Florida Criminal Attorney Blog

Published on: January 24, 2013

Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Voice of Charlie Brown Arrested for Stalking

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 56-year-old former child actor and voice of Charlie Brown in several “Peanuts” specials on television in the 1960s entered a plea of not guilty Wednesday to 12 felony counts of stalking and making criminal threats.

Peter Robbins is charged with threatening a former girlfriend and a La Jolla plastic surgeon who performed a breast augmentation on her. Police claim Robbins was upset with the way his girlfriend looked after the surgery and wanted his money back.

Robbins is accused of hitting his former girlfriend’s dog after she refused to help him get his money back.

The plastic surgeon obtained a restraining order from the court three weeks ago to keep Robbins away from her and her family.

A San Diego judge set his bail at $550,000. A readiness hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 22.

Robbins was the voice of Charlie Brown in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and other TV specials. He was also featured in the television shows “F Troop,” “Get Smart” and “Rawhide.”

Stalking refers to any continuous unwelcome contact with another person and can include telephone calls, text messages, emails, physically following someone, and even making violent threats. It is a form of harassment that can embody many crimes, and depending upon the facts of the alleged crime, the accused could be facing a misdemeanor or felony charge.

Sadly, stalking allegations are often grossly exaggerated or completely false. Anyone can accuse someone of stalking – friends, neighbors, roommates, business associates and even ex-lovers. Some people accuse others of stalking after an intense argument or bad breakup in order to seek revenge against the other person. Others may do so because they are just paranoid. Regardless, after accusations are made, the courts usually issue a restraining order to keep the accused away from the victim.

Depending on the circumstances, a person accused of stalking could face severe consequences, such as imprisonment, lifelong restraining orders, and hefty fines. Moreover, people accused of stalking often face additional charges, such as threatening acts of criminal violence, trespassing, burglary, and assault.

Published on: January 15, 2013

Bartow Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer :: Polk County Prostitution Sting Nets 78 Arrests

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Bartow, FL – A three-day undercover operation targeting online prostitution ads has resulted in dozens of people being arrested.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office conducted the operation between January 10 and January 13. At the end of the sting, a total of 78 people were arrested, including a porn star and a police recruit.

Of those arrested, 31 have criminal histories, including nine registered felons. Deputies claim that one of those felons has been previously arrested 38 times in the Tampa Bay area.

According to detectives, those arrested for solicitation of prostitution either posted or responded to online advertisements offering sex. Many of those arrested face additional charges, including possession of drugs, aiding and abetting, escape, traffic offenses, battery on a law enforcement officer, violation of probation and failure to register as a sex offender.

In recent years, law enforcement agents throughout the state of Florida have increased their enforcement of solicitation for prostitution by conducting sting operations using police decoys. In fact, numerous time and resources are poured into undercover prostitution stings in hopes of making a considerable amount of arrests.
The Internet has only helped undercover detectives catch unsuspecting men and women engaging in or soliciting prostitution.

If you were arrested for prostitution anywhere in Florida, in order to receive the best possible outcome for your situation you must consult with a sex crimes defense lawyer immediately. The consequences attached to a prostitution offense can be harsh, even if this is your first arrest. A first-time conviction can result in up to 60 days in county jail. A second conviction can land you in jail for up to one year. A third or subsequent conviction for prostitution can be classified as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. Along with time behind bars, a prostitution conviction can tarnish your good name within the community, wreck your personal relationships and limit future career options.

A Polk County Criminal Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton can look into your arrest and make sure police followed proper protocols. In these types of cases, there is always the possibility that you were the victim of police misconduct or entrapment, which can be used as a defense against the charges against you. We will advise you of your legal rights and make sure you fully understand the options available to you. We will exhaust every effort available to make sure you receive a successful outcome.

Published on: January 10, 2013

New Port Richey Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Armed Bank Robbery Suspect Held by Police

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

New Port Richey, FL – Pasco County deputies caught up with a man believed to be a suspect in an armed robbery of an Achieva Federal Credit Union branch just minutes after the robbery occurred on State Road 54.

According to a sheriff’s office media release, a man entered the bank branch at 9:58 a.m. on Dec. 20, flashed a gun at the teller and left on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Witnesses claim the man was driving a black Pontiac.

Deputies were able to catch up to the man a short time later and detained him for questioning.

