NEWPORT BEACH, Orange County - Orange County Superior Court Judge in the Newport Beach Harbor Justice Center sentenced a man of Las Vegas to two years, eight months in prison for stealing over $260,000 in artworks a decade ago.
Joseph Killebrew, 51, was convicted of 4 counts of felony grand theft and sentencing enhancements for grand theft of more than $100,000.
In 1999, he reported to San Diego Police that his art collection and than $230,000 had been stolen in a burglary. He later received over $260,000 from his insurance company to cover the losses. San Diego County police is in an investigation for the insurance fraud about that claim.
He then wrote checks for some paintings over $261,000 from a few art Galleries in Laguna Beach in 1999. As soon as he left the gallery, he stopped payment on his checks. And he disappeared after that.
The Orange County DA's investigators finally found him and arrested him in Las Vegas in 2008. They also found at his home arrest all of the artworks he stole and items he claimed had been stolen.
He has also been charged in Los Angeles County with grand theft of over $108,000 worth of valuable paintings.
Under California law, Penal code section PC 487, "Grand Theft" is defined as the unlawful taking of other person's property valued above $400. If the property value is under $400, it usually can be charged as a Petty Theft, under California Penal Code section PC 484
Grand Theft is a very common theft crime, it can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending the seriousness of the caseand the circumstances of the case and criminal history record.
If it's charged as misdemeanor, the punishment can be one year of jail time. And it is a felony, the punishment is usually 3 years in prison. Every grand theft defense can be different depends on the particular situation of the case.
If you or someone you know has been charged with Grand theft (PC 487)or any type of theft crimes, including petty theft / Shoplifting (PC 484/488), forgery (PC 470/473), burglary (PC 459/460), insurance fraud, robbery, embezzlement, Grand Theft Auto (VC 10851) or receiving stolen property (PC 496), you need to contact our skilled California Theft Crimes Defense attorney immediately.
How an Orange County Criminal lawyer can help you ?
At Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti, our experienced California Criminal defense attorneys have successfully represented hundreds of individuals charged with theft crimes.
California Criminal defense attorney, Michael Guisti, has many years of experience in defending clients. He has built a reputation as a most reliable and aggressive attorney in Southern California. He will fight on your behalf and work hard to get the best possible result for you. He has a proven track record of getting felony grand theft charges reduced or even get felony grand theft charges dismissed.
Whether you are in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, or San Bernardino, or any cities in Southern California, our experienced Criminal defense lawyer can help you with any of your legal questions in a free consultation with you. All the information will be confidential. To discuss your case with an Orange County Criminal lawyer directly, please call us at 714-530-9690 or visit us at www.topcalifornialawyer.com.
