TILDEN LAW – Orlando Criminal Attorney

Domestic Violence Lawyer

An Orange County deputy sheriff was before an Orange County Circuit court judge on Tuesday after an allegation of domestic violence.  Bryan Villella, a 25 year member of the sheriff’s office appeared before Orange Circuit Judge Sally D.M. Kest after an injunction for protection against domestic violence was petitioned for by the deputy’s ex-boyfriend. 

In her ruling after the injunction hearing, Judge Kest also prohibited the deputy from contacting his ex-boyfriend in a hostile manner as well as prohibiting the deputy from carrying a weapon during non-working hours.

Although Villella’s attorney, Tim Berry, asked Kest if his client could be allowed to carry his weapon during off-duty security assignments, she said the court “will not be making any special exceptions in this case.”

Deputy Villella’s alleged boyfriend, Angel Joel Carrion on Feb. 18 filed a petition for a domestic-violence injunction for protection. But Kest instead granted a less restrictive “no-hostile contact injunction,” which means Villella can contact Carrion and show up at his house or place of business, but not act in a hostile way.

Carol Wick, chief executive officer of Harbor House, Orange County’s only shelter for victims of domestic abuse, said the order is limited and doesn’t offer the same protections as a order for protection against domestic violence.

“Domestic violence isn’t about hostility. It’s about power, control and fear,” Wick said. “However, I have a good deal of faith in the Sheriff’s Office. I know Sheriff Jerry Demings will not tolerate anything happening.”

Carrion in 2009 had complained to Sheriff’s Office investigators that Villella repeatedly beat him during their four-year relationship.  The Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into Villella after Carrion accused the deputy of making him clean up his own blood after one incident, court documents show. The investigation is pending.  Villella, a 25-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office whose current yearly salary is $56,908, has faced previous allegations of domestic violence.

The first allegation of domestic abuse came to light in 2001. His ex-wife, Helen Mackenzie, served him with a temporary domestic-violence injunction, alleging physical abuse during their five-year marriage.  Sheriff’s Office investigators could not confirm her accusations, but said “it is clear Villella and Ms. Mackenzie have a history of domestic disturbances.”

Villella’s most recent discipline came in October when Sheriff’s officials docked 150 hours from Villella’s pay and placed him on one year of disciplinary probation for having sex with a male guest in a Royal Plaza Resort conference room while working off-duty security during Gay Days.

Former Orange County Florida deputy sheriff, Belinda Mills, was arrested on suspission of burglary and battery domestic violence earlier today.  According to police reports, Karen Cerezo and Belinda Mills broke into the home of  the alleged victim, Richard Cerezo, who is reported to be the ex husband of Karen Cerezo.  Upon gaining entry to the residence, both Mills and Cerezo began beating her ex husband until 911 was called.  According to the 911 caller, the two women appeared drunk.  After taking statements from all parties in the residence at the time of the event, police decided to arrest both women.

In September 2009,  Mills called authorities to report an attempted rape claiming a man was in her apartment when she arrived home. She fired two shots from her agency weapon in the incident, setting off a massive manhunt. The case is not active because there were no leads. It’s not known if she filed a false report.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneer turned “Inside The NFL” analyst Warren Sapp was arrested Saturday, February 6, 2010 on the allegation of battery domestic violence in Miami, Florida.  Sapp, who was in Miami covering Super Bowl XLIV for the NFL network, was suspended by the network pending a complete investigation. 

Sapp is also known from his appearance in the seventh season of “Dancing with the Stars” with professional dance partner Kym Johnson.  Sapp and Johnson ultimately finished second in the competition. 

The arrest occurred as a result of allegations made by his girlfriend of two years who was allegedly staying overnight with Sapp in his hotel room in Miami.  According to the alleged victim, Warren Sapp came into her room early in the morning and dragged her out of bed, starting an argument about some guys she had been hanging around earlier the previous evening. He then “grabbed her and began to choke her” and threw her out of the room, she claims.  

Sapp tells a different story. He told  Miami iBeach Police that he had originally allowed the alleged victim to stay in his room but had changed his mind. He said that he was “expecting company” and wanted her to leave. He said that he was trying to help her do just that and she fell.  Sapp was released Sunday morning (Feb. 7) on a $1500 bond.

If you or someone you know has een arrested or charged with a Battery or Domestic Violence charge in Orlando and are facing criminal prosecution for Domestic Violence in either Orange County, Seminole County, Florida,  contact the attorneys at TILDEN LAW for an initial and confidential free consultation, 407-599-1234.

Felony Domestic Violence Charge Dismissed

TILDEN LAW was contacted by a client recently who was facing a charge of Felony Domestic Violence Battery by Strangulation and Witness Tampering in Seminole County, Florida.  According to the police affidavit, our client was involved in an argument with his wife relating to a variety of domestic issues.  As the argument escalated, the report indicated that our client grabbed his wife by the throat with his hands and attempted to strangle her until she almost lost consciousness.   The report further indicated that the alleged victim attempted to use her cell phone to call 911 but it was taken from her by our client in an attempt to prevent her from calling police. 

Our office became involved shortly after our client was arrested and while he was being held in jail without bond.  Attorney N. Fleetwood Tilden, immediately filed a motion for bond with the court.  During the hearing, the court granted our motion as well as our further request that our client be released without special condition of no victim contact and no return to the shared residence.  As the case progressed, Mr. Tilden was able to negotiate a resolution where the State Attorney dismissed the both Felony charges.  Our client ultimately resolved his case with a non-conviction to a misdemeanor charge.   

If you or someone you know has een arrested or charged with a Battery or Domestic Violence charge in Orlando and are facing criminal prosecution for Domestic Violence in either Orange County, Seminole County, Florida,  contact the attorneys at TILDEN LAW for an initial and confidential free consultation, 407-599-1234.