Federal Grand Jury Indicts Dali Operators; Maryland Settles Key Bridge Suit for $2.25 BillionMay 21, 2026Law and PolicyA federal grand jury indicted Synergy Marine and a company official over the Key Bridge collapse as Maryland settled civil claims for $2.25 billion on May 12, 2026.
U.S. Charges Raúl Castro in 1996 Brothers to the Rescue ShootdownMay 21, 2026Law and PolicyFederal prosecutors in Miami unsealed a superseding indictment charging Raúl Castro and five co-defendants with murder in the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown.
Travis County Jury Convicts Brittney Bailey, Sentences Her to 40 YearsMay 21, 2026VerdictsA Travis County jury convicted Brittney Bailey on two child injury counts and sentenced her to 40 years in Travis County District Court, Austin, Texas.
Florida Jury Convicts All Four Defendants in Julio Foolio MurderMay 21, 2026VerdictsA Florida jury convicted all four defendants in the gang-related murder of rapper Julio Foolio, sentencing Isaiah Chance and co-defendants to life without parole in Tampa.
Honolulu Jury Convicts Former USDA Inspector on All Child Pornography CountsMay 21, 2026VerdictsA Honolulu federal jury convicted former USDA inspector Roger Biggs on all counts of producing, receiving, and possessing child pornography. Sentencing is set for September 3, 2026.
Federal Jury Convicts Iowa Man of Child Pornography DistributionMay 21, 2026VerdictsA federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Dalvert Encarnacion Francisco of distributing child pornography; he faces up to 20 years at a July 2026 sentencing.
Alabama Jury Convicts Mother of Concealing Son’s Death in FreezerMay 21, 2026VerdictsAn Alabama jury convicted Karen Halstead of abuse of a corpse for concealing her son Logan's remains in a chest freezer; the trial judge acquitted her of manslaughter.
Key Bridge Indictment Triggers Stay Motion, Competing Plaintiff PositionsMay 20, 2026Law and PolicyA May 2026 federal indictment of Synergy Marine and a top official triggers a civil stay motion and competing plaintiff responses in the Key Bridge collapse litigation.
Sonoma Developer Ken Mattson Faces 12-Year Cap in Federal Wire Fraud Plea TalksMay 20, 2026Law and PolicyKen Mattson, a Sonoma real estate investor charged with wire fraud, is negotiating a federal plea deal capping his sentence at 12 years, with full restitution required.
Gemini Space Station Faces Securities Fraud Class Action Over IPO DisclosuresMay 20, 2026Law and PolicyA securities fraud class action filed May 2, 2026, in the SDNY targets Gemini Space Station over alleged IPO misstatements, with shares down 78.7% from their offering price.