Palm Beach County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Lawrence Fleury of Delray Beach, Florida was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing a car, fleeing police, and running into an officer, news sources report. Fleury, 31, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of resisting arrest, aggravated battery on an officer, and possession of marijuana. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail bond. It is also not yet known whether Fleury hired a defense attorney.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 11:50 p.m. in the 300 block of Northwest Fifth Avenue on Monday. A Nissan Altima was apparently parked in the area, but still had its keys in the ignition and was still running. An on-duty officer allegedly witnessed Fleury walk get into the vehicle and drive off. The officer followed Fleury and witnesses him run a stop sign, reports say.

Sources say the officer attempted to pull Fleury over, but Fleury fled down Northwest Third Street and ran additional stop signs. Eventually, the Nissan became trapped on a patch of slick grass. The officer exited his cruiser, pointed his firearm at Fleury, and ordered him to stop, but the Nissan started moving again. The car allegedly struck the officer's legs.

After striking the officer, Fleury got out of the Altima and attempted to walk away from the scene, sources say. The officer fired his Taser at Fleury, but Fleury allegedly continued to resist and the officer used the Taser two more times.

During a subsequent search, the officer located a bottle of Ibuprofen and a bottle containing unidentified white chunks in Fleury's possession. Fleury said a friend lent him the Ibuprofen for a toothache and explained the white chunks as "homemade breath mints," reports say. An analysis later revealed that white chunks were pieces of cocaine, sources indicate.

In other news, Frances Terry Evans of Hernando County was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of abandoning over 50 cats and dogs in a U-Haul under the hot Florida sun, reports say. Evans, 52, was booked into the Hernando County Jail on 53 counts of animal cruelty; her bail was set at $26,500. It is unclear whether Evans hired legal representation.

According to reports, Evans had been previously been under investigation for animal hoarding. During the investigation, detectives determined that Evans had too many cats and dogs and ordered that she turn over at least 53 of the animals to the court by Tuesday.

Continue reading "Lawrence Fleury of Delray Beach, Florida Arrested for Aggravated Battery on a Police Officer" »

Teri Beth Rivesman of Lake Worth, Florida was arrested Friday for allegedly attempting to strangle her 62-year-old housemate, news source report. Rivesman, 36, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of domestic battery by strangulation, aggravated domestic battery, and grand theft auto. A judge ordered that she be held in lieu of $9,000 bail. The press did not specify whether Rivesman has hired an attorney.

According to reports, Rivesman and the victim share a home together in Lake Worth; reports did not specify whether the two women are related. It is also currently unknown whether either of the women owns the residence.

The alleged incident occurred Thursday evening at the home. Rivesman and the victim got into an argument, and the victim reportedly slapped Rivesman. Reports say Rivesman, incensed, grabbed a two-foot glass lamp and struck the victim multiple times, including on the head. The lamp broke, and Rivesman allegedly picked up a laptop and struck the victim with that.

At some point, Rivesman wrapped her hand around the victim's throat and began to strangle her, reports say. The victim was eventually able to break free, at which point Rivesman allegedly threatened to kill the victim if she reported the assault to police.

The following day, Rivesman asked to borrow the victim's Chevrolet Sonic. After the victim refused to lend Rivesman the car, Rivesman allegedly stole the victim's purse with the keys inside and took the car. At that point, the victim called police.

Detectives were able to work with OnStar, a locating service for cars, to track the stolen car to the Royal Inn on Royal Palm Beach and Southern Boulevard. OnStar disabled the car's ignition so Rivesman could not flee, and police were able to find her at the inn. Following her arrest, Rivesman reportedly admitted to hitting and strangling the victim, but claimed she was only defending herself.

In other news, Jeremie Calo was arrested this past week for allegedly having sex on a restaurant table, reports say. Calo, 32, was arrested on unspecified charges following the incident. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

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Sean Michael Morrison, a Palm Beach Gardens, Florida lender, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly falsely offering multi-million dollar loans in exchange for large fees, news sources report. Morrison, 31, was booked into Palm Beach County Jail on 10 counts of fraud. A judge ordered that he be held in lieu of $42,000 bail bond. Reports did not specify whether Morrison has hired an attorney.

