boca raton

Over 200 Dogs Rescued from Puppy Mill in Boca Raton

Andrew Stine — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:44:59 GMT

Animal cruelty crimes are the most heartbreaking of all because the victims of the crimes are truly defenseless. Puppy mills are often the biggest animal cruelty cases that people encounter. A puppy mill, sometimes called a puppy farm, is a commercial breeding facility where the operators focus solely on profits and give no heed to the animals' welfare. The conditions are almost always deplorable. A puppy mill was discovered and raided recently in Venice, where over 200 dogs were rescued by the Tri-County Humane Society in Boca Raton and are being treated.

Potential Animal Cruelty Charges

According to an article in WPTV News, dozens of dogs rescued last week from a puppy mill arrived at the Boca Raton Tri-County Humane Society late Saturday night and could be up for adoption in the next few weeks. About 263 dogs were rescued by Sarasota County Animal Services, pulled from a home in Venice last week. Some of the animals are not in good condition, according to investigators. They were still being treated Sunday night.

The article stated that investigators said the owners of the dogs were cooperative with authorities. The Tri-County Humane Society in Boca Raton is one of many facilities where the dogs are being treated. The article was unclear whether animal cruelty charges were going to be filed.

Pending medical evaluation and clearance, the animals will be put up for adoption. Many have worms, ticks, fleas, infections and eye problems. Two of the dogs rescued by Tri-County were rushed to emergency veterinary care.

"The most horrific conditions I think I've ever seen in my rescue," said Tri-County Director Suzi Goldsmith. "They have had the worst quality of life and I would say they've had no quality of life."

To donate or adopt, call 561-482-8110 or visit www.tricountyhumane.org .

Animal Cruelty

In the state of Florida, animal cruelty can be charged as anything from a civil infraction to a major felony. A person can be charged for mistreating one animal or a group of animals. If you have ever been accused of animal cruelty, contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. This is a case surrounded by complicated and changing legislation. A criminal defense lawyer can be the best asset you have in this serious situation.

Distributed by Viestly

First Arrest for Synthetic Marijuana in Florida

Andrew Stine — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:09:22 GMT

For the first time since the rise of the popular "alternative" to marijuana - synthetic pot, an arrest has been made of a man accused of distributing the substance. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has dramatically shifted the movement against synthetic marijuana that has been freely available at gas stations and head shops throughout Florida. Florida legislators have been itching to act against the widely available psychoactive substance and now, this arrest in Palm Beach County marks the first ever federal charge for distributing a now controlled substance.

Synthetic Marijuana in South Florida

Forms of synthetic marijuana have been widely available in gas stations and head shops throughout South Florida, with popular names like "Spice," "K2," and "Mr. Nice Guy." According to an article in WPTV News, an investigation was launched in January into a potential South Florida distributor located in the Boca Raton area. Joel Howard Lester, 52, is now sitting in Palm Beach County jail accused of distributing $300 worth of "Mr. Nice Guy," that was found to have a compound on the banned list that serves as a regulation against synthetic marijuana.

According to the article, Lester is going to need some serious help from his criminal defense lawyer because he is a Canadian national who is in the United States illegally on an expired visa, and he has several aliases and passports, according to a magistrate's court order that Lester be held without bond.court records indicate he is trying to negotiate a plea deal.

Criminal Defense

If you are a gas station owner or a head shop owner, it is imperative that you get in contact with a criminal defense lawyer because law enforcement is cracking down on the distribution of synthetic marijuana. A criminal defense lawyer can help you prepare a solid defense strategy because the issues with synthetic marijuana are so new and law enforcement are scrambling to enforce the new laws.

Distributed by Viestly

Palm Beach County Cop Arrested for Stalking

Andrew Stine — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:31:44 GMT

Stalking is not a crime often reported in news headlines but in this case, it caught the attention of reporters because the accused is a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Deputy. The accusations are that the officer used his law enforcement resources to aggressively stalk his ex-girlfriend. Crimes like these are disappointing for any South Florida resident to stomach because our community expects security and a sense of honor and duty from our local law enforcement. Seeing police officers abuse their power and their resources to manipulate other people causes a lack of faith in the justice system put in place to protect our community.

PBC Police Officer Arrest

Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy Patrick Joseph Burt, 31, was ordered to be held at the Palm Beach County Jail on a $5,000 bond and is facing stalking charges. He will be needing the strength and skills of a criminal defense lawyer to be able to keep his job after the dust settles on this case.

According to Florida Statute 784.048, Stalking is considered to be the act of willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following, harassing, or cyberstalking, another person. It is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to 1 year in jail, and a maximum of a $1,000 fine.

