UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

 

 

In re:

 

 

 

 

Cody Allen Easterday,

 

 

 

 

                  Respondent

 

 

 

P&S Docket No. 23-J-0087

 

 

 

 

 

Consent Decision and Order

 

 

 

 

            This proceeding was instituted under the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended and supplemented (7 U.S.C. § 181 et seq.) (Act), by a Complaint filed by the Deputy Administrator, Fair Trade Practices Program, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), United States Department of Agriculture, alleging that the Respondent willfully violated the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder (9 C.F.R. § 201.1 et seq.).  This decision and order is entered pursuant to the consent decision provision of the Rules of Practice applicable to this proceeding (7 C.F.R. § 1.138).

            Respondent admits the jurisdictional allegations in the complaint and specifically admits that the Secretary has jurisdiction in this matter, admits the remaining allegations as set forth herein as findings of fact and conclusions of law, waive oral hearing and further procedure, waive all rights to seek judicial review and otherwise challenge or contest the validity of this decision, including waiving challenges to the Administrative Law Judge’s authority to enter this Decision and Order under the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution of the United States, and waive any action against the United States Department of Agriculture under the Equal Access to Justice Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. § 504 et seq.) for fees and other expenses incurred by respondent in connection with this proceeding or any action against any USDA employee in their individual capacity. 

Respondent consents and agrees, for the purpose of settling this proceeding, to the entry of this decision.  Complainant agrees to the entry of this decision.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1.         Respondent Cody Allen Easterday is currently in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Registration Number XXXXX, USP LOMPOC, XXXXX, XXXXX, XXXXX.  

2.         Respondent is, and at all times material herein was:

(a)        Engaged in the business of a dealer buying and selling livestock in commerce.

(b)        Registered with the Secretary of Agriculture as a dealer buying and selling livestock in commerce;

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

Respondent having admitted the jurisdictional facts and the parties having agreed to the entry of this decision, such decision will be entered.

ORDER

            1.         Respondent, his agents and employees, directly or through any corporate or other device, in connection with his operations subject to the Act, shall cease and desist from misrepresenting the sale of livestock by creating records that are not a true representation of the livestock transaction.

             

            2.         Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. § 204, Respondent is suspended as a registrant for the duration of Respondent’s incarceration in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, plus 5 years from the date of release from incarceration.  After that time, this order may be modified to lift said suspension upon application to the Packers and Stockyards Division and upon demonstration of payment of all amounts owed as a result of Respondents’ false and fraudulent livestock transactions referenced in the Complaint in this case.

The provisions of this Order shall become effective upon issuance. Copies of this decision shall be served upon the parties.

 

 

_______________________

Cody Allen Easterday

Respondent

 

 

________________________

Christopher Young

Attorney for Complainant

11th

 

August

 
                                                                                                Done at Washington, D.C.

                                                                                                this ______ day of ________, 2023

 

Channing Strother

 
                                                                                   

            _____________________________

                                                                                               

Chief Administrative Law Judge