Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

February 23, 2015

South Carolina Sixth Grade Teacher Arrested for Possessing Marijuana

On Monday, February 23, a sixth-grade teacher at Memminger Elementary School in Charleston, SC turned herself in to the County Sheriff’s Office after an investigation on Friday revealed the presence of marijuana at her home. Faith Jones-Paulus turned herself in this morning; her husband, Christopher Andrew Paulus, was arrested on Friday.

The incident began when investigators with the Charleston County Metro Major Case Unit were watching the home where the Paulus’s live on Friday. According to an ABC News article, deputies witnessed a white male going toward the back of the house; as they attempted to talk to him, he allegedly threw a 9mm firearm to the ground. The man was identified as Paulus, who then asked investigators if he could go into the house to get water and secure his dogs. Deputies went with Paulus, and noticed an odor of marijuana in the house. Paulus allegedly admitted that marijuana was in the home.

While investigating the house, deputies discovered an electric bill that had the name of Faith Jones-Paulus on it. They also discovered 451 grams of marijuana in one bedroom, and 6.2 pounds in another. While news reports do not say, it appears that Faith Jones-Paulus was not at home at the time investigators went through the house. Christopher Paulus was charged with several marijuana offenses, including second offense trafficking and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was also charged with possession of marijuana in the proximity of a school.

February 20, 2015

Dearborn Heights Woman Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Return, Sentenced to One Year and a Day, Restitution

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a 55-year-old Dearborn Heights woman was sentenced to one year and a day, along with more than $225,000 in restitution for willfully filing false tax returns with the IRS, according to a press release issued recently by United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Joining in the announcement was IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office, Jarod J. Koopman.

According to the press release, Janey Golani was employed as an office manager of several companies owned by Latif “Randy” and Hind Oram. Golani embezzled from the Orams in an amount reaching almost $700,000 over a time period beginning in 2005 and ending in 2009. She admitted she intentionally did not report the money she embezzled from her employer as income, although she knew the money was taxable income and was to be reported on her income tax returns. She pleaded guilty to the charges against her in August of 2014.

Golani’s failure to report the income she obtained for her own personal use through embezzlement lowered her tax liability by more than $77,000 for the year 2008, according to the release. In all, the government experienced a tax loss in excess of $225,000 because of Golani’s failure to report the embezzled money on federal income tax returns for the years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

February 20, 2015

Detroit Man Facing Criminal Charges Following Bus Stop Stabbings Believed Related to Religious Beliefs

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday February 14, 39-year-old Terrence Lavaron Thomas was standing with a group of individuals at a suburban bus stop when he allegedly asked some whether they were Muslims, according to a recent news article at Mlive.com. Southfield Police Chief Eric Hawkins said that two of the individuals answered that they were not Muslims, at which point the two were stabbed by Thomas. On Tuesday it was reported that the case was being investigated as a potential hate crime by federal authorities.

Hawkins said that Thomas was not happy with the answer given by the two victims, who are both in their early 50s. He allegedly attacked one of the victims with a 3-inch folding knife he pulled out, then stabbed the other in the hand as he attempted to bring a halt to the attack. Neither of the victims sustained serious injuries.

The defendant, who is charged with one count of carrying a dangerous weapon, one count of possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of assault with intent to murder, fled the scene after stabbing the victims, however he was arrested by police within minutes, according to Hawkins, who also said Thomas was carrying two knives along with some marijuana.

February 18, 2015

Ferndale Public Works Director Arrested for DUI, Fired by Mayor

by Scott Grabel

On February 4, Chad Bedlington, the new public works director for the city of Ferndale, was arrested after allegedly being caught holding an open can of beer while trying to start his vehicle by police. This incident occurred at approximately 1 a.m., after Bedlington had left a pub in Bellingham. On October 12, the new public works director was terminated by Mayor Gary Jensen.

Bedlington was formerly employed by the city of Bellingham as superintendent of maintenance and operations. He was hired by Ferndale in September of last year, with his six month probationary period ending the first of February this year, just before he was arrested on suspicion of DUI. In late January, a $95,000 per year contract was approved at a City Council meeting. According to the terms of that contract, he will receive four months’ severance pay following his termination.

In the state of Michigan, open containers of alcohol are not permitted by either a driver or passenger when the vehicle is being driven. Any containers that have been opened must be stored in an area where anyone inside the vehicle will not have easy access, such as a trunk. Anyone found with an open container in a vehicle may face misdemeanor charges, which could result in a maximum of 93 days in jail and a $500 fine if convicted. In addition, those found to have open containers containing beer, wine, or other intoxicants may face DUI charges in some cases.

February 17, 2015

5% of City in Oklahoma’s Population Arrested in Dismantle of Drug Distribution Ring

by Scott Grabel

Friday the 13th did prove to be a very unlucky day for 43 people who were arrested for allegedly distributing methamphetamine and other drugs in Clayton, Oklahoma. According to a news article at Fox 25, the 43 arrests account for about 5% of the entire population of Clayton.

At the time of news reports, 23 of the suspects were in custody, and three more suspects had been arrested for outstanding warrants. Most of those arrested reside in rural areas in LeFlore, Latimer, and Pushmataha Counties. Pushmataha County is where the investigation into the drug distribution ring began back in December of 2013. Involved in the investigation were local authorities, and the OBN (Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics). According to Mark Woodward, spokesman for the OBN, the suspects would sell substantial amounts of prescription drugs and ‘ICE’ or crystal methamphetamine in Clayton and nearby vicinities.

Authorities began dismantling the drug ring early Friday morning as they began serving arrest warrants at about 7 a.m. Just over three hours later, they had taken 23 of the 43 suspects into custody. All were taken to the Pushmataha County Jail, and will face charges including the distribution of controlled substances.

