Man Guilty of Stealing Oil Field Explosives

TYLER – A 34-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations. Craig Elroy Knight pleaded guilty in Tyler to an Information charging him with theft of explosives from a federally licensed dealer. According to information presented in court, on Sep. 25, 2009, Knight was involved in the burglary of a locked storage unit at Owens Oil Tools, a Tyler oil field equipment company. The secured storage unit contained approximately 400 pounds of explosives, which were taken from the property and hidden. All of the explosives have since been recovered and secured. Knight faces up to 20 years in federal prison and is in custody pending a sentencing date.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Officials say Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence; deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor; and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.