A Pinedale man has been fined $15,000 for unlawful grazing on federal lands. Philip Selby, 67, of Pinedale, Wyoming, pleaded guilty to providing false information to a forest officer, allowing unauthorized livestock on national forest land, and violating the terms and conditions of a grazing permit.
The case against Selby began in 2017 with a multi-state investigation into alleged fraud, embezzlement, and theft of livestock in California. The investigation revealed that Selby, then manager of the Pinedale-based Rendezvous Ranch, had been engaged in a business relationship with a suspect in California. Records obtained by U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement revealed multiple payments issued from the California suspect to Selby in connection with the cattle, even though the ranch legally owned no cattle.
Selby acknowledged the terms of the grazing permit in writing and admitted to the business relationship with the suspect. However, he claimed ownership of the cattle shipped to the Rendezvous Ranch, despite records showing that the ranch legally owned no cattle. The investigation revealed that numerous head of cattle were illegally rebranded, giving the appearance of a legitimate transfer. Rebranded cattle were released onto the Bridger-Teton National Forest in violation of several permit provisions aimed at protection of range resources, and utilization of public land range allotments.
The cattle were seized by the state in the fall of 2017, at which time Selby signed an affidavit disavowing ownership of approximately 370 head. The Rendezvous Ranch changed ownership in the months that followed.
“The United States Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, remains committed to protection of Rangeland resources and upholding the integrity of the livestock industry in the state of Wyoming,” said Acting United States Attorney, Bob Murray.
Selby was ordered to pay $15,000 in fines for his role in the grazing violations. The case was investigated by U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations with assistance from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in California and the Wyoming Livestock Board. Assistant United States Attorney Christyne M. Martens.
Philip Selby, 67, of Pinedale, Wyoming, pleaded guilty to providing false information to a forest officer, allowing unauthorized livestock on national forest land, and violating the terms and conditions of a grazing permit on October 18, 2021.
The defendant, Philip Selby, resides in Pinedale, Wyoming. The exact criminal charges against Philip Selby include providing false information to a forest officer, allowing unauthorized livestock on national forest land, and violating the terms and conditions of a grazing permit.
The city and state where the crime occurred is Pinedale, Wyoming. The exact date of the crime is not specified in the source, however, Selby pleaded guilty on October 18, 2021. The sentence or outcome of the case is a fine of $15,000.
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Key Facts
- State: Wyoming
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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