San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

San Diego law enforcement went undercover over a five month multi agency crime investigation in an operation to crackdown on documented gang members in the Skyline area suspected of drug and weapons trafficking, murder, robbery and other violent crimes, 93 have been arrested, said San Diego police.

The undercover operation known as “Operation Red Sky” involved the San Diego police department, along with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and Probation Department, Ca Parole Dept., the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Together they seized drugs and narcotics including approximately $60,000 in cash, 19 weapons, and 240 marijuana plants, 20 lbs. of powder and crack cocaine, 10 lbs. of harvested cannabis, 2 lbs. of methamphetamine, 18 vials of PCP, and 3000 ecstasy pills.

“Were using diversion, a hundred-percent increase in the amount of diversion, to really work very closely with the community of San Diego to make it the safest large city in America,” said SDPD Chief William Lansdowne.

Guns And Drugs Seized, 93 Arrested In 'Operation Red Sky', 10News.com, September 28, 2009

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A San Diego home invasion robbery leaves a man in critical condition after being hit in the face with a pistol and a 10 lb dumbbell, said police.

The incident happened on Thursday around 11:00 p.m. in the garage in the 7100 block of Jacmar Avenue, according to San Diego police Officer Brad Ruff. The theft crime may have been a gang related drug crime, since there was marijuana and other drug paraphernalia found at the home.

Three men were apparently in the garage with the door open when a truck drove by very slowly with two men inside. The men in the garage closed the door, a little while later the suspects wearing black hoodies returned with a gun and demanded money from the men in the garage.

A 25 year-old man was taken to the hospital where he remains in critical condition after being hit in the face with a dumbbell and pistol whipped. The suspects ran away.

Victim Critically Injured During Home Invasion, San Diego 6 The CW, August 7, 2009

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After San Diego Coast Guard spots a small vessel off the Coast of San Diego three teens are arrested for a drug crime involving smuggling a half a ton of marijuana into the United States.

Three teenage men 18 and 19, and a woman who is also 19 were arrested for drug smuggling off the San Diego coast.

The incident occurred on Saturday when the small boat was accompanied by the Coast Guard to Shelter Island where the three teens could report to the U.S Customs and Border Protection after time in Ensenada, Mexico for their "fishing expedition".

Border agents, with the help of a drug- sniffing canine found 277 packages of marijuana below the deck of their small boat.

Transportation of Marijuana is a felony. These cases usually occur near the U.S.-Mexican border. If the quantity of Marijuana is exceptionally large and the arrest is made by the DEA it turns into a federal offense.

Teens Jailed After 1,000+ Lbs. Of Pot Found In Small Boat, 10news.com, July 28, 2009

Half-ton of pot found in boat off San Diego coast, San Diego 6 The CW, July 28, 2009

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Off the coast of Imperial Beach, two men were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol Agents on suspicion of transportation of marijuana into the United States Thursday with the drugs attached to their surfboards.

The two men that were here from Mexico illegally were suspected of smuggling 141 pounds of marijuana that was bundled and strapped to surfboards with duct tape; according to the Border agents the marijuana was valued around $84,600.

The 27 and 30 year old smuggling surfers were spotted by a helicopter about 200 yards off of Imperial Beach with their illegal drugs, according to Customs and Boarder Protection.

Earlier this month the United States Border Patrol agents arrested another 30 year-old man who was caught attempting to smuggle in marijuana from across the border. Again, he was on a surfboard holding on to a blue duffle bag which he released into the water. The bag which was carrying almost 25 pounds of marijuana was inspected by the U.S. Border patrol and turned over to an anti-drug task force.

Marijuana-laden surfboard seized off coast, San Diego 6 The CW, June 19, 2009

Border Patrol Nets Surfer Hauling Dope, 10 News.com, June 8, 2009

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In San Diego’s Oceanside area, after a 6 month undercover drug sting operation, 30 people were arrested last Thursday on drug charges or Possession for Sales.

Most of the arrested were gang members that had prior records for violent crimes.

