Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
Featured Stories
Update: Ga. A.G. Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit Secures Life Sentence for Murder of Athens Toddler
ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 6 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release:
* * *
UPDATE: Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit Secures Life Sentence for Murder of Athens Toddler
ATHENS, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Desmontrez Mathis, (aka "Ten"), 24, of Athens, has been sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, plus 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of strict probation, for the murder of three-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith.
A Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge sentenced the defendant on Feb. 6, 2026.
* * *
ORIGINAL
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, Feb. 6 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release:
* * *
UPDATE: Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit Secures Life Sentence for Murder of Athens Toddler
ATHENS, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Desmontrez Mathis, (aka "Ten"), 24, of Athens, has been sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, plus 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of strict probation, for the murder of three-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith.
A Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge sentenced the defendant on Feb. 6, 2026.
* * *
ORIGINALRELEASE
February 5, 2026
ATHENS, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Desmontrez Mathis, Jayden Brown, and Dakious Echols have been convicted for the murder of three-year-old Kyron Santino Zarco Smith, who was shot and killed in a drive-by in Athens on March 8, 2024. Smith was watching tv on his couch at Hallmark Mobile Home Park when he sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. A nine-year-old male was also shot and treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Mathis, Brown and Echols, who are all members of a local gang known as Everybody Eats (EBE), drove to Hallmark to target a rival gang in order to maintain and increase their status within EBE. They have each been convicted of every single charge brought against them by Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit. Brown and Echols entered guilty pleas on Jan. 8, 2026, and were each sentenced to life in prison. Mathis was found guilty by an Athens-Clarke County Jury on Feb. 4, 2026.
"While nothing can bring Kyron back, we hope this outcome provides his family with some sense of peace and the justice they deserve," said Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. "This was a senseless shooting that should have never occurred, and it's exactly why we cannot let up in the fight against gang activity. Our children deserve better, Georgia families deserve better, and the people of Athens deserve better, and we will keep fighting for them every day."
Created in July 2022, Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit has partnered with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and FBI Atlanta to secure nearly 20 convictions in 11 separate cases, with another eight individuals still facing charges. The majority of these cases involve an ongoing conflict between EBE and the Red Tape Gang (RTG), another hybrid criminal street gang based in Athens. Murders and overall violent crime in Athens have decreased dramatically, with total shootings down by roughly 65 percent since 2022.
"I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for their outstanding work on this case. I also extend my sincere appreciation to our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners for their commitment, collaboration, and determination in bringing this matter to justice," said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters. "These partnerships send a clear and powerful message: we stand united in the pursuit of accountability. Senseless acts of violence will not be tolerated in our community, and we will continue to act decisively against those who commit them. To the family of Kyron Zarco, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and our entire community extend our deepest condolences. We are profoundly sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for the family of three-year-old Kyron, and our thoughts remain with you during this unimaginable time."
"Criminal street gangs continue to devastate communities and harm innocent victims," said GBI Director Chris Hosey. "The GBI is dedicated to holding dangerous gang members accountable for their crimes. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate street gangs and keep Georgians safe."
"This heartbreaking case reminds us of the devastating impact gang violence has on innocent families and entire communities," said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "Kyron Santino Zarco Smith should still be here today. The FBI is proud to stand alongside our law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable and dismantle the gangs that threaten public safety."
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Thomas Kegley and Ryan Piechocinski. It was investigated by ACCPD, GBI, FBI Atlanta and its Athens area Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, and the Attorney General's Gang Prosecution Unit.
Convictions and Sentencing
On Jan. 8, 2026, Jayden Brown and Dakious Echols pleaded guilty to the below charges. Both defendants were sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, plus five years in prison, followed by 20 years of strict probation.
Jayden Brown (aka "Gloxky"), 18, of Athens:
* 1 count of Malice Murder
* 6 counts of Aggravated Assault
* 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
* 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
Dakious Echols (aka "Third"), 20, of Athens:
* 1 count of Malice Murder
* 6 counts of Aggravated Assault
* 6 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
* 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
On Feb. 4, 2026, Desmontrez Mathis was found guilty of the below charges.
Desmontrez Mathis (aka "Ten"), 24, of Athens:
* 1 count of Malice Murder
* 6 counts of Aggravated Assault
* 12 counts of Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
* 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
* 1 count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
* 1 count of Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree
Sentencing for Mathis will take place at a later date.
The State's case against one final defendant, Julian Cubillos, is active and ongoing.
* * *
About the Attorney General's Gang Prosecution Unit
In 2022, with the support of Governor Brian Kemp and members of the General Assembly, Attorney General Chris Carr created Georgia's first statewide Gang Prosecution Unit.
