Maryland Law Blog

Being accused of a drug crime in Maryland should not be taken lightly. If convicted, you can face serious consequences, including, but not necessarily limited to, years or even decades in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. The penalties you face are determined by the drug crime you are accused of and the circumstances surrounding that crime.

As a former prosecutor and an aggressive drug crime defense attorney in Maryland, Andrew Alpert is not only aware of the state’s drug crime laws, but also the circumstances under which those crimes may carry harsher penalties. When aggravating factors further threaten your freedom and financial security, you need a strong defense to protect you from unjust prosecution and excessive penalties. There are many circumstances under which the prosecution may push for additional penalties, whether this means a longer prison sentence, larger fine amounts, or other consequences. The following include some common reasons for an increase in drug crime penalties.

Continue reading "What Increases the Severity of a Maryland Drug Crime?" »

Spice, a synthetic drug sold throughout the state of Maryland, has officially been made illegal in the town of Frederick according to an ABC7 news report. The mayor of Frederick recently signed the ban of the sale and use of this “designer drug” into law, and the drug, which also falls under 200 different brand names such as K2 or Zombie World, has all but disappeared from store shelves. Per the new law, any person caught selling or using this synthetic drug can be fined $1,000 per violation or jailed. In addition, penalties can go beyond fines and arrests, as businesses violating the spice ban can also lose their liquor license and the right to sell lottery tickets.

A Frederick store owner who sold the drug believes the new law will create a “black market” in Frederick and a surge in persons buying the dangerous chemicals online. However, the mayor of Frederick declared spice a public health emergency, which is why he and members of the community felt it essential to get spice off the street, and the mayor is now counting on a city free of designer drugs. The Frederick police chief adds that the spice ban is “a relief for our entire community.”

Continue reading "Sale and Use of Synthetic Drug Spice Banned in Frederick, MD" »

Maryland State Police troopers recently announced that they seized what they suspect to be $100,000 worth of heroin from a vehicle stopped on Interstate 95 near Perryville, according to DelmarvaNow.com. The vehicle was searched during a routine traffic stop, when officers called in a dog to sniff the vehicle for any possible controlled substances.

Police said that the objects they seized included bundles of what appeared to be uncut heroin, empty containers of the kind often used to transport heroin, and items that could be used to “cut” or dilute heroin to the concentrations normally sold on the street. They also discovered $78,000 in cash. The vehicle’s driver, a North Carolina resident, is being held on suspicion of several drug offenses, including possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Maryland has strict criminal penalties for those convicted of possessing and/or selling certain drugs, including heroin. Both possessing heroin itself and possessing the items needed to prepare heroin for sale may be charged as crimes in Maryland. Possession with intent to distribute heroin is a felony in Maryland, and a conviction may mean up to 20 years in prison, $25,000 in fines, and other penalties for a first offense.

Few things are more frightening than facing charges for a serious drug felony, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you or someone you love has been charged with a drug-related crime in Maryland, the experienced Maryland drug felony attorneys at Alpert Schreyer can help. Call us today at (866) 444-6363 for a confidential telephone consultation.

According to The Boston Herald, the Supreme Court ruled that the “Fair Sentencing Act,” which relaxed mandatory prison sentences for crack cocaine offenses, will now cover people who were charged but not yet sentenced when this act became law in 2010. The Herald reports that the act passed with bipartisan support to eliminate a distinct disparity between the required sentences for sellers of powder cocaine, who tend to be white, and persons who sell crack cocaine, who are “disproportionately black.”

Ultimately, this new ruling means that people who committed crack cocaine crimes before more lenient penalties took effect and had received their prison sentence afterward should benefit from the new rules. Congress did not specify whether the change would be retroactive, but Justice Breyer, who wrote the majority opinion for the high court, stated that not making it retroactive would “preserve a disproportionate status quo” and would create a “new disparate sentencing cliff.”

The Supreme Court resolved a dispute in favor of Edward Dorsey and Corey A. Hill who were arrested for selling crack cocaine in 2007 and 2008, both facing mandatory 10-year sentences in Illinois. However, both parties were not sentenced until after the “Fair Sentencing Act” was passed in August of 2010. This new Supreme Court ruling concluded that the courts should have used the new law to sentence the two men.

Civil rights groups praised the decision as it is another step toward reducing the sentencing disparities between crack and powder cocaine crimes, a gap which has struck African Americans particularly hard.

The drug sales attorneys in Maryland with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer understand the seriousness of such an offense and the harsh penalties one may face upon conviction. If you are facing drug charges in the state of Maryland, call us immediately at (866) 444-6363 to schedule a no-cost consultation regarding your case. We will work to ensure your lawful rights are protected.

