It’s been over a year since professional skateboarder Rob Lorifice was arrested and charged with federal drug crimes in California. It all began when his home was raided by law enforcement and they found a variety of illegal drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs that were not legally prescribed to him. He was caught in the act of attempting to flush drugs down the toilet when the police came in.
Two other people were in the house, though not with Lorifice at the time. Both people admitted to the police that they had purchased drugs from the skateboarder and had used drugs in his home. For his part, Lorifice did a public interview not long after, in which he stated that the drugs were not his. He was official charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute. He made bail and is awaiting his trail.
At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we have helped many clients deal with similar drug related charges. Keep reading to find out more about what Lorifice could be facing and what his legal team is likely doing to protect him. If you or a loved one has been charged with a similar crime, contact us at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.
Potential Penalties for the Charges He’s Facing
It is important to note that Lorifice is not just facing possession with the intent to distribute, but he is facing these charges in relation to methamphetamine. In California, this drug is treated more seriously than other drugs are. According to California law, it is a felony to sell and transport this drug, which can lead to a sentence of anywhere from two years to four years in prison. A person can also be charged with selling meth even if they offered it to another person without requiring payment.
There are several factors that can increase the minimum sentences. This includes situations in which a person transports the drugs across at least two county lines within California with the intent to sell, when a large amount of meth is sold, or when the accused uses a minor to help sell or transport the meth.
In addition to the prison sentences, fines of up to $10,000 may be levied as well. As is true of the prison sentence, the fines can be increased in specific situations too. One example is if the sale of the drugs was near certain buildings, such as homeless shelters, drug treatment shelters, or detox facilities.
There Are Defense Options
No matter how hopeless a situation may seem, there are always defense options. For example, if the drug was transported, an attorney can argue that though the drug was moved, it was done so for personal use and not for the intention of sale. The defense may show that the accused was coerced into the action. A final option may be to get into a drug diversion program instead of jailtime.