The United States Department of Justice
Welcome to the District of Kansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News releases are available at www.usdoj.gov/usao/ks/press.html

Contact: Jim Cross
Phone: (316) 269-6481
FAX: 316-269-6420

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2007

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HERINGTON MAN SENTENCED IN WIRE FRAUD CASE

TOPEKA, KAN. – James Arthur Otte, 51, Herington, was sentenced Monday to 46 months in federal prison.

Otte pleaded guilty in July 2006 to one count of wire fraud. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred in 2001 while he was the owner and operator of Sunflower Service in Herington, Kan., which was in the business of selling and applying fertilizer for agricultural producers.

Otte admitted that he caused Sunflower employees to prepare more than $1 million in fraudulent invoices to customers for fertilizer and applications that they did not order and receive. As a result, the Federal Reserve wire transferred funds from Missouri to Kansas, where the funds were credited to Sunflower’s account.

Melgren commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which prepared the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway, who prosecuted.