The Selma times-Journal

A Titus man has pleaded guilty in Dallas County Circuit Court to receiving stolen property in the first degree.

Abe Smiley Jr. of 2305 Springer Road, Titus, received a 10-year prison sentence from Circuit Judge Jack Meigs.

Smiley pleaded guilty to receiving copper tubing stolen during a burglary at Ron Blackmon’s Quality Air last May.

“We are going to keep locking up these copper thieves,” said District Attorney Michael Jackson. “He stole more copper than a sack load of pennies.”

An affidavit filed by Lt.

Susan A. Smith in the court file said her investigation revealed that Smiley hired an individual to take him to Regional Recycling, where he sold 60 pounds of copper tubing.

About three hours later, Smiley hired another individual to sell 70 pounds of copper tubing, get the money and return the money from the sale to Smiley, according to the affidavit.

In return for selling the goods, Smiley promised the man “$10 of the money and a pack of cigarettes, but did not,” Smith said in her affidavit.