West

California ‘party mom’ accused of grooming victims for sex, drinking in ritzy mansion, teens testify at trial

Published

1 month ago

January 25, 2026

California ‘party mom’ accused of grooming victims for sex, drinking in ritzy mansion, teens testify at trial

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A jury is hearing from teenagers who have testified about being victims of a California mom facing dozens of charges after allegedly hosting secret “alcohol-soaked benders,” in which high school freshmen were encouraged to engage in sexual behavior at her family’s swanky mansion.

Shannon O’Connor is on trial after she was slapped with 63 criminal charges stemming from her alleged involvement in throwing alcohol- and sex-fueled parties for minors during the 2020-21 school year in Santa Clara, according to KRON.

Deputy District Attorney Joanna Lee alleged O’Connor, who has been dubbed the “Los Gatos Party Mom,” hosted “chaotic, alcohol-soaked benders,” adding that “for many freshmen at Los Gatos High in 2020, their first experience with alcohol ended in overconsumption, vomiting and blackouts,” the local outlet reported. “[O’Connor’s] house was a place for children to engage in sexual conduct. The defendant groomed the children, normalized sex, encouraged hookups and sexual behavior.”

Many of the attendees were 14-year-old freshmen, with O’Connor allegedly serving as the only adult supervising the parties hosted up to five times a week, the outlet reported.

CALIFORNIA ‘PARTY MOM’ ACCUSED OF THROWING DRUNKEN TEEN SEX PARTIES PLEADS NOT GUILTY

California “party mom” Shannon O’Connor pleaded not guilty to 63 counts alleging she threw booze-fueled teen sex parties at her Los Gatos home. (KUTV)

Prosecutors allege O’Connor used her son’s status on the school’s football team and “cool mom” reputation to communicate daily with the freshmen through Snapchat without their parents’ knowledge.

On Tuesday, one female minor, identified as Jane Doe 6, testified the social environment at the gatherings was “misogynistic,” while corroborating prior statements from victims alleging O’Connor pressured teens to sneak out of their homes to drink heavily and “hook-up.”

Jane Doe 6 reportedly went on to allege her best friend, a 14-year-old girl identified as Jane Doe 4, experienced symptoms of depression and alcoholism after being sexually and physically abused by boys at the parties.

“[John Doe 7] would touch her in front of everybody,” Jane Doe 6 told the court, according to KRON. “It was bad, it was weird.”

MOM ACCUSED OF HOLDING BOOZE-FUELED TEEN SEX PARTIES INDICTED ON SLEW OF FELONIES

Shannon O’Connor listens in a courtroom, Oct. 20, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. She’s been indicted on 63 counts, including plying minors with alcohol and aiding and abetting sexual assault. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group via AP, File)

The young girl reportedly went on to testify that when John Doe 7 drank alcohol, he would act violently toward the girls at the parties and “no one reacted to it.”

“On one occasion, Jane Doe 4 was sitting in [O’Connor’s] kitchen in her swimsuit when John Doe 7 began to punch Jane Doe 4 on her leg,” Lee wrote in court documents. [O’Connor] was drinking a glass of champagne and laughed as she watched. John Doe 7 stood over her and continued to kick her legs and stomach all while [O’Connor] was sitting in the kitchen.”

PARENTS REVEAL SORDID DETAILS OF HOW THEY HELPED NAB CALIFORNIA MOM THROWING TEEN SEX PARTIES

Shannon O’Connor’s Los Gatos home, where she is accused of throwing wild parties for minors. (Google Maps)

Jane Doe 6 told the prosecution that her friend “was totally alcohol dependent” and “had to take shots of alcohol before she could leave her house.”

The mother of Jane Doe 4 also took the stand this week, telling the court her daughter first visited O’Connor’s home in the fall of 2020 to work on a school science project with O’Connor’s son, KRON reported.

“It all seemed normal in the beginning. She was an innocent kid. She’d never dated,” the mother said, adding that when she dropped Jane Doe 4 off at the house, “It was a very fancy, beautiful home. [O’Connor’s] son seemed like a nice kid.”

CALIFORNIA MOM THREW TEENS SECRET DRINKING PARTIES, WATCHED SEX ABUSE: AUTHORITIES

After the child made several trips to O’Connor’s home, her behavior changed, the mother testified, adding her daughter acted “really tired” and “closed off,” according to KRON.

Jane Doe 4’s mother went on to add that she confronted her daughter after noticing bruises on her body, but her concerns were brushed off.

One night, the mother noticed Jane Doe 4’s breath smelled like alcohol and told her, “no matter what it is, I will help you,” KRON reported. The mother added that her child felt “a lot of shame” and “was trying to escape.”

O’Connor’s attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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Another mother reportedly told the jury in previous testimony that she “100 percent trusted [O’Connor]. As a mom, I have guilt for not seeing the signs sooner.”

O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to julia.bonavita@fox.com.

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Montana

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

Published

1 hour ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Montana AG letter alleges Helena violates law banning ‘sanctuary cities’

HELENA — On Monday, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen sent a letter to the City of Helena claiming the municipality is not in compliance with the state’s law banning “sanctuary cities.” The letter comes just under a month after the State of Montana launched an investigation into a city resolution on Helena Police policy and Helena’s involvement in federal immigration enforcement.