Authorities were alerted anonymously of a strong odor in a room at a Holiday Inn Express in Elkridge which led to multiple arrests, according to The Washington Post. Local police received the tip around 10:40 p.m. on June 4 and, upon arriving at the hotel on Marshalee Drive, immediately detected a “strong, unusual odor” near the door of a room on the fourth floor. The officers were let into the room after knocking and spotted chemicals, according to a statement. Three men were immediately taken into custody, a fourth was arrested later when he showed up at the room, and the fifth was arrested in the hotel parking lot.

The official statement indicates that investigators believe the men were making methamphetamine for their own use, and the group was ultimately charged with drug manufacturing. Police say the men were traveling through the area for work and decided to make the drug because they were unable to find any nearby. Two of the men were from Oklahoma and the remaining three men were from North Carolina, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Authorities say the process of making methamphetamine produces strong odors similar to those of ammonia and ether, and the smell has been compared to the stench of rotten eggs or cat urine.

The Waldorf drug manufacturing lawyers with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer understand the seriousness of such a charge and will build an aggressive defense to help defend you from severe penalties. Our legal team will thoroughly investigate your case and examine the search and seizure and investigative methods used by law enforcement. To see how our experienced lawyers can help you, call (800) 489-1577 for a free case evaluation.

The Vienna Patch reports that a 24-year-old woman was arrested for attempting to fill fraudulent prescriptions at a Vienna pharmacy. The young woman, a resident of Gaithersburg, was arrested at the Vienna Drug Center and taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where officers obtained a warrant for prescription fraud. An employee at the Vienna Drug Center alerted authorities around 10 p.m. on April 28 that someone was trying to fill a fraudulent prescription. Upon receiving the information, police also discovered that the woman was wanted in Montgomery County on a warrant for probation violation. The 24-year-old was held on a $5,000 bond for the various charges.

Prescription fraud is a very serious and growing problem in the U.S. Prescription drug fraud is defined as the acquiring or obtaining of a controlled substance by illegal means and the wrongful gain of prescription drugs for personal use, or profit, without a validated prescription from a physician. The crime of prescription fraud can be committed in a number of ways, including forging prescriptions, altering prescriptions to increase the quantity, and impersonating a physician over the phone.

The penalties for a prescription fraud conviction in Maryland can be very serious, but seeking assistance from a Bethesda narcotics defense attorney can help protect you from excessive penalties. At the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, our criminal defense attorneys have a successful track record of defending clients facing drug-related charges and will work diligently to ensure your lawful rights are protected. To discuss your case with us, call (866) 444-6363. The initial consultation is free and confidential.

A WCSH6.com report states that a Maryland man now faces drug charges after being busted for allegedly selling marijuana out of his ice cream truck. According to the Charles County Sherriff’s office, authorities received a tip through Crime Solvers on March 30 about the alleged drug sales and police stopped the truck at the intersection of Bayswater Court and Sheffield Circle the same day. With the help of a drug detection dog, marijuana was found by deputies in the vehicle, along with an undisclosed amount of cash in the ice cream truck driver’s underwear.

The driver, a 20-year-old resident of Waldorf, had apparently been selling drugs out of his truck for some time to both teens and young adults, who found out about him by word of mouth. He was also legitimately selling ice cream. The ice cream truck driver has been charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The WCSH6.com report says the man is currently “out on bond and out of business.” A spokesperson for the Charles County Sherriff’s office wishes they received the tip much sooner, but is happy that a drug dealer is being taken off the street.

The penalties for drug sales in Maryland can be severe, and without an aggressive Waldorf drug crime defense attorney a person’s future will be in jeopardy. At the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, we have years of experience successfully defending people against drug charges and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your case. To discuss your specific case with a member of our legal team, call (800) 489-1577.

Crystal meth, or methamphetamine, is a powerful psychological and physical stimulant that is highly addictive. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has focused more attention on meth-related crimes in recent years, and the passing of the Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 placed a number of restrictions on all forms of methamphetamine.

The possession of crystal meth under federal and state laws is a very serious crime. Penalties may include up to $500,000 in fines and a prison term for as long as a life sentence. For the sale of crystal meth, an offender may receive a fine of up to $1,000,000 and the prison sentence depends on the amount of the drug sold or intended to be sold. Possession of crystal meth and/or the chemicals used to produce the drug is illegal. The fines and prison terms for possession, regardless of the amount of drugs or chemicals in possession, can be the maximum amount allowed under Federal Sentencing Guidelines for the federal drug crime.

The federal mandatory penalties for crystal meth possession are:

• Five or more grams: Mandatory minimum of five years in prison with a maximum term of 40 years.
• Fifty or more grams: Mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison with a maximum of life in prison.

