Drug Offenses

October 23, 2008

Massachusetts Criminal Attorney Defeats Drugs And Gun Prosecution

“Why?”, you demand. I can hear you through the computer screen. Each day for about a month and a half, I have posted this daily blog suggesting that, if you find yourself on the nasty end of an investigation or criminal charge, you should consult an experienced defense lawyer as soon as possible.

“Lawyers are expensive”, you tell your computer. “I’m pretty bright…I bet I can talk my own way out of such problems. Besides, I don’t think I did anything wrong…much.” Perhaps you are the more action-oriented type who has already planned out your escape route and how best to out-drive, out-run or out-fight the police officers who might approach you at an…awkward moment.

“Besides”, you say, “I don’t like lawyers”.

Well, who does? But that’s not the point.

Ok, after many blogs about what not to do…let’s look at a case that shows how having a lawyer involved might actually help.

Kenny M., 30, of Lynn, (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) had a case pending in Salem Superior Court. He had been indicted on charges involving the trafficking and possession of drugs and guns…a frequent coupling that tends to make people nervous. He was arrested this past April.

This past Monday, the case had to be dismissed.
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October 15, 2008

Massachusetts Official Is Arrested On Drug Bust

by Altman & Altman

This week’s winner of the “Person Least Likely To Change His Name To ‘Defendant’ ” has been awarded to an associate member of the Hanover planning board. According to the police, his own, outside, planning board planned to violated certain laws. Drug laws. Serious drug laws.

Christopher G., 29, of Hanover, Massachusetts (hereinafter, the “Defendant”) was among five people arrested in what police are calling a major marijuana distribution ring. Police said an informal drug task force of South Shore police departments seized more than $80,000 worth of marijuana in the arrests.

Police said the Defendant is believed to be a major distributor of marijuana on the South Shore. Marshfield Police said they searched him and his Toyota 4-Runner in Pembroke on Sunday morning and seized about three pounds of marijuana. Then they searched his home. They found about 22 pounds of marijuana, and $3,000 cash, they said. Police also searched the other alleged co-conspirators and recovered about three pounds of marijuana and $11,000 cash.

Pembroke police charged the Defendant with distribution of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana and conspiracy to violate drug laws.

The Marshfield Police Department said police sought court-authorized search warrants for the vehicles and homes involved in this case during the investigation.
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October 13, 2008

Massachusetts Trespassers, Thieves And Adventurers Face variety Of Criminal Charges West and South Of Boston

by Altman & Altman

Today is Columbus Day. As we honor the adventurer who is celebrated as the man who discovered America (although other people were already living here at the time), I think it appropriate that we recognize other valiant efforts at similar discoveries. However, being that this is a daily Criminal Law blog, we unfortunately have to focus on a few not-so successful voyages.

It turns out to be easy, though; last week was not a particularly good week for voyagers to the other side of the law, especially south and west of Boston.

Let’s turn first to Tuesday in Warren, Massachusetts, where the police believe they have linked a suspect to three recent break-ins. This gentleman, Matthew W., 24, (hereinafter, “Defendant 1”), was captured thanks to his alleged intended victim – a 78-year-old woman who confronted him in her bedroom and chased him out the window.

Defendant 1 is currently being held at the Hampshire County House of Correction in Northampton, awaiting trial on charges out of Ware. Tuesday, he was arraigned at Western Worcester District Court in East Brookfield on nine counts related to three break-ins.

According to court documents, the intended not-so-helpless victim was inside her apartment in West Warren about 9:30 a.m. when she heard a voice yelling “Hello, Hello,” outside her bedroom window. She went to the window and saw a young man, who asked if she’d like him to mow her lawn. She declined and he asked her if she got out much.
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October 12, 2008

Four Framingham Teens Arrested for Smoking Marijuana

by Altman & Altman

In Massachusetts, four teenagers from Framingham High School were arrested on Monday after they were caught smoking marijuana behind the school. The teens are four boys, ages 14, 16, and two 15-year-olds. They were charged with marijuana possession and released to their parents custody.

According to the school official that discovered the boys while they were smoking pot, one of the teens was carrying a small bag of marijuana, as well as a pipe for smoking the drug. The teen said that he found the marijuana.

If your son or daughter has been arrested for a crime in Massachusetts, it is important that you retain the services of an experienced Boston criminal defense attorney that can protect your child’s rights while providing the best defense. Your Massachusetts juvenile crimes attorney can take all the necessary steps to make sure that your son or daughter is charged as a juvenile and not as an adult.

Marijuana Possession in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, possession of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor crime and punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. Probation is an option-depending on whether this is your first or a subsequent offense. The sale or cultivation of marijuana is considered a felony crime, and time in prison and fines may vary depending on how much marijuana is involved and other circumstances related to the arrest.

However, on election day, Massachusetts voters will be asked to vote on a proposed law that would decriminalize marijuana possession of one ounce or less. For offenders older than 18, new penalties would include a $100 civil fine and the forfeiture of marijuana. For offenders younger than 18, a parent or legal guardian would be informed of the offense, and the offender would be given the opportunity to take part in a drug awareness program. If an underage offender did not complete the program, the find would be raised to $1,000.

