Miami Accident Lawyer Blog

December 16, 2011

Two South Florida Men Found Guilty of Videotaping Rapes for Porn Could Face Potential Life Sentences

MIAMI, FL—Prosecutors found two South Florida men— including an ex-Miami Beach police officer who posed as a talent scout as a means of luring aspiring female models to travel to Miami for purported auditions— guilty of videotaping the rapes of at least nine drugged women and subsequently selling the pornographic footage to various adult film websites and businesses. According to a press release by the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida, as well as reports by the Sun Sentinel, former Miami Beach cop Lavont Flanders Jr. and his partner in crime, Emerson “Jah-T” Callum were convicted of a combined 32 counts of distribution of Xanax, conspiracy and human trafficking, some of which dated back to May 2006.
Seven of the nine known rape victims, whom live in different parts of the nation and traveled to South Florida at the time of their attacks, testified in the case. Those women all claimed they were initially “contacted online by a female model.” That model happened to be Flanders. According to the press release, “In this way, Flanders contacted the victims about purported modeling auditions in Miami. After the victims provided their phone numbers, they would receive a call from a purported modeling scout – again, defendant Flanders – who claimed to represent large, multi-national companies, like Bacardi, Sony, or Paramount Pictures. Flanders told the victims that he liked their “look” and offered them a supposed role in an audition in Miami.”
Upon meeting with the aspiring models who agreed to take part in the phony auditions, Flanders informed them that they would be trying out for a part in a commercial for alcoholic beverages. Little did they know that the drinks they were told to “promote” for the so-called audition were spiked with benzodiazepines—a date rape drug. “Once the drugs had taken effect, Flanders drove the victims to Callum, who had sex with the victims while Flanders filmed them. Flanders and Callum then edited, produced, and sold the footage of the sex acts over the Internet and to pornography stores and businesses across the country,” the press release went on to explain.
Lavont Flanders Jr., a 40-year-old Miami Gardens man, was convicted of 18 of the 32 counts in the indictment. Five of those 18 counts were related to the distribution of the benzodiazepine, Xanax. Flanders was also found guilty of “enticing and conspiring to entice the women to South Florida, knowing that fraud would be used to cause the women to engage in commercial sex acts,” according to the press release.
While Emerson Callum, Flanders’ 45-year-old accomplice from Miami, was also convicted of “enticing and conspiring to entice the women to South Florida, knowing that fraud would be used to cause the women to engage in commercial sex acts,” he did not face any counts related to the distribution of Xanax. Both Flanders and Callum face potential life sentences and are scheduled to be sentenced in the case on Feb. 16.
According to past NBC Miami reports, one of the rape victims filed a sexual assault lawsuit naming not only Flanders and Callum, but BlackPlanet.com—
the social networking website that put her in contact with them— as defendants. Flanders and Callum were arrested on Aug. 17, following an FBI raid in which agents confiscated multiple boxes of porn DVDs, as well as other pieces of unspecified evidence in the case.

December 15, 2011

Miami-Dade Police Officer Hospitalized Following Florida Turnpike Crash With 18-Wheeler

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—An officer with the Miami-Dade Police Department suffered unspecified injuries when his cruiser rear-ended a big rig along the southbound Florida Turnpike early Thursday, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. According to information provided by the Miami Herald, the police-involved 18-wheeler accident occurred in close proximity to Kendall Drive in Miami-Dade County around 2:30 a.m.

Reports indicated a Miami-Dade police officer was traveling south on the Florida Turnpike when his patrol car slammed into the back of an 18-wheeler. Responding Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel were forced to extricate the injured police officer, whom authorities have yet to identify, from his wrecked cruiser before they could transport him to Kendall Regional Medical Center for treatment.

While FHP troopers told reporters the Miami-Dade officer was hospitalized in stable condition, the extent of his injuries remained undisclosed. Willis Butler, who was driving the 18-wheeler at the time of the Florida Turnpike crash, managed to escape injury in the South Florida collision.

MDPD spokesman Javier Baez told reporters, “All we know is that he was going Southbound on the Turnpike when the vehicles collided… The other driver is fine, the rest is under investigation.”

