Miami Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

Jesus Abreu, Odalys Abreu, Angel Padron, Juan Martinez, and Kenia Hernandez of Miami-Dade, Florida were arrested Wednesday for allegedly operating an illegal gambling ring out of a cafeteria, news sources report. Jesus Abreu, 64, and his wife, Odalys Abreu, 46, were booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of keeping a house of gambling, possession of prohibited coin-making machines, bookmaking, and gambling; Padron, 70, and Martinez, 62, were booked on charges of being agents of running a house of gambling and gambling; and Hernandez, 38, faces charges of obstructing justice and resisting arrest without violence. Jesus Abreu is being held on $14,000 bond, Odalys Abreu on $15,500, Padron on $13,000, and Martinez on $15,500. Hernandez's bail was set at $1,000. It is not yet known whether any of the defendants has hired a lawyer.

According to reports, Jesus and Odalys Abreu own and operate OK Minimarket in the 3000 block of Southwest 107th Avenue in Southwest Miami-Dade. Sources say Jesus also runs a slot machine company that his wife owns. Detectives received word recently that slot and sports gambling machines, also known as "maquinitas," were being offered for general use at the OK Minimarket.

Detectives swooped down and raided the alleged operation on Wednesday, reports say. "In the rear section of the cafeteria, there were several coin-operated machines," a police spokesperson reportedly said. "In fact, when the detectives were executing the search warrant, there were several people gambling once the officers entered the room." Padron, Martinez, and Hernandez all worked for the minimarket and allegedly helped operate the illegal gambling services.

Some customers in the store at the time of the raid were unaware of the gambling machines. "I was having a soda, [the police] walked in. I just visiting here," one witness said. "I come here to get coffee, but that's all," another witness stated.

Abreu had been arrested twice previously on charges of illegal gambling, sources say. However, the details of those cases and their outcomes were not immediately clear at press time.

In other news, Jennifer Leigh Robbins of Melrose and Mathew Stuart Pauley of Keystone Heights were arrested Friday after they were accused of setting a man up for robbery, reports say. Robbins, 20 and Pauley, 24, were booked into police custody on charges of robbery. It is unclear whether they qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Jesus Abreu, Odalys Abreu, Angel Padron, Juan Martinez, and Kenia Hernandez of Miami-Dade, Florida Arrested for Operating Illegal Gambling Machines" »

Ruben Yepes Quiroz of Miami, Florida of Miami, Florida was arrested Saturday for allegedly using fake police lights to pull a vehicle over, news sources report. Quiroz, 31, was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of prohibited use of police lights and falsely impersonating an officer. His bail bond was set at $6,000. It is not yet known whether Quiroz has hired a criminal defense lawyer.

According to reports, Quiroz works as a bouncer at Kopas Restaurant on Southwest 8th Street. Quiroz also reportedly works for the Telemundo TV station, which is owned by NBC Universal. It was not immediately clear what position Quiroz held with the TV station. It is also not clear how this arrest will affect Quiroz's employment.

The incident occurred early Saturday morning after Rodrigo Prado, the victim, and two of his friends were kicked out of Kopas Restaurant for unspecified reasons. Prado left the club in his Pontiac Vibe and was on Southwest 60th Avenue and 8th Street when he noticed police lights in his rearview mirror. "The police lights, they were big," Prado said. "You see them, you say 'that's a police officer.'" The lights were coming from Quiroz's yellow Scion TC, reports say.

Prado pulled over and Quiroz pulled up behind him, as is custom with any traffic stop. However, Quiroz was likely unaware that another officer near the scene planned to assist in the traffic stop. Reports say an actual cop car pulled up on the scene behind Quiroz. "We thought [Quiroz] was a detective," the assisting officer said. "Out of nowhere we find out he was a fraud."

Quiroz explained that he had pulled Prado over because the suspect was involved in an incident at Kopas Restaurant and because Prado's license plate was covered. The officers inspected Prado's plate and found it was in fact covered. Reports say the officers then turn the tables, arresting Quiroz and questioning him. "[Quiroz] said he was a retired police officer, and then he changed his version and said he was a police explorer," an officer reportedly said in his reports.

According to reports, officers later learned that Quiroz worked for Kopas Restaurant, which they confirmed by calling the restaurant. The officers also learned that Quiroz also works at Telemundo. Sources say Quiroz told officers that he had gotten the "fake" police lights from the TV station and that he typically used them while filming movies.

