A gay real estate agent was sentenced April 26 to 180 days in jail for stealing jewelry and credit cards from a couple who took him in after he lost his real estate company that was based in La Jolla.
Steven Swilley, 49, was ordered to pay $36,501.04 in restitution by San Diego Superior Court Judge Theodore Weathers.
Swilley, who is also known as Steven Swilley-Francoeur, has a projected release date of August 20, according to the sheriff’s department. He had been free on $25,000 bond, but was remanded into custody by Weathers.
Deputy District Attorney John Cross said Swilley stole “because of drugs,” specifically methamphetamine. “He steals their money, their credit cards to go to Nieman Marcus,” said Cross.
Lance Rygg said he and his wife took Swilley into their home when Swilley and his partner broke up and needed a place to live. “He paid us back by stealing all the jewelry in our house,” said Rygg to the judge.
“He’s a sweet talker, manipulator,” said Cross, who asked the judge for a one-year jail term.
The probation report says he sold the items from Neiman Marcus and the couple to use for money to purchase drugs. He is banned from returning to Neiman Marcus, Target and Ralphs supermarket.
Weathers placed him on three-years probation and ordered him not to drink alcohol for three years. He was ordered to pay a fine of $1,332, probation costs of $1,127, and $570 for a court appointed attorney, according to court records.
Using Rygg’s credit card, Swilley purchased an expensive ring and shirts at Neiman Marcus for a total of $9,735.35, according to the probation report. He used Rygg’s Target credit card in purchases of $464.91.
The restitution amount specifically calls for Swilley to repay the stores their losses, as the couple did not have to pay for his purchases on their stolen credit cards.
