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Virginia men arrested after buying illegal pig iron

Posted at 11:00 AM, Mar 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-03-20 11:00:56-04

STAFFORD, Va. (WTVR) – The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men, each on one count of Possession of Pig Iron. The crime is a Class 6 Felony in Virginia, according to a press release from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said an undercover detective sold pig iron to Timothy Hackett, 37, of Hague, and William Williams III,  24, of Stafford, as part of an undercover sting. The men were working at Northern Virginia Metal Recyclers at the time, according to the press release.

After the sale. detectives from the Sheriff’s Office said they arrested the men at NOVA Metal Recyclers. The Sheriff’s Office said all recycler businesses in Virginia should know there is a law against selling, buying or possessing pig iron,  the iron used on all railroad tracks.

“With the down turn in the economy we have noticed an increase in the selling and buying of illegal metals,” said Sheriff Charles Jett in a press release. “Metal recycling businesses have a responsibility to abide by the law and it is an expectation that they do so.”

Detectives said they started to investigate NOVA Metal Recyclers after receiving a tip several months ago. Investigators called this an ongoing investigation and said additional charges against other people are possible.