If you needed another reminder that the federal justice system is broken, look no further than the case of Shana Gaviola. The Gateway Pundit has previously reported on Shana’s case, and yet more continues to be exposed.
What started as a custody dispute has exploded into a full-blown scandal involving federal prosecutors, judicial misconduct, and a system that seems more interested in protecting its own than delivering justice.
Gaviola, a California resident, is accused of violating a protective order involving her then-minor son in 2021. Prosecutors claim she conspired with Julio Sandoval, a Missouri boarding school dean, to remove her son from California against court orders. But instead of handling the case fairly, the government went nuclear. Why does the court have such an inappropriate interest in this case?
In 2023, Gaviola alleged that Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Tierney, one of the prosecutors assigned to her case, made highly inappropriate advances of a sexual nature toward her at a Fresno bar. He chose to become intoxicated and continue the inappropriate behavior. Rather than investigate the claim transparently, the entire Eastern District of California was quietly removed from the case. Every judge. Every prosecutor. Gone. Just like this flagrantly appalling behavior never happened.
Gaviola’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing that the prosecution (more than) violated her constitutional rights as a parent and her religious liberty by criminalizing her decision to send her son to a religious boarding school. That motion was denied even after her team cited the Supreme Court decision of TAMER MAHMOUD, ET AL., PETITIONERS v. THOMAS W. TAYLOR, ET AL.
Then came the venue shuffle. A Fresno-based judge initially ordered the case moved to the Northern District of California due to the misconduct allegations. But Chief Judge Troy Nunley overstepped his authority and reversed that decision, stating the case would remain in Fresno. Instead of transferring it, the Ninth Circuit’s Chief Judge assigned Seattle-based, Reagan-appointed Judge John C. Coughenour to be flown in to preside over the trial, setting a new precedent.
So, while the courtroom stays in Fresno, the people running it are outsiders brought in because the local bench was too compromised to continue.
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George Pallas, Shana’s attorney, was asked for comment, and he didn’t mince words:
“This prosecution is a gross overreach by the federal government, turning a mother’s decision to enroll her son in a Christian boarding school into a felony charge. Shana Gaviola was simply exercising her fundamental parental rights to direct her child’s education and religious upbringing, yet she’s been dragged through the courts for over three years on a single-count indictment that carries a maximum of five years in prison—all because of a disputed state restraining order.”
“What we’re seeing here is selective and unfair prosecution. Shana believed she was acting in her son’s best interest by sending him to a faith-based school in Missouri, but instead of respecting parental autonomy, the government has weaponized a civil order into a criminal case. This isn’t justice; it’s an attack on family rights and religious freedom.”
“Imagine being a parent facing a family dispute, only to have federal authorities criminalize your choice of a Christian education for your child. That’s Shana’s reality—unfairly targeted while the real issues of prosecutorial ethics go unchecked. This case highlights how overzealous enforcement can destroy lives and erode public confidence in our justice system.”
“The prosecutorial misconduct in this case is shocking and undermines the entire process. The lead AUSA, who indicted Shana, had an improper ex parte encounter with her at a bar—without her counsel present—where he discussed the case and even urged her to speak with an FBI agent. This was never disclosed in discovery, violating her due process rights and ethical standards. Even the district judge expressed serious concerns about the appearance of impropriety.”
“Shana Gaviola has endured blatant misconduct from the prosecution, including hidden communications that should have been turned over under Brady and Rule 16. This isn’t just a mistake; it’s willful behavior that taints the case and demands dismissal. How can we trust a system where prosecutors bend the rules to secure a conviction against a devoted mother?”
This isn’t just about one woman. It’s about a justice system that’s lost its way. If federal prosecutors can behave this way and if judges can be so compromised that they all have to be replaced, what hope is there for the average American?
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The Gaviola case is a warning shot. It shows how easily the government can turn a family dispute into a federal prosecution, and how quickly it can bury misconduct when it’s inconvenient.
Shana continues to fight the charges against her and the way her case has been handled is a disgrace. Americans deserve a justice system that works for them not against them. And when prosecutors cross the line, they should be held accountable, not protected by the very system they serve.
This single mother is in need of help from We the People. Supporting her younger children and having to fight this case have been battles in themselves.
Shana is facing overwhelming legal costs as she continues to fight for her life against the federal government. If you believe in parental rights, religious liberty, and the fight against government overreach, please consider donating to her legal defense fund:
Https://GiveSendGo.com/Shana or CLICK HERE
Every dollar helps. Let’s show Shana and the system that Americans still stand for justice.
The post Judicial Misconduct And Christian Persecution Against A Single Mother. This Case Should Outrage Every American. appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.