Opinion ID: 2112402
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Counts of Misuse or Alteration of a Brand

Text: Johnston also argues that the trial court erred in ruling that the conduct charged constituted 17 separate counts of misuse or alteration of a brand instead of one. Johnston extends his argument on 19 counts of grand theft to the misuse of alteration of a brand. However, violation of the brand registration and use statutes is not a theft. Thus, the continuing plan or scheme theory is not applicable to this argument. We are only concerned with whether or not there is evidence in the record, which if believed by the jury, is sufficient to sustain a finding of guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on each count. Wilson, supra . There was sufficient evidence in the record to conclude that Johnston branded and rebranded 17 cattle. All nine calves that belonged to the cattle stolen from Scott Shoun's pasture carried Johnston's brand. Considering that the alterations were accompanied by the removal of ear tags, it is apparent that Johnston did not mistakenly brand the cattle. The remaining cattle were rebranded with Johnston's brand. Based upon this evidence and drawing the most favorable inferences therefrom, we affirm Johnston's 17 separate convictions of misuse or alteration of a brand. State v. Dale, 379 N.W.2d 811, 813 (S.D.1985) (quoting State v. Moeller, 298 N.W.2d 93, 94 (S.D.1980)). The judgment of conviction on the 19 counts of grand theft is modified to conviction on one count of grand theft. Upon remand, the trial court should resentence Johnston in a manner consistent with this opinion. The judgment of conviction on the 17 counts of misuse or alteration of brand is affirmed. Grand theft is set forth in SDCL 22-30A-1 and SDCL 22-30A-17: 22-30A-1: Any person who takes, or exercises control over, property of another with intent to deprive him of it, is guilty of theft. 22-30A-17: Theft is grand theft, if: (1) The value of the property stolen exceeds two hundred dollars; (2) The property stolen is livestock or a firearm; (3) Property of any value is taken from the person of another; or (4) In the case of theft by receiving stolen property, the receiver is a dealer in stolen property, the value of the property stolen exceeds two hundred dollars in value, or the property stolen is livestock or a firearm. Theft in all other cases is petty theft. Grand theft is a Class 4 felony. Petty theft is divided into two degrees. Petty theft of one hundred dollars or more is in the first degree and is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Petty theft of less than one hundred dollars is in the second degree and is a Class 2 misdemeanor. [] Brand alteration is prohibited by SDCL 40-brand 19-25: Any person who, with intent to defraud, brands or marks any cattle, horse, sheep, buffalo or mule, not his own; intentionally brands over a previous brand or in any manner alters, defaces or obliterates a previous brand; or cuts out or obliterates a previous brand on any cattle, horse, sheep, buffalo or mule is guilty of a Class 5 felony. Affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded. WUEST, SABERS and AMUNDSON, JJ., concur. MILLER, C.J., dissents.