Hope Sykes arrested 1/20/2010

[ilovemew]

Ummmm is it just me or do you guys not see Hope in that vid either?

 

[Tainted Angel]

I don't think any of these drug charges are federal. When charges are adopted federally from a state agency it would show the charges dropped on the dockets that everyone is following from the various counties. A person cannot stand on the same charges from a state and federal perspective at the same time...double jeopardy. The state will drop their charges and the prisoner will be transferred to the US Marshal's custody. A new federal arrest warrant will be executed (usually the same day if they are in custody) and then they will be arraigned in front of a federal magistrate and a new bond (or sometimes no bond) will be set just as in the state court. They will go through the whole process again in a different circuit of courts (federal).

A few years ago, the federal system went totally electronic. All subpoena's criminal complaints, motions, judgements etc., as well as the docket calendar are all filed electronically which means unless you are a federal agency you cannot access that system online. I'm not sure how or if the general public can access it at all unless you are an associated party. The fact that everyone can look up the court dates on the county or state judicial system tells me that these are state charges.

And from what I've seen today it seems that the state penalties in Florida are more severe than the federal ones on this type of drug. Hydrocodone is a Schedule III controlled substance and the max penalty for trafficking any amount of that drug is no more than 5 years and a $250,000 fine for an individual. There is some review going on now in reference to the Controlled Substances Act on whether or not they should reclassify this drug from a Schedule III to a Schedule II narcotic. If they do, then the penalties will be stiffer.

In my experience, before the feds will take drug charges like this the targets have to be dealing pretty good amounts of the drug and/or there has to be a proven international connection etc. It's kind of confusing, but it depends on the type of drug and what is being done with it. For example, meth is a Schedule II narcotic and as little as 5 grams (which isn't much) can get you federal charges. Realisticly, most people charged with selling 5 grams of meth are not going to be charged federally.

Ron and Misty and crew were small time dealers. It also depends on who the US Attorney is and whether they will take on the charges. Most are too busy and have bigger fish to fry than small time dealers. And like in this situation, the feds won't take charges knowing the penalties and fines are stricter with the state courts.



http://www.justice.gov/dea/agency/penalties.htm

Here are the federal penalties for the different drugs. Also linked on that page to the left is the Controlled Substances Act if anyone is interested in reading that.

I hope this makes sense and sorry for the long post!

 

[Nana46]

I am almost afraid to ask..but aren't there 2 other people in jail awaiting charges????? Why is it only focused on MC? I just don't understand why these folks can say they did nothing wrong. So confused.

 

[panthera]

Jean C. is saying the sentence is 15 yrs. mandatory minimum. No plea deal.

 

[nomoresorrow]

Why was Cousin Jo's picture placed alongside of Misty's and Tommy's and referred to as "co-defendents" also? He's not a co-defendent. Unless I missed some news today...

 

[epiphany]

JC: u can b in the car and have knowledge of whats happening

NG: HS and MC are like this (wraps one finger around t other)

 

[ilovemew]

Jean C. is saying the sentence is 15 yrs. mandatory minimum. No plea deal.

No plea deal and no getting out early

 

[Dr.Fessel]

Not a word about Ron so far.

 

[epiphany]

Male Guest: now's t time for MC to spit it out (w/e she knows)

 

[Curious Me]

NG says the two, Misty and Hope were tight, close buddies. Hope might talk, and may know something, if she wants does there's still time to get Hope's sentence reduced.

 

[ilovemew]

NG captions are off today. Hope- ...cuz I saw the record (should have said I saw her in court) LOL

 

[Searchfortruth]

Well, Misty and Hope were best buddies so, it makes sense that she would have told Hope about what happened to Haleigh, per NG. Now who else might Misty have told ?

 

[Dr.Fessel]

Why was Cousin Jo's picture placed alongside of Misty's and Tommy's and referred to as "co-defendents" also? He's not a co-defendent. Unless I missed some news today...

That sure was done on purpose.

 

[LaLaw2000]

Not a word about Ron so far.

Of course not..............

 

[panthera]

Guest saying now is the time to talk if HS knows anything. I assume he's talking about Haleigh's death.

 

[rileysmom]

Not a word about Ron so far.

I don't think there will be a word about Ron, Nancy's soft spot and all

 

[ilovemew]

NG says the two, Misty and Hope were tight, close buddies. Hope might talk, and may know something, if she wants does there's still time to get Hope's sentence reduced.

BBM How the hello does she know that? I've never heard that before.

 

[grandmaj]

Ummmm is it just me or do you guys not see Hope in that vid either?

Wrong VID she was in the one with Ron in the back seat.

 

[Searchfortruth]

BBM How the hello does she know that? I've never heard that before.

It's because (NG logic) they dealt drugs together.

 

[panthera]

Well, Misty and Hope were best buddies so, it makes sense that she would have told Hope about what happened to Haleigh, per NG. Now who else might Misty have told ?

Or who else might Hope have told? Ron? I doubt it! :waitasec: