Suspect Arrested 5 Times While Awaiting Murder Trial

by Pete Strom on November 18, 2011

AIKEN, S.C. – Aiken Prosecutors say they will ask a judge to revoke bond for a man arrested five separate times after being charged with murder in an Aiken County shooting in 2009.

The Aiken Standard reports that 22-year-old Freddie Simpkins’ latest arrest came Tuesday on a second-degree burglary charge and he remained in jail on a $25,000 bond.

Investigators say the suspect was charged with murder in September 2009 in a drug-related shooting.  He was released on a $150,000 bond.  Since his release, the Standard has reported that he was charged with grand larceny in February 2010, simple possession of marijuana in April 2010, second-degree burglary in July 2010, and for violating the condition of his bond in October.

Most recently, Simpkin’s was arrested on a bond matter on October 6, 2011.

He was arrested yesterday for second degree burglary, and is currently being held in the Aiken County Detention Center.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

9 College Students Charged with Hazing

by Pete Strom on November 16, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

WLTX-TV is reporting that deputies in Florence County have arrested nine students in a fraternity and charged them with hazing after one incident left a member of the fraternity in the hospital.

The suspects are all  members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, including three students at Francis Marion University and six alumni. Authorities say the men paddled the pledge so badly he had kidney damage.

Authorities say all nine men have been released on personal recognizance bonds. South Carolina Law says hazing is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $500 or up to a year in jail.

The national Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and the university have suspended the Francis Marion chapter pending an investigation.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer

Getting Arrested Does Not Mean You Are Guilty

Being arrested or investigated for a crime can mean many things. What it does not mean is that you are guilty or that you have no rights. For experienced criminal defense attorneys who will fight for you whether the case involves a drug possession misdemeanor or felony drug trafficking and murder charges — call or contact us in Columbia, South Carolina, today. 803.252.4800

 

 

 

Thieves Steal Police Cruiser Wheels

by Pete Strom on November 16, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – The Post and Courier in Charleston is reporting the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office is in the market for a new set of tires.

Authorities say some rubber-hungry thieves stole a brand new set of tires off a Dorchester County sheriff’s car Monday night and then left the squad car sitting on cinderblocks.

Deputies claimed they left the new squad car at Mr. Sign on East 5th North Street so workers could detail the car with badges and other law enforcement markings.

Sheriff’s Major John Garrison said it must have been too tempting a target sitting in the lot overnight.

When shop manager Jamie Lucarelli arrived at the shop yesterday morning at 7:30, he said the cruiser was just sitting on cement blocks the thieves had brought with them.

“They jacked it up, grabbed the wheels and took off,” Lucarelli said. “They were brave.”

Lucarelli told the Charleston Post and Courier that the shop is located in a pretty highly traveled well lit area and that the risk must have been worth the reward, which he values at approximately $1,600.

Authorities say for now they do not have any leads or suspects.

This is the second time in that last year that the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office has been victimized by bandits.

About a year ago, thieves cut through the fence at the agency’s evidence compound and got away with 225 pounds of copper wiring recovered from previous thefts.

“It just shows nobody is immune,” Major Garrison said. “If they’ll take it from us, they’ll take it from anybody.”

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

Ohio Worker Accused of Biting Voter’s Nose during Argument

by Pete Strom on November 11, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

CLEVELAND, OH  – The Washington Post is reporting that an Ohio poll worker who is suspected of trying to bite off the nose of a voter during an Election Day argument surrendered to sheriff’s deputies yesterday.

Cleveland Police spokesman Sgt. Sammy Morris said the suspect turned himself in at the Justice Center, which houses police headquarters and the courts, and was jailed to await possible charges.  

The 53-year-old man is accused of trying to bite off the nose of a voter who helped a campaign volunteer in an argument over signs posted near a Cleveland polling place earlier this week.

Authorities say the head-butting and nose-biting landed one man in a hospital for treatment. “I’m glad that he turned himself in because that’s the first right decision he’s made in the last 24 hours,” the victim said after learning the suspect turned himself in.

The suspect was an Election Day rover, checking for voting problems. The elections board said the suspect had a clean record and had assisted with eight elections since 2006,  but will not be hired in the future. The police incident report says the victim tried to intervene in an argument the suspect was having with a woman about whether a campaign sign was too close to the polling place.

