Sentencing for former Morrill County Three Strikes Ranch owner Jason Meduna is set for February 23 following Meduna’s conviction of cruel neglect of animals.

A district court jury in Bridgeport deliberated for five-and- a-half hours Friday before returning 145 guilty verdicts to felony charges of cruel neglect of an animal resulting in injury, illness, or death. 

70 horses and burros died on the ranch this past spring, while over 200 surviving horses and burros, most which were in extremely poor condition, were removed to other locations in a national rescue effort.

Meduna remained stoic as Judge Leo Dobrovolny read the verdict on each of the 145 guilty verdicts. There were only four counts where Meduna was found not guilty.

Meduna could receive up to five years in prison on each count when he is sentenced. He remains free on bond until then.

Witnesses for the state, including, neighbors, owners of horses Meduna was caring for, local veterinarians, testified that a severe lack of feed and overgrazed rangeland that had only sand remaining, contributed to the animal's deaths and the poor condition of the surviving horses.

Meduna maintained the animals had been poisoned by neighbors and that drinking water from area lakes was contaminated with arsenic.

The jury came in with its verdict shortly before 9 o’clock Friday night.

Following the verdict, Morrill County Sheriff John Edens, who played a major role in the rescue operations, stated he was pleased with the jury’s verdict.

"The jury obviously considered each of the 149 counts and took a lot of time looking at a lot of evidence we presented," he said.  "I believe it was a justified verdict."

Edens says the past nine months were very labor intensive in preparing for this week’s trial, and he is thankful that those who participated in last April’s rescue effort were able to save over 200 animals.