Florida Criminal Attorney Blog
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of former NFL player Jabar Gaffney, who is charged with felony criminal mischief in the vandalism of his former teammate’s BMW.
Someone slashed the tires of Lito Sheppard’s BMW and poured a contaminant into the gas tank while the car was parked outside a Jacksonville Beach restaurant June 17, causing $14,000 in damage.
Afterward, Sheppard, a former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback, sought a temporary restraining order to keep Gaffney from coming near him or his family, according to reports.
Gaffney and Sheppard, former teammates at Raines High School and later at the University of Florida, grew up in Jacksonville. Both returned to the city following their professional football careers.
In Sheppard’s petition for injunction, which he signed under oath, he said Gaffney had been threatening and harassing him, as well as damaging his personal property. He said the two have feuded in recent years because of false allegations claiming Sheppard had an affair with Gaffney’s wife.
Vandalism refers to the destruction, defacement, or damage inflicted to another’s property. Under Florida law, criminal mischief, also known as vandalism, can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the amount of damage caused. When the amount of damage to the property in question exceeds $1,000, the offense is a third degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment.
In the unfortunate event that you are facing vandalism charges, do not discuss your case with anyone. Our Jacksonville Criminal Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton urge you to consider the fact that anything you say and do can be used against you in a court of law, so assert your right to remain silent. You want your attorney present before any questioning can occur.
The sooner you call us, the better your chances are to either have your charges reduced or, dropped entirely. Your initial consultation with us is completely free, so call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online.