PEA RIDGE — Two Garfield men could be sentenced to more than 65 years in prison if convicted of charges in connection with vandalism, shooting cows and shooting and running over a dog.
Gary Jeffrey Miller Jr., 19, is charged with seven counts of criminal mischief, all class C felonies; and aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat, or horse, a class D felony. Jeremy Lynn Roberts, 18, is charged with six counts of criminal mischief and one count of animal cruelty.
The class C felonies are punishable with a prison sentence ranging from three to 10 years on each count.
The class D felony carries a punishment of up to six years in prison.
Both pleaded not guilty during arraignments before Circuit Judge Robin Green on Monday.
Miller and Roberts were arrested July 20.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office received several reports July 20 of damaged mailboxes, killed or injured animals and a damaged vehicle, according to court documents.
One man reported the windshield of his fertilizer spreader truck had been damaged and the side window of the vehicle broken out.
A woman reported her mailbox had been damaged.
A Sheriff’s Office deputy later found another eight damaged mailboxes on Roland Davis and Patton roads. A third caller reported one of his pregnant cowshad been shot and killed.
A fourth caller reported some of his cows had been shot and a pregnant cow killed, according to court documents.
Miller and Roberts are charged with five counts of criminal mischief in connection with the death of five cows.
Deputy Prosecutor Nathan Smith said killing cows is not covered in the felony animal cruelty statute, so criminal mischief charges were filed.
Miller and Roberts are accused of damaging mailboxes. Roberts is charged with criminal mischief in connection with the vandalism of the vehicle.
Miller and Roberts were released from the Benton County Jail after posting $15,000 bonds.
On the Record, Pages 9 on 09/08/2010