In the state of Maryland, possession of any illegal drug, besides marijuana, is considered a felony. Therefore, anyone facing a charge for possession of crystal meth may receive a maximum potential sentence of four years and a fine of up to $25,000. The legal term “possession” in Maryland means you simply have or have control over the drug, and they don’t have to be physically on a person at the time of arrest; for example, they can be found in an individual’s car or home.

Both the state and federal penalties for possession of crystal meth are severe, and a conviction can mean a negative impact on one’s personal and professional life, in addition to the legal consequences. The Bethesda meth offense lawyers with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help defend any MD resident against excessive penalties for a meth charge and will seek alternatives to incarceration. Call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.

The Supreme Court issued a very interesting ruling on January 23 regarding the use of GPS devices by law enforcement to track criminal suspects. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the government needs a search warrant from a judge before it tracks any suspect using high-tech monitoring devices.

The Supreme Court justices did not agree with the U.S. Justice Department’s view that the use of a GPS device was a reasonable means of tracking a motorist on a public highway. This ruling represents a significant complication for law enforcement across the country as they are increasingly reliant on high tech surveillance, such as different types of GPS technology, to track and monitor suspects.

The ruling stems from a case in which the Supreme Court ruled that by secretly installing a GPS device to a vehicle owned by a drug suspect, both the police and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) violated the suspect’s Fourth Amendment rights. A GPS device was installed on a nightclub owner’s Jeep in Washington, D.C., which ultimately helped law enforcement link him to a suburban house that was used to stash money and drugs. The court deemed that the secret installation of the GPS device was considered a “search,” and the Fourth Amendment is intended to protect U.S. residents against government searches of private property. Overall, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia concluded that the installation of the device on the vehicle without a warrant was a trespass and therefore is considered to be an illegal search.

It is crucial that any Maryland resident facing drug charges, and thus severe penalties, ensure their constitutional and legal rights are protected throughout their case, from the arrest to the trial. The Waldorf drug crime defense lawyers with Alpert Schreyer, LLC will work diligently to ensure you receive a fair trial and work to get your charges dismissed or penalties reduced. For information on how we can help you with your case, please call (800) 489-1577 for a free and confidential consultation.

Drug transportation is defined as the unlawful transference of any controlled substance or narcotic from one place to another by any means. This transporting of illegal drugs occurs when an individual or group knowingly transfers the unlawful substances to another place, ranging from transporting a small amount in a car to a large amount on an airplane. If there is also the intent to sell the illegal substance or narcotic after it is transported, an intent to distribute charge may also be added, which can result in even harsher penalties.

The punishments for a drug transportation conviction can vary depending on certain factors, such as the type and classification of the drug, the amount, or the geographic location. Any individuals who transport and import drugs from another country will likely face the most severe penalties. A drug transportation charge is a serious offense in the state of Maryland, and consequences of a conviction can include: a lengthy prison sentence; hefty fines; court-ordered drug testing, rehabilitation, or counseling; deportation for non-U.S. citizens; search and seizure of property; probation; and community service.

A drug transportation conviction can, in addition to resulting in severe penalties, have a serious impact on a defendant’s personal and professional future. Any MD resident facing this type of drug-related charge would be well-advised to speak with a knowledgeable Maryland drug transportation attorney. At the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, we have years of experience defending people charged with drug-related crimes and will work tirelessly to ensure your legal rights are protected throughout your case. To see how our legal team can assist you, please call (866) 444-6363 for a free and confidential review of your case.

A resident of Hagerstown was sentence recently in federal court to 10 years in prison for conspiring to distribute illegal drugs in Western Maryland, according to Herald-mail.com. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports the 26-year-old, who returned to Maryland in 2007 after serving in the military, entered into a conspiracy with others to obtain marijuana and cocaine from a Texas source with plans to sell it in Maryland. Money from the drug sales were deposited into bank accounts in both New Jersey and Maryland, and the money would subsequently be withdrawn in Texas to purchase more drugs.

The Hagerstown man pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, along with five other individuals who have also entered pleas.

In the context of drug crimes in the state of Maryland, an intent to distribute charge means an individual was in possession of illegal drugs, controlled substances, or narcotics with the intention of selling or distributing them (usually for monetary gain). Maryland law enforcement and the federal government take this crime very seriously, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states this case shows their commitment to take down “drug trafficking organizations anywhere.” Any person convicted of intent to distribute crimes will face severe penalties; even first time offenders may get time in prison and hefty fines.

The experienced Bowie intent to distribute lawyers with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help any Maryland resident charged with this crime protect their legal rights throughout their case. We will build an aggressive defense to help get you the best possible outcome and protect your future. To see how our legal team can help you, please call (866) 444-6363 for a free consultation.

A convicted drug dealer was sentenced to 10 years in prison this week for cocaine-related charges. Stemming from a March arrest in Worcester County, the 27-year-old Maryland resident (who has a prior drug charge for crack cocaine possession) was found guilty of cocaine possession with intent to distribute.

