Convicted Felon, P.I. & Wesley Hills N.Y. ‘bounty hunter’ accused of menacing people with unlicensed gun!

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Jan 302012

Wesley Hills ‘bounty hunter’ accused of menacing people with unlicensed gun

LoHud.com

Rockland County, New York
Wesley Hills

by Steve Lieberman

Jan. 30, 2012

Scott Bernstein

RAMAPO —

A self-proclaimed bounty hunter with a history of arrests has been charged with possessing an unlicensed gun and menacing people he was supposedly interviewing as potential interns at his Wesley Hills office, police said Monday.

Scott Bernstein, 53, a private investigator who posed as a cop in the Laci Peterson murder case in California and was featured on CBS’ “60 Minutes” report on bounty hunters, was accused of brandishing a pistol in a menacing manner at two people at his office on Jan. 5, police said.

The two people became scared by his actions and reported the incident to the police, Ramapo Detective Sgt. John Lynch said today. Bernstein was interviewing people at his home-office at 87 Spook Rock Road , Lynch said.

Based on his felony conviction in California and misdemeanor convictions in New York, Bernstein doesn’t have a permit to possess firearms, Lynch said.

“There’s no record of him having a pistol permit,” Lynch said. “We went and obtained an arrest warrant for him and search warrant for his home-office.”

Police charged Bernstein with one count of third-degree criminal possession of a a weapon and two counts of second-degree menacing.

Bernstein’s lawyer, William Reddy, said the charges would be challenged in court. Reddy said the complaintants were slow to call the police and the charges fabricated, which would mean the warrants were obtained without legal cause.

“As per documents drafted by the police, it appears that the persons who accused him of menacing waited more than a week before reporting it to the police,” Reddy said. “If they really were threatened with a weapon, they would have reported it immediately. This matter will be defended in court, and the truth will prevail.”

Ramapo officers arrested Bernstein with the assistance of the Rockland Rescue Entry and Counter Terrorism team, the county’s SWAT team.

Lynch said the officers found two semiautomatic pistols and Chuka sticks, a martial arts weapon, during the search.

Bernstein has been arrested before in Ramapo and served community service for pulling over a driver and causing $936 worth of damage to her car in 2005.

In 2005, Bernstein, in a plea agreement with prosecutors, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal mischief and two counts of second-degree criminal impersonation, misdemeanors.

Bernstein admitted to pulling over cars – including an off-duty South Nyack-Grand View police officer – while using his black Dodge Intrepid, which was equipped with emergency lights and sirens. The incidents occurred in January and February.

In California, Bernstein had been convicted of posing as a police officer and flashing a badge to get information related to the disappearance of Laci Peterson, whose husband, Scott, was eventually convicted of murder.

Direct Link: http://www.lohud.com/article/20120130/NEWS03/301300085?fb_ref=artsharebottom&fb_source=home_oneline

‘Beat Down Posse’ leader convicted of racketeering and more!

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Jan 242012

‘Beat Down Posse’ leader convicted of racketeering and more

Former bail bondsman Joseph “Big Joe” Gustafson Sr.’s trial ended amid screaming and swearing.

Star Tribune

by: ABBY SIMONS

January 20, 2012

Joseph Robert Gustafson

Photo: Jsz115, Dml

A Hennepin County jury convicted ex-Hell’s Angel and former bail bondsman Joseph “Big Joe” Gustafson Sr. of racketeering and other felonies Friday, in an explosive hearing in which a family member screamed an expletive at the jury and Gustafson swore at the judge.

The verdict was announced Friday afternoon after a two-week trial and six hours of deliberation. As a clerk read the verdicts on multiple counts, Gustafson shook his head and turned to his family, where the men struggled to comfort gasping and sobbing women. A young woman stood up and screamed at the jury, calling them, in part, “delusional.” Judge Kerry Meyer ordered the woman from the courtroom.

Gustafson, 56, was indicted last summer on six felony counts, including attempted murder and arson, as the alleged leader of the “Beat Down Posse,” a brutal north Minneapolis gang that robbed, intimidated and assaulted drug dealers and others. Prosecutors alleged that he was the “CEO” of the gang, issuing orders while running the gang under the front of his business, Gustafson Bail Bonds. His son, Joseph Duane “Little Joe” Gustafson Jr., 37, is scheduled to stand trial on charges of racketeering and similar crimes in March.

