LOGAN — A 48-year-old Montana man has been extradited to Cache Valley to face allegations of stealing expensive construction equipment, according to law enforcement. Michael Jack Bothman was temporarily booked Dec. 16 into the Cache County Jail after a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
According to the warrant affidavit, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies were called to investigate a burglary and theft case on July 31, 2024. The alleged victim reported that they had approximately $97,000 worth of goods stolen from their property. The items included a small fork lift, valued at $85,000, and a large shipping container, valued around $7,500.
As deputies began gathering evidence in the case, they learned of similar shipping containers that were reportedly stolen in Idaho Falls. Brigham City Police officers also reported some stolen property by what was suspected to be the same suspects in Idaho.
Deputies concluded the string of burglaries and thefts in the area were likely committed by the same individual, due to the average citizen not knowing how to operate the specialized equipment that was stolen.
Law enforcement were able to obtain a warrant for Bothman’s cell phone records. They reportedly showed him in the Cache Valley area where the fork lift and shipping container were stolen, around the time they disappeared.
Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office obtained enough information to apply for a search warrant of Bothman’s residence in Rollins, Montana. They reportedly found the stolen fork lift in a shipping container on the property.
According to court records, Bothman has been charged in Logan’s 1st District Court with one count of theft, a second-degree felony. He is scheduled to be arraigned before a judge on Monday, and could face up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.