Tracy, CA Murder of 8 Year Old

The website abcnews.com reported in a story on April 12, 2009 that Melissa Huckaby, 28, a Sunday school teacher, had been arrested for the California murder of Sandra Cantu, an 8 year old girl from Tracy, California. Cantu was a playmate of Huckaby’s daughter. Cantu’s body was found inside a suitcase in a dairy farm pond. Authorities arrested Huckaby after she admitted to police that she owned the suitcase in which Cantu’s body was found.

Tony Sheneman of the Tracy police department said, “I couldn’t begin to even theorize what her motive is. The outcome is is beyond explanation.”

Cantu’s mother Maria Chavez, 41 asked her sister Angie Chavez, “How could another mother do this to another child?”

Huckaby gave an interview to the Tracy Press, and stated that she did own a large, black, rolling suitcase but it had been stolen that day Cantu disappeared.

Sheneman stated that Huckaby was questioned and was first “calm, cool, and collected,” then “became very emotional, then was calm again and then became resigned to what was happening.” Police did not disclose how Cantu was killed.

Mary Jones, who claimed to have known Huckaby since she was a little girl and in disbelief of the charges said, “That would shock me greatly, if it were true. That’s not the Melissa I know. It doesn’t fit in with her or the family at all. The family is basically Baptist, totally churchgoing folks.”

All violent crimes in California are severely punished. 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. Do not fight these charges on your own. Please call a skilled Los Angeles violent crime defense attorney at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Lawrence Wolf’s Second Appearance on KRLA 870AM

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Lawrence Wolf, Esq. will be a special guest for the second time on Los Angeles radio station KRLA 870AM this Saturday, June 13 2009 at midnight.

Lawrence Wolf will be a part of the show “Uncuff Me” sharing his vast knowledge and experience of criminal law to discuss topics relating to adolescence, tough love, and drug addiction.

With over 30 years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer in California, Lawrence Wolf and his associates have worked to develop alternative forms of sentencing such as divisionary programs and house arrest. He is recognized for his authority in California juvenile defense, drunk driving defense, and addiction-related offenses. Lawrence Wolf’s experience is unique in that he has both prosecuted and defended thousands of adults and juveniles charged with every type of felony and misdemeanor crime, giving him a vast understanding of the law.

For more information on Lawrence Wolf and his wide-ranging experience as a top California criminal defense lawyer, visit his website at www.youareinnocent.com today.

Tustin Fraud and ID Thefts

The website hbindependent.com reported in an account on April 9, 2009 that former fugitive Gene Anthony Franklin Jr., 34 of Tustin, who had bought a home in Southern California valued at $685,000 using someone else’s information has been found guilty of perpetrating $2.8 million in fraud and stealing the identities of more than 12 victims.

Police went to Franklin’s house to arrest him on another warrant but he refused to come out taking a small child hostage. Police had Franklin’s ex-wife come to the house in an unsuccessful attempt to free the child. After many hours passed, the stand-off ended when a SWAT team entered the home and retrieved the child. Franklin eventually escaped into Mexico in the Fall of 2007 but was arrested a year later. A jury found Franklin guilty of 46 felony counts including identity theft, false impersonation, grand theft and attempted grand theft, resisting arrest, child abuse, conspiracy, forgery, failure to appear, attempted extortion, and dissuading a witness. He will be sentenced in June and faces up to 73 years and four months in prison.

White collar crimes in California are usually crimes of theft and deception committed by non-violent professional people as opposed to other crimes that use force. White collar crimes can be prosecuted at the state level or federal level, or both. Penalties for being convicted of a white collar crime typically consist of fines, restitution and, in some cases, prison.

The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have been successfully helping individuals charged with white collar crimes in California for over 30 years. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation with a skilled Orange County criminal defense attorney today.

Santa Ana Statutory Rape: Teacher Sentenced to 4 Years

The website hbindependent.com reported in a story on April 9, that a former Talbert teacher Daniel Axtell, 38, of Santa Ana pled guilty in December 2008 to six counts of lewd acts in California, one count of sexual penetration by a foreign object and one count of first-degree burglary. The acts took place in 2005 but the girl did not report Axtell until 2007.