Continue reading "Ruben Yepes Quiroz of Miami, Florida Arrested for Impersonating an Officer" »

Marco Cruz, a Miami International Airport cargo handler, and Ramses Llufrio, a Miami pawnshop owner, were arrested this past week on charges of stealing gold bars, news sources report. Cruz, 47, and Llufrio, 38, were booked into police custody on charges stemming from the theft and sale; the details of those charges were not available at press time. It is currently unclear whether the defendants qualified for bail bond. Reports did not specify an attorney for either defendant.

According to reports, Cruz works as an airline cargo handler at the Miami International Airport. Sources say that gold is Miami's #1 import, with an estimated value of $8 billion in 2011. The majority of gold shipped into Miami airport arrives from Colombia and Mexico, reports say, and is typically shipped off to Switzerland.

Reports say a cargo shipment holding a box with $625,000 worth of gold bars was unloaded at the airport earlier this month. As handlers were moving the shipment, they reportedly noticed that the box with gold had gone missing. The workers contacted authorities and an investigation was started.

Detectives reportedly discovered that Cruz had stolen the box of gold bars. According to reports, Cruz took several of the gold bars to Llufrio's pawnshop. Cruz reportedly told Llufrio that the bars were stolen, but the pawnshop owner still agreed to buy five of them for $250,000, sources indicate

During an investigation, detectives interviewed Cruz and other employees at the Miami International Airport. Cruz reportedly denied any involvement in the alleged theft during those interviews. However, during a search of his home, detectives apparently found one of the gold bars along with $200,000 in cash. Cruz later handed over the other $50,000. It was not clear whether detectives located the other allegedly stolen bars.

Some crimes are more bizarre than others. Jeremy Rhyne Robbins of Conover, North Carolina was arrested in St. Augustine Beach Friday for allegedly exposing his buttocks to a mother, her nine-year-old son, and various members of the staff of Beach Front Resort, reports say. Robbins, 26, was booked into police custody on charges of disorderly conduct. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Marco Cruz and Ramses Llufrio of Miami, Florida Arrested for Grand Theft" »

Javiel Vergel and Eriel Menendez Casanas of Hialeah, Florida were arrested Friday after they were accused of taking over 400 out-of-season lobsters from Miami waters, news sources report. Vergel, 37, and Casanas, 39, were booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on multiple charges, including, taking lobsters out of season, exceeding the per-person bag limit, taking undersized lobsters, taking an egg-bearing female, and illegally separating lobster heads from tails before coming ashore. It is unclear whether the duo qualified for bail bond. Reports did not say whether the men had hired defense lawyers.

According to reports, Vergel and Mendez were caught coming ashore on Watson Island in Miami on Friday. The men were returning from a lobster-fishing excursion, reports say. Vergel and Watson captured 468 lobsters, which they allegedly killed while at sea. Reports say lobster season runs from August 6 to March 31, making all of the defendants' catches out of season and therefore illegal.

Police reportedly caught the defendants in possession of a garbage bag and several grocery bags full of lobster tails. Among the sea creatures, officers reportedly found at least one egg-bearing female lobster and a number of undersized lobsters.

Lobsters are a delicacy and primary export of many South Florida counties. In 2010, the average price of lobster per pound was around $6.10, reports say. Fisherman in the Keys alone bring in over 5 million pounds of spiny lobster annually. Poaching can have many negative effects on the lobster population, especially when egg-bearing specimens are captured.

While some people illegally take seafood directly from the sea, one individual allegedly found a way to steal it from distributors. David Subil of Miami was arrested Thursday after he allegedly posed a seafood buyer for a cruise line to steal thousands of dollars' worth of seafood from distributors, reports say. Subil, 42, was booked into police custody on charges of grand theft and bank fraud; he has since been set free on unspecified terms. It is unclear whether he hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Javiel Vergel and Eriel Menendez Casanas of Hialeah, Florida Arrested for Lobster Poaching" »

Xavier Vergara and Samantha Hernandez of Miami, Florida were arrested Saturday after a police officer discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia in their possession during a traffic stop, news sources report. Vergara, 26, and Hernandez, 18, were booked into police custody on charges of possession of cocaine, marijuana, LSD, Xanax, and drug paraphernalia. Vergara faces an additional charge of allowing an unauthorized person to drive, while Hernandez faces a charge of driving with no license. It is unclear whether the duo qualified for bail. The press did not specify a defense attorney for the defendants.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Saturday in Marathon. Police noticed that Vergara and Hernandez's Nissan had broken headlight and pulled the vehicle over. An officer approached the vehicle and spoke with Hernandez, who was in the driver's seat. The officer discovered that Hernandez did not have a driver's license, so he asked Vergara to exit the vehicle for questioning, reports say.

