Merle Northrup pleaded not guilty to two counts of grand theft totaling around $410,000, in Davison County Court Tuesday morning.
The 46-year-old Mt. Vernon man was arrested twice last summer for two separate counts of grand theft for allegedly stealing grain checks from his employers, David and Scott Estabrook of Letcher.
Northrup appeared Tuesday with his court appointed attorney, Donna Bucher, after having been granted two continuances by the court: one because he had not obtained an attorney, and the second so he would have time to consult with his attorney, as he did not obtain one until the day before court.
Northrup is charged with one each Class 3 and Class 4 felony grand thefts. The Class 3 charge carries a maximum 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine, and the Class 4 charge has a maximum 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
His next court appearance is scheduled for February 2017.