Lawrence Wolf - Part 31

Desert to Pacific Freeway Chase: Woman Sentenced for Multiple Crimes

The dailynews.com website reported in an account on March 14, 2009 that Alisha Nichole Mankin, 25 is sentenced to half a year in jail for leading the police on a 90 mile chase that started in Santa Monica and ended in Oxnard. Mankin, who is from the Antelope Valley, took control of a U-Haul truck her boyfriend had rented.

Mankin pled guilty to evading the police, which is a felony crime in California. She also pled guilty to a misdemeanor hit and run. Judge John Dobroth, Ventura County Superior Court, sentenced Mankin, suspended her license for one year, and placed her on probation for 3 years.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Mankin’s chase was televised by several Los Angele networks while she drove the U-Haul on sidewalks, opposing lanes, and even open grassy areas. The chase began when police received a call about suspicious activities. Upon arriving police detained a male suspect on possession of drugs in Los Angeles.

In the middle of the commotion, Mankin ran off only to return to the U-Haul and initialized the chase. Police later found out that Mankin had warrants out for DUI and being under the influence.

The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have been helping individuals charged with crimes for over 30 years. Mr. Wolf has both prosecuted and defended thousands of adults and juveniles charged with every type of felony and misdemeanor crime. Lawrence Wolf has been a pioneer in developing all forms of alternative sentencing such as house arrest and diversionary programs. He has established relationships with Judges and District Attorneys throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties. If you are being charged with any criminal crime, the top criminal defense attorneys in California at Lawrence Wolf can help you. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Coolio Caught With Cocaine At LAX

The latimes.com website reported in an account on March 11, 2009 that rapper and actor Coolio had been arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport for possession of rock cocaine and battery of an airport employee. Coolio’s real name is Artis Leon Ivey, 45, and he was having his baggage searched at LAX when authorities allegedly found cocaine. When the screener was getting close to his hidden cocaine, Coolio panicked and grabbed the screeners arm in an attempt to prevent the search.

Police arrested Coolio for his drug crime in California and transported him to the Los Angeles Police Department’s jail in Van Nuys, but later released him after he made bail. Police will be charging him with one felony count of possession of cocaine, one misdemeanor count of possession of a smoking device, and one misdemeanor count of battery. Coolio’s arraignment is set for April 3 and he faces three years in prison if convicted.

Penalties for schedule 1 narcotic offenses in Los Angeles are severe. Depending on the amount of narcotic seized, a first offense conviction could mean a prison term of up to 20 years plus fines; and, if you have been convicted of 2 previous offenses, you could be facing life in prison. Examples of schedule 1 narcotics are Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Ecstasy, PCP, and LSD.

Controlled substance crimes are very serious charges and carry life changing consequences. If you or someone you know has been arrested, or is being investigated for a drug crime, you need advice from an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer. Protect your rights and your freedom. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Beverly Hills Judge Issues Warrant For Lindsay Lohan

The cbsnews website reported in an article on March 14, 2009 that a judge in Beverly Hills has issued an arrest warrant for Lindsay Lohan, 22. It is unclear though why the warrant was issued. It is possible that it is connected to an incident in 2007 when Lohan was driving under the influence and crashed her Mercedes-Benz into a tree. Mike Foxen, Sgt. said that the warrant carries a bail of $50,000.

Foxen said, ‘We believe it has to do with her arrest for DUI.” He added that there were no other details disclosed to him.

Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, said that Lohan has fulfilled all terms of her probation and all court instructions.

Holley said, “The warrant issued on Friday was, in our view, born out of a misunderstanding which I am confident I can clear up next week.”

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated that they were not formally advised that a warrant would be issued.

Lohan is the star of the movie “Mean Girls” released in 2004. Following her drunk driving crime in 2007 for crashing her car, she was arrested again in July for chasing her former personal assistant in an SUV in Santa Monica. Tied with these two cases, Lohan later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of cocaine.

Huntington Beach Fraud, Forgery, and Elder Abuse of 84 Year Old Woman

The latimes.com website reported in a story on March 11, 2009 that the LAPD announced that Cindi Dee Powell, 54 had used an 84 year old woman’s name, robbing her of $200,000, and in doing so the woman now faces possible foreclosure. Police have arrested Powell and have charged her with grand theft, financial elder abuse, identity theft, vehicle theft, fraud, and forgery.

Police reports state that Powell moved in with Constance Wakefield after Wakefield found her classified advertisement. Wakefield requires a wheelchair to move around the house and someone to drive her to appointments. Wakefield had no idea that Powell was already on probation for elder abuse.

Starting sometime in 2006, using Wakefield’s name, Powell took out fraudulent loans and opened bank accounts. Now Wakefield is having trouble making her mortgage payments and could face foreclosure. Wakefield’s only option may be to move in with her daughter who now lives in South Africa.

White collar crimes in California are usually crimes of theft and deception committed by salaried professional people as opposed to other crimes that use force. White collar crimes can be prosecuted at the state level or federal level, or both. Penalties for being convicted of white collar crime typically consist of fines, restitution and, in some cases, prison.

Los Angeles Violent Crime Has Man Facing Death Penalty

The cbs2.com website reported in an article that a judge will be deciding the fate of Ruben Becerrada, 45 on whether to send him to death row or life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his girlfriend. According to court reports Superior Court Judge William R. Pounders will first decide whether Becerrada should receive a new trial as his defense attorney motioned.

