New York Criminal Lawyer Blog

Following an undercover police investigation that resembled a Dateline type sting, deputies in Florida arrested 21 men and one woman, ages from 20 to 59, according to a New York Criminal Lawyer. The arrests are the fruition of a week long investigation that brought individuals from different parts of the state for the sole purpose of having sex with 14-year old boys and girls.

The sheriff's office used undercover officers that posed as 14-year old children online and included age-regressed photographs of the undercover officers, a Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer was told. The deputies communicated with the suspects electronically via email, instant messages, and over the phone. The individuals are those who responded to ads placed by deputies on Craigslist. The Sheriff’s Office also worked closely with the State Attorney's office, so that any legal issues that can often arise due to the nature of these types of investigations, most notably entrapment, could be avoided.

Following the arrests, the County Sheriff stated that he did hate to say that the investigation was fruitful. He also asked just how many more of these child predators are loose on the children in Florida that they are unaware. In the Sheriff’s own words, “The sheriffs of this state are tired of it.”

Many of those arrested do not have a criminal record. According to the arrest reports, when deputies entered the home many of the suspects attempted to run away. Deputies also wrote in their reports that one individual wailed loudly as he was being handcuffed. The woman is reported to have told deputies that she was only there to try to talk the 14-year old girl out of participating in the sex. According to the Sheriff, each of the individuals involved had been given the opportunity to either participate or not, and it is apparent to him that everyone who was present when his deputies raided the home were knowing and willing participants who had come for one reason—to have sex with a child.

In total, deputies filed 50 felony and three misdemeanor charges against those involved and their bonds totaled in excess of $1.2 million.

Sex crime charges are serious, and whether you are guilty or not, can have long lasting consequences. These charges can impact your personal relationships, your employment, and much more.

Continue reading "County Investigation Results in Sex Arrests" »

Initial reports from a New York City Criminal Lawyer have revealed an 8 year old girl was molested and sexually assaulted by the college student who was paid to be her tutor.

The girl said a tutor in her third-grade classroom at a local elementary school had put his hand down her pants many times, and molested her. Then, the college student would very often touch her on the shoulder and tell her, “Good job,” the young girl told police. On Thursday, she said, that tutor –who was identified as a junior at a local college, indicated reports from a Brooklyn Criminal Lawyer—proceeded to rape her.

Later on that same day, she sought treatment at a local hospital, say the local police. Late Monday afternoon, police arrested the college student who is 21 years old. He was charged with rape of a child with force and indecent assault and battery of a minor under 14.

The defendant was arraigned Tuesday in District Court, where he decided to plead not guilty and was held on $20,000 bail.

He was ordered by a judge to stay away from the third grade girl, and also told he was to have no contact with minor children under the age of 16 unless they had parental supervision present at all times during the visit. He was also told he has to stay away from all elementary, middle and high schools until further notice.

The defendant’s parents declined to make a statement while leaving the courthouse after the arraignment. They told the local news station that they support their son. The case is scheduled for a probable-cause hearing on April 21.

The college junior tutored students at a local elementary school as part of a work-study program. Police said the supposed abuse happened on a several different dates. The young girl told police the events happened in the back of her classroom and other children were present while it was happening.

Sex crimes and other offenses against children create lasting scars. These offenses create emotional and physical scars that often take a lifetime to heal. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a sexual assault, rape or other physical abuse offense, be sure to obtain not only prompt medical and emotional support, but also contact an attorney promptly for guidance.

