Published: January 29, 2009 09:34 am      

One charge dismissed in Webcoat case

Charges have been dismissed for one of nine plant workers, while other felony cases alleging they stole outdoor furniture from their employer proceed in Pittsburg County District Court.

Julie Christy Walters, 27, of rural McAlester, had been charged with larceny of merchandise from a retailer, the Webcoat plant where she had worked making plastic-coated outdoor tables, seats and other furnishings. The charges against Walters were dismissed earlier this month by prosecutors.

Eight former employees remain charged in the case, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for only one, Jackie Elaine Courts, 39, of McAlester. Her hearing is set for Feb. 24 before Special Judge Donita Wynn.

So far, the amount of property stolen in the theft ring has totaled about $20,000 in tables, trash receptacles and other outdoor furnishings manufactured by Webcoat.

The stolen furnishings were found at several homes in McAlester, Eufaula, Arpelar and other areas, and at least one business in Alderson. Some had been dumped in ditches as police moved in.

A court affidavit indicates police spoke with several workers and people who had purchased tables from employees. One employee allegedly traded a 1973 pickup truck for five tables, and another paid $100 for a table.

“A lot of this came out one part at a time,” said Webcoat owner Robert Webb, describing how the furniture was taken from the plant without being detected.

Court dates to schedule preliminary hearings continue for seven others who have been arrested in the case: Kyle Kirkpatrick, 27, Jorge Perez, 29, James Edward Brown, 51, and Patrick Earl Warren, 41, all of McAlester; Melvin Lon Brown, 41, of Eufaula; David W. Lawson, 36, of Krebs; and Keith Creekmore, 48, of Checotah.

An eighth defendant in the case remains at large.

The company, which employs about 100 workers, opened in 1991 and manufactures outdoor furniture with a special weather-resistant coating. The firm’s business transactions came to about $20 million last year, Webb said.

Webb has made some changes, including increasing security at the plant. He is are also happy to have some of the property back.

He hopes area buyers will think twice when approached about a “good deal” on a table.

“The community needs to know what (can happen) when they buy stolen property,” Webb said. “I think this has been going on for more than two years.”

Contact Kandra Wells at kwells@mcalesternews.com.