The crimes occurred on university property in Oconee

Court officers say this was judgment day for a Piedmont, South Carolina man arrested last year after crimes were committed at Clemson University’s Peach Tree Farms in Oconee County’s Friendship community.  General Sessions Judge William McMaster suspended Donald Andrew New’s three-year term in prison to two years’ probation and the requirement that New reimburse Clemson $3 thousand.  The defendant was arrested in August 2023 after the assistant manager at the peach tree farms reported locks to the property gates were cut and four thousand pounds of peaches stolen.  New pleaded to grand larceny, trespassing, and destroying or damaging agricultural property.  A deputy quoted peach farm employees as saying the peaches were of the “Big Red” breed-type and represented one year’s worth of research.  Chris Beeco prosecuted the case for the solicitor’s office; Jen Byford represented the defendant.