1 year ago
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VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 53-year-old antheral from Sacramento was sentenced successful Tulare County Superior Court for a bid of catalytic converters thefts successful Visalia, the Tulare County District Attorney said.
The thefts were from inferior trucks parked successful an AT&T successful Visalia and took spot during the COVID-19 pandemic, betwixt March 2020 and September 2020 - and again successful July 2021.
According to the DA's office, 53-year-old Sean Michael Pelton was sentenced to 15 years successful custody and restitution.
Pelton was convicted of theft successful November 2024.
“Let this condemnation service arsenic a informing to different would-be thieves,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. “Although the transgression itself whitethorn beryllium considered “non-violent” by our legislature, my bureau volition admit these impacts to our assemblage and volition bash everything successful our powerfulness to guarantee this vocation transgression and anyone who would travel successful his footsteps are removed from nine and not capable to re-victimize.”
According to the DA's office, Pelton utilized bolt cutters to chopped holes successful the AT&T yard’s information obstruction - yet taking 73 catalytic converters. The thefts importantly affected the company's fleet, making it hard for technicians to scope customers.
Officials accidental Pelton had implicit 20 anterior felony convictions, chiefly for theft, burglary, and vandalism crossed California. As portion of his sentence, Pelton was ordered to wage restitution of $132,993.68.
The DA says Pelton was sentenced to 20 non-concurrent months successful 3 further cases for akin crimes successful Amador, Sacramento, and Fresno counties. Restitution was ordered astatine $236,031.44 successful those cases.
