Some say Florida is a hub for certain types of crime. Drug-related incidents and white collar crime appear to be problematic throughout the state. A plea agreement was recently submitted regarding various acts of fraud one man committed over a span of several months.
The 30-year-old man was recently sentenced to a three-year term behind bars in a federal prison. He reportedly used unauthorized personal information and stolen credit cards to make a number of purchases. Among other things, he is said to have bought more than $3,000 worth of furniture through fraudulent means.
In addition to being sentenced to prison, the court has ordered the man to repay those he defrauded. The amount of restitution ordered exceeds $8,000. He must also pay an equivalent amount to the federal government.
This particular situation is evidence of the severe penalties often associated with white collar crime convictions in Florida. From the time a person becomes subject in a federal investigation, he or she may contact a criminal defense lawyer for help in building a strong defense in preparation of fighting against any charges that may later be filed. Several key factors often come into play to achieve positive results in court. One crucial factor lies in scrutinizing the process under which authorities may have conducted any searches or seizures during their investigation. If a determination is made that any member of authority acted outside strict measures of protocol, it may be possible to challenge proffered evidence in court, or perhaps even obtain a dismissal of all charges.
Source: nbc-2.com, “Cape Coral man sentenced for credit card fraud, ID theft“, Aug. 16, 2016