Franklin County Couple Pleads Guilty to Removing Aluminum Braces from Railroad Cars

St. Louis, MO – Jacob C. Brewer and Michelle L. Phipps pled guilty to removing aluminum stabilizing braces from railroad cars.

According to court documents, between February 1 and February 22, 2017, Brewer and Phipps disabled railroad on-track equipment by removing aluminum stabilizing braces from railroad freight cars.  The braces are designed to keep the freight cars from derailing when fully loaded and moving.  The railroad freight cars are owned by Ameren UE and were used to transport coal from the State of Wyoming to the State of Missouri.  The couple later sold the aluminum braces to local recycling centers. 

Brewer, 30, from Beaufort, Missouri, and Phipps, 27, from Washington, Missouri, both pled guilty to one felony count of disabling on-track railroad equipment.  They appeared in federal court today before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.  Sentencing has been set for June 6, 2018.

This charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both.  Restitution to the victim is also mandatory. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

 This case was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Gil Sison is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.