Mich. Farmer Faces Trial

by | Feb 25, 2020 | Ohio Country Journal

By Todd Neeley
DTN Staff Reporter

OMAHA (DTN) — Despite reaching plea agreements on felony charges in April 2019 connected to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, farmers Michael and Melissa Stamp of Decatur, Michigan, may be going to trial after all following an unexpected turn of events in a federal court.

The Stamps’ legal cases have been tied up in court since they filed bankruptcy on their farm operation in late 2012. At one time, the couple’s farming operation encompassed a reported 27,000 acres, though they were accused of claiming even larger acreage to secure operating loans.

Michael Stamp originally pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and providing false statements.

Melissa Stamp pled guilty in federal court in June 2015 to misprision of felony — failure to report a crime to authorities and potentially helping conceal it. She was sentenced to 20 months in jail, 20 months of supervised release and required to pay restitution for her role in alleged bankruptcy fraud.

? Continue reading