According to the complaint filed in federal court, Rachel Stockwell, then a student at the University of Tampa, had to leave school due to facial paralysis and cognitive defects. The complaint states that in video of the incident, a pool of blood can be seen surrounding Stockwell’s head.
The officer, Antwan S. Nelson, had his employment terminated, according to Laura McElroy, a police spokeswoman.
The incident took place on Valentine’s Day, 2014, outside Club 912 on Franklin Street in downtown Tampa. According to a police internal affairs report, Nelson used a “takedown” maneuver on Stockwell. Nelson told investigators that he had attempted to issue a trespass warning to Stockwell, but she refused to identify herself and resisted arrest. Nelson said he took the woman to the ground in order to gain better control. The investigation stopped short of calling the amount of force used excessive.
According to the internal affairs investigation, Stockwell, then 18, had been admitted to the club but was not legally permitted to drink. The report said she had previously been escorted from the premises, but had returned.
She was booked on charges of opposing an officer and criminal mischief, but the State Attorney’s Office did not prosecute.
If you need to speak with a personal injury lawyer, Call Joyce & Reyes at 1.888.771.1529 or visit more of http://www.joyceandreyespa.com/.
The post Tampa woman sues Tampa Police Department over brain injury first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>TPD officers alleged that “Galvin” circled the block at least two times and then attempted to negotiate a prostitution deal with what turned out to be an undercover police officer. During this conversation, “Galvin” allegedly asked the undercover officer to show her breasts to prove she was not a police officer. When she refused, he allegedly tried to flee, but officers boxed him in and arrested Galvin for a precursor acts for prostitution. Asking the undercover officer to prove she is not a cop was criminalized as a “precursor” act or act “prior to” prostitution in an attempt by legislatures to be able to arrest more people and prevent suspects from not requesting an act of prostitution.
He can potentially be charged under Florida’s Prostitution Statute 796.07(f). I have blogged about this statute before, been featured in Newsweek’s “Daily Beast “, and litigated extensively in court the $5,000.00 “civil penalty” it carries. Under that statute “Assignation” is defined as the making of any appointment or engagement for prostitution or lewdness, or any act in furtherance of such appointment or engagement.
796.07(6) states “A person who violates paragraph (2)(f) shall be assessed a civil penalty of $5,000 if the violation results in any judicial disposition other than acquittal or dismissal.”
If the charge is dismissed, amended to a different statute, or he is allowed into a diversion program, the fine would not be applied. The issue of the constitutionality of the fine is currently pending in the Polk County appellate court.
CALL NOW AND SPEAK TO AN EXPERIENCED SEX CRIMES ATTORNEY WHO HAS HANDLED AND TRIED THESE TYPES OF SEX CASES.
THOMAS C. GRAJEK 863-688-4606
The post Tampa radio personality arrested for solicitation for prostitution which carries mandatory $5,000.00 "civil penalty" unless criminal charge is dismissed first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>
Some parts of Florida have seen an increase in the use of heroin, a substance startlingly similar to oxycodone, the painkiller abuser’s typical drug of choice. Meanwhile, New Jersey seems to be in the position Florida was in just a few years ago, with law enforcement officials there reporting on the deliberate widespread improper prescription of painkillers.
According to the Tampa Tribune, sharp increases in the use of heroin have been reported in some Florida cities.
“[Oxycontin] is nothing but synthesized heroin,” Sgt. Rick Mills of the Tampa Police Department told the Tribune. Mills added that the medical examiner had told him drug-related deaths had fallen.
The article illustrates that anyone can become addicted to painkillers – not just the poor or disenfranchised.
“It’s everybody,” said Mark Detrio, a detective with the Tampa PD. “You see upper-class people, or college kids who didn’t put two-and-two together.”
Just as drug addicts are finding substitutes for oxycodone, those who would engage in the shady business of pill mills are finding states with lax laws now that Florida has cracked down.
Officials in New Jersey recently completed a two-year investigation into the state’s painkiller trade. Their 74-page report says painkillers and heroin have become prevalent in the state’s suburbs, with even affluent communities seeing a marked increase in drug trade.
In 2011, New Jersey had 1,008 drug-related deaths, an increase of more than 20 percent over 2010. Of those, oxycodone was involved in 337, and heroin was mixed with other drugs was involved in 368.
If you need to speak with a personal injury lawyer, Call Joyce & Reyes at 1.888.771.1529 or visit more of http://www.joyceandreyespa.com/.
The post Demand Shifts to Other Drugs, Other States Following Florida Pill Mill Crackdown first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>The officers reportedly were still drinking alcohol 4 hours into their shift and never left the strip club. The supervisors were having a hard time locating the officers. Once they found them in the strip club, the two undercover plainclothes cops appeared “highly intoxicated.” If these law enforcement officers had responded to the scene of a crime or high speed pursuit chase, it could have proven very dangerous for the public’s safety.
So what happens when law enforcement supervisors discover such an egregious violation or an officer’s duty to protect and serve? Well, in this case, the undercover cops were allowed to have someone drive them home and no investigation was conducted! Do cops let suspected drunk driver’s have a friend pick them up and drive them home or call a cab. So, the officers level of intoxication was never taken through a blood draw or breath test to determine their blood or breath alcohol level. And of course the internal affairs investigation concluded there was no cover up.
Eventually, an internal affairs investigation was conducted. While this was going on, the suspected cops kept their jobs, but in an administrative capacity and kept being paid. there was only one prior incident for Madsen in which the City of Tampa settled a lawsuit for $35,000.00 for shooting a man (holding a beer of all things) with a stun gun.
Everyday I am seeing more and more police officers being fired or disciplined. I just blogged about this the other day at http://www.flcrimedefense.com/2013/05/off-duty-lakeland-police-officer-charged-with-battery-after-alleged-road-rage-incident/
Recently, FDLE reportedly began an investigation of Lakeland Police Department. How can this affect your criminal case when you are disputing the allegations made by a police officer against you? These internal affairs investigations can affect the officer’s credibility on the stand especially when it is the officer’s word against you, the citizen accused of a crime. That is why I often file Public Record Requests to discover if there is something in an officer’s personnel file that may affect his credibility and improve the defense of your case.
That is just one example of what an aggressive criminal defense attorney does to fight for you in court!
CALL AN AGGRESSIVE LAWYER THAT IS NOT AFRAID TO STAND UP IN COURT AND
FIGHT FOR YOU !!!
THOMAS C. GRAJEK – CALL NOW 863-688-4606
The post Tampa undercover police officers fired for drinking at a strip club while on duty. first appeared on SEONewsWire.net.]]>