Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
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S.D. A.G. Jackley Releases Final Ballot Explanation on Proposed Constitutional Amendment Establishing a Trust for Unclaimed Property Fund
PIERRE, South Dakota, May 16 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Releases Final Ballot Explanation on Proposed Constitutional Amendment Establishing a Trust for Unclaimed Property Fund
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released the final ballot explanation for a Constitutional Amendment proposed by the State Legislature that would establish a trust for the state's Unclaimed Property Fund. The proposed amendment will be on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.
Attorney General Jackley
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PIERRE, South Dakota, May 16 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Releases Final Ballot Explanation on Proposed Constitutional Amendment Establishing a Trust for Unclaimed Property Fund
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has released the final ballot explanation for a Constitutional Amendment proposed by the State Legislature that would establish a trust for the state's Unclaimed Property Fund. The proposed amendment will be on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.
Attorney General Jackleytakes no position on any such proposal for purposes of the ballot explanation.
As required by law, he has provided a fair and neutral explanation on the initiated Constitutional Amendment to help assist the voters as required by state law. The sponsors of the proposed Constitutional Amendment were Sen. Taffy Howard and Rep. Chris Kassin.
The Attorney General's explanation was finalized after a review of all the comments received during the 10-day comment period on the Attorney General's draft explanation.
No comments were received by the deadline.
Language for the final initiated ballot measure explanation can be found here (https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3081).
For more information regarding ballot measures, please visit the Secretary of State's website.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3081
Okla. A.G. Drummond: Tulsa Human Trafficking Operation Results in Arrest, Victim Recovery
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 16 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Tulsa human trafficking operation results in arrest, victim recovery
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Human Trafficking Response Unit, in conjunction with several law enforcement partners and Skull Games Solutions, arrested one individual and recovered three potential victims during a trafficking bust Thursday night at a Tulsa motel.
The Cherokee National Marshal Service arrested Dorian Bonilla on complaints of solicitation of prostitution and violations
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 16 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Tulsa human trafficking operation results in arrest, victim recovery
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Human Trafficking Response Unit, in conjunction with several law enforcement partners and Skull Games Solutions, arrested one individual and recovered three potential victims during a trafficking bust Thursday night at a Tulsa motel.
The Cherokee National Marshal Service arrested Dorian Bonilla on complaints of solicitation of prostitution and violationsof the Computer Crimes Act. Three individuals who were recovered during the operation received victims' services.
"We appreciate the collaboration of our law enforcement partners all across Oklahoma to protect victims of human trafficking and to hold predators accountable," Drummond said.
"With every training session and every operation, our fight against trafficking continues to strengthen. We will not stop until human trafficking is driven out of Oklahoma."
Drummond's office and Skull Games led an advanced human trafficking training session in Broken Arrow earlier this week where nine local law enforcement agencies participated. Agencies who joined the training and aided in the operation include the Northeastern State University Police Department, Glenpool Police Department, Cherokee National Marshal Service, Citizen Potawatomi National Tribal Police, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Miami Police Department, Absentee Shawnee Tribal Police, Tahlequah Police Department and the Wyandotte Tribal Police.
DataPilot and Whooster assisted the operation with invaluable technology and data services.
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/may/tulsa-human-trafficking-operation-results-in-arrest-victim-recovery.html
Md. A.G. Brown Joins Coalition Opposing EPA's Proposal to Gut National Limits on Toxic Ethylene Oxide Pollution
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 16 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Opposing EPA's Proposal to Gut National Limits on Toxic Ethylene Oxide Pollution
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general opposing a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to repeal national emission standards for ethylene oxide (EtO) used by commercial sterilization facilities. According to the EPA's own assessment, EtO is a known human carcinogen and among the most toxic
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 16 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Opposing EPA's Proposal to Gut National Limits on Toxic Ethylene Oxide Pollution
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general opposing a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to repeal national emission standards for ethylene oxide (EtO) used by commercial sterilization facilities. According to the EPA's own assessment, EtO is a known human carcinogen and among the most toxicpollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act.
In 2024, the EPA improved old regulations on EtO, taking into account updated scientific evidence showing EtO emissions are far more harmful than previously recognized. Among other improvements, the 2024 updates required the complete capture of EtO at sterilizer facilities that use it, major reductions to EtO pollution and continuous emissions monitoring at regulated facilities. The Trump administration is now proposing to dismantle the updated EtO limits and return to the old regulations.
