Criminal Defense | Indianapolis Lawyer

Seek an Expert Attorney to Protect Yourself from Trespassing

Oct 112011

Trespassing refers to knowingly entering into someone else’s property without authorization. This is a legal offense. You may face imprisonment, if caught while you are committing this offense. However, the penalty may vary from state to state.

The most tragic aspect of this misdemeanor offense is that sometimes people end up committing this without even wanting to. Most of the time night club goers get entangled in this when they try to resist the meddling of some off duty law enforcer or a bouncer.

You need to seek help from an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney, if you have been charged with this offense. Without the help of a skilled attorney you may not be able to defend yourself as the result of the lawsuit depends on proving the fact that the trespasser had received the authority from the owner of the property or the entire scenario was a big misunderstanding. To make this happen, the attorney must possess in-depth legal knowledge and years of experience in handling this type of legal cases. Moreover, you need to ensure that your attorney possess some level of trail experience. This will come handy if your lawsuit lands in court.

Make sure to do some research before hiring anyone. This will save you from being saddled with the wrong attorney.

Latin Kings Leader Pleads Guilty To Racketeering Conspiracy

Criminal Defense No Responses »

Nov 212010

Greenbelt, Maryland — Remy Heath, a/k/a Remy, King Remy, and King Mellow, age 26, of Hyattsville, Maryland pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, in connection with his gang activities as a member and leader of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (Latin Kings).

If you or a loved one has been charged with racketeering, contact our Indianapolis Conspiracy lawyer now!

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Attorney General Lanny A Breuer, of the Department of Justice Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Baltimore Field Division; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy; Chief Roberto L. Hylton of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey.

According to Heath’s plea agreement, the Latin Kings is a violent street gang with thousands of members across the country and overseas. The Latin Kings have a detailed and uniform organizational structure, which is outlined – along with various prayers, codes of behavior and rituals – in a written manifesto widely distributed to members throughout the country. Members of the Latin Kings are also traditionally given King Names or Queen Names, which are names other than their legal names, by which they are known to members of the gang and to others on the street. At the local level, groups of Latin Kings are organized into tribes, including, the Royal Lion Tribe, MOG, Sun Tribe and UTL.

Heath was an original member of the Royal Lion Tribe in Maryland, which later became MOG, which later became the Sun Tribe. Heath joined the Royal Lion Tribe of the Latin Kings in early summer of 2007. Heath attended Latin King meetings where dues were collected from members and gang business was discussed, and he communicated with Latin King members and associates by phone and through the internet. Heath traveled from Maryland to New York for Latin King activities and participated in missions for the gang. From November 2008 to March 2009, Heath held a leadership position in the gang, serving as the Second Crown or Cacique for the MOG tribe.

Heath faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. has scheduled sentencing for May 27, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. Heath remains detained. Six co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to the racketeering conspiracy.

Mr. Rosenstein and Mr. Breuer thanked the ATF-led RAGE Task Force, including the Gaithersburg Police Department; the Montgomery County Police Department; Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office; Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office; the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland National Capital Park Police – Prince George’s County Division; and the Maryland State Police; as well as, the New York Police Department; the U.S. Secret Service, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, for their assistance in this investigation and prosecution.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Glatfelter and David Salem, and Lara M. Peirce, a Trial Attorney with the Criminal Division’s Gang Unit, who are prosecuting the case.

Important Priorities to Consider when Hiring a Criminal Attorney

Criminal Defense No Responses »

Nov 202010

If you are faced with serious criminal charges, you only have a few options. You can choose to go it alone, you can opt for a public defender, or you can consult a criminal attorney to represent you in court. Shortly, we will cover which is the best option for you. Frankly, only consulting a criminal attorney may give you the highest probability of having your charges dismissed, or achieving a reduced charge. When you are arrested, you will be read at your rights. A San Diego DUI lawyer advised is highly recommended that you pay particular attention to the right to remain silent, and ask immediately to consult your lawyer.

When it comes to court cases, time is a crucial factor. It is important you find a criminal attorney to represent you quickly. Try searching your local online listings or thumbing through the Yellow Pages to find one in your area. Be aware that there are a few different methods of finding a good criminal attorney.

It is always smart to check for attorney referrals from your friends and family. If you find no luck there, start calling around to the local criminal attorneys to ask about their track record and measure their level of professionalism. You will most likely be able to make a good decision by the feeling you get after speaking with several attorneys on the telephone.

Most people believe that consulting a criminal attorney can be very costly. Don’t even let this thought cross your mind. If you end up being convicted of your charges, you will most likely lose far more money then an attorney would charge. The small cost that your attorney charges could save you from large fines, legal penalties, and even prison time.

When facing really serious criminal charges it is important you pay for the most experienced and knowledgeable attorney you can afford. The better your attorney, the more likely you are to avoid extremely high finds and severe penalties.

Again, there are three main reasons for hiring a criminal attorney. The first reason is that the criminal attorney is going to be on your side. When you’re facing charges, you often feel very alone. All the law terms and procedures can leave you feel confused and overwhelmed. Your criminal attorney will be with you every step of the way. He or she will explain what’s going on, will tell you how to act, dress, what to say and when to say it. Basically, they are your advocate when you previously had no one.

