Brewer & Phipps Guilty in Railroad Brace Theft Case

St. Louis, MO – A couple from Franklin County made headlines when Jacob C. Brewer and Michelle L. Phipps each entered a plea of guilty to a serious charge of disabling on-track railroad equipment.

According to court documents, the pair were caught between February 1 and February 22, 2017, systematically removing aluminum stabilizing braces from railroad freight cars owned by Ameren UE. These vital components are designed to prevent derailments when fully loaded and in motion. The stolen goods were then sold to local recycling centers.

Brewer, 30, of Beaufort, Missouri, and Phipps, 27, from Washington, Missouri, now face the possibility of a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or both. Sentencing is set for June 6, 2018, before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.

The case against the couple was investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and handled by Assistant United States Attorney Gil Sison from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This crime does not only put lives at risk but also undermines the integrity of the transportation system. The mandatory restitution to Ameren UE highlights the gravity of their actions, which caused significant damage to the affected railroad cars.

As this case comes to a head, it serves as a stark reminder of the impact that organized crime can have on critical infrastructure across the nation.