A Haverhill Massachusetts Man Charged With Receiving Stolen Property For Selling $6,000 Worth Of Jewelry Stolen From Neighborhood Homes
The Lawrence Eagle Tribune reports that a former Zion Bible College student has been charged with selling $6,000 worth of jewelry stolen from several homes near the school. Twenty-eight year old Ruston Prothro of Cumberland Avenue in Haverill faces multiple charges of receiving stolen property valued over $250.00 in a scheme where he pawned jewelry stolen from Haverhill homes between September 14th and September 18th.
In order for the Commonwealth to prove that the defendant was guilty of receiving stolen property, they would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Haverhill transplant was in possession of the jewelry and knew that it was stolen. In Massachusetts, if the items were "recently stolen" that is a factor that a jury can take into consideration when deciding whether a defendant knew that a particular object was stolen. If the value of the property is valued under $250.00 the charge is considered a misdemeanor. If the value of the property is valued at over $250.00, which seems to be the case here, it is a felony offense. In Massachusetts if the potential sentence is a house of correction or jail sentence the charge is considered a misdemeanor. If a defendant faces the possibility of going to state prison then the charge is considered a felony.
If you or a family member has been charged with a crime it is important to have an experienced Boston area lawyer on your side. Before going to trial or pleading guilty a defendant should be informed of the type of potential sentence he or she may receive if convicted and whether a conviction would be a felony or a misdemeanor charge. A felony conviction may have an adverse affect on future employment opportunities.
Attorney Kathleen M. McCarthy has specialized in criminal law for over twenty years. She routinely appears in local courts such as Peabody, Lowell, Lawrence and the Boston Municipal Court. Attorney McCarthy successfully handles all stages of criminal prosecutions from clerk's hearings through dispostiion. If you want experinece on your side contact Attorney McCarthy at 978-975-8060 or online and she will get to work on your case immediately.
