“I Was Just Helping a Friend Move”: When Helping Someone Unload a Car Gets You 15 Years

By: John Guidry

Let’s say you’ve just robbed a home, and you need to unload some merchandise. Where do you go? A pawn shop? No, they take fingerprints. Craigslist? Maybe. Or, do you just call a friend with a car?

The Trap: If you are the friend with the car, you might think you are just doing a favor. But in Florida, possessing recently stolen property creates a legal inference of guilt. Unless you have a bulletproof explanation, you are going down for the burglary.

Did you get arrested for possessing items someone else stole?

Your explanation matters. Call John today at (407) 423-1117.

The Case: Yudin v. State (The “Storage Unit” Story)

A jury convicted Mr. Yudin of Burglary of a Dwelling and Grand Theft in Yudin v. State, 117 So. 3d 457 (2d DCA 2013).

• The Scene: Yudin was driving a friend, Costa. The car was so “overstuffed” with TVs and laptops that a neighbor called the police in broad daylight.
• The “Discovery”: When police arrived, they claimed a dresser drawer was “poking out” of the pile, revealing the victim’s passport and social security card.
  • (Side Note: I am always skeptical of police reports where incriminating evidence is conveniently “poking out” to justify a warrantless search. But given how dumb these criminals were, I might believe it this time).

The Explanation: Yudin claimed he was innocent.

• His Story: Costa told him he won a “Storage Unit Auction” and needed help moving the stuff. Yudin drove him to a pawn shop and got a watch for his trouble. He claimed he had no idea the items were stolen from a home.

The Legal Test: “Arguably” vs. “Patently” Reasonable

Florida law says that possession of stolen goods proves you are the thief “unless satisfactorily explained.” This is where the legal battle happens.

1. “Patently” Reasonable: If your explanation is obviously true (e.g., you have a receipt from Best Buy), the Judge must dismiss the case.
2. “Arguably” Reasonable: If your explanation might be true but also might be a lie (e.g., “I won a storage auction”), the Judge sends the case to the Jury.

Why Yudin Lost: Yudin’s story was only “Arguably” reasonable. Therefore, the Judge let the jury decide.

• The Credibility Trap: Yudin testified to explain himself. But Yudin had 19 prior felony convictions.
• The Result: The jury didn’t believe the 19-time felon’s story about a “storage auction.” They convicted him, and he got 15 Years in Prison.

The Lesson: If you have a criminal record, the “Satisfactory Explanation” defense is dangerous. A judge or jury is legally allowed to use your past against you to decide your story is “unsatisfactory.”

John’s 2026 Update: Ring Cameras & Digital Pawns

Note: In 2013, Yudin could claim he was “just the driver.” In 2026, technology makes that defense harder.

1. The “Ring” Trap In Yudin, he claimed he didn’t know Costa burglarized a house.

• The 2026 Reality: Most homes now have Ring/Nest Doorbells.
• The Evidence: Police pull the cloud footage. If Yudin’s car is seen idling in the driveway while Costa kicks the door, Yudin is a Principal to Burglary, regardless of his “storage unit” story. We have to check the video before we pick a defense.

2. LeadsOnline & The “Pawn Broker” Defense Yudin tried to use pawn receipts to show he was legitimate.

• The Database: Police now use LeadsOnline, a national database of everything pawned or sold for scrap.
• The Data: If the database shows Costa (or Yudin) pawned items from three different burglaries in the same week, the “I didn’t know” defense collapses.

3. GPS Telematics Yudin said he just picked Costa up.

• The Black Box: Modern cars record GPS history.
• The Proof: If Yudin’s car data shows he was parked at the victim’s house for 45 minutes, his testimony is proven false instantly. We must analyze the vehicle data before you testify.

Don’t Let a Favor Cost You 15 Years

Possessing stolen property is a serious felony. If you have a valid explanation, we need to present it before you get in front of a jury that might not trust you.

Call me at (407) 423-1117. Let’s explain your side.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.