Published: November 07, 2008 01:52 pm      

Timber theft brings prison time

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A judge ruled that a central Pennsylvania man must leave the timber business for life, and sentenced him to four to nine years in prison for stealing timber or the proceeds from it from his customers.

Francis Ritchey, 37, of Claysburg in Blair County had previously pleaded guilty to theft and not paying state income taxes from 2003 to 2005.

Ritchey still owes about $490,000 in restitution to people he ripped off.

Investigators said that Ritchey illegally removed timber from land in Blair and Bedford counties without paying for it. In some instances, Ritchey agreed to split the proceeds 50-50 but paid property owners only a fraction of that.

Blair County Judge Tim Sullivan said Ritchey violated the rights of his clients, many of whom were elderly.