Florida Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

A Florida man who owned a chain of pain clinics in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Jacksonville Orlando and Lakeland has pled guilty to federal drug charges revolving around the illegal distribution of prescription painkillers. Troy Wubbena operated pain clinics all over Florida with Dr. Jeffery Friedlander. The doctor has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute drugs including oxycodone. Wubbena is expected to plead guilty to the same charges next week according to the Tampa Tribune.

The clinics that Wubbena owned and operated with Friedlander were part of a significant operation illegally distributing painkillers and drugs according to authorities. The clinics have been shut down and according to the story thousands of pain killers were illegally sold to addicts and even high school students. Wubbena kept track of sales and directed them for the pain clinics. He kept records on note cards.

The main drug the clinic dealt with was oxycodone. The operation was based on blank prescription forms that were signed by Dr. Friedlander and then filled out by clinic employees and Wubbena. The 44-year-old has apparently admitted to using the pre-signed forms. They were filled out in the names of patients, filled at pharmacies and then sold. Wubbena allegedly admitted to acquiring more than 15,000 oxycodone pills using this method in a span of over two-years.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in the operation to shut down the pain clinic as they went undercover. The charges for illegally distributing prescription drugs aren’t the only ones the pair will face. There are also Medicare fraud charges that they defendants will face. Firedlander is expected to be sentenced in August. Wubbena is facing up to 20 years in prison on his charges when he is sentenced.

Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 17-year-old Palmetto man on a host of charges Tuesday following a traffic stop. Dontay Henderson was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, probation violations, grand theft, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a controlled substance, dealing in stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.

There was no information in the Sarasota Herald Tribune story as to why the traffic stop was initiated. Once the vehicle was pulled over a police dog was brought to the scene. Detectives then found a gun, marijuana, baggies of drugs and a Hydrocodone pill. According to the story Henderson admitted to the charges. There was no mention that he was represented by a Sarasota Attorney.

The Florida Highway Patrol warned the people of Florida that it would be making more stops for seatbelt violations this month. Apparently William McKinley Davis of North Port didn’t listen. The 51-year-old was stopped by Charlotte County Sheriff’s deputies for not wearing a seatbelt and ended up charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

The traffic stop took place Sunday. According to the arrest report and the Sarasota Herald Tribune, the deputy smelled burnt marijuana as he approached the car. Sheriff’s searched the car and found over $2,500 in cash and more than 100 grams of pot. Davis was booked into Charlotte County Jail and he posted a $6000 bond.

A Tampa mother who allegedly took 25 Xanax pills and couldn’t remember where her daughter was has been arrested for child neglect and a violation of probation charge stemming from a grand theft arrest. Lisa Flores has a long list of criminal charges in Hillsborough County. According to TampaBay.com Flores has been arrested six times in Tampa for charges ranging from DUI to drug trafficking to petty theft.

The latest incident took place on Saturday and according to arrest reports Flores left her 3-year-old in her apartment while she went to buy illegal prescription drugs. When she came home Flores allegedly smoked marijuana and left again. Her daughter was in the care of a friend. Flores’ friend didn’t want to leave the little girl alone when her mom never returned to the apartment and took the young girl. When Flores returned to the apartment the next day she couldn’t find or remember where her daughter was. At that point she reported her daughter missing.

Continue reading "Tampa Mom High On Xanax Can’t Remember Where Her 3-Year-Old Child Is" »

The FBI has arrested 15 prison guards on charges ranging from bribery to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Eleven of the guards that were arrested worked for the Department of Corrections. The other four were employed by a private company. The raid continues the state of Florida’s efforts to crack down on the drug problem in its jails. In 2009 drug dogs found 700 grams of cocaine, 3,800 grams of marijuana and heroin while searching prison grounds, housing and parking lots.

All the arrested prison guards face federal drug charges. Three of the guards worked for the DOC for 30 years and four others had 25 years of service with the department of corrections. According to TBO.com the 11 state employed guards were all fired following their arrests. The investigation had been going on for over two years and was a joint effort by numerous law enforcement agencies.

TampaBay.com is reporting that Anthony Giancola has been arrested for violating his probation, prowling and loitering in St. Petersburg. Giancola was on probation after he attempted to buy crack cocaine from an undercover cop in his Hillsborough County middle school office while a principal at Van Buren Middle School. He has been on probation since June of 2007.

The latest arrest for the former Tampa teacher came at 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning when Giancola was discovered in a parked car waiting for a man named “Mike”. Police noticed the man trying to hide something with his foot. When they investigated further the police found a butcher knife on the floor. Giancola claimed the knife was used for work as a chef. He was booked into Pinellas County jail.

Continue reading "Former Hillsborough County Principal On Probation For Drug Crime Back In Jail In Pinellas" »

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath’s 19-year-old daughter has been arrested in Florida on drug charges. Olivia Namath was charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and possession of liquor by a person under the age of 21. She has been released from a Palm Beach County jail on bail.

