Montrose County, Colorado (Aiexpress) – According to an arrest affidavit, one of the suspects suspected with murdering livestock in Montrose was beaten after displaying the claimed deed.
Delta residents Jevon Vigil, 19, and Leeland Hernandez, 20, have been charged with criminal mischief, a class 5 felony, and three charges of cruelty to animals, a class 1 misdemeanor, for allegedly shooting and killing calves in Montrose County on December 29.
The livestock owner told police enforcement that he examined the cows and they were fine about 4 a.m. that day. When he returned at 10 a.m., he found two cows dead and a third shot but still walking around, according to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office affidavit.
According to the statement, the two slain cows were valued at roughly $3,000 each, and one of them was pregnant with a calf due in about a month. Furthermore, the cow who was shot but survived was pregnant, and she may lose her calf. The affidavit does not say if the calf survived or not.
The owner also pointed police to tire marks and footprints that did not belong to him or his family. According to the affidavit, Investigator Sarah Belcher discovered a Walmart cup, a Twix wrapper, and a white 12-gauge shotgun round when inspecting the scene.
Belcher also examined the cows, discovering one with a small hole in the neck. She later learned that the animal had a significantly larger hole in its shoulder on the opposite side.
The second dead cow had a big hole in her ribs behind the shoulder. The affidavit stated that the wound is consistent with a shotgun.
Belcher also examined the third animal, who had a gunshot wound that penetrated her left brisket on both sides of her leg and looked to enter her lower ribs with no obvious exit hole.
Belcher later received two tips on the shooting, both of which suggested she look into Vigil. According to one of the tipsters, Vigil had a video of the alleged deed on his photo. On December 31, Vigil gave the video to two people, who decided to “beat his a**” because they found the activities repugnant, according to the affidavit.
Belcher later contacted with the Delta County Sheriff’s Office about the event, which confirmed the tipsters’ accounts. The people interrogated reportedly told law enforcement that Vigil has a history of animal cruelty.
Belcher attempted to contact Vigil but could not reach him at home. After discovering him on Jan. 3, Belcher obtained a search warrant to seize Vigil’s phone to check whether there was video of him shooting the animals.
Belcher discussed his role in the alleged gunshot and attack with Vigil after reading his Miranda rights. According to the affidavit, Vigil, who reportedly had a black eye and sutures on his right ear, claimed he was beaten during an altercation in which he was accused of hitting someone’s car.
According to the affidavit, Belcher told him she knew he was dishonest because reports claimed differently, and she was aware of a video on his phone showing him shooting the cows.
Vigil then allegedly informed Belcher, “I am not the only one who did this as well,” before pointing to Hernandez. Vigil reportedly stated that he has been living with Hernandez for about two and a half weeks and has had “nothing but trouble.”
It was also supposedly Hernandez’s suggestion to shoot the cattle, but Vigil told him, “No, it’s not a good idea.”
Vigil also said Hernandez shot the animals first. He also stated that he had no idea why they decided to shoot the calves and had done so under peer pressure, according to the arrest document.
Later that day, authorities approached Hernandez at his residence. He spoke with law police about the shooting and asked for a lawyer.
During an investigation of their residence, officials discovered a 12-gauge shotgun and shoes matching the footprints found on the scene.
Hernandez and Vigil, both detained at the Montrose County Jail, are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
