Virginia Child Sexual Abuse Law
<H2> <center> United States of America v. Joseph Rimero Rutherford </h2> </center>
Abington, West Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant with failing to register as a sex offender. Joseph Rimero Rutherford, 34, of North Carolina, habitually resided in an apartment in Bristol, Virginia. Rutherford failed to register in Virginia or update his registration in North Carolina as required by SORNA. Rutherford is required to register as a sex offender and comply... More...
$ (01-13-2026 - VA)<H2> <center> United States of America v. Ryan Matthew Bieber </h2> </center>
Newport, News, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with transportation of child pornography.... More...
$ (12-19-2025 - VA)<H2> <center> United States of America v. Elena Pendergrass </h2> </center>
Alexandria, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with international parental kidnapping. Pendergrass, aka Elena Stukalkina, 35, resided in Alexandria prior to her daughter’s birth on May 21. Though a DNA test prior to birth confirmed the child’s paternity, Pendergrass ordered the father to cease and desist all communications. After the child was born, she list... More...
$ (12-12-2025 - VA)<H2> <center> nited States of America v. Christopher Allan Johnson </h2> </center>
Roanoke, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with using the Kik social media app to send three videos containing child sexual exploitation material. On October 10, 2024, after leaving the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, Christopher Allan Johnson, 54, logged into Kik and joined a public group dedicated to incest. There, an undercover FBI task f... More...
$ (12-12-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Abigail Zwerner v. Ebony Parker, et al.
Newport News, Virginia personal injury lawyers represented the Plaintiff on a gross negligence claim.<br> <br> Abigail Zwerner, a first-grad teacher in Newport News, Virginia was shot by a 6-year-old student who brought his mother’s gun to class in January 2023. She sued Ebony Parker claiming that the assistant principal failed and refused to respond to four separate reports from staff me... More...
$0 (11-06-2025 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. William Wellington Hooper, Jr. </h2></center>
Newport News, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to<br> produce child sexual abuse material, production of child sexual abuse material, and two<br> counts of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct, in violation<br> of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2251(a), (e), 2422(b).<br> <br> ... More...
$0 (11-03-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> State of Virginia v. Derrick Burroughs </h2> </center>
Alexandria, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with sexual assault.<br> <br> Derrick Burroughs, age 40, accused for sexually assaulting two studens at Edison High School.... More...
$0 (10-03-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Mary Lynn Shumate v. City of Lynchburg, et al. </h2> </center>
Lynchburg, Virginia employment law lawyers represented the Plaintiff who sued on a sex discrimination theory.<br> <br> After Mary Shumate, a firefighter for the city of Lynchburg, Virginia, made<br> allegedly inappropriate remarks about another employee’s sexual orientation, the Fire<br> Chief demoted her. She commenced this action against the City, the City Manager, and the<br> Fire Chief,... More...
$0 (08-22-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Fernando Lee Jordan, a/k/a Fernand Lee Jordan, a/k/a Fernando Lee Jordan </h2> </center>
Richmond, Virginia pro se Defendant sought a reduction of sentence.<br> <br> Fernardo Lee Jordan appealed the district court’s order denying relief on his 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) motion for a sentence reduction. “We review a district court’s decision [whether] to reduce a sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(2) for abuse of discretion and its ruling as to the scope of its le... More...
$0 (08-01-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Commonwealth of Virginia v. Troy McGowan </h2> </center>
Richmond, Virginia criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with violating a protective order.<br> <br> On November 24, 2018, L.M. obtained a permanent protective order against appellant, with whom she had a young son. The protective order prohibited appellant from having "contact of any kind with" L.M. except as permitted by a custody or visitation order and from "commit[ting] ac... More...
$0 (07-03-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Joel Aaron Burrell v. S. Shirley, Correctional Officer, et al. </h2> </center>
Alexandria, Virginia personal injury lawyers represented the Plaintiff on a prisoner civil rights claim.<br> <br> Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915, federal courts may permit an indigent prisoner to proceed without prepaying filing fees or giving security. The legal term for proceeding this way is in forma pauperis. But Congress expressed concern that prisoners were filing many “frivolous lawsuits f... More...
