San Diego Criminal Lawyer Blog

Per the AP, authorities have concluded a mass arrest of suspects in a San Diego drug crime ring that allegedly may have been responsible for at least nine area murders since 2004.

Seventeen alleged members of a Mexican drug cartel known as the Los Palillos gang (also known as the Toothpicks) were indicted by a grand jury in San Diego County on charges that included robbery, kidnapping, and murder. All told, the men face 22 counts. Nine of the accused are in custody; three may have been killed in Tijuana, Mexico; and the others named in the indictment are still at large.

Authorities have long followed the intramural gang violence between the Los Palillos and another Tijuana cartel, the Arellano Felix. The ring leader of the Los Palillos, a 30-year-old man named Jorge Lopez, allegedly blamed the Arellano Felix cartel for the death of his brother. He stands accused of systematically extorting and killing people who have associations with his enemy’s cartel.

If you or someone you know has committed a crime in San Diego that’s linked to the drug gang or cartel, you may be hesitant to admit guilt or cooperate with authorities out of fear of retribution, either from members of your own gang or from members of a rival group. Such San Diego crime defense strategies need to be handled within abundance of a care, so that more violence does not erupt and so that the true ring leaders can be brought to justice.

If you need effective, careful, and respectful legal help with your San Diego crime charges, look to Attorney Stephen Brodsky, a 20-year veteran San Diego Criminal Defense lawyer who has delivered excellent verdicts for defendants in literally hundreds of cases. At www.criminalattorneysandiego.com, you can read more about Attorney Brodsky’s philosophy and credentials. To book an appointment to discuss your matter in a confidential setting, phone 1-800-GOOD-ADVICE right away. Respect yourself and your family by getting solid legal counsel to help you.

According to a June 19 press release, San Diego Congresswoman Susan Davis has helped to secure a guarantee $1.9 million for the City of San Diego to combat crime. The House Bill in question, HR 2847, is set to head to the Senate for review after it passed the House of Representatives by a wide margin, 259 to 157.

Representative Davis claims that the money can be used for a wide variety of San Diego crime fighting purposes. A breakdown of the monies follows:

• $350,000 earmarked for a Crime Lab Technology for the city.

• $200,000 to help the County’s DA to track gang and drug investigations and to purchase breathalyzers for police fieldwork.

• $200,000 to support a program designed to help officers in the streets coordinate anti-gang actions and to tamp down on violent crime

• $1.2 million to update data sharing systems among San Diego officers and update local, California, and Federal communication efforts.

These monies are part of a much broader Congressional package known collectively as the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that also include funding to combat global warming and nearly $7 billion in a National Science Foundation money.

While better technologies for San Diego law enforcement agents will hopefully lead to improved coordination and a reduction in violent crime in the city, individuals arrested for crimes in Southern California may have a more difficult time exonerating themselves in the future. If you’ve been wrongly accused or incorrectly charged, you will need resources to fight back against your charges efficiently. Fortunately, you can trust the law offices of Stephen Brodsky & Associates. Attorney Brodsky boasts tremendous and varied experience with criminal defense matters in Southern California, and he understands how to negotiate with judges and prosecutors to get his clients fair and appropriate sentence reductions. To explore more about the firm’s track record history, please visit CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com. You’re also invited to set up a free consultation with attorney Brodsky at any time regarding your criminal defense matter.

On Tuesday May 26, 2009, the Sheriff’s Department of San Diego County announced a sweeping new biometrics program designed to identify “removable” criminal aliens in the city’s jails. This project is a joint venture between the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Commonly known as “Secured Communities,” the program extends information-sharing capabilities among various law enforcement agencies.

The basic idea is that these agencies can now more quickly track and integrate information from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency to determine whether given inmates might be “deportable.” In particular, Secured Communities focuses on preventing criminals convicted of aggressive offenses--such as assault, murder, rape, and kidnapping--from roaming free on San Diego streets.

The biometrics initiative evolved from an earlier ICE pilot project, The Criminal Alien Program, which ID’d hundreds of thousands of deportable aliens in jails across the U.S. DHS officials estimate that at least $1 billion will be spent on efforts to ID and deport removable criminal aliens… over the coming year alone!

Although officials at the DOJ and the Sheriff’s Department appear hopeful that this effort will keep dangerous criminal aliens off of San Diego’s streets, opponents have questioned whether Secured Communities violates civil liberties. Some have also argued that the program has the potential for “Big Brother”-like abuse and that biometrics analyses are not as bulletproof and accurate as proponents might have people believe.

