Former Hill Aide Guilty on Porn Charge
Court Alerts
A former aide to Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal child pornography charge.
James Michael McHaney of Washington, D.C., faces up to 10 years in prison after his felony conviction. He was fired from his job as a scheduler for Cantwell after his arrest last year. Earlier, he had worked for the 2004 presidential campaigns of Democrats Dick Gephardt and John Kerry.
Prosecutors say McHaney, 28, tried to arrange a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old boy last November. Police later found child pornography in his car and home.
He was initially charged with attempting to sexually exploit a minor, but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of possession of child pornography. Prosecutors said he had more than 1,000 images of child pornography, as well as videos and DVDs portraying children as young as three engaged in sexual conduct.
McHaney's lawyer, Thomas Abbenante, called the case "a very tragic situation" for McHaney and his family. McHaney's parents were in court Thursday as U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan approved the plea agreement.
The parents declined to comment, as did Assistant U.S. Attorney Jean Sexton, who prosecuted the case.
Related listings
-
Texas Ban on Sex Toy Sales Is Overturned
Court Alerts 02/14/2008A federal appeals court has overturned a statute outlawing sex toy sales in Texas, one of the last states — all in the South — to retain such a ban.The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Texas law making it illegal to sell or promote ob...
-
Ansonia must pay lawyer in drug case
Court Alerts 02/13/2008The Ansonia Board of Education has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $17,902 in legal fees and another $1,294 in court costs to a Bridgeport lawyer who successfully overturned the expulsion of a former high school football player arrested on a m...
-
State Will Handle WVU-Rodriguez Lawsuit
Court Alerts 02/12/2008The lawsuit over a $4 million buyout clause in the contract of former West Virginia University football coach Rich Rodriguez is headed back to the court where it originated.A federal judge ruled Monday the matter belongs in Monongalia County Circuit ...
New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC
Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.