Undercover Police Sting

Published on: September 9, 2014

Clermont Drug Bust Results in Charges Against 74 Suspected Dealers

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A ring of 74 suspected drug dealers allegedly infiltrating Lake County with cocaine, heroin and prescription pills have been charged with various drug-related charges.

These arrests come after a four-month undercover investigation where the Lake County Sheriff’s Office claims the members of the drug ring were caught red handed. The charges resulted from the undercover operation dubbed “Close to Home,” which was started due to numerous citizen complaints. Investigators claim they seized two pounds of heroin, seven ounces of cocaine and about 300 prescription pills, totaling nearly $140,000 in street value.

The Sheriff’s Office announced that those involved in this alleged drug ring never strayed too far from home. They allegedly made transactions where families are shopping with their children.

So far, arrest warrants have been served on 67 suspects. The investigation was conducted by the Lake County Sheriff’s office along with Clermont, Mount Dora and Leesburg police departments, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando division of the U.S. Marshal’s Office. The state Department of Children and Families is also involved. Children found in the homes that were searched have been placed with other family members.

Investigators also seized 23 vehicles, including two BMWs and two Suzuki motorcycles, along with 20 guns and about $33,000 in cash. According to officials, the vehicles will be sold or used by the participating agencies.

A majority of the suspects, ranging in age from 18 to 60, are from south Lake, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Police believe the suspected ring leader is a 27-year-old man from Clermont who has a history of drug and criminal charges.

In most large-scale drug trafficking investigations, it is quite common for police to conduct multiple undercover drug transactions with the same suspect, or in this case suspects, before making an arrest. This is just one tactic that allows police to gain new evidence as well as new suspects as they continue to perform undercover transactions. This also gives law enforcement and the State’s Attorney’s Office a powerful edge in negotiating strategies as they can prosecute suspects for numerous different criminal counts.

Those who are facing any type of drug charges must take these matters very seriously. A conviction will likely result in jail time, not to mention a criminal record, which could limit one’s chances of obtaining employment or qualifying for a loan.

Published on: September 8, 2014

Hernando Man Accused of Luring Teen Girl to Hotel for Sex

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Deputies allege that a San Antonio man arranged to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl at a Brooksville hotel for sex.

The 61-year-old man was arrested Wednesday on charges of attempted lewd and lascivious behavior, traveling to meet/seduce a minor and using a computer to solicit a minor.

The man had been engaged in long-term computer chats with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. At some point during the course of the conversations, deputies claim the man asked to meet the girl.

The two allegedly arranged to meet at the Holiday Inn Express on Cortez Boulevard, deputies said. The man apparently unknowingly told undercover officials that he would meet the girl at 2 p.m. and described the vehicle he would be driving.

The man was arrested after arriving at the hotel. He is being held in the Hernando County Detention Center on $17,000 bond.

In the state of Florida, it is illegal to use the Internet to make plans to travel to a designated location to engage in sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18. Police are known for conducting Internet sting operations where they set up fake chat rooms or send out fabricated messages of a solicitous nature, usually where they act like a minor in order to lure unsuspecting individuals into making arrangements to meet somewhere for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Published on: August 13, 2014

ACLU Leader Asks for Federal Review of Polk County Sex Stings

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The local chair of American Civil Liberties Union is calling for a federal review of Central Florida’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

Ret. Army Col. Mike Pheneger, the chair of the Greater Tampa Chapter of the ACLU, said there are many problems with these “To Catch a Predator”-style undercover stings, which are extremely popular in West/Central Florida.

Pheneger, who has also held ACLU leadership positions at the state and national level, said this: “The Justice Department (should) be asked to look into this, since this is federal money that’s involved here. Find out if they are following the rules, because it would appear they are not.”

The Central Florida ICAC task force, under the authority of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, started reaching out to men who were simply posting perfectly legal ads on legitimate dating websites. A handful of judges have even criticized officers’ overreach, their “failing to follow procedures” during undercover operations, as well as methods used to nettle “a law-abiding citizen to commit a crime.”

