Short answer? Yes.

Anyone who willingly and/or knowingly attempted to procure or obtained property that is rightfully owned by another individual can be arrested for possession of stolen goods.

Possession of stolen goods in Brevard County falls under Florida Statute Title XLVI. Under this statute, stolen property refers to any object or service that has been taken without permission from the rightful owner. Having control over this property (possession) or transferring or obtaining such property (purchasing) is considered illegal and carries with it steep penalties if convicted.

Even in situations where ‘absolute proof’ of theft, or knowledge of the theft, is unknown, prosecutors can use circumstantial evidence to assert and prove that you should have reasonably known that the goods purchased were stolen property.

This is why speaking to law enforcement without first consulting a competent defense lawyer is ill-advised. A major aspect of defense strategy in such cases surrounds the circumstances in which the goods were sought out and purchased.