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Can't smoke pot on plane, with or without medical marijuana card

2012-01-31T00:19:43Z

The jetBlue airline apparently had its hands full when one of its passengers, 43-year-old Adam Blumenkranz, locked himself in the airplane's bathroom - while en route from Los Angeles to New Jersey - and began taking hits off his pipe, leading to drug charges.

]]> He was greeted at the gate when he arrived at his destination and now faces drug charges. The Los Angeles Times report does not get into how he was discovered; likely, other passengers and/or members of the flight crew could smell the marijuana wafting through the plane.

Blumenkranz told the police that he had a medical marijuana card, but such cards (at least at this point) do not allow smoking marijuana in airplane bathrooms. In fact, as is commonly known, you cannot smoke anything in airplane bathrooms.

Source: L.A. man accused of smoking pot on plane

Texas perfume vendor gets two decades in drug case

2012-01-20T22:39:20Z

As Julian Aguilar reports for the Texas Tribune, a perfume vendor got two decades behind bars in a drug charges case in which the vendor used his perfumes to "remove the stench" from drug cartel money, prosecutors said.

]]> "Today's sentence should make people think twice about getting into business with narcotics traffickers," said the prosecutor.

The man's money-laundering scheme helped the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico.

The man is said to have been making $30 million per year, but defense attorneys argued that he earned that money through his lawful perfume businesses.

Apparently, the jury did not agree, and the federal judge sentenced him to 20 years.

Source: Laredo Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Aiding Cartels

Snoop busted for pot on Texas highway checkpoint

2012-01-14T20:00:10Z

Calvin Broadus, otherwise known as the famous Snoop Dog, has recently been busted for marijuana possession on a Texas highway checkpoint.

Law enforcement authorities found joints on his tour bus. In fact, a border agent is said to have smelled smoke coming from the bus; at that point, he ordered everyone off the bus so a dog could inspect, according to ABC News.

]]> This recent incident also has ties to the issue of medical marijuana, which has not been approved by law in Texas, but has been in Snoop Dog's home state of California. As ABC News reports, Snoop Dog claimed that his marijuana possession was based on a prescription to treat migraines and blurred vision.

In all, the police did not find much marijuana on Snoop's tour bus - just .13 ounces, according to the report - and based on that, Snoop was released and will only have to mail in a $500 fine, according to a local judge.

As we wrote above, Texas still has not dealt with the issue of legalizing marijuana for medical use, nor is it likely to anytime soon, based on the historic strictness of state policy governing many types of drug offenses.

Source: Snoop Dog Hit With Minor Drug Charge in Texas

Study: legalized marijuana reduces traffic fatalities

2012-01-12T19:42:42Z

Examining the issue of legal medical marijuana...

Many of those who oppose today's current trend of legalizing marijuana for medical use (and who also tend to support strict penalties for drug offenses), often do so on the basis that legalizing medical marijuana is just one step away from legalizing marijuana generally.

]]> They often argue that we haven't done enough to study the effects of marijuana use in the general population.

But one study recently conducted by professors at Montana State University and the University of Colorado indicates that deaths from traffic accidents actually decreased by almost nine percent, according to the Sacramento Bee, in the 13 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use.

One commenter to the article in the Sacramento Bee joked: "A drunk will run a stop sign but a pothead will stop and wait for it to turn green." Based on the results of this study, it seems like the joke might have some credence.

Source: Does medical marijuana mean fewer traffic deaths?

Former head of Tijuana drug cartel pleads guilty

2012-01-07T21:36:28Z

"Today's guilty plea marks the end of his reign of murder, mayhem and corruption," says the prosecutor in 58-year-old Benjamin Arellano Felix's case. Felix recently pleaded guilty in a case that involves drug charges and other allegations.

]]> As Marty Graham reports for the Chicago Tribune, Felix led the Tijuana drug cartel that operated in the 1980s and 1990s, engaging in drug trafficking and other activities on the border between the U.S. and Mexico.

The guilty plea involves admitting to trafficking in "tons of cocaine and marijuana," as well as money laundering.

Felix's guilty plea seems to mark the end of Tijuana drug cartel - at least symbolically - as Felix's brothers (who were all closely involved in drug cartel operations) have either been captured or killed; moreover, the rival Sinaloa drug cartel has largely assumed ownership over drug smuggling routes previously dominated by the Tijuana cartel.