According to a 10 Investigates analysis, out of more than 1,200 Florida arrests since 2008, many of the subjects of the stings often had no previous criminal record and were able to avoid jail time. In fact, many prosecutors have shown leniency, based on the facts of the case and the likelihood the accused might actually commit a crime on a real child.

“It’s important to put actual sex offenders in jail,” Pheneger added. “Law enforcement should be going after those people, not trying to entice people who have shown no disposition to any kind of criminal behavior toward children.”

Many local agencies, such as the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, do not take part in these sting operations. Rather, they focus their efforts on more immediate dangers in the cyber crime realm, such as child porn and sex trafficking.

ICAC guidelines, which were obtained by 10 Investigates through court records, demonstrate that these online undercover stings, which usually don’t involve real children or victims, are not even specified in the list of priorities agencies are supposed to use to target suspected predators. Here are the regulations:

A child is at immediate risk of victimization.
A child is vulnerable to victimization by a known offender.
A known suspect is aggressively soliciting a child(ren).
Manufacturers, distributors or possessors of images that appear to be home photography with domiciled children.
Aggressive, high-volume child pornography manufacturers or distributors who either are commercial distributors, repeat offenders, or specialize in sadistic images.
Manufacturers, distributors, or solicitors involved in high-volume trafficking or belong to an organized child pornography ring that operates as a criminal conspiracy.
Distributors, solicitors and possessors of images of child pornography.
Any other form of child victimization.

ICAC guidelines also mandate that law enforcement must uncover whether there is reasonable cause to investigate every possible suspect. However, according to 10 News, Judd said he would not turn over public records on the sting because every single person his task force came in contact with, even those who showed zero interest in the underage decoys, was still “under investigation.”

Pheneger said it would be a clear violation of civil liberties if Judd was investigating men who exhibited no signs of breaking the law as there is no “reasonable cause” for them to be investigated.

There has been much disappointment expressed over the fact that Judd told 10 Investigates just last week that he had no remorse about holding a press conference to call men “sexual predators” who had been cleared of wrongdoing.

Judd, as well as other local law enforcement agencies, stand to lose millions of dollars in federal grants if there are ICAC violations.

It will be interesting to see if there are any ICAC violations stemming from these online sex stings and if so, what the consequences will be.

Unfortunately, being the target of an undercover sex crimes investigation can be humiliating and problematic for your work, social and personal life. The mere accusation of being a sexual predator can create a very negative situation for you and those close to you.

Charges resulting from Internet sex stings can start in state court and possibly move to federal court. A Polk County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton is equipped to handle both state and federal charges, which is very important because if you are facing federal charges, the consequences are much harsher, including mandatory-minimum prison terms.

Published on: August 6, 2014

Law Enforcement Agencies Unite to Catch Suspected Sex Predators in Polk, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Several law enforcement agencies from the federal, state and county level have joined forces with the hopes of catching alleged sexual predators.

While the operation spans across nine counties, including Polk, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, the message is the same: “We’re going to get you.”

The message was made loud and clear Tuesday when the agencies released details from a recent online sex sting- “Operation Cyber Vigilance”- during which they are tracking down men believed to be looking to arrange sexual encounters with children.

Due to the fact that the Florida Sheriff’s Association has made catching child predators its number one priority, the agencies are utilizing each other’s manpower to make the biggest impact, and the most arrests.

So far, officials have arrested more than 130 people.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri made a note to let everyone know they are going after the worst of the worst, and described one of the most recent arrests.

“So she’s out there working- trying to provide for the family. He’s at home with a 13 and 14-year-old sleeping, and what’s he do? He gets online, and starts chatting with one of our undercover detectives,” he explained. “And he leaves his 13 and 14-year-old daughters at home sleeping in bed, and comes up to Pinellas County to have sex with a 12-year-old.”

This most recent operation is designed for agencies to help one another. with that said, if the Polk County Sheriff’s Office launches an undercover sting, it might get help from Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee Counties, and visa versa.

