Toddler Alerts Police That Dad is Hiding in the Attic

by Pete Strom on January 25, 2012

Where’s Dad? According to Valdet  Gjeloshi’s 2-year-old, he is hiding in the attic. That is just the response St. Petersburg, FL police received when looking for Gjeloshi, 29, who was wanted for violating his probation on a battery charge.

Click here to see pictures.

Police arrived at 770 62nd Ave. N on Saturday afternoon seeking Gjeloshi. Megan Merschen, the mother of Gjeloshi’s son, answered the door. When asked about Gjeloshi’s whereabouts Merschen, 25, responded by telling police other locations in which he may be found.

That is when Gjeloshi’s 2-year-old son struck into action telling police that his father was hiding in the attic. Merschen later admitted that, indeed, Gjeloshi was in the attic of the house.

Gjeloshi was detained and charged with violating his probation and also resisting an officer without violence. Merschen was also charged with obstruction of justice.

The 2-year-old’s grandfather and father of Gjeloshi, Ismet Gjeloshi, said his son was not hiding in the attic when police arrived. Ismet,62, said that the whole situation was due to a miscommunication involving a court date.

Woman Accused of Kidnapping Hoax and $1M in Fraud

by Pete Strom on January 25, 2012

The woman accused of a hoax kidnapping in 2009 has now been charged with stealing more than $1 million.

The woman, Bonnie Sweeten, took her nine-year-old daughter to Disney World while simultaneously telling investigators the pair had been carjacked and abducted near Philadelphia. It is now alleged that Sweeten, 40, fled to Disney World amongst investigations into her personal finances.

Sweeten worked as a paralegal where investigators say she stole money from settlements conducted through her law firm and also opened loans in the name of her employer. Sweeten’s fraud continued with her swindling her boss and an elderly relative out of money.

Sweeten is accused of devising an elaborate plan for stealing $640,00 from her one-lawyer firm, $283,000 from retirement accounts belonging to her first husband’s elderly grandfather, and $150,000 in personal loans that were in her boss’ name.

An investigation into her finances was begun after a co-worker noticed a drastic change in Sweeten. The co-worker said she noticed Sweeten’s lifestyle changing from that of a “mobile home community” to a life with clothes, shoes, jewelry, purses, vacations, and $30,000 spent on a dump truck for her husband.

The co-worker told authorizes, “They ate out constantly, breakfast, lunch, dinner because she didn’t cook. Every room in (her) house had the big flat screen TV, brand new furniture…vacations…a cruise.”
Sweeten’s boss, Debbie Carlitz, reportedly testified, “I’m not going to say I was minding the store…I wasn’t.”

Sweeten blaimed her behavior on marital problems, her daughter’s health problems, and an addiction to Ritalin for her lack of care regarding the firm.

Sweeten allegedly deposited Carlitz’s paychecks saying they were her own. Carlitz failed to notice what was occurring because her husband was profiting well off of the sales of custom mattresses. Carlitz claimed she had plenty of money in her account.

Others, including the family of Sweeten’s first husband, noticed something was amiss regarding their finances, but refused to turn Sweeten in.

“She (Sweeten’s former mother-in-law) didn’t want to see Bonnie go to jail because she didn’t want to hurt the grandchildren,” said the brother of Sweeten’s former mother-in-law.

Sweeten was finally arrested and charged when she wrote a bad check to her former mother-in-law for $280,000 and fled to Florida.

Sweeten faces anywhere from 8 ½ to 10 years in prison for using “sophisticated means”. Sweeten’s attorneys hope to lessen her sentence by saying her means were not sophisticated. The sentencing hearing will resume January 26.

Modern Day “Bonnie and Clyde” Burglarized Home Before Crime Spree

by Pete Strom on January 25, 2012

A couple, who has been given the nickname, the “new Bonnie and Clyde”, allegedly stole guns and horse saddles among other things in Utah before embarking on their two-state, 330-mile crime spree, according to authorities.

