Wendland, Nelson ag vandalism sentencing set for February

Sentencing hearings for Jasper Wendland and Devon Nelson, arrested last year in connection with a string of vandalism incidents in Blaine and Chouteau counties that caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to farm equipment, have been set for February after the latter’s was rescheduled Wednesday.

Wendland and Nelson were served warrants out of both Blaine and Chouteau counties and were charged in Blaine County with five felony counts of criminal mischief pecuniary loss more than $1,500, or alternatively by accountability, and two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief pecuniary loss less than $1,500.

Felony damages were to farm equipment and materials owned by the Gasvoda family of Lone Tree Cattle Company, including a several-hundred-thousand-dollar crop sprayer, a truck set up to haul and pump water, a trailer with multiple broken spray totes and a semitractor-trailer that was found almost 14 miles from where it had been parked the previous day. A tractor leased by Blaine County also had windows shot out.

The two misdemeanor charges were for fences damaged on two separate properties.

Both men were also charged in Chouteau County with one count of felony criminal mischief pecuniary loss more than $1,500, or alternatively by accountability for damages to a skid-steer and a tractor belonging to Chris Boyce.

A restitution hearing for Nelson was held last week at the Blaine County District Court where attorneys made arguments to Judge Yvonne Laird regarding potential restitution to injured parties.

In the hearing Nelson’s counsel Jeremy Yellin did not object to the restitution requested for the Gasvoda family, but did object to his defendant paying restitution to Chubb Agribusiness Insurance Company, saying the company does not need a windfall.

Minutes from the hearing say that Yellin argued, “They are paid a premium and it is their job to pay insurance costs.”

Arguments were taken under advisement by the court, but a decision will not be announced until the sentencing hearing set for Feb. 2 at 9 a.m.

The sentencing for Wendland will be Feb. 13 at 2:30 p.m.

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Pam Burke contributed reporting to this story.