Seal Beach, CA — Making false claims or other misrepresentations in a business transaction can lead to fraud and theft charges being filed against you. Although these charges may not carry the harsh penalties associated with more violent crimes, a criminal record can negatively impact your ability to earn a livelihood in the future.
A Compton man with a lengthy criminal record was arrested in a sting operation in Seal Beach on Thursday. According to a Seal Beach Police Department spokesman, a local business indicated that Earl Howard, 59, wanted to place a suspicious ad. Howard allegedly wanted to advertise a $29,000 diamond for sale at $9,500. Officers posing as interested buyers determined that the diamond was not authentic and arrested Howard on suspicion of attempted grand theft, theft by false pretenses, and commercial burglary.
On Monday, Howard pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted grand theft and was released from custody on bail. He is scheduled to return to court on April 8th. Howard, who has a previous criminal record, is reported to be on federal probation. Officers have stated that he had more fake jewelry in his car at the time of his arrest and are urging other potential victims to come forward.
A conviction on theft and white collar crimes charges can still result in a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines. There is also a heavy social stigma that comes with having a criminal record. This can make it hard to get a job, rent an apartment, or take out a loan in the future. If you or a loved one is facing any kind of criminal charge, the best thing you can do is hire professional legal representation.
At the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti, we’ve been practicing law in Orange County for more than 16 years. In that time we’ve built a strong record of having the charges against our clients reduced or dismissed. No matter how difficult or hopeless a case might seem, we never give up on our clients. Our staff of dedicated legal professionals know the best strategies for fighting charges like domestic violence, theft, murder, sexual assault, fraud, and arson in Southern California’s state and federal courts.
When you’ve been charged with a crime, the rest of your life doesn’t stand still. In addition to your job and family responsibilities, you’ll have to deal with court dates and other obligations. When you come to our firm, your case will receive the kind of individual attention that it needs. We can help you take on your legal problems while you work to keep your life on track.
We’re proud to serve Orange County’s diverse local community. Our success has allowed us to expand and open offices in Garden Grove, Irvine, Santa Ana, and Newport Beach to better service the local court districts. We also demonstrate our commitment to providing an excellent client experience by offering foreign language assistance if needed. We do everything in our power to make this experience less uncomfortable.
So if you need help fighting felony or misdemeanor charges in Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura, Riverside, or Orange County, call the Law Office of Michael L. Guisti at (714) 707-2797 for a free consultation.
Sources:
City News Service. “Seal Beach police arrest man suspect of selling a fake diamond for $9.5K.” http://www.presstelegram.com/general-news/20150331/seal-beach-police-arrest-man-suspected-of-selling-a-fake-diamond-for-95k. Long Beach Press-Telegram. 31 March 2015.
Schwebke, Scott. “Man arrested in Seal Beach on suspicion of selling fake diamond.” http://www.ocregister.com/articles/henderson-656219-seal-howard.html. Orange County Register. 31 March 2015.