Police issued new charges to Angela Hill and Logan McFarland saying the couple broke into a house in Mount Pleasant Utah on December 28 while a friend distracted the homeowner. These charges are in addition to other charges including an attempted carjacking and other home burglaries.

Hill claimed she was kidnapped on December 31 by McFarland after McFarland broke into the home of Ann and Woody Fullwood on December 28. The Fullwood’s were found murdered on December 31. The new charges contradict Hill’s claim.

The Fullwood’s were an elderly couple who were active members of the Mormon Church.

Hill and McFarland were apprehended by authorities on January 3rd after a 100 mph police chase ending on a Nevada ranch.

As of now McFarland has been charged with the burglary at the Fullwood residence, but is a “person of interest” in their murders, according to police.

The pieces are still getting put together as to what exactly happened during the duo’s spree. Authorities believe the rampage was
methamphetamine-fueled and began December 28 in Maroni, Utah and ended January 3 just outside Oasis, Nevada.

The couple stands accused of trying to carjack Rattana Lirange, 35, on December 31 in West Wendover, Nevada. Hill is also accused of attempted murder for shooting Lirange in the head during the attempting carjacking.

Authorities now believe Hill, 25, and friend, Allison Boudreaux, 45, along with McFarland broke into a house on December 28.  Boudreaux distracted the homeowner while Hill and McFarland stole a revolver, shotgun, laptop, purse, and two saddles. Police arrested Boudreaux who confessed to the crime and showed the stolen goods.

From her jail cell, Hill stated while sobbing, “This not Bonnie and Clyde,”

“People are making me out to be an animal, and I’m not.”

Police continue their investigation concerning whether Hill was involved in the deadly break-in with McFarland.

Man Tries to Buy a Vacuum Cleaner and Microwave Using a One Million Dollar Bill

by Pete Strom on January 25, 2012

South Carolina Federal Defense Attorneys

A North Carolina man is accused trying to use a fake $1 million bill to pay for his purchases at a Walmart.

Michael Anthony Fuller, 53, walked into the Walmart on Lowes Boulevard in Lexington, NC on Nov. 17.  He shopped for a while, picked up a vacuum cleaner, a microwave oven and other items that totaled $476, an arrest warrant says.

When he got to the register, Fuller gave the cashier the fake one million dollar bill, saying that it was real.

The Walmart staff called police.

Court records show the suspect was charged with attempting to obtain property by false pretense and uttering a forged instrument, both felonies.

A warrant says of the fake million-dollar bill: “There is no such thing.”

The largest bill in that is in circulation right now is a $100 bill. In 1969, federal officials discontinued the use of $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 bills because of lack of public use.

The largest bill ever printed was the $100,000 bill.  The bill was not available to the public and featured President Woodrow Wilson.  They were printed from Dec. 18, 1934, through Jan. 9, 1935, and were used for transactions between Federal Reserve banks.

By:  South Carolina Federal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

 

 

Bears WR Sam Hurd Busted For Drug Distribution Ring

by Pete Strom on December 16, 2011

South Carolina Federal Defense Lawyers

Chicago Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd remained in custody last night after his hearing in federal court on allegations he tried to establish a drug distribution network that would sell more than 10 pounds of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana a week.

Federal agents arrested Hurd Wednesday and charged him with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The investigation began in Dallas last summer before the receiver signed a three-year deal with the Bears worth up to $5.15 million.

Hurd appeared before Judge Young B. Kim in U.S. District Court in a five-minute hearing late Thurday afternoon. He was dressed in a gray T-shirt and dark jeans and answered “Yes, sir” in a low voice to the judge’s questions whether he understood his rights.

The hearing was continued until 3 p.m. today, at which time he is expected to be released on bail for further proceedings, which will be moved to Texas.