Gustafson’s attorney, Barry Voss, said during trial that the witnesses who testified against his client, mostly former members of the gang, were only doing so in hopes of getting breaks in criminal cases of their own. Voss declined to comment after the verdicts Friday.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman called the verdicts a “huge win.”

“We know that the Gustafson gang has been terrorizing north Minneapolis for at least 20 years,” he said. “The primo domo of that gang has been brought to justice. We look forward to bringing the same to junior when he goes to trial in March.”

Freeman said he plans to ask for at least 20 years in prison for Gustafson.

“This guy has not been in the church choir,” he said.

He wouldn’t say whether the office planned to offer plea deals to the former gang members who testified against Gustafson.

The jury convicted Gustafson of racketeering, a felony, as well as kidnapping, second-degree assault, first-degree arson and accessory after the fact. He was cleared of attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He faces up to 20 years in prison for the racketeering conviction and up to 40 years for kidnapping.

Gustafson, who wore jeans and a sweat shirt throughout trial with his long gray hair in a braid down his back, was incredulous at the conviction.

“How can they convict me?” he asked Meyer, adding that he would take a lie detector test.

Meyer explained that the jury felt differently based on the evidence they heard. Gustafson shook his head.

He remains held without bail in the Hennepin County Jail pending sentencing March 1. His family declined to comment.

Direct Link: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/137783093.html

Temecula Bail Bondsmen Who Allegedly Tasered Mayor’s Daughter, Won’t Be Charged!

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Jan 112012

Charges Dropped on Temecula Bail Bondsmen Who Allegedly Tasered Mayor’s Daughter

Temecula Patch News

By Toni McAllister

January 6, 2012

Charges of misdemeanor battery and trespassing will not be filed against Fausto Atilano or Bryan Stark.

Two bail bondsmen will not be going to court to defend themselves against accusations that they inflicted battery on the adult daughter of a Wildomar City Councilwoman.

Charges of misdemeanor battery and trespassing will not be filed against Fausto Atilano or Bryan Stark, confirmed John Hall, senior public information spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

Atilano is the owner of Fausto’s Bail Bonds in Temecula.

On the evening of March 28, 2011, then-Wildomar Mayor Marsha Swanson was shaken up and her daughter Jamie Scranton was Tasered after the two bail bondsmen came looking for a young woman they said failed to comply with the terms of her bail bond agreement.

The men showed up at the home of Swanson’s elderly mother, in the 21200 block of Shoemaker Lane in Wildomar. Scranton and her family also lived at the residence, including Scranton’s then-27-year-old son who was an acquaintance of the young woman the bail bondsmen were seeking.

Swanson, who lives nearby and was at the scene, said at the time that the two men barged through her mother’s front door posing as police officers.

Arguing ensued and Swanson said the men used a Taser gun on Scranton, who had to be taken to the hospital for injuries to her stomach.

In response to the allegations, shortly after the incident Atilano released a press statement that read, “I was on a legally authorized bail recovery/bond surrender of a defendant on a felony bail bond.”

Atilano said the defendant, Erica Lynch, had failed to comply with the terms of her bail bond agreement and was “determined to be a flight risk for her court appearance.”

Atilano continued, “As authorized under the laws of the State of California, I contacted Erica Lynch at the residence in Wildomar.”

Atilano said in the statement that he identified himself and stated his purpose, which was to deliver Lynch to authorities for surrender on her bail bond.

“Upon contacting Erica Lynch, identifying myself and stating the purpose of my contact, I was jumped and attacked by at least four people who were also at the residence and a pit bull,” Atilano said. “This attack included the brandishing of a knife, being charged at with a 2×6 piece of lumber, being punched and kicked in the head and body, while I was on the ground.

“Fearing for my life, I defended myself and attempted to escape this attack,” Atilano continued.

Two days after the incident, Hall confirmed that the district attorney’s office was reviewing misdemeanor battery and trespassing charges against the men, and police said the conduct of the bail bondsmen crossed the line.

