August 22, 2007
FEDERAL INDICTMENT CHARGES 5 IN PROBE OF AUTO THEFT RING
WICHITA, KAN. - A Wichita police investigation into auto thefts in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri resulted Wednesday in federal charges against five people.
A 35-count federal indictment alleges that autos stolen from car lots in Oklahoma and Missouri wound up in Wichita, where a chop shop operation gave them new Vehicle Identification Numbers taken from damaged vehicles that insurance companies had written off.
"The autos named in the indictment are mainly high-end Cadillac SUVs and roadsters," said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren. "The indictment outlines the process by which it is alleged the defendants attempted to give the stolen vehicles a new identity in order to sell them on Ebay and by other means."
Charged in the indictment are Kappelle Simpson-el, 32, Tabatha Simpson-el, 35, Mario Cabral, Jr., 25, Robert McHenry, Sr., 44, and Donald Tisdale, 41.
Autos identified in the indictment as stolen include:
- 2004 and 2005 Cadillac Escalades,
- 2005 and 2006 Cadillac CTS models
- A 2006 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2006 Cadillac SRX models
- 2004 and 2006 Cadillac XLR models
- 2006 Cadillac STS models
According to the indictment, autos were stolen from:
- John Vance Motors, Guthrie, Okla.
- Mike Denney Chevrolet, Guthrie, Okla.
- Pemberton Chevrolet, Ponca City, Okla.
- Superior Cadillac, Kansas City, Mo.
- Broome Motors, Independence, Mo.
According to the indictment, auto manufacturers assign each new vehicle a unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The number is visible through the windshield on the driver's side of the vehicle and on a sticker affixed to the door jamb of the driver's door. In addition, manufacturers also install "hidden" VINS in other locations in a vehicle.
The indictment alleges that Kappelle Simpson-El, Mario Cabral Jr., Robert McHenry, Sr. and others traveled - together and separately - to car lots in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri where they stole cars and took them to Wichita.
After returning with the stolen vehicles, the defendants obtained salvaged vehicles of similar makes and models. Kappelle Simpson-El, Mario Cabral Jr., and Robert McHenry, Sr. would attempt to remove the identification numbers from the stolen cars and replace them with identification numbers taken from the salvaged autos.
The indictment charges that Tabatha Simpson-el, wife of Kappelle Simpson-el, assisted her husband in selling the stolen vehicles, and that Donald Tisdale obtained a stolen vehicle from Mario Cabral, Jr., and then sold the car, knowing it was stolen.
Kappelle Simpson-el is charged in 31 counts including transportation of stolen vehicles, altering motor vehicle identification numbers, selling stolen vehicles, trafficking in certain motor vehicles, wire fraud, unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction and possession of crack cocaine.
Robert McHenry, Sr., is charged with 8 counts of transporting stolen vehicles. Mario Cabral, Jr. is charged with 2 counts of selling a stolen vehicle. Tabatha Simpson-el is charged in 7 counts including selling a stolen vehicle and wire fraud. Tisdale is charged in one count with selling a stolen vehicle.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
- Transportation of stolen vehicles: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
- Altering motor vehicle identification numbers: A maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
- Selling stolen vehicles: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
- Trafficking in certain motor vehicles: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
- Wire fraud: A maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
- Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
- Possession of crack cocaine: A maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.
The Wichita Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation worked on the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.
As in any criminal
case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The
indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
