A California lawyer was arrested by federal authorities who say she was also selling guns and distributing methamphetamine. Sadly, neither are covered under attorney-client privilege.
On Monday, feds arrested Orange County lawyer Melinda Romines, 41, for allegedly illegally selling firearms– including to an undercover agent.
The Anaheim resident was charged with conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, and with possession of an unregistered firearm, as well as two counts of distributing the illegal drug. ATF worked with local law enforcement to carry out the bust.
The federal indictment, returned last week, says Romines “found guns available for purchase from black market firearms dealers.” Feds say Romines served as a broker between black market dealers and paying customers, and conducted business from various parking garages in Los Angeles.
She wasn’t messing around. Check out the size of the transactions.
From Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff writer with the Los Alamitos-Seal Beach, CA Patch.com:
In May 2018, Romines was suspected of selling two firearms in a Los Angeles parking lot. Both a .40-caliber pistol and an AR-type .45-caliber rifle, each missing serial numbers, were sold in that exchange.
Officials suspect also suspect Romines of selling a silencer and a high-capacity magazine with approximately 20 rounds of ammunition at that time, officials say. That transaction that netted her $2,600.
In October 2018, in another Los Angeles parking lot, she sold a .45-caliber pistol and ammunition to a buyer for $900, the indictment alleges.
Romines also allegedly sold nearly a quarter-pound of methamphetamine in two transactions in October and November 2018.
A second defendant named in the indictment—Seaira Benson, a.k.a. “Relli,” 27, of Compton and Los Angeles—is been charged along with Romines with one count of distributing approximately 111 grams of methamphetamine. Authorities are currently seeking Benson.
More at the OC Register, Los Alamitos-Seal Beach, CA Patch.com, and KTLA.