The Maryland State Police arrested the man earlier this year when, after a short chase, police officers found the man in possession of a large plastic bag with three smaller bags containing crack cocaine. At the time, the suspect fled his car to try avoiding law enforcement, but the vehicle was never placed in park; the moving car eventually hit a rail guard on Route 113. A later inspection of the car produced even more drugs.

Maryland drug charges can vary depending on the circumstances; for example, suspects caught with a large amount of a controlled substance may be charged with intent to distribute or drug trafficking. Also, depending on the quantity and packaging, the charges may result in a felony or misdemeanor. In addition, the type of drug found in the suspect’s possession also determines what kind of charges the person may face.

In the state of Maryland, if caught with a Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 drug, such as cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, or methamphetamine, a suspect can receive a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $25,000. For less dangerous drugs, a prison sentence may be up to 5 years with fines of up to $15,000.

The penalties for being arrested for drug possession in Maryland can be quite severe, and not knowing the complexities of state drug laws and what punishments you may face can make the situation more difficult. A skilled Maryland drug possession defense attorney at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help you if you have been arrested for the crime of drug possession. We have years of experience handling these types of cases and will fight to get the best possible outcome in your case. For a free consultation, please call (866) 444-6363.

September is Recovery Month, a month-long observance dedicated to celebrating people in recovery, noting the contributions of drug and alcohol abuse treatment providers, promoting the benefits of treating those with substance abuse disorders, and spreading the message that treatment can be successful.

Some crimes are directly related to the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Most addicts are not bad people at heart; their addictions take hold of them and change the way they behave. When an addict needs a drink or a drug fix, he or she may do almost anything to fulfill that need. Addiction is linked to increases in several types of crime:

• Domestic violence
• Theft
• Burglary
• Child abuse

The National Center for Victims of Crime explains that punishing addicts does not deter them from drug and alcohol use. Serving jail time or performing community service does nothing to address the root causes of alcohol and drug abuse. Additionally, addiction treatment should include follow-up care for the program to be really successful. When an inmate leaves jail, there is often little chance that he or she will receive additional care. These addicts can fall through the cracks, and many return to their former lifestyles and commit additional crimes.

Anyone accused of committing a crime while under the influence of drugs or alcohol should have an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight for their rights. The Maryland drug crime defense lawyers at Alpert Schreyer have decades of experience representing individuals in the Washington, D.C. area who have been charged with drug-related crimes. For a free consultation to discuss your case, call Alpert Schreyer, LLC at (301) 262-7005 or toll free at (866) 444-6363.

Authorities in Maryland are initiating a ban that may start as early as Sept. 1 on the sale of synthetic drugs known as “bath salts”. Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), has recently completed a six week study on the drugs and has declared them “dangerous”. He has asked for the immediate addition of the drugs to the state’s Schedule 1 Controlled Dangerous Substances list.

Because the substance is labeled as bath salts, they have been able to skirt federal drug laws. The product is available for purchase online and in stores, however, according to the DHMH, it was only found in 1% of stores in Maryland. Users of the “bath salts” smoke, inject, snort or eat them to get a high with similar effects as cocaine. The drugs have been shown to cause cardiac and circulatory problems, agitation, delirium, paranoia and psychosis. The Maryland State Poison Control Center is aware of 31 cases of “bath salts” poisoning and one death. The Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel and the Governor of Maryland support the proposed ban.

Drugs on Maryland’s Schedule 1 list have a serious potential for abuse and have no accepted medical use. Distribution and possession of these drugs can carry serious consequences and long jail sentences. Drug crimes are notorious for being complex given that addiction can often be a root of causation, making rehabilitation a possibility over serving jail time. If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug crime, you should a lawyer with the knowledge and experience to form a solid defense. The Maryland drug possession defense attorneys at Alpert Schreyer understand what is necessary to get the best possible outcome for your case. Call today at 866-444-6363 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

According to a recent article on thebaynet.com, a Baltimore woman pleaded guilty to trafficking counterfeit Viagra pills. Over a four month period the woman sold more than $8,000 worth of pills to buyers who found her post on Craigslist.

Investigators from Pfizer, the company that manufactures real Viagra, were the first to tip off authorities about the woman’s activities after using an undercover investigator to buy the fakes from the woman. Authorities then sent their own undercover officer to meet with the woman, who sold the officer 25 pills and gave him 50 more on the proviso that he sell them and give her a cut of the profits.

Police were able to use that information to obtain a search warrant which lead to the seizure of nearly 46,000 pills at the woman’s home. The woman now faces a maximum of ten years in prison and a $2 million fine.

The state of Maryland imposes severe penalties on those convicted of possession of drugs with intent to distribute and other drug related crimes.

