U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian in Eastern Washington cut ex-cattleman Cody Easterday’s 11-year sentence for fraud by 27 months, a reduction that falls between what Easterday’s attorneys sought and federal prosecutors recommended.

Bastian’s sentence was consistent with the term he handed Easterday in 2021, falling between the low and high ends of the standard sentencing range.

The range was revised under new federal sentencing guidelines.

The new guidelines for first-time offenders, which apply retroactively, made Easterday eligible for a sentence of between 97 and 121 months, rather than 121 and 151 months.

Bastian revised the original 132-month sentence proportionately to arrive at 105 months.

Easterday’s attorneys sought the minimum sentence, while federal prosecutors argued for the maximum.

Easterday is serving his sentence at a federal prison in Lompoc, Calif. Easterday is now scheduled to be released in December 2029. Before the resentencing, Easterday’s release date was in November 2031.

Federal inmates can earn credit toward earlier release dates by good behavior and participating in prison programs.

Easterday has worked on the prison farm and taken courses in mechanics and agri-business while incarcerated, according to his attorneys.

Easterday supplied cattle to Tyson Fresh Meats’ beef plant in Pasco, Wash. Easterday defrauded Tyson out of $233 million by billing for more than 265,000 head of cattle that didn’t exist.

A second victim in the “ghost cattle” scheme, Segale Properties of Tukwila, Wash., was defrauded out of $11 million.

Easterday’s attorneys had sought a hearing on the motion to reduce the sentence. Bastian chose to issue a ruling based on written arguments.

Easterday’s attorneys asked Bastian to consider Easterday’s actions once his fraud came to light.

Easterday admitted guilt and sold his family’s ranching and farming empire to start repaying Tyson and Segale and will continue to work to pay restitution when free, his lawyers argued. Federal prosecutors acknowledged Easterday’s post-fraud deeds, but said the size of the theft merited a stiff sentence.