Birmingham Criminal Defense News: Franklin County, AL, Grand Jury Indictments

Being an experienced Birmingham criminal defense attorney, I have the knowledge and skills to represent Alabama residents and other persons accused of committing crimes by the law enforcement agencies of this state. These criminal acts can include theft, larceny, assault, drug possession, criminal sexual behavior, murder and other crimes. As an Alabama criminal lawyer, I do believe that an individual is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. That’s something nobody can take away because it’s a Constitutional protection granted to everyone in the United States.

Recently, a Franklin County grand jury handed down a number of indictments for a variety of crimes. Many of these individuals will claim that they were unjustly accused. A trial will be held to determine the guilt or innocence of each person. Here is a selection of those indictments:

  • Aaron Andrew Adams, 22, Vina -- third-degree robbery
  • Sarah Marie Beasley, 25, Haleyville -- possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia
  • Andrew Eric Bryant, 19, Haleyville -- seven counts of fraudulent use of a credit card
  • Harold Clayton Bryant, 44, Russellville -- possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to manufacture a controlled substance
  • Richard Henry Fisher, 25, Red Bay -- second-degree attempting to manufacture a controlled substance, contributing to truancy and third-degree theft of property
  • Tyler Blake Garrison, 18, Russellville -- four counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of second-degree theft of property and one count of attempted theft of property
  • Guillermo Castro Gutierrez, 19, Russellville -- second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree identity theft and second-degree forgery
  • Jason Anthony Hacker, 25, Vina -- third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle and five counts of third-degree theft of property
  • Donnell Lee Harris, 44, Sheffield -- third-degree burglary and second-degree theft of property
  • Ryan Bonds Hester, 29, Phil Campbell -- possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of domestic violence third-degree assault
  • Rafe Hollander, 23, Russellville -- violation of the community notification act as a sex offender
  • Dana L. Johnson, 35, Haleyville -- possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Anthony Wayne Lane, 28, Russellville -- second-degree receiving stolen property, third-degree assault, third-degree burglary and third-degree theft of property
  • Hector Ortiz, 25, Fayette -- second-degree forgery, leaving the scene of an accident, public intoxication, resisting arrest and obstructing justice by giving false identification
  • Carey Renea Peters, 32, Vina -- second-degree theft of property, violation of protective services, attempting to possess a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Joseph Thomas Postell, 20, Harvest -- second-degree escape
  • Cody James Simpson, 20, Florence -- first-degree theft of property and third-degree burglary
  • Erskin L. Spearman, 33, Jasper -- public intoxication, second-degree possession of marijuana, carrying a pistol without a permit and certain persons prohibited from carrying a firearm
  • Robert Duncan Strickland, 19, Red Bay -- possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to truancy
  • Tilena Ann Watson, 36, Red Bay -- second-degree manufacturing of a controlled substance
  • Roger Lee West, 28, Mount Hope -- second-degree forgery
  • David Leeander Whitman, 30, Phil Campbell -- first-degree theft of property

 

Franklin County grand jury, TimesDaily.com, November 26, 2009

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Federal Gang Raid Targeting Violent Groups across Alabama Results in 23 Arrests

Violent crime is being targeted by law enforcement agencies across the country. Earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a four-day action against street gangs in Alabaster, Decatur, Hoover, Pelham, and Shelby counties. As part of the operation, 23 individuals were arrested and now face possible deportation. Of those arrested, 20 were males, two were female and one was a juvenile. As an Alabama criminal defense attorney practicing in Birmingham, I know that the claims that these people have ties to violent street gangs must be proven in court. Theft, assault, drug trafficking and murder may be just some of the charges levied against these alleged gang members.

According to news reports, federal agents targeted alleged gangs members in Jefferson, Shelby and Morgan counties. Police reportedly focused their efforts on several "transnational street gangs," as they are called. One of those gangs, “MS-13,” is reportedly one of the largest Hispanic street gangs in the United States. Another group, “Sureno-13,” is one of the most significant gangs operating in the Southeast, according to the National Gang Intelligence Center.

Most of the individuals arrested during the operation were taken to the DeKalb County Jail. Of those, three were released pending immigration hearings. As of Friday, only two faced criminal charges, according to an ICE official. One person in particular, Misael Godoy-Torres, was arrested at Cedar Brook Apartments in Hoover and was been charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a gun, according to court records. An affidavit stated ICE agents received a tip that Godoy-Torres, a Mexican citizen, was a member of street gang Brown Pride 13.

According to reports, when his girlfriend let the agents into the apartment, Godoy-Torres threw a rifle from a third-story bathroom window and was attempting to jump from the window when he was arrested. Agents found a cell phone with pictures of Godoy-Torres with the gun and "what appears to be a gang bandanna," the affidavit stated.

A second man, Margarito Carbajal-Nava, was being held in Decatur City Jail on state charges including violations on three charges of criminal trespassing. According to Officer Sharon Latham said Carbajal-Nava, a 38-year-old Decatur resident, was being held for ICE and was arrested Aug. 30.

A statement issued by ICE Friday stated that agents conducted the operation working with local law enforcement including police officers in Alabaster, Decatur, Hoover and Pelham, and Shelby County sheriff's departments.

Alabaster Police Deputy Chief Curtis Rigney said ICE agents asked his officers for backup during the operation. He commented that his department had not noticed an increased gang presence in Alabaster, but added, "you never know where these gangs are."

 

Gang raid nets 23 arrests in Alabama, AL.com, September 12, 2009