The current foreclosure crisis has created a host of vacant homes in Lee County. These unmonitored homes present open opportunity for vandalism to occur. One of the items targeted in these homes is copper. Copper, which several years sold for less than $1 a pound, now sells for close to $4. The metal theft epidemic throughout the country has contributed to increased legislation addressing this crime.
Effective October 1, 2008 Florida enacted a new law to deter metal theft by requiring secondary metal dealers to keep detailed records. Under the law recycling businesses are required to record a description of the person selling the metals, including the person's full name, current residential address, workplace and home and work phone numbers and a description of the person's vehicle. Height, weight, date of birth, race, gender, hair and eye color and other identifying marks also must be recorded and a thumbprint must be collected. The law also dictates how a person can be paid for recycled metals and enhances the penalties for violating the law.
A 22 year old Lehigh Acres resident foolishly gave into the temptation of copper theft. Unemployed at the time, he was enticed by peer pressure to partake in the criminal activity. He paired up with a friend and found they could make easy money by taking air conditioning
coils from vacant homes and selling them as scrap metal. The two men were observed taking apart an air conditioning unit at a vacant home in Lehigh Acres. A neighbor witnessed them and reported the suspicious activity to Lee County Sherriff's Department. The police set up a parameter in the area and the two men fled on foot. A K9 search was conducted and both men were apprehended.
Criminal defense attorneys at Musca Law realize that individuals can become entangled with Florida's criminal justice system through external pressure, financial burdens, or an isolated lapse in judgment. With genuine concern for our clients, we offer over 100 years of collective criminal defense experience. The defendant in this case originally had a total of 22 charges filed against him. Through careful, skilled negotiations with the State Attorney, the charges were broken down to 7 counts of Grand Theft and our client received a probationary period.