According to reports, Morrison ran the allegedly fraudulent operation through his Palm Beach-based business Accelerated Lending Group Inc. The lending company purportedly offered services as a middleman, acquiring multi-million dollar loans from third parties for clients. Most of these clients were top-level executives seeking funds for business projects. One victim, a West Palm Beach executive, approached Morrison for assistance in acquiring a $10 million loan in April 2010, reports say. Morrison reportedly had the businessperson complete an application for the loan and, for the services rendered, Morrison allegedly charged the victim a "refundable" $49,980 fee.

The executive sent the fee to Morrison's Wachovia Bank business account and, sometime later, Morrison presented the victim with a loan offer from a fake business. The victim did some research and discovered that the supposed loan offer was from a nonexistent business, sources say. The victim asked for a refund, but Morrison declined to provide one and eventually stopped responding to the victim, according to reports.

During an investigation, detectives learned that Morrison's Wachovia account only had around $60 prior to the victim's transfer. After getting the victim's money, Morrison allegedly transferred $5,000 to his personal account and $20,000 to another one of his business accounts. It is unclear whether any of the money is still in those accounts.

In a similar scheme, Morrison allegedly offered to help a Miami executive get a $113 million loan for a Mary Brickell Village project. The Miami executive sent Morrison a refundable fee of $32,900. In return, Morrison reportedly referred the executive to a lender. The victim failed to get the loan and Morrison allegedly refused to give the victim a refund.

Reports say Morrison moved $20,000 of the profits from his business bank account to a separate business account a few days after the initial transfer. Again, it is unclear whether any of that money is still in Morrison's possession.

Continue reading "Sean Michael Morrison, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Lender, Arrested for Fraud" »

Anthony Carlton Fonseca, a Jupiter, Florida child modeling agent, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly posing as a 16-year-old girl online in order to try to get nude pictures from underage boys, a press release from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports. Fonseca, 43, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on one count of transmission of pornography by electronic device and 30 counts of possession of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a child. He was later released after posting $93,000 bail bond. The press did not list an attorney for Fonseca.

According to reports, Fonseca own his own child modeling agency, Anthony Carlton Management. Sources say that Fonseca works with teens and preteens from Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties. However, it is unclear whether Fonseca ever attempted any wrongdoing in connection to his business. "We have to wait until our investigators gather the facts," an FDLE spokesperson said.

The current charges stem from the profile of a 16-year-old girl named Amanda Peterson. Reports say Fonseca used this fake profile to solicit sexually illicit pictures from underage boys. Facebook representatives purportedly discovered that the account had been used to chat with an underage male and, in August and November 2011, the boy sent nude pictures to the account. "Fonseca allegedly impersonated a 16-year-old girl online to engage in Web chats with young boys to solicit sexually explicit images," an FDLE spokesperson later commented.

Facebook reported the account to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on January 9. Facebook's report included Fonseca's IP address, a digital handle that is unique to every Internet subscriber. Detectives traced the IP address to an address in the 5700 block of Coach House Circle, where Fonseca had allegedly lived until recently. After a little digging, police tracked Fonseca to his current residence in Jupiter. Police are still conducting an investigation and it is unclear whether they are looking for additional victims.

This is not the first time Fonseca has been arrested for these types of charges. In 2008, Fonseca was arrested for spying on a teenage boy at a movie theater. Fonseca allegedly stood on a toilet and looked over the stall at the boy. Sources say Fonseca later pled guilty to a misdemeanor voyeurism charge.

In other sexual crime news, Krystle M. Harrison of Bradenton was arrested Wednesday after she was accused of biting her long-term boyfriend's genitals during an argument, reports say. Harrison, 19, was booked into the Manatee County Jail on charges stemming from the incident. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Anthony Carlton Fonseca, Jupiter, Florida Child Modeling Agent, Arrested for Exploiting a Minor" »

Travis Edwards of Belle Glade, Florida was arrested Sunday for allegedly intentionally transmitting HIV to a 15-year-old girl via intercourse, news sources report. Edwards also allegedly impregnated the victim. Edwards, 23, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of uninformed HIV infected sexual intercourse, impregnation of a child, and lewd or lascivious battery. He is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail bond. Reports did not specify a defense lawyer for Edwards.

