Plymouth man charged with theft by swindle of more than $100,000

In a recent story coming out of Anoka County, a 59-year-old man from Plymouth has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $100,000 from a Blaine car dealership. He faces one charge of theft by swindle and could spend up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He may also be ordered to pay $100,000 in fines, too.

Although many of us in Minnesota may not think of theft as a serious crime, the police and prosecutors certainly consider it to be. Many times a charge of theft is considered a felony, which means at least a year in prison, fines and a very serious criminal record. Even after an offender gets out of prison, many people may be reluctant to trust the offender enough to rent to or hire him or her. This is why it is so important to actively fight charges with the help of a criminal defense lawyer.

According to the complaint, the man had been working with the car dealership since January 2009, though it appears he was not considered an employee. The nature of his business relationship was that he would buy and sell cars that the dealership had funded. He would pay the dealership 40 percent of the profits and the dealership was also expected to pay 40 percent of the fees associated with each car, too.

There was concern that the man had been stealing from the dealership after there were some incongruities between the information the Plymouth man provided and what the auction companies who sold the cars were providing. Police claim that the Plymouth man then admitted to stealing when confronted by the owner.

Source: WCCO 4, “Charges: Man Swindled $100K+ From Blaine Auto Company,” Aug. 16, 2013

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

You might need to know the long-term impacts of a 3rd degree DWI if you have been arrested or charged with driving while impaired (DWI) in Minneapolis, MN. A 3rd-degree DWI conviction can affect you personally, professionally, socially, and financially. A DWI conviction carries consequences, such as paying huge fines, loss of income, paying higher insurance premiums, strained relationships, and reputation damage. Your driver’s and professional license may be suspended or revoked after you are charged or convicted of a DWI. You may also face a civil lawsuit, which costs you money in the form of financial compensation to the accident victim.
One of the questions that people facing sex crime charges in Minnesota ask is: Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted? You will most likely be required to register as a sex offender if convicted of a sex crime. Factors that determine sex offender registration include the nature and severity of the offense, aggravating factors, civil commitment, and risk level. You must register as a sex offender if you are relocating to Minnesota for school, work, or to live and have been convicted of sex crimes elsewhere.
People facing drug crime charges who were victims of unlawful search or seizure may wonder, “What role does search and seizure law play in drug cases?” Under the Fourth Amendment, search and seizure law protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement officers. The Minnesota constitution provides similar protections.