Former Atlanta elevator owner charged

LINCOLN -- Attorney General Jon Bruning and Phelps County Attorney Time Hoeft announced Tuesday that felony theft charges have been filed against Bill White, 37, former owner of the Atlanta Grain Elevator.

A 2 1?2 year investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol into the operation of the Atlanta Grain Elevator in Phelps County, led to the arrest.

White was taken into custody Tuesday at his Lincoln residence. He was arrested on nine charges of felony theft, in connection with his handling of grain and soybeans stored in the Atlanta elevator at the time he was owner/operator.

"I'm grateful for Tim Hoeft's commitment to the case and the patrol's diligence in the investigation, "said Bruning. "Nebraskans won't tolerate fraud in any form. It's good to know that working together, we have the tools and dedication to see that justice is served."

"Fraud can have a particularly large impact in rural Nebraska and it's vital that state and local officials work closely together to combat this type of crime," said Hoeft.

"The arrest of Mr. White shows the importance of state agencies working together," said Col. Tom Nesbitt, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. "After 2 1?2 years of hard work, investigators have given the people affected by this case the opportunity to see justice served."

The Nebraska State Patrol's investigation began in March of 2001 at the request of the Phelps county Attorney Tim Hoeft.

Mr. Hoeft was concerned about possible criminal misconduct by White at the elevator located six miles southwest of Holdrege. At that time, search warrants were served on the elevator and the home of White by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Phelps County Sheriff's office.

Three computers and numerous receipts, scale tickets and other paperwork detailing the daily operations of the Atlanta Elevator were seized.

White operated the elevator from 1998 until he voluntarily surrendered his Nebraska Public Service Commission's license in March of 2002 when federal and state audits at the elevator revealed a major shortage of grain and soybeans.

To date, the PSC has approved more than one and a half million dollars in claims against the elevator.

The Nebraska State Patrol was assisted by the Phelps County Attorney's office along with the Phelps County Sheriff's Department in its investigation.