WCDA Sentencing Result in Catalytic Converter Thefts

Three Defendants Sentenced in Pair of Catalytic Converter Theft Prosecutions

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has secured prison sentences on three defendants related to a pair of catalytic converter prosecutions handled by Deputy District Attorney Austin Lucia.

Broderick Allen Johnston, age 26, from Carmichael, California was sentenced on one count of Grand Larceny Valued Between $1500 and $5,000 to 2.5 years in prison, with parole eligibility after a minimum of 1 year has been served. Johnston pled guilty in July of having stolen a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked at a Reno casino in April.

Craig Maggard, age 40, from Washoe County and John Gilchrist, age 49, from Sparks were each sentenced on one count of Grand Larceny Valued Between $1500 and $5,000 to a maximum term of 4 years in prison with parole eligibility after a minimum of 19 months has been served. Maggard and Gilchrist were arrested in April in connection with a catalytic converter investigation conducted by the Regional Crime Suppression Unit.  

The Reno Police Department investigated these cases, with the assistance of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the Sparks Police Department, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. This office anticipates additional prosecutions will result from investigations being conducted by these agencies, as Washoe County has seen a rise in these types of costly thefts. For additional information on investigative efforts related to catalytic converter thefts please contact Reno Police Department Sergeant Justin Bradley at bradleyj@reno.gov