Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog

October 29, 2014

Michigan Man Driving John Deere Lawn Mower Arrested for DUI

Recently, a Lawton man was arrested after being pulled over by police for multiple traffic violations while he was driving a John Deere riding lawn mower. The 36-year-old man was pulling a trailer behind the lawn mower as he drove north on CR 657 near 60th Avenue in Antwerp Township, according to news articles at Fox 17. The incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m.

Police pulled the man over because there were no lights or reflective material on the homemade trailer. The man had attached flashlights to the front of the lawn mower as headlights. Upon pulling the lawn mower over, police suspected the man was intoxicated. He was arrested for drunk driving, his third DUI offense.

While this incident is a bit humorous, it could have ended tragically if someone did not see the mower and trailer and crashed into the back of it. At one point, officers noticed an oncoming car and shined their flashlights on the back of the trailer so the oncoming motorist could see it and avoid a collision.

October 28, 2014

Homeless Huntington Beach Man Arrested on Suspicion of Dealing Heroin in Library

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a Huntington Beach area homeless man was arrested after it was suspected he was selling heroin from the Simi Valley Library, according to a news article at the LA Times. Bradley Bates was arrested on suspicion of narcotics for sale after he allegedly posed as a library patron, selling heroin to his customers both in the parking lot, and inside the library.

In a news release, Simi Valley Police said that a narcotics related felony warrant had been issued for Bates’ arrest previously. Upon being taken into custody by authorities, it was discovered that Bates had more than $1,500 on his person in addition to 6 grams of heroin. Police allegedly witnessed Bates dealing heroin to customers inside the library while he was posing as a patron.

Detectives were investigating complaints of drug sales occurring inside the library when they caught Bates in the act.

October 27, 2014

Southern California Mayor Resigns Following DUI Arrest

by Scott Grabel

Last week, Murrieta Mayor Alan Long stepped down from his position after he was arrested the week prior on suspicion of drunken driving following an accident that resulted in four teenagers sustaining injuries, according to a news report at Reuters. Long, who is 44 years old, also resigned from his position as a city council member, although he announced he will seek a seat for the next term in the November 4 election.

The accident occurred when Long’s vehicle struck the back of a car stopped at an intersection, according to police. Four cheerleaders age 14 to 17 were inside the vehicle that was rear-ended; all four were injured.

Police said that Long’s blood alcohol level was .07 when he took a breath test, which is under the state’s legal limit of .08, however he failed field sobriety tests and “seemed” by police to be impaired. Long said that he resigned to avoid “even one hint of impropriety” during the legal process, however he fully expects to be exonerated of wrongdoing in regards to the drunken driving arrest. He did apologize for the accident that left the cheerleaders injured.

October 24, 2014

Florida Woman with Three Prior Driver’s License Suspensions Arrested

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a Village of Tall Trees woman was arrested after it was determined her driver’s license had been suspended three times. According to an article at the Village News, 37-year-old Stacey Lynn Walker was arrested on Friday evening after someone notified the sheriff’s office regarding a suspicious vehicle.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report, and after driving in the vicinity of County Road 462 and NE Second Drive, located the vehicle. A deputy noticed that the driver of the vehicle and a passenger were not wearing seatbelts. After pulling the vehicle over, the deputy found that Walker’s driver’s license had been suspended three times. She was taken to the Sumter County Detention Center.

While it is not known why Walker’s license had been suspended three times, driving on a suspended license is serious. In the state of Michigan, someone’s driver’s license may be suspended due to non-payment of child support, outstanding traffic tickets, a drug conviction, DUI, or for other reasons.

October 23, 2014

Ohio Supreme Court Denies Late Appeal of Murder Conviction

by Scott Grabel

In September, Columbus Jones requested that the Ohio Supreme Court allow him to file an appeal in connection with his 2011 murder conviction for allegedly firing a gun at a fraternity house which resulted in the death of one man and injury of others who were present. The court denied the motion due to the fact that months have passed since Jones’ conviction was affirmed by the 7th District Court of Appeals.

Jones was sentenced to 92 years to life in prison following his conviction. In February of 2011, a commotion broke out on a dance floor that ended with the death of Jamail Johnson and several others being injured after more than 20 shots from two different guns were fired toward a fraternity house. Eyewitness testimony and other evidence resulting in Jones being convicted, however he maintains that he was not the shooter, and the evidence is not credible.

