Los Angeles Criminal Attorney Blog

A 29 year old El Monte man, who disclosed on his application to the highway patrol that he had viewed pornography on his computer, was arrested and charged with suspicion of committing lewd acts with a minor, according to a published LA Times report.

The disclosure on his application spurred an investigation by CHP officials, working in conjunction with the FBI on a multiagency task force. Hernandez also admitted having viewed illicit photos of a minor within a month of filling out the application, a disclosure that probably had more to do with the full blow investigation then his admission of viewing pornography on the Internet.

After performing a search of his home, CHP officials were able to find child pornography on a computer he was using, including sexually explicit photos of a 5-year-old girl. The photos appeared to have been taken in the bedroom of the home where the man now lives.

Continue reading " CHP Applicant Arrested on Child Pornography Charges " »

In the early morning of Saturday, June 25, 2009, a seventeen year old female student was discovered dead in the passenger seat of her car, which was parked in a lot on the edge of Downtown Los Angeles at the corner of Alameda and 5th street. According to an article, her death is currently being investigated as a homicide in which a fifty year old parolee has been charged with murder in Los Angeles after his fingerprints were found in the teen’s vehicle.

Apparently, the parolee approached the teen and kidnapped her in an attempt to have her access money from an ATM using her credit card. Police claimed there were signs of struggle inside the teen’s car and the initial cause of death reported was said to be blunt force trauma. The teenage girl left her Los Feliz home on Friday at 2pm to run an errand at the Southwestern University School of Law but sadly never made it back home.

The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines homicide as the “willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.” Anyone facing a homicide conviction in California must prepare for some of the most severe penalties a person can be charged with. Based on highlights from the California Office of the Attorney General’s 2006 homicide report, there were 665 individuals by the end of 2006 under sentence of death in California for being convicted of murder in which of these persons seventeen were sentenced.

Continue reading " Los Angeles Murder of Teenage Girl " »

An orange county man who was convicted of poisoning his wife has died in prison at the age of 81, according to a published LA Times report. The highly publicized California murder trial occurred in the late 80’s and gripped the nation with its headlines.

The decedent’s trial involved the story of a couple who was married 19 years but was anything but perfect. According to evidence presented by the prosecution, the marriage was filled with lies, mistrust, infidelity and eventually murder. The prosecution alleged that the husband was extremely jealous of his beautiful wife, who was a popular school board member in the community. He suspected her of cheating on him and by all accounts was unhappy in his marriage. She refused divorce, however, so he allegedly took matters into his own hands.

The prosecution alleged that he began to poison his wife by slowly exposing her to toxic levels of cyanide and selenium. The exposure caused the woman to suffer from dehydration and lesions on her body that were so painful that she could hardly bear to move around, having to endure the pain of having them rub against her clothing. She died on Jan. 24, 1988, leaving behind her son.

Continue reading " Man Convicted of Fatally Poisoning his Wife Dies at the Age of 81 " »

The latimes.com website reported in an article on June 6, 2009 that Wendy DeRodio, 61 was found dead in a house she shared with her elderly parents. Shockingly, this homicide in California comes just two weeks after a couple were also stabbed and killed in their home after encountering an intruder.

A neighbor who asked not to be identified said, “Everyone’s on guard. Everyone’s wondering what will happen next.”

Will Hoag, a retired Ventura County personnel manager who has lived in the Ventura Keys for 36 years said, “I don’t want to sit in fear with the doors closed.”

Investigators are trying to figure out whether the two violent crime scenes are connected. Capt. Ross Bonfiglio said, “Victims with multiple stab wounds in beachfront-type residences: Those are obvious similarities that cause us concern.”

Rick Harmon, the victim’s dance partner said, “She loved to laugh. We taught a beginner’s class before the Friday night dances. She was a playful dance partner who always liked to do things to throw me off.”

The concern of law enforcement agencies to find solutions to crime and public safety issues is something that every U.S. citizen can appreciate. Another important matter in our society is that those accused of crimes receive a fair trial and have their constitutional rights upheld during an arrest, investigation, and in court.