According to the sheriff’s department, Namath was involved in a traffic stop Sunday in Jupiter, Florida. Deputies say they smelled marijuana. At that point they searched the car and found marijuana in the trunk and on the floor boards. There was also beer and rum in the vehicle.

Continue reading "Daughter Of Famed QB Joe Namath Charged With Possession Of Marijuana And Intent To Sell" »

A six-month investigation into drug sales at six Pinellas County strip clubs culminated in 23 arrests Tuesday. “Operation Adult Use” was an undercover operation that involved narcotics detectives with the Pinellas County sheriff’s office. The operation netted dancers, employees and customers. According to the St. Pete Times they are accused of selling cocaine, anxiety drugs and painkillers.

According to the police most of the drugs being sold were prescription drugs, mainly oxycodone and roxycodone. The clubs that were the focus of the operation were Bliss Cabaret, Oz Ladies and Gentleman’s Club, Baby Dolls, Diamond Dolls, Gold Club and Badda Bling Gentleman’s Club. The investigation is still ongoing.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in St. Petersburg or Pinellas County and need agressive legal representation, please do not hesitate to contact St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourPinellasArrest.com. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping our Clearwater office located at 4500 140th Ave. N Suite #203.

Pernell Brown committed what seems to be a minor traffic infraction but it led to big-time charges according to a story published on TBO.com. Police officers attempted to pull Brown over for making a turn without a signal but the 24-year-old Tampa man decided to flee after being pulled over. It seems police officers found out why when they eventually stopped Brown.

Brown’s car was searched and officers found cocaine on the Tampa man and marijuana in the car. The incident began when Brown failed to signal his turn from Kay Street to Nebraska Avenue just before midnight. He stopped for the officer but then fled when the police exited the cruiser. When they finally stopped him the drugs were discovered. Brown was charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to commit racketeering, fleeing and eluding police, possession of cocaine and other charges.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Tampa or Hillsborough County and need agressive legal representation, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Three months worth of undercover work by Manatee County drug investigators netted 30 arrests of what police described as street-level dealers according to an article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune. Of the 53 arrest warrants issued, all but 20 were served over the weekend.

Officials seized cash and drugs during the operation. Police say they seized 140 grams of cocaine, 37 prescription pills and close to $2,000 in cash. The dealers allegedly sold drugs in mostly minority neighborhoods and were targeted originally for dealing crack cocaine and marijuana among other drugs.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Bradenton, Sarasota or Manatee County and are in need of aggressive legal representation, please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) or online at FightYourDrugCrime.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in our Sarasota offices located at 200 N. Washington Blvd.

A Sarasota County judge didn’t buy into the ruse used by a couple of sheriff’s deputies who gained entry into a Sarasota home by telling the homeowner they were with the Florida Department of Children and Families. The Sarasota County sheriff’s deputies suspected Matthew Kennedy was operating a marijuana grow house but they didn’t have enough proof to get a search warrant so they found another way to get into the home as reported by Todd Ruger of the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

The judge ruled that the deputies told Kennedy that they had legal authority to enter his home, which took away his right to consent to a search. Because of the illegal search and seizure the judge threw out all the illegally gained evidence which included drug paraphernalia and 36 marijuana plants. Kennedy is still charged with felony cultivation of marijuana but the charges will be hard to prove without the iullegaly obtained evidence.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Bradenton, Sarasota or Manatee County and are in need of aggressive legal representation, please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) or online at FightYourDrugCrime.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in our Sarasota offices located at 200 N. Washington Blvd.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office stopped a Ford Explorer due to what they say was a loud exhaust but when they approached the vehicle they discovered there was more smoke than what was coming from the muffler. The website TBO.com is reporting that the driver admitted to driving under the influence of marijuana, which he smoked while driving with his two-week-old baby in the car.

The smell of marijuana led to a search of the car where deputies found a bag of marijuana in possession of the car’s passenger and six hyrocodone pills as well. The driver and passenger had two other people with them in the backseat on top of their baby daughter. The couple was charged with possession of marijuana and child abuse. The child’s mother was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Tampa or Hillsborough County and need qualified legal representation, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy Michael Broman is facing drug charges and being held in Pinellas County jail according to a story on TampaBay.com. The 42-year-old Broman’s arrest at the jail was the culmination of an investigation that began in August when detectives received a tip about suspicious activity involving prescription drugs and Broman.

Broman has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and doctor shopping. He was allegedly receiving oxycodone from more than one doctor and was using a fraudulent prescription. Broman has been placed on paid leave while an investigation is conducted.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in St. Petersburg, Clearwater or Pinellas County please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Clearwater office located at 4500 140th Ave. North #203.