Authorities reported that Axtell had made friends with the student who then talked about her family and personal problems with him. Axtell gained the girl’s family trust by mentoring her and attending family events. The girl stated during sentencing that Axtell had violated her trust, embarrassed her, and forced her to change schools because her classmates all new about the relationship.

Stepfather and mother of the girl also stated in court that the girl’s life had been changed because of Axtell, saying that her “high school experience was ruined because she was humiliated, lost friends, never attended dances or the prom, and would never look at relationships the same way.”

There are many types of sexual assault or sexual abuse, including any type of unwanted physical contact with any sexual organ. Most sexual abuse and/or sexual assault crimes are felonies in California.

The aggressive and skilled California sex crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with all types of sex crimes in California. If you have been charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles, you are facing serious consequences which may carry life long penalties and may ruin your reputation within your community and your chances to pursue personal and professional endeavors. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Los Angeles Double Homicide in Skid Row Motel

According to reports, on April 12, 2009 two unidentified men, one appearing to be in his mid fifties and the second appearing to be in his mid twenties, were shot. Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detective for the LAPD’s Central Police Division said, “The motive for the shooting is not clear. And, while this may have happened on Skid Row, the crime had nothing to do with the homeless. These types of disputes tend to be about drugs and money.”

According to police reports, they received a call around 5 a.m. of shots fired at the Lamp Lodge, located at 630 S. Stanford Street. Upon arrival paramedics pronounced both men dead. The two murders in Los Angeles are the first in downtown for 2009.

Vernon said, “Twenty years ago we would have seen scores of these killings in a year. But last year closed with only six homicides.”

Police records show that almost 6,000 Los Angeles drug crime narcotics arrests were made in downtown for year 2008, mostly on Skid Row.

Vernon added, “We find far fewer guns downtown now that the criminal element has found it’s harder to work here. That’s made Skid Row safer for everyone.”

Police urge anyone with information to call Central Area Detectives at 213 842-0727.

If you are facing a violent crime charge in Los Angeles, including homicide, it is imperative you contact a skilled attorney, as these are absolutely serious charges, with equally serious repercussions. At the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, their Los Angeles violent crime defense attorneys aggressively defend the rights their clients, and are nationally recognized for their successful case outcomes. For over three decades their defense lawyers have successfully defended clients charged with various felony and misdemeanor charges, and they may be able to help you in your time of need. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Burbank Woman Pleads Not Guilty For Masterminding Murder

The website burbankleader.com reported in an account on April 12, 2009 that Bella Stepanyan, 26 was in Pasadena Superior Court where she pled not guilty to the slaying of Jasmine Voskanian, 49. According to authorities, Voskanian was killed with gun shot to the head when she answered the door bell or knock to her front door. Jane Robinson, Los Angeles County district attorney’s office spokeswoman, said that Stepanyan faces one count of murder in Los Angeles with a special allegation of lying in wait.

Authorities claim that Stepanyan plotted the murder and that Armen Mangasaryan, 29 was the actual shooter, and the third suspect apprehended Arrpiar Terrgalstanyan, 20 was present when murder took place. Both men were arrested the same week of the murder and have also pled not guilty. The three suspects are believed to have known Voskanian because of an overdue money debt.

Voskanian’s boyfriend was inside the home when the murder happened and he immediately called paramedics but they were unable to resuscitate her and she was pronounced dead at the house.

All three suspects could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if found guilty.

Homicide is amongst the most severe California violent crimes in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in California, you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive and experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf immediately. There is a lot at stake, and depending upon your situation, you may be facing a life sentence. You are in desperate need of accomplished and skilled legal representation. Do not attempt to represent yourself, there is just too much at risk. Please call [number type=”1″]for a free consultation.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Rapper Accused of Being a Felon in Possession of Gun

The latimes.com website reported in an article on April 13, 2009 that rapper Flesh-N-Bone, whose real name is Stanley Howse, 35 a founding member of the rap group known as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, is being charged for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Howse is a Grammy winning rapper, and this charge is the most recent in a string of legal problems.

