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Moffat County Ranchers Face Charges for Trash Dumps on Public Land
Two Moffat County ranchers are facing serious charges for their alleged involvement in building trash dumps on public land and illegally diverting water in Colorado. Leland Ray (John) Smith, age 70, and his younger brother, Bradford Moroni (Brad) Smith, age 65, both from Craig, Colorado, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on Tuesday, charged with two counts of committing crimes on BLM land.
According to the indictment, the defendants dug trenches on land owned by the United States and administered by the Bureau of Land Management, into which they dumped and buried garbage, waste, and debris generated from their private property. They are also accused of using heavy equipment to excavate pits, create artificial ponds, and affect the flow of the Woodbury Gulch water channel – specifically at a riparian area along the Woodbury Gulch, upon land owned by the United States and administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine per count. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer. The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Smith brothers appeared in U.S. District Court in Grand Junction this afternoon, where they were advised by a U.S. Magistrate Judge of their rights and the charges pending against them. They were released on a personal recognizance bond and ordered to return to court on Monday, June 24, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. in Grand Junction for arraignment.
The alleged environmental crimes committed by the Smith brothers are a grave concern for the community and the landowners of Moffat County. The case highlights the importance of upholding environmental laws and regulations to protect our public lands and natural resources.
The investigation into the Smith brothers’ alleged activities is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how this case will unfold. One thing is certain, however – the consequences of environmental crimes can be severe, and those who commit them must be held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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