America's Criminal Defense Group - Our Legal Blog

January 18, 2009
www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-charges18-2009jan18,0,551969.story

Three members of a Latino street gang have been charged in what police describe as the racially motivated killing of a black bowling alley worker last month in Canoga Park.
James Shamp, a 48-year-old father of two, was throwing out trash outside the Canoga Park Bowl on Dec. 22 when a car loaded with gang members pulled up next to him, authorities said.
One of them pulled out a gun and fatally shot Shamp in the chest, said Det. David Peteque of the Los Angeles Police Department. Shamp was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Most shootings we have can be related to narcotics and gang-related,” Peteque said. “But this was a family man — he was a father of two, a good husband. He was at work doing his job and he was basically gunned down.”

Richard Bordelon, 21, and Martin Sotelo, 23, whom authorities identified as members of the Canoga Park Alabama gang, were each charged Friday with one count of murder and conspiracy to commit a crime because of race. Each man also was charged with one count of attempted second-degree robbery arising from a separate incident.

In addition, Sotelo was charged with one count of unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle and one count of evading an officer, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

A third suspect, 15, was charged in Juvenile Court with intentionally committing murder because of race, street gang killing and discharging a weapon, said district attorney’s spokeswoman Jane Robison.

All three suspects have pleaded not guilty.

At America’s Criminal Defense Group we are saddened by the death of James Shamp. Anthony Partipilo, lead attorney with over 35 years of experience believes that Det. David Peteque of the Los Angeles Police Department is erroneously adding that “Most shootings we have can be related to narcotics and gang-related,” is filed in his report to get a conviction. There has been no correlation or evidence in this case between a gang or narcotics, rather this is an attempt by Det. Peteque to get a conviction. Anyone who is accused of homicide, murder, or other criminal activity should contact senior case manager Todd Terry at America’s Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com or at 818 225 2468 as soon as possible before speaking with law enforcement.

www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-police-shooting9-2009jan09,0,3132105.story”>

Anaheim police shot and killed a man after a traffic stop in a convenience store parking lot early Thursday, authorities said.

The incident began when a police sergeant pulled over a light blue sedan at 12:13 a.m., said police spokesman Sgt. Rick Martinez.

After Barry Martin Koeningsberg, 43, of Anaheim parked outside a 7-Eleven at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Orange Avenue, the sergeant called for backup. A patrol officer arrived, and at 12:25 a.m. police dispatchers received reports of an officer-involved shooting.
It is unclear what happened in the 12 minutes between when the man was pulled over and when officers reported the shooting, including how many shots were fired, Martinez said.

Both officers fired their weapons at the man “numerous times,” Martinez said, and “there are strong indications . . . that he did fire his weapon at officers.”

Investigators recovered a handgun in the man’s car, but police did not say why the man was pulled over or who fired first. Officers were not injured.

Paramedics found Koeningsberg collapsed with multiple gunshot wounds about 30 feet from the car in the middle of Brookhurst, a major thoroughfare.

He was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators found a police-style belt underneath Koeningsberg’s jeans and jacket.

By midmorning, onlookers had gathered near the convenience store as tow trucks removed the sedan, which bore bullet holes and several shot-out windows, and a police car with its rear window shot out.

The 7-Eleven was open at the time of the shooting, and investigators plan to interview several potential witnesses. Police also will review surveillance tape from the convenience store.

The Orange County district attorney’s office is investigating the shooting with the Anaheim Police Department. The names of the officers involved in the shooting were not released.

It was the department’s second fatal officer-involved shooting in three months.

In October, Julian Alexander, 20, was shot and killed in his frontyard by an officer in pursuit of burglary suspects. Alexander was unarmed. Hours later, Police Chief John Welter apologized for the shooting. Alexander’s parents sued the city last week for alleged wrongful death and civil rights violations.

Barry Martin Koeningsberg, 43, was killed by Anaheim police with for no adequate reason. America’s Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com are saddened to hear that this incident ended in fatality. Anthony Partipilo, lead attorney at America’s Criminal Defense Group with over thirty-five years of experience, believes that the Anaheim police acted out of their scope of authority by firing upon Koeningsberg, and that it violated his civil rights. Without any evidence that he fired upon the police, it appears as if the police used fatal force and ended Koeningsberg’s life early. It is the opinion of Anthony Portipilothat there should be an investigation inside of the Anaheim Police Department so ensure the Anaheim community that the police is there to protect and to serve and that they stay within their required state of authority.  Anyone who feels they are a victim of a failed duty by law enforcement for a crime wuch as shooting a firearm should contact senior case manager Todd Terry (non-attorney) at 818 225 2468 or at www.americascriminaldefense.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-guns11-2009jan11,0,4942805.story

The man arrested at Los Angeles International Airport with a truck full of guns and nearly 1,000 rounds of ammunition said Saturday that he is a law-abiding weapons enthusiast who had no idea he might be breaking the law.

