STAFFORD, Va. — An undercover investigation has led to charges for two men accused of purchasing steel used to form railroad tracks, which is illegal to possess in Virginia.
A detective from the Stafford Sheriff’s Office went to Northern Virginia Metal Recyclers at 32 Eskimo Hill Road in Stafford on March 19 and sold the metal, known as Pig Iron, to the two suspects. After the sale was complete, sheriff’s deputies swooped in, executed a search warrant, and arrested the suspects, said sheriff’s spokesman Bill Kennedy.
Authorities for months have been investigating agents of Northern Virginia Metal Recyclers, and had learned through a pawn specialist that the business may be involved in the illegal sale of pig iron, said Kennedy.
Kennedy said state law prohibits the sale, purchase, or illegal possession of pig iron, an offense that is punishable by a class six felony.
William Williams III, 24, of 141 MacGregor Ridge Road in Stafford, and Timothy Hackett, 37, of 72 of Red Oak Lane in Hague, Va., are charged with possession of Pig Iron, while acting as agents of Northern Virginia Metal Recyclers, said Kennedy.
