Posted on November 04, 2020 in Criminal Defense

Child abuse is a tragedy that happens all too frequently across the world. In Texas, an average of more than four children die from abuse or neglect every week and 184 kids are confirmed victims on a daily basis. As a parent, it may seem unimaginable how an adult can hurt a child or how the statistics can be this high in a single state alone. The cruelty behind child abuse is undeniable, which can unfortunately lead to quick judgments from the court and unfounded convictions. False accusations of child abuse or neglect are not uncommon when it comes to divorce or adjustments in child custody orders. Criminal actions like those committed by Justin Fountain, a father from East Texas, should be charged in a harsh manner, as shown below. However, those facing false accusations should seek out immediate legal help from a reputable criminal defense attorney to avoid facing severe consequences for a crime they did not commit.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 29, 2020 in Criminal Defense

As of late, a number of large-scale drug operations have been discovered and shut down by Texas law enforcement. Some spanning from Mexico, through Texas, and all the way to West Virginia while others are bringing down small Texas communities. Those found guilty of possessing, manufacturing, and distributing these illegal substances will face hefty charges in the state of Texas. Depending on the substance at hand, drug charges can span from a relatively minor misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. 

Fort Worth Drug Ring

In mid-October, 30 members of an alleged methamphetamine distribution ring were taken into custody and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to reports from KWTX, the group was led by Jonathon Rodriguez, the 30-year-old owner of Funky Town Swag, a clothing store located in Fort Worth. Investigators took possession of 16 kilograms of meth, 9 ounces of heroin, and 9 firearms during the arrest. According to sources, methamphetamine has been an ongoing issue in North Texas for some time. Law enforcement discovered that Rodriguez and his team had allegedly attempted to create a meth conversion lab inside a Fort Worth residence. Reports claim that the drug ring allegedly distributed kilograms of crystal meth out of Funky Town Swag’s back office, a number of trap houses, a car wash, and a local motel. If they are found guilty, the 30 members each face up to 40 years in federal prison.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 21, 2020 in Criminal Defense

A 24-year-old former educational assistant was indicted by a grand jury in Bowie County, Texas, earlier this month on two counts of an improper relationship between educator and student. The former aide was also indicted on a single count of sexual assault of a child. All three criminal charges are felonies, and they stem from interactions she allegedly had with students between November 2019 and May 2020.

Overheard Conversations

According to reports, a teacher at Texas High in the Texarkana Independent School District overheard a group of boys talking in June about how one of the boys might have gotten the instructional aide pregnant. After being confronted, the 17-year-old boy allegedly said that he had had sex with the aide but that she told him he was not her baby’s father. He also claimed that other students had sex with the assistant as well.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 14, 2020 in Criminal Defense

A small city in East Texas was thrust into the national spotlight in recent days—and for all of the wrong reasons. On the morning of Friday, October 9, police in New Boston, TX, were called to a residence where they found the body of a young woman who had apparently been murdered. To make matters even worse, the victim had been pregnant at the time of her death, and a preliminary investigation indicated that the woman’s unborn baby had been cut from her body. The gruesome scene prompted action by several local and state agencies, looking into the case as both a murder and kidnapping investigation.

Pregnant Woman Found Dead

At a little after 10 a.m. last Friday, New Boston police responded to a 911 call reporting a deceased person. New Boston is a small city of approximately 4,600 people in Bowie County near Texarkana. When the police arrived, they discovered the body of a 21-year-old woman. According to officials from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the woman was clearly the victim of a homicide. She had also been almost eight months pregnant when she died, and her baby had been cut from her womb, presumably by her killer. Following the horrific discovery, an investigation was initiated by multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the region, including the Department of Public Safety, the New Boston Police Department, the Texarkana Police Department, and the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 07, 2020 in Federal Crimes

As it currently stands in the United States, most computer-related crimes can be charged as federal offenses, as they largely utilize the online infrastructure of the Internet. Computer-related federal charges may stem from using the Internet to traffic drugs, weapons, and even people, in addition to illegal materials such as child pornography. Interstate and international scams conducted via the Internet can also be prosecuted as federal crimes. “Hacking” or gaining illicit access to computer systems or networks is usually a federal crime, as well.

With all of this in mind, it may come as quite a shock to learn that the U.S. justice system currently does not have a clear process in place for prosecuting those accused of hacking into a federal voting system. However, the U.S. House unanimously passed a bill last month that would give federal prosecutors the statutory support they need to prosecute voting system hacking. The bill cleared the Senate in 2019 and is now awaiting President Trump’s signature so that it can be enacted into law.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 25, 2020 in Federal Crimes

Under Texas law, a person commits criminal homicide if he or she intentionally or negligently causes the death of another individual. Criminal homicide is considered murder when the offender knowingly causes the death of the individual, causes death while intentionally causing serious bodily harm, or causes the death of the individual during the commission of a felony. Depending on the facts of the case, murder may be charged as a first-degree or second-degree felony offense in Texas. However, there are some situations in which murder may also be considered a federal crime. 

