Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

The "King of Hudson" has been dethroned.

A federal judge has sentenced Arde Olsen, also known as the "King of Hudson," to 20 years in prison for Trafficking in Oxycodone.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Olsen was the ringleader of a large oxycodone trafficking organization that he mainly operated from an auto repair shop at 11923 Pine Forest Drive in Hudson and a home on Denton Avenue.

Law enforcement targeted Olsen in a Federal drug operation called "Operation Oxy Express," which led to the arrest of Olsen and 18 others. Each has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to Federal prison.

Olsen, 51, drew the harshest sentence this week among the defendants. The lowest sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington was two years, which went to the youngest defendant, 19-year-old Amber Marie Morreale.

To read the plea agreement (courtesy of the TBO.com), please click here.

Prosecutors said the group obtained large amounts of oxycodone from various pharmacies across Tampa Bay through Doctor Shopping. Olsen paid individuals to visit doctor offices and obtain prescriptions for oxycodone.

According to a prior St. Pete Times article, here is a list of those indicted in "Operation Oxy Express:"

• Arde Olsen, 51, who also goes by Arne. Authorities say he was the ringleader.

• Shannon Star Olsen, 45, who married Arde in 2002.

• Arde's son, Jason Michael Olsen, 24.

• William "Billy" Joseph Califano, 29.

• Earle Monroe Silcox, 30.

• Jessie Krumm, 21.

• Amber Marie Morreale, 19.

• Jerald "Popeye" John Gilio Jr., 33.

• Anthony "Ant" Robert Upton, 28.

• Donna "Fat Donna" Jean Bynum, 31.

• Debra A. Collins, 48.

• Dannie James Mariedth, 50.

• Sarah Lynn Maynard, 25, who also goes by Sara Widemann.

• Joshua "Josh" McTavish Brown, 24.

• Anthony "Tony" Keith Christian, 27.

• Billy Ray Hardin, 27.

• Soni Jo Cheesbrough, 27.

• Dennis "Ash" Ashley Miller, 35.

• Jereme Lee Gould, 24.

Continue reading "TAMPA: Leader of Hudson Oxycodone Ring Gets 20 Years in Federal Prison" »

A Seminole man was sentenced to 20 years in a Florida state prison today for molesting two (2) girls he lured through MySpace.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Wayne S. Timmerman also ordered Edward Oberwise, 40, to serve 10 years of Sexual Offender probation when he is released.

The judge was outraged at Oberwise's apparent lack of remorse - the defendant only mentioned he was sorry after repeated promptings by Timmerman.

"You are sorry you got caught," Timmerman said. "I have no sympathy."

The sentence was the maximum Timmerman could impose under an agreement prosecutors struck with Oberwise in exchange for him waiving his right to a Jury Trial.

Timmerman found Oberwise guilty of five (5) counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery in August. Without the cap, Oberwise faced up to 75 years in prison.

The girls were 12 and 14 when the crime occurred. The Tampa Tribune does not identify the victims of sex crimes.

In a letter read by her mother, the older victim said she was still having nightmares and flashbacks about the incident and cringes every time she drives by the parking lot where the assaults occurred.

The younger girl and her mother didn't speak. But at trial, the girl testified that she met Oberwise through her MySpace page and the two began to text and e-mail.

She agreed to meet him at a park near her FishHawk Ranch home and took her older friend along because she didn't want to meet him alone.

The pair said they sneaked out of their homes and met Oberwise on Jan. 3, 2008. He drove them to a nearby grocery store parking lot.

Oberwise molested one girl in the back seat while the other stayed in front acting as a lookout, testimony showed. The girls then exchanged places.

Ultimately, the younger girl's mother discovered the relationship while checking her daughter's cell phone. Deputies then set up a recorded conversation between the girl and Oberwise in which he admitted the sexual conduct.

During his bench trial, Oberwise denied any sexual activity. He admitted meeting the girls but said he left because they were so young.

Oberwise testified the girls stole $15 in beer money and that he only admitted to the sexual conduct during the recorded conversation because he was mad about the theft.

