After years of investigation and preparation for the case, the day before his trial began, 61-year-old marvin slyter, of garnett, plead guilty to two charges of felony theft, and avoided jail time for the crimes, being sentenced to 24 months probation.
Slyter was arrested in 2022 after an investigation that began in november 2019, after numerous pieces of stolen farm equipment were found in his possession and on land in which he had an interest. Stolen items, which were recovered and on which the charges were based, were primarily John Deere farm equipment items – large tractors & loader combinations, additional tractors, skid steer and a bat wing mower.
According to the plea agreement Slyter will be forced to submit DNA samples, have no contact with victims, complete a theft offender program, pay court and probationary costs, and pay restitution of nearly $36,000 . Terms of probation also prohibit any alcohol consumption or use of illicit substances, and to submit to and pay for substance testing, and not visit businesses serving alcohol as a primary commodity, as well as attend regular probation officer meetings.
