Marquette, MI - May 17, 2007- United States Attorney Charles R. Gross announced that, on Thursday, May 17, 2007, Randall Wayne McLeod, Sr., pled guilty to a charge of Unlawful Eviction of a Servicemember's Dependents. McLeod entered his guilty plea before United States Magistrate Judge Timothy P. Greeley in Marquette, Michigan.

McLeod and the United States Attorney's Office entered into a plea agreement that stipulated that, in December 2004, he evicted a U.S. Army soldier's pregnant wife and children from a trailer they were renting and using as a residence. The soldier's wife went into labor in late November 2004 and, as a result, could not make her December rent payment on time. Mr. McLeod then removed the family's belongings from the trailer and changed the locks. He took these actions without a court order. The soldier was away on training at the time.

McLeod's actions were in violation of a provision of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act. He faces a prison term of up to one year, and a fine of $100,000. In addition, he must pay restitution to the soldier's family for damages he caused. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28, 2007.

This case stems from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Maarten Vermaat prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.