Fabricio Fernando-Mendez of Lake Worth, Florida and Two Others were arrested Wednesday after they were accused of operating a marijuana grow house, news sources suggest. Jose Ricardo Figueroa-Sanchez and Gustavo Aguilar-Romero were identified as the other two suspects. Mendez, 20, Sanchez, 25, and Romero, 30, were booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of marijuana trafficking and marijuana possession. Mendez was later released on a $30,000 bail bond; Romero on a $15,000 bail bond. Sanchez is being held on a $30,000 bail bond. It is unclear whether any of the defendants has hired a criminal defense lawyer.
According to reports, Mendez, Sanchez, and Romero operated the grow house at a home in the 6000 block of North Carthage Circle. It is currently unclear how detectives learned of the alleged marijuana operation. It is also unclear how long the three suspects have allegedly been growing marijuana inside the home.
On Wednesday, detectives stationed themselves outside the home and watched as Sanchez, Mendez, and another man identified as Jose Galindo-Martinez left the house and entered a black pickup truck. Romero remained at the home. Detectives tailed the truck and pulled it over. The detectives searched Mendez and found a piece of paper containing instructions on how to grow marijuana in his wallet. The officers arrested Mendez and Sanchez; they do not appear to have arrested Martinez.
The detectives returned to the home, went inside, and arrested Romero, reports say. Romero reportedly had remnants of marijuana on his clothes during his arrest. Inside the home, the detectives located three rooms dedicated to growing marijuana, a piece of paper with instructions on how to grow marijuana, and 75 marijuana plants. The living room and kitchen were the only two rooms within the home that did not contain growing equipment, reports allege. The living room held a mattress and appeared to be where the defendants slept.
While this home was allegedly used to grow marijuana, police located another home in Palm Beach County that was being used for an altogether different crime. Nathalie Heil of West Palm Beach was arrested Friday after she was accused of renting out her neighbor's empty home, sources report. Heil, 30, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of grand theft and fraud. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.
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Fabricio Fernando-Mendez of Lake Worth, Florida and Two Others Arrested for Marijuana Trafficking
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Henry Dorvil, Brandon Johnson, Dukens Eleazard, Seven Others Charged With Fort Lauderdale, Florida Identity Theft and Tax Fraud
Henry Dorvil, Brandon Johnson, Dukens Eleazard, Herve Wilmore Jr., Jesse Lamar Harrell, John Similien, Marc Leroy Saint Juste., Luckner St Fleur, Marie Eleazard, Miguel Patterson, and Ruth Cartwright were charged in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida indictment this week after they allegedly stole identities and filed for fraudulent tax returns, press sources indicate. They are each charged with one count of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, one count of committing aggravated identity theft, and two counts of wire fraud. It is unclear whether any of the defendants have been arrested, or, if so, if they have qualified for bail. A lawyer has not yet spoken out on behalf of any of the defendants.
According to an indictment filed with the Attorney's Office of South Florida, the 11 defendants participated in a scheme to steal identities with the intentions of using the stolen information to file for fraudulent tax returns. Detectives say the defendants stole identities from persons both living and dead. Identity theft is a core component of a number of types of fraud, including creating fraudulent bank accounts, filing for fraudulent prescriptions, and filing for fraudulent tax returns.
"Stolen identity refund fraud is spreading in South Florida like an out-of-control wildfire," an attorney general spokesperson said. "Today, in just one case, we are charging another 11 individuals who used stolen identities, including that of almost 3,000 deceased persons, to file fraudulent returns seeking close to $35 million in tax refunds."
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In Robert’s Rules of Order how many times can a motion be amended?
Free legal answers from attorneys - Is it correct that Robert's Rules of Order say a motion cannot be amended but twice? Is this a thumb rule of law or ma
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Brian Fields, Wilton Manors, Florida Shelter Employee, Arrested for Sexual Activity with a Minor
Brian Fields, a Wilton Manors, Florida shelter employee, was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl, news sources report. The sexual activity occurred at a children's shelter where, regrettably, a similar sexual crime occurred earlier this year. Fields, 31, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of engaging in sexual activity with a person under the age of 16. It is unclear whether he has qualified for bail bond. It is also unclear whether he has obtained a criminal defense lawyer.
