Ingalls Man Sentenced for Cattle Theft

WICHITA, KS—James D. Unruh, 37, Ingalls, Kan., has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for cattle theft, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

In April, Unruh pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of theft of livestock. In his plea, Unruh admitted he operated a starter feed yard in Finney County, Kan., where he took possession of cattle belonging to others for the purpose of feeding the cattle to increase their size before slaughter. Beginning in 2006 and continuing through September 2007, he began to steal cattle entrusted to him. He had the stolen cattle transported outside Kansas and sold without the permission of the owners.

In order to sell the cattle, he transmitted information by wire. The total value of cattle and related items Unruh stole was approximately $2 million.

Welch commended the Finney County Sheriff, the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their work on the case. Welch prosecuted the case.

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