UPDATE: The Maude family has broken their silence regarding the federal criminal charges they faced, revealing their ongoing battle with the U.S. Forest Service over land ownership. This urgent news comes as Charles and Heather Maude addressed a packed audience of agriculture producers in Dickinson, South Dakota, sharing their harrowing journey since federal agents arrived at their ranch on March 29, 2024.
The Maudes made national headlines earlier this year when the U.S. government dropped theft charges against them, which stemmed from a disputed fence on land claimed by the Forest Service. During their public presentation on April 29, 2025, the couple detailed how federal agents served them with criminal felony charges of theft, each facing a potential 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
“Our lives were turned upside down in just a matter of days,” Heather Maude stated. The couple explained that their ordeal began when agents questioned their grazing rights despite having an allotment from the Forest Service. They invited the agents into their home and presented historical documents proving their ownership, but communication broke down, leading to the shocking criminal charges just days before their July 8, 2025 indictment hearing.
Despite the charges being dropped after a press conference with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the Maudes claim that the federal government has yet to fully resolve their land dispute. “Most people thought our life went back to normal, and it didn’t,” Heather asserted, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty. “You can’t resolve an issue like a boundary dispute with criminal felony charges against you.”
In a significant development, just days before their presentation, the Maudes received a purchase agreement from Tom Schultz, the current chief of the Forest Service, offering them the option to buy the disputed land under the Small Tracts Act. This was described as a viable solution that the government could have pursued all along.
“We’re having a few people review the purchase agreement,” Heather revealed, expressing optimism that this could finally resolve their boundary dispute. The couple emphasized their reluctance to respond formally to the criminal charges, preferring to continue negotiations without escalating to litigation against the government. “We would rather not sue the government,” she stated.
As the Maudes navigate this complex situation, they urged the audience to remain engaged and informed about their ongoing battle. “The last piece is ‘how do we respond to the criminal felony charges they brought against us?’” Heather concluded, hinting at a potential resolution while keeping details close to their chest.
For continued updates on the Maude family and their situation, follow the ongoing coverage in The Dickinson Press or visit their ranch’s social media platforms. More information about the North Dakota Farm Bureau, the organization that facilitated the Maudes’ presentation, can be found at www.ndfb.org.
Stay tuned as this story develops, shedding light on the complexities of land ownership rights and the impact of federal charges on families across America.
