5 Dumbest Federal Crimes Committed
Federal crimes carry significantly more severe punishments than state-level crimes. Despite the seriousness of federal charges, people continue to commit crimes that are in violation of federal law. Sometimes, the circumstances involved in the crimes are so ridiculous you wonder why they are committed in the first place. The following five cases may very well be some of the dumbest federal crimes ever committed:
1. Man Fined $525 For Second Soda Refill
In a Charleston, South Carolina Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, construction worker Christopher Lewis was having lunch in the hospital cafeteria. When Lewis went to get a second refill of soda, he was stopped by a hospital police officer and a hospital administrator. The administrator told Lewis that soda refills were not free and pointed to signs stating the no free refill policy.1
Lewis stated he was unaware of the signs and offered to pay for the 89-cent refill. However, the hospital refused to accept his money and Lewis was instead given a $525 federal citation for shoplifting. Fortunately for Lewis, the story came to the attention of the local news media and before a hearing could be conducted in federal court, the citation was dropped.2
2. Man Carjacks U.S. Postal Service Mail Truck
Mail theft is a federal offense that can result in serious punishment; however, stealing an entire mail truck could result in much more serious consequences entirely. In Turlock California, Thomas Rodrigues pushed a mailman out of his mail truck, took the keys and drove off. Police then found him trying to kick in the doors of an apartment home. Rodrigues was arrested without incident, but was charged with carjacking and driving under the influence. 3
3. Man Posts Video on YouTube, Faces 10 Years in Federal Prison
In Arlington, Virginia, Benjamin Hornstein pleaded guilty to felony possession of a firearm after he posted a video of himself holding a gun on YouTube, a video-sharing website. The Arlington Police Department was alerted, and law enforcement found that the gun was not registered. Because it was manufactured outside of Virginia, Hornstein was charged with a federal crime.4
4. Man Attempts to Rob Bank, Leaves Job Application with His Information
In Florida, Felipe Cruz was charged with attempted bank robbery after trying to rob a Chase Bank. Cruz went up to a bank teller and handed her a note demanding money. However, the teller, who was behind bulletproof glass, simply backed away from the window and called the police. Cruz fled the scene.5
The note Cruz gave the teller happened to be written on the back of a job application form that Cruz had begun to fill out. Apparently, Cruz didn’t get the job because he was looking for another way to make money. FBI agents were able to lift fingerprints from the note to find his records and his address.6
5. Man Applies for Job at the FBI, Admits to Having Collection of Child Pornography
In Chicago, Dominick Pelletier was, hoping for a career in law enforcement. The Chicago native applied for a job with the FBI. During the hiring process, Pelletier took a polygraph test, during which he admitted that he had a collection of child pornography. He also stated he filmed himself having sex with a young girl. The FBI obtained a search warrant and arrested Pelletier after finding child pornography in his home.7
Call the Federal Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today
If you or a loved one is facing federal charges, it is critical that you speak to an experienced federal defense attorney as soon as possible. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 40 years of experience successfully defending our clients accused of federal crimes. Our skilled attorneys will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your case.
With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich federal defense attorney near you no matter where you work or live.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will get through this together.
1. Man receives $525 ticket for ‘shoplifting’ soda refill in hospital cafeteria, April 23, 2014, http://www.naturalnews.com/045189_shoplifting_soda_refills_hospital_cafeteria.html##ixzz32gY065i3↩
2. Id.↩
3. Man carjacks mail truck, April 29, 2014, http://www.turlockjournal.com/archives/25454/↩
4. Felon Caught by YouTube Video, March 5, 2009, http://archive.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=82337↩
5. World’s Dumbest Criminal, Florida Man Attempts To Rob Bank But Leaves Job Application With All His Information On It, http://hoodhustle.biz/worlds-dumbest-criminal-florida-man-attempts-to-rob-bank-but-leaves-job-application-with-all-his-information-on-it/↩
6. Id.↩
7. The Dumbest Criminals of 2013, December 31, 2013, http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/12/29815-the-dumbest-criminals-of-2013/5/↩
