Hillsborough County

Published on: March 19, 2014

Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Naples Man Arrested in Tampa after Allegedly Beating Pharmacist and Stealing Prescription Drugs

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Naples man was charged Monday with attempted murder and armed robbery after he allegedly stole prescription drugs over the weekend from a pharmacist he left in critical condition.

The 25-year-old man was arrested at 2 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Tampa, according to police reports. He is facing additional charges, including occupied armed burglary and three other counts of burglary.

According to Temple Terrace police, the man entered a shopping center at 11410 N 56th St. on Saturday through the back of a nearby business. Shortly before 8 p.m., police claim he climbed through a crawl space in the ceiling to get to Omega Drugs Pharmacy.

The man allegedly attacked the pharmacist on duty from behind and struck him with a commercial hole-punch machine several times. The man exited the store with a small amount of prescription drugs. The pharmacist, a 59-year-old Wesley Chapel man, remains in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital.

The accused had apparently been working in Ybor City with a painting company based out of Naples. On Monday, police claim he was involved in a hit-and-run accident with his company vehicle. Following the accident, he allegedly boarded a Hillsborough Area Regional Transit bus where he apparently told another passenger about a mark on his face that was from being “bitten by a pharmacist.”

The man borrowed that same passenger’s cellphone to make a call. The passenger contacted authorities and a trail was led back to the man at the Clarion Hotel.

The man was booked in to the Orient Road jail.

The state of Florida classifies the crime of armed robbery as taking another person’s property without their permission, while possessing a weapon at the same time of the robbery. A weapon can be a knife, gun or other type of deadly weapon. Armed robbery is charged as a first-degree felony carrying very serious consequences if convicted.

Published on: October 4, 2013

Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Tampa Detective Accused of Stealing Money Orders from Evidence Room

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

It is always interesting when a law enforcement officer is arrested, especially when it is by the agency that they work for. In a strange case, a Tampa Police detective has been arrested and charged with grand theft after she allegedly stole $1,900 worth of money orders from the Tampa Police Department’s evidence room in December of 2011.

According to Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, the female detective deposited the money into her personal checking account.

The money orders had apparently been seized as part of a tax fraud investigation.
Castor learned about the theft from the IRS last month.

The detective was arrested and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail.
According to Castor, the woman had been with the department since 1986 and had a “stellar” career.

Detectives are currently reviewing every transaction the woman ever had with the evidence room.

Grand theft charges can be filed against any person at any given time. In some cases, these are simple misunderstandings or even a matter of misidentification. Whatever the reason a charge has been filed, it is important to have a Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton by your side to make sure your rights are protected.

An arrest is simply the first step in the long criminal justice process for defendants. While an arrest should be taken seriously, this is far from a conviction. Typically in theft cases and all other criminal matters, we only hear law enforcement’s version of events in news stories. Once the case progresses, more facts come out and we start to see another side of the story. Eye witness accounts may be found to be inaccurate and certain pieces of critical evidence may have been obtained using questionable tactics. There are many doubts that can be cast in these types of cases that can lead to charges being reduced or dismissed entirely.

Published on: December 8, 2012

Tampa Drug Crimes Defense Attorney :: Pharmacist Convicted in Pill Mill Case

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tampa, FL – A 42-year-old Tampa pharmacist was one of three convicted last month in Ohio on conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

The three are accused of playing active roles in a multi-state drug conspiracy that sent millions of dollars’ worth of prescription pills to all 50 states.

The Tampa pharmacist was convicted on an additional nine counts of unlawful dispensing of hydrocodone.

According to Florida Department of Health records, she holds two active state licenses, one for pharmacist and one for pharmacist consultant.

The other two defendants include a 41-year-old New Jersey doctor and a 64-year-old health care firm manager from Jacksonville.

In total, 13 people have now been convicted for their roles in the alleged conspiracy, including doctors, pharmacists, a call-center manager and others.

