Beware of Craigslist and other Internet Sites

It is amazing to me the number of people that come to me that have been "stung" or caught up in an internet operation on Craigslist other internet chat room. While misplaced, people’s reliance on the internet or other "Member’s Only" site may be a ruse for people to commit offenses that they may not think about except for the urging or someone, like the police or other operative, on the other side of a computer. These unsuspecting and willing adults may be "talked into" committing Distribution or Possession with Intent to Distribute Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine-whether powder or crack, ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms and so on. The ruses are well rehearsed and planned; the people on the other side of the computer are well trained professionals that have an unlimited source of money such as federal grants. One such ruse is the person on the other side of the computer almost begging, "Please get me some for tonight. My orgasms are SOOO Intense when I’m high on…..". The unsuspecting is then lured to a restaurant or motel for a night of pleasure when a police "jump out squad" interrupts the night. In the Northern Virginia area, the main targets seem to be drugs, guns and prostitution.

Carleton Penn III, a partner of the law office of Hale Carlson Baumgartner, PLC defends clients in Fairfax City and County, Fauquier County, Arlington County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Clarke County, Frederick County, Vienna, Tyson’s Corner, Alexandria, Leesburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Winchester and other parts of Northern Virginia.

To schedule an appointment, contact us at our Fairfax office at 703-962-1164.