Layton man sent to prison in mink case

By Loretta Park (Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau)
Feb 4 2010 - 11:29pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- A federal judge sentenced a Layton man to serve two years in a federal prison for damaging a mink farm in South Jordan.

U.S. District Judge Dee Benson said Thursday that William James Viehl's letter to him did not "square up" with his Internet blogs.

Viehl, 23, had pleaded guilty to a charge relating to damaging the McMullin mink farm.

He was supposed to be sentenced Nov. 12, but Viehl's attorney, Heather Harris, asked Benson to continue the sentencing until January because Benson said he was inclined to send Viehl to federal prison for three to five years instead of the recommended six months.

"I don't know any word better than terror," Benson said about Viehl's actions Aug. 19, 2008. "This shouldn't happen. This shouldn't happen in America."

"I really want to apologize to the courts and the McMullins (the owners of the farm)," Viehl said before he was sentenced.

"My intent was not to scare (the McMullins). I felt horrible when I realized I did. I'm hoping other young people do not end up in my shoes. I am truly sorry for what I did, and I respect your choice, your honor."

"That speech alone got one year off your sentence," Benson said.

Besides sentencing Viehl to serve two years in a federal prison, Benson also sentenced him to serve three years of supervised release and to have no contact with members of the Animal Liberation Front, the Earth Liberation Front or similar groups.

He also ordered Viehl to pay $66,753 in restitution to the McMullin mink farm.

Benson said he will recommend Viehl be transported to a federal prison in Arizona or California. He is currently in Davis County Jail, where he has been held the past six months.

Harris asked the judge to release Viehl on Thursday, giving him credit for the six months he has served. After the hearing, she said she plans to discuss with Viehl the possibility of an appeal, but would make no comment concerning the sentence or the judge's comments during the hearing.

Benson said Viehl's presentence report recommended a six-month to 12-month prison term.

The report outlines other attacks Viehl had been involved with, but had not been convicted of, Benson said. Those include an attack on a mink farm in Kaysville in September 2008 and one in Hyrum in October 2008.

The report also referenced a booklet that tells how to sabotage animal enterprises, including driving by the "target" during the day, going again once more at night and dressing in dark clothes, Benson said.

"These suggest you were heavily involved," the judge said.

Benson said Viehl's losing his car key at the McMullin farm linked him to some "pretty damning evidence."

Lindsey McMullin, owner of the South Jordan mink farm, said after the hearing that the sentence "sends a message this type of behavior will not be tolerated in our country."

Another defendant in the case, Alex Hall, 21, of Ogden, is scheduled for a trial that begins April 12.

He is charged with two counts of damaging and interfering with animal enterprises in connection with the attack at the McMullin farm and an attempted attack Oct. 18, 2008, at the Mathews farm in Hyrum.

Hall is being held in Davis County Jail on a federal warrant.