Alex Gordon and Carlos Wall have helped more than 3,500 people accused of DUI, felony, and Reckless Driving charges in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William County.
Recent Posts
- 14-year-old charged with half-sister’s murder
- Dentist Pulls Out All Of Ex-Boyfriend’s Teeth
- New GLF Website Focused on Fairfax Criminal Defense Attorney, Carlos Wall
- Things Not to Do: Attempt to Sell Drugs to Your Former Probation Officer
- Flawed F.B.I Forensic Work May Have Led to Conviction of Innocent People
- Incredible! Seventh-Grader Stops Run-Away Bus After Driver Has a Heart Attack.
- Here’s a Licence Plate That I Wouldn’t Recommend to Some of My Former Clients
- Texas Man Throws Dogs Into Fire Pit
- Falsely Imprisoned Virginia Man Will Receive $1 Million in Restitution After 27 Years in Prison
- Keep Your Eyes Peeled, There’s a Flasher on the Loose in Lorton
- Gordon Law Firm Launches New Loudon County Reckless Driving Resource
- Guilty Plea in Woodbridge, Virginia Chick-fil-a Shooting
- Trayvon Martin Story Makes its Way to Washington, DC, Victims Family to Appear on Capitol Hill
- Virginia Student Rally Highlights Area Connections to the Trayvon Martin Killing
- Virginia Governor Restoring Felons’ Rights at a Faster Rate than Predecessors, Some Say Not Fast Enough
Navy Man Acquitted in DUI and Manslaughter Trial May Still Face Military Court Martial
March 26, 2012
U.S. Navy Petty Officer, Richard Freeman has been acquitted on DUI and aggravated involuntary manslaughter charges relating to a July 2009 motor vehicle crash that killed two passengers. Freeman was driving a BMW that crashed into a tree. Freeman was carrying four passengers at the time.
Fellow sailor, Cameron Richardson and a nurse, Lauren Kok died in the crash. A third passenger, Tom Jaskel was paralyzed and suffered brain damage. A fourth passenger, Ryan Petrosky was not injured in the crash. Freemen himself received only cuts and bruises.
A prosecution witness testified at trial that Freeman’s blood alcohol level (0.13) exceeded the state limit for drunk driving (0.08). Freeman claimed that he had stopped drinking two hours before getting behind the wheel of his car.
At trial Freeman’s attorney described the passengers as loud and disruptive. Freeman also stated that he blacked out behind the wheel after being struck in the head prior to crashing into a tree.
Despite the civil court acquittal, the Navy is moving ahead with plans for a Freeman Court Martial. Military prosecutors have recommended that Freeman be brought up on three charges of “drunken or reckless operation of a vehicle” and “two counts of bring discredit upon the armed services.”
Rear Admiral Tim Alexander will ultimately make the decision about whether to move forward with a Freeman court martial. Notably, military prospections can take place concurrently with a civilian prosecution on the same incident because the two are not considered a single sovereign entity.
For more details on the case, visit HamptonRoads.com
Massive Heroin Bust at Dulles International Airport
March 22, 2012
On March 14 a 52 year-old woman arrived at Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Virginia on a flight from Nigeria and was discovered to have ingested 180 pellets of heroin totaling nearly five pounds of the illegal drug.
This was the largest seizure ever for an ingested drug in Washington, DC and the second sizable seizure of ingested heroin at the airport in the last year. The woman was taken to Alexandria Federal Court and charged with attempting to import heroin.
An incomplete immigration card caught authorities’ attention and upon a secondary screening, airport security observed that the woman’s abdomen seemed to be “unnaturally rigid.” An X-ray revealed that the woman was smuggling $150,000 worth of heroin.
Drug smuggling operations from Latin America and Africa targeting the Dulles airport are an increasing problem due to the expanded number of direct flights to the area from those regions, according to authorities.
The Washington Examiner has further details on the story, including a link to the criminal complaint.
Meth Kingpin Spends Drug Money on Another Addiction, Comic Books
March 7, 2012
Some drug kingpins buy fancy sports cars, diamond encrusted baubles or expensive homes. Crystal meth maestro, Aaron Castro of Commerce City, Colorado had a different way of flaunting his ill-gotten gains: comics books. What began as marginally clever way to launder his drug money through a comics book shop front business apparently turned into an obsession.
