A Mansfield man is facing multiple charges after a property owner reported finding him on private land with a truck and trailer positioned to load a burned skid steer, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
The report states that on February 13, a witness encountered 45‑year‑old Jessie Doherty on a rural property in Ava, where a truck and trailer were “backed up to a burned 2021 New Holland skid steer… with the trailer ramps down, positioned in a manner consistent with preparing to load the skid steer” . The witness told deputies that Doherty did not have permission to be on the property or to remove any equipment .
Investigators later learned that Doherty had previously made an offer to purchase the property, which “ultimately fell through,” and that multiple items had gone missing since that time, including picnic tables and folding tables . A chain blocking the driveway had also been taken down and put back up, suggesting unauthorized entry .
Doherty is charged with first‑degree trespassing, stealing $750 or more for the attempted theft of the skid steer valued at $1,000, and first‑degree tampering for attempting to take the equipment . The probable cause statement also notes a lengthy criminal history, including prior arrests for trespassing, tampering, assault, and kidnapping .