According to reports, police first learned of the illicit relationship in January 2012, when the victim was two months pregnant. Doctors discovered during the victim's pregnancy that she had contracted HIV. She gave birth to a baby girl in August that same year.

The father contacted police two months after the birth of his grandchild, wanting to know who had impregnated his daughter and given her HIV. The father reportedly said Edwards might be the likely culprit, since he knew he had HIV and was in town. Detectives later met with the father and the victim to discuss the issue. During an interview with detectives, the victim reportedly said that the same man who got her pregnant gave her HIV. It is unclear whether she gave detectives Edward's name. Detectives also took a DNA sample from both the victim and her baby during the meeting, sources say.

Detectives got a hold of Edwards at his residence in Belle Glade a short time later, reports say. Edwards reportedly admitted to having met the girl once at a park while she was cutting her friend's hair. "I [didn't] see her in a sexual way," Edwards told police. He also denied ever having sex with the girl. Detectives reportedly told Edwards that they believed he was the baby's father, but he refuted the claim. When asked if he would give a DNA sample, Edwards told police they would have to obtain a warrant.

Detectives later asked Edwards's sister whether she knew Edwards had HIV; she said he did. Detectives said that, since they now knew Edwards had HIV and he confessed to knowing the victim, the law allowed them to compare Edward's DNA to the baby's DNA. The reportedly showed that Edwards was the baby's father.

Edwards was not the only South Florida man accused of impregnating a minor this past week. Curtis Barbary or Lauderhill was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of impregnating a 13-year-old girl, reports say. Barbary, 31, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of impregnating a minor and lascivious battery. His bail was set a $25,000. It is unclear whether he hired legal aid.

Continue reading "Travis Edwards of Belle Glade, Florida Arrested for Transmitting HIV to a Minor" »

Ricky R. Smith of Lake Worth, Florida was arrested Friday for allegedly assaulting the mother of his child, dragging her by her hair and punching her, news sources report. Smith, 52, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of aggravated domestic battery. He was later released after posting $10,000 bail bond. It is currently unclear whether Smith has hired a defense lawyer.

According to reports, the incident occurred at around 11:00 Friday evening near the intersection of South N Street and 14th Avenue South in Lake Worth. Smith had been arguing with the victim, with whom he has a nine-month-old baby, reports say. It is unclear whether Smith and the victim are currently in a relationship, nor it is known whether stay away orders were issued following Smith's arrest.

As the fight escalated, Smith allegedly took hold of the victim's hair and dragged her out of sight of witnesses. Sources say Smith then struck the victim at least once. Police interviewed the victim following the attack and discovered she was missing two teeth and had a cut on her lip, injuries she purportedly sustained during the attack.

Smith fled the area following the altercation, but police eventually caught up with and arrested him. During questioning, Smith denied harming the victim. Instead, Smith allegedly claimed that the victim became upset and wanted to hurt herself so she dove to the ground, causing the injuries. Reports say detectives found evidence near the scene of the crime that contradicts Smith's story, though it is unclear what sort of evidence was found.

In other news, Mary Joyce Daffron and Billie Jean Williams of Ocala were arrested on Mother's Day after they allegedly left their two young children alone on the beach and boarded a boat to have drinks, reports say. Daffron, 28, and Williams, 27, were booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of child neglect. Daffron's bail was set at $5,500, while Williams was later released on $5,000 bond. It is unclear whether the duo had hired legal representation.

According to reports, Daffron and Williams were at Gator Joe's on the beach along 135th Avenue in Ocklawaha. Daffron was there wither her 6-yread-old child and Williams with her 8-year-old child. As the children played on the beach, both Daffron and Williams boarded a boat. The boat soon left shore, reports say.

Continue reading "Ricky R. Smith of Lake Worth, Florida Arrested for Aggravated Domestic Battery" »

Leonard Ansill of Jupiter Farms, Florida was arrested Wednesday for allegedly defrauding his investors out of more than $1 million, news sources report. Ansill, 77, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of organizing a scheme to defraud and grand theft. His bail was set at $70,000. It is not yet known whether Ansill has hired an attorney.

