About the only piece of evidence the prosecution didn’t have in the murder case against 20-year-old Patrick Fluker was an eyewitness testifying that he was seen shooting 29-year-old Tiffany Mendez in the head.A 54-year-old Fort Wayne man pleaded guilty Tuesday to corrupt business influence, admitting to operating an illegal scrap metal business.
Gary J. Imel, of the 700 block of East Fairfax Avenue, was charged in March after Fort Wayne police investigated reports he was selling stolen pieces of railroad equipment and copper wire from American Electric Power. Michael Bendele, 49, and Christopher W. Imel, 20, were also charged.
In exchange for his guilty plea, Imel’s prison sentence will be suspended and he will spend two years on probation, according to court documents.
