Idaho man pleads guilty in theft of California man’s cattle

JEROME, Idaho – A southern Idaho man has pleaded guilty to stealing cattle after branding as his own and selling about 100 animals belonging to a California man.

The Capital Press reported Jason Anderson of Jerome pleaded guilty to grand theft Monday as part of a plea deal.

Gary Marchi says he sent the majority of his cattle to Anderson in 2011 because he lost all his rental pasture in California when the land was sold. He says he paid Anderson about $37,000 for the upkeep of the animals.

Court documents say Anderson branded the cattle as his own and sold the animals without sending any of the profits to Marchi.

The criminal activity took place between 2011 and 2015.

Anderson says he’s been advised by his attorney not to comment until after his May sentencing.