Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

November 21, 2012

Houghton County Man Gets Two to Ten Years in Prison for Role in Meth Lab

In August of this year, 22-year-old Curtis Stough was arraigned on charges of operating a meth lab and attempted manufacturing of methamphetamine in Houghton County Circuit Court. Stough, a resident of Marquette, pleaded not guilty. He and 3 others were suspected of running a meth lab in Chassell, which was closed down in late June by police. If convicted, Stough would potentially face a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and possibly a $25,000 fine.

At a pretrial hearing in October, Stough pled guilty to the charge of attempted manufacturing of a controlled substance. On Monday November 19, Stough was sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison, with a maximum of 10 years. The judge in the case credited Stough with the 116 days he had already served, and charges of possession of methamphetamine and operating/maintaining a meth lab were dropped.

The three others who were involved include 21-year-old Kendall Clifton of Hancock, 25-year-old Nicole Saatio of Chassell, and 26-year-old Michael Newberry also of Chassell. Clifton entered a plea agreement in exchange for his testimony against the other three involved in the meth operation, pleading guilty to attempted possession of meth. According to news reports, Clifton was given a one year jail sentence in September.

Nicole Saatio will face a pretrial hearing in January, and is said to be undergoing treatment in Saginaw currently. December is when Michael Newberry will stand trial.

Curtis Stough stated at his sentencing that he is “determined to make a substantial change when it comes to my addiction and disregard for the law.” He urged Judge Charles Goodman to let him serve in prison boot camp, something usually not allowed in the first year, and said that he guaranteed this would be his first and last felony.

November 20, 2012

Harper Woods Man Faces 27 Charges After Firing Shotgun at Police, Neighbors

by Scott Grabel

Lester Chambers, a Harper Woods resident, is facing 27 charges after firing a “hand pump” shotgun at police officers and neighbors’ homes on Friday, November 16. The shooting incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m., resulting in several area schools being put on lockdown.

Harper Woods police responded after receiving reports of gun shots from a Lancaster Rd. residence. Reports claimed shots were being fired inside the residence and in the backyard. When police arrived on the scene, Chambers came outside unarmed but refused to be taken into custody. A standoff ensued, lasting for about 1 hour; during this time Chambers allegedly fired at police from inside the home. The shots struck two police vehicles.

Jim Burke, Harper Woods Police Chief, stated that he didn’t recall in his career ever seeing a single suspect face so many charges for a one incident. The standoff ended when Chambers eventually surrendered, after Burke and a female relative of Chambers coaxed him outside while talking to him on a cell phone. He surrendered his weapon and was taken into custody.

Chambers was placed in the Harper Woods Jail where he awaited arraignment on Monday before Harper Woods District Judge Roger J. LaRose. Chambers stated at his arraignment that he lived at the Lancaster residence with his wife and two young children. Following his arraignment, Chambers was taken to the Wayne County Jail and held without bond.

The charges against Chambers include 8 counts of assault with intent to murder, 8 counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, 8 counts of felonious assault, 1 count of felony firearm, 1 count discharge firearm at an occupied building, and 1 count of malicious destruction of police property. News reports state that Chambers faces a possible life sentence.

Michigan criminal defense attorneys understand that the charges Chambers faces are extremely serious, and that he may very well spend the rest of his life behind bars.

November 19, 2012

Ninth Member of Detroit’s ‘Hustle Boys’ Gang Found Guilty of Drug Trafficking

by Scott Grabel

In December of 2011, ten members of a violent Detroit gang known as the ‘Hustle Boys’ were indicted by a grand jury, eight of them arrested. The gang had been under investigation by federal agents and other police agencies for a lengthy time period, according to news reports which state the gang had been into drug trafficking. Marijuana and Oxycontin were some of the illegal substances said to have been sold and distributed by the gang members.

On Wednesday, November 14, a ninth member pleaded guilty. 21-year-old Jeron Gaskin of Detroit was convicted in federal court on three counts of drug trafficking. Allegedly, the Hustle Boys gang was sometimes trading drugs for guns; some of the drugs they would exchange for firearms included pain pills such as Opana and Oxycontin. They were also accused of running prescription drugs across state lines into Ohio and West Virginia, where they would sell the narcotics in fast food restaurant parking lots.