In addition to the nine counties conducting the operation, eight others are contributing to the efforts.

The criminal justice system is often merciless when it comes to child sex crimes cases – they make it known that they are out for blood. Unfortunately, this usually means the innocent get swept up along with the guilty.

Detectives are so eager to catch alleged sexual offenders in undercover Internet stings that they tend to go overboard, often entrapping unsuspecting adults. Police will enter online chat rooms and masquerade as young boys or girls, or even parents or guardians of young children, looking for a partner to introduce them to the world of sex. They will drum up online conversations with adults and in many cases, manipulate them into soliciting illegal sexual activity.

And we all know what happens next – that person will be arrested and charged with a sex crime. In a matter of minutes, a person’s life can be flipped upside down. The legal consequences of a conviction can result in years in prison and mandatory registration as a sexual offender. The social and professional consequences of a sex crimes conviction can be just as bad for those convicted of child sexual abuse or child pornography.

Published on: August 1, 2014

New York Prison Guard in Pinellas County Jail for Allegedly Attempting to Have Sex with 11-Year-Old Girl

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A New York high-security prison guard is accused of purchasing a purple Rapunzel costume from a Disney store and sending it to Florida in February as part of a plan to have sex with an 11-year-old girl, according to a federal complaint.

The 34-year-old man allegedly answered an online ad last summer from a self-described single mom who was on the hunt for a man who could teach her daughter how to please him.

However, the ad was fictional, and just bait to trap suspected predators.

The “mom” was a Tampa-based agent for Homeland Security Investigations and the “girl” was not real.

The man was booked Tuesday into the Pinellas County Jail on federal charges of attempted child enticement, attempted production of child pornography and attempted receipt of the porn.

The Buffalo resident was initially arrested in New York on July 2.

Court records allege the man sent the “mom” a camera and asked her to take nude photos of the girl.

The adults apparently swapped hundreds of explicit texts and emails. In January, the man’s communication became more overt, according to reports. During this same time, the agent apparently told the man the “girl” was 11, not 12 as was the age first mentioned.

According to a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the man is on leave without pay. He was hired as a corrections officer in 2006.

It is a crime for anyone to use the Internet to try to entice someone into having illegal sex. In fact, in order to be prosecuted for this crime, the act does not even have to actually be carried out. Additionally, as this case shows, there does not even have to be an actual victim for charges to be filed. Rather, your intent and efforts to achieve any unlawful contact will lead to an arrest.

Being accused of an Internet sex crime is quite serious. As soon as you are accused of a sex crime, your reputation is on the line. In most cases, your job, family and friends are jeopardized as well. A conviction could mean lengthy time behind bars, substantial fines and the permanent label as a registered sex offender. After you have been charged with a federal sex crime, you need to enlist the help of a Federal Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible. These types of crimes are far too serious to even contemplate handling any phase of the case without having an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner.

Published on: July 21, 2014

10 Arrested in Undercover Sting Targeting Unlicensed Contractors in Hernando County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A total of 10 people were arrested in an undercover operation cracking down on unlicensed contractors resulting in civil citations totaling $9,675.

The sheriff’s office, working with the Hernando County Building Department, conducted a two-day sting from July 1-2 in order to combat what has been called a growing problem.

The arrests made were in several trades, including: tree removal, tile installation, electrical, roofing, plumbing, general and residential contracting.

All those arrested allegedly advertised their businesses publicly and did not hold the appropriate licenses for the work they agreed to perform, which is a first-degree misdemeanor.

Two arrests were made for people driving on suspended driver’s licenses.

All of those arrested apparently had a combined total of ten misdemeanors and four felony previous arrests in Hernando County, including grand theft and organized fraud.

