4 people indicted in scheme to steal and sell cooking oil

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Four people are facing federal charges in an alleged scheme to sell stolen cooking oil to a recycling center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The indictment announced Tuesday says the conspirators stole more than $5.6 million in the cooking oil from restaurants in five states.

The defendants are 58-year-old Jeffery L. Fleming, of Joplin; his 48-year-old brother, Brian D. Fleming, of Mountain Grove; and two of their employees at recycling centers, 51-year-old Virgil Bird Jr., and 28-year-old Neal Robbins, both of Joplin.

Prosecutors say the men were charged in a 12-count indictment including conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.