Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

February 9, 2016

Leather Jacket Left at Connecticut Bar Results in Discovery of Drug Factory, Arrest of Suspect

Recently, a Danielson, CT man was arrested on numerous drug charges following an investigation that stemmed from a leather jacket found on a bar stool at The Sports Page in November of last year. According to news reports, a routine bar check was being conducted by troopers from the Quality of Life Task Force of Connecticut State Police’s Troop D when the jacket was discovered. In it was 20 grams of crack cocaine prepackaged for sale according to police.

The discovery of the unclaimed leather jacket led to an investigation and subsequent application for an arrest warrant. The warrant was executed earlier this week; the suspect, Jude Abellard, was found at his apartment along with a substantial amount of drugs, cash, and drug paraphernalia. Troopers discovered a digital scale, packaging materials, $576 in cash, and 72 baggies of crack cocaine prepackaged for sale. News reports indicate the 42 grams of crack cocaine has an approximate street value of $4,200.

Abellard is now charged with one count of intent to sell crack cocaine, two counts of possession of crack cocaine, and operating a drug factory. As of last reports, the suspect was being held on $125,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court on February 9.

February 8, 2016

Alabama Man in Full Clown Costume Jailed Following DUI Arrest

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday February 6, a 51-year-old Fultondale, AL man was pulled over for driving in an erratic manner. Joel Allan Sloan was wearing a clown costume when he was pulled over by a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy. Another motorist reportedly flagged down the deputy after noticing Sloan’s erratic driving.

Sloan was driving a red Ford SUV when the other motorist noticed he was weaving in and out of lanes. As the deputy approached to pull the suspect over, he noticed the vehicle crossing into the oncoming lane then back into his own lane.

According to news reports, Sloan did not explain to the deputy his reason for being dressed in full clown attire, but did say he had just been at a local restaurant where he had a few drinks. Authorities also found that Sloan had an outstanding felony warrant for first-degree theft of property. He was arrested and charged with DUI before being booked into the Jefferson County Jail. Sloan’s bond was set at $2,500.

February 5, 2016

Kincheloe Man Convicted on Charge of Solicitation to Commit Assault Sentenced to Prison

by Scott Grabel

In December of last year, Michael Robert Young, 27 and a former supervisor at Aramark was found guilty of solicitation to commit assault with intent to cause great bodily harm. Young, of Kincheloe, was recently sentenced and now faces up to five years in prison for the felony conviction.

According to news reports, Young was employed by Aramark at Kinross Correctional Facility when he allegedly solicited an inmate to assault another inmate who Young said was incarcerated for murdering one of his relatives. The inmate Young allegedly wanted to harm was located at a different correctional facility. An article at The Detroit News stated that Young gave the inmate the other inmate’s name, location, prisoner number, and other details.

State officials revealed in a statement that the inmate Young was attempting to solicit told the Michigan Department of Corrections about Young’s plot. Young was charged in May of 2015, and was sentenced this month.

February 4, 2016

Mississippi Man Convicted of Sending Poison-laced Letters to President, Others Files Appeal

by Scott Grabel

Recently, James Everett Dutschke, 45, filed an appeal in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals asking the court to overturn the dismissal of prior appeals of his conviction in the Northern District of Mississippi. Currently, Dutschke is incarcerated in a Colorado federal prison, serving a 25 year sentence.

Dutschke, a former Tupelo martial arts instructor, pleaded guilty to four counts of sending ricin-tainted poisonous letters via mail to President Obama, Senator Roger Wicker, and others. Dutschke allegedly used the plot to set up a man whom he had issues with, Paul Kevin Curtis. Curtis was an Elvis impersonator who was not in good standing with Dutschke. Curtis was initially arrested, however authorities determined it was Dutschke who had developed the scheme. Curtis later sued the U.S. Dept. of Justice for wrongful arrest.

Dutschke’s first attempt to have a federal court overturn the dismissal for his convictions was rejected in October of last year by U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock. His latest appeal attempt includes a five-page hand-written document. Dutschke insists his request to overturn his 2014 conviction is not “frivolous” because of the fact he does not have any legal counsel or guidance to proceed through the court system properly.

February 2, 2016

Connecticut Man Arrested on Drug Charges After Police Execute Warrant

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday January 30, police in Bridgeport, CT executed a warrant which resulted in the arrest of a 30-year-old man as the city’s Violent Crime Reduction Task Force undertook a major drug and gun bust.

Police executed the warrant on Aldine Avenue, where they found what was described as an elaborate marijuana growing facility in the basement, complete with high intensity lamps, agriculture supplies, grow tents, and a mechanical irrigation and exhaust system. Jack Kelhoffer was arrested after police seized numerous drugs and substances including 23 bottles of anabolic steroids, 250 human growth hormone tablets, 85 marijuana plants, and more than 500 grams of harvested marijuana. Xanax tablets were also found on the property, along with 21 rifles and hand guns found in two safes.

