Gerald M. Shaw, a former Newport Beach attorney, was convicted last year in an investment fraud case.

Shaw was indicted in 2007 on federal fraud and money laundering charges.

Shaw solicited investments from people by falsely stating that the money would be used to trade European bank instruments. Instead, the money was used to pay personal and business expenses.

Shaw pleaded guilty last year to one count of wire fraud as part of a plea bargain. He was then disbarred in July of 2011.  

Gerald M. Shaw was indicted in 2007 on federal fraud and money laundering charges for a scheme in which he and another man allegedly took millions of dollars from victims who were promised rates of return as high as 40% a week.

In addition to the 70-month sentence, Shaw was ordered to pay $4.3 million in restitution.

Gregory De Lavalette of Rancho Santa Fe who allegedly worked for Shaw also pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing.

Shaw has been sentenced to 70 months in prison.

Each defendant could have received a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Federal crimes are more serious than state level crimes and have harsher consequences. Our Los Angeles Federal Defense Attorneys have the experience and knowledge to help you if you are facing a federal crime.

Our Federal Lawyers are aggressive and have one goal in mind: to get our clients the best possible results.

If you or someone you know is facing a federal crime contact our Federal Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles and  set up a free face to face consultation.  

Maurice Lerome Smith, 41, from Oceanside was sentenced in federal court Monday December 19, 2011 to 30 years in prison after he was convicted of forcing a 17-year-old girl into prostitution.

Smith put up advertisements on the Internet offering sex with an underage female and would drive her to motels and force her to meet her daily quota.

Smith first met the minor in San Diego and forced her into his car, beat her, and raped her. They way he forced her into prostitution is by threatening to kill her.

Smith has prior convictions of assault and conspiracy to kidnap a child. Now he will spend the next 30 years in prison. Specifically, he was convicted in federal court under a statute concerning the sex trafficking of children through violence and coercion.

Being charged with a federal crime has more severe consequences than being charged with a state crime. Our Los Angeles Federal Defense Attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and skill in handling federal cases. We are knowledgeable on all federal laws and courtroom procedure sand we guarantee our competence and dedication.

If you or someone you know is facing a federal crime, contact our Federal Defense Lawyers and set up a free face to face consultation.

A single-family house on the 18000 block of Villa Clara Street, in Rowland Heights caught fire on Monday December 12, 2011. Firefighter arrived immediately and put out the fire that may have been caused by electrical malfunctions.

Some firefighters incurred minor injuries.

No one was inside the house when the firefighters arrived, but there were marijuana plants growing inside the house. Authorities are unsure how many plants. The department of narcotics will be investigating.

Marijuana cultivation is a federal crime. The Feds are in hot pursuit of busting marijuana growing operations. A conviction of such a crime has severe penalties depending on the amount cultivated. Our Los Angeles Federal Defense Attorneys are well equipped to defend you if you are facing marijuana cultivation charges.

As you Federal Defense Attorney we contest all the evidence presented against you and assert any and all applicable defenses on your behalf, the most common being, illegal search and seizure. We do everything we can to get you the best possible results.

If you are facing marijuana cultivation charges or any other federal crime, contact our Los Angeles Federal Lawyers and set up a free face to face consultation.

Federal agents blocked an alleged drug smuggling attempt at the San Ysidro Port of Entry discovering methamphetamine hidden inside cans of jalapenos and cheese sauce.

A 21-year-old Mexican man was driving a 1999 Toyota Solara to the San Diego-Mexico border crossing station with groceries around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday December 6, 2011.

At the border, his vehicle was required to go through an in-depth examination.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers x-rayed the canned goods that appeared unusual and found a package in each container of methamphetamine.

The packages totaled seven pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $140,000.

Federal Sentencing Guidelines provide mandatory minimum penalties for drug smuggling offenders based on the type and quantity of the drug, and the offender's criminal history.

Part of our defense for our clients is to find mitigating circumstances to minimize the penalties.

Our Los Angeles Federal Defense Attorneys have the experience, skill, and knowledge necessary to competently and aggressively defend our client's case. We are familiar with all federal laws and courtroom procedures and we guarantee our dedication.

If you or a loved one is facing a federal drug crime or any other federal crime,contact our Federal Lawyers in L.A. and set up a free case evaluation immediately!

Hilary Neiman, 32, a former Maryland attorney has been sentenced to five months in prison and seven months of home detention for her role in what federal prosecutors said was a "baby-selling ring." She was also ordered to forfeit $133,000 in profits and set aside $20,000 for restitution.

Neiman pleaded guilty along with two other defendants, San Diego attorney Theresa Erickson and "gestational carrier" Carla Chambers, of Las Vegas, in San Diego Federal Court to wire fraud and other charges.

The other two defendants are scheduled to be sentenced in 2012.

Erickson, the organizer of the ring, with the help of Chambers, hired women to go to Ukraine to be implanted with embryos created from the sperm and eggs of donors.

The women were paid between $38,000 and $40,000 and couples were charged between $100,000 and $150,000 for a baby.

Erickson would then file court documents falsely claiming that the baby was part of an existing pre-pregnancy agreement between the woman carrying the fetus and the couple; this allowed the couple to be listed as the parents of the child on the birth certificate.

Erickson knew that this was a requirement by law to prevent the "buying and selling (shopping) of babies.

Being charged with a federal crime has more serious and severe consequences than being charged with a state level crime.

Our Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys know and understand federal laws and federal courtroom procedures.

Our Lawyers in Los Angeles have the necessary experience and skill to adequately and competently represent you.

If you are facing a federal crime, do not waste any more valuable time and contact our Los Angeles Federal Defense Attorneys to set up a free case evaluation and we will start preparing immediately.