Farmington CT Police Looking for Diamond Thief

Typically when you think of “shoplifting”, you think of some kids stealing snacks or, at the worst, some boosting of clothing and merchandise at the mall. The Courant recently published a story, however, revealing the surveillance photo of a man accused of “shoplifting” $36,000 in diamonds.

The story isn’t specific about how the theft went down, but they do say that the unknown thief made off with three diamonds from Monarch Jewelers on Farmington Avenue.

Similar thefts from jewelers often go something like this. A nice, interested customer asks to see a tray of jewelry or loose diamonds that is behind the glass. Once it is in the open, the thief grabs and dashes for the door. Not a very high tech theft attempt, but obviously one that has limited success.

Police have not yet identified the man seen in surveillance photos, though they are likely chomping at the bit to get him into custody.

In Connecticut, the charge you face for theft is directly related to the amount of money or value of the items stolen. In this case, with the reported value being about $36,000, the thief would be looking at Grand Larceny charges.

Grand larceny is a Class B felony and the most serious theft charge under Connecticut law. It carries a potential 20 year prison sentence and fines reaching $15,000.

There are many ways to get a theft charge and shoplifting is only one. You could be charged with theft for taking something from someone you know without permission. Perhaps you are accused of embezzling funds from your employer or obtaining services by fraud.

All of these are theft charges and all of them carry fairly serious penalties. If you are up against any type of theft or white collar crime charge in the state of Connecticut, call me today.
I can help you figure out the best way to handle the charges and together we can work towards the best possible results.

Hartford Man Rejects What Could Have Been a Lenient Plea Agreement

A man who had previously pled guilty to charges of 1st degree assault, two counts of 1st degree robbery, and 1st degree aggravated sexual assault rejected a plea deal at the last minute, instead electing to head to trial in a move that is likely being questioned by all those around him.

Twenty-one year old Antoney Drummond had originally been okay with a potential 20 years that the plea agreement had suggested. When the case was brought before Superior Court Judge David P. Gold, however, Gold wanted the option of adding another 5 years, something that the defendant just couldn’t bring himself to agree to.

The details of the case are what led Judge Gold to request the additional 5 years after hearing them explained by prosecutor Chris Pelosi.

According to the Hartford Courant, the defendant was accused of robbing a woman at gunpoint on Albany Avenue. He allegedly took the few dollars she had and then forced her onto the ground next to her car where he raped her. The rape was interrupted by a witness who was also said to have been robbed by Drummond before he left the scene.

Following his arrest, Mr. Drummond allegedly confessed to the crime and DNA was recovered from the victim linking him to the incident. Incidentally, the DNA also linked him to a similar rape which occurred on May 5, 2008.

Despite all this evidence, Drummond wants to go to trial. Judge Gold cautioned Drummond, telling him the chances of him seeing a better outcome at trial weren’t very good considering the evidence. Drummond faces a total of 90 years if convicted and this is only related to the December charges.


Plea agreements are only made when both parties are satisfied with the details. In some cases they offer defendants a more lenient sentence or lesser charge. But, if a defendant decides the agreement isn’t in his best interest, he doesn’t have to go forward with it. This is why it is called an “agreement”.

Plea agreements are something that should be carefully analyzed by the defendant, with his attorney. Most cases in our state end in pleas, so knowing how the system works and having a defense attorney to help you through the plea process is crucial.

Whether you are facing charges of DUI to drug trafficking, the prosecution may offer you a plea deal. Contact me today so we can discuss the best possible plan for your case.

High Profile Attorney Pleads Not Guilty in Ct. Domestic Assault Case

A high profile attorney in Connecticut that formerly worked under both Bush Administrations pled not guilty this week in a case that accused him of trying to kill his wife with a flashlight after learning she wanted a divorce. The not guilty plea sets the stage for plea negotiations that could begin in a pre-trial conference scheduled for February 16th.

The formal charges against 57 year old John Michael Farren include attempted murder, strangulation, and first degree assault.

The incident that led to these charges occurred on January 6th of last year when his 43 year old wife was beaten unconscious with a flashlight. According to the Stamford Advocate she was left with a broken jaw, facial lacerations and fractures. When she regained consciousness she was apparently able to hit a panic alarm and get out of the house with the couple’s two children.

Two days prior to the incident, Farren’s wife had served him with divorce papers.

Domestic violence incidents are rarely this violent. However, it sometimes takes an extreme assault for a victim of such violence to seek help. It is quite common for victims of domestic violence to be ashamed of the violent relationship and want to keep it a secret.

Being accused of domestic violence like this, or even less serious cases, can be stressful and humiliating for all parties. When you are accused of beating your wife, girlfriend, or mother of your child, you will face shame and judgment from even those who you are closest to.

The mere accusation of domestic violence can end close relationships as family and friends typically seek to protect the alleged victim. Like Farren, if freed on bail in a case like this, you are typically barred from contacting the victim and even members of their family.

If you are facing charges of domestic assault or even assault of a stranger, I can help. When you think no one is on your side, you need a defense attorney in your corner willing to fight for your interests. Contact me today to discuss the details of your case.

"Sexting" Against the Law, Says CT Police Spokesmant

In an effort to scare kids into considering their online and texting behavior, a Connecticut police spokesman said that sexting is a crime.
"Sexting" is the sending of text messages with photos of an explicit or obscene nature. "Even between 14 year olds, sexting is a violation of child pornography laws", according to the statements of Lt. Donald Melanson, a West Hartford police spokesman in the Hartford Courant.
Child pornography offenses are felony level crimes, that can result in jail time, and permanent status as a registered sex offender, if prosecuted and found guilty.
Thought one presumes that reason would prevail in a case of kids acting irresponsibly, it's clear by this threat that the laws would support such a prosecution.
Legal reform in Connecticut is clearly necessary to make a distinction between dangerous adult sex offenders and child pornographers, and kids acting stupidly.

In Connecticut and Nationwide, Female Drunk Drivers on the Rise

In an interesting story from the Hartford Courant this week, it is revealed that women aren’t only gaining ground in the workplace and other areas of society, but also when it comes to DUI arrests. According to the report, the reasons for this are many.

The percentage of women in drunk driving arrests was 17.4 in 1997 and rose to 21.7 in 2006 in our state. During that time, male arrests for DUI fell as female arrests climbed. Nationally, the trend is similar, women are being arrested more for DUI while the number of men is steadily decreasing.

Experts attribute the climb to many factors including an increase in binge drinking among women as well as an increase in women behind the wheel. The Courant also points to the fact that the law may not be as lenient on women as it once was.

The decrease in DUI’s among men may be attributed to greater social stigma over the past several years or enhanced punishments.

Overall, from 2007 to 2008 there was a decrease in DUI arrests and a decrease in DUI related accidents. This is a positive trend that will hopefully continue. However, the overall rate may decline while the percentage of women still increases.

No matter who you are or what your gender is, you hope for equal treatment, whether in the criminal justice system or elsewhere. The DUI laws in Connecticut aren’t set up to treat people differently and that’s part of the reason a defense attorney is necessary.

Having a defense attorney on your side in court means that there is an advocate for your rights. Believe it or not, the system is designed to protect the rights of the accused; a defense attorney is there to make sure it works.

When facing charges of DUI, you are looking at jail time, fines, and a license suspension. Dealing with these penalties can be very difficult. Dealing with the potential of facing these types of penalties can be extremely stressful.

Call me today to discuss your case and let me help you through this tough point in your life. Let’s take a look at how your arrest was handled and see if we can come up with an effective defense strategy.

Fairfield Connecticut Drug House Busted

A home on Bibbins Avenue in Fairfield was raided this week after police has received several tips that there was drug activity taking place inside. The raid resulted in two teenagers facing serious charges and plenty of confiscated evidence.

Eighteen year olds Sotirios Georgakopoulos Jr. and Pema Tenzin are both facing charges for operating a drug house. Both are currently being held on $250,000 bond, according to the Connecticut Post.

The bust was quite an ordeal, involving 15 officers and 2 K9s. The police forced entry through the front door and saw 8 people scurry to back bedrooms. The officers again had to use force to break into the bedrooms where they found Tenzin allegedly throwing pills out of the window.
All other occupants of the home were found to be guests and only the two 18 year olds have been charged.

Among the evidence seized in the raid was: methamphetamine pills believed to be ecstasy, 1 pound of marijuana, a canister of nitrous oxide, drug packaging material, paraphernalia, and $700 in cash.

The two young men face charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana more than 4 ounces, possession of marijuana within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell meth within 1,500 feet of a school, illegal possession of a restricted substance, operating a drug factory, and impairing the morals of a minor, as the 15 year old brother of Georgakopoulos was in the home at the time.

With a lengthy list of charges like these, these young adults are looking at spending the next several years behind bars.

Facing drug charges of any kind is no walk in the park, particularly if they are as serious as these. Depending on your criminal history and the details of your case, however, sometimes a deal can be struck with the prosecution. For fairly minor charges like possession of marijuana, there are often a few options available.

Call me today if you are facing drug charges in our state. I am eager to help.

Accelerated Rehabilitation Works for Ball Player’s CT Assault Charges

A judge recently dismissed two charges of 2nd degree assault against former Red Sox player Jose Offerman. The dismissal comes at the end of a successful 2 year probationary period and the use of a legal practice called “accelerated rehabilitation.”

According to the Connecticut Post, Offerman was originally charged in 2007 with two counts of assault after a fight that erupted when he was playing for the Long Island Ducks.

Offerman was hit in the leg with a ball pitched by Bridgeport Bluefish player Matt Beech. Offerman charged Beech with a bat in his hand and ended up with a broken finger. The catcher, Jonathan Nathans, was reportedly struck in the head with the bat during the incident.

In October of that year, Judge James Ginocchio granted accelerated rehabilitation to Offerman.
Accelerated rehabilitation is similar to pretrial diversion in that it allows a defendant to serve a period of time on probation prior to answering to the charges. If the term is satisfied, the charges are dropped. It is often used in cases where the defendant doesn’t have a criminal history.

For Offerman, the program meant anger management classes, restitution, and other common probation conditions like meeting with a probation officer and avoiding further law violations. Because Offerman completed his probation successfully, his assault charges were dropped.

Accelerated rehabilitation is just one option in the courts for people accused of their first criminal offense. It allows them to deal with the charges without having to plead guilty or fight through a trial. It also works to keep a conviction off of your permanent record.

Because second degree assault is a felony, the two years probation is a good bargain for Offerman.

If you are facing criminal charges like assault, possession of a controlled substance, or even DUI, I may be able to help. There are several options when it comes to addressing your charges and accelerated rehabilitation is just one.

Contact me today for some free legal advice and to discuss how I might be able to help.