Florida Criminal Attorney Blog

Published on: November 18, 2016

Pasco County Woman Arrested For Renting Out Homes She Does Not Own

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A woman has been arrested in Pasco County after allegedly renting out homes she didn’t own.

Authorities said the 43-year-old was arrested for scheming to defraud after allegedly pretending to be the owner of two homes — one in Holiday and the other in New Port Richey.

According to reports, she was renting out the property for $800-$850 a month.

The actual owner of the property was apparently unaware of this transaction.

The woman also had active felony warrants for grand theft and unlicensed real estate broker or sales associate in Hillsborough County.

There are many reasons why good, normally upstanding people end up facing fraud or other white collar crimes charges. Whatever the reason, our Pasco County White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have one goal, which is to defend you against the charges. This means investigating your case thoroughly and presenting the strongest case possible to help you get back to leading a normal life.

We represent people throughout the state of Florida that are under investigation or facing formal state or federal charges for a wide range of white collar crimes, including:

Bank fraud
Mortgage fraud
Mail fraud
Property Crimes
Embezzlement
Forgery
Identity theft
Insurance fraud

Published on: November 17, 2016

USF Student Allegedly Made Up Story About Robbery

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A female University of South Florida student who said two students robbed her has been arrested and charged with making up the story.

The 19-year-old was arrested Wednesday following a follow up interview with USF Police detectives. According to officials, she admitted to making up the story and that there was no robbery.

At 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, USF officers responded to a report of a strong armed robbery near the Interdisciplinary Science Building.

Police said the student originally told police that two white men in their early 20’s stole her jewelry near the ISA building. Officials said the student told them the men engaged her in conversation, then took her backpack from her and her necklace fell to the ground as a result of the physical contact.

After she allegedly admitted she made up the story, she was charged with filing a false police report and was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail.

USF police also the student is part of a group of four students who recently reported receiving threatening messages inside their USF residence hall rooms on Election Night.

The investigation into that incident is ongoing.

Lying about robberies has been in the headlines a lot this year, what with the whole Ryan Lochte debacle in Rio. Our Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton urge everyone to refrain from lying about crimes as you can be charged with filing a false police report, as this case shows.

Published on: November 16, 2016

Former FDLE Officer In Tampa Accused Of Sexually Abusing Two Young Boys

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A state investigator has been arrested on charges that he sexually abused two young boys.

According to officials, the man was working on a case at a children’s home for boys who’ve been abused. Investigators claim two 8-year-olds allege the man inappropriately touched them and made them perform sexual acts on him.

The man used to work for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in Tampa investigating crimes against children.

Investigators reported that the man has denied any allegations against him.

The man is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of two victims under 12 years old. He has also been placed on administrative leave.

When a police officer or other law enforcement official is charged with a crime of any kind, it is absolutely vital that they speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to ensure that their rights are protected. When it comes to sex crimes cases against a law enforcement officer, prosecutors will vigorously try to make it known that the officer is not above the law. It is likely that the prosecution will seek the maximum penalties, maybe even enhanced penalties, just to “make an example” of the officer charged.

Published on: November 10, 2016

New Smyrna Beach Man Accused of Sexually Abusing Child

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

New Smyrna Beach Police said a man has been charged with lewd acts on a child.

Officers were called shortly after 7:40 p.m. Wednesday to Florida Memorial Hospital. The dispatcher advised that a child had reportedly been sexually abused.

When police arrived at the hospital, they claim a witness told them that a 5-year-old boy was allegedly victim to lewd acts by a family friend.

The child was out of sight for only a few moments when the act allegedly occurred, according to police. When the boy’s guardian went to check on him, she claims she saw the 59-year-old family friend performing ‘a lewd act’ on the boy.

A short time later, the accused was located at his home and was placed under arrest for lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 12.

He was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond.

If you or someone you love has been accused wrongfully of child sexual abuse, you will need the best possible criminal defense attorney handling your sex crimes case. Our Volusia County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have the experience, knowledge and dedication that you need. We recognize that these cases require an aggressive line of defense as a conviction can result in harsh sentences potentially involving years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

Published on: November 7, 2016

Pizza Hut Employee In Seminole County Accused Of Having Sex With Teen

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Seminole County man is accused of having sex with a teen he met online, according to the Winter Springs Police Department.

The 23-year-old Casselberry man was arrested last week after being interviewed by police.

According to police, the man, who works at a Pizza Hut, contacted a 13-year-old boy through social media. He is accused of driving the teen to a hidden driveway near Tradewinds Road and Moss Road in Winter Springs where he allegedly engaged in multiple sex acts with the teen.

The 13-year-old boy told police he didn’t know the man’s name, only that he worked at a Pizza Hut.

Investigators apparently used the information provided by the teen to locate the Pizza Hut where the man worked and showed his picture to the store manager who identified him, according to the police report.

The man now faces multiple charges including sexual battery of a victim aged 12 to 18, using a computer/electronic device to solicit a minor and production of child pornography.

A conviction for any sex crime carries very harsh consequences that can last a lifetime. A conviction can negatively impact your career path and even prevent you from living in a desired area. That is why you must take these charges seriously and obtain a Seminole County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible.

Our sex crimes attorneys stand ready to fight for your rights if you have been accused of a sex crime. We can provide you with an aggressive defense and ensure that all of your rights are protected.

