(1) As used in this section, the term “fuel” has the same meaning as in s. 163.3206(2).
(2)(a) A person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if he or she willfully, knowingly, and without authorization:
1. Breaches a retail fuel dispenser or accesses any internal portion of a retail fuel dispenser; or
2. Possesses any device constructed for the purpose of fraudulently altering, manipulating, or interrupting the normal functioning of a retail fuel dispenser.
(b) A person commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if he or she willfully, knowingly, and without authorization:
1. Physically tampers with, manipulates, removes, replaces, or interrupts any mechanical or electronic component located on the internal or external portion of a retail fuel dispenser; or
2. Uses any form of electronic communication to fraudulently alter, manipulate, or interrupt the normal functioning of a retail fuel dispenser.
(c) A person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if he or she:
1. Obtains fuel as a result of violating paragraph (a) or paragraph (b);
2. Modifies a vehicle’s factory installed fuel tank or possesses any item used to hold fuel which was not fitted to a vehicle or conveyance at the time of manufacture with the intent to use such fuel tank or item to hold or transport fuel obtained as a result of violating paragraph (a) or paragraph (b); or
3. Possesses or uses any form of a payment instrument that can be used, alone or in conjunction with another access device, to authorize a fuel transaction or obtain fuel, including, but not limited to, a plastic payment card with a magnetic stripe or a chip encoded with account information or both, with the intent to defraud the fuel retailer, the authorized payment instrument financial account holder, or the banking institution that issued the payment instrument financial account.
(3) Any person who aids, abets, or assists a person in committing a violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(4) Any conveyances, vehicles, fuel tanks, and other equipment used or intended to be used in a violation of this section, and any fuel acquired in a violation of this section, is subject to seizure and forfeiture as provided by the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
(5) A law enforcement agency that seizes fuel under this section must remove and reclaim, recycle, or dispose of all the fuel as soon as practicable in a safe and proper manner.
(6) Upon conviction of a person arrested for a violation of this section, the judge must issue an order adjudging and declaring that all conveyances, vehicles, fuel tanks, and other equipment used or intended to be used in a violation of this section are forfeited and directing their destruction, with the exception of the conveyance or vehicle.
(7) Any person convicted of a violation of this section is responsible for both of the following:
(a) All reasonable costs incurred by the investigating law enforcement agency, including, but not limited to, the costs for the towing and storage of the conveyance or vehicle, the removal and disposal of the fuel, and the storage and destruction of all fuel tanks and other equipment described and used or intended to be used in a violation of this section.
(b) Payment, to the party from whom it was fraudulently obtained, for the retail value of any associated fuel at the time of the underlying act.
This Florida statute resource is curated by Graham W. Syfert, Esq., a Jacksonville, Florida personal injury and workers' compensation attorney. For legal consultation, call 904-383-7448.
