Fidelio Marin, 40, of Huntington Beach was found guilty of second degree murder in October 2008 for slaying his estranged wife, Feliz Mendez, 32 and was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Friday April 29, 2011.

Mendez had told Marin she wanted a divorce. Marin then had called Mendez and asked her to meet him at the Starlight Motel, where he had been living since she had told him about the divorce.

Mendez arrived with their 17 year old daughter, who then drove away. That is when Marin killed Mendez by repeatedly stabbing her in the neck. When their daughter couldn't reach Mendez by phone, she returned to the motel. Finding the door locked, she climbed into the room through a window and found her mother's body in the bathroom.

Marin was arrested later in the day on an Orange County bus.

During his trial, prosecutors said in a statement that Marin attacked his wife "because she had emasculated him and told him that he wasn't a man," a statement that is not adequate enough to trigger voluntary manslaughter due to provocation.

Thus, Marin was found guilty to second degree murder and will now serve 16 years in prison.

Second Degree Murder

The California Penal Code defines second degree murder as "all other kinds of murders" that are not first degree murder. It defines first degree murder as "all murder which is perpetrated by means of a destructive device or explosive, a weapon of mass destruction, knowing use of ammunition designed primarily to penetrate metal or armor, poison, lying in wait, torture, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing

The penal code states that any person found guilty of second degree murder will face 15 years to life in a state prison.

The penal code lists special circumstances under which someone may be sentenced to life in prison. These include previous convictions of either first or second degree murder.

Voluntary Manslaughter

Voluntary manslaughter is a murder that is generally committed "in the heat of passion" or as "imperfect self-defense."

Prosecutors rarely file Penal Code 192 (a) voluntary manslaughter as a separate charge. The offense usually comes up in murder cases, where the accused admits to killing the victim, but seeks have the charge reduced from murder to manslaughter.

If the charge is reduced tomanslaughter, the defendant faces a maximum of 11 years in prison. With murder, by contrast, he faces a potential life sentence or sometimes even execution.

There are a few defenses to a murder charge; provocation (reduces murder to voluntary manslaughter), self defense, insanity to name a few.

 If you or someone you know is being charged with a serious crime such as murder, you need an experienced, aggressive, and skilled criminal defense attorney to fight for you and contest all the evidence presented against you.

 At Hedding Law Firm we have handled thousands of criminal cases ranging from murder to robbery to battery to white collar offenses as well as Federal Matter all over the country.

We place every effort to get the best results possible and have our client's best interest as top priority.

Contact us for a FREE face to face, strictly confidential consultation.

Two people are accused in a Huntington Beach killing involving a romantic relationship.

Derek Christopher Adams, 22, and Marissa Star Bilotti, 19, both of Huntington Beach, are charged with fatally shooting Gregory Heintz on October 22, 2010 at Murdy Park in Huntington Beach. 

Earlier in the day, the pair went to the Newport Beach home of Cody Masher, broke down his door and stabbed him, causing a superficial wound, according to the Orange County district attorney's office. Authorities said the pair wanted to confront Masher about a relationship he was having with a woman Adams was interested in.

Adams and Bilotti allegedly stole Masher's cellphone and money from Masher's girlfriend's purse. Adams is accused of using Masher's cellphone throughout the day and sending text messages and pictures to Masher's girlfriend in order to arrange a meeting with her later in the day, the statement said.

The girlfriend arrived at Murdy Park with two friends, including Heintz. Adams allegedly shot Heintz once in the stomach.  Adams and Bilotti are also charged withfirst-degree residential robbery and being armed with a gun during the commission of a robbery.

They now await sentencing.

Below are the laws, penalties, and defenses for robbery and  murder.

Robbery

Robbery is a felony, punishable by a term in state or federal prison. Robbery is the direct taking of property, including money from a person through force, threat or intimidation.

California Penal Code Section 211 defines robbery, which reads:

"Robbery is the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear."

"Armed robbery" involves the use of a gun or other weapon which can do bodily harm, such as a knife or club, and under most state laws carries a stiffer penalty (longer possible term) than robbery by merely taking.

First degree robbery occurs where the defendant acts in concert with two or more other people for the purpose of committing a robbery in an inhabited dwelling house, vessel designed for habitation, trailer coach, or the inhabited portion of any other building. Robbery in the first degree is a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 3, 6, or 9 years. In all other inhabited structures not defined above, the punishment is imprisonment in the state prison for 3, 6, or 9 years.

Second degree robberyencompasses all other types of robbery, which are punishable in the state prison for 2, 3, or 5 years.

Common Defenses for Robbery

• Duress
• Force used in Self-Defense
• Lack of Intent to Permanently Deprive
• Abandonment of the Property
• Property Not Taken from Person or their Presence

  Murder

Murder is the crime of intentionally causing another person's death without legal excuse or justification.  Murder is a crime that falls under the category of criminal homicide. State and federal laws regarding homicide and murder are the most complex of any criminal laws. The classifications of homicidal and murder offenses are complex but are often divided into a handful of categories based on severity.

Penalties for murder can be life imprisonment with a possibility of parole. An experienced and aggressive criminal law attorney will use numerous defenses in a murder case to improve its outcome.  Murder defenses that may be used in a trial include: self-defense, insufficient proof or evidence, factual innocence, insanity, and more.

In any case, the laws regarding murder are complex and a skilled and qualified federal criminal defense attorney can help get the best results possible.

At Hedding Law Firm, we have dealt with numerous criminal cases ranging from murder to robbery to kidnapping to assault to white collar offenses as well as Federal matters all over the country.

If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges contact us for a FREE face to face consultation and let us fight for you and be an advocate for you.

Jose Quintana, 39, was arrested on Tuesday by detectives assigned to the LAPD Rampart Division's Special Problems Unit and was booked under the felony charges of grand theft and unlawful use of a badge. He was released this morning on $50,000 bail. No court date was announced.

Quintana allegedly approached people who had been arrested -- or whose family members had been arrested -- and told them he could make their criminal case "disappear," the LAPD reported. He allegedly operated in the Rampart area, west of downtown Los Angeles.

According to police, Quintana met with victims at coffee shops, restaurants, and even in front of police stations. He allegedly was armed with a firearm and had a badge. A warrant had been issued for his arrest in November.

Grand Theft

Grand theft applies to acts of theft where the value of the property is more than $400.  Grand theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. This decision is made by the prosecution and is determined by any past convictions on your record.

Grand theft is punishable by fines and up to one year in jail or state prison.

If, however, the theft involves a firearm, the punishment is increased to 16 months- 3 years in a California state prison.

Impersonating a Police Officer

It is a crime to falsely impersonate a police officer, a federal officer or employee, or any other public official. Although the laws vary from state to states, many states also consider it a crime to use equipment used by law enforcement officers, such as red and blue flashing lights. It also may be a crime to flash a fake police badge. Possession of a firearm also can enhance the penalty for false impersonation of a police officer.

 Depending on state law, impersonating a police officer may be considered either a felony or a misdemeanor. Punishments for impersonating a police officer include:

■Imprisonment up to five years (sometimes more)
■Fines (usually $1000 or more)
■Probation
■Permanent criminal record

At Hedding Law Firm, we handled thousands of criminal matters over the years, ranging from DUI to murder to theft to white collar offenses as well as Federal matters all over the country.

If you or someone you know is facing these types of criminal charges we want to help you. We place every effort to get the best results possible by gathering and contesting all the evidence presented against you.

Contact us for a FREE face to face and absolutely confidential consultation.  

