Scio Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Meat Inspection act

BUFFALO, N.Y.– U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Keith Middaugh, 38, of Scio, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr., to a misdemeanor charge of violating the Federal Meat Inspection Act. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, a fine of $100,000, or both.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between April 2010 and April 2011, the defendant bought  dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals without being registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy such animals, and without maintaining detailed transaction records. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, any person involved in the business of handling such animals, must register with the USDA and keep detailed records, failure to do so is a criminal offense.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and the New York State Police - Amity, under the direction of Captain Eugene Staniszewski.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 9, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge  Schroeder.