Acting on a tip, Clearwater police discovered 149 marijuana plants growing at the home of John Haring. The Byram Drive resident was charged with cultivation of marijuana following a search of his home, which a story on TampaBay.com says Haring consented to.

The plants were discovered in a large utility shed and upon their discovery Haring was placed under arrest. The story also says that the same man was arrested at this same address for cultivation of marijuana in 2007. There were no further details on what became of Haring after his 2007 arrest.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in St. Petersburg, Clearwater or Pinellas County please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Clearwater office located at 4500 140th Ave. North #203.

A Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts employee was apparently bragging about obtaining illegal prescription drugs from Puerto Rico. Now he is under arrest. A story on TampaBay.com details that Edwin Lopez-Valentin was arrested while on the job Tuesday for illegal possession of a prescription drug.

According to the story a co-worker reported Lopez-Valentin to authorities who then arrested the man when he returned to his office. He had more than five pills of the prescription drug Alprazolam on his possession and he allegedly admitted he did not have a prescription for the pills. He was taken to Hillsborough County Jail where he was later released.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Tampa or Hillsborough County and need qualified legal representation, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in our Tampa legal office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.

The passenger of a car that was pulled over for the driver not wearing his seat belt is now facing 15 drug charges. The charges stem from a routine traffic stop when police noticed the driver of the vehicle was not wearing his seat belt. Following the stop, police asked for and were granted permission to search the vehicle according to a story on the Sarasota Herald-Tribune website.

Police reports state that they searched 39-year-old Wendy Martek’s purse and found 13 yellow pills believed to be ecstasy and one morphine pill. The North Port woman has been charged with 13 counts of felony drug possession for each pill, one count for the morphine and a misdemeanor charge for drug paraphernalia due to a syringe police found in her purse as well. She was taken to Sarasota County Jail with bail of more than $30,000.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Sarasota, Bradenton or Manatee please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in our Sarasota office located at 200 N. Washington Blvd.

Citrus County is boasting to have nabbed the biggest fish in a fraudulent prescription drug ring following the arrest of 33-year-old Jeffrey Ware. According to a story on TBO.com Ware was arrested following a months-long investigation and he was taken to Hernando County Jail where bond was set at a staggering $4.2 million.

Ware was charged with 16 counts including trafficking in controlled substances, unlawful attempt to acquire a controlled substance and federal racketeering. Ware’s wife calls the charges outrageous and claims they are bogus. The Citrus County Sheriff’s office claims Ware was involved in a operation that obtained and sold fraudulent prescriptions.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in St. Petersburg or Pinellas County please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email.

Christian Knaack was arrested on possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to the delinquency of a minor on Treasure Island. The 24-year-old made a series of bad choices followed by a long list of poor excuses if police reports and a story on TampaBay.com are accurate.

Knaack reportedly approached a 17-year-old girl at a beach drum circle event. According to police he asked the girl if she had ever done powder. The two then went to his SUV where he supplied cocaine to the young girl. Police came upon his Ford Explorer and witnessed Knaack holding the drug while the unidentified girl snorted it. Knaack offered a couple excuses saying the two went to the car to smoke pot not do cocaine and then he went on to say he thought the girls was at least 23-years-old.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Tampa or Hillsborough County please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.

A nine-year veteran of the Broward County sheriff’s department is under investigation for allegedly extorting money from a marijuana grower. As is that wasn’t bad enough, the sheriff’s department believes officer Manuel Silva was not acting alone according to a quote in an Associated Press article run on the Bradenton Herald’s website.

The officer showed up in plain clothes with his badge and gun at the marijuana grower’s house. Silva was arrested after he picked up an unspecified amount of money from the suspect. The man accused of growing pot told a friend about the extortion and that person notified authorities.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Tampa Bay please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in any of our four Florida Law Offices.

A man driving erratically in a white Cadillac was arrested earlier this week in Hernando County. In a story reported by Hernando Today, 32-year-old Eric Colon was spotted having a difficult time maintaining a single lane and cut in front of another car. At that point deputies decided to pull over Colon.

Following the traffic stop, police asked if they could search the man’s car and he reportedly consented. Deputies found a bag containing crack cocaine and an aluminum can with holes poked in it. Colon eventually admitted to using the can to smoke the crack. He has been charged with DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony drug possession. He was being held on $21,000 bond.

If you have been stopped by the police for a traffic incident that led to you being charged with a crime in Tampa or Hillsborough County, please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourCase.com. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in our Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Undercover cops in Clearwater have arrested 26-year-old David Mallet for possession of more than 1,000 prescription drugs. The narcotics unit began an investigation into the Alpine Road resident when they received information Mallet was selling a large numbers of pills from his home. Police ran a sting last night and bought a large quantity of pills from Mallet leading to his arrest according to TampaBay.com.

