Law enforcement officers in Los Angeles County arrested a number of people who had been convicted of sex offenses, after a sweep during Halloween. The persons were arrested because they allegedly decorated their homes for Halloween, in violation of a rule prohibiting them to make their homes inviting for children.

Under the rule, sex offenders who have been released and are on probation are required to keep their front porch lights off on Halloween to discourage trick-or-treating children from knocking on their door. They are also required to draw the blinds, and keep the curtains drawn during the holiday.

The Los Angeles County Probation Department conducted a sweep to find persons convicted of sex crimes, in violation of the rule. Over a four-day period, they arrested at least 5 people who were on probation for sex crimes. The persons arrested included a married couple. A total of 40 probation officers participated in the sweep that included a total of 251 homes. The sweep also found at least 122 probationers who were in compliance with the rule.

Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers find that there’s little that can interfere with a person's ability to integrate into society after release from prison, like being told that he or she cannot celebrate one of the country’s most popular holidays because of a sex crime conviction on their record. Persons with sex crime convictions already have restrictions on where they can live or work. Alienating persons who have been convicted of any kind of sex crime in this manner, does little to keep children safe, and could actually increases recidivism rates. Besides, there is enough evidence to indicate that children may be at a greater risk of sexual abuse or molestation from people within the family or people they know, than from people who have been registered in the sex offender registry.

It isn't every day that Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys come across a sex crime where a prosecutor is the one being charged with the crime. Charges of rape against a prosecutor at a sex crimes unit in San Francisco may have ended with a dismissal, but it has spotlighted an allegedly sexually charged-environment at the unit.

The case involved Contra Costa County Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Gressett, who was accused by a junior prosecutor at the sex crimes unit of rape. The junior prosecutor told police that Gressett had raped her during a lunch hour. The victim did not deny that she had been in favor of a sexual encounter, nor that they had had sex before, but she was not interested in having the kind of rough sex that he wanted. Gressett did not deny that the two had sex, but claimed that it was consensual.

The case soon began to unravel, however. The District Attorney’s Office released a registered sex offender in return for testimony by his girlfriend, a prostitute, that she had paid sex with Gressett. That testimony was later recanted. Charges against Gressett were ultimately dismissed.

However, court records and documents related to the case paint an unflattering portrait of the San Francisco sex crimes unit to Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers. Prosecutors allegedly prided themselves on being members of an informal sex club that involved plenty of sexual banter and discussion of sexual activities. According to court records, after-work socializing for prosecutors at the crimes unit involved a coed slumber party. The alleged victim in this case was a member of the club, and participated in these activities.

After all the press this case has gotten, as a sex crimes attorney in Los Angeles, I just had to post a late blog with my two cents.   As many people know throughout Southern California, and the world, Catherine Becker has been accused and arrested for allegedly drugging her estranged husband, tying him up, cutting off his penis with a 10-inch kitchen knife, and dumping it in the garbage disposal. 

In the Central Justice Court in Santa Ana, Orange County, Ms. Becker was arraigned on charges including aggravated mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon, spousal abuse, and torture. 

Of course, as a criminal defense attorney who handles a lot of domestic violence cases all over California, I have to wonder whether rape or infidelity was a possible motive for these allegedly heinous crimes? Especially based on the defendant’s alleged comment to 911 dispatch that “he deserved it,” a criminal defense attorney brain has to play with the possibility that he may have sexually assaulted her to induce her to engage in such violent sexually related  acts towards him. 

Only time will tell whether this woman’s story is one of a sexually abused, victim of domestic violence, or merely a women scorned by cheating and infidelity.  Either way, she has a long criminal court battle to fight which could easily result in a life state prison sentence. 

If you, or a loved one, has been charged with domestic violence, or a sex crime, contact the experienced aggressive defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein for a free, confidential consultation: (888) 445-6313.

I admit that as criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who handles more than her fair share of felony sex crimes cases, I am not the least bit unbiased towards law enforcement.  However, this story just goes to show that despite the fact that people tend to believe police and sheriff are more trustworthy or honest than other types of people, law enforcement is susceptible to committing crimes like any other person and is sometimes not so deserving of the public’s trust.

 Allegedly, former police officer Mr. Arevalos, has been accused of 18 different felony sex crimes involving five different women.  He was arrested on March 11, 2011 after being taperecorded speaking with his latest alleged victim.

Among the accusations, Mr. Arevalos was accused of stopping a motorist believed to be under the influence of alcohol and offering her a “deal”: that he would let her go without arresting her if she would give him her underwear which she apparently agreed to.  He is also alleged to have touched her genitals before taking the underwear.  Other alleged victims have similarly accused him of trading sexual favors in exchange for dismissing misdemeanor and traffic violations.  Mr. Arevalos will state prison time and mandatory sex registration for life, if convicted on some of the charges such as sexual battery and sexual assault.

If, you or a loved one, has been arrested of a sex crime, then call and speak with an experienced sex crimes attorney at the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein: 888.445.6313.

It hardly remains controversial that in southern California registered sex offenders who are released on formal probation or parole have restrictions on how they can live   However, as a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who handles a majority of sex crimes cases, it seems like Orange County may have taken this too far.  Tuesday a final vote is being taken on whether registered sex offenders will be banned from all local parks in Orange County.

The proposed new law has already been approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors and would make it a criminal misdemeanor for a registered sex offender to enter a county park without written permission from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

As a sex crimes attorney, this proposed new law seems to violate basic constitutional principles such as freedom to travel and freedom of association.  Furthermore, it is problematic because the law does not differentiate between the truly serious, high-risk sex offenders, who had committed offenses such as child molestation, or rape, and the lower risk ones such as disorderly conduct.  Lastly, there is not a clear nexus between the proposed restriction and its alleged goal of keeping sexual predators away from children.  There are plenty of legitimate reasons for someone to enter a park other than to prey on little children and county parks are public spaces that are to be enjoyed by everyone.  They are not specifically designed for small children.

Lastly, giving Orange County Sheriff the power to grant or deny permission for registered sex offenders to enter county parks potentially will result in a terrible abuse of power.  On a practical note, it will be difficult for Orange County Sheriff to dedicate its resources to enforcing the laws.

If you, or a loved one, has been accused or charged with a sex crime, then call the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein for a free, confidential consultation.  (888) 445-6313.

Another potentially disturbing sex crimes story in today’s Southern California criminal defense news.    Friday morning, law enforcement arrested a 41-year-old party clown, Jose Guadalupe Jimenez, while he was dressed as a clown.  Detectives allege that a DNA match tied Mr. Jimenez to an unsolved rape and kidnapping from January 19, 2002.  In this alleged rape and kidnapping, the suspect grabbed a girl at the corner of Lemon and Commonwealth in Fullerton, drove her to a school parking lot and raped her.  The suspect then allegedly took the girl to a motel where he molested her again.  The girl escaped and told the police that her attacker was a Hispanic male wearing a clown mask and make-up.

Mr. Jimenez was apparently arrested in 2010 and his DNA matched the DNA taken when the girl filed her original police report.

As a criminal defense attorney who handles a substantial amount of sex crimes cases in Los Angeles and Southern California, it is remarkable how many recent child molestation and rape cases are turning up as cold hit DNA cases due to the advances in DNA science.  The catch remains that in order for their to be a DNA match, the alleged defendant must end up in the criminal justice system for something in order to have his DNA taken.  Mr. Jimenez is facing a lifetime in state prison and mandatory sex registration for life if convicted on all the alleged sex crimes and kidnapping charges.

If you, or a loved, one has been accused of a sex crime, then call the Law Offices of Karen L Goldstein for a free, confidential consultation: (888) 445-6313.

As a sex crimes attorney in Los Angeles perhaps it is fair to say that local news stories involving sex crimes cases are on my radar more than most but I feel as though the sheer number of child molestation cases in Los Angeles County, involving school teachers, is truly astonishing.  

In the instant case, a 39-year-old middle school teacher in Tarzana, Sean Wellbaum, was arrested on multiple counts of child molestation.  An adult, 22-year-old alleged victim, approached law enforcement and told them that he was molested by this teacher repeatedly, from age 11 to 16.  At the time of the alleged child molestation incidents when Wellbaum was a teacher at Columbus Middle School in Canoga Park.  Wellbaum apparently currently teaches at Portola Middle School in Tarzana.

