An Elgin man was arrested Tuesday, March 18, following a three-month long investigation by the Fayette County Sheriff鈥檚 Department into an unlicensed slaughter, packing and distributing operation.
Ethan Grant Guyer, Jr., 59, of Elgin is being charged with two counts of Theft in the 2nd Degree (Felony), Fraudulent Practice 1st Degree (Felony) and Meat and Poultry License Violation (Simple Misdemeanor). Guyer was transported to the Fayette County Jail where he was later released.
According to one report, an individual allegedly hired Guyer to butcher a downed steer in his trailer in August 2023 that weighed approximately 1,400 pounds and was valued at $2,800. The owner of the steer did not receive any meat or payment for the steer, nor did Guyer respond to the individual鈥檚 repeated calls and messages.
A second incident was reported to the FCSO regarding another theft of a Holstein steer, weighing 1,350 pounds and worth $2,430. The report stated Guyer was to butcher the steer in October 2024. Guyer allegedly came to the feedlot, butchered and took the animal. The individual ordered cuts in November, and following the order Guyer never responded to the individual鈥檚 calls or messages regarding the butchering process. Certified mail was also sent to Guyer regarding payments for the meat and did not receive word back.
A search warrant was conducted by the FCSO and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) where it was found that Guyer had been operating an unlicensed slaughter, packing, and distributing operation for uninspected beef and swine products for the past 20 years in Elgin.
By own admission, Guyer submitted a written statement that total sales were around $189,560 for the slaughter and processing of 150 beef and 500 swine at 80 cents a pound carcass weight.
IDALS sought the destruction of over 1,930 pounds of meat product seized under the warrant conducted on Feb. 11, 2025.
The Fayette County Sheriff鈥檚 Office was assisted by IDALS and the Iowa Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau. This investigation is still ongoing, and more charges may be filed, the release states.