Meanwhile, another officer led a K-9 unit around the suspects' vehicle. The police dog alerted the officers that there might be drugs in Hernandez's bag. The officer took the bag and found a can of hairspray with a hidden compartment in its bottom. Reports say the fake can of spray was hiding marijuana, cocaine, and LSD. Hernandez reportedly said that she did not know that those drugs were in can. Police searched Vergara and found more marijuana, cocaine, and a two bars of Xanax concealed in his sock, reports say.

Sometimes, even those who are already in jail are charged with crimes. Anthony Gentile, a Manatee County Jail inmate, was accused of defiling a salad with bodily fluids before passing it to a jail employee to eat on Wendesday, reports say. Gentile, 41, was charged with battery of a facility employee by expelling fluids. It is currently unclear whether Gentile has obtained legal aid.

Continue reading "Xavier Vergara and Samantha Hernandez of Miami, Florida Arrested for Drug Possession" »

David Subil of Miami, Florida was arrested Thursday after he was accused of acting as a seafood buyer for a cruise line in a scheme to steal around $200,000 worth of seafood, news sources report. Subil, 42, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of grand theft and bank fraud. He was later released on unspecified conditions. It is not yet known whether Subil has hired a defense attorney.

According to reports, Subil has no association with any cruise lines. However, he allegedly posed as a seafood buyer for a cruise line as part of his scheme to attain seafood. "Investigators allege that Subil would contact a supplier to establish an account for the cruise line seeking to buy large quantities of shrimp, fish and lobster," a police statement reportedly says. Subil allegedly used aliases such as Rick Acosta and Rick Stevenson when conducting the calls.

After making contact with seafood companies in Florida and Alabama, Subil would have the seafood shipped to cold storage locations in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, and Volusia counties, the press says. Subil would allegedly pay for the seafood using counterfeit checks. During at least one transaction, a seafood company extended a line of credit to Subil, which he never paid off, reports say. It is not currently known if Subil allegedly sold the seafood or did something else with it.

Continue reading "David Subil of Miami, Florida Arrested for Bank Fraud" »

Jesus Pons, Diana Pons, and Bruno Diaz of Miami, Florida were arrested Tuesday after they were accused of participating in an embezzlement scheme that cost Miami-Dade County millions of dollars, news sources report. Pons, who held a powerful position as a Miami-Dade County employee; his wife Diana; and his brother-in-law Diaz were booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of racketeering and money laundering. Pons faces additional charges of organized fraud, bribery, extortion, first-degree grand theft, bid tampering, and official misconduct. Pons' bond was set at $3,020,000; Diana's bond was set at $200,000; Diaz's bond was set at $810,000. It was not immediately clear whether any of the defendants had hired attorneys.

The details of his Pons' former position with Miami-Dade County are unknown, but he allegedly had to oversee millions of dollars' worth of county contracts and bids. "Essentially everything had to go through Jay Pons, and gave him the perfect placement to implement his scheme," a state attorney spokesperson said.

As part of the scheme, Pons, along with his co-conspirators, "would falsify documents in phantom names, saying that so and so and so and so was working for the company and they needed to pay them at this hourly rate," reports say. The defendants would allegedly use shell companies and ghost employees to draft up fake billings, such as fictitious hourly rates that the county would ultimately pay for. In one instance, a $760,000 contract evolved into an expenditure that cost the county $16 million.

"It was almost as if the county was paying Mr. Pons to defraud the county," a state spokesperson said. In the end, a state attorney spokesperson said scheme "was really to just underwrite a lavish lifestyle. The bigger question is, how did it happen? How did this happen? A lot of money over a long period of time."