For the most part, the crime of unlicensed contracting is recognized as a first-degree misdemeanor offense. This crime is punishable by up to one year in the Hernando County Jail and up to a $1,000.00 fine. However, it is important to point out that some offenders can be charged with a third-degree felony with penalties that carry up to five years in state prison and a $5,000.00 fine. These felony offenses include:

A second arrest for contracting without a license offense
Violating the unlicensed contracting laws that happen during a state of emergency
Any violations that involve pollutant storage systems contracting

Aside from potential fines and jail sentences, a person convicted of contracting without a license is often subject to court-ordered restitution. This is usually set in place to reimburse the alleged victims for substandard work or substandard materials that caused a loss. In many cases, restitution amounts can be tens of thousands of dollars. Failing to pay these fees or failing to pay them in timely manner can lead to the defendant being held in contempt of court.

Published on: July 15, 2014

Pinellas Park Firefighter Arrested for Selling Prescription Pills

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Pinellas Park firefighter has been arrested for selling and possessing prescription drugs, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives began to investigate after allegedly receiving a tip that the 38-year-old Largo man was selling prescription drugs. Police arranged a purchase from the man Friday evening. The man was arrested Saturday in the parking lot of Northside Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Detectives allege the man sold and was in possession of eight different types of prescription pills, including morphine, Xanax, hydromorphone and oxycontin.

The firefighter was arrested on eight counts of sale of a controlled substance and eight counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail, where he is bail has been set at $200,000.

According to detectives, the man is a firefighter and a SWAT medic for the Pinellas Park Fire Department. He also works part time as an emergency room nurse at Northside Hospital.

This investigation is ongoing, and detectives are looking into how the man obtained the alleged drugs.

Any time someone is caught illegally selling any type of narcotic to another person, they run the risk of getting arrested and charged with the unlawful sale of a controlled substance. The state of Florida regards the sale or possession of a controlled substance as a very serious criminal offense. Similar to a distribution charge, this type of drug crime can result in years behind bars, tremendous fines and probation if convicted.

Police often try and catch those suspected of dealing drugs through undercover police stings. They may perform several undercover operations in order to build a sufficient amount of evidence against the suspect. In these operations, police may approach the suspected drug dealer and ask to purchase drugs. No matter what their strategy is, there are lines that police cannot cross. When police deviate from the strict guidelines that govern undercover sting operations, they could be accused of entrapment, which means any evidence obtained could be deemed inadmissible in court.

Published on: July 8, 2014

Manatee County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Bradenton Police Officer Arrested in Prostitution Sting

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Bradenton police officer was recently arrested for soliciting a prostitute.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has been working undercover for the past few months to catch prostitutes. Deputies targeted both prostitutes and “johns” on websites. Once a price was successfully negotiated, the suspects were arrested.

Police claim that on June 4, the Bradenton cop answered an ad. He allegedly agreed to meet a female undercover deputy at a hotel off of Cortez Road on his day off.

The officer was arrested after police claim he agreed to pay $100 for sex.

According to reports, the officer resigned shortly after the arrest.

The suspect was a patrolman who had been with the department since 2006. However, the media was not made aware of the man’s arrest until nearly a month after it happened.

A Manatee County Sheriff’s spokesman says the media was not alerted right away “Because we had an ongoing sting going on. We don’t normally say that we’re making an arrest when we’re doing an ongoing sting. You wait until the sting is over.”

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has now wrapped up this sting.

Once the man’s criminal case is complete, the Bradenton Police Department plans to launch an internal investigation.

If you are facing a charge of prostitution, then you are dealing with a very tough situation. It is important to retain legal representation during this time as you need someone who can review your case and create a defense strategy that will deliver the best possible outcome for you. That outcome could very well be reduced or dismissed charges.

Prostitution is considered a severe offense because it is labeled as a sex crime. If arrested for prostitution, do not say anything to police or prosecutors because anything you say could be used against you in court. You do not want to incriminate yourself by saying anything that could be twisted or misinterpreted by law enforcement.

Published on: June 16, 2014

Volusia County Criminal Defense Attorney :: Two Men Arrested for Drug Crimes in Deltona Crime-Suppression Operation

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Two men were arrested around 3:35 p.m. on Friday after a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputy positioned along State Road 415, in Osteen, noticed a car go by and observed the passenger not wearing his seat belt.