$0 (07-03-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Subhash Kongassery </h2> </center>
Alexandria, Virginia criminal defense lawyers represented the Defendant charged with Abusive Sexual Contact Aboard an Aircraft in Flight in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2244(b) and 49 U.S.C. §46506(1).<br> <br> 18 U.S.C. § 2244(b):<br> <br> Whoever, in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States or in a Federal prison, or in any prison, institution, or facility in w... More...
$0 (05-21-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> Commonwealth of Virginia v. Jose Roberto Gomez Contreras </h2> </center>
Alexandria, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with "rape, oral sodomy, and animate object sexual penetration ('OSP'), as well as two counts of custodial indecent liberties.<br> <br> K.I.C. was born in El Salvador to Maritza Contreras, appellant's sister.[3] When K.I.C. was two years old, her mother left El Salvador and travelled to the United States. K.I.C. remain... More...
$0 (02-18-2025 - VA)<h2><center> Commonwealth of Virginia v. Samuel Harris, s/k/a Samuel Harris, jr. </h2> </center>
Chesterfield, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with obscene sexual display.<br> <br> On August 6, 2022, two women were in Rockwood Park at pavilion three setting up for a gender reveal party. As the women were walking from the parking lot to pavilion three, they observed a man, Samuel Harris, huddled on the gravel trail. Harris was naked, wearing a blonde wig, wi... More...
$0 (02-18-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Commonwealth of Virginia v. Shjon Michael Stamps </h2> </center>
City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with drug possession.<br> <br> Around 1:20 a.m. on January 5, 2023, Virginia Beach Police Officer Christopher Grimm was surveilling a house that police suspected was involved in "narcotics activity." The house shared a driveway with another home. Grimm observed a 1996 white Cadillac with antique license pla... More...
$0 (02-18-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Commonwealth of Virginia v. Tanya Rashae Holland
Collinsville, Virginia criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with felony child neglect resulting in serious injury.<br> <br> Tanya Rashae Holland pleaded no contest to felony child neglect resulting in serious injury. After entering her plea, but before sentencing, Holland was appointed new counsel. Four months later, on the eve of sentencing, Holland moved to withdraw her plea... More...
$0 (01-23-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Commonwealth of Virginia v. Isaac Ramirez Rodriguez </h2> </center>
Danville, Virginia criminal defense lawyer represented the Dendant charged with rape, aggravated sexual battery, three counts of object sexual penetration, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.<br> <br> Rodriguez was sentenced to two life terms plus 115 years and 12 months with 55 years suspended. On appeal, Rodriguez first challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain his convi... More...
$0 (01-14-2025 - VA)<h2> <center> Winchester Department of Social Sevices v. Jennifer Elizabeth Jones </h2> </center>
<h2><br> Winchester, Virginia family law lawyer represented the Defendant in a parental rights termination case.<br> </h2><br> <br> Mother is the biological parent to two children, H.J. and R.J.[2] The family first came to the Winchester Department of Social Services' (the Department) attention in 2020, when H.J. was born at 25-weeks gestation, and tested positive for fentanyl and marijuana exposu... More...
$0 (01-16-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> Commonwealth of Virginia v. Dilliraj Bista </h2> </center>
<h2><br> Fairfax, Virginia criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with<br> </h2><br> </center><br> <br> Bista was charged with the forcible sodomy of a child under the age of 13, in violation of Code § 18.2-67.1, and aggravated sexual battery, in violation of Code § 18.2-67.3. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of Fairfax County (the “district court�... More...
$0 (11-15-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> Gabrielle Barbour v. Merrick B. Garland </h2> </center>
<h2><br> Alexandria, Virginia civil rights lawyers represented the Plaintiff workplace discrimination theory.<br> </h2><br> <br> The Complaint reflects that, prior to her application for employment with the DEA as a Special Agent, Barbour had studied International Politics and Print Journalism at Pennsylvania State University, where she was also a student-athlete. See Complaint ¶ 10. After earn... More...
$0 (06-24-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> United States of America v. Davey Jonathan Sisk </h2> </center>
<h2><br> Charlottesville, Virginia child sexual exploitation and child pornography criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant.<br> </h2><br> Davey Jonathan Sisk, age 30, Culpeper, Virginia used the social media application “Telegram†to engage another individual, Anna Layher, to create videos and photos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and then send to him. These ... More...
