Citrus County

Published on: September 26, 2019

Citrus County Sheriff Nets 24 Arrests in 2-Month Undercover Drug Bust

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office claims it has been on the offense against drug trafficking for the past two months through a covert operation they call “Operation Coin Toss.”

“Coin Toss” resulted in four search warrants and 24 arrests. Fifteen of those people were previously convicted felons, according to reports.

The Sheriff said two of the homes searched, one on Fern Place in Homosassa and another on Arter Street in Crystal River, were in deplorable conditions and they’re working with code enforcement to get them torn down.

The Sheriff said it’s the largest operation of its kind since he took over in 2017, and they’re just getting started.

The Sheriff also added that one of the people arrested through this operation has already agreed to serve eight years behind bars, according to reports.

When facing drug charges in Citrus County, and elsewhere in Florida, you need a criminal defense lawyer you can rely on to handle your case with expert consideration. Our Citrus County Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton know the anxiety that comes with being charged with a drug crime and how hard this can all be on you and your family. Our experienced attorneys stand ready to tackle the drug charges against you, whatever they may be, and will work with you every step of the way to get the best possible outcome for your case.

Our experienced drug possession and drug trafficking lawyers at Whittel & Melton, handle most types of drug cases. As former prosecutors, we have unique insight into the case against you and an intimate understanding of how law enforcement investigates these cases. With that said, we also know what mistakes police commonly make, and we can apply that insight into helping with your case.

We also have an in depth knowledge of the problem prosecutors face with proving their case and what information is generally needed to move forward with a drug crimes case. We will conduct our own thorough investigation into your criminal matter to look for any potential flaws and weaknesses in the charges against you, such as:

Was any evidence obtained illegally?
Does the prosecution have sufficient evidence?
Can the prosecution prove all elements of the drug crime?

From the start, we will begin mounting a strong defense on your behalf. We will not wait to see what moves the prosecution will make. We will make sure your side of the story is heard and that your interests are protected.

If you are facing a drug possession charge, the penalties you may be facing will vary depending on the type of drug and the amount of the drug in your possession. Possessing larger quantities of a drug can lead to charges of possession with intent to distribute. It is important to also note that drugs that have a high potential for abuse have harsher penalties should you be convicted.

The best thing to do is face drug crimes charges head on. We will make sure you know what you are up against and the severe consequences if you are convicted, which can include:

Felony conviction on your criminal record
Being excluded from certain types of employment in the future
Being fired from your current job
Hefty fines
Jail time

If you are facing drug crimes charges involving drug trafficking, manufacturing, distribution, and cultivation, then you are in for a fight as prosecutors tend to pursue these cases quite aggressively. Law enforcement will be looking to shut down the illegal drug operation and make sure that anyone involved is punished.

While these charges intend to target drug crimes associated with an organized operation, sometimes people get charged with distribution simply because of the amount of drugs they had on them at the time of their arrest. Our Citrus County Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton handle a wide array of serious drug charges, including:

Transportation and trafficking
Possession and possession for sale
Manufacturing, cultivation, and importation
Marijuana grow houses
Juvenile drug crimes

We know how criminal drug charges are brought and prosecuted. We will challenge all of the evidence against you and look at the following key factors to see if they can help with your defense:

Illegal search and seizure: If the police searched your car, home or person when they found the alleged drugs in question, we can determine whether or not your constitutional rights were violated.
Improper police conduct and procedures: We can challenge improper police conduct, such as the use of informants, undercover officers, and illegal procedures involved in your arrest.

Published on: January 17, 2019

75-Year-Old Man Arrested on Multiple Drug Charges in Citrus County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 75-year-old Citrus County man has been arrested and charged with selling significant amounts of marijuana.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant served at a Floral City residence Tuesday morning resulted in this arrest.

During the execution of the search warrant, detectives allegedly located 464 grams of cannabis, 20-gauge shotgun ammunition, and over $25,500 in cash inside of the man’s bedroom. Detectives apparently searched a large wooden barn located on the property and discovered 711 grams of cannabis and various pieces of distribution equipment – to include a vacuum seal machine, a large digital scale, and various sized plastic baggies used to package drugs.

Detectives claim they learned that the cash located in the man’s room was obtained from the illicit sale of cannabis, so they seized the currency for forfeiture.

Due to the large sum of cash and various evidence collected, detectives estimated that the man was selling pounds of illegal marijuana on a daily basis.

He was arrested and charged with Possession of Cannabis with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

The state of Florida has some of the toughest penalties on drug use and possession, including marijuana. Even though marijuana penalties are certainly less severe than many other types of drugs, you can still face hefty fines and serious jail time for the possession, use and sale of marijuana.

