Jamestown Man Faces Warrant Over Business Theft and Threats

Court records filed November 18 show a warrant was issued for Jamestown resident Robert Cowperthwaite after investigators allege he used an account belonging to Jerry’s Tree Services for personal gain and attempted to defraud the company. The complaint lists theft related counts including unauthorized use of personal identifying information and forgery or counterfeiting, along with two counts of terrorizing and one count of criminal coercion tied to explicit threats sent to two people demanding payment.

According to investigators, the messages included an alleged demand for payment and threats to the recipients lives. One quoted message said "get that $4,225 check in my mailbox today and cleared" and another said "I’m bout to go find him and kill him." Reports also indicate that an image of a shell casing accompanied the messages. Authorities added the criminal coercion charge after investigators say Cowperthwaite separately threatened to shoot a man if he did not pay.

The allegations cast a spotlight on several issues for local residents. Small businesses such as Jerry’s Tree Services operate on thin margins and rely on trust and stable cash flow. An alleged diversion of $4,225 in payments, if proven, could represent a significant hit to a locally owned operation and its employees. Beyond immediate financial loss, residents and business owners face broader concerns about intimidation and safety when threats accompany attempts at extraction of funds.

For law enforcement and local officials the case underscores the intersection of financial crimes and violent threats that complicate investigations and community responses. Warrants and criminal complaints are a first step in the legal process, and the charges alleged in court records carry potential criminal penalties if prosecutors secure convictions. The records do not indicate an arrest at the time the warrant was issued, and the case remains pending in the local judicial system.

Community leaders and local businesses are likely to monitor the case closely. Beyond this specific incident, the allegations may prompt firms to review financial controls, account access and employee oversight to reduce the risk of internal fraud. Residents concerned about safety and extortion should continue to report threats to law enforcement so authorities can document incidents and take appropriate action.

As the case moves through the courts, it will test how local institutions respond to combined financial and violent crime allegations. For Stutsman County the outcome will have immediate implications for the affected business and broader implications for trust among customers, employees and the small business community.