Investigators claim the gang operated the drug trafficking business in homes and hotel rooms in all three states. The gang also allegedly stored firearms and cash in an east side Detroit home located on Hamburg Street, where they counted and packaged the prescription pills.

Only the 10th suspect, William Beal, still faces trial on the drug charges. According to the FBI, the remaining eight co-defendants all pleaded guilty to the charges earlier. They include Darrell Ewing, Ashley Sallad, Mark Davis, Deonte Morris, Delmerey Morris, Pinkie Lewis, Randi Fortner and William Crews.

Detroit drug trafficking attorneys know that individuals who are convicted on these serious criminal charges often face life-changing consequences. Depending upon the type and amount of drug involved, penalties range from a few years in prison and substantial fines to life imprisonment and fines of up to a million dollars.

November 16, 2012

Suspect in I-96 Corridor Shootings Denied Bond, Faces 60 Counts Including Attempted Murder

by Scott Grabel

On November 5, police took a man into custody in Wixom who was suspected of being the shooter in the recent I-96 corridor shootings, which began on October 16 and had residents in the Detroit and surrounding areas very nervous. Only one person was injured during the ordeal; in all, 24 shootings took place in Ingham, Livingston, Oakland and Shiawassee counties. Police executed a search warrant on the 5th and took 43-year-old Raulie Wayne Casteel into custody at a residence in the area of Kings Crown Court and Loon Lake Road.

Reports indicate Casteel may suffer from mental illness; one news report said that Casteel made the statement that he was tired of military helicopters flying over his home. A news release stated that information collected during the investigation led to the arrest of Casteel, and that 10 law enforcement agencies made up the task force that investigated the shootings.

On Friday, November 9 Casteel was arraigned in Oakland County on 60 counts which included 9 counts of attempted murder. The suspect is being held without bond after Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Kenneth Frazee stated in court that this was appropriate considering the charges against Casteel represented only a portion of the victims who were subject to the “acts of terror.”

Charles Groh, one of Casteel’s attorneys, said that the suspect was a stay-at-home dad who has never been convicted of a crime. Casteel’s wife supports the family which according to news reports lived at his in-laws’ home in Wixom.

Other than attempted murder charges, other charges Casteel faces include firing from an automobile, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of felony firearm possession, all related to a Livingston County shooting incident that occurred on October 18.

According to the Associated Press Casteel is scheduled for a court appearance on November 14th.

Considering all of the charges Casteel faces, no doubt he will be in prison for a very long time if convicted. What happened to set off a 43-year-old father of a two year old who has never been convicted of a crime in the past? Perhaps the story will continue to unfold in the coming weeks.

November 15, 2012

For Some, a Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License Can Mean the End of a Career

by Scott Grabel

Many individuals earn a living by driving, such as truck drivers, UPS and FedEx drivers, individuals who provide transportation services for the elderly, cab drivers, etc. For those people, losing the privilege to drive can mean the end of their careers. As Michigan driver’s license restoration attorneys, we understand the devastating impact this can have on an individual’s life and future.

Individuals who operate commercial motor vehicles and who are convicted of certain traffic violations are generally subject to harsher penalties than those who operate non-commercial vehicles.

Some of the traffic violations that may result in the suspension of your CDL include driving at speeds of more than 15 mph over the posted limit, improper or erratic change or use of lanes, careless driving, following too closely or being at fault in an accident that results in a fatality. Drivers who are arrested and subsequently convicted on these offenses will face a license suspension for 60 days if there have been two violations within a 3 year period in separate incidents. However, if there have been three or more violations within a 3 year time period which occurred in separate incidents, your CDL will be suspended for 120 days.

Other violations are even more serious, and can result in suspension of your CDL for 3 years if your work involves transporting hazardous materials. Otherwise, a first violation for operating under the influence, fleeing or eluding police, leaving the scene of an accident you were involved in, manslaughter, or the commission of a felony while operating a commercial motor vehicle will result in a one year suspension. Commit two of these violations in separate incidents, and your CDL is revoked for at least 10 years.

Michigan driver’s license reinstatement lawyers know that it is imperative that individuals who depend on a CDL for income take great measures to protect their driving privileges. This includes a regular operator’s license, as if this license is suspended, the CDL license will be suspended as well. However, suspension of a CDL license does not mean your operator’s license will be suspended.

