State v. Pappas

HOWE, Justice:

After a jury trial, defendant George Pap-pas was convicted of theft in that he “received, retained, or disposed” of property of another in violation of U.C.A., 1953, § 76-6-408(1). He appeals. The sole issue is whether the property a defendant receives must actually be stolen.

Because numerous informants had told law enforcement agencies in the Salt Lake area that George Pappas was a well-known fence for stolen goods, the West Valley City police targeted him in a “sting” operation. The property used by the police officers was not stolen property, but only borrowed from local…