Not everyone would notice if a little bit of grain went missing — most farmers tend to factor in a margin of error. But $400,000 worth? That could raise some red flags.
A South Dakota man was charged with grand theft after beign accused of taking corn and soybeans from a family farm in Davidson County, South Dakota. The charges say that Merle Northrup sold the grain under his own name at a grain elevator, something that reportedly been going on for a few years.
The Estabrook family that was the victim of the theft told The Daily Republic that the theft will affect their ability to pay for feed and fertilizer next year and will impact their ability financially to take care of their 12-year-old autistic son. The Daily Republic also noted that the crime is punishable by as many as 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.
