Articles Posted in Drug Charges

In Binghamton, New York, it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk.  That is what 37-year-old Rashiem Tompkins was doing on March 27 when police attempted to stop him for violating the city ordinance, according to news articles at Fox 40.  According to a civilian who witnessed the incident, Tompkins was observed tossing an object onto the roof of a Family Dollar Store.  It turned out to be 101 bags of heroin, which authorities determined to have a street value of $1,750.

After the witness saw Tompkins throw something onto the roof of the store, police decided to check it out; that’s when they found the 101 packets of what they believed to be heroin.  Police confiscated the drugs in addition to more than $400 in cash the suspect had in his possession.  A follow-up investigation of the arrest led to another arrest of a woman with connections to the defendant, 23-year-old Yvonne Scott.  According to police, Scott had more than 70 bags of crack cocaine valued at more than $1,200.

Tompkins was charged with resisting arrest, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.  Scott was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree. Continue reading

Recently, 13 people were arrested following an investigation that had been ongoing for six months and involved state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies. The drug bust occurred in Polk County, Florida, more specifically in the Lakeland area and was known as Operation Hoodoo Voodoo, according to a news report at Bay News 9.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the drug bust was one of the largest they’ve had in several years involving methamphetamines, and that the operation was about drugs, money, and guns. While 13 were arrested, 25 suspects were involved. The bust involved the seizure of $2 million worth of meth, approximately 44 pounds according to authorities, who said that a Voodoo priest and a “stockpile” of military-grade weapons were involved. In all, there were 25 suspects who were allegedly trafficking drugs across state and county lines. In addition to seizing the meth, Judd said that more than 100 military-style weapons were being stockpiled by the suspects. Judd said that 44 pounds of meth equals about 20 kilos. The drug was allegedly being sold in several counties in central Florida including Polk, Orange, Lake, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.

Drug lord “El Don,” whose real name is Javier Flores, allegedly managed the shipment of meth to various locations on a large scale not only in Florida, but through southern California from Mexico to Atlanta and Las Vegas as well. “El Don,” according to officials, would consult the Voodoo priest regarding the welfare of the organization as well as their drug dealing decisions. According to Judd, the Voodoo priest told those who were arrested not to worry, that “everything is fine.”

The $2 million worth of meth, 7 vehicles, about 100 weapons, ammunition, bullet-proof vests, and tens of thousands of dollars were confiscated by investigators at a Love’s Truck Stop in Polk City on March 18. The 13 people arrested face various charges which include conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, trafficking in methamphetamine, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime.

In the state of Michigan, the sell, distribution, or delivery of methamphetamine in large amounts is a very serious crime. Individuals who are convicted of possessing meth with the intent to deliver will face criminal penalties which include up to 20 years in prison, and fines of up to $25,000. However, those with a prior conviction or past criminal activity will face enhanced criminal penalties. Considering all of the criminal offenses the individuals arrested in the case above are accused of committing, it is possible many of them will face decades if not life in prison if convicted.

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On Wednesday March 19, a Dunnellon man was arrested after allegedly having 10 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle. 46-year-old Justin Valentine was pulled over after deputies received reports regarding a reckless driver.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a call about Valentine’s driving just before 9 p.m. When they went to investigate the matter in the area of the 4300 block of East Highway 40, they observed his vehicle hit a curb after crossing the center line. Deputy Gerald Boatright alleged that upon pulling Valentine over, he detected an odor of alcohol on his breath, and according to the incident report also smelled marijuana.

Valentine was arrested after failing a field sobriety test, which he agreed to take. Officers searched Valentine’s vehicle, and located what is reported to be between $35,000 and $50,000 worth of marijuana. Officers found hydroponic marijuana in 18 one-gallon capacity freezer bags inside a black duffle bag in the trunk of the suspect’s vehicle.

Valentine was taken to the Marion County Jail and is charged with driving under the influence and one count of possession of marijuana with intent to sell. News reports indicate that Valentine has been in trouble with the law before, and was arrested for DUI and possession of illegal bath salts in February of this year.

In Florida, the criminal penalties for possession with intent to sell include a maximum of 5 years in prison; the penalties an individual may face depend on other factors, such as whether the offense occurs within 1,000 feet of a school, church, park, or home.

Michigan drug crime defense attorneys know that while the use of marijuana may be legal in Colorado, the criminal penalties in most other states for possession or possession with intent to distribute/sell are still very harsh.

