Man pleads guilty to defrauding Montana ranchers in hay scam

By Medicine Hat News on August 1, 2024.

@MedicineHatNews

A Kansas man charged with defrauding Montana ranchers with phony hay sales during the 2021 drought has pleaded guilty and now faces up to 20 years in jail and a US$250,000 fine.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Montana announced July 18 that Jory D. Parks, 43, of Logan, Kan., was arraigned and entered the guilty plea to a charge of wire fraud.

Prosecutors alleged that during a hay shortage in Montana and Wyoming in 2021, Parks advertised on Facebook, offering to sell and deliver large amounts of hay.

A complaint was made by a ranching business that contracted 190 tons of hay for $43,300 and provided a 50 per cent downpayment. Only one shipment of 23 tons was made.

An FBI investigation alleges Parks took payments but used the money for unrelated business and personal expenses and made false promises about deliveries and the success of his business.

A sentencing date is not yet set.

8
-7