During that call, the girl set up a second meeting. Oberwise was arrested when he arrived at that meeting.

Continue reading "TAMPA: Pinellas Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Luring Girls on MySpace" »

How lazy do you gotta be to get a DUI without ever getting off your La-Z-Boy???

The following is courtesy of TMZ.com:

A 61-year-old man named Dennis LeRoy was just sentenced to 180 days in jail after cops say he got wasted at a Minnesota bar last year and tried to drive home on his suped-up piece of living room furniture.

The La-Z-booze-mobile was equipped with a cup-holder, radio, headlight and a National Hot Rod Association sticker. It was powered by a converted lawn-mower.

Cops say on August 31,2008, LeRoy pounded around 8 or 9 beers, left the bar, mounted his chair-mobile -- which is capable of speeds up to 20 MPH -- and crashed into a "real car" on the way back to his home.

LeRoy was given field sobriety tests ... but cops say he "failed everything."

The La-Z-Boy driver can avoid jail time if he completes two years of supervised probation -- which includes completing a chemical dependency program, random testing and 30 days of electronic monitoring.

Continue reading "MN: Man Gets DUI on La-Z-Boy Mobile Chair" »

The Pinellas County State Attorney's Office said it plans to file formal charges against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib.

Talib is accused of hitting a cab driver in August. He will face a misdemeanor Battery charge stemming from the August incident where a cab driver said he was punched by the Bucs player and former first round draft pick. A second charge of Resisting Arrest without Violence has been dropped by the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office.

The State Attorney's Office said they have enough evidence to charge Talib. He will be formally arraigned in a few weeks. The misdemeanor Battery charge is punishable by up to one year in the Pinellas County Jail or one year of probation with up to a $1,000 Fine. Talib's attorney, Ronald Hanes, has indicated that his client will plead Not Guilty.

The Buccaneers are leaving for England on Friday to prepare for their game with New England on Sunday in London. There are no special stipulations that would prevent him from traveling with the team, as he is not considered to be a flight risk.

Continue reading "PINELLAS COUNTY: Bucs Cornerback Aqib Talib Charged with Battery" »

A 28-year-old man was arrested today for Possession of Child Pornography after detectives with a warrant searched his home, Clearwater police said.

Karl Michael Strasser was arrested at 7:20 a.m. at 512 S Crest Ave., and charged with 20 counts of Possession of Child Porn and one count of Distributing Child Porn.

Police would not say how Strasser became a focus of the investigation, which began in August.

Thursday, Clearwater police, along with the attorney general's Cybercrime Unit, found images of child pornography on three computer towers and storage devices, which were seized.

Strasser was also charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia after detectives found 1.3 grams of marijuana in his bedroom, police said.

For the complete story, check out today's St. Pete Times.

Continue reading "CLEARWATER: Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges" »

Pot-smoking patients and their sanctioned suppliers should not be targeted for Federal Prosecution in states that allow medical marijuana, prosecutors were told Monday in a new policy memo issued by the Justice Department. For the complete story, check out the Associated Press article in today's St. Pete Times.

Under the policy spelled out in a three-page legal memo, Federal prosecutors are being told it is not a good use of their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state law.

The guidelines issued by the department do, however, make it clear that Federal agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes.

The new policy is a significant departure from the Bush administration, which insisted it would continue to enforce Federal anti-pot laws regardless of state codes.

"It will not be a priority to use federal resources to prosecute patients with serious illnesses or their caregivers who are complying with state laws on medical marijuana, but we will not tolerate Drug Traffickers who hide behind claims of compliance with state law to mask activities that are clearly illegal," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a statement.

By the government's count, 14 states allow some use of marijuana for medical purposes: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Some medical marijuana advocates say Maryland shouldn't be included in that group, because the law there only allows for reduced penalties for medical marijuana usage.

Florida, however, does not permit the medical use of marijuana.

California stands out among those for the widespread presence of dispensaries - businesses that sell marijuana and even advertise their services. Colorado also has several dispensaries, and Rhode Island and New Mexico are in the process of licensing providers, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a group that promotes the decriminalization of marijuana use.

