Personal Injury Lawyers

Injury is an unfortunate reality when it comes to many car accidents. When an injury is sustained, many people seek legal help from personal injury lawyers. This is a path recommended by many professionals, i.e. counselors. If someone feels they should be compensated for medical expenses, lost work, etc. the court system is there. Talk to accident lawyers in your area to get information on what options are available and how to get to compensation that may be required to pay for the unfortunate reality of automobile accidents. Chances are, it won't be as much trouble as you might imagine. Finding a good lawyer is no trouble at all these days. Some online resources have all the information you'll need on almost every law firm!

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DEA Case Uncovers Massive Cockfighting Arena in Tennessee

( NASHVILLE) – Eleven individuals were arrested in Nashville this month and 41 in total over a two-week round-up as part of ‘Project Reckoning, Phase II’ - a multi-agency law enforcement effort led by the DEA that targeted the Mexican drug trafficking organization known as the Gulf Cartel . The operation led agents to a group of drug traffickers who ran a large gambling enterprise in Tennessee that included a massive and intricate cockfighting enterprise which one federal official called the “largest” he has ever seen in the United States.

In addition to the arrests in Tennessee, 30 other people were charged in the following states: Texas, Mississippi, Nevada, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.

Phase I of ‘Project Reckoning’ culminated in September of this year and led to the seizure of $60 million in drugs, and 175 arrests. It also led to the indictment of several alleged leaders of the Gulf Cartel including the following federal fugitives: Ezequiel Cardenas-Guillen, Heriberto Lazcano-Lazcano, Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez, Miguel Trevino Morales, Omar Trevino, Juan Reyes Mejia-Gonzalez, Hector Manuel Sauceda Gamboa, Jesus Enrique Rejon Aguilar, Mario Ramirez-Trevino, Samuel Flores-Borrego, and Gilberto Barragan.

The 11 defendants were arrested in Nashville on December 5 and they face a variety of drug trafficking charges including conspiracy to distribute marijuana and various federal gambling violations.

The Gulf Cartel is responsible for the transportation of multi-ton quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana from Colombia, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico to the United States, as well as the distribution of those narcotics within the United States. The Gulf Cartel is also believed to be responsible for laundering multiple millions of dollars in criminal proceeds.

To date, Project Reckoning Phase I and Phase II has resulted in the arrest of 621 individuals and the seizure of approximately $71.2 million in U.S. currency, 17,329 kilograms of cocaine, 1,291 pounds of methamphetamine, 19 pounds of heroin, 57,243 pounds of marijuana, 258 vehicles, and 224 weapons.

The investigative efforts in Project Reckoning Phase II were coordinated by the Justice Department’s Special Operations Division, the DEA, FBI, ATF, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Marshals Service and attorneys from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section. Significant assistance was also provided by a coalition of international investigative agencies spearheaded by DEA offices located in Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Italy with assistance from foreign counterparts in each of those countries.

Five Members of Marijuana Conspiracy Plead Guilty

OCT 22 -- (ANCHORAGE, AK) – DEA Special Agent in Charge Arnold R. Moorin and Acting United States Attorney for the District of Alaska, Karen Loeffler, announced today, October 21, 2008, that five members of a marijuana-trafficking organization pled guilty in federal court last week. The defendants, Wallie Scott Vierra, 43, of Anchorage; Steven Michael Roberts, 32, of Vancouver, Washington; Keith Harrington Edwards, 38, of Anchorage; Linda Rae Harrigan, 55, of Anchorage; and Judy Carol Staffa, 62, of Manteca, California, admitted to conspiring to distribute at least 1000 kilograms of marijuana into Alaska.

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Arnold R. Moorin stated, "Vierra was a major player in a losing game and his guilty plea confirms what law enforcement knew all along."

According to plea documents filed in court, the defendants pled guilty to being part of a conspiracy to distribute marijuana in Alaska between 2000 and 2007. The defendants helped arrange for the shipment of approximately 100 pounds of marijuana, or “BC Bud”, from Canada roughly every two to six weeks, primarily concealed in secret compartments in fuel tanks mounted on the beds of pickup trucks. The defendants sent cash to Canada to pay for the shipments, often concealing the cash in the same secret compartments used to transport the marijuana.

