Cantwell Fires Staffer Arrested in Child Sex Sting

James McHaney, a 28-year-old staffer to Senator Maria Cantwell has been fired. McHaney was arrested in a sting during his lunch hour for trying to arrange for a sexual encounter with a 13 year-old boy.

Cantwell’s office released the following statement: “Late Friday afternoon the FBI informed our office that a Senate employee was arrested. The employee was immediately fired. Our office has and will continue to fully cooperate with the ongoing federal criminal investigation. Senator Cantwell has zero tolerance for crimes against children.”

The sting was arranged through a cooperating witness. Such witnesses are often people who are arrested for other crimes and given a chance for a lower sentence or no jail by incriminating others. In this case, McHaney is accused of arranging sex with a 13-year-old boy and the cooperating witness. He was previously the scheduler to Sen. Cantwell.

This could not come at a worst time for the Senate. This week, various men came forward to accuse Sen. Craig of having sex with them.

For the Craig story, click here

For the full story and charging sheet, click here

4 Responses to “Cantwell Fires Staffer Arrested in Child Sex Sting”


  1. 1 NG 1, December 4, 2007 at 9:51 am

    Irony, huh Professor Turley?

    McHaney gets arrested for a sex crime that didn’t take place with someone who doesn’t exist and may now have to pay dearly with his life.

    Meanwhile, Lori Drew’s online actions contributed to the death of a teen and you and the Republican prosecutor in Missouri don’t think it’s a prosecutable offense.

  2. 2 jonathanturley 1, December 4, 2007 at 11:07 am

    Perhaps yes. However, the existing laws do not fit this crime. Moreover, everyone agrees on the lack of intent to physically harm Megan. What is left is recklessness, which tends to be a difficult basis for liability generally. I believe strongly that justice should be done in the case, but I believe that it should occur in the civil system.

  3. 3 Justice Seeker 1, December 5, 2007 at 7:37 am

    I thinks the FBI did a good thing to get another Gay Old Pedophile off the streets, I hear craig is just the tip of the iceburg and there are other closeted ped’s, just waiting to be arrested..They are hypocrites and need to be exposed..


  1. 1 Boxer Aide Arrested for Child Pornography « JONATHAN TURLEY Trackback on 1, November 15, 2008 at 7:48 am

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