I just got this email and thought i would post it.

An operator in Texas recently was sentenced to State Prison for (a minimum) one year for stealing diesel from their employer.  This should serve as a warning to all operators to not even think about it.  In the past most companies would just fire the operator and he would show up working for another company.  Owners and managers of many companies are now prosecuting those thieves. 

GOOD I think this is a problem and some thing need to be done about.And that sounds like a good start!!!

I hate a thief as much as the next guy...but...does the punishment fit the crime?

There's got to be more to the story than this...I'll bet there's some history between the operator and the employer...like Todd said, most of the time they would just fire the operator...

the more I think about it, the more my opinion changes...so...if you know you'll get jail time for stealing but you do it anyway, then you get what you deserve.

pretty harsh

they must have hated that guy

if it was a woman would she do any jail time, hum

Work'd w/a guy that racked up over a 2000$ bill over time. anything over 1k$ is no longer a misdameanor? its grand theft. It should depend on the $ amount! Also got a bud that pocketed over 20,000$ in tips from the casino he work'd at. he got no jail time?

I don’t think it will happen – BUT… what is wrong with fixing our justice system?

Where do I live; China?

I bet the guy that robs a ‘granny’ of her social security check will get less time than this dangerous diesel thief. Man, if he stole it from me I would have him working off the debt not getting three hots and a cot on my dime.

And why is it that someone that pirates a DVD is “subject to a fine of $250,000.00 and 5 years in the slammer" – and – the guy that rips off the teachers retirement fund gets ‘supervised work release?

Not much justice happening up in the justice system.

I thought that if you stole gas in Texas they hung you.

If you are a horse thief they hang you. But they make you round up the horses first.

ha ha ! ya or cut off some of your fingers !!

Cattle russle'n & horse theive'n are "hang'n" offences. They cant hang a man for kill'n somebody that tries to steal his horse. They take their transportation seriously down there. Fuel = "horse"power... I guess I see the relativity 

They do have one defense in TX that needs to migrate to other states. It is a sure fire get out of jail free card.

When they ask you why you killed the guy all you need to say is

"He needed killing'" Case closed - lets all have another beer

How much did he take ?

Justice is having the guy work off the price of the theft. It would get the message out - and the company would be made whole.

Once a thief always a thief,maybe, maybe not,why did he steal for greed? Was he not making enough/or was he driving a diesel and could not afford it,if he was in a jam why didnt he ask his employer for help,most companies would help if they can.And yes in Texas you can shoot someone and get away with it,so he is lucky he didnt get shot by his employer because here that would of been a justified killing.

dont know the whole story,but murderers,rapist,child molesters,drug dealers go free every day with a slap on the wrist,sounds like this guy was working a productive part of society ,now hes in the pen,was he struggling I dont know why he did it ,but like was said most employers will lend a helping hand and if hes doing time it probably wasnt his first offense,I have no pity on thiefs but if you ask me I will help out,sounds like he got what he deserved,but there are bigger fish to fry than a diesel thief