Since it began its historic work on July 1, 2022, the Gang Prosecution Unit has investigated and prosecuted cases in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Bibb, Bryan, Chatham, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Dougherty, Fulton, Gwinnett, Laurens, Lowndes, Muscogee, Richmond, Spalding, Thomas, Upson and Washington counties, with more than 120 convictions secured across the state.
Carr's Gang Prosecution Unit is based in Atlanta, with regional, satellite prosecutors and investigators in Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah and Southeast Georgia.
The Gang Prosecution Unit is housed in the Attorney General's Prosecution Division, which also includes Carr's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, his White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit, and his Organized Retail Crime Unit.
* * *
Original text here: https://law.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-02-06/update-carrs-gang-prosecution-unit-secures-life-sentence-murder-athens
Update: Attorney General's Office Releases the Identity of the Decedent and Officer Involved Along With the Audio and Video Footage From Investigation of Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Jersey City on October 21, 2025
TRENTON, New Jersey, Feb. 6 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release:
* * *
UPDATE: Attorney General's Office Releases the Identity of the Decedent and Officer Involved along with the Audio and Video Footage from Investigation of Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Jersey City on October 21, 2025
The Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today released video footage relating to a death of a civilian following an encounter with law enforcement in Jersey City, New Jersey, on October 21, 2025. The decedent is identified as Teshawn
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Feb. 6 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release:
* * *
UPDATE: Attorney General's Office Releases the Identity of the Decedent and Officer Involved along with the Audio and Video Footage from Investigation of Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Jersey City on October 21, 2025
The Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today released video footage relating to a death of a civilian following an encounter with law enforcement in Jersey City, New Jersey, on October 21, 2025. The decedent is identified as TeshawnRogers, 27, of Jersey City.
This fatal police encounter is under investigation by OPIA. The recordings are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General's Office in 2019 designed to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of a person's death during an encounter with law enforcement. Representatives of Mr. Rogers' family were given an opportunity to review the recordings prior to their public release.
The fatal police encounter involved members of the Jersey City Police Department's Street Crimes Unit, a unit that consists of plainclothes officers and utilizes unmarked vehicles. According to the preliminary investigation, officers assigned to the unit encountered Mr. Rogers in the area of Bergen and Virginia avenues shortly after 1 a.m. Specifically, as Mr. Rogers was walking northbound on Bergen Avenue, two officers in an unmarked vehicle pulled to the side of the road ahead of Mr. Rogers (BWC-1 and BWC-2). Mr. Rogers immediately discharged a firearm and ran southbound. The officers in the first vehicle did not discharge their weapons.
A separate police vehicle containing additional members of the Unit pulled to the side of the road as Mr. Rogers ran southbound. Officer Lance Jackson exited from the passenger side of that vehicle and discharged his weapon, striking Mr. Rogers (BWC-3). Two surveillance videos, only one of which recorded audio, are also being released today (Surveillance 1 and Surveillance 2). Emergency medical aid was provided before Mr. Rogers was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 1:44 a.m. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The body-worn camera, surveillance video, and radio transmissions are available here: https://njoag.box.com/s/5pgcud5c4ne6wwnhmfxzvtqoguhx4lzf
A 2019 law, N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General's Office to conduct investigations of a person's death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer's official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
The investigation is ongoing and no further details are being released at this time.
Note: Members of the press can email the Communications Office to obtain a link to download the recordings.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/update-attorney-generals-office-releases-the-identity-of-the-decedent-and-officer-involved-along-with-the-audio-and-video-footage-from-investigation-of-fatal-police-involved-shooting-in-jers/
Okla. A.G. Drummond Reaches Settlement With Drug Companies Accused of Price-fixing
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Feb. 6 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
* * *
Drummond reaches settlement with drug companies accused of price-fixing
Oklahomans who bought generic drugs between 2009-2019 may qualify for compensation
*
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that two major pharmaceutical companies will pay $17.85 million to settle allegations that they illegally worked together to raise prices on generic prescription drugs.
The settlement involves Lannett Company, Inc. and Bausch Health companies and is part of an ongoing
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Feb. 6 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
* * *
Drummond reaches settlement with drug companies accused of price-fixing
Oklahomans who bought generic drugs between 2009-2019 may qualify for compensation
*
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that two major pharmaceutical companies will pay $17.85 million to settle allegations that they illegally worked together to raise prices on generic prescription drugs.
The settlement involves Lannett Company, Inc. and Bausch Health companies and is part of an ongoingmultistate litigation against dozens of companies for illegal agreements to fix prices for generic drugs.