There are four commercial sterilization facilities that use EtO in Maryland, located in Jessup, Hanover, Hampstead, and Salisbury. More than 343,000 Marylanders live within five miles of these facilities.
In their comments, Attorney General Brown and the coalition argue that the EPA's new proposal unlawfully ignores decades of scientific progress and improved understanding of the health risks from EtO pollution.
Long-term cumulative exposure, even to very small amounts of EtO, significantly increases the risk of developing certain types of cancers. Researchers for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that workers from 13 sterilizer facilities who participated in a study of EtO's health effects suffered higher rates of breast cancer and lymphomas.
A follow-up study on the female workers found that cumulative exposure to EtO was associated with elevated rates of breast cancer mortality, with workers who were exposed to the highest EtO levels dying at three times the rate of their unexposed peers.
Short-term exposure to high levels of EtO can cause memory loss, headaches, dizziness, numbness and other neurological impacts, as well as respiratory, eye and skin irritation. Children are especially vulnerable to EtO, which can cause DNA mutations. Analysis from the EPA also found that commercial sterilizers emitting EtO disproportionately impose adverse health effects on communities of color, low-income populations and indigenous peoples.
Joining Attorney General Brown in submitting the letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Virginia, along with the California Air Resources Board.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Joins-Coalition-Opposing-EPA%e2%80%99s-Proposal-to-Gut-National-Limits-on-Toxic-Ethylene-Oxide-Pollution.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Announces That No Charges Will Be Filed in the January 17, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Collision in Howard County
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 16 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces that No Charges Will Be Filed in the January 17, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Collision in Howard County
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Saturday, January 17, 2026 fatal police-involved collision that occurred in Columbia, Howard County, Maryland.
On January 17, 2026, at 1:47 a.m., Police Officer First Class (Pfc.) Brian Maurantonio of the Howard County Police Department (HCPD)
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 16 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces that No Charges Will Be Filed in the January 17, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Collision in Howard County
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the Saturday, January 17, 2026 fatal police-involved collision that occurred in Columbia, Howard County, Maryland.
On January 17, 2026, at 1:47 a.m., Police Officer First Class (Pfc.) Brian Maurantonio of the Howard County Police Department (HCPD)was conducting traffic enforcement in an unmarked police vehicle on U.S. Route 29 (Columbia Pike) when a Honda traveling at a high rate of speed passed his location. Using a laser speed detection device, Pfc. Maurantonio determined the vehicle was traveling approximately 84 mph in a posted 55 mph speed zone. The officer entered the roadway in an attempt to catch up to the vehicle.
After entering Rt. 29, Pfc. Maurantonio activated his emergency lights and notified dispatch that the vehicle was failing to stop. Approximately 15 seconds after the initial notification, Pfc. Maurantonio advised dispatch that he was canceling the attempted traffic stop due to the vehicle's high rate of speed. Moments later, the Honda crashed. Pfc. Maurantonio requested additional units and emergency medical services. As he approached the vehicle, Pfc. Maurantonio called out to any occupants but received no response.
The vehicle caught fire. Officers on scene attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful. Personnel from the Howard County Fire and Rescue Services responded and extinguished the fire. The driver, identified as a juvenile female, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved collision on Saturday, January 17, 2026, and concluded its investigation on Monday, May 11, 2026. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officer in this case.
A copy of the IID's detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report (https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-that-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-January-17,-2026-Fatal-Police-Involved-Collision-in-H.aspx).
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-that-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-January-17,-2026-Fatal-Police-Involved-Collision-in-H.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Announces Sentencing of Former DPSCS Correctional Staff in Contraband Schemes at Jessup Correctional Institution
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 16 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces Sentencing of Former DPSCS Correctional Staff in Contraband Schemes at Jessup Correctional Institution
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that former Correctional Officer Sergeant Awungjia Rita Atabong, Correctional Educator Lakesha Murry, and Correctional Officer Kathyrn Hawes were sentenced after pleading guilty for their involvement in three separate contraband smuggling schemes operating at Jessup Correctional Institution
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 16 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces Sentencing of Former DPSCS Correctional Staff in Contraband Schemes at Jessup Correctional Institution
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that former Correctional Officer Sergeant Awungjia Rita Atabong, Correctional Educator Lakesha Murry, and Correctional Officer Kathyrn Hawes were sentenced after pleading guilty for their involvement in three separate contraband smuggling schemes operating at Jessup Correctional Institution(JCI) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The investigations were led by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Organized Crime Unit and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).
