An automobile dealer in the Houston area has been charged with felony theft after he supposedly purchased an RV using one of his customer’s financial information.
According to police, the man has been charged with a third degree felony since the value of the property he took was over $30,000 but less than $150,000. He also is charged with forgery and with a crime related to identity fraud.
Police say that the man who has been accused sold a car to the customer earlier this summer. The customer became suspicious after he received information in the mail about an RV he never purchased.
Authorities allege that the salesperson retained the customer’s personal and financial information and used it to purchase the RV. He also allegedly bought another motor vehicle and a trailer in another location.
Police relied on information available on social media as well as video surveillance to obtain a warrant to search the man’s property, a rural tract that the man had recently purchased.
Fraud and theft charges may require an assertive defense strategy
If convicted on the theft charge, the man who is accused could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Additional penalties are possible for the other charges he is facing in Galveston County, and he is also facing charges in another Texas county as well.
Sometimes, Texans face fraud and theft charges because of an error in judgment. Oftentimes, financial difficulties, mental health, other personal issues, or addictions are to blame.
In these situations, it is important that the accused have a skilled legal advocate who can negotiate for a fair sentence that still affords the person another chance.
In other cases, a person may be falsely accused of fraud or theft or may be guilty of no more than a misunderstanding or honest carelessness. Sometimes, in fact, it is the police and prosecutors who overstep legal bounds when investigating an incident.
