Speak out to the Napa DA in support of just punishment for felons who steal grapes

This is a serious offense and deserves its felony status. Set an example. Do the crime of the time.

I agree with this petition

Go get him. Jeff is a good talker and got me for 60k he owed for grapes he purchased and did not pay for in 2013.

Enforce the law as the law is written and do not take the easy way out by way of offering plea deals. Our country is going to pot because our laws are not enforced as written.

I completely agree. A reduction in sentence only motivates those that would steal. A proper sentence with out reduction sends the message this is serious and you will be punished for this sort of behavior.

Mr. Hill is a thief with the intent of stealing a very large amount of product to convert to cash. He should definitely be INCARCERATED for the felony crime.

Grand theft...felony.

Grand theft is a felony period

I can't believe a felony grand theft crime such as this, near a MILLION dollars, could in any way be considered a misdemeanor

Hill needs to do jail time for this felony and be ordered to make restitution. To do otherwise would embolden more of this type of theft, which is actually all too easy to accomplish. I've been a grape grower in Napa for the past 25 years, and understand just how easy it is for a theft like this to take place. I always pay attention to how many bins get harvested for each of our winery customers, and verify the number arriving at the winery matches what was sent. What Hill did, diverting bins of grapes from the winery's own vineyard, would not have succeeded if the winery had a representative on site to monitor the pick and verify the number of bins harvested. This is not to blame Del Dotto for trusting Hill, but rather to point out the vulnerability of any vineyard owner who does not have a representative (independent from the harvest contractor) on site when a harvest is happening. There are plenty of absentee vineyard owners in Napa, so there is probably more of this theft going on undetected than any of us wants to believe. Not all owners are able to be present at their harvests, so the business relies on trust which is usually warranted. When that trust is so shockingly violated as in this case, we expect the courts to mete out the proper punishment. This is a matter of justice and of deterrence. Though there are probably only a few really bad apples like Hill, we need the assurance that our laws will be enforced, lest we encourage more of the same, and that perpetrators like Hill are appropriately punished. In Hill's case, it means a felony conviction, plus jail time, plus restitution. There is no way this can be reduced to a misdemeanor. Hill did not do this by accident--it was clearly planned, and he would have gotten away with it but for a conscientious truck driver questioning the diversion at 2 am, despite the exhaustion and overwork that always accompanies harvest season in Napa Valley.

The punishment should fit the crime and he should be charged with a felony. TTB will get Jeff next.

Well written petition and just.

I support Mr Del Dotto and his case to not let this criminal off the hook.

The winery points are valid. Please review and support justice.

This absolutely is a felony, not a misdemeanor.

It seems unreasonable that the DA would allow Jeff Hill to walk on the charge where there was actual loss and prosecute the charge with no loss. If he had stolen and disposed of $800,00 of police cars, I am sure Mr. Hill would be spending an appropriate amount of time in Jail.

Wine is an economic engine for the county of Napa and state of California. The time should fit the crime. In this case, the crime is a felony, and the ti e should--nay, must--reflect that.

Full prosecution is required for these crimes! Jeff Hill needs to be punished to the full extent of the law.

Believe in justice and support justice. Hill deserves punishment for his non ethical behavior and back stabbing the other fellow competitor. One time mistake will be warning with a fine but multiple times deserve a serious felony charges and imprisonment. Hail for justice

As an owner of two vineyards in Napa I fully agree that the actions of Jeff Hill should be fully prosecuted and he should not be able to plea his way to a misdemeanor. The felony charge should be upheld.