Hunter Peffers Escapes from Great Falls Pre-Release Center
By Denise Rivette
Hunter Peffers, 26, is wanted by law enforcement for escaping from a Montana Department of Corrections Pre-Release Center. His absence was noticed when he failed to return from his place of work on July 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black polo shirt, tan pants and using a walking stick. He was most noticeable around Carbon County before his incarceration for wearing “mountain man” style clothing. If you see or know where Peffers is, please call 911.
Originally charged with Felony Burglary, Felony Criminal Mischief and Misdemeanor Theft, Peffers pleaded guilty to one count Felony Criminal Mischief and was sentenced in Carbon County District Court by the Honorable Matthew J. Wald to ten years in the custody of the Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended in addition to paying restitution of approximately $30,000.
The Crime
According to court documents, on or about September 26, 2022, a Carbon County Sheriff’s Deputy and Sergeant were investigating recurring criminal mischief on a section of state land near Joliet. Over the course of about a year and a half, a stock tank, generator, fences and a propane tank on the property had been damaged or destroyed. The equipment was owned by an individual who owned the grazing lease for the land. A game camera placed on the property captured the images of two individuals and a Cadillac Escalade made conspicuous by the elk antlers mounted on the hood. The Deputy viewed the images and immediately recognized the individuals as Hunter Peffers and Israel VanValkenburgh.
On September 26, 2022 the Deputy interviewed VanValkenburgh who admitted to the criminal mischief and said that it had been ongoing for approximately a year and a half. VanValkenburgh stated that he and Peffers did not like having cows on the property and were trying to get the stock owner to remove them. He further stated that he and Peffers shot up equipment and Peffers cut the generator with a knife and wrote a threatening message on the stock tank.
VanValkenburgh went on to state that he and Peffers cut a fence to gain entry to the state section on September 20, 2022 to shoot a deer. Big game season was not open and neither had a hunting license. Peffers killed a doe and the two took the deer to a camp site where they ate some of the deer and left the rest to spoil. The carcass was later found by law enforcement. VanValkenburgh related that the following day, the two broke into a nearby cabin and stole a rifle, ammunition and a bottle of whiskey.
VanValkenburgh said he and Peffers had conversations about being “outlaws.” He further expressed concerns for the safety of law enforcement officers because Peffers had said he wanted to have a shootout with law enforcement. VanValkenburgh also expressed concern for his own safety if Peffers found out he cooperated with law enforcement.
VanValkenburgh later pleaded guilty to the charges, showed remorse and received a six year deferred sentence and was required to pay $7,841 in restitution. On May 1, 2023, the Carbon County Attorney’s office filed documents stating Peffers violated the terms of his release and was arrested in Wyoming in possession of a firearm. He fought extradition to Montana to face his charges in relation to the above described events.
On November 8, 2023 a plea agreement was filed with the court wherein the prosecution agreed to drop two charges. Peffers agreed to plead guilty to one count Felony Criminal Mischief, and the prosecution and defense agreed upon a deferred sentence of six years with Peffers agreeing to “apply for and cooperate with Department of Corrections for a placement at a Pre-Release Program" and to follow the rules of that program, if accepted. He further agreed to restitution in the amount of $7,841. The Pre-Release Program would have allowed for Peffers to begin working to pay the restitution owed.
On January 16, 2024, after extradition from Wyoming, a sentencing memorandum was sent to the court reiterating the above plea agreement. On January 17, 2024, the Honorable Matthew J. Wald sentenced Hunter Peffers to ten years in the custody of the Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended in addition to paying restitution of approximately $30,000. Judge Wald recommended that Peffers be screened for the Pine Hills Vocational Center followed by a Pre-Release Program.
Again, if you see or know where Peffers is please call 911.