IN WHAT is thought to be one of the first such cases of its kind, three thieves in Georgia, USA, convicted of stealing copper coils for scrap from air conditioning units, have pleaded guilty to additional charges of conspiring to release ozone-depleting substances.
The three men, Daniel Arnot, Corey Beard and Justin Joyner, were indicted in June last year on one conspiracy count and 12 counts of releasing R22 into the environment. As reported in ACR News (August 2010), this involved the dismantling of approximately 35 air conditioning units from 14 locations, including a church.

Arnot and Beard could now face millions of dollars in fines and up to 65 years in federal prison. Joyner, who only pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and releasing ozone-depleting chemicals, faces a maximum jail sentence of 10 years. Sentencing dates have not yet been set. Arnot's wife is awaiting trial on similar charges.

As the price of raw materials rises around the world, thieves are cashing in by stealing metal for scrap. The popularity of air conditioning in the US makes the copper coils in the condensing units particularly attractive to thieves. With copper selling for around $3 a pound in the US, thieves can expect $1.50 a pound from scrap metal merchants.