October 14, 2014

Beaver County Man Found Guilty of Merchandise Stolen in Pennsylvania at Ohio Flea Market

PITTSBURGH—After deliberating for approximately four hours, a federal jury found Terry L. Sempf guilty of two counts of conspiracy and Interstate transportation of stolen goods, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Terry L. Sempf, 58, of New Brighton, Pa., was tried before United States District Judge David S. Cercone in Pittsburgh.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that from between 2006 and September of 2010, Sempf paid professional thieves to steal merchandise from various retail stores in Western Pennsylvania. The evidence further established that after purchasing the stolen goods from the thieves, Sempf transported the items to the Rogers Community Auction in Rogers, Ohio, where he then resold the stolen items.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for Feb. 23, 2014, at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Brighton Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Sempf.