While they drove over, I called David.
David outlined a plan. Since Michael had committed check fraud and identity theft, criminal charges were absolutely warranted. This would give my parents grounds for an immediate restraining order and would likely result in Michael’s arrest.
It was harsh, but it was necessary.
My parents arrived at midnight looking older than I’d ever seen them. Mom had been crying. Dad’s hands were shaking.
These were two people who’d spent 33 years making excuses for their son. Finally faced with the monster they’d created.
The next morning, we went to the police station together.
My parents filed a report for check fraud, identity theft, and theft of property. The detective, a nononsense woman named Officer Chen, took their statement and looked at the evidence.
The forge checked the bank’s fraud report photos of items Michael had sold online.
“This is actually quite serious,” she said. “The check fraud alone is a felony given the amount. The identity theft adds federal charges. Has he done this before?”
That’s when I pulled out the Michael file.
Officer Chen’s eyes widened as she read through years of similar behavior.
“This establishes a clear pattern. We’ll be issuing a warrant today.”
My parents also filed for an emergency restraining order, which was granted immediately given the evidence of financial crimes and the pattern of escalation.
Michael would have to stay at least 500 ft away from them and their property.
Michael was arrested 2 days later at a bar downtown.
He’d been using mom’s credit card to buy rounds for strangers, trying to play the big shot. When the police showed up, he apparently made a scene claiming it was all a misunderstanding, that his family was setting him up.
Nobody bought it.
He called me from jail.
I don’t know why I answered. Curiosity maybe.
“James, you’ve got to help me. This is insane. I’m your brother.”
“Michael. You committed fraud against our parents. You stole from them. You tried to access their bank accounts. What did you think would happen?”
“It’s not fraud. I’m their son. I’m entitled to—”
“You’re entitled to nothing. You’re 33 years old. You’ve spent your entire adult life taking from others. It’s over.”
“This is your fault,” he screamed. “If you just let me stay, none of this would have happened.”
“No, Michael. If you hadn’t tried to steal my house, you wouldn’t have moved on to stealing from mom and dad. This is all on you.”
He hung up.
Michael spent a week in jail before making bail. Not from our parents, but from some online girlfriend he’d been catfishing.
She put up $5,000 believing he was a successful entrepreneur wrongly accused. That relationship lasted exactly as long as it took for her to Google his name and find the arrest record.
The legal process moved surprisingly fast.
Faced with overwhelming evidence and the possibility of federal charges for identity theft, Michael’s courtappointed attorney advised him to take a plea deal.
He plead guilty to one count of felony fraud and one count of misdemeanor theft.
The sentence, 2 years probation, mandatory therapy, $1 and $200 restitution to our parents, and 200 hours of community service.