Raleigh, NC Criminal Law News

District Attorney Gets a Week’s Reprieve

Posted on February 13, 2012

Durham District Attorney Tracey Cline, who was suspended last month, won a week’s delay in a hearing to determine whether she should be removed from office.  The hearing will resume Monday, Feb. 20.

Cline asked Superior Court Judge Robert H. Hobgood to delay the hearing because she was still recovering from pneumonia. Hobgood, who suspended Cline originally, granted the delay because he felt her voice was not strong enough to continue with the case at present.

Cline appeared before the judge Feb. 13 for the scheduled hearing on whether she should be removed from office.

Among the reasons cited for removing Cline from office was the language she used against another judge, Judge Orlando Hudson. She and Hudson had been having an ongoing feud over her not dismissing a murder case in the latter part of 2010.

Cline, during the past three months, has brought up misconduct claims against Hudson. Her language was part of the reason for her removal by Hobgood. She alleged that Superior Court Judge Hudson had “abused” his power “without legal consciousness of right and wrong, having a total and reckless disregard of the law, and a reprobate mind of a monarch.”

Hudson, according to Cline, retaliated against her for not dismissing the 2010 murder case.

The upcoming inquiry will not focus on the alleged wrongdoing Cline has leveled at Hudson. Rather, it will probably focus on Cline’s language and actions, according to the News Observer.

During the last three months, Cline has claimed Hudson was engaged in misconduct, saying both in writing as well as arguments in the courtroom that Hudson was prejudiced against her. She urged that he be removed from all of the county’s criminal cases until a state judicial standards commission considers her allegations against Hudson.

Sources:

North Carolina Home Invasion Suspects In Custody

Posted on January 17, 2012

One of the men suspected to be involved in an early morning home invasion and auto theft turned himself into Raleigh police, another was arrested a day later. Ronald Steven Earl Gaither, 23, surrendered to police on Monday, Terrell Gaither Hilliard, 19, was arrested on Tuesday. Both have been charged with first-degree burglary, common law robbery and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Early Sunday morning, a woman reported that two men broke into her home at 4901Wallingford Drive shortly before 5 a.m. She claims that she and her 11-year-old son were assaulted and robbed before the men left. The warrant for Gaither said he “forcibly and violently” assaulted the tenant.

Hilliard and Gaither are accused of stealing two laptops, an Xbox and assorted video games worth approximately $950 from the home. They are also accused of stealing a 2005 GMC Envoy. Just moments later the vehicle was involved in an accident about a quarter-mile away.

Shortly after the wreck, Elezar Herrera, 20, another motorist who stopped at the crash site, was killed. Police say he was stabbed near the scene of the crash following a reported altercation, and was pronounced dead at an area hospital. As of yet, no one has been charged in the stabbing, and Raleigh Police are investigating any possible connection between the stabbing, car crash and the home invasion.

(Source: Wral.com)

North Carolina criminal defense attorney Brad Sahl defends individuals that are arrested and charged with serious crimes. If you are seeking a skilled and aggressive Raleigh criminal defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Brad Sahl, P.C. today.

Second Murder Trial Beginning in Raleigh

Posted on January 16, 2012

Jury selection has begun in Raleigh in the second trial of Jason Lynn Young for the killing of his pregnant wife. Young, 37, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Michelle Marie Fisher Young, who was found beaten to death in her home just south of Raleigh on Nov. 3, 2006.

Young was initially arrested in December of 2009, but his first jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial. If convicted, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, but he is currently free on a $900,000 bond.  During his first trial he testified that he was out of town on business when his wife was killed. She was five months pregnant at the time, carrying the couple’s second child.

Prosecutors allege that the couple was suffering marital problems. Their theory is that Young checked into a hotel in Virginia on Nov. 2, 2006, and then drove 169 miles back to kill his wife, before returning to the hotel. The victim’s sister discovered her body the next day, and also found the Young’s 2-year-old daughter hiding beneath the covers of her parents’ bed.

Young’s defense attorneys argued that there was no physical evidence linking him to the crime, and that he didn’t have enough time to commit the killing. They also pointed to evidence, including DNA found inside the home that didn’t match Young’s. The DNA allows for the possibility that another person or persons committed the crime.

