United States Attorney Bill Nettles says Ernest L. Cook, 61, of Mullins, Larry Garfield Carter, 54, of Raeford, North Carolina, and William Clayton Meadows, 46, of Jupiter, Florida, were sentenced in a conspiracy to buy and sell stolen vehicles.
Cook received 21 months in prison and was ordered to pay $673,322 in restitution to the victims.
Carter and Meadows were each sentenced to twelve months and one day in prison and will pay restitution in the amounts of $167,284 and $254,308, respectively.
Evidence showed Cook owns a construction company and bought stolen motor vehicles such as trackhoes, bulldozers, graders, dump trucks, excavators, wheel loaders, and tractors from Carter and Meadows. Carter and Meadows stole the equipment primarily from North and South Carolina. Cook purchased the motor vehicles for below market value and sold it at a discount.
