2nd man pleads guilty to role in major chop-shop ring

9/14/2013

The second of nine men charged in a chop-shop ring in Toledo pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to conspiracy to transport in interstate commerce semitrucks, trailers, and cargo he knew to be stolen.

Terrance L. Wymer, 29, of Toledo entered the plea before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge James Knepp. He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 13 by Judge James Carr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Hurley told the court Wymer was part of a ring that stole trucks, trailers, and goods that were either sold, cut up into scrap metal and sold, or broken up for parts. He said Wymer help-ed unload stolen ATVs Sept. 23, 2012; helped unload a load of stolen aluminum shavings Nov. 24, 2012, and hauled parts of a stolen semi to Toledo Shredding, where it was scrapped Feb. 1, 2013.

Wymer, who described himself as “a paid worker there,” took exception to some details Mr. Hurley gave, but said, “Oh yes, yes,” when Judge Knepp asked him whether he knew he was handling stolen goods.