Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

TWO TEXANS CHARGED WITH STEALING SHUTTLE DEBRIS
AP Breaking News ^ | 5 February 2003 | Joseph Verrengia

Posted on 02/05/2003 2:02:05 PM PST by 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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: debris; texanscharged; withstealing
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 281-296 next last
To: 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"?

If you don't turn it in? Yes.
41 posted on 02/05/2003 2:44:45 PM PST by Arkinsaw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: L_Von_Mises
"People do less time for murder in some states. "

But not in the great state of Texas !!
42 posted on 02/05/2003 2:45:07 PM PST by Texagirl4W
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
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.

If the amnesty period isn't up until Friday, why did they charge them on Wednesday?

43 posted on 02/05/2003 2:46:51 PM PST by Cooter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Republic
These folks are what a LEO in Naxogdoches called "straight-runnin' idiots." Who knows which piece will be THE piece?
44 posted on 02/05/2003 2:47:10 PM PST by bootless (STS-107 - "I knew you were brave.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: an amused spectator
I think they need another method of re-entry from space, myself.

Yep, but thats not going to happen and we will have crew back up in a shuttle before long. If they are going to have to put their lives onto styrofoam-like tiles I hope they find out everything there is to know about the problems with them. All of this junk needs to be turned in, I don't consider those stealing this stuff as decent Americans.
45 posted on 02/05/2003 2:47:47 PM PST by Arkinsaw
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: AgentEcho
Now I just need to figure out where to extradite them to...

Berkeley.

46 posted on 02/05/2003 2:48:36 PM PST by bootless (STS-107 - "I knew you were brave.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Arkinsaw
If you don't turn it in? Yes.

Puh-leeeese!

47 posted on 02/05/2003 2:49:26 PM PST by an amused spectator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: an amused spectator
"Puh-leeeese!"

You are so morally superior to us, I encourage you to follow this link. You are in the wrong place.

48 posted on 02/05/2003 2:52:49 PM PST by shadowman99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
We can stop all this grandstanding, "national tragedy" stuff and all! There is a reason why these things are called "debris", and it's right there in the dictionary under the letter "D". Most if not all of it is worthless and will remain worthless. Buried in the pages of newspaper reports you'll find statements from NASA to the effect that we may never find the cause of the incident. 'Course that is not allowed in this country, something and somebody is always at fault, shiite just doesn't happen, and so "we'll" speculate a little and invent an answer to satisfy the ever demanding "taxpayers" (read: sheeple.)

That said, I am not attempting to excuse the souvenir hunters!

49 posted on 02/05/2003 2:53:10 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Someone left the cake out in the rain I dont think that I can take it coz it took so long to bake it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Arkinsaw
"They should get the maximum sentence for being near traitors."

Hey now, I once saw the slick one in person, he was only about 20 ft. away. Does that mean I should go to prison too?

50 posted on 02/05/2003 2:54:44 PM PST by slouper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: robertpaulsen
Was anyone ever prosecuted for taking material from the WTC?

Yes - a LOT of folks. It seems some on this thread think that's wrong...

51 posted on 02/05/2003 2:57:37 PM PST by Senator Pardek
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: an amused spectator; Revolting cat!
That British dude who got the all-American death penalty today got it for his second murder. At the time of his second murder, he was out on parole for his first murder, after serving 4.5 MONTHS before being released "due to severe overcrowding". They should just have let him do his thing in the pen -- wouldn't have taken him very long to solve that overcrowding problem. As long as he was going to keep murdering people, he might as well do it in the pen, where only convicted criminals would be his victims. And the idiot Brits are whining 'cause we snuffed him out!
52 posted on 02/05/2003 3:00:10 PM PST by GovernmentShrinker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: shadowman99
You are so morally superior to us, I encourage you to follow this link. You are in the wrong place.

I been here just a tad longer than you, newbie, and I have borne witness to much more serious crimes against the American people than "conspiring to steal" a piece of shuttle debris (which would include shuttle toilet paper, by your mark).

The prosecutors in this case are making poor examples out of these people, and I frankly begin to tire of this sort of grandstanding.

53 posted on 02/05/2003 3:00:43 PM PST by an amused spectator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Revolting cat!
Pan Am flight 103 was re-built in a aircraft hanger to find the source of the explosion that destroyed the airplane.

It's not junk. It's evidence until further notice. And then it deserves a respectful burial.

54 posted on 02/05/2003 3:01:04 PM PST by shadowman99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: slouper
LOL!
55 posted on 02/05/2003 3:01:15 PM PST by an amused spectator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: stanz
Thank you, most kind. Hey whaddaya mean this time!
56 posted on 02/05/2003 3:03:02 PM PST by ffusco (sempre ragione)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Revolting cat!
NASA might be more successful in getting debris turned in if they promised to give the minor stuff back to the finders after the investigation, with a certificate of authenticity (finders of the major stuff could be given just the certificate). This approach would get more people seraching. NASA won't keep the little bitsy pieces forever anyway.
57 posted on 02/05/2003 3:03:27 PM PST by GovernmentShrinker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: ffusco
Don't know ya.....you could be right all of the time or fra poco. :-)
58 posted on 02/05/2003 3:06:48 PM PST by stanz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: MeneMeneTekelUpharsin; NYC GOP Chick; rintense; ohioWfan; mtngrl@vrwc; Maigrey; azGOPgal
I cannot believe there are people that see this behavior as acceptable. Every bit of this shuttle is evidence and it's my opinion that only major league assholes (aka Clymers) would ever tamper with it. Leave it the hell alone and alert NASA to its location.

I don't give a fig all of these morality based comparisons with murder, etc. This is a national tragedy and I want answers. That means YOU keep your MITTS OFF of the debris!
59 posted on 02/05/2003 3:07:06 PM PST by lawgirl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shadowman99
Yeah and the piece that gave away the bomb was smaller in size than a fingernail. Every little piece is needed.
60 posted on 02/05/2003 3:09:08 PM PST by lawgirl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 281-296 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson