Technology has revolutionized our world. It has changed the way our economy functions, the way information is dispersed and how we entertain ourselves. But, it has also expanded the ways in which crimes can be committed. Though, many believe that the Internet is only used to commit fraud and identity theft, its utilization far exceeds that, which could spell trouble for California residents.
One California man is learning this first-hand after being taken into custody on federal drug trafficking charges. According to authorities, the 38-year-old man utilized Silk Road and other dark-web sites to promote and sell narcotics.
It is alleged that the man sold cocaine and marijuana via the dark sites, then mailed them from a post offices in Fresno and Merced counties to individuals across the country. The authorities claim the man made nearly $1.5 million in the scheme.
Cases like this can be tricky for prosecutors and defense attorneys alike. The prosecution may try to submit evidence tying the accused individual to a particular online username, in addition to trying to prove that the accused mailed narcotics utilizing the postal service.
On the other hand, a defense attorney might try to poke holes in the prosecution. The defense can argue that the username belonged to someone else, and that the defendant did not have access to the dark-web sites in question.
Matters involving federal drug charges are complicated enough, but throw technology into the mix and the issues can become even cloudier. This is why those facing drug charges, Internet crime allegations or both, need to make sure they surround themselves with a legal team that knows what needs to be done to counteract an aggressive prosecution.
Source: Daily Journal, “Federal authorities say they have arrested a Central California man on charges of distributing cocaine and marijuana on the drug-selling site Silk Road and other dark-web markets,” March 29, 2016