Ludlow Man Indicted for Selling Mortgaged Cattle

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Ludlow man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for selling cattle that was mortgaged to the Farm Service Agency without authorization.

Allen Shane Smith, age 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 22, 2011, for Conversion of Mortgaged Property. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on August 12, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Smith is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins is prosecuting the case. Smith was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.