A Highland Community College basketball coach is one of several people facing federal charges in connection with a multistate car theft ring.
William “B.J.” Smith, of Highland, was arrested April 23 after a federal indictment. Twenty-one men and women, the majority of which are from St. Louis, were indicted on 84 charges that included bank and mail fraud, conspiracy, receipt of stolen motor vehicles and operation of a chop shop.
Smith, 48, who has served as a women’s basketball coach at HCC for two years, is named in sixteen of the charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud and receipt of stolen motor vehicles.
Members of the vehicle theft ring were taken down after an 18-month investigation, according to stltoday.com. Charges carry maximum penalties that range from five to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million, stltoday.com reported.