More than 1,300 local and federal law enforcement officers arrested 80 alleged members and associates of the Rancho San Pedro gang early Thursday April 28, 2011 as part of a two-and-a-half-year investigation.

(The RSP gang's origins date back to the 1970s. Its membership includes 600 documented members, as well as more than 400 associates).

Authorities arrested 66 people for state weapons and drug violations, and 14 people on federal indictments.

The case began as a joint investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The overnight raids included personnel from the LAPD, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

 In all, more than 230 people are named in federal and state court documents that allege a number of crimes, including violent acts, firearms trafficking and drug trafficking.

A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has issued 12 indictments that name a total of 26 defendants alleged to have committed crimes including distribution of methamphetamine, illegal weapon sales and immigration offenses.

About half of the defendants named in the federal indictments face potential life sentences, and all but one face mandatory minimum sentences of at least five years in federal prison if they are convicted.

(for more information on mandatory minimum sentences click on this link http://www.federalcriminaldefenseadvocates.com/Areas_of_Practice/Sentencing_Guideline_Adjustments.aspx )

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office will prosecute about 145 defendants on state charges, including illegally possessing weapons and selling drugs ranging from methamphetamine to heroin.. Arraignments could begin as early as Friday in Long Beach Superior Court.

According to officials: Throughout the investigation, informants and undercover law enforcement personnel bought 90 firearms and about 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of crack cocaine, 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2 kilograms of heroin and 26 pounds of marijuana. This morning, authorities seized 14 additional firearms, a silencer, a small quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, and 10 pounds of marijuana.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's office has also filed a gang injunction against the Rancho San Pedro gang that seeks to limit gang members' ability to associate with one another within a proposed Safety Zone that encompasses much of San Pedro.

The City Attorney's office has filed nuisance abatement actions against five commercial and residential locations, including a pizza parlor on Gaffey Street, all of which are associated with gang and narcotics activity. This is the first time a gang injunction and nuisance abatement lawsuits have been filed simultaneously in conjunction with the takedown of a major Southern California street gang.

These are some very serious charges. Weapons, drugs, possession, distribution, affiliation; the list goes on and on.

If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges we at Hedding Law Firm can help. 

Our Firm has handled thousands of criminal matters over the years, ranging from DUI to murder, to white collar offenses as well as Federal matters all over the country.

Contact us for a FREE face to face, no obligations, and strictly confidential consultation.

Let us be your advocate and fight for you.

Suren Garibyan, 34, pleaded guilty in December 2009 to kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

He was sentenced Tuesday April 26, 2011 to 17½ years in federal prison and 5 years under supervised release after the 17 ½ years, for helping kidnap a Russian who was shot, zapped with a Taser and held captive for nearly a week while the kidnappers demanded a $1 million ransom.

Co-defendants Vagan Adzhemyan, 43, of Costa Mesa, and Galvin "Shaun" Gibson, 32, of Mira Loma were convicted of the same charges by a Los Angeles federal jury. They face up to 30 years in prison when sentenced in July 2011.

The suspects were arrested in August 2009, when the victim was rescued from Gibson's home by a team of Los Angeles Police Department SWAT officers.

Sandro Karmryan testified that Adzhemyan and Garibyan grabbed him from the underground parking garage of a Van Nuys apartment complex on July 29, 2009.

Karmryan testified that he was bound and blindfolded for five days as he was held at various Southland locations by the three men.

Conspiracy

Conspiracy is when two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner of for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy.

Conspiracy crimes can include conspiracy to engage in criminal activity such as money laundering, conspiracy to violate federal laws, or conspiracy to manufacture drugs or weapons. The federal maximum penalty for conspiracy is five years in prison; however, this may be compounded by other state and federal violations. Depending on the nature of the conspiracy, it may be prosecuted by different entities including the FBI, Department of Justice, or state and local law agencies.

Kidnapping

Under federal and state law, kidnapping is commonly defined as the taking of a person from one place to another against his or her will, or the confining of a person to a controlled space.

Kidnapping charges and penalties will vary from state to state, however in general this is considered a felony in all areas. If an individual is bodily injured or dies during a  kidnapping event the felony charge of murder in the first degree can be included in the charges.

Possible Penalties for Kidnapping

•Jail time with parole
•Jail time of life without parole
•Probation
•Parole
•Restitution
•Registration as a sexual offender - sexual assault cases

If you or someone you know is charged with kidnapping or conspiracy to commit a crime, we at Hedding Law Firm want to help you get your criminal matter under control. We place every effort to get the best results possible keeping our client's best interest priority.
Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.

The suspected carjacker, Alfonso Rodriguez, 44, of Westchester, was shot with the "less than lethal" rounds when he emerged from the stolen minivan with a knife at LAX Airport checkpoint on Century Boulevard. Rodriguez led the police on a chase into the LAX Airport, driving the wrong way on the road through the central terminal area.  

The crime began about 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday April 26, 2011 in the Ralphs parking lot on El Segundo Boulevard and Mariposa Avenue. An off-duty El Segundo police officer saw Rodriguez exit the store with an energy bar, a beer and a knife.

As the officer called 911, Rodriguez walked up to a Dodge Caravan and pulled the knife on a man sitting inside. He ordered the man out of the minivan and took off in it.

The off-duty officer took off after the carjacker, heading north on Sepulveda Boulevard. An El Segundo motorcycle officer soon pulled in behind the minivan.

Once they passed through the tunnel near LAX, Rodriguez began driving in circles in the northbound lanes. He made complete U-turns, getting behind the motorcycle officer in an apparent attempt to hit him.

Rodriguez then continued the chase on streets north of the airport before heading into the terminal loops, where he drove into a turnaround and stopped suddenly.

Seeing the motorcycle officer behind him with his gun drawn, Rodriguez drove forward, out of the turnaround and heading the wrong way on the loop.

As he headed east in the westbound lanes of Century Boulevard, he soon found himself in an airport checkpoint, surrounded by 30 officers.

He got out of the minivan, was ordered to drop the knife and was shot with the beanbag rounds.

Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest. He was booked at the El Segundo jail.

While the penalties for carjacking depend on the circumstances of the case, it is a felony offense, which means it is punishable by time in a state prison and large fines. If the carjacking involved a gun or deadly weapon, additional time may be added to the prison sentence. And, if the carjacker made the victim drive somewhere, he or she could also face kidnapping charges, resulting in increased penalties.

Please remember that if you are accused of a crime such as carjacking or assault with a deadly weapon, you still have rights. One right you should certainly exercise is that to obtain qualified legal counsel. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and if the prosecution cannot prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, you could win your case.

We at Hedding Law Firm will fight your case for you. We will put all our efforts to gather and contest all the evidence presented against you.  Our client's best interest is our top priority.

Contact us for a FREE face to face strictly confidential no obligations consultation

A federal judge has sentenced actress Fernanda Romero and her husband, Kent Ross to spend 15 weekends in jail and five years of probation after they admitted committing marriage fraud so she could enter the United States.

According to the affidavit, a witness told authorities that Romero paid $5,000 to Ross, a musician and former pizza delivery man, to participate in a bogus marriage. Foreign spouses of U.S. citizens are eligible for legal residency status, work permits and eventually citizenship.

Authorities said Romero and Ross filed several documents containing false statements, such as claims that they lived at the same address. According to prosecutors, Romero also filed documents allegedly containing false statements as to how long she had resided in the United States.

Ross and Romero married in 2005, but were living in separate homes and dating other people.

The federal investigation began after Romero's ex-boyfriend, Markus Klinko, a fashion photographer, alerted immigration authorities to the alleged scam.

