Joseph Leon Edminster, 70, of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, pleaded guilty today to stealing more than $24,000 worth of black spruce tree tops from the Chippewa National Forest over a six-year crime spree. The Itasca County man admitted in federal court to cutting and selling thousands of spruce tops without authorization, turning a quiet patch of federal timber into his personal holiday black market.
Edminster, appearing before U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in St. Paul, admitted to harvesting over 2,700 spruce tops between October 2008 and October 2014. The thefts occurred deep within the Chippewa National Forest, where Edminster targeted the bushy treetops prized for holiday décor. He had no permit, no contract, and no legal right to remove any forest product — yet he did it year after year.
Each stolen spruce top fetched him between $1.50 and $2.50 when sold to wholesalers. Those vendors resold the stolen greenery for up to $6 per top, funneling them into retail chains across Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. At retail, individual tops sold for $2.50 to $7.50. Bundles of five or ten ranged from $12.99 to $36.99. The entire scheme netted Edminster at least $24,199.50 in illicit profits — all pulled from federal land.
Darla Lenz, supervisor of the Chippewa National Forest, slammed the theft as both ecologically damaging and legally indefensible. “We will vigorously pursue those responsible for such acts, dedicating any and all investigative resources needed in order to bring these matters to a just conclusion,” Lenz said. “The public can rest assured that this matter has been resolved and we will continue to protect our national forests.”
Black spruce, a hardy conifer native to the northern U.S. and Canada, thrives in northern Minnesota — including areas as far south as Anoka County. While legal harvesting is allowed under special permits, any unauthorized cutting of trees on federal land is strictly prohibited. Edminster bypassed the system entirely, treating protected forest like his own seasonal warehouse.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service’s Law Enforcement and Investigations unit. Assistant United States Attorney Laura Provinzino is prosecuting. Edminster now faces sentencing on one count of theft of government property — a felony that carries prison time, restitution, and a permanent criminal record for profiting off America’s public lands.
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Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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