Port Arthur Pair Guilty in Coin Exchange Scheme
Mother and Son Convicted in Virginia Coin Theft

BEAUMONT, TX—A Port Arthur mother and her son have been convicted in a coin exchange scheme in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Lori Benson Kirkman, 40, and Anthony Benson, 21, both of Port Arthur, Texas, were found guilty by a jury of transporting stolen goods following a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone. Kirkman was also convicted of conspiracy to transport stolen goods. The jury deliberated for approximately 2 hours before reaching their verdict.

According to the indictment, on Dec. 18, 2009, co-defendant, Jason McMillan obtained a rental vehicle in the name of his business, McMillan & McMillan LLC, d/b/a American Coin Exchange. That same day, Kirkman, Paul Bos-Hernandez, and Benson drove the rental vehicle to New Market, Virginia and stole coins valued at $152,000, which they then shipped via Federal Express to McMillan’s Groves residence. McMillan then sold the stolen property. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 21, 2010, charging the four in the conspiracy.

Jason McMillan, 24, of Groves, Texas, pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2011, to receipt of stolen goods. Paul Bos-Hernandez, 24, of Port Arthur, pleaded guilty on Jan. 18, 2011, to transporting stolen goods. They both face up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not been set.

Kirkman and Benson each face up to 10 years in federal prison for the transporting conviction and Kirkman faces an additional five years for the conspiracy conviction. Their sentencing dates have not been set.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the Groves Police Department, the Port Neches Police Department and the Shenandoah County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Peacock and Dave Henderson.