Florida Keys man forges boat trailer owner's name, sells it

Sheriff's spokeswoman says Michael Vaught claimed to be marina manager, sold trailer without owner's permission

Michael Vaught is accused of forging a boat trailer owner's signature and selling it without her permission.

KEY LARGO, Fla. – A Key Largo man was arrested Tuesday after he forged someone else's name on the title of a boat trailer and sold it without the owner's permission, Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin said.

The owner of the 30-foot trailer was storing it at the Snake Creek Marina. She told Sgt. Eric Mixon that she'd been dealing with a man named Abraham Vaught, who identified himself as the marina manager. She said Vaught offered to buy the trailer for $1,400, but she refused, because she thought it was worth more than that.

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When she returned to the marina July 20, her trailer was missing. She soon found out that the trailer had been sold and was registered to a Miami Lakes woman.

Herrin said a detective spoke to the new owner, who said she had recently bought a boat and trailer from the Snake Creek Marina.

The woman said she saw Vaught sign the name "Michael Smith" on the bill of sale. When she asked why he was signing someone else's name, he told her that he had power of attorney to do so, she said.

Vaught received $2,000 for the trailer and then registered it in her name, she said.

Herrin said an arrest warrant was issued for Vaught, whose real name is Michael Vaught. The 34-year-old now faces charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property, forgery and uttering a false or forged document.

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