UPDATE: Charles and Heather Maude, facing federal felony charges, are speaking out about their tumultuous experience. Their first public presentation since the charges was delivered on Saturday in Dickinson, South Dakota, to a packed audience of agriculture producers.
The couple made headlines earlier this year when the U.S. Forest Service dropped theft charges against them, stemming from a disputed fence on land claimed by the federal government. During their presentation, they recounted the harrowing events that began on March 29, 2024, when federal agents visited their ranch near Scenic, South Dakota.
“We invited them to our kitchen table to discuss the situation,” Heather Maude explained. The agents aimed to address a berm built by Charles’ great-grandfather in 1910, which had become a point of contention as the land transitioned to Forest Service property. Despite holding a grazing allotment, the Maudes found themselves confronting unexpected legal challenges.
Communication quickly deteriorated after the meeting, leading to a shocking escalation. On June 24, 2024, each Maude received separate felony charges for theft of government property, facing a potential 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. “We had only about five business days to prepare for our July 8, 2025, indictment hearing,” Charles stated, highlighting the urgency of their situation.
Heather emphasized their innocence, stating, “There was no intent for us on our part to commit any crime.” The couple presented historical documents affirming their ownership of the disputed land, yet they felt unheard in their attempts to resolve the issue. “We received no written communication indicating we had done anything wrong,” Heather lamented.
In a press conference on April 29, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins acknowledged the dismissal of the federal charges, but the Maudes insist that their troubles are far from over. “Most people thought our life went back to normal and it didn’t,” Heather said. “You can’t resolve a boundary dispute with felony charges hanging over you.”
As they navigate these challenges, the Maudes are now considering a purchase agreement from Tom Schultz, chief of the Forest Service, which allows them to buy the disputed land under the Small Tracts Act. “We have a few people reviewing the purchase agreement,” Heather confirmed. “Once signed, it could resolve the boundary dispute.”
The couple has yet to formally respond to the felony charges but are exploring their legal options. “We have a list of attorneys that would love to take them on,” Heather noted, while expressing a preference to resolve the situation without litigation. “We would rather not sue the government.”
The Maudes are urging the public to stay informed as they work through both the boundary dispute and the federal charges. “We appreciate everyone following along with our situation,” Heather concluded, emphasizing the ongoing nature of their struggle.
For ongoing coverage of the Maude family’s situation, visit The Dickinson Press or follow their ranch’s social media. More information about the North Dakota Farm Bureau, which facilitated the Maudes’ speaking engagement, is available at www.ndfb.org.