In Jan. 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released findings from a study concerning crash-related law enforcement fatalities. According to that study, Florida ranked sixth in the nation for crash-related law enforcement deaths.

About the Miami Injury Lawyers and Accident Attorneys at Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.
Every personal injury law firm has experience handling car accident and motor vehicle collisions. We do too. Our experience spans 37 years with significant results at both the trial and appellate levels. We have successfully represented injured drivers and passengers in virtually every imaginable car or auto accident scenario. From head on collisions, rear end collisions, drunk driving cases, motorcycle crash cases. Our firm also has extensive experience handling more complicated automobile and car accident cases, which may include product liability claims like defective design and other auto manufacturing defects.

The Miami accident attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. is at the forefront in its creative use of video, animated accident reconstruction and computer graphics. The firm’s use of advanced technology is just one of methods it uses to bring about just and successful outcomes for car, auto, and other motor vehicle accidents claims.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car, auto, or motorcycle accident contact a Miami car accident lawyer for a free consultation. Call us at 305-371-6000 or email us at info@gslawusa.com

December 9, 2011

Miami-Dade Police Arrest 2 People in Connection With Teen’s Violent Beating at Miami High School

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—Officials from the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) have arrested two unidentified suspects in the case of a 17-year-old boy who suffered critical injuries in a brutal attack outside Coral Reef Senior High School in Miami. According to information provided by WSVN, the assault victim, who suffered a broken nose and also fractured his jaw in two places, has since been released from the hospital and is recovering from his injuries at home.

Reports indicated Christopher Lardner was in the parking lot of Coral Reef Senior High School following a Nov. 30 basketball game against Miami Killian Senior High School when he was violently beaten. Emergency medical crews subsequently rushed the assault victim to Kendall Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

According to the Edward Lardner, the teen’s father, “He was defenseless, he was unconscious, yet he was continually pummeled… He is a young, strong boy, but he doesn’t know right now who hit him.”

Lardner’s sister, Angela also told reporters, “He doesn’t deserve this. Nobody deserves to be beaten that way. Nobody deserves to be in that condition… He wrote to me on a little clipboard, because I wanted to ask him, I wanted to get down the facts of what he knew, and he told me no, and I believe my brother.”

Lardner, who was forced to undergo surgery to have rods placed in his jaw—which currently prevent him from speaking— was discharged from the Miami hospital on Dec. 4. It is expected to take a few months for the teen beating victim to recover from his assault wounds.

While reports suggested the Lardner family hired an attorney, they have yet to file a lawsuit in connection with the horrific high school beating. It was not clear what charges the unidentified suspects are facing with regard to the school attack.
About the Miami injury attorneys and negligent security/premises liability lawyers of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.
When accidents and crimes take place on someone else’s property, that someone needs to take responsibility. Too often, property owners and managers deny their responsibility. At shopping centers, hotels, apartments and condominiums, and all public events, people have a legal right to be reasonably safe from foreseeable harm and criminal victimization.

December 7, 2011

Ex-UM Football Player Agrees to Plea Deal, Dodges Prison Sentence in Apparent Dorm Room Rape Case

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—A plea deal was reached in the case of an ex-University of Miami football player originally charged with sexual battery in the alleged campus rape of an unidentified female, NBC Miami reported. A defense attorney on the case told reporters his client will plead guilty to a false imprisonment charge and serve a 3-year probation sentence under the said plea agreement.

According to information provided, 19-year-old former UM football player Jeffrey Brown, of Illinois, was accused of raping a sleeping (and intoxicated) woman in April 2011. Coral Gables police reports suggested the unidentified victim was drunk and went to Brown’s dorm room to ask if she could use the restroom. That woman ended up vomiting and passing out on the floor of the restroom before Brown brought her back to her friend’s dorm.

Brown ultimately went back to his own dorm after dropping the woman off at her friend’s dorm, but decided to return in the middle of the night. According to arrest reports, “As the victim was sleeping, [Brown] pulled off the victims blanket and got on top of her…He then removed the victims underwear.” Authorities contended that although the woman eventually woke up and ordered Brown to stop having sex with her, but to no avail.