According to an article in WPTV News, the detective heading the investigation found that Burt used his marked patrol car to enter the woman's gated community in suburban Boca Raton in November. Also, a mechanic found a GPS device attached to the undercarriage of the woman's car on Feb. 19. Further, the woman reported that on Feb. 14, she found eight signs posted around her job that labeled her current boyfriend a "home wrecker and a cheater." There were also yellow-colored flyers posted on the building and elevator that named the woman's current boyfriend a "cheater who pursued another person's fiancé," according to WPTV News.

Burt has admitted to putting the GPS on his ex-girlfriend's car and to posting the flyers and signs. The day the signs were posted in Boca Raton, Burt was being paid to patrol Wellington.

Burt has also been accused of abusing his law enforcement resources by using the Florida Driver and Vehicle Information Database to search the names of the woman's family members and her current boyfriend.

Stalking Criminal Defense

Stalking is a crime very difficult to defend. If you have been arrested and charged with stalking, it is imperative that you contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. The nature of this crime makes the court process long and difficult. Only an experienced criminal defense lawyer will investigate your side of the story to make sure you are fairly represented in court. If convicted, you could be facing an average of 1 year in prison and a $1,000 fine in addition to court fees and other expenses.

Distributed by Viestly

Why it's Dangerous to be a Pain Clinic Doctor in Palm Beach County

Andrew Stine — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:53:03 GMT

There have been three pain clinic raids in the last 10 days in Palm Beach County. According to an article in WPTV news, Palm Beach County Police have been sweeping the county and cracking down on unregistered pain clinics and digging up more information on clinics that seem to be participating in suspicious activities. If you are a doctor or an owner of a pain clinic, tread with caution as you are now in the spot light of Palm Beach County Police.

Pain Clinics Under Scrutiny

According to the article, a Boca Raton doctor is behind bars, accused of handing out pain medications. Palm Beach County Sheriff Deputies raided the Southern Care Pain Management and Wellness Center in Palm Springs Friday. This is the third raid of a suspected pain clinic in Palm Beach County in 10 days. An undercover operation put Doctor Marvin Reich in jail, for allegedly writing fake prescriptions for oxycodone and other narcotics.

Deputies loaded boxes of medical and financial files into the back of a box truck. Detectives say the clinic is not registered in Florida.

"Well he (Reich) is an eye doctor, and he's in a pain clinic. There's no medical stuff inside the facility for any type of eye exams, let's put it that way," says Lt. Bruce Hannan, with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The clinic's owner, 57-year-old Glen Smith Jr., of Lake Worth was also arrested. Both men are charged with running an unregistered pain clinic. If convicted the most time Dr. Reich or the owner could spend in prison is five or six years. Detectives say the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may follow.

Prescription Drug Criminal Defense

While five or six years in prison may not seem like a hefty consequence, being charged with drug trafficking or prescription drug trafficking can rack up serious consequences. With the help of a criminal defense lawyer, you might be able to lower your fines and the amount of time you'll spend in prison if you have been charged with drug trafficking. Doctors especially need the help of a criminal defense lawyer because they run the risk of losing their licenses.

Distributed by Viestly

How do Ponzi Schemes in South Florida Work?

Andrew Stine — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:18:55 GMT

A Ponzi scheme is a specific type of fraudulent investment. It is the act of using money received from investors to pay off other investors and personal expenses. Ponzi schemes are tactically organized to avoid using real profit for payments.

Usually when a Ponzi scheme makes the news, it involves short-term returns that are abnormally high – making the perpetrator more noticeable. Ponzi schemes only work if there is an increasing flow of money from investors. Without an increasing amount, the plan will eventually collapse in on itself if the money flowing in is not enough for return payments to the investors involved.

Ponzi Schemes in South Florida

A South Florida real estate talk show host was arrested last week and accused of creating a Ponzi scheme. Anthony F. Cutaia was accused of recruiting investors for commercial real estate projects organized by his own company in Boca Raton, CMG Property Investment Group, according to WPTV News.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a complaint Friday discussing the scheme. Cutaia allegedly invested little of the investors’ money and instead used it to pay off other investors and pay personal and business expenses, according to the complaint.

This is a classic example of a Ponzi scheme where the money just ran out.

Cutaia, host of “Talk About Mortgages and Real Estate,” could be facing a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Fraud Criminal Defense

Fraud charges in the state of Florida are taken very seriously. Depending on the amount of money you are accused of, the minimum years in prison can vary between five and 30 years. The fine can vary from $5,000 to $300,000. If you have been accused of fraud, or worse, creating a Ponzi scheme, you need a criminal defense lawyer in your arsenal immediately. Only a criminal defense lawyer will be able to understand your circumstances and help avoid maximum sentences.

Distributed by Viestly