Federal authorities formally dropped the charges levied against South Dakota ranchers Charles and Heather Maude on April 28, following a nearly yearlong dispute with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) over a 25-acre parcel of land bordering the federally administered Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in South Dakota.
The Maude family has owned the land next to what is now the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands since 1910, and the boundary between the two properties has been agreed on and managed without incident since the grasslands were established in the 1960s. The issue began in March 2024 when complaints were allegedly made about the boundary fence being in the wrong place. The Maudes agreed in good faith to a survey being done to verify property lines, the results of which were never shared with them or the public. The couple were charged separately with indictments for theft of federal property in June 2024, meaning both Charles and Heather had to hire their own attorneys and each faced penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.
The response from neighboring ranchers, industry groups and elected officials helped bring attention to the Maudes' case and bring about the final resolution. Following the news of the federal charges being dropped, the Maudes were invited to Washington D.C. where they, joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and other key figures, addressed the overzealous criminal prosecution they faced.
“When this hit, it hit in the heart and soul of our place that has been in Charles’ family since 1910 … and [has been managed] without issue and with great care since,” said Heather, speaking for the family.
She went on to thank several individuals and organizations for their help in spreading the word and garnering support for their cause: Carrie Stadheim with Tri-State Livestock News (TSLN); Rachel Gabel with The Fence Post; Maria Tibbetts, former TSLN editor; Keely Covello with the UNWON podcast; Karen Budd-Falen, a Wyoming attorney with the Department of Interior; R-CALF USA members including Property Rights Chairman Shad Sullivan; National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Government Affairs VP Ethan Lane; Public Lands Council Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover; Wyoming Farm Bureau; South Dakota Stockgrowers Association; South Dakota Representative Liz May; and both her and Charles’ parents.
“And, [we thank] our neighbors who stood up for us. At the threat of retribution to their own operations, that they still face until we get this resolved. And we are so thankful for the efforts that are being rolled out today to help make progress in the right direction,” said Heather. “And everyone else who wrote, who contributed financially and who prayed for us. May God bless you and God bless America and God bless American agriculture. Thank you,” said Heather.
To combat and prevent further cases of the “lawfare” experienced by the Maude family, Rollins announced that the USDA is launching a new web portal for potential victims of ongoing lawfare originating under the Biden administration to submit their concerns and experiences. This site is active online.
“I am calling on any individuals who are currently enduring lawfare conducted by USDA to visit www.usda.gov/lawfare and submit a form. My team will promptly work to address the situation,” said Rollins.
"Federal overreach on your private property is not an experience any farmer or rancher should ever have to face," said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. "I am thankful that the Maudes can return to their family ranch and their normal life free from the looming threat of federal charges."
