California Man Sentenced for Multi-State Theft Scheme
A federal judge sentenced Stephan James Evanovich to prison for leading a conspiracy that stole over 700 rectifiers.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Property Crime
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U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta sentenced 47-year-old Placerville resident Stephan James Evanovich to six years and five months in prison. Evanovich pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property after managing a scheme that trafficked hundreds of stolen cellular communications rectifiers.
Why it matters
The conspiracy disrupted communications infrastructure by stealing critical equipment from towers across the region. Evanovich facilitated the sale of these goods by creating fictitious business names on invoices to disguise them as legitimate purchases.
Stephan James Evanovich received a sentence of six years and five months, while three co-conspirators received prison terms ranging from 20 to 29 months. The court also ordered restitution payments totaling over $500,000 for two of the defendants.
The players
Stephan James Evanovich
He is a 47-year-old Placerville resident who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property.
Daniel J. Calabretta
He is a U.S. District Judge presiding in Sacramento who issued the prison sentences for the defendants.
Trevor Fountain
He is a co-conspirator sentenced to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay $225,989 in restitution.
Jonathan Matthew Curl
He is a co-conspirator sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $282,193 in restitution.
Andrea Carter
She is a co-conspirator sentenced to 29 months in prison for her role in the theft scheme.
The details
Co-conspirators Trevor Fountain, Jonathan Matthew Curl, and Andrea Carter stole communications equipment from various towers. Evanovich then funneled the stolen rectifiers to buyers in California, Illinois, Colorado, and Texas.
Timeline
June 5, 2025: Andrea Carter was sentenced to 29 months in prison.
April 23, 2026: Jonathan Matthew Curl was sentenced to two years in prison.
Aug. 6, 2026: Trevor Fountain was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
October 8, 2026: Stephan James Evanovich was sentenced to six years and five months in prison.
Legal Context
This case follows federal enforcement patterns established by the National Stolen Property Act regarding the transport of illicit goods across state lines. The prosecution highlights ongoing efforts to deter the organized theft of critical infrastructure hardware.
The sentencing concludes a major investigation into the theft of equipment vital for maintaining local and regional cellular network stability. Residents and businesses should remain alert to utility tampering or unauthorized personnel near communication towers.
The takeaway
Organized theft of infrastructure equipment carries severe federal consequences beyond simple possession charges. Authorities rely on invoice auditing and forensic accounting to dismantle rings that attempt to pass stolen items as legitimate corporate assets.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Property Crime section.
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Do you believe current sentencing for large-scale theft of communications infrastructure is sufficiently harsh?
