Collector Guilty of Weapons Charges

Tobias Boyland, a principal of nine western New York collection agencies under investigation for illegal practices, was found guilty last week of four counts of weapons charges.

Boyland was arrested in June after a high-profile raid of his business and home that followed a six-month state investigation. New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, who announced the raid, accused Boyland of illegally threatening delinquent bill payers. An AK-47 assault rifle and four handguns were among the weapons seized.

Boyland will be sentenced April 1. He could face seven to 15 years in prison. He was remanded to jail. Boyland previously served 13 years in prison for attempted robbery. As a convicted felon, he was not permitted to carry firearms.

On Feb. 9, New York Supreme Court Justice Paula L. Feroleto barred Boyland and two associates from working again in the collection business in the state. The business' tactics included having employees pose as police officers.

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