HUTCHINSON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO AIRPORT BURGLARIES IN FOUR STATES

TOPEKA, KAN. - Michael S. Wagner, 27, Hutchinson, Kan., has pleaded guilty to burglaries at airports in Kansas, Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma, Acting U.S. Attorney Marietta Parker said today.

Wagner pleaded guilty to four counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, two counts of wire fraud, and two counts of mail fraud. In his plea, Wagner admitted he was arrested Jan. 22, 2006, at Emporia Municipal Airport in Emporia after burglarizing several aircraft hangars. In Wagner's vehicle, investigators found a laptop computer that had been stolen Jan. 13, 2006, from Front Range Airport in Adams County, Colo.

Wagner told investigators that he began burglarizing airports in mid-2005. He sold stolen items on eBay and mailed them to winning bidders. He admitted to burglaries at airports in Denver, Colo.; McKinney, Texas; Ponca City, Okla.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Winfield, Kan. Stolen items included laptop computers, cameras, aviation headsets, video games, GPS devices, firearms, a flat screen television, DVD player, speakers and other items.

Wagner is set for sentencing May 29, 2009. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of interstate transportation of stolen property; a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of wire fraud; and a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of mail fraud.
Also charged in the case is Chauncey L. Gaynor, 27, Wichita, Kan. who is awaiting trial.

Parker commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lyons County Sheriff's Office, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi for their work on the case.

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