Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
John Hollenhorst ReportingReggie Jenks, Cattleman: "They've been cutting the fences, the gates and everything to lure them into their field."
Accusations of rustling and cattle killing are flying in eastern Utah. There are claims that hundreds of animals have been stolen and sometimes shot. It's a long-simmering dispute along a fence line that divides Ute Indian territory from the ranch of a powerful Texas billionaire.
In this bitter dispute, sorting out lies from truth, fact from fiction is a tough proposition. Investigators seem to have already dismissed a supposed inside witness as unreliable. But the conflict is so serious, including allegations of death threats, that some say it's long overdue for resolution.
They say "Good fences make good neighbors," but Ute Indian rancher Reggie Jenks says his neighbors have cut fences and lured cattle through to steal them.
Reggie Jenks, Cattleman: "Over 400 head. Yearlings, heifers, steers."
The manager of the neighboring Alameda Ranch says it's never happened.
Thomas Jenkins, Alameda Corp. Ranch Manager: "It's against the law and I am not a law-breaking citizen."
Alameda ranch is owned by Texas billionaire Oscar Wyatt. He was indicted last year for allegedly paying bribes to the government of Saddam Hussein. His ranch managers have been embroiled in a dispute with Jenks for years. He claims his cows mix with theirs, and the Ute Tribe won't let them get Alameda cows back.
Thomas Jenkins: "Jenks's have cows all the way around us, in between us, on us. We have a few cows on the Indian grounds. We'd like to get ours back if we could do that legally like. "
Jenks says they've been using illegal methods to take his cows. He claims photos show they've killed some too.
Reggie Jenks: "They been taking off with my cattle. And nobody has done anything really about it."
Now, into this volatile mix comes a former Alameda ranch-hand with an inflammatory claim. David Pratt says his Alameda bosses routinely ordered cowboys to capture Reggie Jenks' cows.
David Pratt, Former Alameda Ranch-hand: "Told us to go get the Indian cows. Go get Reggie's cows."
He says stolen cows were loaded on trucks late at night, after being lured with hay put out as bait.
David Pratt: "And then keep doing that every day and move the hay farther and farther inside our fence line."
Authorities say they've found no evidence to support Pratt's charges, and Alameda officials fiercely deny it.
Gayle McKeachnie, Attorney for Alameda Corp: "I don't think they're the kind of people that would do that."
A former Lieutenant Governor is on the case for Alameda.
Gayle McKeachnie, Attorney for Alameda Corp.: "I've been hired by Alameda to try to figure out how to get their cows back."
It's a potentially explosive situation. Each side accuses the other of cutting fences, re-branding cattle, carrying guns, making death threats.
Jenks and his supporters insist he's the victim and officialdom isn't doing it's job.
Janet Cuch, Legal Advocate for Jenks: "No criminal investigation has ever occurred and there's mounds of evidence."
A Uintah County detective told me today he has investigated and has found no clear evidence of cattle thefts, but the bitter conflict goes on. There are so many county, state, federal and tribal agencies that could play a role, it seems none have taken the lead to settle it.
