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A detention hearing in federal court is much like a bail hearing in state court. It's a hearing at which the court determines whether to detain a defendant without bail.
A September 19, 2019 “Petition For Summons For Offender Under Supervision”, filed by the United States Probation department's Las Vegas office against David Damante, spurred a September 23, 2019 warrant that landed Damante in federal court back on October 3, 2019.
However, a November 7, 2019 “Addendum To Petition”, detailing additional probation violations and filed under seal by the Las Vegas Federal Probation Office, was made public late yesterday.
The five-page petition detailed probation violations, including those against self-employment, failing to answer a probation office inquiry truthfully and leaving Nevada without probation authorization.
Claiming a family history of “organized crime” as an excuse for not opening a corporate account himself, Damante's been accused of providing business forms to a woman he'd promised to marry—forms and documentation used to open a business bank account under her signature for Pawfect Protein Bitez.
Among the text messages Damante sent to the woman was one that stated, “We also need to make sure I get this done with the art loan and that I stay out of harms way with the government”.
It appears Damante may likely be referring to the art fraud scheme detailed exclusively on this blog in 2018.
During a home visit by a Probation Officer with Damante on November 6, on his countertop in plain view was a purported appraisal for art work he claims he owns, valued at approximately $3.6 million dollars.
During previous revocation proceedings, Damante was using the art work as collateral to obtain monies from others.
The concern by the Probation Office is Damante is still using this appraisal and purported ownership of this art work to dupe others out monies.
Moreover, in early October, Damante was in communication with a company based in Atlanta, Georgia negotiating the production of some energy formula he claimed was patented by him.
Damante was communicating telephonically and email purporting to be the owner of Pawfect Protein Bitez LLC.
More on this story as it develops, including any ruling on Damante's status from tomorrow's detention hearing.