Families of SOs Community Group
WE HAVE MOVED!!! ............................. ............................... ......................... ............................ ............................. .......................... HERE: http://support-for-families.boards.net ............. ................ ............... ................ ............................... .................Please create a profile...
Just a quick update for those that were or have loved ones that were arrested in one of Florida's infamous sting operations. During the first week of June a judge in Manatee County dismissed two cases based on entrapment as a matter of law. Both men were arrested in Operation Green Shepherd back in September of 2012. These two cases are the only two from that sting where the defense attorneys filed motions to dismiss based on entrapment so it's pretty significant they were both successful. The first one is State v Jothilingam:
http://tinyurl.com/mpm3ddu
The other is State v Maniscalco:
http://tinyurl.com/m2jcdza
The first link in each post leads to a zip file containing the motions and the judge's written decision for that case. As of this time the State is appealing the decision in Jothilingam but has not filed an appeal in Maniscalco
http://tinyurl.com/mpm3ddu
The other is State v Maniscalco:
http://tinyurl.com/m2jcdza
The first link in each post leads to a zip file containing the motions and the judge's written decision for that case. As of this time the State is appealing the decision in Jothilingam but has not filed an appeal in Maniscalco
http://tinyurl.com/kfmewa3
He has an "attitude" about him
The Sting Operation he was arrested in, was the first one this specific county had ever done. And since January 2012, there have been 2 more since within the same county. Set up the exact same way on Craigslist. In looking at the court transcripts, my husband made it very clear that he was not interested in the niece, only the aunt and he stated numerous time in messages and emails that he preferred to meet in a public place (all part of the court documents). Yet, they kept persisting, and eventually he gave in. Since the "supposed" aunt had mentioned the minor niece, they charged with with 4 felony counts. He took a plea from the state and pled no contest to the felony that would yield the most time given by in return for dropping the other 3 felonies.
He is currently serving a 2 year prison term which was the minimum, and just began a month ago. Out of the 48 men arrested, my husband was the only 1 that will not have to file as an SO when he gets out. The Judge in our case did take the initial statements and transcripts into account and stated that although it was clear that my husband had tried on multiple occasions to meet in a public location, along with the situation being a sting operation, justice still have to be served.
The rules are so different down here in Florida, and the sentences are really just based on the presiding Judge, if the person charged with the crime does not want a jury trial.
Seriously though there's a whole group of us working to end the stings. The blog linked in the original post is only part of it.
http://floridascandal.blogspot.com/ is another and there is a lot more in progress.