My question involves criminal law for the state of: VT
Hello: We are a small dairy farm based in Vermont. We sold 22 cows a couple of weeks ago to a Vermont resident(s). They wrote us a check for $4000 as a down payment when they picked up the cattle. The check bounced and was written on a CLOSED account. Further, they were supposed to sign off on a "milk order assignment" where we were to be paid $1000/month for 18 months. They have failed to make good on the check or the milk order, and continue to lie, and we think they are simply stalling for time. We believe for all intents and purposes the cows have been "stolen", so we would like to file an insurance claim as we have theft insurance.
My first question is: Isn't this a CRIMINAL violation? I see elsewhere on the internet that such an act in Vermont is a $1000 fine and up to 1 year in jail. However, when we explained the situation to the Vermont State Police, the person we spoke with said this was only a "civil matter." We are presently preparing statements, and we would like internet resources and precedents for similar acts (ideally in Vermont), where the violator(s) went to jail for committing such crimes. Any information on how we can best proceed would be appreciated.

