Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Ten Arrested in Unemployment Fraud
Ten people are facing federal charges after authorities accused them of defrauding the federal government of over $1.2 million in unemployment benefits. Fifty prepaid cards were disbursed as a part of the fraud. The charges include: Aggravated identity theft Mail fraud Conducting illegal transactions with access devices Mail theft Conspiracy charges related to all… Read More »
Florida Deputy Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Charges
A former Florida deputy pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges. Travis Ryan Pritchard pleaded guilty to producing an image showing a child being sexually abused and possessing another image of a prepubescent child being sexually abused. The Clay County Deputy could be facing up to 50 years given federal sentencing guidelines. Below, we’ll… Read More »
Florida Men Facing Federal Fraud Charges Related to “Grandparent Scam”
Two Florida men are facing federal wire fraud charges after allegedly telling Ohio grandparents that they were attorneys representing a relative who needed money for bail. The grandparents would then wire the money to the two men. They managed to collect over $380,000 in this manner. Below, we’ll discuss the charges they face and… Read More »
Barr Issues Instructions to Federal Prosecutors: Charge Violent Protesters
Attorney General William Barr spent much of the third week in September reaching out to federal prosecutors all across the U.S., including Tampa. He instructed federal prosecutors in these areas to step up efforts to crack down on “violent” protesters. This comes after President Donald Trump sent federal agents into areas like Portland and… Read More »
Former South Florida Congresswoman Under Federal Investigation
Former Florida congresswoman, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, is under federal investigation for allegedly spending campaign money on personal trips and vacations. The Public Integrity Section of the Justice Department is running the investigation. It was recently revealed that several former campaign staffers have been interviewed regarding vacations Ros-Lehtinen took to Disney World with her children and… Read More »
FIGHTING AIRPORT CASH SEIZURES BY TSA
A Tampa couple was recently profiled on wfla.com in a harrowing story of airport law enforcement overstepping their authority and infringing upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. The traveling duo, who were in lawful possession of a sizeable amount of cash while on their way back home to Tampa, had their money seized… Read More »
FORMER FBI LAWYER PLEADS GUILTY TO FALSYFYING DOCUMENTS
Across the nation and throughout Florida, a defendant facing either state or federal prosecution has the constitutional right to petition the trial court to throw out or “suppress” illegally obtained evidence on the basis that the officer who authored the search warrant or wiretap application lied under oath in some material fashion in the… Read More »
VIOLATION OF PROBATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In Florida, in almost every jurisdiction, a violation of probation allegation could mean weeks in jail before a real hearing to resolve the matter. Many clients and families are often frustrated by the lack of information and inability to get of jail when they call our office. The process can be overwhelming so we… Read More »
They Say I Failed the DUI Field Sobriety Tests. Am I Automatically Guilty?
Absolutely not. At best, FSTs are only circumstantial evidence of intoxication. And, circumstantial evidence is subject to interpretation, which is why police officers always say the defendant “failed” the tests. But jurors often interpret the results differently, and their opinion is the only one that counts. Finally, not all field sobriety tests are created… Read More »
TRUMP THROWS PARDON PARTY FOR WHITE COLLAR DEFENDANTS
U.S. President Donald Chump came under water-gun fire on Tuesday for commuting the sentence of Rod Blagojevich, the ex-Illinois governor convicted of trying to peddle Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat. Eye brows were further raised when several other high-profile white collar defendants received their golden Willy Wonka tickets too. Senator Susan Collins of… Read More »