Hamden Gamer Charged With Threats Via Xbox

A Hamden man is facing multiple charges after taking to his Xbox LIVE profile to posts threatening messages. The 23 year old man was free on bond at the time the comments were posted and directed at a former friend.

The situation allegedly began last year in New Haven when the duo was pulled over. At that time the suspect was driving and a weapon was found underneath the passenger seat. The passenger told police the weapon was the driver’s and that he had witnessed him stash the gun there.

Following that incident the driver was charged with gun and drug possession while the passenger got off without any charges. Freed on $75,000 bail, the suspect took to the online gaming network to voice his frustrations.

The suspect is alleged to have said things like “Rats die slow” and “I wouldn’t laugh 2 much U a dead man walking” according to the New Haven Register. He turned himself over to police on the new charges just a few days ago.

Now, the young man faces additional charges of tampering with a witness, intimidating a witness, and two counts of second degree harassment. For these charges, his bail is now set at $50,000 and he is due back in court on April 30.

The two harassment charges alone could get him a total of 6 months in jail and $1000 in fines. Add these to the tampering charges and the drug and weapons charges from the earlier date and this gamer is looking at some serious penalties for his reported mistakes.

It’s not unusual for someone to face multiple criminal charges at once. Often, when a criminal offense is believed to have been committed there are several criminal statutes that apply. On one hand, however, the multiple charges make good bargaining tools for attorneys during plea negotiations.

If you are facing criminal charges and overwhelmed at the stakes mounting against you, call me today. An aggressive defense attorney can make a huge difference in court.

Connecticut Lawmakers Consider Stun Gun Law

The Connecticut state legislature is considering making it legal for the people of the state to carry stun guns for personal protection. The Taser company, located in Scottsdale Arizona, estimates 200,000 Americans already carry the devices; this law would make it legally acceptable in this state.

Currently, a taser or stun gun, is considered a weapon under state law, subject to strict regulations. Because people want to feel safe in public, many are urging lawmakers to allow the legal carry of the weapons for personal protection.

While many states have passed or are considering making it okay to carry guns in public places, the relatively less serious tasers are still causing some backlash. According to the Courant, some opposing the legislation are concerned about the potential for heart attacks caused by the weapons.
Just like firearms, tasers are considered weapons. And just like firearms, they are heavily regulated in Connecticut and across the country. Although we are guaranteed the right to bear arms by the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution, states can regulate that right, enacting laws to control when and how we are able to use and even possess those weapons.

Stories in the news of law violators being caught with guns only further fuel the public’s perception of guns and other weapons as innately dangerous. This story, for instance, from the Connecticut Post details a case involving weapons, drugs, and threatening. Cases that feature more than one law violation are automatically seen as more serious, particularly by the public at large.

When you are caught in possession of a weapon, whether it is a gun or a taser, you may be concerned about how it can affect your future. Sure you have a right to bear arms, but that right doesn’t override state laws.

If you are facing charges like carrying a dangerous weapon or unlawful discharge, both felonies, call me today. Having handled cases just like this, I am confident I can help you with yours.

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.

Serial Connecticut Bank Robber Caught in Hartford

Within the past few weeks, the nation watched grainy surveillance video as a brazen woman walked into 6 banks and demanded money. She never disguised her face nor made any attempt to conceal her identity. Now, Heather Brown is in custody.

Brown, a 34 year old Connecticut resident, has a history of drug abuse and crime, according to this article from the Hartford Courant. She is currently on probation for charges of burglary, larceny, forgery, and prostitution. She was recently released from a 30 month prison bid for a 2006 bank robbery.

People believe it was drugs that led Brown to so boldly rob 6 banks in 6 days. As a matter of fact, when she was apprehended, she was found on the North End of Hartford where it is believed she was trying to purchase drugs.

Brown never showed a gun but claims, on a few occasions, that the bag she carried in the robberies contained a bomb. She is now being held on $250,000 bail and the full extent of her charges is not yet known.