As Graham reports, Felix's defense attorney said, "It was a favorable deal to my client" - his client faced the equivalent of life in prison, but the sentence was reduced to 25 years behind bars in exchange for forfeiting $100 million in drug money - "who faced a minimum of 40 years and a maximum of 140 years under the extradition agreement."

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Mexican drug lord pleads guilty to U.S. trafficking," by Marty Graham, 1/4/12

Study: Higher risk of sexual assault with binge drinking

2012-01-05T21:17:43Z

A recent study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, published by Rutgers in New Jersey, indicates that young freshman women who engage in binge drinking - defined as consuming at least four to six drinks or more - are at a higher risk of sexual assault or other types of unwanted sexual contact.

]]> And more than 50 percent of women who consumed 10 or more alcoholic beverages in a single stretch of time (like at a party) were "sexually victimized," write the authors of the study, by the end of the first semester in college.

The authors of the study assign the blame wholly to the person accused of sexual assault - obviously not wanting to use binge drinking as an excuse for sex crimes - but what is left unsaid is the fact that "perpetrators" are assumed to be guilty of unwanted sexual contact.

Much has been written about "date rape"; however, despite the problems inherent in date rape and other forms of unwanted sexual contact, very little is said in defense of the accused. All too often, such allegations are "he said, she said," and the alleged perpetrator of sexual assault may be blindsided by allegations that he or she never saw coming.

Source: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, "Freshman women's binge drinking tied to sexual assault risk," Jan. 2012

Jury award in the billions for sexual assault, burn case

2011-12-29T02:11:36Z

As Molly Hennessy-Fiske reports for the Los Angeles Times, a $150 billion jury award for the estate of Robert Ray Middleton, who was 20 when he died, makes it the largest such award for personal injury in U.S. history.

"This is a plea for justice," says Middleton's lawyer, who hopes that the huge jury award will convince prosecutors to charge 26-year-old Don Collins, who, at 13, is said to have perpetrated sexual assault on an 8-year-old Middleton and then set him on fire two weeks later.

]]> Collins is already in prison for an unrelated sex crime and is set to be released, as Hennessy-Fiske reports, this coming September. If Collins is charged with sexual assault and for setting Middleton on fire, he could face a substantial number of years in prison, though it does not appear likely that he will be charged.

At the time of the 1998 incident, investigators could not find hard physical evidence against Collins. (Collins was arrested shortly after the burn incident but was released and never charged.) Local prosecutor David Walker says, "There will be people who will say that's an excuse," referring to the lack of evidence, "but the professionals here worked very hard."

In Texas, allegations of sexual assault are taken very seriously. If charged, Collins will most certainly face felony charges, which carry with them years in prison upon conviction.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Jury awards record $150 billion to family of burned boy," by Molly Hennessy-Fiske, 12/21/11

'Tweety Bird' pleads not guilty in drug cartel-related murder

2011-12-22T01:06:44Z

Los Zetas is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico. It has an assassination unit, among other things, and a man nicknamed Tweety Bird allegedly heads up that unit. The Zetas are notorious for their assassinations, kidnappings, extortion plots, and other things, in addition to the business of drug trafficking.

]]> Today, U.S. authorities announced the extradition of Tweety Bird - his real name is Julian Zapata Espinoza - on allegations that Espinoza murdered an agent of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

As Susan Carroll reports for the Houston Chronicle, Espinoza and his compatriots claim that they thought the ICE agent was a member of a rival gang based on the car he was driving. As agent Jaime Jorge Zapata drove down a Mexican highway (he had been working on a Mexico City assignment) he and his partner were ambushed by Espinoza and his team.

In the ambush, Zapata was killed, his partner wounded.

In response, the Mexican army conducted a raid and captured Espinoza and other members of his group.

If Espinoza is convicted of the criminal charges here in the U.S., he faces life behind bars.

Source: Houston Chronicle, "ICE agent's alleged killer pleads not guilty," by Susan Carroll, 12/21/11

Eyewitness takes the stand in Sandusky sexual assault case

2011-12-18T19:43:30Z

"I heard rhythmic slapping sounds," says Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary, as the Chicago Tribune reports, "two or three slaps that sounded like skin on skin. I was already alarmed, embarrassed."

