Modesto Man Pleads Guilty In Almond Scheme
MODESTO, Calif. (AP) -- A Central Valley man is facing up to 30 years in prison for his role in what prosecutors say was a scheme to defraud almond growers and processors out of $3.5 million by selling stolen almonds through a fictitious business.
Federal prosecutors say in pleading guilty to bank fraud, Jason Espinola on Thursday admitted to depositing checks with forged endorsements.
The Modesto Bee reports that the 30-year-old Espinola is due to be sentenced Dec. 16. He is also facing fines and up to five years of probation.
The newspaper says that co-defendant Randal Alfred Burtis is facing up to five years in prison after pleading guilty in June to conspiring to commit mail fraud and bank fraud for his role in the scheme.
He is also scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16.
Two other men charged in the case are scheduled to stand trial Oct. 31.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