Upon being interrogated by police in connection with the alleged campus sexual assault, Brown initially contested the allegations. It was only after Coral Gables Police detectives stumbled upon an incriminating text message conversation between Brown and one of his friends—in which the accused former UM football player asked his unidentified friend to dispose of his underwear— that he confessed to having sexual intercourse with the complainant.

Brown, whom was a freshman when the rape allegations surfaced, has since been kicked off the Miami Hurricanes.

December 6, 2011

Four Florida A&M University Students Expelled in Connection With Band Member’s Hazing Death

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—Four Florida A&M University students have been expelled in connection with the hazing death of a drum major in the school band, the Los Angeles Times reported. Although FAMU officials announced the students’ expulsions on Dec. 1, they did not state what offences the students were suspected of committing, specifically.

According to StateImpact Florida, authorities from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) are investigating the hazing-related death of Robert Champion, a 26-year-old drum major with Florida A&M University’s Marching 100. Champion apparently performed with the Marching 100 during the Florida Classic in Orlando on Nov. 19, but was later discovered unconscious on a bus, the LA Times and Orlando Sentinel reported. He was eventually pronounced dead.

Florida Governor Rick Scott noted, “I think it’s very important that we do a thorough investigation, and I think it’s also important that we review our hazing policies…When things like this happen, you’ve got to make sure in your organization, our universities in this case, that people feel comfortable coming forward, you know, if they see something like this because I don’t want this to ever happen again.”

Florida Statute 1006.63 defines hazing as “any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for purposes including, but not limited to, initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of a postsecondary institution. “Hazing” includes, but is not limited to, pressuring or coercing the student into violating state or federal law, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the student, and also includes any activity that would subject the student to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions or any activity or conduct that furthers a legal and legitimate objective.”

The Orlando Sentinel reported that the alleged hazing victim’s family has since filed a notice of intent to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Tallahassee-based Florida A&M University. The actual negligence lawsuit was expected to be filed within six months time.

November 22, 2011

Construction Worker in Custody Following “Accidental” Shooting That Killed Fellow Employee at Work Site

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— November 22, 2011 – A construction employee was pronounced dead after he reportedly sustaining a gunshot wound at a Miami work site on the morning of Nov. 21, according to information provided by NBC Miami and WSVN. While the fatal shooting appeared to be accidental in nature, officials from the Miami Police Department have since taken the construction worker who was holding the gun at the time into custody.

Police reports seemed to suggest a group of unidentified construction employees were looking at and passing around a firearm when it discharged a bullet, consequently striking one of them. Although paramedics rushed the injured worker to Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital following the construction site shooting, his injuries ultimately proved fatal at the medical center. Officials have yet to release the shooting victim’s identity.

After speaking with the employees who were present at the time of the Miami shooting, detectives took into custody the worker who somehow “accidentally” pulled the trigger. That man, who remains unidentified, appears to be facing charges in connection with the deadly incident. The construction site where the fatality occurred is apparently situated in the 700 block of Northeast 85th Street.

According to Detective Willie Moreno of the Miami Police Department, “This individual produced a firearm in a playful manner, according to what we have up to now, and this firearm did discharge… Now, he struck another co-worker who is the one that has been pronounced dead.” Investigations into the fatal Miami shooting are underway.

November 21, 2011

Female Postal Worker Hospitalized After Being Pistol Whipped, Robbed in Hialeah

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— November 21, 2011 – Officials from the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are investigating the Nov. 17 robbery and assault of a female postal employee in Hialeah. According to information provided by NBC Miami, an unidentified man struck the postal worker in the head with his gun before stealing her keys and a piece of jewelry and ultimately fleeing the scene.

Although details concerning the postal worker robbery remained scarce, Blado Rojas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service told reporters an unidentified man approached the female postal employee as she was walking to her vehicle at approximately 11:30 a.m. The man subsequently pistol-whipped the woman—a four-year employee of the USPS whom was said to be in her 40s.

Rojas further suggested the attacker stole the postal worker’s keys and a gold chain before getting into a dark colored sedan and seemingly speeding away from the scene of the Hialeah assault and robbery. Reports did not specify whether the postal worker was making deliveries prior to the attack, which occurred in the 100 block of West 12th Street in Miami-Dade County.

