Man sentenced to prison for taking $231K from older Wyoming rancher

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming court officials have sentenced a man four to eight years in prison after he spent more than $230,000 belonging to a rancher he considered family.

The Gillette News Record reported Wednesday that 52-year-old Harvey Bethea pleaded guilty in August to exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Officials say Bethea was also sentenced Tuesday to 10 years of probation, fined more than $3,000 and required to pay back the money.

Authorities say Bethea spent $231,255 belonging to Donny York, who is in his 80s.

Authorities say Bethea was accused of using the money to pay for livestock never purchased, a laptop, medical bills and a fur coat between April 2016 and April 2017.

His attorney Nick Carter asked for probation saying Bethea has health issues and no criminal record.

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Information from: The Gillette (Wyo.) News Record, http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com