An Arizona woman was sentenced to six years in federal prison for damaging the Dakota Access pipeline at several locations in southern Iowa.
32-year-old Ruby Katherine Montoya was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following her prison term and pay nearly $3.2 million in restitution. Montoya was previously convicted for conspiracy to damage an energy facility.
According to court documents, Montoya, and co-defendant Jessica Reznicek, as early as November 8, 2016, and continuing until May 2, 2017, conspired with other individuals to damage the Dakota Access Pipeline at several locations within the Southern District of Iowa, Northern District of Iowa, and the District of South Dakota. Specifically, Montoya admitted to damaging and attempting to damage the pipeline by (1) using an oxyacetylene cutting torch to burn holes in the pipeline, and (2) setting fire to pipeline instrumentation and equipment in Mahaska, Boone, and Wapello Counties within the Southern District of Iowa.
Reznicek was sentenced to eight years in federal prison in June 2021.
