Berndt is under arrest on suspicion of committing disgusting acts on his students, such as spooning them his semen and placing large cockroaches on their faces, reports the Los Angeles Times.
]]> He allegedly told the students that they were going to play a “tasting game” and made them tell him if the white substance was salty or sweet. He also allegedly photographed the students while they were bound and gagged with the spoon and live cockroaches. Authorities reportedly found the spoon used in the photos in a garbage can in his classroom, and DNA tests revealed the substance to be his semen, according to the Times.A longtime teacher with the Miramonte Elementary School, Berndt was arrested on Monday and charged with 23 counts of lewd acts against children, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore. More charges may be filed as additional victims come forward.
The alleged victims are reportedly boys and girls ranging in ages from 7 to 10, and the abuse is believed to have occurred between 2005 and 2010, according to the Times.
Berndt’s arrest was the result of a yearlong investigation, which first began after a CVS photo technician alerted the police to suspicious photos of blindfolded and gagged children. The Los Angeles School Unified District also fired him in January after authorities notified them of the allegations.
Under California law, committing lewd acts on a child under the age of 14 is a felony punishable by imprisonment for three, six or eight years. The penalty increases if force, violence or fear was used to commit the acts.
Berndt’s bail was raised to $23 million during his first court appearance on Wednesday, according to msnbc.com. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 21.
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Covarrubias, a four-year police veteran, was shot and killed by police as they tried to arrest him while on duty at a DUI checkpoint. Initial reports stated that he was under suspicion for having a sexual relationship with a minor and that he was killed by a fellow police officer who was on duty with him. But further allegations and details reveal a more tragic picture of the fatal day.
]]> The alleged victim is reportedly a 17-year-old girl who was a member of the department’s Police Explorer program, which allows young people interested in law enforcement to participate in police activities, according to the Associated Press.After authorities discovered the relationship, they reportedly believed he was such a risk that they decided to set up a sting involving the girl to arrest him on sexual misconduct charges during his shift. However, the lieutenant in charge of the checkpoint allegedly informed all of the officers at the checkpoint that the girl was going to be pulled for a sting operation, alerting Covarrubias to the plan, according to the Associated Press.
When police moved in to arrest him later that night, Covarrubias allegedly attempted to draw his gun and fired several times. He then pointed the gun at Officer Matt Kline, reportedly also his best friend on the force and the best man at his wedding, who shot and killed Covarrubias.
With details and allegations slowly being released over the past few days, only more questions have sprung up. Many wonder why the police decided to arrest Covarrubias while he was on duty and armed, and how it ended in his death.
One lesson can be taken from the tragic experience, however. If you are under investigation by the police, do not try to resist arrest. It’s best to follow police orders calmly and wait to speak to an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney or public defender to discuss your defense. Resisting arrest can only lead to more charges or, at worst, harm to you or others.
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Alex Da Silva, one of the choreographers for the FOX television show “So You Think You Can Dance,” was sentenced to 10 years in prison for rape and assault with intent to commit rape on Friday, reports KTLA News.
The sentence stems from Da Silva’s convictions connected with the rape of a 22-year-old woman in 2002 and the attempted rape of a 25-year-old woman in August 2009. Both were either dancers or aspiring dancers who allegedly met Da Silva in his dance classes.
]]> Da Silva will now be spending a significant time behind bars and will have to register as a sex offender for life, according to KTLA News.Rape laws criminalize sexual intercourse that happens without the consent of one of the participants. In general, California state laws punish a conviction of rape with a sentence of imprisonment in state prison for three, six or eight years. The potential sentence can increase if the victim is a minor.
Da Silva is not the only convicted sex offender associated with the show, however. Another choreographer, Shane Sparks, pleaded no contest to a felony charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl in August of last year. He was sentenced to 270 days in jail, five years of formal probation, and a 52-week sex offender counseling program. He received a lighter sentence because of a plea deal with prosecutors.
For more information on California rape laws, see our Related Resources section.
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Robert Casteel contacted police after his 10-year-old son Christopher told him his classmate threatened him with a knife on January 11 at Mission Bell Elementary School. Casteel claimed he had tried to contact the school’s principal before contacting authorities, but could not reach her because she was on a conference call.
]]> Police arrived to find the alleged assailant with a small pocket knife in his possession. He was suspended from school for five days, and a restraining order was placed on him on Tuesday, requiring him to stay at least 20 feet away from Christopher, according to KTLA.Temporary restraining orders are issued by a court and are used to protect a person from physical, mental, verbal or other abuse. They typically stay in effect for 15-20 days, at which time the court will evaluate the order. A judge is scheduled to review Casteel’s temporary restraining order against his son’s classmate on February 8 and decide whether it should be permanent.