A day after he was arrested on suspicion of felony transportation of an assault rifle, Phillip Dominguez said he was confident he would be exonerated.

In the post-Sept. 11 environment, it is well known by weapon owners that airports and weapons simply do not mix,” said Los Angeles Airport Police Chief George Centeno.

Dominguez, 47, of Orange said that he went to LAX to pick up a friend from Baltimore and that they intended to go target shooting at an outdoor range in San Bernardino County.

America’s Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com,  led by Anthony Partipilo with over thirty-five years of experience, believes that under the Constitution of the United States a man has the right to bear arms. Dominguez, facing a felony for transportation of an assault rifle, appears to be an unjust charge. It is the opinion of Anthony Partipilo that there has been no evidence that Dominguez had any intention to cause harm, rather he was on his way to go target shooting in San Bernadino. Anyone who has been charged of a felony for carrying a firearm should contact senior case manager Todd Terry (non-Attorney) at 818 225 2468 or at www.americascriminaldefense.com as soon as possible.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-child-shot17-2009jan17,0,6436452.story

A 25-year-old parolee and alleged gang member has been arrested in the killing of a 4-year-old boy during a confrontation with suspected gang rivals in Los Angeles.
Howard Astorga of Los Angeles was booked late Thursday night on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of Roberto Lopez Jr.

Investigators believe that Astorga was the gunman, but other gang members are being sought in connection with the killing.

Astorga was taken into custody after two days of heavy community canvassing by the Los Angeles Police Department and several anonymous tips from residents, said Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz.
Astorga, who allegedly goes by the moniker Dopey, was paroled in June, according to court records.
Investigators said they expect to make more arrests as the investigation continues. Sources said Astorga is a Diamond Street gang member.

Detectives believe the bullet that struck Roberto was intended for gang rivals in a passing car. Investigators believe that Astorga and other gang members exchanged words with those rivals before the shooting. However, Astorga, even if not intending to kill the boy, can be found guilty of murder under what’s known as transferred intent.

At America’s Criminal Defense Group, we are saddened by the death of a 4 year old boy, who had his whole life ahead of him. Anthony Partiplio, lead attorney, with over 35 years of experience has been dealing with parolees, murders, car thefts, drug possession, and weapons violations. Anthony Partipilo also believes that this does not provide a fair trial for this defendant. Certainly a defendant’s prior criminal record should not influence the charges that he is currently facing. More importantly, it seems convenient and quick that an arrest was made. One has to wonder if the LAPD felt pressured into making an immediate arrest to calm the fears and concerns of those living in the neighborhood. Afterall, knowing that a killer is off the streets is very comforting – but what if the real killer has no been apprehended?  Anyone faced with a charges of murder of manslaughter should contact senior case manager Todd Terry (non-attorney) at 818 225 2468 or at www.americascriminaldefense.com as soon as possible before speaking to law enforcement.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-elderly-killing16-2009jan16,0,2100730.story

In their rough South Los Angeles neighborhood, after one resident became concerned with not seeing her neighbor who she regularly watched out for, discovered her friend’s lifeless body lying on the bed with her arms half-raised and her face covered by a sheet. Police later determined that she had been raped and strangled.

Detectives spent months investigating, but in a city that recorded nearly 1,000 homicides that year, the slaying of the woman was quickly forgotten.

But a few years ago, police decided to take a secondlook at the case. Detectives tested DNA evidence found on the woman’s bedsheet, believing it had been left by her killer. Recently, they got a hit on a national DNA database. That led them to a man whose family lived next door on East 32nd Street. Isidro R. Ponce, 48, was arrested and charged with capital murder this week. And the friend got a knock on her door from LAPD detectives, who told her of his capture. In 2002, the department added to the national database DNA found at the house. Nothing came up.

In October, Ponce was arrested in Concord on an outstanding domestic violence arrest warrant from Los Angeles. Ponce was shipped back to L.A. Once in jail, his mouth was eventually swabbed for DNA, as is standard procedure. On Jan. 5, the LAPD got the call that Ponce’s DNA matched that from the Harvey crime scene. A check of Ponce’s background revealed he was a one-time neighbor, LAPD Deputy Chief Charlie Beck said. Investigators had interviewed a relative back in 1990, but he didn’t mention Ponce.

The family of the accused stated in an interview, “We’re finding it hard to believe the accusation — that one of our own family members is capable of doing that.”

