Chesapeake men among 3 to admit to steel thefts

HUNTINGTON. W.Va. — Two Chesapeake residents and a man from Huntington, W.Va. have admitted to federal charges of stealing more than $100,000 worth of steel.

William Lynd and Roger Layman Jr., both of Chesapeake, along with Chris Mueller of Huntington, pleaded guilty to the charges Dec. 20 in U.S. District Court in Huntington, W.Va.

Mueller and Lynd are charged with conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods across state lines. Layman is charged with conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods across state lines and transporting stolen property in interstate commerce.

Lynd was an employee of Steel of West Virginia Inc., Huntington. The three admitted to conspiring to steal finished steel products from the company and sell the products as scrap to dealers in Huntington.

The incidents occurred from January through April in 2008. In one specific incident on Feb. 14, 2008, Lynd and Layman stole steel products worth more than $7,000 from the company.

Layman then transported the steel to Chesapeake, where he sold the products for scrap value and shared the proceeds with Lynd.

The three face prison sentences of up to five years, fines of $250,000, post-release control for three years, and restitution.

They are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Robert Chambers in Huntington March 28.

— Lori Kersey

KDMC workers to have candlelight vigil over contract

ASHLAND, Ky. —With the temperature expected to near the freezing mark, employees at King’s Daughters Medical Center are hoping that community support and light from candles will make a difference tonight as workers hold a candlelight vigil on Lexington Avenue in front of the hospital.

More than 600 union employees have been working without a contract since November 30 and are pushing for an agreement with King’s Daughters.

The vigil will be at 6 p.m.