An Oceanside police sergeant recently pleaded guilty to charges of “receiving stolen property and knowingly accepting items purchased with embezzled funds,” according to a recent report by San Diego News 10. The man had been with the Oceanside Police Department for 10 years and was quoted as being a “rising star” in the department when he was charged. Allegedly, the man was romantically involved with a woman who had been embezzling money from a construction company at which she was employed. Prosecutors claim that the man knowingly received over $54,000 in items from the woman that he used to update his home, including mahogany wood flooring and flat-screen television sets. The officer now faces a prison sentence of 365 days in county jail.

Under California Penal Code section 496, it is a crime to knowingly buy, sell, receive, conceal, or withhold stolen property. If, for example, you buy or receive a car stereo from a person with knowledge that the person who is providing it to you has received it unlawfully, you can be prosecuted for receiving stolen property under Penal Code section 496. Depending on the severity of the case, a conviction can result in a prison sentence of up to one year in state or county jail.

If you are being charged with receiving stolen property in San Diego, it is imperative that you contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer in San Diego immediately. You will need on your side the best legal representation to fight such serious allegations. Our criminal defense lawyers at Wallin & Klarich can provide you with the skilled legal representation that comes with over 30 years of experience. Call us today at 888-280-6839 or visit us online at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.