The Miami-Dade county mayor commented on the case at a news brief, saying, "You know you gotta put controls in place so that a contract that was about a million dollars doesn't go to $10 [million], and there's gotta be some bells that go off when things like that happen." It is not clear whether the alleged conspirators still have any of the money, or if the county plans on trying to recover any of the lost funds.

Alcohol-related crimes are just as common as embezzlement-related ones. Heather Lynn Dykman of Rockville, Maryland was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of disrupting a flight at a Broward County Airport, reports say. Dykman, 40, was booked into police custody on charges stemming from the incident. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Jesus Pons, Diana Pons, and Bruno Diaz of Coral Gables, Florida Arrested for Embezzlement" »

A Miami Gardens, Florida drug and gun trafficking operation resulted in 97 arrests on Wednesday, news sources report. The suspects face an array of charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm, and selling a controlled substance. Information regarding the suspects' identities was not immediately available following the arrests. It is unclear whether any of the suspects qualified for bail bond or hired defense attorneys.

According to reports, the arrests were part of the Miami Garden Police Department's "Operation Smoking Gun III." The operation's primary targets were suspects listed in state and federal arrest warrants. The operation's two predecessors targeted similar suspects and resulted in over 200 federal charges, records indicate.

Operation Smoking Gun II follows numerous complaints from city citizens about a recent spike in violence. "Guns plus drugs always equal violence and death," an attorney spokesperson said. "As a result of this long-term concerted effort, 97 dangerous individuals, the vast majority of whom are previously convicted felons, their guns and their drugs, have been removed from the streets," another spokesperson added.

The 97 arrests occurred before sunrise on Wednesday, the press says. Police served 16 search warrants and seized 248 firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun. Officers also seized several bulletproof vests. Furthermore, the operation resulted in the seizure of an untold amount of drugs, including heroin, marijuana, cocaine, and numerous Oxycodone, morphine, and Percocet pills.

Among those arrested was one individual accused of selling 15 firearms, including a shotgun and an assault rifle, in only three months. Others arrested are suspected gang members, sources say.

The Miami Gardens Mayor reportedly warned other suspects during a press release, saying, "If we didn't get you today we'll get you. We'll get you because we won't stop trying." It is unclear whether the operation is ongoing. Additional arrests may ensue.

Illegal gun possession is an ongoing problem in the States, especially among the younger crowd. While it is not possible to say how many illegal guns there are in the United States, sources say that around 86% of adolescents in correctional facilities are alleged to have possessed a firearm at one time or another.

Not all criminals, however, are equipped with guns. Reggie Randall of Sarasota was arrested Thursday after he was accused of aiming a gas pump at three victims while trying to rob them, reports say. Randall, 38, was booked into police custody on three counts of attempted robbery. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Miami Gardens, Florida Gun and Drug Trafficking Operation Nets 97 Arrests" »

Chloe McQueen and Sonia Brown of Miami, Florida were arrested Tuesday after they were accused of trying to extort media giant True Entertainment, news sources report. McQueen, 23, and Brown, 35, were booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of extortion. It is unclear whether the qualified for bail bond. The press did not specify an attorney for McQueen or Brown.

According to reports, True Entertainment, a TV show production company, has locations in both New York City and Los Angeles; the company's hit shows include "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Malika Everette, a True Entertainment employee, reportedly lost her cell phone recently. It is unclear what position Everette holds with the company. So far, True Entertainment has remained mum regarding the entire incident.

McQueen and Brown reportedly found Everette's iPhone Sunday at Mango's Tropical Café, which is located in Miami Beach. The duo went through the phone, learned it belonged to a True Entertainment employee, and found a number for Joye Chin, an executive and production manager. McQueen and Brown called Chin and allegedly claimed that Everette's iPhone "contained valuable information and that if payment was not made the information from the phone would be sold to TMZ."

Chin reportedly bartered with the duo, eventually agreeing upon a price for the return of the phone. Sources say Chin scheduled to pick the phone up from McQueen and Brown on Tuesday at Joe's Crab Shack, located on University Drive in Lauderhill. Chin then called police and reported the incident.

The two suspects showed up to the restaurant expecting to make the exchange but were arrested by detectives instead, reports say. During questioning following their arrests, McQueen and Brown both allegedly admitted to taking part in the scheme. However, reports say both of the suspects claimed the other orchestrated the plan.

