Catalytic Converter Thief Sentenced to 15 Years

On January 16, 2025, in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, the court sentenced Sean Michael Pelton, age 53, of Sacramento, to 15 years in custody and restitution for a series of high-volume thefts of catalytic converters in Visalia. Pelton was convicted of the thefts in November 2024.

“Let this sentence serve as a warning to other would-be thieves,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. “Although the crime itself may be considered “non-violent” by our legislature, my office will recognize these impacts to our community and will do everything in our power to ensure this career criminal and anyone who would follow in his footsteps are removed from society and not able to re-victimize.”

In three separate instances from March 2020 to September 2020, and an additional instance in July 2021, Pelton targeted utility trucks in the AT&T service yard in northeast Visalia. Using bolt cutters to cut holes in the yard’s security fence in each instance, Pelton stole a total of 73 converters. The thefts greatly impacted the company’s fleet, preventing technicians from reaching customers. Each converter cost the company more than $1,000. Pelton was identified after a lengthy investigation by the Visalia Police Department using surveillance video, geofence data, and hotel and cell phone records.

In all, Pelton was convicted of 73 counts of grand theft, 3 counts of attempted grand theft, and 4 counts of vandalism. Additionally, the jury found true the aggravating factors that crimes took planning and sophistication and involved stealing something of value. Pelton also admitted that he possessed prior convictions and prison terms, that he was on parole or probation during the crimes, and that his performance on probation or parole was unsatisfactory. Pelton possesses over 20 prior felony convictions, largely for theft, burglary, and vandalism, throughout California.

As part of his sentence, Pelton was ordered to pay $132,993.68 in restitution. In addition, Pelton was sentenced to 20 non-concurrent months in three additional cases for similar crimes in Amador, Sacramento, and Fresno counties. Restitution was ordered at $236,031.44 in those cases. His sentence will be served as local state prison (1170h) in Tulare County pursuant to AB 109.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sean Sangree and was investigated by the Visalia Police Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494