February 13, 2015

Pennsylvania Woman Appeals Conviction in Deadly Car Accident Following ‘Huffing’ of Dust Cleaner

by Scott Grabel

In February of last year, 22-year-old Danielle Packer was arrested and charged in the death of another motorist following a car crash that authorities believe was caused by Packer’s ‘huffing’ of dust cleaner in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Packer was charged with 18 counts, including involuntary manslaughter, third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and vehicular homicide while under the influence. The fatal accident occurred in August of 2012; Packer was convicted of third-degree murder and other charges in October of 2014.

Now, Packer is appealing her conviction and seeking a new trial. She was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison for the murder, which took the life of 25-year-old Matthew Snyder. Packer, who is a resident of Bellefonte, and her attorney claim that the judge in the case erred when the jury was allowed to hear person information about the victim and his wife. Packer believes the information prejudiced the jury. Her attorney also claims that critical evidence was withheld by the prosecution, evidence provided by a pathologist who said that Packer was not significantly intoxicated by the computer dusting spray following the crash.

The judge in the case has 120 days to make a decision on whether Packer may be retried in the case; if no decision is made by the end of the time limit, the motion is automatically denied. However, Packer and her attorney may still appeal to Pennsylvania Superior Court.

February 12, 2015

Week-long Trial Ends in Conviction of Owner of Imperial Tax Service for Tax Fraud

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, February 9 it was announced in a press release issued by U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade that Richard Alan Williams, owner and operator of Imperial Tax Service in Jackson, had been found guilty on 20 counts of filing false tax returns. IRS Criminal Investigations Special Agents investigated the case, including Special Agent in Charge Jarod Coopman, who stated in the press release that, “IRS Criminal Investigation focuses on protecting revenue by identifying, investigating and prosecuting abusive return preparers. This case accentuates the importance for taxpayers to carefully select a tax return preparer.”

According to the release, Williams was convicted of 17 counts of assisting in the preparation and filing of fraudulent tax returns for clients, and three counts of subscribing and filing fraudulent personal income tax returns of his own. The charges were related to filing of fraudulent tax returns for these customers for tax years including 2004, 2006, and 2007. Essentially, false business losses and expenses were claimed on these returns, which resulted in the taxpayers’ refunds being greater than the customers were entitled to. In some cases, phony business income was added to the returns so that customers could claim an increased Earned Income Credit.

While Williams collected substantial fees for the preparation of client tax returns in 2004, 2006, and 2007, he claimed that his own income was $1, $2, and $10 for those years respectively. Some of the customers who had Williams prepare their taxes testified at trial that they were not aware of the fraudulent income, expenses, or other items he had included in their tax returns, although some of the taxpayers have been ordered by the IRS to repay excess refunds after being audited.

February 10, 2015

Florida Man Pursued for Driving Stolen Car, Lists Occupation as Drug Dealer

by Scott Grabel

On Tuesday February 3, a 25-year-old Florida man was arrested in Palm Beach County after he allegedly admitted to police that he was a drug dealer after being stopped for driving a stolen car. According to the New York Daily News, Robert Phillips is a felon who has been convicted numerous times in the past for various crimes.

Apparently, Phillips wrote that his occupation was a “drug dealer” on the police report filed by the arresting officer. However, some are suspicious that it may have been the officers who filled in this information, rather than the defendant. Police were allegedly cut off on Interstate 95 while driving an unmarked police vehicle by Phillips, who was said to be driving a stolen vehicle. The arresting officer discovered the vehicle was stolen after looking up the registration for the car.

The police officer then followed the car Phillips was driving, noting that Phillips stopped off at an arts and crafts store and conducted a drug deal along the way. Phillips allegedly ran through the store as the officer pursued him on foot, knocking a woman in the store down and dropping a gun inside the arts and crafts store, said to be a semi-automatic.

February 9, 2015

Kentucky School Principal Charged with Speeding, Operating Under the Influence

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday February 7, 37-year-old Kimberly Harbolt, Principal at Seneca High School in Louisville, was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and speeding, according to a news report at Courier-Journal.

A spokesman for Jefferson County Public Schools made a statement regarding the arrest, and what if any discipline Harbolt would face. Ben Jackey said they were aware of the arrest, and that the Principal would be “afforded due process.” Harbolt was arrested at approximately 12:30 a.m., and booked into jail before being released later in the day on her own recognizance.

According to the news article, it was recorded by the arresting officer that Harbolt was driving 11 miles per hour over the speed limit; she also had a blood alcohol level of .08, the legal limit, although she failed a field sobriety test.

February 5, 2015

Appeals Court Overturns Second-Degree Murder Conviction of Jacksonville Man

by Scott Grabel

On Wednesday, February 4 it was announced that the second-degree murder conviction of 23-year-old Frederick Lee Wade had been overturned by a Florida appeals court. Wade, of Jacksonville, was found guilty in 2011 of shooting 20-year-old Kalil McCoy as he rode in the passenger seat of Wade’s vehicle when the two became involved in an argument. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder.

The appeals court ruled that at Wade’s trial the judge gave faulty instructions to the jury. Because the court threw out both the conviction and sentence, prosecutors in the case said they will try Wade for the murder again.

According to a news report at The Florida Times Union, Wade and McCoy had been at a nightclub on June 19 before they went to a park. Upon leaving, an argument started when the victim wanted to roll her window down, but Wade objected. Wade allegedly fired the gun at McCoy after she failed to stop arguing after he told her to “shut up.” There were three other individuals in the vehicle at the time who pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to second-degree murder.