United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Wroper Kosel, age 25, of Bismarck, North Dakota appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on March 26, 2013 and pled guilty to Conversion of Farm Service Agency Mortgaged Property. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years of custody, a $250,000 fine, or both; 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 assessment. Restitution may also be ordered.
Kosel was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 15, 2012 for Misuse of Farm Service Agency Loans, Conversion of Farm Service Agency Mortgaged Property, and Making False Statements to Farm Service Agency.
The charge that Kosel admitted to relates to his March 2010 unlawful conversion of nine mortgaged cattle. The cattle were security for loans Kosel had with Farm Service Agency and had a value ofover $1,000.
The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the United States Department of Agriculture. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikal Hanson.
A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for June 10, 2013. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
