Attorney Ray Lopez Obtains Rare Dismissal of Federal Indictment

Attorney Ray C. Lopez was able to obtain a rare dismissal of Federal Indictment for his client in a two-year case.

Recently, I was able to obtain a rare dismissal of an Indictment of a Federal Conspiracy charge which charged my client with Conspiracy to Transport Stolen Goods in Interstate Commerce. The Federal Government, as part of a statewide and multi-state investigation charged our client and several others with moving large amount of stolen freight, allegedly stolen from various freight and shipping companies throughout Florida and the United States. The items were chemicals, food safety, and infection prevention materials. Over $1 million in stolen freight was alleged to have been moved via interstate commerce.

Our client’s truck was allegedly utilized to move the freight and our client was identified from various toll booth surveillance recordings and photos as the driver. We maintained our client’s innocence for two (2) years while the Government successfully prosecuted the other Defendants. Our client was an elderly gentleman with no significant prior criminal record and he was suffering from a variety of debilitating health problems.

Through various digital enhancement techniques we were able to cast doubt on whether or not our client was the driver of the stolen freight. We were also able to persuade the Government that it was highly unlikely that our client would have participated in such a scheme given his current health problems. Our client was also very adamant that someone else must have utilized his vehicle and that nobody who had pled guilty would testify against him.

Despite the case being set for trial as the only Defendant who did not plead guilty, the Government dismissed the charges against our client voluntarily only one week before trial. It is extremely rare that the United States Government ever dismisses an Indictment because that Indictment came from a Grand Jury who heard evidence supporting the signing of the Indictment.

If you or anyone you know has a Federal criminal problem or has been arrested it is extremely important that you consult with and hire an experienced Federal Criminal defense lawyer who has many years of trial experience in the Federal Courts. About 85% of criminal defense attorneys do not practice in Federal Court and practice only in State court. Ask the attorney what their experience is in Federal court and if they do not have the requisite experience ask them to refer you to an attorney who does.

I have 25 years experience of practicing in Federal courts including but not limited to defending major drug trafficking crimes, Armed Robberies, fraud cases, tax fraud, tax evasion, white collar investment fraud crimes, mortgage fraud, international crimes, immigration crimes, and crimes against the Federal Government. If you’ve been charged with a crime or have been as a co-defendant, call the office of Ray Lopez at 813-221-4455.

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Ray Lopez has practiced since 1990, with prior experience as a Hillsborough County assistant State attorney and lawyer for the Tampa Police Department. He handles all criminal charges, from traffic violations and misdemeanors to serious felonies and federal drug charges. He practices in all state and federal courts of the Tampa Bay area and throughout Florida, as well as criminal appeals, juvenile court, administrative hearings, and civil forfeiture proceedings.

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