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Five Indicted In Meigs County On Crop Insurance Fraud Charges

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Christopher T. Wolfe, a 43-year-old from Racine, Ohio, was the leader of a group of five people indicted on charges of conspiracy, theft of public money and money laundering for allegedly defrauding the federal Non-Insured Crop Assistance Program.

All five indicted men are from Meigs County, Ohio, and all could face up to five years on the conspiracy charges. Not all five are charged with theft and money laundering, but the ones that are could face up to 10 years in prison for each charge.

The men named in the indictment are:

        – Christopher T. Wolfe, 43, Racine, Ohio

        – Michael L. Johnson, 62, Portland, Ohio

        – Terry J. McNickle, 51, Racine, Ohio

        – Mark D. Wolfe, 41, Racine, Ohio

        – Joey L. Jerrell, 43, Racine, Ohio

The release provided by officials calls for forfeiture of $1,563,337.30, which allegedly represents the money that the five indicted men owe.

From officials, on the NAP:

NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to a natural disaster. Payments are limited to $100,000 per crop year per individual or entity. The indictment alleges that Christopher T. Wolfe recruited co-conspirators to enroll in NAP. The co-conspirators would allegedly apply for payments and turn them over to Christopher T. Wolfe after keeping a portion for themselves.