Miami Criminal Lawyers Blog

Miami-Dade high school reported that a 14 year old student brought a loaded weapon to school. The Police were called by a counselor at the School for Applied Technology, an alternative school after a student made a threat against another student.

After the students book bag had been searched by an officer that was called to the scene, a loaded 9 mm handgun was discovered. The teen was immediately arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds.  He was then transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.

This is not the first incident of possession of a weapon at the School for Applied Technology.  There was an incident approximately four years prior involving the school's principal.  He was arrested for threatening another teacher with a firearm on school property.

Florida Statute 790.115 states: A person shall not possess any firearm, electric weapon or device, or other weapon as defined in s. 790.001 (13), including a razor blade or box cutter, except authorized in support of school sanctioned activities, at a school-sponsored event or on the property of any school, school bus, or school bus stop.

Possession of a weapon on school grounds can be a complex matter.  If you or someone that you know has been charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds the experienced lawyers at Musca Law can help.   Your freedom is too valuable; do not risk losing your independence and reputation by engaging less experienced legal representation, contact a Florida criminal defense attorney at Musca Law firm to schedule a free confidential consultation: (800) 678-2252.

 

 

 

Last April a Miami couple had been indicted on approximately 58 counts of operating a prostitution ring, money laundering and tax fraud.  The couple had used their escort service as a cover up according to investigators.  The couple has now accepted a plea of guilty from federal prosecutors. 

The couple maintained an adult internet website entitled "Sweeties.us."  Ads were also placed in local newspapers looking for "models" and "phone operators."   Both individuals were responsible for interviewing and hiring prospective escorts and telephone operators.

In court documents it has been stated that customers would call relative to scheduling appointments with an escort in a wide range of service prices and service areas, including local and non local hotels.

Cash profits went unreported to the IRS to include overstating business travel deductions.  Included in the plea deal an agreement was made to pay the federal government more than a million dollars.

The couple faces a maximum of five years in prison for conspiracy and a maximum of three years for filing a false tax return.

Prostitution rings and tax evasion are serious crimes in the State of Florida.   While every situation is different the hiring of a lawyer is an important decision.  You will need the advice of an intelligent and reputable attorney. 

With over 100 years of combined experience Attorneys at Musca Law have dedicated themselves to protecting the rights of the criminally accused.  Driven by the highest standards of professionalism Musca Law strives to deliver results for their clients in all areas of criminal law.  Musca Law attorneys are available to respond to emergencies with a staff that can also accommodate Spanish speaking clients.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, contact a Florida criminal defense attorney at  Musca Law firm to schedule a free confidential consultation: (800) 678-2252.

Miami- Detectives are investigating a man who has allegedly been stealing identities and passing counterfeit checks across South Florida.  This form of criminal act is often referred to as Identity Theft.

In a statement made by police the suspect enters the victim's banks to then deposit counterfeit checks into their accounts.  A split deposit is made where the suspect deposits a phony check into the victim's account to then withdraw a portion of the funds.

Identity theft is a crime that is considered to be a white collar crime.  White collar crimes are fraud, bankruptcy fraud, bribery, insider trading, embezzlement, computer crime, medical crime, public corruption, identity theft, environmental crime, pension fund crime, RICO crimes, consumer fraud, occupational crime, securities fraud, financial fraud, and forgery.

A conviction for a white collar crime could mean prison time and thousands of dollars in fines.

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime in the State of Florida you will need to hire an experienced Florida Criminal Defense Attorney who will demand the integrity and the proficiency of the investigation that lead to the arrest is beyond reproach.  Attorneys at Musca Law will provide you with the highest quality criminal representation available.

As an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney, John Musca is committed to protecting his clients' rights. If you or someone that you know is facing a white collar crime, contact Musca Law to schedule a consultation.  Call Musca Law toll free at 1-800-687-2252 or visit us on the web at muscalaw.com.

Miami-Dade - A gunman shot a 35 year old man in front of his home over the weekend.  The incident involved a robbery where the gunman tried to steal a gold chain off of the victim.  "The subject discharged his firearm twice, not striking anyone within the vehicle," said a Miami-Dade Police Detective.  "Once the subject fled on foot, that's when the victim began to chase after the subject.  The subject fired multiple shots towards the victim, striking him and that's where he collapsed."

The victim had been airlifted by rescue crews to Jackson Memorial Hospital where the victim remains in critical condition.  Police are on alert for the gunman who fled the scene in a green mini-van.

Leaving the scene of a crime in the State of Florida can carry severe legal penalties.  Such penalties could result in a long term jail sentence, high fines and restitution.  

Be aware of the reality of the Criminal Justice System and the factors at play.  Most of all, take any criminal charges seriously.  Make sure that you have an attorney that can best represent your case. 

If you or someone that you know are facing serious criminal charges and would like to discuss the legal options available to you please contact Attorney John Musca at (800) 687-2252 or visit him on the web at muscalaw.com.  Remember a criminal conviction will not only affect your future, it will follow you for the rest of your life.  The sooner that you retain legal representation the better the results will be. 

