Terry Lee Shumate, Jr., appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday and entered a guilty plea to theft charges.
Shumate, who has listed a Mountain Home address on court documents, was sentenced to four years probation.
STOLEN MOTORCYCLE
In late August last year, the motorcycle Shumate was riding was pulled over for minor traffic offenses by a Gassville police officer.
The charges became more serious when it was discovered the motorcycle had been reported stolen.
Shumate is alleged to have told the officer who pulled him over that he had suspected the motorcycle was stolen. He said he had gotten it from another person.
Shumate was arrested and booked into the Baxter County Detention Center. After not showing up for a court appearance Oct. 19 last year, a failure to appear warrant was issued for him.
The FTA warrant was not served until early March this year. Court records show he was a fugitive when his next alleged theft took place.
CAMPER THEFT
The investigation into the case of a missing camper began when the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the theft December 15, 2021.
The camper was alleged to have been taken from property along Tracy Ferry Road.
The son of the owner of the Tracy Ferry Road property from which the camper had been removed reported the theft.
He told investigators he had seen a camper similar to the one his parents’ owned sitting at a neighbor’s residence.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the owners had not given permission to anyone to remove the camper from their property.
Investigators were provided a title for the camper. When they checked the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the camper parked at the neighbor’s residence, it proved to be the one reported stolen.
The camper was described as a 1995 American Star fifth wheel valued at $4,000.
While checking out the camper at the neighbor’s home, a woman at the residence told investigators her brother, Terry Shumate Jr., had brought the camper to the property claiming he had paid someone $200 for it.
CAMPER HAD HEAVY DAMAGE
The camper had sustained heavy damage – including windows being knocked out.
It was ultimately decided it was not worth salvaging in its damaged condition and the owner hired a tow company to remove it and take it for recycling.
Victim restitution of approximately $4,500 was assessed against Shumate.
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