Red House man indicted in connection with diesel fuel theft scheme

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Red House is facing charges in connection with an alleged diesel fuel theft at a West Virginia Guard facility in Putnam County.

According to a release from U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin’s Office, a federal grand jury sitting in Charleston indicted Charles Raymond Franklin, 59, Tuesday in connection with an alleged theft scheme that took thousands of dollars worth of diesel fuel from the Guard facility.

Franklin was charged in a three-count indictment with conspiracy to steal and receive public property and conspiring to receive stolen government property.

According to the release, Franklin is accused of knowingly receiving approximately 196 gallons of diesel fuel that was stolen from the West Virginia National Guard’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop located in Red House on two separate occasions. The transactions took place on February 15 and 19 of this year.

Franklin allegedly purchased the stolen diesel fuel at a greatly discounted rate from another individual, stated the release.

If convicted, Franklin faces up to five years on the receiving stolen property charge and up to 10 years in prison on each charge of conspiring to receive stolen government property. He also faces a $250,000 fine on each count.