Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

LOS ANGELES - According to a breaking story published by the Associated Press, Grammy-winning rapper T.I., who has a history of Drug Offenses and is on Federal Probation after spending time behind bars on Gun Charges, was arrested along with his wife after police smelled marijuana coming from their car, authorities said.

The rapper was arrested Wednesday night in West Hollywood during a traffic stop, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Mark Pope told The Associated Press. Authorities said they smelled a strong marijuana odor but would not say if any other drugs were found in the car.

The 29-year-old rapper and his wife, Tameka Cottle, were released from jail at about 4 a.m. Thursday after posting $10,000 bail each, sheriff's Deputy Luis Castro said.

T.I.'s publicist declined to comment.

The arrests follow last week's detention of socialite Paris Hilton, who is being investigated for Felony Cocaine Possession after a motorcycle officer smelled pot wafting from her car.

The Atlanta-based rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., is a multiplatinum hitmaker. Known as the "King of the South," he has emerged one of music's most profitable stars.

He also has a key role in the current top box office movie "Takers." The shoot-'em-up about an armored truck Robbery that goes bad was released last week and topped the box-office chart.

T.I. served seven (7) months in an Arkansas Federal prison and three (3) months in a Georgia halfway house on Federal Weapons Charges and was released in March. He was sentenced to serve three (3) years of supervised release after his prison sentence ended.

He was ordered not to commit another Federal, State or local crime while on supervised release, and also ordered not to illegally possess a controlled substance. He was also told to take at least three (3) drug tests after his release and to participate in a drug and alcohol treatment program.

Patrick Crosby, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney in Atlanta, had no immediate comment Thursday on whether Harris violated the terms of the judge's order.

Since his release, the rapper, who previously spent time behind bars for Drug Offenses, has vowed to live a better life. He spoke to children about the dangers of drugs and guns, and former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young was one of his supporters. As he prepared for his most recent sentence, he starred in the MTV reality show "T.I.'s Road to Redemption: 45 Days to Go."

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, T.I. talked about living a more positive life.

"Right now, it's all about moving forward and just acknowledging the blessing that are here today. ... Just moving past the regrets of yesterday -- the things that could've been done better," T.I. said in a July interview.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, it looks like the only forward moving for T.I. is that he is one step closer to going back to Federal prison.

Continue reading "LOS ANGELES: Rapper T.I. Arrested Again - Federal VOP Coming Soon" »

A 26-year-old man is accused of Stalking a woman and making threats against her life, according to a story in today's St. Pete Times. The stalker has been using his cell phone to leave the victim disturbing voice mail and text messages.

Texts such as "I'll kill you" and "take 'em to your grave" were sent to the victim, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

The woman and her mother may have even been the target of a "drive-by shooting" last month, though no one has been arrested in connection with that.

Jared Borgesto Murray was arrested and charged Monday with Aggravated Stalking (a very serious Felony).

According to his arrest warrant, Murray is accused of harassing the victim between November 20th and December 20th. The victim and her mother called the police in November and told them that Murray had been calling both of them and leaving threatening messages.

As they spoke to an officer the morning of Nov. 20th, the arrest warrant said, the victim's cell phone received two (2) text messages from Murray threatening to hurt her and the police if they "get in my way."

On Dec. 15th, according to the arrest warrant, the woman told the police that she was still receiving threats even after changing her cell phone number. That month, she also obtained a Domestic Violence Injunction (DVI) against Murray.

Two (2) days later, the woman's mother told the police that she heard a "loud bang" around 12:25 a.m. Police found bullet holes in the Mazda parked outside and a hole in the front of their house. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The arrest warrant also detailed a number of threatening text messages:

"Immna kill you. An then I'm gonna kill myself."

"U hurt me now its time for u to hurt exclusively lol watch thank god."

"Anybody ... even look at me crazy your jeopardizing ya whole family an dats on my life."

Sprint was able to connect the two (2) cell phone numbers that the police said were being used to harass the victim to Murray. Murray was also arrested last year in a separate Domestic Battery incident involving the same victim, according to the police.

Murray, of 2500 14th Street South, posted $100,000 bail and was released from the Pinellas County Jail on Monday.

