San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

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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Posted In: Drug Crimes , Theft

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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

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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

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Posted In: Drug Crimes

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