A married couple that used to operate a grain storage facility in Northwest Missouri will be sentenced on March 8th after entering a guilty plea for mail fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen goods.

Mail fraud often results in both state and federal charges. Broadly speaking, fraud is when a person or company uses false information to collect money. Mail fraud is perpetrated through the U.S. Postal Service. Often, these charges come along with conspiracy and money laundering charges, similar to the situation in this case. Bank fraud is also a common accompanying charge.

These legal issues are complex and require up-to-date knowledge of the applicable statutes, so it's important to select an experienced attorney if you are facing fraud allegations. Little is known about the evidence gathering tactics used by the government in levying the charges in this case, but these types of cases often involve prolonged surveillance of suspects. It's important to be informed about your rights if you have been monitored by the government in the event that your right to privacy has been infringed.

In the present case, the wife faces up to 5 years in prison without parole, as well as a $250,000 fine and an order of restitution. The husband faces the same fines, but his prison sentence could be up to 20 years without parole.

The specific allegations against the couple are that they stole from over $3 million from 100 Missouri farmers. The total claims against their grain storage company were closer to $4.5 million, but some of those were withdrawn for administrative reasons. The couple also owns a livestock auction company, which may have violated some industry laws by failing to pay farmers on time.

The husband will also stand trial this month for a sexual assault allegation from 2009.

Source: Gallatin North Missourian, "Sentencing for Daniel Froman in federal court," Feb. 15, 2012.