In what is believed to be Michigan’s largest methamphetamine seizure at an estimated value of nearly $500,000, five men were indicted and have now been convicted on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute. Four of the men pleaded guilty of the charge prior to trial, while one went before a federal jury and was found guilty.

It all unfolded last summer when a confidential informant revealed to U.S. Department Homeland Security that a substantial amount of “ice,” or crystal meth, was being sold in southwestern Michigan, specifically Van Buren County according to a news article at Mlive.com. Investigators were informed that Alejandro Garcia had five pounds of the crystal meth, and that he was trying to sell it for $23,000 per pound. Ultimately, police seized over 20 pounds of pure meth after buying the “ice” undercover on several occasions; the methamphetamine was seized from a pole bar located in Van Buren County and a vehicle.

According to a criminal complaint written by special agent Thomas Schifini, the informant said that Garcia had told him the meth was being sold by Sierra-Villegas after being smuggled into the country via hidden compartments in vehicles.

The five men involved include 39-year-old Jose Sierra-Villegas of Kansas City, who was convicted by a federal jury. The four who pled guilty prior to going to trial include Brent Kellerman, 25, and Jon Jeannin Jr., 33, both of Kansas City, Thomas Streich, 59, of Lawton, and Alejandro Garcia, 45, of Grand Junction.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute life behind bars. While four of the men are in custody awaiting sentencing, Alejandro Garcia was sentenced to nine years in prison recently.

Michigan drug possession attorneys know that individuals convicted of possession with intent to deliver certain substances classified as schedule one or two (including methamphetamines) typically face 20 years to life in prison, along with fines ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000. Essentially, the convicted individual’s life is forever changed, often ruined.

Continue reading

On March 31 of this year, 33-year-old Nicole Riggs of Oak Park was fatally shot when an altercation took place at the Myst Ultra Lounge. A news article at Myfoxdetroit.com indicates that some men who were at the club were thrown out by the bouncer after becoming involved in an argument.

It is believed that Riggs was an innocent bystander who was randomly struck when shots rang out from the parking lot. At the time of the shooting, police were looking for a man they described as a “person of interest.” Police released a photo of the suspect, determined later to be DeAngelo Jammal Eady who is also 33 years old. A warrant for his arrest was issued on May 29; Eady was arrested last week.

The Myst Ultra Lounge has been described as a “Hollywood experience” by some with its Miami-themed outdoor patio, numerous flat screen televisions and plush VIP booths. Riggs was a wife and mother of one teenage son; the incident reportedly took place at about 2 a.m. She was said to be attending a birthday party at the club with a group of relatives.

The suspect has now been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, and open murder.

Michigan homicide attorneys understand the severe consequences individuals face when charged with murder, whether open murder, second-degree, involuntary manslaughter, or any criminal offense related to the death of another person. A conviction in the case of open murder could potentially leave the accused facing life in prison.

Continue reading

In January of 2012, Donald Martin Zuder was convicted on a charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a weapon used in connection with an incident at his home that allegedly occurred with a female acquaintance in 2006. Zuder, who is now 79 years old, will serve out his sentence after a Michigan Court of Appeals panel ruled unanimously this week that the conviction was valid.

Zuder was sentenced to prison time of between 3 1/2 and 15 years by former Muskegon County Circuit Judge James M. Graves Jr.

The alleged victim, who was not identified in a news article at Mlive.com, said that the sexual assault took place in the summer of 2006, when Zuder (who was an acquaintance) asked if she would like to clean his home to earn extra money. She agreed, and after touring the house with Zuder the two had a drink. While she was sitting at the kitchen counter, Zuder left the room and returned with a long gun. Initially, Zuder pointed the gun toward a window and mentioned how he could kill a deer with it. She claims that he then pointed the gun at her, calling her a “tease” and saying that she would have to be nicer to him. She requested that Zuder take her home at that point, but he refused.

Instead, the victim alleges, Zuder retrieved a bag containing women’s undergarments after laying the gun on the kitchen table. He requested to see the woman’s body, at which point she said her second request that he take her home was denied. She then removed her clothes and dressed in the undergarments, at which point she alleges Zuder put his hands all over her body. The two played pool at Zuder’s request; she then dressed and the defendant drove her home. The alleged victim said that she felt she had no choice but to comply with Zuder’s demands because she was fearful of the gun laying on the kitchen table.

Appeals judges Joel P. Hoesktra, William B. Murphy, and E. Thomas Fitzgerald signed the opinion affirming Zuder’s conviction.

As all capable and experienced Michigan criminal appeals attorneys are aware, having a conviction overturned is not easy, and requires exceptional skill.

Continue reading

On Monday June 17, a 64-year-old man was pulled over by Van Buren police because his license plate was obstructed. The Lawton man was found to be in possession of marijuana and methamphetamine; his driver’s license was also suspended.

The stop occurred in Waverly Township in the 33000 block of County Road 66, near Paw Paw just before 9 in the morning, according to a news release issued by the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. The release stated that police found the driver in possession of 0.9 grams of marijuana and 0.4 grams of methamphetamine.

After being arrested and charged with possession and driving with license suspended, the man, who was not named in a news article at Mlive.com, was placed in the Van Buren County Jail.

Michigan drivers license restoration attorneys know that while charges for possessing drugs are serious, driving on a suspended license will bring about negative consequences as well. In fact, individuals who drive on a suspended license may face additional fines and potentially incarceration; at the very least, the length of the initial suspension will be doubled, leaving the individual facing a much longer time period in which he or she cannot legally drive.

Having a drivers license restored when it has been suspended or revoked is not an easy task, and requires the skill of an experienced Michigan drivers license reinstatement lawyer who has successfully handled these types of cases for clients. Regaining your privilege to drive requires going before the DAAD (Driver Assessment and Appeal Division), where you must prove that you are sober and not a risk for drug or alcohol abuse. The process is complex, and one that is not easily accomplished without the help of a capable attorney.

Continue reading

In early June, 48-year-old Steven Thomas Keene, a sheriff’s deputy with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department for 25 years, was charged with several counts related to the alleged staging of an accident so that a friend could collect insurance money to purchase a new car. Kalamazoo County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Carrie Klein stated in a news article at Mlive.com that Keene is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, and obstruction of justice.

Michigan fraud defense attorneys know that if convicted, Keene will face fines of up to $50,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison. The charges against Keene stem from an investigation performed by an auto theft team, Southwest Commercial Auto Recovery Unit, who work multiple jurisdictions.

Allegedly, Keene and a friend staged a one-vehicle accident so that the female friend could get a new car. The idea was to make it appear as though the car had been involved in an accident with a deer, so that she could collect insurance money. After staging the crash, Keene lied about it on the police report.

In a separate incident, Keene allegedly provided information to police in connection to a February 5 motor vehicle crash that was described as “inaccurate, incomplete, and misleading.” News articles say that Keene knew someone had committed a crime, and was attempting to help that person out by obscuring evidence.

Additionally, prosecutors in the case say that some of the charges Keene faces stem from incidents which allegedly took place while on duty as a police officer for Silver Creek Township, where he worked part-time.

Keene was to have appeared on June 19 for an evidentiary hearing, but has waived that hearing. He will stand trial on felony charges.

Continue reading

In April of 2008, Miguel and David Vidana allegedly raped a 20-year-old woman at the York Creek Apartment Complex. Both men were convicted of rape in 2011 and sentenced in separate trials to 23 to 45 years in prison by Kent County Circuit Court Judge George Buth.

Now, both men have had their appeals claims denied by the Michigan Court of Appeals. Miguel and David Vidana each filed separate claims on the grounds that jurors had been unfairly excused from the brothers’ trials due to their race. They also challenged the admission of hearsay evidence, and claimed ineffective counsel.

The Vidana brothers allegedly raped the woman at the apartment after incapacitating a male who was at the apartment. News reports at Mlive.com also state that the brothers allegedly brandished a knife, and that Miguel raped the victim in a bedroom while his brother waited outside the door. David Vidana told the victim that she would not be harmed if she did what Miguel told her to do. Ironically, the Vidana brothers’ sister is said to be the one who rescued the woman from the apartment, taking her to call police. DNA samples were then taken from the woman, and used to prosecute the brothers.

The brothers were given separate trials, and would not testify against one another.

In their appeals, the Vidana brothers claimed that three African-American jurors were dismissed by Assistant Prosecutor Kevin Bramble because of their race. In the opinion released by the Michigan Court of Appeals, the panel said that Bramble provided explanations for excluding the jurors which were race-neutral. One of the excused jurors allegedly had a prior criminal conviction, one juror’s father was in prison on a conviction for conspiracy to commit murder, and another employed as a social worker. The appeals court found that the explanations for excluding the three jurors were race neutral, therefore they denied the challenges made by the Vidana brothers.

Miguel Vidana is in prison at the St. Louis (Michigan) Correctional Facility, while his brother is incarcerated in Manistee County.

Continue reading

Kevin Taylor, a 19-year-old Kalamazoo man, has been sentenced to a minimum 9 years after being convicted of first-degree child abuse. Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Gary C. Giguere to 112 months to 20 years in prison, saying that the abuse of a 2-year-old boy was an act of brutality, and that no small child was safe around Taylor.

Taylor was initially charged with a count of first-degree child abuse as a second-time habitual offender and domestic violence. As part of his plea agreement, the charge of domestic violence was dropped at Taylor’s June 17 sentencing hearing.

News articles do not reveal how or if Taylor is related to the 2-year-old boy, or where the alleged abuse took place. What is known is that Taylor, who was 18 years old at the time, was babysitting the toddler, and that his last known address was in the 1100 block of Bridge Street. According to Mlive.com, Kalamazoo police were in search of Taylor after responding to a report of child abuse from the Bronson Methodist Hospital. The boy’s injuries were said to be consistent with physical abuse, and included bruises to his body and blunt-force trauma to the abdomen.