The case started last year when a 42-year-old man plead guilty to operating a company that illegally distributed millions of pills of prescription painkillers, such as hydrocodone and alprazolam, to users who had no medical reason for obtaining the pills.

According to court documents, the man worked with pharmacists who supplied drugs to his company. The pills were distributed to people who contacted the company’s websites or call centers.

A pill mill can be defined as a clinic that provides prescription medications to patients that do not have a legitimated medical need for them or refer to a pharmacy that distributes prescription pills to others without a valid prescription. Because the state of Florida used to have less strict laws regarding prescription meds it was a perfect hub for pill mills. However, recent changes to laws have imposed serious restrictions on the prescription and distribution of controlled substances.

The crackdown on Florida’s pill mills is intended to reduce the number of these operations, as well as prevent doctors from distributing drugs at their clinics. Doctors, pharmacists and other practitioners that are accused of violating the law, could face serious drug trafficking charges. Florida’s anti-pill mill laws enforce tougher penalties on pharmacists and doctors who are accused of operating pill mills. Due to the fact that pill mills have been identified as such a serious problem, both federal and state law enforcement officers can be overzealous in their attempts to locate pill mills, and prosecute those believed to be involved quite harshly. If you have been accused of playing a role in a pill mill, you could face lengthy prison terms and other grave consequences.

Published on: October 29, 2012

Tampa School Bus Driver Charged with Child Abuse after Incident on School Bus :: Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tampa, FL – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Tampa school bus driver after she allegedly pushed an 8-year-old girl off the bus causing her ankle to break.

The 41-year-old Hillsborough County bus driver was charged with aggravated child abuse.

Police claim she was driving special education students to a local elementary school
around 2 p.m. when the incident occurred.

The child apparently pushed and kicked the driver while waiting for her turn to get off the bus. When it came time for her to exit the bus, she apparently stood on the steps and stopped.

According to reports, the bus driver used her foot to kick the girl off the bus. The girl fell on the ground and broke her ankle.

Police and prosecutors take allegations of abuse against children quite seriously throughout the state of Florida. In fact, sometimes police officers get so carried away with their efforts to protect children that one false statement can lead to an innocent person being slapped with severe felony charges. If you have been accused of child abuse, it is crucial to seek legal assistance from a criminal defense lawyer right away. Child abuse cases are fueled by emotions and unless you take fast action to protect your legal rights and explore your defense options, you could be left to face the harsh penalties associated with a conviction.

Aggravated child abuse is a felony in Florida punishable by up to 30 years in state prison. While it may seem like there is overwhelming evidence stacked against you, it is important to be aware that there are many strategies that a criminal defense attorney can implement to help you obtain a positive outcome. Children can be easily influenced and sometimes an overactive imagination can result in false accusations. The Tampa Criminal Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton understand that any and all allegations regarding child abuse must be thoroughly investigated in order to mount the most effective defense for your unique situation. Whether you work closely with children or are a parent or relative accused of child abuse, we can help you understand your rights and legal options.

Published on: August 23, 2012

Tampa Mom Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Blow up Day Care :: Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 27-year-old Tampa mother was arrested Wednesday night after she allegedly sent a text message to a local news reporter threatening to blow up a child care center.

The reporter contacted law enforcement officials after receiving the text.

Deputies searched the premises of the child care facility, but did not find anything out of the ordinary.

The woman was arrested and charged with threatening to discharge a destructive device around 8:40 p.m. Wednesday night.

Officials claim she admitted to sending the text and showed police her cellphone.

She was taken to jail and held on a $7,500 bond.

Due to general concerns regarding terrorism over the past few years, security has been heightened and bomb threats are viewed more seriously than ever. While most bomb threats do not actually involve a bomb, the threat itself is a criminal offense that is punished quite severely under Florida law. Many people are surprised to find that threatening to discharge a destructive device in the state of Florida is a felony, punishable by stiff fines and lengthy prison time.

