Drug Crimes

Published on: February 14, 2012

Orange County football coach charged with cocaine possession

A football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been arrested for possession of narcotics. The coach was detained for possessing a “powdery white substance” , suspected to be cocaine. The substance was found in a search of his vehicle by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The coach was apparently not on campus or with students- the substance was found in a limousine in San Juan Capistrano, whereas the Catholic school is in Rancho Santa Margarita. He was, nonetheless, reportedly fired from his position as junior-varsity football coach and may face charges of both drug possession and being under the influence. This is the third coach from Santa Margarita Catholic High School to be accused of a drug offense in recent years.

Drug Policy in California sets various punishments depending on the substance in which a person illegally possesses. In this case, cocaine is found in Schedule 2 of The California Uniform Controlled Substances Act. It is illegal to possess under California Health and Safety Code 11350. Various sentences apply- from drug treatment programs to state prison incarceration.

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Published on: October 28, 2011

Fatal DUI Accident Results in DUI Arrest

by Staycie R. Sena

A 35-year-old Stanton man has been arrested for driving under the influence after he caused a fatal DUI accident that took the life of a 50-year-old man.

The accident occurred at 5:15am on Saturday morning in the 500 block of Beach Boulevard in Anaheim when the driver of a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, Alexandro Cedillo, failed to notice a pedestrian crossing the road. Unfortunately, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Cedillo stopped and stayed until officers arrived and he was arrested on suspicion driving under the influence and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

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Published on: March 22, 2011

Paris Hilton Prosecutor Charged with Cocaine Possession

by Staycie R. Sena

In a twist of fate right out of a Hollywood “B” movie, the District Attorney who prosecuted Paris Hilton last August for cocaine possession has himself been arrested for– get this, cocaine possession.

47-year old Clark County prosecutor David Schubert was arrested over the weekend on one count of cocaine possession. Rumor has it that Schubert used another man, Raymond Streeter, to buy him $40 worth of rock cocaine every few days. Both Schubert and Streeter were arrested over the weekend after they were spotted driving in a neighborhood known for drug sales. They were pulled over on a routine traffic stop, the car was searched and cocaine was found.

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Published on: November 11, 2010

Marijuana Now Legal (Or Just Barely Illegal?)

by Staycie R. Sena

Voters upset at last week’s failure of Proposition 19 (to legalize marijuana) can take heart– in a quiet move shortly before the election state lawmakers decriminalized possession of less than 28.5 grams of marijuana. Senate Bill 1449, effective January 1, 2011, makes possession of marijuana a mere infraction, giving the offense the same legal weight as a traffic ticket. Unlike a traffic ticket, however, where fines can exceed $300, marijuana possession carries a simple $100 fine as a penalty. First time offenders may still be sent to a drug diversion and have the charge dismissed.

The maximum penalty prior to this legislation was $100 fine, but the crime was charged as a misdemeanor, which meant defendants charged with the offense had a drug criminal record. Many lost their jobs or government benefits as a result. Because it was a misdemeanor, it meant defendants were eligible for a public defender and a jury trial as well. In approving the legislation, Governor Schwarzenegger explained that the “only difference is that because it is a misdemeanor, a criminal defendant is entitled to a jury trial and a defense attorney. In this time of drastic budget cuts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement, and the courts cannot afford to expend limited resources prosecuting a crime that carries the same punishment as a traffic ticket.”

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