Ohio man to be sentenced in Youngstown in $17M Amish fraud case

YOUNGSTOWN — An Ohio man is set to be sentenced for defrauding fellow Amish in 29 states out of nearly $17 million.

A federal judge will sentence 77-year-old Monroe L. Beachy of Sugarcreek late this morning. He pleaded guilty to mail fraud.

The government says nearly 2,700 people and entities lost about $16.8 million since 2006.

The charge carries a maximum 20-year sentence, but under federal sentencing guidelines, he is likely to face 12 to 15 years.

Beachy is a member of an Amish church near Sugarcreek, about 60 miles south of Cleveland. His company filed for bankruptcy protection.

Fellow Amish had sought to intervene in the bankruptcy case involving Beachy’s investment company and have it settled out of court. The judge rejected that move.