Judge Giguere said after sentencing Taylor that, “It keeps you off the streets for a significant amount of time.” He also said that Taylor “richly deserved” his sentence. Taylor told the judge on Monday that he knew he made mistakes, and that while in prison he hoped to better himself. He went on to say that while in prison he would take classes so that he would be fit for society upon his release.

Michigan child abuse lawyers agree that harming and abusing a child is unconscionable; however, young people, particularly teenagers, are not always emotionally or psychologically capable of controlling their thoughts and actions. Certainly the defendant in this case is learning a lesson the hard way, although it is unfortunate that someone so young may remain in prison until he is nearly 30 years old, and may never have the opportunity to live a productive life.

Continue reading

While her body has not been recovered, Judge Kimberly Schaefer has determined that Jahleel Hoskins will stand trial on charges of open murder in the case of Latrice Maze, a mother of 5 who has been missing since March 19. Hoskins was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute with Maze on the last day she was known to be alive.

Hoskins uncle, Greg Shanklin, was expected to testify via Internet video from his home due to the fact that he recently suffered double pneumonia and is a paraplegic; however, Hoskins’ attorney Brett Stevenson wanted the defendant’s uncle at the probable cause hearing in person. Assistant Kent County Prosecutor Kelley Koncki dropped her request for an Internet connection and sent an ambulance to get Shanklin for the court proceeding.

Stevenson said in court that it was not the defense’s intention to put Mr. Shanklin through more, but that Hoskins has a right to confront his accuser in open court. Hoskins worked for New York Chicken, but according to news reports at Mlive.com was also a paid care provider for his uncle, who claimed that Hoskins did not show up on the day that he and Maze were involved in the domestic dispute. Shanklin’s son and several of Hoskins’ friends testified in May that the defendant confessed to choking the mother of 5 and putting her body in a trash dumpster.

One friend, Destin Peak, testified that Hoskins called him on March 19 saying that he “did” her and needed a favor. Peak and Hoskins met at a convenience store located at 3195 Eastern Avenue SE, where Peak said that the defendant showed no emotion and spoke in a matter-of-fact manner.

While the victim’s body has not been located, it is believed by authorities that her body was incinerated.

Michigan murder defense lawyers know that the penalties for first-degree or open murder are extremely serious; in fact, a conviction could mean life in prison. While there seems to be no hard evidence in this case considering the lack of a body, Hoskins will face severe consequences if convicted.

Continue reading

A 24-year-old Detroit man whose name has not been released pending his arraignment is facing charges of first-degree home invasion and other offenses related to an incident involving his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday, June 12. According to a news article at AnnArbor.com, the man allegedly forced his way into his ex-girlfriends home, then choked her when an argument began.

The suspect and the alleged victim had recently broken up following a long-term relationship, according to Detective Sgt. Thomas Eberts who said police responded to the woman’s residence, located in the 1100 block of Monroe Street after receiving a report of domestic violence. Apparently the suspect had asked his ex-girlfriend to talk about things, but she would not agree to see him.

The suspect went to her home anyway; when the 25-year-old woman answered the door, the suspect forced his way inside the home according to Eberts, who said that according to the woman the fight began after the man ran inside the home. He allegedly got on top of the woman and began choking her after slapping her numerous times. Eberts also said that the woman’s shirt was torn in the altercation.

When police responded to the call, the suspect had fled. He was arrested the following day when he returned to his ex-girlfriend’s residence and another person who was present reported to police. The suspect was being held at the Washtenaw County Jail and is charged with first-degree home invasion, aggravated domestic violence, and assault by strangulation.

Police said no weapons were used in the assault, and that the alleged victim did not require medical treatment.

Michigan home invasion lawyers know that breaking and entering is a serious offense, even when the alleged victim is someone you know. When an individual breaks into a home with intent to steal or assault an individual who is lawfully inside the dwelling, he or she may be convicted of first-degree home invasion. The penalties for this felony offense include fines of up to $5,000 and up to 20 years in prison.

Continue reading

On Sunday June 2, 33-year-old Patrick William Wisniewski of New Baltimore died in a motorcycle accident involving another motorist who was driving on a suspended license. The accident took place at approximately 9:30 p.m. near Jefferson Avenue and 21 Mile Road, according to an article at Lawofficer.com.

Wisniewski was reportedly driving his motorcycle in a northbound direction on Jefferson Avenue when a 64-year-old man driving a Chevrolet Impala turned left in front of Wisniewski on 21 Mile Road, resulting in a collision. Both the officer and the other man, a Chesterfield resident, were taken to McLaren Macomb Hospital, where Wisniewski was pronounced dead at the scene. The 64-year-old was treated for injuries which were reported to be non life-threatening.

It was determined that the Chesterfield man was driving on a suspended license. Police also said that the victim was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Wisniewski was a married father of five children.

While the news article did not mention whether the Chesterfield man simply did not see the motorcycle or was driving in an impaired state, he was driving on a suspended license for an unknown reason. Michigan driver’s license restoration attorneys understand that there are situations in which an individual has no other choice but to drive when his or her license has been suspended, however it is never a good idea.

Continue reading

Contact Information