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FBI: Men on train were carrying $700,000 in stolen bonds
The Associated Press
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: News
SALT LAKE CITY - Five men ejected from an Amtrak train for smoking marijuana were discovered with a cardboard box holding $700,000 in U.S. savings bonds, apparently stolen from a Nevada house, authorities said.
The men were traveling to Chicago from Sacramento, Calif., to launder the bonds when they were arrested Feb. 19 at a depot in Helper, about 100 miles south of Salt Lake City, the FBI said.
They are charged in federal court with possessing stolen securities and aiding and abetting.
The bonds were taken from a safe inside a home in Sparks, Nev., on Dec. 16, FBI agent Todd Argyle said in an affidavit filed in federal court.
Johnny Raymond, 24, Tony Mitchell, 42, and Shawn Mitchell, 31, remained in custody Tuesday. Dino Nick Mitchell, 36, and Danny Leo, 31, were released on bond.
"They have mentioned they're from Sacramento and the Phoenix area but the exact cities of residence are unclear at this point," said Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City.
After the men were removed from the train for smoking marijuana, a drug-sniffing dog reacted strongly to two bags, Argyle said.
Helper police searched the bags and found the bonds inside a box, he said.
The men were traveling to Chicago from Sacramento, Calif., to launder the bonds when they were arrested Feb. 19 at a depot in Helper, about 100 miles south of Salt Lake City, the FBI said.
They are charged in federal court with possessing stolen securities and aiding and abetting.
The bonds were taken from a safe inside a home in Sparks, Nev., on Dec. 16, FBI agent Todd Argyle said in an affidavit filed in federal court.
Johnny Raymond, 24, Tony Mitchell, 42, and Shawn Mitchell, 31, remained in custody Tuesday. Dino Nick Mitchell, 36, and Danny Leo, 31, were released on bond.
"They have mentioned they're from Sacramento and the Phoenix area but the exact cities of residence are unclear at this point," said Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City.
After the men were removed from the train for smoking marijuana, a drug-sniffing dog reacted strongly to two bags, Argyle said.
Helper police searched the bags and found the bonds inside a box, he said.
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