NE Iowan Charged with Selling Goat Collateral

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man who sold goats and farm equipment that had been pledged as loan collateral has been sentenced to five years of probation.

Federal prosecutors say the Decorah  farmer should not have sold the items without notifying the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which had lent him money. He was convicted of conversion of collateral for the 2013 sales.

Prosecutors say 36-year-old Andrew Hansen also must perform 50 hours of community service and make nearly $36,000 in restitution to the Farm Service Agency.

Hansen was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.