Advocates say marijuana is effective in treating chronic pain and nausea, among other ailments.

Continue reading "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Feds to Stop Prosecuting Medical Marijuana Users" »

One of the first pieces of advice that I give to new clients is to take down any social networking profiles that they may have (if they tend to use these accounts, like Facebook or MySpace, to talk about or post evidence of their criminal activity).

Another recent story out of Seattle reaffirms this advice. To read the complete story, check out this link to the original CBS News.com story.

Maxi Sopo was living the dream of a fugitive abroad, kicking back on the beaches of Cancun during the day and partying in the clubs at night. Then, Maxi Sopo did two (2) things that are NEVER a good idea to do when you are hiding from law enforcement. First, Sopo started posting Facebook messages about how much fun he was having. He then accepted a "Friend Request" from a former Justice Department official.

Because of these poor decisions, Maxi Sopo, a 26-year-old native of Cameroon, is now in a Mexico City jail awaiting extradition back to the United States to await his trial on Federal charges of Bank Fraud.

(right) Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scoville displays part of the Facebook page, and an enlarged profile photo, of fugitive Maxi Sopo. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Even in the hold-nothing-back world of social networking, where police search Facebook photos for evidence of underage drinking and watch YouTube videos to identify riot suspects, it's rare that a fugitive helps authorities this much (see Maxi Sopo's Facebook profile below).

Prosecutors say he masterminded the Bank Fraud scheme with Edward Asatoorians, who was convicted by a Federal jury in Seattle last week. Testimony at trial indicated the pair persuaded young co-conspirators to lie about their income to obtain loans for fabricated auto purchases, and then used the money to prop up Asatoorians' business and to take an expensive trip to Las Vegas.

Continue reading "SEATTLE: Fugitive Brags on Facebook and Gets Busted!!" »

"The madness must stop," according to Circuit Court Judge Joseph A. Bulone. On Friday, Judge Bulone provided one victim's family with a sense of closure when he sentenced Allan Burney (below), 21, to life in prison for his role in the October 8th, 2007 shooting of Michael Scott, 23, in Clearwater's North Greenwood community. For the complete story, check out Saturday's St. Pete Times article.

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Burney, who co-created the underground DVD series "Da Hood Gone Wild," was convicted following a three-day trial that ended on August 27th. A Pinellas County jury found Burney guilty of Second Degree Murder along with three additional counts on Attempted Second Degree Murder and Shooting at, within or into a Vehicle for the shooting that killed Michael Scott and seriously injured his brother, Antonio Scott.

"Da Hood Gone Wild" infamously depicted violence in Clearwater's North Greenwood neighborhood. Burney developed the controversial DVD series with his childhood friend Cortez Hearns. The videos chronicled street life in the North Greenwood community including: fights in the middle of the street, gyrating women in G-strings and the Clearwater Police Department trying to control the pandemonium.

At trial, state prosecutors were able to convince a jury of four women and two men that Burney fired a Mac-11 into the car that Michael Scott was driving on October 8, 2007 in the area of North Betty Lane and Springdale Street in Clearwater.

As shown above, the Ingram Mac11 (officially known as the "Military Armament Corporation Model 11") has a very high rate of fire: about 1,000 rounds a minute -- allowing a 32 round magazine to be emptied in just a few seconds.

Continue reading "CLEARWATER: "Da Hood Gone Wild" Creator Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatal Shooting" »

After more than a decade-long career with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office's Narcotics Division, Lion, the yellow Labrador Retriever that sniffed out nearly three (3) tons of drugs and $300,000 in cash, has died. For more information, check out the full story in Friday's St. Pete Times.

Detective Pat Shea, who was Lion's K9 handler, took Lion into his home in December 2000. Over the next decade, Lion participated in countless Drug Offenses & Drug Trafficking cases.

An hour after Lion's death, Pet Angel in Pinellas Park came to the veterinary clinic, placed Lion in a casket, and draped it with an American flag. "To honor his law enforcement service," Shea said.