Armed robbery is a very serious crime to be charged with, as the consequences of a conviction are quite harsh. Because armed robbery carries the potential to harm others, you will likely face maximum penalties if convicted in a court of law. When a person uses a weapon to commit a robbery, despite whether or not it is used, police, prosecutors and judges are quick to conclude that the accused intended to use that weapon.

In the state of Florida, armed robbery can be filed in one of two ways:

1. Strong Armed Robbery: a robbery involving the use of threats, force or violence. This charge is classified as a second-degree felony, carrying potential consequences of up to 15 years in state prison.

2. Armed Robbery: a robbery involving the use of a deadly weapon. Armed robbery is a first-degree felony, punishable by 30 years in prison.

Published on: January 3, 2013

Spring Hill Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Woman Charged with Child Abuse After Child Eats Crack Cocaine

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Spring Hill, FL – A Hernando County woman has been arrested and charged with child abuse after a 9-year-old child left in her care got sick after allegedly consuming crack cocaine.

Hernando County Fire Rescue Officials arrived at the woman’s home last week after the child began having convulsions.

The child was transported to a local hospital where blood tests apparently revealed the child had crack cocaine in the bloodstream.

Police claim the child ate a rock-like substance on Christmas Day. The child became sick shortly after.

The woman told deputies that the child had been in her care for five to seven days. Police claim the woman said the child probably found the crack and thought it was candy.

The Department of Children and Families took the child into custody.

A child abuse charge is taken quite seriously in the state of Florida and demands the immediate attention of a criminal defense attorney. In addition to potential time behind bars and hefty fines, a child abuse conviction can tarnish your good standing in the community, negatively impact your personal relationships and limit your future employment opportunities. Child abuse charges can arise from various forms of abuse, including physical maltreatment, emotional harm, sexual abuse and psychological damage. Any adult can be accused of this crime, including parents, foster parents, legal guardians, relatives and even baby-sitters.

If you are under investigation or have been arrested on child abuse charges, contact a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton right away. We advise you to limit who you discuss the facts of your case with, especially law enforcement officers. Be aware, anything you say to police can be used against you in court. It is in your best interest to remain silent until your attorney is present.

A Child Abuse Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can provide your case with the personalized attention it deserves. From the moment you contact us, we take the time to hear your side of the story and perform an extensive investigation into the allegations. We know from experience that many child abuse charges arise from spiteful family members or simple mistakes. We can work aggressively to convince prosecutors to reduce your charges or have them dropped altogether.

Published on: December 13, 2012

South Florida Vehicular Manslaughter Defense Attorney :: Boca Woman Arrested and Charged with Crash that Killed Mother, Daughter

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Boca Raton, FL – A 20-year-old Boca woman was arrested and charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter and two counts of vehicular homicide on Wednesday in connection with a March crash that left a mother and daughter dead.

On March 9, an 85-year-old woman and her 54-year-old daughter were killed in a two-vehicle accident just west of Boca Raton.

The 19-year-old driver apparently failed to stop at a red light and collided with a Toyota driven by an 84-year-old man.

The woman and her passenger suffered minor injuries. However, the passengers in the Toyota, including the victims’ husband and father were seriously hurt.

An arrest for a driving offense is a charge that should be taken seriously, but when an accident occurs and someone dies as a result, the matter become even more severe. Vehicular manslaughter charges are not taken lightly in the state of Florida, especially if alcohol is believed to have been a factor. Vehicular manslaughter is a second-degree felony in the state of Florida punishable by a maximum sentence of fifteen years in prison and a $10,000 fine. This offense can be escalated to a first-degree felony punishable by thirty years in prison if the driver left the scene of an accident.

While car accidents can result in devastating losses, not every fatality on the roadway should result in an arrest for vehicular manslaughter. Florida law enforcement officers will investigate the accident site for evidence that supports vehicular manslaughter charges. However, a Florida Vehicular Manslaughter Attorney at Whittel & Melton can perform an independent evaluation of the accident and work with accident reconstruction experts in order to establish viable defenses against the charges.

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: November 30, 2012

Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Man Accused of Hitting 4-Year-Old Child, Causing His Kidney to Bleed

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

St. Petersburg, FL – A 23-year-old man was arrested Nov. 15 for aggravated child abuse after authorities claim he caused a laceration to a 4-year-old boy’s kidney while the child was in his care.

Deputies claim the man struck the young boy and urinated blood.

