HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) —Laura Arlene Barnett, 53, of Allegan, has pleaded guilty to the a charge of interstate transportation of stolen property, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge.
Her sentencing, before Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker, is set for Nov. 30, 2020.
Barnett faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to restitution of $413,903.38 to Perrigo, her former employer, for the parts and supplies she stole. While at Perrigo, which manufactures over-the-counter and branded products. Barnett worked as a maintenance repair and operations coordinator in the company’s Allegan maintenance department.
Barnett used her position, which included ordering and processing parts used in the manufacturing facilities, to gain access to equipment, parts, and supplies that the company used to operate packing machinery. She stole more than 470 items of equipment, parts, and supplies worth approximately $413,903.38, selling them via eBay.
The FBI and the Allegan County Sheriff’s detective investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Mekaru. Birge noted that Perrigo officials “fully cooperated throughout the process.”
