A Missouri man pleaded guilty today to stealing scrap metal from a railroad terminal operation in Kansas, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Justin Drescher, 49, Kearney, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. In his plea, Drescher admitted he was working as a truck driver for Razorback Rail Services when the crime occurred.
Razorback was a primary subcontractor providing maintenance and repair work for the Kansas City Terminal Railway Company.
As part of the scheme, Dresher and other Razorback employees were told where to find scrap rail and metal belonging to KCT, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. They transported the metal to Razorback to be sold instead of placing it in KCT’s metal bins with a competitive scrap metal business. Razorback and its employees, including Drescher, received payment for the stolen scrap metal.
Sentencing is set for March 19. He faces a penalty of up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. McAllister commended the Internal Revenue Service and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble for their work on the case.