Articles Posted in Palm Beach County

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A Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy was arrested for DUI just before Christmas 2020 by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. His 4 door silver 2014 BMW was stopped in Delray Beach after the vehicle was apparently involved in an accident that involved property damage.

The BSO Deputy was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail at 1:03 a.m. and released just two hours later, at 2:42 a.m., according to jail records. 

While the deputy’s case was the most high profile, several others were arrested around the same time just before the holidays when DUI arrests started to stack up. In fact, for 2020, PBSO and Delray Beach Police reported much higher rates than normal.

drinks-2578446_1920-300x200Two women were arrested for DUI on separate occasions around the same time as the deputy. Two other men were arrested on DUI charges in separate incidents as well. 

It is important to be clear that DUI arrests are only accusations and does not mean any of these people arrested are actually guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Innocence or guilt can only be determined in a court of law. 

At the start of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first came to the attention of the U.S., police reported DUI arrests were down. However, as the state of Florida opened up and the holiday season came into full swing, DUI arrests started creeping back up. More people gathering together and the work season slowing down for some, means more time to spend enjoying the company of others often makes people drink a little more than they usually do. While consuming more alcohol than normal is not necessarily a bad thing, it can be if you choose to get behind the wheel of a car. 

Getting arrested for a DUI anytime of the year can put you in a sour mood. Not to mention the costs associated with an arrest. A first-time DUI in Florida can set you back $1,000 in fines alone, this does not cover other court costs, probation fees or attorney fees. You could also have your driver’s license suspended anywhere from 6 months up to a year. You could be looking at around $3,500 for a misdemeanor first-time DUI. 

If this is not your first DUI arrest, the costs only go up. A second DUI offense can result in fines of $2,000 and a third or subsequent DUI arrests will be an automatic felony and fines of around $5,000. A judge could also order that an ignition interlock device (IID) or breathalyzer be installed in your car. These machines only allow your car to start if you blow a .0%. They will also require you to breathe into the machine at random times while the vehicle is in motion. These devices are not cheap to have; installation can cost around $150 and the monthly lease and calibration can cost you around $100. Depending on your situation, you may have to have an IID in your car for six months or years. 

Regardless of who you are, it is very important to remember that drinking and driving or operating a car under the influence of drugs of any kind, including prescriptions, is always a bad idea. If you have any alcohol in your system when driving and make any type of error, you can be arrested and charged with DUI even if your blood alcohol concentration is under the legal limit of 0.08%. Continue reading

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Rod Stewart, who turns 75 on Friday, and his 39-year-old son Sean Roderick Stewart, were each charged with simple battery by the Palm Beach County Police Department after an alleged fight with a security guard on New Year’s Eve.

Police say father and son got into an altercation on Tuesday night with a man who was working as a security guard employed by the Breakers Palm Beach resort for a private event in a children’s area.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the 33-year-old guard, saw a group of people approaching the check-in table but they were not authorized to be there.

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Boynton Beach police went undercover Monday, hit a host of “hot spots” and jailed nearly a dozen in Operation Buy Bye.

Confidential informants apparently facilitated many of the hookups. The shopping lists included heroin, fentanyl, ecstasy and crack cocaine. The buys went down in parking lots at Walmart, Chevron and Shell stations and Betty Thomas Park, according to arrest reports.

Narcotics investigators arrested 11 suspects throughout the day Monday. More arrests are expected, according to the Boynton Beach Police Department.

In all, 10 men and one woman were arrested. The youngest was 19; the oldest 47. Sales were largely in small amounts, $20 and $40, reports show.

Being arrested by an undercover officer in a drug bust might make you think there is no way of beating the charges against you. However, all evidence police obtain in these undercover operations must be obtained legally. Many drug busts involve illegal tactics, and if evidence is obtained illegally, it can be deemed inadmissible at trial. Due to the complexities of undercover drug stings, it is best to consult with a South Florida Drug Crimes Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton before making any statements to police.

The point of undercover drug operations is to make numerous arrests, even if that means violating suspects rights. We can make sure your rights weren’t violated during any stage of the investigation or arrest. If we find your rights were compromised in any way, we could get the charges against you dropped.