Circumstances in Which the Federal Government Prosecutes Murder Cases

Most federal murder charges result from murders involving drug trafficking or weapons trafficking, or attacks on U.S. government officials. Deaths resulting from certain crimes against children may also result in federal murder charges. Murder is typically a federal criminal offense if:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 21, 2020 in Criminal Defense

The public’s opinion of drugs and alcohol has changed dramatically throughout our nation’s history. Alcohol was common in many American homes until the 18th Amendment banned the consumption of liquor, beer, and wine in 1919. Then, the 21st Amendment repealed the ban on the manufacture and consumption of alcohol. Today, marijuana is a subject of great controversy across the United States. Some consider it a dangerous “gateway drug” while others believe that the substance offers significant medicinal benefits. Although the laws surrounding drugs and alcohol are constantly changing, one certainty has remained consistent: Drugs and alcohol should not be consumed by children. Allowing a child to consume drugs or alcohol or consuming an illicit substance in the presence of a child can result in child endangerment charges.

Criminal Charges Can Result from Exposing a Child to Danger

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 14, 2020 in Criminal Defense

Breakups and divorce can sometimes lead people to make choices they would never make otherwise. Some individuals even fabricate stories of child abuse or neglect in order to “get back” at their former partner. Unfortunately, even if an accusation of child abuse is completely unfounded, the allegation can have dramatic effects on the wrongfully accused. He or she may be investigated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or even arrested and charged with a criminal offense. If you or a loved one has been accused of causing injury to a child, it is crucial that you take swift action to protect your rights.

Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse

Understandably, being accused of a crime you did not commit can be infuriating. However, it is important to remain calm and avoid taking actions that could be used against you in any criminal proceedings. Do not confront your accuser in any way. If you have been served with a protective order or restraining order, comply with the provisions contained in the order. You may be required to surrender your firearms and/or concealed carry permit, stay away from the alleged victim’s school, or even temporarily move out of your own home. Even if the grounds for the protective order are fraudulent, you should comply with these requirements. By doing so, you show the court that you are a law-abiding citizen. Even more importantly, violating the terms of the protective order can result in additional criminal charges which will make your situation even worse.
Injury to a child is a felony offense in Texas. If you are accused of causing bodily injury or mental impairment to your child or any other child through reckless actions or inaction, you could face up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. If the alleged injury was intentional, the maximum punishment for causing injury to a child is 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines. If a serious bodily injury or mental impairment was allegedly caused, the crime is a first-degree felony, which is punishable by life in prison. As you can see, the punishments for harming a child in Texas are severe. This is why it is critical for you to obtain legal support from an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Do not respond to police questioning without your lawyer present. You could say or do something incriminating that is later used against you.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 04, 2020 in Criminal Defense

Because children’s brains are not fully developed and they have not had the same life experiences as adults, it is assumed that children cannot consent to sexual activities. In the eyes of the law, this makes any sexual conduct between a child and an adult non-consensual and therefore unlawful. However, the “age of consent” or age at which a person is considered to be capable of agreeing to sex, varies from state to state. This can make it difficult to know when a sexual relationship is in violation of the law. If you have been charged with sexual assault of a child or accused of statutory rape, you could be facing life-altering criminal consequences. That is why it is important to contact a qualified criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 28, 2020 in Criminal Defense

Money laundering is a term used to describe the act of hiding funds that are obtained through criminal activities. It is a criminal offense that is prosecuted by the state and federal government and punishable by steep fines and significant prison sentences. If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense related to money laundering, contact an experienced federal criminal defense attorney right away. Do not speak to the police without your attorney present. Take advantage of your Constitutional right to avoid self-incrimination by remaining silent and asking for your lawyer right away.

U.S. Federal Money Laundering Laws

The term “money laundering” refers to the process of making illegally obtained or “dirty” money appear legitimate or “clean.” If you concealed or attempted to conceal profits from a crime, you may be charged with offenses related to the crime as well as the offense of money laundering. For example, if you received money from selling illicit drugs and then funneled those profits into your small business, you may face charges for drug distribution as well as money laundering. Money laundering typically involves three main steps. First, the cash obtained from the unlawful sources is disguised as money from a legitimate business or another lawful source. Next, the origin of the funds is obscured so that it is difficult for law enforcement to determine the original source. Lastly, the laundered funds are reintroduced or integrated into the economy -- often through financial institutions.

Continue Reading ››