November 14, 2012

Woman Accused of Stealing Detroit Pension Fund Surrenders in Florida After Trip to Nicaragua

by Scott Grabel

In August of this year, George and Teresa Kastanes were accused of initiating a Ponzi scheme which allegedly stripped more than $10 million from the Detroit Police and Fire Retirement fund.

The Florida couple received a loan in 2008 in the amount of $9.9 million from the pension system according to news reports. This money was purportedly to be used for investing in distressed properties for resale by the couple, who operated Paramount Land Holdings, a South Carolina based company. However, a federal complaint against the couple stated that no payments were ever made in the agreement.

On Tuesday, November 13, Teresa Kastanes surrendered to authorities in Fort Lauderdale, FL after arriving back in the U.S. following a trip to Nicaragua. Kastanes, who is 54 years old, was escorted off of the plane by Homeland Security agents.

News reports state that the pension fund money was to be used to purchase and restore more than 1,400 homes in the Detroit area which had been foreclosed upon. Instead, about half of the money was allegedly used for the purchase of jewelry and exotic art. Court documents state that only $2 million in interest was repaid to the retirement system.

Abner McWhorter was a partner in the Ponzi scheme with the Kastanes, who had approached him about the land-purchase business proposal. McWhorter presented the proposal to the pension board at Paramount Limited where he was president; the board granted the $10 million loan although it did not invest in the business. After reporting to the pension board in July of 2009 that the business was thriving, he requested an additional $8 million. It was while investigating the second loan that “numerous substantial breaches” relating to the initial loan were identified by the board.

Sadly, after being accused in the Ponzi scheme McWhorter took his own life in 2011. Teresa Kastanes’ husband was arrested earlier this year after federal agents were ordered by Judge Raymond Ray to find and arrest the couple who had failed to show up for court appearances. Teresa Kastanes was released from custody after surrendering her passport.

November 13, 2012

Livonia Doctor Convicted of Medicare Fraud, Ordered to Pay $3 Million in Restitution

by Scott Grabel

A Livonia gynecologist, 63-year-old Jonathan Agbebiyi of Sterling Heights, has been ordered to pay nearly $3 million in restitution to the government after being convicted of Medicare fraud. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Agbebiyi was convicted on charges of conspiracy to committing health care fraud and six counts of health care fraud in May of this year. News reports also state that the doctor was sentenced on November 8 to 5 years in prison and 2 years of supervised release. Between 2007 and 2010, Agbebiyi worked at three clinics in Livonia.

Agbebiyi, who reportedly bilked Medicare for $5.4 million, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow. During the week-long trial, evidence was allegedly presented which revealed that Agbebiyi performed neurological tests which were medically unnecessary in the conspiracy to bill Medicare. Court documents claim that diagnostic tests were administered by clinic employees according to news sources, and that these employees lacked “meaningful training.”

According to prosecutors, patients were lured to the clinics by the promise of cash, prescriptions and fast food, and were not referred by other physicians. The FBI and U.S. Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case, stating that some patients underwent testing that involved sending an electric current through the legs and arms. Patients who received these tests were not followed up on for further neurological treatment according to reports which state that Medicare was billed about $515 for each one of these tests.

This case was part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations, a federal government program that has charged over 1,300 defendants across the nation since 2007 with more than $4 billion in Medicare fraud.

Michigan fraud defense attorneys know that those convicted on charges of Medicare fraud will face severe penalties. In most cases, those involved will be subject to significant fines, prison time, and restitution, or repayment of the money illegally gained from Medicare.

November 12, 2012

Detroit Coney Island Robbery Leaves Suspect Dead

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a suspect in a Coney Island armed robbery was shot and killed in the process of robbing the Detroit restaurant. A customer who was in the restaurant at the time pulled his weapon and fired on the suspect when the suspect fired at the owner, Adi Avdolli, striking him in the shoulder. The customer who shot the suspect is a CPL (Concealed Pistol License) holder.

Initially, two men allegedly entered the restaurant to rob it, according to news reports. The second suspect fled and was on the run following the altercation. According to Adi Avdolli, the suspect who was shot by the customer put the gun in Avdolli’s face and pulled the trigger. Avdolli claims the gunman did not ask him for money.