In appealing his conviction to the Ohio Supreme Court, Jones wrote that he was not properly notified by his legal counsel of the process. Jones allegedly was not aware that as the months went by, his time period in which to appeal ran out. He claims the lapse was brought to his attention by an inmate clerk working in a prison legal library.

October 22, 2014

Missouri Couple Charged with Possession of Drugs

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday, October 18, Scott County Sheriff’s Department deputies went to the Benton, Missouri residence of a couple for a follow-up investigation on a domestic disturbance, according to a news article at the Southeast Missourian. What they found at the home of Russell and Connie Turner were drugs and drug paraphernalia, which resulted in both of the Turners’ arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Connie Turner, 40, signed a consent-to-search form presented by the deputies; Russell Turner, who is 50, was asked to give consent to search the residence and did so. In the search of the home, deputies discovered drug paraphernalia. Methamphetamine residue was also detected when a field test was performed on the items. Connie Turner admitted to using meth, although her husband denied it. A urine test that Russell Turner later submitted to indicated the presence of methamphetamine in his system. Both of the Turners were taken to the Scott County Jail, where each was given a $750 cash only bond.

In Missouri, the maximum sentence for a conviction of possession of methamphetamine is 7 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. Even possession of illegal drugs is serious, and may leave those accused facing harsh criminal penalties.

October 22, 2014

10-year-old Boy Killed in Suspected DUI Crash in Anaheim

by Scott Grabel

Recently, a 10-year-old boy lost his life in a crash in which the driver of one of the vehicles involved was believed to be under the influence. A multi-vehicle crash occurred in Anaheim after a pickup truck plowed into the back of a Toyota Camry that was stopped at a red light. The impact of the crash caused the Camry to strike a third vehicle.

10-year-old Rafael Ramirez lost his life in the crash, while four of his family members were reportedly in critical condition. The crash, which happened on Saturday evening just before midnight, left five people injured and one dead all total, including the driver of the third vehicle. Gary S. Hunt, driver of the pickup truck that crashed into the back of the Camry, was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Hunt was apparently not injured in the crash, as he was transported away in a police cruiser after officers placed him in handcuffs.

Michigan DUI defense attorneys know that many people operate their vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; fortunately, most are not involved in accidents that take the lives of innocent young children.

October 21, 2014

October 19-25 2014, National Teen Driver Safety Week

by Scott Grabel

It is an unfortunate fact that the number one cause of death for teens is car accidents. This week brings teen driver safety into the national spotlight, increasing awareness of the dangers for teen drivers and their passengers, as well as other motorists who may be victims in accidents involving teenage drivers.

According to TeenDriverSource.org, the riskiest period for teen drivers in regards to becoming involved in a crash occurs in the six months immediately after a teen gets his or her driver’s license.

The theme for this year’s NTDSW is ‘Support Older Novice Drivers: Build Awareness of the Trend in Delayed Licensure.’ Many teenagers today are not getting their driver’s licenses until the age of 18 or even older, partly due to economic reasons. In lower income families, teens are often 19, 20, or even older before they obtain a license.

October 20, 2014

Detroit Residents Use Identities of Recently Deceased to Defraud IRS, Plead Guilty

by Scott Grabel

Recently it was announced by U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade that two Detroit residents pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the use of false identification, and wire fraud. Jarod Koopman, Acting Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation joined McQuade in the announcement.

According to the press release, McAllen Jackson Knight and Renita Adams worked with others in filing hundreds of fraudulent tax returns for the year 2010, using the social security numbers and names of individuals who were recently deceased. Those involved in the scheme used various credits including education and earned income credits, and Making American Work credits in order to obtain refunds. Adams and Knight worked in conjunction with the others to establish bank accounts for the receipt of the fraudulent refunds, and to distribute the refunds among participants.

According to court documents, Knight, Adams, and two other defendants used the information from decedents who had passed away across the U.S. between September 1 of 2010 and March 13 of 2011.

October 20, 2014

Massachusetts School Bus Driver Charged with Third DUI Offense

by Scott Grabel

On Saturday, October 18, Robert E. Murphy of Ashland, Massachusetts was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, his third DUI offense according to a news article at ABC News. Murphy was also charged with operating a motor vehicle to endanger, as he was carrying 25 members of a cross country running team.

According to the article, one of the coaches on board the bus became concerned that the driver, who is 59 years old, was intoxicated. Murphy was bringing the cross country team with Hopkinton High School back from a meet when the incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. A police officer met the bus when it arrived at the high school parking lot, then performed field sobriety tests on Murphy once the team had exited the bus.

Murphy was expected to be arraigned on the charges on Monday.