JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A convicted New York scam artist was released Monday from the Duval County Jail after a Jacksonville judge said New York officials were dropping the charges that she broke the rules of her release.
Authorities in New York thought Antoinette Millard may have been up to some of her old tricks at a jewelry store at the St. Johns Town Center last week.
Millard has been in trouble in the past in New York for fraud, while posing as a Saudi Arabian princess called "Princess Antoinette." According to police, Millard told the New York elite she was royalty from Saudi Arabia.
After her conviction in New York, a judge sent Millard to a mental health facility instead of jail. Millard came to Jacksonville as a patient at Wekiva Springs Center for Women.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office arrested Millard Wednesday at a jewelry store on a warrant issued by New York authorities.
Millard's attorney, Gregory Reid, said the warrant never should have been issued.
"It's been stated that she violated her terms of discharge, but that's absolutely incorrect." Reid said.
The clerk at the jewelry store at the St. Johns Town Center told police he was suspicious of Millard buying high-end jewels and then returning them; something Millard was convicted of in New York in a shopping scam that racked up nearly a $1 million in debt.
"The clerk working at the jewelry store had a gut feeling that something wasn't right," said JSO spokesman Ken Jefferson."Our detectives were able to contact New York authorities."
Millard was wanted in New York for violating the conditions of her release after being sentenced for insurance fraud and grand theft.
Reid said Millard suffers from anorexia and bipolar disorder.
"She had gained weight, eating, feeling good about herself, looking forward to resuming her life and now all this progress has been destroyed," Reid said.
According to Reid, the clerk found out about her past and used it against her. He said she was at the mall on a supervised trip as part of her treatment.
Now that Millard is free, Reid said he wants to find out why the clerk accused her in the first place.
"This person should definitely have to deal with the consequences of his actions," Reid said.
Millard is not facing any new charges, but will continue to serve her sentence for crimes committed in New York.
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