Solen North Dakota Man Sentenced for Theft of Farm Service Agency

BISMARCK - US Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on Feb. 23, 2017, Brandon Adam Leingang, 33, Solen, ND., was sentenced before Chief US District Judge Daniel L. Hovland to serve two (2) years of supervised release. Judge Hovland also ordered that Leingang pay restitution to be determined in 60 days, a $1000 fine, and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund. Leingang pled guilty on Nov. 9, 2016 charging him with Conversion of Mortgaged or Pledged Property.

On Feb. 27, 2008, and May 4, 2009, Leingang signed a security agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Farm Service Agency (FSA) to secure funds to help maintain the family ranch. Leingang made available a list of items to use as collateral to secure the loan from FSA; to include 101 cows. On June 28, 2010, FSA completed a balance sheet which indicated there was a total of 96 cows, and on Nov. 18, 2011, another balance sheet was completed where only 70 cows were counted. Documents revealed during the investigation indicated that Leingang sold multiple heads of cattle on various occasions and failed to notify FSA.

This case was investigated by the US Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG).

Assistant US Attorney Cameron Hayden prosecuted the case.