Sarcoxie Man Pleads Guilty in Illegal Transaction Scheme
By: Briauna Brown
Updated: December 18, 2012
SPRINGFIELD, MO--- Jesse Arnold, 46, of Sarcoxie, waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty to structuring financial transactions in order to evade federal reporting requirements as part of a scheme to sell stolen cooking oil that was intended for recycling. Under Arnold's plea agreement he must forfeit to the government $207,817 that was seized from his business bank account.
Arnold operated 4 States Grease Company, a collection facility for spent cooking oil, located in Sarcoxie. Arnold admitted he had reason to believe he was buying cooking oil that had been stolen by various drivers. These drivers obtained the stolen cooking oil from businesses in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Arnold would withdraw money from his business account in order to purchase then sell the spent cooking oil to a company in Tulsa.
Arnold is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of the investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Arnold operated 4 States Grease Company, a collection facility for spent cooking oil, located in Sarcoxie. Arnold admitted he had reason to believe he was buying cooking oil that had been stolen by various drivers. These drivers obtained the stolen cooking oil from businesses in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Arnold would withdraw money from his business account in order to purchase then sell the spent cooking oil to a company in Tulsa.
Arnold is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of the investigation by the United States Probation Office.
