Speak out to the Napa DA in support of just punishment for felons who steal grapes
672 Comments
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Deana Colliver
11 years ago
I feel this should be tried as a felony case, Mr. Hill knew what he did was wrong. It should not be reduced to a misdemeanor, as he willfully broke the law, without any regards as to the effect on his employer.
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Frank M Russo
11 years ago
An 800k theft is not a petty crime.
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bill partridge
11 years ago
The value of the theft alone precludes a reduction to misdemeanor.
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Philip Toups
11 years ago
Featured
I hope mr. Hill is punished to the full extent of the law regarding the theft of the grapes. in my mind, stealing $800,000+ worth of grapes is the same as stealing $800,000 from the bank. Stealing is stealing and this should be treated as a felony.
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Anonymous
11 years ago
Intentional theft of this value is a huge crime and appropriate punishment needs to be upheld. Theft by an employee with the knowledge he had of the value for his own gain is even a worse, truly intentional crime and deserves maximum sentencing not a reduction in the sentence!
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Jake Corbin
11 years ago
Reducing this crime to a misdemeanor is ridiculous.
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Harry Scarborough
11 years ago
Good luck Desiree. Mr. Hill is a felon and deserves to be sentenced as a felon AND disbarred from the industry for life.
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Harold Trimble III
11 years ago
Theft is a crime! Please follow the law and punish Mr. Hill to jail for his crime. Send a message to others who may find this plea deal a invitation to commit felonies without jail time.
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Kelly Curran
11 years ago
Stealing is wrong and needs to be punished accordingly!
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William M Carle
11 years ago
This was no misdemeanor as evidenced by the amount of forethought and size of the theft.
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Janet Todosychuk
11 years ago
This is a crime against the fabric of the American economy and needs to be dealt with as such. Ms. Del Dotto's letter says it most eloquently.
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Dave Jackson
11 years ago
This man should be convicted of a felony for stealing valuable grapes.
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Pamela Curley
11 years ago
We grow grapes in Sonoma County and know that this crime is no different than what Bernie Madoff did. Theft is theft and should be punished. It's hard to believe that anyone can think differently.
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Bill Dodd
11 years ago
I trust Judge Boessenker will see the seriousness of this crime and will do the right thing. Our District Attorney, Gary Lieberstein has a long track record of protecting victims of crime in Napa County. That said, Mr. Hill needs to be held accountable for his crimes.
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Bernice Del Dotto Herman
11 years ago
My husband is also a wine grape grower vintner. His vineyard is in Suisun Valley, Solano County. This is truly incredible and definitely a crime. I totally support you.
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Ernest Heine E.E.
11 years ago
I agree that this crime should be a "Felony"
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Nancy Sommer
11 years ago
This deliberate act of stealing grapes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Mr. Hill was caught in the act! It's a felony offense and he should be sentenced for both thefts.
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Rick Leonard
11 years ago
Mr Hill needs be held accountable and pay restitution to the Del Dotto family
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Patrick Huglin
11 years ago
Hopefully this guy will be fully prosecuted!
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Mike McPherson
11 years ago
This guy stole not just grapes but prevented them from being turned into a high quality and high value finished goods. That value and not the value of the raw material should be used in determining punishment. That according to the producer is $800k which I'm certain they can document.
I feel this should be tried as a felony case, Mr. Hill knew what he did was wrong. It should not be reduced to a misdemeanor, as he willfully broke the law, without any regards as to the effect on his employer.
An 800k theft is not a petty crime.
The value of the theft alone precludes a reduction to misdemeanor.
I hope mr. Hill is punished to the full extent of the law regarding the theft of the grapes. in my mind, stealing $800,000+ worth of grapes is the same as stealing $800,000 from the bank. Stealing is stealing and this should be treated as a felony.
Intentional theft of this value is a huge crime and appropriate punishment needs to be upheld. Theft by an employee with the knowledge he had of the value for his own gain is even a worse, truly intentional crime and deserves maximum sentencing not a reduction in the sentence!
Reducing this crime to a misdemeanor is ridiculous.
Good luck Desiree. Mr. Hill is a felon and deserves to be sentenced as a felon AND disbarred from the industry for life.
Theft is a crime! Please follow the law and punish Mr. Hill to jail for his crime. Send a message to others who may find this plea deal a invitation to commit felonies without jail time.
Stealing is wrong and needs to be punished accordingly!
This was no misdemeanor as evidenced by the amount of forethought and size of the theft.
This is a crime against the fabric of the American economy and needs to be dealt with as such. Ms. Del Dotto's letter says it most eloquently.
This man should be convicted of a felony for stealing valuable grapes.
We grow grapes in Sonoma County and know that this crime is no different than what Bernie Madoff did. Theft is theft and should be punished. It's hard to believe that anyone can think differently.
I trust Judge Boessenker will see the seriousness of this crime and will do the right thing. Our District Attorney, Gary Lieberstein has a long track record of protecting victims of crime in Napa County. That said, Mr. Hill needs to be held accountable for his crimes.
My husband is also a wine grape grower vintner. His vineyard is in Suisun Valley, Solano County. This is truly incredible and definitely a crime. I totally support you.
I agree that this crime should be a "Felony"
This deliberate act of stealing grapes should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Mr. Hill was caught in the act! It's a felony offense and he should be sentenced for both thefts.
Mr Hill needs be held accountable and pay restitution to the Del Dotto family
Hopefully this guy will be fully prosecuted!
This guy stole not just grapes but prevented them from being turned into a high quality and high value finished goods. That value and not the value of the raw material should be used in determining punishment. That according to the producer is $800k which I'm certain they can document.