Although they both faced up to five years in prison, plus fines and probation, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Left said the government did not seek jail time.

Nonetheless, Real said the offense was serious enough that prison time was warranted.

Romero, 28, pleaded guilty to making a false statement to immigration authorities.
Ross, also 28, admitted falsely stating on immigration forms that he and Romero were living together in 2005 and 2006.

Marriage Fraud

Marriage fraud has been prosecuted under 8 U.S.C. § 1325 and 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a). The Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments Act of 1986 amended § 1325 by adding § 1325(c), which provides a penalty of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for any "individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws.

If you or someone you know is being charged with marriage fraud or any type of  fraud the federal criminal defense attorneys at Hedding Law Firm have the experience and the skill to help you get your matter under control.

We at Hedding Law Firm place every effort to get the best results possible for our clients. Let us be your advocate and fight for you.

Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.

Danny Anthony Lopez, 18, was charged with 6 felonies on Tuesday April 26, 2011 in connection with the shooting of an LAPD helicopter that pierced its fuel tank on Easter Sunday (4/24/2011).

He was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, two counts of  assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, one count of shooting at an occupied aircraft and one count of carrying a loaded firearm as part of a street gang with the allegation he personally discharged a firearm.

If convicted, Lopez could face a maximum term of life in prison. He was being held in Los Angeles County jail in lieu of $2.24-million bail.

The LAPD helicopter was fired on after the pilot responded to a report of gunshots in the 15700 block of Saticoy Street about 6 a.m. Officers who arrived in patrol cars saw San Fernando Valley resident Danny Lopez shooting at the copter from a yard. Family members eventually tackled Lopez and held him until his arrest. A semi-automatic rifle was recovered.

The helicopter had to make an emergency landing. No one was injured.

Lopez is facing some serious charges. The possibility of spending his life in prison is high. In a serious and severe situation like this, one must seek to find an experienced, seasoned, skilled, and an extremely aggressive attorney that will fight for the best results possible.

We at Hedding Law Firm place every effort to get our clients the best results possible. Our client's best interest is our top priority.

Our Firm has handled thousands of criminal matters over the years, ranging from DUI to murder, to white collar offenses as well as Federal matters all over the country. We are well respected and well known.

Contact us for a FREE and strictly confidential no obligations consultation.

Let us be your advocate.

Ventura County authorities have arrested a father and son and a third man who allegedly stole two assault rifles, a dozen other firearms and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition during a burglary of an Ojai home earlier this month.

The hoard of weapons, which included an AR-10 and a SKS assault rifle with a high-capacity magazine, had been legally purchased and stored in a gun safe, which sheriff's officials believe the suspects took to a Ventura welding fabrication shop to be cut open.

Brian Teasdale, 41, and his 18-year-old son, Nikolas, were arrested Wednesday April 20, 2011. A third man, Anthony Lindsey, 39, a felon previously convicted on narcotics and  weapons charges, was also taken into custody during a search of his home on Friday.

Both Teasdales have been charged with first-degree residential burglary, and Brian Teasdale also was charged with two counts of unlawful transfers of firearms. Lindsey remains in custody and faces additional charges involving a felon possessing a firearm, and possessing a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine.

These are some very serious charges and can result in huge fines and imprisonment.

Click on this link to learn more about weapon charges http://www.federalcriminaldefenseadvocates.com/Areas_of_Practice/Weapons_Charges.aspx

We at Hedding Law Firm have a combined 75 years of experience dealing with these types of charges.

We place every effort to get the best results possible for our clients.

Contact us at Hedding Law Firm for a FREE face to face consultation. Let us be your advocate.

A man apparently attempted to kidnap a 16-year-old girl driving through the southwest Riverside County city of Winchester by blocking a street with traffic cones and then trying to grab the girl when she stepped out of her car.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, suspecting it was not an official roadblock, she stopped the car to move the cones. A man wearing a hooded sweatshirt then jumped out of some nearby bushes and tried to grab the girl. She pulled away, jumped into her car and sped away.

The man jumped onto the hood of the car and rolled off as the girl accelerated. The suspect fled the scene. The girl was not injured.

Investigators said the California Highway Patrol had received three other calls about juveniles pulling pranks with roadway cones in the same area. But officers were unable to locate the perpetrators.

Attempt

Attempts can include attempted murder, attempted robbery, attempted rape, attempted assault, attempted arson, and a host of other crimes.

The person accused cannot attempt to commit murder with an unloaded gun or attempt rape over the telephone.

The attempt becomes a crime in itself, and usually means one really tried to commit the crime, but failed through no fault of himself or herself.

Assault

Aggravated Assault

The punishment for criminal assault is a fine, imprisonment, or both. Penalties are more severe when the assault is aggravated.

 
If you or someone you know is being charged with attempt, assault, or any other state or federal crime, we at Hedding Law Firm want to help.

At Hedding Law Firm we are committed to providing zealous representations, with only our clients' best interests in mind, and promise to make every effort to obtain the best result possible.

Our Firm has handled thousands of criminal matters over the years, ranging from DUI to murder, to white collar offenses as well as Federal matters all over the country.

Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.

Dmitriy Sheyko, 21, a transient known to frequent the Hollywood area, is suspected of breaking into Temple Israel in the 7300 block of Hollywood Boulevard on April 14, 2011 and a nearby grocery store. Los Angeles Police have arrested him.

Investigators were able to link him through physical evidence to the burglary and fire at Temple Israel and another burglary at the Fresh and Easy in Hollywood.

In the synagogue case, LAPD investigators say Sheyko placed several items, including a pine cone and animal skin, on a desk in the building and set them on fire with a candle. He also allegedly scorched a couch inside.

Detectives said they did not believe the incident was a hate crime, but it led to a heavy law enforcement response at the temple, which includes a school, out of what LAPD officials described as an abundance of caution.
It came just days after an explosive device was detonated at a Santa Monica synagogue. Responsible for that was Ron Hirsch, 60, who was wanted in connection with the Santa Monica Chabad House explosion, was apprehended in Ohio after allegedly fleeing California.

Los Angeles Police continue to investigate.

Burglary

Possible Penalties for Burglary
•Jail Time
•Probation and electronic monitoring
•Fines and court costs

Burglary Sentencing

There are several factors that may be taken into consideration in the court during sentencing for burglary. One of the most important factors is if the burglary was done with a weapon or if any other crimes or offenses were committed during the break and enter. Typically the age and prior criminal record of the accused will also be taken into consideration. In most areas and states even a first offense of this type of crime will result in a significant charge that typically will include jail time or a very lengthy and highly specified type of probation

Arson

Arson is categorized into 1st degree (homes, schools, churches), 2nd degree (unoccupied structures, vehicles), and 3rd degree (personal property). Since arson is a crime against possession, not ownership, it's possible for a person to be charged with burning their own house, or committing arson against themselves.

Possible penalties for Arson

If the arson:
•Causes an inhabited property to burn, you will face 3-8 years in prison
•Causes great bodily injury to someone, you will face 5-9 years
•Is committed on a structure or forest land you will face 2-6 years
•Is committed on uninhabited property you will face 16 months-3 years

If you or someone you know is being charged with the crime of burglary or arson we at Hedding Law Firm want to be your advocate and help you in your time of need.

We have a skilled and experienced team and our federal criminal defense attorneys will place every effort to get you the best results possible. Our client's best interest is our top priority.

Contact us for at  Hedding Law Firm for a FREE face to face consultation.

Beatriz Flores, 31, was pulled over by sheriff's deputies on the night of Monday April 18, 2011 on GoldenValley Road and Robert C. Lee Parkway in Canyon Country due to a traffic violation.

