Man Pleads Guilty In Equipment Theft Scheme

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Louisiana man has pleaded guilty in Mississippi to conspiracy to purchase trucks, tractors, lawnmowers and other equipment stolen from dealers in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Jory Sam Tantillo and Michael Fralick were indicted in February by a federal grand jury in south Mississippi. The indictment said that in 2009 they placed orders for the equipment they wanted and two other men stole it from dealers in Rayville, La.; Centreville, Miss.; and Magnolia, Ark.

Tantillo, of Tickfaw, La., pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Natchez, Miss. Fralick has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for October.