A raid by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department interrupted a 22-year-old man’s live video stream on Facebook where he was flashing wads of money. As he boasted about his cash on social media, the video captured the sound of law enforcement announcing the execution of a search warrant.
Neighbors who spoke to a local television crew reported that the sheriff’s department fired smoke grenades into the man’s home. On the video, the man leaves the room with the camera running. Deputies are then seen coming and going until one of them noticed the camera and shut it off.
Authorities arrested the man. His arrest report stated that he possessed a handgun and ammunition as well as drug paraphernalia, Ocycodone pills and crack cocaine. A convicted felon, he was charged with illegally having a weapon along with possession of controlled substances and the material for manufacturing or distributing drugs. Law enforcement said that the raid on his home had been previously planned and that the live stream on Facebook did not play a role in their actions.
A conviction on drug crimes could inflict serious consequences, including fines and prison time. A criminal defense attorney might take action to protect a defendant’s rights. After examining the evidence, an attorney could check to see if it actually supports the charges that were issued. In cases where a warrant was executed, the attorney could see whether the search went beyond the scope of the document. If law enforcement collected evidence in an unconstitutional manner, an attorney might succeed in getting a case dismissed.
Source: New York Daily News, “SEE IT: Officers raid Florida man’s house while he’s showing off cash on Facebook Live“, Jessica Schladebeck, June 3, 2017
