Published 18 days ago • loading... • Updated 18 days ago

The Christmas tree heist: How one man destroyed 2,700 spruce pine trees in the name of holiday profit

In U.S. District Court, Joseph Leon Edminster pleaded guilty to theft of government property, receiving 200 hours of community service, three years probation, and paying $24,199 restitution to the U.S. Forest Service.
Starting in 2008 Edminster cut the tops off black spruce in the Chippewa National Forest to meet niche demand for small Christmas trees, removing 2,700 tops over six years.
The U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations division uncovered the operation after investigators found the spruce tops sold to wholesalers in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois for $6 a top, producing roughly $24,000 in illegal sales.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Provinzino said Edminster's cooperation reduced his consequences, while prosecutors warned federal penalties for theft from public lands include fines or prison.
Forest supervisors said the case sends a deterrent message, and Darla Lenz, Chippewa National Forest supervisor, said officials will continue protecting national forests amid a broader trend of spruce-top thefts fueled by pandemic supply disruptions.

Insights by Ground AI

19 Articles

Duluth News Tribune

+18 Reposted by 18 other sources

Center

The Christmas tree heist: How one man destroyed 2,700 spruce pine trees in the name of holiday profit

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A Grand Rapids man intended to start a business that capitalized on the natural beauty of northern Minnesota. Instead, he wound up pleading guilty to theft of government property and paid a $24,199 fee to the U.S. Forest Service. Starting in 2008, Joseph Leon Edminster began cutting off the tops of black spruce trees in the Chippewa National Forest of northern Minnesota. His scheme aimed to fill a niche desire for small Chr…

18 days ago·Cherokee County, United States

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year