United States v. Rafael Rios (RafaelCoins on eBay)
relayer
Posts: 10,570 ✭
Rafael stole over $1,000 from me last summer and more from many other people.
The local police didn't have much interest in arresting him and the Mississippi DA decided to let the US Postal Inspectors handle the case.
Today I finally get a notice that US Department of Justice filed charges against him for "Postal Service Crimes" as he devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money from persons throughout the United States by selling coins on the Internet that he did not possess and did not deliver.
When I looked at the DOJ site it said there were 7 counts. If they ever arrest and convict him it seems there are only 7 victims so if they have him make restitution he only has to make whole 7 people instead all of the people he ripped off here RafaelCoins feedback
I don't know why all these other people wouldn't follow through. Bad decision for them, but maybe good for me.
The local police didn't have much interest in arresting him and the Mississippi DA decided to let the US Postal Inspectors handle the case.
Today I finally get a notice that US Department of Justice filed charges against him for "Postal Service Crimes" as he devised a scheme to defraud and obtain money from persons throughout the United States by selling coins on the Internet that he did not possess and did not deliver.
When I looked at the DOJ site it said there were 7 counts. If they ever arrest and convict him it seems there are only 7 victims so if they have him make restitution he only has to make whole 7 people instead all of the people he ripped off here RafaelCoins feedback
I don't know why all these other people wouldn't follow through. Bad decision for them, but maybe good for me.
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Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
before this incident?
12 months ago he had 60 negs.. 6 months ago he racked up
50 more..
i would imagine he prob had a bad record before that to?
**************************************************
This docket is current through 04/06/2006
For an updated version of this docket, click UPDATE
Court: U.S. DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI (JACKSON)
Case Title: USA v. RIOS
Case: 3:06-CR-00060
Judge: DISTRICT JUDGE TOM S. LEE
Date Filed: 04/05/2006
CASE INFORMATION
Case Number: 3:06CR00060
Referred To: MAGISTRATE JUDGE JAMES C. SUMNER
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
Defendant: RAFAEL RIOS (1)
Pending Counts: Disposition:
FRAUDS AND SWINDLES (1-7)
Offense Level (opening): FELONY
Offense Level (disposition): NONE
Plaintiff: USA
Attorney(s): HAROLD H. BRITTAIN
HAROLD.BRITTAIN@USDOJ.GOV
Firm Name: U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
ONE JACKSON PLACE
Attorney Address: 188 E. CAPITOL, SUITE 500
JACKSON, MS 39201
Attorney Phone: 601-965-4480
DOCKET PROCEEDINGS
Entry#: Date: Description:
04/05/2006 ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR RAFAEL RIOS. (LOWERY, R.) (ENTERED: 04/06/2006)
Order Document for Later Delivery
2 04/05/2006 PRAECIPE FOR ARREST WARRANT BY USA AS TO RAFAEL RIOS. (LOWERY, R.) (ENTERED: 04/06/2006)
View Document in PDF Format
1 04/05/2006 INDICTMENT AS TO RAFAEL RIOS (1) COUNT(S) 1-7. (ATTACHMENTS: # 1 COVER SHEET) (LOWERY, R.) (ENTERED: 04/06/2006)
View Document in PDF Format
View Document in PDF Format
TO ORDER COPIES OF ANY DOCUMENTS LISTED ABOVE, CALL WESTLAW COURTEXPRESS 1-877-DOC-RETR (1-877-362-7387) (Additional Charges Apply).
END OF DOCUMENT
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
A trial is scheduled on September 25, 2006 at Jackson, MS for the case which involves defendant(s) Rafael Rios.
Looks like he made bail.
I hope he enjoyed his time in custody so far and that he will spend much more time in jail.
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put a bullet in him NOW.
You use pacer?
<< <i>put a bullet in him NOW. >>
Yeah. Let's commit murder over $1,000.
<< <i><< put a bullet in him NOW. >>
Yeah. Let's commit murder over $1,000. >>
In the fall of 2002 my shop got burglarized twice in under two months. The second time it happened, I slept there each night for a week while I was having iron bars installed on the windows and door, and steel reinforcing plates installed on the lower exterior wall panels. If they had come back during that period, they would be dead.
I understand his sentiment.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>In the fall of 2002 my shop got burglarized twice in under two months. The second time it happened, I slept there each night for a week while I was having iron bars installed on the windows and door, and steel reinforcing plates installed on the lower exterior wall panels. If they had come back during that period, they would be dead. >>
I think there's a little difference between catching someone in the act -- potentially self-defense -- and gunning someone down over $1,000 much, much later.
Still, I understand wanting to give cretins their due. I just think a "bullet" is a bit more than their due under the circumstances.
Now if the police want to do it as a result of his fleeing and resisting arrest, well, that's another story.
Restitution ordered!! 3 yrs probation (for each count but to run concurrently). Tethered x 6 months. 200 hrs community service. Random drug testing.
As far as the restitution, Rios is ordered to make good no later than January 10, 2009. There are several pages of victims with a combined total of nearly $37,000.
As one of the saps that tried to transact with this jerk, I am cautiously optimistic that the restitution will be timely made.
I won 10 or so auctions from Rios. Some of the coins were okay but most had undisclosed issues, filed rims, whizzing, AT (and a pretty good job at that - I wasn't certain, but the guys at Liberty coin in Lansing took a gander and were inclined to think a talented doc was at work). I sent em all back. Rios then sold them all to another sap. He simply neglected to refund my money.
The gist of Rios' crime was that he did not own the coins he auctioned. Rather, he had images of the coins and represented them to be his own. After the auction, Rios would negotiate back of final hammer with the owner. Eventually spun out of control.
There is no honor among thieves. Sorry to go off topic a little , but this was the most disturbing read I've seen for a while. Geeeeeze.. what is wrong with the world and our system of justice ?
<< <i>This world is back asswards
There is no honor among thieves. Sorry to go off topic a little , but this was the most disturbing read I've seen for a while. Geeeeeze.. what is wrong with the world and our system of justice ? >>
Justice (for what it's worth) is served in many ways, ours, theirs is surely not perfect. maybe on eday GOD will come down and say: That's it folks- I'm taking MY toy and going home now! and then we go POOF!
<< <i>
<< <i>This world is back asswards
There is no honor among thieves. Sorry to go off topic a little , but this was the most disturbing read I've seen for a while. Geeeeeze.. what is wrong with the world and our system of justice ? >>
Justice (for what it's worth) is served in many ways, ours, theirs is surely not perfect. maybe on eday GOD will come down and say: That's it folks- I'm taking MY toy and going home now! and then we go POOF! >>
But I've got a good lawyer and can make bail, your honor
<< <i>maybe on eday GOD will come down and say: That's it folks- I'm taking MY toy and going home now! and then we go POOF! >>
Funny how a misplaced space causes that to almost say that GOD has an eBay account. I assume both eBay and PayPal will be there at the end wanting their cut of His action.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars
To top it off, the DOJ, while sitting on $5K plus of restitution $$, says they cannot distribute any of it cuz they are moving to a new computer system that won't be ready till November 2009. I think the implementation commenced about 5 months ago.
A week or so ago, I inquired of the victim coordinator if Rios was making his progress payments in a timely manner. Probation officer was to be the monitor and apparently has been snoozing.
I have asked that the US atty seek a revised order for interest on the restitution.
Gosh, cant wait to see how our lives are enhanced with bigger fed govt!!
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.americanlegacycoins.com
I think people may be over the top on this one.
I don't see what the guy did that is so wrong.
(my avatar is starting to take me over. help my brain is being held hostage. the 15th cannot come soon enough)
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