Continue reading "ST. PETERSBURG: Woman is Victim of Cell Phone Stalker" »

As we enter another Holiday Season, the SLAVIN LAW FIRM would like to wish you and yours a Happy and Safe Holiday weekend.

With the support of all of our friends, family and clients, 2009 was another excellent year for the SLAVIN LAW FIRM. And for that, we have much to be thankful for this Holiday Season.

To our family and friends, thank you for your patience and understanding when it was necessary to work late nights and/or weekends.

To our business colleagues and our outstanding network of fellow attorneys, thank you for not only your referrals but for the trust that you have placed in the SLAVIN LAW FIRM to provide an experienced and aggressive representation to those that you've sent our way.

And to both our former and present clients, thank you for the trust that you have placed in the SLAVIN LAW FIRM to protect your rights and to handle your important criminal and/or traffic-related matters.

On behalf of the entire SLAVIN LAW FIRM team, have a Happy, Healthy and Safe Holiday Season.

Continue reading "CLEARWATER: Happy Holidays from the Slavin Law Firm" »

A Tampa Bay area teenager, convicted of a violent rape, has been sentenced to 27 years in the Florida State prison system.

Jose Walle, 15, was one of three men accused in a string of attacks throughout the Bay area in the summer of 2008.

He and two others are facing charges in connection with an Armed Robbery and Armed Sexual Battery at The Table in downtown St. Petersburg. Investigators said the trio also attacked women in Gibsonton and Apollo Beach.

Investigators said that, while Walle himself did not commit any of the rapes, he helped make the crimes happen. In one case, investigators said he pointed a gun at a duct-taped kitchen worker while one of the other, Rigoberto Moron Martinez, raped another employee on the kitchen floor.

According to the St. Pete Times, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Joseph A. Bulone remarked at Walle's sentencing that: "Quite frankly, the facts of this case are amazingly aggravated; they are very, very serious."

Continue reading "ST. PETE: Teen Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Rape at The Table" »

A scheme to rob a man of his prescription painkillers "backfired" Tuesday, police said, leading to the arrests of three (3) men -- one accused of shooting the victim in the leg.

The trio planned to rob Gordon Kendrick, 28, right after he went into a pharmacy to have an Oxycodone prescription filled, police said. Tampa Bay criminal defense attorney Aaron J. Slavin, Esq. of the Clearwater-based SLAVIN LAW FIRM, has seen a sharp increase in the number of Oxycodone cases that his office has retained. These cases range from simple Possession of Oxycodone and/or Trafficking in Oxycodone to Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud and/or Doctor Shopping cases (as Oxycodone as certainly become "the clear drug of choice" among residents in the Tampa Bay area.

Ryan L. Holmberg (below/center), 23, of 1320 14th St. in Palm Harbor is accused of shooting Kendrick. He was charged with Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Battery, Throwing a Deadly Missile into a building and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Also arrested, police said, were Sean M. Perry (below/left), 25, of Clearwater, who drove the getaway car, and Daniel C. Kane (below/right), 31, of Tampa, who helped coordinate the robbery.

At least one of the men knew Kendrick, said Clearwater police spokeswoman Beth Watts.

Arrest reports show Kane communicated with Holmberg by telephone to let him know when to go to the pharmacy.

Perry then drove Holmberg to Trinity Pharmacy at 1474 S Belcher Road. Holmberg approached Kendrick and demanded the pills when Kendrick left the store.

When Kendrick said he didn't have anything, Holmberg shot him in the right thigh with a semi-automatic handgun, according to a St. Pete Times article. The bullet passed through Kendrick's thigh and went into the occupied pharmacy. No one else was injured.

The incident happened around 4:45 p.m.

Kendrick was treated at Morton Plant Hospital and released later Tuesday, a hospital spokesman said. Kendrick was able to identify at least one of the men, arrest reports show.

All three men were taken to the Pinellas County Jail.

Continue reading "CLEARWATER: Botched Oxycodone Robbery Lands 3 Men in Jail" »

"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" »

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).

In an interesting and personal side-note, Representative Peter Nehr (R), Tarpon Springs, was the first local politician to congratulate me on the opening of the SLAVIN LAW FIRM. To this day, his professional and inspiring letter is both framed and hanged on the wall in my law office.

