Sicily Island Farmer Sentenced To 12 Months In Prison For Lying In Order To Receive $1.2 Million In Loans

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that James Goode Jr., 45, of Sicily Island, La., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell, to 12 months in prison and three years of supervised release for lying to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in order to obtain more than $1.2 million in loans.  He was also ordered to pay $322,356 in restitution.
           
According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on October 16, 2013, Goode admitted to applying for three FSA sponsored loans totaling $1,263,800 in early 2009.  On the applications for the loans, Goode withheld reporting numerous debts totaling $357,470 from government agencies, banks and private companies, which he was required by law to disclose as it affected his eligibility to receive those loans.  As a result of the omissions on the loan applications, he was able to fraudulently obtain the money and defaulted on $322,356.
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph G. Jarzabek prosecuted the case.