Georgia Criminal Defense Blog

A report from foxnews.com discusses the recent events of the largest drug bust of the last 10 years conducted by the Justice Department, in which New York State and many other U.S. states were main sites for receiving the shipment of illegal substances. According to the article, over 400 members of an alleged Mexico-based cartel have been taken into custody for charges of distributing tons of methamphetamines, cocaine, and marijuana in the U.S.

Aside from New York, other locations that are suspected of receiving the drug shipments include the cities of San Diego and Los Angeles, and the states of Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina , Florida , Oregon and Washington.

Apparently, the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the assistance of more than 100 federal, state, local and foreign law enforcement agencies, spent 20-months investigating the drug ring that is allegedly based in Sinaloa, Mexico. The investigation, referred to as “Operation Imperial Emperor,” led to the seizure of an estimated $45.2 million, 27,229 pounds of marijuana, 9,512 pounds of cocaine, 705 pounds of methamphetamine, 227 pounds of pure methamphetamine, and 11 pounds of heroin. $6.1 million in assets and property was also confiscated, in addition to approximately 100 weapons and 94 vehicles.

Drug trafficking is a serious criminal offense, and although incidents are usually not as widespread as the recent bust of the alleged Mexico-based cartel, these types of cases are some of the most complex. If a person is convicted of drug trafficking, he or she may face spending years in prison, having valuable assets taken away, and paying hefty fines, all in addition to having his or her own personal reputation and relationships compromised.

Continue reading "Mexico-Based Cartel Bust: New York One of Many Drug Shipment Sites " »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Crime , Drug Defense , Federal Crimes , Law & Information

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Montgomery Cocaine Ring Busted; 16 Individuals Charged with Conspiracy

According to a July 10, 2008 federal grand jury indictment, 16 Montgomery, Alabama men and women were charged with a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute powder and crack cocaine throughout the region. The federal drug crime and conspiracy charges allege that during the first half of 2008, the 16 individuals along with other co-conspirators developed, financed, and maintained a drug-trafficking organization that supplied the Montgomery region with illegal narcotics. A spokesperson for the Drug Enforcement Administration suggested that the dismantling the ring could have a significant and long-lasting impact on the Montgomery, AL drug scene.

If convicted, the 16 defendants could potentially serve a decade in prison and pay as much as $4 million in fines -- just for the conspiracy charge. A number of agencies and taskforces were involved in the investigation that yielded the cocaine distribution and conspiracy charges, including the Alabama State National Guard, the DEA, the Alabama Attorney General's Office, and a special Gulf Coast drug-trafficking force.

Continue reading "Cocaine Distribution and Conspiracy Charges in Narcotic Trafficking Ring" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Defense , Federal Crimes

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Two Modesto Residents Sentenced for Criminal Marijuana Conspiracy

On November 4, 2008, the United States District Court sentenced two Modesto, CA residents, Luke Anthony Scarmazzo and Ricardo Ruiz Montes, to two decades in jail on federal drug crime charges for their participation in a massive criminal marijuana manufacturing and distribution enterprise.

According to the prosecution, the defendants got a license from the city to run a business specializing in organic healthcare products. However, this enterprise, known as California Healthcare Collective, restricted its activities to selling and distributing marijuana.

Over the course of three years, from 2004 to 2006, the California Healthcare Collective brought in millions of dollars -- a low estimate suggests the figure at $4.5 million, while a higher estimate, corroborated by evidence, suggests that the number may have been as high as $9 million. Illegally, Scarmazzo and Montes used their earnings to buy personal property, such as a Mercedes valued at nearly $200,000.

Continue reading "Federal Drug Crime Defendants Receive 20 Years Imprisonment" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Defense , Federal Crimes

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On Friday, December 12, 2008, the United States Supreme Court heard the case of Travelers Indemnity Company vs. Bailey et al, a complicated bankruptcy case that was originally decided in federal bankruptcy court. The case involves an asbestos company, Johns Manville, that had been implicated in a class action suit involving approximately 16,000 people, who claimed damages relating to asbestos poisoning and exposure. The Travelers Indemnity Company, Johns Manville's insurer at the time, subsequently came under legal fire when the plaintiffs asserted that Travelers had also known about the asbestos dangers and had failed to disclose their knowledge to the general public. The claim argued that Travelers should bear some culpability for injuries to the calimants.

