Investigations

On February 15, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio sentenced Kelly Thomas to 36 months’ probation and a $225 special assessment. Thomas was indicted and later convicted on multiple charges of conspiracy and violations related to commercial motor vehicle safety regulations on August 13, 2020. The investigation revealed that from approximately 2003 until 2019, Thomas conspired to steal, transport via interstate commerce, and fraudulently repurpose motor coach buses to offer charter bus transportation without Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) operating authority.

 

DOT-OIG conducted this investigation with FMCSA, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Michigan State Police, Goodlettsville Police Department, Toledo Police Department, Pontiac Police Department, City of Taylor Police Department, Erie Police Department, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.