“We are going to file charges with the D.A.’s office against the bail bondsmen, ” said Lt Mathieu Burden of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

But speaking through email Wednesday night, Hall said he could not comment on why charges against the men were dropped.

Direct Link: http://temecula.patch.com/articles/charges-dropped-on-temecula-bail-bondsmen-who-allegedly-tasered-mayor-s-daughter

Narcotics Rewards Program: Javier Antonio Calle-Serna

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Dec 032011

Narcotics Rewards Program: Javier Antonio Calle-Serna

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

WANTED

Date: 2011

Javier Antonio Calle-Serna

State Dept Image

ALIASES: Comba, Combatiente
DOB: February 2, 1969
POB: Puerto Asis, Putumayo, Colombia
NATIONALITY: Colombian
CITIZENSHIP: Colombia
HEIGHT: 5’6
WEIGHT: 170 lbs
HAIR COLOR: Black
EYE COLOR: Brown

Javier Antonio Calle-Serna is the leader of criminal group “Los Rastrojos,” and a former principle member of the Norte Valle Cartel. Calle-Serna is allegedly responsible for financing the dispatch and coordination of multi-ton cocaine shipments via speedboats, fishing vessels, and self-propelled semi-submersibles to Mexico. Calle-Serna’s Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) most likely is responsible since 2008 for obtaining and importing over 30,000 kilograms of cocaine from Colombia into Mexico destined for the United States.

Additionally, Calle-Serna since 2005 allegedly has organized, armed, and commanded a vast network of heavily armed paramilitary groups known of “Los Rastrojos” that provide security to cocaine trafficking activities and conduct extortion in Colombia, and he has been linked to kidnappings, tortures, and assassinations in Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama. Calle-Serna was formerly a guerilla fighter and is believed to be associated with the Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) and Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC).

Calle-Serna was indicted in the Eastern District of New York in 2009 for Conspiracy to Import Cocaine.

The U.S. Department of State is currently offering a REWARD OF UP TO $5 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of JAVIER ANTONIO CALLE-SERNA.

Direct Link: http://www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/168508.htm

Narcotics Rewards Program: Diego Perez-Henao

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Dec 032011

Narcotics Rewards Program: Diego Perez-Henao

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

WANTED

Date: 2011

Diego Perez-Henao

State Dept Image

ALIASES: Diego Rastrojo
DOB: April 7, 1971
POB: Bolivar, Valle de Cauca, Colombia
NATIONALITY: Colombian
CITIZENSHIP: Colombia
HEIGHT: 5’6
WEIGHT: 170
HAIR COLOR: Brown
EYE COLOR: Brown

Diego Perez-Henao is the leader of the criminal group “Los Rastrojos” and a former founding member of the Norte Valle Cartel. Perez-Henao operates his drug-trafficking organization (DTO) throughout the Norte Valle region, as well as the Pacific coastal regions of western Colombia. He is believed to be the main source of supply for numerous multi-ton loads of cocaine smuggled into the United States, owning and coordinating airborne and maritime cocaine shipments destined for the United States through Venezuela to Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

Perez-Henao is believed to have organized and armed the paramilitary group known as “Los Rastrojos,” a vast network of heavily armed trafficking groups that provide security to cocaine trafficking activities and conduct extortion throughout Colombia, and Perez-Henao has been linked to kidnappings, tortures and assassinations in Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama.

Perez-Henao was indicted in 2011 in the Southern District of Florida for Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Cocaine.

The U.S. Department of State is currently offering a REWARD OF UP TO $5 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of DIEGO PEREZ-HENAO.