Her 14-year-old and 11-year-old sons were in the vehicle. When officials searched her pickup truck, they found that her older son had six bags of heroin concealed in the groin area of his pants.

Authorities said Flores confessed to deputies that she told her son to hide the drugs, and hoping to gain their sympathy, she told them she needed to do it to pay rent.

She said that she's a single mother with four children and that she didn't have rent this month, and so she had asked someone to help her with the rent. They gave her this way to make money, to pick something up, a little package, and to transport it somewhere.

But deputies found evidence that she had not only been transporting drugs, but selling them too. They found $1,500 in cash in the vehicle. And during her booking at the sheriff's station, methamphetamine was found hidden in Flores' clothing.

Methamphetamine is common in the Santa Clarita Valley, but authorities say heroin use is becoming more prevalent, particularly among white youth.

If you are convicted of possessing or purchasing heroin for sale, you face a felony, punishable by two, three or four years in the state prison and the same maximum $20,000 fine.

However, you face an additional three to twenty-five years in prison, and fines that could total $8,000,000 if the weight of the heroin that you possess or purchase exceeds one kilogram.

Also, unless the judge/jury determines that you possessed or purchased heroin, but possessed or purchased it for personal use and not for sale, or your California drug crimes defense attorney negotiates a plea bargain for a personal possession charge, a less serious charge than a "possession of heroin for sales" charge, you will not be permitted to participate in drug diversion in connection with this offense.

If you or someone you know has been charged with possession and/or intent to sell illegal drugs, we at Hedding Law Firm want to be your advocate.

We have handled thousands of cases like this and have seen great results. Our client's best interest is our top priority and we place every effort to get the best results possible.

Contact us at  Hedding Law Firm for a FREE face to face consultation.

On the night of Sunday April 17, 2011, 24 year old Keisha Marshall was kidnapped out of her home by ex-boyfriend Rashaun Bailey, 27.

Marshall suffered a severe nose bleed from the assault and had left a trial of blood in her home. She was treated at a local hospital for a fractured skull, a possible concussion, and multiple bruises.

The former couple had a history of domestic violence.

Bailey drove into a police parking lot in Simi Valley shortly before 5 p.m. Monday and was taken into custody without incident

Under federal and state law, kidnapping is commonly defined as the taking of a person from one place to another against his or her will, or the confining of a person to a controlled space.

Kidnapping charges and penalties will vary from state to state, however in general this is considered a felony in all areas. If an individual is bodily injured or dies during a kidnapping event the felony charge of murder in the first degree can be included in the charges.

 Possible Penalties for Kidnapping
•Jail time with parole
•Jail time of life without parole
•Probation
•Parole
•Restitution
•Registration as a sexual offender - sexual assault cases

If you or someone you know is charged with kidnapping, we at Hedding Law Firm want to help you get your criminal matter under control. We place every effort to get the best results possible keeping our client's best interest priority.

Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation. Let us be you advocate.

2 High School Students Get Robbed

On the morning of Monday April 18, 2011, a boy and a girl were walking to Port of Los Angeles High School and were approached by two men with a gun. The two men, flashing their gun, demanded the boy's and girl's backpacks, took them, and ran away. No one was injured.
Shortly after the crime, two men were arrested on suspicion of robbery. The backpacks were recovered but the weapon was not found.

Home Invasion Robbery

Authorities are searching for three men who carried out a home-invasion robbery near the University of Southern California on Tuesday April 19, 2011.
The suspects knocked on an apartment door in the 700 block of 27th Street around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday and forced their way inside.
The victim reportedly locked himself inside a bathroom while the men went through the apartment.
Investigators say the three suspects stole two PlayStation game consoles and an Xbox game as well as an undisclosed item from inside a safe.
The resident was not badly injured but was seen wearing an eye patch because he may have been struck in the face during the attack.
Authorities are still searching for the suspects.

Looking at the two news articles above, it is evidence that robbery is separated into degrees, which may mean stricter penalties.

Robberyis a felony, punishable by a term in state or federal prison.  Robbery is the direct taking of property, including money from a person through force, threat or intimidation.

California Penal Code Section 211 defines  robbery, which reads:

"Robbery is the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear."

"Armed robbery" involves the use of a gun or other weapon which can do bodily harm, such as a knife or club, and under most state laws carries a stiffer penalty (longer possible term) than  robbery by merely taking.

First degree robbery occurs where the defendant acts in concert with two or more other people for the purpose of committing a robbery in an inhabited dwelling house, vessel designed for habitation, trailer coach, or the inhabited portion of any other building. Robbery in the first degree is a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 3, 6, or 9 years. In all other inhabited structures not defined above, the punishment is imprisonment in the state prison for 3, 6, or 9 years.

Second degree robberyencompasses all other types of robbery, which are punishable in the state prison for 2, 3, or 5 years.

Common Defenses for Robbery
• Duress
• Force used in Self-Defense
• Lack of Intent to Permanently Deprive
• Abandonment of the Property
• Property Not Taken from Person or their Presence

If you or someone you know has been charged with robbery, contact us at Hedding Law Firm. We are committed to providing zealous representations, with only our clients' best interests in mind, and promise to make every effort to obtain the best result possible.
We will gather and contest all the evidence presented agaisnt you.

We are experienced in handling a wide variety of criminal offenses and have established a solid reputation with state and federal prosecutors and judges.

Contact us for FREE face to face consultation.

A 23 year old man was arrested Monday April 18, 2011 under the suspicion of driving under the influence. While this man was driving, he failed to stop at a stop sign. He hit and killed a 42 year old man while walking east on California Street in Walnut Park, CA around 1 a.m.

The suspect continued driving down the street and collided with a brick wall and overturned. He was taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood with minor injuries, Connolly said. He was later arrested on suspicion of DUI and manslaughter.

It was not clear if the victim died at the scene or at a hospital.

This 23 year old man is now on arrest in suspicion of aDUI and vehicular manslaughter, very serious charges that can result in huge fines and prison time.

According to Penal Code 191.5, the penalty for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, with gross negligence is up to 1 year county jail, or 4, 6 or 10 years state prison. With one or more priors of this or certain other vehicular felonies, one can face up to 15 years to life in state prison.At Hedding Law Firm we have dealt with thousands of similar cases and have seen great results. We place every effort to get our clients the best results possible. We will gather and contest all the evidence presented against you.

If you or someone you know is being charged with a DUI or vehicular manslaughter  contact us at Hedding Law Firm and let is help you in your time of need.

Former Major League Baseball player Lenny Dykstra was charged with bankruptcy fraud for selling belongings from his $18.5 million mansion after he had filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

• Bankruptcy fraud is a white-collar crime. Common criminal acts under bankruptcy statutes typically involve concealment of assets, concealment or destruction of documents, conflicts of interest, fraudulent claims, false statements or declarations, and fee fixing or redistribution arrangements. Bankruptcy fraud is a federal crime in the United States.

Dykstra, 48, was arrested last night, April 14, 2011 in Encino, California, by the Los Angeles Police Department on separate grand theft charges, according to an e-mailed statement from Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles. He was arrested by the Forgery Section of the of LAPD Commercial Crimes Division. The LAPD made the arrest following an investigation. He was held on $500,000 bail.

The former Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets outfielder is accused in the federal fraud case of removing, selling and destroying property that was part of the bankruptcy estate without permission from the trustee.

A lawyer for the trustee has estimated Dykstra stole or destroyed more than $400,000 from the estate, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office. He allegedly took a "truckload" of furnishings and fixtures from the mansion in Ventura County, California, to a Los Angeles consignment store about a month after he filed for bankruptcy.

