A state prison inmate incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility was awaiting her group therapy session on Aug. 23, 2017. She stepped backward in her cell toward the door, where Correctional Officer Israel Trevino waited with waist restraints. As he attached the chains, he reached down with both of...
Documents Reveal Sexual Abuse at Chowchilla Women’s Prison
A state prison inmate incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility was awaiting her group therapy session on Aug. 23, 2017. She stepped backward in her cell toward the door, where Correctional Officer Israel Trevino waited with waist restraints. As he attached the chains, he reached down with both of...
Law Gives Child Sex Assault Victims More Time to File Suits
SACRAMENTO — California is giving childhood victims of sexual abuse more time to decide whether to file lawsuits, joining several states in expanding the statute of limitations for victims over warnings from school districts that the new rules could bankrupt them. The law signed Sunday by Gov. Gavin Newsom gives...
Australian Court Upholds Sex Abuse Verdict of Cardinal Pell
MELBOURNE, Australia — An Australian appeals court Wednesday upheld convictions against Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic to be found guilty of sexually abusing children, in a decision cheered by scores of abuse survivors and victims' advocates demonstrating outside the court. A unanimous jury in December found Pope Francis'...
Another Alleged Victim Surfaces in Clovis Sexual Assault Case
A Clovis man facing charges of sexual assault against three children under age 15 was re-arrested Thursday after a fourth alleged victim came forward, police said. Richard Bradberry, 55, was booked into Fresno County Jail on one county of lewd and lascivious acts with a child. The fourth alleged victim,...
R. Kelly Faces New Federal Charges of Sex Crimes, Cover Up
CHICAGO — Singer R. Kelly, already facing sexual abuse charges brought by Illinois prosecutors, was arrested in Chicago on sweeping federal indictments that accuse him and members of his entourage of recruiting women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with the performer and later paying victims and witnesses...
Clovis Man Held on Charges of Sexual Abuse Against Minors
A Clovis man was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexual abuse involving three alleged victims, all aged 14 or younger, police said. Richard Bradberry, 55, was taken into custody at his home without incident and booked in the Fresno County Jail, where he is being held on $85,000 bail, Clovis...
Visalia Priest Put on Administrative Leave by Diocese
Father Eric Swearingen has been on paid administrative leave since Wednesday, June 5, because of sexual abuse allegations, the Diocese of Fresno says. Bishop Joseph V. Brennan said Monday the action resulted from "detailed information associated with a civil case dating back to 2009." Seventh Diocese Priest on Leave The...
R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty to 11 More Sex-Related Charges
CHICAGO — R&B singer R. Kelly pleaded not guilty to 11 additional sex-related charges on Thursday, including four counts that carry a maximum prison term of 30 years in prison. Prosecutors did not ask the judge to raise the bond amount for Kelly during the brief hearing in Cook County...
Retired FBI Executive Will Review Clergy Files, Fresno Diocese Says
The Diocese of Fresno said Wednesday that retired FBI agent and high-ranking bureau executive Kathleen McChesney is leading a team reviewing all clergy files going back nearly 100 years. Their goal is to compile a list of Catholic priests who have been credibly accused of improper conduct with minors, according...