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An ICE supervisor caught in a sting, nearly 100 text messages, and a 135-month sentence.

Today, we dive into the Ninth Circuit’s April 2026 decision in United States v. Williams. When Koby Williams was arrested during an undercover “child enticement” operation, he claimed he was actually the one doing the investigating. But the court had the receipts—including a text message where he admitted, “I am a cop… I’m not afraid.”

In this video, we analyze:
The Digital Trap: How Detective Martinez used a “Warning in Moses” Craigslist post to lure targets.
The “Enticement” Standard: Why the 9th Circuit rejected the defense that the government must prove a defendant “overcame the will” of a minor.
The Evidence: What police found in the car (cash, Viagra, and vodka) that sealed the jury’s verdict.

Case Details: United States v. Williams, No. 24-5792 (9th Cir. 2026), https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/04/13/24-5792.pdf

Statute: 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) (Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor)., https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2422

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
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https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!

The U.S. government seized 700,000 barrels of Iranian oil from two tankers in the Mediterranean Sea — sold it for $50 million — and a Turkish company that claimed to own it walked away with nothing. Here’s how that’s legal.

In today’s video, we break down United States v. All Petroleum-Product Cargo Onboard the M/T Arina, a brand-new D.C. Circuit opinion decided April 21, 2026 — covering civil forfeiture, the Foreign Commerce Clause, and material support for terrorism law.

What we cover:
⚖️ How the U.S. civil forfeiture statute works
🛢️ Why the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is at the center of this case
🚢 The ship-to-ship oil transfer that triggered a $50M seizure
📜 The relation-back doctrine — and why it’s devastating for third-party buyers
🌍 How far the Foreign Commerce Clause actually reaches
💣 What “calculated to influence” government conduct really means in terrorism law

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👍 Like if you learned something
💬 Drop your questions in the comments

Case Citation: United States v. All Petroleum-Product Cargo Onboard the M/T Arina, — F.4th —-, 2026 WL 1073317 (D.C. Cir. April 21, 2026)

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
https://lawstache.com/merch/

Want to mail me something (usually mustache-related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!

A police officer pulls over a driver for rolling across a sidewalk. Routine stop — until a records check reveals his license has been suspended since 1993. The cop decides to tow the car, conducts an inventory search, and finds meth, fentanyl, cash, and a digital scale. A search warrant follows for a nearby hotel room — where officers find a loaded gun and more drugs.

Open and shut case? The California Court of Appeals said no.

In People v. Perez (2026), the Sixth Appellate District reversed the convictions and threw out ALL the evidence — because the vehicle tow that started it all violated the Fourth Amendment. The reason? Towing someone’s car just to stop them from driving again is not a community caretaking function.

In this video, we break down:
✅ What the community caretaking doctrine actually means
✅ Why statutory authority to tow is NOT enough under the Constitution
✅ How the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine wiped out the gun and hotel room evidence
✅ What this ruling means for drivers and law enforcement in California

📌 People v. Perez | California Court of Appeal, Sixth District | H053314 | Filed March 19, 2026

Click to access H053314.PDF

🔔 Subscribe to LAWTACHE for real case breakdowns, no fluff.
#FourthAmendment #IllegalSearch #CommunityCaretaking #PeopleVPerez #CaliforniaLaw #SuppressionMotion #CriminalLaw #ConstitutionalLaw #KnowYourRights #LawTube

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
https://lawstache.com/merch/

Want to mail me something (usually mustache-related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!

Isaac Tekola ran a fentanyl distribution operation out of his apartment — and when he got caught, he argued his home was just… his home. The Ninth Circuit wasn’t buying it.

In this video, we break down United States v. Tekola (9th Cir. 2026), where the court upheld a two-level sentencing enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(12) — the “maintained a premises” enhancement — even though Tekola’s apartment was also his primary residence.

What you’ll learn:
1. What the § 2D1.1(b)(12) sentencing enhancement actually is
2. Why living somewhere doesn’t protect you from this enhancement
3. How the Ninth Circuit distinguished this case from United States v. Shetler
4. Why your text messages will absolutely destroy you in court
5. What “primary or principal use” really means under the Sentencing Guidelines

⚖️ United States v. Tekola, No. 24-5467 (9th Cir. March 9, 2026), https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/09/24-5467.pdf
🗓️ Argued February 9, 2026 | Filed March 9, 2026

LAWSTACHE breaks down real court cases in plain English — so you actually understand what’s happening in the legal system.
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👍 Like if this helped you understand federal sentencing law
💬 Comment: Do you think the enhancement was applied fairly here?

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
https://lawstache.com/merch/

Want to mail me something (usually mustache-related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!

California appeals court just REVERSED a murder conviction because police went too far with an undercover interrogation. In People v. Zapata (2026), the court ruled that once a suspect invokes their right to a lawyer, police can’t use undercover agents and coercive tactics to get around Miranda rights.

What happened: Jason Zapata was placed in a cell with undercover cops posing as inmates (a “Perkins operation”). After he asked for a lawyer, a deputy used a fake lineup and psychological pressure to trick him into confessing to murder. The confession got him convicted—but the Court of Appeal threw it out.

Key legal issues covered:

✅ Miranda v. Arizona – Your right to remain silent
✅ Edwards v. Arizona – Invoking your right to counsel
✅ Illinois v. Perkins – Undercover police operations
✅ Rhode Island v. Innis – What counts as “interrogation”
✅ When police tactics cross the constitutional line. This case creates a NEW LIMIT on Perkins operations: Known police officers can’t actively “stimulate” undercover interrogations after a suspect invokes Miranda rights.

📚 CASE CITATION: People v. Zapata (2026) D084024, California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, https://www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/D084024.PDF

🔔 Subscribe to LAWSTACHE for more criminal law breakdowns, Supreme Court cases, and constitutional rights explained in plain English!

💬 What do you think? Did the court get it right? Drop your opinion in the comments!

#MirandaRights #CriminalLaw #TrueCrime #LawExplained #PerkinsOperation #ConstitutionalRights #LegalAnalysis #CourtCase #CriminalJustice

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
https://lawstache.com/merch/

Want to mail me something (usually mustache-related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!

Strickland v. Washington (1984) is one of the most important criminal defense cases in American history. In this final episode of Top 10 Most Important Criminal Defense Cases series, San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney Anton Vialtsin breaks down the Supreme Court decision that created the modern standard for ineffective assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment.

In this video, you’ll learn:

🔹 The facts of the case
🔹 Why David Washington challenged his lawyer’s performance
🔹 How the Supreme Court created the Two-Prong Strickland Test
🔹 What “deficient performance” really means
🔹 How courts decide whether a defendant was prejudiced
🔹 Why Strickland is so hard for defendants to win
🔹 How this case still controls criminal defense today, from plea bargaining to death penalty litigation

If you’ve ever wondered why “my lawyer didn’t help me” rarely works on appeal — this is the video you need to watch.

As always, if you or a loved one is facing federal or state charges, contact:
Anton Vialtsin, San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney
📍 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101
🌐 Lawstache.com

📺 Missed earlier episodes? Start the series here:

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 1: Think You Know Your Miranda Rights?
https://youtu.be/RCQQbPSa0hs

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 2: Gideon – Do You Really Get to Choose a Free Lawyer?
https://youtu.be/bpkYko9WwFc

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 3: Katz – The Case That Changed Privacy Forever.
https://youtu.be/tw8a9fjUkaI

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 4: Stop-and-Frisk & the Fourth Amendment Explained
https://youtu.be/4UmVp5ORo3A

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 5: Can Police Search Your Car Without a Warrant?
https://youtu.be/zQlePewa5XU

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 6: Can we get evidence excluded from trial & case dismiss
https://youtu.be/rVhkHDscXOc

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 7: Privacy rights in the digital age. Cell Phone GEO data
https://youtu.be/Wa5kkivcXM0

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 8: Prosecution can’t hide evidence favorable to accused
https://youtu.be/S-4K7FF_0es

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 9: Everything you need to know about your SENTENCING.
https://youtu.be/Y-5g_HrBYjw

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
https://lawstache.com/merch/

Want to mail me something (usually mustache-related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!

