Florida Man Arrested for Selling Fake Tickets to Orlando Water Park
A Florida man was arrested in late September in connection with selling fraudulent tickets for an Orlando water park. Police issued a warrant for the 41-year-old months ago, and finally arrested him after he allegedly sold tourists fake tickets to the Wet N’ Wild theme park. According to police, the suspect either stole tickets or used a rubber stamp the park uses to stamp guests when they enter the park. He is alleged to have defrauded tourists out of thousands of dollars.
When individuals attempt to pass off false documents as genuine articles, such as selling fake tickets as real ones like this recent case demonstrates, they may be guilty of committing a crime of forgery and counterfeiting. Florida takes these crimes very seriously, and most forgery crimes are punishable by incarceration.
The crime of forgery occurs any time someone makes, alters or falsifies a public record, legal document, insurance policy, promissory note or other document that has value, with the intent to injure or defraud a person. Intent is very important. People who sell others tickets without realizing they’re fake are unlikely to be prosecuted and convicted. However, if the person knows it is a fraudulent document and engages in knowing attempts to deceive, trick or economically injure another, the intent is there.
Under Florida law, forgery is considered a felony in the third degree. Someone convicted of this crime faces serious consequences, including up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. If you have been arrested for forgery, seek the guidance of a skilled Orlando white collar criminal defense attorney with the Law Offices of Salazar & Kelly.