If someone violates a temporary restraining order, the person who requested it can have the violator arrested. However, this may not be the case for a minor. School officials and legal experts believe that this may be the first time a temporary restraining order has been granted against a grade-school classmate, according to The Press-Enterprise. Authorities from the Jurupa Valley Police Department did say that they would respond if notified that the boy was in violation but would only go so far as saying they would take a report.
For more information on temporary restraining orders, see our Related Resources section.
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Taylor was allegedly in possession of a controlled substance and placed into custody on January 9. She was reportedly held on $10,000 bail and released two days later.
Taylor is a model and former cast member of the reality TV show “Pretty Wild,” publicized as “an unfiltered look at Hollywood via three sisters whose jaw-dropping looks and unstructured upbringing make them magnets for Tinseltown’s temptations.”
]]> Taylor and her sisters have certainly lived up to the show’s billing.Neiers pleaded no contest to felony residential burglary in 2010 for her participation in the celebrity-targeting burglary group known as “the bling ring.”
Later that year, Neiers was arrested for a probation violation stemming from a possession of heroin charge.
Taylor’s sister has arguably gotten off easy for her crimes, however. She only spent 29 days out of a six-month sentence in jail for her burglary crime, and she was given one year in rehab for the probation violation instead of the two years in prison she could have received.
Possession of a controlled substance is a felony crime in California and can result in a multiple-year prison sentence. We’ll see if Tess Taylor is as lucky as her sister with her sentence if she is convicted of the charge.
If you have been charged with a drug crime, it’s a better idea to consult an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney or public defender about your case than to rely on the chance you’ll get the same deal as a “Pretty Wild” star.
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Several cities in and near the Los Angeles area have previously weighed in on the issue, with one of the most recent decisions coming from an Orange County Superior Court judge allowing Anaheim to ban the pot dispensaries.
]]> Although a ruling from the high court probably won't be announced for another year or two, according to the Times, its decision to review the regulations means they cannot be enforced until a ruling is issued.However, some cities are taking the court's decision as a sign to halt all dispensary action until a ruling is reached.
"The best thing right now for the city of Los Angeles to say is, 'There's no more medical marijuana dispensaries in the city," Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar told NBC Southern California. "Let's wait to see what the California Supreme Court says, and then formulate a new ordinance."
The L.A. city council is holding its own hearing on a bill that would ban medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles this week, according to NBC.
California's voters were the first to pass an initiative legalizing medical marijuana in 1996. However, legalization of pot, even for medical purposes, directly conflicts with federal law, which makes it illegal to use, sell or possess marijuana.
The recent uncertainty over federal, state and municipal laws will give the California Supreme Court a tricky issue to review.
If you have been recently arrested for marijuana possession - medical or otherwise - you should consider contacting a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who has experience handling drug cases. He or she will likely be well-versed in state marijuana laws, and can provide advice in handling your case.
For more information on city, state and federal laws regarding marijuana, see our Related Resources section.
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The new definition will now include several forms of sexual assault, such as oral penetration, and male rape, according to The Washington Post.
The antiquated definition of sexual assault referred only to the "carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will," according to The Post.
]]> The definition of rape has evolved over the years from its original 1929 definition. For example, rape did not apply to assaults between spouses. Now, rape encompasses non-consensual sexual intercourse committed even by offenders who have a pre-existing relationship with the victim.Although most states’ rape statutes now include a broader definition of the crime, Justice Department officials hope the expanded definition will increase the accuracy of reporting, as well as an understanding of the effects of sexual assault on victims.
The use of the new definition in the FBI’s annual Uniform Crime Report will be the first step in its implementation.
“This sends a powerful message that…rape is rape,” Susan B. Carbon of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women said in a conference call. “It’s rape even if you’re a man. It’s rape even if you are raped with an object and even if you were too drunk to consent.”
For more information on California’s rape laws and resources for Los Angeles crime victims, see our Related Resources section.
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A Los Angeles woman was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of prostitution for allegedly offering strangers the illegal trade of sex for nuggets, reports the Los Angeles Times.
A customer reported Khadijah Baseer to the Burbank Police Department for allegedly opening customers' car doors to offer her services at the McDonald's on Olive Avenue. She was subsequently arrested for prostitution.
]]> If the allegations are true, perhaps Baseer was motivated by starvation or under the influence of drugs for offering such a deal to strangers. However, motive is not an influential factor when determining whether to arrest someone for a crime.Under California law, loitering in public with the intent to commit prostitution is a misdemeanor offense. A person's intent is determined by his or her actions which demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing or soliciting prostitution. Loitering with the intent to commit prostitution includes actions such as repeatedly beckoning to, attempting to stop or engaging in conversation with passersby or people in vehicles.
