Cantaloupe farmers plead guilty to misdemeanor

Eric and Ryan Jensen, owners of the cantaloupe farm tied to a deadly 2011 Listeriosis outbreak, have pled guilty to six misdemeanor counts of introducing contaminated food into interstate commerce. A sentencing hearing has been set for Jan. 28, and the charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison and $1.5 million in fines.

The outbreak caused 33 deaths and scores of hospitalizations. The farmers agreed to meet with relatives of victims, as well as to donate any money they collect from a related lawsuit to victims and their families, according to the AP.