Possessing 20g to 25 lbs of marijuana carries a felony charge with penalties of a maximum fine of $5000 and 5 years in jail. Possessing between 25-2000 lbs is also a felony, with penalties of a maximum fine of $25,000 and 3-15 years in jail. If you are charged with selling and distributing marijuana, your penalty will also depend on the amounts being sold.

Published on: November 28, 2016

Citrus County Man Found Guilty Of Sexual Battery On A Child

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Citrus County man was found guilty for sexual battery on a person 12 – 18 years old and lewd/lascivious molestation of a child.

Authorities claim the 46-year-old man sexually battered the child while in a position of familial or custodial authority.

He was found guilty during a retrial after the first trial ended in a hung jury.

The man could face the following at sentencing:

3 counts sexual battery punishable by 30 years each count.
2 counts of Lewd/Lascivious punishable up to 20 years each count.

Once a person is found guilty by a jury at trial, one of the most important stages of their criminal case is sentencing. At a sentencing hearing, the judge will issue a written judgment of your guilt as well as a court order for the penalties imposed. These penalties can vary, but your criminal defense lawyer should be able to prepare you for what to expect.

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: July 27, 2016

Mayor of Tavares Suspended By Florida Governor

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The mayor of the City of Tavares was suspended from his office by the governor of Florida on Thursday afternoon.

Mayor Robert William Wolfe was charged a day earlier with insurance fraud, a third-degree felony. He bonded out of jail Wednesday evening.

According to Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s executive order, Wolfe “is prohibited from performing any official act, duty or function of public office.”

The city’s vice mayor, Lori Pfister, has been moved to the position of mayor.

The State Attorney’s Office claims that in February, Wolfe filed a $9,000 claim with his insurance company, saying his home was damaged and he needed to rent a home. However, an investigation by the Department of Financial Services found that he never left his property.

It has been estimated that insurance fraud costs the industry more than $80 billion each year. The tricky thing about insurance fraud is that it can be difficult to prove someone guilty because of the way these types of crimes are usually committed. If you have been accused of insurance fraud, you may be an innocent party who had little to nothing to do with a crime. Our Lake County White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will investigate your case until we get to the bottom of any alleged criminal activity, so that we can protect your interests and fight for your rights.

Published on: July 22, 2016

Citrus County Deputy Charged with Prostitution, Solicitation

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Citrus County sheriff’s deputy was arrested and charged with solicitation and engaging in prostitution, authorities said Wednesday.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said the 31-year-old man was taken into custody.

Authorities said the arrest was in connection with an incident that occurred in Hernando County on July 4.

The man has been fired from his job in Citrus County, according to reports. An internal affairs investigation is being conducted.

He had been with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office since July 2015.

Prostitution is the exchange of sexual favors for a fee and is illegal in the state of Florida. Prostitution charges can result from a plethora of scenarios and carry significant consequences. The state of Florida takes an aggressive stance on prostitution and any related charges, like solicitation, are treated as serious sexual crimes.

Solicitation or prostitution is a severe criminal charge that should not be taken lightly. With that said, these charges often elicit fear, which is why you should never face these charges alone. A prostitution/solicitation offense can be detrimental to your personal life, career, reputation, and freedom.

A Citrus County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you with your sex crimes charge. We will fight to get the charges against you reduced so that you avoid harsh consequences that could devastate your life and career.

Published on: February 15, 2016

Citrus County Teacher Suspended for Allegedly Giving Students Pot, Booze and Sex Tips

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Citrus County teacher has been suspended without pay while an investigation is conducted regarding accusations that she gave students pot, alcohol and sex tips at a Christmas party hosted at her home last December.

The woman could face termination.

A complaint was filed Dec. 15 with the district against the Citrus High School teacher.

The complaints alleges that the woman hosted a party Dec. 12 at her home for several students.

According to the district, the woman may have known several high school students were drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana at her home. She is accused of hosting several parties over the summer and fall where similar incidents were reported and she allegedly discussed her sexual relationship with her spouse to students, discussing how to perform oral sex acts with students and reportedly making sexually derogatory statements to a male student over the phone.

School district officials claim they interviewed 15 students who all said they attended an “ugly sweater” party at the woman’s house. They reportedly said six students had to stay overnight at the teacher’s home because they were too intoxicated.

The district report says that it is not clear if the woman provided the alcohol or marijuana to the students.

According to the district report, a Snapchat video of the woman was taken showing her wearing a student’s jacket and slurring her words.

Citrus County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Heather Yates says they have forwarded the case on to the State Attorney’s Office. No charges have been filed at this point.

It can be devastating to a teacher when they are removed from their classroom following accusations of misconduct. Many teachers hear rumors of misconduct floating around at their school and fear their reputations will be ruined no matter what the outcome. These humiliating accusations can lead to a criminal investigation or even an arrest, often without any evidence to corroborate the accuser’s story.