Bank robbery is one of the most serious theft crimes because it contains a threat of violence. Robbery is a similar offense that puts individuals at risk.

With general theft crimes, also called larceny charges, the charge you face and the subsequent sentence are only based on the value of the property in question. Robbery falls under a completely different category all together.

If you face larceny charges, however, you could be facing something as small as a Class C misdemeanor charge in the case of 6th degree larceny, or as much as a Class B felony charge and up to 20 years in prison for Grand Larceny.

Typically offenses like this are committed out of need. Many people see the risk they take when committing a theft crime to be worth the potential outcome. They see it as worth the risk, that is, until they get caught.

If you are facing charges of larceny or robbery, I may be able to help. Call me today to discuss the details of your case.

No Age Limit on Connecticut Theft Charges

Don’t expect the Connecticut legal system to have pity on your because of your age or ability. Sixty-year old career burglar Okasana Lysenko is again in front of the judge for new charges.
Lysenko has 40 convictions on her record, according to the Hartford Courant. She has been in and out of the Connecticut prison system for these charges as well.

Her latest charge involves police finding her leaving a Bentwood home with stolen jewelry, gloves, and a screwdriver. Because of her past convictions, the gloves and screwdriver will no doubt be considered burglary tools.

The law is no stranger to Lysenko’s ways. Captain Joseph Lasata, of the West Hartford police, states “We’ve been arresting her for years”.

She currently has a 4th degree larceny charge pending in Hartford regarding an earlier April 16th arrest. Her latest arrest has landed her with new charges of 5th degree larceny, 3rd degree burglary, 2nd degree criminal mischief, and possession of burglar’s tools.

Lysenko is currently being held on $500,000 bail.

Although most theft offenders don’t return to court again and again like Ms. Lysenko seems to, it isn’t all that uncommon to see someone appear and reappear for similar charges. Unfortunately, the more times you appear before a judge, the less lenient they are likely to be if you are convicted and appear in court for sentencing.

If you are caught up in the legal system again, facing new charges, you need all the help you can get.

Some offenses have progressively harsher sentences for multiple offenses actually written into the law. DUI charges are a good example of this, getting stricter with each subsequent count.
Regardless of what the charge is, I may be able to help. We may be able to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecution regarding your potential sentence. Depending on the case, we may even be able to get the charges against you dropped altogether.

If you are facing charges in Connecticut criminal courts, call me today for a free consultation.

Bird Fighting Rings Warrants Animal Cruelty Charges in CT

Typically if you hear of animals being trained to fight for human pleasure you think of dogs or even roosters. A recent case out of Danbury, however, uncovered the lesser known practice of finch fighting.

According to this article from the Connecticut Post, 150 finches were seized from a suburban home where they were being pitted against one another in battles to the death. Nineteen men were arrested, all of them Brazilian natives.

Despite the similarities between the charged parties, the police caution that this isn’t just a South American phenomena. People who want to wager money on the fights come from all walks of life and all nationalities.

So what’s the allure of using finches? They are smaller and quieter than roosters and dogs. The majority of the birds seized were saffron finches, typically used as house pets.

Police Sergeant John Krupinsky reveals that a good fighting bird can bring in $1,000 a fight and can sell for around $5,000. At the time of the arrests, about $8,000 in cash was also taken.

Occurrences like this are not the norm, but they do happen. A few years back the dog fighting case involving NFL baller Michael Vick opened the nation’s eyes to an activity that has been going on for ages.

Although the Connecticut Post article doesn’t reveal what type of charges these men face, the Connecticut statutes reveal that for owning, possessing, keeping, training, or betting on a fight of this nature the men could be facing up to 5 years in prison for each count.

Little known criminal activities happen all the time. Sometimes you may not even realize you were breaking the law. Unfortunately, ignorance is rarely a supportable defense.

If you are facing any criminal charges in the Connecticut legal system, you need a skilled and aggressive attorney fighting for your freedom. Call me to talk about your case today. I may be able to help you get the charges dismissed or at least ensure you get the best outcome possible on your day in court.

