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.

[Arkinsaw]

I cannot believe there are people that see this behavior as acceptable.

Anarchy has a siren song even some on the right fall prey to.

[an amused spectator]

Isn't stealing shuttle debris "obstruction of justice"?

No, but it might be "obstruction of reconstruction", and they're still mighty touchy about Reconstruction in them parts, I hear.

[Arkinsaw]

Good point - my mistake. I'll work up a coherent recap for you in the AM. We can discuss it then, if you like.

I was just replying off the "My Comments" screen. I'll read through the thread later. My daughter had the computer all night for a school project so I am quickly getting my delayed FR fix before going to bed.

[Texasforever]

No, but it might be "obstruction of reconstruction", and they're still mighty touchy about Reconstruction in them parts, I hear.

I am begging you...stop trying to be cute you really suck at it. The FBI is part of the shuttle investigation and nothing has been ruled out. That makes each piece of debris a part of a potential criminal investigation.

[CyberAnt]

The severity of the punishment is probably a little extreme, but I believe it's intended to make the point that taking this specific property is endangering others' lives. Glad you can understand that!

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

I'm sure that the heavy handed tactic by the govt is going to endear folks to further co-operate with them.

And, the heavy-handed posts by some who are obviously law enforcement will ensure further cooperation. I only posted that it is unfortunate that the law is not prosecuted evenly...I believe that's what I meant...and now I'm reportedly supporting and defending thieves. Incredible.

[Texasforever]

The severity of the punishment is probably a little extreme,

The punishment has been a part of the law all along and was not made up from whole cloth this week.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Or punish illegals running our borders. Or people who make fake documents for illegals.

I guess that's what I was thinking initially. Wasn't I?

[an amused spectator]

You're begging me to take over-zealous prosecution and wasting time and money on a "reconstruction investigation" [of an accident scene where they found debris in New York] seriously?

Get a grip.

[Revolting cat!]

it's intended to make the point that taking this specific property is endangering others' lives.

Typical post-modern hype and Barbra Streisand, pal. Fall for that and you fall for the '40 million children living in poverty', for the '30 million homeless', for the '10% of population is gay' and similar horsepucky!

[CyberAnt]

I know that - it's just that I think the law was made severe to underscore the seriousness of the situation.

[CyberAnt]

You can believe whatever you want.

I don't believe any of those things you mentioned.

[Texasforever]

You're begging me to take over-zealous prosecution and wasting time and money on a "reconstruction investigation" [of an accident scene where they found debris in New York] seriously?

Hell it is obvious you take nothing seriously except yourself. The fact remains that what these idiots did broke an existing law with a maximum punishment that may or may not be levied. If you are so worried about it start a defense fund for them.

[an amused spectator]

The men and women who go up there know that their lives are endangered from the get-go.

Their resumes are awesome.

We'd like to get them as much information as we can, but time, money and other things sometimes intervene.

I detest this emoting over uncontrollable circumstance.

[an amused spectator]

The fact remains that what these idiots did broke an existing law with a maximum punishment that may or may not be levied.

The law is in their mouths.

[an amused spectator]

I only posted that it is unfortunate that the law is not prosecuted evenly...I believe that's what I meant...and now I'm reportedly supporting and defending thieves. Incredible.

Face it - you, Revolting cat! and I are just bad people.

[Texasforever]

The law is in their mouths.

That one stumped me. Please explain.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Why should anyone recquire a reward for doing what is right?

To encourage people to LOOK for it. Might as well ask why did sheriffs offer rewards for the heads of desperados in the olden days, when it was everyone's civic duty to turn them in for free?

[Revolting cat!]

Well stated (# 254.) The risks are high (2%, some FReeper very reasonably calculated,) and they know it, even if the public doesn't and the bureaucrats and even the NASA engineers won't admit it. Also, shiite happens, I maintain. The more I read about it the more I realize how rinky dink, seat of the pants this entire operation is (No rescue options whatever? One day's supply of oxygen when they are to land?) We may never know what happened, and the grave seriousness of the post-disaster process, including this prosecution is just beyond words, and in my opinion, entirely futile. Don't believe the hype, it ain't gonna save nobody's life now!

I always say (though not exactly this way,) shiite happens!

[Bush2000]

I thing what they did was stupid, shortsighted, selfish. Bad judgement. But I don't think it was criminal. There's probably guys who've done drive by shootings who didn't get ten years in the slammer.

I'm not sure that time is warranted. But if there weren't a threat of prosecution, I think you'd have a lot of entrepeneurs taking pieces of the shuttle and putting them on Ebay. And, really, I think the real value in gathering evidence isn't to protect the government but, rather, to get to the bottom of what happened -- and prevent it in the future.