New York Paralegal Blog

In a grim case that underscores the dangers of the illicit drug trade, six individuals have been charged following a multi-agency investigation into a deadly illegal cannabis operation. The probe, dubbed “Operation Sugar Diamond,” links the defendants to two separate explosions that killed a total of five workers in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman didn't mince words, stating, “This case shows the deadly and disastrous results when illegal cannabis operations recklessly put greed over the safety of their employees and neighbors.” His message is clear: while cannabis is legal in California, dangerous, unregulated activity like this will be met with the full force of the law. The Charges and the Accused At the center of the case are Ted Chien (52) and his partner Han Quan Jiao (54). Chien faces the most serious charges, including five counts of murder with special circumstances, which could lead to a sentence of life without parol...

First Precinct police officers were called to 197 Fulton St. in West Babylon after a 911 caller reported gunshots at 9:34 p.m. on July 5. Officers discovered a 23-year-old male had been killed in the street in front of that location from apparent gunshot wounds. The identification of the man is being withheld pending notification of kin. Police believe the suspect in the shooting fled on foot eastbound on Fulton Street towards Westchester Ave. The suspect is a black male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, and he is believed to have been wearing blue jeans and a light-colored hooded sweatshirt. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Homicide Squad detectives at 631-852-6392 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

Fifth Precinct police officers responded to Haven Pharmacy, located at 76 Southaven Ave., after a 911 caller reported a robbery and that two people had been shot, possibly fatally. When officers arrived, they discovered four victims who were fatally shot. The victims were identified as employees, Raymond Ferguson, 45, of Centereach, and Jennifer Mejia, 17, of East Patchogue, and customers Bryon Sheffield, 71, of Medford, and Jamie Taccetta, 33, of Farmingville. The suspect, who stole prescription drugs from the store, is described as a white man with a thin build, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, who was unshaven or had a dark beard and mustache and short, dark hair. He was wearing a white baseball hat, sunglasses, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, dark shoes and was carrying a black backpack. He fled on foot, headed eastbound on Southaven Avenue. The suspect was armed with a handgun and should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Detectives are asking anyo...

WASHINGTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata was shot and killed in the line of duty Tuesday afternoon after he was attacked by unknown assailants while driving between Monterrey, Mexico, and Mexico City. During the attack, a second ICE special agent was shot twice in the leg. He has been transported back to the United States and is in stable condition. Both special agents were assigned to ICE's attaché office in Mexico City. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zapata family for their tragic loss," said ICE Director John Morton. "May the work we continue to do as an agency be worthy of a sacrifice as great as the one made by Special Agent Zapata."

Los Angeles - Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding the person(s) responsible for the shooting death of Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Abel Escalante. On Saturday, August 2, 2008 at about 5:40 a.m., Escalante left his home in Cypress Park near the 3400 block of Thorpe Street to go to work. As he stood by his car, an unidentified suspect or suspects shot him to death from a vehicle. Los Angeles Fire Department medical personnel responded to the area and pronounced the victim. LAPD Robbery Homicide Detectives are handling the investigation and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau is assisting with the investigation. LAPD Detectives are working closely with the Sheriff’s Department and are following up on multiple leads, concerning various possibilities. “We need the community’s help to solve this murder,” said Detective Steven Eguchi, one of the investigators assigned to this case. “Without the public’s help, this investigation co...