In order to secure a conviction, criminal prosecutors might be willing to offer a plea deal to defendants. Generally speaking, a plea bargain affords a person reduced charges or a lighter sentence in exchange for admitting guilt in court. This may seem like a positive move for some, but it’s still important to consult with an attorney before accepting a deal. After all, a guilty plea will still leave a mark on a criminal record, even if the penalties are reduced.
Not long ago, a man who operated a business in northern Minnesota pleaded guilty to two white collar crime charges in a Minneapolis federal courtroom. According to law enforcement, the 26-year-old man operated a classic car restoration business. However, he was accused of taking payments from customers without completing restorations. As such, he was charged with wire fraud and money laundering.
In total, the man could serve 30 years behind bars. The sentencing phase of the trial has yet to occur, so there’s no indication as to what kind of sentence was negotiated in this case. Knowing that the penalty associated with these charges could be rather severe, the hope is that the man fully understood the terms of the plea bargain.
Reports from the Minneapolis Star Tribune also indicate that the man operated the restoration business with his father. At this time, his father hasn’t been charged in connection with the case. Still, there’s a possibility that authorities could decide press charges in the future, so he may wish to be prepared.
Source: Star Tribune, “Man admits his Iron Range shop duped classic car owners out of $1 million,” Paul Walsh, Aug. 2, 2013