The grand-theft charges relate to allegations Dykstra purchased vehicles "through fraudulent means".

Dykstra listed assets of $24.6 million against debt totaling $37.1 million. Debt includes $12.9 million owed to JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Dykstra could face as long as five years in prison if convicted of embezzling from a bankruptcy estate.

Embezzlement (act of dishonestly appropriating or secreting assets by one or more individuals to whom such assets have been entrusted) and Fraud (an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual) are serious federal crimes.

If you or someone you know is facing such charges let us be your advocate and help you in your time of need.

Contact us at Hedding Law Firm and we will place every effort to gather and contest all the evidence presented against you. Our client's best interest is our top priority and we will strive to get you the best results possible.

A jury in Van Nuys finds Martin Sotelo, a Latino, guilty of first-degree murder with two special circumstance allegations, murder due to the victim's race, and murder in a drive-by shooting, in the slaying of a black bowling alley worker back in 2008.

• Fir st Degree Murder is the unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, meaning that it was committed after planning or "lying in wait" for the victim.

Sotelo was also found guilty on other allegations, including evading officers after the shooting, and of second-degree robbery related to a separate incident.

• Robbery is the unlawful taking away of personal property from a person by violence or by threat of violence that causes fear.

Sotelo's lawyers insisted their client harbored no prejudice against blacks and had no intention of committing a hate killing on Dec. 22, 2008, the night the victim, James Shamp, was killed. But prosecutors said Sotelo was seeking bragging rights and trying to live up to his gang moniker, "Outlaw," when he willfully participated in the murder.

Background

Shamp, 48, a married father of two, was taking out the trash at the Canoga Bowl when Latino gang members pulled up in a car. Sotelo was behind the wheel.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Daniel Akemon of the Hardcore Gang Division said Sotelo helped fellow Canoga Park Alabama gang member Richard Bordelon gun down Shamp "in cold blood because of the color of his skin, in a display of senseless violence and a complete disregard for human life."

In March 2010, Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Martin Herscovitz sentenced Bordelon to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 47 years to life, after he admitted being the shooter in Shamp's killing. Bordelon was also ordered to pay $14,386 in restitution.

A juvenile defendant, who was 15 at the time, also reached a deal with prosecutors and was sentenced on a juvenile-conspiracy charge.

• A 'conspiracy' is an agreement or a kind of 'partnership' in criminal purposes in which each member becomes the agent or partner of every other member.

A third defendant, Orlando Perez, a 25-year-old Latino, pleaded no contest to a charge of accessory after the fact to murder and was sentenced to three years and four months in state prison.

• Whoever, knowing that an offense has been committed, receives, relieves, comforts or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial or punishment, is an accessory after the fact; one who knowing a felony to have been committed by another, receives, relieves, comforts, or assists the felon in order to hinder the felon's apprehension, trial, or punishment

The defense attorney argued that his client, who has African American friends and had even dated a black woman, did not harbor prejudice against blacks and was not seeking to kill them.

The plan was not to commit a racial crime, but to get some money, the defense attorney argued, asking the jury rhetorically: "How many African Americans would you expect to find at a bowling alley in the San Fernando Valley?"

But jurors rejected his argument, convicting Sotelo on all counts.

Sotelo faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and is expected to be sentenced May 17, 2011.

If you or someone you know is being charged with murder, conspiracy, or any criminal charge contact us at the Hedding Law Firm.

We are an experienced, skilled, and reliable criminal defense firm.We place every effort to gather and contest all the evidence presented against you and our client's best interest is our top priority.

The "King of Heroin" a Mexican drug trafficker has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for smuggling large quantities of the narcotic heroin into the United States.

According to the Ventura County Star, Jose Antonia Medina Arreguin, 36, was sentenced Wednesday in Ventura County Superior Court after pleading guilty last month to conspiracy to possess heroin for sale.

Also known as Don Pepe, Arreguin arranged for drugs to be transported across the border into California in vehicles with secret compartments netting up to $260,000 a week.

Arreguin's attorney states that he is very remorseful of the whole situation but regardless, he was sentenced 22 years in prison.

Drug offenses are very serious charges and can result in long prison terms. If you or a loved one has been charged with the crime of  possessing or selling illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine, take control of your criminal matter.

At Hedding Law Firm we place every effort to gather and contest all the evidence presented against you and strive to get the best results keeping our client's best interest as priority.

Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.
Let us be your advocate in your time of need.

A Vermont parolee who authorities say stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a 98-year-old blind and deaf woman was arrested Wednesday April 13, 2011, two years after the victim's death.

John Thomas Windsor met the elderly woman through his mother, who worked as her caretaker. The widow, who was identified only as Edna M., was confined to her home and suffered from dementia.

Prosecutors said Windsor moved into Edna M.'s home without her knowledge and used her credit cards to buy expensive personal items, including two used cars, an engagement ring for his girlfriend and a record collection.

At the time, he was on parole in Vermont after being convicted on domestic-violence and  fraud charges.

Edna M. eventually signed over her power of attorney to Windsor, who then tried to take out a loan against her home, prosecutors said. Police were alerted to the alleged theft in 2008 after her bank became suspicious of withdrawals from her account, said Newport Beach Sgt. Steve Burdette.

Edna M. died in 2009 while police were still conducting their investigation.

Windsor, 41, was arrested Wednesday morning at the Newport Beach Police Department. He is expected to be arraigned Thursday at Men's Central Jail in Santa Ana. If convicted, Windsor faces up to eleven years and eight months in state prison.

If you a loved one is being charged with the crime of fraud, a serious crime that can result in large fines and prison time, contact us at Hedding Law Firm and we will place every effort to gather and contest all the evidence presented against you.

Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.

A suspected drunken driver who crashed into a car in Gardena, killing a 62-year-old man and a 6-year-old boy was charged Tuesday April 12, 2011 with murder.

Perry Lee Oakley Jr., 33, of Los Angeles could face life in prison if convicted of single counts of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death.

The charges stem from the death of Samuel Lee Dickens, a Compton man killed in the Saturday night crash. They are likely to be increased at a later date to reflect the Tuesday morning death of 6-year-old Sylvester Payne Jr., who was removed from life support at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Oakley, who had a prior conviction in 2001 for driving under the influence, allegedly ran a stop sign or pulled out from 141st Street onto Normandie Avenue as a Toyota Camry carrying the boy and his three uncles came along. Oakley, in an Acura, slammed broadside into the Camry.

Oakley fled the scene but returned 30 minutes later and told officers he had just left a party.

Detectives said he smelled of alcohol and failed a field sobriety test. His blood alcohol content on a breath test measured more than the 0.08 threshold for drunken driving.

Oakley, who had several other convictions on his record, including arson in 2010 and statutory rape in 1999, was held on $1.425 million bail.

Oakley, walking on crutches, appeared for his arraignment Tuesday April 12, 2011 in Torrance court. The proceeding was postponed until May 2, 2011.

At Hedding Law Firm we are committed to providing zealous representations, with only our clients' best interests in mind, and promise to make every effort to obtain the best result possible.
Our Firm has handled thousands of criminal matters over the years, ranging from DUI to murder, to white collar offenses as well as Federal matters all over the country.

Contact us for FREE face to face consultation.  

Background

The explosion occurred about 6:45 a.m. Thursday April 7, 2011 outside Chabad House Lubavich, at 17th Street and Broadway in Santa Monica. The blast damaged a wall and sent approximately a 300-pound hunk of concrete, with a metal bar attached, into the air and through the roof of a house next door.

