The farm trailer, according to Major Scott Hall of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office, was stolen from the Scotland Neck area and taken to a buying station in Battleboro where the men reportedly received $1,500 for the load.

Hall said the buyer was not aware the soybeans didn't belong to the two men — Jason Michael Jones, 31, of Whitakers, and Gary Mitchell Scott, 30, of Tarboro. Jones was a former employee of the victim.

Investigation began Wednesday when Deputy Dreher Bozard responded to Highway 258 near the Edgecombe County line. There the farmer reported his peanut trailer containing the soybeans was stolen.

The farmer provided the deputy with information on soybean buyers and, following up, Bozard learned the soybeans were sold in Battleboro. The deputy was able to learn the identities of the men allegedly involved. The trailer was recovered down a farm path in Edgecombe County.

Bozard arrested Jones and charged him with felony larceny, felony possession of stolen goods, misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods.

Jones was placed in the Halifax County Detention Center under a $3,000 secured bond. Scott was arrested by Rocky Mount police and faces the same charges as Jones.

Both men are scheduled to appear in Halifax County District Court on December 18.