Richard Best, 72, of Fresno, was sentenced Monday by the U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to three years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million in restitution for his role in a scheme that stole nearly $5 million in canola used for livestock feed.

Prosecutors said Best and his co-conspirator Shawn Sawa, a former Clovis resident, stole the commodity from international food processors between 2015 and 2017 through Best’s transloading company, Richard Best Transfer Inc. 

The duo then sold the stolen product through an intermediary in Texas. This generated proceeds that were used for expensive homes, vehicles, travel and business expenses, according to the news release.

“Richard Best treated the agricultural supply chain as his personal inventory, stealing nearly $5 million worth of canola oil for his personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who commit fraud in our agricultural markets will be found and prosecuted. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of our markets and the businesses that play by the rules.”

Sawa pleaded guilty and was sentenced in December to 18 months in prison while Best pleaded guilty in October.