A San Diego DUI attorney added, another important reason to consult a criminal attorney is because his or her reputation is riding on the outcome of your case. Meaning, if they lose they will often times be overlooked by future potential clients because they carry a poor record. On the flip-side, if they win they will gain many future clients and therefore have many incentives. Your criminal attorney has many reasons to do their best in winning your case.

Lastly, you should consult a criminal attorney that is highly experienced because they will understand pertinent information about the law and know where to find the loopholes. An experienced criminal attorney will know how to get evidence against you thrown out of court, convince the jury that you are in fact innocent, or even have your entire case dismissed based on a technicality. After all, in most cases that would be the best possible outcome and is really the reason why you hired them to represent you.

Jasper Man Sentenced for Computer Intrusion

Criminal Defense No Responses »

Nov 122010

INDIANAPOLIS—Scott R. Burgess, 46, of Jasper, Ind., was sentenced on September 17 to three years of probation by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following his guilty plea to computer intrusion. This case was the result of a lengthy investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

If you or loved one has been charged with a computer crime, contact our Indiana computer crime lawyer now!

Burgess admitted that he accessed the Stens Corporation computer systems, based in Jasper, Ind., from various places on numerous occasions without authorization. Burgess further admitted that the computer intrusions were performed for the purpose of gaining commercial advantage and personal financial benefit. Burgess was employed by a competitor of Stens when he accessed the Stens’ computer systems.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted the case for the government, Chief Judge Young also ordered Burgess to serve the first six months of his probation term in a work release center. Burgess was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $72,481.

Former Merrillville FBI Technician Indicted for Allegedly Embezzling More Than $30,000 in Evidence

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Nov 062010

HAMMOND, IN—A former employee at the FBI office in Merrillville was indicted yesterday on federal charges for allegedly embezzling more than $30,000 in evidence that she kept for herself instead of properly returning various amounts of cash as she claimed to have done. The defendant, Melissa L. Sims, who worked as an evidence control technician for the FBI in Merrillville from 1998 to September 2008, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Hammond on three counts of embezzlement and one count each of making false statements and witness tampering, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, announced today.

If you or a loved one has been charged with embezzling, contact our Indiana embezzling lawyers now!

Sims, 36,of Lowell, Ind., is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 before Magistrate Judge Paul R. Cherry in U.S. District Court in Hammond. The case was investigated by the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago is handling the prosecution in the Northern District of Indiana.

According to the indictment, between 2005 and August 2008, Sims embezzled more than $30,000 in evidence that she was responsible for disposing of in accord with FBI rules and procedures. She allegedly made no effort to contact certain individuals to whom the various amounts of cash were properly to have been returned, choosing instead to keep the evidence for herself. The indictment alleges 10 different dates on which Sims signed 16 separate forms stating that various amounts of cash evidence, ranging from $2 to $2,790, had been “released” or “returned,” when she had actually taken the money for herself.

The indictment further alleges that in May 2010 Sims tampered with a witness by attempting to persuade the witness to provide false information to a federal law enforcement officer relating to financial transactions between Sims and the witness. At the time, investigators were probing the source of more than $80,000 in cash deposits to Sims’ bank account between 2005 and 2008.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark E. Schneider.

The charges in the indictment carry the following maximum penalties on each count: making false statements—five years in prison and a $250,000 fine; embezzlement—10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and witness tampering—20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and restitution is mandatory. If convicted, however, the Court would determine a reasonable sentence to impose under the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Twenty-One Indicted in Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

Criminal Defense No Responses »

Oct 302010

NEW ALBANY, IN—The indictment of 21 alleged cocaine traffickers was unsealed yesterday in U.S. District Court in New Albany, following the arrest of 17 of the defendants. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers also served 16 search warrants (eight in Indiana, seven in Kentucky and one in Illinois). Seized during the execution of the search and arrest warrants were approximately 10 ounces of cocaine, $82,000 in cash and 30 firearms, including two AR-15′s. This indictment was the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Indiana State Police, the Jeffersonville, Indiana Police Department, and the Charlestown, Indiana Police Department.

If you or a loved one has been charged with cocaine trafficking, contact our Indiana criminal defense lawyer or attorney now!

In addition to the agencies named above, the following agencies assisted in the arrests and searches today: Chicago FBI, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Clarksville Police Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police, Indianapolis FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force, Louisville FBI, Louisville Metro Police Department, New Albany Police Department, Scottsburg Police Department, Seymour Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

On September 20, 2010, a grand jury returned an indictment against 21 individuals for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine.

The remaining four indicted persons have yet to be taken into custody.

All but three of the defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. Nia Bottoms and Amber Tucker were charged only with one count of knowingly and intentionally using a communication facility to facilitate the commission of an act constituting a felony. Jesse Bottoms, Jr. was charged only with one count of transferring a firearm, knowing that the firearm would be used in a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges that since July 2008, Jesse Bottoms, Sr. was the leader of the conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. As the leader, the indictment alleges Bottoms was responsible for acquiring large quantities of cocaine from his sources and then providing cocaine to mid-level cocaine distributors in southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky. These sources include co-defendant Wess C. Nelson.