In the letter, Knudsen laid out the ways he believes the city’s resolution violated state law. The attorney general gave Helena 15 days to respond or reverse the policy. If the city does not comply, his office will pursue legal action.

“Helena’s resolution appears to contain blatant violations of this law,” wrote Knudsen.

MTN News

On January 26, 2026, the City of Helena adopted a resolution clarifying when and how the Helena Police Department will cooperate with federal immigration officials. The vote was 4 to 1. The Helena commission seats and the mayor are elected in non-partisan races.

In the letter, Knudsen alleges the resolution established “a broad sanctuary city policy” that seeks to protect every illegal immigrant, regardless of whether the individual had committed a serious crime or not. The state further claims the resolution gives illegal immigrants “special privileges” in plea deals and establishes a “free-for-all policy” where a police officer can request the unmasking of Department of Homeland Security and ICE officers.

Knudsen has requested that the City of Helena, in their response, specifically describe in detail how the resolution complies with Montana law, provide emails and correspondence from city staff and the commission regarding the resolution.

Helena City manager Alana Lake told MTN in a statement: “The City of Helena is aware of the issues being raised by the Attorney General’s Office and is reviewing the matter. While we cannot discuss the details of a potential legal issue, the City is committed to transparency and compliance with the law. The City takes these matters seriously and will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities while remaining focused on serving our community.”

Passed in 2021, Montana House Bill 200 prohibits a state agency or local government from implementing any policy that prevents employees or departments from communicating with federal agencies regarding immigration or citizenship status for lawful purposes. It also states governments must comply with immigration detainer requests if they are lawfully made.

HB 200 was backed by Republicans and passed with only Republican votes. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the legislation into law on March 31, 2021.

Passage of the resolution by the Helena City Commission has drawn ire from conservative voices in Montana politics and on the national level.

The resolution said the commission supported the Helena Police Department avoiding “committing its resources to federal action for which it has no authority,” such as entering into an agreement with the federal government to directly enforce immigration laws. Under federal law, immigration enforcement is conducted by federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security. However, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, state and local governments can voluntarily enter into 287 (g) agreements with the federal government that allow them to enforce immigration laws.

The commission further supported HPD’s policy not to stop, detain, or arrest a person solely on suspected violations of immigration law, including assisting other agencies in an arrest based solely on immigration law.

DEEPER LOOK: Helena has seen a growing debate over ICE and local police involvement

In the resolution, the commission also supported an HPD officer, using their own discretion, requesting the identification and unmasking of a Department of Homeland Security Officer if the HPD officer “feels it will not be interfering with the actions of federal officers exercising their jurisdiction.”

“This adversarial relationship by local law enforcement toward federal officers itself undermines public safety and forces immigration officers to fear for their safety when they are simply carrying out their lawful duties,” wrote Knudsen.

The resolution further supports the City of Helena’s policy not to consider immigration consequences in a plea agreement with a defendant.

The commission also supports the City of Helena not disclosing any sensitive information about any person – including immigration status, sexual orientation, or social security number – except as required by law.

“This is a restriction that directly conflicts with Montana’s prohibition on sanctuary jurisdictions, specifically ‘sending to, receiving from, exchanging with, or maintaining for a federal, state, or local government entity information regarding a person’s citizenship or immigration status for a lawful purpose,’” the attorney general wrote.

If a government is found to be violating Montana’s law banning “sanctuary cities”, the state could fine them $10,000 every five days, prevent them from receiving new grants from the state, and have their projects with the state re-prioritized. A government in violation can avoid penalties by becoming compliant with the law within 14 days of being notified of the violation.

Read the full letter from the Montana Attorney General to the City of Helena:

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Nevada

Visitors flock to Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada for rare superbloom

Published

2 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Visitors flock to Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada for rare superbloom – CBS Baltimore

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Visitors are flocking to Death Valley National Park for a rare superbloom.

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New Mexico

Tanya Tucker to perform at New Mexico State Fair

Published

2 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Tanya Tucker to perform at New Mexico State Fair

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tanya Tucker will perform at the 2026 New Mexico State Fair, officials announced Tuesday.

Tucker will take to the stage Friday, Sept. 18, after the Chevron PRCA rodeo. The Grammy Award-winning icon has racked up 10 No. 1 country hits since her first hit, “Delta Dawn,” at age 13.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the legendary Tanya Tucker to the New Mexico State Fair,” said Dan Mourning, general manager of the New Mexico State Fair. “Tanya is one of the greatest icons in country music history and is the perfect fit for the Fair.”

Tucker has 23 Top-40 albums and 56 Top 40 singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has won two Country Music Association awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, three CMT Awards and two Grammys for Best Country Album and Best Country Song.

Tickets are set to go on sale on Friday at 10 a.m.

Here is the full 2026 New Mexico State Fair rodeo-concert lineup:

Friday, Sept. 11

Turnpike Troubadours with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls

Saturday, Sept. 12

Ian Munsick with Chevron PRCA Xtreme Bulls

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Chevron PRCA Standalone Rodeo

Thursday, Sept. 17

Everclear with Chevron PRCA Rodeo

Friday, Sept. 18

Tanya Tucker with Chevron PRCA Rodeo