4 charged in alleged crime ring involving plastic pallets

Michigan Attorney General says defendants would sell stolen pallets from industrial yards

DETROIT – Four people have been charged in an alleged plastic pallet crime ring in southeast Michigan.

Attorney General Bill Schuette said Damian Massa 52, of Mason, James Tabor 43, of Carleton, Zaklina Tabor 40, of Carleton, and David Wendler 40, of Monroe, face criminal charges for the alleged theft and subsequent selling of plastic pallets used in Michigan's automotive industry.

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The charges are the result of an undercover operation conducted by the Livonia Police Department with assistance from the Michigan Attorney General's Office, and General Motors Corporation.

It is alleged that the suspects were involved in a racketeering operation where plastic pallets used in the automotive industry, valued between $300 and $500 each, were stolen from industrial yards, and then fenced through legitimate and illegitimate businesses.

Schuette's office is working in cooperation with the Livonia Police Department to ensure that all aspects of the alleged criminal operation have been halted.

---Damian Massa

Schuette has filed the following 27 charges against the four defendants in Farmington Hills' 47th District Court:

Damian Massa

One count Controlling a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

One count Conducting a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

One count Conspiracy to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

Three counts Attempt Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing – a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison;

One count Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing – felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine; and

Two counts Taxes – Failure to File/False Return – a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

--James Tabor

James Tabor

One count Controlling a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

One count Conducting a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

One count Conspiracy to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

Three counts Attempt Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing – a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison;

One count Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing – a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine; and

One count Taxes – Failure to File/False Return – a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

 

--Zaklina Tabor

Zaklina Tabor

One count Controlling a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

One count Conducting a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

One count Conspiracy to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine; and

One count Taxes – Failure to File/False Return – a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

 

---David Wendler

David Wendler

One count Conducting a Criminal Enterprise – a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

One count Conspiracy to Conduct a Criminal Enterprise - a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

Three counts Attempt Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing – felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison; and

One count Stolen Property – Receiving and Concealing – felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine.