National Roundup

California Heroin dealer linked to 2 deaths getting 22 years LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A California heroin dealer linked to two overdose deaths has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in a plea dea calling for 22 years in prison. Prosecutors say 23-year-old David Ryan Tejera pleaded guilty on Monday in Los Angeles to giving heroin to two Ventura County men who died in 2009 and 2010. In one case, prosecutors say Tejera injected a heroin and cocaine mixture into a Simi Valley man three times, causing his death. He also gave heroin to a Thousand Oaks man who died of an overdose. Tejera also admitted in court that he told sheriff's detectives that he was one of the largest heroin dealers in Ventura County. He will be sentenced Jan. 9 to 22 years in prison. Montana Child psychiatrist faces child porn ography charges BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- A Billings child and adolescent psychiatrist is expected to plead guilty to a federal charge of possessing child pornography. The Billings Gazette reports that Dr. James Peak has been suspended from Billings Clinic and had previously reported to investigators that he had a collection of child porn. A plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court Monday says Peak will plead guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. The crime normally carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. But the agreement calls for the prosecutor to recommend a lesser sentence because of Peak's "extraordinary acceptance of responsibility." Peak had been working at the clinic since 1994. New York NYC man accused of stealing 590K from investors NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York City man is accused of tricking three investors out of $590,000 for a high-end retail website prosecutors say he didn't intend to develop. Andrew Albert pleaded not guilty in Manhattan state Supreme Court on Monday to charges of grand larceny, scheme to defraud and criminal tax fraud. Prosecutors say Albert told investors he planned to launch a virtual retail center where shoppers could use an avatar built to their measurements at such stores as Prada and Ralph Lauren. Instead, prosecutors allege Albert spent much of the money on a lavish lifestyle. Justice Thomas Farber released Albert on his own recognizance. Albert's lawyer, George Farkas, denied his client defrauded the investors. The investors have filed a civil lawsuit against Albert. California 10 years in prison for leader in stun gun attack OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- A California man who coerced two women to attack a U.S. Postal Service carrier with a stun gun has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Oakland police Lt. Jeff Tudor says 29-year-old Mustafa Rahim is the leader of a theft ring and he supplied methamphetamine to his 23-year-old girlfriend Denae Hartsinck and her 22-year-old friend Jamie Salvo to get them to commit the May 2010 stun-gun attack and other crimes. The Oakland Tribune says Rahim ordered the assault last year so they could steal a post office master key. The trio was sentenced in federal court last week. Hartsinck received a 41-month prison sentence and Salvo got two years. Colorado Governor asks federal judge to toss tax lawsuit DENVER (AP) -- Lawyers for Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state's tax and spending limits. According to the Denver Post, state lawyers characterized the lawsuit as an attack on citizen initiatives in a motion filed Monday. A group of Democratic and Republican officials filed a legal challenge in May against a 1992 initiative that imposed strict limits on taxing and spending, calling the measure an unconstitutional law that renders the legislative branch ineffective. The lawsuit in federal court aims to undo the state's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, commonly known in Colorado as TABOR. The lawsuit contends the initiative is unconstitutional because it deprives the state and its citizens of effective representative democracy. Texas San Antonio lawyer gets 5 years in prison SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- A San Antonio attorney has been sentenced to five years in prison and must give up his law license for stealing a $65,000 settlement from a client. A judge in San Antonio on Monday also ordered 55-year-old Sean F. O'Neill to make full restitution when he is released from prison. O'Neill in April pleaded guilty to misapplication of fiduciary property, with the possibility of probation if he repaid the money by August. Businessman Rudy Ortega was owed the settlement as part of an insurance fraud lawsuit. The San Antonio Express-News reports O'Neill offered just $2,500 during sentencing. O'Neill, who has closed his law office, apologized in court and says he has regained his sobriety. New York Court upholds jury verdict in textbook case NEW YORK (AP) -- A New York federal appeals court has upheld a $600,000 jury verdict against a foreign graduate student who illegally imported and resold textbooks intended for overseas markets. The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan sided with publisher John Wiley & Sons against Supap Kirtsaeng. The publisher had claimed its foreign editions were produced only for overseas sales. The New York Post says Kirtsaeng reportedly grossed about $1 million reselling books that were shipped to him by friends and family. He claimed that buyers of legally produced copyrighted works could resell them. Kirtsaeng, of Thailand, was studying math in the United States. Massachusetts Appeals court upholds $4.5M bias award CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- The state Appeals Court has upheld a $4.5 million verdict against Cambridge for retaliating against a city employee who filed a racial discrimination complaint. The court on Monday issued a decision that upheld a 2008 jury verdict that said City Manager Robert Healy and other city employees engaged in a systematic campaign to punish Malvina Monteiro after she filed a gender and race discrimination complaint in 1998. She was fired in 2003. Monteiro, who is of Cape Verdean descent, was former director of Cambridge's police review board. Her lawyer tells The Boston Globe that the decision is "gratifying." A city lawyer says the decision is being reviewed. Published: Wed, Aug 17, 2011