South Carolina bill would send convicted 'porch pirates' to prison up to 5 years [View all]

COLUMBIA — It’s time for South Carolina to crack down on thieves who take packages off people’s doorstep, says state Rep. Cezar McKnight.

His proposed “Defense Against Porch Pirates Act” would make such thievery a felony, punishable by up to $5,000 and five years in prison.

“It’s a serious problem,” said McKnight, D-Kingstree. “We need something to catch the public’s attention and make it known South Carolina takes it seriously.”

His bill takes it so seriously, it makes anyone convicted of “package theft” ineligible for either probation or pre-trial intervention, a diversionary program that allows first-time offenders charged with a nonviolent crime to keep their record clean.

Read more: https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/sc-bill-would-send-convicted-porch-pirates-to-prison-up/article_f18d12a8-0a94-11e9-bb21-331610691e57.html