Speak out to the Napa DA in support of just punishment for felons who steal grapes
672 Comments
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Steve Young
11 years ago
This is ridiculous,he needs to go to jail. It is not ok to steel $800k and go free.
Steve
K
Ken Nerlove
11 years ago
Jeff Hill tried to steal grapes from me a few years ago and I caught him. I did not notify the sheriffs dept which I should have done. Recent dealings with Jeff Hill left me out of $63,000 worth of grapes he did not pay for and another $20,000 in lease payments he did not pay. He is a dishonest person whose intentions were to steal from growers and others for his personal gain. In my opinion, he deserves jail time, not probation. Without going to jail, he will most likely continue to break the law since he feels that there is no punishment. PUT JEFF HILL IN JAIL TO PUNISH HIM AND TO LET OTHERS KNOW THAT STEALING AND DISHONEST BEHAVIOR IS AGAINT THE LAW AND WILL NOT BE TOLORATED.
M
Mike Buckwald
11 years ago
I have to have confidence in the judicial system,in particular the judge in this case to propose a penalty that fits the crime. There is no difference between stealing grapes than there is stealing cash . I'm counting on the legal system to do the right thing and send the correct message. I believe we should all be required to obey the law. Not just some of us.
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Emily Richer
11 years ago
Sadly, I fear a presumption by courts that all wine producers are mega wealthy folk, and this is a mere nuisance. When in fact we are working so hard for a few dollars a bottle, bearing all agricultural and market risk associated with our commitments. Theft of this nature should be treated with the same legal force as any irreplaceable inventory of any other business enterprise.
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Tony Mutchmore
11 years ago
Travesty
T
Tony Mutchmore
11 years ago
Travesty
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Dennis Rippey
11 years ago
As a large grape grower and winery owner that had the unfortunate experience of dealing with Mr. Hill's continued dishonesty and lying, I feel he needs to be served with a felony. To prove his character, he's also been accused of +/- 17 other felony counts that hopefully get prosecuted. I would be prosecuting him personally if I felt it was worth my time and money. We personally caught him diverting Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from our ranch to his winery but were able to turn them around before an actual crime was committed.
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Ralph Hertelendy
11 years ago
I agree!
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Julie Capito
11 years ago
He needs JAIL TIME - LONG sentence. Not just a slap on the wrist. He was so very dishonest and spit on the Napa Valley.
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Brad Saunders
11 years ago
This type of behavior cannot be tolerated. Growers and wineries rely on the honesty of their vineyard managers!
J
Jay Carlson
11 years ago
Theft is theft, whether it's cash from a bank, goods from a store or grapes from a harvest. And a theft in any court of law is a felony - plain and simple. Felonies deserve jail time and restitution!
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
Should be a felony, it's theft.
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Brian Hilliard
11 years ago
As President of a renowned winery in Napa, I face the possibility of something like this, or worse, happening to us. The economic impact is certainly an issue, but not material relative the idea that this crime, and any others like it, could ever be considered a misdemeanor. Doing so would set an irresponsible precedent that would likely have negative and lasting ripple effects. If I laundered $800k through my company, or stole $800k in automobiles from a dealership, or worse, stole $800k from the County, I would certainly be a felon destined for jail time. It would be a far worse crime for the county and the community if Mr. Hill were to feel that the severity of his punishment wasn't a significant enough deterrent to keep him from plotting another crime against any business or any person.
J
Julie Burdick
11 years ago
Felony conviction yes and he should be banned from the wine industry for life.
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Ryan Avila
11 years ago
Please set a precedent so this doesn't happen again.
D
Derrick Dale Martin
11 years ago
I only wish I could have caught this thief sooner. I would like to see Jeff Hill prosecuted to the full extent of sentence his crime allows. His actions disrupted many law abiding citizens lives. A message needs to be sent through the sentence of Jeff Hill that the people of Napa county will not tolerate thievery or Grand Theft in our county.
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Lou Kapcsandy
11 years ago
Your Honor,
This is a grand theft arrest. If Mr. Hill pleads guilty or is found by the court guilty, he should be sentenced to jail for his crime as mandated by law.
Lou Kapcsandy
Kapcsandy Family Winery
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Garrett Ahnfeldt
11 years ago
My family has had many designs with Jeff Hill, and he was nothing short of dishonest and conniving. He is not the type of person to become reformed by letting him off with a misdemeanor. Justice needs to be served.
