LANSING, MICH. – A man in Michigan pled guilty to employing a minor in a dangerous profession after the person lost a hand while working at the meat processing facility.

Details from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said that Darin Wilbur owned US Guys Processing at the time of the incident. 

In November 2019, a 17-year-old worker lost his right hand in a meat grinder while working at the plant. According to Nessel, the employee was operating the meat grinder under Wilbur’s supervision.

Following the event, Michigan’s Wage and Hour Division received a referral regarding the injury to the minor. The agency found out that the minor was illegally employed at the facility. 

Additionally, the investigation revealed that Wilbur or the minor did not obtain a work permit required for individuals under 18 in Michigan for this position.

Findings by the division were submitted to the Attorney General to pursue criminal charges.

“Our labor laws were written to protect children from dangerous workplaces; however, they lack the teeth needed to properly hold bad employers accountable for violations,” said Nessel. “This case highlights the need to strengthen these protections, as well as the consequences for violations, and I look forward to working with the legislature on this critical work to protect the state’s youth.”

Nessel also encouraged the state legislature to examine the fines for employing minors without requisite permits. She also wants the body to look at the current statutes and penalties surrounding employing minors in hazardous occupations, which currently sit as a misdemeanor.

The judge in the case has ordered a pre-sentencing investigation before sentencing, which has not been determined.