Authorities had seven search warrants, seized two vehicles, $8500.00 in cash and a firearm. “They’re no longer in the streets,” said Ralph Patridge, special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s San Diego office. “They’re behind bars,” he said.

After many complaints from the Oceanside community about drugs being sold in the downtown streets, Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy needed assistance from the DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team.

The sting operation was called “Operation Rock Solid” which encompassed more than 200 law enforcement officers from several agencies were sent undercover to purchase illegal drugs such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana.

More than a half-pound of crack cocaine, two ounces of methamphetamine, several pounds of marijuana and 500 ecstasy pills were seized by Oceanside detectives and special DEA agents during the raid.

According to special agent Patridge, while the number of the drugs seized is not particularly significant, “what’s significant is the people who were trafficking these drugs were violent gang members in your city.”

There are thirteen people still remain at large. Six of the more than 30 arrested have been charges with federal drug crimes.

More than 30 arrested on drug charges after 6-month probe, San Diego Union Tribune, February 26,2009

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An undercover drug sting that began last fall in the San Diego military housing community certifies 33 arrests.

“Operation Endless Summer” an undercover sting operation was erected because of residential complaints regarding an increase in illegal drug activity in the military housing sector.

Thirty-three people have been arrested and charged with selling illegal narcotics and other drug related offenses, 19 others have yet to be arrested. Only two sailors and one former Navy member who was recently separated from the military, were among the 33 charged, most were civilians.

“This operation has rounded up drug dealers who were jeopardizing public safety in military housing, the dedicated men and women serving in the military, along with their families, deserve a drug-free environment where they live,” said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

Law enforcement posing to buy illegal drugs, seized two pounds of crystal methamphetamine, a half pound of powder cocaine, one gram of heroin, OxyContin and Ecstasy pills, over 400 marijuana plants, 6 pounds of marijuana, seven guns, which included semi-automatic handguns, and $19,000 in cash.

The District Attorney’s Office, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the San Diego Police Department were responsible for carrying out the drug sting.

If the defendants are found guilty, they could be facing 16 months to 5 years in prison for a drug related felony.

Sting targets drug sales at military housing sites, Sign on San Diego

Undercover Drug Sting In Military Housing In San Diego Nets 33 Arrests, KFMB News 8

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San Diego State University has suspended two fraternities for their involvement in a campuswide drug ring. SDSU’s vice president of student affairs notified presidents of both fraternities last week. Phi Kappa Psi has been suspected for a 1.5 years, and Theta Chi has been expelled for 3.5 years.

Last May, federal agents and SDSU police completed a yearlong undercover investigation into the sale and use of illegal drugs on campus. In addition to arresting 75 SDSU students on drug-related charges, authorities confiscated 4 pounds of cocaine, 50 pounds of marijuana, $60,000 in cash, and other drugs and paraphernalia.

Authorities noted Theta Chi as a center for cocaine dealing. Two fraternity brothers were arrested in September and sentenced in September. One of those fraternity members, a campus community-service officer who was completing a master’s homeland security, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Another pleaded guilty to one count of selling a controlled substance and received 3 years’ probation and 120 days in county jail.

SDSU disciplines 2 fraternities over drug sting, San Diego Union-Tribune, November 21, 2008

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Even more entertaining than reading about a celebrity crime is reading the lame excuses that celebrities give after they get busted. truTV rounded up some doozies. Here are a few of our faves.

Shelley Morrison, famous of playing Karen’s straight-talking maid Rosario on “Will & Grace,” was caught stealing jewelry from a department store. According to Morrison, “sometimes the mind has a mini earthquake.” Minor earthquake? We’re curious what constitutes a major earthquake of the mind.

When film actress Winona Ryder was caught stealing $5,560 worth of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, California, she tried a different tactic. After denying her role in the store theft, she later claimed, “my director directed me to shoplift for a role I was preparing.” Hmm… a likely story.

Police found Gary Dourdan, former star of “CSI,” asleep at the wheel of his car after the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. When questioned about the cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin discovered in his car, Dourdan said the drugs weren’t his. One would think that someone who appeared on a TV crime investigator show would know better…

Lamest Celebrity Excuses, truTV.com

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The Brit Awards have dropped pop singer George Michael from their 2009 line-up after Michael was arrested for possession of cocaine and marijuana in August. Michael was to receive the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, but the awards ceremony organizers have decided to search for a new award recipient.