"These drug companies colluded to jack up prices on medications that Oklahoma families depend on," said Drummond. "Their illegal scheming cost our citizens and state healthcare programs millions of dollars. We're holding them accountable and will continue fighting to protect Oklahoma consumers."
Oklahoma joined 47 other states and territories in this settlement. Both companies have agreed to cooperate with ongoing investigations and implement internal reforms to prevent future price-fixing.
The drugs included in the scheme span all types including tablets, capsules, creams and ointments and classes including antibiotics, anti-depressants, contraceptives and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They treat a range of diseases and conditions from basic infections to diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV, ADHD and more. In some instances, the coordinated price increases were over 1,000 percent.
Lannett will pay more than $13 million and Bausch will pay $4 million under the two settlements, which will be distributed to impacted consumers.
Oklahomans who purchased certain generic prescription drugs between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. Consumers can determine their eligibility by calling 866-290-0182, emailing info@AGGenericDrugs.com, or visiting www.AGGenericDrugs.com.
* * *
Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/february/drummond-reaches-settlement-with-drug-companies-accused-of-price-fixing.html
Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty in Decade-long Ponzi Scheme
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 6 -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following news release:
* * *
Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty in Decade-long Ponzi Scheme
*
(TOLEDO, Ohio) -The spouse of a former Northwest Capital manager has pleaded guilty prior to trial, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
Nancy Rathbun pleaded guilty today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to one count of attempted money laundering, a fourth-degree felony.
Rathbun was indicted in July 2024 as a co-defendant in the Northwest Capital investment scheme. According to the indictment, defendants persuaded investors
... Show Full Article
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 6 -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following news release:
* * *
Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty in Decade-long Ponzi Scheme
*
(TOLEDO, Ohio) -The spouse of a former Northwest Capital manager has pleaded guilty prior to trial, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
Nancy Rathbun pleaded guilty today in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to one count of attempted money laundering, a fourth-degree felony.
Rathbun was indicted in July 2024 as a co-defendant in the Northwest Capital investment scheme. According to the indictment, defendants persuaded investorsto place money into underperforming companies without disclosing the significant impaired status of the companies. This defendant assisted in laundering money once the money had been stolen.
Rathbun's husband, Gary, also was indicted and faces 24 felonies.
Three additional defendants have previously pleaded guilty in the case:
* On Jan. 17, James Delverne pleaded guilty to 11 felonies.
* On Jan. 6, Doug Miller pleaded guilty to six felonies.
* On May 27, 2025, Richard Scheich pleaded guilty to five felonies.
The case is the culmination of a multiyear investigation by the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Securities and the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The Special Prosecutions Section of the Attorney General's Office is prosecuting the case.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Steve Irwin: 614-728-5417
-30-
***
Original text here: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/February-2026/Fourth-Defendant-Pleads-Guilty-in-Decade-long-Ponz
Attorney General Bonta Defeats Trump Administration in Court Again, Continues Protecting Over $10 Billion in Child Care and Family Assistance Funding
SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 6 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Bonta Defeats Trump Administration in Court Again, Continues Protecting Over $10 Billion in Child Care and Family Assistance Funding
*
OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today secured a court order that continues blocking the Trump Administration's illegal attempt to freeze over $10 billion in federal funding for childcare and family assistance programs. Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) imposed a funding freeze exclusively
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Feb. 6 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Bonta Defeats Trump Administration in Court Again, Continues Protecting Over $10 Billion in Child Care and Family Assistance Funding
*
OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today secured a court order that continues blocking the Trump Administration's illegal attempt to freeze over $10 billion in federal funding for childcare and family assistance programs. Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) imposed a funding freeze exclusivelyon five Democratic-led states -California, New York, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota -on the sole basis of unsupported claims of "serious concerns about widespread fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars." To protect the Congressionally-authorized funds that support critical services, the attorneys general of the five states sued HHS on January 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, challenging the funding freeze as well as HHS's extraordinarily broad requests for data and documents related to the states' use of the funding. Less than 24 hours later, Attorney General Bonta and his colleagues secured a temporary restraining order, which blocked the funding freeze and requests for data and documents for 14 days. On January 16, the attorneys general filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to ensure the court's protections remain in effect while the litigation proceeds. On January 23, Judge Vernon Broderick extended the temporary restraining order for an additional 14 days. Today, he granted the states' motion for a preliminary injunction, continuing to preserve over $10 billion in funding "until a decision on the merits in this case[.]"
"We are pleased that the court has once again sided with us. The Trump Administration's actions are not only unlawful -they are cruel, targeting the most vulnerable among us," said Attorney General Bonta. "My fellow attorneys general and I will not relent in this case, and we are confident that we will ultimately prevail in permanently blocking the unlawful funding freeze."
