VI Consortium CEO Arrested
Recently, VI Consortium CEO Avery Lans was arrested after Homeland Security agents found a hidden compartment containing millions of dollars worth of cocaine in Orlando. His hire car was also searched by agents when he drove to a storage facility on Edgewater Drive. After collecting several items, he departed the storage facility and headed to a restaurant in Winter Park.
Avery Lans
Avery Lans, 55, was previously detained for second-degree murder in 1989. He was released after serving more than 25 years in prison, and was recently arrested again in connection with a money-laundering case. The arrest was made on Tuesday, after authorities seized a storage compartment filled with millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine. Authorities said Avery Lans was driving one of the cars leading to the storage facility, and threw the package out the window.
Charges in money-laundering case
Avery Lans was previously arrested on murder charges and freed from prison in 2009, but was re-arrested on charges of money-laundering. The money-laundering case was uncovered when Homeland Security agents discovered a hidden compartment in Orlando, where Lans and his associates allegedly kept millions of dollars worth of cocaine.
On Tuesday, Lans appeared in federal court for a bond hearing, where a jury determined that he was a flight risk and a danger to society. The judge sentenced Lans to life in prison without parole, although he will be eligible for a pardon after serving his sentence.
Charges in Juliandrea Toomer’s case
Earlier this year, Toomer was indicted on a variety of charges. She was accused of illegally taking shrimp from the coastal waters off the state of South Carolina. South Carolina’s statute deemed these waters common to the people of the state, and it required shrimp boats to pay a license fee of $25 for residents, and $2,500 for non-residents.
As an individual fisherman from Georgia, Toomer was caught violating the South Carolina law and sued Witsell, the South Carolina official responsible for enforcing it.
Charges in Avery Lans’ case
The charges against Avery Lans stem from allegations of money laundering and civil suits filed against him by Manitowoc County. They were first filed against Avery when police raided his trailer and found the keys to her car. The county allowed the officers to conduct searches on the suspect’s property, as long as they were supervised. Detective James Lenk allegedly found the keys on Avery’s bedroom floor, and believes that they fell from her bookcase and under her slippers.
Authorities said Avery Lans was a danger to society and a flight risk, and they seized millions of dollars from his possession. During the investigation, authorities discovered a compartment in Avery’s rental car where millions of dollars in cocaine were hidden.
The arrest of Avery Lans came just two months after his release from prison on second-degree murder charges. Authorities believe that Lans was armed and dangerous when he committed the crimes and hid the money in the cooler.
The FBI also found evidence of Avery Lans’ money laundering activities. The charges came in late June. The money was allegedly derived from illegal transactions by Avery Lans and his employees.
But the money was not his only source of income, as Avery’s business accounted for a large portion of his business. Avery’s defense team has argued that he knew he was liable from the start and hid the money from the public
The defendants in Avery Lans’ money laundering trial are the United States of America and Mark J. Avery. The judge in the case is Ralph R. Beistline. They are appealing the district court’s decision to sentence Avery to 160 months of imprisonment.
Their sentences, which ranged from eight months to five years, are unconstitutional and violate his rights. He is appealing the sentence, but will not be convicted until he has completed his mandatory prison time.
Source: www.ghnewslive.com