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Sarasota County deputies arrested 81 people on drug-related charges in an investigation called “Operation Spring Cleaning” on May 4.

Deputies said they confiscated more than 18 pounds of controlled substances and four firearms.

Out of the 81 people arrested, 77 were drug traffickers, according to reports. The investigation focused on drug manufacturing, delivering, and trafficking of “highly abused controlled substances,” such as Fentanyl.

Florida’s medical examiners reported 704 people died of Fentanyl-related overdoses in the first half of 2016 which led to the passing of enhanced penalties for drug dealers and traffickers as seen in Florida House Bill 477.

Operation Spring Cleaning focused on capturing sales and trafficking related to highly abused controlled substances.

A recent investigation into Fentanyl-related deaths shows an increase of 97 percent in Palm Beach County in 2016, and that West Palm Beach is an “epicenter” for opioid overdoses.

In the past few years, you may have read about more and more cases in Florida that involve fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is a Schedule II synthetic opioid drug that is about 75 times stronger than morphine. Even just trace amounts of fentanyl absorbed through the skin or inhaled can be lethal.

Florida statutes implement the following mandatory minimum penalties for trafficking in fentanyl:

  • 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams: mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 3 years and a fine of $50,000
  • 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams: mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of $100,000
  • 28 grams or more: mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years and a fine of $500,000

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A Jupiter man’s license to practice medicine was suspended in 2015 after he was allegedly found dispensing powerful pain medications to drug addicts, patients with mental-health issues and, in one case, a “morbidly obese” woman complaining she couldn’t bend over.

According to law-enforcement officials, the man offered to diagnose and treat an undercover Florida Department of Health investigator during an appointment on Aug. 21, 2015.

The 62-year-old was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on Friday and is facing a charge of practicing medicine without a license. He was released after posting a $3,000 bond.

At the time of the appointment, the man’s license had been suspended for six months after investigators allegedly found he had prescribed drugs such as oxycodone, Xanax and Dilaudid sometimes without performing adequate examinations and, in a few cases, failing to refer patients to addiction specialists, according to Florida Department of Health documents.

The investigation into the man dates back to 2010.

If you are facing charges of practicing medicine without a license, you must obtain legal representation as soon as possible to mitigate the serious potential consequences. It is essential to consult with a criminal defense lawyer immediately as these charges can negatively impact your life severely if not handled properly. Our South Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can advise you of your rights and apply the best possible defense strategy for your specific charges.

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A suspected drug dealer was arrested while allegedly carrying 70 baggies of possible heroin, four grams of marijuana, six grams of cocaine, $4,000 in cash — and had kids ages 1, 2 and 5 in his back seat, according to police.

The multi-agency bust happened Tuesday afternoon after investigators got a tip that a 23-year-old Delray Beach man would be at Jaycee Park with a large amount of drugs.

Officers watched as he pulled into the park, driving a 2012 Ford Edge with dark tinted windows.

When the man wouldn’t unlock the SUV, agents moved in and smashed the tinted window, according to a Boynton Beach police arrest report.

A woman and another man were also in the vehicle along with the children.

Inside the SUV, investigators found the drugs and money, according to the report.

Police claim the man was carrying more than $4,000 cash, according to the report.

The man faces multiple drug charges. He is also charged with child neglect. He is being held on bonds totaling $295,000.

Have you been accused of a heroin crime? In Florida, drug crimes are punished quite severely, especially those which involve a narcotic like heroin. Individuals who are convicted of offenses involving heroin can face very serious consequences, including heavy fines and years behind bars. Because of the serious nature of these charges, if you have been arrested for a heroin crime or are facing allegations, you need to seek legal help right away. Our South Florida Drug Crimes Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you understand your rights and what to expect from your particular situation. We will do our best to help reduce the existing charges or get them dismissed.

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A Boca Raton man facing charges that he pushed and punched a 15-year-old after accusing the boy of egging his home is a former NFL player who spent seven seasons with the New York Jets.

Scott Mersereau, 51, posted a $3,000 bond Saturday and was released from the Palm Beach County Jail.

Mersereau played seven seasons as a defensive tackle with the Jets from 1987-1993. He played in 102 career games and registered 19 sacks but may be best known for a collision during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 29, 1992, that left teammate Dennis Byrd paralyzed.

Mersereau is also a former assistant coach at Boca Raton High School.

On Saturday, Mersereau walked to the boy’s home on Southwest Sixth Avenue and accused him of egging his house, according to reports. The boy apparently told the man he was not at fault.

The argument apparently escalated and the teen started cursing at the man. Mersereau allegedly pushed the boy in his chest with both hands. Mersereau walked to the front door of the boy’s home and demanded to speak with his mother. When the boy told him to leave, Mersereau allegedly grabbed him by the shirt and pushed him again.

Mersereau, listed on the arrest report as 6 feet 3 inches and 230 pounds, then allegedly punched the boy in his face and back of the head with a closed fist.

The attack was witnessed by several people, including the boy’s mother.

The victim had a contusion on the left side of his head and was taken to West Boca Medical Center for treatment.

Mersereau is facing a charge of child cruelty.

Criminal charges involving a child are very serious. Your reputation and freedom are both on the line. These charges must be addressed and it is best to have a criminal defense lawyer in your corner to make sure your rights remain protected throughout the duration of your case.

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Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has been charged with hit-and-run for an alleged wrong-way driving crash on a Southern California freeway.

Orange County prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges against Rodman on Monday for a July 20 accident on Interstate 5 in Santa Ana.

Prosecutors believe Rodman’s SUV was traveling north in a southbound carpool lane around 12:30 a.m., forcing a sedan to swerve into a dividing wall to avoid a collision.

Rodman’s attorney argues that the incident occurred on a poorly signed exit ramp. He says Rodman corrected the driving error without the cars touching, then stopped and spoke to people in the other car.

Rodman has also been charged with driving across a dividing section without a valid license and giving police false information.

He could face two years in county jail if convicted.

Wrong way driving accidents can arise for many reasons, although the most common is impaired drivers. However, this is not always the case. With the rising number of wrong way driving-related incidents, the state of Florida is seeing that these crashes can be chalked up to many other factors, including, poorly lit/visible signs, missing signs, poorly lit areas, interchanges under construction, confusing interstate entrance/exit ramps, and more.

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Boynton Beach police arrested 15 people in their month-long undercover drug sting ‘Operation Dirty Dope’ aimed at catching suspected drug dealers across Boynton Beach.

With 247 overdoses since the start of the year, 19 of which turned fatal, Boynton Beach police launched this sting operation in an attempt to try to slow the pace of the drug trade. Police believe heroin was involved in more than two-thirds of the cases. Police also found heroin at 11 of the fatal overdoses, they said.

Of those arrested, 11 are accused of selling heroin and cocaine to undercover officers and confidential informants, according to police. The drug deals happened across Boynton Beach in Publix parking lots, a park, an apartment complex and other places, according to arrest reports.

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The Justice Department announced Wednesday it’s charging hundreds of individuals across the country with committing Medicare fraud worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

This is the largest takedown in history, in regards to the number of people charged and the loss amount, according to the Justice Department.

The majority of the cases being prosecuted involve separate fraudulent billings to Medicare, Medicaid or both for treatments that were never provided.

In one case, a Detroit clinic that was actually found to be a front for a narcotics diversion scheme billed Medicare for more than $36 million, the Justice Department said.

The actual numbers:

  • $900 million in false billing
  • $38 million sent from Medicare and Medicaid to one clinic to carry out medically unnecessary treatments
  • $36 million billed to Medicare by a Detroit clinic that was actually a front for a narcotics diversion scheme
  • 1,000 law enforcement personnel involved
  • 301 defendants charged across the United States
  • 61 of those charged are medical professionals
  • 36 federal judicial districts involved
  • 28 of those charged are doctors

A doctor in Texas has been charged with participating in schemes to bill Medicare for “medically unnecessary home health services that were often not provided.”

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