Sibley, Iowa — A Sibley man has pled guilty in a plea agreement in the case of several stolen items being found on a farm place in rural Osceola County.
According to court records, 52-year-old Michael Lawrence Block of Sibley pled guilty Friday, February 6th in Osceola County District Court to seven counts of first-degree theft, as well as a serious misdemeanor charge. Block is alleged to have been in possession of several pieces of stolen agriculture and construction equipment.
Before the agreement, Block, a former Osceola County Sheriff’s Deputy, was charged with 17 felony counts.
Block is alleged to have been in possession of stolen property from Osceola, O’Brien, Sioux, and Lyon Counties.
On March 21, 2014 an Osceola County Deputy was investigating the theft of some hay bales from O’Brien County which led to the application and execution of five search warrants at Block’s acreage on Highway 59 and his home in Sibley. Investigating officers seized a New Holland baler, wagons, construction equipment, trailers, four motor vehicles, and other items.
Block’s sentencing is set for February 20th.