If you have been charged with a prostitution-related offense, you should consider contacting a local Los Angeles criminal defense attorney. He or she can analyze your case and present potential defenses to the charged crimes. If you cannot afford a private attorney, a public defender will be provided for you.
For more information on the crime of prostitution and the various actions you can be charged for, see our Related Resources section.
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Seventeen-year-old Francisco Rodriquez, a senior at El Camino High School, was returning from a soccer game when the suspect was approached by a teenage girl at his home, according to witnesses. The girl then reportedly lured Rodriguez to his front yard where she shot him several times. Rodriguez later died at the hospital.
]]> Witnesses describe the suspect as a 16- or 17-year-old girl, but police have not released additional details about the alleged shooter. The motive for the shooting was also kept under wraps."It doesn't make sense," a classmate of Rodriguez's told KTLA. "No one really disliked Pancho (Rodriguez's nickname). It was impossible."
The area Rodriguez was living in has reportedly been a hotbed for homicides. Approximately 52 homicides have occurred within four miles of his Winnetka home since January 2007, according to the Los Angeles Times.
If caught, the teenage girl faces serious criminal charges, potentially including first-degree murder. In most states, first-degree murder is defined as an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, meaning that it was committed after the killer planned or "lay in wait" for the victim.
Based on the testimony from witnesses, it seems the teenage girl was waiting for Rodriguez to return home, to shoot home. However, the potential charges may change as authorities release more information about Francisco Rodriguez's tragic death.
For more information on first-degree murder, see our Related Resources section.
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The daring stunt occurred during New Year's Eve when stores were packed with last-minute shoppers. The suspect reportedly dressed as a Walmart greeter, wearing everything from the signature blue vest to a name badge, according to investigators who believe they caught the thief on tape.
]]> "He walked in the back, loaded up four TVS into a shopping cart with the appearance of he may have been helping a customer and walked out of the store," Palmdale Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Moore told CBS.If caught, the suspect could face serious criminal charges. Under California law, theft crimes are divided into two degrees - petty and grand. Grand theft, which is charged against someone suspected of stealing more that $950 worth of property, is typically punishable by a maximum of one year in county jail.
The suspect has been described as a black male between the ages of 40 to 50 years old, bald, approximately 6 feet tall, and 250 pounds, according to CBS.
Anyone with information about the Walmart imposter can leave an anonymous tip by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or directly contact the Palmdale Police Department at (661) 272-2400.
For more information on theft crimes, see our Related Resources section.
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Griffin O'Neal was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery on New Year's Eve and spent the first day of 2012 in jail, according to U-T San Diego.
Sheriff's deputies responded to his San Diego home after receiving reports of a drunken disturbance at the residence from a family member. Deputies determined O'Neal was being aggressive towards his wife and arrested him, according to sheriff's spokeswoman Melissa Aquino.
]]> O'Neal was reportedly still being held at San Diego Central Jail on $10,000 bail as of Thursday, according to U-T San Diego.O'Neal is no stranger to the law and is supposed to be sentenced next week on charges of DUI and possession of a firearm by a felon. The charges stem from a car crash in August, which caused a head-on traffic collision in San Pasqual that injured another motorist. He was already on probation for a previous DUI at the time of that crash.
O'Neal pleaded guilty to both felonies and faces up to four years in prison. Given his most recent arrest, it doesn't look like his Jan. 12 sentencing hearing will go too well.
His half-brother Redmond O'Neal has also had troubles with the law and addictive substances. Redmond was arrested last year on drug charges after Santa Monica police found heroin in his car. Redmond was on probation at the time for a felony drug charge stemming from his attempt to smuggle drugs into a jail facility.
Given the O'Neal boys' penchant for trouble, this probably won't be the last we'll hear of either of them in 2012.
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The district attorney's office filed felony charges against the University of California and a UCLA chemistry professor in connection with Sheharbano Sangji's death, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Both Professor Patrick Harran and the University of California were charged with three counts of willfully violating occupational health and safety standards. Harran faces up to four-and-a-half years in state prison, while UCLA could be fined up to $1.5 million on each of the three counts.
]]> UC officials blasted the charges, calling the incident that took Sangji's life a tragedy, but not a crime, according to the Times.Nearly half of Sangji's body suffered second- and third- degree burns in a lab fire that erupted during an experiment and ignited her clothing. Sangji was not wearing a protective lab coat at the time, and died 18 days later.
