United States Attorney for South Dakota Ron Parsons says a 51-year-old man from Dupree has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Conversion of Mortgaged or Pledged Property.
Daris William LaPlante pled not guilty to the charge.
According to court information, between October 2016 and December 2019, LaPlante sold cattle mortgaged by him to the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency without permission from FSA. LaPlante sold the cattle at several auction houses throughout South Dakota and kept the proceeds for himself. The cattle had a value over $1000.
The maximum penalty if convicted is five years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release and restitution may be ordered.
LaPlante was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
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