According the criminal complaint, Hurd told an undercover federal agent at a restaurant Wednesday he was interested in buying five to ten kilograms (2.2 pounds per kilo) of cocaine every week to sell in the Chicago area. He took a kilogram of cocaine with the promise to pay for it after Bears practice Thursday, and was arrested after he put it in his car.

Federal agents said the case began in Texas over the summer after receiving a tip from an informant; investigators subsequently found $88,000 cash in the trunk of a car belonging to Hurd.

Bears players and officials said Thursday they were stunned by the news and coach Lovie Smith said the first inkling of the case came when Hurd didn’t show up for practice.

By South Carolina Federal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Cyber Monday Counterfeit Arrests

by Pete Strom on December 12, 2011

South Carolina Federal Defense Attorneys

For the past several months, the Federal Government has been cracking down on online counterfeit product sales.  The results of the ongoing investigation were announced on Cyber Monday, revealing that over 350 websites have been seized since June 2010.

Although these knock-off items may be easy on your wallet and look as good as the real thing, willful copyright infringement is a Federal crime.

Immigration and Customs enforcement Director John Morton announced Monday that the government has shut down 150 websites that were accused of selling fake products. Morton views this issue as “a direct threat to American innovation” as well as a public safety issue.

There is also concern that these violations will transpire into more organized crime.

In place of the former site, the seized domains now show a message from the federal authorities indicating that the site has been seized by the government and a warning that “willful copyright infringement is a federal crime.”

Morton and Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer said most of the websites are registered in the United States but actually run from abroad, mostly in China. Most recently 150 website domain names were seized though no one has been charged with a crime in connection with these sites.

Five people in Virginia were indicted earlier this year on conspiracy and copyright infringement charges. The Justice Department indicates that the website, NinjaVideo.net, allowed site visitors to illegally download high-quality movies and shows. Four of the five affiliates have pleaded guilty.

Since the domains were seized, Breuer said that Internet users have continued to try and access the seized domains over 77 million times.

Getting arrested for conspiracy does not mean that you are guilty or that you do not have any rights.  If you are arrested on Federal charges in South Carolina, contact the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation.

By: South Carolina Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Man sought after reported shooting near White House

by Pete Strom on November 14, 2011

South Carolina Federal Defense Attorneys

Washington, DC- CNN is reporting that Washington police have issued an arrest warrant for a 21-year-old man they say was involved in a recent shooting that occurred between the White House and WashingtonMonument.

According to a news release Sunday from the United States Park Police, the suspect, Oscar Ortega, is wanted in connection to Friday night’s shooting, which did not lead to any injuries, but did rattle people in a district often full of tourists and government buildings.

Police said the warrant issued for Ortega is for carrying a dangerous weapon, a felony.  They believe he is still in the Washington area.

A Secret Service official, who asked not to be identified, said gunshots rang out Friday night as two cars sped away near the National Mall.  The official stated the agents stationed nearby on16th Streetheard the shots, then saw the cars heading west on Constitution Avenue.

The report says at least one witness saw that someone “jumped out of the vehicle and ran,” but no one was captured.

After the shooting report, the U.S. Park Police recovered a vehicle that had wrecked near the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge with a semiautomatic rifle inside.

Investigators believe the suspect may be linked to that vehicle.

By: South Carolina Federal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

Former Councilman E.W. Cromartie Released From Prison

by Pete Strom on November 8, 2011

 

WLTX-TV is reporting former that Columbia City Councilman E.W. Cromartie has returned home after serving 10 months in federal prison for tax evasion.

The former Councilman was released from incarceration in Williamsburg County last Friday. Cromartie’s attorney said his client is currently on home confinement, but is unsure how long he will remain under those terms of release.

In September last year, a judge sentenced Cromartie on charges of tax evasion. In March of that same year, prosecutors announced that Cromartie made false misleading statements to the Internal Revenue Service and failed to pay $25,316 in taxes in 2004. Federal prosecutors alleged that  Cromartie owed the government a total of $58,075.

