Suspended sentence for illegal branding

A Hot Springs man was sentenced on Monday for illegally branding livestock that was not his. John E. Herman appeared before Judge Brenda Gilbert, changing his plea to guilty in the case.

Herman pleaded guilty to a felony charge of illegal branding or altering or obscuring a brand. As per a plea agreement, Judge Gilbert handed Herman a two-year suspended sentence with the Department of Corrections. Additionally, prosecution was deferred for two years on one charge of theft of a commonly domesticated hoofed animal. Judge Gilbert said that charge would be dismissed after two years as long as Herman follows the requirements of the plea agreement. Two additional charges in the cases were dismissed Monday as part of the plea agreement.

Herman admitted in 20th District Judicial Court in Thompson Falls on Monday that he illegally placed his brand on a bull that was not his. “You won’t see me again once this is over,” Herman told the judge prior to his sentencing.

Also in court on Monday, Tabatha Ballard entered a change of plea. Ballard pleaded guilty to one county of felony strangulation of a partner or family member, one felony county of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and one county of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor. Ballard admitted to the charges, which stemmed from an incident in February 2023. Judge Gilbert set a sentencing date of October 24, 2023, for Ballard.