A Hooks, Texas, man pleaded guilty to theft of government property Tuesday before a federal judge in Texarkana.
Matthew Randall Parsons, 32, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven for his first court appearance on an information charging him with the crime Tuesday. Parsons pleaded guilty with the help of Texarkana attorney Butch Dunbar.
Parsons signed a court document called a factual basis in which he admits to stealing tools and materials from Red River Army Depot on an almost daily basis from February 2015 to February 2016. Parsons was employed by the outside contractor AECOM as a welder/metal mechanic at the time.
The tools and materials valued at least at $33,000 included: air compressors, grinding discs, drills, welding curtains and other welding implements. Parsons used the stolen goods in the fabrication of utility trailers which he then sold for his own benefit.
Parsons’ case will be scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III once a pre-sentence report is complete. Craven allowed Parsons to remain free on an unsecured, $10,000 appearance bond while awaiting sentencing.
