The second and final suspect in one of the state’s largest cattle rustling cases was sentenced to prison May 21, by Grand County District Court Judge, Lyle R. Anderson. Chris Young of Gunnison was sentenced to from one-five years in prison, fined $925 and ordered to pay $30,000 restitution to three ranchers in Sanpete and Grand counties. Young’s prison sentence was suspended, and he was placed on three years probation and ordered to serve 120 days in the Grand County jail. Prosecutors stated Young’s involvement in the theft was of a lesser degree than others involved in the thefts.
Young faces additional livestock theft charges in Sanpete County in connection with the theft of 23 head of cattle belonging to two ranchers in that county. Young is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on those charges in July.
In March, Jesse Vaughn of Sanpete County pleaded guilty to six felony counts of receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of cattle in Grand, Sanpete and Emery counties. Vaughn was ordered to pay $64,500 in restitution to the victim and fined $925. Vaughn also pleaded guilty in Sanpete District Court to three additional charges of felony theft of livestock.
Young’s sentencing brings to a close a case involving dozens of head of livestock and thousands of dollars in equipment.
Since January of 2001, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s Animal Industry brand inspectors recovered 85 head of cows, calves and horses as well as more than $30,000 worth of stolen property. The value of the recovered livestock alone is put at more than $40,000.
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