Three Plead Guilty in Theft Ring Case Involving Construction Equipment

Three men have pleaded guilty in federal court to taking part in a theft ring that traded stolen construction equipment, lawn equipment, farm equipment and ATVs for cash and drugs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today.
Bobby Allen Houser, 43, and William Deel Jr., 54, pleaded guilty today to one count each of using fire to destroy a building used in interstate commerce, conspiracy to distribute and possess Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances, and conspiracy to transport stolen motor vehicles in interstate commerce.
U.S. Attorney Julia Dudley, in a written statement about the case, said the two men, both residents of Bristol, Tenn., worked closely with Abingdon, Va., resident Steven Andrew Widener as part of a theft ring that involved more than 25 victims and property losses of more than $400,000. Authorities said their activities are related to a November 2008 fire at Abingdon’s Steel-Fab Manufacturing building.
In May, Widener, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of using fire to destroy a building used in interstate commerce, one count of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles in interstate commerce and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Read Friday’s edition of the Bristol Herald Courier to learn more about the case and how much time the three defendants might spend in jail because of their crimes.