According to reports, Ansill told potential investors that received mortgage payments for multiple valuable properties. These properties included Comfort Inn & Suites locations in both Jupiter and Lantana, as well as several various locations throughout Miami, Sunrise, Pompano Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. Ansill purportedly told the investors that he would share a portion of the mortgage profits in return for their investments.

At least two investors say they began investing with Ansill in late 2009. In June, detectives began investigating Ansill after receiving several complaints from investors. Detectives spoke with the Jupiter and Lantana Comfort Inn & Suites owners, and both reported that they had never heard of Ansill, sources say.

It turned out Ansill never truly held mortgages with either of those properties, as he allegedly led investors to believe. Instead, detectives say Ansill operated a Ponzi scheme, paying investors with other investors' investments. In all, sources say Ansill made off with $1.12 million from six investors. It remains to be seen whether investors will be able to recover any of these allegedly stolen funds.

In other news, Mason Scott Beuning and Wolfe O'Meara of Gainesville were arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing bomb-making materials from a Wal-Mart, reports say. Detectives later learned that Beuning had created an explosive device and may have been trying to steal materials to make another. Beuning, 18, and O'Meara, 18, were booked into police custody on charges of shoplifting. Beuning faces additional charges of possessing a destructive device. It is unclear whether the duo qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Tuesday at a Wal-Mart Supercenter on Northeast 12th Avenue in Gainesville. The store's security staff reportedly caught Beuning and O'Meara stealing items that could potentially be used to make a bomb. Wal-Mart security held Beuning and O'Meara at their office until police arrived.

Continue reading "Leonard Ansill of Jupiter Farms, Florida Arrested for Million-Dollar Ponzi Scheme" »

Niara Williams, a Delray Beach, Florida retail clerk, was arrested Monday after she allegedly stole over $1,000 from the Abercrombie & Fitch store where she worked, news sources report. Williams, 19, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of grand theft. She was later released after posting $3,000 bail bond. Reports did not specify whether Williams has hired an attorney.

According to reports, the theft occurred at Abercrombie & Fitch in the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton. Sources say Williams began working for Abercrombie & Fitch in January 2013. After she was hired, a manager at the store noticed that money was going missing from the store's cash register, sources say.

An investigator with the store's loss prevention office began looking into the missing money. They reportedly learned that the shortages occurred on days Williams had been working. The investigators then looked over the store's surveillance footage and reportedly saw Williams stealing money from the store's register. In all, Jones allegedly stole $1,100 over a period of several months.

Detectives interviewed Williams later, and she admitted to taking money from the register, reports say. Williams told detectives that she had been going through a financially tough period and needed money to pay her bills. No one else appears to have been involved in the theft.

In other news, Bryan Zuniga of Pinellas Park was arrested Thursday for allegedly fleeing police during a routine traffic stop, a press release from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office indicates. Zuniga, 20, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding police, breaking or injuring fences, driving with a revoked driver's license, and resisting an officer without violence. It is unclear whether qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 2:40 Thursday morning in the 7100 block of 78th Avenue North. An officer reportedly witnessed Zuniga swerving and pulled him over. Zuniga stopped his car, but instead of cooperating with the officer, he allegedly leapt from the passenger's side door of his car and ran away.

Reports say Zuniga broke through a fence near Westchester Boulevard and 71st Street North and fled through a water treatment plant. Detectives began searching for Zuniga but were unable to find him within the vicinity.

Continue reading "Niara Williams, Delray Beach, Florida Abercrombie & Fitch Employee, Arrested for Grand Theft" »

Dan B. Corcoran of Delray Beach, Florida was arrested Sunday for allegedly firing a handgun from his apartment door, news sources report. Corcoran, 35, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of firing a weapon in public, using a gun while under the influence of alcohol, and criminal mischief causing more than $1,000 damage to property. He was later released after posting $3,000 bail bond. It is unclear whether Corcoran has hired a defense lawyer.

According to reports, the incident occurred at around 11:00 Sunday evening at Corcoran's apartment in the 2200 block of Lindell Boulevard. Witnesses at the apartment complex called the police to report several gunshots in the area. A search revealed 14 bullet holes on Corcoran's apartment screen door. The shots did not injure anyone, sources say, but did strike two cars in the complex's parking lot. Police were unable to find Corcoran at the time.

