Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges

St. Louis, MO – COLEMAN CARPENTER of Troy, Tennessee, admitted to defrauding his former employer in a scheme involving the purchase of millions of bushels of agricultural commodities between 2009 and 2013.

In the plea, Carpenter admitted to paying $900,000 more than he was authorized to pay for various agricultural commodities while the manager of a grain elevator owned by Bunge North America, which is headquartered in St. Louis.

Carpenter appeared in St. Louis Monday before Judge Rodney W. Sippel, who accepted his guilty plea and set sentencing for August 28, 2015.

Carpenter faces up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000.  In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the St. Louis Division of the FBI.  Assistant United States Attorney Tom Albus is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.