If you have been arrested or charged with making a bomb threat, in order to best protect your rights, you must contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Making a false bomb threat in Florida is considered illegal no matter how it is carried out, whether by mail, telephone, text message, e-mail, a written note or even through a social media post, such as Twitter or Facebook. Additionally, law enforcement officers and prosecutors tend to have little sympathy for those that make false bomb threats, even if they were simply joking. Despite the facts surrounding your arrest, the Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton may be able to negotiate or litigate a positive outcome for your case. Our number one goal is to get your charge reduced to a lesser offense, or dismissed entirely so that a conviction does not leave a mark on your criminal record.

Published on: April 10, 2012

Tampa White Collar Crimes Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: “Millionaire” Date Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 36-year-old Tampa resident that appeared on Bravo television’s The Millionaire Matchmaker in 2009 claiming he was worth $400 million and operated a company with business in 36 nations plead guilty Monday in federal court to bank fraud charges.

The man apparently confessed that he received a $3 million loan in the months before his television appearance by faking he had tens of millions of dollars squirreled in two banks.

The plea came in Monday afternoon and was a shock to lawyers working the case who had apparently spent the morning selecting a jury in a trial that was anticipated to last a week.

The man entered an open plea, which means he has no deal on a sentence arranged with prosecutors. The judge scheduled his sentencing for Aug. 9.

The man’s court-appointed attorney claims the man feared losing at trial and decided against taking a risk.

The man will remain in custody until sentencing. His bail was revoked last year after prosecutors accused him of attempting to purchase two luxury vehicles while awaiting trial.

Prosecutors allege the man began pursuing the loan in 2008, telling the bank he needed the funds for his business, a company specializing in processing electronic payments on the Internet.

The man had two co-conspirators, prosecutors allege. One apparently worked at a bank and produced a fraudulent letter confirming the man had $21 million on deposit, which the man used as collateral on the $3 million loan.

Additional fraudulent documents were allegedly used to obtain the loan including bank statements and tax returns for 2006 and 2007. According to reports, the man did not file returns in those years.

The man apparently met with a bank official in the Caribbean regarding the loan in November2008. Another alleged co-conspirator impersonated a Caribbean bank representative claiming the man had $145 million on deposit there.

Also on Monday, one alleged co-conspirator pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges. He will also be sentenced in August.

A second alleged co-conspirator has apparently agreed to cooperate with authorities.

In the state of Florida, bank fraud is classified as a serious federal crime that can carry consequences of up to 30 years in state prison and fines up to $1,000,000. These cases are investigated by federal agencies that devote countless hours and resources to uncovering evidence of bank fraud and other financial crimes. In an effort to seek the maximum penalties, these same agencies will often employ federal prosecutors to try these cases in court.

Bank fraud may be committed in a number of ways. Some of these may include:

• Falsifying loan documents
• Making false statements
• Forging checks
• Wire fraud involving a bank

• Mail fraud involving a bank

• Loan Fraud
• Counterfeiting loan documents

• Forging Letters of Credit
Regardless of the specific bank fraud charges you are facing, the Florida White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. The federal laws related to bank fraud can be confusing. If you are suspected of bank fraud, do not waste any time seeking legal counsel. These charges are serious and can deliver life-altering consequences.

Published on: February 24, 2012

Tampa Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers Whittel & Melton :: Former Rays Outfielder Elijah Dukes Incarcerated Over Drug Charges

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Former Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes was arrested Thursday morning after he allegedly attempted to eat a plastic bag filled with marijuana and had a blunt tucked behind his ear.

The 27-year-old man was stopped by an officer around 1 a.m. for apparently committing a traffic violation.

Police claim that after they stopped Dukes, they noticed a small bag of marijuana sitting in his lap. He allegedly tried to stick the bag of marijuana in his mouth.
Police removed the bag from his mouth and placed the man under arrest. After taking the man into custody, police apparently noticed a blunt tucked behind his right ear.