The deputy stopped the vehicle and remarked that both men seemed nervous. When asked why he was not wearing a seat belt, the passenger, a 42-year-old Deltona man said he was simply too large to wear the belt.

The deputy called a Sheriff’s Office drug-detecting K-9 to be brought to the scene. The dog quickly alerted deputies to the presence of drugs. Officer’s uncovered cocaine, 23 grams of marijuana hidden under the passenger’s stomach fat, a .380-caliber semi-automatic handgun and more than $7,000 in cash stuffed into a tube sock.

According to deputies, the vehicle’s trunk and interior were sprinkled with carpet freshener and scented dryer sheets, which is a common trick used to hide the odor of drugs when they’re being transported.

The driver, a 38-year-old Sanford man was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine. The passenger was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and also was cited for not wearing his seat belt, according to a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office release.

The arrests were part of a crime-suppression operation run by the Sheriff’s Office targeting crime and traffic enforcement in the Deltona area.

The operation began around 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, and lasted for about 10 hours.

Named Operation Summer Shield, the operation was intended to combat property crimes, illegal drugs and dangerous driving offenses, such as speeding, DUI, running traffic lights and stop signs and reckless driving. The key objective of the operation is to decrease, deter and dislodge crime through aggressive enforcement.

Friday’s operation netted 23 arrests and resulted in the issuance of 83 traffic citations and 14 criminal citations. Deputies also conducted 148 traffic stops.

Of the 23 arrests, five were for felony offenses, 16 were for misdemeanor charges and two were the result of open warrants. Some of the other charges included illegal possession of prescription drugs, driving with a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with child custody.

According to deputies, similar operations will be run throughout the summer months.

A drug possession conviction carries serious consequences for one’s life, future and career opportunities. Some of the potential penalties for drug possession include imprisonment, substantial fines and the loss of one’s driver’s license for two years.

Whatever drug you are accused of possessing, a drug crime conviction could be life altering. A Volusia County Drug Crime Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help fight all types of drug possession charges. We will not only work tirelessly to keep you out of jail, but will strive to achieve a case dismissal, a suspended sentence or even a successful appeal for those convicted of drug possession.

Published on: May 6, 2014

Polk County Criminal Defense Lawyer :: 101 Arrested in Three Day Drug Sweep

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and undercover detectives conducted a three day county-wide proactive initiative that focused on repeat offenders, drug offenders, offenders on probation and followed up on crime tips and crime trends.

After the three day operation, 101 suspects were arrested and 15 search warrants were served.

Of those detained, 92 are repeat offenders, with a total of 955 prior arrests and more than 1,500 criminal charges.

Deputies and detectives claim they were able to seize $13,378, six firearms, one vehicle, more than two pounds of marijuana and more than three ounces of methamphetamine and 45.1 grams of hydrocodone.

The 101 suspects arrested were charged with 325 offenses, including 180 felonies, 145 misdemeanors, 32 outstanding warrants for 32 felonies and 17 misdemeanors, 5 warrants from other jurisdictions and one fugitive from justice.

Nine of those arrested were currently on probation, and received a violation of probation charge in addition to other charges. According to police, more than 12 of those arrested had active warrants for violating probation.

Reports indicate that 40 of the suspects were receiving public assistance at the time of their arrest, and 32 out of the 101 have served time in prison before.

The investigation focused on Auburndale, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Eloise, Frostproof and Lakeland areas of Polk County.

The sweep was part of the agency’s “Proactive Community Attack on Problems”, also known as the “PROCAP” program, that involves collecting daily crime data, studying trends in the data and delivering that information to supervisors and deputies.

When conducting a drug sweep, police usually raid homes and businesses where they believe drug activity is taking place. Numerous people can be arrested in these operations and charged with drug possession or distribution, as well as additional crimes like weapons charges and probation violations. While police may believe that those they are arrest are dealing drugs, many people caught up in these sweeps are innocent bystanders that have no direct connection to the drug trade.