Meat thief faces 27-months in prison

A Zwingle man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for stealing a lot of meat.

James Patterson, 45, pled guilty in federal court to theft by fraud, conspiracy and money laundering charges back on Aug. 29, 2009.

According to a statement by the district attorney, Patterson admitted to stealing over $190,000 of meat between 2006 and 2007 while he worked for a Minnesota trucking company.

Authorities say that Patterson picked up meat in east Dubuque and took it to his farm in Zwingle, where he would later sell meat to others in the area.

Patterson's wife also pleaded guilty in the operation and her sentencing is still pending.

On top of a 27-month prison sentence, Patterson has to pay more than $300,000 in restitution as well as serve a three-year period of supervised release.