USDA official gets jail for fondling worker
A former top official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture was sentenced Wednesday to 150 days in jail for sexually assaulting a subordinate worker.
William Buchanan, 60, the former director of Civil Rights and Community Outreach, admitted in his plea deal that he frequently “patted” the victim’s buttocks in a USDA office. In a signed statement, Buchanan, of Springfield, also admitted he put his hands down her shirt and fondled her at her desk. He also admitted that the woman never consented to the assaults and repeatedly asked him to stop touching her inappropriately, prosecutors said.
Dead cats found in home
Police are investigating after 20 to 30 dead cats were found in a Herndon home.
Fairfax County police said the cats’ remains were found at 1318 Summerfield Drive on Tuesday. No live animals were found in the home.
Police began investigating after officers looking for two loose dogs in the area smelled a foul odor and saw a dead cat in the home. Officers obtained a search warrant to check on the animals and anyone inside the home.
Police said the home’s owner is a 50-year-old woman who hasn’t been seen at the home for some time.
D.C. firefighter gets jail for fraud
A District firefighter was sentenced to seven days in jail for taking payments for cardiopulmonary resuscitation training that should have gone to the fire department.
Natalie Overton-Williams, 41, of Capitol Heights, has also agreed to make restitution of $3,610.
The fire department placed Williams on paid leave over the allegations in September 2008, but did not take any disciplinary action against her. The District has paid Williams more than $140,000 to stay home from work until the case was resolved.
-Scott McCabe
