A South Carolina man has been sentenced for his part in what prosecutors say was a major theft ring operation targeting dirt bikes and ATVs in southern Mahoning County.

Ronald “Zero” Adams, 23, of Columbia, SC, was given a sentence of 6 to 9 years in prison, the stiffest sentence handed out so far to the four men and one woman named in a 42-count indictment for their part in stealing thirteen motorcycles and five four-wheelers.

Adams pleaded guilty last month to nine counts.

Investigators say eleven of the dirt bikes and four ATVs were taken from Pointview Cycle in Green Township early on the morning of April 9, 2020.

According to a Goshen Police District report, surveillance video shows several men being dropped off at the business at around 2 am.

After someone forced open the garage door, a box truck and a flatbed truck pulled up and the men loaded them with dirt bikes and four-wheelers.

According to the indictment, the trucks had been stolen a few days before from a Canfield building contractor.

The same day of the theft a state trooper pulled over the driver of a dirt bike that had been stolen from Pointview.

Prosecutors say the stolen vehicles were found at the Youngstown homes of 34-year-old Abigail Acosta and 50-year-old Derrick Thomas.

In addition, police found another four-wheeler and two more dirt bikes stolen earlier from private owners.

Acosta already pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation.  Derrick Thomas pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and is expected to be placed on probation when he is sentenced as a part of a plea deal where he promised to cooperate with the cases against the other suspects.

Brandon “Warrants” Ogden of Youngstown, 24, is serving a year-long prison term after pleading guilty to breaking and entering, and multiple theft charges.

Derrian Thomas of Youngstown has pleaded guilty to breaking and entering, theft, and receiving stolen property.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors are recommending an 18-month prison term when he is sentenced on January 19.