Something that started as a bizarre coincidence has now become a criminal case. And tonight, investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero is On the Case.
WSVN — Twenty-six-year old Edward Jones started his New Year facing a Broward County judge on a felony charge, in part because he has the same name as an investment company.
Carmel Cafiero: “Do you think you’re ever going to get your money back?”
Carol Saxton: “Honestly? No.”
It’s been more than a year since Carol Saxton wrote a $1,000 check to her investment company, Edward Jones, with a memo that the money was for her IRA account.
The check was sent to an office in this Davie shopping center but the investment company had moved and in a million to one coincidence, Edward Jones the person, was working in the old office of Edward Jones the business.
Edward Jones: “I cashed a check with my name written on it that I thought it was for me.”
That was this past Summer.
Edward Jones: “I should be worried but I’m not worried because I believe God is on my side.”
Jones was questioned by both Federal and Local law enforcement.
DeAnna Greenlaw: “They told him that he could repay the victim. That there were ways for him to work that out with the state attorney’s office. You know, of course, with the victim accepting that.”
Saxton says she would have accepted restitution or maybe as little as an apology.
Carol Saxton: “Carmel, I’m not a bad person, I would have let it go.”
But she says Edward Jones never gave her that option. He never contacted her at all and now he is facing a serious criminal charge.
Judge Raag Singhal: “It’s an arraignment for one count of grand theft.”
After the arrest, Saxton says the wife of Edward Jones contacted her.
Carol Saxton: “She proceeded to get angry and say some belligerent words and a threat.”
Carmel Cafiero: “What was the threat?
Carol Saxton: “That she was going to kill me.”
She says she reported the threat to police.
Rona Jones: “Really? So this is like hearsay or tit for tat or whatever.”
Rona Jones denies making the call and any threats.
Rona Jones: “And I apologize for her loss but at the same time she’s taking it to a whole “-nother” level with the lies and accusations and she needs help. She needs God. She needs therapy.”
Despite that denial, a judge took the threat seriously.
Judge Raag Singhal: “I’m ordering you at this point to have no contact with the victim. I need you to take control over people in your family not to have any contact with the victim or anybody in the victim’s family.”
Carmel Cafiero: “Jones turned down a plea deal, got a public defender and a court date next month. This has become a very serious matter. That grand theft charge carries up to five years in state prison.”
Carmel Cafiero, 7News.
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