Steven George Labatt, [DOB REDACTED], “Defendant” herein, an employee of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, took a Honda generator from the Hennepin County Crime Lab in Hennepin County, Minnesota, without authorization, and used the generator for personal use between the dates of February 1, 2025, and February 28, 2025. Sheriff’s Office staff noticed that the generator was missing in early March 2025. There were multiple email communications in March and April 2025 to staff, including Defendant, inquiring about the missing generator and requesting that it be returned.
The Sheriff’s Office eventually purchased a replacement generator for $1209.57, a gas can that was also missing and two gallons of gas for $26.97, and air tags to put on the generator for $80.00. Defendant later admitted taking the generator to use on an ice fishing trip in February 2025. Defendant realized he left the generator on the lake when he returned home. Defendant did not try to go back to find the generator. Defendant did not try to contact anyone or make arrangements for anyone to attempt to find or recover the generator after realizing he left it on the lake.
Defendant did not immediately respond to Sheriff’s Office staff inquiry about the missing generator. Defendant did not replace or offer to replace the generator until after a new one was purchased.