Last call for Lion!! 10-98

How do you know when a "first date" has gone really bad?

A Detriot man was sentenced last month to at least two (2) years in state prison for stealing a woman's car after skipping out on the check during a first date. Terrance McCoy, 24, was sentenced in Oakland County, Michigan to two (2) to ten (10) years in prison for one of the classier moves that I've seen in awhile.

McCoy pleaded "no contest" on September 18th to Grand Theft Motor Vehicle. As in Florida, a "no contest" plea does not admit guilty, but simply states that you believe it is in your best interest to resolve the case without going to trial.

Police say that McCoy dined with a twenty-seven (27) year-old companion on April 24th in Ferndale, Michigan. The woman told the police that McCoy said he forgot his wallet in her car and needed her keys to retrieve it. After that, McCoy took off in her car.

Defense attorney Terri Antisdale stated that McCoy is a "very nice man who made a bad decision." Really? Do you think so?

Continue reading "DETROIT: Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Stealing Car on First Date" »

A laser-sighted 9mm Glock Firearm, which was stolen several months ago from a Tarpon Springs State Representative, was recovered in the waistband of a convicted felon yesterday during a traffic stop in St. Pete, Florida. For more information on this odd story, check out today's St. Pete Times for more details.

So far, this is what the Tarpon Springs Police Department knows: State Representative Peter Nehr's 9mm Glock handgun (with an extended magazine) was stolen from his car on May 13, 2009.

4 1/2 months later, Elvis Leon Weaver, 20, of 3800 12th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, was wanted by law enforcement for several outstanding warrants (for previously committed offenses) when a "tipster" told police where they could find him. Soon thereafter, an unmarked police car conducted a traffic stop on a 2009 Chevy Impala, which Weaver was driving on 34th Street South in St. Pete. During this traffic stop, law enforcement found Drugs in the car and the gun in Weaver's waistband. The serial number on the gun matched the one that was reported stolen, months earlier, by Nehr.

Ultimately, Weaver was arrested on charges of Dealing in Stolen Property, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Failure to Appear and three (3) counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance. After being booked into the Pinellas County Jail, Weaver posted a $24,663 bond and is back on the streets (this time without Representative Nehr's firearm).

Continue reading "ST. PETERSBURG: Handgun Stolen From State Rep. Peter Nehr (R), Tarpon Springs, Found in Felon's Waistband" »

Jordan Valdez, the Davis Island teenager who was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death, is expected to plead guilty and be sentenced on November 24th. For those unfamiliar with this case, Valdez, who was 16-years-old at the time, was involved in a fatal crash on February 8th, killing a homeless woman as she crossed Hyde Park Avenue near the Davis Island bridge. The victim, Melissa Sjostrom, 33, died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.

In what has become both a newsworthy and controversial case in the Tampa Bay area, Valdez has been charged (as an adult) with a First Degree Felony which carries up to a maximum of thirty (30) years in prison. However, authorities with the Hillsborough County State Attorneys Office have already indicated that they will not be seeking prison time or a conviction. For the complete story, please read today's St. Pete Times article.

It only takes a quick look at the 256 online "comments" that follow a previous St. Pete Times article, that was published on May 19, 2009, to get the feeling that this case has upset many in the Tampa Bay community. Initially, Valdez was cited for Careless Driving, a non-criminal traffic infraction that is usually punishable by a small fine. Adding further insult to injury, that Careless Driving citation was dismissed in a Tampa traffic court (without anyone from Sjostrom's family present -- despite a written request from the family to continue the matter so the family could travel down from Kentucky) by Hillsborough County Court Judge Joelle Ober.

After the St. Pete Times went public with the story, and following the public backlash that the story created, the Tampa Police Department "re-opened" and "re-investigated" the case. And, after doing a much more thorough job the second time around, the Tampa Police Department finally built a solid case for prosecutors to bring to Court. Eventually, Valdez was arrested and charged as an adult with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death.

Continue reading "TAMPA: Davis Island Teen to Plead Guilty to Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death" »