It is vital that you retain and experienced criminal defense attorney without delay.  Attorney John Musca is an aggressive criminal defense lawyer who is on your side!

A Miami-Dade home was robbed over the weekend by a group of men posing as police officers.

The men knocked on the door when a 71-year-old man was knocked to the ground, and a 36 year-old-man was pistol whipped. 

Two of the men had been wearing masks however none had police badges, or any other items that contained a police insignia.

Once inside the home, two women were made to get down on the floor, to then be forced to hand over money and other valuables. Both men in the home had been treated for minor injuries at an area hospital.

Two vehicles were also stolen, a Cadillac Escalade and a red Ford Explorer. 

Home Invasions implicate a burglary of an occupied dwelling, using a weapon to harm or threaten. Usually Home Invasions include the commission of other crimes including theft or battery. It can be punishable by life imprisonment.

The State of Florida has strict laws relative to Home Invasions.

812.135 Home-invasion robbery.

(1) "Home-invasion robbery" means any robbery that occurs when the offender enters a dwelling with the intent to commit a robbery, and does commit a robbery of the occupants therein.

(2)(a) If in the course of committing the home-invasion robbery the person carries a firearm or other deadly weapon, the person commits a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(b) If in the course of committing the home-invasion robbery the person carries a weapon, the person commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(c) If in the course of committing the home-invasion robbery the person carries no firearm, deadly weapon, or other weapon, the person commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 

A criminal conviction will not only affect your future it will follow you for the rest of your life.  Do not hesitate involving an attorney, the sooner an attorney is involved the better the results.  When there is an investigation involved, evidence can be mishandled.  An experienced and diligent criminal defense attorney will scrutinize all of the evidence involved.

If you or someone that you know is facing criminal charges it is vital that you retain an experienced criminal defense attorney without delay.  Attorney John Musca is an aggressive criminal defense lawyer who can make the difference between a prison sentence and a dismissed criminal charge.  Musca Law is on your side.

An officer with the Broward County Sheriff's department has been arrested on criminal charges. The deputy, 34-year old Manuel Silva, is accused of burglary, armed extortion and drug possession. Silva is accused of illegal possession of oxycodone and other prescription medications without a doctor's prescription. The department has not released any information on whether or not the crimes were committed while Silva was on duty.
He is a nine year veteran of the sheriff's department. The Broward County Sheriff's office has not released any information with regard to administrative disciplinary action against the defendant. Silva is currently being held in jail without bond.
   

Continue reading "Attorney Musca Discusses the Arrest of Officer for Burglary and Drug Possession" »

A Hollywood man has been sentenced to life in prison for a sexual battery conviction on a child under the age of 12. The defendant and former friend of the victim's parents, 52-year old Kenneth O'Brian, stayed at the home of the victim for a period of time. In September 2008, the father of the victim allegedly walked in on a naked O'Brian in bed with his son.

The defendant denied all of the allegations and pled not guilty to the six counts of sexual battery on a child under the age of 12. The State had no DNA or forensic evidence, but did have the witness testimony of the victim's father who walked in on the act. The Court convicted O'Brian and sentenced him to life in prison.

Pursuant to Florida Statute 794.011, sexual battery on a victim under the age of 12 is considered oral, anal or vaginal penetration by another. This definition also includes the use of objects by an offender. The crime of sexual battery on a child 12 years of age or under is a very serious felony offense. If convicted, the defendant will receive a mandatory minimum sentence of life behind bars.

 

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Four suspects have been taken into custody for the burglary of Anthony's Fine Jewelers in Stuart. The suspects are accused of gaining access to the jewelry store by breaking through the roof of the neighboring automobile shop. The men, 43-year old Pedro Nunez, 53-year old Antonio Garcia, 23-year old Juan Reyes-Hernandez and 43-year old Florencio Hernandez, broke through the connecting wall of the businesses, however, could not break open the jewelers safe.

An alarm had been set off during their entry and police arrived on the scene. The suspects had no time to flee and subsequently arrested. The Martin County Sheriff's Office found the men and their two cars parked next door in the Hampton Inn Parking lot. A search of the vehicles revealed gloves, radios, cutting torches, flashlights, compact compressor, jackhammer and a grinder. All four men were also covered in dry wall dust.

 

Continue reading "Four Men Arrested in Jewelry Store Felony Burglary" »

A Miami area gynecologist has been charged with sexual battery on three minor victims. The accused, Dr. Hamilton Monteiro, has been practicing at Global OBGYN on Pines Boulevard and North Palm Avenue in Pembroke Pines for in the past two years. The victims came forward two years after the incidents have allegedly taken place.

The victims' ages at the time of the sexual offenses were 9, 10 & 11 years old. Dr. Monteiro is accused of trapping one victim in a bathroom and forcing her to perform oral sex on him and then watched her take a shower. The second victim claimed the doctor restrained her and then touched her inappropriately. The third and youngest of the victims stated to police that the defendant forced her to watch pornography.

