Man sentenced to probation in theft of $100K in equipment from Hyundai-Kia America Center
A former employee of the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center in Superior Township was sentenced today to five years of probation for stealing more than $100,000 in equipment and tools.
Tony Calleja assured the judge it would never happen again before being placed on probation and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution in monthly payments of $500.
“This is never going to happen again. Lesson learned,” Calleja, 44, of York Township, told the court. “I’ve never been involved in anything like this in my life.”
Calleja had a sentencing agreement with the judge to spare him any jail time, Washtenaw County court records show.
The conditions of Calleja’s probation forbid him from possessing or using any firearm or residing in any place where there is a firearm. And he is not to have contact with employees of the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center or to be within 500 feet of the business.
Washtenaw County sheriff's investigators say Calleja stole the items from the Geddes Road facility between Jan. 1, 2009 and July 20, 2010 while he was employed there. Investigators say they don't know why Calleja was interested in the equipment.
According to the center's website, it's the "design, technology and engineering arm for all North American models of the Korean-based Hyundai-Kia Motors Group."
Calleja pleaded no contest in November to receiving $20,000 or more in stolen property and possessing a silencer, Washtenaw County court records show. A charge of embezzling $100,000 or more was dismissed.
Judge Donald E. Shelton asked Calleja in court, “Why do you need a silencer?” Adding, “I’m concerned about that.”
Calleja replied, “It was acquired in ignorance.”
“I didn’t know what it was ... it just stayed in my safe, locked up, until I could figure out how to properly dispose of it,” Calleja said.
Calleja declined to comment on the sentencing outside the courtroom.
Calleja’s attorney, Michael J. Vincent, said he thought the sentencing was fair.
“I think it’s a fair sentencing of a complicated case, and we have high hopes of a very successful completion of his probation,” Vincent said. “This man is a very skilled man and he is going to get on with his life. And he wishes all parties involved well.”
Heather Lockwood can be reached at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com.
Comments
Cindy Heflin
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
A comment that violated our conversation guidelines was removed. A reply to that comment was also removed.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 12:10 p.m.
The Judge screwed up. Intentional Theft requires Jail Time. Citizens of this community deserve to be protected by the Law. This is exactly opposite. Thieves deserve Jail every time - some sort of jail sentence would have sent a clear message to everyone - Steal and your going to do Time. What does this sentence tell the community? Basically - it is OK to steal. Then - the judge goes after his firearms like that is what he used to steal with. How where the firearms used in the theft? Did he point a gun at anyone? Did he even bring a gun to the crime scene? How about his kitchen knives? Should they be removed from his home as well?
kathryn
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
I sure hope _you_ are ready and willing to pay higher taxes to keep everybody locked up, but I would rather my tax money go to roads and schools. I say jails are for the dangerous.
Dark Dichotomy
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 5:40 a.m.
Well if I ever need a lawyer to get me out of a tight legal spot (also known as a crime) I will be sure to call the Vincent Law Firm in Ypsilanti. Coincidentally they advertize on Annarbor.com.
larry kramer
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 5:06 a.m.
too bad he didn't get Rumeal Robinson's judge.
Speechless
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 1:30 a.m.
Whew! Very thankfully, Calleja was sufficiently astute as a thief to think big, placing himself nearer to the honorable tradition of white collar crime. If instead he had been caught stealing a loaf of bread from a convenience store, such a heinous, unforgivable act could well have landed him in prison for a stretch.
scooter dog
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.
Just business as usual in the courts of washtenaw county.
lisam
Wed, Jan 19, 2011 : 12:41 a.m.
Oh, so he's a "good" bad criminal. That makes it better. He can contribute to society. Well aww, isn't that special.
nickcarraweigh
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
We don't know what "tools and equipment" he stole, we don't know what happened to whatever it was, we don't whether whatever it was actually was worth $100K, we don't know who said whatever it was worth $100K, we don't know what the recovered pistol had to do with any of this, nor why the ATF or some other flavor of Fed weren't interested in the either the pistol or the silencer (which is within their purview), nor who was the source of the silencer. We are allowed, I suppose, to speculate: It is the research center for the automaker, and perhaps some proprietary items were among the stolen goods and Hyundai-Kia would just as soon not talk about it. But, I do know this much: If ever I get in trouble with the law, I want the phone number of this guy's lawyer.
Tom Joad
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
"I've never been involved in anything like this in my life." until I got caught
Cash
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 11:02 p.m.
I agree, Lorie that there is more to this story than given to the media. I also am not sure I really want to pay for prison for this guy. "Time to stop imprisoning people we are mad at and save prison for people we are afraid of. " Believe it or not, a right winger, Nolan Findley editor of the Detroit News said that! He has a point. We can't afford to throw everyone we are mad at in prison. That mentality is breaking the budget and driving us deeper in the hole. I think some judges are getting wise to this fact. I would much rather see a lot of community service for a person like this. Perhaps he could clean the parks this summer. Sweep the sidewalks. Clean the court offices every day. Just my opinion.
lisam
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 11 p.m.
Vincent said. "This man is a very skilled man and he is going to get on with his life. And he wishes all parties involved well." That is the bottom line of this story to me. Skilled or unskilled, the man is a thief.
denise1inaa
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
It might be argued that embezzlers get away with theft because those who hired them are not supervising them or reviewing the work they produce . . . implying some fault with the organization. It is a non-violent crime and we should reserve jail time for violent offenders. However to allow them to pay back only a percentage . . . no jail time . . . some would be tempted to commit this crime. Just probation is too easy. How about a year of house arrest + a year of community service + maintain employment and pay back entire amount of funds stolen? THAT would certainly discourage future theft. Making them stand on the street corner with a sign describing their crime would also be very satisfying.
TIGERS68
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
Obviously he's not that skilled, he got caught, but thieves and embezzelers are no longer considered "real" criminals" by the judicial system. They're considered mis-guided individuals that unfortunality made a bad choice, therefore they should be given a minimal fine and a pat on the ass and told not to do it again. None of it makes sense anymore!!!!
TT
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.
Wow, what a great deal. We get to keep $70K. And just think, since he is a very talented thief and he wishes everyone well, he is now entitled to get on with his life, presumably to spend the windfall. Can anyone with a heart resist a plea like that? I bet justice like this just makes Kia want to expand their once profitable operations down there eh?
Linda Peck
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 10:05 p.m.
This is an outrageous travesty of justice, apparently, from what this article presents as the facts of the case.
Ignatz
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 9:38 p.m.
If he manged to sell it, I'm sure he didn't get $100K. Nonetheless, it's like he jaywalked, given his punishment.
WalkingJoe
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
Is this for real? As a retired GM worker I'm obviously not a fan of foriegn car companies but stealing $100,000 worth the equipment from ANYONE is wrong! But to get probation and pay back less than a third is WAY WRONG! What happened to the stuff? Is he going into business for himself and he's going to use the stuff he stole? Yeah, that must be it, that's how he's going to pay the $30,000. After all his lawyer did say it was complicated.
pseudo
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
again the question hangs in the air: what really happened here? What was stolen? What was it really worth? Why did he steal it? I think that is important to know.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Jan 18, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
MAN! Another embezzler making out. Wish I could get a $100k loan reduced to $30k and then get 5 years interest free to pay it off...