After his August drug arrest, Michael was released with a warning. Michael also made headlines several times in 2006 and 2007 for other drug-related incidents. He was found asleep behind the wheel of his car and discovered with cannabis in two separate instances. Both times he received a warning.

Michael has been open about his drug use in the past and even smoked a joint while recording a TV interview last year.

George Michael cut from Brits following drug arrest, PinkNews.co.uk, October 13, 2008

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They may have looked cute and innocent as kids, but TruTV.com has a photo gallery featuring child stars behind bars. Here’s a rundown of who’s doing time and what crimes they’ve committed.

Tatum O’Neal was arrested earlier this summer after attempting to buy cocaine. Her alibi? “I was doing research for a movie role.” Tatum was charged with a misdemeanor, criminal possession of a controlled substance and later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. Guess her acting skills aren’t as convincing as she thought.

Next is Danny Donaduce from The Partridge Family. Danny was arrested several times for possession of cocaine and once for beating up a transvestite hooker. Another star child turned criminal is Gary Coleman, who was arrested and pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace after punching a fan.

And, of course, the list would be incomplete without mention of Lindsay Lohan, who was arrested last year for drunk driving and cocaine possession, or Macaulay Culkin, who was arrested for possession of marijuana and controlled substances without a prescription. Who would have thought that of cute little Macaulay?

Child Stars Behind Bars, truTV.com

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While on tour in Texas last week, rapper Snoop Dogg and his entourage were stopped by police for having an expired registration sticker. Police stepped onto Snoop Dogg’s tour bus and searched for drugs after catching a whiff of marijuana. They discovered two ounces of the drug and arrested Ethan Calhoun, 27, and Kevin Barkey, 26, who confessed that the weed belonged to them.

Both men were transported to Navarro County Jail on drug possession charges and, if convicted, face fines of up to $2,000 and six months in jail. The pair appeared before a justice of the peace and were released after posting bond ($1,500 each).

Snoop Dogg has not been charged in connection with the two men on his tour bus. However, the rapper, whose birth name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr., had been arrested at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California last year. He pleaded no contest to felony gun and marijuana charges and agreed to five years’ probation, plus 800 hours of community service.

San Diego lawyer Victor Orsatti handles all types of felony or misdemeanor cases, including drug crimes. If you have been charged with possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, or other drugs, then contact Attorney Orsatti at the San Diego Law Center. He may be able to reduce or eliminate jail time if this is a first offense.

Snoop Dogg's Tour Bus Stopped By Police; Two Men Arrested On Drug Charges, MTV.com, August 1, 2008

Snoop Dogg Tour Bus Pulled Over; 2 Arrested, AccessHollywood.com, August 1, 2008

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steve Adler was recently arrested in Los Angeles, California for drug possession charges. At the time of a reported disturbance at a residence in Hollywood, Adler had an outstanding warrant. LA police took the rock star into custody and released him after he made bail.

Celebrity gossip websites report that Adler turned to celebrity therapist Dr. Pinsky's rehab center in Pasadena, California for help. The Pasadena, California rehab center is also the site of VH1's reality show "Celebrity Rehab," which featured Adler during its second season.

Following his return to rehab, Adler was arrested yet again after allegedly doing drugs and causing a disturbance in the "Sober Living" house. According to Adler's manager David Weintraub, "Steven Adler's arrest was an unfortunate situation that didn't have to occur in the context of him starring in a television show." VH1 chose not to comment on Adler's arrest.

If you've been arrested for drug possession or other charges and cannot afford bail, San Diego attorney Victor Orsatti can help. He may be able to get the bail reduced or eliminated. The criminal defense attorney can also discuss your legal options to ensure that you receive the information you need to understand California state law.

"Sober" Dime Dropped on G n'R Drummer, TMZ.com, July 25, 2008

Former GN'R Drummer Steven Adler Back In Rehab, The Gauntlet, July 23, 2008