June 19th, 2008
Four Individuals Indicted for Transporting Stolen Vehicles across State Lines
Jackson, TN - A Federal Grand Jury in Jackson, Tennessee has returned a multiple-count indictment against two Tennessee men and two Alabama men announced Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.
Ronnie William Brannett, 56, of Cleveland, Tennessee (formerly of Morris Chapel, Tennessee), Ronnie William Brannett II, 32, of Savannah, Tennessee, Stephen Elliott Hughes, 60, of Langston, Alabama and Virgil James (Jimmy) Vinson Jr., 41, of Florence, Alabama face charges of interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles, trafficking in vehicles and vehicle parts without Vehicle identification numbers, mail fraud, and conspiracy.
The indictment alleges that the men conspired together in a scheme to steal late model GM Pickups, GM Sport Utility Vehicles, and other vehicles, to transport them across state lines, dismantle them, and change all of the Vehicle Identification Numbers and to traffic in vehicles and parts without numbers. Brannett, Brannett II, Hughes and Vinson allegedly mailed, and caused to be mailed salvaged vehicle documents used to conceal the identity of stolen vehicles, and mailed and caused to be mailed documents from rebuilt salvaged vehicles in a process known as “title washing.” The “title washing” process gets a “clean or non-branded” title for previously salvaged and junked vehicles. The “clean” titled vehicle is then sold to an unsuspecting consumer, who has no clue that the vehicle had been declared a “total loss or junked”, due to fire, collision or water damage.
The four- year investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Tennessee Highway Patrol - Criminal Investigation Division.
Assisting in the investigation was the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans (LA) Police Department, Jackson (TN) Police Department, Hardin and Hardeman County Sheriff’s Departments in Tennessee, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and the Arkansas State Police. Further assistance was provided by General Motors Global Security, the Tennessee Titling and Registration Division, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration-Revenue Division, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the National Auto Dealers Association. Assistant United States Attorney Victor L. Ivy is handling the prosecution for the Government.
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Note: Charges brought against a person through an Indictment are accusations only. That person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.