Detectives caught up with Corcoran two days later and confronted him about the shooting. Corcoran said he had been depressed "over personal issues" on the day of the incident. He came home from the gym that night, began drinking, and decided to fire his gun out of his apartment door, he purportedly said.

"At the time Corcoran was shooting he said he just wanted to shoot his firearm, so he did," police said. A police report also said "[Corcoran] was not worried about striking a passerby because it was so late at night." It is unclear where Corcoran went following the alleged shooting. As Corcoran was not charged with unlicensed ownership of a firearm, it does appear as though he had a license to own the gun.

In other news, police in Tampa announced that they are looking for a man who stole nearly $2,000 worth of disposable razors from an area Wal-Mart. Surveillance video in the store captured the theft, but police have not yet identified the suspect. An investigation is ongoing.

Continue reading "Dan B. Corcoran of Delray Beach, Florida Arrested for Firing a Gun in Public" »

Patrick Joseph Pierre Louis of Boca Raton, Florida was arrested Thursday after he allegedly shot a handgun at the ground following a verbal altercation with his ex-girlfriend's current boyfriend, news sources report. Louis, 24, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of firing a weapon from a vehicle. He was later released after posting $10,000 bail bond. It is unclear whether Louis has hired an defense attorney.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Thursday at the victim's home in the 130 block of S.W. 15 Avenue. Louis reportedly went to the residence - it is not clear whether he was invited or just showed up - and got into an argument with the victim's boyfriend. At the end of the argument, Louis reportedly got into his Mustang, aimed a handgun out the window, and fired it at the ground. Louis then allegedly sped away from the scene.

Police began searching for Louis's vehicle following the incident. The officers eventually caught up with Louis and pulled him over. A police officer asked Louis where he had just come from. "I don't want to tell you because I will incriminate myself," Louis reportedly answered. The officer asked if Louis had any weapons in his vehicle. Again, Louis declined to answer on the grounds that he believed he would incriminate himself, reports say.

The officer placed Louis under arrest and searched his vehicle. Inside Louis's Mustang, the officer found a Glock with 15 rounds, one of which had been spent, sources say. Detectives later spoke with Louis's former girlfriend. Sources say she was unwilling to make a statement, saying only, "[Louis] left with a silver Mustang, and came with a Mustang." It is not clear whether the woman will file a stay away order.

In other news, Donald Scott Gustafson of DeLand was arrested after he allegedly stalked and harassed his ex-girlfriend, Willie Mae Lowe, reports say. Gustafson, 58, was booked into the Volusia County Jail on charges of aggravated stalking. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

According to reports, Gustafson and Lowe had been seeing each other until just recently, when they had broken up. Lowe reported that Gustafson had been stalking and harassing in the weeks following the split. Lowe says Gustafson threatened her as well, saying, "he would take me out and whoever I [dated], even if it was five years down the road."

Continue reading "Patrick Joseph Pierre Louis of Boca Raton, Florida Arrested for Shooting from Vehicle" »

Maximilian Andrew Schroeder of Boca Raton, Florida was arrested Sunday for allegedly attempting to flee police by hiding in the trunk of his car, news sources report. Schroeder, 28, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding police officer, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released from jail on $3,000 bail bond. It is currently unclear whether Schroeder obtained a defense lawyer.

According to reports, the incident started around 3:00 Sunday morning on South Ocean Boulevard. A Highland Beach police officer spotted Schroeder's Mitsubishi traveling 57 miles per hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone, sources say. The officer began pursuing Schroeder, and Schroeder allegedly turned off his lights and increased his speeds to 65 miles per hour.

Schroeder led the officer to a parking lot a 3200 South Ocean Boulevard and parked in the parking lot. The officer exited his vehicle and approached Schroeder's car. "As I approached, there was no one in the vehicle," the officer said in his report. The officer searched the surrounding area but found no suspects.

At around 3:20 a.m., Schroeder reappeared and started driving again. He allegedly made "rapid evasive maneuvers" in his car in the parking lot before once again parking his vehicle. The officer exited his vehicle and approached Schroeder's car once more. Again, the car was empty, sources say.