Reports say the sexual activity occurred at the Kids in Distress Shelter in Wilton Manors. Earlier this year, the shelter fell under police investigation after Brian Denby was arrested for sexually assaulting two girls on the shelter's grounds. Denby allegedly hopped the fence surrounding the shelter and had sex with two teen girls, including the same 15-year-old girl from this more recent case. That assault prompted the shelter to fire two employees for failing to keep watch.
According to reports, Fields has been operating during the night shift at the shelter for the past 10 years. The Kids in Distress CEO Mark Dhooge said all employees undergo strict background checks and must participate in training sessions before the shelter hires them. "We are looking at all of our procedures, all of our security measures, to update them and provide as much enhanced security as we possibly can," Dhooge said in a statement.
It appears as though detectives learned of this more recent abuse while interviewing the victim following Denby's arrest. Detectives say Fields had sexual contact with the victim four times between December 27 and January 6. "The incidents reported were consensual between the victim and suspect, although this case becomes a crime due to the victim's age," a police statement says. Detectives are continuing their investigation and may identify additional victims. Wilton Manors detectives have opened their hotlines for anyone with additional information.
Fields is not the only South Florida man accused of sexually abusing a minor recently. Thoniel Noel of Lake Worth was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly molested two preteen girls, sources report. Noel, 19, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on seven counts of sexual battery on a child, lewd or lascivious molestation, and lewd or lascivious battery. He is being held without bail. It is unclear whether he has hired legal representation.
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Inmate Escapes at TX Walmart, Stabs FL Transporting Officer
Christopher Dorner isn't the only wanted man on the loose. In Grapevine, Texas, an inmate being transported from from Miami to Las Vegas to serve a prison sentence stabbed an officer with a...
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One of the benefits of a deferred sentence on a DUI possibly ending?
If you read this DUI blog with any regularly then you know there are two types of sentences imposed when a person pleads guilty.
There is a suspended sentence and there is a deferred sentence. A suspended sentence means the charge imposes a sentence at the time of the sentencing, but suspends all or a portion of the jail and fines and hangs over the defendants head for the period of
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Federal Charges Now Filed Against Christopher Dorner
Authorities believe Christopher Dorner has fled to Mexico. Here is the Federal Complaint filed against him for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. State charges for attempted murder have also been...
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Tuesday Open Thread
President Obama is recalling 34,000 troops from Afghanistan.
He will deliver his State of the Union address tonight at 7pm ET.
This is an open thread, all topics welcome.
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FINAL UPDATE: Crash Blocks Right Lane on Interstate 84 at Broadway Exit
IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
DO NOT REPLY
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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
District 3 Patrol 700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642
(208) 846-7550
Fax (208) 846-7520
For Immediate Release: 02/12/2013 at 11:07 a.m.
Please direct questions to the District Office
****FINAL UPDATE****
On February 12, 2013, at approximately 4:46 a.m., Idaho State Police investigated an injury crash on Interstate 84 at milepost 54, near the Broadway exit in Boise, Idaho.
Michael Beau, 22, of Mountain Home, Idaho, was driving west on Interstate 84 in a 1994 Ford Taurus. Beau drove off the right side of the road where the vehicle was deflected off of the right guardrail. He traveled across the interstate to the left shoulder, where he hit the left guardrail which resulted in the vehicle spinning across to the right lane of travel where it came to rest. Beau was transported by ground ambulance to St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Boise, Idaho.
The right lane of travel was blocked for approximately one hour.
Beau was wearing a seatbelt.
***END OF FINAL UPDATE****
The Idaho State Police is currently investigating an injury crash westbound Interstate 84 at milepost 54, under the Broadway exit. At this time the right lane of travel is blocked. More information will be provided when it becomes available.
