Cantaloupe farmers in eastern Colorado responsible for a deadly outbreak of listeria two years ago were sentenced today after pleading guilty to six misdemeanor charges in October. KRCC’s Nat Stein has more.
A federal magistrate in Denver sentenced brothers Eric and Ryan Jensen to five years of probation, starting with six months of home detention. Each brother also must pay $150,000 in restitution and perform 100 hours of community service.
Relatives of seven of the 33 victims attended the sentencing hearing. Some testified in favor of probation, others in favor of jail time.
In a statement from the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney John Walsh commended the Jensens for their cooperation throughout the case, saying the brothers have done everything asked of them to help mitigate damages from the tainted fruit.