While cell phone crimes are increasingly common in this day and age, not all crimes involve technology. Jennifer Morrow and Andrea Mobley of Ocala were arrested Wednesday after they were accused of stealing swimsuits and beef jerky from an area Wal-Mart, reports say. Morrow, 38, and Mobley, 36, were booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of petty theft. It is unclear whether they qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

According to reports, Morrow and Mobley are longtime friends who hadn't seen one another in a while. They recently drafted up a bucket list of things they wanted to do together. Reports say that one of the things on their list was to steal from a retail store.

Continue reading "Chloe McQueen and Sonia Brown of Miami, Florida Arrested for Extortion" »

Miami Beach, Florida's popular Urban Beach Weekend is seeing fewer crimes this year. 131 people were arrested during the first two days of the event, 32 less than were arrested in the first two days of last year's event, news sources report. Information regarding the defendants' identities was not immediately available following the press release. The arrestees were apprehended on a variety of charges, including disorderly intoxication, disorderly conduct, and unspecified drug charges. It is currently unclear whether any of them qualified for bail or hired defense attorneys.

According to reports, the Miami Beach Police Department has been operating a special Urban Beach operation every Memorial Day weekend for the last several years. The operation beefs up officers on the streets, who patrol on foot, horseback, using ATVs, and, in some areas, watch the streets via bird's-eye view cameras. The operation also sets up roadblocks and checkpoints to catch DUI drivers. The operation targets anybody breaking the law during the busy Memorial Day celebration.

Of the 131 arrests, 44 were related to drugs; 12 stemmed from disorderly conduct and 6 were related to disorderly intoxication, according to reports. Sources say 56 of the arrested were Miami Beach Locals; 32 were from somewhere in Florida; and 40 were from out of state.

Not everyone was pleased with the police operation, including local business owners who are worried the increases in police with detract business. "It's just a little different, because they've got a lot more controlled environment going on, but it's OK," one DJ told reporters. When asked, a tourist from New York said, "We ain't doing nothing wrong, so we don't care."

In other news, Thomas R. Quinlan and Joshua Craver of Boynton Beach were arrested Wednesday after Quinlan, 23, allegedly got into an unoccupied police vehicle to try to free a police dog while Craver, 23, filmed. Quinlan and Craver were booked into the Palm Beach County Jail; Quinlan faces charges of burglary to an emergency vehicle and resisting an officer without violence, while Craver faces one count of resisting an officer without violence. Quinlan's bond was set at $2,500; Craver was released on unspecified conditions. It is unclear whether either defendant hired legal representation.

According to reports, the incident occurred Wednesday morning outside of a business on South Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach. An officer parked his car and went inside the business. Meanwhile, Craver and Quinlan approached the scene and noticed a police K-9 in the back of the officer's car.

Continue reading "131 Arrested in During Miami Beach, Florida's Urban Beach Weekend" »

Andrew Santana of Miami, Florida was arrested Friday after he was accused of intentionally crashing into another vehicle during a bout of road rage, news sources report. The other vehicle reportedly contained a family of four; luckily, it does not appear as though anyone was seriously injured. Santana, 30, was booked into the Port St. Lucie County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a traffic crash and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail bond. The press did not list a lawyer for Santana.

According to reports, Kelley and Karen Holloway and their children, ages 5 and 10, were traveling near along Port St. Lucie Boulevard Friday evening. They came to a stop at the red-light intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway. Santana's vehicle pulled up behind the family's car and began to spin its tires, sources say,

When the light turned green, the family proceeded onward. Santana allegedly followed close behind, then pulled up next to them and began to shout expletives at them. Sources say Santana then slammed his GMC truck into the side of victims' vehicle. The collision reportedly smashed off the victims' side-view mirror.

Sources say the family pulled to the side of the road and parked; Santana parked as well and exited his vehicle. Reports say Santana shouted at the victims, telling them to exit their vehicle as well. Kelly Holloway, who reports say uses crutches to walk, got out of the vehicle and confronted Santana. At that point, Santana climbed back into his vehicle and left the scene, reports say.

Worried about their children, the Holloways called police and reported the incident. Detectives tracked down and arrested Santana later that evening. It is unclear whether anyone was injured.

