NORWICH – A Chenango County jury found an Afton business man guilty of six felonies last week after prosecutor’s argued he defrauded his workers’ compensation benefits.

He is now facing a maximum of 24 years in state prison.

On Feb. 4, the New York State Insurance Frauds Bureau and the New York State Police in Sidney arrested 60-year-old Edward J. Panus, owner of Ponderosa Fish Farms. He was accused of collecting around $60,000 from the workers’ compensation fund he was not entitled to since 1996.

Following a day long trial that began Tuesday, Panus was convicted after 48 minutes of jury deliberation.

District Attorney Joseph McBride said Panus now faces a possible maximum sentence of 24 years in state prison.