Continue reading " Ventura Women Stabbed to Death in Home " »

The website latimes.com reported in an account on June 8, 2009 that the U.S. Border Patrol has arrested a 30 year old Mexican national who was trying to smuggle 24 pounds of pot on his surfboard. According to the border patrol the suspect of the drug crime was seen early in the morning paddling north approximately 200 yards off the coast of Imperial Beach, which is in close proximity to the Mexican border.

Border agents commanded the surfer to come ashore, at which point he threw a blue duffel bag in the water. Agents were forced to go in to the water to make the arrest. Sometime later the duffel bag washed ashore with five packets of marijuana, worth an estimated $74,000. The man acknowledged that he was in the U.S. illegally.

The Controlled Substance Act is a consolidation of laws that regulates the possession, manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used in the illicit production of controlled substances or illegal drugs. Marijuana laws vary slightly from the above and are generally based on the amount of marijuana or hashish seized. However the penalties for marijuana and hashish can be equally as severe, depending upon the quantity.

Continue reading " Mexican Surfer Caught Trying To Smuggle Marijuana Into U.S. " »

A latmes.com report on June 9, 2009 stated that U.S. District Judge S. James Otero has dismissed the most severe charges against well known attorney Pierce O’Donnell in an illegal campaign finance case. This is a definite hit to the prosecution’s case against O’Donnell. Otero ruled that prosecutors had wrongly charged O’Donnell with two violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act. Originally, U.S. attorney’s office had claimed that O’Donnell had violated the law by asking employees to make donations to the 2004 presidential campaign of John Edwards and then paid them back for their donations.

Judge Otero said that the law prosecutors referred to does not forbid such doings. O’Donnell’s attorney, George Terwillger, said, “The charges were dismissed because the U.S. attorney overreached in an attempt to use the law far more broadly than its terms allow.”

Prosecutors are reviewing Judge Otero’s 11 page ruling and are thinking about their options, including a review by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Otero did not dismiss a third charge that O’Donnell “knowingly and willfully” forced a treasurer of a political action committee to make false reports about the contributions.

White collar crimes under this category include: concealing assets during a bankruptcy; filing a false claim for postal or pension loss; possessing false papers in order to defraud the United States; making false credit applications; bank and deposit account fraud; using a computer, radio, or television to commit a fraud against another; and money laundering.

Continue reading " Federal Judge Dismisses Most Serious Charges against LA Lawyer in an Illegal Campaign Finance Case " »

The dailynews.com website reported in a story on June 12, 2009 that Richard Joseph Bojorques Jr, 48, a parolee, has been convicted of murdering a woman back in October 1997 after investigators matched his DNA with that found at the crime scene. Veronica Fuentes Linasero, was found partially clothed on the property of a church in Eagle Rock. She had been strangled. Bojorques was detained in February 2007 at his parole agent’s office after LAPD detectives discovered his DNA matched evidence found at the crime scene. He faces 25 years to life in state prison.

There are various types of homicide, which in the United States carry with them different penalties and consequences. Listed below are short descriptions of a few types of homicide:

• Criminal homicide- This is intentional homicide, such as voluntary manslaughter, murder, and criminal negligence which results in involuntary manslaughter.


• Justifiable homicide- A form of non-criminal homicide in which proof is necessary to show that the victim did not die from a criminal act. An example of justifiable homicide is a death that is the cause of self defense.


• Excusable homicide- A homicide which is the result of an accident in which no laws were broken and which can be defended in court.

Continue reading " Man Convicted of Murder 12 Years after the Committed Act " »

The latimes.com website reported in a story on June 13, 2009 that Christian Hernandez, 29, from El Monte, had been arrested for possessing child pornography. Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman stated Hernandez divulged on his application to the CHP that he had viewed illegal porn on the internet, which led to a multiagency investigation. He acknowledged he had viewed child porn of a minor within a month of filling out his application.

Investigators with the CHP carried out a consent search of Hernandez’s home and found child pornography on a computer he was using which included sexually explicit photos of a 5 year old girl. The pictures looked like they were taken in the bedroom of the home where Hernandez now lives.