Proposal would make marijuana possession a matter of $100 fine, SouthCoastToday.com, October 9, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Framingnham High School Students face marijuana charges, The Metrowest Daily, October 8, 2008
DA speaks out against marijuana decriminalization, The Daily News Tribune, October 8, 2008
2008 Information For Voters: Possession of Marijuana, Elections Division Continue reading

October 7, 2008

Outstanding Warrants Come Back To Haunt Massachusetts Resident

by Altman & Altman

William Shakespeare once told us that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. His point was “What’s in a name?” A gentleman from Chicopee, Massachusetts, apparently agrees with him. In Chicopee, he is known as Felix Maldonado. In Waterbury, Connecticut, however, he was known as Alfredo “Eddie” Gonzalez. But to us, as well as the criminal justice system, he is now known as the Defendant.

The Defendant, 43, is currently being held without bail in Connecticut, courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where his various identities were finally meshed. He was returned to Connecticut in August to face 18 outstanding arrest warrants dating back to 1995 and 1996.

He had been alluding authorities for years by moving around and using a variety of aliases and birth dates, police said. After all, what good is a new identity without a new birthdate to go along with it?

September 23, 2008

Sex For Money For Drugs Drama Has Its Final Act This Friday In Springfield, Massachusetts

by Altman & Altman

Last Wednesday, a Hampden Superior Court jury returned with a verdict in a case of alleged unarmed robbery of a person 60 years old or older.

The cast of this particular drama included two defendants. They were Aretha Hallums, 40, and Donald Alford, 55. Cast in the role of victim was the elder Edward Foster, formerly of Springfield. The scene of the facts at issue was outside the Bay Street Social Club at Bay and Catherine streets, apparently an unlicensed bar.

Particularly helpful for the jury, I would imagine, was that both defendants testified in their own behalf…each contradicting the other.

September 18, 2008

Haverhill, Massachusetts, Police Officers Get Lucky At Prostitution Bust And Turn To Drug War

by Altman & Altman

Last night, all major crimes of the area having apparently been prevented or solved, Haverhill police officers set their sights on their admittedly decreasing prostitution concern. It was said to be a lucky break in their war against drugs.

They ended up arresting a “major cocaine dealer” who had a drug sales ledger containing the names of “prominent” Haverhill residents. The ledger, according to the police, will kick off an investigation that could lead to a series of arrests.

Christos Eleftheriou, 45, of Haverhill, was arrested at 8:11 p.m. after he propositioned a woman police officer for sex during the prostitution sting, said police spokesman Sgt. John Arahovites. He was charged with sexual conduct for a fee and brought to the police station, where police found 16 grams of powdered cocaine in five bags on him with a street value of $16,200, along with $340 in cash, Sgt. Arahovites said.

September 17, 2008

Arrest Warrant Inspires Massachusetts Driver To Make As Many Mistakes As Possible During Traffic Stop

by Altman & Altman

Some people have not been taking this blog to heart and so apparently did not believe that it was not good to take a bad situation with law enforcement and make it worse. Now, 19-year-old Falmouth resident, Tevis Yarmala, faces multiple charges after he allegedly struck and tried to stab a Falmouth police officer in the face with a stick during a traffic stop last week.

Mr. Yarmala is alleged to have run a red light. First strike. Observing this, Patrolman Christopher Bartolomei , according to police reports, pulled the vehicle over. Mr. Yarmala is said to have greeted the officer by name. Second strike. When the patrolman “detected” the odor of burnt marijuana and asked about it, Mr. Yarmala admitted to smoking marijuana at a friend’s house. Third strike.

In this particular game…not out yet.

September 11, 2008

Drug Busts Make This A Bad Week For Marihuana and Heroin Trade South and West Of Boston

by Altman & Altman

It has been a bad week so far for Massachusetts drug conspiracies. First, members of a joint Anti-Crime Task force confiscated 500 pounds of marijuana and more than $180,000 in cash from a weekend drug bust in Swansea, Massachusetts. The marijuana alone has a street value of more than $600,000. Then, in Holyoke, an Easthampton man and four Holyoke men were arrested Tuesday on charges including possession of heroin and possession of a loaded firearm.

After a month long investigation and 24-hour surveillance, John C. Mendonca, 38, of Fall River, who had been living at an East Providence hotel, was pulled over Saturday by an East Providence police officer. A search of his vehicle found prescription drugs, several cell phones and a box containing a large amount of cash. Search warrants were taken out for four of Mendonca’s known haunts, including two locations in East Providence and two in Fall River. The searches revealed a 2001 Dodge Caravan with 500 pounds of marijuana, a money counting machine believed to be tied to Mendonca’s alleged drug operation, 10 cell phones and a potpourri of additional drugs.

Mendonca is currently on federal probation from a 2002 drug bust. Swansea Deputy Police Chief Robert Furtado said police believe there were two men involved in Mendonca’s drug operation, but no one else has been charged. Furtado said because Mendonca was on federal probation, federal marijuana trafficking charges are being sought. Furtado also said that this was the biggest drug bust he said he has seen in more than three decades on the force .

September 8, 2008

A Salem, Massachusetts, A Teenage Life Is Forever Altered By Drug Charges

by Altman & Altman

This week, we start our daily blog with an eye toward the north shore, where, according to the Salem News, last fall, Christopher Al-Nabulsi was a star at Salem High School. At 17, he was captain of the football and lacrosse teams, played basketball and was a peer mentor. And then he made a mistake which many assume would simply get him a “slap on the wrist”.

It Didn’t.

In December, a 15-year-old schoolmate paid Christopher $15 for a bag of marijuana. She then informed the school officials of the transaction. They confronted him and he confessed. They then searched his backpack and found three more packets of marijuana. He was arrested and expelled from school. He was also charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute in a school zone, each bringing a 2 year mandatory jail sentence (apart from the other charges which Christopher also faced).