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Man Receives Probation, Deferred Jail Time For Parts Theft Plea Deal Nets Misdemeanor Sentence For Former Basler
Worker

A former employee of
Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, WI -- who faced six counts of
burglary and theft for stealing aircraft parts valued at more than
$100,000 -- received a relatively light sentence in
Winnebago County Circuit Court recently.

The Oshkosh Northwestern reports Brian A. Francart, 27, pleaded
no contest Friday to one count of misdemeanor theft of movable
property. In exchange for his plea, the five other counts were
dismissed. He received one year of probation, and a 30-day jail
sentence -- which was deferred.

As ANN reported, Basler
employees noticed airplane parts missing from storage barns --
including a pair of $85,000 landing skids -- and notified the local
sheriff. Some of the missing parts were found in Francart's truck
and trailer.

Francart told police he got the parts from a field on the
outskirts of the city, adding "some guy in a bar" told him he could
find the parts there, and that the man also suggested they rent a
truck to pick up more 'scrap metal' from barns belonging to Basler,
according to the police complaint

Francart said he got the parts from a field on the outskirts of
the city, adding "some guy in a bar" told him he could find the
parts there.

Had he been convicted of all charges, Francart faced over 48
years in jail, and more than $100,000 in fines... so a year's
probation isn't too bad.