Tampa Criminal Lawyer Blog

A Hillsborough County man has been charged with kidnapping his own infant son. The defendant, 22-year old Jason Foster, allegedly took his son from his Tampa home and then texted the child mother's threatening that she would never see her child again. Foster has no custody rights to the six month old infant and does not reside with the child's mother.

Officers got into touch with Foster via telephone and explained the harsh criminal implications developing from his actions. The suspect responded by laughing into the receiver and hanging up on law enforcement. The deputies later made physical contact with the suspect and arrested him on kidnapping and possession of marijuana charges. Foster acted as if the charges were humorous and admitted to police that he "will take the child again whenever he wanted to..." Foster is awaiting trial inside the Orient Road Jail without bond.

Another individual has been arrested in connection to brawl that occurred in at a Rocky Point wedding reception Sunday. The incident occurred after a wedding guest through dollar bills at dancing children. Another guest felt this individual acted inappropriately and words were exchanged. A full fight broke out involving 30-40 people.

The 74-year old grandmother of the groom, Mary Wright, tried to intervene and stop the brawl. The defendant, 26-year old Sandra Felita Dean, allegedly attempted to choke the elderly woman. Officers tried to stop Dean from leaving the scene with her infant child not strapped in a car seat. The police learned that the defendant possessed a suspended license from repeated Tampa traffic tickets.

Dean fled on foot into the crowd before officers could place her under arrest. A pick-up notice was issued and eventually took her into custody yesterday. Dean faces charges of felony battery on a person older than 65, driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license and obstructing an officer without violence. If she is convicted on all charges, she could face a consecutive sentence of up to 7 years behind bars.

Officers responded to the scene of a man threatening to kill his wife with a machete. The incident occurred this weekend at 2:30 a.m. at a residence located at 8100 North Marks Street, Tampa. Police arrested the defendant, 38-year old Virticee Lamar Thompson, after he allegedly acted out "in a fit of rage" towards his wife of five years by swinging a machete in her direction.

Thompson claimed that he planned on killing his wife and then himself. The victim's 16-year old daughter witnessed the event. Thompson now faces charges of aggravated assault and violation of sexual battery probation.

A Spring Hill doctor's employee has been arrested on charges of drug trafficking and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery. The employee for Dr. Vincent Alia, 33-year old Kimberly Erin McGivern, allegedly contacted Walgreens Pharmacy and placed orders for two false prescriptions of Xanax and hydrocodone. She has only worked for the doctor since August of this year. McGivern used another employee's name when she contacted the pharmacy without Dr. Alia's permission or consent.

The defendant admitted to police that she suffered from a prescription drug problem and to falsely obtaining the prescription medication. The police have arrested McGivern on felony charges of trafficking in drugs and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forgery. She is currently being held inside the Hernando County Jail on $105,000.

Officers arrested a Tampa man for drugs and allegedly punching a deputy in the face. The police approached a black SUV with an unassigned tag at the intersection of North Mobley Street and West Charlotte Street in Plant City. The defendant, Emilio Perez Lopez, attempted to flee and the officers followed. Lopez jumped out of the SUV on foot and attempted to jump a fence.

The officers pulled the suspect off the fence and a struggle ensued. The police tried to administer a taser gun, but it malfunctioned. Other officers had to assist in restraining Lopez before he was eventually apprehended. A pat down search of the suspect revealed two clear plastic bags containing the drugs cocaine and methamphetamine.

A convicted Polk County felon allegedly cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet, ignored his probation sentence and skipped town. The Court convicted the defendant, 42-year old Manuel Lopez, of aggravated stalking of a fourteen year old victim in 2008. Lopez was ordered to serve a sentence of probation, house arrest and wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.

The defendant failed to appear at a hearing this week and the authorities later discovered that the electronic monitoring bracelet had been tampered with. Officers believe that Lopez is on the run with his 73-year old father. The men were last seen by neighbors leaving the home that they shared together.

Authorities have located the defendant's abandoned vehicle. The police have reason to believe that Lopez is hiding in or around the Nashville, Tennessee area. When found, the defendant will likely face additional criminal charges for violating probation. As of this time, Lopez is still at large.

A Palm Harbor army reservist has been arrested for domestic battery and felony attempted sexual battery against his girlfriend. The defendant, 27-year old Patrick Doyle, allegedly became enraged with his girlfriend when she did not bring him home dinner. The victim stated to police that Doyle had been drinking, spit on her and then tried to force her to engage in sex.

The victim refused the defendant's advances and the Doyle retaliated. He is accused of hitting his girlfriend, throwing a chair and lit cigarettes at her, chasing her around their home and threatening her. The victim stated she managed to escape her boyfriend's attack by kicking him in the chest in self defense.

Doyle joined the Army Reserve in June 2005. He is ranked as Sergeant of Medical Command as a veterinary food inspector. The defendant has twice been convicted of the crime of driving under the influence since the year 2000.

Officers arrested a Tampa suspect who allegedly brought his five year old daughter to a drug deal. Undercover officers witnessed the defendant, 28 year old Anton Hernandez, leave his vehicle with his young daughter inside. Hernandez then placed an unmarked black bag onto the doorstep of a residence. Officers retrieved the black bag and discovered a small clear bag containing a rock like substance.

The rock substance tested positive for cocaine. Tampa officers arrested Hernandez and charged him with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and child neglect. He has not posted the required $17,000 bond and remains inside the Orient Road Jail.

Florida law considers the crime of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute a felony offense. In addition, the child neglect charge is also a felony in this State. A criminal conviction of this magnitude can result in serious implications such as prison time, fines, job loss, financial hardships and tremendous stress on the offender, their family and friends.

Authorities arrested a Tampa Fire and Rescue employee after he allegedly sold goods belonging to the department on the internet. Tampa Police have charged the defendant, 30-year old Wisman Figueroa II, with grand theft. Figueroa has confessed to selling over $11,000 worth of firefighter helmets, pants, jackets, decals, badges and other equipment on the popular bidding website, EBay.

Police arrested the defendant on the crime of grand theft. He posted $2,000 bond and is currently awaiting trial outside of jail. There is no information on what administrative penalties Figueroa will face from the Tampa Fire and Rescue Department.

Pursuant to Florida statute 812.014, State law defines the crime of grand theft as the unlawful taking of the property belonging to another valued at over $300. Florida Grand theft is considered a third degree felony. However, if the stolen property has a value of under $300 then it is considered a misdemeanor petit theft charge. Figueroa could be issued a maximum sentence of five years behind bars if he is convicted on all charges.

Officers were called to the scene of a physical altercation that took place at a Clearwater barber shop. The arrest report states that two customers entered Trend Citi Fades barbershop requesting haircuts. The victim, 25-year old Quazi Rahman, claimed he has been a regular customer at the shop for the last six months. He stated that he tried to negotiate a deal for two haircuts for himself and his friend. The owner of the shop, 36-year old Raymond Stewart, became offended and allegedly attacked Rahman.

Stewart is accused of placing Rahman into a headlock and repeatedly punching him in the face. Rahman suffered a black eye and abrasions on his face. Officers arrested Stewart and charged him with felony battery. He posted $10,000 and is awaiting trial outside of the Pinellas County Jail.

This is not the defendant's first dealings with the Court system. In 2001, the State sentenced him to a year behind bars and four years probation stemming from another 1999 felony battery conviction. Pursuant to Florida Statute 784.041, commits felony battery if an offender intentionally strikes another with the purpose of causing great bodily harm. Felony battery is considered a felony in the third degree in the State of Florida and punishable by up to five years in prison.