Richard Powell, arrested 344 times
Miami Beach, FL — Richard Powell, a homeless man in Florida, was arrested 344 times in the past and now he goes back to jail. A serious case of repeat offender, a group seeks for a change in the criminal justice system.
57-year-old Richard Powell has been convicted 5 times in the last 12 months alone and been arrested for a total of 344 times in his lifetime for charges ranging from drinking in public to stealing a milk crate and strong arm robbery to sexual battery.
This time, he has been arrested for trespassing a portion of Miami Beach that he is banned to enter. Police officers found him there yelling in the middle of the street with beer on his hands and marijuana found stuffed in his shoes. He has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for this offense.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson gave him a stern warning, “I can guarantee you that if you violate the order again, the state won’t even discuss a plea with your lawyers.”
However, a group consisting of Miami residents called Miami Beach Crime Prevention and Awareness Group wanted to stop the revolving door of repeat offenders like Powell who are arrested, released, and then violate the law again. They believe that Miami Beach would be a better place to live in if those chronically accused are kept in custody instead.