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How Safe are Motorcycles?
We represent several clients who have been injured in a motorcycle accident. We recently found this infographic that shares some great, relative information on motorcycle safety and riding habits.
![Motorcycle Accident Infographic]()
Infographic authored by the personal injury lawyers at Sutliff and Stout.
Infographic authored by the personal injury lawyers at Sutliff and Stout.
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Denver Shooting Leaves Three Dead, Including 2 Children
A woman and several children were found dead at a Denver residence early Wednesday morning. Heartbreakingly, the children involved were all under the age of 11, two of whom were dead upon arrival. The third child was undergoing surgery at … Continue reading →
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Parking Spot Tussle Leads to CIA Conspiracy Theories
Mid December of last year, ex CIA Contractor Raymond Davis found himself facing a possible heap of trouble. Reportedly, a tussle in Castle Rock, Colorado, resulting from a confrontation regarding a parking spot in front of a bagel shop landed … Continue reading →
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Rockies Disappointed with Todd Helton Drunk Driving Arrest
Bad news for Colorado Rockies came early last Wednesday morning. First baseman Todd Helton has been arrested for a DUI, and the team has released a statement claiming their complete disappointment in the incident. Helton, who is 39 years old, … Continue reading →
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Gag Order Requested in Heather Jensen and Sons’ Case
Heather Jensen of Grand Junction, Colorado, is facing some media heat and some severe legal consequences. She is being accused of negligent homicide “in the deaths of her young sons”. The 24 year old mother has been in the spotlight … Continue reading →
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Sufficiency of Proof of Serious Bodily Injury in Connection With Crime of Assault and Battery Causing SBI Not Found by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Last week in Commonwealth v. Scott, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court discussed the concept of Serious Bodily Injury in connection with the crime of Assault and Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury. See Commonwealth v. Scott. The facts of the case...
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Delhi Township Man Found Guilty on Four Charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct
On February 8, 58-year-old Lawrence Gibbs was found to be guilty of sexually assaulting three minors, along with a man who is now 30 years old and reportedly molested by Gibbs as a young boy. Gibbs is a resident of Delhi Township, and potentially faces life in prison when sentenced, which is scheduled for March 6 in front of Judge Joyce Draganchuk in Ingham County Circuit Court.
At the time of the alleged assaults, all of the four victims were 16 years old or younger, according to the Lansing State Journal. Gibbs was found guilty on one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree CSC, and one count of fourth-degree CSC.
During Gibbs' trial, eleven individuals (all males) testified that the defendant touched them inappropriately; some indicated situations involving oral sex as well. Allegations of sexual assault began in the 1970s by Gibbs' nephew. News reports indicate that the assaults occurred over a four-decade time period.
Gibbs was convicted of a sex offense in 2001 in Missaukee County, and is a registered sex offender. The most recent allegations involve two brothers who were teenagers when they alleged that Gibbs inappropriately touched them in 2011 while helping Gibbs move and doing other chores he had hired the brothers to do. Other charges against Gibbs involve an incident in which the defendant allegedly made thrusting motions against a 9-year-old Okemos boy while working on a furnace in 2011, and the 30-year-old man who claimed that he was molested by Gibbs when he lived next door to him as a boy.
Paul Toman, Gibbs defense attorney, argued in court that in most cases, alleged victims had been fired by the defendant or had other grudges against him, reasons to accuse his client of the sexual offenses. He also said that there were inconsistencies in some of the accusers' stories.
Michigan sex crimes lawyers know that while it is not true in every situation, there are times when innocent people are accused of crimes they did not commit out of spite or as a form of revenge. The criminal penalties for individuals convicted of sex-related offenses are extremely severe.
