Superseding Indictment is Unsealed Charging Five New Defendants in Conspiracy to Transport and Fence Property Stolen from Surrounding States

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Five new defendants have been charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today in federal court alleging a conspiracy to fence property stolen in other states, announced Mark A. Yancey, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

On January 18, 2017, the original indictment was returned charging AMANDA CZERMAK (a/k/a "Amanda Rodriguez" and "Amanda Wolfe"), 35, from Chickasha, Oklahoma, with one count of conspiracy to steal motorized vehicles and equipment from surrounding states to be "fenced" for resale in Oklahoma.

The superseding indictment unsealed today adds five new defendants: DAKOTAH HENDERSON, 26, from Chickasha, DAKOTA EPPERLY, 30, from Oklahoma City, DENNIS LEE, 43, from Newcastle, AUSTON SLATER, 28, from Mustang, and DAVID ADUDDELL, 66, from Oklahoma City.

Specifically, the superseding indictment alleges that Czermak and Henderson stole property such as tractors, golf carts, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility task vehicles (UTVs), rough-terrain vehicles (RTVs), and zero-turn riding lawn mowers (ZTRs) from other states, including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, and transported the stolen property to Oklahoma. The goal of the conspiracy, it is alleged, was to "fence" (the procedure of receiving, possessing, storing, and disposing of stolen goods) the stolen property through other conspirators. This scheme is alleged to have taken place from February of 2016 through August 26, 2016.

During the course of the conspiracy, it is alleged that Czermak and Henderson transported the stolen property to a business where Lee is the registered agent, Richardson Homes, LLC., in Oklahoma City. The superseding indictment alleges that the co-conspirators communicated by cell phone by texting each other and potential buyers of the stolen items.

The superseding indictment alleges the following specific counts against the defendants:

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• In Count 1, Czermak, Henderson, Epperly, Lee and Slater are charged with conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce, for which each defendant faces up to 5 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.

• In Count 2, Henderson, Epperly and Lee are charged with possession of stolen property which crossed interstate boundaries, for which each defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.

• In Count 3, Henderson and Epperly are charged with interstate transportation of stolen property, for which each defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.

• In Counts 4, 5, and 6, Henderson, Epperly and Slater are charged with possession of stolen property which crossed interstate boundaries, for which each defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, if convicted.

• In Count 7, Henderson, Epperly, Slater, Lee and Aduddell are charged with possession of stolen property which crossed interstate boundaries, for which each defendant faces up to 5 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.

• In Count 8, Lee is charged with illegal possession of 18 firearms as a previously convicted felon, for which he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine, if convicted.

The public is reminded the superseding indictment merely contains accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Reference is made to court filings for further information.

This case is the result of a joint investigation by Special Agents with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry who regularly investigate agriculture equipment thefts, cattle thefts, wildland arson fires and timber theft; the Oklahoma City Police Department; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, specifically the FBI Major Theft Task Force, consisting of officers and agents from the Canadian County Sheriff Office, Garvin County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ed Kumiega and Ashley Altshuler.