Accused of Running a “Fence” in Fort Myers: What Are the Penalties?

In the context of selling stolen items, the word “fence” stems from the word “defense.” The logic is that a third-party seller provides thieves with a defense against criminal charges. If you face allegations of running a fence in Florida, you should contact an experienced Fort Myers white-collar crime lawyer for further guidance. Conspiracy to sell and receive stolen goods can be a serious federal offense.

Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges After Allegedly Running a Fence

In January of 2026, the Department of Justice reported that the Middle District of Florida had participated in the prosecution of a man who allegedly ran a business selling stolen jewelry. The 55-year-old defendant faced allegations of selling stolen jewelry in mall kiosks across the nation. Prosecutors say that this individual worked closely with a “theft ring of Colombian nationals” that stole jewelry (also from mall kiosks).

After the burglaries, the thieves allegedly sold the jewelry to the defendant, who then quickly “fenced” the items to other parties. The authorities say that in many cases, these parties melted down stolen gold. Prosecutors also noted that the defendant did not have a license to sell second-hand jewelry and made no records of the jewelry he received.

In the end, the defendant decided to plead guilty to conspiracy to sell and receive stolen goods. The maximum sentence for this offense is five years in prison. He also agreed to pay almost $2.5 million in restitution. Authorities say that none of the stolen jewelry was ever recovered by investigators.

State Law vs. Federal Law for Selling Stolen Goods

Although there are federal laws against selling stolen goods, Florida also has its own laws against this offense. Florida calls this “dealing in stolen property,” and it is a second-degree felony. The maximum penalty for dealing in stolen property is 15 years behind bars, which makes the state laws more severe than their federal counterparts. In comparison, the maximum penalty for conspiracy to sell and receive stolen goods is just five years according to federal law. If you are the “ringleader” of a fence, you could face a first-degree felony in Florida. This could result in up to 30 years in prison.

You could face both federal and state charges for running the same fence in Florida. As long as the stolen items crossed state lines or you cooperated with co-conspirators outside of Florida in some way, both charges may apply.

Can a Fort Myers Defense Attorney Help Me?

A Fort Myers defense attorney may be able to help if you face allegations of selling stolen goods. Various defense strategies could apply to this situation, especially if you were unaware that the items in question were stolen. Consider expanding on this conversation by contacting The Foley & Wilson Law Firm. We have specific experience with federal white-collar crime defense.

Sources: 

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0812/Sections/0812.019.html

justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/new-york-man-admits-fencing-jewelry-stolen-mall-stores-and-kiosks-across-us