In brief: Five-year sentence given in child porn case
A Spokane man was sentenced to five years in federal prison Thursday after pleading guilty in May to receipt of child pornography, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
John Schadl, 59, will also have to forfeit the desktop computer on which he received the pornographic images, according to a news release.
Investigators began looking into a report of a suspicious conversation on a website in January 2012. The investigation led the Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to the discovery that Schadl had received the illegal images on his computer.
After serving his sentence, Schadl will be under court supervision for life, the release said.
Jones’ death homicide; investigation continues
The Spokane County medical examiner’s office confirmed Friday that Danny C. Jones, 40, died from multiple gunshot wounds, calling his death a homicide.
Jones was shot early Thursday morning by four Spokane police officers after Jones crashed into multiple vehicles, including police cars, during a brief pursuit. Police had boxed Jones in at the parking lot at the Salvation Army, 204 E. Indiana Ave., where Jones and his family were staying.
Jones, who was unarmed, had been diagnosed with mental illnesses including schizophrenia, anxiety and bipolar disorders, but he was taking his medication as prescribed, said his wife, Nancy Jones.
Police are withholding identities of the officers for 72 hours. A multiagency team is investigating the shooting, which the Spokane County prosecutor’s office will also review.
Sphyra still in business despite court battle
A federal judge has rejected efforts to shut down a Spokane Valley credit card processing company accused of deceptive sales practices and fraud.
The Federal Trade Commission’s case against Merchant Direct Services – renamed Sphyra – and several related businesses and owners will continue to unfold in U.S. District Court. But the company scored an early victory on matters that could have shuttered the business and led to a government seizure of assets.
The FTC and the Washington state attorney general’s office filed complaints against Sphyra for deceptive practices that led small businesses to switch credit card processing services. The dealings collected numerous customer complaints as the business netted millions in profits, according to the filings.
The judge found the allegations insufficient to lock down the company and noted Sphyra and its CEO Shane Hurley had taken steps to changes sales tactics and address complaints.
Idaho loses court battle over abortion, owes fees
BOISE – The state of Idaho has again been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees after losing a court battle over the latest anti-abortion law.
U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled Thursday that the state owed more than $376,000 to attorneys for a Pocatello woman who successfully sued after she was charged with a felony because police said she had an illegal abortion.