07/17/2008

Associated Press

The former manager of a Nebraska co-op grain elevator faces federal charges in connection with the theft of corn and soybeans.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Omaha on Thursday said 65-year-old Francis Searcey of Rock Port, Mo., was indicted on 15 counts. A news release says Searcey took about $700,000 in commodities from Nebraska and sold them in Missouri.

Farmers Cooperative Co. President Harold Hummel says Searcey had been manager of the co-op's Brownville, Neb., elevator from August 2005 to October 2007.

Hummel says none of the other co-op elevators was victimized.

Associated Press attempts to reach Searcey were unsuccessful. There was no public phone listing.

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On the Net:

Farmers Cooperative Co.: http://www.waverlycoop.com/