Federal Shoplifting Charges
A female ROTC Cadet attending summer training at Fort Knox, KY was arrested and charged with Shoplifting. The Cadet visited the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Post Exchange (P/X) on base during a day off from training. She and her friend went there to purchase some personal items. While shopping, the Cadet came upon a display of earrings. One style of earrings on sale closely resembled the style of earrings or studs the Cadet wore to camp. She actually lost the backing to one of her earring during training. Upon seeing the pair that looked like hers, she retrieved the package with the intent to purchase. She also opened the package in the aisle to remove one of the backings and place it on her earring. While doing this, she was interrupted by her friend who hurried her off to the jewelry counter where there existed an open register to pay for their items. It was 4th of July weekend and the P/X was extremely busy with all of the Cadet who had the day off. The girls wanted to beat the crowd. The Cadet was so distracted and quickly rushed off that she left the open earring package behind in the aisle. Though she paid for a number of other items at the jewelry counter, she never paid for the earrings. She then exited the store and was apprehended by a Loss Prevent Agent who took her into custody and notified police. The Cadet was horrified and humiliated by this occurrence. She attempted to explain her honest mistake and even offered to pay for the earring. However, the authorities were unsympathetic and arrested her anyhow. This event ruined her reputation at camp among her peers and superiors. She was also later charged by the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in U.S. District Court with Shoplifting. After returning from camp, the Cadet and her family retained the services of Attorney John L. Calcagni III. Based on his successfully negotiations and persuasion of the prosecutor, this case and its charge were ultimately dismissed without Attorney Calcagni or the Cadet ever appearing in Court.