Conservation District Seeks Answers in Tractor Vandalism and Disc Theft

The Valley County Conservation District and county sheriff Tom Boyer are asking for help from the public in seeking answers to a curious case of unauthorized use and vandalism of the district's tractor and rototiller and the straight-up theft of the district's disc.

The Sheriff is encouraging the public to come forward with information on the events which occurred throughout 2020 and cost the district more than $13,000 in damage and loss. "This is still an active investigation," he explained, adding that information is not yet known on the identity of those responsible.

The incidents in question began in April 2020, when the conservation district supervisors decided to sell a Case IH Farmall utility tractor, front loader, disc and rototiller. The items went up for sale and after some interest the district showed the tractor and attachments to a potential buyer, but discovered that they had been used, abused and damaged by an unknown entity.

According to Gene Granada, one of the district supervisors, the tractors were only for the use of district employees planting trees at the plot east of town or for other area farmers and ranchers. Granada said the use and damage in question had not been the result of an employee of the district or any authorized use of the property.

It was ultimately determined that the tractor's head had been cracked and the resulting repairs were costly and timely. Due to the damage the district had to put the sale of the tractor and its attachments on hold while repairs were made. Those repairs took until September, and once again they were put up for sale. This time however, when the district tried to test the tractor by hooking up the rototiller, they discovered that the tiller too had been damaged and needed costly repairs.

"I just can't imagine somebody would steal something like that [tractor], abuse it and then not say a thing," said district supervisor Jeff Pattison.

Eventually, the repairs were made, the rototiller and tractor were sold, insurance claims were sent off and the Sheriff was conducting an investigation to find the vandal. But the conservation district's problems did not end with the rototiller and tractor, and in December of 2020 it was discovered that the disc attachment to the tractor had been stolen from the conservation district's plot of land next to Northern Border Pipeline east of Glasgow.

According to Granada, the total damages to county conservation taxpayers is likely more than $13,000, and the Sheriff highlighted that the case was likely to result in felony charges. In fact, Pattison said, the district was putting up a $500 reward for information that leads to the individuals responsible for the damages and theft.

"So, we're pretty well disgusted," said Granada speaking on behalf of the district board of supervisors. "It's stealing from everybody in Valley County that pays conservation taxes."

Pattison echoed Granada's sentiment saying, "We're disgusted by the whole thing."

Sheriff Boyer said those responsible face felony charges for criminal mischief for damage to property in excess of $1,500 and for the associated theft. If found to be guilty the offenders could face a fine of up to $50,000, imprisonment in the Montana State Prison for up to 10 years or both.