$0 (10-23-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> Troy Shannon Harlow v. Wells Fargo & Co., et al. </h2> </center>
<h2><br> Roanoke, Virginia bankruptcy withdrawl lawyer represented the Plaintiff.<br> </h2><br> This matter is before the Court on a motion filed by the Defendants Wells Fargo & Co. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (collectively "Wells Fargo") to dismiss the Second Amended Class Action Complaint ("SAC") filed by the Plaintiffs Troy Shannon Harlow, Mark Stephen Estes, Kimberly Porter Fewell, Beatriz Vill... More...
$0 (10-11-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> Yemane Mehari v. Muzit Mesfun-Mehari </h2> </center>
<h2><br> Fairfax, Virginia divorce lawyers represented husband and wife in a child support and equitable distribution dispute.<br> <h2><br> <br> Husband and wife married on January 12, 2002, and had three children. When the parties divorced in January 2023, their oldest child was an adult and attending college, while their younger children were seven-year-old twins. One of the twins, A.M., had sev... More...
$0 (07-16-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> Lindsey Nicole Perkins v. Rebecca Lynn (Hicks) Howington, et al. </h2> </center>
<h2><br> Tazwell, Virginia adoption lawyers represented the parties.<br> </h2><br> <br> In 2019, mother and father shared joint legal custody over their biological child, with mother having primary physical custody. On February 14, 2020, father married stepmother. In March, the Tazewell County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court ("J&DR district court") granted father temporary legal and... More...
$0 (09-10-2024 - VA)<h2> <center> Jushua Lee Carpenter v. Commonwealth of Virginia </h2> </center>
<h2><br> New Kent, Virginia attempted forcible Sodomy of a child criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant.<br> <h2><br> <br> <br> A jury convicted Joshua Lee Carpenter in the Circuit Court of New Kent County of attempted forcible sodomy of a child less than 13 years of age in violation of Code § 18.2-67.1 and taking indecent liberties with a child less than 15 years of age by a parent ... More...
$0 (09-13-2024 - VA)<h2><center> N.S. v. Prince Williams County School Board </h2></center>
<h2><br> Alexandria, Virginia civil rights lawyers represented the Plaintiff who claimed Defendant failed to protect her son from bullying.<br> </h2><br> <br> <br> Plaintiff N.S. asserts that he is a gay minor and that he suffered “regular and relentless†anti-LGBTQ+ bullying at the hands of his classmates within the Prince William County public schools system and, in particular, at Ro... More...
$0 (08-23-2024 - VA)<h2><center> Eyob Tadesse Chaka v. United States of America </h2></center
<h2><br> Alexandria, Virginia immigration lawyer represented the Plaintiff seeking review of an agency action.<br> </h2><br> <br> To the extent necessary to decision and when presented, the reviewing court shall decide all relevant questions of law, interpret constitutional and statutory provisions, and determine the meaning or applicability of the terms of an agency action. The reviewing court sh... More...
$0 (08-13-2024 - VA)<h2><center> Evelyn M. Baker v. Wawa, Inc. </h2></center>
Norfolk, Virginia personal injury slip and fall lawyer represented the Plaintiff who sued the Defendant on a premises liability theory negligence theory.<br> <br> Virginia premises liability law dictates the legal obligations of property owners and occupiers to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to avoid foreseeable injuries to visitors. Here's a breakdown of the key points... More...
$1 (01-10-2024 - VA)<h2><center> Mildred Rohm v. Kroger Limited Partnership I </h2></center>
Charlottesville, Virginia personal injury slip and fall lawyer represented the Plaintiff who sued the Defendant on a premises liablity negligence theory.<br> <br> Virginia premises liability law dictates the legal obligations of property owners and occupiers to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to avoid foreseeable injuries to visitors. Here's a breakdown of the key points... More...
