Massachusetts Cop Faces Connecticut Harassment Investigation and Possible Charges

A domestic violence victim’s advocate has allegedly become a victim herself in a case involving her ex-boyfriend, a Holyoke Massachusetts cop. Paul Barkyoumb is now reported to be under investigation for harassment by the Connecticut State Police for threatening text messages he sent to Michelle Cruz.

According to Fairfield Weekly, Cruz works as the state of Connecticut’s victim advocate. Her position apparently helped convince her to come forward in reporting her ex to the police. “If the victim advocate is afraid to get a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend because he’s a cop, how could I ever tell anyone else to get one?”

Cruz apparently met and started dating Barkyoumb when she was an assistant district attorney in Massachusetts. The two broke it off in April of 2009. At that time, reportedly due to harassment, she asked for a restraining order from a Massachusetts judge who denied the request due to insufficient evidence of threat.

Now, however, there is a restraining order in place, an internal investigation at the Holyoke Police Department, and a harassment investigation by the Connecticut State Police.

The legal action is a result of anonymous threatening text messages that Cruz has been receiving on her cell phone. According to the report these messages conveyed threats of retaliation. Barkyoumb maintains his innocence, however.

As this Fairfield Weekly article shows, neither of the two are strangers to controversy. Cruz has made several opponents throughout her career and Barkyoumb has been accused of delivering false testimony and possibly mishandling evidence that resulted in several drug cases being lost by the state.

Stalking and harassment cases typically arise between two people who once had a relationship. When a lover is scorned, their emotional pain sometimes motivates them to do things outside the norm. Just like domestic violence, cases like these are heavy with emotion and stress for all parties involved.

If you are accused of harassing someone, you may not be guilty. Perhaps, however, you let your emotions get the best of you and are now facing serious criminal charges and even a potential jail sentence because of it.

Contact me today to discuss your domestic violence or harassment case. I will be happy to listen and offer some free legal advice.

"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.

Connecticut Man Freed From Prison Following DNA Exoneration

After spending what should have been the best years of his life behind bars, 40 year old Kenneth Ireland is learning how to live in the real world once again.

Back in 1988 at the young age of 20, Ireland was convicted of raping and murdering Barbara Pelkey of Wallingford. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the crime that he maintained he was innocent of.

According to the New Haven Independent, The Innocence Project of Connecticut took on his case and after the DNA evidence was found to not belong to Ireland, got him a new trial. He was released in August on this premise.

In a similar case in 2006, a man named James Tillman was released after spending 18 years in Connecticut prisons for a rape he did not commit. Tillman’s case set the precedence allowing men like him and Ireland to file a claim with the State Claims Commissioner for monetary compensation. Tillman was awarded $5 million.

As this article from Fox 11 details, Ireland is spending his time readjusting to life on the outside of the prison walls. He admits that it is a big adjustment as he is adapting to devices he has never had to use and free for the first time in 20 years.

DNA evidence, though frequently used in television dramas, is more rarely used in real life. Organizations like the Innocence Project utilize DNA evidence to assist people who may have gotten caught up in shoddy police work, unfair investigations, or cases of mistaken identities.

Evidence takes many forms in a criminal investigation and the police and attorneys should always treat the evidence with the utmost care and interest. From fingerprints to eyewitness testimony, factors like this can mean the difference between years behind bars and walking away a free woman or man.

Whether you are facing drug charges or assault charges, the evidence should be examined by all parties, including your own defense attorney. If you have questions about the laws regarding evidence and how they affect your case, call me.

I will listen to your story and be able to offer some free legal advice.

Connecticut Trio Faces Gun Charges Possibly Related to Recent Gang Violence

Three young men are facing charges related to a MAC 10 firearm they were found to be in possession of this week. This after two of their associates were killed in the past month in gang related shootings.

Twenty three year old Travon Clark, Gregory Hughes, and 27 year old Jeffrey Daniels were found in the parking lot of the Marina Village housing complex riding in a Mazda without a license plate. Police stopped the vehicle for this reason and found the .45 caliber machine pistol in the back seat.

Bridgeport police were originally called to the scene for suspicion of drug activity but failed to find such activity taking place.

Once they got the men out of the vehicle, the weapon was easily seen, reportedly sticking out of a bag on the floor of the back seat. According to this Connecticut Post article the MAC 10 was loaded and ready to be used.

The men involved are suspected of being associated with the “Stack Boys” or the “South Side Crew”. Ronald Miley, shot and killed in September, and another shooting victim from just last week were said to be acquaintances of the men, leading police to jump to the assumption that these men were prepared for retaliation of sorts.

All three young men are facing charges of weapons in a motor vehicle and interfering with police. Hughes and Daniels face the additional charge of criminal possession of a firearm. A woman is also facing charges for trying to move the vehicle before the gun could be recovered.

Firearm offenses are numerous in the Connecticut criminal code. These laws are designed to protect the public but are often applied in inconsistent manners.

When you are facing felony charges, whether related to a weapon or not, you have to know your criminal history will come in to play. If the court has seen you before you will need an attorney to assist you in convincing the court you deserve another chance.

The chance of the judge being lenient on your case is significantly improved if this is your first criminal charge.

If you are facing any sort of criminal charge in the Connecticut courts, you need an aggressive defense attorney to ensure your side is heard. Contact me today to discuss what happened on the date of your arrest and to get some free legal advice.

Potential Sexual Assault, a Dead Body, and Missing Drugs Mark Connecticut’s 2009 Vibes Festival

Referred to as the Northeast’s “premier music, arts, and camping festival”, the third annual Vibes gathering occurred a few weeks ago in Seaside Park. The festival has been back and forth between locations over the last few decades but seems to have settled back in CT for a while.

This year’s festival was not without its interesting crime news. This article from the Connecticut Post reveals that the private agency responsible for security did not turn over confiscated drugs to the Connecticut police as they should have. This incident is under investigation.

Also, a body was found the second day of the festival. Despite early reports of a potential murder, it seems foul play is not suspected.

Lastly, a woman at the gathering reported she had possibly been sexually assaulted. This case is also being investigated.

Modeled after the lifestyle of Grateful Dead fans, drugs like marijuana and LSD aren’t all that unusual at the Vibes festival. While the majority of these types of gatherings are non violent and uneventful, the drugs are still against the law.

Many people in neighboring communities don’t like the temporary neighbors they get when the Vibes campers roll into town.

Despite the stigma around marijuana being far less than its other illegal drug counterparts, it can still pack a heavy punch when you are charged with possessing it.

Unfortunately, small amounts of marijuana have not been decriminalized in Connecticut as they have elsewhere. If you are found in possession of even a small personal stash, you can face criminal charges.

Some judges and prosecutors are willing to work out more lenient situations, however, for first time offenders.

If you are facing marijuana charges in the state of Connecticut, your best option is to retain a local attorney who is used to practicing in the area. Call me today to discuss your case.