The Attorney for Frank Bower, One of the Alleged "Ninja Robbers", Anne Wedge-McMillen of The Umansky Law Firm in Orlando, FL, Comments on the Case
Orlando Florida (PRWEB) October 24, 2014 -- State Prosecutor Announces Orlando “Ninja Robbers” Connected to Home Invasions in Collier County
The four suspects arrested in May for allegedly attempting to break into the former home of ‘N Sync member Joey Fatone are now being connected to several alleged robberies in South Florida. The four men dubbed the “ninja robbers” by law enforcement now face a combined 113 charges for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in items from homes across the state as part of a prosecution by the Office of Statewide Prosecution for RICO and conspiracy to RICO (Collier County,14CF002005-D).
According to a Fox 4 report on October 6th, the most recent charges include accusations involving a December 2013 home invasion in Collier County and a March 2014 home invasion in Hendry County. Collier County Sheriff, Kevin Rambosk, also announced that a fifth person, Jacob Gallegos, was arrested on Monday for allegedly dealing in stolen property that is in connection with the December home invasion (Collier County, 14CF002002-A)
A Collier County task force had been tracking the group for some time and worked with Orange County authorities to apprehend the suspects this past May at the former Orlando home of Joey Fatone. Frank Bower Jr., 54, Jonathan Contreras, 27, Andres Perez, 44, and Henry Contreras, 48, have remained behind bars at the Orange County Jail since the arrest.
Now that RICO and conspiracy to commit racketeering charges have been added against the four men charged in Orange County, the delay in receiving additional discovery from the State has been explained. The attorney for Frank Bower, Anne Wedge-McMillen, recently commented to WFTV News 9 during a September 30th news report, stating, “A lot of interesting information regarding the evidence is being disclosed during the deposition process including the use of sophisticated surveillance captured by law enforcement airplanes on the day of the actual arrests.” For RICO charges to be proven however, Ms. Wedge-Mcmillen advises, “RICO requires proof of an enterprise and a pattern of racketeering activity that is connected to the enterprise and that demonstrates continuity of purpose. The crimes that make up the “pattern” cannot be isolated incidents done for the personal gain of a particular individual.”
During this ongoing investigation, authorities have determined that at least eleven robberies were allegedly committed by the criminal enterprise from December 2013 to May 2014 with six occurring in Collier County, one in Hendry County and two in Orange County. Mr. Bower has only been tied to the Orange county cases.
About Attorney Anne Wedge-McMillen
Anne Wedge-Mcmillen is an attorney at the Umansky Law Firm with over fourteen years of experience in criminal law. She was an advisor to the Statewide Grand Jury on organized crime from 2008-2009 and instructed law enforcement agencies on how to use the RICO statute successfully in the prosecution of organized crime units. Ms. Wedge-McMillen developed a unique understanding of regulatory law that will now assist her criminal defense clients that face similar charges.
Paul Warren, The Umansky Law Firm, http://www.thelawman.net/, +1 (651) 687-7197, [email protected]
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