JEFF REINITZ
RANDALIA — A Randalia farmer has pleaded not guilty to charges that 3,000 hogs died of neglect on his property.
Derek David Smith, 41, waived an in-count arraignment and filed a written not guilty plea to one count of livestock neglect Monday.
He also waived his speedy trial rights, and trial was tentatively set for August in Fayette County District Court in West Union.
The charge is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,560 fine.
Smith had been hired by Valley Farms LLC to care for hogs, and on June 2 authorities found more than 3,000 feeder hogs dead at his confinement operation on 170th Street, according to court records.
The hogs died of a lack of feed, court records state, and another 200 hogs had to be put down because of health reasons.
Photos: 27th annual Juneteenth celebration in Waterloo
Juneteenth 1
Waterloo East High senior Alonzia Quinn, left, and Waterloo West High School senior Jordan Wallican are recognized for being this year’s valedictorians at their schools and for receiving full scholarships to Stanford University and Harvard University, respectively, during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
Juneteenth 2
Mayor Quentin Hart speaks before giving his annual Juneteenth proclamation during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
Juneteenth 3
Balloon Creations by T&A make balloons for children during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
Juneteenth 4
People gather for Juneteenth trivia during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
Juneteenth 5
Kids play basketball during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
Juneteenth 6
Children play on the playground during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
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Sionna Keller, a third grader at Cunningham Elementary, is awarded the NAACP Courageous Leader Award during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
Juneteenth 8
People in the crowd sing happy birthday to organizer and Black Hawk County NAACP President LaTanya Graves during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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Children in the Capoeira Kids after-school program at Royal Legacy Christian Academy perform during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
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Chiquita Loveless, director of the University of Northern Iowa Center for Multicultural Education speaks during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
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Rodney Berry, owner of 1st Base Bar-B-Que, checks the meat on his grill during the 27th Juneteenth celebration at Gates Park in Waterloo on Saturday.
CHRIS ZOELLER, Courier Staff Photographer
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