Trial to begin for Minn. man charged in Iowa lab break-in

Trial for a Minnesota man indicted on charges linked to a break-in at an animal research laboratory at the University of Iowa is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Iowa.

Scott DeMuth, of Minneapolis, is charged in U.S. District Court in Davenport with one count of conspiracy. If convicted he could face up to 3 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Telephone and e-mail messages left for his attorney were not immediately returned but DeMuth has previously denied any involvement in the break-in.

DeMuth, 23, is accused of conspiring to cause physical disruption to Spence Laboratories at the University of Iowa and Lakeside Ferret Inc., in Minnesota.

He is accused of damaging and causing the loss of animals, computers and documents and causing economic damage in excess of $10,000.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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