"I cannot describe the level of grief my family has experienced having witnessed the excruciating pain our Sheri suffered in those horrifying days at the burn center - and then losing her forever," said her sister, Naveen Sangji.
The felony charges against both Patrick Harran and the University of California are thought to be the first to stem from an academic lab accident, reported the Times. Sangji's death has even been attributed with initiating giant improvements in academic laboratory safety measures.
Felonies are deemed the most serious class of offense throughout the United States. They are generally punishable by a fine, imprisonment for more than a year, or both. Given the severity of charges against Harran and the University of California, they both will likely need experienced California criminal defense attorneys to represent them in court.
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Harry Burkhart, a 24-year-old German citizen, was reportedly upset over his mother's deportation, according to NBC Los Angeles.
The suspected arsonist is believed to be connected with at least 53 fires that have been reported since Thursday. Eleven fires were reported on Monday morning alone, and the majority of them were started in the city of Los Angeles. The property damage by the fires is expected to cost millions.
]]> Burkhart's arrest was reportedly the result of the combined efforts of several agencies, including the Los Angeles City Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the LAPD, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the District Attorney's office, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The agencies reportedly investigated over a hundred clues and investigated hundreds of witnesses, according to Los Angeles Fire Captain Jaime Moore.Police arrested the arson suspect after finding fire-starting materials in his vehicle.
"I feel very good that we've got the right guy," said Police Chief Charlie Beck. "(The suspect) had the right stuff in his van, and we are very confident we found our man."
Despite LAPD's confidence that they've found the arsonist, all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty under the criminal justice system, and Harry Burkhart will need an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney or public defender to represent him if questioned during the LAPD's investigation.
Under California law, arson is a felony that carries severe punishments depending on the damage caused. Luckily, no one has been hurt by the fires. However, there has been widespread damage to vehicles and structures, and Burkhart was booked on suspicion of arson of an inhabited dwelling.
Arson that causes an inhabited structure to burn is a felony punishable by up to eight years in prison. The term of imprisonment also increases depending on such circumstances as the number of structures damaged, the amount of property damaged, and if anyone was injured.
Until a suspect is formally charged, Los Angeles residents are warned to keep a closer watch on their own and their neighbor's property, and to report any suspicious activity to police.
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Michael Downs was arrested on Dec. 15 and his bail was set at $1.8 million. He was charged with 29 counts of sexual assault of a minor.
Under California law, unlawful sex with a minor can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony and is punishable by a maximum of four years in prison if convicted of the felony charge. In addition, the adult may be liable for civil penalties up to a maximum of $25,000 for unlawful sex with a minor under the age of 16.
]]> Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators said they began monitoring Downs after a girl reported earlier this month that he had sexually assaulted her earlier in the year.The other 13 girls, all between the ages of 12 and 16, reportedly told authorities that Downs had sexually assaulted them as well. Downs allegedly would befriend many of them on Facebook, telling the girls he was 16 and convincing them to meet up with him.
Deputies believe there may be more victims and are asking the public to contact them if they have more information at 866-247-5877.
Given Michael Downs’ preference for using online social media sites to find his victims, Los Angeles parents should consider speaking with their children about online safety. Being aware of the laws created to protect your kids’ online safety is also a step in keeping your children safe.
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Santa Ana has been ranked as the fourth-safest city in America, according to Forbes.
The ranking was calculated by analyzing data from metropolises with populations above 250,000. Forbes looked at both the FBI’s violent crime rates and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s traffic-fatality rates. The data was then averaged for each city to achieve final scores.
Santa Ana was fourth in traffic-fatality rates and eleventh in violent crime rates, placing it fourth overall.
]]> The safe haven of Santa Ana creates a stark contrast to the often turbulent streets of Los Angeles.However, the City of Angels has been working hard to clean up its violent reputation. It is reportedly on track to end the year with a homicide rate of 6 per 100,000 residents; in 1993, the homicide rate was 30.5 per 100,000, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Multiple studies have tried to target the causes of decreased crime rates. Factors may include an aging population, the waning popularity of crack cocaine, gun control laws, or even (controversially) the legalization of abortion. The Times attributed one of the key factors affecting the decrease in crime to an increased number of officers and better policing.
With more policing, however, come more arrests. If you were arrested in Los Angeles for a crime, you will likely need a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney or public defender to help represent you in court. The decrease in violent crime is good news, but it shouldn't come at the expense of wrongly-arrested individuals.
For more information about defending yourself from criminal charges, see our Related Resources section.
Perhaps one day, Los Angeles will be as safe as its southern neighbor.
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