| Date of birth: | Aug 29, 1944 |
| Probable cause affidavit: | unlawfully traffic in property he knew, or should have known, was stolen; and did appropriate the property of another with the intent to deprive the other person of said property, said property having a value greater than $300 but less than $5000; and did unlawfully possess a vehicle which has had the vehicle identification removed, altered or otherwise defaced; and did give false statement in an application and/or affidavit for title; to wit: On 10/03/09, the victim contacted the Citrus County Sheriff's Office and advised Dep Laughlin that he had discovered a Vector trailer that he reported stolen to the Orange County Sheriff's Office (case 09-90584). The trailer was at SR 44 and Gospel Island Rd and had a for sale sign on it. Dep Laughlin inspected the trailer and discovered that the area where the VIN should appeared to have been ground down and repainted with sand being added to the new paint, in an apparent effort to disguise the grind marks. Dep Laughlin observed a 13 character VIN on the top portion of the left side of the trailer tongue. (It should be noted that since 1982, all VINs on vehicles are 17 characters). Dep Laughlin noted that the 13 Character VIN appeared new and that when the numbers/letters were punched, it was done with enough force to dent the tongue. Dep Laughlin also noted that he was able to see where the Vector stickers were removed and covered by red/white reflective stickers. Dep Laughlin interviewed the defendant, who is the person who had the trailer for sale. The defendant told Dep Laughlin that he had traded another trailer for this trailer. He could not provide any additional information on the other person nor could he provide a bill of sale and provided a registration indicating that the trailer was homemade. When asked why he would register the trailer as homemade when it clearly was not, the defendant became agitated and uncooperative. Dep Laughlin impounded the trailer. On 10/05/09, Deputy Joseph Stanton met with the victim at the tow yard and provided Dep Stanton with six photographs of the trailer that was reported stolen. He compared various stains, dents and other damages. Dep Stanton also attempted to locate the hidden VIN and where it should have been located was a 1" by 2" hole cut into the frame. On 10/06/09, Detective Bradley Smith, Dep Stanton and I responded to the defendant's residence, located at 127 S Thrush Pt, Inverness, FL. From the road, we were able to see three open utility trailers. I identified us and advised him that we were there regarding the Vector trailer. I asked him if he was able to identify the person from whom he received the trailer and he handed me an undated handwritten bill of sale. He also showed me the registration for the trailer that indicated he registered it on 09/30/09. I asked him why he registered it as homemade and he replied because he did not see a maker's name on it. I asked if he had the title and he stated trailers under 2,000 lbs don't need a title. I agreed and said that the previous owner should have had it registered and that registration should have had the maker's name on it. He stated buys, sells and trades trailers and other items on a frequent basis and many trailers do not have readily identifiable VINs on them. I then told him that the trailer in question was 2500 lbs and should have had a title. The defendant was arrested and charged with Dealing in Stolen Property, Grand Theft, Possession of a Vehicle with Altered VIN and Title Fraud. Bond set $11,000 per schedule. *NOT-EXEMPT* |
| Inmate status: | Felony Misdemeanor County/Municipal Traffic Ordinance Warrant/Capias |
| Arrest date: | Oct 6, 2009 |
| Booking number: | 09111306 |
| Booking location: | Citrus County, FL |
| Code: | 812.019 |
| Charge description: | DEALING IN STOLEN PROPERTY |
| Bond amount: | $5,000 |
| Code: | 812.014(2)(C)(1) |
| Charge description: | GRAND THEFT ($300 OR MORE BUT LESS THAN $5,000) |
| Bond amount: | $2,000 |
| Code: | 319.33(1D) |
| Charge description: | SELL/POSSESS/CONCEAL/DISPOSE VEHILCE WITH ALTERED NUMBERS |
| Bond amount: | $2,000 |
| Code: | 319.33(1E) |
| Charge description: | TITLE FRAUD |
| Bond amount: | $2,000 |
