Evergreen Reporter

The VA’s Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans in Washington for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024 averaged $485,788, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Three Texas men indicted for robbing ATM repairman in Murfreesboro

A federal grand jury has indicted three men from Houston, Texas, on charges of bank larceny. The announcement was made by Thomas J. Jaworski, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Fitchburg man sentenced for illegal firearm possession

Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Damariyah Muhammad, a 23-year-old resident of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 45 months in federal prison. The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley on October 4, 2024. Muhammad's sentence is for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. After serving his prison term, he will be under supervised release for three years. Muhammad had pleaded guilty to the charge on July 10, 2024.

Mississippi father-son duo convicted for roles in Jan. 6 Capitol breach

A father and son from Mississippi have been convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges related to their actions during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their conduct, along with others', disrupted a joint session of Congress that was convened to certify the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.

Mexican national sentenced for repeated illegal reentries into the United States

U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced German Altamirano-Hernandez, a 42-year-old Mexican national, to two years and six months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States. Altamirano-Hernandez pleaded guilty to the charge in June 2024.

Mexican national sentenced for illegal U.S. reentry; faces consecutive prison terms

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara has sentenced Ramon Ochoa, a 43-year-old Mexican national, to 18 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. This sentence will run consecutively to another sentence Ochoa is currently serving in the Florida Department of Corrections. Ochoa entered a guilty plea on July 8, 2024.

Analysis: Washington one of 25 states allowing boys to play girls’ high school sports

By Evergreen Reporter | Oct 6, 2024

As President Biden revealed new rules regarding Title IX protections in April of 2024, which redefined “sex” to include “gender-identity,” an analysis by Evergreen Reporter shows that Washington is one of 25 states that allow boys to play in girls’ high school sports.

U.S. Attorney's Office reminds Massachusetts rest homes of ADA compliance requirements

By Evergreen Reporter | Oct 6, 2024

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston has reminded rest homes in Massachusetts of their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This reminder addresses discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including those with opioid use disorder and mobility restrictions.

VA Purchase Loans in Washington average $501,635 for Q2

The average VA Purchase Loan amount for Washington in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 was $501,635, according to the Veterans Affairs Home Loans Index.

Indiana men plead guilty to assaulting police during January 6 Capitol breach

Two Indiana men have pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting law enforcement officers during the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Donald Lee Moss, aged 62 from Elizabethtown, and James Link Behymer, aged 61 from Hope, admitted to one count each of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. Their plea was made before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, with sentencing scheduled for February 13, 2025.

Yakima receives DOJ grant for combating domestic violence

The City of Yakima has been awarded a Department of Justice grant amounting to $353,998 to address domestic violence and sexual assault. The announcement was made by Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. The grant was allocated on September 13, 2024.

Fayetteville man sentenced to over 27 years for armed drug trafficking

A Fayetteville man has been sentenced to 327 months in prison for armed drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Nathan Omar Frink, also known as "Ray Nate," aged 41, pled guilty to the charges on September 13, 2023.

Justice Department grants $610k for Kalispel Tribe's fight against sexual assault

The Department of Justice has announced a grant of $610,000 for the Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation. This funding aims to address and prevent sexual assault within the community.

New Orleans man pleads guilty to firearm possession as a felon

Julius Augillard, a 38-year-old resident of New Orleans, entered a guilty plea on September 26, 2024. The plea was made before United States District Judge Carl Barbier for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, which is in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

New York man receives prison sentence for role in January 6 Capitol attack

A New York man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. James Weeks, 55, from Sodus, New York, was also sentenced to 36 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,774 in restitution along with a $5,000 fine. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell after Weeks pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.

Durango teacher charged with enticing minor and possessing child pornography

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado has announced charges against Benjamin Vincent Smith, a 28-year-old from Durango, Colorado. Smith faces allegations of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, as well as possession of child pornography.

Washington State ranks fifth in average VA home loan amount in 2023

With $476,756 in issued loans, Washington State ranked fifth for the average amount of a VA home loan in 2023, according to figures provided by the Veteran Affairs Home Loans Index.

Ohio man receives federal sentence for methamphetamine charges

Arkmeem Y. Vaughn, a 51-year-old resident of Zanesville, Ohio, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for charges related to methamphetamine distribution. Vaughn had previously pled guilty in February 2024 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute the drug.

Connecticut man charged for role in Jan. 6 Capitol breach

A Connecticut resident has been apprehended in connection with the events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. James Roe Cleary, aged 56 and hailing from Waterford, Connecticut, faces charges of civil disorder during the incident that disrupted a joint session of Congress tasked with counting electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election.

Iowa and Utah brothers arrested for assault during Jan. 6 Capitol breach