AUBURN - Donald Bonar, 47, of Papillion was ordered to pay nearly $6,000 in restitution for harvesting trees belonging to Patrick Wheeler in Nemaha County.

Bonar was found guilty of theft in April of 2021, when Nemaha County sheriff’s deputies investigated a complaint that Wheeler was not being paid for some loads hauled out of his place.

An arrest affidavit says at least 30 trees were cut and Big Red Sawmill told investigators it has received 11 loads. Wheeler told deputies the only time he was paid was when walnut logs were sold to Midwest Walnut Company in Council Bluffs. The affidavit says Nebraska City sawmill operator Charlie White alerted the proper owner after Bonar instructed him to cut walnut logs into timber.

The restitution is to be paid by Feb. 14.