KIT LANEY/DIAMOND BAR CATTLE COMPANY

Email From Caren Cowan

Kit Laney, long embattled with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) over the Diamond Bar Allotment in the Gila National Forest, received a five (5) month sentence today from Federal Judge John Conway after entering into a plea agreement with the federal government regarding charges stemming from Laney's attempting to release livestock rounded up by the USFS.

Clearly disturbed by having to issue such a sentence, Judge Conway stressed that it was his desire that Laney serve the time in a prison "boot camp" or half way house as opposed to a county jail. But, the judge pointed out that he could not direct the place of service. Indications in the courtroom were that the Bureau of Prisons was amenable to boot camp service.

Additionally, Laney will have one (1) year of unsupervised probation and was assessed a minimal fine. He will be required to report for his service in mid January 2005.

But perhaps the most disturbing part of the morning was as a tremendously shaken Sherry Laney left the courtroom. She was confronted by a man who shoved a sealed envelope at her. He said that it was a motion for costs and fees for Isaiah Baker. Sherry was too stunned to even respond or accept the envelope, which bore the return address of the National Wildlife Federation. After a person comforting Sherry took the envelope, the man turned to leave, saying that she would be receiving the motion in the mail as well.

Isaiah Baker is one of the contractors who rounded up the Laney cattle from the Diamond Bar. The Laneys pressed cattle theft charges against Baker in Catron County. Those charges were dismissed by the court in Catron County.

What on earth has the National Wildlife Federation got to do with a USFS contractor --- little alone representing one in a legal capacity?