Given San Diego’s intensified efforts to crack down on crime; if you’ve been charged with a felony or misdemeanor in CA, now, more than ever, you need an intelligent, empathetic and aggressive attorney to vouch for your rights and help you navigate the justice system. Look to San Diego Criminal LawyerStephen R. Brodsky to build the smartest possible defense strategy. Find out more information at www.CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com.

On May 6, 2009, a 36-year-old California man named John Burgess pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the death of a 19-year-old pre-med student at San Diego State University named Donna Jou. Burgess--a convicted sex offender who had served jail time for failing to register as such--faces five years.

According to the defendant's admissions in court, he had met Ms. Jou after answering an advertisement she'd put up on Craigslist.com for students to tutor. On the night of June 23, 2007, he brought Ms. Jou back to his house and injected her with a mixture of cocaine and heroine known colloquially as an "eightball." The drug cocktail sadly proved lethal. The next morning, Burgess awoke to find that Ms. Jou had died during the night. Burgess then panicked and--instead of contacting the police--took Ms. Jou's body out onto his sailboat and dumped her into the Pacific Ocean.

For over a year following her death, Burgess laid low... or at least tried to. He was actually arrested in Florida in the interim for different charges. But the law finally tracked him down and arrested him on involuntary manslaughter charges (as well as on charges of providing drugs and alcohol to a minor).

Burgess's case drew national media attention and fueled a growing debate over the obligations of services like Craigslist.com to patrol their message boards for predators, pedophiles, and scam artists. In the wake of the trial, Craigslist.com has revised its guidelines. The site now requires individuals to pay to advertise in its "adult services" section, and its curators promise to vet future postings to ensure their accuracy.

California criminal cases can be complex, both legally and emotionally. If you or a family member faces criminal charges in San Diego, you need a determined, veteran attorney in your corner. Look to Stephen Brodsky and Associates. To arrange a free consultation now, go to www.CriminalAttorneySanDiego.com.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officials served a narcotics related search warrant in Indio Hills and uncovered a clandestine methamphetamine lab on October 17, 2008, according to this news report. The search warrant was reportedly issued at 29181 Desert Charm Road, a 9-acre property, which is located in an unincorporated area of Indio Hills. Apparently, this was a large-scale operation capable of producing several pounds of methamphetamine.

Police arrested three people at that Indio Hills location: Apolinar Estrada Arellano, 51 and Ricardo Ramirez of Coachella on drug charges; and Rodrigo Dominguez Arellano, 33, of Indio Hills on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In a drug or narcotics crime charge, there are always two important factors that can determine the seriousness of your charges and also whether it will be investigated and prosecuted by state law enforcement officials or federal officials. First, it depends on the kind of drugs and the quantity of illegal drugs or narcotics that led to your arrest. The quantity makes a difference because if your arrest involves several pounds of illegal drugs, then you face the charge of possessing drugs for sale, which is an extremely serious charge. Secondly, if you already have a prior criminal record for drugs and narcotics convictions, your charges and the consequences of a conviction will be more severe.

Whatever your situation, if you have been accused of a drug crime in Riverside County, please contact Riverside drug crime attorney, Stephen R. Brodsky for a free consultation. For more than two decades, we have successfully defended hundreds of people who have been charged with committing state and federal drug or narcotics crimes. Call us today to find out how to build a winning defense.

Police in Hemet arrested two men on suspicion of possessing drugs after employees at a Target store called officials to report an attempted shoplifting incident, according to this news report. Randell McNeil, 32, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin, a parole violation and resisting arrest in the Target store on West Florida Avenue.

Another man, Frederick Weber was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of methadone and released on bail. McNeil is being held without bail. Police reportedly had to use Taser to subdue McNeil because he allegedly ignored police commands and reached into a pocket where he had a knife and a “replica firearm.”

Possession of drugs is a serious crime in Riverside. If you are arrested on suspicion of a drug or narcotics crime, your case can be determined by the kind and amount of illegal drugs involved and whether you have a prior criminal record for drugs or narcotics convictions and arrests. Other convictions, probation and parole could also play a role in the nature of your charges.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Riverside, you need a truly experienced Riverside criminal defense attorney who knows the politics and law of drug or narcotics crimes. Your defense lawyer must know how the world of drug or narcotics crime investigations works. Your attorney must know and understand how police investigators and prosecutors think when they work together as a narcotics law enforcement team.

