Sean Michael Pelton, 53, is paying a heavy price for his catalytic converter theft spree in Visalia in 2020 and 2021. (GV Wire Composite)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Sean Michael Pelton will pay a heavy price for his catalytic converter theft spree in Visalia in 2020 and 2021.
The 53-year-old Sacramento man was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $133,000 restitution on Thursday in Tulare County Superior Court.
Pelton was convicted of the thefts in November 2024.
In addition, Pelton was sentenced to 20 non-concurrent months in three additional cases for similar crimes in Amador, Sacramento, and Fresno counties. Restitution was ordered at $236,031.44
in those cases.
“Let this sentence serve as a warning to other would-be thieves,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward in a statement. “Although the crime itself may be considered ‘non-violent’ by our Legislature, my office will recognize these impacts to our community and will do everything in our power to ensure this career criminal and anyone who would follow in his footsteps are
removed from society and not able to re-victimize.”
About the Thefts
In three separate thefts from March 2020 to September 2020, and an additional theft in July 2021, Pelton targeted utility trucks in the AT&T service yard in northeast Visalia. Using bolt cutters to cut holes in the yard’s security fence, Pelton stole 73 converters.
The company said that the thefts greatly impacted the company’s fleet, preventing technicians from reaching customers. Each converter cost the company more than $1,000. Visalia police used surveillance video, geo-fencing data, and hotel and cell phone records to identify Pelton.
Pelton had more than 20 prior felony convictions — largely for theft, burglary, and vandalism — throughout California.
Assistant District Attorney Sean Sangree prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Visalia Police Department.
RELATED TOPICS:
Israeli Military Kills 41 People in Gaza, Medics Say
21 hours ago
Manhunt for Gunman Who Shot Two Minnesota Lawmakers Enters Second Day
22 hours ago
Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict
22 hours ago
Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say
22 hours ago
Newsom Wanted To Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project. The Legislature Slowed the Flow
24 hours ago
Five Weeknight Dishes: Seven Ingredients or Fewer, Because Summer
1 day ago
Big Fresno Fair Unveils Second Wave of 2025 Concert Acts
1 day ago
Military Parade Barrels Through Nation’s Capital With Tanks, Troops and 21-Gun Salute
2 days ago
Authorities Still Searching for Suspect in Shooting of 2 Minnesota State Lawmakers
2 days ago
Wall Street Climbs as Oil Prices Ease, Fed Meeting in Focus
29 seconds ago
Categories

Wall Street Climbs as Oil Prices Ease, Fed Meeting in Focus

Americans Don’t See Supreme Court as Politically Neutral, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

Fresno Man Arrested in Fatal DUI Crash on Trimmer Springs Road

Israeli Military Kills 41 People in Gaza, Medics Say

Manhunt for Gunman Who Shot Two Minnesota Lawmakers Enters Second Day

Israel and Iran Bombard Each Other, Trump Says He Can ‘Easily’ End Conflict

Trump Vetoed an Israeli Plan to Kill Iran’s Supreme Leader, US Officials Say
