August 13, 2014

Illinois Man Who Stole Semi-Trailers from Eau Claire Businesses Sentenced

MADISON, WI—John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mark Anderson, 46, Oak Lawn, Ill., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Lynn S. Adelman to one year and one day in prison for interstate transportation of stolen goods. Mr. Anderson pleaded guilty to this offense on May 20, 2014.

Anderson was held accountable at sentencing for using a semi-tractor to steal five semi-trailers from Eau Claire, Wis. businesses and transporting those semi-trailers to Illinois. As Judge Adelman observed, the five trailers were recovered because of “good police work,” but not before parts were stripped from three of the trailers.

Judge Adelman rejected a defense request for probation indicating that a prison sentence was necessary to promote respect for the law and to deter Anderson who had received probationary sentences after prior convictions.

The charges against Anderson were the result of an investigation conducted by the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department, Northern Illinois Auto Theft Task Force, and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea.