Moab, Grand County -- One of the state's largest cattle rustling cases has ended with the conviction and sentencing of a Sanpete County man to up to five years in prison. Jesse Vaughn pleaded guilty, March 5, 2002, in Seventh District Court in Moab, to six felony counts of receiving stolen property in connection with the disappearance 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. Restitution to victims in that case is pending.

Three other men face similar charges in Emery County.

The sentencing brings to a close a nearly year-long case involving dozens of head of livestock, and thousands of dollars in equipment.
Since January of 2001, 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.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of this case," said Brands Bureau Chief, Terry Menlove. "Our inspectors worked hard with the victims and sheriff's deputies to recover the stolen property and bring those involved to justice."

Grand County District Court Judge, Lyle R. Anderson, told the court that his sentence, which included prison time and a large amount of restitution, was intended to send a message to other would-be cattle rustlers. He said that because of the difficulty that livestock owners have in protecting their animals in the wide-open ranges of the West, it was necessary to imposed a stiff sentence as a means to help livestock owners protect their property.

In one case, three suspects in the Green River area told brand inspectors they considered themselves to be "outlaws" not thieves, and fashioned themselves as modern day Jesse and Frank James. Menlove said the men dressed in black clothing, rode black horses and operated at night. The three were caught after UDAF District Supervisor, Shyrel Baker discovered branded and tagged livestock in Tuscher Canyon Northeast of Green River.