Police say they purchased over 1,000 pills of Oxycontin and Diazepam from Mallet at about 10:00 p.m. last night. In 2008 Mallet had a drug trafficking charge and he is currently on probation from that arrest. He was charged with violation of probation, drug possession and selling prescription drugs following last night’s sting.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in St. Petersburg or Pinellas County please do not hesitate to contact Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourPinellasArrest.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Clearwater office located at 4500 140th Ave. North #203.

A 30-year-old man brought his children with him to an alleged drug buy at a Tampa motel on Nebraska Avenue according to a story on TampaBay.com. Leroy Filmore allegedly set up a drug buy with a police informant at the Oasis Motel. When he arrived in the parking lot police surrounded his car and Filmore, according to police reports, then attempted to hide 14 grams of cocaine inside his buttocks.

Filmore was arrested on charges of possession with intent to sell and he is currently being held at the Hillsborough County Jail. His children were released to their grandmother. There is an investigation underway by the Separtment of Children and Families.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Tampa or Hillsborough County please do not hesitate to contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) to discuss the matter or visit our website FightYourDrugCrime.com. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Tampa office located at 3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.

A Manatee County 32-year-old is facing eight charges following an alleged missed court appointment according to a story on-line at the Sarasota Herald Tribune website. Dennis Smalls was arrested at his home Saturday when he resisted arrest and caused deputies to stun Smalls twice with a Taser.

Once in custody, deputies searched Smalls’ car and found 85 packets of heroine, marijuana and crack cocaine. Smalls now faces eight charges including driving with a suspended license, resisting arrest and contempt of court.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in Sarasota or Manatee County, please do not hesitate to contact Sarasota Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) or online at FightYourDrugCrime.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in our Sarasota office located at 200 N Washington Blvd.

A criminal investigation is underway in St. Petersburg following the discovery last week of cocaine in a fire station washing machine. The investigation is occurring on two fronts according to the St. Petersburg Times. The first is a criminal investigation by narcotics detectives. The second is being conducted by police internal affairs officers.

The cocaine was found a week ago in a small plastic bag. According to reports many firefighters were doing laundry at the time the illegal drug was discovered and that fire fighters from all over the city rotate in and out of Station 8. Police officials have not released any other details at this time.

If you have been charged with a drug crime in St. Petersburg or Pinellas County, please do not hesitate to contact St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney Darren Finebloom at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) or online at FightYourPinellasArrest.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Darren via email or by stopping in our Clearwater office located at 4500 140th Ave. North #203.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department culminated a three-month investigation into street level drug dealers by arresting 30 of the 47 targeted suspects. The investigation called “Operation Mid-County Clean Up” involved detectives working undercover and making a series of drug transactions with local dealers near the Churchill Mobile Home Park in Largo. (read more)

The Pinellas Sheriff’s Office is still searching for 17 suspects that they did not arrest on Thursday and according to the Sheriff’s Office those suspects will still be pursued by officers during their regular shifts. The 30 suspects that were apprehended were booked in a parking lot at 104 Ponce de Leon and taken to the Pinellas County Jail.

If you have been charged with a felony in St. Petersburg, Clearwater or anywhere in Pinellas County, please do not hesitate to contact St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney Stephen Higgins, Esq. at 1-800-FIGHT-IT or online at fightyourpinellasarrest.com to discuss the matter. Also you can contact Stephen via email or by stopping in our Pinellas office located at 4500 140th Ave. North #203

For the second time in less than a month serious drug charges in Sarasota County were dismissed because the Defendants were entrapped. One Defendant was facing a mandatory minimum prison sentence. The Informant used by the Police was paid in cash and would have their charges dropped if he or she would help arrest others selling illegal drugs. In this case, the Informant used by the Police promised a romantic relationship in order to get the Defendant to sell some of her Vicodin Pills. Eventually, the Defendant agreed and that is when the Police moved in.

Entrapment is a defense to most crimes. However, with the Entrapment defense the Defendant has the burden of proving it. Once the Defendant provides evidence that they were not predisposed to commit the crime without the enticement of the government action the burden then shifts to the Government to prove the Defendant was willing to commit the crime if the opportunity presented itself.

Many times the police employ informants. Informants are those looking to gain a benefit from the government. The benefit could be in the form of a lesser sentence or it could result in charges being dismissed. The Government can negotiate with confidential informants under a doctrine called substantial assistance. Substantial Assistance is one of the only ways that a Defendant can avoid a mandatory prison sentence. The problems arise when the Informants act with unfettered discretion using unlawful tactics to entice law-abiding citizens to act in an unlawful manner.

If you are facing criminal charges for the sale of illegal narcotics please do not hesitate to visit our Florida drug defense website.

The war on drugs continues to this day and the penalties for selling illegal narcotics are stricter then even some types of murder. It is imperative that you speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney if you are charged with a drug crime. You can ask for Darren Finebloom