He was charged in federal court with possessing and manufacturing child pornography. He is being detained without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Continue reading " CHP Applicant Arrested For Child Porn " »

The latimes.com website reported in an account on June 9th, 2009 that Nel Rasmussen, father of Sherri Rae Rasmussen had told investigators about an “ex-girlfriend” who was in the LAPD and had threatened his daughter several times shortly before she was found beaten and shot to death in her apartment.

According to the family’s lawyer, Rasmussen’s appeals were disregarded by detectives and they followed other possibilities to how Sherri was murdered.

Detectives are opening up thousands of old homicide files in an attempt to solve them using modern technology. After opening the investigation, detectives again interviewed Rasmussen. He reiterated that he suspected a former girlfriend who was a police officer of killing his daughter. Prosecutors have now charged Detective Stephanie Lazarus 49, with capital murder, which makes her eligible for the death penalty. Now Rasmussen is asking for a separate investigation into how the LAPD originally handled the case.

According to the report, investigators secretly followed Lazarus to a store, where they recovered a plastic utensil containing her saliva. According to the police, the DNA taken from the saliva matched DNA evidence found at the crime scene.

Homicide charges carry the most severe punishments in the state of California. In fact, recent U.S. laws have been passed that will increase the mandatory minimum sentences that will apply to people who are convicted of committing certain violent crimes. If you have been arrested for carrying out a violent crime in Los Angeles, you may be looking at a prison term of 25 years to life.

Continue reading " 23 Years after Murder, LAPD Female Detective Faces Charges " »

The latimes.com reported in an article on June 7, 2009 that narcotics investigators raided a home owned by Bell’s Mayor, Oscar Hernandez, and found a “super lab” able of producing 20 pounds of methamphetamine. Two men were arrested.

Hernandez did not identify the men and said that he rented the house to a couple and their two children. Hernandez stated that the husband and a man visiting the couple were arrested. The woman living there is 8 months pregnant and the daughters, ages 2 and 3, were placed in protective care.

Hernandez stated that the man arrested had told him that the chemicals found by agents were used as glue for tile adhesive.

Hernandez said, “I feel sorry for them. They have no food, no money, no clothing. I don’t know, this could be a big mistake.”

Depending upon your specific drug crime in California, you may be facing a monetary fine or a severe penalty including a long term prison sentence. Some factors that may affect the penalties which apply, and whether or not the defendant faces a felony or misdemeanor charge following a drug related arrest include the type of drug, the amount or weight of the drug, and what the defendant's intent was with the substance.

Continue reading " Bell Mayor’s Rented Home Sealed after Drug Raid " »

The latimes.com website reported in a story on June 11, 2009 that a 13 year old Oxnard teenager was shot multiple times and killed on a street corner in Oxnard.

David Keith, Oxnard Police spokesman, said that the teenager was walking toward the corner sometime before 8 p.m. when he was shot in this violent crime. He was rushed to St. John’s Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead just about an hour later.

Dozens of police officers were searching the neighborhood and interviewing neighbors in an attempt to figure out what happened. Keith stated that police have no motive for the shooting and have made no arrests. They urge that anyone with information contact the Oxnard police department.

Continue reading " 13 Year Old Shot to Death " »

A latimes.com report from May 13, 2009 stated that an investigation into the offices of former assessor Bill Postmus has prompted the San Bernardino County Supervisors to file suit against Postmus and five of his co-workers in an attempt to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars. The report was done by former federal prosecutor John Hueston who gained fame for prosecuting Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling of Enron. The investigation revealed that crime, fraud, and drug use were a common occurrence in Postmus’s office. In addition, the 30 page document states that people not qualified for the job were hired and did not do any assessor related jobs but instead conducted unauthorized political campaigning. The investigation’s most shocking accusations are related to Postmus’s drug use. His assistant said he, “looked like he fell off a park bench.”

Colleagues even suspected him of inhaling canisters of DVD cleaner. Soon afterwards, Postmus was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine. He resigned in February.

Gary Ovitt, board Chairman, said, “As a taxpayer and as a public official, I find the activities detailed in the report deeply disturbing. There is certainly enough information in this report to compel the Board of Supervisors to pursue legal action against these individuals and seek damages for the taxpayers."

