Six Men From Northwest Ohio Indicted For Their Roles In Chop-Shop Conspiracy

Six men from northwest Ohio were indicted on a variety of charges related to their roles in a conspiracy to transport semi-trucks, trailers and cargo stolen in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, said law enforcement officials said.

The 17-count indictment names Michael Wymer, age 54, of Toledo; Robert W. Debolt, Jr., age 47, of Toledo; Michael A. Deutsch, age 38, of Toledo; Shawn M. Wymer, age 27, of Holland; Gary J. Wymer, age 55, of Rossford,  and Terrance L. Wymer, age 28, of Toledo, Ohio.

“This was a highly organized group that stole from people throughout the Midwest,” said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.  “The FBI, Ohio State Patrol and all the law enforcement partners involved in this investigation did a tremendous job shutting down this ring.”

“These defendants operated a truck and cargo-theft ring, stealing from Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, which resulted in a multi-million dollar losses,” said Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Chargeof the FBI’s Northern District of Ohio. “This case was a true collaborative effort by all participating agencies, and we are committed to holding accountable those individuals who engage in this organized criminal activity.”

Colonel John Born, Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said: “Criminals are using Ohio’s vast interstate system to engage in vehicle theft and fraud. These crimes degrade the quality of life in Ohio, and we will continue working together to ensure the safety and security of all Ohioans.”

The charges relate conduct that took place from August 2012 through February 2013, according to the indictment.

The men operated a chop shop located at 642 Sterling Street in Toledo, while Gary Wymer and others operated another chop shop at 2322 Consual Street in Toledo, according to the indictment.

The men would dismantle stolen semi-trucks, trailers and cargo, transport the pieces and parts of said stolen items between the two chop shops and the ultimately destroy or scrap the stolen goods, according to the indictment.

They also received stolen motor vehicles and parts with the intent to sell or dispose of them, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland, Ohio in conjunction with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Alissa M. Sterling and Thomas A. Karol.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.