The indictment further alleges that bulk quantities of cocaine and cash were maintained at “stash” houses in Louisville, Kentucky, and, in order to protect their money and drugs, conspirators possessed assault rifles, shotguns and pistols.

Michael Welch, Special Agent in Charge of the Indianapolis Federal Bureau of Investigation said: “The success of this investigation is an example of the outstanding cooperation between local, state, and federal law enforcement.”

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh J. Minkler, who is prosecuting the case for the government, each defendant charged with conspiracy to distribute and to distribute cocaine faces a maximum of life imprisonment, and a $4,000,000 fine. Both Nia Bottoms and Amber Tucker, who were charged with using a communication facility to facilitate the commission of an act constituting a felony, face a maximum of four years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Jesse Bottoms, Jr., charged with transferring a firearm, knowing that the firearm would be used in a drug trafficking crime, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Initial hearings began at 11:30 a.m. yesterday for those arrested in New Albany before Magistrate Judge Michael Naville. These hearings continue this morning.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Three Terre Haute Inmates Sentenced for Possession of Contraband

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Oct 282010

INDIANAPOLIS—Three inmates of the Federal Correctional Complex – Terre Haute were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence in separate cases for possession of contraband while in prison. Edward C. Crow, 30, was sentenced to 30 months; Keister A. Gallman, 30, was sentenced to 30 months; and Ramon Torres, 26, was sentenced to 27 months. Each pled guilty following investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

If you have been charged with Possession of Contraband, contact our Indianapolis Possession Lawyer now!

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Warden, who prosecuted the cases for the government, Crow, Gallman and Torres were each found with plastic or metal “shanks,” which are forbidden because of their potential to cause bodily harm to other inmates and prison officials.

These sentences will be served consecutive to the judgment that originally sent them to FCC – Terre Haute. All three defendants will also be subject to three years of supervised release when released from prison.

Former Indianapolis Man Indicted for Corydon Bank Robbery

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Oct 262010

INDIANAPOLIS—Sean F. Schaffner, 41, of Indianapolis, but currently in federal custody in South Carolina, was charged today with armed bank robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Indiana State Police, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, and the Corydon Police Department.

If you or a loved one has been charged with robbery, contact our Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyers now!

The indictment alleges that Schaffner robbed the Community First Bank in Corydon, Indiana, on October 2, 2009, while brandishing a semi-automatic pistol. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Warden, who is prosecuting the case for the government, if convicted, Schaffner faces a maximum of 32 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Men Arrested for Clean Air Act Asbestos Worker Protection Violations

Criminal Defense, Personal Injury No Responses »

Aug 232010

Charles Yi and John Bostick were arrested Wednesday for violations of the Clean Air Act’s asbestos work practice standards committed during the renovation of a 204-unit apartment building in Winnetka, Calif., in January through February of 2006, the Justice Department announced today.

The arrest follows a six-count indictment returned against Yi and Bostick by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles on July 22, 2010. The indictment also charged the defendants with conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act requires those who remove asbestos from buildings to adhere to established work practice standards to ensure the safe removal, transportation, and disposal of the asbestos.

The defendants were high level officers of three companies that purchased the property and oversaw its renovation and conversion for sale as condominiums. The indictment alleges that, despite having knowledge of asbestos contained in the acoustical or “popcorn” ceilings of the apartment units, the defendants hired a company that was not licensed or trained in asbestos abatement to scrape the ceilings of the units without telling the company’s workers of the asbestos in the ceilings or providing them with adequate protective gear.
The indictment charges the defendants with violations of several asbestos worker protection standards, including failing to notify the government of the asbestos abatement project, failing to have a foremen on site trained in the asbestos regulations, failing to keep the asbestos waste material wet during the abatement, failing to contain the asbestos waste material in air tight containers and failing to dispose of the asbestos waste material at a hazardous waste disposal site.

If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison as well as a criminal fine of up to $250,000 for each count.
The allegations in the indictment are mere accusations and all persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California South Coast Air Quality Management District. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.

source: justice.gov

Indiana Sexual Crime Lawyer

Criminal Defense No Responses »

Aug 102010

Laura A. Wass, 21, of Hamilton, Indiana, was sentenced by Judge Theresa Springmann to 12 months and one day imprisonment and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to count one of an indictment charging her with manufacture of a controlled substance, namely, 100 or more marijuana plants. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ashley Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the Hamilton Police Department and the the United States Postal Inspection Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Geller.

If you or a loved one has been arrested in Indiana, contact our Indiana Criminal Defense Lawyers now!

Jose Zapata, 38, of Marion, Indiana, plead guilty before Judge Theresa Springmann to count one of an indictment charging him with receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crime Task Force, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the Allen County Police Department, and the Hamilton County Metro Crimes Against Children Task Force. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Miller Lowery.

The specific sentence in each case to be imposed upon conviction will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.