Authorities initially thought the blast was a freak accident. However, investigators, including federal agents, later found evidence allegedly linking Ron Hirsch to the crime. A post-blast investigation also revealed that the device appeared to have been deliberately constructed.  

Hirsch was believed to have boarded a Greyhound bus last Thursday to flee Los Angeles; the same day as the Santa Monica explosion.

A man using the name J. Fisher, a known alias used by Hirsch, purchased a Greyhound bus ticket to New York that was scheduled to arrive there on a Sunday April 10, 2011 after stops in at least 10 destinations.

Now he faces four felony counts as Los Angeles County and federal prosecutors seek his extradition from Ohio, where he was arrested Monday and is scheduled for a court appearance at U.S. District Court in Cleveland for Wednesday April 13, 2011.

The FBI said Hirsch, also known as Israel Fisher, is known to spend time seeking charity from synagogues and other Jewish community centers. Hirsch is known to beg outside synagogues, including Congregation Bais Yehuda on North La Brea Avenue.

Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Ron Hirsch, 60, with one count each of explosion with intent to murder, use of a destructive device and explosive to injure or destroy,  possession of a destructive device near a public place and  possession of a destructive device near a residence.

The charges, which could carry a potential life prison term, were filed shortly after Hirsch was charged in federal court with flight to avoid prosecution for damaging or destroying a building involving the non-injury blast that broke windows and tore a hole in a building last week.

These are extremely serious charges and we at Hedding Law Firm will help you get your criminal matter under control.

Our Firm has handled thousands of criminal matters over the years, ranging from DUI to murder, to  white collar offenses as well as Federal matters all over the country.

Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies responded Monday April 11, 2011 to an 11:24 p.m. call of a fight outside the club on Sunset Boulevard, where several men hit and kicked a man on the ground, sheriff's officials said. Two of the assault suspects then got into a car and hit the two pedestrians as they drove out of the parking lot.

Two men are now in custody for allegedly assaulting a man outside the Whisky a Go Go club in West Hollywood, getting into a car and running down two pedestrians then leading deputies on a pursuit that ended with a deputy firing a round from his pistol because one of the suspects pointed a dark object at the officer (according to the officer). The shot didn't hit anyone and the suspects surrendered.

The victim of the fight and one of the pedestrians were hospitalized in critical condition. The other pedestrian was treated and released.

The driver, identified as Eduardo Gomez, 20, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence causing injury and is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bail. His passenger, 18-year-old Jesus Gomez, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

An assault with a deadly weapon charge is what's known as a wobbler. A "wobbler" is a crime that, depending on the circumstances, prosecutors can choose to file as either a misdemeanor or a felony. With respect to a California  aggravated assault charge, this decision is primarily based on three factors:

1. The type of weapon or instrument used to commit the alleged assault,

2. Whether the person whom you allegedly assaulted sustained an injury (and if so, the severity of the injury), and

3. The nature of the victim (that is, whether the alleged victim an officer, firefighter, or other "protected" person).

Many innocent people in California get wrongfully accused of assault with a deadly weapon and get a felony on their record when in actuality it is a misdemeanor or perhaps not even considered to be assault with a deadly weapon.

Contact us at Hedding Law Firm and give us the opportunity to help you fight these charges. We will carefully and diligently gather and contest all the evidence presented against you.

Also at Hedding Law Firm we have successfully handled thousands of DUI cases in all Los Angeles Courthouses and we are dedicated to our clients to get the best results possible.

Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.

After two deadlocked murder trials, a third jury convicted an alleged gang member Monday April 11, 2011 of murdering three people, including a 10-year-old boy, on a South L.A. street in what became known as the 49th Street Massacre.

Among the victims was David Marcial, 10, who had been riding his bicycle with his 12-year-old brother outside their home on the 1100 block of East 49th Street; his uncle, Larry Marcial, 22; and a neighbor, Luis Cervantes, 17. David's brother was shot but survived.

Ryan T. Moore, 37, was convicted of murder, attempted murder and  conspiracy in the 2006 attack, which shocked the city and was part of a series of high-profile interracial gang crimes that stoked fears of a possible race war.

Last year, a jury found Charles Ray Smith, 42, guilty of the murders but could not reach a unanimous verdict on whether he should be executed.

Smith's retrial in the death penalty phase of his case is expected to take place in the summer. The prosecution's case against both men revolved around a key witness, Alicia Merceron, who admitted driving the car in the two killings. She identified Smith and Moore as the gunmen.

Defense attorneys have accused Merceron, 27, of lying to save herself from the death penalty or a lengthy prison term. In exchange for her testimony, prosecutors allowed her to plead guilty to manslaughter, and she is expected to be sentenced to seven years in prison.

The gunmen, armed with AK-47 assault rifles, mistook the victims as rival gang members in a bloody feud between two local gangs.

The jury now must decide whether Moore should receive the death penalty. Previous juries deadlocked, voting 7-5 and 10-2 in favor of convicting Moore.

These are very serious criminal charges and a conviction of these charges can change your life and the lives of your family. The penalties can be as serious as to 25 years to life in prison.

If you or a loved one has been charged with murder, attempted murder, or conspiracy contact us at Hedding Law Firm and let us be your advocate. Our skilled team will gather and contest all the evidence presented against you and will strive to get you the best possible results. Help us help you get your criminal matter under control.

There was a survey conducted on Monday April 11, 2011 by a professional polling firm which revealed that a strong majority of California voters believe the possession of a small amount of an illegal drug for personal use should be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

The poll was released by the Drug Policy Alliance along with the ACLU of Northern California in San Francisco and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland.

It was found that almost 75% of California voters who are likely to cast ballots in 2012 are believers of reducing the crime of possession for personal use down to a misdemeanor.

Nearly a quarter of the voters surveyed said Californians caught with a small amount of an illegal drug for personal use should not spend any time behind bars, while 27% said they should be locked up for less than three months. Just 8% suggested incarceration for a year or more.

A majority of voters also said California sends too many people to prison. And almost 75% agreed that in the midst of a budget crisis, the state should instead use the millions of dollars spent to imprison drug users on schools, healthcare and law enforcement.

Support for reducing drug possession penalties crosses party lines, drawing favor from substantial majorities of Democratic, Republican and nonpartisan voters. Most voters in every region of the state also back the change. Voters also indicated they are more inclined to reelect state lawmakers who vote to reduce the penalties for drug possession.

In any case, Californians don't want to waste money on incarcerating people for drug possession. They'd rather see that money go for something else.

People are starting to take a stance against throwing people into prison for situations that can be handled differently.

If you or a loved one is being charged with a drug offense such as use or possession  contact Hedding Law Firm for a FREE face to face consultation.

We have handled thousands of drug offense cases and have seen great results.

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys place every effort to gather and contest all the evidence presented against you to get you the best possible results.

Contact  Hedding Law Firm today and let's take control of your criminal matter.

 Joseph Dyer, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy, supervised the impound program, collecting towing fees from residents. Prosecutors said he pocketed more than half a million dollars between 2001 and 2007 instead of giving it to the city.

The 56-year-old pleaded no contest Thursday April 7, 2011 to one felony count of public officer crime and will be sentenced to three years in state prison on May 31. His wife, Lydia, pleaded no contest to filing a false tax return and was sentenced to 12 months' probation.

The former deputy and his wife were forced to repay the department $554,588, the amount of the loss, plus an additional $100,000 to help reimburse for the cost of the investigation as part of their plea.

Embezzlement is a serious crime of fraud. Embezzlement is the misappropriation of items with which a person has been entrusted.

