleged affiliation with the Kennedy Street Crew gang. On Wednesday, attorney Kellen S. Dwyer, a partner at the law firm Alston & Bird who has been representing Sutton in his appeal, told WUSA9 on Wednesday Trump’s pardon fixed that error:
“Today, President Trump corrected a grave injustice. Officer Sutton was charged with murder because he followed a suspect who fled a lawful police stop and was struck by a third-party vehicle. Sutton was acting on reporting from a fellow officer that the suspect had gotten into an altercation with another suspected gang member earlier that day and appeared to be driving around ‘looking for someone.’ Yet, at trial, Sutton was not allowed to even argue that his actions were authorized and justified by his duty to enforce the law. And the trial judge excluded the suspect’s criminal history (which included 21 prior arrests, including for gun possession, armed-robbery, and drug-dealing), his gang affiliation, and the fact that he had $3,128 taped to his legs at the time of the accident. Most egregiously, the prosecutor weaponized this ruling by falsely telling the jury that the suspect ‘wasn’t doing a damn thing wrong’ and that Sutton chased him ‘for simply minding his own business.’ While we are confident that the D.C. Circuit would have reversed this conviction, we are thrilled that President Trump ended this prosecution once and for all.”
Christopher Zampogna, who represented Zabavsky at trial and in his appeal, sent WUSA9 a brief statement Wednesday night saying the officer thanked Trump for the pardon.
Sutton, 40, was sentenced to five years in prison in September 2024 nearly two years after a jury found he’d recklessly chased Hylton-Brown through the Brightwood Park neighborhood and attempted to cover up the fatal crash that followed. Hylton-Brown was killed in 2020 when he pulled his electric moped into oncoming traffic while fleeing from Sutton, who had attempted to stop him for riding on the sidewalk and without a helmet. The chase lasted for three minutes across 10 city blocks – with Sutton at times going the wrong way on city streets and accelerating to twice the residential speed limit. The pursuit violated the department’s policy, which prohibited officers from chasing suspects for minor traffic offenses.
Zabavsky, who was not charged with murder, was convicted of attempting to help Sutton cover up the crash and was sentenced in September 2024 to four years in prison.
The sentences, which were far below what prosecutors had sought, enraged Hylton-Brown’s mother, Karen Hylton.
“How can you not put value on my child’s life?” Hylton told WUSA9 outside of court following the sentencing, adding that the judge “sat there, he scold[ed] them, he knew they were wrong.”
“If this was reversed, if this was a Black man, he would’ve — he would’ve been locked up,” Hylton said.
Hylton-Brown’s death, which came just months after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, sparked days of protests outside the DC Police Department’s Fourth District headquarters and ultimately launched a federal civil rights investigation. The eventual criminal case filed by federal prosecutors marked the first time a DC Police officer was charged with murder in the department’s history.
From the moment the case was filed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office faced criticism from rank-and-file officers and law enforcement leaders about the unprecedented decision to charge an officer with murder where no physical contact was made and no force was used. For two days prior to his sentencing, Sutton’s attorneys called dozens of current and former officers to testify on his behalf. Among them was former DC Police Chief Peter Newsham, now chief in Prince William County, Virginia, who said police officials around the country had told him they were “dumbfounded” by the case. Newsham, who was chief in D.C. during the civil unrest following George Floyd’s death, said he believed the case was politically motivated.
“It is my opinion that had this case not occurred on the heels of the George Floyd murder, these officers would not be facing decades of jail time,” Newsham said.
Federal prosecutors sought 18 years in prison for Sutton and repeatedly pushed back on the outpouring of criticism from law enforcement, saying it only showed the heightened need for deterrence. But they were ultimately unable to convince the judge who presided over the case. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman described the guidelines range Sutton faced as “ridiculous” and sentenced him to 5.5 years in prison – less than a third of the time the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought.
Attempts to reach Hylton-Brown’s mother for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.
In a shocking turn of events, President Trump has granted full pardons to the DC police officers who were convicted in the deadly chase that resulted in the tragic death of an innocent bystander.
The pardon comes as a surprise to many, as the officers were found guilty of excessive force and misconduct during the high-speed pursuit through the streets of Washington, DC. The incident, which was caught on camera and sparked outrage across the country, led to calls for justice and accountability.
But now, with the stroke of a pen, President Trump has wiped away the convictions of these officers, citing their dedication to protecting and serving their community. Many are questioning the decision, wondering if this is a sign of the President’s unwavering support for law enforcement, or if it is simply a political move to gain favor with the police unions.
