Data from the Metropolitan Police Department states that in 2008, over 4,000 cases of robbery were reported in the District of Columbia. Often these accusations of theft were accompanied by other counts of criminal violations, possibly including kidnapping as well. Such an example is seen in recent news, as a Wilson High School teacher was allegedly kidnapped and forced with withdraw money from her bank account by her abductor.

Last Saturday afternoon, a woman, 30 was approached by two strange men after leaving work in the Adams Morgan area in Northwest DC. She was allegedly abducted and pushed into her own vehicle and taken into Montgomery County. Additionally, the attackers forced the woman to drive to a local bank, and withdraw money from her bank account to give them. Finally she was able to escape, wave down help, and immediately contact Washington DC law enforcement officers.

At this time, county detectives are investigating the situation as a carjacking and kidnapping, but do not discount the possibility of additional counts of robbery. Police officers are searching for the suspects, identified as two black males. Only one had a full description provided, stating that he is between 20 to 25 years-old, about six feet tall, weighing 180 pounds. However, other than that, detectives currently know little else about the incident. When suspects are taken into custody, it is likely that DC kidnapping charges will be brought against them.

Most people have reacted with shock to the news of the teacher's carjacking, abduction, and theft. This is especially true as Wilson High School is considered one of the nation's primer public high schools.

Being accused of a criminal charge is difficult enough for a person to experience, let alone the implication of multiple infractions. Conviction of carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery in the District of Columbia will all have significant consequences, quite possibly resulting in jail time. To prevent this from happening to you, it is important to get the best legal advice and legal defense for your case by contacting an experienced DC criminal lawyer immediately. Acting quickly is the first and most important step one can take to ensure that criminal charges do not eliminate precious personal liberties and freedoms.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Virginia Robbery Lawyer and Maryland Robbery Attorney websites.

Continue reading "DC Criminal Lawyer: District Teacher Kidnapped and Robbed in Northwest" »

The large amount of money flowing through private and public organizations can be tempting to steal, especially to the person in charge. The stigma surrounding such a theft is greater when the company is federally funded or a non-profit in the Washington DC area. The perfect example of a DC metro man who recently pled guilty to taking a substantial amount of money from a local non-profit organization was seen in recent news.

Last Thursday, Caesar Adigwe, 54, pled guilty to DC fraud charges after taking $530,000 from Residential Youth Services, a local rehabilitation center for neglected, abused, or at-risk DC youth. For four years, Adigwe served as the executive director of the program. During that time, he opened an account in the organization's name without anyone else's knowledge. Adigwe deposited approximately $350,000 in charitable contributions to the program in it. Court documents report that he used this money for his own benefit, funding his children's college education, mortgage payments, and personal travel excursions. Adigwe also used credit cards in the RYS name to purchase items such as laptop computers for his personal use. In total, it is estimated that he defrauded $530,231.

Besides the violations listed above, Adigwe admitted to neglecting to pay required employment taxes withheld from RYS workers for number of months. The net amount lost in tax money totals about $85,000.

Being accused of fraud charges in the District of Columbia will change the suspect's life permanently. Not only can it completely tarnish a reputation, but also put the person's job, livelihood, and personal freedom at risk. Because of the serious consequences associated with a DC fraud conviction, it is essential to have the best possible legal defense team on your side. By contacting an aggressive DC criminal defense lawyer immediately, you will receive the highest quality legal advice available, allowing you to stay with your family and not behind bars.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Virginia Theft Lawyers and Maryland Theft Attorney websites.

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While it is rare that someone would act on their dislike for educational authority, it certainly does happen. Cases handled in the past closely resemble a recent incident where a Washington DC principal was found shot dead in his home, while his vehicle was parked in Southeast.

Last Thursday, Shaw Middle School principal Brian Betts, 42, was found dead by gunshot wound inside his bedroom. Two days later, his blue Nissan Xtera was located in Southeast DC. When his concerned co-workers discovered Betts in his home following the murder, he was fully clothed and there was no evidence of forced entry by anyone.

The investigation is ongoing, with little evidence to show for it thus far. They believe that Betts allowed his attacker to enter his home, and that he was targeted specifically. According to police captain Paul Starks, "The detectives are looking at many things to help them with motive. They are casting a wide scope. We believe it's not random, but we haven't ruled it out." His position as DC school principal may have played a factor in the murder case, as it could have been linked to his job. However the case is at a standstill as detectives still lack two significant pieces of evidence: a murder weapon and a murder suspect.