Responding Hialeah Fire Rescue personnel provided preliminary treatment to the assault victim before transporting her to an area hospital with an unspecified head injury.

The USPIS has asked anyone with information about the incident and/or the perpetrator to call (877) 876-2455. There is a $5,000 reward for info that leads to an arrest in the case.

November 20, 2011

Mississippi “Serial Rapist” Gets 10 Years in Prison, Life on Probation in Carnival Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Case

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL—U.S. District Judge William H. Steele of the Southern District of Alabama ruled on Nov. 15 that a Mississippi man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl during a Carnival cruise voyage will not only spend 10 years in prison, but also serve a subsequent life-long probation sentence in connection with the attack. According to information provided by the Press Register, the defendant, whom prosecutors referred to as a “serial rapist,” sexually abused the teen while aboard the Carnival Elation cruise ship.

Gautier man Dylan Cole Bloodsworth, 19, apparently forced the unidentified 13-year-old girl to have sex with him on March 6, during a Carnival Elation cruise vacation to Mexico. Reports suggested Bloodsworth lured the young victim to his cabin by convincing her that he was merely going to retrieve his jacket.

Prior to the cruise ship assault, Bloodsworth also allegedly raped another 13-year-old girl in Mississippi. In that case, Bloodsworth apparently used photos the girl posted online to determine where she lived and subsequently showed up at her house unannounced.

Bloodsworth, who found that girl hitting a soccer ball in her yard upon arriving to the home, seemingly attempted to kiss her and left. Nevertheless, he called her later that night and contended he would murder her family if she didn’t agree to get into his car.

Bloodsworth is accused of taking the young victim to a secluded area, raping her and then disposing of the condom, as well as the clothes he was wearing at the time of the attack. The Mississippi man faces charges in connection with that case as well.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Murphy, “I don’t know any other way of putting this: He’s a serial rapist. He preys on underage girls.”

Statistics posted on the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website stated that the FBI regards sexual assault as the leading crime reported on cruise ships, accounting for 55 percent of all maritime crimes reported to the bureau.

November 15, 2011

Miami Jury Awards $ 1,050,000 Verdict for South Beach Night Club Victim

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

A Miami Dade County jury awarded $ 1,050,000.00 to a club patron against Penrod Brothers Inc., d/b/a Nikki Beach Club. The trial in Milian v. Penrod Brothers Inc., d/b/a NIkki Beach Club lasted nearly two weeks before being sent to the jury Wednesday afternoon. After 4 hours of deliberations the Miami – Dade County jury found Defendant Penrod Brothers Inc. was 100% at fault. The case was tried by Philip M. Gerson & Nicholas I. Gerson of Gerson & Schwartz, PA.

November 9, 2011

University of Miami Student Gives Full Confession in College Dorm Room Sexual Assault Case

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

MIAMI, FL— November 9, 2011 – Officials from the Coral Gables Police Department (CGPD) arrested and charged a University of Miami student from China in connection with the alleged sexual assault of multiple female students who were sleeping in their college dorms at the time. According to information provided by the Miami Herald, the accused UM student, who is currently facing two counts of burglary with assault or battery, is being detained at the Miami-Dade’s Pre-Trial Detention Center without bail.

Reports suggested 21-year-old Jiahoao Yuan unlawfully entered two unlocked dorm rooms within the Mahoney Residential College Dorm around the 6am hour on Nov. 6. Once inside the first dorm room, Yuan allegedly went on to “inappropriately” touch a sleeping female UM student.

That unidentified victim woke up during the apparent sex assault, prompting Yuan to run into a second dormitory. It appears as if Yuan fled the scene after seemingly sexually assaulting another female student. The alleged sexual assault victims called 911 immediately after the dorm intrusions occurred.

According to a Coral Gables Police spokesperson, Yuan was identified as the culprit after detectives examined surveillance footage taken at the Mahoney Residential College dorm, which is located at 1101 Stanford Drive in Miami-Dade County. Following Yuan’s 12:30 p.m. arrest, he reportedly gave a full confession in the University of Miami dorm room assault case.