"When correctional staff smuggle contraband into our prisons, they endanger the health and safety of their colleagues and the incarcerated people entrusted to their care," said Attorney General Brown. "These defendants abused their authority to bring prohibited items into Jessup Correctional Institution, undermining prison security for their own profit. Our Office will hold accountable any public servant who betrays the people and institutions they are sworn to protect."
"The guilty pleas entered by these former employees send a clear message that misconduct and corruption within our correctional institutions will not be tolerated," said Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs. "Any staff member who chooses to engage in criminal activity or compromise the safety and integrity of our facilities will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I want to once again commend our detectives and investigators for their outstanding work that led to the apprehension of the guilty and, in so doing, protected the public and the integrity of our correctional system."
Correctional Officer Sergeant Awungjia Rita Atabong, a 13-year veteran correctional officer, repeatedly smuggled drugs into JCI on behalf of multiple incarcerated individuals. Atabong regularly met with associates acting on behalf of incarcerated individuals, receiving contraband packages that she would subsequently smuggle into the correctional facility. Atabong communicated with the inmates using their contraband cell phones and was paid thousands of dollars over several smuggling trips. In one particularly egregious act, Atabong abused her position by tipping off an incarcerated individual that members of DPSCS's contraband interdiction team were engaged in an active operation.
On July 14, 2025, police executed a search warrant at Atabong's residence in Anne Arundel County, and recovered a large amount of contraband packaged to be smuggled into JCI. The items seized included 200 pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, a plastic bag containing 19.65 grams of the stimulant drug 3,4-Methylenedioxy-a-cyclohexylaminopropiophenone, 7,911 pills containing MDMA and methamphetamine, 78 grams of cannabis, 55 grams of THC-9, 54 grams of psilocin, 733 strips of buprenorphine, tobacco, cellphones with charging cords, and a variety of other items such as rolling papers and lighters.
On May 5, 2026, Atabong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver contraband and misconduct in office and was sentenced by the Honorable Mark W. Crooks to a total of 10 years of incarceration, suspending all but 18 months, to be followed by three years of supervised probation.
Correctional Educator Lakesha Murry exploited her position to smuggle drugs, food, and other contraband into JCI for incarcerated individuals in exchange for money and luxury items, including a Gucci bag. Murry communicated directly with some of her incarcerated students using a contraband cell phone, taking specific requests for prohibited items. Murry also coordinated bringing in contraband food items. Murry would hide items on her person and then distribute them to her conspirators while in the JCI classroom. Security footage captured Murry kissing one of her incarcerated students on at least one occasion. On June 9, 2025, Murry passed cigarettes and 5 pieces of paper soaked with synthetic cannabis to incarcerated individual Kevin Glover while they were in the JCI classroom. On April 21, 2025, a search of incarcerated co-conspirator Allen Mitchell's cell phone uncovered messages between Mitchell and Murry discussing Murry's delivery of unauthorized food to Mitchell.
On May 15, 2026, Murry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver contraband and misconduct in office and was sentenced by the Honorable Mark W. Crooks to a total of five years of incarceration, suspending all but 90 days, to be followed by three years of supervised probation.
Correctional Officer Kathyrn Hawes was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an incarcerated individual, Artemis Booker. Hawes coordinated with multiple incarcerated co-conspirators through texts and calls from their contraband cell phone. Among the items she provided was a watch, which she sent photos of to Booker's contraband cell phone. When investigators searched Booker's cell, they recovered the watch as well as other prohibited contraband, including a flash drive and tobacco. Upon her arrest at JCI in connection with this indictment, Hawes was found to be hiding additional contraband on her person that she had smuggled into the facility.
On February 5, 2026, Hawes pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and was sentenced by the Honorable Stacy W. McCormack to a total of three years of incarceration, suspending all but the time served, to be followed by three years of supervised probation.
Between February 2026 and April 2026, five inmate co-defendants pleaded guilty to charges including possession of a contraband cell phone and conspiracy to deliver contraband.
The remaining JCI inmate co-defendants, Tavon Williams and Kevin Glover, have a trial date set for May 21, 2026, and May 28, 2026, respectively.
