Category Archives: Criminal Defense
Convicted Sex Offender Seeks Relief Under Habeas Corpus, But Is He “In Custody”
An individual who is convicted of a state crime has the right to challenge the constitutionality of their conviction in federal court through a legal tool known as a writ of habeas corpus. Habeas corpus is available to any individual who is currently “in custody.” In the past, the Supreme Court has interpreted “in… Read More »
Feds Take Over Carjacking Case That Led to Death
Federal authorities are taking charge of a carjacking and homicide investigation after it was determined that the victim was specifically targeted, and the incident involved drugs and money. The 31-year-old victim was a Homestead native who tragically died earlier this month in Central Florida. Four individuals have been charged in connection with the crime… Read More »
Former Soldier Extradited from Ukraine Will Face Federal Charges for Crime Spree in Florida
The United States government has extradited a former soldier from Ukraine on years-old charges concerning an alleged “international crime spree” that included a double murder of a Florida couple that he robbed to fund travel plans to Venezuela. According to federal authorities, the soldier planned to wage military-style raids against Venezuela’s socialist government. In… Read More »
Three Defendants Charged in Fraudulent Nursing Diploma Scheme
Three defendants have recently been sentenced to federal prison for executing a scheme to operate a nursing diploma mill. According to federal authorities, the defendants were charged along with 11 co-conspirators for their involvement in a scheme to sell fraudulent nursing degree diplomas and transcripts obtained from two private nursing schools. These schools were… Read More »
Owners of American Property Management Services Facing Federal Fraud Charges for Theft of Millions from Southwest Florida Community Associations
The owners of American Property Management Services are alleged to have stolen millions of dollars from dozens of Southwest Florida community associations. They have since been indicted by a federal grand jury in a 17-count indictment detailing the alleged scheme. The owners have been charged with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and… Read More »
Federal Jury Convicts Two Florida Residents of Drug Trafficking, Weapons Charges
Two Florida residents were recently convicted of trafficking large quantities of controlled substances. One was also convicted of distributing methamphetamine while the other was convicted of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The two were charged along with seven co-conspirators in a superseding indictment resulting from an investigation conducted by the Organized Crime… Read More »
Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
Federal judges are generally required to impose mandatory minimum sentences for various drug-related charges. How severe those sentences are depends on a variety of factors. These include: The type of drug The quantity of drugs involved The defendant’s prior criminal record Whether there were any injuries or fatalities related to the sale of the… Read More »
Florida Siblings Face Federal Health Care Fraud Charges in Scheme to Defraud Medicare
Two Florida siblings are facing federal charges related to a scheme to defraud Medicare of millions of dollars. Federal prosecutors say that the siblings owned a Medicare billing company called Grapevine Professional Services, Inc. and used the company to bill Medicare for a reported $25 million in fraudulent claims. According to federal authorities, the… Read More »
Florida Man Charged in Healthcare Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy to Violate the Anti-Kickback Statute
A 28-year-old Florida man is facing numerous charges related to a scheme to defraud Medicare by billing for medically unnecessary prescriptions. Federal authorities announced charges in an 8-count indictment alleging conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, healthcare fraud, conspiracy to violate the federal anti-kickback statute, and payment of illegal kickbacks…. Read More »
$3.8 Million Verdict for SWAT Team Error, Wrong Home Raided in Search Warrant Mistake
A 78-year-old Colorado woman who sued two police officers after her home was wrongly searched by a SWAT team looking for a stolen truck and entitled to money damages as compensation. A jury awarded her a $3.76 million in civil damages under a new Colorado law that allows people to sue law enforcement agencies… Read More »