America’s Criminal Defense Group led by criminal attorney Anthony Partipilo is shocked to hear about the results in this rape case. Rape is a very sensitive subject matter alone, but what is even more sensitive and shocking to Anthony Partipilo is that it has taken law enforcement 19 years to solve this rape case. It is the opinion of Anthony Partipilo that any rape or sexual assault case should be handled by a competent criminal attorney in conjunction with law enforcement so that there will be appropriate discovery in a case and a family will not have to wait 19 years for closure. Furthermore, information maintained in a rape kit tends to become more unreliable due to the possibility of contamination over time. We will have to see if the suspects DNA truly matches anything in the the rape kit taken 19yrs ago.

Anyone who has been accused of rape or sexual assault should contact Todd Terry, senior case manager (non-attorney)  for America’s Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com or call 818 225 2468 as soon as possible so that they have a proper criminal lawyer and do not have to wait 19 years due to incompetence by law enforcement.

San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus, who said publicly that he had battled but overcome drug addiction, was arrested Thursday on charges that include felony possession of methamphetamine.

About 50 agents from the county district attorney’s office, armed with 10 search warrants, raided locations in San Bernardino, Highland, Apple Valley, Victorville and Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County. When they entered Postmus’ Rancho Cucamonga home, they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, officials said. Postmus was arrested and released on $11,450 bail. Agents also searched the office of James Erwin, chief of staff for newly elected county Supervisor Neil Derry.

The arrest comes after Postmus, 37, made a surprise appearance before the county Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 to tell them he had successfully beaten addiction to unspecified illegal drugs.

Board Chairman Gary Ovitt said Thursday was a “sad and embarrassing day for the county.” He said Postmus’ comments were now “suspect” and the board would decide at its Jan. 27 meeting whether to try to force him from office

Last April, authorities raided the office, seizing documents and computers as evidence. Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman was later arrested and charged with six felonies, including falsifying documents and destroying public records. A month later, a grand jury report criticized the assessor’s office for hiring inexperienced employees, doing campaign work during office hours and misusing a college tuition reimbursement program.

Derry said agents searched Erwin’s office early Thursday, but added, “I don’t think Jim has anything to do with it. He is not being accused of doing anything untoward or of any crime,” he said of his chief of staff. “To my knowledge, he is not a target.”

America’s Criminal Defense Group, led by criminal attorney Anthony Partipilo, with over 35 years of experience has been dealing with many criminal and political linked issues for many years. However, regardless of your position in life – IT IS NEVER WISE TO MAKE STATEMENTS REGARDING YOUR BEHAVIOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN EVERY STEP YOU TAKE IS BEING SCRUTINIZED – Whenever criminal attorneys with America’s Criminal Defense Group represent a client during a police investigation, rule #1 is STOP TALKING TO ANYONE! If anyone in politics is facing such a dilemma, they should contact America’s Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com and Todd Terry senior case manager (non-attorney) at 818 225 2468 as soon as possible before speaking with law enforcement.

By Susannah Rosenblatt
January 17, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-oc-body-found17-2009jan17,0,6904338.story

The body of a man from Orange who disappeared nearly a month ago was discovered in the desert this week, a day after a second suspect was arrested in connection with the case, police said Friday.

Leticia Carrasco-Ornelas, 48, was arrested late Wednesday while driving Vazquez’s car in Las Vegas, two days after her son, Noel Carrasco, 22, was apprehended in a mall parking lot there, according to Orange police. Mother and son, who are from the Buena Park-Garden Grove area, will be extradited to Orange County to be charged with robbery and murder, police said.
The night Vazquez went missing, he visited La Barca Night Club in Stanton, where he met Carrasco-Ornelas, Orange Police Sgt. Dan Adams said. She lured Vazquez to the Covered Wagon Motel in Buena Park for sex, he said.

When Carrasco-Ornelas and Vazquez arrived at the motel room, police said, Carrasco was hiding there, emerging to rob Vazquez of cash and stabbing him several times.

Mother and son then loaded Vazquez’s body into the trunk of his own black 1990 Honda Accord and fled on I-15 to Las Vegas, where they had ties, Adams said. Stopping partway, he said, they dumped the body by the side of the freeway.

Nevada residents who saw news reports of the alleged crime spotted Vazquez’s Honda, leading to Carrasco-Ornelas’ arrest by Las Vegas police.

Authorities think that a crime was planned ahead of time, but that Vazquez was probably a random target.

“We think he was just an unfortunate victim,” Adams said.

The body of Matias Ojeda Vazquez, 42, who vanished Dec. 22, was found wrapped in a blanket several dozen feet from Interstate 15 near the high desert town of Yermo.

