Bates City Man Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that five defendants were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to use identity documents, checks and credit cards that were either found in stolen vehicles or pilfered from vehicles to make fraudulent purchases and to obtain methamphetamine.

Jason Rockwell Thompson, 30, of Bates City, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Thompson to pay $45,012 in restitution.

Co-defendants Christopher Lee Curd, 29, and his brother Robert Alva Curd, 30, both of Kansas City, Mo., Roberta Anne Welty, 28, of Blue Springs, Mo., and Brandi Nicole Neely, 32, of Arnold, Mo., were also sentenced today. Christopher Curd was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $3,584 in restitution. Robert Curd was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $3,560 in restitution. Roberta Welte was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $4,271 in restitution. Neely was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison without parole and ordered to pay $7,055 in restitution.

On Feb. 7, 2014, Thompson pleaded guilty to leading the conspiracy to illegally transport stolen vehicles and to commit bank fraud, access device fraud, identity theft and wire fraud between Oct. 19, 2007, and Jan. 10, 2008. Thompson also pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.

Thompson admitted that he stole 10 vehicles in November and December 2007. Thompson also admitted that he was in possession and transported several more stolen vehicles, and that he stole numerous checks, credit cards and other identity documents from several other vehicles.

For example, on Dec. 23, 2007, Thompson stole two vehicles in Independence, pilfered a vehicle in Lee’s Summit, stole a vehicle in Lee’s Summit and transported it to Overland Park, Kan.; stole two vehicles in Overland Park, pilfered two vehicles in Overland Park, possessed and operated a stolen vehicle, and transported one of the stolen vehicles from Overland Park to Missouri. On Dec. 24, 2007, Thompson stole a vehicle in Lenexa, Kan., and transported it to Independence, Mo. He also pilfered nine vehicles in Lenexa on that day.

Thompson admitted that he attempted to purchase $1,201 worth of merchandise at a Kohl’s store in Independence with a stolen credit card on Oct. 19, 2007.  On that day, he also possessed a stolen Social Security card and stolen credit cards belonging to another person whose vehicle had been stolen; a driver’s license from another person whose vehicle had been stolen; a stolen Social Security card from another victim; and stolen personal checks from four additional victims.

Thompson admitted that he purchased (or attempted to purchase) hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise at various retail businesses using numerous identify documents and credit cards that had been stolen from various vehicles.

Co-defendants Jennifer J. Leone, 34, and Nicholas E. Dobbins, 24, both of Kansas City, Mo., have also pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Co-defendant Melinda R. Kermer, 27, of Raytown, Mo., pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Pansing Brown. It was investigated by the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department.