Former St. Petersburg Resident Indicted For Theft Of Boat And Motor From Geological Center

Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment, on December 4, 2013, charging Robert Charles Zeigler (44, formerly of St. Petersburg) with two counts of theft of government property.  If convicted, Zeigler faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count.  The indictment also notifies Zeigler that the United States intends to forfeit any traceable proceeds of the offense.

According to the indictment, in late 2012 or early 2013, Zeigler stole or converted to his own use a 17-foot Boston Whaler and Evinrude ETEC 75 HP outboard motor from the St. Petersburg Geological Center, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.  Zeigler made his initial appearance in Gulfport, Mississippi today and is scheduled to be arraigned on January 2, 2014, at 10:00 A.M., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas B. McCoun.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by Federal Protective Services. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelley C. Howard-Allen.