Receiving Stolen Property Charges

[Eliza02]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NE
I was given an item that I took to the pawn shop, it came back stolen...what do I do and what are the possible convictions??

[jk]

that all depends on if you knew it was stolen or not and if you can convince the prosecutor of that fact.

[Eliza02]

Didn't know it was stolen. I actually took it as payment for working on this person's vehicle. I paid the pawn shop back the money I got for it. Now they are investigating everything I took to the pawn shop...I'm nervous about when it becomes a felony and kind of sentence I could get.. thank you.

[aaron]

What do you mean "when it becomes a felony"? Do you mean if they find that you've hocked other stolen items in the past, or are you asking about the value of the single item at issue?

[Eliza02]

Well I haven't knowingly pawned other stolen items....so as of right now just the item at issue. What if they do find more does that mean for me. I haven't been charged with anything and they haven't contacted me, I found out through the pawn shop. I'm nervous about what is going to happen.

[jk]

I would think that if they find you pawned other items that were stolen, it will look like you deal in stolen merchandise with regularity and any argument about not knowing is going to be a real hard to sell to the DA.

what is the approximate market value of the item pawned?

[Eliza02]

Well bad news then I got word from the Pawn Shop that there are 2-3 more items, the thing is they are from years back. See, I know a lot about cars and I'm an all around handy man. I have people come to me because I'm just that guy who helps people who can't afford going to the repair shop, I just help them out and when they don't have any money to pay me for what I've helped them with, of course after the work is done, I have asked for something of the same value of my time and work. I've done this type of thing for about 7-8 years. If I see someone who needs help I'll stop and offer my help, most of the time not asking for anything. I don't know what the estimated vaule is now, I can say I'm very nervous now. How can any DA believe this story!? Am I looking at jail time...if so how long?! Can I take care of this before charges are filed? Should I contact the investigators?? The first item is about $300-400, they gave me $157 at the shop. Thank you.

[Mr. Knowitall]

It's not the world's greatest story.... If the people have items they could pawn to cover the cost of repairs, why wouldn't they do so themselves rather than giving the items to you? And why would you want them to give the items to you instead of getting cash?

Should we be inferring that you are unable to identify any of the people who gave you the stolen items, even the most recent?

[Eliza02]

I can identify them. I contacted the investigator and gave him the name, address and phone number for the one item. The other items, I don't even know what they are. Like I said I help people, I've learned my lesson on trusting people that's for sure. These people didn't have cash, AFTER the fact so I took what I could get. The items were things that I could use myself so I accepted them. When I needed a little extra money I took them in. It's very simple to me... it's exactly what happened. This is why I'm nervous, it's not a "story" it's the truth and I don't think it's going to be looked at that way. I have 3 awesome kids and I'm wondering how much time they are going have to be without me...just for helping someone out. Thanks.