 

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Doctors discovered 19 drug filled balloons inside a teen after he suffered multiple seizures inside the Miami airport. The teen, 18-year old Joseph Wilco, was on a layover in route to return to New York after a trip with his father in Ecuador. Wilco did not make his connecting flight because he collapsed with seizures. Medics transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Doctors could not find the cause of the teen's seizures until Wilco's mother suggested that they x-ray her son's stomach. The physicians found 19 cocaine and heroin filled balloons inside the teen's intestines. Wilco had attempted to smuggle the drugs inside the United States when something went wrong.

Wilco's father whom he was visiting in Ecuador is a convicted drug dealer. The United States had deported the father back to Ecuador. Wilco remains inside the Intensive Care Unit and is unable to breathe on his own. There is no prognosis on his condition and no information on whether criminal charges will be filed against the teen.

 

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At a North Miami-Dade department store a man was arrested and charged with video voyeurism, where he can face up to one year in jail.

A 34 year old male was caught using his cell phone to record video images of women in dressing rooms and various other videos where he had filmed women up their skirts, known as "upskirting." Upskirting is where a picture is shot from below, looking up a woman's skirt.

With the insertion of cameras into cell phones and the freedom of the internet, video voyeurism has become a popular way to exploit those that would not otherwise agree to be photographed in an inappropriate way.

In the state of Florida voyeurism is prohibited when it is committed either with or without the use of a device to record, transmit, or store images of another person.  As provided in Section 810.14, F.S., a person commits the offense of voyeurism when he or she, with lewd, lascivious, or indecent intent, secretly observes another person when the other person is located in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance and such location provides a reasonable expectation of privacy.  The first conviction of voyeurism is a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year and a fine of not more than $1,000.  Any subsequent conviction is a third-degree felony, which is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of not more than $5,000.

Representing those accused of DUI and other criminal offenses is what we specialize in at the Law Offices of John Musca.  If you or someone that you know has been arrested and charged with a criminal offense you need the best lawyer that you can find to represent you and your legal needs.

The first accused criminal to be extradited from Denmark into the United States will face charges in Miami this week. U.S. Marshalls arrested the defendant, Camilla Broc, in her home country of Denmark. She will face Federal Court on felony charges of importing MDMA or "ecstasy" pills into Miami.

Broc had been under investigation for smuggling drugs from June 1997 through February 1998. Over ten years later, authorities from the Drug Enforcement Administration field office will finally press charges against the defendant. The federal government stressed that no amount of time will prevent the arrest of accused drug traffickers.

 

Continue reading "Woman Extradited to Miami to Face Drug Trafficking Charges" »

Healthcare reform has been at the top of the headlines over the past couple of months. Local governments have hosted town hall meetings to engage its residents in the debate and Miami has been no different. However, at a protest on the issues a man decided to strike another with opposing viewpoints.

The Defendant, 56 year old Raul Anasagasti, allegedly pulled his truck up to a group of protestors supporting healthcare reform. Words were exchanged with the victim, 65-year old Luis Perrero. Anasagasti is accused of then punching out the elderly man. Perrero lie unconscious for a period of five minutes.

During the altercation, bystanders removed the defendant's keys from his running vehicle to prevent him from leaving the scene. Miami Police were called to the location and arrested Anasagasti on charges of battery on a person 65 years of age or older. The defendant claims his innocence and that he acted in self defense.

 

Continue reading "Attorney Musca Discusses Violence at Town Hall Meetings Over Healthcare Debate" »

A former Coral Springs High School teacher has entered a plea in the sexual battery case against him. The once English teacher pled no contest to the charge of sexual battery on a minor victim between the ages of 12 and 17. The defendant, 42-year old Noygel "Tony" Massop, is accused of having a yearlong sexual relationship with 16-year old student. The alleged relationship took place between October 2007 and November 2008.

The parties allegedly had sex in Massop's locked classroom, in the boys' locker room, in a grassy area outside school and at the teacher's home. Massop admitted to the sexual relationship in a police recorded telephone call with the victim. In addition to teaching at Coral Springs High, Massop coached the J.P. Travella High School Boys' Basketball team. He has no criminal history or known disciplinary complaints within the schools.

 

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Officers in Broward County set up a sting operation to bring in suspects on the run. Letters were sent out to alleged fugitives granting hoaxed stimulus money. The fugitives were asked to contact a representative for an appointment and then show up at a location hosted by the South Florida Stimulus Coalition to claim their funds. Officers were waiting in the wings and arrested the suspects upon arrival.

The two day operation "Show Me the Money" resulted in the arrest of 75 fugitives. The defendants faced charges of felony attempted murder to grand theft auto. A spokesperson for the Broward County Sherriff's Office stated that this productive sting operation promoted safety for all those involved by arresting suspects in a controlled atmosphere. In addition, the sting saved countless man hours and tax dollars by negating the necessity of tracking suspects who were running from the law.

 

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