Becerrada was tried last September for manslaughter of his girlfriend Maria Arevalo, 22 back in the year 2000. She had accused him of raping her in the year 1999 and was also found guilty by the jury for this crime. After she went to the authorities Becerrada threatened her and told her not to go to the authorities. Arevalo’s body was found in the trunk of her car. Becerrada was also found guilty of special circumstances relating to him killing a witness to a crime and murder during a kidnapping.

Beth Silverman, Deputy District Attorney, said Becerrada had knifed and choked his ex-girlfriend to “get rid of her because she was the sole witness against him and here is nothing, nothing that is more abhorrent … than the murder of a witness … it goes to the heart of our system of justice.”

Los Angeles Shooting Suspects Arrested In Connection with Attack of USC Track Star

The dailytrojan.com reported in an account on February 11, 2009 that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the October shooting of USC star track runner Bryshon Nellum. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office named Travon Reed of Los Angeles, and Horasio Kimbrough of Inglewood, each 21 years of age, as the shooters in thisLos Angeles assault with a deadly weapon. John Flores, LAPD detective, said the suspects are believed to be in the Fruit Town Brims gang that is a wing of the Bloods.

As Nellum left Leonardo’s Night Club, he was shot several times in his hamstring and thigh in this Los Angeles violent crime.

Both suspects have been additionally charged with gun and gang enhancements that would increase their jail terms so they may possibly face 50 years to life.

Los Angeles Juvenile Robberies Arrest Two For Thefts

A recent article reported on February 10, 2009 that two juveniles were arrested in connection with an outbreak of robberies in the last month. Echo Park and Silver Lake were the locations of these street robberies. According to police reports, the suspects would approach males walking by themselves between the hours of midnight and 3 am. Police reports show that a search warrant was done on one of the suspect’s house and many stolen items were recovered including iPods, mobile phones, and guns and knives used in the Los Angeles robberies.

Due to the suspects being juveniles, their identity will not be disclosed by the authorities. This Los Angeles theft crime remains open and the police urge anyone with information to contact the detectives of Northeast Area Gang at 213-847-4263.

There are a variety of different theft crimes, which in California, carry with them serious legal repercussions. Listed are just a few theft crimes in Los Angeles that may result in harsh punishments, if convicted: identity theft, petty theft, grand theft, and burglary.

There are a variety of Federal and California State laws which have been enacted to severely punish people convicted of theft and juvenile crimes in Los Angeles. Crimes involving the theft of another person’s belongings are taken very seriously in Los Angeles and California, with the legal repercussions being very harsh. The knowledgeable and skilled Los Angeles juvenile crime defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf can help you in your time of need. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Orange County Mobile Home Homicide Involving Sales Workers

The latimes.com website reported in a story on February 11, 2009 that police announced that the two workers from Stanton mobile home sales were indeed shot to death at work last week. Matthew Frances Scott, 42 a salesman for the company from Costa Mesa, and Elizabeth Palmer, 49 secretary for the company from Fountain Valley were shot in the upper torso behind a desk at work in this violent crime in California.

Jim Amormino, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said, “We believe this is not a random act.”

Palmer’s husband, Richard Palmer, who spoke and texted with his wife just before the murder said, “It must have been just before. It was just a normal, boring day at work.”

North Hollywood Homicide, Police Looking For Suspect

The examiner.com website reported in an account on February 11, 2009 that the LAPD announced that a Gilberto Solano, 21 was shot and killed. About a quarter after 9 pm Solano was shot in the 6600 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Upon arriving on the scene police officers found Solano with a gunshot to his chest. He was taken to a local hospital were he was pronounced dead shortly after. Crime scene investigators believe Solano got into a verbal argument with a rival gang member. When Solano walked away the suspect went to his car and got a gun then confronted Solano and shot him in this homicide in Los Angeles. Witnesses say the gunmen then ran to his car and fled the scene with an accomplice.

Police have no leads on either the car or suspect. They urge the public to contact them with any information on this case. Detective Richar Wheeler of the Homicide office can be reached at 818-623-4075.

Homicide is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in Los Angeles you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive and top Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf right away. There is a lot at stake, and depending upon your situation, you may be facing a life sentence, which is why you are in desperate need of accomplished and skilled legal representation. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

White Collar Crime of Glendale Man Gets Prison Time

The dailynews.com reported in a story on February 10, 2009 that Carlos Serrano, 64 of Glendale has been sentenced by the U.S. Justice Department to 18 months prison time and ordered to repay nearly $1,000,000 in restitution. He was convicted last September of bank fraud and conspiring to commit bank fraud against First International Bank of Connecticut and Export-Import Bank of the United States. Serrano is one of 8 people who were being investigated for conspiring to commit bank fraud worth more than $80 million.

White collar crime is used a lot these days, you hear it in the news and media, yet few know what it really means. White collar crime in Los Angeles is an act of theft or other criminal conduct which violates a corporate or government officer’s fiduciary duties. Thus, if a person is acting in a position of financial trust or management for a client, a business, or a government agency, and they do something illegal, stealing the company’s funds, for example, then that person has committed a white collar crime. Thus the key element in the definition of white collar crime is that a person has been placed in a position of trust and that they have used that position to unjustly enrich themselves at the expense of the organization or client for whom they work.

The Los Angeles white collar crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with ALL white collar crime matters in California. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.