Although no suspect has been placed in custody at this time, law enforcement officials are still on the lookout for the person responsible for Betts' death. The accused individual will face life-changing consequences, hindering their personal liberties and freedoms, and almost certainly resulting in jail time. Therefore, it is essential to retain an aggressive and hard-working DC criminal lawyer to present the best possible legal defense for your case. Doing so immediately can provide both top notch legal advice, but prevent you from spending time behind bars.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Maryland Homicide Attorney and Virginia Homicide Lawyer websites.

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In a metropolitan city, where most people rely on public transportation to get around, the taxi industry is can be a powerful one. Washington DC residents spend great amounts of money on a daily basis using taxis to navigate the city. This large industry is under fire and in need of representation by DC criminal lawyers due to a new, widely publicized case regarding the purported bribing of DC city officials by a select group of its members.

According to investigators, the cab scandal began in 2007 when Washington DC changed their taxi system to one that charges passengers by a meter. Abdulaziz Kamus and his fellow conspirators allegedly wanted the city to limit the number of taxis allowed to conduct business in DC, and then obtain as many licenses for them as possible. Court documents maintain that their goal was "controlling and dominating the taxicab industry in the District" as easily as they could.

To support their control on the taxicab industry, Kamus and his associates allegedly gave over $270,000 in cash, tips, or offered trips to Washington DC officials. Also suspected in the DC fraud case is Ted Loza, the former chief of staff for DC Council member Jim Graham. Although he maintains his innocence, Loza left his position after an indictment accused him of accepting bribes. Kamus however, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court to DC conspiracy charges and one count of paying bribes to a public official.

Being accused of a DC fraud, bribery, or conspiracy charge is an overwhelming process for anyone to experience regardless if they acted alone, or within a group. As seen by the example of Abdulaziz Kamus and the expansive taxicab conspiracy scandal, pleading guilty to criminal charges can have permanent consequences. Not only can your reputation be scarred forever, but it is possible to face jail time. To fight these charges, you will need the best legal advice and legal representation to devise the highest quality defense for your case. In delicate situations such as these it is essential to contact a hard-working and aggressive DC criminal defense lawyer for help immediately.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Maryland Fraud Attorneys and Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyers websites.

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Large metropolitan areas like Washington DC are often populated by people of different ethnicities, beliefs, and backgrounds. Many laws are specifically designed to protect minorities from attacks fueled by prejudice. A recent example is found with the case of a man charged of a hate crime after harassing members of the LGBT community in Washington DC.

Over a year ago, Christopher McDonald, 27, accosted a group of women with homophobic comments while they ate pizza along the sidewalk. Eventually, he admitted to law enforcement officials that he threatened them while flaunting a knife because of his beliefs about homosexuals. The United States Attorney's DC Office recently charged him on two criminal counts of hate crime violations, sentencing him 1.5 times the normal penalty because the crime was bias-motivated.

Many organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League, have praised the U.S. Attorney's Office for their swift actions, applauding their "commitment to securing justice for the victims, and making it clear that expressions of bigotry and hatred will not be tolerated in the District of Columbia." Additionally, hate crime ordinances have spread across the country, being adopted in 45 states. However, it is important to be careful when examining such cases that the guaranteed right of free speech is not violated, as it is one of the founding principles of the United States Constitution.

Being accused of a hate crime is a strenuous process for anyone to go through, whether or not there was criminal intent. Conviction of bias-motivated violations can have life-changing consequences, not only limiting your personal freedoms and liberties, but tarnishing your reputation. To prevent this from happening to you, it is essential to contact a hard-working DC criminal defense lawyer for help. Receiving high quality legal advice and legal representation is an essential asset to your defense that you cannot afford to compromise.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Virginia Assault Lawyer and Maryland Assault Lawyer websites.

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Because Washington DC has many universities, colleges, and schools, any students who make a minor mistake, whether there was violent intent or not, still could be taken into police custody. The circumstances are similar in a recent case where two DC teenagers were hit with firearm charges after bringing a BB gun to school.

According to law enforcement officials, the DC gun charges stemmed from a scare occurring last Wednesday, when two St. Albans School students were seen in the parking lot with a rifle. Arya Mortazavi, 18, allegedly transported the firearm to the school in a gray Jeep before allowing the unidentified 17 year-old male to handle the weapon before placing it back in the car.

