OKLAHOMA CITY — A well-known Oklahoma home builder pleaded guilty to several charges in a federal interstate crime ring case.
Dennis Lee, the well-known former owner of Richardson Homes, was in federal court on Friday.
Lee previously entered a not guilty plea in an interstate crime ring case.
On Friday, he accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to two of five counts against him.
“We’re happy with the plea deal. I mean, it’s unfortunate. Dennis is a hard worker. He’s had a very successful business and he’s got a family he’s got to deal with,” Scott Adams, Lee’s attorney, said.
We first learned about the case in January, when Amanda Czermak was charged with conspiracy to sell items she stole outside of Oklahoma, in the state.
Then in March and again in June, several more defendants were added to the case, including Dakota Epperly, Auston Slater, Dakotah Henderson, David Aduddell, and Lee.
An Oklahoma City police officer, Weston Slater, is also facing charges for knowing about the crime and not alerting law enforcement.
He was charged in federal court back in September.
The counts Lee pleaded guilty to include possession of 18 firearms with a former felony conviction.
“It’s one of those deals where he made some mistakes as a young man. Unfortunately, he pleaded for a felony conviction back then. He’s had to deal with it now,” Adams said.
The other count is possession of stolen property in interstate commerce, which in this case was a John Deer tractor worth around $5,000.
“He’s dealing with it. He’s accepting responsibility and he just wants to get on with his life,” Adams said.
The other three counts were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
“This is just one of those deals he needs to put behind him and move on,” Adams said.
Lee could face up to 20 years in prison, to be served consecutively, as well as thousands of dollars in fines and restitution.
The case now moves to the probation office and they will recommend a sentence to the judge.
Adams expects sentencing to take place sometime early next year.
