| Probable cause affidavit: |
SUBMITTED BY: KANTER, MICHAEL 0155 (AR08105117) did unlawfully and knowingly obtain money, goods or services, to-wit: CASH, of a value of one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more by fraudulent use of a credit card or by unlawfully using a credit card three (3) or more times within a six (6) month period, to-wit: VISA CREDIT CARD, number FIRST SIX NUMBERS 460819, LAST FOUR NUMBERS 5904, issued to THE COMPLAINANT, without the consent of said cardholder, with the intent to defraud the said cardholder, the issuer, VISA or a person or organization providing the said money, goods or services, in violation of Florida Statutes 817.61 and 817.67(2). ON 082908, THE VICTIM, A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SEA GRASS PUB AND GRILL REPORTED TO THIS AGENCY THAT ONE OF HER EMPLOYEES HAD COMMITTED A FRAUD. THE VICTIM BECAME AWARE OF THE FRAUD AFTER A CUSTOMER CONTACTED THE BUSINESS TO DISPUTE SEVERAL CHARGES PLACED ON HIS CARD. THE VICTIM EXPLAINED THAT SHE WAS CONTACTED BY A REGULAR CUSTOMER WHO DISCOVERED SEVERAL CHARGES WERE PLACED ON HIS CREDIT CARD AT THE SEA GRASS PUB AND GRILL. WHICH HE EXPLAINED WERE FRAUDULENT. THE VICTIM STATED THE CUSTOMER HAD EATEN AT THE RESTAURANT AND PAID WITH HIS CREDIT CARD. AFTER LEAVING THE RESTAURANT, AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE WAS PLACED ON HIS CARD. THE FOLLOWING DAY, AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE WAS PLACED ON THE CREDIT CARD. THE VICTIM STATED THAT THE CARD HOLDER EXPLAINED TO HER HE WAS NOT EVEN IN TOWN THAT DAY. THE SEA GRASS PUB REFUNDED THE CUSTOMER FOR THE CHARGES HE DID NOT MAKE AND REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THIS AGENCY. THE BUSINESS IS NOW THE VICTIM DUE TO REFUNDING THE CREDIT CARD HOLDER FOR THE FRAUDULENT CHARGES. REVIEWING CREDIT CARD RECEIPTS, THEY SHOWED THE CARD HOLDER HAD USED HIS CREDIT CARD TO PAY FOR A DINNER ON 081508 AT 1959 HOURS. THE FIRST FRAUDULENT CHARGE APPEARED ON THE CARD HOLDER'S CREDIT CARD STATEMENT, SHOWING A PURCHASE THE SAME DATE 081508 AT 2121 HOURS. THE AMOUNT OF THAT CHARGE WAS $89.83. THE FOLLOWING DAY 081608, ANOTHER CHARGE WAS POSTED ON THE CARD HOLDER'S CREDIT CARD AT 2159 HOURS. THIS CHARGE WAS FOR $74.60. AFTER REVIEWING THE CREDIT CARD RECEIPTS, IT WAS FOUND ALL TRANSACTIONS WERE HANDLED BY THE DEFENDANT. ON 090908 AT APPROXIMATELY 1030 HOURS, CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE DEFENDANT AT HER RESIDENCE. THE DEFENDANT WAS EXPLAINED AS TO THE REASON FOR MY VISIT, THE FRAUDULENT CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS. THE DEFENDANT WAS READ HER MIRANDA RIGHTS PER PRE PRINTED CARD AND SHE AGREED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. DURING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEFENDANT, SHE DID ADMIT TO FRAUDULENTLY USING THE CREDIT CARD IN QUESTION. EXPLAINING THAT SHE WAS IN TOUGH FINANCIAL TIMES AND NEEDED THE MONEY TO HELP SUPPORT HER TWO SMALL CHILDREN. AFTER THE ADMISSION OF GUILT, THE DEFENDANT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE CITRUS COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY WHERE SHE WAS BOOKED ON ONE COUNT OF FELONY CREDIT CARD FRAUD. THE DEFENDANT WAS RELEASED ON HER OWN RECOGNIZANCE DUE TO HER COOPERATION AND THE WILLINGNESS TO CONFESS TO THE CRIME. *NOT-EXEMPT* |
