Three Defendants in “Operation Hook and Haul” Plead Guilty to Arson, Drug Distribution, and Theft Charges

United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley announced today that three defendants charged as a result of “Operation Hook and Haul,” a multi-jurisdictional investigation of property crimes in Virginia and Tennessee, have pleaded guilty to numerous charges arising from that investigation. Bobby Allen Houser, 43, Bristol, Tennessee; and William Deel, Jr., 54, Bristol, Tennessee both pleaded guilty today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon to one count of using fire to destroy a building used in interstate commerce, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute Schedule II and Schedule III controlled substances, and one count of conspiracy to transport stolen motor vehicles in interstate commerce. Steven Andrew Widener, 42, Abingdon, Virginia, entered pleas of guilty on May 19, 2009, in the United States District Court in Abingdon to one count of using fire to destroy a building used in interstate commerce, one count of conspiracy to transport stolen motor vehicles in interstate commerce, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea hearings by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Lee, beginning in January 2008, and continuing until March 2009, Houser, Widener, and William Deel, Jr., were responsible for the theft of significant amounts property from both businesses and private citizens in Virginia and Tennessee. They would sell the property to a number of individuals who routinely dealt in stolen property and were located in Northeast Tennessee and North Carolina. The property stolen by these individuals included heavy construction equipment, all-terrain vehicles, farm equipment, and lawn equipment. On occasion, instead of receiving money for the stolen property, Houser and Deel, Jr., would accept controlled substances, namely Oxycodone, marijuana, and Lortabs, which were then distributed to others. The investigation identified more than twenty-five victims and a property loss of more than $400,000.00.

Additionally, Deel, Jr., Houser, and Widener were responsible for the previously unsolved arson of the office building of Steel-Fab Manufacturing located in Abingdon, Virginia, which occurred on November 27, 2008. The fire was set in order to cover-up a burglary that Deel, Jr., and Houser committed with the intention of stealing a money box which they believed contained a large amount of United States currency. Widener’s involvement included being a look-out during the time the burglary was committed. The loss to Steel-Fab Manufacturing as a result of the fire was more than $350,000.00

Houser and Deel, Jr., face potential maximum sentences of up to forty-five years imprisonment and up to $1.5 million dollars in fines. Additionally, each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment. Widener faces a potential maximum sentence of thirty-five years’ imprisonment and a $750,000 fine. Additionally, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment. Sentencing has been set for October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon.

Leading this investigation of this case were Detective Mike Martin and Lt. Byron Aschbrook of the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deparment; Captain Bryant Skeen, Detectives Mike Horner and Stacy Wright of the Russell County, Virginia Sheriff’s Department; Agent Walt Parker of the Virginia State Police, and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation of this case was assisted by law enforcement officers from the Bristol, Tennessee Police Department; Sullivan County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; Carter County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; Washington County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Department; and the Kingsport, Tennessee Police Department. The Russell County, Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office; Washington County, Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office; and the Sullivan County, Tennessee District Attorney’s Office also assisted and supported the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee of the United States Attorney’s Office in Abingdon, and Michele Brooks, Special Assistant United States Attorney and Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia, are prosecuting the case.