(Source: Wral.com)

If you are accused of a serious crime such as murder, you need an aggressive and experienced defense attorney. Contact Raleigh criminal lawyer Brad Sahl for a case evaluation today.

Raleigh Man Sentenced for Smuggling Guns

Posted on January 10, 2012

A Raleigh man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for smuggling guns from the U.S. to England. Steven Neal Greenoe, a Raleigh native, was sentenced to three years of probation following his 10-year sentence and must use the money he earns in prison to pay child support for his twin sons, a federal judge ruled Dec. 10.

Greenoe was facing a $1 million fine and up to 30 years in prison. He reportedly pled guilty to one count of transporting guns outside the country without a license and to one count of falsifying a federal form in exchange for federal prosecutors dropping 48 other weapons charges.

According to reports, Greenoe was arrested in July 2010 at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. He had ammunition and guns that were dissembled in his luggage at the time of the arrest.

According to reports, Greenoe smuggled approximately 60 handguns from the U.S. to England in 2010. He reportedly smuggled guns on nine different flights out of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Two other men were arrested for gun trafficking charges in England in the case, according to reports.

(Source: Wral.com)

Weapons charges such as smuggling guns are serious charges. If you or someone you love is arrested on gun smuggling charges, you should speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney right away.

Raleigh criminal defense attorney Brad Sahl fights aggressively on behalf of his clients and has a proven record for minimizing his clients’ punishments. To schedule a review of your case with Raleigh defense attorney Brad Sahl, contact our office today.

Six North Carolina Men Face Federal Robbery Charges

Posted on December 27, 2011

Six men in North Carolina face federal charges for robbing a car dealer and junkyard owner. The men allegedly told the man they would shoot his children if he didn’t give them money out of his home safe. They got away with $1.5 million.

According to reports, the man had been storing money from his business in a safe at his Mooresville home for several years. Six men have been charged with robbing a business that engages in interstate commerce.

Agents reportedly raided a storage unit where the money was being stored. At the time of the raid, agents seized more than $550,000.

(Source: Fox8)

North Carolina criminal defense attorney Brad Sahl defends individuals that are arrested and charged with serious crimes including robbery. If you are seeking a skilled and aggressive Raleigh criminal defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Brad Sahl, P.C. today.

Durham Police Search for Man Who Robbed Bank

Posted on December 20, 2011

Local police are searching for the man who robbed the Wells Fargo Bank located at 900 West Club Blvd. yesterday. According to reports, the wanted man entered the bank at approximately 9:15 a.m., announced that he was armed, and demanded money from the employees.

According to an article published by The News Observer, the man was described as being an older white male, approximately 5 feet 9 inches and weighing about 145 pounds. He reportedly has missing teeth and facial hair. He was reported as wearing a blue puffy coat with a hood, blue jeans and sunglasses.

The man got away with an undisclosed amount of money after robbing the bank and running away on foot. Police are searching for the man and are asking anyone with information to contact them.

(Source: The News & Observer)

If you’re suspected of being involved in a robbery or of committing another crime in North Carolina, you will need an experienced and skilled criminal defense lawyer to help you defend your case.

To schedule a case evaluation with a highly aggressive and experienced Raleigh criminal lawyer, contact Brad Sahl today.

Man Found Shot to Death in NC Home

Posted on December 12, 2011

Police are investigating the death of a Chapel Hill man. Drew Christopher Frasure (41) was, reportedly, found dead at his home Dec. 11. According to police, the man died from a gunshot wound.

According to an article published by News Observer, the gunshot did not seem to be at random and was not self-inflicted. Police have not released any more information about the shooting.

(Source: News Observer)

Raleigh criminal defense attorney Brad Sahl represents individuals that are accused of violent crimes, including murder. If you’ve been involved in a murder or if your involvement is suspect, you will need an experienced criminal lawyer to build you a solid defense.

Mr. Sahl has the experience and the skills to defend against murder charges and other violent crimes. To schedule a consultation with, contact The Law Offices of Brad Sahl.

Wake County Grand Jury Indicts Three Former Perdue Staffers

Posted on November 28, 2011

A Wake County grand jury indicted three people on Nov. 28 as part of an investigation into undisclosed flights leading up to North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue’s 2008 election victory.

Trawick H. “Buzzy” Stubbs Jr. and Juleigh Sitton were both charged with obstruction of justice and filing false reports. Peter Reichard has been charged with obstruction of justice.

According to the indictments, Sitton and Reichard were hiding the fact that Sitton was being paid an additional $2,000/month for 16 months, totaling $32,000 to work full-time for Perdue’s campaigns. The money allegedly came from a merchant banking firm operated by Reichard.

Stubbs has been accused of paying for flights for the benefit of the Bev Perdue Committee until Nov. 1, 2008. The total amount is $28,000. According to the indictment, Stubbs falsified documents that stated that the flights went to the state’s Democratic Party, when they actually had gone for the committee.

According to Wake County prosecutor Colon Willoughby, there is no indication that Perdue was involved in any wrongdoing. She is seeking reelection in 2012.

(Source: NBC)

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges, contact North Carolina criminal defense lawyer Brad Sahl.

Two Held for Attacking Elderly Woman

Posted on November 17, 2011

She was hanging laundry in her yard when a familiar young man approached her. The next thing she knew, she was being beaten in the head and choked.

The 75-year-old woman passed out and awoke in her car trunk, where she pulled the emergency cable to release the trunk cover.  After crawling home, she telephoned for help.

Sheriff’s Deputy Jimmy Bracey drove to her home on Dusty Hill Road near Conway and found she had a laceration on her head.  He called Emergency Medical Services to the home.

Two young men from Northampton County, Devin Scott Pallone, 18, of 567 Bolton Road, Rich Square, and Justin Wade Treakle, 24, of 1486 Lasker Road, Conway, were arrested and charged with attempted first degree murder.

Other charges they face are first degree kidnapping, malicious assault, assault by strangulation, assault on a female and attempted burning of personal property.

The home was ransacked and some items and money were taken, said Northampton County Sheriff Wardie P. Vincent. The elderly woman telephoned his office to report the crime about 1 a.m. to tell police she had been beaten.

She was taken to Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, after which she was driven to Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville.  Vincent reported that treatment was helping quite a bit.

Investigators also found that gasoline had been poured around the car she had been locked in. Vincent said police thought the motive for the crimes was robbery.

Pallone and Treakle were locked up in Northampton County Jail about 5:30 p.m. the following day and each received $150,000 secured bail.

Citizens in the area gave the police information about the crime which led to the rapid arrest of the men.

If you or someone you love is charged with a serious crime, contact the Law Offices of Brad Sahl to protect your rights. Mr. Sahl is an experienced Raleigh criminal defense attorney who helps his clients obtain optimal results.

Operation ‘Dare Devil’ Gets Another Drug Conviction

Posted on November 3, 2011

Curtis Bryant, 59, of Manteo, North Carolina has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine.  He will also face 3 years of supervised release if he successfully completes the sentence.

The investigation was part of Operation Dare Devil, which is being conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. The operation is focusing on the importers and multi-level distributors of cocaine and crack in Dare and Currituck counties.

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) involves several law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kill Devil Hill Police Department.

In Bryant’s case, undercover government agents purchased quantities of both cocaine and cocaine base (crack) from the defendant in his Manteo residence. The sting involved six separate buys, which occurred between December 2009 and October 2010. The penalty for the sales were enhanced due to Bryant’s residence being within 1,000 feet of a public park, and because the purchases occurred during day-time hours. Bryant was also already on probation for selling drugs out of his residence at the time of at least one of the sales.

The investigation determined that Bryant was personally responsible for distributing more than two kilograms of Cocaine, and half a kilo of crack, between 2005 and the time of his arrest. He is the seventh person to be sentenced in federal court as part of Operation Daredevil.

(Source: The United States Attorney’s Office)

If you or a family member has been arrested or charged with a drug offense or another serious crime, contact The Law Offices of Brad Sahl. Mr. Sahl is a Raleigh criminal defense attorney committed to protecting the rights of clients throughout the state of North Carolina.