2 locked-out sugar workers face charges

Two American Crystal Sugar Co. workers who have been locked out of their jobs are facing criminal charges.

Bradley Knapper of Moorhead, Minn., is accused of scratching the paint on a vehicle that was driving through the American Crystal factory gate at Moorhead.

Knapper is charged with a felony because the vehicle allegedly cost more than $1,000 to repair. The alleged incident happened in December. Knapper's lawyer says his client denies the charges.

Brad Nelson is accused of spitting in the face of a replacement worker in December outside Crystal's factory at Drayton, N.D.

The Grand Forks Herald reports Nelson pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct in North Dakota district court in Cavalier last week.

Nelson and Knapper are leaders in the union that represents the locked-out Crystal workers.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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