ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Two men accused of stealing cattle across four Kentucky counties agreed Tuesday to plead guilty under a deal that could allow them to avoid prison and have the charges dismissed after completing five years of felony pretrial diversion.

Robert C. White, 32, of Edmonton, and Jeremy C. White, 38, of Hardyville, were charged in October 2025 following an investigation by the Metcalfe County Sheriff’s Office.

A Hardin County grand jury originally indicted both men on charges of engaging in organized crime and theft by deception. Authorities alleged the men worked together to fraudulently obtain cattle using cold checks across Barren, Hart, Hardin and Metcalfe counties.

On Tuesday, Prosecutor Shane Young filed a motion to amend the indictment, reducing the organized crime charge to theft by unlawful taking (complicity) and dismissing the theft-by-deception charge.

Young explained the change to Judge Larry Ashlock, saying the original criminal syndicate allegation required three people to be involved in the criminal activity.

A third person connected to the case was not directly involved with the Whites, he said. The person was not named in court Tuesday.

Ashlock said the original engaging in organized crime charge carried a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison. The amended theft charge is a Class D felony punishable by one to five years.

Both men, who are represented by Glasgow attorney Johnny Bell, gave sworn testimony that they understood the amended charge and were pleading guilty.

They had been scheduled to stand trial in August in Hardin County.

Young recommended felony pretrial diversion rather than a prison sentence.

Under the agreement, the men will be supervised by Kentucky Probation and Parole for five years. If they successfully complete the program, the charges will be dismissed and expunged from their records.

Ashlock explained the significance of the diversion agreement before accepting the pleas, telling the defendants they would still carry a felony conviction during the diversion period but could ultimately have the charges removed if they met the requirements.

“In the eyes of the law, you will still be a convicted felon but one that’s never sentenced,” Ashlock told the defendants.

Referencing Old West lawman Wyatt Earp, Ashlock told the defendants that crimes such as cattle rustling were once treated far differently than they are today.

“You all are being offered a pretrial diversion basically on an allegation of cattle rustling,” Ashlock said. “Back in the old horse-and-buggy days, that was a hanging offense. But now, we give pretrial diversion. That means we’ve probably come a long way, alright?”

He told the defendants the diversion agreement gives them an opportunity to move forward if they follow the court’s requirements.

“As opposed to the finality of what used to occur, you can get these charges off the record if you do what you’re supposed to do. How about that?” Ashlock said.

The men also agreed to pay restitution as part of the plea agreement.

Ashlock said the defendants could likely be moved to “inactive supervision” after about five or six months if they remain in compliance with the conditions of their pretrial diversion.

After five years, prosecutors will submit an order asking the court to dismiss the charges and expunge them from the defendants' records if they have successfully completed the diversion program.

“Once I sign that, it’s like this never happened,” Ashlock said.

One alleged victim in the case did not agree with the plea agreement, Young told the court. The person was advised to contact the prosecutor in the county where he resides.