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Last defendant sentenced in ND oil theft scheme

By Pat Sweeney Sep 14, 2023 | 2:26 PM

The last of four men charged in a scheme to steal millions of dollars worth of crude oil in western North Dakota’s oil field has been sentenced.

Authorities in 2022 said the oil skimming scheme involved $2.4 million in crude oil.

Darrell Woody Merrell of Watford City today (Thu) pleaded guilty to felony charges of theft conspiracy and dealing in stolen property.

A state district court judge sentenced him to serve nearly a year in jail and two years of supervised probation and to pay $200,000 restitution.

Prosecutors alleged Merrell skimmed oil as a truck driver in the case.

Defendants Michael Garcia, Mark McGregor and Joseph Vandewalker were sentenced in past months to varying years in prison after pleading guilty to charges.

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AP