Ex-volleyball coach faces federal child exploitation charges
A former Muncie volleyball coach faces federal child sexual exploitation charges for allegedly having sex with two minors over a three-year period.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
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Senate committee advances civil forfeiture bill
A long-discussed civil forfeiture reform bill has cleared its first hurdle in the Indiana statehouse. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 99, which tightens due process procedures when prosecutors seek to confiscate property allegedly connected with crimes.
Committee delays over vote on Sweeney nomination
The vote to send to the full U.S. Senate James Sweeney II’s nomination to be a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District was delayed Thursday by the Senate’s Committee on the Judiciary.
Panel seeking comments on Dinsmore reappointment
An Indiana Southern District Court panel is seeking comment on whether a sitting magistrate judge should be reappointed to his position for another eight-year term.
7th Circuit: Suit against Evansville, Kentucky police may proceed
A federal complaint alleging coercion, constitutional violations and falsification at the hands of Evansville and Kentucky police officers investigating a murder will continue after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined qualified immunity was not appropriate for certain claims against the officers.
Judiciary Committee schedules vote on Sweeney for Southern District
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary is scheduled to vote Thursday on the nomination of James Sweeney II to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
7th Circuit remands case for resentencing, pro se hearing
The Indiana Southern District Court must resentence an Indianapolis man convicted of possessing ammunition as a felon after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals determined the district court did not adequately inquire into whether the man wanted to proceed pro se.
Federal courts open during government shutdown
With Congress failing to pass a budget measure by the deadline of midnight Saturday, and the federal government beginning the workweek amid a shutdown, federal judiciary officials sought to assure the public they are still open – for now.
NCAA scores victory in trademark infringement case
A Las Vegas-based fantasy sports sweepstakes company can no longer use the phrases “Final 3” and “April Madness” in its events related to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship after a district court judge granted the NCAA’s request for a permanent injunction in a trademark infringement case.
Trademark dispute between Splenda, Applebees and IHOP to continue
A trademark dispute between the owners of the Splenda sweetener brand and the Applebee’s and IHOP franchises will continue after a district court judge denied the restaurants’ motion to dismiss on Thursday.
IMPD excessive force claim proceeds to trial
The City of Indianapolis has lost its summary judgment argument on an excessive force claim after a district court judge determined genuine issues of material fact exist as to whether the city’s policies led two police officers to use excessive force against a veteran.
Sweeney shows respect, humor at nomination hearing
James Sweeney II, nominee for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, practically breezed through his nomination hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary Wednesday.
In big-cat fight, judge scratches defamation counterclaim against PETA
A lawsuit filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals against what it terms “an unaccredited roadside zoo” near Charlestown is proceeding after a judge dismissed the owners’ counterclaim that the nonprofit had defamed them in its complaint.
Southern Indiana District Court nominee scheduled for hearing
James R. Sweeney II, the nominee for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is scheduled to appear before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary tomorrow.
Nearly a dozen Indiana communities sue opioid industry in new flurry of suits
Nearly a dozen Indiana cities and counties have filed lawsuits in recent days against opioid makers and distributors, claiming the companies have flooded their communities with the addictive painkillers and engaged in deceptive marketing campaigns that helped lead to a growing crisis.
Southern Indiana gets new prosecutor focused on violence
The U.S. Justice Department says the federal Southern District of Indiana will receive an additional assistant U.S. attorney to focus exclusively on violent crime.
Bankruptcy court amendment protects against misuse of filing fee
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana has amended language governing the payment of filing fees to the court, a change prompted by recent concerns about attorneys using clients’ filing fee payments for other purposes.
Ruling: Lids store managers may proceed with pay class-action
Indianapolis-based Lids store managers who claim they were denied overtime pay in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act cleared the first hurdle Tuesday in a proposed class-action lawsuit.
Hamilton to lead 7th Circuit review of harassment policies
Judge David Hamilton of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has been appointed to chair a committee to review policies for reporting and handling harassment within the federal jurisdiction.
Two ex-nursing home execs to plead guilty in kickback scheme
Two former executives with a company that operates dozens of Indiana nursing homes have agreed to plead guilty in a kickback scheme involving millions of dollars. Court documents unsealed this week show that former American Senior Communities CEO James Burkhart and former Chief Operating Officer Daniel Benson, both 52, have reached plea deals.