Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
Meat thieves sentenced locally
Pair formerly worked at meat market in Fort Recovery
By Margie Wuebker
Two Indiana residents appeared recently in Mercer County Common Pleas Court for sentencing on charges stemming from the theft of meat from customers of a Fort Recovery business.
Darren M. Sain, 50, and Ladonna L. Williams, 52, both of Portland, each pleaded no contest to an amended charge of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. The original charge was a more serious fifth-degree felony.
As part of a negotiated agreement, Judge Jeffrey Ingraham dismissed another count of engaging in corrupt activity, a second-degree felony, in each case.
Ingraham sentenced both people - who formerly managed Vonderhaar Meat Market in Fort Recovery - to 90 days in jail. He then suspended the jail time on the condition the defendants commit no crimes during the coming year.
He also ordered them to pay $6,965.26 in restitution to 42 people identified as victims. The amounts ranged from $64.69 to $337.97. Half of the amount was paid the day of sentencing with the remainder due March 1.
The offenses stem from the couple's activities between June 2008 and February 2009. John Bihn, who owned the business, contacted the Mercer County Sheriff's Office after receiving complaints from customers.
More than 75 customers reported meat shortages ranging from 20 pounds to several hundred pounds after they had brought animals to Vonderhaar's for slaughter and processing. Some of the victims claimed the meat they received had an odd taste and/or smell.
