Published: June 26, 2009 10:05 pm      

November trial set for Berea man in alleged theft ring

A Nov. 16 trial date is scheduled for a Berea man charged with receiving stolen property as part of what Kentucky State Police believe was a scheme to steal and resell more than $77,000 in video games, DVDs and computer software.

Lester Powell, 59, is charged with a single count of receiving stolen property, more than $300, after police executed a search warrant on his business in Berea and recovered the items as well as a shrink-wrapping machine, a heat gun and a machine for polishing compact discs.

His attorney, Jimmy Dale Williams, has filed a motion asking the court to return some of the items, including the shrink-wrapping machine and some of the CDs and DVDs seized, claiming they were personal property unrelated to the alleged thefts.

Two co-defendants who also were indicted with Powell in February already have pleaded guilty in the case.

Michael Brock, 30, and Tina Brock, 25, both of Richmond, entered guilty pleas May 15 and will receive a maximum of two years in prison on the same charge Powell faces, according to court records.

Police became aware of the scheme after KSP officers and officers with the Central Kentucky Area Drug Task Force witnessed an exchange of bags containing computer software while investigating Michael Brock for possible drug activity, court records show.

A Berea police officer made a traffic stop on Powell’s car after Brock gave him the bags, the criminal complaint shows, and Powell later gave police permission to search his business on Feb. 3, where police recovered the more than $77,000 in items that had been stolen from a number of stores across central Kentucky, including a multitude of items stolen from the Richmond Walmart.

Police believe the stolen items were being resold using the Internet site amazon.com. Powell told police he was unaware the items he had been receiving from the Brocks were stolen, court records state.

Powell’s trial is expected to last three days, according to a notation on a docket report from his last court appearance.

Both Tina and Michael Brock will appear in court Nov. 19 for final sentencing in the case.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.