Category Archives: Violent Crimes

Plea Bargains in Ohio Could be Undermined by Decision in “Meatball Murder” Case

The front page of the Cincinnati Enquirer highlights a recent Appeals Court decision that could impact plea agreements in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio.

The case involves Kareem “Little Red” Gilbert, his father Ruben “Red” Jordan, and a meatball sandwich.

Gilbert Photo. From USA Today.

According to the paper, in 2008, Kareem Gilbert

was horsing around with Brian Austin and Vernon Davis. Tempers flared, and Austin hit Gilbert with a meatball sandwich. Gilbert shot Austin to death as Davis ran off. Davis, aware of the Gilbert family’s neighborhood reputation, was so scared he also would be killed that he told his family what clothes to put on him at his funeral. Davis was shot and killed Oct. 31, 2008. Police eventually charged Gilbert with both killings.

In 2010, prosecutors agreed to drop the murder charges against Gilbert in exchange for his agreement to testify against his father in the case.  The plea agreement contained a provision that prosecutors could reinstate the original murder charges if the did not testify truthfully.

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UDF Clerk Accused of Helping to Rob Store

A United Dairy Farmers Clerk has been accused of conspiring with his roommate to rob the store where he worked.

According to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Clerk Tyler R. Madden, 19, and his roommate, Zachary L. Roberts, 21, planned to stage a robbery at the store.  A little before 5:00 in the morning, a clerk reported the store was robbed at knifepoint and the suspect had fled. No one was injured and Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies recovered the stolen money and the knife.

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Sale of IEDs to Undercover Officer Leads to Felony Charges

A Butler County man faces Felony charges for possession of dangerous ordnances after he allegedly sold modified grenades to undercover police officers.  The modified grenades were described as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Evidence found by Law Enforcement

The police executed a search warrant at the home of Jeffrey Fellman.  The police said that additional IEDs were discovered, “including modified grenades, bombs made with plastic pipes and ‘other bomb-making components.’” Items found during the s search of the residence included:  a satchel containing five grenades; a PVC pipe bomb; smoke grenades; arrows with attached pyrotechnic devices; and a booby trap device.

Feldman could face additional charges for the weapons found at his home.  In addition, media reports indicate that he has a prior arrest for domestic violence.  A domestic violence conditions means that, under federal law, a person may not possess a firearm – even for hunting.  If Feldman has been previously convicted of domestic violence, he could face federal charges for possession of a firearm.

Fellman was in court last Thursday for a preliminary hearing in Hamilton Municipal Court.  At the hearing, investigators described the sale of the IEDs and the search of Fellman’s home.  Law enforcement officials have not publicly speculated on Fellman’s motives for possessing the IEDs.

Individuals facing weapons charges should contact an experienced and skilled trial attorney at the law firm of Michael K. Allen & Associates.  In cases involving serious charges, multiple law enforcement agencies, and both possible federal and state charges, an individual needs counsel who is able to effectively deal with prosecutors and investigators.  In our experience, serious criminal charges like these often can be resolved early in the case through hard negotiation with the government.