Thomas William Jessberger, who ran a sham animal rescue, also was ordered to pay $38,000 in restitution.
Jessberger pleaded no-contest to 15 felony charges in October. He was facing up to 68 years in prison (although we know that no one who does these types of crimes to animals ever gets such a long sentence).
In his plea agreement, 16 animals once in Thomas Jessberger's care were listed by name. Jessberger pleaded no-contest to subjecting those animals, including a mare named Chili found dead at the Rocky Acres Horse and Sanctuary, to mistreatment and neglect.
Included in the plea deal, was the red roan mare named Chili who was found buried on the purported rescue's property. Lab tests confirmed the mare, owned by a boarding client, had a bone marrow fat content of .2%. The average fat content of bone marrow in horses is 81.7%. According to a necropsy, Chili died of starvation.
As part of the agreement, prosecutors dropped 19 counts of animal cruelty and a charge of bail jumping.
Jessberger and Darlene Rindal, the former owners of Rocky Acres Horse Rescue, were each charged with one misdemeanor count and 34 felony counts of cruelty to animals in connection with an investigation by the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office.
Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swanson said the county had spent more than $100,000 as of last fall to care for the animals. He did not have a more recent calculation Friday.
Broadwater County spent more than $100,000 to rehabilitate the animals. Swanson said the county is still caring for about 15 horses. Some of those are available for adoption through the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office, he added.
Rindal is awaiting a March trial on her charges.
On March 11, 2014, 28 horses, five goats, one miniature mule and one donkey, nearly all of which showed signs of severe malnutrition, were seized from the property. At least two of the animals had to be euthanized.
Rindal and Jessberger used the animal rescue to raise money through websites, social media, public fundraising events and horse rides in exchange for donations, Swanson wrote. They also received free or discounted hay, veterinary services and other contributions.
Jessberger was convicted in a separate case of felony theft and received a suspended sentence. He then fled probation and was later picked up in Florida. Jessberger received a five-year sentence to the Montana Department of Corrections in that case after his suspended sentence was revoked. Friday's sentence will run consecutively.
Jessberger is no stranger to crime in other states, including Kentucky. County Attorney Bosse told the court that he may have charges pending in California.
(Helena Independent Record - Jan 29, 2016)
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