WASHINGTON, D.C. — R-CALF USA has called on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to immediately dismiss criminal charges against South Dakota ranchers Charles and Heather Maude.
The Maudes, ranchers from Caputa, South Dakota, were indicted in June 2024 on charges of theft of government property. They are accused of unlawfully modifying a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) grazing allotment consisting of 25 acres. Their family has responsibly managed this allotment for more than a century without violation. Indicted separately, each faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 if convicted. Their trial is set for April 29.
Following the indictments, R-CALF USA initially urged the Biden administration’s Agriculture Department, USFS and Justice Department on Aug. 12, 2024, to drop all charges and pursue a common-sense resolution. With no government response, a new administration in office and a trial date approaching, R-CALF USA is renewing its call for the immediate dismissal of the charges.
In a letter sent on April 1, the organization argues that the disputed boundary issue stems from an imperfect survey conducted over a century ago, not intentional theft. It states that the Maudes had cooperated with USFS’s efforts to resolve the matter but, instead of communication, they faced individual indictments and unexpected visits from armed agents. The letter also criticizes the USFS’s handling of the case, citing a lack of transparency, disregard for historical survey imperfections and heavy-handed enforcement.
The letter concluded by calling on the USDA, the USFS and the DOJ to engage in direct, transparent communication with the Maudes to reach a fair and common-sense resolution.
“The Maude family are long-standing community members dedicated to land stewardship and food production,” said R-CALF USA Property Rights Committee Chair Shad Sullivan. “It is imperative that federal agencies act with fairness and avoid government overreach. We call on the USDA, USFS and DOJ to drop all charges immediately and work toward a reasonable solution.”