Cromartie entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors and resigned shortly after. In his plea, Cromartie admitted to earning more than $200,000 in small cash deposits and withdrawals to avoid IRS minimums on transaction reporting requirements.

It’s no secret that the IRS is tasked with detecting and prosecuting tax fraud and tax evasion.

Common IRS allegations include:

  • failure to pay, or under payment of, personal or business income taxes,
  • failure to file personal or business taxes,
  • misrepresentation of income,
  • supporting deductions with fraudulent documentation,
  • Hiding assets in an offshore bank account,
  • Claiming deductions you are not eligible for, and
  • Money laundering

If you are contacted by a SCDOR or IRS agent, you should contact our South Carolina tax evasion attorney for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.  While your first inclination may be to contact your accountant, it is important to remember that conversations with your accountant are not protected in a criminal investigation or prosecution. Accountants are an integral part of the defense team in any criminal tax matter, but only when they have been retained by counsel and thus are brought within the attorney-client privilege under U.S. v. Koval , 296 F.2d 918 (2d Cir. 1961) and other intepretive cases.   Call us today for a free consultation to hear how we can help. 803-252-4800

By: Pete Strom, Federal Tax Evasion Attorney

Defending Mail Fraud

by Pete Strom on November 7, 2011

South Carolina Mail Fraud Attorneys

Fighting An Allegation of Mail Fraud

The United States Code criminalizes, “any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses” involving the U.S. Mail system.

The problem with an allegation of mail fraud is that each act committed in a post office of taking out or putting in a letter that furthers the scheme, is a distinct and separate violation.  Accordingly, with a mass mailing, hundreds of violations may have been committed.

Defending a mail fraud allegation requires a complete understanding of what the Government must establish to secure a conviction.  The Strom Law Firm, LLC, provides the sound legal knowledge and the resources to effectively represent you against charges of mail fraud.  If you have been arrested for mail fraud in South Carolina, contact us today for a free consultation to hear how we can help.  803.252.4800

As a former U.S. Attorney, Pete Strom handled these types of criminal fraud cases. Mr. Strom’s experience will provide you with an aggressive, strategic, and well planned defense.

What is Required to Set Forth a Mail Fraud Case

To secure a conviction of mail fraud, the government must establish:

  • that you utilized the US postal system
  • “for the purpose of executing” the fraudulent scheme.

To prove their case, the government only needs to prove that the mailing was incidental to an essential part of the scheme.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Mail Fraud Attorney

Reduction in Federal Crack Cocaine Sentences Could Release 12,000 Inmates

by Pete Strom on November 2, 2011

South Carolina Federal Defense Attorneys

A reduction in federal prison sentences for crack cocaine took effect on November first in a move that could release an estimated 12,000 inmates get reearly.

The changes reduce federal penalties for the more addictive crack cocaine to bring them more in line with those for powdered cocaine. The sentencing disparity had long been criticized as racially discriminatory because it disproportionately affected African American defendants.

Chris Burke, a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons said, ”Up to 1,800 inmates are immediately eligible to go free and prison officials are processing a growing number of release orders,” 

The pace has picked up in the last couple of weeks and we don’t expect it to abate any time soon,’ he said.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission said they estimate this summer that about 12,000 inmates could be eligible to seek a reduced sentence, with the impact spread over decades. The average reduction sentence per inmate  would be 37 months.

President Barack Obama signed the sentencing changes in 2010. The Sentencing Commission voted this past summer to make the new law apply retroactively to its guidelines.

One Example

Inmate  Stephanie Nodd, who was sentenced in 1990 to 30 years in prison on crack cocaine charges, could be released as soon as this month, claimed her brother Dan Nodd, of Mobile, Alabama.

‘We planned on having a big celebration for her. It would be a day of celebration, a day of jubilation for me,’ he said in a telephone interview.

Ms Nodd, now 44, has five children, and has earned a high school equivalency degree as well as a forklift license while in prison. Her brother said he hopes to help her get a job when she was released.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

 

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