Unknowingly Reselling Stolen Goods That Were Originally Not Stolen

[jls141]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Ohio

I purchased 3 cell phones off of craigslist. When meeting to buy the phones, I called Verizon to check the phone's esn numbers to make sure they were clear to be activated/not lost or stolen. The three phones checked out okay and Verizon told me it was okay to puchase. I bought the phones for 300 each. I listed the phones on ebay and sold them for 485 a peice. About a week and a half later I received messages from the people I sent the phones to, that Ohio police were contacting them about stolen phones. I said, this couldn't be since I checked them out myself. I finally got the officers number who contacted the buyers and called him. He says that a Verizon employee stole 7 phones from the store. This explains to me, that he was able to deactivate them so they were okay to sell. The verizon store found out later and found out who was using those phones. The buyers are being asked to send the phones back to the policestation as evidence. The 7 phones are valued at (4500) that he stole. I will be refunding the money via paypal when the buyers return the phones. Am I in the wrong at all here? It just seems that I am going to be out the 900 that I paid for the three phones.

Thanks

[flyingron]

The phones were "originally stolen." It was just that they hadn't been reported to Verizon yet. Your buyers have recourse against you. You have recourse against your supplier. That's the way it works.
If the police contact you, you need to be careful. Buying bulk, apparently unused phones off craigslist could conceivably be in the "should have reasonable cause to believe" category.

[jls141]

Understood, but wouldn't my call to Verizon(which should be documented in the account), get me past that. His story was very believable. He said he just went and bought new phones for 200 each with a 2 year agreement and just placed the old phones he had on the line. Therefore he could sell the phones for a quick 100.00 each. People do that all the time. He had them in a Verizon bag as if he had just got them. It was very believable to me, obviously.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I bought the phones for 300 each.

Therefore he could sell the phones for a quick 100.00 each.

Which is it - $100 each or $300 each?

Are you posting here because somebody has suggested that you might be criminally charged?

[jls141]

Sorry let me clearify,

You can buy the phone from Verizon for 200+ a 2 year commitment. He said he was selling them for 300 each, that way he made a quick 100 dollars off of each. I paid 300 a peice for them and sold them on ebay for 485 each-minus about 35 in ebay and paypal fees per phone.

Yes, I am posting to hopefully re-assure myself that I am not in any legal trouble. The officer who called and talked to the end buyers with the phones, I got his number and called him. I explained everything and he assured me that I had nothing to worry about, they were looking for the theif. Although, I have heard before never believe a police officer when they say that you have nothing to worry about. He didn't demand, but instead asked that if I can make it down to the station sometime would I mind puting everything I told him down in writing. He also asked if I would be able to pick the guy out from a photo-lineup. This situation seems to me like I should be okay, but I would like others perspectives.

Thanks for the help.

[jls141]

I have been advised by a lawyer to first ask if I am a suspect. I am told to not put anything in writing. The lawyer feels that if they do not catch the theif they may start turning their attention to me. He said it is up to me, but I could go up to the station to show I am cooperating and pick the guy from a photo lineup, but do nothing more than that. If they ask for more, I will then hire the lawyer to call the officer on my behalf.

Thoughts?