According to accomplices Castro forked over an alarming about of his filthy lucre to buy 18,753 comics, including many rare, high-priced first editions. Castro spent so much money on comics in fact (by some estimates $500,000 in all) that his multi-million dollar meth business reportedly suffered frequent cash-flow problems as a result.
Castro was arrested in 2009, along with 40 others including his brother, Alfonzo. The brothers were accused of running a substantial meth trafficking operation that brought large quantities of Mexico-produced crystal meth into Colorado from Arizona. Authorities estimate the brother’s operation moved as much as 100,000 doses per month, worth in excess of $2 million.
In November of 2011 Aaron Castro plead guilty to a variety of charges and was sentenced to 45 years in prison. The comics collection will live on. Along with Castro’s other more mundane possessions, all 18,000+ comics were auctioned off via the U.S. Marshall’s website. The collection drew over 100 bids with a closing price of over $125,000.
Purcellville Woman Found Guilty For Children’s Tardiness
March 6, 2012
On February 29th, she was found guilty of the three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor (class 1 misdemeanors) and was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and $3,000 in court fees.
Maureen Blake, 42, of Purcellville, was served a warrant on January 21st informing her that she must appear in court on the charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She faced three counts for each of her children because of their constant tardiness and absents in Lincoln Elementary School located in western Loudoun County.
Blake had previous charges for the same issue back in 2010. She pleaded no contest and was required to pay $1,859 in court fines for her four children at the time.
Blake’s 7-year old was late 11 times, her 9-year-old 9 times, and her 10-year-old 10 times between September 2010 and January 19th, 2012.
Her children have only been late twice since she was arrested.
Blake defended herself saying she had ADHD which affected driving them to school on time.
“I have outsourced the driving which is helpful as the driver is less prone to misplace things like glasses and keys and purse as I am prone to do at times,” Blake said.
“I hired a life coach two years ago, as well as have had therapists and counselors over the years both individually and for my children to work on family issues,” she continued. “I currently have two doctors I work with to manage my own medical issues in conjunction with my life coach, medication and support of medical care and friends who are supportive in assisting are essential for me to remain organized and successful.”
Loudoun County Public Information Officer Wayde Byard, stated that the Juvenile and Domestic Relations judges have asked the school system to report excessive tardies and absences to them.
“This is not a position we want parents to be in,” Byard stated.
He said the schools speak to the parents before taking the next step which is reporting them to the judges. He made it clear that they do not issue any summons or send out the deputies to the children’s homes, and that it is all up to the court to decide what to do.
Parents are required to sign a student rights and responsibilities packet that has the school’s attendance policy. Under the policy, it states that after 15 or more consecutive absences or excessive tardies, the Virginia Administrative Code requires the student to be dropped from attendance. After that, the principle is the one who disciplines the child. The policy also states that a minimum of five unexcused absences, a guardian or parent must provide the school a note from a physician stating their reason of absence.
The much publicized Denicore family was also summoned for their three children for excessive tardiness as well. Mark Denicore, who is lawyer, said if he lost the case, he could face up to $3,000 in fines and potentially lose his license to practice.
The Denicore family will be appearing in court on March 14th. To see more information about their case, here is a link.
Man Sentenced After Botched Robbery That Left Friend Dead
March 1, 2012
Samuel Thomas Eaton and two friends; Scott Walker and Anthony Miles, planned to rob a home off Kennedy Road in Sterling, Virginia. Eaton knew the layout well from previous drug deals at the home and knew where the safe was.
The men entered the home armed with wielding knives and a pellet gun and forced the owner to open the safe. At the time they didn’t know that the owner was able to retrieve a 9-millimeter pistol which he fired at Walker.
Walker was shot in the chest with the 9-millimeter pistol, but was able to escape the home with Eaton.
The owner and Miles struggled until the owner grabbed another firearm and shot Miles twice.
Miles was pronounced dead at the scene and Walker survived.
“This case is a prime example of the dangerous culture that illegal narcotics can bring to our community as well as the harsh consequences that can result for all involved,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman said.
Loudoun County Judge Burke F. McCahill sentenced 28-year-old Samuel Thomas Eaton to a five year jail term for attempted robbery and a seven year stint on a burglary charge that occurred on February 10, 2011.
Walker is scheduled to be sentenced May 11th, 2012.