Published on: November 3, 2016

2 Jacksonville Men Arrested On Meth Trafficking Charges

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two men were arrested Saturday night on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

The men, 35 and 38, are also charged with possession of paraphernalia for the manufacturing or delivery of drugs.

According to an arrest report, one of the men was pulled over just before 7 p.m. Saturday for driving his mother’s car without the lights on.

Police allege he also had a suspended license.

A narcotics K-9 was brought in. Police claim they found methamphetamine, a large number of prescription pills and two guns inside the car.

One of the men also faces charges of carrying a concealed firearm.

Both men were booked into the Duval County Jail.

The state of Florida has taken a tough stance in regards to the growing number of methamphetamine trafficking cases. Prosecutors and law enforcement officials takes these crimes very seriously and will stop at nothing to obtain a conviction.

Published on: November 2, 2016

Orlando Substitute Teacher Accused Of Sleeping With Student

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 28-year-old female substitute teacher at an Orlando-area private school is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student.

The woman faces charges of sexual activity with a 16 or 17 year old child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to an arrest affidavit, the woman was a substitute teacher at an Orlando school. The affidavit said that a representative from the school called a Florida Department of Children and Families hotline late last week to report the woman after teachers became suspicious of her relationship with the boy.

A DCF investigator looked into the claims and allegedly determined that the woman had sex with the teen at her home on the evening of Oct. 14 after exchanging Snapchat messages with him and giving him alcohol.

The woman was booked into the Orange County Jail on Friday night.

Accusations of sexual misconduct between a teacher and a student are very serious in Florida and in every other state across the country. Even if a person is not found guilty of the alleged crime, their reputation could be forever damaged. Because of this, anyone facing sex crimes charges needs to obtain a criminal defense attorney who can prepare the strongest possible defense against the charges.

Published on: November 1, 2016

Floral City Man, 56, Charged With Sexual Battery on 8-Year-Old Boy

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 56-year-old Floral City man was arrested Friday and charged with one count of sexual battery on an 8-year-old boy.

Police claim the alleged victim came forward to several members of his household and said the man had been sexually abusing him. The child accused the man of touching his genitals and sodomizing him, according to reports.

Deputies transported the man to the county Emergency Operations Center and interviewed him in reference to the accusations. He was then arrested and transported to the county detention facility.

The man faces one count of sexual battery with familial or custodial authority. He was denied bond.

Any accusations of a sex crime are very serious and must be handled accordingly. While anyone can make these heinous allegations against another person, police can arrest you based solely on a sex crime accusation even if there is no physical evidence to support these claims. Regardless of your innocence, you could be in for the fight of your life, as police and prosecutors tend to side with the victim in these cases.

If you have been arrested for a sexual offense, or think you might be, it is imperative to keep quiet until you have retained legal counsel. You should never make a statement to police without your attorney present. Even if the allegations against you are false, it is still important to remain silent. Your side of the story will be best told by your criminal defense lawyer.

Our Citrus County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help if you are facing sex crimes charges. We can preserve any evidence before it is lost or destroyed and obtain statements from any witnesses before their memories fade. We know that your life is on the line, which is why we will do everything in our power to obtain the most positive outcome on your behalf.

Published on: October 28, 2016

Two People Arrested After Attempting To Carry Firearms Into Disney Parks

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two people were arrested at Walt Disney World in separate incidents Monday after authorities say they tried to enter two Disney parks with firearms.

A 23-year-old Alabama woman and a 61-year-old Louisiana man face charges of carrying a concealed weapon.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the woman had a loaded .380 caliber gun in her backpack. A bag-checker at the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom found the gun. Her concealed weapons permit apparently expired in January.

The man was arrested at Epcot. His weapon was found after a Disney security officer selected him for a random metal detector screening.

Both face a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

Disney bans guns from its parks, and even guests with weapons permits can face trespassing charges.

According to Florida law, a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device commits a first-degree misdemeanor. If that weapon is a firearm, the charge increases to a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

If you’ve been charged with carrying a concealed weapon, it is important to know what you are up against. Our Florida Weapons Cases Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can answer all of your questions and help you determine the best defense strategy for your particular situation.

Published on: October 27, 2016

Three Men Accused Of Using Skimming Device At An ATM in Osceola County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Three men were arrested Thursday on charges of using a skimming device at a bank ATM in Osceola County, according to deputies.

The men, 36, 22, and 38 were arrested during a traffic stop. Investigators said the men were seen removing a skimming device from the ATM.

An investigation apparently began Oct. 20 after suspicious activity was reported at a SunTrust Bank located in Celebration.

All three men were booked into the Osceola County Jail.

Credit and debit card skimming is a form of theft that can happen in many different ways. The most common way is stealing personal information through ATMs. How does it work? High tech devices are installed on ATM machines that see a high volume of customers so that every time a person uses their card, their information gets stored on the device. A magnetic card reading device is installed on top of the ATM’s card reader, which looks identical to the real ATM reader underneath them, which is why customers do not usually pay them any mind.

The skimming device does not interrupt the ATM’s normal functions, so customers can still withdraw their cash, but remain unaware that their data has been stolen. While a person is sliding their card into the device to get cash, the skimming device saves and stores the card information.