Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

October 5, 2015

New Bedford Man Drives. in Wrong Direction on I-195, Arrested for DUI

On Sunday morning October 4, a New Bedford man was arrested after it was suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. 24-year-old Marvin Hernandez was reportedly driving in the wrong direction on the highway, according to Rhode Island State Police.

Hernandez was allegedly traveling in an Eastbound direction on Route I-195 west when he was seen going in the wrong way by East Providence and Seekonk police. State troopers also observed Hernandez driving in the wrong direction.

According to an article at ABC 6 News, Hernandez only stopped when a Medtech ambulance flashed its emergency lights at the vehicle; other motorists had also observed the suspect traveling in the wrong direction, and reported it to 911. Hernandez’ vehicle was stopped in the breakdown lane facing Eastward on I-195 West. Rhode Island State Police Col. Steven O’Donnell confirmed the suspect was driving in the wrong direction just after 2:30 in the morning. Hernandez was arrested on the scene, and transported to the Lincoln Woods Barracks.

September 29, 2015

Two Union County Teens Face Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop

by Scott Grabel

Over the weekend, two 19-year-olds were arrested in Perry County in Illinois following a traffic stop in Tamaroa. Both of the men are from Union County, according to a news article at The Southern.

Nathan Sadler of Anna and Jason Goodman of Jonesboro were arrested after they were stopped by a Perry County Sheriff’s deputy for improper lane usage; Goodman was driving the vehicle in which marijuana, cocaine, and Adderall were found when the deputy searched the vehicle. The men admitted marijuana was present in the vehicle, which prompted the search after authorities thought the teens seemed nervous.

The two teens were taken to the Perry County Jail; both were charged with possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance. Goodman was also given a traffic ticket for improper lane usage.

September 28, 2015

Indiana School Bus Driver Suspended Following OWI Charges Involving Drugs

by Scott Grabel

Last week, a 53-year-old school bus driver who had been with the Hamilton Heights School Corporation since 2001 was suspended after she allegedly operated the bus while intoxicated. According to a news article at Fox59, Janet Kay Shaw was under the influence of drugs when the school bus ran off the side of the road with 23 students on board.

The drugs found in Shaw’s handbag included Hydrocodone, Valium, and Soma. Parents of some of the students on the bus were alerted by their children via cell phones that the bus went off the roadway; the parents then contacted school officials. When the bus veered off the road, it was going approximately 40 mph according to investigators. Several power outages were reported, with one student who was waiting for the bus claiming he saw it go off the road when a “big green spark” flew in front of him. Noah Chapman, the 7th grade student who witnessed the crash, decided not to get on the bus. News reports indicate the bus struck a utility pole wire before returning to the road.

Several middle and high school students who were on the bus complained of headaches and minor aches and pains; they were treated by a school nurse. Upon arrival at the school, Shaw was removed from the bus immediately. She was suspended pending the next HHSC Board of School Trustees meeting where recommendation for termination will be presented.

September 25, 2015

Two Elderly Women Carjacked by Redford Man at Motor City Casino

by Scott Grabel

On September 17, two women, both grandmothers, were carjacked at Detroit’s Motor City Casino according to a recent article at Mlive.com. The women, one from Sterling Heights and one from Clinton Township, were 68 and 78 years old respectively. Their names were not mentioned in the news article.

The suspect, 49-year-old Wayne Darrell Jones, was arrested on September 21. The Wayne County Prosecutors Office said in a statement on the day Jones was arrested that he got into the vehicle with the two victims at about 5:30 a.m. on the day of the crime, pulled out a hand gun, took the women’s purses, and demanded money. He then ordered the younger of the two women to drive the car; when they reached the area of Appoline Street and Schoolcraft where a field was located, he forced the two victims out of the car and drove away. Police claim the victims were helped by a good Samaritan after walking two miles.

Jones was arrested and charged with two counts each of armed robbery, carjacking, felony firearm possession, and unlawful imprisonment. At his arraignment hearing on the 21st, bond was set at $100,000.

September 24, 2015

2006 Child Rape Conviction Overturned by Washington Appeals Court

by Scott Grabel

In 2006, Dallin D. Fort who is now 39 years old was found guilty of raping a relative who was 9 years old at the time the alleged rape occurred in 2003. Now, the Washington Court of Appeal’s Third Division has overturned Fort’s conviction and granted him a new trial.

The decision was unanimous among the three-member panel, who vacated Fort’s 132-month sentence at Airway Heights Corrections Center because of the fact jurors were questioned by the judge in private prior to the beginning of the trial. The appeals court made its decision based on State v. Frawley, a previous Washington Supreme Court opinion that found unless the judge made a written ruling determining a court closure was justified, jury selection could not take place outside the courtroom. Prior to this decision, Washington judges presiding over sex crimes cases routinely questioned potential jurors in private.

Fort appealed his conviction twice, the first time just months following sentencing in early 2006. The appeals court found that because the issue of a public trial was not brought up in the first appeal, Fort’s lawyer at trial provided ineffective counsel. Fort’s conviction in the first appeal was confirmed.

