Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

A Palos Verdes Estates man is facing charges for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl after posing as a teenager on the Internet, ABC7 reported.

So far, he faces a federal charge in Los Angeles of using the Internet to induce a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, the Daily Breeze reports. He could also face felony state charges involving sex with a minor, according to the newspaper. Statutory rape charges in Los Angeles can be filed for cases involving sexual intercourse with a teenager age 14 to 18. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony and is punishable by up to one year in the county jail or up to 4 years in prison.

This is also frequently referred to as unlawful sex with a minor.

Authorities say the 24-year-old defendant used multiple identities on MySpace in the commission of the alleged crimes. The investigation started in August when the Palos Verdes Estates police were told by a relative that a 14-year-old girl had sex with the defendant in her home, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was subsequently called in to assist with the case.

Computer crimes in L.A. and the surrounding area are increasingly common and always require the representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. In cases where an officer is posing online as a potential victim, entrapment and other issues frequently arise. In cases involving Internet child pornography, a computer owner is often an unwitting victim. Other users may be responsible for the content. In other cases a computer virus or a third-party may have downloaded or stored illicit content on your computer. Charges involving file-sharing sites are common and child pornographers have been known to store material on the computer of an unsuspecting user.

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Dozens have been arrested in what the federal government is calling the largest Medicare fraud scam in U.S. history, the Associated Press reports.

Seventy-three people have been arrested in New York City, Los Angeles, New Mexico and Ohio and charged with cheating the federal health care program out of $163 million.

The Daily News reports that 10 of the defendants were charged with fraud in Los Angeles as part of a scam to steal $8 million from the taxpayer-funded Medicare program.

Federal authorities continue to crackdown on health care fraud, which they have labeled the nation's most lucrative federal crime. "Health care fraud that targets the Medicare program makes victims of all Americans," said Steven Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office. "The identity theft of the elderly and the disabled that facilitates many health care schemes is particularly depraved."

The suspects are accused of using the stolen identities of doctors and patients to bill Medicare for services never rendered. Bank accounts were also opened so that Medicare could deposit money.

These cases are incredibly complex and being wrongly accused can have a devastating impact on the reputation of a doctor or legitimate health care facility. While federal authorities have put more emphasis on such cases, they have not always dedicated more manpower and resources. A report by 60 Minutes found that health care fraud was more lucrative than the drug trade in South Florida and yet the federal government had dedicated fewer than 5 investigators to handle the entire southern region of the state.

Anyone facing such charges should consult a Los Angeles federal criminal defense lawyer immediately. Only a defense firm with experience handling financial fraud crimes in federal court should defend clients facing these types of complex charges.

Continue reading "10 charged with fraud in Los Angeles as part of largest Medicare fraud case in U.S. history" »

Fears that President-elect Obama will push for more restrictive gun laws after his inauguration in January have sent gun sales shooting through the roof. Recently released FBI statistics show a significant increase in gun purchases since the election earlier this month. Criminal background checks for gun buys have jumped 49% over this time last year. In fact the increase may be even greater since more than one gun can be purchased on a single background check. Statistics on national instant criminal background checks show that 374,510 people purchased a handgun or long gun during the first week in November, compared to 251,804 during the same week last year.

The FBI says that gun purchases have been running higher than normal all year. More than 6.9 million guns have been purchased to date nationwide, a 7% increase over 2007. Gun shops across the country have reported record sales since the election. They're scared to death of losing their rights," said David Hancock, a gun shop manager, noting that his gun sales doubled over the last week. Although gun sales typically increase during fall hunting seasons and lag in the summer, October sales were up unusually high -- 15% over last year. November and December sales are expected to follow suit and may even increase as people buy guns for holiday gifts and complete gun purchases before the change in administration.

National Rifle Association Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre attributes the buying onslaught to fears that an Obama administration and Democratic majority in Congress will drastically increase taxes on gun sales or ban certain weapons. "I think they're going to really try to crack down on guns and make it harder for people to try to purchase them, said gun enthusiast Rachel Smith of Virginia who plans to purchase five guns before January. She said she's taught all five of her children, aged 4 to 10, to shoot.

Although it's too soon to see if an increase in gun sales will lead to increases in gun crimes, law enforcement officers are watchful. Historically, more guns on the streets usually means more crimes committed with guns and more violations of gun law. In California, weapons charges are serious and are aggressively prosecuted. Most gun violations result in jail time and expensive fines. Conviction of a gun violation usually results in a criminal record which can affect your ability to obtain employment and housing. If you are charged with a weapons violation, consult a skilled Los Angeles weapons lawyer right away to protect your rights.