06/03/2026
This happened in our district. Itโs unfortunate that people make poor choices that really only affect others in our community.
๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป after admitting to shooting and destroying a pumphouse on BLM-managed public lands in western Idahoโs Payette County. The vandalism caused extensive damage that left critical water infrastructure inoperable and disrupted operations for local ranchers who depended on it.
The pumphouse, located on a BLM grazing allotment near Sand Hollow Road in Payette County, was heavily damaged in August 2023 after multiple rounds were fired into the structure. Investigators determined the gunfire caused a cinderblock wall to collapse, disabled the electrical system and rendered the essential facility unusable.
An investigation identified five individuals who admitted responsibility for shooting the pumphouse during interviews. Physical evidence collected at the scene confirmed multiple fi****ms were used and that the group collectively caused the damage.
The Payette County Prosecutorโs Office subsequently charged all five individuals with Malicious Injury to Property. Plea agreements were reached and each individual was court ordered to pay $5,000 to the ranchers, totaling $25,000 in restitution, for the reconstruction of the pumphouse.
Read more here: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/five-ordered-pay-2500-after-destroying-pumphouse-public-lands