In the case above, the sentence was increased due to the volume of drugs the woman had. As the charges in drug trafficking situations are daunting, it is important to have a lawyer who is skilled in drug charge defense. The Waldorf drug crime defense lawyers at Alpert Schreyer have experience in carefully analyzing each case to get the best outcome for our clients. If you or someone you love is facing drug charges, call the experienced Maryland defense lawyers at Alpert Schreyer at (866) 444-6363 for a free and confidential consultation.

Maryland criminal law already requires police officers to notify a student’s school if the student is arrested outside of school for any one of a long list of crimes. Now, the legislature is considering a bill that would add arrests for possession or administration of a controlled substance - known commonly as “drug dealing” - to that list, according to a recent article in The Herald-Mail.

The bill, introduced by Washington/Allegheny Delegate LeRoy E. Myers, Jr., adds drug crimes to the list of reportable crimes already included in the Safe Schools Act, such as murder, malicious defacing of property, and possessing firearms. Del. Myers says that he believes the current version of the Safe Schools Act overlooked drug crimes and that if schools were aware of a student’s arrest on a drug-related charge, the school may be able to help the student avoid similar arrests in the future.

Not everyone supports the change, however. Betsy Fox Tolentino, a staff attorney with the Office of the Public Defender, testified against the bill in the state legislature. She said that the current bill strikes an important balance between keeping schools safe and preserving the presumption that those arrested are innocent until they are proven guilty in court.

Being arrested or charged with a crime in Maryland can have a serious impact on your life, even before trial begins. If you or someone you love is facing drug charges in Maryland, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Maryland drug crime defense lawyers at Alpert Schreyer. We will fight to protect your legal rights and seek the best possible outcome in your case. Call 866-444-6363 to set up a free and confidential case evaluation.

According to a recent story, a 23-year-old woman from Glen Burnie was arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs into Roxbury Correctional Institution in Hagerstown, Maryland while visiting an incarcerated inmate. The report states that after receiving an anonymous tip, Police used drug sniffing dogs to catch the woman who turned over four latex balloons containing marijuana and heroin to authorities.

The suspect reportedly had two young children with her, both of whom were immediately handed over to social services following the incident. The young woman has six drug charges against her and as a consequence, faces a maximum of 36 years in prison and $68,000 in fines.

Under Maryland law, possession or use of any amount of marijuana is punishable by jail time and hefty fines. Heroin, a Schedule I narcotic, merits some of the most severe punishments in the criminal justice system.

In drug offense cases, oftentimes, police may make mistakes in the search and seizure process, thereby violating a person’s rights and eradicating certain charges. If you have been charged with drug possession or trafficking, you should contact a skilled Maryland drug crime attorney who can investigate all the details surrounding your case. Remember that even with a serious drug charge, you are innocent until proven guilty.

Continue reading "Woman Accused of Smuggling Drugs into Maryland Prison" »

Police in Cambridge, Maryland arrested two men on February 10, 2010 after they attempted to elude police during a traffic stop. According to news reports, when officers attempted to stop a vehicle for driving against a state of emergency order issued due to severe weather, the driver failed to pull over and attempted to elude the officers. Fortunately for police, when the driver turned from Washington Street onto St. Clair Avenue, his car became stuck in the snow. Three individuals then jumped from the vehicle and proceeded to flee on foot. The officers were able to catch and arrest both the driver and the front seat passenger.

The arresting officers found 22.3 grams of marijuana on the floor of the front passenger’s seat. The driver, a 22-year-old from Rhodesdale, was driving on a suspended driver’s license. In addition, the front seat passenger, a 25-year-old from Cambridge, was wanted on an outstanding warrant for 13 counts of animal cruelty. Both face multiple charges, and are being held at Dorchester County Detention Center.

Continue reading "Two Men Arrested for Police Evasion, Drugs and Outstanding Warrant" »

Washington D.C. prosecutors are weighing support for the city’s bid to increase PCP drug possession charges to felony charges under the pretext that violent psychosis caused by the drug warrants the increase of punishment. Based on a recent article, defense lawyers argue that possession of the drug without intent to sell should not garner long-term prison sentences.
Phencyclidine, a chemical substance commonly known as PCP, has been blamed for causing numerous violent rampages in Washington D.C. According to the District’s Pretrial Service Agency, nine percent of adults arrested in the District last year tested positive for the drug. The drug is known to cause paranoid thoughts, feelings of abnormal power, invulnerability and strength as well as panic and a sense of impending death.

Should the bid succeed, liquid PCP drug possession offenders will be punished with up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine on top of having a felony charge on their records. Defense attorneys rally that harsher penalties will result in more incarcerations, something many local governments are against.

