State v. Jolly

The State appeals the circuit court’s dismissal of two counts of obtaining property by false pretenses against Robert Steve Jolly based on double jeopardy. The State contends the circuit court erred in finding Jolly’s being held in criminal contempt for the same conduct precluded his prosecution because the offenses were not identical and required proof of different elements. We reverse and remand.

FACTS

Jolly was allegedly involved in a fraudulent mortgage scheme in which he induced distressed homeowners to transfer their mortgaged property to him through quitclaim deeds. Jolly represented to…