3 Residents Face Charges in Theft of Fertilizer

Three local residents and a Plant City man are facing charges after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office broke up what it's calling a "warehouse theft ring."

On Aug 3, the sheriff's office was notified that an employee of Kinder-Morgan Storage Facility, 4310 Pendola Point Rd. in Tampa, was involved in the theft of fertilizer products stored inside the warehouse.

Detectives initiated an undercover investigation and subsequently were able to purchase three truckloads of fertilizer in excess of 125,000 pounds, valued at more than $20,000 dollars, the sheriff's office said.

During the investigation, detectives said they identified four employees, including the terminal manger, Scott Stevens of Valrico, who allegedly were involved. Detectives determined the fertilizer
was being sold to other farms throughout Florida at a reduced rate, and it is believed to be an isolated incident with this warehouse.

Detectives have recovered the three truckloads of fertilizer and released them back to Kinder-Morgan representatives.

Kinder-Morgan representatives have fully cooperated in this investigation and are working closely with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to conduct an internal investigation to enhance security warehouse protocol, according to a sheriff's press release.

Scott William Stevens, 42, of 3524 Autumn Glen Dr., Valrico, was arrested and charged with trafficking in stolen property and grand theft.

Also arrested was maintenance supervisor David Lamar Boyd, 44, of 5546 Bandera Springs Dr., Riverview, charged with grand theft.

The sheriff's office also charged operations supervisor Timothy Arthur Moore, 51, of 105 Orange Bud Way, Plant City, and Kelly Todd Faulk, 3140 Property Lane, Valrico, with grand theft.