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John Carman, the Malta man who admitted fault in the death of more than 100 goats, will likely spend no time in jail.

Carman received a deferred sentence this week in Phillips County.

The animal cruelty case first broke in February of last year.

Just outside of Dodson, neighbors reported almost 200 goats died at a nearby ranch after being neglected by Carman.

He was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, and entered a plea agreement the day before he was set to go on trial.

This week's sentence calls for six years probation and $17,000 in restitution.

$11,000 will go to the owner of the goats, and $6,000 will go to the property owner.

(January 25, 2011) The trial of Jon Carman, accused of leaving more than 200 goats to die last February in Dodson, was vacated on Tuesday after a plea deal was reached.

His trial on one charge of aggravated animal cruelty had been scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 26th. If he had been convicted of the charge, Carman could have faced a sentence of up to two years and a fine of up to $2,500.

The plea bargain calls for Carman to plead nolo contendere (no contest) to the charge. A nolo contendere plea means that the defendant does not admit guilt, but agrees to punishment as though he had pleaded guilty.

In the plea agreement, the Phillips County Attorney has agreed to recommend a six-year deferred sentence under the supervision of the MT Department of Corrections.

The plea agreement also stipulates that Carman will not own any goats or other livestock during his six-year deferred sentence, except for one horse and one mule.

(March 8, 2010) Jon Carman, accused of allowing 200 goats in his care to die, entered a plea of not guilty in a Phillips County courtroom on Monday.

Carman is charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

He's due back in court on April 27th for an omnibus hearing, and a trial date will be set at that time.

The investigation started in early February when Phillips County officials received calls from concerned neighbors.

The dead goats were found without food or water on a property leased by Carman. He faces up to $2,500 in fines and two years in prison if convicted.

(February 18, 2010) KRTV has learned of charges of animal cruelty involving a Malta man, Jon Carman, after more than 200 goats were found dead on property that he is leasing.

Nearby resident Deb Nicholson tells us she was with the investigator from the Department of Livestock on the scene of the Dodson area ranch where the goats were found in a shed.

Nicholson told KRTV, "It was the most sickest sight you ever seen. Goats on top of each other. Newborn baby goats laying all over the place. There was four goats stuck in the fence. They just died there. It was horrible. It made me sick to my stomach and it made my husband sick to his stomach."

According to the Department of Livestock, other live animals on the property have been moved elsewhere.

Dodson is located on the Montana Hi-Line between Harlem and Malta.