A former Clovis corporate manager was sentenced Monday to 18 months in federal prison for helping steal nearly $5 million worth of canola used in livestock feed from international food processors, federal prosecutors said.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 49-year-old Shawn Sawa was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston after admitting his role in a years-long fraud scheme that ran from 2015 to 2017 and moved millions of dollars in stolen commodities through a now-defunct Central Valley transloading company.

Prosecutors said Sawa and co-defendant Richard Best stole $4.8 million worth of canola through Best’s business, Richard Best Transfer Inc., which transferred commodities between trains and trucks. As Fresno area manager for one of the victim food processors, Sa

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