aledger.net

By Don Groves

The Albany Ledger

A New Hampton man charged with five counts of Class C felony theft will face a jury trial Aug. 20 in Gentry County.

Circuit Court Judge Roger Prokes scheduled a trial Jason D. Miller during Gentry County Law Day March 8.

Jason D. Miller and Bobby G. Miller of Albany were charged in August for allegedly stealing scrap metal from Premium Standard Farms and selling the scrap stainless steel in St. Joseph. Bobby G. Miller will face a bench trial April 18 in Gentry County.

Prokes scheduled an April 6 court appearance for Scott G. Ellsworth of King City after Ellsworth entered a not guilty plea to Class C felony receiving stolen property.

According to a Jan. 28 statement by Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Matthew R. Heits, Scott G. Ellsworth, William J. Ellsworth Jr. and an unknown white male were selling new steel T posts at Dan’s New and Used in St. Joseph.

Heits says on Dec. 8 he began “an investigation into the theft of near $20,000 of fencing supplies … taken from two locations” in DeKalb County and in Stanberry.

“Both thefts had already been reported by victims, Workman Fencing, in King City, Missouri and Alldredge Feed and Seed in Stanberry, Missouri. … Between the two theft locations, three separate thefts occurred with two being at Workmans Fencing. Between both thefts 1,770 new, green with white top, Steel T Posts were taken with a value total $9,558 just for the posts.”

Heits says Dan Weisenburger of Dan’s New and Used said the Ellsworths had been selling new unused posts. Heits’ statement also says Weisenburger confirmed Scott Ellsworth sold 200 new gray steel T posts with red tops following a theft sometime between Jan. 12 and Jan. 15 of 640 such posts from MFA Agri Services in Guilford in Nodaway County.

Heits said while issuing a Jan. 27 search warrant at the Ellsworths’ residence, he discovered several hundred new steel posts.

William J. Ellsworth is scheduled to appear March 21 before Division 2 Judge Ed Manring.

Prokes also rejected a plea by Jared J. Curtis to first degree endangering the welfare of a child, a Class C felony. Curtis was charged Nov. 3 for allegedly choking a child under the age of 17.

Prokes said he could recommend no less than two years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on the charge. Curtis will appear in court again April 5.