Published on: December 30, 2015

Don’t Get Arrested for Using Fireworks in Florida On NYE

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The new year is quickly approaching, and thousands of Floridians have made plans or are starting to think about how to say goodbye to 2015 and ring in 2016.

But before you solidify your New Year’s Eve plans, fire officials have some tips for residents and visitors when it comes to fireworks.

“Anything that is projectile or leaves the ground is illegal in the State of Florida. Basically your safest bet is with a sparkler,” said Natalie McQueen, a Firefighter and Paramedic for the Panama City Beach Fire Department.

Even though sparklers are allowed in the Sunshine State, residents and visitors still need to exercise caution when using them.

Younger children should never light or handle sparklers. Parents should maintain a close watch on kids at all times if sparklers are going to be used. Burns are very common to the hands and face since sparklers do have flickers that come off once they are lit.

If you are using sparklers, after you are done with them, fire officials say to place them in a big bucket full of water, and let them sit overnight.

While setting off your own fireworks might seem fun, our Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton want to remind everyone that the best way to stay safe while ringing in the New Year is leaving the fireworks to the pros. If you are caught with fireworks in the State of Florida it could lead to misdemeanor charges.

Under Florida law, the use of or possession of illegal fireworks is a first-degree misdemeanor. If you are accused of breaking this law, please be aware that you will be arrested. If you are convicted of this crime, you can be sentenced to up to one year in jail, given up to one year on probation, and/or fined up to one thousand dollars.

Published on: November 25, 2015

Avoid a DUI & Criminal Penalties Thanksgiving Weekend

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Thanksgiving is a time of year when families get together to celebrate memories and honor traditions. However, this is also the time of year when law enforcement agencies gear up to catch drunk drivers on our roadways.

Most law enforcement agencies, receive federal grants to increase their staffing levels during the holiday season, which typically begins with the four-day Thanksgiving weekend and continues to New Year’s Day. Arrests for DUI are highest during this time period.

The following are a few tips that may prove helpful to avoid a Thanksgiving DUI:

Do not drink and drive. If you have been drinking, call a cab, a friend or use a ride share app like Uber or Lyft to get home safe. If you know you will be drinking, designate a sober driver to take you home.
If you are pulled over, do not talk to law enforcement about where you were or what you were doing. Remember, you have the right to remain silent until you have your lawyer present.
If you are involved in an accident, stop immediately and remain at the scene. Do not admit to anything and request to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Do not fall asleep inside your vehicle. You could get arrested if the officer observes that you have the keys in the ignition or if the engine is running.
Drive cautiously. Police will be closely monitoring motorists for any mistakes they make. In particular, they will be on the lookout for motorists who may be driving too fast or too slow, or running red lights or failing to stop at stop signs.

Published on: December 30, 2014

Tips for Avoiding a DUI this New Year’s Eve

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

You want to avoid getting arrested for DUI in Florida on New Year’s Eve and “becoming a statistic.” New Year’s Eve is a holiday that it is both cause for celebrating and relaxing. After the stress of getting ready for Christmas, people usually take this time to enjoy the end of the holiday season and contemplate their goals for the new year. However, because this is the last holiday of the year, there tends to be an increased number of people who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Listed below are several tips to help drivers avoid a DUI this New Year’s Eve.

Limit Drinks

If you are at a party that has an open bar, and you know you are driving, know exactly how many drinks you are having so that you can watch your personal limit. Remember that once you start drinking it can be difficult to stop yourself from having too many. Be mindful of the exact amount you have had to drink.

Call a Cab or Uber or Lyft

Public transportation can save many people from DUI-related accidents and arrests. Save the number of a local cab company in your phone, use a ride share app on your phone or attend parties or social gatherings close to a bus route.

Don’t Go Solo

Don’t go to a party or social gathering by yourself. Bring along at least one other friend and make sure to determine who the designated driver is for the entire group before any alcohol is consumed.

Eat!

While many people have New Year’s resolutions about weight loss, New Year’s Eve is one of those nights where you should eat. Food fills the stomach, making less room for alcohol. Try to snack on foods like meats or dark chocolate, which are known to keep you fuller longer.

Offer Alternative Drinks

If you are hosting a party, include “mocktails,” sodas, punch, or even just water on your drink menu.

Make Accommodations for Guests

If you know your guests have a far trip ahead of them, arrange for them to stay with you or at a nearby hotel. That way, no one drives home drunk.

Leave the Party Early

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year. You can expect delays for taxis and other modes of public transportation, so be prepared. Leaving your party or social gathering early can also ensure that you get home safely and at a reasonable hour.