One of the most common instances of embezzlement in today's society is employee theft such as this present case. Employees of many companies have access to company property, creating the potential for embezzlement. Examples include such small crimes as  theft of retail items, discounted sale of retail items, and theft from cash registers, but can also include the  theft of millions by employees of large firms.

The penalty for an embezzlement violation typically depends on the value of the property that is misappropriated. A perpetrator is usually fined an amount on the same order of the value of the property, and may receive a prison sentence as well.

If you or someone you know has been charged with charges involving fraud or embezzlement you need an experienced, skilled, and trained attorney to handle your case for you.

At Hedding Law Firm we place every effort to look at your case, all the evidence contested against you to come up with a solution favorable to you, the client.
Contact us for a FREE face to face consultation.

Sophisticated pot growing operation in Crestline has been uncovered.

Authorities served a search warrant on Eric Dennison's, 35 home in Crestline on Wednesday April 6, 2011. The search warrant was based on a traffic stop of Dennison's vehicle where a scale to measure drugs was found.  

As the search warrant was executed, authorities found 237 marijuana seedlings and cloned plants. The growing operation was well thought out and sophisticated. The plants were in a room with temperature controls and growing lamps. Additional to the 237 plants, a small amount of methamphetamine was found.

Deputies detained Dennison, who lived at the home. He was booked on suspicion of cultivating marijuana and  possessing methamphetamine and was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Large-scale federal marijuana cultivation charges are serious and carry severe consequences. As a federal offense, your case would be handled in the federal court system, which places strict sentencing guidelines on convictions. It is important that you retain a lawyer who has experience trying cases at the federal level.

At Hedding Law Firm we understand the federal court system inside and out and have dealt with thousands of drug charges. We will evaluate your case from every angle to determine the best course of action.

Contact Hedding Law Firm for a FREE face to face consultation

An Orange County family was charged Wednesday April 6, 2011 in connection with 20 fake marriages meant to keep illegal immigrants in the country.

Federal authorities arrested Ajit Bhargava, 56, his wife Nisha Bhargava, 56, and their daughter Runjhun Bhargava, 30 at their home in Yorba Linda for conspiracy to commit visa fraud, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials said Wednesday.

The family ran immigration services through the Cerritos-based consulting firm based MPEagle Consultants that provided primarily to Indian nationals who sought marriage certificates and work visas.

Federal authorities said they launched their investigation in September 2009 after they noticed suspicious similarities among the business' visa applications. In some cases, the same "spouses" and marriage witnesses were used, according to authorities. They also staged photographs in public places to make believe a relationship.

They reportedly charged as much as $60,000 per marriage.

Immigration officers became suspicious of the Bhargava's when they noticed a pattern among 21 files.

The allegations state that the family recruited unemployed and low-income Americans, including some who were homeless and drug addicts, and paid them $2,000. According to court papers, some claimed they weren't paid.

Nisha and Runjhun have pleaded not guilty. Ajit is expected to appear in court on Thursday April 7, 2011.

Visa Fraud is a very serious crime. If convicted, the charge of  conspiracy to commit  visa fraud carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison. Also, any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both.

If you are facing federal immigration fraud charges a trained and skilled attorney is key to the success of your case.

The criminal defense attorneys at the Hedding Law Firm have a combined 75 years of experience and are committed to getting the best possible outcome for their clients.  Contact our office today to set up a free face-to-face consultation.

Sean Paul Delacerda, 27, a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, is charged with using a firearm in April 2010 to assault his ex-girlfriend after accusing her of cheating, according to the Orange County district attorney's office.

Delacerda was relieved of duty in April 2010 without pay, pending the outcome of the criminal trial, said Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

Delacerda allegedly entered the home of the woman, whom he had dated for two months, without her permission. She was not home at the time. When the woman arrived, Delacerda pulled out the gun, loaded one bullet into the cylinder and forced the woman to show him her e-mails. The woman attempted to escape as Delacerda was reading the messages.

Delacerda then tackled the woman, climbed on top of her and covered her mouth as she screamed. He then put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger -- it clicked but failed to fire, according to prosecutors.

Delacerda then purportedly pointed the weapon at the woman and pushed her into a closet while he continued to read her e-mails. She finally escaped in her car and drove away as he chased after her.

Delacerda is charged with one felony count each of assault with a firearm,  kidnapping and false imprisonment by violence, as well as a misdemeanor count of domestic violence battery. Opening statements are scheduled to begin at the courthouse in Fullerton on Wednesday April 6, 2011.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges of battery, assault with a weapon, kidnapping, false imprisonment, domestic violence find an attorney that will be your advocate.

Contact  Hedding Law Firm for a FREE face to face consultation. We will evaluate the facts and give you honest advice and opinions regarding your case. Our criminal defense attorneys have a combined 75 years of experience and have been successful in many of these types of cases.

A man was sentenced on Monday April 4, 2011 to six years in federal prison for running a telemarketing scheme that bilked more than 80,000 people out of about $6 million by offering non-existent bartender or "mystery shopper" jobs.

Stevan P. Todorovic, 41, of Santa Ynez, was convicted last July of 10 counts of mail and wire fraud in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

Along with the prison term, the Judge ordered Todorovic to pay a $1,000 fine and serve three years of supervised release after he gets out of prison.

Todorovic set up several companies in Santa Barbara -- including American Bartending Institute and Consumer Response Group -- to market and sell a bogus training program, false certifications and job referrals, according to evidence presented at trial.

Those who inquired about the jobs were told they had to purchase certification programs.

The certifications were worthless and Todorovic had no jobs to offer, but he bilked some 80,000 people out of about $6 million before he was caught.

Todorovic apologized to the court, promising never to open another telemarketing business, and imploring the judge to allow him to remain free to care for his two daughters.

"I would literally cut off my right arm right now if you would give me another seven years with my daughters," he said. "I wish you had the ability to look into my soul and see the kind of person I am."

Hatter said that while he has empathy for Todorovic, "there is no more violent crime" than taking someone's financial security or hopes for a better life.

If you are facing federal fraud charges a qualified attorney is key to the success of your case. The criminal defense attorneys at the Hedding Law Firm have a combined 75 years of experience and are committed to getting the best possible outcome for their clients. Contact our office today to set up a free face-to-face consultation.

A Los Angeles County judge dismissed criminal charges Monday April 4, 2011 against a man who spent more than 20 years behind bars for a murder he insists he did not commit.

Five of the six witnesses who identified Francisco "Franky" Carrillo in court as the gunman in a fatal drive-by shooting withdrew their testimony last month.

Though Carrillo's conviction was overturned three weeks ago, prosecutors could have required a retrial, but the district attorney's office asked Judge Paul A. Bacigalupo of the Superior Court in Compton, CA on Monday to dismiss the charges.

The case against Carrillo centered solely on the word of six teenage boys who had been standing with the victim on Lynwood Street in 1991 when the gunman drove by. One jury deadlocked 7 to 5 in favor of acquitting Carrillo, but a second jury found him guilty. He was sentenced to two life terms.

After his arrest at age 16, he recalled that he was desperate to prove to a jury that he had nothing to do with the fatal drive-by shooting he was charged with. Then came the guilty verdict and a life prison sentence.

Last month, five of the six witnesses testified they had not clearly seen the gunman. Among the five witnesses who withdrew their testimony was the victim's son, who said he made his identification because one of his friends at the scene said he recognized Carrillo as the shooter. That friend also withdrew.

Brentford Ferreira, a supervising prosecutor with the L.A. County district attorney's office, said the withdrawal made it impossible to proceed with the case.

