Grainnet

St. Louis, MO -- Jonathan P. Edwards was indicted on multiple mail and wire fraud charges in connection with his scheme to divert grain proceeds, U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway and St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce announced Feb. 4.

Edwards was a licensed grain dealer who purchased grain from grain producers through his business Missouri Mills, Inc., for resale to terminal elevators.

The terminal elevators paid Edwards/Missouri Mills, Inc., who then was required to pay the grain producers.

According to the indictment, beginning in January 2002 and continuing until February 2003, Edwards diverted money from Missouri Mills, Inc., to his own bank and credit card accounts to pay personal expenses and to make personal investments instead of paying the grain producers.

In March 2003, Edwards entered into an agreement with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Grain Regulatory Services, agreeing that Missouri Mills, Inc., voluntarily would surrender its grain dealer license and cease all grain related operations.

Edwards, 58, St. Louis, was indicted by a federal grand jury last week on 10 felony counts of mail fraud and five felony counts of wire fraud.

If convicted, each mail and wire fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

Hanaway commended the work on the case by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Grain Regulatory Services; the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office; the Postal Inspection Service; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Muchnick, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Missouri Department of Agriculture

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