In 2021, a severe drought led to a significant hay shortage in Montana and Wyoming, leaving ranchers desperate to secure feed for their livestock. Amid this crisis, Jory D. Parks, a 43-year-old from Logan, Kansas, exploited the situation by orchestrating a fraudulent hay-selling scheme. Operating under the business name Heart Cross Ranch, LLC, Parks advertised large quantities of hay for sale on Facebook, claiming he could deliver to Montana and Wyoming from out of state. He collected payments from ranchers but failed to deliver the promised hay, instead using the funds for unrelated personal and business expenses.
Justice.gov
One notable victim was a ranching couple from Ingomar, Montana, who contracted with Parks to purchase 190 tons of hay for $43,300, providing a down payment of $21,650. Parks delivered only 23 tons and neither supplied the remaining hay nor refunded the outstanding balance.
Justice.gov
In July 2024, Parks pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the U.S. District Court in Billings, Montana. He faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. However, in November 2024, he was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to his victims.
The Fence Post
This case underscores the vulnerability of agricultural communities during environmental crises and highlights the importance of vigilance against fraudulent schemes. Ranchers are advised to exercise caution when engaging in transactions, especially with unfamiliar entities, and to verify the legitimacy of sellers to protect their operations from potential fraud.
Sources:
The Fence Post The Fence PostJustice.Gov
