Man could get life sentence for syrup theft

[TexasStooge]

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) - Life could get a lot less sweet for a Putney man whose conviction in the sale of stolen maple syrup makes him eligible for life in prison as a habitual offender.

A Windham County jury agreed with prosecutors that Stephen Bain, 52, sold more than 75 gallons of syrup to a New Hampshire wholesaler just hours after it was discovered missing from the Dwight Miller Orchards in Dummerston in May of 2003.

Aside from the charge of possession of stolen property, Bain was found guilty of felony possession of marijuana, in connection with pot found at his home during a search by sheriff's deputies.

The charges normally could bring up to 13 years in prison. But someone can be declared a habitual offender after three prior felony convictions, and Bain had six.

"The jury decided he was a career criminal," Windham County Deputy State's Attorney Nat Seeley said after the trial. He said he would seek a "lengthy" prison sentence.

Judge Katherine Hayes said she would sentence Bain after the state Department of Corrections completes a pre-sentence investigation.

Bain was found to have sold 900 pounds -- or about 75 gallons -- of syrup to well known syrup wholesaler and sugaring equipment dealer Bascom Maple Farms of Acworth, N.H. He got $1,300 for the syrup, which was in half-gallon, gallon and five-gallon containers.

Bain was on parole at the time of the theft, Seeley said.

Dwight Miller's son Reid made a series of phone calls the morning the theft was discovered and one of his first was to Bascom's, Seeley said. The person Miller spoke with said Bascom's had just bought maple syrup in the types of containers Miller described.

Two sheriff's deputies got a search warrant and found crumpled syrup labels bearing Miller's name in the woodstove at Bain's home.

Bain had put his own stickers on the containers, in one case covering over a Miller sticker that was just partially removed.

[Skywatch_NC]

Sounds like a VERY STICKY situation!!

Eric

[george_r_1961]

Seems like hes already been given a break. If he hasnt learned his lesson by now he never will.

[TexasStooge]

Sounds like a VERY STICKY situation!!

Eric

Good one!