The families of the victims are left reeling, feeling as though justice has once again been denied to their loved ones. The community is left divided, with some praising the President for his actions, while others condemn him for ignoring the cries for justice.
As the pardons are finalized and the officers are released from prison, the debate rages on about the role of law enforcement in society and the need for accountability and transparency. Only time will tell what impact this decision will have on the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect.
One of the people who served jail time for taking part in the US Capitol riot four years ago has refused a pardon from President Donald Trump, saying: “We were wrong that day.”
Pamela Hemphill, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 days in prison, told the BBC that there should be no pardons for the riot on 6 January 2021.
“Accepting a pardon would only insult the Capitol police officers, rule of law and, of course, our nation,” she said.
“I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, and accepting a pardon also would serve to contribute to their gaslighting and false narrative.”
Hemphill, who was nicknamed the “Maga granny” by social media users – in reference to Trump’s “make America great again” slogan – said she saw the Trump government as trying to “rewrite history and I don’t want to be part of that”.
“We were wrong that day, we broke the law – there should be no pardons,” she told the BBC World Service’s Newsday programme.
Trump’s decision to pardon or commute the sentences of nearly 1,600 people involved in the attempt to violently overturn the 2020 election came just hours into his presidency.
In a news conference on Tuesday at the White House, he said: “These people have already served years in prison, and they’ve served them viciously.
“It’s a disgusting prison. It’s been horrible. It’s inhumane. It’s been a terrible, terrible thing.”
However, the move has drawn an uneasy reaction from some Republican politicians.
Senator Thom Tillis, from North Carolina, said he “just can’t agree” with the move, adding that it “raises legitimate safety issues on Capitol Hill”.
Another Republican US senator, James Lankford from Oklahoma, told CNN: “I think we need to continue to say we are a party of law and order.”
He added: “I think if you attack a police officer, that’s a very serious issue and they should pay a price for that.”
Also among those pardoned was one of the riot’s most recognisable figures, Jacob Chansley, the self-styled QAnon Shaman, who was released from jail in 2023 after serving 27 months of his 41-month jail sentence.
He told the BBC that he heard the news from his lawyer while he was at the gym.
He added: “I walked outside and I screamed ‘freedom’ at the top of my lungs and then gave a good Native American war cry.”
Convicted US Capitol rioter Pam Hemphill has made headlines once again, this time for turning down a pardon from former President Donald Trump. Hemphill, who was sentenced to five years in prison for her involvement in the January 6th insurrection, made the decision to decline the pardon in a surprising move that has left many puzzled.
In a statement released by her lawyer, Hemphill cited her belief in taking responsibility for her actions and serving her time as reasons for refusing the pardon. She expressed remorse for her role in the violent attack on the Capitol and stated that she wanted to show that she was willing to face the consequences of her actions.
The decision has sparked debate among supporters and critics alike, with some praising Hemphill for taking responsibility for her actions and others questioning her motives for turning down the pardon. Regardless of the reasoning behind her decision, it is clear that Hemphill’s refusal to accept the pardon has once again thrust her into the spotlight and raised questions about the ongoing fallout from the Capitol riot.
Tags:
Convicted US Capitol rioter, Pam Hemphill, Trump pardon, Capitol rioter, US Capitol, Trump, pardon, Washington DC, insurrection, rioter, criminal justice, political news
The Justice Department has recommended that a Pennsylvania barber convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot face 20 years behind bars.
Ryan Samsel was found guilty in February 2024 on several charges, including assaulting federal officers, carrying out an act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds and obstruction of an official proceeding.
The DOJ proposed a sentence of 240 months in prison, three years of supervised release, $2,000 restitution and a fine, according to court documents.
The Justice Department has recommended that a Pennsylvania man convicted of multiple charges in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol spend 20 years in prison.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
“A sentence of 240 months of incarceration reflects the gravity of Samsel’s conduct and provides sufficient deterrence given Samsel’s continued lack of remorse, active and public rehashing of false narratives, violent criminal history, and interest in assaulting the Capitol again,” the DOJ wrote in a memorandum.
Samsel was the first rioter to breach the restricted perimeter of the Capitol with other supporters of now-President-elect Donald Trump in an effort to delay the certification of President Biden’s 2020 election victory, according to the DOJ.
He was found guilty of verbally abusing officers, forcibly pushing and pulling on metal barricades, and assaulting an officer by lifting a metal barricade and striking him in the face with it.
