LONGWOOD, Fla.,None — A Longwood lawyer was arrested Thursday, accused of taking revenge on a client by burglarizing and vandalizing his home.
Police said that client had complained to the Florida Bar about 43-year-old Albert Ford, which may have caused him to retaliate.
However, Ford didn't know he was being recorded on surveillance video.
In court Friday, Albert Ford's attorney told a judge Ford was drunk when he drove his pickup truck to a client's home to vandalize it.
Surveillance images show Ford reacting over a complaint filed about the real estate attorney's services.
"It appears that a complaint made by the victim, a [Fla.] Bar Association complaint, may have been what stimulated this," Detective Matt Schaeffer of the Lake Mary Police Department said.
Investigators say there is extensive video evidence of multiple incidents. Ford is seen in the video damaging the client's property and stealing an American flag, some pool supplies and equipment. But, Ford was caught on camera carrying a pistol while he committed the crimes, which makes it a much more serious offense.
"The video indicates that the suspect appears to be carrying what appears to be a firearm," Schaeffer said.
A close look reveals what appears to be a gun held backwards in Ford's hand.
"It elevates it to an armed burglary, which anytime you deal with firearms it's much more serious," Schaeffer said.
Ford spent time knocking things into a pool, damaging and stealing pool equipment and stealing an American flag while his dog watched from the back of Ford's pickup truck.
Now in addition to at least three felony charges, Ford will have to take his actions up with the Florida Bar meaning he may never practice law again.
He is accused of a number of revenge crimes that could very well cost Ford his career and many years behind bars.
"The victim is very concerned for his safety. He realizes that the attorney not only came to his home, but also his place of business," Schaeffer said.
Albert Ford is being held at the Seminole County jail without bond. Ford faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge and faces a total of three felonies.
WFTV