The funding at issue benefits millions of Californians -including children, families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities -through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Child Care and Development Fund, and the Social Services Block Grant. Of the $10 billion, approximately $5 billion was frozen in California alone by the Trump Administration.
***
Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-defeats-trump-administration-court-again-continues
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Sentence for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealer, Sentencing Pending for Co-Defendant
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 6 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Announces Sentence for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealer, Sentencing Pending for Co-Defendant
TUCSON -- Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Andronico Arvizu III was sentenced to five years in prison in Pima County Superior Court on February 3, 2026, following his guilty plea to Attempt to Transport for Sale or Sell a Narcotic Drug, a class 3 felony; Misconduct Involving Weapons by a Prohibited Possessor, a class 4 felony; and Illegally
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 6 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Feb. 5, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Announces Sentence for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Dealer, Sentencing Pending for Co-Defendant
TUCSON -- Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Andronico Arvizu III was sentenced to five years in prison in Pima County Superior Court on February 3, 2026, following his guilty plea to Attempt to Transport for Sale or Sell a Narcotic Drug, a class 3 felony; Misconduct Involving Weapons by a Prohibited Possessor, a class 4 felony; and IllegallyConducting an Enterprise, a class 3 felony.
"Trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine puts lives at risk and tears families and communities apart," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "Those who choose to profit from addiction and violence will be held accountable, and my office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle these criminal networks."
Between June 16 and September 17, 2025, Arvizu knowingly participated in a drug-trafficking enterprise in Pima County alongside his co-defendant and significant other, Priscilla Cassandra Fimbres. Arvizu assisted Fimbres in selling fentanyl pills and jointly possessed approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine intended for sale.
On June 18, 2025, Arvizu drove Fimbres to a planned drug transaction involving approximately 2.1 pounds of fentanyl pills. On September 17, 2025, Arvizu was found in possession of a Ruger LCP 9mm handgun despite being legally prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his criminal history.
The court sentenced Arvizu to five years in prison for Attempt to Transport for Sale or Sell a Narcotic Drug, to be served concurrently with five years for Illegally Conducting an Enterprise. He received 139 days of presentence incarceration credit. Upon release, Arvizu will serve two years of probation for the weapons offense. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the firearm and payment of $4,500 to the State Anti-Racketeering Revolving Fund.
Fimbres pled guilty to Misconduct Involving Weapons by a Prohibited Possessor, Attempt to Possess a Dangerous Drug for Sale, and Illegally Conducting an Enterprise. She faces a sentencing range of 3.5 to 8.75 years in prison, followed by up to four years of probation. Her sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2026.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety investigated the case and it was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Sabrina Lochner.
Mr. Arvizu's booking photo is available here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=7529438c1a&e=b0dbe1a1e5). Ms. Fimbres' booking photo is available here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=ee577a5b7c&e=b0dbe1a1e5). A copy of the indictment is available here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=4ade2e34d1&e=b0dbe1a1e5).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-sentence-fentanyl-and-methamphetamine-dealer
A.G. Jackley Commends S.D. Supreme Court on 'False Confession'
PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 6 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Jackley Commends SD Supreme Court on "False Confession"
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley commends the South Dakota Supreme Court for reversing a circuit court's decision that allowed a psychiatrist to testify about "false confessions" because his opinions were not reliable or helpful enough under the rules for expert evidence.
"The South Dakota Supreme Court's decision provides important clarity on the law and strengthens the integrity of our judicial
... Show Full Article
PIERRE, South Dakota, Feb. 6 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Jackley Commends SD Supreme Court on "False Confession"
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley commends the South Dakota Supreme Court for reversing a circuit court's decision that allowed a psychiatrist to testify about "false confessions" because his opinions were not reliable or helpful enough under the rules for expert evidence.
"The South Dakota Supreme Court's decision provides important clarity on the law and strengthens the integrity of our judicialsystem. I appreciate the Court's thoughtful approach in ensuring that justice is served and the rule of law remains strong,"
In a ruling released Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled the psychiatrist should have not been allowed to testify at a hearing for Timothy Huante, who was charged in the shooting death of Dallas Quick Bear on Feb. 20, 2022 in Rapid City. Huante admitted to investigators that he had shot the victim, but then later stated he had made a "false confession" based on coercion by the investigators.
Dr Stephen Manlove testified on Huante's behalf on the false confession. The testimony was allowed by the circuit court, but the Supreme Court, following an appeal by the prosecution, ruled that the doctor's methods lacked scientific support and could not meaningfully help a jury determine whether a confession was true or false.
The Attorney General's Office handled the appeal before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court's opinion can be read here (https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3006)
* * *
Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3006
