Latest news with #U.S.Marshal'sService
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Charges dropped for ex-MSP sergeant who fatally struck a man with unmarked SUV
A federal judge dismissed charges against a former Michigan State Police sergeant who struck a man with an unmarked patrol car as the man attempted to flee officers, ruling May 28 the officer has immunity from state prosecution under a federal protection clause. In May 2024, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office charged former MSP Detective Sgt. Brian Keely with one charge of second-degree murder and an alternate charge of involuntary manslaughter. Video released last year by the MSP showed Keely, driving an unmarked patrol vehicle, striking 25-year-old Samuel Sterling with the car as Sterling attempted to run away from law enforcement officers in Kentwood, a suburb of Grand Rapids, in April 2024. Nessel had issued the charges in Kent County district court but Keely's attorneys had argued the case should be moved to federal court because the former sergeant was part of a U.S. Marshal's Service task force at the time he struck Sterling. In August, the case was moved to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, where Judge Hala Jarbou dismissed the case May 28. Sterling was putting air in a vehicle's tires at a gas station when officers approached him April 17, 2024. He tried to run away. Law enforcement pursued Sterling on foot and in vehicles. Sterling was running through the parking lot of a fast food restaurant when he was struck by an unmarked SUV. After being struck, Sterling told officers his whole body was in pain and struggled to move as officers handcuffed and searched him while he was on the ground, video footage shows. Sterling was transported to a local hospital and died hours later. Nessel, when announcing the charges, said Keely had created a very high risk of death or great bodily harm when he struck Sterling. But Jarbou stated prosecutors failed to show Keely acted with malicious intent. Jarbou cited the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, writing since the task force Keely was a part of was focused on apprehending criminal suspects, he was carrying out his duties at the time he struck Sterling. Court documents show Sterling had outstanding felony warrants when he fled from officers who approached him. The Supremacy Clause allows federal law to prevail over conflicting state law. Jarbou wrote "the State has not presented sufficient evidence to create a genuine dispute about whether Keely acted pursuant to federal law and did no more than what was necessary and proper for him to do in attempting to apprehend Sterling. Accordingly, Keely is entitled to immunity under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution." Marc Curtis, a Norton Shores attorney who represented Keely, said in a statement: 'We are grateful that the Court recognized this case for what it truly was — a law enforcement officer doing his job in a high-risk encounter with a known fugitive." Nessel said May 28 her office stands by its arguments that Keely was not acting reasonably when he struck Sterling. Prosecutors had argued that Keely was not entitled to federal protections because he was employed by MSP and was just a member of a Marshal's Service task force. 'I am disappointed that the case's transfer to federal court ultimately resulted in its dismissal and am deeply concerned with the precedent it sets — that individuals deemed federal officers by federal authorities can commit lethal crimes against Michigan residents with impunity," Nessel said in a statement. Ven Johnson, a Detroit attorney representing Sterling's estate in a separate, civil lawsuit against Keely, said in a statement the ruling "sends a troubling message that a police officer can run over an unarmed man and avoid facing a criminal jury." Jarbou is also the presiding judge in the civil lawsuit. Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Charges dropped for ex-MSP sergeant who fatally struck man with SUV
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FBI arrests Milwaukee County judge for reportedly thwarting ICE
The Milwaukee County Courthouse. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, accusing her of obstructing an immigration enforcement action last week. Dugan was arrested at 8:30 a.m. at the county courthouse, according to the U.S. Marshal's Service. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries at 10:30 on Friday. According to a criminal complaint, she's been charged with obstructing or impeding before a department or agency of the United States and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. The agency's director, Kash Patel, wrote on the social media platform X that Dugan had 'intentionally misdirected federal agents away' from Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant accused of misdemeanor battery. In the now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of creating 'increased danger to the public.' Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugan's courtroom on April 18 for a pre-trial conference on charges of misdemeanor domestic battery. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appeared outside Dugan's courtroom, she led Flores-Ruiz and an attorney out a side door and down a private hallway. ICE agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz on foot. This is the third time since March that immigration agents have appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse to conduct arrests — a tactic that local officials have said threatens to undermine the work of the local justice system by making immigrants fearful of coming to the courthouse to testify in court. In an initial statement, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said he was aware of Dugan's arrest and that the legal process should be allowed to play out. 'Like any individual in this country, I believe she is entitled to due process,' Crowley said. 'We should let the facts come to light and the legal process play out.' But later, he accused the FBI of politicizing the arrest to punish perceived enemies. 'It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nation's immigration laws,' he said. 'FBI Director Kash Patel issued a public statement on X, which he hurriedly deleted, making unsubstantiated claims about Judge Dugan's case before charges were officially filed and she could have her moment in court. Director Patel's statement shows that Trump's FBI is more concerned about weaponizing federal law enforcement, punishing people without due process, and intimidating anyone who opposes those policies, than they are with seeking justice.' U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said the administration of President Donald Trump is attacking democratic values. 'In the United States, we have a system of checks and balances and separations of power for damn good reasons,' she said. 'The president's administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this president is putting those basic democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line. While details of this exact case remain minimal, this action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this president's lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congress's checks on his power.' U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisconsin, whose district includes Milwaukee, said the arrest was 'shocking.' 'This administration's willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement is shocking and this arrest has all the hallmarks of overreach,' Moore said. 'Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar. I will be following this case closely and facts will come out, however, I am very alarmed at the increasingly lawless actions of the Trump Administration, and in particular ICE, who have been defying courts and acting with disregard for the Constitution.' Dugan-Crim-complaint This story was originally produced by the Wisconsin Examiner which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ICE detainees housed at Broome County Jail
TOWN OF DICKINSON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – The Broome County Jail is now home to ICE detainees. Sheriff Fred Akshar says the correctional facility is currently holding 42 ICE detainees, although the number fluctuates from day to day. Akshar says the arrangement is similar to one it has with the U.S. Marshal's Service to house federal inmates when necessary. Thursday morning, the jail had 26 incarcerated people on behalf of U.S. Marshals. Akshar says the jail has the available space and that the federal government pays Broome County $110 per inmate per day, money that goes into Broome County's general fund. Molinaro on Capitol Hill for FTA nomination hearing ICE detainees housed at Broome County Jail Mayor Kraham vetoes Good Cause Eviction law BU art exhibit celebrates Women's History Month BOCES holds annual Job Readiness Fair Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
