Conway Man Charged with Breach of Trust for Theft from Armored Cars

A Conway, SC resident has been charged with breach of trust after investigators traced the theft of tens of thousands of dollars back to him while he worked for an armored car company.

Jerome Kittles, 60, was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent valuing $10,000 or more. He was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Monday, September 8th, and released on Wednesday, September 10th, on $17,500 bail.

Kittles allegedly stole $89,750 while working as a routing driver for armored cars, which are hired by banks to deliver cash deposits. Police investigators reported that the thefts occurred between August 18th and September 2nd of this year.

When Kittles’s employer, Loomis of Conway, SC, learned of the breach of trust incidents, they questioned Kittles and he admitted to taking the cash from the collected deposit bags.

If convicted, Kittles faces up to 10 years in jail for the breach of trust charges, and a fine to be determined by the judge.

Charged with Breach of Trust in South Carolina

In the business sense you’ll see the term breach of trust sometimes related particularly to the administration of trusts.  Breach of trust may be used to show how a person purposely or through neglect failed to act in the terms specified in agreements; an accountant who embezzles funds breaks trust with his clients. A breach of trust case can arise under a number of circumstances, often in an employment relationship, and can involve the theft of money or equipment, such as a car or laptop.

In these scenarios it is crucial to determine exactly what was taken as it is common for an employer to accuse the employee of taking more than what the employee actually took in the employers attempt to prosecute the employee.

If you are charged with stealing property or things of value from your employer, you must ensure that the charges you are being held accountable for are correct and accurate.

In order to convict you for breach of trust, the state must establish:

• there was a fiduciary relationship (a relationship of trust),
• that you took or failed to return something in violation of that trust, and that
• you intended to defraud the victim.

If the amount is $5,000.00 or more: Upon conviction, you are guilty of a felony and must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years. Penalties for breach of trust can vary depending on the severity of the charge, but could include:

(A) A person committing a breach of trust with a fraudulent intention or a person who hires or counsels another person to commit a breach of trust with a fraudulent intention is guilty of larceny.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:

(1) misdemeanor triable in magistrates court or municipal court if the amount is two thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than thirty days;

(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years if the amount is more than two thousand dollars but less than ten thousand dollars;

(3) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years if the amount is ten thousand dollars or more.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Breach of Trust Charge

If you or someone you know is facing fraud charges for embezzlement, breach of trust, or identity theft, contact our office today to get the help of an experienced federal criminal defense attorney who can review your case and determine your best course of action. We offer free, confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.