MARSHALL, TEXAS – A Harrison County man was arrested Thursday by a Harrison County Sheriff’s Office investigator on felony theft and insurance fraud charges. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Larry Hand coordinated the investigation between various agencies.
In March, Jason Don Bobo, 35, allegedly reported his own horse trailer and two saddles, valued at $85,000, stolen in order to collect insurance money. Further investigations revealed that Bobo had reported other property stolen, including an all-terrain vehicle valued at $12,000, to collect insurance money.
Two insurance companies have reportedly paid a combined total of $97,000 on the claims by Bobo.
Bobo bonded out Friday. Bond for the theft charges was set at $3,500 and $10,000 for the insurance fraud charge.
If convicted, Bobo could face up to 10 years in prison on the insurance fraud charge and up to two years in state jail for each theft charge.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between TSCRA, Harrison County Sheriff Tom McCool, the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force, the Lufkin Police Department and Special Investigator S. Allen Keller, Farmers Insurance Company.
TSCRA has 29 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.
Click here for a picture of the recovered trailer.
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