Dukes was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail around 3:30 a.m. and was still being held Thursday morning.

He faces charges of tampering with physical evidence, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a cancelled, suspended or revoked license. In addition, he was also being held on two Hillsborough County warrants for driving with a suspended knowledge and operating with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

His bond was set at $4,750.

In the past year, Dukes has been arrested five times, mostly pertaining to charges of driving with a suspended, cancelled or revoked license.

He was accused of hitting his pregnant ex-girlfriend in March 2011.

Past arrests include contempt of court and failing to appear in a case where he owes an ex-wife child support and alimony.

Possession of Marijuana, also known as cannabis, pot or weed, can be a serious crime in Florida. The penalties associated with a possession of marijuana charge depend on the quantity you were arrested with. Possession of Less Than 20 Grams of Marijuana is known as “simple possession” of marijuana and is a misdemeanor offense that carries up to one year in county jail, probation, fines community service and random urine screenings. Additionally, a conviction for possession of marijuana can tarnish your record and make it difficult to find a job. It is also important to note that a conviction for a drug-related crime, including possession of marijuana, could result in a two year suspension of your Florida driver’s license.

If you have been charged with a drug possession crime anywhere in the state of Florida, it is important to consult with a criminal defense attorney right away to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. Whether your possession case involves marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, prescription pills or any other controlled substance, the Florida Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can work on your side to aggressively defend your case. We are trial attorneys that stand ready to attack your charges in a courtroom, should that be necessary.

While it is important to be aware that the final outcome of your case is contingent upon the unique set of circumstances involved, the Florida Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton will demand that your legal rights are protected and fight for favorable results on your behalf. Depending on the facts associated with your drug case, our attorneys may be able to negotiate with prosecutors to have the charges stacked against you reduced or even dismissed entirely.

Published on: February 2, 2012

Orlando – Tampa Sinkhole Fraud Defense Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Questionable Sinkhole Repairs in Florida’s “Sinkhole Alley” Raise Costs and Suspicions of Fraud

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Seminole County contracting firm owner is accused of racketeering and insurance fraud after State Farm Insurance claims the company billed for work that was never done and charged for products that were never used in order to fix homes damaged by sinkholes from Orlando to Tampa Bay.

Although the source of the suspicions are dubious, it is suspected that the overcharges in sinkhole claims can be linked to the reason insurance losses from sinkhole claims have skyrocketed. This increase has allegedly increased premiums for all Florida policyholders and not just those throughout Florida’s “sinkhole alley.” Most likely this is the sort of talking point that an Insurance company lobbyist would feed a reporter to avoid the most obvious source of any rate hikes…the Insurance company themselves.

Citizens, a state-run company that insures more than one million property owners allegedly lost more than $200 million dollars in 2010, which they claim is seven times more than the premiums collected for sinkhole coverage.

Published on: January 10, 2012

Tampa Firearms Defense Lawyers Whittel & Melton :: Police Suspect a New Year’s Eve Celebration Gun Shot May Have Resulted in a Boy’s Critical Injuries

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Florida authorities believe that a 12-year-old boy may have been critically wounded on New Year ‘s Eve following a celebratory gunshot supposedly fired into the air miles away.

According to reports, the boy and his family were outside their home enjoying the fireworks display around 1 a.m., when the boy fell to the ground bleeding from his eyes and nose.

The boy’s family, unable to determine the cause of bleeding, rushed the boy to South Bay Hospital where doctors confirmed a bullet had entered the top of his head. He was transferred to Tampa Bay General Hospital where he remains in critical condition with the bullet still inside his head.

No reports of gunfire nearby were reported, but police suspect the boy was hit by gunfire falling from the sky from miles away.

Police are questioning people in the surrounding area in an effort to figure out who pulled the trigger.

