Amish Acres Michael Loftin accused of animal abuse and writing a $30,000 check 

Nappanee, Ind.---- Updated information on the fraud investigation into Amish Acres operator Micheal Loftin—known locally as Brad Juneau.  He was arrested on October 28 in Louisiana for allegedly writing a bad check. Loftin has since been released on bail.

Michael Lehne, the victim named in Louisiana charging documents, said Loftin leased a warehouse with office space from him and wrote a bad check for $30,000.

"He's a terrible disappointment as a human, as a businessman, and he needs to make things right," Lehne said.

Lehne said he connected with Loftin through a broker who arranged the lease. According to Lehne, Loftin paid no money from the start—neither a deposit nor monthly payments. After what Lehne described as a year of lies and deception, he evicted Loftin. Before leaving, Loftin wrote the $30,000 check, which later bounced.

"Well, I don't believe there was ever any intent to pay," Lehne said. "I think this is his game, his M.O., his method of operation."

In addition to the bad check charges, Loftin faces accusations of animal abuse stemming from the same rented office space in Louisiana. When local police previously attempted to confront Loftin regarding his Louisiana warrant, Nappanee police said he fled, though Loftin denied running away.

Valerie Robinson, director of the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter in Gray, Louisiana, said her team responded to the warehouse in December 2025 and found 12 dogs living in severe squalor.

"We discovered dogs in horrific conditions. They were living in their feces and urine, malnutrition, without food and water," Robinson said. "It became evident, though, that he was not necessarily concerned about the true well-being of the dogs. He believed that they were his pets, and as long as they were breathing, in his mind, that was fine. Everything else didn't really matter."

Robinson described the situation as heartbreaking. Of the 12 dogs rescued from the property, three are currently up for adoption after spending nearly a year at the shelter. The remaining nine dogs were euthanized due to severe physical or mental ailments.

Nappanee police confirmed that the investigation into Loftin's activities at Amish Acres remains ongoing.