When you retain Stephen R. Brodsky as your defense attorney, you are getting a drug crime defense attorney with a much-needed winning attitude. Our philosophy is not to give up and plead guilty to a crime you never committed in the first place. Our goal is to keep you out of jail, protect your legal rights and obtain justice for our clients. If you or someone you love has been charged with a drug crime, please call our law offices for a free consultation.

David Eric Hunsaker, 37, of Riverside has been arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale. According to this news report, Hunsaker allegedly grew pot in the backyard of a vacant, foreclosed home bordering his own property. Police reportedly received an anonymous tip about Hunsaker’s marijuana growing operation.

Investigators found 53 fully-grown marijuana plants, some about 6 feet tall, the report stated. During surveillance they also found that someone had been climbing over the fence between Hunsaker’s property and the foreclosed property to tend to the marijuana plants and also reportedly saw “drying marijuana plants” in Hunsaker’s backyard.

Drug crimes, especially drug possession for sale, can mean serious consequences for those who have been charged with it. If convicted, the severity of the charges and penalties usually depends on the quantity of drugs that are seized and the drug crime defendant’s prior criminal record.

If you have been accused of a drug crime, you need an experienced and knowledgeable drug crime defense attorney, who has a thorough understanding of “search and seizure” laws and how they apply to your case. A skilled criminal defense attorney will also make an accurate evaluation of the prosecution’s case in order to start building a solid defense right away.

If you or someone you know has been arrested on suspicion of a drug crime, please call the Law Office of Stephen Brodsky to discuss your case and build your defense.

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men in Thousand Palms on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs and stolen property, according to a news report in the Desert Sun. Deputies reportedly arrested 33-year-old Loren Barkley and Carl Smith, 47, and charged them with possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property. The arrest stemmed from a routine search warrant in the 31000 block of San Miguelito, the report stated.

“Search and seizure” can become important issues where drug crime charges are involved. The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. In drug cases, the legality of how the evidence was obtained is often challenged. If police officials violated the Constitution, the evidence cannot be used against you in a court of law.

Without the evidence, in this case the drugs, the prosecution will not be able to prove its case and the case itself may have to be dismissed. If you have been charged with a drug crime, an experienced Riverside criminal defense attorney can help determine whether the evidence which led to your arrest and subsequent charge was the result of an illegal search or seizure.

Drug crime convictions can have tremendous consequences and adverse impacts on your life and your career. If you or someone you love has been accused of a drug crime, please call Stephen R. Brodsky to discuss your case and build a solid defense. We’re on your side and will remain on your side fighting for your legal rights. Call us today for a free consultation.

Michael Bejasa, a 35-year-old Sage man, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs after he crashed into a car on State Street and seriously injured his passenger, 37-year-old Stasha Lewellyn, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports. The accident reportedly occurred on State Street, north of Domenigoni Parkway, when Bejasa crashed into another car. Bejasa’s car rolled over and Lewellyn was ejected from the vehicle.

Bejasa was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, in this case, a hypodermic syringe. Police say Bejasa was drifting into oncoming traffic, but that the driver of the other car took evasive action and avoided a head-on collision. Bejasa’s vehicle was still struck on the passenger side, causing the car to overturn, ejecting Lewellyn.

The seriousness of a DUI charge usually depends on the nature of the accident, the level of the suspect’s intoxication or impairment and whether any deaths or injuries were caused as a result of the accident. Any DUI accident that involves severe injuries will result in a felony charge. This is true even when the victim is a passenger in the suspect’s car and even if he or she made a choice to ride with the suspect.

A DUI conviction could have a severe adverse impact on your life. It could affect your job, your career and could result in the suspension of your driver’s license. Do not let this happen to you. If you or someone you love is facing a drunk driving charge, please call the Law Office of Stephen R. Brodsky to find out how to defend your DUI.

Craig Robinson, star of NBC’s “The Office” is facing felony drug charges, the Associated Press reports. According to documents cited in this article, police arrested Robinson in Culver City June 29 on suspicion of possessing ecstasy and methamphetamine. He was released after posting bail. The Los Angeles County District Attorney has charged Robinson with two felony counts of drug possession and one count of being under the influence of illegal drugs.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in San Diego, an important factor in determining the seriousness of your case is the type and quantity of illegal drugs involved. Possession of a few pounds has more serious consequences than possession of a few ounces, for example. The severity of the drug charges will also hinge on whether you have a prior criminal record.
The first line of defense in any drug case is to evaluate whether or not the police conducted an illegal search of your home, car or your person. You need an experienced San Diego defense lawyer who has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the law of illegal searches and seizures in drug charges. Under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, you have right to be protected against such illegal searches and seizures. A skilled drug crime defense lawyer will not only know what the law is, but how it applies to your defense.