A Spokesman for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office calls the act irresponsible and said the crime carries felony consequences.

The illegal discharge of firearms is banned within city limits and prosecuted rather vigorously in Florida. So-called “celebratory gunfire” is considered reckless and when a stray bullet lands it can result in serious injuries. When a gun is fired up in the air it can be very difficult to trace where the shot was fired from. Where a randomly fired bullet lands depends on the angle of the trajectory it was fired at. Generally, the lower the trajectory, the faster the bullet, and it could fall from several thousand yards away.

In some areas of the world, celebratory gunfire is a tradition and it is acceptable to set off destructive devices in celebration of weddings, anniversaries and other such festivities. Randomly firing a gun in a public place is a felony in only a few states, and in Florida it is a misdemeanor offense. Studies show that the possibility of death from a bullet shot in the sky is far greater than other gunshots because they cause head injuries 80 percent of the time.
Strict Florida laws prohibit anyone from knowingly and willingly discharging a firearm in a public place, which includes public roads, streets, highways, a vehicle, private residence or any other occupied dwelling. Any individual that does discharge a weapon in a public place or inside a residence can be charged with first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. Likewise, if a person discharges a firearm from inside a vehicle, within 1,000 feet of another person, they will face a second-degree felony carrying consequences of up to 15 years in prison.

If you think you may be charged with a weapons offense in Florida, it is important to understand that the State takes these charges quite seriously. There are numerous weapons crimes that can be committed and criminal history, the type of firearm used and the person’s intent can all play a role in determining the charge. It is very important for anyone that could potentially be charged with a weapons offense to contact a Florida Firearms Lawyer immediately to discuss your options. The Florida Firearms Defense Lawyers can start building an aggressive defense for you right away, so it is crucial to the outcome of your case to act fast.

Published on: November 18, 2011

Tampa Bank Robbery Defense Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Amateur Comedian Accused of Robbing Local SunTrust Bank Twice

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Officials with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a Citrus Park, Florida amateur comedian for allegedly robbing a SunTrust Bank, twice.

According to police, the man allegedly entered the SunTrust Bank on Tuesday, claimed he had an explosive device, demanded money and fled the scene. On Thursday, detectives said the same man targeted the bank again, requesting money from the same teller.

Witnesses supposedly saw the man exit the bank and gave a description of his physical being and car to authorities.

The man was supposedly known to investigators for past events, and was picked up, positively identified and later arrested.

The man has supposedly performed at open mic nights for comedy clubs throughout Tampa. He has performed at a comedy club in Carrollwood, FL several times this year.

The man faces numerous charges, including robbery and possession of cocaine. He has supposedly been arrested before for similar charges.

Robbery in the state of Florida is considered the intentional and unlawful taking of money or property from another person while endorsing threats, violence, force or assault. The crime of robbery is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, up to 15 years of probation and a maximum of $10,000 in fines. However, since most banks are federally insured, bank robbery can be amplified to a federal offense. This means that if you are charged with bank robbery, not only are you facing a possible Class A, B or C felony you must also face federal prosecution, which can be quite aggressive considering the government’s resources. The type of felony you are charged with depends on whether weapons or violence was inflicted, if anyone was injured and how much money was taken. If a weapon was used, the penalties for this crime are often enhanced, but even if there was no use of weapon in the robbery, a conviction can carry a prison sentence of anywhere between one and 10 years.

Today’s technology has made evidence against bank robberies, including credit unions and savings and loans associations, much stronger due to several factors:

• High-technology security systems
• Exploding dye packs located in the money
• Locator devices
• Marked bills
• Silent alarms
Charges of bank robbery can damage you and your family’s life in more ways than one. Not only do you run the risk of being prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but you ultimately face the possibility of hefty prison terms, probation, parole, large fines and a record that could limit all aspects of your future life. The Florida Bank Robbery Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can discuss your best line of defense to combat federal charges and help you avoid a conviction with potential prison time.