STANHOPE — A district court judge has agreed to delay the trial of the owner of the Stanhope Locker as the case goes into plea negotiations.

Wesley Zanker, 46, who owns the Stanhope Locker, was charged in January with ongoing criminal conduct and first-degree fraudulent practice, both felonies. His firm allegedly produced and mislabeled meat products that were sold to Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ and Brew in Luther.

Zanker pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The jury trial is now scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Webster City.

“The parties are working on plea negotiations,” an online court filing states.

In May, Zanker’s attorney, Grant Gangestad, had filed a motion to dismiss the case, stating that “the matter was fully resolved administratively at the time, with the State implicitly and reasonably leading Mr. Zanker to believe that no further action would be taken.”

Additionally, Gangestad’s motion to dismiss noted that Zanker had relied on the administrative resolution “by not preserving evidence or preparing a criminal defense.” Gangestad also noted in his motion that “significant prejudice” was being shown to Zanker due to the state’s nearly two-year delay in bringing charges.

The original complaint filed in district court states the alleged violations occurred from October 2021 to August 2023, according to online court records.

Zanker allegedly sold about 6,894 pounds of ring bologna on 37 different occasions for a total sum of $49,478.22 to Whatcha Smokin’ from October 2021 through August 2023, according to court records.

According to court documents, Zanker was warned about mislabeling the meat following an investigation by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in late 2019 and received a warning letter in February 2020. Inspection officials say he sold meat products to Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ and Brew without a label or identification.

Court records do not indicate that there were any issues with the quality of meat provided.