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According to an article from chicagotribune.com, a Virginia doctor has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for allegedly writing tens of thousands of prescriptions for muscle relaxants and other drugs. Apparently, the doctor provided these prescriptions over the Internet and did not meet or examine any of the patients. In addition to the seven counts held against him for introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce, the doctor was also charged with four counts of tax evasion. He pleaded guilty to all the charges against him.

The doctor was also sentenced in the city of Boston’s federal court to three years of probation following release from his one-year sentence. Based on the article, prosecutors argued that between 2004 and 2007, the doctor gave out about 50,000 to 100,000 prescriptions based on forms refined for online pharmacies. He was reportedly paid $5 to $7 per prescription and never reported this income to the IRS.

Even though the doctor in this drug crime case pleaded guilty to the charges against him, doing so is not something that applies to every criminal case. A guilty plea may benefit a defendant if it means facing a lowered sentence or being given the opportunity of probation instead of jail time. However, a person being accused of a drug crime in Maryland may want to discuss serious matters such as these with an experienced Maryland drug crime defense attorney.

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A man from Myersville, Maryland, considered to be the President of the National Pagans Motorcycle Club, has been accused of leading the supposedly wide-spread outlaw biker gang in extortion, robbery, kidnapping, plotting to commit murder, weapons violations, and drug dealing, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia. Based on a baltimoresun.com report, more than 50 members and associates of the alleged gang are accused of conspiracy to kill and extort rival bikers in order to establish themselves as the top gang of bikers in the area. Those accused are reported to be in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Florida.

According to the article, within the 44-count, 83-page indictment document against those arrested, it is stated: “The PMC and its existing support clubs unlawfully threatened and intimidated people who wanted to start a motorcycle club in the PMC territory.” The article also mentioned that federal prosecutors are in search of holding the alleged leaders, including the Maryland man, and 20 others, without bail.

Maryland residents don’t hear about criminal cases quite like this one on a normal basis. It is interesting that prosecutors apparently did not know whether the President of the National Pagans Motorcycle Club had a criminal defense attorney or not. Although the charges against this man and many others seem insurmountable at a quick glance, all citizens arrested for a crime are innocent until proven guilty. Considering that so many people were arrested, it is possible that false accusations were made, leading to charges being brought against those that were not involved with the related crimes whatsoever.

Continue reading "National Pagans Motorcycle Club President is One of 55 Arrested" »

It may surprise many Maryland residents that a hallucinogen is in fact legal both in our state and throughout the rest of the U.S. However a statewide ban on the hallucinogen, salvia, is waiting to be passed by the Maryland General Assembly. This ban may not come soon enough for Worcester County. According to a recent report, the County Commissioners introduced a bill to ban salvia in all of Worcester County. Decision on the bill will be made during a public hearing during which it will be decided whether or not emergency legislation should pass. If the bill is passed on September 1, 2009, it will go into effect right away.

The recent efforts to ban salvia are not the first Maryland has seen. A Mid-Shore Maryland State Senator last year sponsored a bill to criminalize salvia that turned out to be unsuccessful at getting the herb on the list of Schedule I drugs, those which are illegal to both possess and sell. The Senator referred to salvia as “one of the most powerful natural grown hallucinogens known to mankind…as powerful as psilocybin mushrooms.”

Others who have been supporting a ban on the hallucinogen would also like to see legislation passed to criminalize salvia; however, enforcement could be a big challenge considering that saliva grows freely unbeknownst to homeowners and in various other locations. Specifically, the debated plant is salvia divinorum, a typically non-flowering variety of sage, which has over 700 species. These sage varieties are popular garden adornments and herbs used for cooking; however salvia divinorum is not sold for ornamental use by garden stores or retail shops.

The proposed bill also prohibits owning or selling paraphernalia for the ingestion, processing, or growing of salvia; however details pertaining to the exact definitions of what that paraphernalia may be are not outlined in the bill.

Continue reading "Worcester County May Ban the Hallucinogen Salvia" »

A woman was recently caught trying to smuggle 2 pounds and 9 ounces of cocaine from Jamaica into Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The 35-year-old District woman split the cocaine into two packages and hid the large amount of drugs in her bra; one of the less invasive ways in which people try to transport drugs, but a common attempt at trickery that customs officials seem to be highly aware of.

According to a Customs and Border Protection port Director for the Port of Baltimore, “Narcotics smugglers will go to great lengths to conceal their dangerous drugs, and this is another unique concealment method…unfortunately for her, it wasn’t so unique that it fooled our highly trained officers even for a second.”

Although it has not been released at this time as to what charges the woman will face, she is likely to be accused of possession of cocaine, drug trafficking, intent to distribute, and even felony drug charges. All of these offenses have the potential to impose drastic changes in a person’s life, with consequences that may include lengthy sentencing with a slim opportunity for parole, fines amounting to thousands of dollars that can land one in debt, and years or even decades of incarceration. Additionally, undocumented individuals may also face deportation if convicted of drug offenses.