An hour passed and the officer called for backup, but police still not found any suspects in the surrounding area. Two officers in the vicinity then noticed something moving around inside the car, reports say. The officers searched the inside of the vehicle and reportedly found Schroeder in the trunk. It turns out that Schroeder had been parking his vehicle and hiding in the trunk to avoid being found.

Officers escorted Schroeder out of the trunk and placed him under arrest. Based on the charges, the officers appear to have found an unspecified amount of marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia, sin Schroeder's possession. It does not appear as though anyone was injured in the chase.

In other news, Scott Barron of Alva was arrested Saturday after he was allegedly caught masturbating on a boat, reports say. Barron, 67, was booked into the Lee County Jail on charges of indecent exposure. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

Continue reading "Maximilian Andrew Schroeder of Boca Raton, Florida Arrested for Hiding in Car Trunk" »

Tagean Petergay Lug of West Palm Beach, Florida was arrested Friday after police reportedly found 250 pounds of marijuana in her home and another 67 pounds in her vehicle, news sources report. Reports also accused Lug's boyfriend of participating in the drug trafficking operation, though it is unclear whether he was arrested. Lug, 30, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of marijuana trafficking and fraud. She was later released after posting $15,000 bail bond. Reports did not say whether Lug hired an attorney.

According to reports, Lug shares an apartment with her boyfriend in the 1100 block of Green Pine Boulevard. Police did not comment on the investigation that led to a search warrant for the home, but on Thursday, detectives with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's department searched the apartment while the couple was out. Inside, officers found $96,251 in cash and 250 pounds of marijuana, reports say. Detectives also located 2012 tax return papers under Lug's name that indicated her annual income that year was $20,462.

Lug arrived home while officers were searching her house, sources say. Detectives proceeded to search Lug's vehicle, where they reportedly found an additional 67 pounds of marijuana. Lug allegedly explained to detectives that she and her boyfriend were involved in a marijuana trafficking ring. As part of the ring, Lug said she would travel to different post offices throughout Palm Beach County and collect boxes of marijuana. It is currently unclear where those boxes originated. Lug indicated that her boyfriend then sold the drugs.

During their investigation, detectives learned that Lug had a fictitious driver's license. Lug said she would often use fake names, including as Monica Breen and Tina Culler, as part of the drug fraud. Reports say Lug had bank accounts with Bank of America and Wells Fargo that she used for the drug profits. Lug told officers that her boyfriend had deposited $7,000 in marijuana earning into her Wells Fargo account. In all, Lug said that $46,700 in her bank accounts originated from marijuana sales. Reports did not say whether Lug's boyfriend was identified or arrested.

In other news, Jason Alonzo Brady of Brooksville was arrested after he allegedly stole at least four computers from a Walmart, reports say. Brady, 35, was booked into the Hernando County Jail on charges of theft. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

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Conrad Hilton III, a West Palm Beach, Florida philanthropist and grandson of the Hilton Hotel founder, was arrested Sunday for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, news sources report. Hilton, 53, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of domestic battery. He was later released on his own recognizance. The press did not list an attorney for Hilton.

According to reports, Hilton is the grandson of Conrad Hilton, the founder of the world-famous Hilton Hotel chain. Hilton is also a cousin to the famous Paris Hilton. Sources say Hilton is on the governing board of the Conrad Hilton Foundation and works as a philanthropist in West Palm Beach. It is unclear whether the Hilton family commented on the arrest.

According to reports, the incident occurred Sunday at Abe and Louie's, a bar that is located on Glades Road in Boca Raton. Hilton reportedly got into an argument with his girlfriend, grabbed her, and pushed her. A police officer in the bar witnessed the battery, reports say, though it is unclear whether that officer was on duty.

Following the alleged battery, the victim declined to make a statement, saying Hilton was a "good man," and that he was just "slightly intoxicated" at the time. It does not appear as though she will press charges, and sources do not indicate that she suffered any injuries from the alleged assault.

