TWO TEXANS CHARGED WITH STEALING SHUTTLE DEBRIS

AP Breaking News ^ | 5 February 2003 | Joseph Verrengia

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

LUFKIN, Texas (AP) - Two Texans were indicted Wednesday on federal charges they stole pieces of space shuttle Columbia that had dropped onto the countryside. Federal officials in Texas also declared an amnesty period extending until 5 p.m. Friday, during which people who have collected shuttle debris can turn it in without fear of being prosecuted. After that, prosecutions will resume, they said. Merrie Hipp, 43, of Henderson, was charged with theft of government property for allegedly stealing a shuttle circuit board on Saturday.

Bradley Justin Gaudet, 23, of Nacogdoches, was charged in a separate incident with stealing a piece of thermal insulating fabric. Gaudet is a student at Steven F. Austin State University. "The issue here is the thermodynamics of the space shuttle and any piece of that is important to this investigation," said U.S. Attorney Michael Shelby. "No one knows which piece will unravel the mystery." The charges carry a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Both defendants awaited arraignment Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities said they are conducting at least 17 investigations into reports of people taking shuttle debris as souvenirs. They would not give specifics or comment on whether those cases were related to attempts by people to sell purported shuttle debris on eBay. "These two individuals are first," Orwig said. "There is no particular threshold. They are an example, whether it's our intention or not. Authorities urged members of the public to take advantage of the amnesty period. "If you turn the piece over and describe where you found the piece, we will not prosecute you," Orwig said.

[AgentEcho]

AS A TEXAN I HEREBY REVOKE THEIR TEXAN CITIZENSHIP. Now I just need to figure out where to extradite them to...

[newgeezer]

It should be easy to find the imbiciles selling debris (real and otherwise, if said imbiciles really want the Feds knocking on their doors) on eBay. EBay should have all the necessary documentation to nail those opportunist perps to the wall.

[stanz]

Across the unpatrolled border.

[wideawake]

Guilty of littering in the same way that a guy who got blindsided by a drunk driver is guilty of littering car parts along the road.

By the way, you're over your gratuitous quotation marks quota.

[shadowman99]

"...souvenir?"

Interesting. Perhaps you consider the USS Arizona a theme park? And you might think of the WTC site as an empty plot of real estate.

That "souvenir" is first a piece of forensic evidence that will (hopefully) unravel an air crash. And once it has fulfilled that role, it must be remember THIS WAS SOMEBODY'S TOMB YOU SACRILEGIOUS JACKASS!!!!!!

[an amused spectator]

I'm gonna guess that idiots swiping what amounts to a impromptu gravestone haven't generated enough taxable income in their lives to pay for a Shuttle circuitboard.

All hail to The Holy Shuttle Toiletpaper! :-)

[kever]

I totally agree.....and who knows if these two were fully aware of the consequences......I'm sure if they were, they would have complied....c'mon give them a break

[Revolting cat!]

I tell you what though, if these guys were stealing this debris using Napster or Kazaa, most of us would be for it!

[Karsus]

Unless they are an FBI agent.

[Arkinsaw]

A guy picks up a piece of the shuttle and keeps it (and hurts whom?)

Whom? The next shuttle crew who has to go up if the stolen part hampers the investigation of the cause. Not only are they ghouls, they are endangering the lives of future shuttle crews by hampering the investigation. They should get the maximum sentence for being near traitors.

[an amused spectator]

By the way, you're over your gratuitous quotation marks quota.

• It's not "logic".
  
• It's not "the taxpayers".
  
• The American justice system has no "credibility".
• And finally, it ain't a "justice system" anymore.

[LaGrone]

Anyone taking any item from the Shuttle for their own use or sale has no conscience and is one selfish individual. I say throw the book at 'em. They were warned over and over about the implications of this type of behavior. They are getting their just reward.

[Karsus]

Might I suggest you look up what the word TRAITOR means?

[Arkinsaw]

I understand the need for an investigation, but this kind of stuff just tears up the "credibility" of the American "justice system" even more

If your loved one was the next scheduled to go up as a crewmember it might be more immediate. They need to find as many parts as possible in order to prevent further accidents, death, and destruction.

[robertpaulsen]

That's a good point. Was anyone ever prosecuted for taking material from the WTC? Same arguments would apply.

[an amused spectator]

If you find a piece of the shuttle fifteen years from now buried in some muck on your property, will you be charged with "receiving and concealing federal property" and "conspiracy"?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Poe could write a new book: The Telltale Nailclippers.

[Revolting cat!]

The original poster's gut feeling is in the right place. Where the US criminal justice system springs to instant action nowadays are crimes against the government interests, thought crimes ("hate crimes"), crimes against favoured groups, crimes against favoured programs and ideas. Ever tried getting the police and a district attorney interested in pursuing burglary or street crime cases?

[Arkinsaw]

Might I suggest you look up what the word TRAITOR means?

Anybody who would consider their own curiosity more important than finding out the reason for 7 deaths and a national tragedy (as well as preventing more) are near TRAITORS as far as I'm concerned regardless of your legal definition. Whether it would stand up in a court of law or not...I'd sooner spit on them than look at them.

[Arkinsaw]

Might I suggest you look up what the word TRAITOR means?

Anybody who would consider their own curiosity more important than finding out the reason for 7 deaths and a national tragedy (as well as preventing more) are near TRAITORS as far as I'm concerned regardless of your legal definition. Whether it would stand up in a court of law or not...I'd sooner spit on them than look at them.

[an amused spectator]

I think they need another method of re-entry from space, myself.