Former Appvion Employee Charged With Stealing From Spring Mill

A former Appvion employee is facing multiple charges in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars worth of equipment from the Roaring Spring plant.

Chad G. Morningstar, 46, of Saxton, is accused of taking pieces of equipment from the plant and selling them on eBay.

The investigation into Morningstar began on June 20, after an electrical tech at Appvion could not find a part he needed. The tech told police he commonly goes on eBay to find parts.

After a while checking eBay, the tech found the part he was looking for. The seller’s location was listed as Roaring Spring with a user name of ivie1254, which was believed to be Morningstar’s user name.

Appvion’s plant manager and human resources director gave police a list of items found on eBay believed to have come from the plant.

Police allege that some of the items had already been sold.

Police requested through eBay’s Asset Protection information needed for its investigation. Police received the information on July 25 and confirmed that the user name ivie1254 belonged to Morningstar.

Police questioned Morningstar at the plant on Dec. 13 and informed him of the evidence they had against him.

Morningstar allegedly admitted to police that it was his eBay account. He initially told police that he had filled out “take-out slips” for old items that were to be scrapped and that he had taken some of the items home.

Morningstar then allegedly admitted that he took some items he shouldn’t have and that it was wrong.

Police confiscated Morningstar’s cellphone after learning he made eBay transactions with it.

A search warrant was obtained for Morningstar’s home and police requested he accompany them to his residence to retrieve the stolen items.

Police said Morningstar told them he had some of the stolen items in his vehicle, which was parked in the Appvion lot.

Officers retrieved the items from Morningstar’s vehicle and placed them in the police cruiser.

Police then followed Morningstar to his residence where they retrieved items that Appvion calculated to be worth $136,893.68.

Police also said that the total amount Morningstar had sold up to that point was $45,345.11.

Police noted that the total amounts could be amended once the items are reviewed by Appvion’s maintenance supervisor.

When police asked Morningstar why he took the items to sell, he allegedly told them it was because he was upset that Appvion had taken away his stock options and retirement.

Morningstar faces felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and theft by deception.

Morningstar was arraigned on Friday, Jan. 17, by Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger, Martinsburg, and released on $50,000 unsecured bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6, in front of Blattenberger.