Nine local residents face an initial appearance today before a federal judge regarding their arrests for involvement in a huge auto theft ring that spans several states.
    The Statesboro Police Department and Bulloch County Sheriff's Department are working in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation  regarding the months-long investigation, said Statesboro Police Chief Stan York.
    FBI Senior Special Regional Agent Anthony Russo, with the Augusta FBI office,  confirmed "an ongoing investigation" regarding the auto theft ring, but deferred questions to the United States District Attorney's Office.
    U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Eddie Booth was not immediately available for comment Tuesday, but a representative in his office said the nine suspects will appear in Statesboro's Federal Court today at 10 a.m. for an initial appearance.
    Further details regarding the case, including the identities of those arrested, will be released afterward.
    "We have fully cooperated with the FBI from the beginning of the investigation," said Statesboro Police Chief Stan York. "It's a sad day for us."
    Of the nine Bulloch County citizens arrested in the case, two are female and seven are male, he said.