The boy was taken to the hospital, where doctors alleged the laceration to his kidney was caused by “trauma” and not an illness or other medical condition.

The boy’s mother told police she had left her son in the man’s car while she was at work.

The boy apparently told police that the man hit him.

The man was arrested and booked into the Pinellas County Jail. He is being held without bail.

The crime of aggravated child abuse is a grave felony offense. For charges of this kind to stick in Florida, prosecutors must be able to prove that the accused willfully and knowingly committed child abuse and, in doing so, caused significant bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Criminal acts against children are taken quite seriously in the state of Florida. In fact, these cases are usually passed along to experienced prosecutors hoping to achieve a conviction.

Published on: November 20, 2012

Polk County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Massachusetts Junior Hockey League Coach Arrested in Polk Internet Sex Sting

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Polk County authorities have arrested a junior hockey league coach from Massachusetts on charges that he used a solicited what he thought was a 16-year-old boy online.

The man was arrested in his home Wednesday night in Acushnet, Mass., and booked into a local jail.

Polk County detectives began investigating the man earlier this year after the mother of a 16-year-old boy told police the man allegedly began soliciting her son via Facebook.

Detectives obtained permission from the boy’s mother to pose as the teen and continue to talk to the man.

The Sheriff’s Office claims that the man sent nude pictures of himself to the boy and vividly described what he wanted to do sexually with him.

The man is also accused of soliciting the teen to perform sex acts.

He is charged with 10 counts of using a computer to seduce a child and will eventually be brought to Polk County.

Published on: November 14, 2012

Homosassa Criminal Defense Attorney :: Registered Sex Offender Faces New Sex Charges against Citrus County Youth

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Homosassa, FL – A registered sex offender has been arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with an 11-year-old girl.

The 36-year-old, who is listed as homeless, apparently traveled to a hotel in the county with the girl and another adult female on Oct. 27 where the trio stayed overnight.

When the girl arrived home the next day she told her family that the adult female left the room for around two hours, leaving her alone with the man. She claims the man asked her sexually explicit questions and tried to touch her breasts.

The girl apparently told the Sheriff’s Office’s Child Protection team that the man asked to show her his genitals and asked to see hers. He allegedly asked if he could have sex with her.

The girl claims the man wrapped himself around her as she lay on one of the beds in the room and began moving. She apparently got up and went to the restroom and noticed her soda tasted odd when she returned. Police were informed that the man had been drinking shots of alcohol in the hotel.

The girl told police that the man told her not to tell anyone what happened.

According to reports, the man is a registered sex offender in Hernando County, who has not been checked on in person since Oct. 25 in that county.

The man was apparently working at a Homosassa business, and was arrested there Nov. 2. He allegedly told police that the girl tried to solicit him for sexual activity.

He was taken to Citrus County jail with bail set at $27,000. He was charged with failing to report his change of address within 48 hours, as required by state law, lewd and lascivious conduct with someone younger than 16 and lewd and lascivious molestation of a person younger than 16.

Failure to register as a sexual offender or predator can result in severe consequences. The state of Florida takes these charges quite seriously, and an individual charged with failing to register can be charged with a third-degree felony, or in some cases a second-degree felony. Sexual offenders and sexual predators must comply with multiple different forms of registration. The following is a list of the registration requirements that sexual offenders and sexual predators must follow:

• Registration within 48 of being released from custody
• Registration within 48 hours of relocating to a different address
• Registration of Address of Residence
• Registration with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• Registration of Employment or Enrollment at an Institution of Higher Learning

Published on: November 7, 2012

Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Number of Murders and Forcible Rapes Increase in Florida in First Half of 2012

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Tallahassee, Florida – State officials have reported that the overall crime rate in Florida has dropped 3.8 percent in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. However, the number of murders and forcible sex offenses is on the rise.

Governor Rick Scott and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey announced the figures in the 2012 Semi-Annual Uniform Crime Report Thursday.

Florida’s murder rate increased by 1.5 percent, including an 8.2 percent surge in murders committed with firearms.

Forcible sex offenses, including rape and sodomy, also saw an increase of 1.5 percent. This number includes a 40 percent increase in rapes committed using firearms.

Aggravated assaults, burglaries, robberies and larcenies all declined.

While overall domestic violence crimes dropped 5.4 percent, domestic violence murders increased by 30 percent and forcible rapes by 7 percent.