Holland man guilty in chop-shop ring

8 await trials for $2.5M conspiracy

9/3/2013

The first of nine men charged in a large-scale theft and chop-shop ring in Toledo pleaded guilty for his role in the operation Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Shawn M. Wymer, 28, of Holland pleaded to conspiracy to transport in interstate commerce semitrucks, trailers, and cargo that he knew were stolen. He will be sentenced Dec. 30 by Judge James Carr.

Shawn Wymer was indicted earlier this year with Michael G. Wymer, Robert DeBolt, Jr., Terrance L. Wymer, and Michael Deutsch, all of Toledo; Gary J. Wymer, Rossford; and Gregory A. Rose, Gary G. Wymer, Jr., and Terry L. Wymer, all with addresses unavailable.

The indictments were issued after federal agents raided 2322 Consaul St. in East Toledo and 642 Sterling St. in South Toledo on Feb. 7.

Magistrate Judge James Knepp II accepted Shawn Wymer’s plea after Assistant U.S. Attorney Alissa Sterling told the court what the evidence would have shown had his case gone to trial. She said Shawn Wymer conspired with at least eight others to engage in a theft and chop-shop ring that operated out of the two Toledo locations from at least June, 2011, through the day of the raids in February.

The group stole semis, trailers, and the cargo inside from Michigan and Indiana and transported the vehicles and goods to Ohio, where they dismantled the trucks and trailers and sold the materials to scrap-metal dealers in Ohio and Pennsylvania, Ms. Sterling said. “All persons involved in the conspiracy were acting with full knowledge that the items being transported, dismantled, possessed, and sold were stolen,” she said. “This defendant agrees the number of victims exceeds 50 and the total loss amount to those victims as a result of the acts of the conspiracy exceeds $2.5 million.”

Ms. Sterling said Wymer and the others were paid by Michael G. Wymer. Asked by Judge Knepp whether those facts were accurate, Wymer replied, “Yes.”

He is free on bond before sentencing. Cases are pending against the eight co-defendants.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-213-2134.