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On Tuesday March 18, Task Force Director Pat Downs and La Plata County, Colorado Sheriff Duke Schirard announced the results of an ongoing investigation by the Southwest Drug Task Force which has thus far resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals, according to the Durango Herald. Authorities believe the group may have connections to Mexican drug cartels.

So far in the investigation, which has taken investigators to Las Vegas and California, three woman and 11 mean have been arrested over a 45-day time period. News reports indicate nine of those individuals are from Durango or Bayfield. The 14 who have been arrested thus far range in age from 19 to 58.

Authorities have so far uncovered storage units containing firearms with serial numbers removed and other stolen goods, $10,000 in cash, and 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators anticipate more people will be arrested for their involvement in the operation, which allegedly moves large amounts of meth produced in Mexico through southwestern cities in the U.S. and on to Durango.

Joseph Fitapelli, 55, who is believed to be the king pin of the organization, was involved in a traffic stop which led to his arrest after authorities found between $8,000 and $10,000 in his vehicle. While the arrests will give authorities a “breather” and result in a reduced crime rate for a time, Downs and Schirard said “the calm won’t last forever.” The two believe that new dealers will step up to fill the void left by the arrests.

Some of the 14 people arrested include a mother and daughter, boyfriend and girlfriend, and two brothers, according to the news article.

There is no doubt the individuals who are arrested in this drug bust will face serious criminal penalties. In Michigan, those found guilty of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, sell, or deliver face penalties which include a fine of up to $25,000 along with up to 20 years in prison. In addition, when it is found that firearms are involved, the individual has a prior drug conviction, or that drug activity occurred within close proximity of a school or park, the punishment will be even more severe.

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On Wednesday March 5, three individuals were arrested in connection with possessing and trafficking cocaine in Huntsville, Alabama. Authorities said they were searching for two other individuals they believed to be connected after conducting a drug operation which led them to a large amount of cocaine.

Those arrested include 29-year-old Kamula Nicole Moore, 28-year-old Tina Sherelle Huffman, and 35-year-old Bradley Scott Corbett. Huffman was charged with trafficking cocaine on Thursday; Corbett and Moore were each charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of a forged instrument, and conspiracy to traffic cocaine. According to WAFF48 (waff.com), two drug busts led to the arrests of the three individuals, and nearly 1,000 grams of cocaine. Authorities said the cocaine had a street value of $93,000.

While investigating, authorities located $125,000 in cash along with 931 grams of cocaine, two cars, an assault rifle, and several other guns. Investigators had been working the drug operation, specifically targeting what they described as a “major” drug trafficking ring.

Police were still in search of Terry Jermaine Robinson and Royce Davenport at the time of news reports, and had issued warrants for their arrests. The three individuals who have been charged were arrested at 323 Research Park Station and 2708 Norton Avenue.

The criminal penalties for cocaine possession with intent to deliver or distribute in Michigan are extremely serious, and depend on a number of factors including criminal history and the amount of cocaine involved. Anyone found in possession of 931 grams of cocaine and charged with possession with intent will potentially face punishment which includes fines of up to $500,000 and up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

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On Saturday morning March 1, Kalamazoo County sheriff’s deputies discovered a loaded firearm, suspected meth and meth labs, and components for making meth after executing a search warrant in an ongoing investigation, according to news reports at Mlive.com. There was also a child in the Comstock Township home when deputies arrived.

The home, located in the 6200 block of East Michigan Avenue, was the target of an investigation by both the sheriff’s office and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. The search warrant was executed at 1:15 a.m. In addition to the suspected meth/labs, components, officers removed hazardous materials from the home. The child was removed from the home by Children’s Protective Service.

News reports do not indicate how many people were at the home, or what charges will be forthcoming. Authorities said only that several charges will be sought. A 19-year-old Kalamazoo man was arrested on unrelated charges and is being held in the Kalamazoo County Jail.

Michigan drug crime attorneys know that individuals who are arrested or charged with meth possession, manufacturing, or maintaining a meth lab face serious consequences. Meth-related drug crimes are on the rise; police and prosecutors are vigorous in their pursuit of those involved with these types of crimes.

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Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, head of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, was captured last weekend at a hotel in Mazatlan by Mexican and U.S. authorities, according to a news article at The Detroit News. The cartel was known for transporting cocaine into Michigan; Guzman is thought to be the most elusive and powerful drug lord in the world, and a legendary outlaw.

