Northwest Kansas man has plea hearing in farm theft case

? A Kansas man has admitted stealing farm equipment in exchange for a three-year prison sentence.

Ryan Hanzlick of Gem pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of interstate transportation of stolen farm equipment. His sentencing was set for Sept. 17.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger told the 32-year-old Hanzlick that the Kansas attorney general’s office is also considering charges for equipment stolen in Kansas that was not taken across state lines.

A federal indictment accused Hanzlick and co-defendant Matthew Jones of Colby with thefts in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

Jones will be sentenced July 22.