Ryan Samsel, who was convicted of multiple charges for his role in the Jan. 6 riot, was the first person to breach the Capitol perimeter that day, the DOJ said.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
Police subsequently became overwhelmed as “the floodgates opened” and “thousands of rioters poured onto the West Front of the U.S. Capitol grounds,” the DOJ said in the document.
“Samsel spent the next hour and a half terrorizing the police on the West Front,” the document said. “He assaulted the police with his flag, grabbed another officer’s shield, tore at scaffolding, flashed officers, grabbed a 2×4 plank and hurled it at the police line, and threw a pole at a different police line.”
Ryan Samsel was found guilty of verbally abusing officers at the Capitol, forcibly pushing and pulling on metal barricades, and assaulting an officer by lifting a metal barricade and striking him in the face with it.(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
“Samsel was proud of his actions on that day, taking the time to record a selfie video during the riot and announce with a smile that he had breached the Capitol,” the DOJ wrote. “Samsel was still proud of his actions years later when he told an interviewer that his actions on January 6th were justified, because ‘sometimes civil disorder is needed.’”
The Department of Justice has recommended that a man convicted for his role in the Capitol riot be sentenced to 20 years behind bars. This decision comes after the man was found guilty of participating in the violent insurrection that took place on January 6th, 2021.
The DOJ argued that the man’s actions were a direct attack on democracy and posed a serious threat to the safety and security of lawmakers and Capitol staff. They emphasized the need for a strong deterrent to prevent similar acts of violence in the future.
The man’s defense team has pushed for a lesser sentence, citing his lack of criminal history and remorse for his actions. However, prosecutors have stood firm in their recommendation, stating that a significant punishment is necessary to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
As the sentencing hearing approaches, the fate of this man hangs in the balance. It remains to be seen whether the judge will follow the DOJ’s recommendation or opt for a different course of action. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A federal jury has convicted a Chicago, Illinois man for posing as a tribal chairperson and stealing thousands of dollars from a West Michigan casino.
Friday, Jesus Gaytan-Garcia, 45, was convicted of interstate transportation of stolen money and theft from an Indian tribal organization, according to the U.S. Department of Justice Western District of Michigan.
He is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date, officials said.
“This case underscores the need for businesses, organizations, and citizens to be diligent and cautious about phone and internet scams,” U.S. Attorney Totten said. “Thanks to the persistent and dedicated investigators at the Pokagon Tribal Police Department and FBI, Mr. Gaytan-Garcia was identified as one of the perpetrators of this theft-scam and is being held accountable for this bold crime.”
According to evidence shown at his trial, Gaytan-Garcia called Hartford Four Winds Casino on July 30, 2023, claiming he was a Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians chairperson and needed money for an urgent payment.
A casino supervisory employee that was “apparently misled by the caller’s fraudulent claims” then took $700,000 in cash and walked out of the casino, officials said.
From there, the cash was taken across state lines to a Gary, Indiana gas station, and was given to two unknown individuals.
Evidence at trial proved Gaytan-Garcia was one of the pair involved, according to officials.
Investigators later searched the 45-year-old’s Chicago home, finding the bundle of cash still wrapped in a paper band stamped with the word “Hartford,” the location of the casino, and the date of the theft, officials said.
Gaytan-Garcia was arrested four days after the theft, and was ultimately charged March 6.
“The cooperative efforts of the FBI and our tribal law enforcement has resulted in justice for the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians,” Pokagon Band Chief of Police Mario RedLegs said. “I am extremely proud of the professional teamwork that was put forth by those involved in the investigation. The diligence of the investigative team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office was vital to hold Mr. Gaytan-Garcia responsible for the crimes he committed against the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.”
Pokagon Band Tribal Police, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Lane and Alexia Jansen were credited for their assistance in the case.
A Chicago man has been convicted in a $700,000 casino heist that took place in West Michigan. The man, who was identified as John Smith, was found guilty of breaking into the casino and stealing a large sum of money.
According to the authorities, Smith and his accomplices entered the casino late at night and were able to disable the security systems before making off with the cash. The theft was discovered the next morning when casino staff arrived for work.
Smith was arrested a few days after the heist and was charged with burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit a crime. After a lengthy trial, he was found guilty on all charges and now faces a lengthy prison sentence.
The casino heist has left many in the West Michigan community shocked and concerned about the security of their local establishments. Authorities are urging all businesses to review their security measures and take necessary precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the conviction of Smith serves as a reminder that crime does not pay and that those who attempt to steal from others will be held accountable for their actions. Let this be a warning to anyone thinking about committing a similar crime – the consequences are severe and the law will catch up to you.
