Prosecutors have put on hold their felony case against a onetime Hennepin County sheriff’s captain who was charged with stealing a piece of equipment from the Sheriff’s Office ahead of a fishing excursion last winter.
Steven George Labatt, 58, of St. Michael, Minn., was charged on Nov. 4 in District Court with felony theft in connection with stealing a gasoline-powered generator from the forensic science laboratory that he directed at the time.
On Feb. 5, he agreed to enter an adult diversion program, meaning that prosecution on the theft count is suspended while Labatt fulfills requirements that would lead to dismissal of the case after six months.
The requirements include that Labatt attend classes and programs as recommended by diversion staff, complete 12 hours of community service or an equivalent and remain law-abiding.
He’s also been ordered to pay restitution, something his lawyer said he did in April.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says such an agreement is a standard disposition in certain cases when the defendant has no felony criminal record.
Sheriff’s Office personnel noticed in early March that a generator was missing. Numerous emails soon went out to Labatt and other staff members asking that it be returned.