Officials have arrested three of those mentioned, who have posted bail. Postmus has been charged with six felonies and former assistant assessor Erwin is facing 10 felonies, mostly for failing to properly report gifts while in office.

In today’s world of politics and business, the line between what is ethical is sometimes misinterpreted and can lead to serious accusations of white collar crime. If you or a loved one has been accused of a white collar crime in San Bernardino, contact the skilled lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. We have helped our clients win for over 30 years. Please call 1-866-390-7373 for a free consultation.

A latimes.com article reported on May 8, 2009 that a former bakery handyman has confessed to fatally shooting a writer who was writing about the bakery’s financial troubles in addition to also killing another man just a few weeks earlier. Devaughndre Broussard, 21, entered his admission to two counts of voluntary manslaughter in California as part of an arrangement with prosecutors. Broussard confessed to killing Oakland Post editor Chauncey Bailey and another man.

Family members of Baily, sat present in Alameda County Superior Court, as Broussard told Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson that he was guilty of manslaughter in Bailey’s death.

The agreement worked with prosecutors requires that Broussard be sentenced to 25 years in prison in exchange for his declaration against two other bakery employees. Broussard has testified in front of a grand jury that Yusuf Bey IV, leader of the now non-operational Your Black Muslim Bakery, ordered the hit on Bailey and Roberson. The confession stated that Antoine Mackey, bakery associate, was the getaway driver. Both will be in court to enter their pleas to murder charges.

According to Broussard Big financial rewards were promised to him for carrying out the shootings.

Aundra Dixon, 42, said, “I felt he was being responsible. He was taking responsibility for what he had done.”

An institution in Oakland’s black community for more than 40 years, Your Black Muslim Bakery, has operated a bakery, school, and provided security. Recently bakery associates including Bey, have been blamed for several crimes, including a string of vandalism on liquor stores in 2005 and the kidnapping and torture of two women in 2007.

Homicide charges in California are considered the most severe and can carry heavy jail time along with fees. Do not attempt to fight these charges on your own. The law offices of Lawrence Wolf have been helping their clients accused of violent crimes for over 30 years. If you are being charged with a violent crime in Los Angeles, the skilled Los Angeles violent crime defense lawyers at the law offices of Lawrence Wolf will fight for your rights. Please call 1-866-390-7373 for a free consultation.

The website latimes.com reported in a story on May 13, 2009 that a group of students from Stanford University assisted by their professors are helping 3rd strike offenders get out of prison early. The students aim their efforts at mostly non-violent inmates where their third strike was a minor offense. Inmate Norman Williams, 45 had not received a visitor for nearly 10 years when he got a visit from two Stanford students and a professor offering a chance of freedom. Williams’ third strike crime was stealing tools and a car jack from a tow truck.

Sitting in Folsom state prison, the trio told Williams that they believed his sentence was cruelly harsh. Acknowledging that it was a long shot, they wanted to try to reduce his punishment. As a result of their efforts, he walked out of prison two weeks ago.

William’s case is just one of many victories for the Stanford law clinic that brings together law students who are dedicated to reversing the injustices under the three-strike law.

Stanford law students are supporting prisoners guilty of what they believe are minor crimes, which raises the question of how much prison time is too much. The students are working to make right what they believe is an accumulation of extremely unfair sentences for minor crimes and possibly bring about changes to the law regarding three strike crimes in California.

Jennifer Robinson, a recent graduate, said, “These people fall between the cracks. It’s an awful situation that I don’t think that the voters envisioned.”

It seems unbelievable that you could spend 25 years to life in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, but it's true. California's controversial "three strike law," passed in 1994, is very complex and difficult to interpret but, simply stated, it means that you may be sentenced to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life if:

1. You have previously been convicted for committing 2 serious felonies (strikes); and


2. If you are convicted for committing a third offense (possibly a misdemeanor)

If you or a loved one is being charged with a third strike crime in Los Angeles you should call the experienced Los Angeles three strike defense attorneys at the law offices of Lawrence Wolf. They have been helping individuals for over 30 years and have a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with crimes in California. Please call 1-866-390-7373 for a free consultation.