Michael Lee Hester was sentenced today to three years of supervised probation, 24 days in jail, 240 hours of community service, and ordered to pay the full amount of $27,691, after pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a class four felony, and three counts of agriculture animal theft, a class four felony.

Mr. Hester pled open to these charges meaning the Judge had the full range of sentencing options for each count. For each class four felony in Colorado, the penalty range is 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections, 3 years of mandatory parole, and a fine ranging from $2,000-$500,000. These can be run concurrently or consecutively based on the Judge’s discretion. The prosecution recommended that Mr. Hester should serve some period of incarceration given the seriousness of his actions and the request from the victims, as well as honoring the agreement for Mr. Hester to pay in full the significant amount of restitution.

In April of 2024, deputies with the Larimer County Sheriff's Office responded to unincorporated Larimer County to a report of someone shooting cattle that were not his. In their initial search, deputies found three deceased cattle along with the Brand Inspector with the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Colorado is a free-range state. If a property owner does not want livestock on their property, it is their responsibility to build a fence to keep any unwanted livestock off their property. 

Several members of the community spoke on behalf of the prosecution and defense highlighting the contention that existed in the community surrounding this case. Many of those who spoke were ranchers with deep ties to the Larimer County community.

In handing down his sentence, Judge Stephen Jouard spoke of both the aggravating factors in this case as well as Mr. Hester’s remorse. “Mr. Hester made several poor choices and took the law into his hands,” said Judge Jouard. “But he has expressed extreme regret and appears to be genuinely remorseful. I must take each of those elements into consideration.”

“Livestock plays a vital role in the lives of many residents in the 8th Judicial District,” said District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin.  “I am proud of the prosecution team for finding a resolution that holds Mr. Hester responsible for his crimes and ensures he will cover the cost of the damage he’s caused.”