In other news, Eduardo Rodriguez of Pierson was arrested Monday after he was accused of breaking into a schoolmate's home with the intention of raping her, a press release form the Volusia County Sheriff's Office says. Rodriguez, 18, was booked into the county jail on charges stemming from the incident. His bail bond was set at $101,000. It is unclear whether he hired legal representation.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 1:00 Monday morning at the victim's home. Rodriguez allegedly disguised himself with a bandana and climbed through the victim's bedroom window. Sources say he then lifted a blanket off the victim and touched her leg. "I woke up, and I felt something. I felt him looking at me. I woke up, and he was right there," the victim said.

Continue reading "Andrew Santana of Miami, Florida Arrested for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon" »

Roberto Marrero and Sandra Fernandez Viera of Miami, Florida were arrested Tuesday for allegedly participating in a scheme to defraud Medicare out of $20 million, news sources report. The arrests were part of a nationwide strike force that netted 90 arrests throughout the country. Marrero and Viera were booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of defrauding Medicare. It is unclear whether they qualified for bail. It is also unknown whether they hired legal aid.

According to reports, Marrero is an actor of Cuban descent who has appeared in television shows such as Unsolved Mysteries, Miami Vice, and America's Most Wanted. In addition to recently marrying his wife Viera, reports say Marrero built his own television studio in Allapattah. He has his own TV station in Miami, which plays television shows about Cuban culture.

From 2007 to 2010, reports say Marrero and Viera were co-owners of Trust Care Health Services in Miami. During their time with that company, Marrero and Viera allegedly submitted false bills to Medicare. The bills were for 700 patients who the defendants claimed had diabetes and were unable to inject themselves with insulin. Marrero and Viera reportedly billed Medicare for medical assistants for these patients. Marrero and Viera also allegedly billed Medicare for unnecessary physical therapy for the patients.

As part of the scheme, reports say the couple received $15 million in fraudulent payments from Medicare. Sources say Marrero withdrew $5 million from Trust Care Health Services, while Viera allegedly pocketed $400,000. However, detectives say they have "only been able to locate assets totaling a fraction of that amount. Defendants have dissipated millions of dollars in Medicare funds, and unless enjoined, will continue to dissipate the proceeds of their Medicare fraud and other assets in their possession."

Marrero and Viera were only 2 of 90 people arrested nationwide for Medicare Fraud this past week, reports say; the arrests were part of a multi-state federal operation. The arrested parties include medical professionals such as clinic owners, doctors, and nurses, all of whom defrauded around $223 million for Medicare, sources say. Twenty-five of the arrests were Florida, which was recently crowned the fraud capitol of the country.

Continue reading "Roberto Marrero and Sandra Fernandez Viera of Miami, Florida Arrested for Medicare Fraud; 88 Others Arrested Nationwide" »

Catalina Marista Bruno of Kendall, Florida was arrested Thursday for allegedly leaving her 11-month old son, Bryan Miguel Osceola, in her car unattended for several hours, news sources report. The boy reportedly died as a result of the incident. Bruno, 30, was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of aggravated manslaughter; her bail was set at $250,000. It is unclear whether Bruno has hired a defense attorney.

Reports say Bruno was out on pretrial release during this latest incident, which occurred this past week. Bruno is apparently awaiting trial for another case involving her son and her car. In November 2012, officers allegedly found her asleep and intoxicated in the driver's seat of her car with her son in the passenger seat. The child was 5 months old at the time. Bruno was charged with DUI and child neglect for the purported offense.

In this more recent occurrence, Bruno allegedly placed Osceola in a car seat in the back of her Chevy Impala and drove to her residence on Southwest 150th Place. Bruno got out of her vehicle, purportedly forgot about Osceola, and went inside. Hours after Bruno allegedly returned home, Amos Osceola, the boy's father and Bruno's boyfriend, asked about his son's whereabouts. Bruno remembered that the baby was in the car and ran out to check on him, sources indicate.

Bruno and the father found the child unresponsive and rushed him to Kendall Regional Hospital. The baby had a body temperature of 109 degrees when he arrived at the hospital; he later died, according to reports. During a court hearing after the incident, a Miami-Dade County Judge ordered that, Bruno have no unsupervised contact with children if she is released on bail. The judge also ordered that she wear an ankle monitor and be put on house arrest, as well as be restricted from driving, if she is released. Bruno reportedly has two more children; it is not currently known whether this arrest will affect her custody rights.