Direct Link: http://www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/168507.htm

Narcotics Rewards Program: Juan Fernando Alvarez-Meyendorff

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Dec 032011

Narcotics Rewards Program: Juan Fernando Alvarez-Meyendorff

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

WANTED

Juan Fernando Alvarez-Meyendorff

State Dept Image

ALIASES: Ignacio Alvarez, Juan Fernando
DOB: April 4, 1970
POB: Palmira, Colombia
NATIONALITY: Colombian
CITIZENSHIP: Colombia
HEIGHT: 5’7”
WEIGHT: 180-200 pounds
HAIR COLOR: Black
EYE COLOR: Brown

Juan Fernando Alvarez-Meyendorff is the leader of the Mechas Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), an extensive international narcotics exportation and transportation organization. The Mechas DTO uses a variety of maritime conveyances, including fast boast, semi-submersibles, and container ships, to transport cocaine from Colombia to the United States via Mexico and Central America. Since 2005, Alvarez has been allegedly responsible for numerous shipments of cocaine to the United States totaling approximately 68 metric tons.

It is believed that Alvarez assisted Colombian drug kingpin Luis Caicedo-Velandia in transporting cocaine and was allegedly paid $46 million for his transportation services. In addition to transporting cocaine, Alvarez is believed to finance drug loads, including the sale of over 10 metric tons of cocaine to Mexican DTOs.

Alvarez-Meyendorff is indicted on drug-related charges in the Eastern District of New York. The United States and Colombia have warrants for Alvarez’s arrest.

The U.S. Department of State is currently offering a REWARD OF UP TO $5 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of JUAN FERNANDO ALVAREZ-MAYENDORFF.

Direct Link: http://www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/165429.htm

Narcotics Rewards Program: Alejandro Trevino-Morales

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Dec 032011

Narcotics Rewards Program: Alejandro Trevino-Morales

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

WANTED

Alejandro Trevino-Morales

State Dept Image

ALIASES: “42,” “Omar,” “Commadante Forty Two,” “Oscar Omar Trevino-Morales”
DOB: January 26, 1974
POB: Nuevo Laredo, Tamulipas, MX
NATIONALITY: Mexican
CITIZENSHIP: Mexico
HEIGHT: 5’7”
WEIGHT: 240 lbs
HAIR COLOR: Black
EYE COLOR: Brown

The Gulf Cartel, originally founded in Mexico the 1930s to smuggle whiskey and other illicit commodities into the United States, expanded significantly by the 1970s under Juan Garcia-Abrego, who became the first drug trafficker to be placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted List. Following his 1996 arrest by Mexican authorities and subsequent deportation to the United States, Oscar Malherbe-De Leon took control of the cartel until his arrest a short time later. He was replaced by Osiel Cardenas-Guillen, who was arrested in 2003, and extradited to the United States in 2007. The Department of State Narcotics Rewards Program played a significant role in the capture of all three of these Gulf Cartel leaders, with reward offers and subsequent reward payments. The Gulf Cartel controls most of the cocaine and marijuana trafficking through the Matamoros, Mexico corridor to the United States.

Los Zetas evolved from a small group of deserters from the Mexican Special Forces, hired by Osiel Cardenas-Guillen for his personal security, into a ruthless security force for the entire Gulf Cartel. Los Zetas also took responsibility for the safe passage of the Gulf Cartel’s cocaine and other drugs from Mexico to the United States and have become a significant drug trafficking organization in their own right. Los Zetas are credited with rising rates of violence within Mexico, largely attributed to turf battles with other drug cartels.

Alejandro Trevino-Morales, brother of Miguel Angel Trevino-Morales, is a mid-level leader of the Los Zetas in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. He is allegedly responsible for several abductions/murders committed in Nuevo Laredo between 2005 and 2006 and the supply source for multi-kilogram loads of cocaine smuggled from Mexico to the United States. He is charged in a 2008 Federal indictment in the District of Columbia with violations of Title 21 USC Sections 959, 960, 963, and Title 18 USC Section 2.

The U.S. Department of State is currently offering a REWARD OF UP TO $5 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of ALEJANDRO TREVINO-MORALES.

