Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Accessory to a Crime and Aiding and Abetting Terrorism
Aiding and abetting is a serious criminal offense in Virginia. You do not need to be present at the scene of the crime or need to have helped commit the crime in question in order to be charged with aiding and abetting. Similarly, being an accessory after the fact can land you in prison… Read More »
Traffic Search and Seizure, Methamphetamine Charges
Recently in Abingdon, Virginia, a young woman was pulled over by police because it was noted that her car had an improper front license plate, according to the Bristol Herald Courier. The sheriff’s deputy who pulled her over found out that she also had an expired driver’s license, and that the passenger’s license was… Read More »
Virginia Child Pornography Possession and Production
Any adult who has sex with a minor can be charged with statutory rape. However, what happens when someone convinces another adult to have sex with a minor, and in the process creates pornographic images or videos? The latter happened recently in Virginia, when a woman encouraged her 70-year-old boyfriend, who was married to… Read More »
Judge Decides Whether New Mother Deserves Lenient Sentence
Over the course of more than a year, a Virginia Beach woman stole approximately $255,000 from her employer, according to an article by The Virginian-Pilot. After pleading guilty to fraud in January, Lindsay Kneff faced U.S. District Judge Mark Davis for a sentencing hearing on July 5, 2017. Kneff’s criminal defense attorney requested a… Read More »
Virginia Man Convicted of Assault & Battery
After an altercation with a friend’s teenage stepdaughter, a Lynchburg resident was convicted of assault and battery, according to an article by The News & Advance. In May 2016, Oscar Orlando Floyd Jr. was at the home of a friend. Floyd attempted to touch and kiss his friend’s 13-year-old stepdaughter and made “sexually provocative”… Read More »
“Always Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth”: How to Avoid an Excess Benefit Transaction
By Justin R. Coleman, Esq. and Robert Showers, Esq. (SS Quarterly 2017 – 3rd Quarter) Due to its charitable nature, churches and nonprofits often receive offers for goods and services from its members and donors. More often than not, these goods and services are offered for free because that member/donor wants to “bless” the… Read More »
Reckless Driving Charges Assessed in ATV Episode
After riding an ATV on the highway in Arlington County, a Washington D.C. resident faces reckless driving and other charges in Virginia, according to an article by The Washington Post. Back in April, 24-year-old Stephon Williams was part of a large pack of ATVs and dirt bikes riding on Arlington Boulevard. A police officer… Read More »
Can I be Arrested for Giving out Merchandise or Goods for Free?
Some stores and shops may have a friends and family deal that employees may use to give out discounts. These are generally approved on a case by case basis by an employer or manager before the employee may begin issuing them. Additionally, there are many retail stores, coffee shops, or restaurants that have an… Read More »
Caller ID Spoofing
Robocalls, which involves a “robotic” or pre-recorded caller, are making a big impact on people’s lives. Because many people do not answer calls under phone numbers that they do not have in their contacts, companies and individuals have taken to using fake caller ID numbers that appear to be from the victim’s region. For… Read More »
The Future of Hate Crimes
Recently, a 17-year-old American Muslim girl was beaten, thrown into the back of a car, murdered and possibly raped, and then dumped in a local pond. The victim was named Nabra Hassanen and was walking home with a group of friends after a late night prayer session for Ramadan. Allegedly, up to 15 teenagers… Read More »