A criminal indictment is merely an accusation of wrongdoing, and a defendant is presumed innocent until the State proves the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
In making today's announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically Division Chief Katie Dorian, Organized Crime Unit Chief Paul Halliday, and the Investigations and Prosecutions Support Unit Chief Zachary Norfolk and Assistant Attorney General Colin McDaniels, who are prosecuting these cases. Attorney General Brown also thanked DPSCS for their partnership. Finally, Attorney General Brown thanked the State's Attorney for Anne Arundel County Anne Colt Leitess for assisting with this prosecution.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-Sentencing-of-Former-DPSCS-Correctional-Staff-in-Contraband-Schemes-at-Jessup-Correctional.aspx
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Wins Ruling to Keep Public Nuisance Lawsuit Against Fondomonte Moving Forward
PHOENIX, Arizona, May 16 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Wins Ruling to Keep Public Nuisance Lawsuit Against Fondomonte Moving Forward
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has denied Fondomonte Arizona LLC's request to halt Attorney General Mayes' public nuisance lawsuit over the company's groundwater extraction in the Ranegras Plain Basin, allowing the case to move forward.
"I am grateful for today's ruling, which keeps our lawsuit against Fondomonte on track," said Attorney General Mayes. "My office will
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PHOENIX, Arizona, May 16 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Wins Ruling to Keep Public Nuisance Lawsuit Against Fondomonte Moving Forward
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has denied Fondomonte Arizona LLC's request to halt Attorney General Mayes' public nuisance lawsuit over the company's groundwater extraction in the Ranegras Plain Basin, allowing the case to move forward.
"I am grateful for today's ruling, which keeps our lawsuit against Fondomonte on track," said Attorney General Mayes. "My office willkeep fighting to protect the people of La Paz County and hold Fondomonte accountable for the public nuisance we allege they have created due to their overuse of groundwater."
In an order issued today, May 12, 2026, Judge Scott Minder rejected Fondomonte's argument that the case should be paused entirely while the Arizona Department of Water Resources conducts its multi-year Active Management Area study of the basin. The court found that a complete stay would be inappropriate because the State's lawsuit seeks relief -- including an abatement fund -- that goes beyond what the ADWR process can provide.
Attorney General Mayes filed suit in 2024 alleging that Fondomonte, an alfalfa farming operation, has massively increased groundwater pumping in the Ranegras Basin since 2014, causing nearby wells to run dry, degrading water quality, and contributing to land subsidence in the surrounding community. The complaint alleges violations of Arizona's public nuisance statute, A.R.S. Sec. 13-2917.
The court ordered the parties to submit a joint scheduling order by June 15, 2026, that takes the ADWR's AMA process into account. A copy of the order (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=88aaa536a7&e=9153ff6c96) is available.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-wins-ruling-keep-public-nuisance-lawsuit-against-fondomonte
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Nearly 15 Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Narcotics and Weapons Case
PHOENIX, Arizona, May 16 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Nearly 15 Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Narcotics and Weapons Case
TUCSON -- Attorney General Kris Mayes announced today that Christina Eileen Gonzalez was sentenced to 14.5 years prison by the Pima County Superior Court on May 11, 2026.
Throughout August 2025, Gonzalez conducted a criminal enterprise that sold cocaine, methamphetamine, a firearm, and "Bouncing Betty" land mines. Pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement located
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PHOENIX, Arizona, May 16 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 15, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Nearly 15 Year Prison Sentence in Pima County Narcotics and Weapons Case
TUCSON -- Attorney General Kris Mayes announced today that Christina Eileen Gonzalez was sentenced to 14.5 years prison by the Pima County Superior Court on May 11, 2026.
Throughout August 2025, Gonzalez conducted a criminal enterprise that sold cocaine, methamphetamine, a firearm, and "Bouncing Betty" land mines. Pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement locatedquantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, along with several firearms, at Gonzalez's residence.
"Arizonans deserve to be safe in their communities and my office will not tolerate criminal enterprises that flood our streets with deadly drugs and weapons," said Attorney General Mayes.
"Ms. Gonzalez will now spend the fourteen and a half years in prison for her crimes. My office is grateful to Arizona Department of Public Safety for their outstanding work on this investigation."
Gonzalez pleaded guilty to Attempted Transportation for Sale of a Narcotic Drug, a Class 3 felony; Attempted Money Laundering, a Class 5 felony; and Illegally Conducting an Enterprise, a Class 3 felony. The case was investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Assistant Attorney General Michael Lester prosecuted the case.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-nearly-15-year-prison-sentence-pima-county-narcotics