$1 (12-21-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Daniel Kemp, Sr. </h2><center>
Defendant Daniel N. Kemp, Sr., was charged with nine counts of sexually abusing his adopted children. Pursuant to an agreement with the government, he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual abuse, and the remaining charges were dismissed. The district court sentenced Kemp to life imprisonment – a term within the Sentencing Guidelines range adopted by the court – and to ... More...
$0 (12-26-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Melchor Calderon </h2><center>
PER CURIAM:<br> <br> In 2014, Melchor Calderon was convicted of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act <br> robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, <br> in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 924(c)(1)(B)(i); conspiracy to distribute cocaine, in violation <br> of 21 U.S.C. § 846; and kidnapping, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 1201(a). Caldero... More...
$0 (12-26-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Jontez McLeod </h2><center>
PER CURIAM:<br> Jontez Xavier McLeod appeals his convictions and 141-month sentence imposed <br> after his guilty plea to carjacking and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. <br> §§ 2119, 2; and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of, a <br> crime of violence and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), 2. <br> On app... More...
$0 (12-26-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Zhivargo Jenkins </h2><center>
PER CURIAM: <br> <br> Zhivargo Kinta Jenkins appeals the district court’s order denying his 18 U.S.C. <br> § 3582(c)(1)(A) motion for compassionate release. We review a district court’s denial of <br> a compassionate release motion for abuse of discretion. United States v. Kibble, 992 F.3d <br> 326, 329 (4th Cir. 2021). We have reviewed the record and conclude that the district co... More...
$0 (12-26-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Zerrell Fuentes </h2><center>
compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A). After reviewing the record, we <br> conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that the 18 U.S.C. <br> § 3553(a) factors did not warrant reducing Fuentes’ sentence. See United States v. Malone, <br> 57 F.4th 167, 172 (4th Cir. 2023) (stating standard of review). Accordingly, we affirm the <br> distric... More...
$0 (12-26-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Abraham Atkins </h2><center>
PER CURIAM:<br> <br> Abraham A. Atkins appeals the district court’s order denying his motion for <br> compassionate release. We have reviewed the record and discern no abuse of discretion. <br> See United States v. Kibble, 992 F.3d 326, 329 (4th Cir. 2021) (stating standard of review <br> for compassionate release motions). Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s order. <br> Unit... More...
$0 (12-26-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Christopher Zoukis </h2><center>
On the merits, Appellant contends the district court abused its discretion when it <br> denied his motion for early termination of supervised release. Appellant pled guilty on <br> December 26, 2007 to one count of knowingly possessing child pornography in violation <br> of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2252(a)(4)(B) and 2252(b)(2) and one count of knowingly receiving child <br> pornography in violation of 1... More...
$0 (12-26-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Christopher Zoukis </h2><center>
PER CURIAM:<br> <br> Appellant Christopher Hardy Zoukis appeals the district court’s order denying his <br> motion for early termination of supervised release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e). Also <br> pending before the court is the Government’s motion to dismiss Appellant’s appeal. That <br> motion is denied.<br> On the merits, Appellant contends the district court abused... More...
$0 (12-25-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Timothy William Bavar </h2><center>
<br> Timothy William Bavaro pleaded guilty, pursuant to a written plea agreement, to<br> two counts of interstate transportation for prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2421(a). <br> On appeal, Bavaro asserts that the district court erred in denying his motion to withdraw <br> his guilty plea. He also asserts that the court erred in applying three enhancements to his <br> Sentencing Guid... More...
$0 (12-25-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Timothy William Bavar </h2><center>
<br> Timothy William Bavaro pleaded guilty, pursuant to a written plea agreement, to<br> two counts of interstate transportation for prostitution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2421(a). <br> On appeal, Bavaro asserts that the district court erred in denying his motion to withdraw <br> his guilty plea. He also asserts that the court erred in applying three enhancements to his <br> Sentencing Guid... More...
$0 (12-25-2023 - VA)<h2><center> United States of America v. Alif Adil </h2><center>
A federal jury convicted Alif Jan Adil of abusive sexual contact, in violation of 18 <br> U.S.C. § 2244(a)(3); coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, in <br> violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b); and possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 <br> U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(A), (b)(2). The district court sentenced Adil to a total of 150 months’ <br> imprisonm... More...
$0 (12-25-2023 - VA)