Continue reading "8 year-old Molested by Tutor" »

A former Maryland man was extradited from Eastern Europe in March 2011 to face rape charges from more than a decade ago. He recently appeared in court for a preliminary hearing.
The 51-year-old defendant is being held without bond. The charges against him are first- and second-degree rape, third-degree sex offense, first-degree assault, three counts of second-degree assault and two counts of false imprisonment. Queens Sex Crimes Lawyers are well versed in these kinds of cases.
A retired Maryland State Police investigator said the complaint was first issued on November 30, 2000.
“He said she sustained serious injury, and [the officer on the scene] called an ambulance,” the investigator said.
The woman was later interviewed at Washington County Hospital, where it was seen she had injuries such as scratches, bruises and swelling to her face. She had once been in a relationship with the defendant, but left him because of his tendency toward violence. Later, she resumed the relationship.
The day before the assault he became very angry with her over a scratch on a computer screen. He became “very romantic” after that, but she rejected his overtures, the investigator revealed to New York City Criminal Lawyers.
According to the woman, the defendant held her down and demanded to know if she had been in any other relationships while they were separated, then beat and choked her and said he was going to have sex with her. Judges in The Bronx and Brooklyn are known to be very harsh when sentencing defendants who are convicted of charges and crimes like this one.
“She was afraid to resist because she was in fear for her life,” the investigator testified.
The woman claimed she was bound with duct tape, a belt, and a necktie. She continued to struggle, at which point the defendant forced her to swallow pills. He only left after she promised to tell no one. She managed to free herself and ran into a trooper outside.
A warrant was issued, but the defendant had left for Germany and they refused to extradite him, according to reports. He was taken into custody in October 2010 when he was found in the Czech Republic. He had gone there to apply for a driver’s license.

Continue reading "Maryland Man Extradited from Europe Faces Rape Charges" »

There is personal, and then there is personal. One of the most personal things that we have is our DNA, reports NY City Criminal Lawyers. DNA defines what we look like, and in many ways, it defines who we are. State and Federal law enforcement agencies have long since taken the fingerprints and mug shots of anyone who has been arrested, but now many states also want to take your DNA sample as well. This is particularly pertinent when it comes to Sex Crimes and the investigation of such.
DNA samples have been an accepted practice in the United States for some time for those who have already been convicted of a crime. A Brooklyn Sex Crimes Lawyer has reported in the past of many instances of where DNA has either convicted or exonerated individuals of crimes.
The concept of taking a DNA sample of anyone who has been arrested for major crimes is nothing new, as there are at least 25 states that already have laws on their books to do just that. One of the more recent states to seek this action is Connecticut. Brooklyn and Manhattan have not joined the others.
Recently, a New Mexico woman travelled to Connecticut to lobby for DNA sampling of those who have been arrested, a New York Criminal Lawyer has learned. On the surface, one may inquire as to why a woman from New Mexico would be doing lobbying for a law that affects the State of Connecticut. The reason is very simple. This New Mexico woman’s daughter was brutally raped, beaten, strangled, and set on fire. The perpetrator of this heinous crime did not have his DNA collected until he had been convicted of an unrelated crime. He had, however, been arrested more than two-years before his conviction, which means the case of the New Mexico woman’s daughter would have been solved long before it was, and would have saved New Mexico authorities more than $200,000 in investigative costs alone.
Connecticut is but the latest in a string of states currently considering this measure, and civil libertarian groups have been arguing that the collection of DNA upon arrest but before a conviction violates a person’s right to privacy and to the presumption of innocence. Regardless of which side of the fence that one chooses to argue, DNA sampling is a viable tool, and will be used for many years to come.

Continue reading "States Increasingly Want to Collect DNA on Arrest" »

American youth are impressionable. They look to their peers and to their role models in order to find acceptable ways of behavior. In other words, they want to be like the people that they respect and admire. Actors, politicians, athletes and others in the public eye are often idolized and emulated by our kids, and it helps if the people our kids are growing up to be are acting in responsible ways. All too often, however, this simply is not the case.

Sports figures are supposed to be a shining example of the American dream, but these days we hear stories of basketball players pulling guns on people and athletes getting busted for lewd texting and even rape, claims a Brooklyn Sex Crimes Lawyer. Even lesser crimes such as drunk driving still do a disservice to our children because it teaches them that it is okay to break the law and risk the lives of others. Staten Island has experience with all of these crimes.

