A Missouri man has confessed to stealing railroad equipment on 33 occasions across Missouri and Illinois, leading to losses exceeding $1.5 million for the railroads involved.
Jesse Henry, a 21-year-old from Laclede County, Missouri, entered a guilty plea in the U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of damaging a railroad signal system. Henry admitted responsibility for thefts that occurred at various railroad bungalows in both states during 2022 and 2023. These thefts included control equipment, signs, plans, and blueprints taken from metal structures housing railroad gear.
In spring 2023, an uptick in thefts prompted railroads to alert local and federal law enforcement agencies. One significant incident involved the theft of a crossing controller at the Seeger Lane crossing in Foristell, Missouri, on August 8, 2023. A passing train crew observed that the crossing signal was non-functional and road-blocking gates were down, posing a potential hazard if vehicles bypassed them.
The FBI linked this theft to Henry following a court-approved search of his family’s residence near Richland, Missouri, on November 28, 2023. The search led to the recovery of the stolen crossing controller from Foristell along with blueprints, schematics, documents, numerous signs, and other items.
Henry's sentencing is set for June 4. He faces up to 20 years in prison or a $250,000 fine or both as penalties for his crime.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from the railroads involved. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Lang is handling prosecution duties for this case.