St Louis, MO - MELVIN L. ARGANBRIGHT IV, Salem, Missouri, and CODY D. WOFFORD, Salem, Missouri, were indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday, Nov. 18, for allegedly cutting down over 300 trees on Mark Twain National Forest land in Dent County between June 1 and Aug. 15, 2015.
In a separate unrelated case, WAYNE MESSEX and JOHN TURMAN were indicted for allegedly cutting down over 50 white oak trees in the Mark Twain National Forest between October and December 2014. Messex, Richwoods, Missouri, and Turman, St. Clair, Missouri, were each indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month on one felony count of theft of government property.
If convicted, this charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
This case was investigated by agents from U.S. Forest Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Gwen Carroll and Gilbert Sison are handling the cases for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