Arson Conviction Upheld in High Profile 2006 Case

Fifty-two year old Randall Licari was convicted in Bridgeport Superior Court in November of 2006 of 1st degree arson, first-degree larceny, insurance fraud, and conspiracy. The former supervisor for the New York Department of Environmental Protection was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

According to the Connecticut Post, the Connecticut Appeals Court recently upheld his conviction despite his claims that the prosecution fabricated evidence and controlled the lineup of testimony from people called by the defense at trial.

Licari’s Cape Cod style home burned to the ground in December of 2003. The family received an outpouring of support from the Red Cross and the community. They also received a sizable check from the insurance company.

Licari used this $350,000 check and gifts to build a bigger and better home following the fire. Later, the investigation into the fire was opened back up after the adult daughter of Licari stated her father started the fire himself in order to collect on the insurance policy.

Investigators found what they had formerly believed to be wrapped Christmas gifts to actually contain DuraFlame logs wrapped in Christmas paper and placed below the wires for the Christmas tree lights. Licari claimed those were a gift from his wife, despite not owning a fireplace.

The motive for the arson: financial problems. Often this is why crimes of arson take place. People get caught in rough financial times and see insurance money as a potential savior.
Arson, however, is a serious crime and not the best way to get out of debt. If caught and convicted of 1st degree arson, you could be sentenced to several years in prison and carry around a serious rap sheet for the rest of your life.

A property crime doesn’t have to be as serious as arson, however, to change your life. Criminal mischief and theft crimes also carry heavy penalties under Connecticut law.

If you are facing criminal charges and wonder if you will get a fair shake in court, let me know. Call me for a free consultation on your case today.

68-Year CT Old Woman Sentenced in DUI Crash

In Bridgeport, 68-year old Barbara Preston was recently sentenced to serve 8 years of a 15 year sentence behind bars according to this article from the Connecticut Post. The harsh sentence was courtesy of Ms. Preston’s multiple offenses and the injuries sustained in the accident.

Last year Preston rear ended 47-year old Lee Everett as he sat at a red light. The force of the impact was so great that it sent Mr. Everett’s pick up about 70 feet, causing it to roll over. Everett was crushed in the accident and spent a month in a coma.

Everett has recovered enough that he was able to speak at the sentencing but his wife states that his insurance benefits are about to run out and he has racked up around $500,000 in medical bills.

This was Preston’s third drunk driving offense. She was found to be over 3 times over the legal limit and had an open beer in her car with her. At sentencing she apologized for the accident.
Preston pled guilty to first degree assault with a vehicle and a third offense DUI. She was sentenced to 15 years with 7 of those suspended.

Even a 1st offense DUI charge can be serious, with no accident or injury. If you are facing a 2nd or 2rd offense DUI, the penalties increase dramatically. For a third offense DUI you face up to 1 year in jail and permanent revocation of your license.

If you have ever faced any DUI charges, you know how inconvenient a license suspension can be. For a first time offense you may face suspension of one year in addition to fines and up to 6 months in jail. In addition, your license suspension can be extended if your Blood Alcohol Content is over .16 or twice the legal limit.

Our attorneys have successfully defended many clients from DUI and related charges. If you are facing any alcohol related charges, we may be able to help. Contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss your case.

Car Part Theft Charges Add Up

Stealing from a scrap yard doesn’t seem like it could be a big money maker. Thieves have hit in Waterbury, however, and made off with quite a stash from Dana DeCapua’s livelihood, his auto scrap yard.

Catalytic converters are car parts that are definitely worth some cash. These parts clean the air from your engine and are made of expensive materials like platinum and palladium, materials that are worth about $1,200 per ounce according to this WFSB story.

