[Cindy]

SNIPPET from post no. 1:

"Beginning in 2001, Melendez received requests from his contacts in Central America for stolen tractor trucks, trailers, tankers, and other heavy equipment. "

[HiTech RedNeck]

This is kind of like stealing elephants from the zoo. How in blazes did they get away with it at all, let alone for so long?

[ToTheMax]

This prosecution sucks. Menedez could have been tried under the RICO statutes and received scores of years in jail.

Each truck/equipment thief would be an independent charge, compounded, not bundled as only one.

The fact that he had co-conspirators only proved the RICO aspects of these thefts.

Someone blew this case, big time. Maybe Att.Gen.had his fingers in how it was handled. Worth a grand jury investigation.

[Just Lori]

United States District Judge David Hittner sentenced Yuri David Melendez, 43, to a total of nine years in federal prison for his leadership role in the truck theft scheme and in an unrelated narcotics charge during a hearing today.

He probably already served time against that nine years, and with good behavior, he'll be out in about 6 months. And on it goes......