Blog Posts in 2022
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What Is the Hobbs Act?
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueThe Hobbs Act is a federal law that prohibits extortion or robbery by wrongful use of force or conspiracy to commit either crime used as a tactic to stop or delay commerce. Keep reading to learn more. Robbery Robbery is the unlawful taking of a person’s property without consent through threats, force, or violence. This crime can be elevated to a more severe degree if it occurs with a firearm or if ...Continue Reading -
7 Types of Fraud That Can Lead to Federal Charges
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueGenerally, fraud involves falsifying, misrepresenting, or omitting material information to cause a loss to another person or entity or unlawfully obtaining money, property, or other benefits. The federal government identifies various types of acts as fraud. They include, but are not limited to, making false statements on bankruptcy documents or using the U.S. Postal Service or electronic ...Continue Reading -
Can You Be Prosecuted by the State and Federal Governments for the Same Crime?
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueState and federal governments each have laws concerning prohibited conduct. Generally, when a crime happens within a state's borders, that state's government has jurisdiction. And if it violates a federal statute or occurs on federal land, the federal government has jurisdiction. Yet, some cases exist where state and federal laws intersect. If a person violates one of these, are they protected ...Continue Reading -
Essex County Suspect Charged with Armed Robbery
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueCharles Johnson of Essex County, New Jersey has been charged with three counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and three counts of using, carrying, and displaying a firearm during the commission of a crime . For each count of the Hobbs Act, he faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine determined by the court. Using and brandishing a firearm carries a penalty of a minimum of seven years of imprisonment ...Continue Reading -
Different Types of Money Laundering Schemes
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueMoney laundering refers to the process undertaken to “clean” dirty money (i.e. money obtained via criminal activity). Many money laundering schemes are connected with drug offenses, embezzlement (and other white-collar crimes), and terrorist-related offenses. Common Money Laundering Schemes Money laundering is a white-collar crime that is charged as a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a), ...Continue Reading -
$100 Million NJ Deli Scheme Ends in Federal Fraud Charges
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueThree Men Charged in Securities Trading Schemes In 2021, a hedge fund manager, David Einhorn, brought Hometown Deli in Paulsboro, New Jersey into the spotlight by questioning how a single deli had $100 million stock with just over $38,900 in sales. While Einhorn was writing a blog meant to advise investors about the dangers of excess and levy for more regulatory oversight, he pointed investigators ...Continue Reading -
Types of Mail Fraud
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueWhat Is Mail Fraud? Mail fraud , as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1341, occurs when a person schemes to or participates in a scheme to knowingly defraud or obtain money, goods, services, property, or anything of value under false or misleading pretenses using mail services. Mail services include U.S. Postal Services, commercial interstate mail carriers, and private mail services. Defendants can face up ...Continue Reading -
Who Can See Expunged Records in New Jersey?
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueUnfortunately, after serving their time, paying the necessary fines, and trying to reintegrate into society, many convicted felons face employment discrimination and financial challenges after their release. Because of the societal consequences and/or discrimination, ex-offenders may consider expunging their record (if they are eligible). An expungement refers to the removal of any records of ...Continue Reading -
Former NJ Youth Director Facing Child Porn Charges
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueArnold DiBlasi was arrested and charged with possessing and distributing pornographic images of children ; he also faces four counts of child endangerment charges. After a warrant was executed on July 26, DiBlasi was taken into custody and placed in Burlington County Jail. DiBlasi is the former youth group director at Holy Eucharist Parish in Cherry Hill. He has been under investigation since May ...Continue Reading -
What Is Mortgage Fraud?
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueMortgage fraud is a federal offense that occurs when a homebuyer, seller, or lender lies about or omits important information in relation to a mortgage loan. Under federal law, a person who commits mortgage fraud can face up to 30 years of imprisonment, and perpetrators may face civil litigation if another party incurs significant damages. There are two categories that mortgage fraud falls into: ...Continue Reading -
Common Fourth of July Crimes
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueWhat Are Some Common Crimes Committed on July 4 th ? While the holiday weekend is a cause for celebration and many people will be gathering at barbecues and parties, the Fourth of July weekend can be dangerous. Certain crime s are more likely to be committed over this weekend, including but not limited to: Underage drinking. Under New Jersey law, a person under the age of 21 is not legally ...Continue Reading -
Plea Bargains in Criminal Cases
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueWhat Is a Plea Bargain? A plea bargain (also referred to as plea deals or negotiated pleas) is an option that defendants can take to avoid harsh penalties for a crime. Specifically, a plea deal is an agreement between the prosecution and a defendant in which the defendant pleads guilty or no contest in exchange for: the prosecution dropping one or more charges, the reduction of their charges to a ...Continue Reading -
Shawn Harewood's Retrial Begins | Safaree Samuels Robbery Case
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueFour years ago, rapper Safaree Samuels (Nicki Minaj’s ex-boyfriend who is best known for being a star on Love & Hip Hop) was robbed at gunpoint in Fort Lee . Samuels was on the way to an interview on the Angie Martinez Show . The gunman and his accomplices stole $183,000 worth of jewelry. Samuels alleged that two men ran up to him, held him at gunpoint, and stole his jewelry. A TMZ video was later ...Continue Reading -
Can a Felon Get a U.S. Passport in NJ?
Posted By Brickfield & DonahueWho Is Ineligible for a Passport? Certain felons may be ineligible for a passport because of the type of offense they committed. Specifically, under 22 U.S. Code § 2714 , a person convicted of a federal drug offense, or a state felony drug offense can be denied issuance of a U.S. passport when they are imprisoned or on parole or supervised release as a result of their conviction. In some cases, a ...Continue Reading -
Carrying a Handgun Without a Permit in NJ
Posted By Brickfield & DonahuePermits to Carry Handguns | N.J.S. 2C:58-4 New Jersey Statute § 2C:58-4, a person should have a valid permit to carry a handgun , and a single permit covers all handguns that a permit holder has. Thus, it is illegal to possess a handgun without a permit to carry it. While you can have a gun inside your home, it becomes to carry it once you have it on your person outside of your home or in your car ...Continue Reading
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