Missouri man enters plea to flood disaster theft

AUBURN - Joshua Brown, 40, of Urich, Mo., has entered pleas to attempted burglary and theft related to the flooding of 2019.

Nemaha County sheriff’s deputies used drones to search flooded areas near Peru after farm equipment was reported missing. An agricultural sprayer owned by Wilbur Ellis was found in six feet of water and a tractor and ATV owned by Ed Welte were found on dry ground near a cabin surrounded by flood water.

Investigators kept watch of the property until a boat was seen on the Missouri River arriving at the location where the stolen items had been gathered.

Prosecutors are seeking restitution of over $6,000 at sentencing, which is scheduled Nov. 17.

A co-defendant, 39-year-old Michael Miller of Urich was sentenced to two years in prison.