According to the Police Report,  the victim said, “measure the distance if you are concerned, and don’t be an ass,” 

In response, the named suspect grabbed the victim around the neck, head-butted him in between the eyes, then pulled his head close to him and tried to bite his nose off.”

According to Board Director Jane Platten,  immediately after the argument the suspect then fled in his car, called the elections board, and was told to stay away from the polling place.

“My main purpose was to defuse the situation and to protect the woman,” The victim said Wednesday.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney

Shaq told Kobe “I Will Kill You”

by Pete Strom on November 2, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

(USA TODAY) –  Back during the 2003-2004 NBA season Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were feuding over the partnership that won three straight NBA Championships.

Shaq allegedly got so fed up with Kobe discussing his weight and injuries during a TV interview with former NBC and CBS sportscaster Jim Gray that he threatened to kill his teammate, according to a new autobiography Shaq Uncut: My Story, co-written by ESPN Around the Horn panelist Jackie MacMullan.

Here’s an excerpt from his new book where Shaq recalls the confrontation with Kobe after Bryant was charged with sexual assault while also taking a swipe at Gray who went on to co-perpetrate the made-for-TV LeBron James/ESPN disaster The Decision:

Kobe stands up and goes face-to-face with me and says, “You always said you’re my big brother, you’d do anything for me, and then this Colorado thing happens and you never even called me.”

I did call him. … So here we are now, and we find out he really was hurt that we didn’t stand behind him. That was something new. I didn’t think he gave a rat’s ass about us either way.

“Well, I thought you’d publicly support me, at least,” Kobe said. “You’re supposed to be my friend.” Brian Shaw chimed in with “Kobe, why would you think that? Shaq had all these parties and you never showed up for any of them. We invited you to dinner on the road and you didn’t come. Shaq invited you to his wedding and you weren’t there. Then you got married and didn’t invite any of us. And now you are in the middle of this problem, this sensitive situation, and now you want all of us to step up for you. We don’t even know you.” …

Everyone was starting to calm down when I told Kobe, “If you ever say anything like what you said to Jim Gray ever again, I will kill you.”

Kobe shrugged and said, “Whatever.”…From that day on, I was done dealing with Kobe. I was done dealing with Jim Gray, too. What goes around, comes around. When he got fired, he actually had the nerve to call me and ask me to help him out. What, did you lose Kobe’s number?

O’Neal retired from the NBA earlier this year and immediately jointed TNT’s Inside the NBA.  The league is currently locked out.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

 

 

Jon & Kate TV Editor Arrested for Child Porn Possession

by Pete Strom on November 1, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

Los Angeles, CA - A 56-year-old TV editor who worked on “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ and other cable reality shows featuring kids has been charged with possession of child pornography.

According to Yahoo News, documents obtained by RadarOnline say William Blankinship was arrested October 21 in North Carolina as part of an FBI sting.  He has been charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Blankinship is a subcontractor for Figure 8 Films, and has worked on TLC shows including

  •  ”Jon and Kate Plus 8,”
  • spin-off “Kate Plus 8,”
  • “17 Kids and Counting” and
  • “Table for 12.”

No bond has been set yet for Blankinship, who remains under the authority of U.S. Marshals.

Figure 8 Films released a statement to US Weekly that said: “Bill Blankinship was employed by Serious Robots, with whom Figure 8 Films subcontract for editing services. Upon learning of the shocking allegations, his employment was terminated.”

The statement went on to say that “at no time was this man ever in the field or in direct contract with any of the talent from any of our productions.”

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

Is Pleading Guilty Better?

by Pete Strom on October 28, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

If you are arrested in South Carolina and your criminal charge is pending in General Sessions Court or Magistrate’s Court, you have the option to plead guilty or not guilty.

The decision of whether to plead guilty in South Carolina  should only be made after obtaining the advice of a criminal defense attorney.  Your life and welfare are at stake.

A guilty plea can have lasting consequences beyond a fine or prison sentence including the loss of your right to carry a firearm, custody or visitation with your children, lifetime registration on the sex offender registry as well as professional consequences that can wreck your livelihood and end your career.

Centrally located in Columbia, South Carolina, the criminal defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC understand what is at stake. We have the skills and the resources to help you determine how to proceed.  We offer free consultations to help you decide your best course of action.