Vierra pled guilty to conspiring with Tom Cody to import and distribute over 1000 kilograms of marijuana in Alaska. He also agreed to forfeit approximately $1 million cash, boats, real estate, motor homes and vehicles as proceeds of marijuana trafficking. Cody was murdered in 2005, in furtherance of the “Ranes and Shine” drug conspiracy. In a separate indictment, Vierra pled to money laundering involving a $50,000 check he wrote as part of his investment in Platinum Jaxx Bar and Restaurant. According to plea documents, Vierra also invested approximately $500,000 cash in Platinum Jaxx. Vierra forfeited his approximate 25% interest in Platinum Jaxx to the United States.

Defendants Linda Harrigan, Judy Staffa, Steven Roberts, and Keith Edwards all admitted to driving vehicles hauling marijuana between Canada and Alaska. The indictment lists 68 entries into Alaska from Canada by the alleged conspirators in furtherance of the importation scheme. Additionally, Edwards pled guilty to manufacturing the secret compartments in fuel tanks and Roberts admitted to distributing the marijuana once it arrived in Anchorage.

The defendants are scheduled for sentencing between November 2008 through January 2009.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations and the Alaska State Troopers Major Offenders Unit.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Joins the National Gang Intelligence Center

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has joined the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGIC). Established in 2005, the NGIC is an FBI led multi-agency effort that integrates the gang intelligence assets of the FBI and other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities to serve as a centralized intelligence resource for gang information and analytical support.

“The addition of CBP will only strengthen the partnership of the NGIC aimed at combating violent crime and gangs,” said Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser.“ The NGIC provides the law enforcement community with a one-stop-shop mechanism for submitting requests for information and conducting relational analysis of gang information as it pertains to past and present gang investigations.”

“CBP has to be an intelligence driven organization to provide information to frontline officers to protect the nation from criminal gangs,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner W. Ralph Basham. “CBP's Office of Intelligence and Operations Coordination recently announced an Anti-Gang Initiative related to fighting the growth, migration, criminal activity, and affiliation of gangs who pose a threat to our nation's security and to public safety. We welcome the ability to add the resources of NGIC to our ongoing efforts to collaborate with other federal agencies and our state and local partners to combat this unique threat.”

The NGIC is designed to combine the manpower and resources of partner federal agencies responsible for investigating and gathering intelligence on violent street and motorcycle gangs. The center supports law enforcement agencies through timely and accurate information sharing and strategic/tactical analysis of federal, state, and local law enforcement information focusing on the growth, migration, criminal activity, and association of gangs that pose a significant threat to communities throughout the U.S.

El Paso Area CBP Officers Nab Fugitives, Seize More than 4 Tons of Marijuana

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at El Paso area ports of entry nabbed 29 fugitives and seized 8,190 pounds of marijuana during the previous seven days.

CBP officers working at the El Paso, Fabens, Fort Hancock, Presidio, Santa Teresa, Columbus and Antelope Wells crossings also identified numerous immigration, agriculture and export violations during the past week.

Two of the 29 fugitives nabbed this week were sex offenders being sought by law enforcement. On October 10, CBP officers at the Fabens port of entry nabbed a 20-year-old man being sought by Liberty County (Texas) authorities on sexual assault of a child charges. He was turned over to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department.

On October 16, CBP officers working at the Columbus port of entry apprehended a 23-year-old man who was being sought in Colorado on sex assault charges. He was turned over to the Columbus police department.

“CBP is committed to making sure that all people who enter the U.S. are doing so legally and do not pose a risk to the American public,” said Ana Hinojosa, director of field operations in El Paso. “People sometimes will leave the country for any number of reasons, but the inspections by our CBP officers at our ports of entry frequently foil their plans to avoid capture, when they attempt to reenter the U.S.”

Area CBP officers made 18 drug busts during the past week, confiscating a total of 8,190 pounds of marijuana. One of the smallest drug busts of the week turned out to be one of the most interesting. On October 13, CBP officers working at the Paso Del Norte pedestrian crossing in El Paso discovered six marijuana filled bundles taped to the legs and midsection of a 22-year-old El Paso man who attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico. The drugs weighed a total 6.2 pounds. The violator and drugs were turned over to the El Paso Police Department for local prosecution.

On the other end of the spectrum, CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas commercial cargo facility in El Paso seized 6,820 pounds of marijuana from a commercial truck on October 14. The drugs were concealed in a trailer hauling a shipment of coffee from Mexico to the U.S. A 23-year-old Juarez man was arrested in connection with the failed smuggling attempt.

“Anti-terrorism is our primary mission but our inspections routinely uncover violations of all kinds and sizes,” said Hinojosa. “The activity at our ports this week is a perfect example.”