Last December, a Baltimore Ravens football player was charged with a DUI after police stopped him and determined that his blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit. He wasn’t just tipsy, he was toast, related the NY Criminal Lawyer. It is obvious that athletes are people, and not superheroes, and they, too are prone to mistakes and poor judgment. Perhaps the best thing that we can do, especially if our children have heroes that end up being seen in a less favorable light, is set the examples ourselves that we wish for them to follow. Not only does that put the ball back in our court, but it is better for everyone.

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Gig Harbor police have arrested a 46-year old man on suspicion of rape. Although the suspect has not yet been formally charged, which is why police are not releasing his name at this time, he was arrested after being interviewed by police after they were informed of the assault.
A New York City Criminal Lawyer has learned that the rape victim is a 37-year old Asian woman, who reportedly has a developmental disability. The suspect frequently visited a neighboring apartment and had undoubtedly seen and possibly spoken to the victim prior to the alleged rape. It should come as no surprise then that the suspect likely knew of the victim’s disability.
The alleged sexual assault reportedly occurred Sunday March 13 at approximately 1 p.m. The 37-year old woman apparently notified police soon after the suspect had allegedly left her apartment. Police were dispatched to the woman’s apartment shortly after she had notified them of the alleged rape. The suspect was still on the property when the police arrived. Officers questioned the man about the allegations the woman had made about the alleged rape. While the details of that interview are currently unknown, at some point during that interview, officers took the suspect into custody and booked him into the Pierce County Jail. Sex Crimes like this are prosecuted with vigor in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
The fact that police have not yet charged the 46-year old male, yet have him in custody is not unusual, the NYC City Criminal Lawyer was told. While the investigation is ongoing, the police are taking several factors under consideration. For instance, rape is a very serious crime, and can be devastating not only to victims, but also to those who may have been accused of the crime falsely. Police must walk that delicate balance to not only keep the perpetrators of such crimes incarcerated, but also to protect the victims from further attacks and reprisals that may occur once a rapist has been identified. Once the Gig Harbor investigators have discovered the facts in this case, either they will ask the district attorney to file charges in this case, or they will release the suspect.

Continue reading "Man Arrested and Facing Rape Charges" »

A celebratory evening ended in horror for one young woman when she claims she was raped by a police officer, Manhattan Criminal Lawyers report.
The victim says she was coming home after celebrating a new job with her friends. At the time of the incident, she was just 27 years old. She would be returning to her home in California in just a few weeks, so it was time to experience some of what New York City had to offer, she felt.
“I wanted to do all the classic New York things I hadn’t done yet,” she explained to reporters.
There was a bottle of wine and pizza with friends, a half-bottle of champagne before her farewell party, then the farewell party itself, where the alcohol continued to flow.
“I was feeling really happy. I was buzzed,” the victim told the jury about her experience getting ready for her party. “I was excited about my party.” In Brooklyn and Staten Island these sex crimes can bring very harsh sentences if the accused is found guilty.
It was 1:30 a.m. before she got home, lying in the back of a taxi, vomiting. She was so incapacitated, the cabbie called 911 to get cops to help her. Unfortunately, these officers did her a great deal of harm, sources told Manhattan Criminal Lawyers.
The police officers did escort her to her apartment, but then they left her face down on her bed, where she could have choked on her own vomit. She passed out and that’s when she says her night become one of horror. According to her account, she was raped as she lay there, drifting in and out of consciousness.
“I woke up now to two men’s voices in my room. I could hear the walkie talkies. It was dark. Flashlights were flashing all over my bed. There was a lot of commotion. Their hands were pressing all around my mattress.” Prosecutors indicated to Manhattan Criminal Lawyers the officers may have been looking for a lighter they were afraid they’d left behind.
Cameras did much of the testifying in the trial, showing the officers leaving and entering the apartment at least twice. The victim helped by wearing a wire when she later confronted the officer accused of raping her. After some stammering, he admitted he wore a condom when he raped her.

Continue reading "Cops Take Advantage of Young Woman" »