In other news, Brian Blake Bienvenu of Delray Beach was arrested Thursday after he was accused of driving around naked and stealing a motorcycle, reports say. Bienvenu, 24, was booked into police custody on charges stemming from the incident. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Catalina Marista Bruno of Kendall, Florida Arrested for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child" »

Adolfo Guzman of Miami Beach, Florida was arrested Sunday for allegedly strapping his 12-year-old son to a concrete pole for several hours as a form of punishment, news sources report. Guzman, 49, was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of aggravated child abuse for the alleged assault. He was later released after posting $50,000 bail. The press did not specify a lawyer for Guzman.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Saturday. The victim had reportedly gone missing from his house for several hours and failed to tell Guzman where he had gone. When the victim returned home later, Guzman "warned [the victim] he would tie him up if he continued to wander off," a police report says.

On Sunday, the victim purportedly left home to go to a friend's house, again without telling his father. The victim stayed at the home for several hours. When the victim returned home later that day, Guzman led him to a laundry pole outside of their apartment. Sources say Guzman used a bicycle lock to fasten the victim's ankles to the concrete laundry pole.

Reports say Guzman went shopping, leaving the child strapped to the pole. During that time, a group of Jehovah's Witnesses spotted the tethered victim and contacted the police, sources say. The victim reportedly said the bike lock was hurting his ankles, and the Miami Beach Fire Department freed the victim from the pole. "I've never seen this before," a police spokesperson said. "You shouldn't even be chaining a dog up to a pole, much less your own son."

The victim does not appear to have sustained any serious injuries in the alleged incident. When asked, the victim told detectives that his father had strapped him to the pole to keep him from leaving without permission. Guzman returned home a few hours later and was placed under arrest. During a court hearing the next day, a county judge ordered that Guzman have no contact with his child until the case is resolved. The boy in question does not appear to agree with the arrest. "I was feeling bad because it all was my fault," The victim apparently told reporters. He's innocent, so it's all my fault."

In other news, Jennifer L. Holman of Jacksonville was arrested Sunday for allegedly driving drunk with her 6-year-old son in the car, reports say. Holman, 28, was booked into St. John's County Jail on unspecified charges. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Adolfo Guzman of Miami Beach, Florida Arrested for Aggravated Child Abuse" »

Caycie Blake Flitman of Miami-Dade County, Florida was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of fleeing the scene of a car accident, news sources report. Flitman, 29, was booked into the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. She was later released after posting a $500 bail bond. It is currently unclear whether Flitman has hired a defense lawyer.

According to reports, Flitman began working for the Florida Attorney's Office in August 2009. Sources say she works in the office's intake unit and her responsibilities included handling documents for new cases. A spokesperson for the office says Flitman's employment status is currently under review; she may be fired pending the outcome of the case.

Reports say the incident occurred on Monday on South Dixie Highway near the intersection of Southwest 27th Avenue. Flitman allegedly made an "improper" lane change on the highway, struck the vehicle driving next to her, and fled the scene. The other driver called 911 and followed Flitman until she pulled over, sources say.

The victim claims Flitman got out of her car, swore and shouted at him, and fled the scene once more. Sources say the victim was able to give police Flitman's license plate number as she was driving away. Detectives used the plate's numbers to track down and arrest Flitman the next day. Reports did not say whether the victim or Flitman was injured in the collision, nor did they specify whether Filtman admitted to the incident.

In other news, Maria M. Almarales of Miami was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly stole two wallets from a Bloomingdales, reports say. Detectives later allegedly found that Almarales was in possession of a fake I.D. and 12 stolen credit cards. Almarales, 36, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of retail theft, criminal use of personal identification, and possession of a forged, stolen or counterfeit license. A judge ordered she be held in lieu of $54,000 bail. It is unclear whether Almarales hired legal representation.

According to reports, the theft occurred at a Bloomingdales inside The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens. Almarales reportedly entered the store and made her way to a wallet rack. There, she picked up two Michael Kors wallets. The store's security reportedly watched as Almarales carried the two wallets to the children's department, where she allegedly stood behind a clothes rack and stuffed them in her purse. Sources say Almarales later went to the shoe department and tried on a pair of shoes before leaving the store without paying for the two wallets.

Continue reading "Caycie Blake Flitman of Miami-Dade County, Florida Arrested for Hit-and-Run" »