Leaders in decade-long cargo theft ring indicted in Missouri, trial set for next month

Several Kansas City area men accused of stealing nearly $1 million in trucks, trailers and cargo over more than a decade will begin trial Feb. 18.

The last of 10 arrest warrants was returned this month to Missouri’s Western District federal court. Although arrests began soon after a federal grand jury indicted the men Dec. 12, 2012, the indictments remained sealed until all accused were in custody, given bail or arrested.

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They are charged with conspiring to steal five trucks and 17 trailers 2005-2011. The cargo stolen ranged from appliances to dog food.

Kenneth Ray Borders, 42, Christopher Dwight Turner, 44, Reginald Shawn Tidwell, 43, Harold Robertson, 55, Verdie Carr, Jr., 53, Ryonell Eugene Fredrick, 45, Michael O’Neal Foster, 54, and Myron Piggie, 51, all of Kansas City, Jon Dirk Dickerson, 55, of Raytown, Mo., Kyle Wayne Dickerson, 30, of Holden, Mo., were charged in the 25-count indictment.

Authorities believe Borders, Tidwell, Turner and Foster stole the equipment and their contents, while John and Kyle Dickerson disguised and altered identifying characteristics of the vehicles. Frederick, Robertson and Piggie, owners of Kansas City’s MP Convenience Store, supposedly received the stolen cargo.

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The state also alleges conspirators reused and disguised these commercial trucks and trailers by using fraudulent vehicle identification numbers.

Last October, Foster and Piggie entered pleas, while indictments were dismissed against Robertson and Frederick in August.

Sixty-five witnesses are expected to testify at the trial, which is anticipated to run three to four weeks.