What Is Larceny and Receiving Stolen Goods?

A man from South Carolina was recently arrested when law enforcement officials discovered that he was concealing over $200,000 in stolen items in a network of underground tunnels. The news release said that Timothy Painter, 26, was arrested after a search warrant was conducted on the four-acre property and stolen items from areas around the state were found.

The stolen property included transport trailers, power tools, heavy construction equipment, and construction materials. The painter was charged with eight counts of receiving stolen goods and investigators say they expect additional charges to be filed as they continue their investigation.

What Is Larceny, or Receiving Stolen Goods?

Larceny is simply a fancy term for the crime of theft. It refers to the act of taking another person’s property without their consent. Possession of, or receipt of, stolen goods is when a property that is stolen is found in the possession of another person. The person found with the property must “possess or receive” the property that they know is stolen.

In cases of larceny, the prosecutor must prove that you took the property as well as that you meant to permanently deprive another person of that property. The dollar amount of the stolen items must also be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If it cannot be proven, the defendant could be found guilty of a lesser offense.

In many cases, when law enforcement officials are unable to prove larceny, they will charge a person with receiving, or possession, of stolen property instead. They believe that you stole the property but cannot prove it. However, they know that they can prove that you were in possession of the items.

In South Carolina, laws state that it is illegal to possess or receive items that you know have been stolen. Knowledge is one element of the crime that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in order for the defendant to be convicted.

Penalties for Possession of Stolen Goods and Larceny

Larceny and possession of stolen goods are both graduated offenses that have their potential penalties based on the dollar amount of the property that was stolen. If the dollar amount is less than $2,000, the crime is a misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 30 days in jail. If the dollar amount is greater than $2,000 but no more than $10,000, the crime is a felony that is punishable by up to five years in prison. Crimes with a dollar amount of over $10,000 are also a felony and are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing charges or are under investigation for larceny or receiving stolen goods, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. The attorneys at David Aylor Law Offices will review the claims against you and help create the best possible defense strategy possible. Our Charleston Criminal Defense Attorneys have extensive experience representing clients facing minor charges to the worst felony crimes and we will ensure that your rights are protected. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.