Four Maryland Men Charged with Stealing Vehicles from Dealerships in Pennsylvania and Virginia

PITTSBURGH—Four residents of Maryland have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on charges of conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The five-count second superseding indictment, returned on November 8, named Harvey Leemore, 36, formerly of 1600 Evergreen Way, Essex, Maryland; Rodney D. Deminds, Jr., 23, of 1217 Griffith Plaza, Belcamp, Maryland; Collin D. Powell, 22; and Trea C. Powell, 23, both of 6905 Donachie Road, Baltimore, Maryland, as the defendants.

According to the second superseding indictment, on at least 14 occasions between July 2011 and April 2012, Leemore and the Powells, and at least one other individual, traveled from Baltimore to various retail dealerships in Pennsylvania and Virginia for the purpose of stealing motorcycles and tractors from those retail dealerships. The second superseding indictment charges Deminds with participating with Leemore and the Powells in the thefts, and attempted thefts, on at least two occasions. The second superseding indictment further alleges that, after stealing these items, the thieves took the items back to Baltimore and sold them. The second superseding indictment charges that four motorcycles, 12 ATVs, and five tractor/mowers were stolen from retail dealerships located in Gibsonia, Ebensburg, Gaines, and Altoona, Pennsylvania; and in Purcellville, Virginia.

Leemore faces a maximum total sentence of 45 years in prison, a fine of $1,250,000, or both. Trea C. Powell faces a maximum total sentence of 35 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Collin D. Powell faces a maximum total sentence of 25 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Deminds faces a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Pennsylvania State Police, Western Pennsylvania Auto Theft Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the second superseding indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.