Beekeepers plead guilty to misdemeanor in employee death

A pair of beekeeping business owners on Wednesday pleaded guilty to safety violations that caused an employee’s 2018 death in Novato.

Defendants Mark Dennis Tauzer and son Trevor Hansen Tauzer earlier pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of causing the victim’s death. They changed their pleas after their attorneys successfully had their felony charges reduced to misdemeanors in Marin Superior Court.

The case centers on what transpired at a worksite for the defendants’ Yolo County-based business, Tauzer Apiaries Inc. Employee Carlos Del Toro was crushed between a cage and forklift while exiting a Bobcat, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. His death was ruled accidental.

Judge Kelly Simmons on Wednesday sentenced the Tauzers to a year of probation. She also ordered them to pay restitution to the victim’s family and to complete a safety course on operating heavy machinery.

Prosecutor Geoff Iida, and defense attorneys Peter Goodman and Geoffrey Rotwein declined to comment on the case.