The first thing that occurs to me as a criminal defense attorney is why did the alleged victim wait so long to come forward and to report the alleged sexual abuse? I have had my fair share of cases where the alleged victim lied about old child molestation allegations because of money, vengeance, or jealousy.  Without more information it is impossible to speculate about the strength of the evidence against Mr. Wellbaum.  What remains certain is that Mr. Wellbaum will fight to clear his name and to avoid a significant amount of prison time and mandatory sex registration for life which is what California criminal law mandates for those convicted of any type of child molestation charge.

If you, or a loved one, has been accused of a sex crime, then call and speak with an experienced and compassionate sex crimes attorney at the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein (888) 445-6313.  The first consultation is confidential and free.

On Thursday February 10, 2011, Mr. Gilliland and eight other individuals were arrested in a child prostitution sting operation conducted by undercover law enforcement agents in Arizona.  Mr. Gilliand is alleged to have engaged in online solicitation of a minor female who had identified herself as a minor. Mr. Gilliand has been charged with felony child prostitution.

Just like the popular TV show “To Catch a Predator” Mr. Gilliand allegedly arranged for an in-person meeting with a minor female he knew to be underage, for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor.  To make matters even worse, it is alleged that he offered to pay the minor for sexual intercourse.  Mr. Gilliand is the founder of Wild Oats Market, which was bought by Whole Foods in 2007.  He was also the former CEO of Sunflower Farmers Market from which he recently resigned.

Although Gilliand told the company "…he believes he is not guilty of the charges brought against him, and that he expects to be exonerated" as a sex crimes defense attorney in Los Angeles, I can hypothesize that Mr. Gilliand will be fighting like hell to safe his life and his reputation.

In California, Mr. Gilliand would face potential charges of attempted lewd act with a minor (otherwise known as attempted child molestation) which would carry mandatory sex registration for life and up to 8 years in state prison for each charge.

If you, or a loved one, has been accused of a sex crime, then call the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein today for a free, confidential consultation and speak with an experienced and aggressive sex crimes defense attorney: (888) 445-6313. 

Mr. Ward, a 36-year-old homeless man, has been arrested, and accused, of indecent exposure in Murrieta, California. This is a small story but it caught my attention because out of all the alleged sex offenses which receive news coverage, indecent exposure may be the sex crime we hear the least about in southern California.

The idea of flashing, which legally would be charged as indecent exposure in California, is something which most members of society seem to think is funny in the context of wacky college tradition. However, clearly when there is an alleged incident of indecent exposure by a registered sex offender, and the alleged exposure occurs to two minor girls, this behavior will appear troubling to most.

As a sex crimes defense attorney in Los Angeles, I have handled numerous indecent exposure cases and I often find that with this particular type of sex offense, the person has a real addiction/compulsion or inability to control him or herself from engaging in the inappropriate exposure conduct. I have also found that therapy and counseling can truly have an impact when the conduct is limited to the compulsion to flash others, or to expose oneself to others.

Indecent exposure is generally a misdemeanor sex crime in California, unless there are prior sex crimes committed by the person, but even as a misdemeanor this criminal charge still carries, as a penalty, up to one year in the county jail and mandatory sex registration for life.

If you, or a loved one, has been accused of a sex crime, then call the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein today for a free, confidential consultation with an aggressive and experienced sex crimes attorney: (888) 445-6313.

I couldn’t help but write a blog about this story because the fact that the FBI issued a formal warning against this toy seems comically perverse. A Barbie that could be used by pedophiles to commit sex crimes, now I’ve seen it all.
“Video Girl Barbie" apparently has a camera in her chest that can record up to 30 minutes of video which can then later be streamed to a computer. The FBI specifically wrote in a November 30th memo that “Video Girl Barbie” could present, a “possible child pornography production method." Clearly, there is a potential risk for inappropriate sexual misuse of the toy and I can understand how parents may be concerned about the misappropriate use of the video camera by either their children, other children, or possibly pedophiles; however, I seriously question the wisdom of having the FBI issue a formal statement to the public. Highlighting this potential misuse is almost like a “how to” guide for potential sex offenders. If an alleged sex offender hadn’t contemplated misusing this toy previously, the FBI essentially just lay out instructions for how to commit child pornography and other sex offenses with “Video Girl Barbie”.

If you, or a loved one, has been accused of a sex offense, state or federal, then call the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein for a free, confidential consultation: (888) 445-6313.