Continue reading "Extra Padding a Bust: Woman at BWI Caught with Cocaine in Bra" »

A recent article in the Maryland Coast Dispatch discusses the case of an Ocean City man who allegedly posed as a doctor and called in fake prescriptions to local pharmacies for painkillers. The article said that on June 11, 2009, officers with the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) narcotics unit began a pharmaceutical drug investigation of a man who had allegedly been calling in fake Hydrocodone prescriptions while posing as a doctor from Laurel, Maryland. The article said that the 38-year-old defendant in the Maryland drug crime case is from Ocean City, MD.

Detectives from the OCPD began their investigation of the man after receiving a tip from a pharmacist working for a pharmacy on 120th Street. Police officials said that the pharmacist suspected illegal activity from the way that the prescription drugs were being prescribed and the particular drug that was prescribed. In the course of conducting their investigation, OCPD detectives discovered that the person who the drugs were fraudulently prescribed for had recently been discharged as a patient from a Laurel, Maryland doctor’s office.

Supposedly, the man had been discharged from a doctor’s care due to repeated attempts to call in fraudulent prescriptions by posing as doctor. After allegedly phoning in a fraudulent prescription for Hydrocodone, the man was arrested as he attempted to pick up the prescription from the pharmacy on 120th Street. While police arrested the man, they also found marijuana in his possession. Police then charged him with:

• Obtaining a CDS prescription by fraud


• Obtaining a CDS prescription by impersonation


• Possession of marijuana


• And possession of drug paraphernalia

After his arrest, the man was taken before a District Court Commissioner and transferred to the county jail on a $5,000 bond. Hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule 3 controlled dangerous substance and is a potentially addictive painkiller also known by the brand name Vicodin.

Continue reading "Ocean City Man Posed as Doctor for Fraudulent Prescriptions" »

An article published in North Carolina's Davidson County Dispatch on May 14, 2009 reports that a Maryland man and a South Carolina woman were taken into custody by North Carolina authorities recently on drug trafficking charges. Each is being held in the Davidson County, North Carolina jail on $1 million bonds for allegedly trafficking drugs on Interstate 85. The drug trafficking arrests were made when a Davidson County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over a Honda Accord with Maryland license plates near mile marker 100 on Interstate 85 for following another vehicle too closely.

A K-9 drug sniffing dog scanned the Accord and alerted the deputy to the presence of drugs. The deputy then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. In the process of searching the vehicle, the deputy found 10 pounds of marijuana in the trunk. The woman of Rock Hill, SC was driving the Accord when the arrest was made, and she faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of maintaining a vehicle for trafficking marijuana and two counts of trafficking marijuana.

The 23-year-old passenger in the Accord of Mechanicsville, MD faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of trafficking marijuana.

Continue reading "Maryland Man and South Carolina Woman Face Drug Trafficking Charges" »

Although Michael Phelps is currently facing no criminal or drug charges in relation to the infamous photo of the gold-medal winning swimmer allegedly inhaling from a marijuana water pipe, the repercussions from that photograph are still in effect. This example highlights one of the less pleasant aspects of the court of public opinion. Without a trial, and without a guilty verdict, drug use can have significant financial and emotional costs.

The Baltimore Sun reports in an article that Phelps has been dropped by Kellogg Foods, who had given the swimmer an endorsement deal. USA Swimming, the governing body for competitive swimming in America, has suspended him for three months and deprived him of his financial support during that same period. No drug charges have been filed against the swimmer, yet Phelps’s situation clearly illustrates the potential harm that merely being suspected of drug charges can do to a promising career.

In report, the disappointment and sorrow that Phelps’s mother must be feeling is also mentioned. One aspect of criminal allegations that is often neglected in the press is the intense emotional distress suffered by the friends and family of the accused. Family members often feel guilty or ashamed on behalf of their loved one who is accused of using drugs or is facing charges for a drug offense. They may also face significant prejudice and outright hostility from co-workers, neighbors and other members of the public.

Phelps’s story is a timely reminder that the costs of an incident involving drugs can begin to mount long before a case is brought to trial. If you have any questions about drug cases, please contact the attorneys of Meng & Alpert LLC. Our skilled Maryland narcotics defense lawyers can be reached at 866-444-6363 for a free consultation.

DelawareOnline reported in an article on March 20, 2009, that Georgetown police had stopped an Ocean City, MD man for allegedly driving under the influence. The routine DUI stop took a different turn when police searched the man and allegedly discovered over 40 packets of heroin in the subject’s pockets.