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

An interesting story in today's St. Pete Times highlights the life, or lack thereof, of Teddy Braden, the former gang member turned blogger that blogs from the Pinellas County Jail.

Braden, who is in the Pinellas County Jail on Drug Charges, blogs with the help of his mother -- who takes his notes and letters and posts them online at: teeninjail.blogspot.com

Braden, who was arrested for the first time at age 13, has a Juvenile record consisting of various Drug Charges and a Residential Burglary. As an adult, he has been locked up for doing drugs, selling drugs, Grand Theft, Burglary and now Drug Trafficking.

In one of Braden's blog posts he states that "One of my biggest regrets is joining a gang." The quote sits below a picture of Braden, wearing a red t-shirt, hat and bandana, while throwing up a "B" (a noted gang hand sign for the Bloods). However, something about this photo tells me that Braden would not survive, on the streets, for very long.

Continue reading "CLEARWATER: 20-Year Old Pinellas County Jail Inmate / Blogger" »

A recent Bay News 9 story indicates that crime and gun ownership are both up in Manatee County, Florida. Some residents have indicated that it's the large increase in crime that prompted them to buy a gun. Specifically, Manatee County residents have been fighting back against a recent string of Home Invasion Robberys and Murders.

Recent changes in Florida law have made it easier for each of us to defend our own home and property. Expanding the old concept of the "castle doctrine," Florida lawmakers have given individual property owners additional tools to protect themselves from violent and/or gang-related activity.

The SLAVIN LAW FIRM, in Clearwater, is a proud supporter of the Second Amendment and is a firm believer in allowing law-abiding property owners to possess firearms for the protection of their home and family.

Continue reading "MANATEE COUNTY: Crime and Gun Ownership, Both Up" »

After posting a recent blog entry on NFL wide receiver Donte' Stallworth's 30 day jail sentence for the crime of DUI Manslaughter, I feel compelled to discuss the recent plea agreement that was entered into by New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Facing a likely 3 1/2 year prison sentence, Burress pled guilty to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a lesser charge than the one he was facing after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh while inside the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan in late November 2008.

The firearm which Burress was carrying was not registered in the State of New York, or the State of New Jersey (where Burress lives). Burress previously had a Carrying a Concealed Weapon permit in the State of Florida; however, that license expired in May of 2008.

Unlike the favorable treatment that was received by Donte' Stallworth during his DUI Manslaughter case in Miami-Dade County (as previously discussed in this blog on August 4, 2009), Burress certainly was not given any special and/or favorable treatment by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. In fact, his high-profile attorney, Benjamin Brafman stated "If Plaxico Burress were not a high-profile individual, there never would be a case." Brafman also stated that, "If he were just John Q Public, he would have walked out of the club and he never would have been arrested."

When comparing the two cases, it is obvious that Stallworth and Burress were not treated equally. In fact, aside from the fact that both cases involved NFL-star wide receivers, the only commonality between the two cases is that they both prove (once again) just how easy it is to ruin a very successful career, in a matter of seconds, when alcohol is involved and poor choices are made. Attorney Brafman called the case "a perfect example of how bad judgment can have very serious consequences."

I couldn't agree more.

Continue reading "How Does Giants WR Plaxico Burress Get Two Years in Prison When Donte' Stallworth Only Got 30 Days in Jail for DUI Manslaughter?" »

Welcome to the odd world of random crime committed in the Tampa Bay area. As they say on "Law & Order," here's another story that has been "ripped from the headlines." You just can't make this stuff up.

Yesterday, the Chief of Tampa General Hospital's trauma center pleaded "no contest" to two (2) misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to two (2) years of probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. For the complete story, check out the full St. Petersburg Times article.

Documents which were released yesterday shed some light on this unusual crime. On April 21, 2009, Dr. Sergio Alvarez, a first year resident in the plastic surgery department of the University of South Florida, was assisting Dr. David J. Ciesla during a surgery when they located a bullet on top of the man's liver. About an hour into the surgery, Dr. Ciesla was relieved by another doctor. However, prior to leaving the operating room, Dr. Ciesla reached into the fugitive's body and removed the bullet. According to Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Ciesla stated "this is what we do with bullets" before placing the bullet inside the rubber glove on his right hand.

