Farmer Gets 30 Months in 5 State Farm Thefts

A northwest Kansas farmer has been sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $496,000 in restitution for stealing farm equipment across five states.

U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren noted Wednesday that 32-year-old Matthew T. Jones, of Colby, had already returned the stolen machinery.

Jones did not speak during the proceeding. His lawyer, Calvin Williams, said outside the courtroom they are satisfied with the sentence.

Jones pleaded guilty in May to three counts of interstate transportation of stolen goods.

Prosecutors say Jones and co-defendant Ryan Hanzlick stole large pieces of farm equipment between 2005 and 2008 from Wyoming, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

Hanzlick, a 32-year-old from the Kansas town of Gem, was sentenced earlier this month to three years in prison and ordered to pay $329,900.