A further search of the DUI suspect’s vehicle revealed more heroin and drug paraphernalia. The total amount of heroin discovered was approximately 10 grams. Since the drugs were packaged in small discrete quantities, police were able to charge the man with drug trafficking.

Although this incident took place in Delaware, one could extrapolate what would happen if the charges were made in the Maryland court system. Under Maryland’s drug laws, the type of sentencing possible in a drug trafficking case depends on the type of controlled substance involved. Heroin, as a Schedule I narcotic, merits some of the most severe punishments under Maryland law.

If found guilty of trafficking heroin in a Maryland court, a defendant could face up to 20 years in prison and/or up to a $25,000 fine. If the defendant were transporting an amount of heroin into the state of Maryland equal to that seized by the Georgetown police, the defendant could face up to 25 years and/or a $50,000 fine upon conviction.

Meng & Alpert, LLC represents the interests of those charged with drug offenses in Maryland. Sometimes police overstep their boundaries in making a search or otherwise violate your rights. If you have questions regarding criminal charges including drug possession or drug trafficking, please call the skilled Maryland drug charge attorneys of Meng & Alpert, LLC for more information at 866-444-6363.

According to a FirstCoastNews.com report, former Miss Maryland Tia Shorts has been arrested on drug possession in Maryland and conspiracy charges. The former pageant contestant is being charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana and conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

The charges come on the heels of a series of arrests that took place near the Germantown residence where Shorts lived. In addition to Shorts, three other people were arrested on a variety of drug-related charges, including possession with intent to distribute heroin, marijuana and cocaine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

In Maryland, the punishment meted out for possession of cocaine and marijuana depends on the type and quantity of the illicit substance in the defendant’s possession. In the case of marijuana, possession, distribution or manufacture of 50 pounds or more of marijuana or of 448 grams or more of cocaine is punished by a mandatory five years in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.

Drugs and weapons charges are very serious matters no matter if you are an average citizen or a high profile local celebrity. For over thirty years Meng & Alpert, LLC have represented clients charged with drug and weapons crimes in Maryland. Please contact the skilled Maryland drug crimes attorneys at Meng & Alpert, LLC toll free at 866-444-6363 for more information about drug trafficking and conspiracy charges.

In a recent article from the Washington Post, columnist Marc Fisher discussed the confusion and anger that parents are expressing over Zero Tolerance drug policies at Maryland schools. The latest debate surrounds the plight of a Fairfax County junior who committed suicide when faced with possible expulsion over a violation of the school system’s zero tolerance drug policy.

Zero tolerance movements have gained popularity in various sectors of everyday life over the last two decades. The popularity of these tough movements seems to stem from how easy they are for politicians to sell to the public. School districts in particular love zero tolerance policies because they allow the administration to point to the one-size fits all rules and declare that “they are doing something about the problem.”

According to comments offered by parents in Fisher’s column, punishments often involve expulsion, which can exacerbate their child’s troubles. In 2004, researchers Lance Lochner and Enrico Moretti published a survey in the American Economic Review revealing that graduating high school has a significant preventative effect on criminal activity. Given that kids who are experimenting with drugs are in trouble already, kicking them out of school for minor offenses worsens their chances of straightening themselves out and becoming productive members of society.

Zero tolerance drug policies may operate from the best of intentions, but their indiscriminate application may be creating the conditions spawning the next generation of criminals. The experienced Maryland criminal defense attorneys of Meng & Alpert, LLC have over three decades of experience defending those accused of criminal offenses, including drug trafficking and drug possession. If you know a friend or family member who is facing drug charges in Maryland, and would like to discuss the situation with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, please contact the law offices of Meng & Alpert, LLC at 866-444-6363.

The Baltimore Sun reports in an article that the Baltimore County police are searching for 26-year-old Warren Jerome Yates of Dundalk in connection with a fatal shooting.

Police allege that on January 7, 2009, Yates sold another man $4000 worth of marijuana, for which he could be facing Maryland drug charges. The other man passed Yates a roll of bills to pay for the drugs, but only one of the bills was real.

The purchaser fled when Yates discovered the ruse, then Yates drew a gun and fired two shots at the man.

One of the shots struck 58-year-old Shirley Worcester, a Middle River resident who was standing outside of her home. The bullet hit Worcester in the chest, fatally wounding her.

Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Yates based on eyewitness accounts and crime scene evidence. In addition to first-degree murder charges, police have also charged Yates for weapons violations and drug charges.

A Maryland first-degree murder conviction relies on proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the act was premeditated and occurred during the commission of a limited range of felony crimes.

The state is obligated to be clear and deliberate in its actions so that the rights of the accused are observed at each step in the process of justice. To make sure your rights are protected, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney in Maryland who understands the extent of the law. Contact Meng & Alpert for legal guidance and representation at 866-444-6363 toll free.