"There's no evidence left for a retrial," Ferreira said.

If you are a loved one is facing federal criminal charges you need an attorney that can gather the appropriate evidence for your case and use it effectively in your favor.

Our skilled legal team will investigate the facts surrounding your case, contest evidence presented against you, and place every effort into your defense.

Contact Hedding Law Firm in Los Angeles, CA today for a FREE face to face consultation. Let us be your advocate!

Federal agents and police raided six locations and seized thousands of plants.

The raid was part of a wider investigation into illegal marijuana growing operations and associated crimes within Los Angeles County.

Early Wednesday morning the FBI, Los Angeles Police and the DEA raided what officials call a pot-growing warehouse in an industrial park on the 16700 block of Schoenborn St. in North Hills.

Wednesday morning agents also raided what appeared to be a light-industrial building on the 8500 block of Canoga Ave. in Canoga Park. At that location agents bagged a huge amount of pot.

There were so many bags full of marijuana at the North Hills location that federal agents had to fill up several tractor-trailers to haul off the pot.

In all they targeted six locations throughout Los Angeles County. It was unclear if any arrests had been made during the raids.

While state and city laws recognize the legal use of marijuana as medicine, federal law bars its use for any purpose.

Outside of saying what agencies were involved in the enormous pot bust, federal authorities did not issue further comment. They did not reveal the amount of marijuana seized.

At the Hedding Law Firm, we have successfully handled a variety of drug offense cases, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies and Federal drug charges. 
We understand the adverse consequences people face when they are convicted of a drug crime. That is why we do everything we can to fight for our clients.

If you have been charged with drug offense, contact the Hedding Law Firm today!  Our skilled legal team will investigate the facts surrounding your case, contest evidence presented against you, and place every effort into your defense.  At the Hedding Law Firm, we are dedicated to our clients and their cases.

A federal indictment has charged 21 defendants with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine and marijuana in Georgia and Florida.  Several of the defendants have also been charged with weapons charges.

Seventeen kilos of cocaine, about $318,000 in cash, four guns, and several vehicles have been seized by DEA agents and local narcotics officers since the investigation began in 2008.

The suspects conspired to distribute both powder and crack cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy in Glynn and Camden counties in Southeast Georgia and some unspecified communities in Middle Georgia and North Florida.

The charges consist ofpossession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

If convicted of the drug trafficking conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a  maximum statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a potential fine of $4,000,000.

The possession with intent to distribute count carries a five to forty year prison term and a fine of up to $2,000,000.

These are serious charges and we at Hedding Law Firm in Los Angeles understand the severity of these charges. We have our client's best interest in mind striving always to get the best results.

If  faced with federal criminal chargescontact  Hedding Law Firm for a free face to face confidential consultation. We will evaluate the facts and give you honest advice and opinions regarding your case. Our criminal defense attorneys have a combined 75 years of experience and have been successful in many of these types of cases.

Two arrests have been made Wednesday March 30, 2011 in the murder of a University of Maryland student, who was gunned down in his off campus apartment back in January 2011.

Stephan Weaver, 22, of Bowie and Deandre Ricardo Williams, 23, of Washington, D.C. in the homicide of 22-year-old Justin Vance Desha-Overcash that occurred in College Park, Maryland. 

Detectives have determined the motive to be robbery. Both suspects have been charged with First-Degree Murder. Weaver has been remanded to the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro, Maryland on a no bond status. Williams was arrested in Washington, D.C. with the assistance of the Metropolitan Police Department and is currently awaiting extradition.

Background

On January 11, 2011 officers responded to the 8800 block of 38th Avenue in College Park for a report of a shooting. Williams shot DeSha-Overcash twice in his home and Weaver was an accomplice.

DeSha-Overcash was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said they recovered marijuana, a digital scale, and drug packaging materials from the home, indicating that DeSha-Overcash was selling drugs.

The shooting stemmed from an alteration during an attempted drug robbery.

If you or someone you know is being accused of federal criminal charges,  contact the  Hedding Law Firm today to set up a free consultation.

Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys will meet with you face-to-face and gather all the information pertaining to your case. We will evaluate the facts and give you honest advice and opinions regarding your case. Our  criminal defense attorneys have a combined 75 years of experience and have been successful in many of these types of cases.

A 42-year-old Oakland man, Marco Velasquez, was arrested April 1, 2011 in Chula Vista on suspicion of kidnapping a woman in the Northern California city and held on to her for 15 hours, beating her and stuffing her in the trunk of her car as he drove toward the U.S.-Mexico border.

The victim told police that she and Marco Velasquez had once had a relationship but had separated and that he tricked her into a meeting Thursday.

In the police report she said Velasquez held her at knifepoint, blackened her eyes, knocked out several teeth and then bound and gagged her. He allegedly threatened to kill her once they got to Mexico.

Instead, she managed to remove the gag and, talking through the back seat of the car, persuaded Velasquez to stop at a hospital in Chula Vista so she could receive care before they continued to Mexico.

Hospital officials called police about 4:30 a.m. April 1, 2011.

Police arrested Velasquez while he sat in the waiting room. He was charged in Alameda County with nine felony counts of  kidnapping, false imprisonment, sexual assault, terrorist threats and domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is being accused of criminal charges, contact the  Hedding Law Firm today to set up a free consultation.

Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys will meet with you face-to-face and gather all the information pertaining to your case. We will evaluate the facts and give you honest advice and opinions regarding your case. Our criminal defense attorneys have a combined 75 years of experience and have been successful in many of these types of cases.

Barry Bonds' former assistant, Kathy Hoskins, testified Thursday March 31, 2011 that she saw Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, inject him in the stomach, contradicting what Bonds told a grand jury.

Hoskins said Bonds hired her informally in 2001 to do his shopping and packing for him. Hoskins said she shopped for Bonds from 2001 until 2003 and also packed for him for road trips.

She testified that she saw Anderson at Bonds' house during the times she packed for him. Bonds and Anderson often went into an office alone for a few minutes and on one occasion they did not go into a different room and Bonds told Anderson, "This is Katie. That's my girl. She's not going to say anything".

After Anderson injected Bonds, Hoskins said that Bonds said, "That's a little something something for when we go on the road".

Hoskins wept on the stand, saying she had not wanted to testify. She said her older brother, Steve Hoskins, a key prosecution witness, had told the FBI about her after he and Bonds had a falling-out over money. Hoskins said she told her brother about the injection the day after it happened.

She said her brother "threw me under a bus. That is why I am here."

Anderson, who served time behind bars for illegal steroid distribution, was jailed last week for refusing to testify at Bonds' trial. Anderson has served nearly two years in prison, most of it because he would not testify.

Bonds told the grand jury that Anderson gave him substances known as "the clear" and "the cream," which prosecutors said were steroids. But Bonds said that Anderson told him they were flaxseed oil and arthritis cream.

Also testifying Thursday was Dr. Arthur Ting, Bonds' orthopedic surgeon. Ting's testimony cast doubts on statements made earlier by two key prosecution witnesses, Steve Hoskins and Kimberly Bell, Bonds' former girlfriend.

On Wednesday, retired baseball player Randy Velarde, who last played for the Oakland As, testified that he was injected with human growth hormone by Barry Bonds' former personal trainer during a series of a parking lot meetings in 2002.

If you or someone you know is facing federal charges,  contact our office today to set up a free face-to-face consultation.

Our theft attorneys will look into all the facts pertaining to your unique case and all the evidence contested against you and we will help you and answer any questions you may have.

At the Hedding Law Firm we will work hard to get the best possible solution for your case.