What Happens if I Decide to Plead Guilty?

If you decide to plead guilty after receiving the advice of an attorney, you will attend a guilty plea hearing before a judge who is assigned to your case.

Click here to read about state sentencing.

By: Pete Strom, South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney

87-Year-Old Arrested Driving with $2.9 Million in Cocaine

by Pete Strom on October 26, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorneys

(Detroit Free Press) – Federal Authorities say an elderly man was swerving on the highway which prompted police to pull him over.  That turned into a major drug bust for state police, who discovered 104 bricks of cocaine stashed in the 87-year-old man’s pickup truck.

That’s approximately $2.9 million worth of cocaine.

In U.S. District Court on Monday, the driver, Leo Sharp of Michigan City, did not offer a full explanation about what happened.   He stated to the magistrate that he was forced at gunpoint to haul the cocaine, until his attorney stepped in and advised him to just answer the judge’s questions.

Attorney Ray Richards claimed this was his client’s first time being in the federal court system, and was likely confused by the questioning.

“I’m sure it was quite an experience for him,” said Richards, who described the man as “an eclectic client who found himself in a pretty significant situation.”

“He’s very intelligent,” Richards said of his client. “This will be my first actual drug case where the accused is this old. I’ve never seen it. It’s different.”

According to Richards, the suspect, who is married with children, works full time growing legitimate, exotic plants for a horticulture company in Indiana.   During the 1960s, Sharp also ran a Las Vegas tour company in Detroit and has held several jobs since then.

Court records claim that a state trooper on Friday pulled Sharp over on I-94 near Ann Arbor for following too closely and improper lane use. The trooper asked the suspect for permission to search his car, but Sharp refused.

Records state the drug sniffing dog K-9 Apollo, was called to the scene and found the cocaine stashed in black bags in the bed of his pickup truck.

Sharp, who was released on bond, said he wants to write a book about his experience.

Richards said he doesn’t blame his client.

“To be 87 years old and to be facing these kinds of criminal charges, especially in federal court?” Richards said. “He’s seen it all … and now he has to fight for his life.”

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

Traffic Tickets

by Pete Strom on October 21, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers

Whether you are running late, or simply not paying attention and driving too fast, the last thing that you want to see in your rearview mirror are  blue lights.  If you receive a traffic ticket, it is important to understand that more than a simple fine for your traffic ticket may be at stake. Call the Strom Law Firm, LLC for a no cost consultation to discuss whether our firm may be able to help you protect your driving record.  Whether you have been charged with:

  • speeding,
  • following too closely,
  • driving under suspension, DUS
  • DUI,
  • driving without insurance,
  • careless driving, or
  • reckless driving

we may be able to help. Many people do not consider that in addition to any fine that you may be forced to pay for your traffic ticket, you can lose points off of your driver’s license, and you may be forced to pay increased insurance premiums.

When making your decision about how to best handle your traffic ticket, you need to make sure that you make an informed decision and understand the consequences of  how you plea.  A plea of guilty, nolo contendere, which means that you are not admitting guilt but that you do not contest the charge, or simply forfeiting your bond are all considered a conviction in South Carolina.

In SC, if you accumulate a total of 12 points your license may be suspended.  Your license may also be suspended if you fail to pay your traffic ticket within 12 months of the day it is issued.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Contact the criminal defense attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to see how we can help.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Pete Strom

Famous Rapper Soulja Boy Arrested

by Pete Strom on October 18, 2011

South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers

TMZ is reporting that famous rapper Soulja Boy was arrested early this morning for possession of marijuana.  According to the report, law enforcement officials allegedly found a great deal of weed and cash during the arrest.

The 21-year-old entertainment star whose real name DeAndre Cortez Way was arrested at 3:15 a.m. by Temple Police Department officers in Georgia.

Authorities say Soulja was in a car with four other men, which was originally pulled over for a traffic violation.  Soulja and the four men were all arrested. Soulja is currently being held in Carrol County Jail.

Officers also found guns inside the car.  However, it is unclear if any of the men had the proper licenses to be in possession of the firearms.

The investigation is still ongoing, and all parties are innocent until proven guilty.

As reported by TMZ, one source with knowledge of the situation claims that there was roughly $70,000 in cash and drugs in the car.

By: South Carolina Criminal Defense Attorney Pete Strom

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