On August 26, 2021, a federal Grand Jury in Burlington, Vermont, indicted Michael A. Gonzalez, 32 years old, from Colchester, Vermont, on five counts of possessing and selling stolen vehicles. Federal judge Kevin J Doyle, who presided over the hearing, ordered Gonzalez held until his detention hearing the following week.
However, in the detention hearing, Gonzalez was released until trial. His lawyer, Chandler Matson, argued that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, his client’s safety would be jeopardized if he continued to be detained. He also argued that it would be easier for and his client to meet if Gonzalez was released.
The prosecuting attorney, Jefferey Davis, argued that Gonzalez should continue to be remanded because he was a flight risk or could intimidate the federal witnesses.
However, Judge Doyle granted Gonzalez a conditional release. Matson said that he was convinced his client would follow the judge’s release guidelines that Gonzalez must complete mental health and drug rehabilitation program and stay away from all federal witnesses.
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont alleges between September 2018 and January 2021, Gonzalez stole 5 Tesla’s, valued at $607,000. According to the charges, he went to dealerships in multiple states, placed a cash downpayment of $2500 on the vehicle. Allegedly, Gonzalez would pay the vehicles’ balances with wire transfers from accounts without enough money to cover the charges. He purchased the Teslas at dealerships in Massassachusets, New York, New Jersey, and Florida. According to prosecutors, Gonzalez bought some of the vehicles using his friends’ identities.
He would steal then attempt to sell the cars. Since he could not get the paperwork needed to sell the fifth car, he allegedly drove that car onto the ice on Shelburne Bay of Lake Champlain and set the vehicle on fire. Gonzalez then tried to collect insurance money on the automobile. However, the insurance company denied the claim.
A former Tesla employee took pictures of the burned-out Model X. “It kind of looked eerie because it was a white lake with snow and ice and just a black skeleton of a vehicle.”
Usually, the federal government prefers that states prosecute crimes committed within their borders in state court. But crimes that are commissioned in multiple states fall under the jurisdiction of the federal court. The exception to this is if entirely separate and unconnected crimes were to be committed in different states. Then the defendant may be charged by each state in which the crimes were commissioned. Federal charges typically carry harsher punishments than state crimes. In severe cases, the federal courts can levee these harsher punishments and use this to deter others who may consider committing similar crimes in the future.
Each charge carries a maximum punishment of ten years in prison. Mr. Gonzalez has pleaded not guilty to all charges. In an interview with NBC10, Defence attorney Chandler Mattson said, “I’m always glad that I live somewhere where people get a fair shake — where due process means something. And I look forward to representing him all the way through trial.”
If you, your company, or a loved one find yourselves in the midst of a federal criminal investigation or case involving fraud or theft charges, like the one described here, call our top-rated criminal lawyers in Burlington, Vermont, to schedule a consultation.
