Man Surrenders Following Alleged Feed Corn Thefts
In a surprising turn of events, an Aiken County man named Brandon Lamar “Grunt” Hoffman has voluntarily turned himself in after being implicated in the alleged theft of several tractor trailer loads of feed corn from Lexington, Orangeburg, and Calhoun counties. The total estimated value of the stolen corn amounts to approximately $120,000.
Hoffman’s Criminal History
Hoffman is no stranger to law enforcement. In late 2011, public records show that he faced over 20 counts tied to financial offenses, specifically related to stolen checks from a Swansea-based business. The stolen checks were estimated to be worth around $50,000. In this case, the charges were dropped after the victim agreed to a compromise wherein Hoffman paid restitution.
The Case at Hand
At present, Hoffman has been charged in Calhoun County and might face similar charges in both Lexington and Orangeburg counties in the near future. The complaints allege that Hoffman stole an estimated total of 19 tractor trailer loads of feed corn.
The victim in the current case, Thomas Russell Sharpe, also had prior business relations with Hoffman. Sharpe, who owns and runs Sharpe’s Farm, had hired Hoffman in 2023 to aid him with his corn harvest. During this time, Sharpe was preoccupied with personal family matters which allowed Hoffman to allegedly exploit the situation.
Impact of Feed Corn Theft
While feed corn theft may seem relatively minor, it negatively impacts the consumers. Feed corn is a primary component in the feed for livestock and some household pets. Thus, if the supply of feed corn reduces, it could potentially lead to a rise in its price, subsequently increasing the costs of meat, eggs, and milk at grocery stores.
Painful Discovery
In October 2023, Sharpe hired Hoffman to harvest corn at a field just outside Swansea. The following day, Sharpe discovered that while the grain hopper in the field was full, his tractor-trailer truck was mysteriously empty. This led Sharpe to investigate and he subsequently found Hoffman selling corn at Columbia Farms, using Sharpe’s truck and trailer.
Legal Consequences
Calhoun County currently holds three charges against Hoffman, each of which carries a potential sentence of up to five years. If similar charges are laid against him in all three counties for the 19 counts, he could potentially face 95 years in prison.
Sharpe firmly believes that restitution is not adequate in this case. He insists that Hoffman needs to be penalized for his recurring tendency to steal, and that the time has come for him to face serious legal repercussions. Sheriff Tom Summers of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department echoed these sentiments, promising stern action.