Unfortunately for Dr. Ciesla, two (2) agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were sitting inside the operating room waiting to take the bullets into evidence. However, when questioned by the FDLE agents, Dr. Ciesla stated that the bullets were still stuck in the patient's body.

Dr. Ciesla eventually returned his souvenir, one week later, after being confronted by University officials. For his part, Dr. Ciesla was charged by the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office with Providing False Information to Law Enforcement and Obstructing or Opposing an Officer without Violence.

Yesterday, County Court Judge Cheryl Thomas "withheld adjudication," meaning Dr. Ciesla will not receive a conviction on his record (assuming he completes the terms of his probation successfully). He will also be eligible for an Early Termination of Probation, after serving one full year of probation, if all of his terms and conditions have been met.

Continue reading "Prominent Tampa Surgeon, Who Hid Bullet Found During Surgery, Gets Probation" »

In another one-of-a-kind story that makes us all wonder why we continue to live in the Tampa Bay area, Eddie Lee Burney, 60, of St. Petersburg, was arrested for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm after he jumped out from behind a tree, at 5:25 a.m., and a pointed a loaded, chrome .38 special at his St. Petersburg Times delivery man.

Apparently Burney was known to make frequent complaints that his morning newspaper was being stolen. Taking matters into his own hands, Burney yelled "come get this newspaper" while placing his hand on the weapon and taking an "aggressive stance" towards the victim.

For his part, Burney is being charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, a third degree felony in the State of Florida that is punishable by up to five years in prison. Burney will also have to deal with the three (3) year minimum/mandatory prison sentence that is required under Florida's 10/20/LIFE law.

Continue reading "Only in St. Pete: Man Arrested for Committing Aggravated Assault with a Firearm Against the Newspaper Delivery Man" »

A recent story in the St. Petersburg Times has indicated that crime is on the rise in the City of St. Petersburg, Florida. According to the latest numbers, Burglary
and Theft Crimes are rapidly increasing.

For the full story, click here:

Police Chief Chuck Harmon has suggested that the rapid rise in crime is due to many factors including the current economic crisis, rising unemployment and home foreclosures.

While Property Crimes like Auto Theft are on the rise, most Crimes of Violence are down this year. Robbery is down 12 percent this year and the number of Homicides have been cut in half.

These statistics have lead to a steady increase in business for the SLAVIN LAW FIRM in Clearwater. Criminal Attorney Aaron J. Slavin, of the SLAVIN LAW FIRM, handles all criminal matters arising in the City of St. Petersburg and throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Continue reading "Crime Still Climbing in St. Petersburg" »

A jury was picked and the Trial has started in one of my all-time favorite cases that I handled while prosecuting in the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office. I can remember the day that one of our local undercover detectives was shot as our Gang Prosecution Unit was already prosecuting several members of St. Petersburg's "Haines Road Cru."

What started as a small "neighborhood group" that bullied people around had turned into a small group of dangerous individuals robbing local pharmacies at gunpoint. Initially, each Robbery was done to get as much Oxycodone and Xanax as possible as the street value of those pills had gone through the roof in Pinellas County.

Soon thereafter, this small group, all clad in black with their faces concealed, robbed a Blockbuster Video in St. Petersburg. Unfortunately, at that time, the St. Petersburg Police Department was doing undercover surveillance on this group.

Once the undercover units noticed that a Robbery was occuring at the Blockbuster, one of the plain-clothes detectives confronted Velislav Matzov. After the detective identified himself as a law enforcement officer, Matzov fired several shot almost killing the detective.

For his part, Matzov was charged with Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer as well as various other Armed Robbery charges. His co-Defendant, Joseph Hollings is set for Trial next week. The driver of the vehicle, Danielle Karlau, has already entered a plea and is expected to be called as a witness. Matzov is facing Life in prison if he is convicted of the most serious charge: the Attempted Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer.

For more information on this case, including the initial St. Petersburg Times article and the Bond Hearing that I handled for the State of Florida, check out the St. Pete TImes article "Birthday Gift Blamed for Cop Shooting".

Continue reading "St. Petersburg Blockbuster Robbery & Cop Shooting Trial Begins" »