K
Kerry Whalin
11 years ago
I hope that Mr. Hill ends up getting what should be coming to him. It is not right for him to get away with this at a misdemeanor. People do less of a crime that is not that serious and end up in jail, paying large fines and probation. Crazy if he gets away with this and is allowed to be around wine. I wish the Del Dotto's luck in this case.
E
Elton Slone
11 years ago
It's tough to make a living in this business as it is. There's no replacing Howell Mountain fruit. I hope he has a long time to regret the theft while incarcerated.
This is ridiculous,he needs to go to jail. It is not ok to steel $800k and go free. Steve
Jeff Hill tried to steal grapes from me a few years ago and I caught him. I did not notify the sheriffs dept which I should have done. Recent dealings with Jeff Hill left me out of $63,000 worth of grapes he did not pay for and another $20,000 in lease payments he did not pay. He is a dishonest person whose intentions were to steal from growers and others for his personal gain. In my opinion, he deserves jail time, not probation. Without going to jail, he will most likely continue to break the law since he feels that there is no punishment. PUT JEFF HILL IN JAIL TO PUNISH HIM AND TO LET OTHERS KNOW THAT STEALING AND DISHONEST BEHAVIOR IS AGAINT THE LAW AND WILL NOT BE TOLORATED.
I have to have confidence in the judicial system,in particular the judge in this case to propose a penalty that fits the crime. There is no difference between stealing grapes than there is stealing cash . I'm counting on the legal system to do the right thing and send the correct message. I believe we should all be required to obey the law. Not just some of us.
Sadly, I fear a presumption by courts that all wine producers are mega wealthy folk, and this is a mere nuisance. When in fact we are working so hard for a few dollars a bottle, bearing all agricultural and market risk associated with our commitments. Theft of this nature should be treated with the same legal force as any irreplaceable inventory of any other business enterprise.
Travesty
Travesty
As a large grape grower and winery owner that had the unfortunate experience of dealing with Mr. Hill's continued dishonesty and lying, I feel he needs to be served with a felony. To prove his character, he's also been accused of +/- 17 other felony counts that hopefully get prosecuted. I would be prosecuting him personally if I felt it was worth my time and money. We personally caught him diverting Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from our ranch to his winery but were able to turn them around before an actual crime was committed.
I agree!
He needs JAIL TIME - LONG sentence. Not just a slap on the wrist. He was so very dishonest and spit on the Napa Valley.
This type of behavior cannot be tolerated. Growers and wineries rely on the honesty of their vineyard managers!
Theft is theft, whether it's cash from a bank, goods from a store or grapes from a harvest. And a theft in any court of law is a felony - plain and simple. Felonies deserve jail time and restitution!
Should be a felony, it's theft.
As President of a renowned winery in Napa, I face the possibility of something like this, or worse, happening to us. The economic impact is certainly an issue, but not material relative the idea that this crime, and any others like it, could ever be considered a misdemeanor. Doing so would set an irresponsible precedent that would likely have negative and lasting ripple effects. If I laundered $800k through my company, or stole $800k in automobiles from a dealership, or worse, stole $800k from the County, I would certainly be a felon destined for jail time. It would be a far worse crime for the county and the community if Mr. Hill were to feel that the severity of his punishment wasn't a significant enough deterrent to keep him from plotting another crime against any business or any person.
Felony conviction yes and he should be banned from the wine industry for life.
Please set a precedent so this doesn't happen again.
I only wish I could have caught this thief sooner. I would like to see Jeff Hill prosecuted to the full extent of sentence his crime allows. His actions disrupted many law abiding citizens lives. A message needs to be sent through the sentence of Jeff Hill that the people of Napa county will not tolerate thievery or Grand Theft in our county.
Your Honor, This is a grand theft arrest. If Mr. Hill pleads guilty or is found by the court guilty, he should be sentenced to jail for his crime as mandated by law. Lou Kapcsandy Kapcsandy Family Winery
My family has had many designs with Jeff Hill, and he was nothing short of dishonest and conniving. He is not the type of person to become reformed by letting him off with a misdemeanor. Justice needs to be served.
I hope that Mr. Hill ends up getting what should be coming to him. It is not right for him to get away with this at a misdemeanor. People do less of a crime that is not that serious and end up in jail, paying large fines and probation. Crazy if he gets away with this and is allowed to be around wine. I wish the Del Dotto's luck in this case.
It's tough to make a living in this business as it is. There's no replacing Howell Mountain fruit. I hope he has a long time to regret the theft while incarcerated.