Two western Iowa men were charged late last month with felony 2nd Degree Theft associated with the cutting down and selling of Walnut trees from a state-owned park. Officials with the Iowa DNR said Tuesday (today), that 38-year old Bradley Lynn Hagerman, of Pisgah, and 30-year old Eric Robert Freihage, of Council Bluffs, each face one count of 2nd Degree Theft, a Class-D felony, and Timber Buyer – Bond or Accounting Violation, a serious misdemeanor.

Hagerman and Freihage admitted to a DNR Conservation Officer they transported and sold nine Walnut trees between January 24, 2017 and January 30, 2017.  The live trees were cut down by Freihage and Hagerman at Loess Hills State Forest, a state owned and DNR managed park. The pair were officially charged May 25th.

Hagerman and Freihage sold the Walnut trees to Midwest Walnut in Council Bluffs and received compensation of $4,713. The nine Walnut trees have an appraised value of over $7500. Both Hagerman and Freihage turned themselves into authorities after the arrest warrants were issued and have since bonded out.