Jane Robinson, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office stated that Howse was pulled over by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies after they noticed a broken brake light on his car. Being on parole, Howse was then subjected to a search of his car and home in Canyon Country. The sheriffs found a 9-millimeter semiautomatic pistol, that Howse claimed belonged to his wife who is a Chicago police officer. According to the prosecution, Howse has five prior felony convictions going back 10 years that include assault with a semiautomatic weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and assault likely to produce great bodily injury.

An experienced Los Angeles three strike defense attorney from the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf may be able to successfully argue that your prior felonies were not, in fact, “strikes”. Your attorney may also convince the courts that your current charges are unwarranted. Criminal charges can carry life changing consequences. If you or someone you know has been arrested, or is being investigated for a crime, you need immediate advice from a skilled Los Angeles three strike crime defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Protect your rights and your freedom. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Lawrence Wolf On KRLA 870AM

Los Angeles Criminal Defense attorney Lawrence Wolf, Esq. will be appearing on Los Angeles radio station KRLA 870AM on Saturday, May 2nd at midnight.

Mr. Wolf will be a guest on the show “UnCuff Me” as he uses his extensive criminal defense experience to discuss topics like incarceration, probation, felony and misdemeanor criminal charges.

Lawrence Wolf has been helping individuals charged with crimes for over 26 years. He has both prosecuted and defended thousands of adults and juveniles charged with every type of felony and misdemeanor crime. Specializing in the field of criminal law, he is a recognizedauthority in Drunk Driving defense, Addiction-related offenses and Juvenile Law. Lawrence Wolf has been a pioneer in developing all forms of alternative sentencing such as house arrest and diversionary programs.

For more information on Lawrence Wolf and his extensive experience as a top California criminal defense lawyer, visit his website at www.youareinnocent.com today.

California Pornography Producer Pleads Guilty of Sex Crime

According to an article article on March 11, 2009 that Robert Zicari, 35 and wife Janet Romano, 32 pled guilty to distributing videos showing deviant sexual conduct in a federal court in Pittsburgh. The couple had been in a court battle for more than six years. They were fighting whether the First Amendment protected such videos that show lewd acts.

Some scenes in question are those depicting simulated rape. Zicari and Romano still will contest the government’s claim that for sentencing purposes the videos should be considered sadistic or masochistic. Whether you have been charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles or in Pittsburgh, you are facing serious consequences.

Supporters of the couple blame U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan of trying the case in western Pennsylvania due to the region’s “community standards” that establish what is obscene according to the US Supreme Court. Without saying, the region is more conservative than those in California.

Santa Monica Man Charged With Murder

The surfsantamonica.com reported in a story on March 9, 2009 that Adel Chapel, 24 is the suspect in the death of Denise Figueroa, 22. Chapel is from Santa Monica and was already in custody for suspicion of carjacking. Police investigators also believe that he is behind several violent crimes in the San Fernando Valley. According to police, Figueroa was in a relationship with Chapel.

KTLA-TV Fox affiliate in Los Angeles received an anonymous fax that led investigators to the woman’s body. It was addressed “To whom it may concern” and signed by “someone trying to help.” Investigators say that the letter said a murder had occurred on February 28 and gave a description of the area where the car could be located. Police found Figueroa’s body in the truck of her vehicle that had been parked in the 11700 block of Hortense Street. Figueroa had been reported missing by her mother on the same day she left her North Hills home and never returned. Investigators said an autopsy was to be performed for this terrible violent crime in Los Angeles.

Homicide is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in California, you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive and skilled Los Angeles homicide defense lawyer right away.

At the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf, their top criminal defense lawyers in Californiahave the experience and knowledge that are required to defend even the most challenging violent crime case. Do not attempt to represent yourself, there is just too much at risk! Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.