BY KEITH EPPS
A Stafford County man who stole more than $100,000 from Alexandria parking meters pleaded guilty to two counts of embezzlement yesterday.
William Jonas Fell, 61, could receive 40 years in prison when he is sentenced July 23 in Alexandria Circuit Court, but his sentence will probably be much shorter.
Fell, who lives in Aquia Harbour, worked for Alexandria for more than 16 years. His most recent job included repairing and collecting money from city parking meters.
According to prosecutor Bryan Porter and court records, more than $100,000 in paper money and $7,100 in coins were recovered from Fell's home on Aquia Drive in April.
The house was searched as the result of an investigation that began in December after city officials noticed a significant drop in parking-meter revenues.
Bob Garbacz, Fell's supervisor, reported that Fell had been coming to work between 3 and 4 a.m. daily. He would then leave in his city-owned vehicle well before his shift was to begin.
On Dec. 12, a suspicious Garbacz hid near some parking meters in the 1600 block of Prince Street about 4 a.m., court records state.
He heard the coins being removed from the meters, then returned to the transportation headquarters and watched Fell placed a coin-filled plastic bag into his personal vehicle.
Police were called, and a camera was installed in the vehicle assigned to Fell.
On 10 occasions between January and March, the camera recorded Fell stealing coins from 112 parking meters.
In addition to the money, other items connected to the embezzlement scheme were seized during the raid at Fell's home. These included keys to parking meter canisters and computer printouts of meter revenues.
They also found evidence that Fell was spending more than his $57,000 annual salary would have allowed.
For example, court records state, he paid $22,000 toward a line of credit he'd obtained to finance home improvements.
Officials initially estimated that closer to $170,000 was stolen, but Porter said he could prove slightly more than $100,000. Fell claimed in court records that only about $30,000 was stolen.
As part of a plea agreement, Porter agreed not to bring more charges against Fell.
Fell agreed to make $100,000 in restitution and forfeit two vehicles that had been seized. The money seized from Fell's home will be used to pay the restitution and court costs, Porter said.
Fell has been in jail in Alexandria since his arrest April 15.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
Email: kepps@freelancestar.com