Kelhoffer faces numerous drug-related charges including possession of marijuana over 4 ounces, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, cultivation of marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.

February 1, 2016

Florida Man Strikes Seven Vehicles, Arrested for DUI

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday afternoon January 30, a Delray Beach man reportedly plowed through seven vehicles on Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach as they were stopped at a red light. According to news reports, 47-year-old James Dean Martin was driving under the influence when the incident occurred.

Martin allegedly attempted to navigate his Ford pick-up between two lanes of traffic that were stopped at the light; Boynton Beach police were called to the intersection after witnesses reported the incident. Police charged Martin with DUI and driving on a suspended license. He was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

None of the motorists were injured in the incident, however spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said victims and witnesses had to detain Martin until police arrived on the scene.

January 27, 2016

Pine Bluff Woman Stopped for Speeding, Faces Drug Charges

by Scott Grabel

Recently, 33-year-old Christina Deam was pulled over by a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy in Arkansas for allegedly driving 63 mph in a 55 mph zone on U.S. 79. As a result of the traffic stop, Deam now faces drug charges.

According to news reports, Deam was initially taken into custody on two misdemeanor warrants. A probable cause affidavit revealed that Deputy James Hoffman performed the traffic stop, and Deam admitted she did not have a driver’s license. A passenger in the vehicle with Deam also did not have a license; after running a records check, Hoffman found both had warrants. Deam and her passenger were arrested.

After conducting an air sniff of Deam’s car with the assistance of Hoffman’s K-9 partner in which the dog alerted on the driver’s side door, a clear plastic bag of what was believed to be cocaine was found in the door pocket. Suspected cocaine was also found in Deam’s handbag, along with a clear straw containing residue of suspected cocaine. The State Crime Lab will perform an analysis to determine if all of the materials found in the handbag and vehicle are indeed cocaine, however Deam denied any knowledge of it.

January 26, 2016

Florida Sheriff’s Deputy Making DUI Arrest Has Patrol Car Sideswiped by Another Drunk Driver

by Scott Grabel

On Sunday evening, a sheriff’s deputy was marking a DUI arrest in Hillsborough County when his parked patrol car was struck by a car driven by an impaired driver. News reports say the incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. in Tampa. The driver of the vehicle who sideswiped the patrol car, 49–year-old Todd M. Casey, kept going. Deputies did catch up with Casey.

Sheriff’s deputies were in the process of arresting 36-year-old Michael Probst when the incident occurred. When deputies did apprehend Casey, they noticed his speed was slurred, that he smelled of alcohol, and had red, glassy eyes. Upon administering breath tests, it was found that Casey’s BAC (blood alcohol content) registered .181 percent on one test and .196 percent on another. In Florida, the legal limit is .08 percent, therefore Casey’s BAC was more than twice the legal limit.

Casey was cited for not moving over when passing an emergency vehicle; he was charged with DUI with property damage.

January 25, 2016

Kentwood Resident Faces Up to Five Years in Prison, Other Penalties for Tax Evasion

by Scott Grabel

Recently, United States Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced in a Department of Justice press release that Gregory Claxton, a resident of Kentwood, pleaded guilty to evading the payment of federal income taxes to the IRS for the years 2006 through 2012. According to the release, Claxton willfully evaded paying nearly $149,000 in taxes by placing property and money in the names of other individuals. He will now be required to pay more than $200,000 in restitution to the IRS, which includes interest along with $250,000 in fines; he also faces up to five years in prison.

Until 2000, Claxton was a certified public accountant according to court records. He was operating a tax preparation business for clients at the time he was investigated and found to be evading payment of taxes. Claxton transferred the deed of his home to a trust in his wife’s name, and also deposited money from his business into his wife’s bank accounts in order to make it appear he did not have the money to pay the taxes owed. Claxton met with the IRS to discuss the outstanding tax debt, and admitted transferring the deed of his house just two days earlier.

Those involved in the investigation include Jarod J. Koopman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS – Criminal Investigation and other IRS special agents. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally J. Berens prosecuted the case.

January 22, 2016

Hillsdale Man Pleads No Contest to Possession of Drugs

by Scott Grabel

In October of last year, Rodney Gene Beumel was found asleep in his truck by Hillsdale City Police. Officers found Beumel after receiving reports that his truck was parked in a way that was blocking traffic.

Upon finding Beumel and his truck in an alley near the hospital, police discovered the offender had an open container of alcohol inside his vehicle. Upon further inspection, police found Beumel had prescription pills and methamphetamine, drugs he had no prescription for. Earlier this month, Beumel appeared in court facing criminal charges that included driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drugs. At his arraignment, a not guilty plea was entered on Beumel’s behalf. In all, Beumel faced four felony charges although not all of the offenses were listed in news reports.
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