Last defendant in North Dakota crude oil theft conspiracy sentenced

GRAND FORKS (KNOX) – The last of four men charged in a scheme to steal millions of dollar’s worth of crude oil in western North Dakota’s oil field has been sentenced.

Authorities in 2022 said the oil skimming scheme involved $2.4 million in crude oil.

Darrell Woody Merrell of Watford City pleaded guilty on Thursday to felony charges of theft conspiracy and dealing in stolen property.

A state district court judge sentenced him to serve nearly a year in jail and two years of supervised probation and to pay $200,000 restitution.

Prosecutors alleged Merrell skimmed oil as a truck driver in the case.

Defendants Michael Garcia, Mark McGregor and Joseph Vandewalker were sentenced in past months to varying years in prison after pleading guilty to charges.

Story by Pat Sweeney / KNOX