According to the defense, the claimants targeted Travelers only because Johns Manville had earlier filed for bankruptcy to shield itself from the fallout from the class action suit.

The Supreme Court in this case found for the insurers. The majority opinion agreed that claimants' case was invalid because it appeared to be designed in part to skirt a ban on lawsuits imposed by the bankruptcy.

If you or your company has been charged with a federal crime, you need a superior legal defense team in your corner to prepare you for the rigors ahead. Whether you are dealing with a federal drug charge, battling a property or fraud charge, or otherwise preparing to meet an aggressive prosecution, you can trust the firm of Conaway & Strickler, P.C. Our lawyers boast a proven aptitude for federal criminal defense, and we have built a reputation for success in complex cases. Contact us at (888)883-9091 for a free consultation of your case.

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Posted In: Federal Crimes

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On October 20, 2008, the Supreme Court granted to hear the case of Flores-Figueroa vs. the United States to decide a point of law that might yield profound ramifications for Federal identity theft law. In the original case, the defendant had been accused of stealing identifying documents and using the info to stay illegally in the United States. He was convicted and sentenced to six years and three months by the Circuit Court of Indiana. At issue was whether or not Flores-Figueroa knew that he was using someone else's social security number and alien registration card. The Supreme Court agreed to review the case to determine whether or not a lack of knowledge that one was committing identity theft might limit the scope of possible punishments. The Circuit Court judges who originally ruled on the case noted that they had had a difficult time precisely construing the word/concept of “knowingly” as it related to Flores-Figueroa's case.

If you've been charged with identity theft or any other federal crime, the consequences of not retaining an insightful attorney to represent you can be grave. The federal government compels tremendous resources to prosecute defendants. Fortunately, you can turn to the law firm of Conaway & Strickler, P.C. to discover effective legal counsel. We have a nearly unparalleled track record for helping criminal defendants fight back against federal charges, and we’re happy to provide testimonials and a free consultation upon request. Discuss your matter with an experienced federal crime attorney by calling (888) 883-9091. Empower yourself today with a better federal criminal defense.

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Posted In: Federal Crimes , Identity Theft

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Disgraced ex-Alabama governor Don Siegelman had been sentenced for seven years in jail for a 2000 federal bribery conviction. But according to a December 9, 2008 article in the New York Times, Siegelman's lawyers now believe that the conviction can be overturned.

Siegelman's troubles stemmed from an appointment the governor made on behalf of a generous contributor. At the time of trial his case, which was heard by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, riveted both regional and national political observers. Many Democrats suggested that Siegelman's sentencing over the federal criminal charges had less to do with the merits of the prosecution's case than it did with the fact that the governor was a Democrat. Indeed, this insinuation that the Justice Department had been acting politically provoked a media firestorm.

From the initial comments of Supreme Court justices, it appears that the ex-governor's arguments that his conviction had been politicized will likely not hold much water. That said, Justice James Hill implied that one of the major pieces of evidence against the governor -- an off-the-record conversation with an aide -- may be of dubious value to the prosecution. Lawyers for the ex-governor will likely argue that this conversation was “circumstantial evidence” and as such should not have been allowed or at least not have been weighted as heavily as it was. In addition, some speculate that the defense may argue that one or more of the jurors had been biased against political officials.

Continue reading "Alabama's Ex-Governor Appeals his Conviction" »

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Posted In: Federal Crimes

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DMV Employee and Nine Others Indicted on Charges of Marijuana Trafficking and Corruption

On December 2, 2008, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration unsealed an indictment of federal drug crime charges against 10 men and women involved in a massive inter-state conspiracy to distribute and sell marijuana illegally. The defendant, most of whom lived in Fresno, California, had (according to the indictment) concocted an elaborate scheme to export more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana throughout the United States.

One of the defendants under indictment, Michelle Meraz, worked for the California Department of Motor Vehicles and used her position as a government official to concoct a false ID by using a stolen identity and a picture of fellow-conspirator Haamid Alie Darcuiel. Charges in the case range from mail fraud to identity theft to corruption and conspiracy. Given the complexity of the arrangement and the sheer number of defendants indicted, the matter will likely take some time to settle out.