If you or someone you know has been accused of possession and/or sale of illegal drugs, narcotics or prescription drugs in San Diego, call the Law Office of Stephen Brodsky to schedule your free consultation.

Two men have been arrested in Murrieta in connection with an alleged assault in a parking lot on California Oaks Road, according to a news report in The Californian. Murrieta police say the two men – David Short, 22 and Jonathan Santos, 20 -- tried to rob two people of their wallets and cell phones by threatening them with a baseball bat. One victim was struck with the bat and suffered minor injuries, authorities say.

Officers apparently chased the men’s car on the Interstate 15, but the men fled on foot after jumping off the vehicle. Short and Santos were arrested and booked into the Southwest Detention Center in French Valley. Short was charged with being under the influence of controlled substances while Santos was arrested on suspicion of strong-arm robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Assault with a deadly weapon and robbery, especially those robberies involving physical threats and use of a weapon or a firearm, are considered violent crimes. A conviction on these charges can result in lengthy prison sentences depending on other factors such as seriousness of injuries to the victims, use of weapons and the defendant’s prior criminal record.

If you have been accused of a violent crime, you need the best and most experienced criminal defense attorney you can get. It can make the difference between freedom and a long time behind bars. If you have been charged with a violent crime in Riverside, please call the Law Office of Stephen Brodsky to discuss your options and build your defense.

Oceanside police arrested two men in connection with a robbery in a local bagel store, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. A 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old man were arrested after officers served search warrants at two homes following the robbery at Bruegger’s Bagels on Oceanside Boulevard. Police said the men entered the store through a back door, threatened one of the employees to lie face down on the floor at gun-point while telling another employee to open the safe.

The suspects reportedly got out through the back door with $1,000. Oceanside police detectives identified the suspects and conducted a search of their homes when they reportedly found weapons, disguises and illegal drugs. Both men, whose names have not been released, were arrested and booked into Vista jail on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy. The teenager, in addition, faces a narcotics charge.

Armed robbery is considered a violent crime in San Diego because it involves the use of a weapon and more importantly, the use of force. Violent crimes can result in very serious convictions and punishment and will benefit tremendously from an aggressive defense by an experienced San Diego criminal defense lawyer. The seriousness of a violent crime obviously depends on the severity of the injury or injuries to the alleged victims, but use of a weapon can result in enhancements to the charges, which will add to the severity of the punishment.

Don’t leave your future and your freedom to chance. If you or someone you know is being accused of a robbery or violent crime in San Diego, please call the Law Office of Stephen Brodsky to discuss your case.

A couple was arrested on drug charges in Apple Valley by police after they found $476,000 worth of marijuana growing inside their home, the North County Times reports. Police arrested Robert Kime, 48 and 52-year-old Rebecca Kime. Charges are pending as officials investigate the incident.

According to the news report, officials obtained a search warrant for the home after suspicious neighbors tipped off the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies who went to inspect the home located in an unincorporated area of Apple Valley reportedly saw the marijuana plants and the elaborate growing operation through a window. Investigators confiscated 136 marijuana plants from the home.

The type and quantity of the illegal drugs involved in your case largely determine how serious your case is. Also important is whether you have a prior criminal record. A defendant with multiple strikes or prior felony convictions will face way more serious consequences in San Diego drug crimes than someone who has no criminal record or a relatively minor record.

If you have been accused of a drug crime, you need a criminal defense lawyer who is able to understand the law of illegal searches and seizures. The first line of defense in any drug case is to evaluate whether or not police conducted an illegal search of your home. If you have been accused of a drug crime in San Diego, please call the Law Offices of Stephen Brodsky for a free consultation.

Nearly 100 San Diego State University students were arrested for drug crimes in San Diego following a massive undercover bust on campus after officials began investigating a student’s fatal cocaine overdose last spring, according to an Associated Press news report. Authorities reportedly confiscated $60,000 in cash and a variety of drugs including marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, methamphetamine, illegal prescription drugs, cocaine and ecstasy.

Among the 75 students who are facing drug charges is a student who was about to receive a degree in criminal justice and another who was going to get a master’s degree in homeland security. Police investigators reportedly executed nine search warrants at various campus locations including fraternities.

These are indeed serious charges for students to be facing. They have their entire future ahead of them and these drug crime allegations will very likely put a permanent dark cloud over their lives. It is very important that these students who have been charged with these drug crimes immediately retain the services of a competent and experience San Diego criminal defense attorney.

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