Last Wednesday, a victim met with a man to conduct a Facebook Marketplace transaction at the Irvine Police Department’s E-commerce exchange area.
The buyer paid the seller more than $5,000 in “funny money,” and not the “ha-ha” kind.
IPD detectives tracked down the suspect the next day, arrested him for theft by false pretenses, and returned the victim’s property.
Christopher Scott Newell, 33, of Irvine, was booked at the Orange County Jail. The facility doesn’t accept motion picture prop money for bail.
If you conduct trades or in-person sales, carefully look at the currency and use a public exchange area, such as an E-commerce exchange area, that is recorded and in a safe place.
Christopher Scott Newell could face the following penalties under California Penal Code § 532 for theft by false pretenses:
- Misdemeanor or Felony Charges: Theft by false pretenses is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and prior record.
- Up to 3 Years in Jail or Prison: If charged as a felony, the maximum penalty is up to 3 years in county jail or state prison.
- Fines: He may be ordered to pay fines up to $10,000 if convicted of a felony, or up to $1,000 for a misdemeanor.
- Restitution: The court may require him to repay the victim for the $5,000 in fake currency used during the transaction.
- Probation: If granted probation, he could face conditions such as community service, counseling, or restrictions on future financial transactions.
- Criminal Record: A conviction would result in a permanent criminal record, which could affect employment, housing, and future legal outcomes.
- Additional Charges: If the fake money used was motion picture prop currency, he could also face charges related to possession or use of counterfeit instruments, depending on how the money was presented and intended.
Ugh, what sicko lo life to be using fake money.
Ugh, what a sicko lo life