A senior U.S. law enforcement official said that the capture involved the Marshals Service and U.S. DEA, and that Guzman, who is 56 years old, was located at the beach resort town with an unidentified woman. There were no reports of gunfire during the capture.

Leo Sharp, a resident of Indiana, was pulled over in October of 2011 on Interstate 94 in Washtenaw County. Sharp was trafficking drugs for the cartel from Arizona to Detroit, and was discovered with 200 pounds of cocaine. He was indicted after the DEA conducted a sting involving 19 suspects. The indictment revealed that members of the drug ring met at a Wyandotte warehouse, where the cocaine was unloaded and distributed to the members.

Prior to his arrest, authorities had been in pursuit of Guzman for several weeks. Over the past week, ten mid-level cartel members have been taken down by authorities, along with several top Sinaloa operatives.

On the DEA’s most wanted list, Guzman now faces multiple federal drug trafficking indictments in the U.S. The Sinaloa Cartel is far reaching and involves Australia, Europe, and North America. Guzman escaped from prison in a laundry truck in 2001, and has eluded authorities ever since. In his dozen years on the run, he has grown his fortune to upwards of $1 billion according to Forbes Magazine.

Now that he has been captured, it is highly likely that Guzman will face the rest of his life behind bars. Federal drug charges are extremely serious, and often result in life-changing consequences for those convicted.

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Over the past week, several meth labs have been found at locations in Comstock Township.

On Saturday February 15, deputies responded to a home located in the 5900 block of Comstock Avenue after Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s deputies received a call regarding a suspected meth lab that was smoking. Upon arriving at the scene, a one-pot meth lab was found in the living room, along with meth by-products. A check of the residence following the drafting and execution of a search warrant revealed several methamphetamine labs in the basement area of the residence.

While no arrests were reported on the day of the search, 50 to 100 one-pot meth labs were allegedly found inside the home according to the sheriff’s department and news reports at WWMT-Channel 3. A press release indicated that several individuals are suspected of being involved in meth manufacturing, two of them residents of the Kalamazoo area.

Five days later, several people were arrested in connection with manufacturing meth in a separate incident in Comstock Township. After receiving complaints regarding suspected drug activity from neighbors, sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant in the 6200 block of Wright Street. Upon investigating the residence, authorities discovered a substance suspected to be meth, along with remnants of meth labs and components used in manufacturing meth. Deputies said that several individuals inside the residence were arrested on various charges; three people who are in their 20s are expected to face charges in relation to the meth labs and other items found at the scene.

On the same day, deputies responded to another complaint regarding a possible methamphetamine lab in the 5800 block of Comstock Avenue; this meth lab was inside a vehicle, according to news reports at Mlive.com. In all, there were three meth busts over a one-week period in Comstock Township.

Michigan drug crime defense attorneys know that those who are charged for manufacturing meth or operating/maintaining a meth lab face extremely serious consequences if convicted. Depending on the specific facts of your case, criminal penalties may include fines of up to $25,000 and up to 20 years in prison. Individuals with a past criminal conviction or who were in possession of methamphetamine or operating a meth lab within a certain distance of a school, park, or church may face even more serious punishment.

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On Wednesday February 5, police discovered 105 grams of marijuana upon searching a Hartford couple’s home. The two individuals, who were not named, include a 20-year-old female and a 21-year-old male, according to news reports at Mlive.com. Investigators claim that a toddler was present at the residence as well.

Authorities received a tip that marijuana was being sold from the home. Hartford city police obtained a search warrant which was executed at approximately 9:30 a.m. at the residence located on Austin Street. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit then began an investigation and seized approximately 3.5 ounces of marijuana, along with smoking paraphernalia, a digital scale, and packaging supplies.

The two occupants of the home were not arrested at the time, but are facing charges of maintaining a drug house. Once the investigation is complete the details will be forwarded to prosecutors who will review charges of maintaining a drug house and possession with intent to deliver marijuana. In addition, the case will be sent to CPS (Child Protective Services) so that the agency can investigate the circumstances of a one-year-old child living at a home where drug activity is allegedly taking place.

Maintaining a drug house and marijuana possession with intent to sell or deliver are both very serious charges in the state of Michigan. Even those who are convicted of possessing less than 5 kg of marijuana will face up to four years in prison and fines of as much as $20,000. While individuals may or may not face prison time of up to two years for maintaining a drug house, he or she may still be ordered to pay a civil fine of up to $25,000 if penalized by the state.

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