Jesse Widick, a 45-year-old Nebraska man, has been sentenced to over a century in prison for sexually assaulting multiple girls over a two-decade period. The charges against Widick included first-degree sexual assault of a child, intentional child abuse, and witness tampering. The investigation began with a 15-year-old girl’s testimony detailing years of abuse, supported by evidence found during a home search and financial records. Further investigations revealed additional victims and instances of Widick providing alcohol and marijuana to a minor.
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Jesse Butler, a Stillwater teenager, received a sentence of one year of counseling after pleading no contest to multiple counts of rape and strangulation. The charges stemmed from two victims’ reports detailing repeated sexual assaults, strangulation, and threats of violence. One victim, “Jane,” described near-fatal strangulation and lasting physical and emotional trauma, while the second victim, “Sarah,” recounted similar abuse and the existence of a video recording of the assaults. Despite the severity of the charges, the judge’s sentence allows Butler to avoid prison time if he complies with the counseling program. The victims’ families expressed disappointment with the court’s decision, emphasizing the need for a system that better supports victims.
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A California resident, Nicholas Roske, was sentenced to eight years and one month in prison for attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Although prosecutors sought a sentence of no less than 30 years, the judge cited Roske’s abandonment of the plot and atypical circumstances as reasons for leniency. Roske, who had a pistol, knife, and other tools, told investigators she was angry about the leaked draft opinion on Roe v. Wade and believed Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun laws. The Justice Department has announced plans to appeal what it considers an insufficient sentence.
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In court on Friday, Sean “Diddy” Combs acknowledged his Mann Act conviction for transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. Addressing the judge, Combs expressed understanding of the severity of the charges and accepted full accountability. He then requested a chance to demonstrate personal growth, highlighting the importance of his children’s support and his desire to avoid future situations that would separate him from his family. Combs concluded by emphasizing his commitment to avoiding any actions that could jeopardize his relationship with his family.
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Sean Combs, facing sentencing for prostitution-related convictions, submitted a four-page apology letter to the judge, expressing remorse for his actions. In the letter, Combs admitted full responsibility, apologized to his victims, including Cassie Ventura and “Jane,” and attributed his offenses to selfishness and substance abuse. He claimed his time in prison had led to self-reflection, stating he had changed for the better. Finally, Combs pleaded for leniency to spend time with his family, while federal prosecutors are seeking at least 11 years in prison.
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Kelly Lee Setzer, a 64-year-old man from Hickory, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for producing and transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The sentencing followed a search warrant executed at Setzer’s residence, where officers found videos depicting the sexual abuse of a prepubescent child. The investigation also revealed Setzer possessed an extensive CSAM library with over 48,000 videos and images, along with an online relationship involving a minor. Setzer pleaded guilty to multiple counts related to the production, transportation, and possession of child pornography and was ordered to pay restitution, serve lifetime supervised release, and register as a sex offender.
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The judge denied Sean Combs’ attempt to overturn his conviction days before his sentencing. Federal prosecutors are recommending at least 11 years in prison for Combs’ conviction on two counts of transportation for the purposes of prostitution, emphasizing his lack of remorse and the victims’ fear. The prosecution cited his violent behavior and abuse, including that of Cassie Ventura, while defense attorneys are calling the recommendation “draconian”. Several people who were previously associated with Combs, including Ventura and Mia, submitted letters hoping the sentencing reflects the harm he has caused and provides justice.
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Charlie Javice, the founder of the startup Frank, has been sentenced to over seven years in prison for defrauding JPMorgan Chase out of $175 million. Javice was found guilty of fabricating customer data to inflate the company’s value during its acquisition by the bank in 2021. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ultimately dismissed arguments of leniency and maintained that the defendant’s actions were the sole focus of the court, regardless of the bank’s oversight. The prosecution highlighted Javice’s motive of greed, which was reflected in a text message sent prior to the trial, as a key factor in the severity of the sentence.
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Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs have requested a maximum 14-month prison sentence, arguing his reputation and career are already destroyed. They presented details about his nearly 13-month incarceration, including dangerous incidents and limited access to basic necessities. The lawyers noted the jury’s exoneration on more serious charges, implying sufficient punishment has already been served. They highlighted Combs’s transformation, including sobriety and efforts to teach inmates essential skills, in their plea for a shorter sentence.
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John Q. Hosedrinker