Although police stated that there was no evidence that the two young men intended on using the BB gun for violent purposes, the incident caused three private schools in the area to go into lock down mode. While the situation was being investigated, entry or exit from St. Albans, The National Cathedral School, and Sidwell Friends schools was strictly prohibited. Though no one was injured, and the boys showed no intent of violence, they were still arrested for criminal violations--Mortazavi was charged with violating DC gun regulations by transporting the BB gun to school grounds, while the other teen was accused of illegal gun possession by a minor.

Facing criminal charges is a scary and difficult experience for anyone to go through, especially for juveniles and individuals just over majority age. Conviction on DC gun charges can have serious and permanent consequences, including fines and possible incarceration. To prevent your personal liberties and freedoms from being taken away, it is essential to contact an experienced and aggressive DC gun lawyer immediately. Doing so can not only provide the highest quality legal advice and legal representation, but also help ensure the most positive outcome for your case.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Maryland Gun Lawyer and Virginia Gun Attorney websites.

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Since Colleges house many young adults within a small area, they can quickly become a hotspot for potential robberies to occur. The circumstances are similar for multiple armed robberies recently recorded on Howard University's campus downtown.

According to university law enforcement officials, the DC armed robbery charges are stemming from a hold up that took place in the early hours of April 1st, inside the engineering building. Four masked men approached students ordering them to give up their personal belongings. Immediately afterward, the robbers fled the scene onto Georgia Avenue.

Washington DC police officers claim that over the next three hours, the suspects committed nine more armed robberies. Each report had similar circumstances. The robbers have allegedly targeted Hispanic and black men either walking alone or in pairs, stealing cell phones and other personal items. Although no one was injured in the robberies, the suspects allegedly threatened some victims with a gun before they forfeited their belongings.

While detectives are investigating the series of armed robberies, Howard University is taking some additional safety precautions. In addition to heightening security on campus, the university has encouraged all students to keep building and residence hall doors locked. Lastly, if a student witnesses anything suspicious, they are to immediately report it to university police.

Facing criminal charges is a strenuous process for anyone to go through, regardless of where the crime allegedly occurred. Conviction of DC armed robbery charges could have life-changing and permanent consequences, including significant jail time. For the highest quality legal advice and legal representation, it is vital to contact a trustworthy and aggressive DC armed robbery lawyer immediately. Doing so can help protect your personal liberties and freedoms from being taken away.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Virginia Robbery Attorney and Maryland Robbery Lawyer websites.

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Conviction of a crime in the same city that the individual works in will often result in the suspension or loss of their job. The circumstances are similar for a Washington DC firefighter who's duty has been suspended after being charged with sexually assaulting a relative.

According to court documents, former DC firefighter Michael Rasmussen, 51, allegedly abused a five year-old relative in his home between 1989 and 1996. Although the DC sex offense charges were reported by the relative in 1995, the investigation was eventually dropped against him. However, after another complaint of sexual abuse against Rasmussen surfaced in October 2009, the case has since been reopened.

In January 2010, the abused relative recorded a conversation with Rasmussen, in which he discussed past events, and apologized for the abuse. This evidence gave prosecutors enough evidence to slap Rasmussen with DC child abuse charges in the second-degree, as well as two DC sex offense charges. Pete Pringer, a spokesperson for the Washington DC Fire and EMS, stated to the press that the twenty-year veteran was last assigned to the customer service unit. However, he was placed on leave from his position shortly after his arrest.

Facing criminal charges is a difficult and scary experience for anyone to go through, regardless of occupation. As seen by the example of Michael Rasmussen, even being charged with DC sex offenses can have life-changing consequences, including the loss of job or driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To prevent your personal liberties and freedoms from being taken away from you, it is essential to contact a hard-working and experienced DC sex offense lawyer. Doing so immediately can not only provide the highest quality legal advice and legal representation, but also help ensure the most successful outcome for your case.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Maryland Sex Offense Attorneys and Virginia Sex Crimes Lawyers websites.

