Staff Report

John Affourtit Sr.

SILVER LAKE — A Kentucky man was recently arrested for allegedly stealing over $40,000 from two local farmers after agreeing to build a grain bin for them.

John Affourtit Sr., 68, Shelbyville, Ky., is charged with theft where the value of property is between $750 and $50,000, a level 6 felony.

On Sept. 20, 2020, two local farmers entered a contract with Affourtit, who agreed to build a grain bin. The farmers paid for the project in full in the amount of $41,875.93.

According to court documents, after receiving the money, Affourtit has not constructed the grain bin and not fully repaid the farmers.

During March 2023, Affourtit entered an agreement to repay the farmers. As of July 24, 2024, only $5,000 has been returned. Four checks Affourtit has written to the farmers have been returned for insufficient funds.

The farmers have not received any payments from Affourtit since the first quarter of 2023, and the grain bin was never built.

Affourtit was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Aug. 12, 2024.