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Retrial Postponed for Superior Township Man Accused of Scalding 3-year-old Boy in Bathtub
Harvey Wince, a 22-year-old Superior Township man who was charged with first-degree child abuse and torture for a March 2012 incident, was scheduled for retrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict in his November 2012 trial. The retrial has been postponed until March 18 so that James Fifelski, Wince's defense lawyer, can have additional time to review transcripts from the November trial. Judge Darlene O'Brien agreed to the postponement.
At the time of the alleged crime, Wince was 21 years old. Wince is accused of placing a boy who was 3 years old at the time in a bathtub of scalding water so hot that some of the victim's skin came off. Wince was babysitting the boy at the time the alleged crime took place; news reports at AnnArbor.com state that the 3-year-old boy suffered bite marks to his arm, bruising, and first-, second-, and third-degree burns on more than 20% of his body. The boy and his mother lived nearby Wince's MacArthur Boulevard and Superior Township townhouse when she dropped her son off at his home on March 31. The alleged victim and his mother's names were not released in news reports.
Wince's bond was set at $50,000, which Judge Melinda Morris ruled to keep after Fifelski requested that she lower it to 10% of $5,000. The judge declined to lower bond after Blake Hatlem, Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor argued to keep the original bond because of the severity of the charges, and the likelihood of a conviction.
The mother of the boy had Wince baby sit while she was away at work. She testified that when she returned from work at about 4:30 p.m., the boy was fine. She left her son with Wince again the same evening while she went to check on her father, who lived in Ypsilanti. When she called Wince a few hours later to check on her son, she said that he told her that the little boy had gotten into a spat with two other toddlers while playing outdoors, that he had vomited, and that he had given him a bath. Court records also state that Wince told the boy's mother that his skin was red. The boy's mother said that upon returning to Wince's home, she noticed that her son was burned, and that some of his skin was gone, which Wince had swept up and thrown in the garbage.
Wince said that the boy must have turned the hot water on himself after Wince had left the boy in what he described as "lukewarm" water to play a video game in the living room. Fifelski stated that he will vigorously defend his client, and that he believes they have a "very strong" defense.
These types of charges are extremely serious; Michigan child abuse defense attorneys know that if convicted on a charge of first-degree child abuse, individuals may face up to 15 years in prison.
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Man Arrested for Setting Fire to Las Vegas Apartment Building
On Sunday a thirty-three-year-old man was booked at the Clark County Detention Center for the Nevada crime of arson and attempted murder after allegedly setting the Sonoma Shadow apartments on fire. Nearly two dozen residents were displaced, and one person sustained injuries. Officials say the fire resulted in damages costing $400,000.
![Las Vegas Arson Crime]()
The Nevada crime of arson is divided into four degrees, the first two of which are the most serious. First degree arson is when someone willfully or malicious sets fire to any building, house or mobile home. Meanwhile second-degree arson is when someone willfully or maliciously sets fire to any abandoned building or structure. It's irrelevant whether the suspect owned the property.
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The Nevada crime of arson is divided into four degrees, the first two of which are the most serious. First degree arson is when someone willfully or malicious sets fire to any building, house or mobile home. Meanwhile second-degree arson is when someone willfully or maliciously sets fire to any abandoned building or structure. It's irrelevant whether the suspect owned the property.
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The Cost of Wrongful Convictions in Texas
I wrote in an earlier post that a wrongful conviction amounts to a triple tragedy. First, the wrongfully convicted person ends up in prison. Second, the victim is deprived of real justice. Third, the real perpetrator remains free, and can victimize others. Today, let’s consider another kind of cost: money paid in compensation to those [...]![]()
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ALLOWING MINORS TO CONSUME ALCOHOL AND OTHER ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS.
The recent trial of a Falmouth couple on charges of allowing minors to consume alcohol at a party at their residence demonstrates how much trouble a person can get into for this conduct. Many parents are convinced that it is better to host a party at their own residence, where their high school or college-age [...]The post ALLOWING MINORS TO CONSUME ALCOHOL AND OTHER ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS. appeared first on Ed Folsom.
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