Blog Archives
670 pot plants seized from alleged pot farm
Eric Defelice was arrested and charged with first-degree maintaining and operating a controlled dangerous production facility. The farm allegedly used hydroponics techniques and was located inside a single-family dwelling at 110 N. 10th St.
Police allege that he operation seems to have been running fora few years because of the equipment that was found at the home. That consisted of hydroponics equipment, transformers, high-voltage lights, a self-contained exhaust ventilation system and an air purification unit and fan.
This is a tough case as it would be tough to take this case to trial. It is hard to argue that you didn’t notice 670 marijuana plants in your house and that someone else must have put them there. You also can’t say that these are for your own use. I’m sure the police had a search warrant and those are rarely easy to attack.
I would want to know more about his life and whether he was a big pot guy or whether he was living an expensive lifestyle. I’ve had cases like this before and have had great success at focusing more on the character of the client than the facts of the case.
Story is here.
Sweep of alleged gang members leads to several arrests
As gang membership increases in New Jersey, arrests of gang members and leaders will also increase. These cases are difficult from a defense perspective because the stigma of belonging to a gang, on some occasions totally false, will have an impact on plea negotiations and sentencing.
Over the past week in Middlesex County, the following men were arrested and identified as alleged members of the Latin Kings street gang: John Jiminez and Sfand Rajazadeh of Carteret. Both were charged with distribution of controlled dangerous substances. The following men were arrested and identified as a member of the Bloods gang: Ahmed Dempsey Simpson of New Brunswick (charges of drug distribution, distribution of drugs on public property, possession of drugs and possession of a handgun); Tyrone Taylor of Woodbridge; David Roman of Perth Amboy; Johnny Elliot of Carteret; and Jamar Carpenter of Perth Amboy, (all for distribution of drugs); and Marcus Vasquez of Perth Amboy for possession of a weapon.
Lakay Lewis of New Brunswick was identified as an alleged member of a gang known as the 5 Percenters. He was charged with three counts of drug distribution including on public property and possession of a handgun.
Danny Soto of Carteret was identified as an alleged member of Netas. He was charged with distribution and possession of drugs.
Story is here.
3 arrested for allegedly trying to sell pot to undercover cop
Nicholas F. Monteaperto of New Brunswick, Jason Cable of Somerset, and Earl Bowers of Somerset were arrested in Hackensack, New Jersey while attempting to allegedly distribute two pounds of suspected marijuana to an undercover detective for $13,000.00. How three people can all attempt to sell the same two pounds of pot is unknown.
This was a result of a joint investigation conducted by the Hackensack Police Department and members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force. It was probably going on for a while, but these guys don’t seem like your average dealers. Normally, police make a couple actual buys. To bust them at the first buy makes me think that the police didn’t expect them to sell again.
Story is here.
Tonacchio, Spina & Compitello 