With McQueary's testimony, it appears as though Jerry Sandusky's sexual assault case has taken a turn for the worse regarding the march toward possible conviction.

]]> Sandusky is said to have sexually assaulted 10 boys over a period of years while in his position as assistant to Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who lost his job in disgrace over the allegations.

McQueary is a "key witness" in the case against Sandusky. As the Chicago Tribune reports, McQueary was testifying in a related case against two Penn State officials who are accused of perjury in a grand jury proceeding.

Sex assault cases involving children often depend on the child's testimony alone; in Sandusky's case, the fact that there was an apparent eyewitness will do considerable damage and may ultimately give the prosecutor the ammunition he or she needs to get a conviction.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Penn State coach describes sexual assault in shower," 12/16/11

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver arrested on drug charges

2011-12-16T19:23:20Z

As Peter Bella reports for the Washington Times, an incident in Texas involving NFL pro Sam Hurd's vehicle and the $88,000 in cash and marijuana found inside got "the ball rolling" toward Hurd's eventual arrest in Chicago and leveling of drug charges roughly half a year later.

]]> The 26-year-old Hurd is originally from Texas and played for the Dallas Cowboys (he now plays for the Chicago Bears). Hurd's friend had been driving his vehicle at the time of the incident with the cash and marijuana - evidently Hurd was not arrested, but police began investigating.

As Bella reports, Hurd recently met with an undercover agent at a steakhouse. Over dinner, Hurd "negotiated" with the agent to buy cocaine and marijuana. Hurd told the agent that his current supplier could not meet demand, which necessitated the current deal.

Hurd left the steakhouse with a starter kilo given to him by the agent and was arrested as he got into his car.

Drug charges in Texas are just as serious - if not more serious - than almost anywhere else in the nation. Depending on the circumstances, Hurd will stand trial in either Texas or Illinois; he faces decades behind bars if convicted of drug trafficking.

It appears as though Hurd's clients were primarily NFL players.

Source: The Washington Times, "Chicago Bear Sam Hurd faces drug charges," by Peter Bella, 12/16/11

Texas courts convict Zapata drug trafficker

2011-12-12T21:53:23Z

36-year-old Pedro Navarro, Jr. pleaded guilty to drug charges involving trafficking and money laundering. Navarro's conviction last Thursday was a "huge victory" for law enforcement authorities, as Jim Kouri reports for the Examiner.

The authorities seem to have convicted someone who played a key role in getting marijuana and methamphetamine shipped into the United States, as well as getting dollars from the U.S. across the border into Mexico.

]]> Navarro admitted to a number of things: Using the money he earned from drug trafficking to build a home in Zapata, Texas; using a second home on Falcon Lake to stash large amounts of marijuana for distribution; and conspiring with other members of the ring to launder money.

As Kouri reports, the proceeds from Navarro's operation are said to total more than $18 million.

Many people accused of drug crimes face drug possession charges (like marijuana) rather than serious drug trafficking charges like Navarro. But even small amounts of marijuana can result in charges, ultimately resulting in a criminal record if convicted.

But despite being caught red-handed, so to speak, with a drug like marijuana, law enforcement authorities must still have probable cause to stop and search you. If not, the search could be found to have been illegal, resulting in dismissal of charges.

Source: Examiner, "Leader of Zapata drug trafficking, money laundering organization convicted," by Jim Kouri, 12/9/11

Texas man faces life in prison for creating, distributing child pornography

2011-12-10T21:34:10Z

It was a worldwide investigation involving all sorts of law enforcement agencies, including Interpol. As Dianna Hunt reports for the Star-Telegram, the investigation led to the arrest of 45-year-old Timothy Whitington, who was indicted late last month on charges of the sexual assault of an 11-year-old boy and distributing child pornography on the Internet.

]]> Whitington's case involves both state and federal charges - in fact, he was already in federal prison after a conviction regarding the production of child pornography - and the latest indictment will cause state charges to be filed against him.

If he is convicted on the state charges as well, he faces the possibility of life behind bars.

The far-reaching investigation also led to arrests of people in other countries, from England to Australia.