Forcing their way into a scrap yard through the garage door, DeCapua estimates the thieves made off with between $5,000 and $8,000 in parts. The thieves obviously know a little something about cars to know both the value of the converters and how to remove them.
In addition to the parts, the thieves stole a van to carry them off in. A nearby garage lost a van it was working on when the thieves took it, drove it to the scrap yard, and loaded up the stolen parts.

Interestingly a few weeks ago a Honda dealership in Watertown was hit with the same type of theft, losing around $18,000 in parts.

Larceny Charges aren’t always considered minor offenses in the eyes of the court. Sure stealing candy from the convenience store didn’t seem like a big deal when you were a kid, but valuable car parts are another story. The reason this is so much more serious is because the courts base your charge on the value of the items stolen.

A stolen candy bar is a Class C misdemeanor (if charges are even filed). However, stealing over $20,000 in auto parts is a Class B Felony. We aren’t talking about a few months in county jail here. We are talking about up to 20 years in state prison.

Theft crimes can be very serious and carry quite serious penalties. If you are facing larceny charges and aren’t sure what the charges mean or how to deal with them, I can help. An experienced defense attorney is there to answer your questions and give you high quality legal advice.

A criminal theft or larceny charge in Connecticut is a serious legal problem. If you are facing charges like these, call our attorneys to discuss the details of your case today.

Long Beach West Cottage Fires Result in Arson Charges

An arrest has been made in the fire that burned 4 vacant cottages on Long Beach West last March. According to the Connecticut Post, carnival amusement manager Kevin Stewart of Trumbull faces 3rd degree arson charges and is currently out on bond pending arraignment.

Stewart reportedly was seen by several witnesses the day of the fires, climbing a radio tower near the cottages and knocking down the red light used to alert aircraft. Other witnesses claim that they were invited to the empty cottages by Stewart to hang out in what he called his “fort”.

The four abandoned cottages were lit with candles, according to people who were present with Stewart the day preceding the fires. Although Stewart initially denied having anything to do with the blaze, he later stated that he may have unintentionally knocked over a candle.

Although the cottages were empty, arson is a serious criminal offense that could get Stewart a stint in prison. Property crimes like arson and criminal mischief often carry penalties that surprise the people facing those charges.

Criminal mischief is the most common property damage crime and is split into 4 categories or degrees. The charge you face for criminal mischief depends on several things including what it was that was damaged and the value of the damage done.

For a simple criminal mischief charge in Connecticut, one can face anywhere from 3 months in jail to 5 years in prison. This long range of potential penalties can cause a serious amount of uncertainty and stress when you go before the judge.

As a local criminal defense attorney, I can help you come up with the best strategy for your case. But, I can’t do that without your help. Call me today and tell me about the charges you are facing. Together we can come up with a solution.

College Pranks Ends in Criminal Charges

Students at Central Connecticut State University thought it would be funny to pull a little prank recently. They filled the halls of their dorm building with the smoke of burnt popcorn and tied several students’ dorm room doors shut. As the fire alarms went off, many believed they were trapped in a burning building.

In the planning stages, it is likely these students thought their plan would be humorous. College pranks often seem very tasteless to the general public and it is likely these same students wouldn’t have thought it so funny if they were on the receiving end of this little joke.
According to the Connecticut Post, three students now face criminal charges and are facing a misdemeanor criminal mischief offense for this fun time and they likely aren’t laughing anymore.

What seems initially as a harmless prank can quickly turn ugly. This is certainly not the first or the last time college students face criminal charges for a prank or joke gone bad. You may even be able to look back on your college or high school days and think “Man, I’m glad we didn’t get caught doing that!”

The fact is, sometimes you do get caught though. What seems like a great plan at the time can go horribly awry. Or, perhaps no plan is involved at all. Sometimes criminal charges arise from situations that seem to be beyond your control.

Some criminal mischief charges don’t require intent at all. Simply recklessly allowing something to happen can get you charged with certain levels of this criminal charge.

If you are facing criminal charges for damage to property or criminal mischief in Connecticut, you need the assistance of an experienced attorney. Call me today to discuss your case and see what we can do together.