America’s Criminal Defense Group, led by criminal attorney Anthony Partipilo, with over 35 years of experiences is saddened to hear the death of the victim. It is the opinion of criminal attorney Anthony Partipilo that  there are some missing clues as to whether or not the defendant was killed by the this “alleged” incident. Unfortunately it appears as if the police were looking for someone to prosecute to show the community that this unfortunate murder case has been taken care of and that there is safety on the streets once again. However, a lack of factual evidence still remains and justice still needs to take place. Without a proper investigation there is just an “alleged” incident rather than proper jurisprudence. Anyone who is involved in a murder crime or has not received proper care from criminal attorneys should immediately contact Todd Terry, senior case manager (non-attorney) at America’s Criminal Defense group at 818 225 2468 or via email at www.americascriminaldefense.com

By Ari B. Bloomekatz
3:07 PM PST, January 18, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-riverside19-2009jan19,0,1462644.story
Police shot and killed a 48-year-old Riverside man after he pointed a handgun at officers, authorities said today.

Russell Franklin Hyatt allegedly threatened his relatives with a loaded handgun Saturday night and left the home in the 3400 block of Spruce Street before officers arrived, according to a statement from the Riverside Police Department.

Hyatt was found about a quarter-mile away in the 2800 block of Mulberry Street, where a homeowner told officers that Hyatt had “entered their residence with a handgun,” the department said in the statement.

While speaking with the homeowner, police saw Hyatt holding the gun in a nearby vacant dirt lot and tried to speak with him. Hyatt pointed his gun at an officer, who shot and killed Hyatt, the statement said.

Hyatt died at the scene.

America’s Criminal Defense Group is saddened to hear the news of this fatal shooting and we send our condolences to the victim’s family. Anthony Partipilo, lead criminal attorney at America’s Criminal Defense Group believes that there may be more to this story than the report. Although authorities say that Hyatt had a gun, there is no testimony nor is there any evidence that a gun was actually pointed at the officer. These allegations at this point are merely speculative and should be investigated more thoroughly. Anthony Partipillo believes that anyone in such a event should contact an attorney if they were in a situation involving the use of a weapon such as a handgun, or any other criminal activity where there is interference with law enforcement. Anyone in such a situation should contact Todd Terry, senior case manager (non-attorney) as soon as possible at  818 225 2468 or at www.americascriminaldefense.com

By Ari B. Bloomekatz
12:33 PM PST, January 18, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-fire19-2009jan19,0,6131648.story

Arson investigators were trying to determine who set a fire early today at a strip mall in La Puente that caused an estimated $5 million in damage.

Investigators have identified at least six ignition points for the blaze that began shortly before 3 a.m., said Los Angeles County Fire Department Supervisor Melanie Flores.

Flores said firefighters have not yet officially determined the cause of the fire but believe arson was involved.

She said none of the strip mall’s roughly 20 stores was completely destroyed in the fire near the 15700 block of Amar Road. Firefighters were able to put out the fire in about 30 minutes.

At America’s Criminal Defense Group, led by criminal attorney Anthony Partipilo with over 35 years of experience has been dealing with arson cases for many years. Anthony Partipilo believes that when dealing with arson there are many variables that may have lead to such a fire. However, law enforcement and the Fire Department look to arson as the main reason for a fire a majority of the time. Those who have been involved in a case of arson should contact America’s Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com as soon as possible and should speak with senior case manager Todd Terry (non-attorney)  at 818 225 2468 as soon as possible before speaking with law enforcement so that they do not succumb to law enforcement or the Fire Department that may be trying to link a defendant to arson before all the legal facts shown.

By Ari B. Bloomekatz
January 19, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-santa-ana19-2009jan19,0,1648839.story

Santa Ana police said today that the weekend homicide of a 26-year-old Garden Grove man was probably gang related.

E. Nelson Montanez was found Friday night with multiple gunshot wounds, lying on the sidewalk in the 1600 block of South Evergreen Street, said Santa Ana police Cmdr. James Schnabl.

Paramedics took Montanez to a hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries, but he died about two hours after he was discovered, Schnabl said. Authorities said they had not arrested any suspects in the shooting.

America’s Criminal Defense Group www.americascriminaldefense.com is saddened by the death in this homicide. Anthony Partipilo, lead criminal attorney at America’s Criminal Defense group with over 35 years of experience believes that homicide cases are crucial for suspected defendants to contact an attorney before speaking with law enforcement. When dealing with a homicide case, the defendant may have been using self defense, or defending someone else such as a loved one. Therefore, anyone suspected of homicide, murder, or any other criminal activity should contact senior case manager Todd Terry (non-attorney as soon as possible before speaking with law enforcement at 818 225 2468 or at www.americascriminaldefense.com