I've noticed similar things in other stories, with reporters using "alleged" with respect to anything related to criminal acts. In one I particularly enjoyed, the local paper wrote an article all about a kid caught with a loaded handgun at school. First article stated everything as fact, John Doe had a gun at school. When charges were filed, the articles started saying that John Doe allegedly had a gun at school. In a piece of your alistic brilliance, after the kid plead guilty, went to prison, and filed an appeal, the article said police claimed John Doe had a gun at school.