September 22, 2015

Three Arrested on Drug Charges at Mesquite ‘Stash House’

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, September 14 three individuals were arrested after Dallas police searched what they called a ‘stash house’ in Mesquite where they allegedly found $94,000 in cash, hundreds of airline tickets, and pounds of marijuana.

Police seized nearly 12 lbs. (5,400 grams) of marijuana from the home located near U.S. Highway 80 and Belt Line Road. They also confiscated two laptops, a money counter, handgun, drug ledger, surveillance system, six cellphones, and marijuana treats/candy from Colorado in searching the home. The three individuals who were arrested include 36-year-old Adrian Clemons, 35-year-old Robert Davis, and 20-year-old Alexia Rey. Another woman was also present at the home; she and two young children were allowed to leave.

All three of the suspects were charged with felony marijuana possession and money laundering. Police also found nearly 300 Southwest Airlines companion passes in a safe, which Rey had given officers the combination to. Police said in an arrest warrant affidavit that the home was “obviously a marijuana and marijuana ‘stash house,’ where large amounts of illegal drugs are held for distribution to other dealers.”

September 21, 2015

Jose Diaz, Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Arrested in Key West on DUI Charge

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday evening September 19, 55-year-old Jose “Pepe” Diaz was stopped as he was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Key West for doing 74 mph in a 30 mph speed zone, according to NBC Miami. Diaz, who is the Miami-Dade County commissioner, was arrested on Roosevelt Blvd. after his motorcycle fell over when he failed to put the kick stand down.

Although news reports do not reveal his blood alcohol content at the time, Diaz, an avid motorcycle rider, had attended the Key West Poker Run, a motorcycle event that draws thousands of bikers according to news reports. Diaz was elected District 12 commissioner in 2002 after serving as mayor of Sweetwater.

The commissioner was jailed in Monroe County Saturday night, and released just before noon on Sunday after posting a $1,000 bond according to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin. Diaz would not discuss the details of his arrest at the time, but did say he looked forward to resolving the issue. He went on to say that he would continue to serve his community in the meantime, and that he requested the community’s patience during this time.

September 17, 2015

Three DUI Arrests Made in Macomb County Over 9-Hour Period

by Scott Grabel

A recent article at the Detroit News states that over the weekend, three drunk driving arrests were made in Macomb County; in addition, all three individuals had prior DUI convictions, and each had higher than usual BAC levels.

An unnamed woman was first to be arrested for OWI after her vehicle was reportedly crossing into oncoming traffic and weaving. This arrest took place on Saturday evening in Macomb Township. The 36-year-old woman was reportedly operating on a temporary driver’s permit due to a previous OWI arrest on August 7 in St. Clair County. Her BAC registered 0.39 percent when given a breathalyzer at the jail, nearly five times the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Just before 10 p.m. on Saturday, Jonathon Alhakim, 47, was arrested after the pickup he was driving became stuck in a ditch in Ray Township. Alhakim had six prior OWI convictions and numerous license suspensions and revocations. His BAC registered 0.25 percent, more than three times the legal limit. He was charged with OWI third offense, having open intoxicants in a motor vehicle, and driving with a suspended license (second offense).

September 15, 2015

Dumas Police Officer Faces Drug Conspiracy Charges

by Scott Grabel

Last week, a police officer with the Dumas Police Department in Arkansas was arrested for alleged drug conspiracy. According to several news sources 37-year-old James Ivory Edgerson, who has worked with the department for 14 years, is charged with drug conspiracy, a drug offense that could land him in prison for life if found guilty.

U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer’s office announced the arrest on Thursday, September 10 after a lengthy investigation revealed Edgerson was making drug deliveries to confidential sources between May and September. During the investigation, Edgerson’s phone was also tapped. Upon his arrest, the suspect allegedly had an ounce of crack cocaine and three ounces of powder cocaine in his possession. Upon searching his home, authorities found $16,000, several firearms, and an unregistered suppressor.

Several other people were arrested in the drug conspiracy including Kendrick Lamar Edgerson, Rodney Lariel Edgerson, and Gregory Lamont Charles, all of Little Rock, Eli Haynes III of Arlington, TX, and Steven Sherrod Miles of Dumas. In total, police seized $222,000 in cash, five firearms, one pound of marijuana, one ounce of crack cocaine, and 28 ounces of powder cocaine after searching officer Edgerson and two other defendants’ homes.

September 14, 2015

Long Island Booze Cruise Leaves Off-Duty MTA Employee Facing DWI Charges

by Scott Grabel

On Sunday September 13, the driver of a NYC transit bus was arrested for DWI. Alexander Copeland, 52, was also charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle without owner’s consent, and reckless endangerment according to a recent article at the New York Post.

It all began when several commuters along the Northern State Parkway in Westbury called authorities complaining about a NYC transit bus that was driving in an erratic manner, reportedly swerving along the roadway. State police responded to the reports and pulled Copeland over just before 2:30 in the afternoon. Police claim the bus driver “reeked” of booze.

Upon administering a sobriety test it was found that Copeland’s BAC or blood alcohol concentration was 0.20 percent. This is more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.