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Civil Rights

Justice Department Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against California Rental Property Manager and Owners

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the manager and the owner of a rental property in Los Angeles for engaging in sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act.


Civil Rights

Nevada Man Charged with Federal Hate Crimes for Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church Shooting

A Nevada man has been charged with 98 counts of federal hate crimes and weapons and explosives offenses, including the murder of one person and attempted murder of 44 others, for his actions during the shooting and attempted bombing at the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church on May 15, 2022.


Civil Rights

Delaware Man and Woman Charged with Sex and Labor Trafficking of 13 Victims

A federal grand jury in the District of Delaware returned an indictment charging a Delaware man and woman with sex trafficking, labor trafficking and related charges.


Civil Rights

Former Louisville Metro Police Department Officer Pleads Guilty to Using Excessive Force During 2020 Protest

A former Louisville Metro Police Department officer pleaded guilty to violating an individual’s rights by using excessive force while acting as a police officer.


Civil Rights

Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Religious Land Use Case Involving Faith-Based Group That Feeds Homeless People in California

The Justice Department filed a statement of interest in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California explaining that the act of distributing food and drinks to people who are homeless by Micah’s Way, a faith-based organization that helps people in need, could be religious exercise under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).


Civil Rights

Justice Department Secures Agreement with Union County, New Jersey, Under the Voting Rights Act

The Justice Department announced today that it has entered into a proposed consent decree with Union County, New Jersey, and county elections officials to settle a voting rights lawsuit.


Civil Rights

Summerset Man Sentenced for Child Pornography and Assault on a Federal Officer

United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Summerset, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography and Assault on a Federal Officer. The sentencings took place on April 21, 2023.



Civil Rights

Justice Department Resolves Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Massachusetts Landlord

The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a $450,000 settlement resolving allegations that Salazar Dos Santos, a Chicopee, Massachusetts, landlord, violated the Fair Housing Act by sexually harassing female tenants for at least 11 years.


Civil Rights

Former Alabama Deputy Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Woman in His Custody

A former deputy sheriff with the Dallas County, Alabama, Sheriff’s Office pleaded guilty today in the Southern District of Alabama for sexually assaulting a woman while he was on duty.


Civil Rights

Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services Announce Interim Resolution Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation of Alabama Department of Public Health

The Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today an interim resolution agreement in their environmental justice investigation into the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Lowndes County Health Department (collectively ADPH) in Lowndes County, Alabama.


Civil Rights

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks to Announce Agreement in Civil Rights and Environmental Justice Investigation of Alabama Department of Public Health

Good afternoon. I am Kristen Clarke, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. I am honored to be here today with Melanie Fontes Rainer, Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross for the Middle District of Alabama.


Civil Rights

Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for Church Arson

A Colorado man pleaded guilty today to a hate crime charge in connection with a fire he set to a church in Loveland, Colorado.



Civil Rights

Minnesota Man Indicted for Mosque Arson

A Minnesota man was indicted on one count of arson and one count of damage to religious property, for setting fire to a mosque.


Civil Rights

Bakersfield Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl

Marcus Randall, 39, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.


Civil Rights

Charleston Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Through Social Media App

Samer Refaat Selwanes, 48, of Charleston, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.


Civil Rights

Tennessee Corrections Officer Convicted of Obstructing Investigation Into Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with an Inmate

A Tennessee man was found guilty yesterday of obstructing an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused an inmate in his custody.


Civil Rights

Justice Department Announces National Human Trafficking Coordinator and National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction

The Justice Department today announced the designation and appointment of a National Human Trafficking Coordinator and a National Coordinator for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction.


Civil Rights

Former West Virginia Parole Officer Sentenced for Witness Tampering

A former West Virginia regional director of parole for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation in Parkersburg, West Virginia, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in the Southern District of West Virginia to 87 months’ imprisonment and three years’ supervised release for witness tampering.