DENHAM SPRINGS - A man whose shoplifting arrest at Juban Crossing Shopping Mall in 2022 led to the uncovering of a theft ring targeting heavy equipment across several parishes was sentenced to 115 months in federal prison Monday.

Christopher Byerley , 45, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport a stolen motor vehicle, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, conspiracy to trafficking a firearm and receipt of a trafficked firearm, possession of an unregistered silencer alongside altering, removing and obliterating a vehicle identification number.

After his prison sentence, Byerly must serve three years of supervised release and pay $127,000 in restitution.

Byerley and three other co-conspirators carried out a coordinated operation across Louisiana, Mississippi, Al

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