In other news, Shawn Estep of Tequesta was arrested after he was accused of burglarizing over a half a dozen homes throughout north Palm Beach County, reports say. Estep was booked into the Brevard County Jail on multiple charges. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

According to reports, Estep was in police custody in Brevard County for other theft-related charges when he agreed show officials which homes he had burglarized in Palm Beach County. Estep reportedly told officers that he robbed several homes throughout Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens. During the unconventional guided tour, Estep showed police homes that he had robbed on Village Circle, Raintree Trail, Warren Drive, Palmwood Road and Chippewa Street in Jupiter. Estep also showed officers home on Palm Harbor Drive and West Edgewater Drive that he allegedly robbed in Palm Beach Gardens.

Continue reading "Conrad Hilton III, West Palm Beach, Florida Philanthropist, Arrested for Domestic Battery" »

Dilbert E. Coreas, a West Palm Beach, Florida party organizer, was arrested Wednesday for allegedly re-entering the United States illegally, news sources report. Coreas was removed from the country last year on drug charges, but he allegedly snuck back in. Coreas was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of illegal reentry after deportation. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail bond. It is also not yet known whether Coreas has hired a criminal defense attorney.

According to reports, Coreas originally came to the United State from his home country of El Salvador. In June 2009, Coreas was arrested here on charges of resisting arrest, felony tampering with evidence, and felony possession of cocaine with intent to sell. In September 2012, prosecutors deported Coreas back to El Salvador. It appears he reentered the country sometime after that deportation.

Since his return to the U.S., sources show that Coreas has been operating Itza Kidzworld Party Planning and Rental, a West Palm Beach-based company that organizes children's parties and rents out party supplies. According to the company's Facebook page, they rent out $70 pony rides, $85 bounce houses, $115 water-slide bounce houses, and $60 hot dog, snow cone, or cotton candy machines.

While Coreas appears to run a legitimate business by day, detectives claim he runs with the violent Central American Mara Salvatrucha gang, which is more commonly known as MS-13, by night. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's gang unit spearheaded the investigation after a picture of Coreas on a social networking website suggested he was participating in gang activity, sources say.

Detectives requested Coreas's documentation from Homeland Security as part of the investigation, only to learn that Coreas had previously been deported from the country. Coreas will likely face deportation again now that he has been apprehended.

In other news, Alicia Fawn Chessher of Fort Walton Beach was arrested after she allegedly had sex in the bathroom of a nightclub, then became violent when bouncers tried to remove her, reports say. Chessher, 26, was booked into police custody on charges that have not yet been specified. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

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Naura Nashae Haliburton of West Palm Beach, Florida was arrested Thursday after she allegedly stabbed the father of her child in the hand following an argument, news sources report. Haliburton, 21, was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. She was later released after posting a $3,000 bail bond. The press did not list an attorney for Haliburton.

According to reports, Haliburton and the victim have a two-year-old child together; however, it is currently unclear whether Haliburton and the victim are still involved. It is unclear how this arrest will affect Haliburton's custody over her child. The report also did not mention whether the victim filed a stay away order.

The alleged incident occurred at the victim's home in the 1300 block of West 32nd Street. Sources say the confrontation started when Haliburton found something objectionable saved on the victim's cell phone. The victim reportedly declined to argue with the Haliburton about the information on his phone.

Haliburton became more upset and began to assault the victim, reports say. At some point during the assault, Haliburton took a knife and allegedly tried to stab the victim, sources indicate. The victim put his hand up to defend himself and the knife penetrated his palm. Following the stabbing, Haliburton fled the scene, reports say. The victim called police, and paramedics treated the knife wound at the scene.

In other news, Kristina Melvin of Seminole was arrested Wednesday for allegedly embezzling money from her employer, reports say. Melvin, 45, was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of grand theft over $100,000 and probation violation. It is unclear whether she qualified for bail or hired legal representation.

According to reports, this is not the first time Melvin has been arrested for theft. Pinellas County detectives arrested Melvin in 2008 on charges of grand theft over $100,000. The details of that arrest are currently unknown. Following her release on those charges, prosecutors placed Melvin on probation for an unspecified duration.

After her release, Melvin reportedly worked as a manager and bookkeeper for Seats and Chairs.com, a furniture e-store that buys and sells furniture. Melvin's duties with the company included using the company's PayPal account to pay invoices, and she had access to a company credit card. She also provided payroll and work hour information to a third-party payroll company.

Continue reading "Naura Nashae Haliburton of West Palm Beach, Florida Arrested for Aggravated Battery" »