The former president of a Slate Belt recycling facility accused of selling stolen trailers for scrap must face criminal charges in Northampton County Court, District Judge Todd Strohe ruled after a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
Pennsylvania state police testified that Christopher Warnicke, 38, admitted he knew trailers brought to Fatzin Recycling in Washington Township had been stolen.
Warnicke also directed employees at his recycling facility to help transport an estimated 31 stolen trailers valued at more than $1 million, Assistant District Attorney James Augustine said.
After a two-hour hearing, Strohe ruled enough evidence exists for Warnicke to face trial on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and corrupt organizations. Warnicke, 38, of Somerset County, N.J., remains free after posting $50,000 bail.
Both Warnicke and his attorney, Gary Asteak, declined to comment after the hearing.
Jason Smith, 37, of Wilson -- who this month gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on charges of theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy -- testified Wednesday that he stole trailers from W.W. Transport Inc. and provided them to Warnicke.
Investigators said Warnicke then took the trailers to another recycling center to sell for scrap metal.
Trooper Arthur Johnson testified at Wednesday's hearing that in an interview with state police in July, Warnicke admitted he knew some of the trailers Smith had brought to the facility were stolen.
Smith testified that he stole 12 to 14 trailers.
Augustine asked Smith if he was sure of the exact number of trailers he stole.
"I think it was only about a dozen," Smith testified. "That's what I choose to remember."
Smith said the day after dropping off the stolen trailers, Warnicke would give him an envelope with $1,000 to $1,500.
Police said they used computer devices on one of the stolen trailers to track it to Fatzin Recycling. Robert Lewis, vice president of Inter-Coastal Trucking in Upper Mount Bethel Township, testified he did not give Warnicke permission to take the trailer.
The 31 trailers, taken between April 2012 and July, were worth $1.2 million, authorities said.
