On Wednesday 4 May, the federal court of appeals upheld Aaron Johnson's conviction and sentence for damaging his potato crops to commit insurance fraud.
Brothers Aaron A. Johnson, 52, and Derek M. Johnson, 49, both originally from Northwood, were found guilty in December 2014 of intentionally destroying some of their own potato crops from 2002 to 2010 to receive crop insurance and federal disaster payments.
Both brothers were convicted of conspiracy, false statements to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, which oversees crop insurance, and to law enforcement on different occasions. Aaron Johnson also was found guilty of lying to the USDA Farm Service Agency, which oversees farm programs.
The brothers added chemicals like septic system products Rid-X and Flush to their potato seeds and harvested crops, in addition to storing potatoes in extreme temperatures.
On March 9, 2015, Aaron Johnson was sentenced to four years in prison and five years of supervised release, while Derek Johnson was sentenced to 18 months in prison and five years of supervised release. The judge ordered forfeiture and restitution for the two amounting to $932,000.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Myers said in a news release "Today's affirmance of his conviction and sentence sends a clear message to all those honest farmers who follow the rules and hate seeing some people take advantage of the system."
Derek Johnson is expected to be released June 30, Aaron Johnson is scheduled for release on Oct. 3, 2017.
Source: grandforksherald.com
