Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog

James W. Bruce, a 73-year-old grandfather, was arrested last Thursday on three counts of bank robbery.  Bruce told deputies that he that he needed to pay his mortgage.  This most recent arrest is just one in a recent "crime wave" by senior citizens in the Tampa area, which has left some puzzled.  During the last two months, 29 people over the age of 70 and 42 people from ages 66-70 have been arrested.  Even more surprising, these offenses are not minor traffic violations but include domestic battery [two cases], robbery [two cases], grand theft [three cases], aggravated assault and driving under the influence [five cases].

"We always assume age leads to wisdom but that is not necessarily the case," said Musca.  "Such a large number of arrests of senior citizens might strike one as strange at first blush," Musca explained, "but when the economy is bad and unemployment is high, desperation can set in."  Musca also pointed out that even spikes in cases of DUI and domestic violence are not unusual during stressful economic times.

Just last month, Pasco Sheriff's deputies charged Harold Van Horn, a 66 year-old-man, of robbing three banks.  According to the reports, Van Horn had been drifting between various hotels along U.S. 19, when he robbed a Regions Bank twice and a Fifth Third Bank.  Van Horn told deputies that he traveled to Florida when he lost his job in Ohio and turned to robbing banks to support himself.

There are other recent examples of this unusual trend.  Mary Joan Webb, age 77, was arrested and charged in December with grand theft for stealing $534 of merchandise from Macy's at Westshore Plaza.  In another incident, Lieutenant Johnson, age 73 and his wife, age 72, were recently charged with robbery using a firearm.  Johnson had no previous arrest record in Florida according to state records.  In yet another example, Pasco County sheriff's deputies arrested and charged Milo Dakic, age 73, with selling a $20,000 excavator that he did not own.

Continue reading "Attorney Musca Discusses Senior Citizen "Crime Spree" ! " »

In a bizarre rampage, Andre Rodne Watkins was arrested after a carjacking and shooting rampage that left one person dead, two people critically injured and Watkins in jail.  The rampage started when someone who had known Watkins for 5 years let Watkins in his F-150 pickup truck.  Once inside the vehicle, Watkins pulled a 45-caliber handgun from his waistband and ordered the driver to take him to Chadbourne Drive.  Alyssa Aracich who was in the backseat of her red Pontiac Sunfire was killed when Watkins arrived on the scene and started shooting at the car.  Two friends of Aracich who were also in the car fled.  Watkins gave chase and continued shooting but the friends escaped unharmed.

After shooting Aracich, Watkins forced the driver of the F-150 to take Watkins back to his car, which was parked at a 7-Eleven.  Watkins got in his Pontiac GTO drove to his house and switched cars getting into a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu.  Watkins drove to the home of Ariel Love and knocked on the door, but when Love answered the door, Watkins began shooting at him.  Love was shot and taken to St. Joseph's Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

According to Deputies, Watkins then drove to a BP Gas Station on Linebaugh Avenue where he asked the clerk at the store for cigarettes but then without warning opened fire.  The clerk is also in critical condition at St Joseph's Hospital.  After shooting the store clerk, Watkins then drove to the home of Demetrius Jackson, who was in his front yard.  Watkins got out of his car and again began to open fire at Jackson, who fled and escaped without injury.

A Sheriff Deputy in an unmarked police car later recognized Watkins at a Marathon gas station.  Watkins was taken into custody but tried to resist according to the report.  Watkins faces numerous criminal charges including first-degree murder, carjacking, kidnapping and attempted first-degree murder.  He made his first appearance on Sunday.  Watkin's attorney said he had to impress on his client the importance of being calm and respectful in court.  John Musca, a Florida criminal defense attorney, said, "I was surprised to hear Watkins' attorney say that Watkins needed to remain in jail right now.  It is somewhat unusual for a defense attorney to take that position especially in a statement to the public."

Continue reading "Attorney Musca Comments on Shooting Rampage by Tampa Man Andre Rodne Watkins " »

The Greenwood County Coroner Jim Coursey ruled that despite the fact that former Tampa defensive end Gaines Adams had marijuana and alcohol in his system when he died neither substance contributed to his death on January 17.  The coroner found that the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.  Adams only had a blood alcohol level of .021, which is about one-fourth the level at which it is legal to drive a car.

Adams was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the fourth overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft out of Clemson.  It was hoped that Adams would revive Tampa Bay's pass rush, but Adams never lived up to expectations.  During Adams 47 games over 3 years with the Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Adams had 67 tackles, including 13.5 sacks.  Adams did not live up to the mark set for him by Tampa coach Raheem Morris who said at the start of training came that Adams could be considered a "bust" if he did not have at least ten sacks.  He was eventually traded to Chicago in October for a second round pick in the 2010 draft.

Morris said of Adams after his death, "'[A] true team player and a positive influence on everyone he met.  My prayers go out to his family.  The Tampa Bay Buc's ownership and Tampa players were saddened by his death."  Roger Goodall, the NFL commissioner said of Adams, "I remember him at the 2007 draft as a fine young man.  Our condolences to Gaines' family, his teammates on the Bears and Buccaneers, and their organizations on their loss."  Adams teammates with both Chicago and Tampa have commented on Adams enormous potential.  "He had so much potential that had yet to be achieved, and I am very sad that the full extent of his life won't be realized," said cornerback Ronde Barber.

Continue reading "Former Tampa Defense End; Marijuana And Alcohol Were Not The Cause Of Death." »

Jeremy Lee Taff was arrested in the Tampa suburb of Clearwater and faces a federal felony interstate stalking charge while already fighting a fine and jail time on a misdemeanor conviction for harassing communications of the victim.  Court records show Taff and the victim attended the same high school in the 1990s. 

However, an affidavit of the victim indicates Taff's post graduation communications with her became annoying and then frightening in January and February of 2009.  The FBI filed an affidavit with emails from Taff including graphic descriptions of his desire to rape and sodomize the victim.  Taff will be brought back to Mobile, Alabama for a court appearance.  The U.S. Attorney's Office plans to present the case to the grand jury this month.  If he is convicted, Taff could be sentenced up to a maximum of 5 years in prison.

The woman originally sought an arrest warrant from the Daphne Police Department in March.  On October 5, Taff showed up at her home and said he wanted to take her picture.  Police arrested him later that day at a motel.  A Daphne municipal court found Taff guilty in November and sentenced him to six months in jail and a $500 fine.  Taff was out on bail while awaiting an appeal.

Taff has a history of legal and mental health problems.  According to Minnesota court records, Taff was convicted in 2003 of violating a restraining order and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years probation and an anger management program.  Taff pleaded guilty to making terrorists threats and was sentenced to three years probation and psychological counseling in 2005.  His probation was revoked in 2008 when he was sentenced to a year and a day in prison.  He was committed to a mental hospital by Minnesota courts for mental illness in 2004 and 2006.

Criminal charges for stalking, sexual assault, rape, internet solicitation and other sexual offenses can destroy your reputation and most importantly your future.   When charged with a criminal offense it is essential to have an experienced attorney on your side who will advocate aggressively for your rights.  At Musca Law, we believe that anyone accused of a crime deserves the strongest and most effective defense possible.  Contact Musca Law for an initial consultation, so we can provide you with the best possible outcome.