The case involved a handful of independent organizations that typically don’t work together on criminal matters. These included: the California DMV, the IRS' criminal bureau, the Fresno Police Department's narcotic division, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. Eight of the defendants have been taken into custody. Two -- Jason Samuel and Haybe Dudeh -- are still at large, and authorities are currently searching for them.

Whether you have been charged as an accomplice to a criminal conspiracy, felony drug crimes or accused of some other federal crime, it’s important to recognize that your best options for justice lie in securing excellent legal representation. Fleeing from the law, retaining a second rate attorney, or otherwise under-representing your interests can result in much stricter penalties, such as heavy fines and jail-time. We at Conaway & Strickler, P.C. believe that every federal criminal defendant deserves a fair chance at justice. Our trial-tested, results-driven, nationally recognized federal crime defense attorneys can shed light on your legal options and help you prepare your best defense. Discuss your case with us discretely by dialing (888) 883-9091.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Defense , Federal Crimes

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Illegal Alien gets Life in Prison for Role in Huge Drug Ring

A U.S. District judge sentenced defendant Olivar Martinez-Blanco to life in prison without parole on December 9, 2008 on Federal drug felony charges stemming from his role in a massive cocaine distribution conspiracy. Martinez-Blanco is an illegal alien who had been deported twice from the United States and had racked-up two separate drug felony convictions. He was convicted in mid-September of his third felony, for which the federal system allows no parole.

According to the prosecution’s case, Martinez-Blanco was working as a lookout for fellow-defendant Victor Giles-Morales when the Georgia State Patrol stopped Giles-Morales' van. Martinez-Blanco fled the scene while patrollers discovered 15 kilos of narcotics in the van. After collecting nearly $1 million in cash, Martinez-Blanco fled to a safe house, where he was later discovered by drug enforcement agents, who also found illegal firearms, several more kilograms of cocaine, half-a-ton of marijuana, and a major stash of methamphetamines.

Observers of the trial suggest that the harsh sentence of life in prison without parole for this third felony offense was meant not only as a punitive measure but also as a warning to other illegal aliens who might consider running drugs or otherwise getting involved in the narcotics trade.

In cases like Martinez-Blanco's, it's easy for criminal defendants to end up out-matched by the legal fire power of the federal government. If you or a loved one has been charged with a federal crime, either for some narcotics-related offense or for any other crime that falls under federal jurisdiction, you need an expert federal crime defense attorney in your corner to ensure your rights and give you the best options possible. Look to the nationally renowned legal firm of Conaway & Strickler, P.C. For over 10 years, the firm's battled for the rights of clients at both the state and the federal level, and we can handle complex litigation and high-profile cases. Discuss your concerns with us and set up an appointment by dialing (888) 883-9091.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Defense , Federal Crimes

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Janet Jackson Super Bowl Case Makes its way all the way up to the Supreme Court

On November 20, 2008, the United States Solicitor General's Office filed a motion in a matter familiar to the vast majority of American sports fans. During the Super Bowl 2004 half-time show, Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson, two internationally renowned pop stars, were involved in a so-called "wardrobe malfunction" that resulted in the exposure of one of Ms. Jackson's breasts on national television. This incident sparked a series of legal actions and federal crime charges. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sought damages against the CBS Network for broadcasting public nudity, citing a previous case in which the FCC had sued Fox television stations for fleetingly broadcasting expletives to viewers and listeners. Initially, the Third Circuit panel sided with the FCC and levied a fine of more than half-a-million dollars against the network and its affiliates.

Depending on how the court responds to this petition for certiorari, the case may be pending for some time and may hold implications for the future of the FCC and the major broadcast networks.

If you, a family member, or a close friend has been indicted in a federal criminal case, you need to take fast and decisive action to retain an experienced federal crime defense lawyer to preserve your rights and build a strategy for defense. The firm of Conaway & Strickler, P.C., is an internationally recognized and respected legal force that has fought and won exceptionally tough criminal cases of high consequence. Whether you are dealing with the IRS, the FBI, the DEA or the FCC, we can provide the expert guidance you need to navigate safely to your most strategic defense. Call now at (888) 883-9091 to set an appointment with one of our associates for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Federal Crimes

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