Springfield, MO. – According to a release of information from the United States Department of Justice, a federal grand jury indicted a West Plains man for stealing timber from the Mark Twain National Forest. Read below for the unedited release of information.
Justin Lee Massey, 39, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
Today’s indictment alleges that Massey stole timber from federal property in Howell County, Mo., between Dec. 15, 2020, and Jan. 20, 2021. The indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation, which would require Massey to forfeit to the government any property obtained from the alleged violation, including a money judgment of $30,000.
The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Forestry Service.
