The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who got caught up in a credit card scheme must complete 100 hours of community service to avoid spending four months in prison.

Jonathan Johnson was charged with fraud by false pretences and attempted fraud by false pretences after he used a woman’s credit card to obtain $380 worth of goods from mTech electronic store on November 12, 2020.

Prosecutors said Johnson also attempted to obtain another $162 worth of goods from the store that same day.

During his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt yesterday, Johnson pleaded guilty to both offences.

The court was told when the complainant checked her RBC online banking account, she discovered her credit card had been used on numerous occasions at several different businesses to purchase goods without her permission.

An investigation into the matter led to the defendant’s arrest. When he was questioned in police custody, he said he was given the credit card information from a person named Stacy to purchase equipment to complete a photography job for the woman. He also said when he ordered the items, he used the name Timothy Albury, as the woman instructed him to do.

He was subsequently charged.

Yesterday, Johnson’s attorney told the magistrate his client met the woman through a photography opportunity he had at Albany. He noted his client was cooperative with the investigation from the moment he was informed the card was stolen and insisted he was remorseful for his actions.

In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told Johnson he was not as wise or prudent as he should have been in the circumstances. As a result, she granted him a conditional discharge on condition he completed 100 hours of community service at an institution that would be determined by the Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services. Johnson was also placed on probation for three months. If he fails to comply with the conditions of his release, he could risk spending four months behind bars.