Federal prosecutors in Riverside, California, filed charges on September 18, 2026, against Alan David Cadena, 43, and Laycee Shyann Sprouse, 34. The indictment alleges the pair misused judicial authority by forging a federal judge's signature on a document tied to a lawsuit against Riverside County. The charges stem from an alleged effort to present a falsified signature to influence the outcome of the legal action.
According to the prosecutors, the forged document was intended to serve as an official filing in the case against the county. The indictment describes the act as a misuse of a judicial signature, a serious offense under federal law. Both Cadena and Sprouse were taken into federal custody following the filing of the charges.
The accused remain detained while awaiting their initial appearance before the United States District Court. No further details about the specific lawsuit or the identity of the presiding judge have been released by the authorities. The federal court has scheduled a preliminary hearing, during which the defendants will be formally presented with the allegations and given an opportunity to respond.
The case highlights the federal government's focus on protecting the integrity of judicial processes. Prosecutors emphasized that forging a judge's signature undermines public confidence in the legal system and will be pursued vigorously. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department assisted in the arrest and detention of the two individuals.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the district court will determine whether the defendants will be released on bail or remain in custody pending trial. The outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented regarding the alleged forgery and any defenses offered by Cadena and Sprouse.