When the armed customer shot the suspect, the second suspect was standing guard at the door and fired his shotgun, grazing the shoulder of the armed customer. The customer, who fired off eight rounds in total, is 51 years old; he said that he wanted to save Avdolli’s life and the lives of the others in the building. The man told reporters that individuals who do “stuff like this” should watch out, because they never know when someone may be legally carrying a gun and capable of protecting those in the vicinity.

The suspect who lost his life was 29 years old. News reports claim that another customer was grazed by a bullet when the gunfire erupted as well, but was not seriously injured. According to Detroit police, the second suspect was wearing a black mask and an orange sweater at the time of the robbery; he fled on foot.

It was believed that the same men who attempted to rob the Coney Island restaurant also robbed an AutoZone about an hour earlier. The suspect who was killed while attempting to rob the restaurant was found to have the money from the AutoZone robbery in his possession.

November 9, 2012

Charges Dropped, Then Re-filed Against Man Accused of Slaying in Pandemonium Night Club Bouncer’s Death

by Scott Grabel

In September of this year, 40-year-old Lou Ferrin, a bouncer at Club Pandemonium in Detroit, died after being stabbed in the neck by a male patron he was ejecting from the club. At the time of the murder, the killer remained on the loose and police had no suspects. Ferrin, a father of three, was working at the club to support his family and owned his own security business according to family members.

A few days after the incident, Detroit police arrested 20-year-old LaVelle Dumas, who police say was escorted out of the night club after becoming involved in a fight with other patrons. News reports allege that Dumas produced a knife and proceeded to stab Ferrin in the neck.

On November 1st, Wayne County prosecutors dropped the charges against Dumas due to lack of evidence. The charges were dismissed after 36th District Court Judge Katherine Hansen said that prosecutors failed to show probable cause.

New charges were filed against Dumas just hours later. First-degree murder charges were filed by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, whose office said that additional evidence will be presented to prove probable cause in the case against Dumas.

On November 1st when charges against Dumas were dismissed, he was released from jail only to be taken back by Detroit Police a few hours later.

In less than 1 1/2 years, four people have been murdered in connection to the Club Pandemonium. Just this past June, Marcel Jackson, a 38-year-old man working as a bouncer at the club, was fatally shot when he became involved in a dispute with a male patron. His murder has not been solved as of this date.

Michigan murder defense attorneys know that in some instances, innocent individuals face years behind bars and severe punishment for crimes they did not commit. In this case, the judge dismissed the charge because prosecutors could not demonstrate probable cause or present evidence. Cases which lack evidence are tough for prosecutors to prove, and sadly no matter how it turns out, the accused individual will have a cloud of suspicion and doubt hanging over his head unless conclusive evidence can be found that rules him out.

November 8, 2012

Novi Rear-End Crash on I-96 Leaves One Man Arrested for OWI

by Scott Grabel

In late October, an accident in which a pickup truck rear-ended a car on eastbound I-96 in Novi resulted in the arrest of a man who was allegedly intoxicated and subsequently charged with OWI (operating a vehicle while intoxicated). While the driver who was struck suffered neck pain and other minor injuries according to news reports, it’s likely that the man arrested for OWI will have his driver’s license suspended or even revoked, depending on his criminal history.

Michigan driver’s license restoration attorneys know that while jail time, fines and other penalties are often severe, perhaps the most severe of all is losing the privilege to drive. Driving is a right that most of us take for granted; until it is gone, we often don’t realize just how it impacts our lives and ability to work, attend school, or simply run to the grocery store.

According to news reports, the accident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on October 21 on I-96 east of Novi Road. The car that was struck sustained heavy rear-end damage; the driver was transported to Providence Park Hospital via ambulance. A witness told police that the suspect was driving erratically and that as he had pulled over when the accident took place, he suspected the driver of the pickup was intoxicated.

Sobriety tests conducted by police revealed that the driver of the pickup had a blood alcohol level of 0.207, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 in Michigan. Police also found a receipt indicating the man had more than 12 shots at a local grill in Commerce Township earlier in the evening. A bottle of cold beer that had been opened was also located in the pickup.

After being arrested on charges of OWI, the man’s case was turned over to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for further review for any possible additional charges.