What really happened in Brady v. Maryland (1963) — and what does a Brady violation actually mean?

In this video, we break down one of the most important Supreme Court decisions in criminal law history. You’ll learn how Brady v. Maryland changed the way prosecutors must handle evidence, why the case still matters today, and the biggest misconceptions the public often gets wrong about Brady disclosures.

This episode will make you rethink what “fair trial” really means!

🧠 Topics covered:

The real story behind Brady v. Maryland
What counts as a Brady violation
Common misunderstandings about evidence disclosure
Why intent doesn’t matter under Brady
How Brady affects trials and sentencing

⚖️ Part 8 of our “Top 10 Criminal Defense Cases” series

#BradyvMaryland #CriminalLaw #SupremeCourt #BradyViolation #DueProcess #CriminalDefense #LawExplained #LegalEducation #JusticeSystem

📺 Missed earlier episodes? Start the series here:

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 1: Think You Know Your Miranda Rights?
https://youtu.be/RCQQbPSa0hs

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 2: Gideon – Do You Really Get to Choose a Free Lawyer?
https://youtu.be/bpkYko9WwFc

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 3: Katz – The Case That Changed Privacy Forever.
https://youtu.be/tw8a9fjUkaI

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 4: Stop-and-Frisk & the Fourth Amendment Explained
https://youtu.be/4UmVp5ORo3A

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 5: Can Police Search Your Car Without a Warrant?
https://youtu.be/zQlePewa5XU

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 6: Can we get evidence excluded from trial & case dismiss
https://youtu.be/rVhkHDscXOc

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 7: Privacy rights in the digital age. Cell Phone GEO data
https://youtu.be/Wa5kkivcXM0

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss Part 8 of this series on the most important criminal law cases!

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
https://lawstache.com/merch/

Want to mail me something (usually mustache-related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!

Think you know the story of Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)? Most people believe this landmark Supreme Court case guaranteed everyone a free lawyer—but that’s not the full truth. In this video, we break down the biggest myths and misunderstandings about Gideon, from whether lawyers are really “free,” to the limits of the right to counsel, to what happened when Clarence Gideon was retried.

This is Part 2 of our Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths series. If you thought Miranda was misunderstood, wait until you hear the surprising facts about Gideon.

You’ll learn:
✅ What Gideon v. Wainwright actually decided
✅ Why the right to counsel wasn’t new in 1963
✅ The truth about paying for your “free” public defender

Public Defenders: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USkEzLuzmZ4&ab_channel=LastWeekTonight
✅ How this case overruled Betts v. Brady
✅ Why Gideon was acquitted at his retrial
✅ Whether the promise of Gideon has really been fulfilled today

⚖️ Subscribe to LAWSTACHE for more breakdowns of the most important criminal law cases and the myths that surround them.

#GideonVWainwright #RightToCounsel #SupremeCourtCases #CriminalLaw #Lawstache

Top 10 Criminal Law Cases and Myths | PART 1: Think You Know Your Miranda Rights?
https://youtu.be/RCQQbPSa0hs

Anton Vialtsin, Esq.
LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM | Criminal Defense and Business Law
https://lawstache.com
(619) 357-6677

Do you want to buy our Lawstache merchandise? Maybe a T-shirt?
https://lawstache.com/merch/

Want to mail me something (usually mustache-related)? Send it to 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101

Want to learn about our recent victories?
https://lawstache.com/results-notable-cases/

Are you a Russian speaker? Вы говорите по-русски?
https://russiansandiegoattorney.com

Based in San Diego, CA
Licensed: California, Nevada, and Federal Courts

The San Diego-based business litigation and criminal defense attorneys at LAWSTACHE™ LAW FIRM are experienced and dedicated professionals singularly focused on one goal: achieving the best results for our clients. Through our hard work and expertise, we guarantee all of our clients that we will diligently protect their rights and zealously pursue justice. Our clients deserve nothing less!