by Al Summers
News Editor • alsummers@timescourier.com
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Two Gilmer County men have pled guilty in connection with the theft of heavy equipment in the north Georgia area and have been sentenced to probation, fines, and community service in exchange for testifying in the racketeering trial of seven other co-defendants.
According to information obtained by the Times-Courier from the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Robert Mosley entered a plea of guilty to two counts of theft by receiving stolen property. He made his plea Tuesday, Oct. 17 and was sentenced to a five year probated sentence.
He is also required to pay fines and fees in excess of $20,000 and perform 240 hours of community service.
Tim Land entered a guilty plea to one count of theft by receiving in the case Tuesday, Oct. 24. He received a sentence of five years probation in exchange for his testimony against the other co-defendants. He was also required to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 240 hours of community service.
Both will be required to testify in the trials of Nathan Anderson, Michael Callaway, Jacob Davis, Jamie Priest, Chad West, Lewis Bramlett, and Johnny Searcy.
The case against the men centers around the theft of 21 pieces of heavy construction equipment valued at over $500,000. The three-month investigation was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, and the district attorney’s office.
Mosley was charged in connection with three pieces of equipment and related obstruction charges, and Land was charged in connection with one piece of equipment.
Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joe Hendricks said, “These plea agreements bring us closer to holding the other co-defendants accountable for the conduct charged in the indictment.