OKLAHOMA CITY – Six people around the metro, including a prominent home builder, have been indicted in a case regarding a conspiracy to sell stolen property from other states.
On Jan. 18, 35-year-old Amanda Czermak was charged with one count of conspiracy to steal motorized vehicles and equipment from surrounding states to be ‘fenced’ for resale in Oklahoma.
On Wednesday, a superseding indictment added five other defendants to the case: 26-year-old Dakotah Henderson, 30-year-old Dakota Epperly, 43-year-old Dennis Lee, 28-year-old Auston Slater and 66-year-old David Aduddell.
The indictment alleges that Czermak and Henderson stole property such as tractors, golf carts, ATVs, utility task vehicles, rough terrain vehicles and zero-turn lawn mowers from other states and brought the stolen property to Oklahoma.
Prosecutors allege that the pair was planning to ‘fence’ the stolen property through other conspirators from February of 2016 through Aug. 26, 2016.
“That means that you have received it and you’re selling it in another state,” said Garvin Isaacs, a legal analyst. “They do this so they can sell this stuff under somebody’s radar.”
During the course of the conspiracy, officials allege that Czermak and Henderson transported the stolen property to Lee’s business, Richardson Homes, LLC.
“Yes, these are really serious [charges],” Isaacs said. “This tells me this is a pattern of conduct that’s been going on for quite a while and nobody knew it.”
Czermak is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce. A convicted felon, her criminal record includes false impersonation of another and charges for drugs and concealing stolen property.
Henderson is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce, possession of stolen property which crossed interstate boundaries and interstate transportation of stolen property. In the past, he has been convicted of auto larceny and concealing stolen property. In 2010, NewsChannel 4 reported he stole items from lockers at a YMCA.
Epperly is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce, possession of stolen property which crossed interstate boundaries and interstate transportation of stolen property. In 2010, he was convicted of running an illegal steroid lab out of a home in Moore. With two others, Epperly would purchase steroid materials from China, mix them, repackage them and sell them.
Lee is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce, possession of stolen property which crossed interstate boundaries and illegal possession of 18 firearms as a previously convicted felon. He was previously convicted on drug charges.
Slater is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce and possession of stolen property which crossed interstate boundaries.
NewsChannel 4 has obtained the mugshots for five of the alleged suspects, but have not received a mugshot for Auston Slater.
A manager at Richardson Homes told NewsChannel 4 that “Dennis is innocent,” adding that they did obtain stolen property, but did not know it was stolen.
Mgr. at Richardson tells me “Dennis is innocent. We did obtain some stolen prop. unaware to us & we’re looking fwd 2 our day in court” @kfor
— Lorne Fultonberg (@LorneKFOR) March 8, 2017
If convicted, Lee could lose his commercial property, according to the indictment.
All of the defendants are expected to appear in federal court by the end of the week.