In Texas, sex offenses are taken very seriously. If you find yourself facing allegations of this type, you face not only criminal punishment but significant societal punishment, which seems to convict you of guilt before you've had your day in court.

When it comes to child pornography, any brush with it - possession, distribution, production, promotion - can lead to criminal charges. That said, the prosecutor must still prove your intent to commit the crime.

Source: Star-Telegram, "Euless man indicted in Texas child abuse case," by Dianna Hunt, 12/9/11

In wake of sex abuse allegations, psychiatrist faces loss of license

2011-12-04T21:46:22Z

As Ron Zimmerman reports for MedScape Medical News, a 59-year-old child psychiatrist who practiced in the Austin State Hospital has had his medical license suspended by the Texas Medical Board in the wake of sexual abuse allegations.

The Texas Medical Board found a "pattern of sexually abusing teenage boys in his care for inpatient psychiatric treatment over a period of nearly 20 years."

The case involves nine patients and alleged sexual abuse stretching back to the 1980s.

]]> Leigh Hopper of the Texas Medical Board argues that the Board has the authority to permanently revoke the psychiatrist's medical license if he is simply arrested - he doesn't have to be actually convicted - for any sex crime involving children.

The psychiatrist has not been arrested yet; as Zimmerman reports, the local prosecutor's office is preparing a grand jury indictment. If the grand jury votes to indict, at that point the psychiatrist will be arrested and the Texas Medical Board presumably will revoke his license for good.

No one likes stories about sexual assault, especially when it involves children. At the same time, permanently revoking a medical professional's license - upon which his career and livelihood depend - upon arrest rather than conviction seems to be a bit unfair, if you ask us.

Source: MedScape Medical News, "Child Psychiatrist Faces Multiple Allegations of Sexual Abuse," by Ron Zimmerman, 12/1/11

No behind-bars time for man in cocaine possession case

2011-12-02T21:28:36Z

55-year-old Michael Mitte stepped down from heading up the foundation his parents created after his second arrest for cocaine possession. In this drug charges case, Mitte will avoid serious prison time - up to 20 years - if he can avoid violating his probation, which includes passing drug tests.

]]> As Steven Kreytak reports for the Austin American-Statesman, Mitt was first arrested when law enforcement officers spotted cocaine on the console of his Mercedes in the parking lot outside a strip club in the wee morning hours. They went inside and found cocaine in his pocket and on the chair.

Mitte avoided prosecution by agreeing to help law enforcement authorities bring down the cocaine dealer; however, when Mitte showed up for the sting, police officers searched his Porsche and again found cocaine. Mitte had brought his own stash. He was charged with cocaine possession for a second time.

Despite Mitte's troubles with drug charges, he played a role in the hundreds of college scholarships that the Mitte Foundation awarded to Texas students - including $9 million to Texas State University.

Mitte's defense attorney said, "Mr. Mitte has done a lot of good for this community and will continue to do so."

Source: Austin American-Statesman, "Former president of Mitte Foundation avoids prison time for drug charges," by Steven Kreytak, 11/28/11

Occupy Dallas movement cleared out by police

2011-11-21T18:30:43Z

"I think we ended up with the best circumstances," says Dallas Police Chief David Brown, as Jamie Stengle reports for the Houston Chronicle. "The people that ended up getting arrested wanted to be arrested as a statement about their protest."

The Occupy Dallas movement saw 18 arrests on Thursday morning - including one protestor who was accused of the sexual assault of a 14-year-old at the campsite.

]]> Most of the other protestors were arrested for the typical things protestors might get arrested for, like blocking the entrance to a bank and public intoxication.

According to Stengle's report, Brown says, "We've done all we could to make this work," citing unsanitary campsite conditions and escalating violations of law.

58-year-old Dallas resident Michael Curtis thought there should've been more notice given to protestors; he left the campsite after learning that law enforcement authorities were coming.

In the end, it was a "tipping point," as Stengle reports, causing Brown to make the decision to clear out the Occupy Dallas protestors. Brown apparently consulted with other police chiefs in major cities as Occupy Dallas got closer - and passed - the tipping point.

Source: Houston Chronicle, "Police evict Occupy Dallas protestors, arrest 18," by Jamie Stengle, 11/17/11