Webster City, IA – Ty Kenneth Wildt was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of probation after pleading guilty to stealing transformers and illegally dumping them into the Boone River in November 2011. The case, investigated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and resulting in significant environmental cleanup costs, highlights the growing problem of metal theft and its potentially devastating consequences for both infrastructure and ecosystems.
According to court documents, Wildt unlawfully exercised dominion and control over property belonging to Alliant Energy – specifically, electrical transformers. Instead of legally disposing of the stolen equipment, Wildt chose to dump the transformers directly into the Boone River near Webster City. The illegal dumping created a hazardous situation, contaminating the waterway with potentially harmful substances.
Environmental Impact and Cleanup
A clean-up contractor was immediately dispatched to the site to mitigate the damage. The recovery operation yielded five transformer casings, along with three overpack drums filled with response debris and oil-contaminated water pulled from the Boone River. The contamination posed a threat to aquatic life and potentially impacted the local water supply, necessitating a costly and time-consuming remediation effort.
Legal Ramifications and Sentencing
Wildt was initially charged on November 30, 2011, with Exercising Dominion or Control over Stolen Property, a Class D Felony under Iowa Code sections 714.1(4) and 714.2(2). He ultimately entered a guilty plea, accepting responsibility for his actions. On February 22, 2012, Hamilton County District Court sentenced Wildt to 60 months of incarceration, followed by 36 months of probation. In addition to imprisonment, Wildt was ordered to pay a $1,013 fine to Hamilton County and $1,625 in restitution to the Iowa DNR to cover the costs of the investigation and cleanup.
Rising Trend of Metal Theft
This case is indicative of a nationwide trend of metal theft, particularly targeting copper, aluminum, and in this instance, transformer components. The stolen materials are often sold for scrap, providing a quick financial gain for perpetrators. However, the associated costs – including infrastructure repairs, environmental damage, and public safety risks – far outweigh any short-term profits. Authorities are urging increased vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity to combat this growing criminal enterprise.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Ty Kenneth Wildt
- Crime: Transformer Theft and Illegal Dumping
- Location: Boone River, near Webster City, Iowa
- Date of Offense: November 2011
- Statutes Violated: Iowa Code sections 714.1(4) and 714.2(2) – Exercising Dominion or Control over Stolen Property (Class D Felony)
- Sentence: 60 months incarceration, 36 months probation, $1,013 fine, $1,625 restitution
- Environmental Impact: Five transformer casings recovered; three drums of contaminated debris and water removed from the Boone River.
The GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on related issues of environmental crime and metal theft across the region.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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