Criminal defense

September 25, 2020

Grand Jury Indicts One of Three of Breonna Taylor’s Killers

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A day after one of the officers wrote an unhinged email expressing his contempt for anyone who might take issue with the fact that an innocent woman who worked saving lives and had no criminal record was senselessly murdered as she slept in her apartment, a grand jury is recommending charges against Brett Hankinson, the only officer who was relieved of duty.

Hankinson was scape-goated for wantonly firing rounds into Breonna Taylor’s residence, but it is not apparent that he did anything differently from the other officers. Neither does the grand jury’s recommendation address how easily police were able to get a warrant against Taylor without any material evidence of wrongdoing. Louisville has made “no-knock” warrants illegal even as police say they announced themselves prior to entry. Police believed Taylor was guilty of drug trafficking due to an association with an ex-boyfriend.

The City of Louisville announced they would be settling the Taylor family’s wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $12 million.

September 23, 2020

Man Known as “Dreadhead Cowboy” Faces Animal Cruelty Charge

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

A man known as “Dreadhead Cowboy” is facing felony charge of animal cruelty after riding his horse down the Dan Ryan Expressway on Monday. The cowboy, whose real name is Adam Hollingsworth, is facing one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

Hollingsworth was facing charges of using a non-highway vehicle on the highway, obstruction of traffic, criminal trespass, disobeying an officer, and reckless conduct.

Dreadhead was riding his horse up and down the highway yelling “kids lives matter.” for some reason. This appears to be a part of the QAnon conspiracy that has blossomed in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein suicide. Numerous motorcycles and other vehicles flanked the cowboy as he did his thing.

September 4, 2020

“Operation Legend” Reportedly Cracking Down on Illegal Guns

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

President Trump’s “Operation Legend” has been underway now for about six weeks. In that time, federal agents have charged looters, rioters, and others with 42 felonies (and counting). Surprisingly, however, the feds appear to be targeting felons with illegal weapons.

The feds, of course, are assuring the media that there are several anti-gang operations happening right now. These operations involve confidential informants, aerial surveillance, and dangerous street work. However, looking at the numbers, the majority of those who have been charged during Operation Legend are felons in possession of weapons.

Feds Target Man Parked 12 Inches From Curb

August 21, 2020

Fraternal Order of Police Decries Firings Amid George Floyd Protests

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) has filed a complaint with the Illinois Labor Relations Board after several officers were allegedly unfairly suspended during investigations. Across the U.S., police departments have been taking complaints about officers more seriously since the death of George Floyd and the ensuing protests that gripped the nation.

Sidelined officers include notable ones such as the officer who punched activist Miracle Boyd in the face after a confrontation in front of the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park. Others include police officers accused of dragging a woman out of her car by her hair and then kneeling on her neck, and another officer caught on film giving someone the finger.

The FOP insists that none of those officers should have either been fired or suspended until the investigations were complete. They have filed an unfair labor practices complaint over the handling of police misconduct investigations.

August 19, 2020

Chicago Files Charges Against 42 Looters

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

The Chicago District Attorney’s Office will file charges against 42 people, they announced recently, but there is concern that several individuals who had no criminal record prior will now have enhanced felonies on their record.

One such individual is Steven Yates. Police say that they caught Yates handing out jewelry from a downtown store. When they attempted to apprehend him, he tried to escape through the back, only to find more cops. He turned around and attempted to barrel out of the front of the store when he ran into police commander Jill Stevens. Stevens was knocked to the ground.

Yates will face felony charges for looting, burglary, and aggravated battery on a police officer.

August 14, 2020

Chicago Butcher Facing Federal Charges Over Gambling

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Renowned butcher and bookie, Dominic Poeta, will face federal charges over his illegal gambling operation. He is also facing tax evasion charges.

Federal agents believe that Poeta was operating a sportsbook out of his butcher shop. Poeta found himself jammed up in 2007 when federal agents attempted to collect on a judgment from Adam Resnick. Resnick, a degenerate gambler, went to prison over a $10 million check-kiting scheme that also saw the demise of Universal Federal Bank. Resnick likely found himself in the hole and owing Poeta money.

However, federal agents never brought charges against Poeta until last month. Poeta pleaded guilty to a gambling charge and form filing a fraudulent tax return.

August 12, 2020

Three Men Face Weapons Charges After “Operation Legend”

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Three Chicago men are facing weapons charges after President Donald Trump deployed federal agents to Chicago during “Operation Legend.” These three men are the first to face charges under Operation Legend.

In late July, Trump announced the deployment of “hundreds” of federal agents. The move was initially met with skepticism and outright anger by Chicago officials, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot eventually welcomed the troops after a personal phone call from President Trump.

Since announcing the operation, federal agents have aided in the arrests of the Black Disciples gang, which operates on Chicago’s south side and these three weapons charges, which we will discuss in more detail below.

August 7, 2020

Civilian Office of Police Accountability Finds Officer Lied After Shooting

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

COPA, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, has called for the firing of Officer Saharat Sampin. They have found that Sampin lied in a report concerning the death of 19-year-old Roshad McIntosh. According to Sampin, McIntosh had a gun before another officer shot him.

The incident occurred in 2014 after police were called to the scene of a complaint involving armed men. Upon arriving at the scene, officers say that one of the men tried to run and pointed a gun at officers while he did so.

COPA documents indicate that Sampin said he saw a man wearing dark clothing take a silver gun from his waistband and point it at officers. Another officer fired three shots, ending McIntosh’s life. Sampin also said that he saw McIntosh with a gun pointed at the officer who ultimately shot him, Robert Slechter.

August 5, 2020

Suspect Arrested in Murder of 9-Year-Old

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

It was a case in which everything worked the way it was supposed to work. A 9-year-old was murdered, yes, but witnesses came forward to finger the gunman and help the police arrest a suspect.

It happened like this. A gunman rolled up on the 900 block of North Cambridge Street, got out of his car, and fired a gun at an intended target. He missed that target and ended up shooting a 9-year-old boy several times before the child died of his injuries.

According to the Alderman of this community\, the men involved in the dispute had known each other for over 50 years and a feud between them led to the shooting. The Alderman stated that neither man was a member of the community and that neither man lived in the row houses where the shooting took place.

July 31, 2020

Parolee Charged With Firing on Officers

by Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.

Lorelle Jordan, a 25-year-old parolee, is charged with six counts of attempted murder after opening fire on Chicago police officers outside of a Northwest Side police station. Three officers were injured in the attack.

Jordan was wanted for questioning in relation to a carjacking that occurred the month before. Officers spotted a white Porsche that was stolen in the carjacking and ran the VIN and the plates. They realized that the vehicle was stolen. As they were running the numbers, Jordan walked right up to the Porsche, got in the car, and attempted to drive away.

Officers then physically removed Jordan from the Porsche, placed him in cuffs, and drove him down to the police station. What they did not realize was that Jordan had a gun on him. By the time the officers got to Grand Central District Station and attempted to remove Jordan from the vehicle, Jordan had pulled the gun and fired on the officer opening the door. This officer was shot in the face and is in serious condition. Another officer was shot in the hip, and a third took a bullet to his protective vest.