(KNZA)--The head women's basketball coach at Highland Community College is one of 16 arrested on a federal indictment charging 21 defendants allegedly involved in a multi-state car theft conspiracy.
Federal prosecutors say 48-year-old B.J. Smith was involved in the vehicle theft ring that stole over 100 vehicles from both individuals and auto dealerships in four states, including Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.
The indictment alleges that the vehicles were then transported to Missouri, where tracking systems were disabled so they could not be traced, and then used the vehicles to file fake accident and theft reports.
The defendants are also accused of making false statements on loan applications, buying high-end vehicles, and then selling them.
According to KQ2 News, Highland Community College President David Reist says Smith remains employed by the college, as the legal process plays out, but Athletic Director Greg Delzeit declined to comment.
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