During the past seven days, CBP officers recorded 100 immigration violations at area ports. Imposters made up the largest group of immigration violators. A total of 38 were identified through thorough document exams. Imposters generally will use a legitimate entry document assigned to another person and present it as their own. Violators generally lose their documents and are returned to Mexico. CBP officers nabbed 36 intended immigrants this week. In these cases, individuals will use a legally issued border-crossing card (laser visa) to live or work in the U.S., which is not authorized. They also lose their documents and are generally returned to Mexico. Area CBP officers also identified 26 people who made false claims to U.S. citizenship, attempted to enter with counterfeit or altered documents, visa overstay violations, and those attempting to enter without inspection.

CBP officers working at area ports recorded a total of seven agriculture violations this week, resulting in $1,800 in penalties being assessed. Prohibited agricultural items seized this week included pork, pork skins, pears, avocados, oranges, apples, and plant seeds. Area border crossers are urged to declare all food items they have acquired abroad to avoid penalties and to help reduce the potential for the introduction of harmful pests and disease. Failure to declare prohibited items can result in a $300 penalty for an initial offense. If properly declared, prohibited food items can generally be abandoned at the port of entry without consequence.

In addition to the agriculture and immigration violations, CBP officers working at El Paso area ports assessed $5,300 in penalties in four illegal export cases. While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

FBI Coordinates Global Effort to Nab ‘Dark Market’ Cyber Criminals

The FBI, in conjunction with many partners in international law enforcement, today announced the conclusion of a two-year undercover operation targeting members of the online “carding” forum known as Dark Market.

Cyber criminals using this forum represented a virtual transnational criminal network spanning numerous countries who were involved with the buying and selling of stolen financial information including credit card data, login credentials (user names and passwords), as well as equipment used in carrying out certain financial crimes. At its peak the Dark Market website had over 2,500 registered members.

A primary objective of this operation was to infiltrate the forum, develop intelligence on its leading members, and in coordination with our U.S. and international law enforcement partners, systematically identify, locate, and arrest them over a sustained period. This operation resulted in 56 arrests worldwide. Additionally, $70 million in economic loss was prevented from the seizure of compromised victim accounts. Separate from these successes, this operation created new leads and more investigative information to pursue. These efforts are being followed up by the FBI and international law enforcement partners.

FBI Cyber Division Assistant Director Shawn Henry said, “In today’s world of rapidly expanding technology, where cyber crimes are perpetrated instantly from anywhere in the world, law enforcement needs to be flexible and creative in our efforts to target these criminals. Leads in many of these investigations take us to the online world of Internet forums, where criminals go to engage in the business of selling and trading innocent person’s credit card numbers and other personal information. By joining forces with our international law enforcement counterparts, we have been, and will continue to be, successful in arresting those individuals and dismantling these forums. The arrests this week in the U.K. are a good demonstration of the coordination taking place today between the FBI, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), and other law enforcement agencies around the globe.”

The FBI conducted this operation with the assistance of multiple domestic and international law enforcement partners, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, United Kingdom’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, Turkish National Police – KOM Department, Bundeskriminalamt (German Federal Criminal Police in Wiesbaden), and the Landeskriminalamt Baden – Wuerrtemberg (State Police of Baden Wuerrtemberg).

DEA Investigation Targets Pasadena Drug Gang

OCT 08 -(LOS ANGELES) Timothy J. Landrum, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division and Bernard K. Melekian, Chief of Police of the Pasadena Police Department announced the arrest of 89 people, and the seizure of 12 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,492 pills of ecstasy and almost 12 pounds of cocaine, in both powder and rock form, as well as dozens of guns in a multi-agency crackdown on gangs and drugs that stretched from Pasadena to the eastern United States.

From July 2008 to October 2008, the DEA deployed their Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) to the Pasadena area to assist local law enforcement with the surge of drug and street gang violence. The investigation primarily targeted members of the Pasadena Denver Lane Bloods drug street gang.

The MET team joined forces with the Pasadena PD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in targeting members of this street gang. The investigation resulted in the arrests of 89 suspects, including 28 charged in federal indictments and 61 facing state charges.

The investigation also revealed that Pasadena area gang members were involved in drug distribution networks with ties to eastern United States cities including, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Atlanta and Cleveland. The DEA MET program was established in 1995 in response to state and local law enforcement’s concerns about the spread of drug trafficking and the associated violence. The DEA MET teams operating throughout the United States are tasked with identifying and dismantling violent drug trafficking groups that have gained a foothold in some urban and rural areas.