Man On Federal Probation Arrested For Stealing Tracks

Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Man On Federal Probation Arrested For Stealing Tracks

A Nevada man was arrested in 2010 and prosecuted for heading a large scale operation that involved the illegal removal of copper wire from a major electrical service line within Lake Mead NRA. During the original investigation, special agents and rangers executed search warrants which resulted in the recovery of over 300 feet of heavy gauge copper electrical wire. A subsequent damage assessment indicated that the man and his accomplices had completely destroyed the electrical service line. He was ultimately convicted on one count of theft of government property (18 USC § 641) and was sentenced to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $49,539.81 in restitution to the NPS. Earlier this month, in a blatant violation of his federal probation, the man was arrested for dismantling and stealing a railroad track outside of Jean, Nevada. He admitted that he had planned on selling the metal track parts as scrap for a profit. On March 14th, he was brought before a US District Court judge who revoked his probation and sentenced him to 14 months in prison amidst speculation that his reckless actions could have resulted in a catastrophic train derailment. A federal arrest warrant is still outstanding for a second man associated with the original case. Metal theft continues to be a significant threat to NPS resources in southern Nevada.