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Capitol Heights resident, Howard Barnes, 59, was a worker at the Harriet Tubman Woman's Shelter in Southeast Washington when he sold heroin to an undercover police officer. When the cop reported the incident to the U.S. District Court in DC, a search was conducted of his home. Law enforcement officials arrested Barnes for DC drug charges after discovering 11 grams of heroin, 3 grams of crack cocaine, four bags of marijuana, as well as numerous firearms and ammunition.

Later, the Catholic Charities organization confirmed that Barnes worked for the shelter in Building 9, in downtown DC. Five days after arrest, he was fired from his position. Despite Barnes' arrest, residents of the shelter state that the sale of drugs was nothing new at the center--he was certainly not the only person distributing narcotics. Adding to the list of problems for the organization, the DC Council is also conducting an investigation of sexual assault charges reported from the same location.

Facing criminal charges in Washington DC is a frightening process for anyone to go through regardless of occupation. As seen by the example of Howard Barnes, being suspected of criminal charges can have life-changing consequences including the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To prevent this from happening to you, it is essential to contact an experienced and aggressive DC drug lawyer for the best legal advice and legal representation. Doing so immediately can help ensure the most successful outcome for your case.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Virginia Drug Lawyers and Maryland Drug Attorney websites.

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As the economy continues to dwindle, more organizations are being accused of fraud or conspiracy. In a recent case with similar circumstances, Daimler AG and its subordinate companies have been ordered to pay an enormous fine after pleading guilty to bribery charges in a Washington DC federal court room.

According to court documents, the German automaker and its subsidiaries in Russia and China "engaged in a long-standing practice of paying bribes to foreign government officials." The DC conspiracy charges stemmed from a number of bribes that were made to various international governments in order to ensure that they would purchase Daimler cars. Among the countries whose officials were bribed include: China, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Latvia, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and many others.

Diamler AG, formerly DiamerChrysler, agreed along with its partners in Germany, Russia, and China pled guilty to a single count of conspiracy and fraud that violated the U.S. anti-bribery regulations. In the sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon ordered the car company to pay a total $185 million in civil and criminal fines--$93.6 million in criminal penalties, and $91.4 million for civil violations.

Facing accusations of bribery, conspiracy, and fraud is a difficult and overwhelming process for anyone to go through, regardless if it's an individual person or an entire organization or company suspected. As seen by the example of DiamlerAG, the consequences of being convicted of criminal charges are usually dramatic and life-changing. To best protect your personal liberties and freedoms, as well as receive the best legal advice and legal representation, it is important to contact a hard-working and experienced DC conspiracy lawyer immediately.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney and Maryland Fraud Lawyers websites.

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As the legal career of an experienced DC criminal lawyer is partially based around representing individuals who have been accused of sex offenses, it is important to update the public on any information that could be helpful to them. Last week, a DC federal appeals court overturned a ruling that prohibited sex offenders from using a computer for at least thirty years following conviction.

In 2006, Mark Russell, 50, was taken into custody by law enforcement officials after he arrived in Washington DC to solicit sex from what he thought to be a thirteen year-old girl he met in a chat room. However, the "teenager" was really an undercover police officer, and Russell was arrested upon arrival. After being convicted on DC sex offense charges, Russell was sentenced to serve forty-six months in prison, and was prohibited from owning or using a computer for any reason until 2039.

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington DC ruled that the ban on computer use is "substantively unreasonable" and "aggressively interferes with the goal of rehabilitation." This is just the most recent of numerous decisions nationwide that accept the Internet as a basic freedom and essential right, even for convicts, and should not be barred permanently. Prior to his arrest for DC sex crime charges, Russell had worked as an applied systems engineer at John Hopkins University for ten years--however, after his release, he has been able to even get a job at the local McDonald's, as it requires a computer to submit an application. Because of Friday's repeal, Russell has been authorized for re-sentencing, where his computer ban will likely be modified.

Facing criminal charges is a difficult and scary experience for anyone to go through, regardless of occupation. As seen by the example of Mark Russell, conviction of sex offense charges will have life-changing consequences, including the loss of driving privileges, fines, and/or jail time. To prevent your personal freedoms and liberties from being taken away, it is essential to contact an aggressive and hard-working DC sex offense lawyer immediately. Doing so can not only provide the best legal advice and legal representation, but also help ensure the most successful outcome for your case.

This article is presented by Price Benowitz, LLP, representing clients in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For more information, please visit our Maryland Sex Offense Lawyer and Virginia Sex Crime Attorneys websites

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