Community Interaction Team Makes Drug Arrests and Clean Up West Hartford Streets

The Community Interaction Team (CIT) of the West Hartford Police Department is a proactive police unit dedicated to keeping a close eye on criminal activity in the West Hartford community. From gang activity to drug offenses, these police officers try to keep an upper hand on crime and keep it under control.

Working with local businesses the CIT knows where problems are before they become to big. By capturing the issues before they grow they hope to keep the people and businesses in the community safe. The unit works with the community, not just in it.

As this article points out, in 2008 the CIT made 607 arrests. That number is quite staggering for one team and is either evidence of their effectiveness or evidence of a growing crime problem. More than likely, however, it is a combination of both.

As of late, they have been noticing a growing heroin problem in their arrests and searches. This means more and more drug charges are entering the West Hartford courts. Users and dealers that the majority of the community was not aware of are finding their ways into the courts.
Many of these drug offenders go unnoticed by the public because that’s the way they want it. They don’t want to draw attention to themselves for fear of embarrassment and more so, fear of criminal charges. Their arrests often end in not only drug charges but theft, DUI, or other assorted criminal offenses.

They are right to be scared and to want to lay low. For a first time drug offender in CT, a heroin charge can bring up to 7 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. As repeat charges occur, they risk more and more as the sentences grow.

With the help of an experienced defense attorney, someone charged for the first time may be able to reach a plea agreement with the prosecution and possibly even only serve probation. This, of course, depends on many factors. If you or someone you know is facing charges like this, be certain to consult with an attorney who is experienced with the drug laws of Connecticut.

Connecticut Sex Offender Laws

Governor Rell just signed a law closing a loophole in Connecticut's Sex Offender Laws. The new law makes it more difficult for a registered sex offender in Connecticut to change his or her name. A person must now declare the reason and intent for the name change to the courts, and the commissioner of public safety can challenge those reasons and the name change itself.

Being branded as a registered sex offender in Connecticut can seriously ruin your life. While there is a clear need to protect the public from dangerous sex offenders, there are also many cases when simple and innocent criminal charges in Connecticut can result in sex offender registration.

Public urination, statutory rape charges resulting from consensual sex between kids only a couple of years apart (if one happens to be of legal age) and many other situations can get you in a dangerous area. And prosecutors are often not sympathetic in these cases, even when the punishment nowhere near fits the crime. A criminal record that includes a sex offense registry can have a horrific impact on the future opportunities of a young person. It can follow you for the rest of your life, especially here in CT where all criminal charges are easily accessible public records.

If you are facing a criminal charge in Connecticut where you might be at risk of a conviction resulting in a sex offender registry requirement, please contact our Connecticut criminal law offices for a legal consultation on what you can do to prevent this from happening.

Connecticut Hate Crime Law

Governor Jodi Rell signed a new hate crimes law that makes it a criminal charge in Connecticut to display a noose as a means of harassing or threatening someone.

The new law will go into effect on October 1, 2008 and was supported unanimously by the state legislature as well as the Division of Criminal Justice and and Connecticut Police Chiefs Association. The legislation resulted from some a number of recent incidents of displays of nooses in West Hartford, Stamford, Bridgeport, and New London, CT.

All Connecticut Criminal Convictions Online for Public Search!

All criminal and traffic convictions in Connecticut are now posted online for free and easy access.

Criminal records have always been public records, but in the past it's been something of a bureaucratic challenge for most people to dig them up. But know we are entering an era where this kind of information is quickly and instantly available.

It is now easy to imagine a day in the very near future when a Google search will instantly show your criminal conviction for anyone doing a search on your name.

A criminal conviction in Connecticut will not just follow you around for the rest of your life, but can brand you for all to see.

Now more than ever, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer to defend you in court. You will want an attorney who will do everything possible to try to avoid a "life sentence" to your online existence.

Now is the only time you can do anything about it. Once you plead guilty, it is too late.