Receiving stolen property is a broad offense in Ohio that covers a wide swath of criminal behavior. Moreover, it can be charged as a misdemeanor or as one of several felony offenses depending on certain factors. This offense carries significant prison time and fines, and can make it very difficult for you to secure employment, housing and government assistance.

What is Receiving Stolen Property in Ohio?

Pursuant to R.C. 2913.51, receiving stolen property is defined as illegally receiving, retaining, or disposing of property if you are aware or have reasonable cause to believe that the property was stolen. Receiving stolen property in Ohio is a theft offense. However, you do not have to be the person who stole the property to be charged with receiving stolen property. Moreover, it is not a defense to argue that you did not commit the offense if you were explicitly told that the property was stolen.

Penalties in Ohio for Receiving Stolen Property

Receiving stolen property that is valued at less than $1000 is a 1st degree misdemeanor. This offense is punishable by 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1000. However, if the property is valued at more than $1000, receiving stolen property quickly escalates into a felony offense.

It is a 5th degree felony to receive stolen property that is valued between $1000 – $7500. It is also a 5th degree felony if you receive a stolen credit card, blank check, license plate, blank motor vehicle registration form, or blank license plate (R.C. 2913.71). This offense carries a 6 – 12 month prison sentence and a fine of up to $2500.

Receiving stolen property is a 4th degree felony if the stolen property is a motor vehicle, dangerous drug, firearm, dangerous ordinance, or if the stolen property is valued between $7500 – $150,000. This offense is punishable by 6 – 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5000.

It is a 3rd degree felony to receive stolen property valued $150,000 or more. This offense is punishable by 9 months – 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

In addition to the penalties above, secondary consequences of a receiving stolen property conviction include a criminal record, difficulty obtaining employment, limited educational opportunities, and/or restitution.

Example Where Receiving Stolen Property was Found by an Ohio Court

A recent case from Licking County, Ohio, State v. Ealy, demonstrates how a person can be found guilty of receiving stolen property. A man was parked at a rest stop when a police officer conducted a license plate check of his vehicle. The vehicle came back as stolen. The man explained that he received the vehicle after his son bought it at an auction. However, the man could not produce a title to the vehicle and he was placed under arrest and indicted for receiving stolen property.

The man represented himself at trial (no attorney) and testified that his son gave him the vehicle and, upon running the VIN, no problems were revealed. He testified that he had no idea the vehicle was stolen until he was arrested. The man was found guilty at trial and sentenced to one year in prison.

Defenses in Ohio for Receiving Stolen Property

The primary defense for receiving stolen property in Ohio is that you did not know or have any reasonable belief that the property was stolen. However, it is not sufficient to simply state that you paid for the stolen property. Thus, if the circumstances indicate that the property may have been stolen (e.g., price is far below fair market value, you know that the person selling the item has a history of theft) and you purchase the item, you can be charged with receiving stolen property.

Columbus and Delaware, Ohio Theft Attorney

If you have been charged with receiving stolen property in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Columbus and Delaware, Ohio criminal defense attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your case and assist you in fighting the charges. Call (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your receiving stolen property case. For further information, consult Johnson Legal, LLC’s Theft Offenses Blog.