Direct Link: http://www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/123684.htm

Narcotics Rewards Program: Gerson Ervillar Alvarez-Duenas

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Dec 032011

Narcotics Rewards Program: Gerson Ervillar Alvarez-Duenas

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

WANTED

Date: 2011

Gerson Ervillar Alvarez-Duenas

State Dept Image

ALIASES: Nono, Kiko
DOB: 05/11/9171
POB: Tibu, Norte de Santander, Colombia
NATIONALITY: Colombian
CITIZENSHIP: Colombian
HEIGHT: 5’07”
WEIGHT: 165 lbs.
HAIR COLOR: Black
EYE COLOR: Brown

Gerson Ervillar Alvarez-Duenas is a founding member and a leader of the Los Pepes Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), an organization stretching across northern Venezuela and Colombia. He currently supplies multi-ton cocaine shipments to the Mexican Los Zetas DTO and operates numerous cocaine production laboratories in Northern Colombia and Venezuela. Investigations to date have identified more than $300 million dollars in drug proceeds laundered by his organization.

Alvarez- Duenas was a principle source of cocaine to Salvatore Mancuso, the former leader of designated foreign terrorist organization Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC), and was a founding member of an AUC Block in Norte de Santander, Colombia. Additionally, in 2001 it is believed that Alvarez- Duenas ordered the assassination of Colombian Prosecutor Dr. Maria del Rosario Silva, who investigated Alvarez- Duenas for drug trafficking and money laundering violations.

Alvarez-Duenas was indicted in the District of Colombia narcotics related charges in February 2011.

The U.S. Department of State is currently offering a REWARD OF UP TO $5 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of GERSON ERVILLAR ALVAREZ-DUENAS.

Direct Link: http://www.state.gov/p/inl/narc/rewards/169192.htm

Bail bondsman jailed for impersonating police, extortion

Articles of Interest, Bail Recovery No Responses »

Nov 112011

Bail bondsman jailed for impersonating police, extortion
04 November 2011
By Theerarak Suthathiwong

A bail bondsman allegedly masquerading as a police officer was arrested on charges he shook down owners of a Naklua somtam restaurant for 10,000 baht.

Verayuth Buddapanth, 25, was apprehended Oct. 18 during a police sting operation in which the Nong Bualumphoo native was caught accepting a 1,000 baht payment from alleged extortion victim Yuphin Konpkhum.

Yuphin told police trouble began when her 21-year-old son Jitipong called, saying he’d been detained by a police officer who refused to release him unless he was paid 10,000 baht.

Victims of the scam point out the man who tried to scam them.

Jitipong explained to investigators he’d been pulled over by Verayuth on Soi Wat Thamsamakkee and that he didn’t realize the bail bondsman was not a real officer. Verayuth allegedly conducted an illegal search of Jitipong’s motorbike and attempted to bring him for a urine test. Refusing to go, Jitipong was told he would not be released unless he paid Verayuth 10,000 baht.

The youth called his mother, who borrowed 8,800 baht from a relative and paid off the fake cop, promising to get the rest later. Yuphin said she then realized she’d been scammed and contacted police, who helped her set up the final cash exchange and sting.

Verayuth denied charges he’d impersonated a police officer and had only asked for the cash from the Konpkhum’s to “clear himself” of a drug-dealing charge. When questioned about the 8,800 baht earlier taken from the somtam chefs, Verayuth denied it was him, saying a man identified only as “Net” had taken the money.

Verayuth now needs his own bail bondsman after skeptical police locked him up pending further investigation. Police again repeated warnings to not surrender to any search or detainment by anyone claiming to be a police officer without verifying his credentials with the relevant police station.

Direct Link: http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/bail-bondsman-jailed-for-impersonating-police-extortion-7370

Temecula Bail Bondsmen Who Allegedly Tasered Mayor’s Daughter, Won’t Be Charged!

Charges Dropped on Temecula Bail Bondsmen Who Allegedly Tasered Mayor’s Daughter

Narcotics Rewards Program: Javier Antonio Calle-Serna

Narcotics Rewards Program: Diego Perez-Henao

Narcotics Rewards Program: Juan Fernando Alvarez-Meyendorff

Narcotics Rewards Program: Alejandro Trevino-Morales

Narcotics Rewards Program: Gerson Ervillar Alvarez-Duenas

Bail bondsman jailed for impersonating police, extortion

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Wesley Hills ‘bounty hunter’ accused of menacing people with unlicensed gun

by Steve Lieberman

‘Beat Down Posse’ leader convicted of racketeering and more

Charges Dropped on Temecula Bail Bondsmen Who Allegedly Tasered Mayor’s Daughter

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