FRANKFORT Christopher G. Hickerson, 47, a Fleming County Magistrate and farmer, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison on Wednesday for conspiracy to commit crop insurance fraud and tax fraud. U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove handed down the sentence.
Hickerson filed false claims of loss on his Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (âMPCIâ) policies from 2009-16, according to evidence.
MPCI policies are federally sponsored crop insurance policies, which are funded through taxpayer money. In his plea agreement, Hickerson admitted to committing crop insurance fraud with the assistance of co-conspirators Roger Wilson, former owner of Clayâs Tobacco Warehouse, and Debra Muse, former employee at Clayâs Tobacco Warehouse, by obtaining fake Clayâs Tobacco Warehouse sales receipts and grading reports that made it appear as though he produced and sold poor quality tobacco, and then submitting those on his claims of loss, according to a press release.