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Managers of Georgia peanut plant sentenced to prison for deadly salmonella outbreak

This Feb. 20, 2015, photo shows an arrangement of peanuts in New York. For years, parents of babies who seem likely to develop a peanut allergy have gone to extremes to keep them away from peanut-based foods. Now, a major study suggests that is exactly the wrong thing to do. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison) This Feb. 20, 2015, photo shows an arrangement of peanuts in New York. For years, parents of babies who seem likely to develop a peanut allergy have gone to extremes to keep them away from peanut-based foods. Now, a major study suggests that is exactly the wrong thing to do. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

By Associated Press October 1, 2015 1 min read

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Two former managers of a Georgia peanut plant linked to a deadly salmonella outbreak are heading to prison, though for far less time than the ex-boss they helped convict.

A U.S. District Court judge on Thursday sentenced Daniel Kilgore to six years in prison and Samuel Lightsey to three-years. Both men at different times managed Peanut Corporation of America’s production plant in rural Blakely, Georgia. Authorities in 2009 identified the plant as the source of salmonella blamed for sickening 714 people and killing nine.

Kilgore and Lightsey pleaded guilty and testified against their ex-boss, Peanut Corporation owner Stewart Parnell, and two others charged in the outbreak.

Last week, Parnell received 28 years in prison – the stiffest sentence ever for a U.S. producer in a food-borne illness case.