What Ii find really, really funny is that Ms Willett filed Willett v. Procopio (3:17-cv-02144) In Forma Pauperis. She is not only smart...She is cheap. Of course the Court denied her Motion; but it's the thought that counts. She ain't no dummy. ;-)
Having said that; a website can easily be updated. I did not view whois, but the customary procedure is to lock the website to prevent theft or transfer. Also, there is a provision that at the end of the term there is a grace period to renew.
My guess is that the one year gives Ms. Willett et al a chance to do an initial setup, before turning it over to a professional, who may want to use another Domain Registrar.
As for her prosecuting the criminal case. No, she didn't. The Feds prosecuted the case based on Ms. Willett's civil case and information. Since the Defendants admitted to the allegations filed against them, There was no trial.
That was the first Complaint...There was a second!!