Tribune Staff
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MISSOULA A Bozeman man accused of stealing cattle and embryos while defrauding a bank and a business partner was sentenced Friday, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney s Office.
Joshua James Chappa, 45, received 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $450,993 restitution.
Chappa pleaded guilty on Jan. 21 to conversion of secured property and to wire fraud.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. Judge Christensen allowed Chappa to self-report to prison.
In court documents filed in the case, the government alleged that Chappa was a ranch manager and worked for Hayes Ranch, LLC, in Wilsall, from 2008 until 2017. Chappa also formed Cold Smoke Cattle, LLC, in 2015.
Bozeman man gets 2.5 years in prison for cattle rustling scheme
MTN
and last updated 2021-05-14 21:05:55-04
A Bozeman man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison and is expected to pay $450,993 restitution for a cattle rustling scheme.
Joshua James Chappa, 45, pleaded guilty on Jan. 21 to conversion of secured property and to wire fraud.
Chappa worked as a ranch manager for Hayes Ranch in Wilsall, about 25 miles north of Livingston, from 2008 until 2017. Chappa also formed his own cattle company Cold Smoke Cattle in 2015.
While working for Hayes Ranch, he had access to cattle and embryos. Prosecutors say when the owners of the ranch were out of the country, Chappa began dealing in cattle, including stealing cattle from the Hayes Ranch and selling them as if they were his own.
Bozeman man gets 2.5 years in prison for cattle-rustling scheme
MTN
and last updated 2021-05-14 19:08:47-04
A Bozeman man has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison and is expected to pay $450,993 restitution for a cattle-rustling scheme.
Joshua James Chappa, 45, pleaded guilty on Jan. 21 to conversion of secured property and to wire fraud.
Chappa worked as a ranch manager for Hayes Ranch in Wilsall, about 25 miles north of Livingston, from 2008 until 2017. Chappa also formed his own cattle company Cold Smoke Cattle in 2015.
While working for Hayes Ranch, he had access to cattle and embryos. Prosecutors say when the owners of the ranch were out of the country, Chappa began dealing in cattle, including stealing cattle from the Hayes Ranch and selling them as if they were his own.